第1話 My martial arts world - My Martial Arts World with Ten Thousand Ghosts （mukko）

My Martial Arts World with Ten Thousand Ghosts

mukko

Chapter 1 Capriciousness

An erratic

Drink to the east wind,

And be calm together.

The purple willows on the east side of Luo City,

Always where we once held hands,

Wandering through the fragrant bushes.

The gathering and separation are so hasty,

This hatred is endless.

This year's flowers are more beautiful than last year's.

It's just that the flowers will be better next year.

Who do I share this knowledge with?

Taihang Mountain, located more than 400 miles southwest of Beijing, is majestic and continuous. In the Spring and Autumn Period, it was the land of Yan and Zhao, and there were many generous people. There is a small town at the foot of the mountain, called Yangyi Town, with four or five hundred households in the town, most of whom are farmers, working from sunrise to sunset, and the folk customs are simple and ancient. There are only three grocery stores, two inns, and only one hotel in the town. There are quite a few teahouses, which are specially used to entertain farmers who work in the fields. There is a courtyard at the east end of the town, with five rooms in the front yard and seven rooms in the back yard. The houses are quite neat. It can be considered a wealthy family here. There are flowers, trees and grape trellises in the front yard, and the backyard is very spacious. There is a martial arts training ground in the middle, and a weapon rack is placed on one side, which shows that the owner is a martial artist. On the other side of the martial arts training ground is a millstone, and a young man is pushing the millstone as the red sun rises. Under the sunlight, the young man was shirtless, with strong muscles, broad shoulders and thick back, bronze skin, more than seven feet tall, and a sturdy body with curved eyebrows, tiger eyes, and big ears, like a god. However, there was a farmer's simplicity between his eyebrows, without the arrogance of a martial artist. The young man was grinding flour, not wiping the sweat, and was working hard. At this time, an old voice came from the room: "Xiao'er, come here." The young man put down his work and walked into the room. An old man was half lying and half sitting on the kang in the room, covered with a thin quilt, with half white hair and beard, and a gloomy face. The young man entered the room and asked, "Master, what's the matter?" The old man pointed to the kettle on the table and said, "Pour a bowl of water for the master." The young man agreed and poured the water for the old man. The old man lowered his head to drink the water, panting. After finally finishing the water, he looked up and asked, "Where is your junior sister?" The young man replied, "She went to the field to pick vegetables and will be back soon." The old man put down the tea bowl and sighed, "Since I became a martial artist, I have traveled around the world and met masters from all walks of life without ever losing. I have become famous in the martial arts world with my rolling pearl knife. Who would have thought that I would suffer such a big loss in my old age? When your senior brothers and junior brothers heard that I was involved in a lawsuit for corruption, they all ran away. Only you... "It is really disappointing for the master to leave one behind." The young man advised: "Master, don't worry. The brothers and sisters are not necessarily ungrateful. They are probably unwilling to deal with the government and implicate their families. Now that the lawsuit is over, the master can just focus on recuperating." The old man nodded: "Adversity reveals a person's true character. Without this incident, the master would not have recognized these disciples. When the master's injury is healed, I will teach you the extraordinary swordsmanship." The young man said: "Master, rest assured to recover. We will talk about it when you are well." The old man gritted his teeth and said: "Master, you are old and weak, so you suffered this great loss. If it were ten years ago, these corrupt officials would have been killed."

At this time, a voice like a silver bell came: "Dad, I'm back." A girl came in with two baskets of vegetables, wearing a pink dress, like a colorful cloud floating in. Her skin was as white as snow, her face was like the morning glow, and she was charming and attractive. After the girl put the vegetables in the kitchen, she went to the house to see her father. The young man greeted her, "Junior sister is back." The girl called out, "Brother Chang, is the flour ground?" The young man replied, "Almost done, I'll go clean it up." He turned around and went out to continue grinding. The old man sighed and said, "Xia'er, these eighty strokes of the stick almost cost Dad his life." The girl comforted him, "Dad, we finally got through this difficult time. We still have a long way to go, so just be more positive about things." The old man said, "It's rare that Xiao'er is so loyal and righteous. Dad is going to pass on the Juechen Sword Technique and the Rolling Jewel Knife to him. If you like him, Dad will agree to your marriage. With the Rolling Jewel Knife, you can definitely gain a foothold in the world." The girl sighed, "Usually, the senior brothers rush to show their affection, but they all run away when something happens. It's rare that senior brother Chang runs around and even sold the betrothal gifts prepared for him by the family to bribe the jailers and officials. I am going to entrust my life to him." The old man nodded and said, "Dad still has five hundred taels of pure gold hidden, which is enough for you to live on. You must keep it well. Without money, everything will be difficult." The girl nodded in agreement. After settling his father, he went to help at the millstone. After finishing the work, the young man was sweating all over. The girl wiped the sweat off the young man with a sweat towel and complained: "More than a dozen senior brothers heard that Dad was corrupt and ran away from the lawsuit. They still don't admit that they are Dad's apprentices. It's a pity that Dad taught me martial arts hand in hand." The young man looked at the girl's every move affectionately, and was actually infatuated. The girl asked: "Why don't you say something? What are you looking at?" The young man stammered: "Junior sister, you... are so beautiful." The girl blushed, threw the sweat towel on the young man, turned around and ran out. The young man looked at the girl's back and was intoxicated. Although he loved Junior Sister in his heart, Junior Sister had never looked at him straight before. Most of the brothers were richer than him and competed to show their courtesy. Junior Sister liked Junior Brother Five, who had a fair skin and a rich family. After this incident, they looked at him differently. The young man felt like he was in a dream. Could it be that Junior Sister really had feelings for him? He didn't dare to think too much and started to repair the house.

The old man's surname is Chen, and his name is Hongren. He studied under the master of the Divine Sword Sect, a generation of strange people Duan Qingxiao. After fifteen years of learning, he got the Rolling Pearl Sword and the Dust-free Sword Manual. He traveled around the world and became famous. However, Chen Hongren was selfish and unwilling to work for his master. He didn't have much contact with his fellow disciples, and he attached great importance to gold and silver. Therefore, his reputation was not good, and no one interacted with him. In his old age, he had to return to his hometown to live in seclusion, and accept a few apprentices to teach martial arts, also for a living. At the beginning, Chen Hongren spent a lot of effort to win the favor of his master and stand out among his fellow disciples. When it was his turn, he was more careful. He only looked at gold and silver when teaching his apprentices. If he gave more, he would teach three moves and two styles, and if he gave less, he would only teach some basic skills. The girl was Chen Xia, the only daughter of Chen Hongren. Influenced by her father, she was also extremely snobbish. She used various methods to get her senior brothers to buy her pollen jewelry. Because the father and daughter had bad personalities, no one helped them after they were greedy and went to court, and they suffered a great loss. The young man who was grinding flour was the third apprentice, named Chang Xiao. He was the only son in the family. His father died early, leaving only his mother. The family had only seven acres of thin land, which was barely enough to make ends meet. Chang Xiao attended a private school when he was young and could read and write. At the age of eight, he became a disciple of Chen Hongren to learn martial arts. Later, his father died of illness, and he had no money to honor Chen Hongren, so he only learned a few basic skills. However, Chang Xiao was willing to endure hardships and had a very solid foundation. After ten years under Chen Hongren, he did not learn a single superior martial arts move, but only a very ordinary set of six-combination swordsmanship. After the accident, Chang Xiao ran around and even took care of the crops at home. Chen Hongren had experienced some changes before he looked at Chang Xiao differently. Chen Xia had always looked down on Chang Xiao, thinking that he was too loyal and honest, but not smart enough, and had no property. If he had not been greedy for the lawsuit, it would have been impossible for her to be interested in him. Now that she has realized the benefits of Chang Xiao, she plans to marry him. Although Chang Xiao noticed the change in the attitude of his master and his junior sister, he did not dare to think too much about it, nor did he dare to tell his mother, for fear of being disappointed. After finishing the Chen family's affairs, he had to take care of his own family's affairs. Fortunately, his muscles and bones were strong, so he could still hold on despite the hard work.

At dusk, a ray of setting sun shone on the town. After a busy day, Chang Xiao finally had a chance to rest. He sat under the willow tree by the river outside the town. Chen Xia leaned on Chang Xiao's chest like a little bird. Chang Xiao felt that he was the happiest person in the world. The sunset, distant mountains, green trees, and flowing water were all so lovely. Chen Xia asked, "Brother, what are you thinking about?" Chang Xiao replied, "We have rice and flour at home, and we don't have to spend money on vegetables, but we don't have enough oil and salt, and we don't have money to buy them." Chen Xia twisted Chang Xiao's arm, "Don't think about these, think about our future." Chang Xiao sighed, "Food is the most important thing for people. If we don't eat, we won't have the energy to think." Chen Xia smiled and said, "To tell you the truth, Dad still has a lot of money hidden, and I still have enough money, so you don't have to worry about it. This time my father has made up his mind to teach you the extraordinary swordsmanship. When you have mastered the swordsmanship, plus the rolling jewel knife, we will gallop through the rivers and lakes together." Chang Xiao was also full of expectations: "As long as I have my junior sister by my side, no matter how hard the days are, they will be sweet." Chen Xia asked, "Why didn't you say you liked me earlier?" Chang Xiao smiled bitterly, "I didn't dare to fantasize before. I would be satisfied if I could see my junior sister a few times every day "Chen Xia understood that Chang Xiao had buried his feelings deep in his heart. If they got married, he would definitely be considerate in every way. So she spoke out her heart: "Dad has agreed to our marriage. Sooner or later, I will be yours." Although Chang Xiao was mentally prepared, he was still very excited to hear this. After a long while, he said: "If my mother knew, I wonder how happy she would be." The two of them were immersed in their vision of the future and snuggled together. The sunset was setting and the sky was full of stars. Chen Xia whispered in Chang Xiao's ear: "Brother, come to my room and accompany me." Chang Xiao certainly understood the meaning of Chen Xia's words and shook his head and said: "Junior sister, you are the most perfect goddess in my heart. I can't violate you before we get married." Chen Xia lightly scolded: "Stubborn, then carry me home." Chang Xiao got up, lifted Chen Xia's petite body up and put it on his shoulders and ran home. Chen Xia complained that Chang Xiao was old-fashioned in her heart, and sat on his broad shoulders and thought about it.

After returning home, Chang Xiao told his mother the good news, and the mother and son were happy all night. The next day, he went to work at Chen's house again. With this relationship, Chang Xiao worked even harder. Chen Hongren's leg injury was getting better day by day, and Chen Xia was ready to marry Chang Xiao. Chen Hongren saw that his daughter was anxious and his leg injury was about to heal, so he called Chang Xiao and told her, "Xiao'er, your teacher's leg injury will soon heal. You go back and prepare for the wedding. When your teacher's injury is healed, you can get married to get rid of bad luck." Chang Xiao was overjoyed and ran home immediately. Although Chang's mother was happy, she really had no money. The few pieces of jewelry she had accumulated in her early years were sold to help Chen Hongren with the lawsuit. After discussing, the mother and son had to sell two acres of good land, paint the house, prepare betrothal gifts, make wedding clothes, and invite sedan chairs and drummers. The people in the town lived a dull life, and Chang Xiao's marriage became the first major event. People in the streets and alleys were talking about it, and many people came to congratulate him. The Chen family naturally had to make some preparations. Chen Hongren was quite scheming. Although he had a large sum of money in his hand, he pretended to be tight on money. As the date approached, Chang Xiao was full of joy and prepared to get married. When his family was almost ready, he went to Chen's house to see if there was anything else needed. When he arrived at the door, he found two little Taoist children standing at the door. Just as he was about to enter, the Taoist children asked, "Who are you? What are you doing here?" Chang Xiao was angry and replied, "This is my master's home. I haven't asked you what you do yet." The Taoist children stopped talking. After Chang Xiao entered the door, he went directly to find his master, but saw that there was a young scholar in his master's room. He was dressed very exquisitely, wearing a white jade crown on his head, a golden cloak outside his white long gown, and a jade belt with gemstones on his waist. It was very valuable. This outfit alone was worth several thousand taels. This man had a face like a crown of jade, thin eyebrows and bright eyes, and was elegant. He was holding a paper fan in his hand and was talking to Chen Hongren. Chang Xiao walked in and called out, "Master." Chen Hongren pointed at Master Wensheng and said, "This is Lin Fengming, the only son of my junior fellow apprentice Lin Qing. He came to visit me specially." Chang Xiao clasped his fists and saluted, "Brother Lin." Lin Fengming nodded slightly but did not speak. Chen Hongren ordered, "Go to the back and call Xia'er. I have something to say." Chang Xiao agreed and ran to the backyard, feeling a little uneasy.

In the main room of the backyard, the Eight Immortals Table was full of jewels, jewelry, and silks. Chen Xia was measuring herself with a piece of brocade. Chang Xiao saw that Chen Xia had a gold hairpin on her head and a string of pearls hanging from her neck. He knew that it was sent by Lin Fengming, and he felt bad. Chen Xia was concentrating on choosing and didn't notice Chang Xiao coming in. Chang Xiao called her twice before coming back to his senses. He turned around and said, "Brother Chang, you're here at the right time. See which of these jewelry looks good on me." Chang Xiao replied, "Junior sister looks good in any of them. By the way, Master wants you to go." Chen Xia agreed and ran to the front yard. Chang Xiao looked at the table full of jewels and sighed in his heart. Each one of them was worth hundreds of taels of silver, and all his belongings couldn't buy one. No wonder Junior sister liked it. At this time, a little Taoist boy came in and collected the jewelry on the table as if to prevent thieves. He counted them one by one, turned around and said coldly: "A gold hairpin and a pearl necklace are missing. Did you take them?" Chang Xiao was furious. His ancestors were all innocent people. Of course, he could not tolerate being accused of being a thief. So he grabbed the Taoist boy by the collar and said: "In broad daylight, how dare you defile good people as thieves." He punched the Taoist boy in the face twice. Although Chang Xiao's martial arts were ordinary, he had a solid foundation and his punches were quite powerful. The Taoist boy immediately yelled. Chen Xia hurried over and shouted: "Brother, let go." Chang Xiao threw the Taoist boy aside and said angrily: "He said I stole the jewelry." Chen Xia didn't say much, and said coldly: "Dad told you to say something, go quickly." Chang Xiao had a lot to say to his junior sister, but Chen Xia didn't want to listen at all, so she had to go to the front to see Chen Hongren. At this time, Lin Fengming was not in the room. Chen Hongren said, "Xiao'er, the wedding is in two days. There are many things to do. Go home and prepare. My junior brother Lin Qing knows that Xia'er is getting married, so he specially sent a gift. You don't have to worry." Chang Xiao nodded in agreement. He didn't believe that his master would change his mind. He was going to say a few more words to Chen Xia, but Chen Hongren said, "Go back quickly, don't delay the business." Chang Xiao said goodbye and came out. He always felt uneasy. He had been a disciple for ten years, and he had never heard of there being a master uncle. Even if there was such a person, they had not been in contact for ten years, so their relationship was very thin. Why would he send such a valuable gift? Although he was suspicious, he didn't dare to ask more questions. He went home to prepare the wedding banquet, asked the chef to borrow tables and chairs, and waited for the wedding.

After Chang Xiao returned home, Chen Hongren called Chen Xia to come closer. Chen Xia said happily, "Dad, this Uncle Lin is really generous. He actually gave me such an expensive gift. I was worried that I didn't have any jewelry. Now I have it." Chen Hongren said, "Xia'er, what do you think of Feng Ming?" Chen Xia nodded and said, "He is from a big place, talented in both civil and martial arts, handsome and elegant, so he must be right." Chen Hongren smiled and said, "To tell you the truth, my junior brother Lin Qing is now very impressive. He is the abbot of Qingfeng Temple in Taibai Mountain and is a holy place in the martial arts world. "Feng Ming, you have seen it too. His outfit alone is enough to keep that silly boy busy for a lifetime. Besides, Feng Ming is knowledgeable and good at martial arts. Dad wants to match you two up." Chen Xia was shocked and shook her head, "How can that be possible? We have already promised Senior Brother Chang, and we are about to get married. How can we regret it?" Chen Hongren disagreed, "Xia'er, Dad only has you as his daughter, so he naturally has to think about you. If you marry that silly boy, even if he practices the extraordinary swordsmanship, he is at most second-rate. A small character, not much to achieve. It's different if you marry Fengming, he's a master of the martial arts world, he's a distinguished guest wherever he goes. Besides, in terms of looks, talent, and martial arts, Fengming is much better. Dad won't harm you, it's all for your own good." Chen Xia was already moved by Lin Fengming's elegant demeanor, and regretted agreeing to the marriage with Chang Xiao too early. With Chen Hongren's instigation, she was immediately moved, but she still had concerns in her heart, and said, "Brother Chang is already ready to marry, how can we regret it? Besides, Master Lin Brother may not like me." Seeing that his daughter's mind was alive, Chen Hongren added fuel to the fire: "Those jewels are the betrothal gifts from my junior brother. Fengming told me that he likes you from the bottom of his heart. As long as you nod, we will leave immediately. As for that silly boy, we can send him away with a letter. Xia'er, this is a lifelong event. If you choose the right way, you will be rich and prosperous, and you will live in luxury. If you choose the wrong way, you will never be able to turn over." After weighing the pros and cons, Chen Xia quickly made a decision and agreed to the Lin family's marriage proposal. Chen Hongren was overjoyed and immediately arranged to leave. Lin Fengming had already made preparations. He was ready to get off the carriage and take Chen Hongren and his daughter away from Yangyi Town and head straight to Taibai Mountain. Before leaving, he only left a letter to Chang Xiao.

Chapter 2 Hardships

Two thousand hardships

Chang Xiao didn't know about these things and had been planning to get married. Chen Hongren was so heartless that he didn't even tell anyone. The whole town knew about Chang Xiao's marriage. As soon as Chen Hongren and his daughter left, a friend who was close to Chang Xiao came to tell him the news. Chang Xiao didn't believe it at all. It was impossible for such a person to leave right when he was about to get married. Although he didn't believe it, Chang Xiao still ran to his master's house to take a look. This was like pouring cold water on his head. The door of the Chen family was locked and the door was locked. Chang Xiao often went in and out and had the key with him. He opened the door and saw that it was empty without the shadow of his master and his sister. There was a letter on the table in the main hall, which was left by Chen Hongren. When he opened it, there were only a few words: "Xiao'er, I am visiting my junior brother at Qingfeng Temple in Taibai Mountain. I am not sure when I will return. We will discuss marriage later. I entrust the family affairs to you. The house deed is in my hand and cannot be sold. The west room is leaking, remember to repair it." There were a few words from Chen Xia at the end: "Brother Chang, I'm sorry, my father promised me to Brother Lin, so don't wait for me. Qingfeng Temple in Taibai Mountain is the authentic martial arts temple, so don't come to find me." After reading the letter, Chang Xiao felt dizzy. If he hadn't been promised, he wouldn't blame his master, after all, his martial arts skills were not good and his family business was meager. But how to end this big mess now? How to deal with the gifts sent by fellow villagers and friends? It was obviously the wedding night, the first joy in life, but it turned into trouble in a blink of an eye, and he was ashamed to face the embarrassing situation of his relatives. Chang Xiao fell on the table and cried bitterly. Why did the heaven play such a big joke on him? How to deal with so many things in the future? The news spread quickly, and everyone in the town knew that Chen Hongren and his daughter had left Chang Xiao to find someone else. The one who suffered the most was Chang Xiao's mother, who was already weak and sick. She went from great joy to great sorrow, and fainted due to anger. Someone hurried to find Chang Xiao. Chang Xiao rushed home in a daze. Seeing his mother unconscious, he hurriedly asked for a doctor, but his mother died before she could say a word. The happy event turned into a funeral. Chang Xiao cried bitterly. After a long time of persuasion from relatives and friends, he asked someone to buy a coffin, set up a mourning shed, and invite monks to pray for the soul. How could he have so much money? Chang Xiao knew that his mother had suffered for most of her life, and the funeral could not be rushed, so he had to sell the only five acres of land. The original sedan chair, drummers, and wedding dresses all cost money, and choosing a cemetery and buying a coffin were even more indispensable. Seeing that he was stretched to the limit, Chang Xiao gritted his teeth and sold all the houses in his family. Kind people persuaded him, how would he live in the future if the house was sold? Chang Xiao's ancestors were loyal and honest, never owed money to others, and did their best to hold a grand funeral. After dealing with all the things, Chang Xiao seemed to have aged ten years, with only seven taels of silver left in his hand, and no place to stand.

After thinking it over, he had to stay at Chen's house first. He couldn't tell others about his depression. Living at Chen's house was even more uncomfortable. The voice and appearance of his junior sister Chen Xia appeared in his mind from time to time. When he walked on the street, although the villagers didn't mean to laugh at him, Chang Xiao always felt that others were pointing fingers at him behind his back. He barely lived there for a few days, thinking that he had to see his junior sister no matter what, and he couldn't stay in his hometown. He made up his mind to pay tribute to his mother's tomb first, pack up his luggage simply, take a waist knife and a whistle stick, leave his hometown alone, and go to Taibai Mountain to find his junior sister Chen Xia. Chang Xiao had never been far away, and didn't know the cunning of people outside. He was cheated of his few taels of silver just after walking two hundred miles. Although he was young and strong, he didn't know how to find a job and couldn't meet a kind person. In desperation, he had to go to the mountains to find some wild fruits to barely fill his stomach. He had never learned hunting, couldn't eat meat, and had no salt, so his body was naturally difficult to support. When he was sleeping in a small temple, a beggar stole his waist knife. How can you walk fast like this? He walked on while starving, with only one belief in his heart: he had to ask his junior sister in person why she was so heartless. In fact, Chang Xiao didn't know where Taibai Mountain was. He didn't know the direction at all, and he couldn't get the answer by asking people. He just wandered around. Later, he found that there were often jobs loading and unloading goods at the docks by the river to make a living, so he walked along the river. He could earn a few copper coins if he came across jobs loading and unloading goods, and he could even sleep on the boat if he met a kind boat captain. Thanks to the fact that he had suffered a lot when he was practicing martial arts in his childhood, his foundation was solid, and he was still very strong despite wandering around. Sometimes the boat captain invited Chang Xiao to join, but Chang Xiao was determined to find his junior sister and refused to stay. He ran around like this, and God rewarded those who worked hard. After three years of running around, he finally arrived at the foot of Taibai Mountain.

At this time, Chang Xiao was not much better than a beggar. His clothes were tattered, but the whistle he carried was shiny and oily, because he had been carrying it all year round. It was winter, and the wind was biting. Chang Xiao endured the cold and climbed the mountain. Halfway up the mountain, snowflakes were falling. Chang Xiao had gone through so much trouble to find this place, and he had to go up the mountain no matter how cold it was. The snow was getting heavier and heavier, and in a blink of an eye it was all white. Fortunately, the mountain path was still distinguishable. After all the hard work, he finally saw the three-character golden plaque of Qingfeng Temple. Chang Xiao finally breathed a sigh of relief and went forward to knock on the door. After waiting for a long time, a little Taoist boy reluctantly opened the door and asked, "What's the matter?" As soon as Chang Xiao approached, the little Taoist boy immediately scolded, "Beggars are not allowed here, go away." Chang Xiao hurriedly said, "I'm here to look for someone." The little Taoist boy sneered, "How could anyone here recognize you? Go away." Chang Xiao shouted, "I am Chen Hongren's apprentice, and I come here specifically to find my master." The little Taoist boy was stunned. Chen Hongren did live on the mountain, but he did not live in the temple. Instead, he lived in Meihuawu, west of Qingfeng Temple. The little Taoist boy hesitated and asked, "What's your name? I'll go ask for you." After Chang Xiao signed up, the little Taoist boy went inside to report. Not long after, he came out angrily and said, "It's all your fault. I got scolded. The master said that there's no one here you're looking for. Go away." Chang Xiao had gone through so much trouble to find this place, how could he leave so easily? He said anxiously, "My master obviously lives here. I want to go in and find him." The little Taoist boy sneered, "What is this place? How can you mess around?" He blocked the door and prevented Chang Xiao from entering. Chang Xiao pushed the little Taoist boy aside and broke into the door. The little Taoist boy screamed, and seven or eight little Taoist boys rushed out immediately. One of them was the one who followed Lin Fengming to Yangyi Town and was punched by Chang Xiao. Although it was three years later, he still recognized him and gritted his teeth and said, "I spared you last time, but you dare to come here and make trouble. Beat him up for me." The little Taoist boys surrounded him and punched and kicked him. Chang Xiao naturally could not let himself be bullied. He punched and parried, injuring two Taoist boys. At this time, there was a shout, and the little Taoist boys retreated. A young man came over. It was Lin Fengming. The little Taoist boy shouted, "This man came here to make trouble and injured our people." Lin Fengming raised his eyebrows and said, "Who is so bold as to come here and make trouble? He is tired of living."

Chang Xiao was panting when Lin Fengming hit him on the shoulder. This palm condensed the inner Qi, and Chang Xiao could not bear it. He fell to the ground and could not get up. The little Taoist children surrounded him and kicked him. Chang Xiao's mouth and nose were bleeding, and the snow was red. Seeing that his life was in danger, a majestic voice came: "Stop it." It was Lin Qing, the master of Qingfeng Temple, Lin Fengming's father, and Chen Hongren's junior brother. Lin Qing was in his prime, wearing a golden crown, wearing a Bagua Taoist robe, with bright eyes, three short beards, holding a whisk in his hand, and looking very dignified. Lin Fengming bowed and said: "Dad, this beggar came to our house and made trouble, so I gave him a lesson." Lin Qing ordered: "Carry this man to the woodshed and clean up the blood on the ground." The little Taoist children agreed in unison, and Lin Qing said to his son: "Come with me." The little Taoist children carried Chang Xiao into the woodshed, threw him into a corner and left on their own. Chang Xiao was unconscious. Lin Fengming followed Lin Qing into a quiet room. Lin Qing scolded him, “You are such an ignorant child. It would have been fine if you had just chased a beggar away, but you beat him to death. What will happen if Shangqing Palace finds out?” Lin Fengming said, “Dad, this beggar is none other than Chen Xia’s senior brother, the country bumpkin who almost got married.” Lin Qing nodded, “So it was him. In that case, we can’t keep him. When the snow stops, throw him into the deep ravine in the back mountain. Remember not to leave any trace.” Lin Fengming nodded, “I know, Chen Hongren is such a wily old fellow. Chen Xia and I have been married for three years, and our child is over two years old, but he still refuses to teach me the last three moves of the Juechen Sword Technique.” Lin Qing sighed, “My senior brother is the most scheming. At the beginning, at least five of my fellow disciples had better swordsmanship than him, but he got the precious sword and the sword manual.” , which shows how cunning he is. Anyway, the Rolling Jewel Knife is already in hand. If he works harder and makes Chen Xia, the silly girl, warm up to him, the last three sword techniques will be in his hands sooner or later. But you have to be more careful. The matter of Liulinpo cannot be leaked. It won’t matter once the last three techniques are in hand. "Lin Fengming nodded: "Last time I was talking in my sleep, that old fox heard something strange and questioned me for a long time. I almost couldn’t cover it up. Thanks to that silly girl Chen Xia, I was able to fool her. To be honest, I couldn’t bear to deceive the mother and son. "Lin Qing pointed out: "Silly child, you can achieve great things by doing whatever it takes to achieve your goal. With the Rolling Jewel Knife and the Dust-Free Sword Technique, my father and I can leave Shangqing Palace and set up our own business. We can have everything we want. What is a Chen Xia worth?" The little conscience that Lin Fengming had was also wiped out by his father.

Chang Xiao was unconscious in the woodshed, and no one cared because the snow had not stopped. The cold wind blew, and Chang Xiao woke up slowly. He felt sore all over, and the blood on his mouth and nose had dried. He felt quite uncomfortable. He looked around and saw firewood piled up all around. He knew it was the woodshed. Thinking back, Lin Fengming obviously recognized him and took action, and it was obvious that he wanted to kill him. He couldn't stay in this place no matter what. After thinking it through, he barely got up and endured the severe pain to look around. He found that there was a hillside outside the back window, so he kicked the back window with all his strength and climbed out of the woodshed, staggering forward. He gritted his teeth and climbed over two hillsides, but he felt top-heavy and light-footed. He fell down and rolled down the hillside. Fortunately, he was stopped by a tree. He was just dizzy and fainted again. I don't know how long it took, the snow stopped and the sky cleared, the air was fresh, the blue sky and white clouds were particularly clear, and the sunlight brought a hint of warmth. Chang Xiao gradually regained consciousness. Although he wanted to leave, his hands and feet were completely uncontrollable. If he continued like this, he would soon be frozen. Chang Xiao didn't want to die in silence, so he propped himself up and leaned against the tree. His throat felt sweet, and he spat out a large mouthful of blood, which was quite dazzling when it fell on the snow. After spitting out the blood, Chang Xiao felt his mind gradually become clear, and he managed to even out his breathing to regain his strength. When he closed his eyes to rest, he suddenly heard a voice, and was shocked. It must be Lin Fengming who wanted to wipe out the roots. Although he wanted to leave, his hands and feet could not move at all. Two people came from afar. The front was a beautiful child, and the back was a beautiful young woman wearing a red mink coat. Chang Xiao's heart was pounding. This young woman was clearly his junior sister Chen Xia, who had been haunting him for three years. He had dreamed of his junior sister countless times, but he didn't expect to meet her in this situation. Chen Xia was leading her son to play in the snow when she accidentally walked here. Suddenly she saw blood on the ground and then found Chang Xiao leaning against a tree. She was startled and asked, "Who are you?" Chang Xiao felt heartbroken that his junior sister could not recognize him. He mustered up his strength and squeezed out two words from his throat: "Junior sister." Chen Xia's body was shocked. After a closer look, she asked, "Are you Senior Brother Chang?" Chang Xiao was overwhelmed with emotions and could not speak. The child shouted, "Mom, this beggar is so annoying. Let's go." Chen Xia hesitated for a moment, made a quick decision, and turned around and walked away with her son. In an instant, Chang Xiao was completely desperate and could no longer hold on, so he lay down in the snow.

For a moment, I didn't know where I was. I felt my limbs and internal organs gradually losing consciousness. It was pitch black all around, and I was indescribably terrified. I looked around blankly and seemed to see a light in the distance. I rushed towards the light without hesitation. Gradually, there was light, and I was shocked to find that I was in a deep canyon. It was pitch black under my feet, and not far behind me was a terrifying world. Dark red flames were jumping, and countless strange-looking Yakshas were baring their teeth and claws and pouncing on me. At this time, I had to run towards the light desperately. That was the only hope. The closer I got to the light, the more comfortable I felt. The light showed a peaceful world, with towering palaces and warm golden light. As I was about to get close to my goal, I was suddenly caught by a thick iron chain, dragging myself into the dark abyss. There was no one to call for help, and I was extremely scared. I was anxious when I suddenly woke up and looked around. I was still lying in the ice and snow. Just now, he was obviously hovering on the edge of life and death. If he gave up the world, he would most likely go to hell to suffer. So he secretly made up his mind to persist in living no matter what. Chang Xiao secretly called his own name. He was not a gentleman if he did not take revenge. No matter how hard he tried, he would take revenge for this blood feud. Even if he went to hell, he would not let Lin Fengming succeed. Master Chen Hongren was so heartless. He must seek justice. Thinking of this, he did not know where he got a force from. He got up and walked into the deep mountains. At this time, he could only go to places with few people. Lin Fengming would definitely not let him go. Entering the deep mountains, with pain all over his body and unbearable hunger and thirst, Chang Xiao staggered and barely moved forward. Suddenly, he found that more than a dozen monkeys were scrambling to a col. Chang Xiao followed the monkeys' trail, staggering every three steps and falling every five steps. After a lot of hard work, he came to a secluded valley. There was a hot spring in the valley. The monkeys on the mountain would go to the hot spring to keep warm in the cold season. Chang Xiao was overjoyed and stumbled to the pool formed by the hot spring. The monkeys saw Chang Xiao making a commotion and were ready to attack. Chang Xiao didn't care about much. He was in pain all over, and the cold had already exceeded the limit of ordinary people's endurance. He threw off his clothes and jumped into the pool. He felt like he had gone from hell to heaven. This was a blessing in disguise. It turned out that the monkeys saw Chang Xiao taking off his clothes and thought he was surrendering to them. Otherwise, the monkeys would attack and take Chang Xiao's life. Finding that Chang Xiao had no ill intentions, the monkeys continued to keep warm. Chang Xiao felt much more relaxed. Seeing a monkey peeling walnuts by the pool, he couldn't help but salivate. The monkeys didn't know how to crack walnuts, so they rolled everywhere. Chang Xiao picked up one and smashed it on the rocks by the pool. He couldn't wait to put the kernel into his mouth. Immediately, a monkey rushed over to express his dissatisfaction. Chang Xiao also felt embarrassed. It was really not glorious to pick up the monkey's food. So he cracked two or three walnuts and threw them over. The monkeys rushed to eat them. The smarter monkeys gave the walnuts to Chang Xiao and gestured how to crack them. Chang Xiao then cracked the walnuts for the monkeys and filled his own stomach at the same time. The man and the monkey actually became friends.

Walnuts are the food that monkeys have saved for the winter. Although they are delicious, it is too difficult to crack them open. Often, they can't crack one out of ten. When Chang Xiao came, all the monkeys ate the walnut kernels, so the monkeys brought apricot kernels. Chang Xiao taught the monkeys how to crack walnuts and apricot kernels. The monkeys kept jumping around, obviously very happy. So some monkeys brought dried dates and hawthorns to share with Chang Xiao. Chang Xiao felt that dealing with monkeys was much easier than dealing with humans, without intrigues. After soaking in the hot spring for half a day, the monkeys ate and went to the mountains to play. Chang Xiao felt that his injuries were much better. It turned out that the hot spring had the effect of healing. Knowing this, Chang Xiao settled down in the hot spring to recuperate. The monkeys provided food. After two days, Chang Xiao felt that his injuries were basically healed. After all, this was still Taibai Mountain. If Lin Fengming came, not only would his life be in danger, but the monkeys would also be implicated, so he prepared to leave. Before leaving, the monkeys took out some dried fruits. Chang Xiao thought to himself: It turns out that monkeys are much better than humans. I just helped a little, and the monkeys knew how to repay. I paid so much for the Chen family, but in return I was in danger of death. After a sigh, I left the hot spring and looked for a way out of the mountain. Lin Fengming was indeed chasing Chang Xiao, but the heavy snow covered the traces. The people of Qingfeng Temple did not want to suffer, so they hurriedly searched and went back. Later, I learned from the little boy that Chang Xiao's location was searched again, but the mountain was covered with snow and the mountain road was difficult to walk, so I gave up.

Chapter 3 A Blessing in Disguise

Three blessings in disguise

After leaving Taibai Mountain, Chang Xiao was still aimless. It was not easy to take revenge. Lin Fengming had already learned martial arts from Shangqing Palace. With the help of the Rolling Pearl Knife and the Dust-free Knife Technique, he was no match for Lin Fengming. He was lucky to escape with his life. Thanks to the monkey group he encountered, he recovered from his injuries in the hot spring. Along the way, he still relied on odd jobs at the dock to make a living, one meal a day. He couldn't go back to his hometown. He had lost his land and property, and he didn't want to live in the Chen family. He took one step at a time. Going north along the canal, he arrived in Luoyang one day. He was hungry and went to the dock to find a job. There happened to be a large batch of medicinal materials being loaded on the ship. There was a shortage of manpower. Chang Xiao came up to talk to him and said that he would be paid five coins for loading a bag of medicinal materials. Chang Xiao calculated that there were 500 bags in this batch of goods. He could get one coin for loading 200 bags. He worked happily. Chang Xiao had only practiced some basic skills such as ploughing with an iron ox, lifting a stone lock, and doing horse stance under Chen Hongren, but he practiced very hard, had a solid foundation, and was very strong. A bag of medicinal materials weighed more than 200 kilograms, and Chang Xiao carried two bags at a time. When he was about to finish loading, he was happy, but he didn't notice that the springboard had cracked. When he walked to the middle, the springboard tilted, and he fell into the water with the goods. Chang Xiao liked playing in the water since he was a child and was good at swimming. He quickly picked up the medicinal materials and carried them to the shore. He was panicked. The medicinal materials were wet. If the owner of the goods pursued it, he would not be able to get paid. Others could not make the decision. Only the owner of the goods could solve it. Chang Xiao sighed in his heart: I am really unlucky. I am about to see the money I have in my hand go down the drain again. While he was thinking about it, someone pointed out that the owner of the goods, Mr. Duan, had come. Chang Xiao hurriedly went to meet him. Mr. Duan was a medicine merchant, wearing a clerk's scarf on his head, a cloak on his body, a round face, and a big belly. The waiter told Chang Xiao what happened. Duan looked him up and down. Chang Xiao bowed and said, "I was in a hurry and got the goods wet. Please forgive me." Duan was quite generous and said with a smile, "These herbs can be dried. There is no loss. You don't have to worry. I will pay you as usual." Chang Xiao was overjoyed, but then he thought that he was in the wrong and couldn't ask for wages. So he declined and said, "Duan, I won't take the wages. It's just compensation. It's very generous of you not to pursue it." Duan was stunned. He didn't expect an ordinary day laborer to refuse wages. He nodded and said, "I didn't expect you to understand morality and know how to read?" Chang Xiao replied, "I went to a private school when I was young." Duan pointed to the goods and said, "This bag of herbs weighs more than 200 kilograms. They said you can carry two bags at a time, but I don't believe it. If you can really carry it, I will hire you to help on the boat." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "That's not difficult." He easily carried two bags of herbs and Duan immediately said, "Come on board with me."

Unexpectedly, it was a blessing in disguise. Chang Xiao got the cargo wet, but was appreciated by the owner and became a clerk, with no worries about food and clothing. After boarding the ship, Chang Xiao appreciated Duan Yuanwai's kindness and worked hard everywhere. He never argued about wages and did not pick and choose food. He did more work than three people. The fleet went north, shipping and loading goods along the way, and almost no temporary workers were needed, which saved a lot of trouble. Duan Yuanwai often rewarded Chang Xiao with wine and food, which made Chang Xiao very satisfied. When the fleet entered Nanyang Lake, the wind was strong and it was difficult to sail, so they moored in a sheltered place. Duan Yuanwai was drinking in the cabin. The clerks around him were illiterate. Suddenly, they remembered Chang Xiao, so they asked someone to bring Chang Xiao over. Chang Xiao entered the cabin and saluted: "Yuanwai, just tell me if you have anything to do." Duan Yuanwai smiled and said, "Nothing, I just want to find someone to chat with. They have never read, so they asked you to come. Sit down." Chang Xiao had been on the ship for several days and knew that Duan Yuanwai was generous and did not like red tape, so he sat on the side. Duan asked, "You don't look like a street person, why did you fall to this point?" Chang Xiao sighed, "It's hard to explain, there are many twists and turns, I'm afraid it will disturb your mood if I tell you." Duan shook his head, "The Yellow River will clear up one day, how can people not have good luck? Now you are in trouble, sooner or later you will turn things around, it's okay to tell." Chang Xiao told his experience one by one, Duan felt sad and sighed, "It turns out that there are such heartless people in the world, think more open-mindedly about everything, as the saying goes, if you survive a disaster, you will have good fortune in the future, you will have a good life in the future." Chang Xiao thanked him, "I hope so." Duan said, "Let's not talk about sad things, I have been selling medicine for more than ten years, and I have traveled all over the country. Let me tell you about the customs of various places." Then he talked about what he saw and heard in various places. Since then, he drank and talked with Chang Xiao every now and then, and the two got to know each other better. Chang Xiao knew that this Mr. Duan was named Duan Kui. His ancestors were businessmen and had a large family. His hometown was in West Lake, Hangzhou, with a fortune of one million. Duan Kui also knew that Chang Xiao was simple and honest, and had a simple nature. One day when they were drinking, Duan Kui patted Chang Xiao on the shoulder and said, "Brother, I am one year older than you. How about we become sworn brothers?" Chang Xiao smiled bitterly and said, "Mr. Duan is joking. I am not up to your level." Duan Kui shook his head and said, "Brother, I have been running around in the world for more than ten years. I have seen a lot of people and know some things about the world. You will never be buried in the market. Sooner or later, you will be successful. Maybe I will ask you for help in the future." Chang Xiao didn't dare to think about it. He knew that Duan Kui was drunk, so he answered in a smooth tone and fooled him.

