A month passed quickly.
It was noon on the last day of the agreed-upon period. The snow had just stopped, and the earth was covered in a blanket of white. Dong Zhuoying and Yu Shan arrived at Jigong Mountain in the western suburbs.
Jigong Mountain resembles a rooster in shape, especially its overall appearance, which closely resembles an enraged rooster. Where the rooster's comb stands proudly is a sheer cliff, hundreds of feet high. Not a blade of grass grows on the cliff, its color a deep reddish-brown. The wonder of nature is truly remarkable, a masterpiece of craftsmanship, and an awe-inspiring sight.
The two reached the top of the mountain and climbed to the highest point of the rooster's comb. Yu Shan looked at the white clouds filling the sky, which seemed to change like fleeting clouds, and said to Dong Zhuoying, "Zhuoying, I never imagined that the scenery here would be so beautiful."
"I wholeheartedly agree."
"If this place is a remote and secluded spot, it would be a good place to stay together for life."
"To stay together for life? With whom?"
Yu Shan smiled, a mysterious smile revealing two rows of pearly teeth, a small mouth, and a deep dimple on her cheek—a dimple that could intoxicate countless men.
Dong Zhuoying was instantly captivated.
Yu Shan looked Dong Zhuoying up and down with her pretty eyes, and said in a sweet voice, "Someone I am willing to spend my whole life with."
Dong Zhuoying dared not ask any further questions. He understood that he was burdened with a blood feud, and his only goal now was to find the whereabouts of his enemies.
A cold laugh echoed through the air.
Yu Shan's expression suddenly hardened, she suppressed her fluttering emotions, and shouted, "Who?"
Dong Zhuoying reacted even faster, soaring into the air like a hawk. Before the laughter of his opponent had even subsided, he had already covered three zhang (approximately 10 meters) and reached the edge of the woods. The low thicket remained quiet. Apart from the sound of the wind, there was no other noise.
Yu Shan, dressed in white, resembled a pink butterfly as she followed them. Dong Zhuoying shrugged and said with a wry smile, "She's already gone!"
A hint of anger flashed across Yu Shan's face as she said, "You shameless scoundrel."
Dong Zhuoying said, "Miss Yu, don't worry, we won't go far."
"You saw it, what kind of person was it?"
"All that could be seen was a yellow robe fluttering by."
"ah!"
"Miss Yu, do you know who it is?"
"certainly."
Who is it?
"It is the devil who summoned us."
"It's Black-faced Zhang Ba." Dong Zhuoying was taken aback.
"If it's not him, then who is it?"
"Then why doesn't he step forward and settle things sooner?"
Yu Shan pondered for a moment, then gritted her teeth and said resentfully, "Black-faced Zhang Ba, his favorite thing is to appear and disappear without a trace. He's played this trick too many times."
"If you don't find it strange, it will fall apart on its own!" Chong Zhuoying casually replied dismissively.
"Yes, you're right. A demon is a demon, and demons are always associated with ghosts."
Suddenly, another cold laugh rang out. This time, the laughter came from behind the rock on the left. Dong Zhuoying was too lazy to chase after it this time. He turned around at the sound, and with a sudden flick of his wrist, he threw a blue pebble towards the source of the sound. The pebble, like a streak of blue light, suddenly changed direction in the air and shot towards a small pine tree on the rock.
With a loud "bang," a tree branch as thick as an arm was snapped in two by a pebble. With a loud crash, the branch fell to the ground. Surprisingly, despite the broken branch, no one fell from the tree.
A moment later, an old voice came and said, "Young man, save your energy!"
"Zhang Ba, you coward, are you ashamed to show your face?"
"I am not Zhang Ba."
"Then what are you doing here?"
"What I say is the same as what Eighth Master says. You two are doomed."
Dong Zhuoying said in a deep voice, "Then who are you? Zhang Ba's lackey?"
"Even when death is imminent, you still dare to hurl insults at others."
Yu Shan angrily retorted, "What's the big deal about calling you a lackey? I'll take your dog's life later!"
"I don't deign to argue with a brat like you."
"Very good, call your master Zhang Ba out."
"Don't rush, Eighth Master invited you here, he won't treat you badly."
"Being paranoid and suspicious is definitely not a good thing!"
Suddenly, a person appeared from a grove of bamboo behind the mountain rocks. Strangely, the person was dressed in white clothes and a white hat, with a mournful face, long eyebrows, and holding a mourning stick in his hand.
Upon seeing it, Yu Shan curled her lips, first in surprise, then smiled, and turned to Dong Zhuoying with a smile, saying, "Zhuoying, what do you think that thing is?"
Dong Zhuoying knew what was going on and that the other party was plotting something.
After Yu Shan finished speaking, she actually waved to the man in white and called out, "Hey! Come here! Weren't you going to send me some message?"
The man in white said in a ghostly voice, "I am one of the first batch of soul-reaping messengers dispatched by Master Zhang, here specifically to capture the ghosts of you two brats." As he spoke, he pointed his mourning staff forward, and a cloud of black smoke suddenly burst from the tip of the staff, enveloping the area where the two were standing.
Yu Shan was about to strike when a large hand grabbed her soft little hand, and she heard Dong Zhuoying's voice:
"Careful, this smoke is poisonous!" The two of them simultaneously leaped into the air, reaching a position upwind about two zhang away. Just as they regained their footing, another strange-looking person appeared from behind them. This person wore a grand master's hat, a long black robe, and had a face as black as charcoal. Three long tufts of beard flowed down his chest. Most remarkably, he held a large writing brush in his right hand and a ledger in his left. Yu Shan pointed at the person and said, "Hey! Which batch of soul-reaping messengers did Zhang Ba send?"
The other party's voice remained eerie: "I am not a soul-reaping messenger."
"Then what are you?"
"I am in charge of the Book of Life and Death, and I have come here to examine the crimes you two committed in your lifetimes."
"Bullshit! I've lived an honest and upright life. If you want to investigate crimes, arrest Zhang Ba first!" Yu Shan's cheeks flushed, and she suddenly became coquettish.
Dong Zhuoying secretly transmitted his voice, saying, "Miss Yu, don't get angry with them, or you'll fall into their trap."
Yu Shan's heart skipped a beat, and she indeed shut her mouth and said nothing more. After a while, a series of footsteps came. A group of ghost soldiers emerged from behind the mountain rocks, some carrying handcuffs and others carrying shackles. The ghost soldier at the front held a wooden sign with nine large characters written on it: "By order, arrest Dong Zhuoying and Yu Shan."
Suddenly, the gong rang out three times in succession. Behind the ghost soldiers, four guards in official attire, each holding a lantern, escorted an elderly man in a scholar's robe and a feather fan, who slowly stepped out. The old man had a smile on his face, appearing leisurely and carefree, but his face was as black as the bottom of a pot, so black that his eyebrows were almost indistinguishable. It was obvious without asking that the newcomer was none other than Black-faced Zhang Ba.
When Dong Zhuo Ying first saw his face like this, he finally understood why he pretended to be a god or a ghost to scare people. This man was born to be a devil.
Yu Shan was unfazed, so when she saw the dark-faced Zhang Ba appear, she first gave a cold smile, then shouted, "Zhang Ba, you've finally shown yourself!"
As expected of a regional overlord, Zhang Ba remained exceptionally calm and composed. He first let out a thunderous laugh before saying, "Yu Shan, I didn't expect you to live so long. This is beyond my expectations."
Yu Shan said with a smile, "Grandma is in a good mood today, Zhang Ba, you're lucky."
Zhang Ba's dark face hardened as he said, "I've always been lucky. I've traveled all over the country and met countless masters. Who do you think you are!"
Yu Shan retorted sarcastically, "Zhang Ba, stop trying to glorify yourself. Last time, I let you escape from the sword only because I appreciated how hard it was for you to become famous. What's there to brag about?"
Zhang Ba waved his right hand, a slight, contemptuous smile playing on his lips, and asked, "And this gentleman is...?"
Dong Zhuoying proudly stepped forward and said, "Dong Zhuoying."
Zhang Ba turned to the Black Judge and instructed, "Investigate who Dong Zhuoying is and how many crimes he has committed."
Yu Shan twisted her body, leaping into the air, her sword tip pointing diagonally towards Zhang Ba. Zhang Ba shouted, "..."
"You brat, slow down, let me finish what I have to say."
What a clever Yu Shan! While in mid-air, upon hearing this, she immediately flipped over, head down, like a swallow returning to its nest and flying back to Dong Zhuoying's side.
After stopping, she said, "Zhang Ba, I've waited two months for this day. Are you scared?"
"What a joke! I've never been afraid of anyone. I just have some questions in my mind. I'll find out the answers first before making a decision."
Dong Zhuoying nodded secretly; he had the same idea.
I had heard that Zhang Ba and Zhu Xin Yuanwai had a life-or-death friendship, but whether this was true or not, or whether it was an exaggeration, we need to find out first.
Yu Shan said, "Alright! Since you brought it up, I'll have to ask you first."
"Alright, I'll let you ask first!"
"Who poisoned Elder Bu? Was it you who did it?"
"Rumors are a fearsome thing, but I hold myself in high esteem and would never do such a despicable thing."
"Then what is your intention in sending people to invite Bu Daming time and time again?"
"It's very simple. Bu Daming has some connection with me. His martial arts skills are nothing to brag about, but his profound and unique understanding of medical principles makes him the number one person on both sides of the Yellow River."
"But Elder Bu was still poisoned by the villain."
"I have no comment on this."
Dong Zhuoying interjected, "Does Your Excellency know the man named Zhu Xin?"
Zhang Ba was startled and asked, "What business do you have with Master Zhu Xin?"
Seeing the hidden meaning in his words, Dong Zhuoying immediately asked, "Your Excellency has not yet answered my question."
Zhang Ba chuckled and said, "The question is easy to answer. I need to understand the purpose of your question and what your goal is."
Dong Zhuoying said frankly, "I am irreconcilably opposed to Zhu Xin Yuanwai, and we have an irreconcilable hatred for each other."
Can you explain why?
"this…"
"It's inconvenient to say?"
"I'm sorry, there's no need to say it."
Zhang Ba pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "Since you have asked, I will answer frankly. Master Zhu Xin is not that kind of petty person from the martial arts world."
Dong Zhuoying angrily said, "Your Excellency need not cover for him; even if you did, it would be of no use."
"I am speaking the truth, there is no need to conceal anything."
"So you admit that you're his friend?"
"Yes, and they've been friends for many years."
Where is he now?
"have no idea."
"you..."
"We met two months ago, so he's probably already in Hunan by now," Zhang Ba explained.
Is this really true?
"As the head of a sect, my word is law. How could I speak nonsense?"
"How long was that old scoundrel with you last time?"
"We lingered for three days, enjoying wine and conversation to the fullest."
"A quick-witted, outspoken, and admirably bold person, but..."
"But what?"
Dong Zhuoying took a breath, as if trying his best to suppress his inner emotions, before saying, "It is just that Master Zhuxin is a beast in human clothing, and you, sir, have associated with a beast. I find it deeply regrettable."
Zhang Ba shook his head, clearly unconvinced, and said, "That's your opinion. Let's leave him aside for now. You've finished asking your questions, now it's my turn to ask mine."
Dong Zhuoying glanced at Yu Shan and said, "It's perfectly fair, ask away!"
"I have several questions, but they all boil down to one question: Would you two be so inclined as to accompany me on a trip to a certain place?"
Fearing he might be up to something again, Yu Shan asked, "Shall we go to your famous stone house?"
Zhang Ba laughed loudly and said, "Miss Yu, you know quite a lot. My stone house is full of mysteries. If you are afraid, you don't have to go." As he spoke, he pointed to the western foot of Jigong Mountain.
Chong Zhuoying looked in the direction he was pointing. There was indeed a stone house there, about twenty zhang high, standing majestically, connected to the mountain ridge, its height unfathomable.
Yu Shan was most afraid of being provoked, and upon hearing this, she said, "That's just one of your three escape routes!"
Zhang Ba smiled and said meaningfully, "Whether it's a rabbit's den or a devil's house, are you two going or not?"
Dong Zhuoying said, "Go, please lead the way!"
Zhang Ba, beaming with pride, shouted, "Distinguished guests have arrived! Quickly set up a path to welcome them!"
In an instant, all sorts of ghosts and monsters vanished without a trace. "This stone is quite magnificent, surrounded by pine and cypress trees, with eight stone figures neatly arranged on each side."
In front of the stone house, in the center, stood a massive blue boulder over ten feet high, serving as a large stone gate. At this moment, torches on both sides blazed brightly, making it as clear as day. Standing before the gate was Steward Mu. To his left and right stood the Eight Heroes in Purple Robes.
Manager Mou greeted the guests with a smile at the entrance of the stone house.
After meeting with Steward Mu at Bu Daming's place last time, Dong Zhuoying knew that this man was meticulous and kept to himself, and had a good impression of him.
Upon seeing their arrival, Steward Mu bowed deeply and said, "Distinguished guests, please come in!" Dong Zhuoying, confident of his arrival, returned the bow with a smile and said, "Thank you for your trouble, Steward. I will go in and sit for a while, and come out shortly. Is Steward still guarding the door?"
Steward Mu smiled faintly and said, "Of course, since Young Hero Dong was able to go in and come out so easily, I would certainly have stood at the door to see him off. Now, let me lead the way for you two."
Dong Zhuoying casually remarked, "That's a bit much!"
The two men strode confidently behind Steward Mou, proceeding directly forward. After passing through the corridor and turning a corner, they found themselves on a wide stone-paved road wide enough for a carriage to travel on. The road surface was flat and straight, but the sides were unusually complex. There were twenty-four burly men, wearing grotesque masks with ferocious expressions, each holding a long sword, which they held diagonally in the air, forming a curtain of blades.
People walk beneath a curtain of blades, the air thick with menacing energy, like a ghostly realm, filled with a chilling and terrifying atmosphere.
Dong Zhuoying took Yu Shan's hand and walked over with her head held high.
Suddenly, the twenty-four burly men wielding steel knives shouted in unison, their blades clashing and striking each other with tremendous force. Dong Zhuoying whispered, "Ignore them, this is just a show to scare people."
Yu Shan tightened her grip, indicating that she understood.
As Yu Shan walked, she silently memorized the terrain of the area she had come from. Further on was a crossroads, a maze of interconnected paths. Fortunately, at each intersection, there was a directional sign. After walking for a while, the view suddenly opened up.
Upon closer inspection, they realized they had reached the entrance of a large hall.
This hall can be said to be the essence of the stone house. It is square and huge, like a large box made of stone, which is breathtaking.
Just then, Zhang Ba's gloomy voice suddenly came from inside the hall, saying, "This is already inside the mountain. Please come in, you two!"
Dong Zhuoying strode ahead and entered the hall first.
The hall was magnificent, with five large, oval-shaped luminous pearls embedded in the stone wall, their milky-white light radiating a soft glow. Every furnishing in the hall was arranged in a plum blossom pattern. The central marble round table, in particular, had all five petals, with a plum blossom stamen carved from stone in the center.
Dong Zhuoying's mentor, the Lonely Old Man of Huangshan, was a learned man of both heaven and man, deeply understanding the subtleties of the Eight Trigrams of Fuxi. Dong Zhuoying had followed his master since childhood, and through this exposure, he had also gained considerable knowledge of various mechanisms and layouts. When he saw the entire hall, with its shape resembling a plum blossom, illuminated by light, he knew that it concealed a mysterious mystery—a trap set within.
Yu Shan was highly skilled in martial arts, but she knew nothing about this art. She was simply overjoyed to be able to accompany Dong Zhuoying and had no time to think that this hall could become a slaughterhouse if necessary.
Three people were already seated around the large, plum blossom-shaped table. One of them was Zhang Ba, with a dark face, while Dong Zhuoying didn't recognize the other two. Standing behind Zhang Ba was Lu Ping, the last remaining member of the Three Musketeers. Lu Ping glared fiercely at Dong Zhuoying and Yu Shan as they entered the hall, his eyes burning with venomous resentment. Yu Shan, of course, knew Lu Ping's thoughts and didn't bother with him. Dong Zhuoying, even more disdainful of arguing with such a petty person, walked straight to the center of the hall.
When the dark-faced Zhang Ba saw them enter, he politely stood up and laughed, "You two are indeed trustworthy people. It seems that I, Zhang, am about to make good friends again." As he spoke, he pointed to the other two old men and said, "Let me introduce you first. These two are the protectors of our gang, the 'Twin Heroes of the Pass' Wan Gujin and Wan Gutongxian brothers."