The next day, Duan Kui actually took it seriously and ordered his men to prepare incense and candles. Chang Xiao could not refuse, so he became sworn brothers with Duan Kui and called him "Big Brother". Duan Kui recognized Chang Xiao's character and handed over the accounts and silver to him. Chang Xiao managed it carefully and the accounts were clear. The two of them became closer and closer and talked about everything. Duan Kui had three wives and concubines, a son and a daughter. He sailed once a year, busy for half a year and rested for half a year. Chang Xiao was grateful for Duan Kui's kindness and tried his best to help. When the ship arrived in Beijing, Duan Kui sent out the goods and ordered the fleet to go north. It was spring and warm, and the scenery was pleasant. The two brothers were watching the scenery at the bow. Chang Xiao asked, "Brother, where are you going this time?" Duan Kui replied, "This time we are going to Liaodong to buy ginseng, deer antlers and other precious medicinal materials, and some common medicinal materials." Chang Xiao asked, "Why are you so slow?" Duan Kui smiled and said, "Brother, I don't know. It's so cold outside the pass that my ears can be frozen off. I can only wait until summer to go." Chang Xiao was happy in his heart. It's always good to gain more experience. In summer, the fleet arrived at Daling River. Duan Kui went ashore to discuss business and left Chang Xiao on the boat. The climate here is indeed cold. Two days later, Duan Kui returned and Chang Xiao asked, "Brother, how was the harvest?" Duan Kui shook his head and said, "I came at an unlucky time and didn't find any good ginseng. I was going to buy some good ginseng at Erxian Temple, but it snowed heavily and I couldn't go." Chang Xiao recommended himself, "Since it's a big business, I can't delay the business if I go." Duan Kui thought for a while and asked, "Are you really not afraid of the heavy snow?" Chang Xiao smiled and said, "If it weren't for the heavy snow, I would have lost my nine lives." Duan Kui nodded, "It's good for you to go, but I don't dare to go." He handed the silver note to Chang Xiao and asked a clerk who knew wild ginseng to follow him. Chang Xiao got off the boat and rushed to Erxian Temple. As expected, the road was difficult to travel. Erxian Temple was halfway up the mountain. The snow was half a foot deep at the bottom of the mountain, so it was easy to walk. But there was two feet of snow on the mountain, and it was difficult to walk. Chang Xiao was not afraid of hardship. He rushed all the way and climbed the mountain with all his strength. The clerk couldn't keep up and had to help him. Rushed to Erxian Temple, the Taoist priests in the temple had good mountain ginseng, the waiter bargained and bought five. After what happened at Qingfeng Temple, Chang Xiao had no good impression of the Taoist priests, and hurriedly said goodbye. Arriving at the foot of the mountain, he found a small temple, and heard voices calling for help from inside. Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be Guandi Temple. Due to heavy snow and years of disrepair, the side room collapsed and crushed people. Chang Xiao went forward to rescue people without hesitation, moved away the broken bricks and tiles, and found a monk with a broken leg bone, crying out in pain. Chang Xiao rescued the monk and put him in the main hall. The monk thanked him, and Chang Xiao asked: "Where is the doctor? I'll go and get him." The monk shook his head: "I am the doctor. People nearby come to me when they are sick. Just bring the medicine box." Chang Xiao followed his instructions and went to the collapsed side room to find the medicine box.

It turned out that the monk was a famous local doctor who had saved countless lives with his superb skills. He got the medicine box, took out the herbs, first relieved the pain and then set the bones. Chang Xiao helped and applied a special ointment. The monk thanked him and said, "Thanks to your help, I am very grateful." Chang Xiao shook his head: "Saving people in danger is what everyone should do. I can't stay long. Can you take care of yourself?" The monk said, "My disciple is out to treat people and will be back in the evening. Don't worry." Chang Xiao nodded: "That's good, take care, Master. I'll take my leave now." The monk said, "Wait a minute, donator. How can a Buddhist accept favors for nothing? I have something to thank you." He took out an iron box from his arms, and inside was actually an old ginseng. The guy was an expert. Seven taels is ginseng, and eight taels is treasure. This ginseng weighs at least ten taels and is more than eight hundred years old, worth a million gold. Chang Xiao was still trying to refuse, but the waiter stepped forward and took it, saying with a smile, "Master, this is a kind gesture. Second Master, please don't refuse it." Chang Xiao had no choice but to thank him. The monk sighed, "If it weren't for your kindness, I would be dead. What's the use of these things?" Chang Xiao was afraid that Duan Kui would be impatient waiting, so he prepared food for the monk, cleaned up the fire, and left. On the way, the waiter didn't mention the value of the ginseng, fearing that Chang Xiao would know and return it to the monk. When he returned to the boat, Duan Kui asked about the process, looked at the ginseng he bought and expressed his satisfaction. The waiter then took out the ginseng given by the monk. Duan Kui, of course, knew the value of the ginseng and said happily, "Brother, you are lucky. This ginseng is worth at least 10,000 taels." Chang Xiao was surprised. The most expensive ginseng in Erxian Temple was no more than 800 taels, but he didn't know that the price of ginseng would vary greatly depending on the weight. Seeing Chang Xiao's expression, Duan Kui smiled and said, "Brother, it seems that your luck has come. I will help you to start a family and build a career." Chang Xiao shook his head and said, "Brother, I can't get over this. I am not happy no matter what I do. The ginseng will stay with you." Duan Kui knew that Chang Xiao was obsessed with revenge, so he didn't force it and ordered the fleet to turn back. They arrived in the capital in a few days. While they were busy shipping and purchasing goods, someone came to visit. It turned out that the empress dowager was ill and wanted the best old ginseng. Officials at all levels tried every means to find it. The housekeeper of the Minister of Industry found Duan Kui. Duan Kui had been in business for many years and of course knew that this was a good opportunity to make money, but the other party looked down on the ginseng he bought, so he took out Chang Xiao's ginseng. The housekeeper was overjoyed and immediately decided to go back to the mansion to get the silver bill.

Duan Kui called Chang Xiao and asked, "Brother, the Minister of Works wants to buy your ginseng. Do you think you can sell it?" Chang Xiao smiled and said, "Brother, you can make the decision." Duan Kui nodded and said, "This is a good opportunity. Let's make a good deal." The Minister of Works heard the news and was afraid that other officials would get it first, so he came in person to buy the ginseng. Duan Kui negotiated the price with the Minister of Works. After some bargaining, they settled the deal at 18,000 taels. The Minister of Works left happily. If the Queen Mother recovered and the Emperor was happy, he would get much more than 18,000 taels. Duan Kui was also happy for Chang Xiao. The two went to the capital to play and found a restaurant to drink. During the meal, Duan Kui asked, "Brother, do you really not want to start a family? This amount of money is not a small amount." Chang Xiao sighed, "Brother, I really can't forget the great revenge of Qingfeng Temple. I will not be a man if I don't take revenge." Duan Kui nodded, "Well, everyone has their own ambitions. I won't force you." The two drank and talked, and suddenly heard a noise. Duan Kui called the waiter to ask, and the waiter smiled and said, "Two escort agencies in the capital are fighting for business. Everyone is watching the excitement." Duan Kui knew that Chang Xiao was unhappy, so he pulled Chang Xiao to the ring to relax. There were already many people gathered here, and someone on the ring was fighting. Chang Xiao only learned the six-way sword method. Seeing others fighting, he naturally wanted to learn it, so he watched attentively. Someone on the side of the ring explained to the people watching the ring, but it was someone sent by the government, explaining in detail the boxing and martial arts used by both sides. Chang Xiao knew that his martial arts were not worth mentioning at all, so he listened and watched without saying a word. The competition on the stage was very intense, and people were injured from time to time. There was a thin man who used the Five Elements Fist to defeat several people in a row. At this time, a young man next to Chang Xiao asked an old man: "Master, the Five Elements Fist is very common, why did that man win in succession?" The old man replied: "There is no difference between high and low martial arts. That man won because of his solid foundation. Nine out of ten people nowadays are eager for success and are unwilling to work hard. They can't understand the beauty of boxing at all." Hearing these words, a thought flashed through Chang Xiao's mind. Why didn't he think of it? Diligence makes one proficient. If he practiced the Liuhe sword technique hard, he could also take revenge. Thinking of this, his mind suddenly became clear. After watching the competition, he returned to the boat with Duan Kui.

After the two had been together for a long time, Duan Kui saw that Chang Xiao had something to discuss with him, and asked, "Brother, do you have a plan?" Chang Xiao nodded and said, "Brother, I want to take revenge all the time. Today, the old man's words enlightened me. I plan to go to the mountains to practice swordsmanship and seek revenge on my enemies." Duan Kui sighed, "Brother, I know I can't keep you. Just tell me what you need." Chang Xiao said, "Nothing is needed, a knife is enough." So the two went to the weapons shop to choose a steel knife, and Duan Kui gave Chang Xiao a farewell wine. Although the two had been together for a short time, they had a lot of feelings for each other. Thinking that they didn't know when they would meet again in the future, they both felt sad. Duan Kui took out 20,000 taels of silver notes and gave them to Chang Xiao, saying, "Brother, take this money, you will need it in the future." Chang Xiao shook his head and said, "Brother, take it first, I will take 1,000 taels." Duan Kui then ordered his men to prepare 1,000 taels of cash and 1,000 taels of silver notes, and said, "Brother, my home is by the West Lake in Hangzhou, and it is easy to find. If you can avenge me, please come to my home." Chang Xiao promised, "Brother, don't worry, as long as I can avenge me, I will definitely visit you at the West Lake." The two drank for a day and parted with tears. After Duan Kui finished the goods and went south, Chang Xiao took 2,000 taels back to his hometown, Yangyi Town, and the villagers still treated him as a relative. Chang Xiao felt bad when he learned that Chen Hongren had never come back and that Chen's house was already very dilapidated. Finding someone to repair the Chen family's house was not because of his old feelings for Chen Hongren, but to preserve the only good memories in his heart. Two thousand taels is nothing in the capital, but it is a huge sum in Yangyi Town. Chang Xiao bought more than ten acres of land near his parents' tomb in Nanshan, planted pine and cypress, repaired the tombs, and built five tiled houses on the hillside to settle down. He told the villagers that he was mourning, prepared enough food and started practicing swordsmanship. This is Chang Xiao's hometown, but also his sad place. Here are the best memories and the most painful experiences. Whenever he thinks of the past, Chang Xiao can't help but get angry. There are many people in the world who know Liuhe swordsmanship, but none of them have worked hard to study. Chang Xiao knows the truth that diligence is the key to success. He gets up early and goes to bed late, sleeps only two hours a day, and practices hard, once, twice, ten times, a hundred times, a thousand times, and endlessly. His muscles and bones ache, his waist and legs are sore, and he often wakes up in pain in his dreams. Chang Xiao made up his mind to take revenge no matter what, and he will persist no matter how hard or tired he is. Wind and rain, cold winter and hot summer, can't stop his determination to take revenge. Whenever Chang Xiao thought of the scene when his junior sister Chen Xia saw him spitting blood and turned away, and Lin Fengming's expression of gritting his teeth and slapping himself, he would feel boundless hatred in his heart. He practiced hard and was close to madness. No one here wanted to go to the cemetery, so no one disturbed him. Chang Xiao concentrated on practicing swordsmanship, and naturally had no worries about food and drink. No one in the town knew Chang Xiao's thoughts, and no one asked about it. Chang Xiao obviously had money, and the poor did not want to deal with the rich for fear of being looked down upon. Chang Xiao practiced swordsmanship with all his heart, and he knew in his heart that the goal he was pursuing was too far away, and the opponent's advantage was too great, and his chances of success were slim. However, he could not tolerate this tone. If he did not avenge this, he would be sorry for his mother's spirit in heaven, so he had to persevere no matter how hard or tired he was.

Chapter 4: Sleeping on Straw and Tasting Gall

There are not many moves in Liuhe Swordsmanship, and the variations are limited, but it is not a superficial martial art. It is just that most people only learn the postures and have never understood the mysteries. In addition, there are no masters who are famous for Liuhe Swordsmanship in the martial arts world. All factions only regard Liuhe Swordsmanship as an entry-level martial art and have never taken it seriously. Chang Xiao also learned the postures. Without the guidance of a master, he practiced hard on his own, so his progress was naturally slow. Chang Xiao knew that if he wanted to take revenge, he would have to work a hundred times or a thousand times harder than his opponent. As long as he persisted, he would succeed sooner or later. Therefore, he seized all the time to practice hard, and he couldn't remember how many times he practiced a day. In short, he couldn't rest until he had a little strength. When he went to bed at night, he felt unbearable pain all over his body, as if his joints were broken. Chang Xiao had experienced a lot of hardships, and he would do anything to take revenge. The pain only stimulated his determination to take revenge. After several months, Chang Xiao was exhausted more than a dozen times, but he was not discouraged. Thinking of his mother's dying scene, he was heartbroken. If he felt really uncomfortable, he would go to Chen's house once, recalling the sweetness of the past. The experience of Qingfeng Temple was even more unforgettable, and he was motivated again. In this way, he practiced hard over and over again. After a year, he finally reaped the rewards. When practicing swordsmanship, the moves actually changed by themselves. Chang Xiao was overjoyed and realized that he was on the right path. As long as he worked hard, he would get revenge one day. Because all his thoughts were immersed in Liuhe swordsmanship, there was nothing else even in his dreams. He practiced hard and kept practicing. Later, the moves were so familiar that he could do them easily without any confusion. After two years, he could already divide his attention and do two things at the same time. When practicing swordsmanship, a bee flying by would not escape his eyes. In the third year, he found that he was out of control. When practicing swordsmanship, he was always thinking about random things and it was difficult to concentrate. It turned out that Liuhe swordsmanship emphasizes the inner three harmonies and the outer three harmonies. The inner three harmonies are the harmony of heart and mind, the harmony of mind and qi, and the harmony of qi and strength. Chang Xiao had never learned this method, and it was difficult to control his sword skills after reaching a certain level. However, Chang Xiao did not lose heart and continued to practice hard. It was not until the fourth year that he understood the reason and gradually became proficient in the moves. He continued to practice hard, and his vitality became more and more abundant. The previous soreness completely disappeared, and he felt that he had endless energy. This is because when the external skills are accumulated to a certain level, the internal skills will naturally improve. In the fifth year, he practiced swordsmanship in the snow, and not a single snowflake fell on him. Chang Xiao was not satisfied and worked harder.

God will not let down those who work hard. Chang Xiao worked hard and after thousands of trials and tribulations, the power of Liuhe swordsmanship doubled. Chang Xiao saw hope and was full of confidence. He began to focus on the coordination of body and footwork. After six years of hard training, his hands, eyes, body, footwork and spirit were completely integrated. When he moved his heart, his sword came out, and it was extremely fast. After six years, his originally burly body became stronger, his hands were covered with thick calluses, and his arms were twice as thick as before. As his swordsmanship became more and more sophisticated, his confidence gradually grew. In the seventh year, the power of the steel knife increased greatly and it could even split a huge rock. Despite such achievements, Chang Xiao still did not dare to go out to seek revenge. The Dust-free Swordsmanship was originally a superior martial art, and the Rolling Jewel Knife was a rare weapon. He had seen this knife cut gold and jade with his own eyes. It was difficult for him to seek revenge with ordinary weapons. Without full confidence, he would inevitably die. The other party would not let him go. He was lucky to encounter a group of monkeys last time, but he would not be so lucky this time. After eight years of hard training, the speed of the sword was breathtaking. Wherever the sword wind reached, the grass and trees were cut. In the ninth year, he finally mastered it. The Liuhe sword technique was clear in his mind, handy, and free to control. In the tenth year, he focused on improving the power of the sword technique. The key is the word "fast". If you want to deal with a sword that can cut iron like mud, you have to be faster than the opponent. If the opponent strikes once, you must strike at least three times, otherwise there is still no chance. Later, when practicing sword in the rain, not a single drop of rain fell on him. Chang Xiao was quite relieved and prepared to take revenge after ten years. In the blink of an eye, it was late autumn, and the fallen leaves were flying all over the sky. Chang Xiao practiced sword under the tree. At this time, he was quite calm, and the fallen leaves swirled with the blade. Chang Xiao was excited, and the steel sword became faster and faster. The fallen leaves were rolled up with a ball of silver light, and no human figure could be seen. When he was dancing to his heart's content, Chang Xiao shouted, and the steel sword flew out of his hand, whistling with countless fallen leaves and shooting towards a huge rock, and half of the blade was actually inserted into the rock. The fallen leaves hit the boulder and scattered, forming the Chinese character "出". Chang Xiao understood that it was a sign from heaven that it was time for him to leave the mountain. He drew his sword and with a crisp sound, the steel sword broke. Chang Xiao gritted his teeth and said to himself, "Lin Fengming, you must not die."

Ten years later, Chang Xiao was very different from before, as if he had been reborn, and his heart was full of pride. He first prepared sacrifices, worshipped his parents, and packed his luggage. At this time, Chang Xiao was already 32 years old. After training, he was full of energy and spirit. His face was more weathered, and his heart was full of ambition. Before leaving his hometown, he went to Chen's house to take a look. The experience at that time has always been deeply imprinted in his mind. Chen Xia is the only person Chang Xiao loves deeply. This relationship is unforgettable. Although he worked hard for revenge, the biggest reason was actually for Chen Xia. Chang Xiao himself knew that if it was just for the revenge of Lin Fengming who injured him, he would not have been able to persist for ten years. I am afraid that he would have taken the huge sum of 20,000 taels to start a family and build a career. It was because he was obsessed with Chen Xia that he had the motivation to practice hard for ten years. Whenever he thought of Chen Xia, Chang Xiao felt bitter, sweet, sour, and mixed feelings in his heart. He didn't know what it felt like. Before setting off, Chang Xiao took out 500 taels of silver and asked his fellow villagers to clean his parents' graves. This was because he was afraid that if he failed to take revenge and died in a foreign land, no one would sweep the graves. After making all the arrangements, he set off alone. He first went to a big town to buy a good knife and make a big red robe to show his determination for revenge. He suffered a lot the last time he went out. After getting to know Duan Kui, Chang Xiao understood the fickleness of human nature. The more cautious you are, the more others will bully you. So he held his head high and looked proud. Sure enough, no one dared to provoke him. When he stayed in a hotel, the waiter ran around and fawned on him. Chang Xiao sighed in his heart: What kind of world is this? Everyone bullies the weak and fears the strong. This time he went out with more dignity than last time. He could not bear any hardship and had good food and drink.

Chang Xiao was not in a hurry to travel. He had waited for ten years, so he didn't want to waste time. He traveled along the way and still had more than a thousand taels in his hand. He didn't know whether he would live or die on this trip, so it was useless to keep it. He might as well spend it. This time, Chang Xiao finally came to his senses and spent a lot of money on food and drink. Despite this, Chang Xiao never thought of going to a brothel. One reason was that he had never experienced it before and felt uneasy. The other reason was that he couldn't let go of his junior sister Chen Xia and looked down on other women. One day, he passed a big mountain with a nice view. Chang Xiao walked up the mountain and played. If he failed to take revenge, he would inevitably be beheaded and would not be able to see such a view. Walking slowly along the mountain road, the autumn wind was refreshing, and birds flew back and forth in the dense forest. Chang Xiao took a deep breath and said to himself, "If I can take revenge, the scenery here will be different." A gust of wind blew by, and there was a faint sound of metal clashing in the wind, as if someone was taking action. Chang Xiao's heart moved. He had practiced hard for ten years, but he didn't know how deep his swordsmanship was. It would be nice to watch others fight and gain experience. Thinking of this, he followed the sound and turned a hillside. There was a flat land below. As expected, there were two young men fighting. Chang Xiao didn't want to alarm the two men, so he approached quietly. He found that the two men fighting were not very old, both around 20 years old, with similar features. One of them held a pair of colorful hammers, and the other used a pair of gold-painted moon axes. The two were fighting fiercely, neither of them giving in. If it were ten years ago, Chang Xiao would have admired their martial arts. But now, he felt that the two were too slow and he could definitely win. However, he still paid attention and watched carefully. He saw that the two young men fought for a long time and retreated. One of them said, "Brother, I'm hungry, let's eat first." The other nodded, "I'm hungry too, let's eat first." The two went to a big tree to drink and eat meat. Chang Xiao was quite surprised. These two men were actually brothers. If they were fighting endlessly, why did they sit together to drink? Just as he was wondering, he was discovered by the other party, because Chang Xiao was wearing a red robe, which was quite conspicuous. A young man shouted: "Which sect are you from? Come out and meet me." Chang Xiao straightened his clothes and walked out, clasping his fists and said: "I am traveling in the mountains and happened to pass by here. I disturbed you two, but I have no other intention." A young man stood up and returned the greeting: "You are carrying a knife, you must be a martial artist, which sect?" Chang Xiao shook his head: "I don't have any sect or school."

He met two brothers by chance in the mountains. Chang Xiao said that he had no sect or school, but he didn't know the rules of the martial arts world. If he didn't report his sect, he would be a government official. The two young men were very disdainful. One of them said, "So you are the court's lackeys. Go away." Chang Xiao was puzzled and asked, "What do you mean? I have no connection with the government." A young man asked in return, "Then why don't you report your sect?" Chang Xiao smiled bitterly and said, "I really have no sect or school. Although I have worshipped a master, I was expelled." The young men nodded and said, "So you are rootless. I wronged you. My brothers are Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai, disciples of Baekje Zen Master of Wuliang Temple. What do you call me friends?" Chang Xiao replied, "I am Chang Xiao. Since you are brothers, why are you fighting?" Zhong Yuan smiled. "Sit down and talk." The three of them sat on the ground. Zhong Hai said first, "Brother Chang, you don't know that we brothers have spent a year to find a treasure in the desert. I want it, but my eldest brother also wants it, so we have to fight to decide the winner." Chang Xiao knew that he couldn't ask about the treasure, so he changed the subject and said, "You two are superb martial artists, and your weapons are also extraordinary." The two brothers were quite proud. Zhong Yuan said, "My father has been fighting for weapons all his life. Among them, this colorful hammer and gold-painted moon axe are the most proud. He was reluctant to sell them, so he left them to us brothers and asked someone to send us to Wuliang Temple to learn martial arts. We only graduated last year." Because Chang Xiao said that he was expelled from the sect, the two brothers did not ask about Chang Xiao's background, but only talked about some interesting stories in the martial arts world. Chang Xiao had something on his mind, so he lingered for a moment and got up to say goodbye. The two brothers continued to fight. Chang Xiao had never heard of the Baekje Zen Master of Wuliang Temple. Seeing that Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai had loopholes in their martial arts, he thought they were just ordinary small characters and didn't care. Finding a way out of the mountain, passing through a dense forest, the mountain wind blew, and Chang Xiao was startled. A dangerous thought flashed through his mind. The steel knife slashed out like lightning, but it missed. Only a few red hairs slowly fell from the blade. Chang Xiao was shocked. He could cut the leaves in the wind with his knife, so who could avoid it? Is there a master hiding here? Thinking of this, he hurriedly looked around, but no one made a sound. There was no movement for a long time. Chang Xiao wondered, how could a master sneak attack when he first entered the martial arts world? Could it be that Lin Fengming got the news?

It was useless to think about it. Chang Xiao walked forward carefully, alert all over. Suddenly, his mind moved, and he turned around quickly. He found a red shadow passing by quickly. Chang Xiao knew that he could not catch up. The opponent was obviously very skilled in lightness. When encountering such an opponent, Chang Xiao was even more careful. He had to be on guard against everything before his great revenge was avenged. If he died here, he would be filled with hatred. After a long silence, a strong wind suddenly hit from behind. Chang Xiao backhanded his knife and suddenly felt a red shadow rushing over from the right. Thanks to Chang Xiao's sword skills that had been tempered for thousands of times, he turned his body and the sword light turned. He was about to succeed, but the opponent actually jumped away at the critical moment. Chang Xiao looked closely and couldn't help laughing. It turned out that the one who attacked him was not a person, but a horse. After dodging Chang Xiao's knife, the horse stood several feet away, staring at Chang Xiao with big agate eyes. The horse was all red, and its neck was much longer than that of an ordinary horse. It was extremely majestic. Although Chang Xiao didn't know how to judge horses, he could tell that this was a rare good horse. The red hair on the blade was the mane of this horse. After seeing it clearly, Chang Xiao put away his knife and said with a smile: "You scared me. Why did you attack me for no reason?" This is what Chang Xiao learned when he was with the monkeys. You can't look down on all living things and treat them equally. Although the red horse dodged Chang Xiao's steel knife, it was still extremely dangerous. Knowing that the person in front of him was not easy to mess with, it only looked at Chang Xiao. Chang Xiao was not greedy. Although he knew that this horse was a rare treasure, he was not tempted. If he failed to take revenge, he would inevitably die. No matter how good the treasure was, it would be useless. Since he knew it was a horse, he was not worried. He pointed to the mountain road with his hand and said: "I have something else to do. Look carefully. I have no grudge against you. Don't bother me anymore." Seeing that the red horse did not move, Chang Xiao turned and went down the mountain. The red horse actually followed slowly. Chang Xiao turned around and said, "Didn't I tell you, I never bullied you, why do you keep going on and on?" The red horse shook its head and looked towards the mountain. Chang Xiao immediately understood and nodded, "You mean, the person who bullied you is still on the mountain." The red horse nodded repeatedly. Chang Xiao thought for a while and said, "You can avoid my knife, you must be a good horse. Since someone is bullying you, just follow me and no one will dare to touch you." The red horse seemed to understand Chang Xiao's words and slowly approached.

Chang Xiao really didn't expect such an experience. He walked down the mountain slowly, and the red horse followed behind him. It seemed to have experienced a lot of hardships and was sweating all over. When they came to a stream, Chang Xiao said, "You eat some grass, how about I wash you?" The red horse stared at Chang Xiao's eyes and walked to the stream hesitantly. Chang Xiao tore off a piece of his clothes and dipped it in water to wash the red horse. In addition to sweat, there was a lot of mud on the red horse. Chang Xiao was very careful, for fear of hurting the red horse. After a wash, the red horse looked brand new and even more extraordinary. After eating and drinking, the red horse recovered some vitality. Chang Xiao was not in a hurry. The red horse had experienced a lot of torture and was already at the end of its strength. After resting, it was exhausted and fell asleep in the grass by the stream. Chang Xiao lay in the grass, thinking about his experience. His future was uncertain, and it was hard to know whether he would live or die. This time, even if he killed Lin Fengming, what would he do when he saw his junior sister? Could he really be cruel enough to kill the lover he thought about day and night? Chang Xiao didn't dare to think too much about this question. Besides, Qingfeng Temple is the authentic martial arts temple, so if he was killed, there would be no problem. If he killed someone from Qingfeng Temple, someone would definitely come to investigate, and he would probably still die. Thinking of this, Chang Xiao smiled bitterly. What on earth did he want? Just as he was thinking about it, he suddenly heard a horse neighing. Chang Xiao jumped up and saw that it was the red horse that woke up and didn't see him calling anxiously. Chang Xiao smiled and said, "I'm here. Since you are energetic, let's continue walking." So one man and one horse continued to move forward. Chang Xiao was hungry and wanted to find a town inn to have a meal. The red horse followed closely, not leaving a step. When they were having a meal, the red horse refused to stay outside, so Chang Xiao could only eat and drink with the red horse outside, which made passers-by laugh. After walking and stopping, a city appeared in front of them. After entering the city, they had to find an inn to stay. Naturally, the waiter couldn't let the horse enter the house. The red horse had a very bad temper. Not only did it kick people, but it also bit people. Chang Xiao didn't have any good way. In the end, he asked the waiter to take the bedding, and he went to the stable to sleep with the red horse before he settled down. Chang Xiao had suffered since childhood, but he didn't think much of it. Tianming set out, and the red horse followed closely. As they were walking, someone suddenly shouted, "Sir, please stop." Chang Xiao looked back and saw a thin middle-aged man approaching and bowing. Chang Xiao asked, "What do you want to call?" The middle-aged man said, "I am Xu Jingtang, working in the government office." Chang Xiao nodded, "So it's the official, what do you have to say?" Xu Jingtang said, "Excuse me for a moment." He led Chang Xiao to a teahouse, and the red horse was watching at the door. After sitting down, Xu Jingtang said, "To be honest, I once served in the army at the border and saw this horse." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "I don't know the origin of this horse either." Xu Jingtang said, "This horse is the king of all horses in the desert, the Fire Dragon Colt. The Marshal once promised 100,000 taels of silver but never got it." Chang Xiao smiled and said to the red horse, "So you are worth 100,000 taels, more valuable than me." The red horse shook its mane, quite conceited. Xu Jingtang said, "If you are willing to give up your horse, I am willing to pay one hundred thousand to buy it." Chang Xiao shook his head and said, "The Fire Dragon Colt is not mine. It is just my friend. How can I exchange my friend for money?" Xu Jingtang was very surprised. He had never heard of such words before.

Chapter 5: Wish Fulfilled

Chang Xiao happened to meet the BMW Fire Dragon Colt, and it was unexpected that someone was willing to pay a huge sum of 100,000 taels. However, Chang Xiao was eager to take revenge, so he didn't care about the 100,000 taels and politely declined. Xu Jingtang felt very sorry. In fact, the general at the border offered 150,000 taels. Seeing the huge sum of money flying away again, he felt unwilling, but seeing Chang Xiao's description, he was not easy to mess with. Besides, he had participated in catching the Fire Dragon Colt before, and knew that the Fire Dragon Colt was as fast as the wind and was very agile. Chang Xiao was not an ordinary person to make the Fire Dragon Colt willing to follow him. On the surface, he didn't say anything, but secretly did something bad, and spread the value of the Fire Dragon Colt everywhere. For a while, the people in the city wanted to see the rare BMW worth millions. Chang Xiao walked slowly, and a large group of people followed behind him, pointing and talking, and the Fire Dragon Colt was impatient and showed its white teeth. No one approached, but just followed behind. Chang Xiao understood that Xu Jingtang was playing tricks, so he quickened his pace and breathed a sigh of relief after leaving the city. Continuing forward, passing a mountain, Chang Xiao gently stroked the neck of the Fire Dragon Colt and said, "Fire Dragon Colt, I have a great grudge to avenge, and I can't always take you with me. This mountain is enough for you to gallop. You stay here. If I can come back alive, I will find you." The Fire Dragon Colt shook its mane, indicating that it was unwilling. Chang Xiao advised, "It is hard to predict whether I will live or die. If I die, no one will take care of you. You'd better stay here." The Fire Dragon Colt was quite human and slightly lowered its body. Chang Xiao understood that the Fire Dragon Colt wanted to ride it by itself. After hesitating for a moment, he nodded and said, "Okay, since you want to go with me, we will go together. Even if I am killed, no one will treat a treasure like you unfairly." Although Chang Xiao had never ridden a horse, he had practiced hard for ten years and was naturally agile. In addition, the Fire Dragon Colt was human. After jumping on the horse, the Fire Dragon Colt neighed and kicked its four hooves apart, like a gust of wind and lightning, and disappeared in a blink of an eye. Chang Xiao felt the strong wind blowing on his face, and the trees on the side of the road passed by quickly. He felt very happy and let the Fire Dragon Colt gallop. The pedestrians on the road only saw a red shadow flashing by, and could not tell what it was. The Fire Dragon Colt moved as fast as the wind, and was a rare BMW, so the border commander paid a large sum of money for it. However, the Fire Dragon Colt was quite proud and refused to be driven by others. When he met Chang Xiao, he had outstanding skills. The most rare thing was that he did not regard himself as an animal, but as a friend. Therefore, the Fire Dragon Colt was willing to go with Chang Xiao. A special relationship was established between the man and the horse, and it was also predestined. If Chang Xiao had not dealt with the monkey group, he would not have been able to get the Fire Dragon Colt's true heart.

Qingfeng Temple in Taibai Mountain, after ten years, is still the same. Shangqing Palace is a sacred place in the martial arts world. The headmaster Lingmu Zhenren is highly respected and holds the reins of the martial arts world. His disciples are all over the world, so naturally no one dares to cause trouble here. Lin Qing and his son are still here. Chen Hongren is indeed scheming and has kept the last three moves of Juechen Sword Technique for ten years, so on the surface they are still a family. Although Lin Fengming got the Rolling Pearl Sword, he was unwilling to work hard to practice sword techniques and only learned the moves. However, relying on the sword, he also made some names for himself. His temper became worse and worse. Except for Lin Qing, he didn't take anyone seriously. It was the middle of winter. This day, the sky was covered with dark clouds and snowflakes fell one after another. The heavy snow turned the mountains and houses white in an instant. Lin Fengming was holding a heater in the quiet room and chatting with his father. Lin Qing gritted his teeth and said, "This old rascal actually removed the last three moves from the sword manual." Lin Fengming disagreed, "Dad, the Rolling Jewel Sword is invincible. We can still fight the enemy without the last three moves." Lin Qing sighed, "Silly child, the last three moves of the Juechen Sword are the essence of swordsmanship. At that time, the Red Spirit God was invincible with the Fire God Sword, but he died because of these three moves. Only with these three moves can my father and I establish our own school. The old rascal saw this and refused to hand it over." Lin Fengming nodded, " I have searched all over Plum Blossom Village, but I can't find it. This old sly guy must have remembered it in his mind. "Lin Qing said: "Dad has been feeling frightened these two days, afraid that something bad has happened. You'd better stay in the temple and don't go out." Lin Fengming laughed and said: "Where can I go with such heavy snow? Let's go to Plum Blossom Village when the snow stops." When the father and son were thinking about it, they heard the sound of the mountain gate. Lin Qing scolded: "Boy, you are lazy. Why don't you go and close the door?" A Taoist boy braved the snow and came to the mountain gate. He found that the door was closed well. He opened the door and saw that it was a branch that was broken by the strong wind and fell to the door. The wind blew the branch and hit the mountain gate, making a sound. The Taoist boy threw the branch aside, muttered and prepared to close the door. He accidentally glanced outside and found that there was a red dot on the mountain road. Because there was white all around, the red color was quite dazzling. The Taoist boy was stunned for a moment. Just when he wanted to take a closer look, he saw a red shadow rushing up to him. The Taoist boy felt a chill in his throat and returned to the underworld in a daze. After ten years of hard training, Chang Xiao arrived for revenge.

Revenge on a snowy day is not a coincidence. Chang Xiao came to the foot of Taibai Mountain a few days ago, just to wait for a snowy day. Blood debts are repaid with blood. Ten years ago, he narrowly escaped death in the snow. Today's revenge should also be on a snowy day. Sure enough, it snowed heavily, and Chang Xiao rode the Fire Dragon Horse to climb the mountain for revenge. At this time, the Fire Dragon Horse had a tacit understanding with Chang Xiao, and their feelings were growing day by day. They had a better understanding of each other. Chang Xiao killed the Taoist boy with a knife, rushed into the mountain gate, jumped off the BMW and shouted: "Lin Fengming, get out of here." The voice was loud, like a bronze bell, echoing in Qingfeng Temple. Lin Qing's heart was shocked, and an ominous premonition came to his mind. He ordered: "Go and get the precious sword quickly, and tell everyone to go to the front." Lin Fengming hurried back to the room to get the pearl knife. Lin Qing gathered more than 50 people in the temple and rushed to the front with weapons. Chang Xiao was standing in the snow in a red robe, which was quite dazzling. Lin Qing did not recognize Chang Xiao. He only took a quick glance at him at the time and did not pay attention to him, not to mention that it had been ten years. The Taoist boy who was beaten by Chang Xiao at the time was sharp-eyed and recognized Chang Xiao. He whispered in Lin Qing's ear: "Master, this person is the beggar who escaped ten years ago." Lin Qing remembered it at this moment. He thought about it and said to a disciple beside him: "Go to Meihuawu immediately to invite the Chen family father and daughter." The Taoist boy took the order and ran out. Lin Qing calmed down, straightened his clothes and said: "Ten years ago, you came to our house to cause trouble, and we did not pursue it and spared your life. Today you dare to come to our house to commit crimes. Today, this master will eliminate the harm for the martial arts world." Chang Xiao smiled coldly: "Old ghost, you are full of benevolence and morality, but you are full of thieves and prostitutes. Your tricks can't be hidden from me. To tell you the truth, I will massacre Qingfeng Temple with blood today. It's useless to say anything." Lin Qing was cunning and cunning. He did not do it himself, but ordered the four proud disciples to end it. Four Taoists surrounded Chang Xiao with long swords in their hands. With a shout, the sword flashed and covered Chang Xiao. Chang Xiao had practiced hard for ten years for this moment. The steel sword was unsheathed, and there was no sound of breaking through the air. With a flash of the sword, four heads rolled down and the headless corpse fell. Everyone was shocked. Such a swift sword technique was unheard of.

Lin Qing was a disciple of the Divine Sword Sect. After the sect leader Duan Qingxiao retired from the martial arts world and left the Central Plains, he joined the Shangqing Palace. He had a certain level of accomplishment in swordsmanship and swordsmanship. He saw that Chang Xiao's sword was too fast and he could not resist it, so he ordered people to carry the body away and led his disciples to set up the Seven Star Sword Formation. Chang Xiao made up his mind and would not show any mercy. Seven long swords stabbed from seven directions. Chang Xiao turned his body and the steel knife was like lightning. Six people died in an instant. Lin Qing was very skilled and escaped, but his right arm had been cut off. Blood appeared and he fell to the ground. Chang Xiao was murderous and showed no mercy. He moved his body and the steel knife was like a death warrant, killing dozens of Taoists. When Lin Fengming arrived, he saw only corpses all over the ground and his father lying in a pool of blood. He was shocked and recognized Chang Xiao at a glance. He gritted his teeth and said, "It's you." When enemies meet, they are particularly jealous. Chang Xiao suppressed his anger. He needed to be calm at this time. Lin Fengming helped his father up. Lin Qing had sealed his acupuncture points to stop the bleeding. He whispered in Lin Fengming's ear, "You use the rolling pearl knife to fight him. When Chen Hongren arrives, you may be able to force him to hand over the last three moves." It's ridiculous that Lin Qing still thinks about fame and fortune at the moment of life and death. Lin Fengming stood up. The country bumpkin he used to look down upon had become a master. Although he didn't believe it, the facts were before him. Despite this, Lin Fengming relied on his precious sword and didn't take Chang Xiao seriously. He sneered, "I didn't eradicate the roots ten years ago, leaving behind a scourge. Today, I will definitely grind you to dust." Chang Xiao stared at Lin Fengming's eyes and said, "I want to see if you have a heart of flesh." Lin Fengming swung the pearl rolling sword and hit him on the head. Chang Xiao couldn't parry with his sword, so he dodged sideways and looked for a gap to strike out. He was naturally at a disadvantage because he couldn't touch the opponent's precious sword. Moreover, Juechen's swordsmanship was exquisite. The two fought together. Lin Fengming pressed forward step by step, thinking: I want to see how long you can hide. Chang Xiao deliberately showed weakness to find the opponent's flaws. If Lin Fengming was proficient in swordsmanship, it would be difficult to attack, but Lin Fengming had fine clothes and food, and a beautiful wife and concubines, so how could he bear to work hard? Before Lily was out of sight, Chang Xiao swung his knife and cut into her. Although the steel knife was cut off, it had already slashed across Lin Fengming's chest. Seeing Lin Fengming fall over, his years of hard work were finally not in vain. Chang Xiao was filled with mixed feelings of sadness and joy, and he howled to the sky, venting the resentment that had been pent up in his chest for many years.

After ten years of hard work, Chang Xiao finally got his wish. He was very happy and sneered, "Lin Fengming, our hatred is as deep as the sea. You can't let me go, and I won't let you go. I just said that I want to see if you have a heart of flesh and blood." He picked up a long sword and ran towards Lin Fengming. Lin Fengming knew that he was going to die, and a look of despair appeared on his face. Chang Xiao was about to cut open Lin Fengming's chest. Just as he was about to do it, someone called out, "Brother." Chang Xiao's heart was shocked and the long sword in his hand fell to the ground. This voice was very familiar. It was his lover Chen Xia who had been haunted for many times. Chang Xiao turned around and saw Chen Xia standing at the door with a Taoist boy. The Taoist boy saw the corpses on the ground and screamed and ran away. After ten years, Chen Xia's face was quite haggard. She was caught between her father and husband, and had to take care of her children. She had lost her original beauty. But in Chang Xiao's heart, Chen Xia was still a big stone weighing on his heart. After a long silence, Chang Xiao called out softly, "Junior sister." Chen Xia felt guilty from the bottom of her heart, but she had to meet him because she was in a desperate situation. Lin Fengming saw that Chang Xiao's distraction was his best opportunity, so he gritted his teeth, grabbed the jewelry knife and stabbed Chang Xiao viciously. Chen Xia's lips trembled slightly when she saw her husband's actions, and she didn't know what she felt in her heart. Chang Xiao had practiced hard for ten years, and he could not hide anything around him. He knew Lin Fengming's actions very well, just to see if Chen Xia still had any feelings for him. Unfortunately, Chang Xiao was disappointed, as Chen Xia did not mean to warn him at all. Lin Fengming rushed to him, and Chang Xiao did not even look back. He took the knife with his backhand and split Lin Fengming in half without mercy. Chen Xia watched her husband being killed, screamed, picked up a long sword and stabbed Chang Xiao. Chang Xiao retreated several steps and screamed, "Junior sister, do you really want to kill me?" Chen Xia threw down the long sword and sat in the snow crying. A young man ran in from the gate and saw the tragic scene and shouted, "Grandpa, who killed Dad?" Lin Qing was heartbroken that his beloved son had died. When he heard his grandson's voice, he quickly called out, "Child, come here quickly."

The man who came was the only son of Lin Fengming and Chen Xia. Lin Qing knew that Chang Xiao would not show mercy and wanted to do his best to save his grandson's life. The young man ran over and held Lin Qing's hand. Lin Qing said to Chang Xiao: "We, the Lin family, are sorry for you. Fengming is dead. I give my life to you. I hope you will let this child go." Chang Xiao sneered: "Old ghost, when the master was imprisoned, the disciples scattered, and no relatives or friends were seen. As soon as the lawsuit was over, you came to take the master away. You knew that I was going to get married, but you used gold and silver jewelry to make my junior sister change her mind. Such a wolfish behavior is just for the rolling jewel knife and the extraordinary sword manual. My mother couldn't bear the blow and died. I came from afar. "Looking for the master, you don't let me see the master and you want to wipe out the roots. How can I forget such a deep hatred? How can I leave a descendant for your Lin family and be worthy of my mother's spirit in heaven?" Lin Qing was speechless and whispered in the boy's ear: "Go find your mother." This is to hope that Chang Xiao will remember the old feelings, but Chang Xiao has already realized his position in Chen Xia's heart when Lin Fengming stabbed him with a knife just now, and he will not show mercy at all, shouting: "Little ghost, ask your father for his life." The knife flashed, and the boy died. Chen Xia experienced the tragedy of the world and cried continuously, and Lin Qing spurted blood and was heartbroken. An old man came in from the gate. It was Chen Hongren. Seeing such a scene, all his hopes were shattered. He could not help but stamp his feet and beat his chest. When Chang Xiao saw Chen Hongren, he did not know what it felt like in his heart, and shouted, "Master." Chen Hongren pointed at him and said, "Traitor, you still have the nerve to call me Master." Chang Xiao said righteously, "Master, I have been your disciple since I was eight years old, and have been learning skills for ten years. I have never been rude. When you were in prison, I asked people to help me everywhere, sold the few jewelry I had in my family, and served you carefully. I have done my best as a disciple. But you promised to marry me first, and then broke off the engagement, and you didn't even tell me before you left. My mother passed away, and the happy event turned into a funeral. Where is the relationship between you and your master?" Chen Hongren knew he was in the wrong and was speechless. Chen Xia watched her son die tragically and choked up, "Senior Brother, you are too cruel." Chang Xiao felt a dull pain in his heart and said slowly, "Junior Sister, that moment under the willow tree outside the town was the happiest memory of my life. But when I vomited blood in the mountains and you turned away, I fell into the abyss of despair. To be honest with you, without the painful experience of that moment, I would not be where I am today. I have been able to persist for ten years and take revenge thanks to you." Chen Xia was speechless and could only cry.

Lin Qing knew that he was going to die, so he didn't hate Chang Xiao but Chen Hongren. He gritted his teeth and said to Chen Hongren: "Senior Brother, if you had taught Fengming the Broken Moon Slash earlier, why would this happen? You are too vicious." Chang Xiao sneered: "A idiot like Lin Fengming will still die even if he learns the Broken Moon Slash. Isn't it a pipe dream to want to become a martial arts master while eating, drinking and having fun every day?" Lin Qing was completely desperate and died of vomiting blood. Looking at the two father and daughter who had a profound influence on him, Chang Xiao felt uncomfortable and asked, "It's nothing that you and your daughter despise the poor and love the rich, but you left without saying goodbye and caused my mother's death. How can you explain to the world? I know that in your eyes, I have no money and no power, just a grass snake that can be stepped on at any time. But you didn't expect that this grass snake of mine would also have a day to turn over. I have to thank you. It was you and your daughter who made it happen." He threw the pearl rolling knife in his hand with all his strength. The knife was deeply inserted into a stone tablet. Chang Xiao shouted loudly, "Master, leave this sword to choose a good son-in-law for my junior sister. Don't forget to invite me, your senior brother, to have a bowl of wedding wine on the big day." With a whistle, the Fire Dragon Colt ran up to him. Chang Xiao jumped on the horse and laughed to the sky. His blood on the snow ten years ago was finally exchanged for the blood of his enemy. The Fire Dragon Colt moved like flying and disappeared in the blink of an eye. Chen Hongren was at a loss looking at the dead bodies all over the ground. Chen Xia shouted, "Dad, it's all your fault." Chen Hongren was an old hand after all, and he gritted his teeth and said, "Xia'er, don't worry. This traitor will die at the hands of Shangqing Palace sooner or later. Let's go to Shangqing Palace." The father and daughter packed up and rushed to Shangqing Palace to prepare for revenge.

Chapter 6: Master Style

Chang Xiao was extremely happy after his revenge. He had nothing to miss about his beloved Chen Xia, but that feeling was destined to be imprinted in his heart and would never be forgotten. Huo Longju also felt Chang Xiao's mood and kept throwing flowers, as if to congratulate Chang Xiao. Chang Xiao sighed: "Huo Longju, the revenge has been taken, but I am afraid I will not live long. I have killed so many people, and my life is in danger. I will take it one step at a time." After a fierce fight, Chang Xiao was a little hungry and thirsty, so he went straight to the nearby town. After entering the city, he first looked for a restaurant. Huo Longju still wanted to eat and drink with Chang Xiao. Chang Xiao asked the waiter to move the table and chairs outside, and ate with Huo Longju. This meal was very enjoyable. When paying the bill, Chang Xiao realized that he didn't have much silver in his hand. This was because he spent a lot of money before taking revenge, and he was unpredictable about life and death. After paying the bill, Chang Xiao walked slowly in the street, thinking about where to get some silver. As he was walking, someone greeted him. It turned out to be a beggar. Chang Xiao took out the remaining copper coins, but the beggar shook his head and said, "Brave man, I am not begging. The hall master ordered me to invite you." Chang Xiao followed Duan Kui to do business. He had heard that there was a Beggar Gang in the Jianghu, and it was quite powerful. So he nodded and said, "Lead the way." The beggar led the way and came to a dilapidated City God Temple. The Fire Dragon Horse refused to stay outside and followed Chang Xiao in. There was an eight-immortal table in the courtyard. Behind the table was a strong man with strong muscles, thick eyebrows and big eyes. He saluted with his fists and said, "Brave man, please sit down." Chang Xiao nodded and sat down. The strong man introduced himself, "I am Ding Jinbao, the local hall master of the Beggar Gang." After Chang Xiao introduced himself, he asked, "Why did the hall master summon you?" Ding Jinbao smiled and said, "My men reported that they found a rare dragon horse. I asked you to come here to buy the horse. Judging from your appearance, you will not sell it. Let's just treat it as an acquaintance." Chang Xiao nodded, "So that's how it is. The Fire Dragon Horse is worth more than 100,000 taels. No wonder the master is interested." Ding Jinbao smiled bitterly and said, "It turned out to be a fire dragon colt. Even if the warrior is willing to sell it, I can't afford it." The two chatted, and Ding Jinbao asked Chang Xiao about his origins. Chang Xiao didn't want to talk about the past. Ding Jinbao changed the subject, suddenly frowned, and smiled, "It turns out that the warrior is new to the world." Chang Xiao was puzzled and asked, "How did the master know?" Ding Jinbao explained, "You still have the smell of blood on your body, you must have just killed someone. If you are an old warrior, you would have changed your clothes long ago." Chang Xiao nodded, "I forgot."

Ding Jinbao had been in the underworld for many years and saw that Chang Xiao was a top-notch fighter. He wanted to make friends with him. Chang Xiao's knife was broken in Qingfeng Temple and he wanted to find a new knife. He didn't have much money and this was the perfect opportunity, so he tried to test him: "I am short of money and want to find some money here. Can the master help me?" Ding Jinbao smiled and said: "How difficult is that? According to the rules of the underworld, I will be responsible for providing information and tipping off, and I will get 30% of the money afterwards." Chang Xiao was happy and agreed. Ding Jinbao said: "There is a bully in this place who robs men and women and collects money. He has countless silver and is well-connected. No one dares to provoke him. If the warrior takes action, he can not only eliminate harm for the people, but also get a lot of benefits. "Chang Xiao smiled: "The master is good at fighting. If I don't do it myself, is this bully so good at fighting?" Ding Jinbao blushed: "Yes, this man has practiced Eagle Claw Kung Fu, and I am not his opponent. In addition, this man has dozens of thugs, and it is difficult to get close to him casually." Chang Xiao doesn't care. If he comes to Shangqing Palace to take revenge, his life will be in danger. It is also a good thing to get rid of a bully before the other party finds him. So he decided to do it. Ding Jinbao introduced the terrain in detail and prepared a knife for Chang Xiao. He took action that night. Ding Jinbao was responsible for the aftermath and sent someone to pick him up. Everything was arranged properly. Chang Xiao packed up and sneaked into the bully's house. At this time, the house was brightly lit, and there was a mixture of wine and meat in the front hall. Dozens of evil thieves were having fun, hugging beautiful women with gorgeous clothes and showing ugly appearances. After the battle at Qingfeng Temple, Chang Xiao was quite confident in his knife skills and acted mercilessly. Lin Qing, the master of Qingfeng Temple, was a master who cultivated both inside and outside, but he still couldn't resist. These small characters were not worth mentioning at all, and they lost their lives in confusion. As for the bully mentioned by Ding Jinbao, he was much worse than Lin Fengming, so how could he be a match for Chang Xiao? In a cup of tea, nearly a hundred people in the mansion were killed. Ding Jinbao took people to meet outside, and when Chang Xiao succeeded, he immediately went into the mansion, emptied all the property, set it on fire, and destroyed the evidence. They still met at the City God Temple. Looking at a pile of gold, silver and jewelry, Chang Xiao shook his head: "Why so much? I can't take it." Ding Jinbao said: "It was agreed that it would be divided into 30% and 70%. All of them belong to the warriors." Chang Xiao thought for a while and said: "I don't need much, so I'll trouble the hall master to use these treasures to help the poor people." Ding Jinbao praised: "The warrior is not only as skilled as a god in swordsmanship, but also has a chivalrous heart. I admire him and dare not not do my best." Chang Xiao nodded, took only some scattered gold and silver, and three thousand taels of silver notes, and said goodbye to Ding Jinbao and left the town.

The Beggars' Sect has always been chivalrous, and Ding Jinbao did what he said and really used the treasures to help the poor. Chang Xiao learned his lesson, changed into a red robe, and took a steel knife. His worries were gone, so he enjoyed himself and toured the mountains and rivers. He didn't know that a big net had been cast. The incident at Qingfeng Temple caused a sensation in the martial arts world. Lingmu Zhenren, the head of Shangqing Palace, issued a martial arts notice to pursue the murderer with all his strength. Martial artists from all over the country heard the news and quickly found out Chang Xiao's whereabouts. Lingmu Zhenren personally went out of the mountain, together with Wudang head Yuxu Zhenren, Shaolin abbot Huiyuan Elder, and Huashan head Chixia Zhenren, and came to capture Chang Xiao day and night. Chang Xiao was unaware of these situations. After ten years of hard work, once his wish was fulfilled, he felt at a loss as to where to go. Huolongju didn't care and traveled casually. Although Lingmu Zhenren sent a lot of people, Huolongju was too fast and Chang Xiao didn't have a clear goal, so it was not easy to find Chang Xiao. Chang Xiao enjoyed himself and let Huo Longju choose where he wanted. One day, when climbing the mountain, the mountain path was narrow and a woodcutter came towards him, carrying two large bundles of firewood on his shoulder. Huo Longju was impatient to give way and jumped over the woodcutter's head. The woodcutter was shocked and fell to the ground. Chang Xiao got off the horse and complained, "What's the harm in giving way? What if you kick someone?" Huo Longju shook his mane and didn't take it seriously. Chang Xiao helped the woodcutter up and asked, "Are you hurt?" The woodcutter sighed, "I was frightened, but not hurt." Chang Xiao took out two taels of silver from his arms and put it in the woodcutter's hand, saying, "This little bit of silver is for you to calm down, as an apology." The woodcutter was overjoyed. He gave two taels for frightening him once, but he didn't give him more than ten or eight taels for kicking him. So he smiled and said, "You are so generous, thank you." The people in the mountains have always been simple and honest. He didn't delay any more and went down the mountain happily. Chang Xiao walked up the mountain, and the Fire Dragon Horse ran around and scattered flowers, looking quite happy.

The mountain breeze was cool. Chang Xiao came to the top of the mountain and looked far into the distance. The mountains, rivers, villages and towns were all in his sight. He was lost in thought when he heard someone calling out. He looked carefully and saw that it was a woodcutter wearing a bamboo hat walking down the mountain path. Chang Xiao asked, "What are you calling for?" The woodcutter smiled and said, "Brave man, the woodcutter just now is my brother. He felt uneasy after receiving two taels of silver from you, so he asked me to send some food to express his gratitude." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "It's just a small matter, not worth mentioning." The woodcutter took out the wine and food. Chang Xiao was thirsty, so he went to drink with the woodcutter under the tree. Upon closer inspection, he saw that the woodcutter had thick eyebrows and tiger eyes, his skin was bronze, and his hands were covered with calluses. The two men drank together, and the woodcutter said, "The brave man is very generous. We all here regard you as the God of Wealth who has descended to earth." Chang Xiao of course heard the woodcutter's implication, so he smiled and said, "It's rare that you are so kind. I can't drink your wine for free. I'll give you five taels of silver." The woodcutter was overjoyed and thanked him repeatedly, but he didn't take his hand away. Chang Xiao guessed that this man must want to make some money, so he took out five taels of silver and put it in the woodcutter's hand. The woodcutter immediately took it in his arms, overjoyed, and praised: "I said that the warrior is the God of Wealth. Now my wife doesn't have to worry about giving birth." Chang Xiao knew that his life and death were unpredictable, and he didn't care about gold and silver. He nodded and said: "Since you want to give birth to a child, I will give you another ten taels." The woodcutter was overjoyed and took the silver and said: "This time we even have the money to repair the house." Chang Xiao was happy for a moment and took out a small gold ingot, about two taels. The woodcutter widened his eyes and asked: "Is this gold? I have lived for decades and have never seen it. Can I touch it?" Chang Xiao smiled and said: "Here you go." The woodcutter pinched his thigh and asked: "Brave man, am I dreaming?" Chang Xiao thought it was funny. The woodcutter carefully examined the gold ingot, was overjoyed, and bowed deeply: "Brave man, I want to let everyone in the village open their eyes and see what gold looks like." Turned and ran down the mountain. Chang Xiao was amused, but didn't take it seriously. It was getting late, and he was afraid that the woodcutter would bring all the villagers to cause trouble, so he called Huolongju down the mountain.

As they were walking, the Fire Dragon Colt suddenly stopped and stared at the dense forest ahead. Chang Xiao immediately understood and sighed in his heart: It's finally here. He stroked the Fire Dragon Colt's neck and said, "Fire Dragon Colt, there is danger ahead. I already know it. You stay here and I'll go take a look." The Fire Dragon Colt opened its mouth and bit Chang Xiao's clothes. Chang Xiao sighed, "Fire Dragon Colt, what is coming will come sooner or later. It's useless to avoid it. Didn't I tell you that my life will be in danger sooner or later?" He straightened his clothes and entered the dense forest. The Fire Dragon Colt followed him closely. Chang Xiao was also quite moved. He knew the danger and still accompanied him. This feeling was more sincere than that of a person. There was an open space in the dense forest. Chang Xiao came to the middle of the open space and shouted, "Come out." Before he finished speaking, four people walked out from the side, three Taoists and an old monk. Chang Xiao saw that these people were not ordinary people, and asked, "Who are you?" A Taoist said, "You are proud enough to alarm the leaders of the four major sects just because of you. I am Chixia, the leader of Huashan." Chang Xiao nodded, "So there are four leaders. I'm sorry, but which one is the leader of Shangqing Palace?" A Taoist in green said, "I'm Lingmu. Today I have gathered with the three sects to get rid of the harm in the martial arts world." Chang Xiao smiled, "I knew you would come, but things must be made clear." Elder Huiyuan, the abbot of Shaolin, said, "Just tell me if there are any twists and turns." Chang Xiao recounted his experience in detail. After listening, Lingmu Zhenren remained silent. It was completely reasonable for Chang Xiao to kill. People in the martial arts world believe in revenge, and such a deep hatred cannot be forgotten. Elder Huiyuan chanted the Buddha's name: "Good, what happened to the donor is indeed extremely unfair, revenge is the duty of a warrior." Chang Xiao immediately felt respect in his heart, the Buddhist monk is indeed extraordinary. True Man Chixia shook his head and said: "Elder, you can't just believe one side of the story. The Chen family father and daughter didn't say a word, and it's hard to convince people with him alone. Besides, I don't believe that the Liuhe swordsmanship can resist the rolling pearl sword and wash the Qingfeng Temple with blood." Elder Huiyuan said: "In this case, why don't you try this man's swordsmanship?" True Man Chixia smiled and said: "That's what I meant."

Facing the leader of Huashan Sect, a top martial arts master, Chang Xiao was inevitably a little nervous. But then he thought, retreat would mean death, so he might as well fight. Thinking of this, he made up his mind, straightened his clothes and hat, and prepared to fight with Chixia Zhenren. As the leader of the sect, Chixia Zhenren had a high status, so he naturally had to put on airs. He reached out and drew out the sword behind him, made two sword flowers in the air, and nodded slightly, saying, "You attack." Chang Xiao was not polite. He drew his steel knife out of the sheath and instantly reached over Chixia Zhenren's head. Chixia Zhenren had never expected that Chang Xiao would be so fast. He was so surprised that he had no time to think. He leaned back and raised his long sword. The swords and the knives intersected, making a pleasant crisp sound. Chang Xiao took the initiative with one move, stepped forward and swung his knife, and launched an attack that was impenetrable. Chixia Zhenren was in a panic and tried his best to parry. He could barely protect an area of one foot around him and was unable to fight back. The three sect leaders who were watching the fight were shocked. Chang Xiao's swordsmanship was indeed the Liuhe swordsmanship, but it was too fast. Although the changes were simple, there was no way to resist it. Chang Xiao became more and more confident as the fight went on. The leader of Huashan was no different. The steel knife found a gap and entered without leaving any room. True Man Chixia secretly groaned. He never expected that he would be in trouble because of his arrogance. The opponent's swordsmanship was impenetrable and it was really hard to resist. The three people who were watching the fight understood that Chang Xiao's swordsmanship was at least not inferior to True Man Chixia. They were all waiting for Chang Xiao to run out of strength, so True Man Chixia would have a chance. However, Chang Xiao's skills were very solid, and he became more and more courageous as the fight went on. On the contrary, True Man Chixia's defense circle became smaller and smaller. The leader of Huashan could not afford to lose face to an unknown person. In a hurry, True Man Chixia took out a short sword from his arms, shining with brilliance, and cut off Chang Xiao's steel knife with a casual wave of his hand. Chang Xiao jumped out of the circle in shock. True Man Chixia knew that he was relying on the sword, so he blushed and retreated without saying a word. Elder Huiyuan said, "This donor's swordsmanship is indeed unique, and he is fully capable of bloodbathing Qingfeng Temple." The implication was that he believed Chang Xiao's words, but True Man Lingmu still insisted. True Man Chixia lost face and wanted to kill Chang Xiao.

The head of Wudang, Jade Xu Zhenren, said, "Since this donor's swordsmanship is superb, he would not lie. The fault lies with the Chen father and daughter and the Qingfeng Temple's Lin Qing father and son. People in the martial arts world are known for their martial arts, so there is nothing to complain about." Ling Mu Zhenren said, "Qingfeng Temple is a branch of Shangqing Palace. Dozens of people were killed by him. As the head of the sect, I cannot sit idly by. I will fight with this warrior to see who is better." Elder Hui Yuan shook his head, "Zhenren's sword is a modern weapon. The donor's weapon is broken. Such a fight is unbecoming of a famous family." Ling Mu Zhenren smiled, "Do you want me to find a sword for him?" This remark already had an unreasonable tone. Elder Huiyuan was very dissatisfied. At this time, a monk came over and handed over a piece of paper. After reading it, Elder Huiyuan's face changed and he said in a deep voice: "Lin Fengming actually has another family in Liulinpo. Why didn't Brother Lingmu tell you earlier?" Lingmu Zhenren evaded and said: "I didn't know it either." Yuxu Zhenren was very dissatisfied and asked: "Did Lin Fengming marry Chen Xia before Liulinpo?" Elder Huiyuan sighed: "Before marrying Chen Xia, Lin Fengming already had a wife, a concubine, and two daughters." Yuxu Zhenren said angrily: "As the head of Wudang, how can I seek justice for such a dirty villain? Goodbye." Elder Huiyuan said: "I'm leaving too." The two left hand in hand. Lingmu Zhenren's face turned red and white, and he couldn't make up his mind. Once such a scandal was publicized, Shangqing Palace would become a laughing stock in the martial arts world. Chixia Zhenren whispered, "Brother, it will be difficult to clean up the mess if we don't get rid of this person. Shaolin and Wudang will not expose the shortcomings of the Qing Palace. Just get rid of this person and it will be over." Lingmu Zhenren made up his mind and said to Chang Xiao, "All the disputes of the martial arts world are resolved by martial arts. You can't blame others for not having a sword." Chang Xiao knew that he would die today no matter what, so he readily agreed. Just as he was about to take action, a man suddenly ran in from outside the forest. It was the woodcutter who accepted Chang Xiao's gold and silver. He was still wearing a bamboo hat. When he saw him, he shouted, "I have been looking for you for a long time. So you are here. My mother said that people in the mountains cannot accept favors from others without reason. I will return the gold to you." Lingmu Zhenren was surprised and immediately changed his face and said, "The matter of Qingfeng Temple ends here. I hope you don't spread it everywhere." He exchanged glances with Chixia Zhenren and turned away. Chang Xiao wondered in his heart, were the words of these two people true or false? Seeing that his life was in danger, a woodcutter actually saved him.

Chapter 7: The Dangerous World

The woodcutter came up to him and smiled. Chang Xiao sighed, "This is a place of trouble. You'd better leave quickly." The woodcutter shook his head, "It's all right now. Don't worry." Chang Xiao was stunned. This was not what an ordinary woodcutter would say. The woodcutter took off his bamboo hat and threw it aside. He shook his arms and his joints made a crisp sound. Chang Xiao was shocked. This was clearly a very advanced martial arts. The woodcutter seemed to have changed into a different person in the blink of an eye. He was a martial arts master. Chang Xiao clasped his fists and asked, "Who are you, sir?" The woodcutter smiled and said, "You have never heard of my name. Not many people in the martial arts world know me. My surname is Wu, and my courtesy name is Qingyang. My friends in the martial arts world call me the Qingyang Swordsman." Chang Xiao had indeed never heard of it. He smiled bitterly and said, "I am new to the martial arts world and I am not well-informed. Please forgive me, brother." Wu Qingyang smiled and said, "That's what I like about you. You say what you mean, you don't have so many tricks, and you can be open and honest with a horse." Chang Xiao said seriously, "The Fire Dragon Colt understands human nature and is my good friend." Wu Qingyang nodded and said, "I heard that someone massacred Qingfeng Temple, so I came here specially to take a look. I thought it was some sect that was secretly training someone. ”Chang Xiao finally understood, and sighed: "I thought I would die today, it's rare that the four masters are reasonable, and the famous family is the famous family." Wu Qingyang smiled bitterly and said: "I was right when I said you were a fool, do you think Lingmu really wants to let you go?" Chang Xiao was puzzled: "Why leave if you don't let me go?" Wu Qingyang patted Chang Xiao on the shoulder: "Brother, the world is dangerous, you don't know the depth. If Lingmu hadn't recognized me, you would have lost ten lives." Chang Xiao recalled that Lingmu changed his mind immediately when he saw Wu Qingyang, and his brain couldn't turn around for a while. Wu Qingyang said: "It's getting late, let's go to the town to drink and have a good chat. For you who travel the world like you, you are lucky to live for a year." Chang Xiao was just looking for someone who understood, and the opportunity was rare, so the two went down the mountain hand in hand. When they arrived in the town, because they took care of the fire dragon colt, they bought a lot of wine and food and drank in the pavilion. The bright moon was hanging high, which was very interesting. The Fire Dragon Colt was strolling leisurely beside the pavilion, looking into the pavilion from time to time.

Chang Xiao picked up the wine bowl and asked, "You just said that Lingmu was determined to take my life. Why did you change your mind?" Wu Qingyang replied, "You defeated the head of Huashan. This is more serious than the bloodbath at Qingfeng Temple. You can't stay now that you know about Lin Fengming's scandal. You were definitely going to die today. Lingmu changed his mind after seeing me, mainly because he was not sure he could kill me. If he killed you in front of me, I would definitely spread the news. Shangqing Palace would be ridiculed by the martial arts world and would never be able to raise its head again." Chang Xiao still didn't understand, and asked, "If they let me go, aren't they afraid that I would tell the truth?" Wu Qingyang smiled and said, "With your status, no one will believe you even if you tell the truth. Besides, since I am involved, I have to save the face of both parties. From now on, you must never reveal the inside story of this matter, not to save the face of Shangqing Palace, but to save your life. Once you tell the truth, you will become the public enemy of the martial arts world, and no one can save you." Chang Xiao didn't understand the intricate relationships in the martial arts world, but he was sure of one thing, Wu Qingyang was his savior, so he bowed deeply and said, "If it weren't for your help, I would have died a long time ago. I don't need to thank you for your kindness, and I will repay you sooner or later." Wu Qingyang nodded: "To be honest, I really admire you. It is amazing that you defeated the head of Huashan with only Liuhe swordsmanship. When I saw you use the sword, I knew that you didn't have any guidance from a famous teacher. You relied entirely on your own hard work and practiced much better than me." Chang Xiao sighed: "I don't want to suffer for ten years, but I can't swallow this breath." Wu Qingyang nodded: "Your experience is indeed regrettable. It can be said that God will reward those who work hard to get revenge. What are your plans for the future?" Chang Xiao shook his head slightly: "I thought I was going to die, but I didn't know what to do if I escaped this disaster." Wu Qingyang instructed: " You have too little experience, you need to hone your skills. In the future, you must remember that you cannot be fooled by superficial phenomena, only say half of what you want to say to others, try to hide your martial arts skills, and learn from others' strengths with an open mind. No matter where you develop, the most important thing is to find a precious sword. With your sword skills, if you have a precious sword in your hand, you can definitely make a name for yourself. "Chang Xiao nodded repeatedly: "I will do my best." Wu Qingyang thought highly of Chang Xiao, and carefully pointed out the various taboos of the martial arts world, how to deal with various people, and the five ways of secretly plotting and hurting people. The two talked speculatively, and before they knew it, the sky had turned white.

A ray of morning light shone out, and the Fire Dragon Colt jumped up and shook its mane, scattering flowers around the pavilion. Wu Qingyang exclaimed: "Brother, your Fire Dragon Colt is truly the best colt in the world. I am jealous of it." Chang Xiao was also quite fortunate: "The Fire Dragon Colt is indeed unparalleled in the world. By the way, Lingmu Zhenren, the head of Huashan must hate me, but the heads of Shaolin and Wudang are reasonable. Can we get to know each other?" Wu Qingyang smiled bitterly and said: "Brother, you are too honest. Shaolin, Wudang and Shangqing Palace are of the same blood. If you really want justice, you should save your life. Knowing that Lingmu will not let you go, but letting go is clearly a way to have the best of both worlds. You will not offend Shangqing Palace, nor will you be known as a bully. The schemes of these old Jianghu masters are much more complicated than you think, so I told you to be careful in everything and not to trust anyone easily. "Chang Xiao has always lived in the countryside and farmed, and he never thought about the dangers of Jianghu. After Wu Qingyang's advice, he really benefited a lot. Wu Qingyang emphasized two things. The first is to save your life. When you are in Jianghu, you must first save your life. It is not shameful to turn around and run away when the situation is unfavorable. With Chang Xiao's temperament and current situation, it is impossible for him to find a backer. He has to rely on himself and be careful everywhere. The second thing is to hide his martial arts. The four sect leaders cannot preach Chang Xiao's exquisite swordsmanship everywhere. Try to hide your martial arts when it is not necessary, and leave some room for the opponent when fighting, so that you can gain a foothold in Jianghu. Chang Xiao remembered them one by one and thanked him endlessly. If Wu Qingyang hadn't intervened, he would never have escaped this disaster. When the sky brightened, Wu Qingyang stood up and said, "Brother, I have something else to do, so I'm leaving now. When you find the sword, I'll have a good exchange with you. Seeing your sword skills, I'll have to work harder." Chang Xiao bowed and said, "We'll meet again after a long journey." Wu Qingyang nodded, "If I'm not mistaken, you have a promising future, take care of yourself." He left. Chang Xiao couldn't suppress his joy and said loudly to the Fire Dragon Horse, "Good brother, we have overcome the biggest difficulty." The Fire Dragon Horse also felt Chang Xiao's mood, shook his head and wagged his tail, and was very excited. Chang Xiao jumped on the Fire Dragon Horse and galloped away. The days ahead were bright.

After calming down, the first thing he thought of was his sworn brother Duan Kui. It was reasonable that he should visit Hangzhou after surviving this disaster, but Duan Kui must be doing business at this time, and he didn't have any decent gifts. After thinking about it, he decided to travel around first to broaden his horizons. Anyway, he still had a few thousand taels in his hand, so he could have some fun. So he put aside everything and went to big towns to play, looking for antique dealers and weapon shops to find good swords. After fighting with Chixia Zhenren, Chang Xiao was full of confidence in his swordsmanship. If he had a precious sword in his hand, the head of Huashan would inevitably lose. Whenever he thought of this, he felt a sense of pride in his heart. Ten years of hard work finally paid off. From now on, he could ride horses in the rivers and lakes and live a chic life. After searching for many days, he didn't see a satisfactory sword, so he had to make do with it and find a good steel knife to protect himself. Although the big towns were prosperous, Chang Xiao was not used to it. People in the city seemed to wear masks, not as simple and honest as people in the countryside, so Chang Xiao only lingered in the countryside for fun. One day, they came to a mountain with green pines, bamboos and colorful flowers. There was a small village at the foot of the mountain, and there was a hotel at the entrance of the village. Chang Xiao dismounted and prepared to rest for a while. The Fire Dragon Horse shook its head towards the mountain. Chang Xiao smiled and said, "If you want to play in the mountain, go ahead. Remember not to cause trouble." The Fire Dragon Horse neighed and ran away in a blink of an eye. Chang Xiao entered the store and sat down. A young man came over and saluted: "Sir, do you want to drink or eat?" Chang Xiao said, "Drink first. Bring four of my signature dishes and a pot of wine." The young man agreed and told the kitchen to cook. He came over with a pot of wine and a wine glass and said, "Where are you from, sir?" Chang Xiao answered casually, "Taibai Mountain." The young man's face changed, and then he was relieved. As soon as Chang Xiao said it, he immediately regretted it. Wu Qingyang repeatedly reminded him, but he still didn't remember. The matter of Qingfeng Temple must have caused a sensation in the world. If he said he came from Taibai Mountain, wouldn't it be asking for trouble? The young man poured the wine and said with a smile: "Sir, please try our unique Xinghuachun." Chang Xiao picked up the wine glass and was about to drink, but suddenly remembered Wu Qingyang's words. At least half of the hotels opened in the mountains are spies of the bandits, who gather information for the mountain stronghold. Single guests are knocked out with knockout drugs, and large merchants are robbed by bandits. Thinking of this, Chang Xiao put down the bowl and said: "I can't drink plain wine. I will drink after the dishes are served." The young man agreed and went to the kitchen to urge. Chang Xiao took the time to look around and found that the furnishings here were good and the house was neat. It was obviously difficult to maintain such a hotel in such a remote mountain village. There must be something else.

Thanks to Wu Qingyang's reminder, this hotel is indeed the spy of the Green Forest, but it does not belong to any mountain stronghold, but is a force that specializes in gathering information and cooperating with the Green Forest. There are hundreds of such hotels, and the power is huge. Single guests like Chang Xiao usually use knockout drugs to knock out, rob money and kill people, and destroy the body. But seeing that Chang Xiao is so imposing, he was extra careful. He didn't put drugs in the wine, but in the dishes. Chang Xiao saw the flaw, so he naturally had to be more careful. The waiter brought the dishes and waited for Chang Xiao to eat. Chang Xiao was not in a hurry, and asked: "Walker, what is the name of the mountain behind the village? Are there any strong men on the mountain?" The waiter replied: "The mountain is called Qingfeng Mountain. There is a Qingfeng Village on the mountain. The village owner Chuanyunyan is outstanding in martial arts and archery." Chang Xiao nodded: "So, your shop is the spy of Qingfeng Village?" The waiter smiled and said: "Sir, I believe you have read "Water Margin". That is all made up by storytellers. How can there be any spy?" Chang Xiao saw that the waiter's expression was not right, and he became more and more calm. The waiter persuaded him several times, but Chang Xiao just didn't move his chopsticks. When they were in a stalemate, there was a loud noise outside, and the ground shook. Chang Xiao hurried out to see, and the waiter followed him out, only to see a large group of horses galloping over, and the leader was the Fire Dragon Colt. Chang Xiao smiled bitterly, and this Fire Dragon Colt might have subdued someone's horse. The Fire Dragon Colt ran up to Chang Xiao and neighed at him, quite pleased with himself. Chang Xiao smiled and said, "This is not the desert. The horses you have conquered are all owned by someone." Huo Longju was so excited to be the horse king again that he galloped with the horses. The clerk shouted, "Sir, you are in trouble. Those are horses from Qingfeng Village. The village owner will definitely come after them." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "At worst, we can give them back to him." The clerk said nothing more and stared at Huo Longju intently. Sure enough, many people rushed down from the mountain. The clerk pointed with his hand and said, "The one in front is Chuan Yunyan, the owner of Qingfeng Village." Chang Xiao looked closely and saw Chuan Yunyan, who was about 30 years old, heroic and heroic, with the style of a military commander. It turned out that this group of horses was raised in the back mountain of Qingfeng Village. Huo Longju accidentally broke into the horse farm and brought the horses out. Chuan Yunyan naturally wanted to come after them. He led more than ten followers down the mountain and was relieved to see the horses. If he couldn't catch them back, Qingfeng Village would lose face.

Chang Xiao didn't care and at most returned the horse to them. Chuan Yunyan was shocked when he saw the Fire Dragon Colt. He jumped off the horse and rushed forward to take a closer look. He looked up to the sky and laughed: "Thank God for sending this treasure to our door." A minion asked: "Captain, why are you so happy?" Chuan Yunyan was overjoyed: "This is the Fire Dragon Colt, the king of all horses in the desert. It's worth at least 150,000 taels." The minions were overjoyed. The hotel waiter said: "Captain, don't be happy. Although the Fire Dragon Colt is good, it has an owner." Chuan Yunyan then noticed Chang Xiao and was secretly surprised after taking a look at him. The Fire Dragon Colt was the best divine colt in the world. The border commander had sent out thousands of troops but failed to get it. This man was by no means an ordinary person. So he clasped his fists and said, "I am the leader of Qingfeng Village, Chuan Yunyan. May I ask your name, warrior?" Chang Xiao returned the greeting, "I am an unknown man, Chang Xiao. Huo Longju was reckless for a moment and caused trouble for the village leader." Chuan Yunyan nodded, "No problem. I wonder which road your friend is from, brother Chang?" Chang Xiao smiled, "I travel alone in the world and do whatever I want. Village leader, just take the horse back." Seeing that Chang Xiao was humble and had no backing, Chuan Yunyan wanted to snatch Huo Longju away. He gestured to the minions behind him and more than ten people were ready. Chang Xiao remembered Wu Qingyang's words and was careful in everything. The people in front of him were all bandits, so he naturally couldn't be careless. Chuan Yunyan waved his hand, and eight minions rushed towards Chang Xiao with swords and knives. Chang Xiao had made preparations long ago. The steel knife was unsheathed in a flash, and eight heads fell to the ground almost at the same time. Chuan Yunyan was shocked, and the hotel waiter was also shocked. Such a knife technique was unheard of. Chang Xiao sneered, "Since you know that the Fire Dragon Colt is the best divine colt in the world, you should know how powerful I am. It seems that you have been a village chief for nothing." Chuan Yunyan was just greedy for a moment. Based on common sense, she inferred that she had never heard of Chang Xiao's name and he must not be a powerful person. That's why she decided to snatch the Fire Dragon Colt. When she saw Chang Xiao's swordsmanship, she realized that this person was very powerful. She saluted him quickly, "Your swordsmanship is superb. I was reckless."

When the Fire Dragon Colt saw Chang Xiao's move, it neighed with great pride. Chuan Yunyan sighed in her heart: The Fire Dragon Colt will definitely not fall into her hands. Chang Xiao clasped his fists and said, "I have no intention of hurting anyone. I am just defending myself. If the village master has nothing else to do, I will take my leave." Chuan Yunyan suddenly had an idea in her mind, and hurriedly said, "Warrior, please stay. Can you please come to the mountain village to have a chat?" Chang Xiao smiled and said, "The village master still refuses to give up. How can I take risks?" Chuan Yunyan said, "How about we have a chat in the store?" Chang Xiao nodded, "That's fine, but the food and wine must be clean." Chuan Yunyan smiled and said, "It's clear now. It's meaningless to use knockout drugs again." The few people who survived packed up their horses and buried the bodies. Chang Xiao and Chuan Yunyan entered the store and sat down. The waiter set up a sumptuous banquet. Chuan Yunyan ordered, "Bring the silver chopsticks." The waiter laughed and said, "The village chief doesn't even trust us." Silver chopsticks can be used to test poison. Chang Xiao was indeed a little hungry, so he decided to eat first. Chuan Yunyan accompanied him, and after three rounds of drinks, Chang Xiao said, "If the village chief has anything to say, just ask. I can't say whether I can help or not." Chuan Yunyan sent the waiter away and whispered, "Brother Chang, can you join the Green Forest?" Chang Xiao was stunned. He had never thought about this question. He had seen the famous and upright sects, but they would never accept him. His master had also become his enemy. He had no idea what to do next. Seeing Chang Xiao's hesitation, Chuan Yunyan said again: "Brother Chang, your swordsmanship is superb. If you want to join a famous family, I won't mention it." Chang Xiao smiled bitterly: "Famous family? No famous family will take me in." Chuan Yunyan said happily: "If Brother Chang is interested, I would rather give up the first chair." Chang Xiao shook his head: "I haven't made up my mind yet. Let me think about it for a few days." Chuan Yunyan said in embarrassment: "Now there is an important matter. Time is running out. Brother Chang better make up your mind early." Chang Xiao asked: "What's so urgent?" Chuan Yunyan sighed: "To be honest with Brother Chang, in the next few days, sixteen mountain strongholds in the five southern provinces will merge to form a new gang. If Brother Chang joins, he can at least get an important position. It will be a pity to miss this opportunity." Chang Xiao wondered in his heart, was Chuan Yunyan's words true or false?