Dong Zhuoying saw Wan Gujin, with his white beard and hair, dressed in white, and with a ruddy complexion. Wan Gutong, on the other hand, was quite the opposite, wearing a black robe with a black ribbon around his waist and black boots. He was no more than five feet tall, but had a sharp and capable appearance. Seeing Dong Zhuoying's imposing presence, his graceful movements, and his neither arrogant nor humble demeanor, accompanied by the renowned Golden Phoenix Yu Shan, who was beautiful and charming, the two elders dared not be negligent. They both stood up simultaneously. Wan Gujin's white eyebrows twitched repeatedly, and he placed his hand on the table, saying, "I have long admired your name. It is truly an honor to meet you here today!" Wan Gutong, standing to the side, said, "Miss Yu, it has been many years since we last met. You are still as beautiful as ever, congratulations!" It turned out that Wan Gutong knew Yu Shan before; the two had met once.
As the two were about to reply, Zhang Ba pressed his fingers on the table, and instantly the five luminous pearls disappeared, replaced by the flame of a giant candle, thicker than a child's arm. The giant candle's flame blazed fiercely, unlike the soft pearly glow of before. Yellow smoke also faintly rose from the candle's light.
Dong Zhuoying whispered, "Miss Yu, this yellow smoke is poisonous." Actually, the two were already prepared, each with a herbal pill in their mouths. In the blink of an eye, Lu Ping's figure disappeared from behind the black-faced Zhang Ba's chair.
Dong Zhuoying quickly glanced around the stone hall, realizing that the other party was two-faced and treacherous, and that this hall held countless hidden schemes and could kill at any moment.
Yu Shan let out a charming laugh, breaking the brief silence between them. She walked over with a smile and casually sat down at one of the two empty seats at the plum blossom table, saying, "Let's sit down first, and talk things over slowly, okay?"
Dong Zhuoying swiftly moved and sat down in another seat.
Zhang Ba laughed loudly, "These two seats have been vacant for a long time, waiting for someone with a willing heart. Now that you two have taken your seats in our gang's plum blossom chairs, you have joined our gang."
Yu Shan scolded, "Wait a minute, Zhang Ba, have you no shame?"
Zhang Ba asked in surprise, "Why would you say such a thing, young lady?"
Yu Shan said, "Since you invited the two of us here, we are your honored guests. How can you entertain honored guests with poisoned candles and secretly plot against them?"
Zhang Ba raised his dark eyebrows and said, "Miss Yu, what's wrong with doing as you say?"
Dong Zhuoying sneered, "The strong survive and the weak perish. True skill is revealed in our hands. If you win, you may slaughter me as you please."
The other two glanced at Zhang Ba, who then made a gesture, hooking his thumb and forefinger together to form a small circle, signifying that the two men were now in his grasp and could not escape.
Suddenly, Wan Gujin leaped into the air, swiftly reaching for Dong Zhuoying. He shouted, "I'll test your skills first!" But his lightning-fast attack was easily deflected by Dong Zhuoying's palm. Dong Zhuoying, having defeated him in one move, immediately retaliated with a punch. For a moment, the two were evenly matched, neither gaining the upper hand.
Wan Gu Tong Jian Yu Shan sat there with a smile, a cold glint flashing in his eyes, and said, "Miss Yu, I have long admired your Flying Flower Palm, which is unpredictable and elusive. I would like to take this opportunity to learn from you."
Yu Shan laughed loudly and said, "Alright! We're just killing time anyway."
Wan Gutong moved swiftly, already standing in an open space two zhang away. Yu Shan followed closely behind. Without uttering a word, the two began to fight.
At this moment, the four people split into two pairs and fought fiercely. Apart from the sound of their fists and feet, the entire hall was completely silent. After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Wan Gujin kept exclaiming in surprise, his moves gradually becoming increasingly difficult to execute. Wan Gutong was in no better shape. Yu Shan's light and graceful movements, her Flying Flower Palm technique, unfolded like a hundred flowers blooming and a thousand petals fluttering.
At this moment, the most astonished person was none other than the dark-faced Zhang Ba. He sat motionless, watching the battle intently. Based on his extensive experience in the martial world, these two young men should be unconscious from the effects of the poison. How could they be fighting with increasing ferocity, showing no signs of fatigue? Zhang Ba grew increasingly chilled. He reached down and pulled and turned a hidden button under the plum blossom table, instantly revealing a small door beneath the surface. The door opened, and Lu Ping's head emerged, holding an iron box in his hands.
So this mechanism was hidden so cleverly, no wonder Lu Ping disappeared in the blink of an eye.
The iron box was handed from Lu Ping to Zhang Ba. Zhang Ba's ferocious face looked even more terrifying. He glared fiercely at Dong Zhuoying and Yu Shan; this was his first move.
The fierce battle in the arena was becoming increasingly clear, with the two old men already at a disadvantage.
Yu Shan sneered, "Wan Gutong, what happened to your dragon-slaying skills? I'm just an ordinary person, not some dragon or anything."
Wan Gutong's face turned a deep purplish-red, his hands moving with incredible speed, and he gritted his teeth, saying, "You brat, don't be so smug. I will definitely defeat you within a hundred moves."
Yu Shan stuck out her tongue, made a face, and said coldly, "A hundred moves? I'm afraid it won't take that long! I'll take you down in fifty moves!"
Keep dreaming!
"If you don't believe me, just wait and see!"
Sure enough, their fight became even more intense. A flurry of punches and kicks filled the arena as they raced through the air.
Facing Wan Gujin, Dong Zhuoying was far more profound, remaining silent and engrossed in his battle. Dong Zhuoying's eyes were fixed on all directions, his ears attentive to Zhang Ba's every move. When he saw Lu Ping extend his hands, offering a square iron box, he knew the time was of the essence and there was no time to delay. Suddenly, Dong Zhuoying let out a loud shout, leaping more than two zhang into the air, his limbs outstretched, like a great eagle soaring through the sky.
Wan Gujin assumed that Dong Zhuoying's attack from mid-air must be a desperate all-out effort. He immediately drew in his dantian, focused his eyes on the incoming attack, slightly bent his elbows, and half-bent his knees, preparing to receive this earth-shattering move.
Little did they know that Dong Zhuoying was bluffing and had used a deceptive tactic. He suddenly kicked off with both legs, head down and feet up, and this earth-shattering attack was aimed at Zhang Ba, who was sitting in the chair.
Zhang Ba, with his dark face, was taken aback by Dong Zhuoying's attack. His instinctive reaction was to hastily place the iron basin on the table and hastily rise to meet the challenge. Dong Zhuoying let out a long laugh, and just as their hands were about to collide, he suddenly shifted a foot to the side, swiftly grabbing the square iron box from the table with his left hand.
The iron box was heavy. Dong Zhuoying initially didn't know what it was, thinking it might be a container for venomous snakes or other poisonous creatures. But the feel of it was different. Dong Zhuoying immediately realized it must be explosives!
Before Zhang Ba could even react in disbelief, the iron box had already been tossed from outside into the room through a small door under the large round table. These actions were executed in one swift motion, leaving no time for anyone to stop it.
Dong Zhuoying slammed his arm down on the table, sending himself flying backwards with unparalleled swift movements. His right palm cleaved towards Wan Gutong mid-air, while his left hand grabbed Yu Shan's jade arm, urgently shouting, "Run!"
Without hesitation, Yu Shan lightly touched the ground with her toes, and the two of them rushed towards the hall door at the same time.
With a deafening bang, the explosion reverberated through the tunnel beneath the hall.
The explosion not only shattered a large round stone table with a plum blossom design into pieces, but also shook the ground violently, making it teeter on the verge of collapse. The entire hall was filled with smoke and the smell of gunpowder.
Zhang Ba was a step too slow and had both his legs blown off.
The Wan brothers seized the opportunity to risk their lives and rush out. In an instant, everyone fled for their lives, screaming and wailing, and chaos reigned.
It turned out that Zhang Ba planned to lure Dong Zhuoying and Yu Shan to a secret location outside the main hall and blow them up after failing to subdue them. Unexpectedly, Dong Zhuoying saw through the plan and acted first, reaping the consequences of his actions.
Dong Zhuoying and Yu Shan rushed out of the stone house. Yu Shan looked back with lingering affection and said with endless regret, "Such a magnificent building, destroyed in an instant, what a pity!"