Chapter 8: Chance

Chang Xiao was hesitant, so Chuan Yunyan simply told him everything: "Brother Chang, you don't know that the sixteen strongholds have nearly 20,000 people in total, and they will elect a leader in Julong Mountain in five days." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "The leader is naturally the best candidate." Chuan Yunyan smiled bitterly, "If I am sure of this, I don't need to discuss it with Brother Chang. Most of the sixteen strongholds are old friends. Only the leader of the Bajiao stronghold, Mo Qilin, who joined the Green Forest three years ago, and the military advisor Zhuihun Zhen are unknown. If someone else became the leader, it would be fine, but Mo Qilin is proficient in swordsmanship, The Soul Chaser is resourceful and no one can compete with him. I am unwilling to hand over my brothers to Mo Qilin. "Chang Xiao was puzzled: "If the village chief wants me to take the position of leader, isn't he afraid that my origin is unknown?" Chuan Yunyan smiled and said, "Brother Chang, you don't know that the origins of Mo Qilin and the Soul Chaser are not unclear, but too detailed, which makes people think there is something fishy. The village chief of Bajiao Village is old and was going to pass the throne to his son. Suddenly, an adopted son Mo Qilin took over the village, and the old village chief died after the transfer of the throne. , people can't help but doubt it. "Chang Xiao already knew that the martial world was dangerous, nodded in agreement, and asked: "How can the village chief be sure that I didn't deliberately join the gangsters?" Chuan Yunyan was quite confident: "Although Brother Chang pretends to be an old man in the martial world, I dare to assert that Brother Chang must have just entered the martial world and had a grudge with the famous family." Chang Xiao became interested and asked: "How did the village chief see it?" Chuan Yunyan said: "Brother Chang doesn't know that the bloody case at Qingfeng Temple on Taibai Mountain, a branch of Shangqing Palace, shocked the martial arts world, and Lingmu Zhenren issued a martial arts notice, chasing after him with all his strength : : : : : : : : : : : : : : :

After the agreement, Chang Xiao and Chuan Yunyan rode up the mountain together. Chang Xiao had never thought that he would join the Green Forest. He couldn't let the swordsmanship he had practiced for ten years go unnoticed. He might as well take this opportunity to show it off. Even if he couldn't beat Mo Qilin, it didn't matter. When he arrived at Qingfeng Village, Chang Xiao found that it didn't look like a mountain village, but more like a military camp. The minions were neatly dressed and had clear flags. The long spearmen, short swordmen, archers and crossbowmen were clearly divided. In front of the tiger-skin chair in the Juyi Hall was a commander's case with command flags and arrows. Chuan Yunyan asked Chang Xiao to take the seat, but Chang Xiao refused: "The village master should take the seat. I don't understand the art of war." Chuan Yunyan smiled and said: "I used to serve in the army, so I use the art of war to restrain my men. Brother Chang, please don't laugh at me." He ordered people to set up wine to welcome Chang Xiao. Chang Xiao was just trying it out, and it didn't matter whether he succeeded or not. Time was running out, and after only one day of rest, Chuan Yunyan selected fifty men and set off to Julong Mountain. Chang Xiao's Fire Dragon Horse led the way, and no horse dared to surpass it. Chuan Yunyan introduced that, for this gathering of sixteen villages, each village only brought fifty people. Chang Xiao asked, "Why do the sixteen villages want to merge?" Chuan Yunyan replied, "The Wanxian Hall in Jiangbei has issued a martial arts invitation, asking the sixteen villages to join the Wanxian Hall. The green forest people naturally don't want to be inferior to others, so they are preparing to join forces to deal with it." Chang Xiao had never heard of the Wanxian Hall, and asked, "Is the Wanxian Hall very powerful?" Chuan Yunyan nodded, "The Wanxian Hall is full of masters. The hall master Wanqi Song has a unique swordsmanship and is a leader. The eighteen disciples under him are not easy to mess with." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "It turns out that being a leader means competing with Wanqi Song. It's not an easy job." Chuan Yunyan said, "When you are in the martial arts world, there is no moment without danger. I lost the lives of eight brothers because of a momentary mistake. This is the martial arts world." Chang Xiao nodded, "Anyway, I have died twice, so there is nothing to be upset about." Chuan Yunyan did not ask about Chang Xiao's past. The biggest problem at the moment was that Mo Qilin could not be allowed to be the leader. This person must have some secrets unknown to outsiders.

When they arrived at Julong Mountain, someone greeted them. It was Zhuihunzhen from Bajiao Village. They arranged wine, meat and accommodation. Chuanyunyan knew that Mo Qilin had already taken the position of leader as his own. Chang Xiao saw that Zhuihunzhen was dressed like a scholar and had a literary air. Chuanyunyan introduced that Zhuihunzhen was an excellent doctor, best at acupuncture, and his martial arts were average. He only had a unique skill of self-defense, so he was Mo Qilin's think tank. After settling down, Chuan Yunyan discussed with Chang Xiao that the leader of the Green Forest would naturally have to compete. Chang Xiao asked about Mo Qilin's swordsmanship in detail. Chuan Yunyan said, "Mo Qilin's sword is fierce and fast, and it is hard to defend. His swordsmanship should be the Panlong swordsmanship created by Lu Zhengxiong of the Divine Sword Sect, but it is definitely not as fast as Brother Chang's swordsmanship." Chang Xiao shook his head and said, "Don't underestimate the enemy. According to the village owner, this person has never met a real master. No one can tell how much strength he has hidden." Chuan Yunyan smiled and said, "Brother Chang has also hidden his strength. Even if Mo Qilin hides his strength, there is no need to worry." Chang Xiao nodded. Even if Mo Qilin hides his strength, he can't compare with the head of Huashan. He still has a great chance of winning, but he can't say it clearly. The people from each village arrived one after another, and they were all received by the Soul Chaser and arranged food. A total of 800 people from the 16 villages came to Julong Mountain. Chuan Yunyan pointed out to Chang Xiao that there were four people who had the strength to compete for the position of leader, including Mo Qilin, namely Jade Face Wolf, Iron Head Snake, Golden Swallow, and Blue Eyed Monkey. Chang Xiao was a little curious and asked, "Why do you all hide your real names?" Chuan Yunyan sighed, "No matter how we cover it up, we are bandits after all. Once we are caught, our families will be implicated and our ancestors will be disgraced, so we all use nicknames." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "I'm alone already, I don't need a nickname." Chuan Yunyan shook her head, "A nickname is still indispensable. It has to be loud enough to intimidate the opponent and make you famous in the world." Chang Xiao said, "I won't bother with it, you can do whatever you want." After the discussion, Chang Xiao recuperated and waited for the competition. He thought to himself that it would be nice if he could gain a foothold in the green forest. Once the arrow is shot, there is no turning back. Since he has killed so many people, he might as well venture into the green forest and perhaps gain something.

Julong Mountain is lush with trees. There is a pool near the top of the mountain, commonly known as the Black Dragon Pool. The people from the 16 villages gathered at the Black Dragon Pool, and the contest was hosted by the Soul Chaser. The villages had already discussed it. The Soul Chaser said a few polite words and started the contest. The Green Foresters always do things simply, and there is no need to name them. Anyone who is not convinced can go to the contest. A man in black walked into the field. Chuan Yunyan introduced that this person was Mo Qilin. The purpose of going to the contest first was to defeat the best players from the villages and establish his own prestige. Chang Xiao looked carefully and found that Mo Qilin was not very old, only about 30 years old, with strong muscles and bones, and his eyes were shining. Obviously, he had great internal strength. The first person to fight with Mo Qilin was Tie Tou She. This person was thin and soft, and obviously practiced bone shrinking skills. He used a soft whip in his hand. As soon as the two of them started fighting, Chang Xiao saw that Mo Qilin's swordsmanship was not bad, so he said to Chuan Yunyan: "This Mo Qilin's martial arts obviously come from a famous family. No wonder you are suspicious. A famous master must have a purpose for joining the gang." Chuan Yunyan nodded: "That's why I asked Brother Chang to join the gang. Mo Qilin's origin is unknown and his motives are unclear. We must not let him be the leader." Chang Xiao looked carefully. Although the Iron Head Snake had strange moves, it was no match for Mo Qilin after all. He was defeated in less than a hundred moves. The next one was Jin Yanzi. This person used to use a swallow clang made of pure gold. His technique was unique. He used a steel knife in his hand to fight with Mo Qilin. Mo Qilin had studied the martial arts of various village chiefs and was able to deal with them easily and won easily. The Jade Face Wolf was defeated. This person had an oily face and was used to pleasing women. He was good at light work and often had both money and beauty. However, this person did have some skills in his hands. He shook the iron fan and fought with Mo Qilin. The Jade-faced Wolf only had three axes, and his stamina was insufficient, which was the inevitable result of being obsessed with beauty. He began to pant in less than fifty moves, and had to admit defeat. Next was the Green-eyed Monkey God. This man had learned the essence of monkey boxing and worked hard, and the chicken claw sickle in his hand was quite powerful. Mo Qilin was also more careful when he met this opponent. The two fought back and forth. Chuan Yunyan asked: "Brother Chang, do you think the Green-eyed Monkey God has a chance of winning?" Chang Xiao shook his head: "Mo Qilin's martial arts can only be used at most 50%. He seems to be hiding his swordsmanship. Does he know I'm coming?" Chuan Yunyan smiled and said: "How is it possible? Mo Qilin is not a god, it is impossible for him to know about Brother Chang. There must be other reasons for hiding his martial arts." Before he finished speaking, the Green-eyed Monkey God had already been defeated and bowed his hands to admit defeat.

Mo Qilin won four battles in a row, and the Bajiaozhai's minions cheered. After the four were defeated, no one came to challenge him. Zhuihunzhen said happily: "Everyone, Bajiaozhai Mo Qilin's swordsmanship is unparalleled, and he won four battles. If there is no objection, you can elect a leader." At this time, Chuanyunyan shouted: "Wait, there is someone else from Qingfengzhai who will be defeated." Zhuihunzhen was stunned. Chuanyunyan's archery was indeed amazing, but his martial arts was a little worse. Could it be that he couldn't see the opportunity and had to humiliate himself? Just when he was wondering, he saw Chang Xiao's end, so he asked, "You are unfamiliar. When did you join Qingfeng Village?" Chang Xiao didn't know how to answer, so Chuanyunyan shouted, "Qingfeng Village Iron Arm Divine Sword challenged Mo Qilin. It's time to compete. There's no need to ask." Zhuihunzhen nodded, and Chang Xiao said, "Mo Qilin has won four battles in a row. He should take a break before fighting again." Mo Qilin was about to become the leader, but Chang Xiao made trouble for him. He was angry and said in a deep voice, "No need, just draw your sword." Chang Xiao laughed in his heart: The head of Huashan almost died under my sword, and you dare to be so arrogant. So he said loudly, "Everyone, it was Mo Qilin who asked me to draw my sword. You can't blame me if something goes wrong." Mo Qilin said impatiently, "It's my short life to die under your sword. Draw your sword." Before he finished speaking, Chang Xiao drew his steel sword. Mo Qilin never dreamed that Chang Xiao's sword would be faster than lightning. Before he could react, the blade had reached his forehead. Mo Qilin immediately broke out in a cold sweat, and the cold blade stopped at his forehead. Everyone in the audience was dumbfounded. Who could dodge such a fast knife? Hundreds of people stared at the two people in the field, and there was silence. Chuan Yunyan realized that Chang Xiao had not used his full strength when he killed the eight minions. The most surprised person was of course Mo Qilin. He had practiced martial arts hard and was quite conceited. Now he was restrained before he even made a move. He was unwilling to accept it. Chang Xiao put the knife back into the sheath and smiled, "Do you want to try again?" Mo Qilin knew the habits of the green forest people very well. If he didn't admit defeat, he would not be able to survive in the green forest even if he won. Although he was unwilling, he still clasped his fists and admitted defeat. The eight hundred people watching the battle hadn't reacted yet. Mo Qilin lost so quickly? Was he acting deliberately or was Chang Xiao really that capable? Chasing Soul Needle was also shocked. What was originally a sure thing had changed in the blink of an eye.

Chuan Yunyan was the happiest and shouted, "If anyone is dissatisfied, just leave." After a long while, no one answered. Chuan Yunyan said, "Since no one left, we can elect a leader." Everyone had no objection. The leaders of the sixteen villages gathered together. Zhuihunzhen said, "This Iron-armed Divine Sword has a strange face. Even though he won the competition, we cannot rashly elect him. We must make sure that all the brothers are convinced." The leaders of the villages echoed in unison. Chuan Yunyan said, "The rules of the Green Forest are that when you first enter the Green Forest, you must be a sign of surrender. If you want to elect a leader, you can't just kill a few people. What do you think?" Everyone discussed for a while. Although they wanted to come up with a difficult problem, time was running out. The Wanxian Hall was eyeing them covetously. If they couldn't elect a leader as soon as possible, they would be controlled by others. Finally, the Green-eyed Monkey God suggested that they bring the Wannian Wenyu Bottle, which was treasured by the Xue Guogong Mansion in Wuchang, within three days. Chang Xiao agreed without hesitation. This little thing was not worth mentioning. So the people of the sixteen camps gathered at Julong Mountain to prepare for the merger, set up a large camp, and build houses. With more people, things can be done more quickly. Chang Xiao rushed to Wuchang. The Fire Dragon Horse moved quickly. Chang Xiao's skills were outstanding. He easily sneaked into the Duke's Mansion and stole the Wen Yu Bottle. Back at Julong Mountain, the leaders of the sixteen camps looked at the Wen Yu Bottle and had no objections. They officially accepted Chang Xiao as their leader. Chang Xiao was always easygoing. Since the Soul Chaser was resourceful, he was appointed as the military advisor to arrange all matters. Chasing Soul Needle said: "We should first decide on a name so that we can use it as a flag and token to command all the brothers." Chang Xiao nodded: "Since this mountain is called Julong Mountain, we will call it Julong Gang." Chasing Soul Needle agreed and started to prepare immediately. Chuanyunyan said: "Boss, soldiers are more valuable than quantity. There are many old and weak brothers in the 16th camp. It is better to give them gold and silver to dismiss them and form elite soldiers." Chang Xiao agreed: "Leave this matter to you. Those who want to leave can leave, and those who want to stay can stay. Don't let the brothers down." Chuanyunyan agreed to handle it. Time is tight, so everything should be kept simple. After a selection, there are still 12,000 strong men. Chasing Soul Needle suggested to set up four halls, each with 2,500 people, named Qinglong, Baihu, Zhuque, and Xuanwu, and 2,000 light cavalry directly led by the gang leader. Chuanyunyan is proficient in military tactics and suggested that each hall should have 500 long spearmen, 500 short sword and shieldmen, 500 heavy armored cavalry, 500 crossbowmen, and 500 javelinmen to cooperate against the enemy. Purchase armor and horses as soon as possible to prepare for the confrontation with Wanxian Hall.

After weighing the pros and cons, Chang Xiao appointed Mo Qilin as the leader of the Azure Dragon Hall, Bi Yan Shen Hou as the leader of the White Tiger Hall, Jin Yan Zi as the leader of the Vermillion Bird Hall, and Tie Tou She as the leader of the Black Tortoise Hall. Chuan Yun Yan was the leader of the Punishment Hall, responsible for restraining the gang members and teaching them how to deploy troops and array to fight against powerful enemies. Zhui Hun Zhen was the military advisor. After the arrangement, Zhui Hun Zhen bought clothes and armor. The Azure Dragon Hall wore blue, the White Tiger Hall wore yellow, the Vermillion Bird Hall wore red, and the Black Tortoise Hall wore white. The two thousand light cavalry under Chang Xiao all wore black and stationed according to the five elements. Chang Xiao secretly praised Zhui Hun Zhen for his extraordinary talent. The clothes, armor, weapons, horses, and the most important food and grass were all prepared, and an auspicious day was chosen to officially establish the Julong Gang. Chang Xiao did not expect that he, an ordinary farmer, would become the leader of a gang of more than 10,000 people. Although these people used themselves as a shield to fight against the Wanxian Hall. The establishment of such a large gang naturally needs to be announced to the martial arts world, but because of the Wanxiantang, few people came to congratulate. Chang Xiao didn't care. Seeing so many people calling him the gang leader was enough for him. The flags and tokens were ready. Chasing Soul Needle asked about the Wanxiantang. Chang Xiao ordered: "Write a letter to Wanqi Song. The Julong Gang will not succumb. If you must dominate Jiangnan, the Julong Gang will fight." Chasing Soul Needle sent a letter and received a reply soon. Wanqi Song issued a letter of challenge and the decisive battle would be held at Taibai Peak of Tongbai Mountain in ten days. Chang Xiao ordered his gang members to prepare for the battle with Wanxiantang as soon as possible, and sent scouts to inquire about the news. During the intensive preparations, Chang Xiao suddenly remembered something in his heart. This battle must be dangerous and life and death are uncertain. He should meet his elder brother Duan Kui before the battle and explain his affairs clearly. Even if he dies, he will have no regrets.

Chapter 9: Showing Off His Prowess

Although time is tight, with the Fire Dragon Horse, it won't take more than a few days. Chang Xiao knew that these people didn't really respect him as their leader, but for Wanxiantang. Once the crisis of Wanxiantang was resolved, he would be useless as the leader. He made up his mind, explained the matter, picked a few pieces of jewelry, and went to Hangzhou alone. Military Advisor Chasing Soul Needle, as well as Mo Qilin, Chuanyunyan and others hurriedly prepared for the battle. It didn't matter whether Chang Xiao was there or not. After leaving Julong Mountain, the Fire Dragon Horse was like an arrow from a string and arrived in Hangzhou in two days. Chang Xiao went to the West Lake to inquire about Duan's house. Someone pointed out that the Duan family had been doing business for generations and was quite wealthy. They bought a large house by the West Lake, covering an area of more than ten acres, with carved beams and painted buildings, which was very easy to find. Chang Xiao was afraid that Duan Kui's relatives and even servants would laugh at him when he first visited him, so he changed his clothes on purpose. With the world being like this, no one could do anything about it. Chen Xia changed her mind because she was moved by Lin Fengming's clothes and jewelry. In view of this, Chang Xiao spent more than a thousand taels to dress up and prepare before visiting. The family guarding the gate saw that the visitor was dressed in gorgeous clothes and had a dignified demeanor, so they hurriedly bowed and asked, "Why did this warrior come to visit?" Chang Xiao smiled and said, "I came to visit Mr. Duan. I wonder if he is at home?" The gatekeeper nodded and said, "He has not left home for two years and stays at home all day. Do you have a visiting card? I will report it to you." Ten years have passed, and Chang Xiao didn't know whether Duan Kui remembered him. He couldn't be presumptuous, so he said, "Just say that my old friend Chang Xiao is here to visit." The gatekeeper was about to enter the door, but suddenly turned back and asked, "Say it again, warrior, I didn't hear it clearly." Chang Xiao was a little surprised, and then he said, "I'm here to visit you." After telling the story again, the gatekeeper asked, "Chang Xiao, are you the sworn brother of the master?" Chang Xiao didn't expect that the gatekeeper knew him, so he nodded and said, "Yes." The gatekeeper was overjoyed and bowed down, "So it's the second master. The master would talk about it several times a day and told me to wait carefully. I've been waiting for two years, and finally I'm here. Please come in." Three people were called out from the gatehouse to serve diligently. Huolongju still refused to go to the stable with his family. Chang Xiao smiled and said, "This horse has a bad temper. It will cause trouble when it leaves my side. It's better to follow it." The family agreed and led Chang Xiao into the inner house. The Duan residence is very large, with neat halls and pavilions. As soon as he entered the second gate, a group of people ran in front. The first one was a big belly, and it was Duan Kui. Duan Kui has gained weight in the past ten years. He shouted from a distance, "Brother, I've been waiting for you to come." Chang Xiao bowed down, "My little brother is incompetent, thank you for your concern."

The brothers had not seen each other for ten years, so meeting each other today naturally brought them mixed feelings. Duan Kui held Chang Xiao's hands and sighed, "Brother, I've dreamed of you many times. Sometimes I dreamed of you being surrounded by people and looking glorious, and sometimes I dreamed of you covered in blood. I feel relieved when I see you." Chang Xiao was quite emotional, and his family advised, "Sir, the banquet is ready. Why don't we meet again in the flower hall?" Duan Kui held Chang Xiao's hand tightly and said, "Brother, let's have a drink today." The two men went to the flower hall hand in hand, and after sitting down, Duan Kui nodded, "Brother, you are much taller than you were ten years ago. You must have suffered a lot. I wonder how the revenge is going?" Chang Xiao had nothing to hide from Duan Kui, and he recounted the whole story in detail. Duan Kui was overjoyed, "Where there is a will, there is a way. Brother, you have fulfilled your wish and your ten years of hard work have paid off." Chang Xiao sighed, "Finally there is something to gain, but it was also very dangerous." The two men drank happily and said goodbye to each other. It turned out that Duan Kui was not feeling well and had been recuperating at home for two years. He planned to hand over the business to his son when he was older. Duan Kui asked in detail, but Chang Xiao did not mention the meeting with the four sect leaders. This matter was very serious and would cause great harm if it was leaked. Duan Kui was even happier than Chang Xiao when he learned that Chang Xiao had become the leader of Julong Gang and commanded more than 10,000 people. Chang Xiao smiled and said, "Brother, you don't know that the alliance of the sixteen villages is just a temporary measure, and I am just an empty figure as the leader." Duan Kui shook his head and said, "Brother, everything depends on human efforts. As long as you defeat Wanxiantang and become famous in the world, Julong Gang will be yours." Chang Xiao also had this idea, but he never told anyone else. The two looked back on the past and had endless things to say. Before they knew it, it was already dark. The two talked by candlelight at night and felt very happy. Chang Xiao took out the gifts from the package, which were all treasures worth tens of thousands of taels. Duan Kui frowned and said, "What do you mean, brother? Do you and I need these?" Chang Xiao smiled and said, "These are the belongings accumulated by the Sixteen Villages in the early years. It would be a waste not to take them while the leader is still useful. You will have no chance when the Julong Gang is disbanded." Duan Kui nodded, "In that case, big brother will keep them for you first, and you can come and take them when you need them. By the way, you had a sum of money with me at the beginning. I wanted to lend it out and collect some interest, but I came across a good thing, so I bought it for you. See if you like it." Chang Xiao didn't care: "Big brother, just deal with it, no need to ask me." Duan Kui told his family to ask his wife for the key to open the vault.

Chang Xiao couldn't guess what good things Duan Kui bought. Duan Kui smiled and said, "If you like it, keep it. I'm not very knowledgeable. I might have been cheated." Chang Xiao shook his head and said, "Brother, what are you talking about? What's more than 10,000 taels of silver worth?" While talking, the family brought in a long wooden box, which Duan Kui opened with his own hands. Chang Xiao's heart suddenly jumped, and he felt that the things in the box were unusual, and there seemed to be a faint murderous aura. Could it be a weapon? Duan Kui took out an object, which was tightly wrapped in a heavy red cloth. Unwrapping the red cloth, an antique three-foot-long sword appeared. Duan Kui explained, "Five years ago, I was selling goods through Kaifeng. It was difficult to travel due to heavy rain. After the rain stopped, I heard that a mountain torrent had opened an ancient tomb and found many good things. I went to see the excitement. Sure enough, there were bronze tripods, square jars, golden beasts and jade bi. I heard that it was an ancient tomb of the Warring States Period. I accidentally found this knife in the tomb. Although it has been underground for more than a thousand years, it has not been damaged at all. It seems to be a treasure. I heard you mention the rolling pearl knife, so I wanted to buy it for you. It was originally only 800 taels, but a bodyguard offered a high price. I kept raising the price until it was 18,000 taels before the deal was completed. Later, I was worried that the seller and the bodyguard would collude to cheat the money. The money doesn't matter, but I'm afraid I bought a fake thing, so I'm waiting for you to come and see it to rest assured." Chang Xiao reached out to take it. As soon as he touched the knife, he felt something strange, and an inexplicable excitement surged in his heart, as if with this knife in hand, the world was in his hands. It can be determined by intuition that this knife is definitely not an ordinary product. Chang Xiao examined it carefully, suppressed his inner impulse, slowly drew the sword out of its sheath, a cold light shot out, and the chill was overwhelming. Duan Kui said: "I have only seen it twice, and I couldn't sleep well after each time, so I kept it. What do you think?" Chang Xiao didn't hear Duan Kui's words at all. All his energy was on the sword. He spent a lot of time looking for the sword. Could it be that he really got what he wanted? For a moment, Chang Xiao doubted his eyes. Duan Kui patted Chang Xiao on the shoulder: "Brother, you have to say something whether it's okay or not." Chang Xiao came back to his senses and thanked him: "Brother, this is the sword I have dreamed of. With this sword, I can roam freely in the world." Duan Kui said happily: "That's good. To be honest, when I bought this sword, I thought that I saved people, got good ginseng, and sold it for 18,000 taels. I happened to meet this sword again, and the price was exactly 18,000 taels. It seems that it was destined by heaven."

Flowers do not bloom when you try hard, but willows grow when you plant them accidentally. Chang Xiao spent a lot of time looking for a precious sword. After becoming the leader of the gang, he ordered people to look for it, but to no avail. Who would have thought that he would get a precious sword unexpectedly in Hangzhou? He was overjoyed and thanked him repeatedly. Upon closer inspection, he saw that the blade was covered with tortoise shells, which must have been tempered through thousands of hammers. There were two ancient seal characters near the handle. Duan Kui said, "I asked someone to look at it, and these two characters are dragon scales." Chang Xiao couldn't let it go, and said with confidence, "With the dragon scale sword, I don't have to worry about anyone anymore." The fire dragon colt outside the door poked its head in, and Chang Xiao said loudly, "Fire dragon colt, I have a precious sword, and we can gallop around the world from now on." The fire dragon colt neighed continuously, and was also happy for Chang Xiao. Duan Kui was also very happy and asked, "Brother, what's the good thing about this sword?" Chang Xiao casually pulled out a few strands of hair and placed them on the blade. He blew a breath, and the hair fell silently. With a casual swing of the sword, the copper incense burner behind him broke into two halves. Chang Xiao explained: "It can cut hair and iron like mud. This knife is a first-class weapon." Duan Kui nodded: "Today, I am really enlightened. It turns out that the legend is true. There is such a precious knife in the world." Chang Xiao said: "I have been looking for a precious knife, but it is useless to force it. I didn't expect that my wish would come true today." Duan Kui was also full of confidence: "I have long seen that you will not be buried in the market. With this knife, you will be able to make great plans and break into a world." The two talked all night and didn't feel tired at all. At dawn, Duan Kui asked people to call his wife and children to meet him. Chang Xiao greeted his sister-in-law. Duan's wife smiled and said: "If you don't come, our family will be very uncomfortable. If your brother dreams of you, we have to be careful. No one can persuade him when he loses his temper. You must come often in the future." Duan Kui's children greeted Chang Xiao. Chang Xiao comforted him a few words and made up his mind that Duan Kui's friendship was deep and he would keep it in mind in the future. After re-arranging the banquet, Chang Xiao was worried about the battle with Wanxiantang and was ready to leave. Duan Kui was reluctant to leave, and Chang Xiao advised him: "Don't worry, brother. I am as fast as the wind and will come to visit you when I am free. The battle is imminent and we can't delay any longer." Duan Kui had waited for ten years, and finally met and had to say goodbye again. He was unhappy. Duan's wife changed the subject: "Brother, you are over thirty and still haven't got married. As the eldest brother, you should also arrange something." Duan Kui suddenly realized: "Look at my brain, since my brother has avenged his revenge and became the leader of the gang, it would be unreasonable for him not to have a wife. I will arrange something for you. You can get married after you defeat Wanxiantang."

Before leaving, Chang Xiao warned: "Brother, I am in the green forest and have many enemies. It is best not to spread the news." Duan Kui has been doing business outside for many years, so he naturally knows the pros and cons. He nodded and agreed. Chang Xiao jumped on the Fire Dragon Horse, and the man was like a tiger and the horse was like a happy dragon, and he went away like a wisp of green smoke. Back at Julong Mountain, Chuan Yunyan, Mo Qilin and others felt that Chang Xiao had changed. His words and deeds were full of confidence, as if he had changed into a different person. Chuan Yunyan asked about the reason, but Chang Xiao shook his head and did not answer, and hurriedly arranged the decisive battle. The scout reported that Wanxiantang had gathered 7,000 to 8,000 people to go south, led by Wanqi Song's first disciple Lu Wenjun. Chang Xiao was a little disappointed and asked everyone, "Wanqi Song didn't come in person. It's possible that he looked down on the Julong Gang, or it's possible that he was playing tricks. How is his swordsmanship?" Chuan Yunyan said, "Wanqi Song is the disciple of Duan Qingxiao of the Divine Sword Sect. Because he didn't get the Rolling Pearl Sword, Duan Qingxiao left the Divine Sword Sect after he retired. He took a different approach, studied the classics of the Xuanmen Sect, visited the masters of the Xuanmen Sect, and created a magical footwork. Combined with the swordsmanship, it is incredibly powerful. It is said that he can use phantoms to confuse opponents, and is called the Phantom Swordsmanship. Masters from all walks of life unanimously praised him as the number one swordsman in the world, and that's why he founded the Wanxian Hall." Chang Xiao nodded, "It seems that Wanqi Song is indeed extraordinary. I have to learn from him." As the time was approaching, Chang Xiao decided to lead 5,000 people from the Suzaku and Xuanwu Halls to fight, plus 2,000 light cavalry, a total of 7,000. The Black Kirin and the Blue-eyed Monkey guarded the mountain, and the military advisor and Chuan Yunyan also stayed on the mountain. After the assignment, Chang Xiao led the team down the mountain, with a bright red flag fluttering and the Fire Dragon Horse leading the way. In addition, Chang Xiao was wearing a big red robe, like a ball of fire, which was quite conspicuous. This confrontation was of great importance and attracted the attention of all parties. Almost no one was optimistic about the Julong Gang. The Wanxian Hall was powerful and had many masters. The Julong Gang was just a temporary organization of some bandits, and it was basically a mob. Chang Xiao had the sword, and he was very calm. Not to mention that Wanqi Song had never come, he would not be afraid even if he came. He had not had the opportunity to display the sword skills he had practiced for ten years, and with the power of the Dragon Scale Sword, he did not have to fear anyone. However, the leader of the Suzaku Hall, Jin Yanzi, and the leader of the Xuanwu Hall, Tietoushe, were unsure. After all, the opponent was strong, and it was hard to say whether these minions could win.

Two days later, the troops arrived at Tongbai Mountain. Scouts reported that the troops of Wanxiantang had arrived. Chang Xiao led the troops to the foot of Taibai Peak. The troops of Wanxiantang had already deployed their troops and were full of murderous intent. The troops of Julong Gang lined up. Chang Xiao urged his horse to the front of the formation and shouted, "Lu Wenjun, come and answer the question." A green horse rushed out from the opposite side, and on the horse was a white-faced young man with strong muscles and bones, and his eyebrows were full of arrogance. It was Lu Wenjun, the first disciple of Wanqi Song. After taking a look at him, Chang Xiao nodded, "It's true. The Wanxian Hall is dominating the north of the Yangtze River, and the twelve branches are making a lot of money, but they are still not satisfied. They even want to get involved in the south of the Yangtze River. They are really greedy." Lu Wenjun clasped his fists and said, "The gang leader defeated Mo Qilin in one move. Such swordsmanship is first-class. My master said that if the gang leader is willing to surrender, he will be the deputy leader of the Wanxian Hall, and gold, silver, jewelry, beautiful women and mansions will be a piece of cake." Chang Xiao sneered, "You want to win over more than 10,000 brothers of the Julong Gang with just a few empty words. Your master's calculations are too shrewd. As long as I'm in the Wanxian Hall, don't even think about going south." At this time, a black horse rushed out from behind Lu Wenjun and ran straight to Chang Xiao. A young man on the horse shouted, "You ignorant young man don't know how to behave. Let me show you my swordsmanship." It was Lin Hu, the new disciple of Wanqi Song. He was eager to make achievements when he first entered the sect and wanted to become famous in one battle. Unfortunately, he was unlucky and met Chang Xiao. The two horses made a mistake and Lin Hu's horse ran dozens of steps, and Lin Hu suddenly fell off the horse. No one of the more than 10,000 people on both sides saw Chang Xiao's sword, and they were all dumbfounded for a moment. Lu Wenjun was the closest, and he didn't see how Chang Xiao killed Lin Hu. He took a breath. Although he knew that Chang Xiao's sword was extremely fast, he didn't expect it to be so fast. Chang Xiao obtained the dragon scale sword, sacrificed the sword with Lin Hu, and shouted, "If anyone is not afraid of death, just come up. This gang leader will not refuse anyone." Lu Wenjun was cautious and would not do anything without confidence. He clasped his fists and said, "The gang leader's swordsmanship is indeed superb. How can such martial arts be confined to the green forest? It's better for you to join the Wanxian Hall." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "Since it is a decisive battle between the two sides, why bother? It's up to you whether we can fight alone or with the entire army." Lu Wenjun nodded, "I admit that I am not the opponent of the gang leader. Unfortunately, today is not a competition, and there is no need to follow the rules of the martial arts world." Chang Xiao nodded, "It seems that you want to fight in a melee. Well, let me show you how powerful the Julong Gang is." He rode his horse back to the team and ordered, "Brothers, this is a battle of life and death." Just as they were about to attack, scouts came to report that there was another group of people from the Wanxian Hall who had cut off their retreat. Everyone was panicking. At this moment, a man came on horseback. It was Chuan Yunyan. Chang Xiao asked, "Brother, what are you doing here?" Chuan Yunyan said breathlessly, "Boss, Wanqi Song led more than a thousand experts to attack Julong Mountain. Baihu Hall suffered heavy losses and the mountain stronghold has been lost." As soon as this was said, everyone was shocked. At this time, Lu Wenjun issued an order, and the people and horses of Wanxian Hall had rushed over, like a tide, and the sound of killing was heard everywhere. Chang Xiao gritted his teeth and said, "Wanqi Song has set us up. Brothers, we are now trapped in a desperate situation. There is no way out. We can only fight to the death. If you are willing to wait for death, stay here. If you are a hero, follow me to kill the enemy." He held the big flag in his left hand, showed the precious sword in his right hand, and roared towards the big flag of Wanxian Hall. As the saying goes, the leader of the gang leads the way. This heroic spirit instantly infected everyone. Chuan Yunyan shouted, "Brothers, follow the leader and charge forward. Even if you die, you must catch someone to take your place with you." Thousands of people from the Julong Gang rushed over like crazy, following Chang Xiao and shouting. Lu Wenjun was shocked. Chang Xiao's horse was as fast as the wind, and his swordsmanship was unparalleled. He was invincible and rushed over like a ball of flame. Seeing that his own people were like waves breaking, he had no choice but to temporarily avoid his front.

Chapter 10: Contemporary Saint Monk

Wanxiantang made careful arrangements and planned to wipe out Julong Gang in one fell swoop. However, when he met Chang Xiao, he was not frightened by the predicament, but was inspired to fight. He rode alone and rushed to the battle array, heading straight for the Wanxiantang flag. The Dragon Scale Sword had been buried underground for thousands of years. It made its debut and it was indeed extraordinary. Wherever the Fire Dragon Horse went, people died and horses fell, blood and flesh flew everywhere. The people of Wanxiantang were frightened and no one dared to meet the enemy. Lu Wenjun knew that the morale would be dispersed once the flag was raised, but Chang Xiao was coming fiercely and difficult to resist, so he ordered hundreds of his followers to rush over and kill Chang Xiao with a random knife. Hundreds of people shouted and surrounded him. Chang Xiao was like a fish in water. He used the Dragon Scale Sword like a swimming dragon, with heads rolling and broken limbs flying all over the sky. In an instant, he killed more than a hundred people. Seeing that his men could not stop Chang Xiao, Lu Wenjun knew that if he rushed to him, his life would be in danger. He had no choice but to roll up the flag and retreat. Thousands of people from the Julong Gang saw that the leader and the big flag had penetrated into the core of the enemy, and they all rushed forward bravely, forgetting their lives and fighting, and did not care about the ambushes behind them. As soon as the Wanxiantang flag moved, all the troops lost their backbone. The leader's retreat naturally affected the morale. So although the Julong Gang had fewer people, it had the upper hand. Wherever Chang Xiao's Fire Dragon Horse passed, only dead bodies could be seen on the ground. It was like entering an empty space in the Wanxiantang camp. After fighting for half a day, the Wanxiantang retreated completely. Chang Xiao led his troops to chase and kill for fifty miles before withdrawing his troops, and cheers rang out. No one had ever thought that the new leader would be so brave and invincible. Chang Xiao waved the big flag, and the Fire Dragon Horse neighed to the sky, looking majestic and invincible. Chuan Yunyan, Jin Yanzi and Tie Tou She came up to see him. Chang Xiao asked, "Is there any news from the stronghold?" Chuan Yunyan replied, "When I left, the stronghold had been breached. The White Tiger Hall fought with all their might, and the Azure Dragon Hall transported the treasury and supplies out through the secret passage." Chang Xiao nodded and ordered, "Form a team and follow me back to fight Wan Qi Song." He urged the Fire Dragon Horse to gallop ahead. Although everyone wanted to rest, the leader was the first one, so what else could they say? They had to keep up with him at all costs. Thousands of people had no time to clean up the battlefield, so all the cavalry followed Chang Xiao, and Chuan Yunyan was responsible for collecting the scattered horses and then came. After a fierce battle, Chang Xiao became more confident and full of confidence in his swordsmanship. The Dragon Scale Sword was indeed a rare weapon. It would be best if he could meet Wan Qi Song. Being the first swordsman is nothing special.

The result of this battle was beyond everyone's expectation. The careful deployment of Wanxian Hall was completely destroyed by Chang Xiao. After Lu Wenjun was defeated, he immediately sent a pigeon to inform his master Wanqi Song of the news. Julong Mountain was already in a mess. Wanqi Song thought he had won the battle and was waiting for Lu Wenjun's victory report, but he was surprised to receive this news. After weighing the pros and cons, Chang Xiao was in high spirits at this time and it was not appropriate to have a head-on conflict. He made a prompt decision and led his men to withdraw from Julong Mountain. When Chang Xiao returned to the mountain stronghold, he saw only dead bodies and scattered weapons all over the ground. Chang Xiao knew that Wanqi Song had run away, so he ordered people to reorganize the stronghold and summon the men from each hall. Zhuque Hall and Xuanwu Hall returned to the mountain one after another, and Chuanyunyan also led people back, but there were no people from Qinglong Hall and Baihu Hall. Chang Xiao sent people to inquire, and the blue-eyed monkey was carried back, covered in blood. Chang Xiao asked, "Where are Mo Qilin and the military advisor?" The people from the White Tiger Hall reported, "Boss, we stopped Wanqi Song, the Azure Dragon Hall retreated first, and the military advisor followed us." Chang Xiao ordered to treat the Blue-Eyed Monkey and repair the mountain village. Half a day later, Mo Qilin and the military advisor, Chasing Soul Needle, returned to the mountain and came to the hall to see him. Chang Xiao asked, "What was the loss of the Azure Dragon Hall?" Mo Qilin replied, "Thanks to the brothers of the White Tiger Hall who sacrificed their lives to cover the retreat, the Azure Dragon Hall did not suffer any losses, and the baggage was not lost." Chang Xiao nodded, ordered Mo Qilin to go back and rest, and Chasing Soul Needle to treat the Blue-Eyed Monkey as soon as possible. After counting, the White Tiger Hall suffered the greatest loss, with only more than 700 people left. The Suzaku Hall and the Xuanwu Hall each lost hundreds of people, but they turned defeat into victory after all, and the whole mountain village was in jubilation. Chang Xiao thought to himself that something seemed to be wrong, but he couldn't say it, so he had to put it aside for the time being. Chuan Yunyan spread the news that the Julong Gang defeated the Wanxian Hall, which caused a sensation in the martial arts world. For a time, everyone in the north and south of the river knew that the new leader of the Julong Gang, Tiebi Shendao, had an unparalleled swordsmanship, and even the number one swordsman Wanqi Song did not dare to fight him. Although more than 3,000 people were lost, more people came to join the gang, and the various halls recovered their vitality, and the mountain stronghold became more prosperous.

One day, someone came to pay a visit to the mountain, and the name on the name card was signed by Qi Shizhen. Chang Xiao asked the people around him, "Who is Qi Shizhen?" Chuan Yunyan replied, "Qi Shizhen is the most well-informed person in the underworld. He has contacts with all parties. The hotel where the gang leader met his subordinates is this person's spy." Chang Xiao nodded and said, "It seems that this person is not simple. I will go out to greet him in person." He led his men to the gate of the village to greet him. Qi Shizhen was wearing a blue shirt and a small hat, dressed like an ordinary businessman. Chuan Yunyan mentioned that this person was proficient in internal skills and had extraordinary skills. Chang Xiao clasped his fists and said, "The presence of Shopkeeper Qi is a great honor." Qi Shizhen smiled and said, "The name of the gang leader is so great that I have come to pay my respects to him. This small gift is not enough to show my respect." After the greetings, they came to the hall. Chang Xiao ordered people to set up a banquet. Qi Shizhen said, "I heard that the gang leader defeated Wanxiantang and the world was shaken. I came to meet him. I will need the care of the Julong Gang in the future." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "I don't deserve the care. I will continue to cooperate with Shopkeeper Qi in the future." Qi Shizhen was very shrewd. He traveled around and made profits by selling information. He amassed countless gold and silver. He knew that Chang Xiao defeated Wanqi Song and was a contemporary genius. He came to meet him. It would definitely be beneficial in the future. Chang Xiao also understood that he would have to buy information from Qi Shizhen in the future. After the banquet, he went to the quiet room with Qi Shizhen to discuss cooperation. Qi Shizhen went down the mountain half a day later. After a big battle, everyone in the Julong Gang knew the ability of the new gang leader and was convinced. Everyone obeyed his orders. Chang Xiao knew that Wanqi Song would not give up and there would be greater conflicts in the future, so he urged the four halls to practice and prepare for contingencies. At the same time, he stored grass and grain, and purchased horses, armor and weapons. Wanxiantang was naturally unwilling to accept defeat. After Wanqi Song returned to the Xuchang headquarters, he immediately called Lu Wenjun to see him. Lu Wenjun entered the door to apologize. Wanqi Song asked: "Wenjun, what happened to you? Such a good situation turned out to be a complete failure?" Lu Wenjun sighed: "Master, we were sure to win, but who knew that Chang Xiao was so powerful, his sword skills were superb, and he killed Lin Hu with one move. I was so close that I didn't even see him use his sword." Wanqi Song was surprised and said: "It turns out that this person is so amazing." Lu Wenjun said: "This person not only has unparalleled sword skills, but also has a precious sword that can cut iron like mud. He also has a fire dragon horse, which is impossible to resist." Wanqi Song asked: "Don't you know how to use crossbows?" Lu Wenjun smiled bitterly: "Of course I used them, but I couldn't hurt this person at all. His sword skills are extremely dense, almost airtight and impeccable." Wanqi Song wondered: "Where did he get the precious sword?"

Wanxiantang has been in the martial arts world for many years, so naturally it is unwilling to fail. It is rushing to prepare for revenge. Chang Xiao is also making full preparations, repairing Julong Mountain and training the four halls. While making intensive arrangements, someone suddenly reported that two masters came to ask for treasures. Chang Xiao was puzzled and ordered someone to take the two to the hall. The two young men walked in with their heads held high, their eyebrows full of pride. Chang Xiao smiled and said, "So it's you brothers, what do you want to see me for?" It turned out to be the brothers Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai who had met before they met the Fire Dragon Horse. The two brothers also recognized Chang Xiao. Zhong Yuan said happily, "Finally found you, return the Fire Dragon Horse to us quickly and spare your life, otherwise we will flatten your mountain village." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "Why do you ask me for the Fire Dragon Horse?" Zhong Hai said angrily, "We brothers went through a lot of hardships to catch the Fire Dragon Horse, and we didn't even want the 150,000 taels of silver, but you got it. It's so hard to find you, why don't you return the Fire Dragon Horse to us?" Chang Xiao realized that the two brothers were fighting for the Fire Dragon Horse. After thinking for a while, he said, "Fire Dragon Colt is willing to follow me and is my best friend. Since you two have put in the effort, I will give you three hundred thousand taels. What do you think?" Zhong Yuan shook his head, "I only want the Fire Dragon Colt. Five hundred thousand is not enough." Chang Xiao's face darkened, "I know you two are from famous and upright families and look down on the bandits. It is reasonable to give you three hundred thousand taels. Since you two insist on having your own way, we may have to fight to see who is better." Zhong Hai was full of disdain, "Wouldn't it be courting death to fight with us?" Chang Xiao looked down on people from famous and upright families. He stood up and said, "If I can't defeat you brothers within five moves, I will hand over the Fire Dragon Colt." Zhong Yuan said happily, "That's what I said." Chang Xiao came to the center of the hall and asked, "Are you ready?" Zhong Yuan took out the colorful hammer and Zhong Hai took out the gold-painted moon axe. They said at the same time, "Go ahead." Chang Xiao gave a light shout and unsheathed the dragon-scale sword. The two brothers felt a gust of cold air coming down on them. Before they could defend themselves, the weapons in their hands fell to the ground. Chang Xiao shouted, "Tie them up." Four big men stepped forward and tied up the two brothers. Mo Qilin praised, "The leader's swordplay is unpredictable. I admire him." Military Advisor Zhuihunzhen sighed, "It's a magical skill. It's amazing."

Brothers Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai were tied up without knowing why, but they still refused to obey. Zhong Hai shouted, "You are using magic, I don't accept it." Chang Xiao sneered, "You dare to break into the mountains with such little ability? Take you out and chop you off." Zhuihunzhen hurriedly said, "Wait a minute, gang leader. These two are disciples of Master Baekje of Wuliang Temple. Once they are killed, many people will be offended." Chang Xiao asked, "How does the military advisor know these two people? Who is Master Baekje?" Zhuihunzhen said, "I didn't recognize them at first, but then I remembered them when I saw their special weapons. Master Baekje is revered as a saint monk today. He has helped tens of thousands of people and has many disciples. The officials of the court, the heads of various sects, and even the Green Forest Dao all respect him highly." Chang Xiao nodded, "In that case, lock them up first to curb the arrogance of these two brothers." Someone took the two men away, and Chang Xiao continued to prepare for the fight with Wanxian Hall. The next day, someone came to report that Master Baekje had arrived. Chang Xiao smiled and said, "You have captured the disciple and led the master out. Since he is the holy monk of the day, I will go to greet him." Everyone went to the village gate to greet him. Master Baekje was wearing a cassock, with kind eyes and a glass Buddhist bead in his hand, spotless. Chang Xiao bowed and said, "Master, I am honored that you have come to the deserted mountain." Master Baekje clasped his hands and said, "I heard that the leader of the gang suddenly appeared and shook the world. Today we meet, he is indeed a hero." After the greetings, Chang Xiao led Master Baekje to the hall. After sitting down, Master Baekje said, "My disciple was rude and bumped into the leader. I came here to ask for a favor." Chang Xiao readily agreed, "It's a small matter. Your disciples are indeed extraordinary, but they are a little arrogant. You need to discipline them." Master Baekje nodded, "I am a humble monk. "They have a wide range of friends, and masters from all sides give me some face, so they are a little arrogant after a while. I have to keep them around for a while before I can feel at ease." Chang Xiao ordered people to bring brothers Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai up. The two brothers came to the hall and immediately became energetic when they saw their master. Zhong Hai shouted, "When my master arrived, he still let them go. Give me the Fire Dragon Horse as soon as possible." Chang Xiao's face sank, and a fierce light shot out of his eyes. Even a master like Master Baekje felt shocked. Chang Xiao said coldly, "This gang leader is not a good man. Killing people is easier than stepping on ants. If you have the courage, we will decide the winner and have no regrets in life and death." Based on the murderous look in Chang Xiao's eyes, Master Baekje has seen that Chang Xiao's cultivation is far above the two disciples. If they really fight, Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai will definitely die. So he scolded his disciple: "Your inferior disciple, how can you survive in the martial arts world if you are so arrogant? If you dare to say anything more, I will expel you from the sect." The two brothers shut up, and Master Baiji said: "Master, please show mercy. I am very grateful." Chang Xiao nodded: "I lost my composure for a moment, Master. Please forgive me for the details later."

Chang Xiao and Master Baekje went to the quiet room to have a secret talk. Mo Qilin said, "Did you notice that the gang leader went out for a while and he seemed to be a different person when he came back." Chasing Soul Needle nodded, "Yes, the gang leader is elusive and found a precious sword in the shortest time, which is why he defeated Wanxian Hall." Chuan Yunyan smiled and said, "To be honest, the gang leader is really different from before after getting the precious sword. He is full of murderous intent, as if he had suffered a lot of grievances in the past and now he is proud of himself." Chasing Soul Needle asked, "Don't you know the origin of the gang leader?" Chuan Yunyan shook her head, "I did ask, but the gang leader refused to tell me, saying that it was not the right time." Everyone in the hall was talking, and Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai were dejected. In the quiet room, Master Baekje and Chang Xiao sat opposite each other, and green smoke curled from the incense burner. Master Baekje smiled and said, "The leader seems to be a little dissatisfied with the famous martial arts families." Chang Xiao admired him and nodded, "Master is really smart. Yes, I have dealt with the four famous families and suffered a lot of bullying." Master Baekje was a great monk in the world. After pondering, he said, "The leader should be from a farming family and has a simple nature. It's just that he met the wrong people and had a lot of setbacks, so he changed his mind." Chang Xiao was even more surprised and sighed, "The past is unbearable to look back on. Master naturally knows my difficulties." Master Baekje chanted the Buddha's name, "The leader is still here now." I am worried about losing my position and I am uneasy." Chang Xiao saw that Master Baekje saw through his thoughts, so he stood up and saluted, saying: "Master, please give me some advice. The Wanxiantang is eyeing us covetously, and the Julong Gang is unstable. You must understand what I am most worried about. If the Wanxiantang wins, there is nothing to say. If the Julong Gang wins, I am afraid these people will go back to the mountains and continue to be bandits, and I will still have nothing. "Master Baekje advised: "Gang leader, don't be so persistent. People in the martial arts world value reputation rather than power. If the gang leader takes this opportunity Use both kindness and force to establish prestige. Even if the Julong Gang is disbanded, you can still stand in the arena. As long as your prestige is high enough, people will naturally flock to you. It is not difficult to get anything you want by just calling for it. "Chang Xiao was overjoyed: "Thank you for your guidance, Master. Please show me a way forward." Master Baiji smiled and said: "Last month, the Yellow River flooded and hundreds of thousands of people were affected. The disaster relief funds allocated by the court were embezzled by officials, and the people were suffering. I am preparing for disaster relief. If the leader of the gang contributes, it will naturally be praised by all parties." Chang Xiao hesitated and said: "Wanxian Hall is ready at any time. It may attack. If I am distracted by disaster relief, Julong Mountain will be in danger. "Master Baekje laughed and said, "Wanqi Song is not that stupid. You are doing your best to rescue the disaster. If Wanxiantang attacks Julong Mountain, everyone will look down on you and it will be difficult for them to gain a foothold." Chang Xiao was overjoyed and thanked him, "Thank you for your advice, Master." Master Baekje shook his head, "I should thank you. You have saved the victims from the water and fire. The leader has done a great deed. I will go to the disaster area now. The leader is ready to take in the victims and complete the event together." Chang Xiao promised and sent Master Baekje out respectfully. Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai followed the master to the disaster area for arrangements. Chang Xiao issued an order to build houses at the foot of the mountain and store rice and grain to prepare for the resettlement of the victims. Everyone didn't understand. Chang Xiao didn't explain to anyone. He personally led two thousand light cavalry to the foot of the mountain to select a place to build houses and spend a lot of gold and silver to buy food. The leader took the lead, and the people of the four halls had to follow. Master Baekje released the news that he and the leader of Julong Gang, Tiebi Shendao, would join forces to help the victims. Chang Xiao's reputation suddenly increased a lot. Wanqi Song of Wanxian Hall complained bitterly after hearing the news. Lu Wenjun asked, "Master, the Julong Gang is fully focused on disaster relief and will definitely not be in the mood for training. It is beneficial to us, why do they do this?" Wanqi Song shook his head, "How do you know? Once Master Baekje intervenes, it will be difficult for us to attack Julong Mountain again. This Iron Arm Divine Sword not only has amazing swordsmanship, but also extraordinary strategy. He is really a strong opponent."

Chapter 11: Short-term Couple

Chang Xiao led more than 10,000 people from the Julong Gang to build a large-scale project and recruit craftsmen. With the golden signboard of Master Baekje, there was an endless stream of people responding from all directions. The carriages and horses that sent rice and bricks and tiles were lined up for more than ten miles. It is easier to get things done with more people, and the project progressed very quickly. Chang Xiao sent Chuan Yunyan to the disaster area to meet the victims and go south. On the way, people were arranged to prepare porridge stalls and invited doctors to try to save the lives of every victim. As expected, there was no movement from Wanxiantang. Master Baekje was too famous, so it would be useless even if Wanxiantang came forward to rescue. More than 10,000 people from the Julong Gang, plus tens of thousands of believers from all sides, actually built a big town at the foot of Julong Mountain and named it Julong Town. The victims arrived one after another, and Chang Xiao arranged food, clothing, housing and transportation, and everyone thanked him profusely. A total of more than 100,000 victims arrived, and it was easy to solve the problem of food and clothing. Most of the victims were farmers who made a living by farming. After settling down, they reclaimed wasteland and planted crops. The local prefect was delighted to know about this. This was a rare opportunity. He could take the credit for himself and get promoted without giving gifts. So he personally went out to divide the area, measure the land, and issue the land deeds. As expected, he was recommended by his superiors and promoted one level. This was the work of the officialdom, and Chang Xiao didn't care. Anyway, he had gained a lot. The Julong Gang was praised by all parties, and Tiebi Shendao became a well-known good man. Julong Town began to take shape. Chang Xiao strictly ordered the gang members not to harass and to protect it with all their strength. These bandits found it incredible. It was really funny that the robbers who usually burned, killed and looted actually did good deeds. Chang Xiao understood that Wanqi Song would not attack Julong Mountain in the short term, so he took the time to go to Hangzhou to see his elder brother Duan Kui to prevent him from worrying. He still rode alone to Duan's house. The family received him attentively. Duan Kui was naturally happy and celebrated with wine. Chang Xiao thanked him and said, "Thanks to my elder brother, I was able to turn defeat into victory." Duan Kui smiled and said, "Brothers, there is no need to be polite. Last time, your sister-in-law asked me to find you a marriage. Now there is a clue. Take a look first. If you are not satisfied, I will find you one." Chang Xiao hesitated and said, "I have a lot of things to do. There is no rush to get married." Duan Kui shook his head and said, "You are not in a hurry, but I am. My elder brother's son is already fifteen years old and his marriage has been decided. It is too unreasonable for you, as an uncle, to be a bachelor. Besides, my brother's parents are gone. My elder brother's words are the words of the elders, and you can't disobey them. Don't worry, brother, Hangzhou is a place where beautiful women are born. The person that my elder brother likes must be right." Chang Xiao had to agree, and Duan Kui immediately took Chang Xiao to the back house to meet the new person. Chang Xiao thought that it didn't matter if he got married at this time, so he would take a look first.

Duan Kui went to his wife's room. After a while, his wife came out with a beautiful woman. Chang Xiao bowed and said, "Greetings, sister-in-law." Duan's wife smiled and said, "Brother, please sit down. Your elder brother has been running around and finally found a satisfactory one." Duan Kui ordered someone to serve tea, and the four of them sat down. Chang Xiao felt a little uncomfortable and didn't dare to look directly at them. Duan Kui smiled and said, "My brother is still a virgin, and his face is very tender." Duan's wife introduced, "This girl's surname is Xie, her name is Dingxiang, she is only eighteen years old, and many wealthy and noble officials are vying to propose marriage to her." Chang Xiao took a peek and saw that this girl Dingxiang was indeed a first-class beauty with beautiful eyebrows and eyes. Duan Kui said: "My brother is a hero of the time, commanding more than 10,000 people, and he is very impressive. Whoever marries him will be blessed." Ding Xiang's family is ordinary, and her parents are greedy for money. They hope to treat their daughter as a cash cow, and the betrothal gift is 100,000 taels, so no one is interested. Duan Kui spared no expense for his brother, and Ding Xiang's parents were happy. After receiving the money, they pushed their daughter out of the door and ignored her. The couple bought a luxury cruise ship to enjoy themselves. Ding Xiang was a little dissatisfied when she heard that the man she was going to marry was already in his thirties, but her parents had accepted the money, and the matter was done, so she had to leave it to fate. Seeing Chang Xiao's handsome appearance, she felt better. Duan Kui found an excuse to pull Chang Xiao out and asked, "Brother, what do you think?" Chang Xiao didn't even look closely, and said with a blushing face, "I'll do whatever you want, big brother." Duan Kui was overjoyed, patted Chang Xiao on the shoulder and said, "We'll get married soon, big brother will arrange it for you." Money makes things easier, Duan Kui decided to hold a big wedding banquet in Taihe Building in Hangzhou, and Chang Xiao also brought a few treasures with him when he came to Hangzhou, all of which were given to Duan Kui. Because Chang Xiao couldn't stay for long, everything was kept simple, and the wedding was considered a lively one, and they entered the bridal chamber that night. Chang Xiao had indeed never experienced it, but Ding Xiang was not unfamiliar. Her mother had always been undisciplined and often had affairs with others behind her husband's back, and she never avoided her daughter, so Ding Xiang knew a lot about men and women. In the bridal chamber, the two drank the wedding wine. Chang Xiao looked at Ding Xiang carefully under the lamp, and she was indeed beautiful. He thought to himself that having such a wife was enough for his wish. But Ding Xiang found that Chang Xiao's hands were calloused and extremely rough, and his arms were thick, as if cast in copper and iron, and she already had a feeling of disgust in her heart. But there was no room for redemption, Chang Xiao was cautious and not in a hurry to have a happy marriage. Ding Xiang made excuses and refused to sleep with Chang Xiao, thinking about going back with Chang Xiao first, and Chang Xiao did not force her.

After the wedding, Chang Xiao was going back to the mountain. Duan Kui knew that the Fire Dragon Colt was too fast and other horses could not keep up, so he only selected a few pieces of jewelry for Ding Xiang to take. Chang Xiao held Ding Xiang in his arms, and the two rode the Fire Dragon Colt back to the mountain. The Fire Dragon Colt seemed dissatisfied, and threatened Ding Xiang with his teeth. Chang Xiao calmed down after a while. Pegasus returned to Julong Mountain. The people in the village came to congratulate Chang Xiao when they saw that he brought back a beauty. Ding Xiang saw that Chang Xiao was indeed in charge of more than 10,000 people, so she decided to entrust her life to him. The heads of various halls came to congratulate him, and the whole mountain had a day-long banquet. Chang Xiao did not want to publicize it, so he ordered people not to publicize it to the outside world. He slept with Ding Xiang that night. Although Ding Xiang followed suit, she still disliked Chang Xiao's calloused hands, and felt uncomfortable when he touched her body. His arms were too hard, and it felt like iron when he was pillowing on them, which was really uncomfortable. But seeing that Chang Xiao was the leader of a gang, she felt relieved. Although Chang Xiao got married, he refused to relax. He still practiced swordsmanship and trained soldiers. When he was free, he would go to Julong Town for a walk. He didn't have much time to accompany Dingxiang, which left him a loophole and was seen as an advantage. Since the establishment of the Julong Gang, Chang Xiao has ignored one person, Yumianlang. Chang Xiao is simple by nature and looks down on people like Yumianlang. He has mediocre martial arts and only knows how to work on women. He has no future. Therefore, Yumianlang didn't even get a deputy hall master, and he was very dissatisfied. But Chang Xiao's swordsmanship was too powerful, so he had to bear it. Since meeting Dingxiang, Yumianlang has been moved. This woman's eyebrows and eyes are full of spring. Chang Xiao, a blockhead, must not understand romance. If he works hard, he will definitely get this beauty. As the saying goes, lust is bold, Yumianlang was fascinated by beauty and began to think crookedly. While Chang Xiao and the five hall masters were busy training, Yumianlang dressed up carefully and sneaked into Chang Xiao's residence in the back village. Dingxiang was dressing up, with only a maid by her side. Although Chang Xiao liked Dingxiang, he never confessed his feelings. This was his nature. Dingxiang didn't understand. She thought Chang Xiao didn't care about her. She sighed in front of the mirror, wondering why she was so unlucky to marry a wooden man. Jade Wolf was good at guessing women's thoughts. The maid beside Dingxiang was also his meat. After making up his mind, Jade Wolf came to the door and coughed. The maid opened the door and was surprised. She whispered, "What are you doing here? I really want you to wait until the evening." Jade Wolf smiled and said, "I came to see the lady." The maid was surprised and said, "You are asking for your life. You dare to touch the wife of the gang leader." Jade Wolf didn't think so. "What gang leader? The Julong Gang won't last long. Sooner or later, you will return to the mountain to continue to be the leader. Then you will have a good life." The maid smiled and said, "Don't forget the old ones when you get the new ones."

Dingxiang heard the maid talking to someone outside the door, and when she came out, she saw Jade-faced Wolf bowing deeply: "Madam, I am the leader of Huoyun Village, Jade-faced Scholar. The leader got married too hastily, and I didn't have time to prepare any gifts. Today I got some jewelry and sent it to you specially." Since ancient times, birds of a feather flock together. Dingxiang was not a person who was content with what she had to do. When she saw Jade-faced Wolf, who was elegant and well-mannered, she smiled and returned the greeting: "Thank you for your trouble, leader. Please come in and have a seat." The two of them looked at each other and knew they were interested in each other. After entering the door and sitting down, Jade Wolf pretended to greet him: "Madam, you are newlywed, why do you look so sad?" Dingxiang sighed: "Other people who are married will be in love for at least ten days. Your leader is busy outside all day long, and falls asleep without saying a few words at night. Naturally, he is depressed." Jade Wolf observed Dingxiang's expression and saw that Dingxiang had been moved. He pretended to be surprised and said: "How can there be such a person, leaving his beautiful wife alone and going out to mix with a group of minions. He should be with him for at least five days. It's a pity that the lady is so beautiful. "She is as pretty as the moon." Dingxiang often saw her mother flirting with others, pretending to be sophisticated. Jade Wolf had been around women for a long time, so of course he could tell when she was ready. He held a pair of white jade bracelets in his hands and offered them to her, praising her: "Your jade bracelets are not as white as your hands, madam. I'll find a pair of jadeite bracelets that will look good when the blue and white match." Dingxiang saw the delicate hands of Jade Wolf, and couldn't help sighing when she thought of Chang Xiao's rough hands. She wanted to reach out her hand, but then she changed her mind and realized that Chang Xiao was the gang leader. If she made a mistake, her life would be in danger if he was discovered. Jade-faced Wolf put the jade bracelet in Dingxiang's hand. When their hands touched, Dingxiang felt a strange feeling in her heart. She quickly collected her thoughts and said, "Village leader, please leave quickly. It will be terrible if the gang leader finds out." Jade-faced Wolf smiled and said, "Madam, you don't know that the Julong Gang was established only a few days ago. As long as the Wanxian Hall does not go south again, the brothers from each village will disband and return to the mountains. By then, the gang leader will be alone, and Madam will not even have a place to live." Dingxiang was surprised and said, "Why didn't he tell me such a big thing?" Jade-faced Wolf pretended to sigh, "It's because he was afraid that Madam would not obey. The gang leader appears to be honest, but he is actually very cunning." Dingxiang gritted her teeth and said, "I was deceived by him. I will settle the score with him later."

After a conversation, Dingxiang liked Yumianlang more and more, but because there were people around him, Yumianlang smiled and said, "The maid beside Madam is already mine. When she returns to Huoyun Village in the future, she will be the wife of the village. Madam, you should make plans early." Dingxiang sighed, "It seems that I am not as good as her. I won't even have a place to live in the future." Yumianlang patted his chest and guaranteed, "As long as Madam nods, Huoyun Village will be Madam's home, and all the treasures will belong to Madam." Dingxiang was confused for a while, and nodded, "If I have nowhere to go in the future, you must remember what I said today." Yumianlang held Dingxiang's hand and swore, "If I let Madam down, let me die without a complete corpse." Dingxiang learned from her mother to be fickle and indifferent to matters between men and women. The two bold men entangled with each other, and Yumianlang used gentle means, Dingxiang was in ecstasy and forgot everything. Speaking of Chang Xiao, he was really unlucky. He was first ruthlessly abandoned by his unforgettable lover, and spent countless efforts and survived a near-death experience, and finally avenged his great revenge. He got married at the age of 33, but he married a fickle woman who had been fooling around with someone else a few days after the marriage. Dingxiang and Yumianlang were making love, and the maid was responsible for keeping watch, so no one noticed. When Chang Xiao came back in the evening, Dingxiang felt guilty, but pretended to care about him and prepared wine and food for Chang Xiao to drink with. Chang Xiao was a rare master in the world, and he was very observant. He immediately saw something wrong from Dingxiang's expression. Dingxiang had been very cold for a few days after the marriage, and even perfunctorily when they slept together. Today, she was out of character, so there must be something wrong. So she said calmly: "I almost forgot, the military advisor has an appointment to settle the bill, I will go to the hall and come back soon." Dingxiang agreed. When they arrived at the hall, Chang Xiao sent an order to call the five hall masters and the military advisor. The six people didn't know what was going on, so they hurried over. Chang Xiao ordered: "The military advisor went to the back camp and called the maid next to the lady." The soul-chasing needle didn't know what was going on, but saw that Chang Xiao looked unhappy, so he agreed to go out. The five hall masters also felt that Chang Xiao's expression was not right, so they became more cautious.

Zhuihunzhen calmly called the maid out and came to the hall. The maid knelt down to pay her respects. Chang Xiao asked coldly, "Who did the madam meet today?" The maid was shocked and stammered, "Nothing." Chang Xiao slammed the table and shouted, "Chop off one hand and one foot and feed them to the dogs." Chuan Yunyan drew his sword and stepped forward. The maid knew the rules of the green forest very well. The leader's words were final. Seeing that she was going to become a cripple, she could not care about anything else and kowtowed, saying, "Master, spare my life. Today, the Jade-faced Wolf sent a jade bracelet, and the madam said a few words to him." Chang Xiao sneered, "She is still lying. I'll take her legs and hands together." Chuan Yunyan was about to take action. The maid was scared to death and shouted, "Master, spare my life. The madam and the Jade-faced Wolf have been hanging out for half a day." Everyone in the hall was shocked. The Jade-faced Wolf had violated the taboo of the green forest. No wonder Chang Xiao was angry. Mo Qilin clasped his fists and said, "Boss, I will capture the Jade Wolf." Chang Xiao nodded, "Bring that bitch with you." Mo Qilin pressed his knife and went out. The Jade Wolf was sleeping soundly with his head covered, and had no idea that a disaster was about to happen. Mo Qilin came in and tied up the Jade Wolf without saying a word. He tied the Jade Wolf up like a zongzi and carried it in his hand. He went to the back camp and grabbed Ding Xiang, and quickly returned to the hall. The Jade Wolf did not expect to be discovered by Chang Xiao so quickly, and trembled. Ding Xiang did not know what to do when she saw this situation. Chang Xiao gritted his teeth and asked, "Ding Xiang, what have I done to you?" Ding Xiang was speechless and had no answer. Chang Xiao said bitterly: "If you don't like me, I can say it openly. There are plenty of beautiful women in the world. You committed adultery with someone only five days after your marriage, making me, the leader of the Julong Gang, a laughing stock. Even if you were torn into pieces, you would not be satisfied." Ding Xiang argued: "I didn't want to marry you in the first place, but my father sold me for 100,000 taels of silver. What can I do? You are the leader of the gang only temporarily. Why did you hide it from me? I feel uncomfortable all over when I think of your iron-like hands." Chang Xiao nodded: "So that's how it is. I am the leader of the gang only temporarily. Why do you like Yumianlang?" Ding Xiang said: "He is the leader of a village after all, and he knows how to be gentle. He is much better than you." Chang Xiao raised his head and laughed: "So in your eyes, I am not as good as a pervert." No one can interrupt such things, they can only listen. Chang Xiao said to Yumianlang: "I know you hate me for not giving you a position. To be honest, I look down on you from the bottom of my heart. You rely on your oily hair and powdered face to please women. You have been in the green forest for a long time. What should you do according to the rules?" Yumianlang trembled and couldn't speak. The Soul Chaser said, "According to the rules of the Green Forest, they should be sent to the Soul-Breaking Cliff to feed the eagles." Ding Xiang was horrified. It was too horrible to be pecked to death by an eagle. Chang Xiao sighed, "It seems that I shouldn't get married. By the way, where does the eagle start to eat people?" Mo Qilin replied, "Eagles like to eat eyes the most, and usually start from the eyes." Ding Xiang's face changed miserably, and she asked, "Are you really that cruel?" Chang Xiao breathed a sigh of relief. This woman was destined to remain in his memory. After all, they were a couple who had just experienced the joy of men and women for the first time. After thinking for a while, he nodded and said, "One night of marriage is a hundred days of grace. You can commit suicide." This was already a great tolerance. Someone untied the Jade-faced Wolf and handed them two short knives. Although the Jade-faced Wolf was the leader of the village and had killed countless people, he was still terrified when it was his turn. He didn't know where all his strength had gone. Ding Xiang was even more powerless, and even the knife fell to the ground. Chang Xiao sneered, "I knew you didn't have the courage to commit suicide. Since you have already had an affair, I will help you. Jade-faced Wolf take your original men back to Huoyun Village, and take all the women you had an affair with from Julong Mountain away. The Julong Gang is not a place for filth and corruption." Everyone was surprised. No one thought that Chang Xiao would let these two people go.

Chapter 12: Bravely Fighting a Strong Enemy

Jade Wolf escaped with his life, thanked him profusely, and hurriedly summoned his old friends back to Huoyun Village. Most of the maids from Julong Mountain followed, and Dingxiang was naturally among them. Several hall masters knew that Chang Xiao was in a bad mood and did not dare to say much. Chang Xiao did not blame others, but only blamed himself for being easily seduced by Dingxiang's beauty and suffering this loss. It was easy for others to say, but how to explain to his eldest brother Duan Kui? He went back to his room to rest in a state of confusion. The next day, news came that Wanxian Hall had mobilized all its forces to prepare for a hard attack on Julong Mountain, and troops from all walks of life went south in batches. Chang Xiao made arrangements and prepared to meet the enemy. Chuanyunyan was proficient in military tactics and prepared various defensive equipment. Chang Xiao understood that defending was not a solution, and he had to take the initiative to attack in order to gain the upper hand. He decided to take 2,000 light cavalry to meet the enemy, and the four halls defended with all their strength. For a while, the whole mountain village was like a forest of swords and guns, war horses neighed, and large flags fluttered in the wind, a scene of killing. After discussing with everyone, Chang Xiao stood up and counted the troops. His heart suddenly moved, and he felt that danger was approaching him. At this time, Chang Xiao was no longer a rookie who had just entered the martial arts world. Although he didn't know where the danger was, his feeling would never be wrong, so he had to be careful and alert. He gathered his breath and walked out of the hall slowly, standing on the steps to count the troops. At this moment, there was a crisp sound, and a ball of silver light covered his head. Chang Xiao was prepared. He drew his sword and a figure was shaken out of the way. Chang Xiao flew over, and the sword light fell like a big umbrella. With a loud bang, a man in black held a long sword and held the dragon scale sword. He knelt on the ground and struggled to support himself. Chang Xiao grabbed the opponent's long sword with his hands and shouted, "Take it down." He turned and returned to the hall. But a moment later, four big men escorted a young man in. Mo Qilin said, "Boss, this man can sneak into the big camp, and his lightness skills are first-rate." Chang Xiao nodded: "This man can catch my precious sword, he is indeed quite capable, who of you recognize him?" Everyone shook their heads. Chang Xiao looked carefully and saw that the assassin had a handsome face and a proud look between his eyebrows, so he asked, "Who are you? Why did you assassinate me?" The young man raised his head and said, "Kill me if you want to, no need to ask more." Chang Xiao looked at the long sword in his hand and said, "This sword is not an ordinary weapon. Someone must know it. You'd better tell the truth, so as not to embarrass your master." The young man hesitated and said, "I am Xu Tingsheng, the first disciple of Yujing Zhenren from Dinghu Mountain." Chang Xiao nodded and asked again, "Since you are a famous disciple, why did you assassinate?" Xu Tingsheng was speechless for a while. Chang Xiao shouted, "A real man dares to do and dares to take responsibility. What kind of famous disciple is it if you hide your head and show your tail?"

Chang Xiao's provocation worked, and Xu Tingsheng said loudly: "Just say it, Wanxiantang will give the word that they will buy your head with ten thousand taels of gold." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "My head is not worth that much money. Since you are the first disciple and you are holding a sword, you should be the one in charge of the sect. How can you assassinate for gold?" Xu Tingsheng blushed and said, "And there is Jade Butterfly, the most beautiful woman in Wanxiantang." Chang Xiao nodded and smiled, "So you are trapped by love. Considering that you have good kung fu, I will spare your life and go down the mountain." Xu Tingsheng was a little surprised and asked, "Can you give me the sword?" Chang Xiao sneered, "You are asking for too much. I am already doing you a favor by sparing your life." Xu Tingsheng had no choice but to leave. Chang Xiao smiled and said to everyone: "This Xu Tingsheng is really overestimating himself. Wanqi Song didn't dare to fight with me, but he dared to come and assassinate me. It seems that the Jade Butterfly is very capable and has made the famous disciples infatuated." Chuan Yunyan said: "Boss, I heard that the Jade Butterfly of Wanxian Hall is unparalleled in beauty. Everyone who has seen her thinks she is the most beautiful woman in the world." Chang Xiao smiled and said: "I want to see her if I have the chance. There is no time to lose. Wanxian Hall has already started. I will lead the light cavalry to attack immediately. You will defend the mountain stronghold." Everyone prepared separately. Chang Xiao led two thousand light cavalry down the mountain and stationed at the Xiema River in the south of the mountain, ready to fight at any time. The news came that Wanxian Hall was almost out in full force and was determined to win. All the troops had gathered, with a total of more than 20,000, and there was no shortage of good players. Chang Xiao analyzed the situation and knew that Wanqi Song would definitely concentrate his strength to get rid of him, so there was no need to worry about the mountain stronghold. The other side was outnumbered and had to fight quickly. Once they were surrounded, it would be bad. So the order was issued and several groups of troops were secretly dispatched. Wanqi Song had been preparing for a long time. This time, the target of the large-scale southward march was not the Julong Gang, but Chang Xiao. If Chang Xiao was eliminated, the Julong Gang would be in his hands. Therefore, five groups of troops were dispatched to rush to Xiema River, and Wanqi Song personally led a group of disciples to supervise the battle. Because there were ten thousand taels of gold and beautiful jade butterflies as rewards, everyone wanted to get them, and everyone was brave enough to rush to the front, shouting and killing towards Xiema River. Wanqi Song was supervising the battle from behind, and suddenly there was news from the front that the troops on the right had discovered the trace of the leader of the Julong Gang and were chasing eastward. Wanqi Song was about to pass the order, and suddenly someone reported the news that the troops on the left had discovered the Iron Arm Divine Sword and were chasing westward. Wanqi Song suddenly woke up. This was clearly Zhuge's plan to pretend to be a god. The two Chang Xiaos were fake. It was too late to change the deployment. The five groups of troops all found the leader of the Julong Gang riding a red horse, wearing a red robe, and holding a red flag, and they chased separately. Wanqi Song still had about 5,000 men around him, so he had to advance carefully towards Xiema River.

Wanqi Song never thought that the promise of a large sum of money and a beautiful woman to boost morale would be used by the other party to take advantage of the situation and lead five groups of people away. He also admired Chang Xiao's courage and strategy. As they were marching, there were shouts of killing in front of them, and a team of cavalry came roaring. The first one rode a red horse and wore a red robe. Wanqi Song was still hesitating whether this Chang Xiao was real or fake. Unexpectedly, the fire dragon horse was as fast as the wind and rushed to the front in a blink of an eye. Wanqi Song shouted: "This is real, be careful to meet the enemy." Before he finished speaking, Chang Xiao had already rushed to the front, and the dragon scale sword was shining in the sun, unstoppable. Wanqi Song was respected as the first swordsman, so his swordsmanship was amazing, and he swung his sword to fight. Chang Xiao saw that Wanqi Song had a white beard and was in good spirits. He knew that this person was both internal and external, and there was no false reputation under his reputation, so he should not be careless. As soon as they met, they launched an attack. The precious sword in Wanqi Song's hand was extraordinary, and he could completely parry it, but the horse was not. The Fire Dragon Colt moved too fast, and Wanqi Song's horse could not keep up. Although Wanqi Song's swordsmanship was superb, he was at a disadvantage. Chang Xiao took advantage of the situation and did not let him. The Dragon Scale Sword attacked like a tide, covering the sky and the earth, leaving no gap. Although Lu Wenjun and others wanted to help, the two of them launched their swordsmanship, and others could not intervene at all. The two of them attacked very quickly, and they had exchanged hundreds of moves in a cup of tea. Wanqi Song was quite exhausted. He knew that the opponent was only using the Six Harmony Sword, but he couldn't resist it. Chang Xiao was so imposing that he wanted to kill Wanqi Song. Wanqi Song's horse was kicked several times and bitten three times by the Fire Dragon Colt, and it could not hold on any longer. He ignored Wanqi Song and ran away when he saw a gap, and never dared to look back. Wanqi Song knew that once he got off the horse, it would be even more difficult to resist the Dragon Scale Sword, so he had to retreat. Chang Xiao chased relentlessly, and the Fire Dragon Colt caught up in a moment. Wanqi Song's horse was terrified and fled for its life. The two commanders actually left the battlefield, leaving thousands of troops behind.

Seeing the leader of the Wanxian Hall running away, the people of the Julong Gang were overjoyed to see the leader win and chase the enemy. They then chased and killed him, and the winner was decided immediately. Wanqi Song tried to rein in his horse several times but failed. The Fire Dragon Horse was the king of all horses and was unrivaled in the world. Wanqi Song fought and retreated, running for nearly two hundred miles. Wanqi Song's horse could not support it and fell to the ground. Wanqi Song jumped off the horse and shouted, "Do you dare to fight with me?" Chang Xiao smiled proudly, "I heard that you are respected as the number one swordsman. I will learn from you." He jumped off the Fire Dragon Horse and the two stood opposite each other. Wanqi Song was happy in his heart. This was a rare opportunity. He could use the Phantom Sword Technique to get rid of this opponent. Thinking of this, he misstepped and used the Qimen Footwork. Sure enough, several figures surrounded Chang Xiao. Chang Xiao had naturally heard of the Phantom Sword Technique. After ten years of hard training, he could finally fight against a master. His heart was full of joy. Since he couldn't tell the opponent's phantom from real or fake, Chang Xiao simply closed his eyes, exerted the essence of Liuhe swordsmanship, and used his senses to find the opponent's trace. Wanqi Song thought to himself: I don't believe you can resist my swordsmanship with your eyes closed. With a loud shout, he attacked close to him. Chang Xiao waved his sword to block. Wanqi Song changed his moves, and Chang Xiao blocked it with his hand. The two fought in one place. This fight was a little more dangerous than before. Wanqi Song had studied various swordsmanship in depth, and only created the phantom swordsmanship after removing the dross and retaining the essence. The moves were varied. Chang Xiao only had one Liuhe swordsmanship over and over again. No matter how the opponent changed his moves, he could not be disrupted. This was the result of thousands of hammers and hammers. The two fought fiercely for thousands of moves, and Chang Xiao actually kept his eyes closed. Wanqi Song admired in his heart: The Iron Arm Divine Sword is really powerful. Chang Xiao also admired Wanqi Song's endless changes in swordsmanship and superb skills. The two fought for nearly 2,000 moves. Lu Wenjun led his men to arrive. Wanqi Song was delighted that he could finally get rid of this tough opponent. At this moment, the Dragon Scale Sword suddenly broke into the inner circle and went straight to Wanqi Song's neck. Wanqi Song was shocked and did not have time to think about it. He stepped backwards to do the Seven Star Step, but Chang Xiao followed him like a shadow. There were loud noises. The two fought for nearly a hundred swords. Wanqi Song turned over and sat down. He closed his eyes and shouted in his heart: My life is over.