Dong Zhuoying continued to pull her forward, shouting, "Miss Yu, what's a pity isn't the stone house, but people's hearts. People's hearts are no longer what they used to be, and treachery is rampant. That's what's truly a pity!"
Yu Shan pouted her lips, pretending she couldn't run anymore, letting Dong Zhuoying pull her along, and said coquettishly, "Okay, you're right, I'll listen to you in everything, is that alright now?"
Dong Zhuoying let out a long roar, like a thunderclap in a dry sky, continuous and unending.
Yu Shan pressed her body closer and closer, her starry eyes filled with intoxication, and said, "Black-faced Zhang Ba has reaped what he sowed, and Senior Bu's grievances have been redressed. We can say that our trip was worthwhile!"
Dong Zhuoying suddenly stopped, his expression becoming unusually serious. He said, "Miss Yu, I have other urgent business to attend to. We shall meet again."
Yu Shan was startled and asked urgently, "Where are you going?"
"I am burdened with a blood feud and my whereabouts are uncertain. I currently plan to go to Beiman Mountain."
"Mount Beiman? That's quite a distance. I'll go with you!"
"No, I must go to Beiman Mountain alone."
"Why?"
"I cannot disobey my master's orders. How about we meet again at the Yellow Crane Tower a year from now?"
Yu Shan tried to hold back her tears, but a few still fell. She said sadly, "Since your master has instructed me to do this, I have no choice but to accept it." As soon as she finished speaking, Yu Shan turned around and left without saying anything more.
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08 004
Chapter Three
As autumn deepens, a brisk wind blows, yellow leaves flutter down, and the earth is shrouded in a gray and desolate atmosphere.
On Mount Beiman, the trees are bare and the grass is withered.
The setting sun cast a cold, desolate light on the ancient tombs and mausoleums submerged in overgrown weeds, creating a scene of utter desolation that evoked a sense of heartbreak and despair.
Amidst the broken steles and rubble, two old men sat facing each other, eyes closed, arms outstretched, palms facing each other three feet apart. Between them lay a strangely shaped, sheathed sword, about two feet long. This sword was nearly half the length of an ordinary sword, yet unlike a typical short sword, it was much longer than a dagger—a rare weapon. Scattered around the two old men were many broken steles and rubble; the chaotic scene suggested a fierce battle had taken place here.
Suddenly, a mournful song rose with the chilly evening breeze. "Eyes brimming with blood, heart overflowing with hatred, how can I bear to watch the withered grass and the setting sun! Boundless desolation, boundless panic, a man does not easily shed tears! Wielding the mighty sword, to vanquish the wicked, my thoughts are not yet settled, what else can I wait for? Quickly don my armor, for battle!" The lingering melody echoed through the sky. When the song ended, a black-clad scholar with a long sword at his waist appeared.
The scholar was exceptionally handsome and dashing, but his face was grim, his brows furrowed, and his eyes gleamed with a chilling hatred, as if he loathed everyone in the world.
The scholar in black spotted the two old men at a glance and froze.
At this moment, the two old men's bodies trembled incessantly. Anyone with discerning eyes could tell that they were competing in internal strength, and that they had reached a point where life and death were hanging in the balance. Sure enough, after each of them let out a muffled groan, blood trickled from the corners of their mouths, their faces gradually turned ashen, and their bodies trembled even more violently.
Both old men were over seventy years old. Why were they fighting to the death? After a chilling groan, both men coughed up blood and collapsed backward. The one in the dark blue cloth shirt trembled for a moment, then fell silent. The other, in a yellow linen robe, struggled for a while, then miraculously sat up, emitting a series of low, hoarse "hehe" sounds. It was impossible to tell if it was crying or laughing; it was chilling to hear.
The scholar in black floated forward, coldly staring at the old man in yellow. The old man in yellow slowly raised his head, his dazed gaze sweeping over the scholar's face. He grabbed the strange sword from the ground in front of him and laughed, "I have it, it belongs to me now, however, I... am about to die!"
The scholar in black sneered, opened his mouth, and spoke in a chilling voice: "You two must be the famous 'Two Elders of Junshan' from the Central Plains. What brings you here to fight to the death?"
The old man in yellow glanced at the scholar in black again, panting, and said, "Boy, who are you?" His voice was weak, clearly indicating that he was on his last legs.
"A mere 'Changhensheng'!" He referred to himself as "mere" instead of "junior," which showed his arrogance. He then added, "You have not yet answered my question."
The old man in yellow raised his eyebrows and said, "Child, you are so young yet so disrespectful to your elders. What are you trying to achieve by showing yourself here?"
"It was just a chance encounter; I had no ulterior motives whatsoever!"
"Nonsense!"
The scholar in black glanced coldly at the old man in yellow, then turned and left.
The old man in yellow experienced a painful twitch on his face and cried out in a hoarse voice, "Come back...come back!"
The cry was weak and feeble, and didn't carry far. But the scholar in black had incredibly sharp hearing; he stopped and turned back to the old man, still as cold as ice, and asked, "What do you have to say, sir?"
"Child, you...you really didn't come here for this sword?"
"A sword? I was merely passing by; I cannot answer your question."
The old man in yellow robes strained his eyes to examine the scholar in black robes once more before speaking in a trembling voice, "Young man, you possess remarkable talent, but your sins are too heavy. I... am about to die. Perhaps this is fate..."
The scholar in black stepped forward, stepped aside, and touched the old man in yellow with his hand, saying, "Your internal organs are too badly injured; there is no way to save you."
The old man in yellow opened his eyes and said, "You are a disciple of the 'Lonely Old Man'." After saying that, he stared intently at the scholar in black, as if eager for confirmation.
"How did you know that, sir?"
"I can tell from the way you take a pulse."
"oh!"
"The methods used by the 'lonely old man' in Huangshan are unique in the world; there is no other like them."
The scholar in black, expressionless, replied, "I admit it, yes."
The old man in yellow closed his eyes, took a few breaths, then opened them again and said, "Child, you have the demeanor of a great teacher. Can you grant me a request?"
"As long as it is within my ability, I will definitely do it."
"After I die, please bury both of my stinking skins together in one mound, so that I may not be devoured by ravenous wolves. This...this sword...ah! I...offer it to you." After saying this, he breathed heavily again, and crimson blood foam spilled from his mouth.
The scholar in black robes said in his emotionless voice, "As for the aftermath, I would do it myself if I were in that situation. I do not intend to accept this sword; let it be my burial offering!"
The old man in yellow struggled to open his lifeless eyes and said sternly, "No! A thousand-year-old immortal weapon has been unearthed, how can it... return to the underworld? What if... it falls into the hands of villains, which would... tarnish the divine object and plunge the world into chaos!"
The scholar in black twitched his face slightly, indicating his surprise. He glanced at the strangely shaped sword in the old man's hand and said in a deep voice, "Sir, please tell me the origin of this sword and the reason for your life-or-death struggle with these two?"
With a soft "clang," the strangely shaped sword fell to the ground, and the old man closed his eyes again.
A hint of pity flickered in the black-clad scholar's eyes. He sighed softly and murmured, "These two old men, regarded as monsters by the martial world, actually fought to the death here, most likely for this strange sword." As he spoke, he bent down and picked up the sword. Upon closer inspection, he saw four ancient seal characters engraved on the scabbard—"Stone Pattern Divine Sword." He shook his head blankly, seemingly unaware of what this "Stone Pattern Divine Sword" was. He gently pulled it out half a foot; the blade was dull and unremarkable.
Suddenly, a very light rustling sound of clothes drifted by. The scholar in black hurriedly tucked the "Stone Pattern Divine Sword" into his robes and slowly turned around. Three elderly men around fifty years old had surrounded him in a triangular formation. The three men looked exactly alike, with pointed faces, sharp cheeks, hawk-like noses, and piercing eyes, and no beards on their chins, though they differed slightly in age.
The older one glanced to the side and said in a low voice, "That's right, the 'Two Elders of Junshan' are both dead. Where is the sword?"
Another man, his eyes fixed on the black-clad scholar's chest, said in a sinister voice, "This kid isn't wearing it. We were too late; he got there first."
The older man's eagle eyes darted around, and he chuckled, "Young man, state your name."
"You must be the 'Three Heroes of the Zhu Family' who terrorized the Guandong region?"
"Hehe! Not bad, you've got some knowledge, sign up!"