Lu Wenjun was shocked to see this. Wanqi Song waited for a moment but saw no movement. He opened his eyes and saw Chang Xiao standing five feet away. He nodded with a smile and said, "You are worthy of the reputation of the number one swordsman. If you don't get distracted, I won't stand a chance at all." Wanqi Song raised his thumb and said, "You are so young, but you have such attainments. Your concentration is even better than mine. I admire you." Hundreds of people from Wanxian Hall had arrived at this time, but Chang Xiao didn't care. Lu Wenjun knew that this was the best opportunity to get rid of Chang Xiao. He winked at Wanqi Song repeatedly, but Wanqi Song seemed not to see it. He clasped his fists and said, "To be honest with you, brother, I have been in the martial arts world for decades, and I have never been convinced by anyone except my mentor. Today I am convinced by you. Wanxian Hall has completely lost this battle." Chang Xiao nodded and said, "Your style is indeed extraordinary. We'll exchange swordsmanship again if there is a chance. Bye." He jumped on the Fire Dragon Horse and flew away. Lu Wenjun said anxiously: "Master, why did you let him go?" Wanqi Song sighed: "Do you think we can kill him together? You haven't seen the power of the Fire Dragon Colt. With this divine colt, no one can kill him. Besides, since he let me go, how can I turn my face and be ruthless?" He immediately sent an order to summon all the troops to retreat, and the Wanxiantang's large-scale southward movement ended hastily. When Julongshan got the news, there was a jubilation, and a grand banquet was held. Everyone's face was beaming with joy. The five hall masters in the hall congratulated Chang Xiao one after another. This victory was all due to Chang Xiao's strength. Chang Xiao learned Wanqi Song's swordsmanship and admired him very much. This person's cultivation is even higher than that of the head of Huashan. No wonder he has a long-standing reputation. After this battle, the Iron Arm Divine Sword once again became the focus of attention from all parties, and people came to the mountain to congratulate him one after another. A few days later, the minions reported that Lu Wenjun paid a visit to the mountain. Chang Xiao smiled and said, "Lu Wenjun is here to negotiate peace. Please come in." Chuan Yunyan and Mo Qilin invited Lu Wenjun to the hall. Lu Wenjun clasped his fists and saluted: "My master is deeply grateful to the leader, so he specially ordered me to come here to negotiate peace and give a thank you gift." Four big men carried a large iron box. Chang Xiao nodded: "Your master is too polite. Sit down and talk." After Lu Wenjun sat down, he ordered someone to open the iron box. The jewels were dazzling and eye-catching. Chang Xiao smiled and said, "I can't bear to throw away so many jewels. Thank your master for me." Lu Wenjun smiled and said, "The leader's words are as good as gold. There is no reason to regret it." After speaking, he clapped his hands, and a slender jade hand stretched out from the pile of jewels, followed by a white jade arm, and a peerless beauty slowly stood up from the box. Her black hair was shiny and shone like a waterfall. She wore a veil made of fine beads on her face. She was naked and decorated with jewels. The slender waist was like a crabapple blossom in the sun or a pear blossom in the rain. Chang Xiao was greatly surprised.

There was a peerless beauty hidden in the jewelry box. Everyone in the hall was a little surprised. Lu Wenjun said, "My master knows that the gang leader's new wife is not virtuous, so he specially sent the most beautiful woman in Wanxian Hall, Yu Hudie, to express his gratitude." Chang Xiao collected his mind and said, "How can this be done?" Lu Wenjun smiled and said, "The gang leader has already accepted the iron box. There is no reason to regret it. Goodbye." Without staying, he left the hall. Everyone in the hall was staring at the beauty in the iron box. Yu Hudie lightly lifted her veil, her eyes were full of autumn water, her eyebrows were like distant mountains, her teeth were white and her lips were red. She was indeed the most beautiful woman in the world. She bowed delicately and said, "Yu Hudie greets the gang leader." Chang Xiao was speechless for a long time, and admired in his heart: There is such a beauty in the world. Seeing that the five hall masters were staring at Yu Hudie, he ordered the maid to help Yu Hudie to the back camp. Yu Hudie twisted her waist, like a lotus leaf swaying in the wind, and her behavior revealed all kinds of charm. Chuanyunyan came back to his senses and said loudly: "Congratulations to the hall master for getting such a beauty." Zhuihunzhen said: "It is also a great joy that Wanxiantang has made peace with us. We should celebrate for three days." Chang Xiao nodded: "Don't let your guard down. Be careful of Wanxiantang's sneak attack. Send scouts to get the news." So the whole mountain continued to celebrate. Chang Xiao's alcohol tolerance was average, but he was very dignified, so no one dared to persuade him to drink. Back in the room, Yudie came to greet him. Chang Xiao's heart was shaken and he could hardly control himself. After a closer look, Yudie was indeed extremely beautiful. Because of the previous experience, Chang Xiao sent the maid away, sat opposite Yu Hudie, calmed down and asked: "Miss, are you really going to marry me?" Yu Hudie smiled and said: "What are you talking about? I am satisfied to marry a hero like you." Yu Hudie smiled, Chang Xiao almost lost consciousness, bit his lip and said: "My new wife dislikes my calloused hands, dark skin, hard arms and lack of understanding of romance. She had an affair with someone five days after marriage. If you dislike me, you can tell me." Yu Hudie was quite disdainful: "She is an ordinary woman, short-sighted, and only likes pretty boys. Of course, a real hero is made of iron, and the gang leader is made of tempered steel. I am just a fool. "Zhi Rou, we are a natural match." Chang Xiao stretched out his hands and said, "My hands are very rough, do you really not dislike them?" Yu Hudie held Chang Xiao's hands and said, "The leader has achieved what he has today after years of hard training. Without these calluses, how can he lead the Julong Gang?" Chang Xiao nodded and asked, "If the Julong Gang disbands, will you still follow me?" Yu Hudie put Chang Xiao's hands on her chest and said, "The leader's name is known to the world. He can still dominate the world without the Julong Gang." Chang Xiao was overjoyed and hugged Yu Hudie in his arms. He sighed and said, "I didn't expect that I would be lucky enough to marry a beauty like you. It's worth the ten years of hard work." The two drank and made love, and they met too late. Chang Xiao thought he had found a true confidant, but he fell into someone else's trap. Yu Hudie's beauty was indeed unparalleled, but she was an important chess piece of Wanxiantang, dedicated to disintegrating the Julong Gang. Although Chang Xiao received Wu Qingyang's guidance, he still had the simplicity of a farmer in his heart. He believed that Yu Hudie was following him sincerely, so he treated Yu Hudie sincerely and told her all his experiences without reservation. Yu Hudie passed the news to Wanxian Hall through special channels. Wanqi Song was shocked to hear the news. It turned out that Chang Xiao was the murderer who massacred Qingfeng Temple and had a grudge with the four famous families. Wanqi Song was originally Chen Hongren's senior brother, but they had not been in contact for many years. After learning about the dispute between Chang Xiao and Chen Hongren's father and daughter, Wanqi Song had an idea and sent people to find Chen Hongren's whereabouts and tried every means to bring him to Xuchang.

Chapter 13: Deserted by Everyone

Chen Hongren and Chen Xia went to Shangqing Palace to report the news, thinking that Chang Xiao would definitely die, but they did not expect that the revenge action of the four famous families would end in a whimper, saying that Chang Xiao fell into the hands of Qingyang Swordsman. Chen Hongren could not live in Shangqing Palace, and he was too ashamed to go back to his hometown, so he had to return to Meihuawu in Taibai Mountain. Qingfeng Temple had changed people, and they were very cold to the father and daughter. Chen Hongren hated Chang Xiao deeply, without a trace of guilt. Chen Xia lost her husband and son, and was unhappy every day, barely getting by. Wanxiantang sent someone to invite him, and Chen Hongren was overjoyed. When they were studying together in the early years, Wanqi Song was the most willing to endure hardships, and his swordsmanship improved rapidly, which was deeply appreciated by the master Duan Qingxiao. He was secretly doing bad things and spreading rumors and slander, and the two had always been resentful. Now that Wanqi Song has founded Wanxiantang, he is so prosperous that he originally had no face to go and seek refuge. Now that Wanqi Song has sent someone to invite him, it is naturally a good thing. Wanxiantang is so powerful that he will definitely get some benefits. So the father and daughter packed their bags and rushed to Xuchang. Wanqi Song was specifically to deal with Chang Xiao. Chen Hongren came to Xuchang and entertained him warmly. Chen Hongren was a fake relative, and Wanqi Song knew Chen Hongren's character very well. He had already instructed him not to be stingy with gold, silver and jewelry. Chen Hongren was blinded by money and smiled. After a day of rest, Wanqi Song invited Chen Hongren and his daughter to the quiet room, and only Lu Wenjun was sitting with them. Chen Hongren certainly knew that Wanqi Song must have something big to bring him here, and it was probably to make a fortune, so he could make a small calculation in his mind. Wanqi Song said, "Brother, this time I asked you to come mainly to ask you to help deal with the recently rising leader of the Julong Gang, Tiebi Shendao." Chen Hongren was stunned. His original idea was wrong, so he smiled and said, "Brother, you can see that I don't even have 30% of my martial arts left. How can I help you?" Wanqi Song shook his head and said, "Brother, this Tiebi Shendao has a deep relationship with you. He is your direct disciple." Chen Hongren was stunned. All his disciples ran away during the lawsuit, leaving only Chang Xiao. Could it be that Chang Xiao became the leader of the Julong Gang? Chen Xia asked, "Master, what is the name of this leader?" Wanqi Song replied, "It's Chang Xiao who is engaged to you." Chen Xia blushed immediately. This past was really hard to talk about. She felt embarrassed just thinking about it.

Lu Wenjun introduced Chang Xiao's experience in detail. Chen Hongren was embarrassed to see Wanqi Song knew so much. He was surprised to hear that Lin Fengming had another family in Liulinpo. Chen Xia was filled with remorse and tears. Chen Hongren asked, "Brother, what is your intention in bringing me here?" Wanqi Song smiled and said, "To be honest, the Julong Gang has long been in my hands. The only obstacle is Chang Xiao. I brought you here to find a way to strike at Chang Xiao's will and disband the Julong Gang." Chen Hongren smiled and said, "In that case, Wanxiantang will unify the world and make a lot of money." Lu Wenjun looked down on Chen Hongren from the bottom of his heart, but he had to pretend to be nice to him because he still needed him. Wanqi Song asked, "Brother, Chang Xiao has been your disciple for ten years. You and your daughter know him best. Can you give me some advice?" Chen Hongren thought for a moment and smiled, "Chang Xiao is a complete country bumpkin. Once he gets excited, even ten oxen can't pull him back." Wanqi Song nodded, "Yes, you can tell from the fact that he has practiced the Liuhe sword technique to this level." Chen Hongren was quite proud and continued, "This man values feelings the most. He risked his life for my daughter. As long as we strike him in this aspect, we will have a chance." Wanqi Song immediately had an idea and smiled, "Chang Xiao's newly married wife is fickle and committed adultery. I was surprised that he let the adulterer and the whore go. It turns out that Dingxiang was his first woman." Chen Hongren was quite relieved and stomped his feet and said, "It serves him well that this traitor can't find a wife." Send After Chen Hongren and his daughter left, Lu Wenjun shook his head and said, "Master, this Chen Hongren is too shameless." Wanqi Song sighed, "Of course I know that I brought him here to find out Chang Xiao's weakness and to roll the pearl knife. Due to our early relationship, I can't use the precious knife. It will be yours sooner or later. Spending some money is nothing." Lu Wenjun said, "Master, using such means to deal with Chang Xiao will not damage the reputation of Wanxiantang?" Wanqi Song smiled and said, "Wenjun, do you think those famous and upright sects are all upright? To be honest with you, I would rather deal with the Green Forest than with the famous sects. You will understand the reason sooner or later. At present, all aspects are ready. Send a letter to Jade Butterfly immediately and act according to the plan." Lu Wenjun agreed and thought to himself: If I had known this, I would have joined the Green Forest. It would be better than here. But it is easy to get on the boat but difficult to get off the boat, so I had to write a letter to Jade Butterfly according to Wanqi Song's instructions.

Chang Xiao thought that he spared Wanqi Song's life, Wanxiantang was sincerely making peace with him, and he was very happy to get a stunning beauty like Yudie. At this time, someone sent a letter, but it was Dingxiang who asked someone to bring it. It turned out that Yumianlang returned to Huoyun Village and did not take Dingxiang seriously at all. The biggest reason for seducing Dingxiang was to take revenge on Chang Xiao. Now that he really got her, it was meaningless, so he was very cold to Dingxiang, and it was common for him to punch and kick her. Dingxiang regretted it very much and asked someone to bring a letter to ask Chang Xiao for forgiveness. Chang Xiao thought to himself: You chose the road yourself. If I take you back, I will have no face to mix in the rivers and lakes. So he ignored it, and it was enough to have a beauty like Yudie to accompany him. Yudie received Lu Wenjun's letter and planned a countermeasure. In the Julong Gang, Chang Xiao and Chuanyunyan had the best relationship. Chuanyunyan had long wanted to become sworn brothers with Chang Xiao, but Chang Xiao had never said it, and Chuanyunyan was a little dissatisfied. Yudie made up her mind to find an opportunity to seduce Chuanyunyan. This was the strategy set by Wanqi Song. Although he had an idea, it was not so easy to implement. Chang Xiao relaxed his guard against Wanxiantang and was fascinated by the beauty of Yu Hudie. Every day, he practiced swordsmanship and accompanied Yu Hudie. Yu Hudie could not spare time, but the opportunity came. One day, someone reported that Qingyang Swordsman had arrived. Chang Xiao was overjoyed and went out to greet him personally. It was indeed Wu Qingyang. After meeting him, Chang Xiao bowed deeply: "Brother Wu, your visit has added a lot of color to the village." Wu Qingyang smiled and said: "Brother, you have done a great job as a gang leader, and your future is limitless." The two came to the hall with laughter. At the banquet, Wu Qingyang talked and laughed, only talking about some interesting stories in the martial arts world. After eating and drinking, Wu Qingyang said: "Brother, I heard that you got a precious sword and defeated Wanqi Song. The martial arts world was shocked. I came here to learn your swordsmanship." Chang Xiao nodded: "I want to learn Brother Wu's tricks." The two went straight to the back mountain to exchange martial arts. Qingyang Swordsman's swordsmanship was superb and he was a top master today. Chang Xiao naturally benefited. After the duel, the two had a secret conversation. Wu Qingyang said, "Brother, Xu Tingsheng attempted to assassinate you. If the sword falls into your hands, it will cause trouble sooner or later. It is better to give the sword to me and send it back to Dinghu Mountain." Chang Xiao agreed readily, "If it were not for Brother Wu's help, there would be no glory today." Wu Qingyang said, "The sword is a small matter. I see that you are mentally exhausted this time. How can you relax with Wanxian Hall eyeing you covetously?" Chang Xiao smiled and said, "Brother Wu, you don't know that Wanqi Song has made peace with me. There will be no trouble for at least a year." So he told Wu Qingyang the whole process of the peace. After listening, Wu Qingyang shook his head and said, "Brother, I told you that the world is dangerous. You will not live long like this."

After Chang Xiao became the leader of the gang, he was very successful. When he was feeling very proud, he was very puzzled when he heard Wu Qingyang say such words, and asked, "Why do you say that, brother Wu?" Wu Qingyang said, "Wanqi Song has been operating for many years and has long wanted to unify the world. It is impossible for him to stop because of you. The Julong Gang is even more dangerous. Besides, how can you easily believe Yu Hudie? That is a beauty trap used by Wanxiantang. As far as I know, Yu Hudie has an affair with most of Wanqi Song's disciples. This woman is a real disaster." Chang Xiao was shocked: "How is it possible?" Wu Qingyang smiled bitterly and said, "Brother, you have seen too few women and have insufficient experience in the world. I originally planned to stay for only one day, but it seems that I can only teach you for a few more days." Chang Xiao couldn't ask for it, so he put down everything and lingered with Wu Qingyang. Yu Hudie got the chance, used her foxy means to seduce Chuan Yunyan, and easily dragged Chuan Yunyan into the water with her peerless appearance. Chang Xiao and Wu Qingyang stayed together for ten days, and felt that he was too careless. After sending Wu Qingyang away, Chang Xiao was no longer like before, and often went down the mountain alone and did not return for several days. Yu Hudie simply took the White Tiger Hall Master, the Blue-eyed Monkey, the Vermillion Bird Hall Master, the Golden Swallow, and the Black Tortoise Hall Master, the Iron-headed Snake, as her servants. For a time, the whole mountain village knew about Yu Hudie, but no one told Chang Xiao. Chang Xiao did not ask about it, and simply practiced in seclusion, and did not come out until three months later. One day, when he was sitting in the hall, Qi Shizhen came to pay him a visit. After Chang Xiao had a secret talk with Qi Shizhen, he called the ten chief and deputy hall masters and military advisors to the hall, set up a banquet, and said in a pleasant manner: "Brothers, there is an important event to announce today. Let's talk while drinking." He ordered people to go to the back camp to invite Yu Hudie out. When Yu Hudie arrived, the four hall masters all lowered their heads. Yu Hudie looked calm, and Chang Xiao urged them to drink. Everyone could not guess Chang Xiao's intentions, and they felt uneasy. After three rounds of drinking, Chang Xiao slowly said: "Brothers, I have never told you about my past. Today, I will open my heart to you and let you listen to my past." Then he introduced his experience in detail. Everyone listened carefully and felt deeply sympathetic to Chang Xiao's experience. After Chang Xiao finished speaking, he sighed: "I am unlucky, repeatedly frustrated, and frustrated in love. Although I am the leader of the Julong Gang, I cannot get the sincerity of the brothers. I have decided to disband the Julong Gang and you will all go your separate ways." Everyone was shocked and talked about it.

In the hall, Chang Xiao announced that he would disband the Julong Gang, which caused a huge uproar. Military strategist Zhuihunzhen asked, "Why did the gang leader say that?" Chang Xiao smiled, "Isn't this exactly what you think?" Zhuihunzhen's face changed, and Chang Xiao said slowly, "It was purely coincidental that I became the gang leader. When I defeated Wanxiantang for the first time, I felt that something was wrong. Baihutang suffered a large loss, but Qinglongtang was unscathed. With the military strategist's strategy, it was impossible for Wanqi Song to easily break through the mountain stronghold. The various halls returned to the mountain one after another, and Qinglongtang did not suffer any losses but came back last. I can't help but be suspicious." Mo Qilin was a little restless, but he didn't dare to ask more. Today's banquet turned out to be a Hongmen Banquet. Chang Xiao continued to explain, "Although I had doubts in my heart, I didn't take it to heart until my newlywed wife actually had sex with Yumianlang. This was obviously arranged by someone deliberately. Xu Tingsheng sneaked into the big stronghold to assassinate and someone was also there to help. I guessed that there was a traitor from Wanxiantang in the Julong Gang." Everyone whispered and talked about it. Chang Xiao sighed, "Originally I thought there were only one or two spies, but after a careful investigation I found out that at least half of the members of the Julong Gang are from the Wanxian Hall." After these words came out, Chuanyunyan, Tietoushe and others were shocked. The Blue-eyed Monkey God asked, "Are you serious, gang leader?" Chang Xiao nodded with a smile, "Let's put this matter aside for now, and talk about Jade Butterfly. This woman is not simple, and I am also fascinated by her. In fact, I know her every move, and she has dragged four hall masters into the water one after another. But why didn't she seduce Qinglong Hall Master Mo Qilin and Military Advisor Zhuihun Zhen? After a careful investigation, I found out that Mo Qilin is the eldest son of Wanxian Hall Master Wanqi Song, with a double surname Wanqi and a single given name Lin. Zhuihun Zhen is the think tank of Wanxian Hall." Mo Qilin and Zhuihun Zhen were shocked. Chang Xiao smiled slightly: "Don't worry, I won't do anything to you. More than half of the Julong Gang are your people. In fact, I admire Wanqi Song's strategy. If I hadn't intervened, he would have unified the world long ago. This is why Wanxiantang went south for the second time and concentrated all its efforts to deal with me instead of attacking the mountain stronghold." Everyone in the hall looked at each other, not knowing how Chang Xiao found out these confidential matters. Chang Xiao glanced at Yu Hudie and smiled bitterly: "Miss Yu, it's my blessing to know you, but I come from a farming family and I'm not a free and easy person. You can be with anyone you want, but you and I are no longer destined to be together in this life." Yu Hudie was speechless. She didn't expect that Chang Xiao had so many schemes under his honest appearance.

After the truth was revealed, everyone in the hall felt ashamed to face Chang Xiao, and they bowed their heads in silence. Chang Xiao raised his glass and advised: "Brothers, let's part ways in peace. I am grateful to you for accepting me as the leader of the gang. From today on, we will no longer have anything to do with each other. To be honest, I am not a gangster. If it weren't for fate, I would still be farming in my hometown. I have gained a lot by getting to know you. Let's get drunk together." Everyone was speechless and could only drink. They all felt that today's wine was more unpalatable than Coptis chinensis. Chang Xiao still had a smile on his face: "The reason why I made it clear today is that I have found out that the Wanxiantang has basically controlled the Julong Gang and plans to poison me to get rid of me. I can't feel at ease without any of my own people around me, so I have to make it clear. You can go wherever you want. I plan to stay here to build the Julong Villa. You can take the gold, silver and jewelry in the vault. The Wannian Wenyu Bottle and the box of jewelry sent by Lu Wenjun are what I deserve. As capital for building the villa, I believe you will not take them all away. From now on, the Julong Gang will be removed from the world, and you will no longer be my brothers. The famous martial arts families have made me discouraged, and the green forest is also full of intrigues. From now on, Chang will do his own thing and will not care about anyone or anything. The Fire Dragon Horse is my signboard. Let's see who in the world dares to provoke the Dragon Scale Sword." At this time, Chang Xiao's face showed a heroic spirit that looked down on the world. Yu Hudie always thought that Chang Xiao was cowardly, and his wife had committed adultery and was easily let go. At this moment, she felt that Chang Xiao was the real hero, much better than Wanqi Song. So he stood up and bowed: "I want to stay with the leader and serve you wholeheartedly." Chang Xiao shook his head: "Forget it, the Julong Gang is disbanded, where is the leader? Even if you are sincere to follow me, I can't accept you. You have to walk your own path, Miss Yu, take care of yourself."

Everyone in the hall was speechless, and Yu Hudie had no choice but to pack up and return to Xuchang. More than 10,000 people were scattered, and the Julong Gang completely collapsed. Everyone felt ashamed to face Chang Xiao, so they packed up and left in a hurry. Half a day later, Julong Mountain was empty. Chang Xiao sat alone in the hall, thinking of the grand occasion at the beginning, and felt bad. Everything he got was just a mirage. After all the hard work, he still had nothing and was alone. At this time, a man walked in. It was Qi Shizhen. Chang Xiao smiled and said, "It's not easy to find someone to drink with me nowadays. It's rare that you still remember the old friendship." Qi Shizhen shook his head and said, "There's nothing to regret about the disbanding of the Julong Gang. These rabble will never amount to anything. Talented people like Brother Chang will be able to do something big sooner or later." Chang Xiao smiled bitterly and said, "Thank you, Manager Qi, for your kind words. No one can predict the future. It's more important to drink." Qi Shizhen knew that Chang Xiao was in a bad mood, so he sat down and drank with Chang Xiao. During the meal, he said, "Don't worry, Brother Chang, I will take charge of the construction of Julong Villa. It's just that Brother Chang living alone in a big house will inevitably be lonely. Why don't you travel around the famous mountains and rivers? , maybe I can meet a confidante." Chang Xiao nodded: "It's good to relax. I don't know how many jewels these bandits left for me. I'll go back and see if it's enough." The two came to the vault. The walls were empty, and there was a large iron box in the middle. Chang Xiao opened it and saw that it was not bad. The jewels in the box were still there, and the Wen Yuping was also there. Chang Xiao nodded: "Finally, this box was left." Qi Shizhen sighed: "These people turned their faces and were ruthless. This box of jewels was basically yours. You helped them through the difficulties, but these people didn't have any intention. Brother Chang must recognize the true face of these people." Chang Xiao nodded: "After several twists and turns, the wooden man also understood."

Chapter 14: Meeting a Match

After the settlement, the jewels in the box were enough to build the villa. Chang Xiao handed everything over to Qi Shizhen, and took some scattered gold and silver to leave Julong Mountain. Qi Shizhen said: "Brother Chang, you'd better take the Wenyu bottle with you. As far as I know, this bottle is extraordinary and has some wonderful functions, especially for martial artists. Unfortunately, I don't know the details." Chang Xiao nodded: "Okay, just use it as a gourd to hold wine." He put it in the leather bag he carried with him, said goodbye to Qi Shizhen and left Julong Mountain. After coming down the mountain, he felt bad. He didn't expect that he would end up like this after so much hard work. Huolongju also knew that Chang Xiao was in a bad mood and walked slowly. Yesterday, he was still the leader of the Julong Gang with more than 10,000 people, but today he was alone in the world. Chang Xiao lamented that people's hearts were unpredictable. He originally planned to vigorously rectify the Julong Gang and be the leader wholeheartedly, but these people had their own ulterior motives and it was really difficult to work with them. The eldest brother Duan Kui spent 100,000 taels to marry his wife Ding Xiang Yang Hua. It was not possible to go to Hangzhou for the time being. He walked aimlessly and accidentally met a group of seafarers who talked about the scenery on the sea. Chang Xiao was moved. Why not go to the seaside to travel and broaden his horizons? He made up his mind and went south to enter the land of Jiangsu and Zhejiang. There were many merchants here and he did see some rare things. When approaching the seaside, the fire dragon colt was quite excited by the smell of sea water and galloped away. Chang Xiao was still wondering. After turning around a mountain ring, there were vast expanses of blue waves in front of him. The fire dragon colt neighed and rushed straight to the sea and jumped into the sea. Chang Xiao was caught off guard and his clothes were all wet. The fire dragon colt was playing in the water. Chang Xiao suddenly realized and laughed: "Since your name is Fire Dragon Colt, you must like the sea. It's my fault for being careless and not thinking about it. You play first, I'll go to the shore to dry clothes." The fire dragon colt shuttled through the waves and neighed to the sky from time to time. Chang Xiao also felt happy. Facing the vast sea, he felt much more relaxed, so he prepared food and stayed at the beach. The Fire Dragon Colt would soak in the sea water for half a day every day, and Chang Xiao would sometimes go into the sea to accompany the Fire Dragon Colt, leaving all his worries behind. After playing at the beach for more than ten days, a strong wind blew, so Chang Xiao left temporarily and went to a nearby town. After playing in the sea, the Fire Dragon Colt was full of energy, looking proud and impressive, and quite eye-catching. Chang Xiao still regarded the Fire Dragon Colt as a close friend, eating and sleeping together, and having a lot of fun.

One day, while strolling on the street, I saw a large group of people transporting a lot of goods. I heard that a fleet from the South China Sea had arrived, and the ship was full of rare things. Chang Xiao also wanted to open his eyes and see the treasures from overseas, so he went to take a look. As expected, there were many rare things. This group of people was led by four bald men. These four men were strong and had some martial arts skills. Chang Xiao didn't care, thinking about buying a few pieces that he liked and giving them to Duan Kui. The Fire Dragon Horse was a little impatient and neighed. Chang Xiao comforted him, "Let's go play in the water later." The leading man was startled when he heard the Fire Dragon Horse's cry, turned his head to look, and saw that the Fire Dragon Horse was staring at him. He stared for a while, then left the crowd and came to Chang Xiao, looking up and down at the Fire Dragon Horse. The Fire Dragon Colt had a bad temper and was about to bite. The big man dodged and dodged. Chang Xiao smiled and said, "You'd better not get close. It's not good to get hurt." The big man didn't hear Chang Xiao's words at all. He clicked his tongue and said to himself, "Good horses are rare." At this time, a middle-aged scholar came up and asked, "Tianhao, why are you running here with so many things to do?" The big man grabbed the scholar's hand and said, "Come and see, this horse is a real dragon colt, much better than the Wuzhui horse on Wulong Island." The scholar hurriedly took a closer look and was amazed. Chang Xiao also felt impatient and was ready to leave. The big man shouted, "Warrior, stay." Chang Xiao shook his head and said, "I know you like the Fire Dragon Colt, but I won't sell it." He turned around and left. The big man caught up and said, "Wait a minute, the price can be negotiated." Chang Xiao smiled, "I won't sell it even if you give me a mountain of gold." The scholar came over and saluted, "Even if the deal doesn't work out, we can still make friends. People in the rivers and lakes can't help but take care of each other." Chang Xiao nodded, there was no harm in getting to know him. The big man introduced himself, "I am Tang Tianhao, the leader of the four Vajra under the Dragon King of the South China Sea. This is my master Qian Zhongshi." Chang Xiao nodded, "I am a nobody, Chang Xiao, nice to meet you." Tang Tianhao invited Chang Xiao to the restaurant, but Chang Xiao shook his head and said, "I always eat with the Fire Dragon Horse, not in the restaurant." Qian Zhongshi said, "That's easy, let's go to the teahouse to drink." So the three of them came to the teahouse, and the Fire Dragon Horse was at the door. Tang Tianhao liked it more and more, and calmed down. Qian Zhongshi asked someone to buy wine and food from the restaurant, and the three of them drank tea and waited.

Chang Xiao knew that the two men were after the Fire Dragon Colt. He would never sell it anyway, so he just wanted to hear who the Dragon King of the South China Sea was that Tang Tianhao was talking about. Qian Zhongshi said, "Although you claim to be a nobody, I can see that you are definitely not an ordinary person." Tang Tianhao nodded, "You must be someone who can get the Fire Dragon Colt." Chang Xiao smiled, "You two don't have to praise me. I'm really not famous." After chatting for a while, someone brought wine and food. Chang Xiao took a sip of wine and frowned, saying, "I'm not used to this kind of wine." Qian Zhongshi hurriedly said, "Ask the waiter to buy more." Chang Xiao shook his head, "I still have some in my bottle. Don't bother." He took out the Wenyu bottle from the leather bag. Qian Zhongshi was surprised and asked, "Where did you get this bottle, brother Chang?" Chang Xiao smiled and said, "Why, you like my Wenyu bottle again? It's a pity that this bottle can't be sold either." Tang Tianhao and Qian Zhongshi looked at each other, and the person in front of them was definitely not an ordinary person. Qian Zhongshi said, "To be honest with you, Brother Chang, we are subordinates of the Dragon King of the South China Sea, and we often travel between the Central Plains and the islands." Chang Xiao asked, "Who is the Dragon King of the South China Sea?" Tang Tianhao replied, "The Dragon King of the South China Sea is the leader of the South China Sea islands and is as rich as a country." Chang Xiao nodded, "It can be seen that your cargo is worth a lot of money." Qian Zhongshi said, "If you like it, we are willing to exchange all our goods for Brother Chang's two treasures." Chang Xiao shook his head, "Impossible." Tang Tianhao said, "How about exchanging for the Fire Dragon Horse? The value of our cargo is inestimable, even the emperor is jealous." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "The emperor is jealous but I don't like it, so you two should give up." Qian Zhongshi naturally did not give up. After thinking it over, he said, "If we return to the South China Sea, the old Dragon King will definitely blame us for doing things wrong. "Brother Chang, can you stay here for a few days and let us ask the old Dragon King to make the decision?" Chang Xiao naturally refused: "I can't wait that long, and the Dragon King of the South China Sea may not be worth my waiting." Tang Tianhao said: "Brother Chang, you don't know, the old Dragon King is nearby and will be here soon. Since Brother Chang is wearing a sword, he must be proficient in swordsmanship. The old Dragon King is also a master of swordsmanship and has been in the South China Sea for many years. There is no harm in exchanging ideas." Chang Xiao nodded: "In that case, I will wait for a while. The Fire Dragon Ju likes to play in the sea. You can find me at the beach. Goodbye." Looking at the backs of Chang Xiao and the Fire Dragon Ju, Tang Tianhao sighed: "It is indeed a dragon colt, but it's a pity that Chang Xiao is not easy to mess with." Qian Zhongshi nodded: "Looking at this person's skills, only the old Dragon King can deal with him. It's better to send a letter as soon as possible."

The Dragon King of the South China Sea is an expert in swordsmanship and has achieved great accomplishments. He has been living overseas, commanding three fleets with tens of thousands of people and living on the Five Dragon Islands in the South China Sea. He loves precious swords and precious horses the most in his life. At this time, he was visiting the Taoist temple of Jade Mirror Zhenren in Dinghushan. After receiving the letter, he was overjoyed and hurried to meet Tang Tianhao. Tang Tianhao told him what happened. The old Dragon King said angrily, "How do you do things? How can you let go of the Fire Dragon Colt after seeing it? We have been looking for the Wen Yuping for three or four years. How can we let it go after it finally appears? If you let this person run away, you can't afford to lose your heads." Qian Zhongshi advised, "Dragon King, calm down. It's not that we don't try our best, but this person is too difficult to deal with. We offer all our goods in exchange for him, but he won't agree to give any of them." The Dragon King of the South China Sea pointed at Tang Tianhao and said, "Can't you just snatch it away? Can't the four of you join forces to take it away from him?" Tang Tianhao smiled bitterly and said, "Dragon King, this man is extraordinary. His hands are full of calluses and his muscles are extremely strong. The four of us may not be able to deal with him. Besides, even if we can win, he will ride on the Fire Dragon Horse and we will not be able to catch up." The Dragon King of the South China Sea nodded and said, "In that case, have you kept an eye on him?" Qian Zhongshi replied, "This man is in Biluo Bay by the sea, playing in the water with the Fire Dragon Horse all day long." The Dragon King of the South China Sea was anxious and stood up and said, "What are you waiting for? Take me there quickly." So Tang Tianhao and Qian Zhongshi followed the Dragon King of the South China Sea to Biluo Bay. Chang Xiao was indeed in Biluo Bay. The Fire Dragon Horse was unwilling to go ashore when it reached the sea. Chang Xiao did not restrain it at all and let the Fire Dragon Horse play around. He prepared a lot of food and waited for the Dragon King of the South China Sea to arrive. The Dragon King of the South China Sea was anxious and rushed to Biluo Bay. From a distance, he saw a red shadow looming in the blue sea, which really looked like a swimming dragon. He was overjoyed. Chang Xiao naturally noticed that the old man at the head of these three people must be the Dragon King of the South China Sea. Seeing this old man with a white beard, ruddy face, and shining eyes, it is obvious that he has superb internal strength. He has a sturdy body and strong bones, and must have worked hard. He has a scimitar under his left rib that he has never seen before, and it seems that it is not from the Central Plains. The Dragon King of the South China Sea urged his horse to the seaside, stared at the Fire Dragon Colt, nodded repeatedly, and said to himself: "That's it, the king of all horses, the Fire Dragon Colt really has three points of dragon nature, and its reputation is well-deserved."

Chang Xiao saw that the Dragon King of the South China Sea was only paying attention to the Fire Dragon Colt. He knew that this old man loved horses very much. No wonder anyone would be tempted by such a BMW. Qian Zhongshi reminded him, "Dragon King, this is the warrior Chang Xiao who carries the Warm Jade Bottle." The Dragon King of the South China Sea turned around and said impatiently, "I want both the Fire Dragon Colt and the Warm Jade Bottle. Name your price." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "Didn't your subordinates explain that I have no intention of selling them?" The Dragon King of the South China Sea gritted his teeth and said, "You can't refuse to sell them. No one can keep what I like." Chang Xiao sneered, "With me here, no one in the world can take away the Fire Dragon Colt." The Dragon King of the South China Sea then noticed Chang Xiao. From the outside to the inside, he could tell that this person was not simple. The Dragon King of the South China Sea nodded: "You look like you have some skills. Let's fight it out. If you lose, both the Fire Dragon Colt and the Warm Jade Bottle will belong to me." Chang Xiao shook his head: "The Fire Dragon Colt is not my mount, but my best friend. I won't use it as a bet, not to mention that the senior doesn't have any treasures to compare with it." The Dragon King of the South China Sea asked: "What do you mean?" Chang Xiao said proudly: "Senior, if you kill me, the Warm Jade Bottle will naturally belong to you. As for the Fire Dragon Colt, it depends on whether it is willing to follow you." Although the Dragon King of the South China Sea is old, his temper is like a raging fire. How could Chang Xiao hold back when he challenged him in person? So he gathered his breath and said slowly: "You are looking for death yourself, so don't blame me." Chang Xiao was quite confident and smiled: "It's hard to say who will win." The two stood opposite each other, and the sea breeze blew their clothes, and Tang Tianhao and Qian Zhongshi watched the battle from a distance. The Dragon King of the South China Sea was full of pride and said loudly: "I cannot bully the weak with my power. You draw your sword." Chang Xiao laughed in his heart: I am afraid you will not be able to catch it if I draw my sword first. So he responded: "I am young and strong, and you are old. You should draw your sword." The Dragon King of the South China Sea was not polite. He stretched out his hand and drew out his scimitar. The light of the sword was like a crescent moon. Chang Xiao was calm and composed. He struck out with the dragon scale sword like lightning, and he was the first to arrive and went straight to the opponent's head. The Dragon King of the South China Sea was shocked. He never expected that Chang Xiao would draw his sword so quickly. After all, he had experienced many battles and drew his sword first. He turned his body to avoid it. Of course, Chang Xiao's swordsmanship was not only fast. He took the initiative with one move and showed no mercy. The sword covered all sides and trapped the Dragon King of the South China Sea in the core.

Tang Tianhao and Qian Zhongshi were shocked. The Dragon King of the South China Sea had an unparalleled swordsmanship, which shocked the South China Sea. Now he was at a disadvantage after just one encounter, and Chang Xiao took the lead and let go to attack. When Chang Xiao was about to fight, Huo Longju came to watch the fight, his eyes full of concern. Tang Tianhao sighed: "Huo Longju actually understands human nature, I envy him to death." The two fought fiercely in the field. Chang Xiao let go and attacked for hundreds of moves. The Dragon King of the South China Sea protected his body with his curved knife, without revealing a single flaw. Chang Xiao was secretly amazed. This Dragon King of the South China Sea was really amazing. His swordsmanship was so proficient that he must have been tempered through thousands of trials. The Dragon King of the South China Sea was complaining in his heart. The opponent's swordsmanship was extremely dense, without a single gap, and he was completely unable to fight back. How could he win in such a fight? The two of them attacked very quickly. After five hundred moves, their swordsmanship was not messy at all. The Dragon King of the South China Sea learned the power of Chang Xiao's Liuhe swordsmanship, defended carefully, did not dare to attack rashly, and waited patiently for an opportunity. Although the two fought fiercely with their own unique moves, they were actually competing in endurance. The Dragon King of the South China Sea had profound skills, and Chang Xiao had worked a hundred times harder to master his swordsmanship, so naturally his strength was long-lasting. The two fought for a thousand moves and were still the same as at the beginning. After fighting for two thousand moves, both sides' moves slowed down a bit, but the situation remained the same. The Dragon King of the South China Sea shouted, and his scimitar suddenly increased. Chang Xiao immediately changed his moves and switched to his left-handed sword, which was even faster than at the beginning. The Dragon King of the South China Sea was shocked and defended with all his strength, barely sealing the door. Chang Xiao shouted, "Good swordsmanship, try this again." The Dragon Scale Sword switched to his right hand and attacked fiercely for several moves, then switched to his left hand. After switching three times, the Dragon King of the South China Sea finally couldn't hold on and revealed a flaw. The Dragon Scale Sword attacked the inner circle, and there were several loud noises in succession. The Dragon King of the South China Sea retreated more than ten steps and stood still with a stake. His chest rose and fell sharply, and Chang Xiao was also soaked. This fight was not easy for both sides. Tang Tianhao and Qian Zhongshi were both stunned. This fierce fight was really shocking. It seemed that no one had gained the upper hand. The Dragon King of the South China Sea took a deep breath and asked, "Who are you?" Chang Xiao smiled, "Didn't I say, a nobody?" The Dragon King of the South China Sea shook his head and said, "Don't bully me. With your swordsmanship, you are definitely not an unknown person." Chang Xiao sighed, "The past is too painful to recall. I have no connection with the famous and upright sects or even the outlaws. I travel alone in the world and can barely be considered a swordsman." The Dragon King of the South China Sea nodded, "I want to take your life. Why do you show mercy?" Chang Xiao said proudly, "Just because you can catch my two thousand Eight hundred moves." The Dragon King of the South China Sea was a little surprised and asked, "How do you know it's two thousand eight hundred moves?" Chang Xiao smiled and said, "It's very simple. The Liuhe sword technique has a total of thirty-six moves. I used it until the eightieth time to decide the winner." The Dragon King of the South China Sea nodded and said, "I am convinced by you. The Liuhe sword technique has been practiced to this level and can be called unparalleled in the world. I admit defeat." Chang Xiao admired the sword technique of the Dragon King of the South China Sea very much and said sincerely, "Senior, you have superb martial arts, no wonder you are the king of the South China Sea." The two smiled at each other, with a sense of mutual appreciation. Qian Zhongshi hurriedly said, "After fighting for half a day, why don't you take a break and talk again?" The Dragon King of the South China Sea nodded, "Yes, let's go to the leeward side over there to drink." Tang Tianhao and Qian Zhongshi went to buy wine and food, and Chang Xiao followed the Dragon King of the South China Sea to sit on the ground under the tree. Chang Xiao asked: "Senior, the Fire Dragon Colt is indeed attractive, but what's the use of the Warm Jade Bottle? There are countless treasures in the South China Sea, is there still a jade bottle missing?" The Dragon King of the South China Sea smiled and said: "To be honest, brother, I have a Cold Jade Bottle in my hand. According to ancient records, if you put the essence of thousand-year-old Ganoderma lucidum in two jade bottles for 49 days, and take them out and take them at the same time, you can open up the meridians of the whole body and improve your internal strength by a large step. After I got the Cold Jade Bottle, I searched for it in many places. I got the thousand-year-old Ganoderma lucidum a long time ago, but I'm short of the Warm Jade Bottle." Chang Xiao nodded: "I see, thank you for telling me such a confidential matter, but I always feel that there is no shortcut in martial arts, only step by step can you succeed." The Dragon King of the South China Sea sighed: "Brother, you don't know, I took the trouble to find the Warm Jade Bottle to deal with one person. If I don't use external forces, I have no chance at all."