"Never heard of the mere 'Eternal Regret'?"
The three Zhu brothers' expressions changed simultaneously, and the eldest one spoke first: "So you are Changhensheng from the 'Stone House' of the Great Destroyer Zhang Ba? It's a pleasure to meet you!"
"What advice do you three have for me?" Leng Dian's eyes flashed.
"I hope you will hand over the sword you are carrying, and then we can go our separate ways."
"What if you simply say no?" His words were icy cold, sending chills down one's spine.
"Then we'll have to settle this with our skills, brothers, let's go!" The three exchanged glances, each drawing their longswords, and stepped forward to close the distance. The scholar in black sneered, slowly drawing his sword. Suddenly, a deafening shout rang out.
"You rats, this is no place for you!" The shout had barely finished when a scream erupted. The younger of the old men collapsed, and a grey-robed old man with a knife scar on his forehead appeared in the arena. His appearance and killing were instantaneous. The remaining two of the "Three Heroes of the Zhu Clan" paled upon seeing the old man and jumped back, glancing at him but daring not to speak out in their anger.
The scholar in black glanced coldly at the old man and said in a chilling tone, "Three-eyed demon, you've actually come too?"
The "Three-Eyed Demon" chuckled eerily, "Changhensheng, obediently hand over the sword you're carrying and get on your way! Let me tell you, quite a few people have already come after hearing of it. Do you know the ancient saying, 'Possessing a treasure is a crime'?!"
The scholar in black said disdainfully, "Since you understand this principle so well, you should protect yourself and stay away from it!" He paused, brandished his sword, and added, "Otherwise, this is the answer."
The "Three-Eyed Demon" chuckled and reached out to grab the black-clad scholar's chest. The grab was strange, ruthless, and lightning-fast, leaving everyone speechless. The black-clad scholar slashed his sword diagonally and let out a miserable groan. The "Three-Eyed Demon" retreated violently, his right hand covered in blood; three fingers had been severed.
"Hahaha! Good lad, so you are the successor of the Lonely Old Man! You have actually mastered the essence of his Plum Blossom Melody!"
As the words were spoken, a masked man in brocade robes appeared like a ghost. The "Three-Eyed Demon" exclaimed, "Master Zhuxin!" and was suddenly thrown back several feet, his face filled with horror.
The eldest and second eldest of the "Three Heroes of the Zhu Clan" also retreated rapidly, falling back two or three zhang (approximately 6.6 meters) in one go.
The black-clad scholar, whose expression of coldness seemed unchanging, now showed excitement. He took a large step forward and said in a cold voice, "Well done!"
Ignoring the black-clad scholar, the "Heart-Piercing Master" swept his gaze over the three, including the "Three-Eyed Demon," and said in a voice as cold as ice, "All of you, get out of here!"
The two Zhu brothers, however, were self-aware. They exchanged a glance, and the elder brother carried the younger brother's body away at breakneck speed.
The "Three-Eyed Demon" hesitated, seemingly still unwilling to give up on the "Stone Pattern Divine Sword".
"Master Zhuxin" took a step and said, "You probably want to stay?"
The "Three-Eyed Demon" gritted his teeth and said, "Master Zhu Xin, don't be so arrogant. We'll see!" This was just a polite remark, and he ran off again as soon as he finished speaking.
"Master Zhu Xin" sneered, then turned to the scholar in black and said, "Chang Hensheng, you were tracking me on the road to Kaifeng. I had important business to attend to and had no time to deal with you. Now tell me what happened?"
As the last rays of the setting sun faded, Mount Beiman was once again shrouded in a vast twilight. In the twilight, shadowy figures moved about, like ghostly apparitions, their presence unknown—who knew how many martial arts heroes had appeared?
The news that the "Two Elders of Junshan" had obtained the "Stone Pattern Divine Sword" somehow spread throughout the martial arts world, causing quite a stir.
The scholar in black glanced around before coldly saying, "Master Zhuxin, I have never liked people who hide their true intentions!"
"Haha! Changhensheng, who do you think you are, daring to utter such arrogant words?"
"I don't care what number I am. In short, I dislike people who are secretive. A gentleman is open and honest; there's nothing to be ashamed of..."
"You mean you're not comfortable with me wearing a mask?"
"That's one point. To make a long story short, what is the purpose of your appearance?"
"For you, and for the sword, do you understand?"
"For the sword, needless to say, all the friends present tonight have come here because they heard about the discovery of the divine sword. For such a mere... you may wish to elaborate on this point."
The two beams of light from "Master Zhuxin," peering through the small holes in his mask, shone like electric torches on the face of the scholar in black. He said in a deep voice, "What's your name? What's your surname? What's your background? Who else is in your family? I hope you can tell me the truth."
The scholar in black said coldly, "You have no right to interfere, and I will not tell you. I do hope you will reveal your true colors."
Do you think it's possible?
"It absolutely must be done!" The tone was resolute, each word as firm as steel.
"Master Zhu Xin" said sternly, "Chang Hensheng, I only have one question for you: you only have one mother, and your father is unknown, is that right?"
The scholar in black shuddered, his eyes flashing with murderous intent. He raised his sword, took a large step forward, and said sharply, "Whether you remove your mask or not, it's the same. I'm going to kill you. I already know who you are. I'm going to pierce your chest with my sword!" As he spoke, his long sword struck out with unparalleled ferocity.
"Master Zhu Xin" leaped back several feet in a flash, shouting fiercely, "Hold your hand! Do you know who I am?"
His gaze was like a sharp sword, as if it wanted to pierce the other person's heart.
The scholar in black gritted his teeth and said, "You have no humanity, you are a beast!" He stretched out his sword diagonally, and suddenly changed it three times in succession. The tip of the sword turned into countless light shadows, pointing at the vital acupoint of "Master Zhuxin", as if he was determined to kill his opponent.
"Master Zhu Xin" dodged left and right, using incredibly profound movement techniques to escape the circle, and shouted again, "Chang Hensheng, if you don't tell me your origins, I'll kill you. Don't make a mistake. What's your mother's name?"
The black-clad scholar's eyes were filled with such intense hatred that it almost materialized, revealing the depth of his resentment. He roared, "Either I die, or you perish!" He then unleashed another attack with his sword, still employing the same incomparably fierce three-move technique.
"Master Zhu Xin" swayed violently like a withered lotus in the wind, and with a "hiss," a half-foot-long tear appeared on the right side of his brocade robe. The scholar in black shouted, "Give me your life!" and drew his longsword for the third time. "Clang, clang..." A series of rapid, sharp sounds rang out.
"The Heart-Piercing Master" drew his sword to meet the attack. Amidst the burst of swordplay, both men took a large step back. "The Heart-Piercing Master" snarled:
"Changhensheng, does your mother want you to kill me?"
"It's possible. Lift your mask and let me see..."
You knew it was impossible.
"Then the only solution is to use a sword!"
As soon as the word "finished" fell, the longsword struck again, and the two engaged in a breathtaking and brutal battle. Every move was deadly, every strike a deadly attack, the fight utterly fierce. The bright moon rose, dispelling the brief darkness. Many more figures drew closer, countless greedy eyes fixed on the scene, all hoping to reap the benefits of this fierce struggle.
This was a rare duel in the martial arts world, with both sides displaying their full strengths and fighting to the death. After seventy moves, the black-clad scholar had lost all initiative and was in grave danger, yet he continued his relentless attack, focusing solely on offense and refusing to defend—a desperate fighting style. He had already been struck by several swords, his body stained with blood. "Master Zhuxin" shouted fiercely, "Changhensheng, don't force me to kill you! Tell me where your mother is, and this matter will finally be settled..."
The scholar in black was panting heavily, but his hands never stopped, relentlessly attacking and lunging. Just as he reached the hundredth move, a muffled groan was heard, and the scholar in black collapsed to the ground, his sword shattered into three pieces, leaving only the hilt, less than a foot long, in his hand.
The tip of the sword, meant to "pierce the heart of the wealthy man," pressed against the black-clad scholar's heart.
"Speak! Speak quickly, Changhensheng, speak!"
"You old bastard, you can kill me..."
"I won't kill you, as long as you tell me where your mother is now?"
"I can't do it. If you don't act now and miss tonight, I'll still kill you. Listen, I'm going to kill you. Are you afraid? Now you can do it, or you'll regret it. As long as I have a breath left, I swear I'll kill you! Hahahaha..."
"Master Zhu Xin" paused for a moment, then suddenly deflated like a punctured balloon, sheathed his sword, and said dejectedly, "Chang Hensheng, you... go."
The scholar in black glanced at the other man, then stood up, his resentment undiminished. Just as he rose, three figures pounced upon him.
"Master Zhu Xin" rushed forward, and amidst the flash of his sword, screams erupted. The three figures fell before they even had a chance to make a move.
The scholar in black gritted his teeth and said, "You don't need to show me any favors. I hate you, and one day I will kill you!"
"Master Zhuxin" only sighed and didn't speak.
"Master Zhu Xin" stood still, staring blankly at the young man.
The scholar in black threw away the hilt of his sword and staggered forward, the figures around him moving with him, creating an atmosphere that was both eerie and terrifying.
"Zhu Xin Yuanwai" followed from ten feet away.
They walked and walked, until they came to a colossal tomb. The tomb entrance was wide open, like a monstrous beast with its jaws wide open, ready to devour its prey. From within the crowd of figures, a voice proclaimed, "This is the ancient tomb where the Two Elders of Junshan obtained the Stone-Patterned Divine Sword."
Another voice said, "Greed is human nature; even with the reputation and cultivation of the two elders, they cannot escape it!"
The original voice said, "If you hadn't been so greedy and treacherous, you wouldn't have ended up like this!"
Another person, speaking in general terms, said: "This is called the destruction of martial arts! It's lamentable!"
The ancient tomb covered a vast area, approximately five zhang wide at the front. Both sides were lined with menacing martial artists, leaving the black-clad scholar unable to advance or retreat. A terrifying massacre seemed to be brewing.
"Master Zhuxin" took two steps closer to the scholar in black and said in a deep voice, "Changhensheng, you go, I'll hold them off for you!"
The scholar in black coldly replied, "No need!"
Suddenly, four or five more figures pounced on the scholar in black.
"Master Zhu Xin" burst into laughter and pounced forward. "Waaah! Waaah!" Another scream pierced the air as all the figures swarmed forward. The black-clad scholar suddenly drew his "Stone Pattern Divine Sword," gathering his remaining inner strength to fight back.
A terrifying and frenzied scene unfolded. The scholar in black had not yet recovered his strength, and his body was wounded by the sword, causing him to bleed excessively. Moreover, this so-called immortal weapon had no magical effects whatsoever; in fact, due to its insufficient size, it was difficult to exert its power. The melee had only been going on for a short while when the scholar in black was already on the verge of collapse. He retreated, and retreated again, until he finally retreated into the tomb entrance.
The crowd swarmed toward the tomb entrance like locusts. Suddenly, a loud rumble rang out, and the tomb entrance abruptly closed shut on its own. After Chestnut Ears screamed, two people were unable to escape and were crushed into a bloody pulp. One was left with only his legs, and the other with only his upper body, convulsing outside the tomb entrance. Cries of alarm filled the air.
The scholar in black was locked inside the tomb passage, surrounded by complete darkness.
He thought to himself that those greedy people outside would surely try every means to open the tomb door, and he would be no match for them. These ancient tombs were full of hidden passages, so it was best to avoid them for now. With this thought in mind, he groped his way deeper into the tomb. He wandered east and west, not knowing where he was. After walking for a while, a chill ran down his spine, and he unconsciously stopped, his heart pounding.
Suddenly, he spotted a light in the distance, and his spirits lifted. He strode towards the light and soon arrived at it. Looking closely, he saw a massive tomb chamber. However, most of it was buried under earth and stone. Looking up, he saw a small skylight, only about a foot in size, hidden by tangled weeds, above which was a large hole. It seemed this hole was caused by the collapse of the tomb chamber. Some large, broken stones, still suspended in mid-air, were quite astonishing. The skylight resembled the opening of a large, narrow-necked urn, at least four zhang (approximately 10 meters) above the ground, allowing moonlight to stream in. Looking down further, he saw statues of golden-armored warriors and some funerary objects, still intact, proving that this ancient site must have been the final resting place of a prince or nobleman.
Suddenly, he noticed a bag of dry food and water on the ground beside him. Curious, he picked it up. The food was still edible and hadn't spoiled, and the water bag was more than half full of water. This was a great joy; it truly seemed like heaven had finally opened up a way out.
He retreated to the passageway outside the tomb chamber and sat down. He dared not stay inside the tomb chamber; if the tomb roof collapsed again, he would either be crushed to death by the boulders or buried alive.
The tomb was eerily silent, devoid of any sound. He closed his eyes and circulated his internal energy to heal his wounds; he needed to recover his strength in preparation for any eventuality.
When he awoke, all was darkness again; the moon had already set. He ate some food and water and waited for dawn. To ascend through the skylight in the darkness using his martial arts skills would be extremely dangerous; he couldn't rush out in one go, as the loose tomb roof could collapse at any moment. Moreover, those martial artists might still be guarding outside the cave.
In the stillness of his meditation, he realized something: the "Two Elders of Junshan" must have accidentally discovered the collapsed tomb entrance, entered to investigate, and fortuitously obtained the "Stone Pattern Divine Sword." While searching the area, the two elders accidentally triggered a mechanism, opening the tomb door. After exiting the tomb, they examined the divine weapon together, undoubtedly engaging in some struggle or discussion, which was overheard by someone, and the news spread like wildfire.
Later, as the crowd outside the tomb speculated, greed is human nature, and both elders wanted to possess it for themselves, leading to a tragic contest of skill that resulted in their mutual destruction. Now that the elders are dead, whether this assessment was entirely accurate is now impossible to verify.
In utter helplessness, memories of the past flooded back. Thinking of her troubled life, she was overcome with sorrow and shed tears. Those childhood days were woven from blood and tears, unbearable to recall. Yet, she could not forget them, could not stop thinking about them.
As far back as he could remember, he saw his mother weeping every day. Although he lived in a wealthy and luxurious family, the mother and son had no status; they were neither masters nor servants, a very awkward position.
When he was eight years old, one night, he was seriously injured in his sleep by a masked man. He vaguely remembered his mother carrying him to jump into the river, but they were rescued by a martial arts master, who was his mentor, the "Lonely Old Man".
After twelve years of training in Huangshan, his master, the "Lonely Old Man," passed away, and his mother, overwhelmed with grief, also passed away the year he completed his training and left the mountain. In this world, he had no relatives and was all alone.
He would never forget the pained look on his mother's face as she died. His mother died with resentment in her heart. Her dying wish was to plunge a long sword into the chest of her enemy. When he followed her dying wish and found his enemy's former residence, the once prosperous and wealthy family had been reduced to ruins, and his enemy's fate was unknown... Thinking about it, he drifted off to sleep.
In his dream, he wielded the "Stone-Patterned Divine Sword" and plunged it into the chest of "Heart-Piercing Master Zhu." He watched his enemy groan and wail beneath the sword, finally dying after bleeding to death… When he awoke, light streamed through the skylight in the tomb's ceiling again. He knew it was the next day. He thought he couldn't go out yet; there must be guards outside the tomb, perhaps those greedy men were digging for the entrance. The food and water left by the "Two Elders of Junshan" were enough for one person for five or six days. But being alone in the ancient tomb was always unbearably lonely, so he drew the "Stone-Patterned Divine Sword" and examined it closely, wondering what was so magical about it. Suddenly, he discovered inscriptions on the sword, densely packed, ten incantations for using this divine sword. This discovery filled him with ecstatic joy. After a moment of excitement, he became discouraged. Those ten incantations were obscure and profound; comprehending them would not be easy. However, a martial artist is often obsessed with such things, so he devoted himself to studying them. One day. Two days... five days passed, and he had only grasped six lines of the mantra. His water and food were exhausted, and he could no longer linger. He had no choice but to give up his arduous study and make plans to leave.
The only way out was, of course, to escape through the small hole in the top of the tomb. He hadn't thought about it deeply beforehand, but now that the situation was urgent, the problem was much bigger. The gap of four zhang (approximately 10 meters) was completely blocked, with no foothold for support. The entrance to the hole was only about a foot wide, making leaping out incredibly difficult. But there was no other way; the tomb entrance was already sealed, and he didn't know the mechanism. After much deliberation, he decided to take the risk. He aimed carefully, mustered all his strength, and leaped into the air. When he was about three zhang (approximately 10 meters) high, he bent over, pulled his legs back, and forcefully stomped his right foot on the back of his left, using the momentum to rise nearly ten zhang higher, barely reaching the entrance. He reached out and grabbed the edge of the hole. Just as he realized his grip was loose, he plummeted downwards. Knowing the situation was dire, he managed a quick twist in mid-air, landing near the entrance of the tomb chamber.