Chapter 15: Turning Enemies into Friends

After a fight, Chang Xiao knew that there was only a small difference between him and the Dragon King of the South China Sea. He was naturally surprised to hear that there was a master who was far superior to the Dragon King of the South China Sea, and asked, "Is there really such a person?" He was wondering why Wu Qingyang had never mentioned him. The Dragon King of the South China Sea nodded and said, "Of course, this person is the leader of the Divine Sword Sect, Duan Qingxiao. Although the disciples of the Divine Sword Sect have scattered and have never recovered, Duan Qingxiao's swordsmanship is recognized by the world as the best, much better than you and me." Chang Xiao knew that his master Chen Hongren, the leader of the Ten Thousand Immortals Hall, Wanqi Song, and Lin Qing, who died in his hands, were all disciples of Duan Qingxiao. According to their ages, this person was at least over seventy years old, so he smiled and said, "Why bother, senior? Duan Qingxiao is already old. Even if his swordsmanship is unparalleled in the world, there is not much left today." The Dragon King of the South China Sea shook his head and said, "Brother, you don't know. Duan Qingxiao is a strange man of his generation and cannot be measured by common sense. Of course, even if his skills are improved by one step, I may not be able to defeat Duan Qingxiao, and this person has retired from the world and may not be found. It's enough to be able to deal with Wanqi Song. . But there is another person, although he is not as good as Duan Qingxiao, he is much better than you and me. I am unwilling to be inferior to others, so I will naturally try every means to surpass him. "At this time, Tang Tianhao and Qian Zhongshi bought wine and food. The two talked while drinking. Chang Xiao asked: "I have heard of Duan Qingxiao mentioned by the senior. Who is this other person?" The Dragon King of the South China Sea said: "It is the Taoist Zuixia, the number one swordsman in the world. This person is extremely smart, has received guidance from famous masters, is willing to endure hardships, has been immersed in swordsmanship for many years, and has unfathomable attainments. Duan Qingxiao praised him as the number one in the world." Chang Xiao asked: "How about the Qingyang swordsman?" The Dragon King of the South China Sea shook his head: "It's incomparable, at least 50% worse." Chang Xiao was shocked. Wu Qingyang's swordsmanship skills were just the same as his own. It seemed that this Taoist Zuixia was much higher than him. People who practice martial arts have pride in their hearts. Chang Xiao secretly made up his mind to work hard again and compete with this top master. The Dragon King of the South China Sea saw it, of course, and patted his chest and said, "You and I might as well join forces. I will take the thousand-year-old Ganoderma lucidum with you. I see that you have not received any guidance from a famous teacher, and you have relied on hard training. You do not understand internal skills, and you rely entirely on external skills. If you open up your meridians, you can enter a new realm." Chang Xiao was immediately tempted. This is a great opportunity. He has never understood the art of regulating breathing and guiding. If his internal skills are improved, he can open up a new world. So he nodded and said, "This opportunity is really rare. I rely on the help of the seniors."

After the matter was settled, the Dragon King of the South China Sea immediately ordered Tang Tianhao to find a secret place, and the cold jade bottle and the thousand-year-old Ganoderma lucidum were always with him. The next day, Chang Xiao followed the Dragon King of the South China Sea to a cave. The Dragon King of the South China Sea smiled and said, "Brother, you can't touch alcohol and meat before taking the elixir, and you can't even touch fireworks and food. The elixir can only work after forty-nine days." Chang Xiao nodded: "This is nothing. I practiced swordsmanship in the mountains and suffered all kinds of hardships." So the two settled down in the cave, drinking mountain springs when thirsty and eating mountain fruits when hungry. Chang Xiao felt like he was back in the days of living with monkeys in Taibai Mountain. The Dragon King of the South China Sea took out the cold jade bottle, which was similar in size to the warm jade bottle, and put the juice of the thousand-year-old Ganoderma lucidum into the two jade bottles. Because they had to wait for forty-nine days, the two sat opposite each other on the futon and studied martial arts. The Dragon King of the South China Sea introduced the method of regulating breathing in internal energy in detail, and instructed Chang Xiao to nourish the essence and guide the true qi to run in the meridians. Chang Xiao benefited a lot. The Dragon King of the South China Sea admired Chang Xiao's swordsmanship of exchanging his hands, but unfortunately, he was too old to practice. The two of them practiced in the cave, and naturally wanted to get to know each other in their spare time. Chang Xiao learned that the Dragon King of the South China Sea was famous in the martial arts world when he was young. Later, he encountered the South China Sea fleet and was favored by the previous generation of Dragon King, who recruited him as his son-in-law and took over the South China Sea Islands. His wife had profound martial arts attainments and sat in Wulong Island, respected as Taijun. The four sons lived on separate islands, and none of them was very competitive. When the Dragon King of the South China Sea learned that Chang Xiao was the Iron-Armed Divine Sword who had defeated Wanxian Hall twice, he suddenly realized and asked Chang Xiao why he didn't make it clear. Chang Xiao sighed and narrated what happened. The Dragon King of the South China Sea advised, "Don't be discouraged, brother. People in the martial arts world value martial arts and character. As long as your martial arts are high enough, you will be able to make a name for yourself sooner or later. If you don't have money, just ask. I have three vaults in Central Plains, and each of them contains a lot of treasures." Chang Xiao thanked him profusely.

Time passed quickly. The two practiced internal swordsmanship in the cave and made progress, especially Chang Xiao. After obtaining the method of internal practice, he had a preliminary understanding of the power of internal energy and was very happy. After forty-nine days, the Dragon King of the South China Sea poured out the juice of the thousand-year-old Ganoderma lucidum and prepared to take it. Chang Xiao hesitated and decided to wait until he found the way to internal power. The Dragon King of the South China Sea waited for several years and finally got his wish. Naturally, he was anxious. He took the elixir and used his true energy to open up the meridians, but failed. The Dragon King of the South China Sea smiled and said, "I am too anxious. After taking the elixir, I need external help. I will go back to the South China Sea to ask my old woman for help. What are your plans, brother?" Chang Xiao had nothing to do. He thought for a moment and said, "I will go back to Julong Mountain to see the progress of the villa. I will be unpredictable in the future." The Dragon King of the South China Sea nodded, put the elixir in a red jade gourd of an inch and a half long and handed it to Chang Xiao, and then handed the cold jade bottle to Chang Xiao and said, "We hit it off at first sight. Exchange the jade bottle as a souvenir." Chang Xiao naturally agreed. The Dragon King of the South China Sea smiled and said, "Actually, my old woman needs the warm jade bottle to practice her inner strength. The cold jade bottle is too overbearing and can't be used." Chang Xiao disagreed: "I only use the warm jade bottle to drink wine, which is a waste of natural resources. It's best if you can use it, senior." The Dragon King of the South China Sea pointed out: "The advantage of the cold jade bottle is that it can suppress the inner demons. Even in midsummer, the wine in the bottle is ice-cold. Drinking it for a long time can improve your inner strength." Chang Xiao thanked him: "Thank you for your advice, senior." After leaving the cave, the Dragon King of the South China Sea ordered Qian Zhongshi to select a batch of treasures and send them to Julong Mountain. Chang Xiao did not refuse. The Fire Dragon The colt had a lot of fun playing in the mountains and the sea, and ran over to say hello to Chang Xiao. The Dragon King of the South China Sea sighed, "This old man and the Fire Dragon Colt are not destined to be together, and you are the most suitable owner of the Fire Dragon Colt." After this trip, both of them gained a lot, and said goodbye to each other. Before leaving, the Dragon King of the South China Sea handed a red gold token to Chang Xiao, and reminded him, "This token is a token of my love. If you are free, you can come to the South China Sea to visit me." Chang Xiao accepted the token, thanked the Dragon King of the South China Sea for his guidance, said goodbye and left. The Dragon King of the South China Sea naturally rushed back to the Five Dragon Island in the South China Sea.

Chang Xiao returned to Julong Mountain. At this time, the villa had already taken shape. It was located on the site of the old Dazhai. Qi Shizhen worked hard and the halls and pavilions were extremely exquisite. Chang Xiao was grateful and stayed in the villa temporarily to practice internal skills. Three days later, someone sent a batch of treasures, and Chang Xiao gave them to Qi Shizhen without even looking at them. In fact, Julong Villa was too large, and countless gold and silver were spent. The original jewels had been sold out. Qi Shizhen was too embarrassed to mention it. He was overjoyed to see this batch of treasures and hurried to ask Chang Xiao about their origins. Chang Xiao then told him about his acquaintance with the Dragon King of the South China Sea. Qi Shizhen said happily, "Brother Chang no longer has to worry about gold and silver after meeting this person. The South China Sea fleet travels between the Central Plains and the outer seas, and rare treasures are not a problem." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "Take whatever you like, Shopkeeper Qi. You can't work in vain after so many days of hard work." Qi Shizhen actually liked a few Persian gold wares, but it was difficult to ask for them. Hearing this, he hurriedly thanked him. Chang Xiao shook his head and said, "These are all external things, so I don't need to thank you. I want to practice internal skills, and I will rely on Shopkeeper Qi for the affairs of the villa." Qi Shizhen promised, "I will serve you." The construction of Julong Villa continued. Chang Xiao practiced internal skills in the newly built hexagonal painting building beside the Black Dragon Pond. The Dragon King of the South China Sea had instructed that it was best not to eat meat when practicing. Chang Xiao simply changed to a vegetarian diet, used a cold jade bottle to hold wine to suppress his heart fire, and began to practice in silence. After just one year, Chang Xiao finally reaped the rewards. Julong Villa was completed, and Huolongju lived comfortably in the villa, playing in the water at Black Dragon Pond every day. Qi Shizhen had many subordinates, and they said goodbye and left after the villa was completed. He specially found ten subordinates to take care of the villa. Chang Xiao was grateful and thanked him profusely. Everything was settled, and he suddenly thought of his eldest brother Duan Kui. He must be worried about him after not visiting for more than a year, so he selected a few overseas treasures and took them with him to visit Hangzhou on Huolongju. As expected, Duan Kui complained to Chang Xiao when he saw him: "Brother, you haven't come for so many days, and I miss you so much." Chang Xiao sighed: "I wanted to come a long time ago, but I really couldn't get away." Duan Kui asked: "How is Dingxiang? She should have a child, right?" Chang Xiao smiled bitterly: "It's hard to say. If it weren't for her, I would have come a long time ago." Duan Kui was surprised and said: "Brother, where do you get the idea from?"

After the banquet was set up, the two men sat opposite each other. Chang Xiao recounted the story of Ding Xiang's affair with someone and the disbandment of the Julong Gang. Duan Kui slammed the table and said angrily, "How could I not see that? This bitch deserves to die. How could you let her go?" Chang Xiao sighed, "You are unlucky. You can't blame others for not being able to keep a beauty's heart." Duan Kui felt quite guilty and patted his chest and said, "Brother will find you a better one." Chang Xiao shook his head, "It's better to leave it to fate. A beauty bought with money is unreliable after all." Duan Kui nodded, "I know you are disappointed. Let's talk about it later." Chang Xiao took out the treasures he brought. Although Duan Kui was from a wealthy family, he had never seen them before. He asked, "Where did you get these good things?" When Chang Xiao told Duan Kui about his acquaintance with the Dragon King of the South China Sea, Duan Kui was overjoyed and asked someone to invite his wife to open his eyes. After the excitement, Duan Kui asked, "Brother, what are your plans?" Chang Xiao shook his head, "Brother, I don't have any plans now. The Julong Gang has disbanded. The intrigues of the people in the martial arts world really make me feel cold. Now I plan to travel around and relax." Duan Kui nodded, "Brother, your martial arts are already good enough to stand in the martial arts world. It doesn't matter where you go. It's good to relax." After staying for a few days, Chang Xiao said goodbye. After leaving Hangzhou, he took the road north and prepared to visit his hometown. Now that he has enough money, he should do something for his fellow villagers. He was not in a hurry to travel on the road. The banknotes and jewelry in his pocket were enough to spend, and he enjoyed visiting scenic spots and historical sites. One day, he came to a big town. Chang Xiao didn't look closely and urged his horse into the city. There were many people here, and it was quite prosperous. Chang Xiao was a little hungry and thirsty. He went to the restaurant to buy some vegetables and went to the teahouse to drink. Huolongju was eating soybeans and drinking water at the door. After eating and drinking, Chang Xiao asked the waiter where this place was. The waiter replied that this was Xuchang City. Chang Xiao was shocked. The headquarters of Wanxiantang was located in Xuchang. How could he have rashly come here? Thinking of this, he had no intention of enjoying the scenic spots and planned to leave. As soon as he went out, he saw a group of people coming towards him. The leader was Lu Wenjun. Lu Wenjun smiled and saluted: "Dear guest, my master specially ordered me to come to greet you." Chang Xiao returned the greeting and said: "I am just strolling around occasionally and didn't want to disturb your master. I am very ashamed." Lu Wenjun smiled and said: "My master said that the owner of the manor must be invited to Wanxiantang no matter what. If he is not busy, my master will come to greet him personally." Chang Xiao had no choice but to agree and followed Lu Wenjun to Wanxiantang.

Chang Xiao saw Wanqi Song waiting at the door from a distance. He did not expect Wanqi Song to be so enthusiastic and was caught off guard. Wanqi Song took the initiative to salute him: "Brother, you are so honored to come. I am so rude for not coming to greet you from afar." Chang Xiao returned the greeting and said: "The hall master is of respected status. I am of low reputation and poor virtue. I do not deserve such kindness." Wanqi Song shook his head and said: "Brother, why should you be so modest? I am your defeated general. In terms of martial arts and strategy, there is a big gap between us." Chang Xiao felt uneasy when he saw Wanqi Song being so enthusiastic. Wanqi Song let Chang Xiao go to the hall, where only six of his own disciples sat with him. There was a grand banquet in the hall. After they sat down, Wanqi Song spoke first: "Brother, you spared my life on the battlefield, and I have always remembered it in my heart. I heard that you resolutely disbanded the Julong Gang, and I am really ashamed. I didn't expect that there are still people with your temperament in the world today." Chang Xiao sighed lightly: "Gain is not to be happy, loss is not to be sad." Wanqi Song nodded: "To be honest, brother is really not like a man of the world. If he had ambitions in his heart, he would never let me go. Once I die, the Julong Gang can at least control most of the world, and no one will miss such a good opportunity." Chang Xiao said solemnly: "I didn't have the upper hand, and the hall master was distracted for a while, leaving a gap. Besides, there is no deep hatred, there is no need to kill them all." Wanqi Song nodded: "Such a broad mind is really rare. To be honest, it is even more unexpected for me that you can let my son go. The reason why Lin'er and the Soul-Chasing Needle were sent to Jiangnan was to seize territory. Your appearance really made me... The husband was shocked and thought that there was no hope for the territory of Jiangnan. After two confrontations, he understood the brother's swordsmanship and strategy. It was indeed sincere to send Wenjun to negotiate peace. As for the poisoning, it was the idea of the soul-chasing needle. Lin'er wanted to control the Sixteen Villages and sit in one place. I hope the brother will not bear a grudge. "Chang Xiao smiled and said, "This is the nature of the people of Jianghu. There is nothing to bear a grudge. I am not a Jianghu person. "Wanqi Song nodded: "Brother is indeed different. By the way, Yu Hudie admires you very much. If the brother is willing to accept it, it will be a good story to renew the previous relationship. "Chang Xiao shook his head: "The hall master appreciates the kindness. Chang is discouraged and does not want to mention this matter again. "Wanqi Song said again: "If the brother can't forget his childhood sweetheart Chen Xia, I can also find a way. "Chang Xiao was stunned. The shadow of Chen Xia has been lingering in his heart all these years. Although Yu Hudie is extremely beautiful, it has never been erased. Wanqi Song's sudden proposal of this matter is really unexpected.

The first love is the most unforgettable. Chang Xiao did have this idea, but the two sides were already at loggerheads. He had killed Chen Xia's husband and son, and the knot between them would never be untied, so he politely declined. Wanqi Song did not mention it again. Seeing that Chang Xiao did not move his chopsticks, he asked, "Brother, why don't you eat the vegetables? Are you afraid that I will poison you?" Chang Xiao hurriedly explained, "No, I have been studying internal skills recently and have given up meat." Wanqi Song immediately ordered someone to prepare vegetarian dishes, which were served a few moments later. Wanqi Song looked at the cold jade bottle in Chang Xiao's hand and asked, "Brother, this bottle does not look like a warm jade bottle. Where did you get it from?" Chang Xiao smiled and said, "This is a cold jade bottle. We met the Dragon King of the South China Sea by chance on the beach, and we exchanged them." Wanqi Song naturally knew the Dragon King of the South China Sea, and nodded, "The Dragon King of the South China Sea has a different swordsmanship. "He is a unique and famous warrior. We fought each other in the early years. Since I have met him, it is inevitable to compete with him. What do you think of his swordsmanship?" Chang Xiao pondered for a moment and said, "This old man has superb skills, strict school, and is almost impeccable." Wanqi Song knew that Chang Xiao would not reveal the details of the competition, so he changed the subject: "What are your plans, brother? If you are willing to join Wanxiantang, I will welcome you very much." Chang Xiao shook his head: "Chang just wants to be quiet for a while and go back to my hometown to take a look." Wanqi Song did not force him, and persuaded him to drink and serve food. The enemies who were irreconcilable in the past seemed like old friends for many years. Lu Wenjun praised: "The master's swordsmanship is meticulous and unparalleled in the world. I really admire you for achieving such an achievement without the guidance of a famous teacher." Chang Xiao smiled bitterly: "The ten years of sword training are too painful to look back on. I can't remember how many times I woke up from my sleep in pain, and fainting from exhaustion was very common. If it weren't for a deep hatred, I wouldn't have been able to persist." Wanqi Song sighed: "If you say that the Lin family father and son are indeed insidious, I would also take revenge if I were in their place. Speaking of which, my brother's life should not end. If it weren't for the intervention of the Qingyang swordsman, Shangqing Palace would never have let you go." Chang Xiao agreed: "Yes, I will always remember Brother Wu's life-saving kindness."

Chapter 16: BMW Returns Home

Chang Xiao had never expected that the two enemies who were irreconcilable in the past would actually sit together and drink. Wanqi Song was extremely enthusiastic. The reason why he did not greet him personally was to settle Chen Hongren and his daughter. These two hated Chang Xiao to the core. Once they met, both sides would be uncomfortable, so it was better to avoid each other. Lu Wenjun admired Chang Xiao very much. He raised his glass to toast him and said, "Master, I learned martial arts under the guidance of my father at the age of six. Later, I became a disciple of my mentor. I am much luckier than you. After years of guidance from two famous masters, I am so much worse than you. I am really convinced." Chang Xiao shook his head and said, "The Dragon King of the South China Sea mentioned Duan Qingxiao, the master of the Divine Sword Sect, and Zuixia Taoist, the number one swordsman. These two people are far better than Chang. I have to work harder in the future." Wanqi Song was surprised and said, "Brother, you actually have such ambitions. I admire you. Speaking of my mentor's achievements, no one can surpass them. At that time, my teacher fought with the Red Spirit God for a whole day and night, and finally killed him with his sword. That battle shocked the martial arts world, and the Rolling Jewel Sword became famous all over the world. "Chang Xiao asked, "Did anyone watch the fight?" Wan Qisong shook his head, "No, according to my teacher, the Red Spirit God was a genius, talented, and had many different swordsmanship skills. When he used the Fire God Sword, a ball of red light covered his body, making him almost invulnerable. My teacher had no choice but to use the Broken Moon Slash, and with the help of the moonlight, he won by chance. Later, my teacher often regretted it, and once told me in person that he really shouldn't have used the Broken Moon Slash. Without an equally matched opponent, the whole Personal life has lost its interest." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "In a duel between masters, no opportunity can be missed. If your master does not kill, he will inevitably die under the sword of the God of Fire." Wanqi Song sighed, "My master once said that it would be better for the Red Spirit God to win and die under the sword of the God of Fire. In my opinion, it is a kind of loneliness that goes deep into the bone marrow. Looking around the world, there is no opponent, no confidant. We can't experience this feeling." Chang Xiao seemed to understand, "So that's it. Your master's swordsmanship has reached the peak. It is naturally not good to lose his only opponent. Isn't it that there is no Can anyone else compete with your master?" Wanqi Song smiled and said, "No, after my master killed the Red Spirit God, his swordsmanship entered a new realm. Others are so far behind that they can't even experience it." Chang Xiao asked, "Doesn't that mean Taoist Zuixia is no match?" Wanqi Song smiled and said, "Taoist Zuixia is certainly better than me, but he is far worse than my master. Compared with me, Taoist Zuixia is 20% better than me, but my ability is not even half as good as my master's." Chang Xiao was shocked. Wouldn't it be a legend to be twice as good as Wanqi Song? How could there be such a person in the world?

Not many people know about the deeds of Duan Qingxiao, the master of the Divine Sword Sect. Wanqi Song saw that Chang Xiao was half-believing and half-doubting, and smiled and said, "Brother, you must think that I am exaggerating, but it is not true. Martial arts are broad and profound. When the cultivation level is one level lower, the superiority will be judged immediately. When my teacher was practicing swordsmanship, I couldn't see the rolling pearl knife, but only saw a pearl going up and down." Chang Xiao exclaimed: "It turns out that there are such masters in the world. It seems that I am far from this ability. Your master's sword is at least twice as fast as mine." Wanqi Song persuaded: "Brother, you can be proud of practicing the Liuhe swordsmanship to this extent. In the past hundred years, only you have entered the ranks of masters without the guidance of a famous teacher." Chang Xiao has practiced hard for many years and has been quite confident after years of experience. Today, I know that there is still an insurmountable mountain ahead. I secretly made up my mind that Duan Qingxiao is just a person, and I can do what he can do. Wanqi Song said: "As for Taoist Zuixia, he is also a martial arts genius. He has mastered the essence of "Sword Enlightenment Chapter". It is not an exaggeration to call him the number one swordsman. At the beginning, Taoist Zuixia's swordsmanship was perfected and he was ready to challenge his master. The master only made one strike and made Taoist Zuixia give up the sword and admit defeat. At that time, he stated that as long as the master stayed in the Divine Sword Sect, he would never leave the mountain in this life. He returned to the mountain to continue his hard training. Five years later, when the master retired, he came out of the mountain with a sword, met various masters, and made a name for himself as the number one swordsman." Chang Xiao nodded: "It seems that Taoist Zuixia is the number one master today. I'd like to learn from you if I have a chance." Wanqi Song advised, "Don't be anxious, brother. In my opinion, your martial arts skills are still flawed and it's difficult for you to fight with Taoist Zuixia." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "Of course I won't act rashly. I was penniless and tried every means to escape. Now I'm rich, I can't bear to throw my life away." Lu Wenjun toasted and said, "That's right. The owner of the manor has met the Dragon King of the South China Sea, and his worth has doubled. Why take the risk? It's more important to find a wife for the owner of the manor and leave descendants." Chang Xiao sighed, "It's just up to fate."

Wanqi Song treated Chang Xiao warmly. After staying in Xuchang for three days, Chang Xiao was about to leave. Wanqi Song insisted on giving him a silver note of 100,000 taels, and also gave him a token, so that he could get assistance from Wanxiantang at any time if he needed it. After seeing Chang Xiao off, Lu Wenjun didn't understand, so he came to ask Wanqi Song, "Master, giving silver notes is a courtesy. Giving him the token will be difficult to recover if he falls out with you in the future. What is your intention, Master?" Wanqi Song said earnestly, "Wenjun, Chang Xiao has no ambitions, but he has superb swordsmanship. With the help of masters like Qingyang Swordsman and Baekje Master, he will be famous in the world sooner or later. There are many benefits to getting to know him. Giving him the token means inviting him as a guest of Wanxiantang. Once Wanxiantang encounters danger, it will be safe with the help of such a master. In addition, Master sees that this person is quite proud, and he will definitely practice swordsmanship hard to challenge Zuixia Taoist. If he wins, he will be the leader of the martial arts world. "Lu Wenjun nodded: "Master is far-sighted, but can Chang Xiao really beat the number one swordsman?" Wanqi Song shook his head: "I can't guess the outcome, but I can assert that in the world today, he is the only one who has the chance to defeat Zuixia Taoist, and this bet is worth it." Lu Wenjun nodded: "So that's the case. Chang Xiao is indeed a man without ambition. He is honest and simple by nature. He is hardworking and unparalleled in the world. Sooner or later, he will make a difference." Wanqi Song explained: "Wenjun, you must remember what your master said. When dealing with this person, you must be open-hearted and not petty. Those who achieve great things must have a broad mind." Lu Wenjun nodded. Chang Xiao left Xuchang and continued to go north. Wanqi Song's attitude was indeed unexpected. It was naturally a good thing to turn enemies into friends with Wanxiantang. On the way, thinking about the scenery of his hometown, his childhood sweetheart, and the hard work of practicing swords for ten years, he felt mixed emotions. I didn't expect that after so many twists and turns, I am still alone. Although I have a lot of money, I feel lost. My hometown is in sight, and Chang Xiao said to Huo Longju: "Brother, that's my hometown." Huo Longju nodded frequently and galloped, as if he understood Chang Xiao's mood.

After more than ten years of absence, Yangyi Town is still the same. Although there are too many painful memories here, Chang Xiao still feels a little warm in his heart. It is natural for a wanderer to return to his hometown with a different feeling. The people in the town naturally recognize Chang Xiao. Everyone knows that Chen Hongren regretted his marriage, but they also know that Chang Xiao has made a fortune. The people here are simple and honest, and the people will not curry favor with the powerful. When Chang Xiao returned to his hometown, scenes of the past came to his mind, and he couldn't tell what it felt like. Chen Hongren never came back, and the house was still the same. Chang Xiao still lived in the house he built in the mountains. He put aside everything to practice sword skills and internal strength. Although he had the most precious elixir in his arms, he never took it. Chang Xiao didn't want to rely on external forces, but only on his own efforts. At this time, Chang Xiao's experience has increased a lot, and he has made friends with many masters. He combines internal and external skills and learns from each other's strengths to make up for his weaknesses. After practicing hard for half a year, there was no progress. He felt that it was difficult to integrate internal and external skills. Chang Xiao didn't understand the reason. There is no quick way to achieve internal strength. It can only be done step by step. It's useless to be impatient. That night, when practicing sword under the moon, he felt that the flow of true qi and sword skills could not be coordinated, so he had to stop. He was thinking hard about the reason, when he suddenly heard a strange sound. He looked for the sound and found that it was the Fire Dragon Colt panting. Chang Xiao was puzzled. The Fire Dragon Colt would not be so breathless even if it galloped a hundred miles. Upon closer inspection, tears actually flowed from the Fire Dragon Colt's big eyes. Chang Xiao was shocked and hurried to the Fire Dragon Colt and asked, "Brother, where are you uncomfortable?" The Fire Dragon Colt neighed at the moon and kept crying. Chang Xiao checked and did not see any injuries on the Fire Dragon Colt. He asked, "Did you eat insects and feel uncomfortable in your stomach?" The Fire Dragon Colt jumped several times to show that it was not sick. Chang Xiao wondered why the Fire Dragon Colt was crying for no reason? The Fire Dragon Colt led Chang Xiao to the tomb and shook its head to the west. Chang Xiao suddenly realized, "So you miss home." The Fire Dragon Colt nodded repeatedly. Chang Xiao and the Fire Dragon Colt had a deep relationship, so he said without thinking, "We will leave tomorrow and visit your home." The Fire Dragon Colt was very excited and ran and scattered flowers. Chang Xiao nodded and said, "When you see me returning to my hometown, you think of your own home. Blame me for never thinking about you and only caring about myself." He began to prepare at dawn. Chang Xiao left three thousand taels of public money for the villagers and hastily packed his luggage. The Fire Dragon Colt knew it was going home and wagged its tail. Chang Xiao was ready. As soon as he mounted the horse, the Fire Dragon Colt neighed and galloped away, leaving only a little dust.

Baekje Master's two disciples, Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai, have been following their master since they lost to Chang Xiao in one move. After giving his disciples a lesson, Master Baekje taught the two brothers how to practice martial arts. Chang Xiao's swordsmanship has been tempered countless times, and he must work hard to surpass him. The two brothers learned martial arts for the second time. The colorful hammer and the gold-painted moon axe are both rare weapons with clever moves. Master Baekje has devoted all his efforts to training them. The two brothers have been practicing martial arts and have gained a lot, and they are much stronger than before. However, Master Baekje knows that Chang Xiao will not stop moving forward after the two disciples have made progress. In addition, it is not good to lose face because of the relationship of helping refugees, so he ordered his disciples not to seek revenge on Chang Xiao and ask for the Fire Dragon Colt. Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai practiced hard for three years before Master Baekje allowed the two brothers to re-enter the martial arts world. The two brothers still miss the Fire Dragon Colt and are unwilling to accept it, but it is difficult to disobey the master's order. Finally, Zhong Yuan decided to go to the desert to find another good horse. The two brothers packed their bags and went to the desert. It took a lot of effort to capture the Fire Dragon Colt last time, so they were very well prepared this time. After leaving the customs, they began to chase the horses. Since the Fire Dragon Colt entered the customs, the horses had lost their leader and scattered everywhere, making it very difficult to find. The two brothers spent a lot of effort to find a snow-white good horse. After tracking for several days, they were ready to take action, but suddenly found that the horses changed their daily route of drinking water and foraging, and went to an oasis in the desert. The two brothers had to follow, and the preparations for several days were ruined again. When they approached the oasis, they found that there was more than just this group of horses. All the horses scattered everywhere came, and the oasis gathered tens of thousands of wild horses. The two brothers wondered, did these horses discuss it? This oasis can't accommodate so many horses. Just as he was thinking about it, he suddenly heard a dragon-like neighing. Zhong Yuan's heart was shocked. This was clearly the cry of the Fire Dragon Colt.

The two brothers had completely given up hope, but when they heard the cry of the Fire Dragon Colt, their hope was rekindled. Zhong Hai asked, "Brother, did I hear correctly? Was that the cry just now from the Fire Dragon Colt?" Zhong Yuan was quite sure, "It can't be wrong. All these horses have rushed here just for the Fire Dragon Colt. The king of horses is back." Zhong Hai couldn't suppress his ecstasy and jumped up to cheer. Zhong Yuan hurriedly said, "Don't be happy yet. After being captured last time, the Fire Dragon Colt must have been more careful. It won't be easy to catch him." Zhong Hai disagreed, "No matter how hard it takes, we must catch the Fire Dragon Colt." While they were discussing, they suddenly felt the ground shaking, dust rising, and more than ten thousand horses began to gallop like the Yellow River bursting its banks. Their momentum was unstoppable, and leading the way was the King of Horses, the Fire Dragon Colt. Zhong Yuan hurriedly pulled his brothers behind the sand dunes to hide. Thousands of horses were galloping, and the scene was spectacular. Zhong Hai was very excited and gritted his teeth and said, "I must get the king of thousands of horses." Zhong Yuan wondered, "Why did the Fire Dragon Colt return to the desert? How could I not protect it with the Iron Arm Divine Sword?" Zhong Hai smiled and said, "I heard that the gang leader never put a bridle on the Fire Dragon Colt, and he took good care of it. They almost ate and slept together. I think the Fire Dragon Colt missed home and ran back by itself." Zhong Yuan shook his head, "Brother, the gang leader is a ruthless character. The Fire Dragon Colt returned to the desert. Who knows, he might have followed. We must be more careful." Zhong Hai shook his head and said, "No, there are more than 10,000 people in the Julong Gang. When will the gang leader be missing?" It turned out that the two brothers practiced martial arts behind closed doors and did not know the news of the Julong Gang's dissolution. Zhong Yuan thought about it and began to plan to capture the Fire Dragon Colt. Unfortunately, the two brothers were destined to be happy in vain. Chang Xiao rested by the spring in the oasis. The Fire Dragon Colt returned to the desert, full of energy, and horses from all over the country rushed to the oasis. The Fire Dragon Colt re-experienced the glory of being the king of all horses, and led the horses to gallop wildly to show his strength. Chang Xiao stayed in the oasis to rest. There was a spring in the middle of the oasis, where the horses drank water. Chang Xiao was quite excited when he saw the spectacular sight of thousands of horses galloping wildly. This was the kingdom of the Fire Dragon Colt, and the Central Plains was not the place for the Fire Dragon Colt to go.

The Fire Dragon Colt led the horses to gallop for half a day, still full of energy and pride. When it returned to the oasis to drink water, all the wild horses waited on the side. It was their turn only after the Fire Dragon Colt finished drinking water. Under the gaze of tens of thousands of wild horses, the Fire Dragon Colt drank water on its own, enjoying the treatment that a king deserves. The horses drank water one by one and left the oasis one after another. This was the exclusive territory of the Fire Dragon Colt, and no horses could stay. Chang Xiao was very happy to see the majesty of the Fire Dragon Colt, and praised: "You are worthy of being the king of ten thousand horses. Fifteen thousand taels of silver is not a lot." The Fire Dragon Colt was very excited and rubbed its neck against Chang Xiao to express his gratitude. Chang Xiao sighed and said, "This is your world. You'd better stay here. Central Plains is not the place for you to go." Huo Longju shook his head to show that he didn't want to leave Chang Xiao. Chang Xiao persuaded him, "Good brother, you have helped me a lot. I can't drag you down for myself." Huo Longju bit Chang Xiao's clothes. Chang Xiao smiled and said, "You want me to stay here. This is your kingdom. I also have my kingdom. I will come to see you if I have the chance in the future." Huo Longju's big eyes were full of affection. Chang Xiao was quite moved. In comparison, Huo Longju was better than everyone he had ever met. The bright moon was rising. Chang Xiao rested on Huo Longju's pillow. He felt bad. His only close friend was about to break up. Sadness was inevitable, but he couldn't let Huo Longju get involved for his own happiness. If he were Huo Longju, he would definitely like to stay in the desert. When he was about to fall asleep in a daze, Huo Longju's ears stood up. Chang Xiao immediately noticed it and stroked Huo Longju and said, "Someone is coming. Don't worry about it. Let me handle it." Huo Longju was relieved and continued to rest. Chang Xiao thought: Just for this trust, it is worth getting to know each other. The people who came were naturally Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai. They approached under the cover of night. Because Chang Xiao was wearing a big red robe and was close to the Fire Dragon Colt, the two brothers did not notice and approached quietly, each holding a net. Seeing that the Fire Dragon Colt did not move, the two brothers were happy and worried. The happy ones were hopeful that they could catch it, but the worried ones were that the Fire Dragon Colt was not as responsive as before, and they would have to train it carefully after catching it. Seeing that they were only thirty steps away, Zhong Yuan made a gesture, and the two brothers simultaneously spread the big net to cover the Fire Dragon Colt and tried their best to close the net. When they caught it at the beginning, they did not expect the Fire Dragon Colt to be so powerful and was dragged a long way away. This time, the two brothers were more careful. Who knew that this time was completely different from the last time. The big net was not supported at all, and the two brothers used too much force and fell to the ground.

Chapter 17: Man is inferior to Horse

Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai were caught off guard, but fortunately they were agile and jumped up to see that the Fire Dragon Colt was still there, with big eyes full of mockery. A red-robed man looked at the two brothers with a half-smile, and it was the Iron Arm Divine Sword that they had met before. Zhong Yuan went from being full of hope to being completely desperate, and he was angry, shouting, "It's you again. Last time, Master supported you and spared you, but this time, we will fight to the death no matter what." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "Don't worry, for the sake of your Master, I won't kill you. I advise you not to think about the Fire Dragon Colt in the future. If the Fire Dragon Colt is damaged, no one can save you." Zhong Hai sneered, "This is not Julong Mountain, and we brothers are no longer the same as we were three years ago. I swear I would not be a human being if I don't kill you today." Chang Xiao smiled slightly, "People who practice martial arts should avoid being impatient and making promises lightly. Didn't Master Baekje teach you?" In fact, Master Baekje warned them many times, but when the time came, the two brothers forgot. When enemies meet, their eyes are red with envy. The two brothers gnashed their teeth and rushed forward, smashing down with the colorful hammer and the gold-painted moon axe with the force of a mountain. Chang Xiao did not rush to draw his sword, but used the two brothers to test the martial arts principles he had learned during this period of time. Huo Longju was very leisurely, just lying there, and was very confident in Chang Xiao. Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai had indeed made a lot of progress after three years of hard training, but Chang Xiao was also making progress, and the gap was still obvious. The two brothers were determined to kill Chang Xiao, and they attacked fiercely without caring about their lives, and their weapons were like a torrential rain. Unfortunately, the opponent was Chang Xiao, and no matter how heavy the rain was, it could not do anything. Hundreds of moves passed in a blink of an eye, Chang Xiao was still very relaxed, and the two brothers were sweating. Hundreds of moves did not force the opponent to draw his sword, and even the dumbest people knew that there was no chance of winning. Zhong Yuan called out, and the two brothers jumped away. Chang Xiao asked, "Why don't you fight anymore? Didn't you say you would not be a human being if you didn't kill me?" Zhong Hai said in a frustrated tone, "We can't beat you, so we admit defeat." Chang Xiao nodded, "You still have some self-knowledge. To be honest with you, it's not shameful to lose to me. You must remember the lesson in the future. If you meet another master, your life will be in danger." Zhong Yuan said, "Master has already said it, but we forgot. With you around, there is no hope for Fire Dragon Colt. Let's go now." He took off the water bag and went to the spring to get some water. Fire Dragon Colt jumped up to stop him. Chang Xiao smiled and said, "This is Fire Dragon Colt's territory. You need Fire Dragon Colt's approval to get water." Zhong Hai said in surprise, "Isn't Fire Dragon Colt yours?" Chang Xiao shook his head, "Fire Dragon Colt belongs only to it, not to anyone else, including me."

The two brothers had never heard such remarks before. Zhong Yuan asked, "What do you mean?" Chang Xiao said solemnly, "The Fire Dragon Colt is my best friend and follows me voluntarily. I have never treated it as an alien." Zhong Hai scratched his head and said, "Master seemed to say something about the equality of all beings. You must have heard of it." Chang Xiao shook his head and said, "Master Baekje and I only met briefly and never stayed together. I figured this out on my own." Zhong Yuan held up the water bag and said to the Fire Dragon Colt, "I want to fill it with some water. Can you please move aside?" The Fire Dragon Colt ignored him. Chang Xiao said, "Good brother, let them fill some water." The Fire Dragon Colt then moved aside, and Zhong Yuan successfully filled the water, and he admired him very much. Zhong Hai asked, "I'm afraid that Huo Longju will not want to go to the Central Plains again after returning here. Are you willing to let him go?" Chang Xiao sighed, "As long as Huo Longju is happy, I would rather separate." Zhong Yuan was a little moved, "I didn't expect the leader to be so loyal." Chang Xiao looked up at the sky and let out a long breath, "Loyalty, I have never understood the true meaning of these two words." The two brothers simply stayed in the oasis to rest and became interested in Chang Xiao. Chang Xiao took care of the two brothers for the sake of Master Baekje. As the sky was about to brighten, Huo Longju neighed to the sky, and the sound spread far away. Soon, the sound of horse hooves suddenly rose, and the horses came. Huo Longju led the horses to gallop, and yellow sand rose in the desert, covering the sky and the sun. Seeing this scene, Zhong Yuan was quite emotional and asked Chang Xiao: "Can the gang leader really bear to give up the Fire Dragon Colt?" Chang Xiao nodded: "I can't let my friend suffer for my own selfish interests. The Fire Dragon Colt is the king here and should stay here." Zhong Hai nodded and said: "Now I understand a little bit. It is wrong for us to capture the Fire Dragon Colt for greed." Zhong Yuan said: "Anyway, Master said you are a good person, so we will go back to the Central Plains with you." The Fire Dragon Colt galloped in the desert for half a day before coming back to drink water. Chang Xiao took good care of it and carefully washed the dust off the Fire Dragon Colt. He was reluctant to part with it, but he couldn't stay here for long. The Fire Dragon Colt knew that Chang Xiao was leaving and was also reluctant to leave. The two brothers were very moved to see such a scene.