A deafening roar erupted as soil and stone dust rained down from the tomb ceiling. He quickly rolled into the passage. In an instant, the entire tomb chamber was buried, and he could not see his hand in front of his face. Darkness enveloped him, restoring the eerie atmosphere he had felt when he first entered the tomb.
He gritted his teeth and muttered to himself, "This time I'm definitely dead!"
For a moment, I felt numbness in my hands and feet, and my mind went blank.
After an unknown amount of time, he finally came to his senses. Of course, he couldn't just sit and wait to die. This path was blocked; he had to find another way. So, he groped his way back to the tomb entrance. Entering the tomb chamber was a fluke, but getting out was difficult. He wandered around for ages, calculating that he had already spent more than three times the time it took to find his way to the tomb chamber, yet he was still circling in the tomb passage. He sat down dejectedly, completely at a loss. Thinking and thinking, he inexplicably remembered the incantation on the sword. After much contemplation, he actually managed to decipher two more lines. But his mind was still unsettled. Then, he began searching for a way out again. Day and night passed in endless darkness. Exhausted, parched, and thirsty, the tomb passage felt like a maze, a road that would never end. He sat down in despair, a shadow of death looming over his heart.
Even if he found the tomb entrance, how could he open it? Ultimately, it was a dead end… He didn't know how much time had passed—perhaps a day, even two—in his imagination. He searched three times during this time. Finally, he collapsed weakly in the tomb passage, his visions filled with illusions. He saw his dead mother walking towards him, kissing him, stroking him, but when he reached out to grasp her, there was nothing there. He felt his time was running out; death was beckoning him. He cried out in despair, "Mother! Your son cannot fulfill your vow. Your son is about to join you, Mother! How unfilial your son is…"
The sorrowful tears of the orphaned child break one's heart.
He subconsciously stroked the short sword that had claimed the lives of many martial arts figures, thinking, "To starve to death is too painful. I've been driven to despair by this sword, so I'll use it to end my life!" The divine sword, it turns out, is an ominous object... Just as he was about to pierce his heart with the tip of the sword, a strange thought suddenly occurred to him. There were still two lines of incantation left. If he didn't understand them, he would die with regrets. So he began to meditate again.
With no hope of survival, his heart became as still as water. Time held no meaning for him; he studied until he could think no more. Suddenly, his mind cleared, and he understood! He rose from his seat, forgetting all else, and began to perform the incantation. The sword suddenly emitted bursts of white light, illuminating the tomb passage within a two-zhang radius.
Suddenly, he discovered that the tomb passage where he had found refuge was remarkably wide, with arrow-shaped markings on the walls pointing forward, the marks still fresh. This discovery filled him with ecstatic joy. These markings were undoubtedly left by the "Two Elders of Junshan." A will to survive sustained his weakened body, and he ran towards the direction indicated by the markings, sword in hand. After a few turns, the tomb entrance came into view. Overwhelmed with excitement, he almost collapsed. He leaned against the stone wall, closed his eyes, and caught his breath for a while before approaching the entrance. He once again drew his divine sword, using the glow to search for the key to open the tomb. He carefully examined every inch of the tomb, and he found it!
Those were the traces left by the "Two Elders of Junshan" during their search and probing; it was a stone dragon head. It appeared to be a wall decoration, and the dragon's tongue was missing a piece. He tried pressing it with his hand, but nothing happened. He then tried rotating it. Rotating it clockwise, the threads didn't budge. Rotating it counterclockwise, the dragon's tongue loosened. One circle, two circles, three circles, and the tomb door rumbled. The massive sealing stone of the tomb door shifted to the side, and a beam of light shone in. He rushed out of the tomb door impatiently.
Blue sky, white clouds, a vibrant scene of life—it was like a miracle, a narrow escape from the brink of death. Only then did he notice that the tomb doors had been ravaged beyond recognition, with rubble scattered everywhere. Perhaps someone had tried to break open the tomb doors but gave up when they realized it was impossible.
Still shaken by his imprisonment, he knew the tomb door was open, and someone else would surely suffer the same fate. So, he picked up a large rock and threw it into the tomb. With a loud thud, the tomb door sealed itself shut. This was the key discovery he made when he retreated into the tomb after the siege.
Suddenly, he thought of the remains of the "Two Elders of Junshan." He had promised them he would take care of their funeral arrangements after receiving the "Stone Pattern Divine Sword." Having been imprisoned in the tomb for so many days due to the accident, and with wolves roaming Mangshan, any damage to their bodies would be a lifelong regret. With this thought in mind, he sprang to the scene. Upon reaching the place of the fight that night, he cried out in despair! There was no trace of the bodies. He looked around helplessly, then caught sight of a mound of fresh earth in the nearby woods. His heart pounded… but he immediately remembered that many had died that night, and how many more had died after he entered the tomb. If someone had collected the bodies, they might have simply buried them together in one pit, without a tombstone or name, making it impossible to trace them. He truly felt ashamed before the spirits of the two elders in the afterlife. He walked over. What he saw shocked him deeply, and he froze.
The new tomb has a tombstone that reads "The beautiful site of the two elders of Junshan," and behind it is clearly inscribed "Respectfully erected by Dong Zhuoying, the martial arts prodigy 'Changhensheng'."
He was dumbfounded. Who had orchestrated this? Most astonishingly, how did the other party know the name Dong Zhuoying? Was it that "Heart-Piercing Master"?
Huh? Only he knew that the "Two Elders of Junshan" had asked him to collect their bodies, but how could he know his own name, which was never spoken to anyone else? This was simply unbelievable…
The thought of the "heartless landlord" filled him with righteous indignation. Now, with this "stone-patterned divine sword," he could surely exact his revenge.
After a moment of excitement, my emotions gradually calmed down, but what followed was an overwhelming hunger. I suddenly felt weak all over, my ears rang, my vision blurred, and my legs gave way. I sat down in front of the tomb. There was still a long way to go to get food. How could I endure it? Even if you were made of iron, you couldn't withstand the torment of hunger.
Just then, a pretty figure walked by not far away, carrying a bamboo basket. My spirits lifted; it seemed the woman was perhaps visiting a grave, carrying offerings. Perhaps I'd have no choice but to pretend to be one of them and beg for food from the worshippers.
With these thoughts in mind, I mustered my spirits and followed the past.
Strange, the woman was actually paying respects at her own forbidden ancient tomb! Unbelievable! It's an unmarked ancient tomb! How could she…
The woman squatted in front of the grave, arranging incense, candles, and fruit, then piling up paper money. He stared at the offerings, swallowed hard, and slowly approached, thinking to himself that he should wait until she finished her prayers before speaking.
The woman seemed to sense someone approaching and suddenly asked in a cold voice, "Who goes there?"
The voice sounded familiar, and after a moment of surprise, he said, "Passerby."
The woman straightened her slender body and turned around. "Ah!" The two exclaimed simultaneously.
The woman was still holding a stack of paper money in her hand, which she scattered on the ground. After a long while, she said in a trembling voice, "Dong Zhuoying, you... are not dead?" The woman was between eighteen and nineteen years old, with a face as beautiful as autumn water and bones as fine as jade, truly deserving of the title "beautiful as a fairy."
The cold expression on Dong Zhuoying's face changed, and after a long while, he finally spoke: "He Xiaowan, the Fairy of Hibiscus, what... what are you doing?"
He Xiaowan, the "Fairy Hibiscus," gleamed with an unusual light in her eyes and said with a faint smile, "I thought you were dead, so I..."
She couldn't continue.
Dong Zhuoying coldly continued, "You think I'm already dead, so you've come to burn paper money and paper offerings? It's rare to see such kindness from you, young lady!"
The "Hibiscus Fairy" cast a resentful glance at Dong Zhuoying and said, "I know you don't appreciate it. If I had known you weren't dead, I wouldn't have come, would I...?"
"How did you know, young lady?"
"When I arrived that night, I heard that 'Changhensheng' had obtained the 'Stone Pattern Divine Sword,' but it had been sealed inside an ancient tomb. I... waited here for seven days and seven nights, trying every possible method, but I couldn't open the tomb door. I thought..."
"I... have been in the tomb for seven days and seven nights?"
"Who says it isn't? Today marks the eighth day. I can't believe it..."
"Were the two elders of Junshan buried by the young lady?"
"Yes, I know the whole story, so... I'll use your name."
Dong Zhuoying was overwhelmed with excitement. She lowered her head, and a scene from half a year ago floated into her mind.
It was a day when winter was ending and I had just left Huangshan and entered the world of martial arts. In Taiyuan, Shanxi, I met her. I was indeed attracted to her beauty. We did a chivalrous thing together and fell in love at first sight. We exchanged sweet nothings. At that time, I was eager to seek revenge and parted with her. I still remember this incident vividly.
Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, a gloomy afternoon. The north wind howled, biting like thorns, and snowflakes drifted down like goose feathers. Few pedestrians graced the streets; the place was deserted and eerily quiet. Zuixian Restaurant, one of the finest restaurants in Taiyuan, stood three stories high, magnificent and elegantly antique, the city's premier place for drinking. Most people who came to Zuixian Restaurant would become completely absorbed, feeling right at home, drinking until they were thoroughly drunk. This was what made Zuixian Restaurant so famous.
That afternoon, around dusk, Dong Zhuoying arrived at Zuixianlou. He wasn't there to drown his sorrows, but he believed that among the many seeking solace, perhaps the person he was looking for might be among them. At that time, the restaurant was bustling with business, people coming and going, their footsteps echoing loudly on the stairs. Upstairs, the atmosphere was lively, filled with the sounds of revelry and laughter. Dong Zhuoying, dressed in black, went up to the second floor, pushed aside the heavy curtain, and entered. However, the entire second floor, a spacious area, was completely full; every table was occupied.
Dong Zhuoying couldn't find an empty seat, which stumped him. He went up to the third floor to check, but the third floor was the same. He sighed inwardly, thinking that the world was full of people drowning their sorrows in alcohol, and decided to turn around and go back downstairs. Just as he turned, he seemed to hear a clear voice behind him, "Looking for a seat?"
Dong Zhuoying turned around and saw a handsome young man beckoning to him from a table not far away on his left. Without hesitation, he walked over. The handsome young man was very generous; he stood up to offer him a seat and said with a smile, "It's freezing cold, and a seat is hard to find. Why don't you sit here, brother?" Dong Zhuoying thanked him and sat down without ceremony. A waiter quickly brought over cups and chopsticks. After a while, the handsome young man introduced himself, "My name is He Xiaowan, from Hanzhong. It's fate that we meet today, brother." With that, he raised his wine cup to Dong Zhuoying and downed it in one gulp.
Dong Zhuoying humbly replied, "My name is Dong Zhuoying, and I come from Huangshan."
He Xiaowan was slightly taken aback and asked, "Brother Dong, are you from Huangshan?"
"Exactly."
He Xiaowan exclaimed, "The mountains are beautiful and the pines are unique; this is a wonderful place!"
"Brother, have you also been to Huangshan?"
"I've heard of it for a long time and longed to visit, but unfortunately I've never had the chance."
Dong Zhuoying was quite impressed by the other party's gentle and polite manner. After a few rounds of drinks and some pleasantries, the two seemed to find themselves getting along better. After three cups of wine, He Xiaowan's face flushed, adding a touch of charm to her beauty. She said, "Brother Dong, what brings you here from afar?"
"I'm looking for someone."
"Is the person Brother Dong is looking for living in Taiyuan?"
"I heard that he used to appear in the Wutai Mountain area, and I am eager to find him."
"Tell me what that person looks like, Brother Dong. Perhaps I can provide some clues."
Dong Zhuoying hesitated for a moment, then turned and whispered in He Xiaowan's ear. He hadn't meant it unintentionally; he was just afraid of what might be overheard by the guests at the next table, hence the close proximity. Unexpectedly, He Xiaowan suddenly blushed, displaying a shy demeanor. Dong Zhuoying was startled, then suddenly realized, wondering if this person was a woman disguised as a man. Why was she suddenly shy, and besides, her name, He Xiaowan, sounded feminine.
He Xiaowan noticed that Dong Zhuoying was staring at her blankly, so she pointed to the stairwell with a sharp mind and said, "Brother Dong, look, there's an old man coming over there. Is he the person you're looking for?"
Dong Zhuoying quickly turned around and saw an old man coming up the stairs.
The old man had a gaunt face, his hair was tied up but he didn't wear a hat, his face was weathered, and his eyes were filled with melancholy. He wore a thin gray-white long robe, which could not hide the heavy burden in his heart.
Just as Dong Zhuoying was about to speak, the old man walked towards his table. As he walked, he also looked Dong Zhuoying up and down. When he was almost at the table, he cupped his hands in greeting to He Xiaowan and said, "This old man is a step late, please don't be offended, young lady!"
He Xiaowan stood up slightly, pulled the chair next to her, and said, "It's alright." Then, she introduced Dong Zhuoying.
Dong Zhuoying thought to himself, "This person is indeed a woman."
The old man was filled with worry. He didn't have time to exchange pleasantries with Dong Zhuoying and went straight to He Xiaowan, saying, "Miss He, things have started to look promising."
He Xiaowan hurriedly said, "Wan Zhang refused, please tell me!"
Manager Wan said, "The thief who killed our master lived in a pawnshop."
How did you find out?
"I have a distant nephew who works at that pawnshop."
"Oh! What a coincidence?"
"Yes."
He Xiaowan let out a soft sigh and said, "This young hero Dong has only been in Taiyuan for a short time and is unaware of what happened at your master's place. Please tell him the story again briefly."
Manager Wan asked, puzzled, "This..."
He Xiaowan smiled and said, "Perhaps Young Master Dong will lend you a hand."
Shopkeeper Wan was overjoyed upon hearing this and hurriedly said to Dong Zhuoying, "Young Master Dong, please grant me your assistance. This old man is willing to be reborn as a dog or horse in my next life to repay your great kindness..."
Dong Zhuoying hurriedly replied, "I dare not accept such praise!"
Manager Wan said, "My boss runs a rice shop in Taiyuan, and he ships rice directly from Jiangnan. So my boss often travels back and forth between Taiyuan and Tongguan..."
He Xiaowan interjected, "We haven't told them your master's name yet."
Manager Wan said, "In my haste, I forgot..."
Dong Zhuoying smiled and said, "Don't rush, tell me slowly!"
Manager Wan said, "My master's surname is Qiao, and his given name is Gao Kui. Qiao is a common surname here."
"Do you know who Boss Qiao has made an enemy of, and why?"
Manager Wan frowned, pondered for a while, and then said, "All I know is that the boss and the Duan family, who own another rice shop, are competing in business..."
Dong Zhuoying said "Oh" and nodded without saying anything.
He Xiaowan said, "Brother Dong, let him finish speaking first!"
Dong Zhuoying nodded.
Manager Wan said, "We transport rice and grain south from Taiyuan via the Fen River. Our shop has its own boats for transporting grain year-round. The Duan family also uses this waterway. Two years ago, around the New Year, the two families had already fallen out, and this year they've become irreconcilable enemies." Unexpectedly, Cheng Dabao, a relative of the Duan family, intervened and, from who knows where, found a notorious bandit who assassinated my boss at the end of last month!
Dong Zhuoying was greatly indignant upon hearing this and angrily said, "How can someone surnamed Cheng behave in such a despicable manner?"
He Xiaowan picked up a piece of food with her chopsticks and put it in her mouth before saying, "Manager Wan, you can leave your address and go back now. Leave the rest to me and Young Master Dong!"
"Thank you both for your help..."
"You are welcome!"
Manager Wan hurriedly pulled out a piece of paper from his pocket, handed it to He Xiaowan with both hands, then bowed and expressed his gratitude before turning around and going downstairs to leave.
After he left, He Xiaowan whispered something to Dong Zhuoying. Dong Zhuoying listened and nodded repeatedly. The two agreed to find a way to avenge Boss Qiao and eliminate the tyrant.
He Xiaowan blushed and smiled at Dong Zhuoying, "Brother Dong, are you surprised?"
"What accident?"
"Is this the outfit I'm wearing?"
Dong Zhuoying smiled and said, "I have already noticed that you have disguised yourself with hairpins and caps, which makes it easier for you to move around."
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