All good things must come to an end. Chang Xiao stayed in the oasis for several days, and finally it was time to say goodbye. It would be superfluous to say anything at this time. The Fire Dragon Colt stayed by Chang Xiao's side, his eyes full of affection. Chang Xiao sighed and said, "Good brother, it's time for me to go. Don't worry, as long as I'm not dead, I will come to see you sooner or later." Seeing the sincere feelings between Chang Xiao and the Fire Dragon Colt, Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai didn't know what to say, so they could only wait silently. Chang Xiao took out the cold jade bottle and sank it into the spring and said, "Good brother, it's my blessing to meet you. This bottle is kept as a souvenir. The spring water here will be cool and delicious in the future." The Fire Dragon Colt nodded to express his gratitude. Chang Xiao shook his head and said, "There's no need for this between you and me." The Fire Dragon Colt neighed to the sky, and a group of ponies ran into the oasis. Chang Xiao immediately understood and was quite moved. He hugged the Fire Dragon Colt's neck and said, "Good brother, you have to hand over your offspring to me. I'll remember this favor." Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai couldn't believe their eyes. The Fire Dragon Colt actually valued feelings. I'm afraid no one would believe such a thing if they told others about it. This group of horses are all descendants of the Fire Dragon Colt. Chang Xiao saw a fiery red pony that was very similar to the Fire Dragon Colt, except that there was a circle of white fluff above the four hooves. Zhong Yuan knew that this opportunity should not be missed, and hurriedly said: "Boss, can you ask for a favor for our brothers?" Chang Xiao said: "It depends on what the Fire Dragon Colt wants." The Fire Dragon Colt separated two ponies from the herd. Chang Xiao understood that the Fire Dragon Colt was not taking care of the two brothers, but was afraid that its offspring would be lonely. Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai were overjoyed and did not dare to be picky. They thanked him endlessly. Chang Xiao was about to leave and said to the Fire Dragon Colt: "Good brother, I really should go. I will definitely come to see you when I have the chance." The Fire Dragon Colt sent him three miles away. Chang Xiao said: "Good brother, go back. We will meet sooner or later." The Fire Dragon Colt stopped and watched Chang Xiao go. He could still see the red figure from a long distance. Chang Xiao walked forward on his own, and the three ponies followed behind him. Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai were secretly amazed. This trip to the desert was very rewarding. After walking for more than ten miles, Chang Xiao heard the sound of horse hooves from behind. He looked back and saw a black pony running towards him. It turned out that the descendants of the Fire Dragon Colt were more or less red, but this one was completely black. It was excluded by its companions, and the red horse selected by Chang Xiao often took care of it. This time, when it saw its companions going on a long journey, the black horse actually followed them secretly. Chang Xiao naturally didn't know the inside story, so he accepted it.

Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai's horses were both crimson red, and the two brothers were delighted to have their wishes fulfilled. Zhong Yuan said to Chang Xiao, "Boss, the red horse you chose has white circles on its four hooves, and it is a very rare fine breed of snow-stepping horse." Chang Xiao shook his head and said, "I don't know how to judge horses, I chose it because it is very similar to the Fire Dragon Colt. Its coat is like flames, so I call it Lieyan." Zhong Hai said, "That black horse is also amazing, with long legs and can run for thousands of miles without stopping." Chang Xiao was still missing the Fire Dragon Colt and didn't care much about these. On the way, they took great care of the ponies, and Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai also learned to communicate with the horses. The value of these four ponies is inestimable, so naturally someone is thinking about them. Two days later, a group of horse thieves came to rob them. Chang Xiao was too lazy to deal with these thieves. Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai were tied up in front of Chang Xiao, and it was easy to deal with these horse thieves. The two killed dozens of horse thieves, seized three horses, and rushed to the border. People at the border cannot live without horses. As soon as Chang Xiao and his two companions entered the border, the four ponies attracted the attention of experts, who offered 30,000 taels to buy them. Chang Xiao naturally ignored them. Originally, Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai wanted to find their master, but the four ponies refused to leave, so the two brothers had to go with Chang Xiao. After the trip to the desert, Chang Xiao also gained a lot. The magnificent scenery of the desert and the unpredictable wind and clouds often appeared in his mind. All the way back to Julong Villa, Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai were surprised to know that the Julong Gang had been disbanded. Chang Xiao only briefly explained the process and took good care of the four ponies. Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai had been in contact with the ponies for a long time, and they also developed feelings for each other and got along very well. Chang Xiao already had a new goal in mind, which was the first swordsman Zuixia Taoist, and then the master of the Divine Sword Sect Duan Qingxiao. These two mountains would be turned over sooner or later. After making up his mind, Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai practiced swordsmanship every day besides taking care of Lieyan. Seeing Chang Xiao's hard work, they were all convinced. A sharp sword is sharpened by grinding, and the fragrance of plum blossoms comes from the bitter cold. He has worked several times harder than themselves, so what else can they say? So they also imitated Chang Xiao and practiced hard. The three of them practiced hard in Julong Villa, learning from each other's strengths and weaknesses and promoting each other. After the trip to the desert, Chang Xiao's swordsmanship has also changed. In the past, he was half offensive and half defensive. Now, his attack is overwhelming and leaves no room for maneuver. When defending, he is as stable as a mountain. His swordsmanship has been greatly improved, and it has been integrated with the meaning of the desert. Under the influence of Chang Xiao, Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai's martial arts have also made a big step forward, and the two brothers are very happy.

A guest came that day, and it turned out to be Master Baekje. Chang Xiao warmly entertained him, and Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai paid their respects to their teacher. After sitting down in the hall, Master Baiji said, "I heard that the Julong Gang was disbanded and the Wanxian Hall controlled the north and south of the Yangtze River. I have been asking about your whereabouts, but no one could tell me. It was not until the two disciples sent me a letter that I knew they were with you." Chang Xiao thanked him and said, "Thank you for your concern, Master. This trip to the desert has been fruitful." Master Baiji nodded, "It seems that you have a new goal. Can you tell me about it?" Chang Xiao smiled and said, "I was just about to ask the master for advice. I met the Dragon King of the South China Sea at the beach and learned that Taoist Zuixia dominated the martial arts world. I want to challenge him. If I am lucky enough to win, I will have the opportunity to experience the superb swordsmanship of Duan Qingxiao, the master of the Divine Sword Sect." Master Baiji was surprised and said, "You actually have such ambitions. However, only by knowing yourself and the enemy can you win every battle. Taoist Zuixia's high level of cultivation is recognized by the world. Although your swordsmanship is outstanding, there is still a big gap." Chang Xiao asked, "What's the difference in my swordsmanship?" Master Baiji explained, "I have contacts with Wanqi Song. He is familiar with your swordsmanship. "I highly respect your martial arts and have told you the details of our fight. I think you have not yet understood the true meaning of martial arts." Chang Xiao hurriedly said, "Master, please give me some pointers." Master Baiji said slowly, "The martial arts of the Central Plains come from Buddhism and Taoism. Buddhism is based on the boxing created by the founder of Shaolin Bodhidharma, and the martial arts of Taoism start from harmonizing the yin and yang in the body. In the final analysis, they all come from heaven and earth. The movement of true qi is actually inseparable from the rotation of the sun and the moon. If you want to make progress, you must work on the root and experience the changes of heaven and earth." Chang Xiao nodded, "After the trip to the desert, my swordsmanship has indeed changed." Master Baiji nodded, "It's good that you can understand the meaning. The Five Animals Play created by Hua Tuo can prolong life. In fact, it is to learn the postures of five animals. The monkey boxing, snake boxing, eagle claws, Xingyi boxing, etc. that are popular nowadays are all learning the postures of animals. The mantis boxing can be established, which shows that this little reptile is also extraordinary." Chang Xiao nodded repeatedly, as if he had realized something. Master Baekje continued to instruct: "I know that you regard Fire Dragon Colt as your best friend, which is rare, but you are not good enough yet. You regard Fire Dragon Colt as a human being, but you think too highly of yourself. You should regard yourself as one of the creatures, not as the master. Only by humbly asking for advice from all kinds of creatures can you become a true master." Chang Xiao suddenly realized and felt that a new world had appeared before him. Master Baekje smiled and said, "Wanqi Song has high expectations for you. He told me that sooner or later you will be as famous as Taoist Zuixia. I am waiting to see." Chang Xiao had benefited a lot and thanked him repeatedly. Master Baekje nodded: "I told you the truth because I saw your character. Hard training is necessary, but it is difficult to make progress after reaching a certain level. You must integrate with the world to make further progress." Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai looked at each other. They didn't understand what he said at all and were confused.

Master Baiji stayed in Julong Villa for three days and said goodbye. Before leaving, he said: "Your marriage should be in the South China Sea. When the opportunity comes, it will naturally come true. Don't be too persistent. My two disciples are destined to be with you, so I will stay with you. In addition, you have worked harder than others. You must work on your mind in the future." Chang Xiao nodded to accept his advice. After seeing Master Baiji off, Chang Xiao's mind became much more open. He often paid attention to the blooming and falling of flowers, the growth of plants, the flowing water in the mountains, the ancient trees and forests, and the movements of various birds and beasts. Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai were still far from this realm and could not feel Chang Xiao's changes. They only felt that Chang Xiao's swordsmanship was indeed very different from before. After Master Baiji's guidance, Chang Xiao seemed to have changed into a different person. The deep hatred, the unforgettable lover, and the Julong Gang that he had lost and regained all seemed insignificant. But there was still one thing in his mind, that is, the Dragon King of the South China Sea. How much has his swordsmanship improved after taking the elixir? Have you challenged the Taoist Zuixia? This question has been lingering in his mind. According to common sense, the Dragon King of the South China Sea should not have challenged yet. If the Taoist Zuixia accepted the challenge, there would definitely be news. This would be a big event that would shock the martial arts world. The Dragon King of the South China Sea returned to the Five Dragons Island in the South China Sea. With the help of his wife, his power was indeed improved. He was going to challenge in the Central Plains. The Queen was worried and specifically asked him to go to the Jade Mirror Immortal in Dinghu Mountain to inquire about the Taoist Zuixia's recent situation. The Dragon King of the South China Sea obeyed his wife's words and went to Dinghu Mountain first. The Jade Mirror Immortal had a deep friendship with the old Dragon King and treated him warmly. The Dragon King of the South China Sea asked about Taoist Zuixia. Jade Mirror Immortal was from the Wudang lineage and was well-informed. He immediately smiled and said, "Taoist Zuixia is obsessed with swordsmanship and rarely comes out. According to my senior brother, he got an ancient sword with mysterious swordsmanship left over from ancient times engraved on it. After studying it, he made some achievements. I have seen it with my own eyes. This swordsmanship is profound and unfathomable, and no one can match it." The Dragon King of the South China Sea was surprised and told him about the challenge he was going to make. Jade Mirror Immortal shook his head and said, "You and I are not ordinary friends. To be honest, your cultivation is far inferior to that of Taoist Zuixia. Even with the help of elixir, you have no chance." The Dragon King of the South China Sea was of course not convinced. Jade Mirror Immortal explained, "I'm not pouring cold water on you. According to my senior brother, Taoist Zuixia has devoted his whole body and mind to swordsmanship. You have too many chores to do. It is impossible to concentrate, and the winner will be decided immediately." The Dragon King of the South China Sea has studied martial arts for many years, and of course he knows that what Jade Mirror said makes sense, so he nodded and said, "You are right, but the elixir is extraordinary, there should be a chance." Jade Mirror sighed, "Brother, you are too naive, how can martial arts be mastered quickly? Senior brother said that Taoist Zuixia used reeds to make a sword, and it could penetrate a tree trunk as thick as a bowl. Ask yourself if you have this ability?" The Dragon King of the South China Sea was shocked: "Isn't that the realm where flying flowers and plucked leaves can hurt people?" Jade Mirror nodded: "So I advise you not to act rashly and take a long-term view." The Dragon King of the South China Sea knew that he had no chance of winning, and was worried that Chang Xiao would challenge him rashly after taking the elixir, so he asked around for Chang Xiao's whereabouts.

Chapter 18: Second Blind Date

Julong Villa is easy to find, but Chang Xiao has not returned yet, and the Dragon King of the South China Sea is lingering with Jade Mirror Immortal at Dinghu Mountain. One day, he heard that the two disciples of Master Baekje followed Chang Xiao to Julong Villa, and the Dragon King of the South China Sea came to visit. Chang Xiao sent Master Baekje away and was considering the next step. Hearing that the Dragon King of the South China Sea was visiting, he was overjoyed and hurried to greet him. The two of them exchanged thousands of swords and admired each other. Although they had been together for a short time, they had a deep affection. Chang Xiao set up a banquet to entertain them, all of which were light vegetarian dishes, and Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai sat with them. The Dragon King of the South China Sea smiled and said, "Brother, you are a lot darker than last time, but your complexion is much better. I guess you have taken the magic medicine." In fact, the magic medicine was still in Chang Xiao's arms, but Chang Xiao did not point it out. He covered it up vaguely and asked, "Senior, are you ready to challenge Taoist Zuixia?" The Dragon King of the South China Sea shook his head and smiled bitterly, "I had already made up my mind, but the words of Jade Mirror Immortal made me change my mind." Chang Xiao thought back to the past. He seemed to have heard of this name. He suddenly remembered that Xu Tingsheng, who had tried to assassinate him, was the first disciple of Jade Mirror Immortal. Zhong Yuan asked, "Senior, what did Jade Mirror Master say?" The Dragon King of the South China Sea sighed, "He said that Taoist Zuixia used reeds to make swords, which could penetrate tree trunks as thick as a bowl. I dare not even think about such martial arts, so I had to give up." Chang Xiao was naturally surprised, then smiled and said, "Senior, don't worry too much. Taoist Zuixia's swordsmanship is indeed outstanding, but it is not out of reach. According to what you said, he should have reached the realm of heart sword, and all plants and trees can be swords. If he can go one step further, the sword can penetrate gold and stone. That is the ultimate achievement." The Dragon King of the South China Sea was very surprised. From Chang Xiao's tone, it was clear that he had grasped the essence of it, and did not take Taoist Zuixia seriously. So he asked, "Brother, how can you understand such a high realm? The last time we met, you and I were almost evenly matched, but today you revealed the mystery in one sentence. What adventure did you have?" Chang Xiao smiled and said, "Thanks to Master Baekje for your guidance. After all, empty words cannot convince people. It's better to discuss and you will understand." The Dragon King of the South China Sea was impatient, and Chang Xiao advised, "There is a long time to come, senior, conserve your energy before you start." Zhong Yuan changed the subject and talked about the trip to the desert. The Dragon King of the South China Sea was surprised and said, "Brother, you actually gave up the Fire Dragon Colt? That is a priceless treasure that countless people dream of." Chang Xiao shook his head, "The Fire Dragon Colt belongs only to me, not to anyone else. The king of ten thousand horses should naturally lead all the wild horses in the desert. The Central Plains is not the place for it to use its skills."

Upon learning of the sincere feelings between Huo Longju and Chang Xiao, the Dragon King of the South China Sea was deeply moved and exclaimed: "Only a man of your temperament can gain the trust of Huo Longju. It seems that I need to learn more from you." After eating and drinking, the Dragon King of the South China Sea stood up and said: "I have opened up my meridians with the help of the elixir. I am just looking for someone to try it out. Let's fight again." Chang Xiao straightened his clothes and stood up: "I dare not accompany you." Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai were secretly delighted. The master highly praised Chang Xiao's swordsmanship, but they had never had the opportunity to see it. Today they will be able to open their eyes. When they arrived in front of the viewing building behind the villa, the moon was in the middle of the sky. Under the bright moonlight, everything was clearly presented in front of them. The Dragon King of the South China Sea knew that Chang Xiao's swordsmanship was extremely fast, and he could not be careless even though he had taken the elixir. So he took the lead in drawing his sword, and the sword light drew a faint arc under the moonlight, which was nearly twice as fast as before. Chang Xiao did not rush to draw his sword, but cleverly spun his body to avoid it. The Dragon King of the South China Sea did not dare to relax. Chang Xiao's swordsmanship was almost impeccable. If he was careless, he would have difficulty fighting back. So he unfolded his swordsmanship, and the sword light was like mercury pouring down the ground, penetrating every hole. Chang Xiao's steps were light and his posture was beautiful. The Dragon King of the South China Sea had never unsheathed his sword. Although he lost the last fight, the gap between the two sides was very small. After taking the elixir, the gap seemed to be greater than before. Thinking of this, he could not help but increase his strength, and his offensive was like an endless wave. Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai, who were watching the battle, were stunned. Such a fierce offensive was simply not something that could be stopped by human power. Chang Xiao did not draw his sword, and his footwork was profound and unpredictable. The fierce offensive of the Dragon King of the South China Sea did not threaten him at all. Hundreds of moves passed, and the Dragon King of the South China Sea stepped up his sword moves, and the sword light was overwhelming. At this time, a cold light suddenly shot out, and Chang Xiao's body was seen flying into the air, like a wild goose flying across the sky, with a natural posture, and the cold light shot out. The sound of the dragon scale sword being unsheathed was particularly crisp in the night. In a flash, the Dragon King of the South China Sea retreated a few feet away, and asked in surprise: "What kind of swordsmanship is this?" Chang Xiao smiled and said: "It's not the Liuhe Swordsmanship. I have never learned the second one." The Dragon King of the South China Sea shook his head: "It's impossible. The Liuhe Swordsmanship doesn't have this move at all." Chang Xiao explained: "I have been immersed in the Liuhe Swordsmanship for more than ten years. I have not only experienced the moves, but also the sword intention, that is, the soul of the sword. I can use the sword as I want without any restrictions."

The four of them sat down on the observation tower. The Dragon King of the South China Sea sighed, "I thought I had improved my sword skills a lot and could handle you, but you were even faster. Just when I saw the flash of the sword, your sword had already arrived. It seems that you have made more progress than I did." Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai only then realized that Chang Xiao defeated the Dragon King of the South China Sea with just one sword strike. They were extremely impressed. No wonder the master praised him. This man is indeed extraordinary. Hearing the words of the Dragon King of the South China Sea, Chang Xiao shook his head and said, "To be honest, there is nothing strange about it. Although I only struck once, this sword is the essence of my martial arts. Everything about me is integrated into this sword." The Dragon King of the South China Sea exclaimed, "It seems that you have indeed entered a new realm, but where does your footwork come from?" Chang Xiao smiled, "Swordsmanship and footwork are all virtual. After the guidance of Master Baekje, I understand the root of martial arts and find the essence of Liuhe swordsmanship. In fact, all swordsmanship is the same." The Dragon King of the South China Sea was shocked, "I didn't expect you to be so good at it. "If you have such understanding, I can't catch up with you." Chang Xiao said confidently: "Sooner or later I will challenge Taoist Zuixia. If I win by chance, I can compete with Duan Qingxiao, the top genius." The Dragon King of the South China Sea sighed and said, "If you said this when we met last time, I would have thought you were dreaming. After today's fight, I understand that you are indeed qualified to say such things." Zhong Yuan was surprised and said, "Challenge the No. 1 Swordsman, did I hear it right?" Chang Xiao smiled proudly: "The No. 1 Swordsman is just an empty title, Taoist Zuixia is nothing. I am sorry, although I am not as good as him at the moment, sooner or later I will fight him to the death." The Dragon King of the South China Sea praised: "You are so courageous. If I have a daughter, I will definitely recruit you as my son-in-law." Chang Xiao smiled bitterly: "Chang was born without women, and I am still alone at the age of 37." The Dragon King of the South China Sea knew Chang Xiao's past, and sighed: "With your talent, you can definitely call the shots in the world, but it's a pity that women in the Central Plains don't recognize heroes." Zhong Yuan disagreed and said: "Later, we brothers will go to the palace to snatch a princess and bring her back to be the owner of the manor as his wife." The Dragon King of the South China Sea Suddenly remembering something, he smiled and said, "Zhong Yuan mentioned the princess, and I remembered that there was a King Riguan on Lingbo Island in the South China Sea. He was a member of the royal family of Tianzhu. He went to the Central Plains to pay homage to the emperor. Seeing the beautiful mountains and rivers, fine wine and delicious food in the Central Plains, he was so happy that he didn't want to return to his homeland, so he lived in the capital. Later, Tianzhu and the emperor of the Central Plains had a conflict, and King Riguan could not survive. He fled all the way to the sea and was taken in by me." Chang Xiao asked, "What is the relationship between this King Riguan and me?" The Dragon King of the South China Sea smiled and said, "Perhaps this King Riguan is your father-in-law Taishan."

Chang Xiao's mind was not very bright in this regard. Zhong Hai shouted, "King Riguan must have a daughter who is like a fairy." The Dragon King of the South China Sea laughed and said, "Not one, but two. The elder is Princess Huaying and the younger is Princess Yueying. I often visit Lingbo Island. These two princesses are indeed extraordinary and beautiful. My four sons have been thinking about them for a long time, but these two princesses have high standards and don't like them at all. King Riguan's conditions are very simple. He wants to travel around the Central Plains and taste all the Central Plains delicacies. He is afraid of trouble from the court, so he just wants to find a young man with strong martial arts who can protect him from being disturbed. Isn't my brother the best candidate?" Chang Xiao asked puzzledly, "Senior has the ability to do so. Why don't you agree to this condition on behalf of your son?" The Dragon King of the South China Sea shook his head and said, "My four sons are not good enough. They are not worthy of the two princesses at all. King Riguan will never agree." Chang Xiao nodded, without much hope in his heart, and said hesitantly, "I can She is not young anymore, so I am afraid that King Riguan will not agree. "The Dragon King of the South China Sea said with a smile: "Whether it will be successful or not depends on God's will. Why not meet once? I will write a letter to King Riguan and ask him to come and have a look." Chang Xiao shook his head and said: "It is not appropriate to meet here. If the marriage fails, people will laugh at her." The Dragon King of the South China Sea nodded: "In that case, let's meet at Biluo Bay where you and I met. To be honest, I really like you. If your marriage is successful, I will take care of everything." Chang Xiao thanked him and said: "Thank you for your trouble, senior." The Dragon King of the South China Sea said goodbye and contacted King Riguan to meet at Biluo Bay. Zhong Yuan asked: "Master, when are we leaving?" After several setbacks, Chang Xiao did not dare to hold too much hope. After thinking about it, he said: "Let's leave now and let Lieyan and the others play in the sea for a few days. It doesn't matter whether the marriage is successful or not." Zhong Hai nodded: "Yes, the descendants of the Fire Dragon must like the sea. Let's go together." After making some preparations, the three of them set off for Biluo Bay. A few days later, they arrived at the seaside. Lieyan was like his father. Seeing the sea, he couldn't wait to rush in to play. The three friends were unwilling to lag behind and rushed into the sea to play. Lieyan shuttled through the waves. Chang Xiao thought of the Fire Dragon Horse and felt a little warm in his heart. This friend was really worth a fortune.

In the first few days, he was worried about the arrival of the Dragon King of the South China Sea and the Sun View King, and he had some concerns in his heart. Later, he thought it through and didn't care whether the marriage was successful or not, and he just wanted to have fun. So the three of them jumped into the sea and chased and played with the BMW, and they were very happy. A few days later, the Dragon King of the South China Sea and the Sun View King came, and the two princesses also came. The Dragon King of the South China Sea wanted to meet them directly, but the Sun View King wanted to observe first. He happened to see three people and four horses playing in the sea, and the group approached quietly. Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai did not notice it, but Chang Xiao never missed any movement nearby. Seeing that the Dragon King of the South China Sea was accompanying him, he knew that the Sun View King had arrived, but he did not have time to put on his clothes. It was not appropriate to go there in this state, so he was a little hesitant. The Sun View King came from India and believed in Buddhism. He was quite impressed by Chang Xiao's treating horses as friends, but he could not see clearly from a distance. The Dragon King of the South China Sea called out, "Brother, come up for a while." After three emotional entanglements, Chang Xiao had let it go and responded loudly, "Please forgive me, senior. I didn't have time to put on my clothes. Please forgive me for being rude." He swam to the beach and emerged from the water. His bronze skin shone in the sunlight. His broad chest, strong arms like copper and iron, and his heroic spirit between his eyebrows made him look like a god. King Riguan was happy. Such a hero is hard to come by. Before anyone else spoke, Princess Yueying pointed at Chang Xiao and called out, "Vaje Dragon King." She spoke in Indian, which no one could understand. It turned out that Vaje Dragon King was a Buddhist guardian god with a very powerful deity. Chang Xiao was indeed somewhat similar to the statue. Because he was naked from the waist up, Chang Xiao bowed and said, "Let me change my clothes and see you later." As he was putting on his clothes, the Dragon King of the South China Sea asked, "This is the man. What do you think of him?" King Riguan said, "Don't be in a hurry. Let's take a look and decide." Princess Huaying didn't say anything, but Princess Yueying shouted, "I like him. I want him to be my husband." King Riguan scolded, "Don't be rude. This time we are choosing a husband for your sister, and it's not your turn yet." Princess Yueying was naturally unhappy. She held the Dragon King of the South China Sea's hand and said in Chinese, "Uncle, I like this man. Uncle, please make the decision for me." The Dragon King of the South China Sea smiled and said, "This trip is to choose a husband for your sister. If your sister doesn't like him, I will fulfill your wish." Princess Yueying immediately ran to her sister and asked, "Sister, this man's arms are too thick. He must not understand romance. Let him be given to me." Princess Huaying smiled and said, "Why are you in a hurry? Maybe Uncle Dragon King can find someone better. You are still young, don't be impatient." Princess Yueying nodded and said, "Uncle Dragon King is very capable. He may find someone better. I will wait."

Chang Xiao came forward after changing his clothes. The Dragon King of the South China Sea introduced him. The King of Riguan was dressed differently from the people of the Central Plains. Both princesses were wearing veils, so he was too embarrassed to look closely. He invited the group to sit on the ground under a tree that was sheltered from the wind. Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai didn't even wear pants, and they didn't dare to go ashore. After everyone left, they quickly got out of the water and put on their clothes. They tidied themselves up and came over to greet them. The King of Riguan brought a dozen followers, laid out the carpet, prepared food, and even had someone playing musical instruments. Chang Xiao sat upright, looking dignified. The King of Riguan said, "I heard from the old Dragon King that your swordsmanship is superb, and you are quite famous in the Central Plains martial arts world. You can be called a first-class master. How can such a person not have a wife?" Chang Xiao shook his head and sighed, "The past is too painful to look back on. I did have a wife, but it's a pity that Chang didn't understand women's minds and left me." The King of Riguan nodded, hesitating in his heart. His daughter was of noble status. Although the man in front of him was heroic, he was a hero after all, and he was married. He was afraid that he was not worthy of the status of a princess. Chang Xiao's cultivation improved day by day. Although King Riguan did not speak, he could see it from his expression. So he stood up and said, "I have no virtue or talent, so I am naturally unworthy of the Princess of India. Thank you all for coming from afar. I will not keep you any longer." With a whistle, Lieyan rushed to the front in an instant. Chang Xiao jumped on the horse, and Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai also jumped on their horses and flew away. King Riguan was quite surprised and asked the Dragon King of the South China Sea, "Why did he leave before I even opened my mouth? Did he look down on my daughters?" The Dragon King of the South China Sea shook his head, "The two princesses have been wearing veils, it's impossible that he looks down on them. This man has unfathomable martial arts skills, is meticulous and observant, and he saw through your thoughts from your expression, so he left." King Riguan was even more surprised, "I just had a thought and he saw through it. This man is really scary." The Dragon King of the South China Sea laughed, "When martial arts reach a certain level, there is naturally a huge gap between ordinary people and the top masters, and the top masters are even more unfathomable. Didn't I tell you that this man once defeated the master of the Ten Thousand Immortals Hall and the world's number one swordsman Wanqi Song?" King Riguan nodded, "Yes, but he disbanded the Julong Gang and became a lone man. I'm worried that he won't be able to protect my family." The Dragon King of the South China Sea shook his head, "How would you know? In the martial arts world, martial arts are the most important thing. Character, the Zuixia Taoist, who is the best swordsman in the world, only practices hard in the mountains, and seems to have no power or influence. As long as he comes out of the mountains, all masters will obey his orders, and with a call, there will naturally be thousands of people willing to serve him. Although Chang Xiao is only a manor owner, Wanqi Song has made great efforts to make friends with him, so Jiangbei is naturally unimpeded. Jiangnan Mo Qilin and various mountains and villages have all been his subordinates, and they would never dare to have a crooked mind. If this marriage is successful, you can travel freely in the north and south of the Yangtze River. "King Riguan hesitated and said, "This man is nearly forty years old and still alone. Is there something unspeakable?" The Dragon King of the South China Sea was quite different: "What are you thinking about? The reason why Chang Xiao failed to keep the beauty is entirely because he is too honest, not slick, and puts most of his energy on martial arts. Those playboys who are full of sweet words can never treat their wives sincerely. People like Chang Xiao are trustworthy and will definitely treat their wives well. "

Chapter 19: Dreams Come True

After returning to Julong Villa, Chang Xiao didn't take this matter to heart. The women from the Central Plains looked down on him, so the princess of Tianzhu naturally had higher standards. Zhong Yuan was still dissatisfied and said angrily, "Who cares about that princess? With the master's martial arts, as long as he sends out a martial arts invitation, beauties can line up from here to the capital." Chang Xiao laughed and said, "How can you send out a martial arts invitation to choose a wife? All the fellow Taoists will laugh their heads off. This matter is over and we still have to find a way to improve and compete with Taoist Zuixia." While they were discussing, the family came in to report that the Dragon King of the South China Sea had arrived. Chang Xiao went out to greet him. After meeting him, the Dragon King of the South China Sea complained, "Brother, you left as soon as you said you would, without even thinking about me." Chang Xiao apologized, "Please forgive me, senior. If it were in the past, I would naturally be more tactful. After the trip to the desert and seeing the Fire Dragon Colt leading thousands of wild horses, my state of mind has changed, and I can't stand being criticized." The Dragon King of the South China Sea nodded, "Brother, your cultivation is getting better and better. You can indeed regard the beauties in the world as your own possession. You can summon them and send them away at will. How can you be praised or criticized by others?" The two entered the hall. Zhong Hai asked He said, "Old Dragon King, did King Riguan regret it?" The Dragon King of the South China Sea laughed and said, "King Riguan doesn't understand the affairs of the martial arts world. After my explanation, he has understood a lot. It's funny that both princesses like him and are vying to marry him." Zhong Yuan laughed and said, "That's easy. Marry both princesses at the same time." Chang Xiao had never thought that he would be favored by Princess Tianzhu. Half believing and half doubting, the Dragon King of the South China Sea said, "Girls from Tianzhu will not be shy or beat around the bush. Princess Yueying believes that you are the reincarnation of the Buddhist guardian goddess Pojie Dragon King and insists on marrying you. Princess Huaying also sees that you are a hero. King Riguan asked me to come and mediate. If you nod, the marriage will be settled." Chang Xiao sighed, "I can't figure out the minds of the beauties in the Central Plains, and Princess Tianzhu understands even less. As long as they agree, I have nothing to say." The Dragon King of the South China Sea was overjoyed, "Brother, start preparing right away. I'll ask King Riguan to bring the two princesses here, and you can discuss it in detail."

After the Dragon King of the South China Sea left, Chang Xiao told his family to prepare. Half a day later, the King of Riguan arrived. Chang Xiao went out to greet him. Princess Yueying couldn't wait to take off her veil. As expected, she was a beauty. Princess Huaying was still a little reserved. Chang Xiao heard from the Dragon King of the South China Sea that the two princesses were equally beautiful. Princess Yueying was as pretty as a flower, and Princess Huaying was not much worse. A banquet was set up in the hall. The King of Riguan had made up his mind to marry his eldest daughter, Princess Huaying, to Chang Xiao. Princess Yueying led several maids to dance to the music, with enchanting postures and soft as if they had no bones. The King of Riguan knew that if he missed this opportunity, it would be difficult to find such a person again. He didn't care about his status at the moment and raised his glass and said, "This king has decided to marry his eldest daughter to the owner of the manor. As long as the owner nods, the marriage will be considered a success." Chang Xiao thought to himself: I am just a warrior, and I am very lucky to be favored by Princess Tianzhu. So he nodded and said, "Thanks to the prince for looking up to me. I am so high up." King Riguan was overjoyed and patted his chest and said, "The dowry has been prepared long ago. I will go back to Lingbo Island to prepare it and bring my family to attend the wedding." The Dragon King of the South China Sea said, "My brother has sent out a martial arts invitation, and I think there will be many people who send gifts." Chang Xiao didn't want to make a big deal, but seeing that the Dragon King of the South China Sea insisted, he agreed. King Riguan happily said goodbye, but Princess Yueying refused to leave and insisted on staying in Julong Villa to accompany her sister. King Riguan had to agree and said goodbye to the Dragon King of the South China Sea and left. Chang Xiao settled the two princesses and sent out a martial arts invitation through Qi Shizhen, which really alarmed many people. Wanqi Song of Wanxian Hall prepared a heavy gift and personally escorted it to the south to congratulate. Mo Qilin also prepared a heavy gift, but he didn't come in person. The mountain strongholds in the south of the Yangtze River prepared generous gifts. It was really shameful to leave Julong Mountain at the beginning, so it was a good opportunity to ease the relationship so as not to be laughed at by his peers. It was still early, but Julong Villa was already bustling. Chang Xiao couldn't handle such a scene, so Qi Shizhen helped him deal with it, and everything was in order. In fact, Chang Xiao was a little nervous. Could Princess Tianzhu really like him? Even a woman like Dingxiang despised him, so how could a princess of noble status look at him differently? Although King Riguan and the Dragon King of the South China Sea went back to prepare, they were still unsure. Anyway, it was not the first time that the marriage was broken off, so others could laugh at it if they wanted to.

As the date approached, the Riguan King arrived with ten carts full of dowry, the Dragon King of the South China Sea prepared a large number of treasures as gifts, and the three wives of the Riguan King also arrived. Chang Xiao received them all. He was in the martial arts world and had no restrictions. Anyway, he just wanted to have a big party. Master Baekje came to congratulate him and naturally became the first guest. Although Wanqi Song had been in the martial arts world for many years, he had not received the care of Master Baekje. He naturally could not miss this opportunity and invited Master Baekje to Xuchang as a guest under the pretext of doing good deeds. Master Baekje did not comment. Wanqi Song understood that Master Baekje was respected as the number one monk in the world. No one could tell his martial arts skills, but no one could match his reputation. Chang Xiao made public the matter of offending the four famous families, but the four famous families did not pursue it. It was entirely the credit of this monk. There were not many guests of real status, but there were many people who congratulated him. With Master Baekje and Wanqi Song, the master of Wanxian Hall, congratulating him, there were naturally many people who followed suit, and the gifts piled up like a mountain. Only then did King Riguan completely believe what the Dragon King of the South China Sea said. Chang Xiao was quite influential in the martial arts world. Although he had few followers, once the news was released, thousands of people would serve him. The wedding was held grandly. Chang Xiao paid respects to King Riguan and his wife, and exchanged greetings with Princess Huaying. Firecrackers rang out, and gongs and drums roared. Qi Shizhen presided over the banquet, and of course, fine wine and delicious food were indispensable. Princess Yueying began to persuade the Dragon King of the South China Sea to choose a good husband for her. The Dragon King of the South China Sea asked for the conditions, and Princess Yueying said, "My husband must be better at martial arts than my brother-in-law, have whiter skin, softer eyes, and must not be over 30 years old." The Dragon King of the South China Sea laughed and said, "How would you know, girl? Your brother-in-law's martial arts are rare in the world. It is impossible for any young man to surpass him." Princess Yueying naturally didn't believe it: "Uncle is lying to me. You always say that there are hidden dragons and crouching tigers in the Central Plains, how come you can't find even one person?" The Dragon King of the South China Sea pointed to Master Baekje and said, "If you don't believe your uncle, you can ask that monk. Buddhism does not lie, and his words cannot be wrong." Princess Yueying really came to ask, and Master Baekje laughed after listening, "As far as I know, there is indeed no young man who can surpass your brother-in-law. There are very few young people who can fight with him." Princess Yueying immediately made up her mind.

Chang Xiao married Princess Huaying. They drank wine together and were in harmony. Chang Xiao's cultivation had greatly improved. From the circulation of Qi and blood and the subtle changes in her expression, he felt that Princess Huaying really liked him and was very happy. He came out to meet the guests and was greeted with endless congratulations. Princess Yueying ran to her sister and asked in a low voice. Princess Huaying's face flushed, which made her even more charming. Princess Yueying asked about sex, and the two sisters whispered. Princess Yueying made up her mind and did not tell her parents. She discussed with her sister privately that she would share a husband. Princess Huaying felt sorry for her sister and promised to mention it to Chang Xiao when she had the chance. Only the two sisters knew about this. Chang Xiao did not expect to marry the Princess of Tianzhu. Master Baiji smiled and said, "I said that the owner's fate was in the South China Sea. Now it has come true. From now on, everything will go smoothly and you will achieve great things." Chang Xiao thanked him profusely. From this wedding, it can be seen that Chang Xiao has an influence in the world. King Riguan is naturally happy and begins to plan to visit the scenic spots and historical sites in the Central Plains and taste the food of the Central Plains. Speaking of which, Princess Huaying really likes Chang Xiao. The temperament of Tianzhu women is different from that of Central Plains women. They admire men with strong physique and uprightness the most, so Princess Yueying wants to marry Chang Xiao when they first meet. Most Central Plains women like smooth-talking, delicate-skinned and tender-fleshed pretty boys, and they dislike people like Chang Xiao who are rude and do not know how to be gentle. After several twists and turns, Chang Xiao finally got a satisfactory partner and was overjoyed. Julong Villa was bustling for several days before the guests gradually left. Chang Xiao specifically told Wanqi Song about King Riguan's wish, and Wanqi Song patted his chest and guaranteed that no one would cause trouble. At this time, Wanxiantang was powerful and had many people, so naturally no one dared to provoke it. King Riguan was overjoyed and hurriedly gave a few instructions and went back to prepare his luggage. The guests dispersed, and Princess Yueying refused to follow her father and wanted to accompany her sister, but King Riguan didn't care. The Dragon King of the South China Sea returned to Wulong Island, Wanqi Song returned to Xuchang, and Master Baekje traveled around and his whereabouts were uncertain. Everything was settled, Princess Huaying asked Chang Xiao: "Husband, should we go for a trip? My sister and I both like the mountains and rivers in the Central Plains." Chang Xiao nodded: "After we get married, we should first go to West Lake, where I have a sworn brother." Princess Yueying asked: "Why didn't I see him at the wedding?" Chang Xiao replied: "My elder brother is not a man of the world, so such an occasion is not appropriate. The scenery of West Lake is nice, so we can go there to play for a few days." After discussion, a batch of precious jewelry was prepared as gifts, and the group set off for Hangzhou.

Duan Kui hadn't seen Chang Xiao for a long time, and missed him very much. He was overjoyed when he heard that Chang Xiao was coming to visit him, and ran out to greet him. Chang Xiao today was very different from before. Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai led the way, and the two princesses sat in a gorgeous carriage inlaid with gold and jade. Chang Xiao rode a BMW, looking very proud and confident. The two brothers were naturally happy to meet each other. Although Duan Kui was knowledgeable, he had never seen a beautiful Indian woman, so this time he was really enlightened. A banquet was set up in the hall, and the whole family came out to celebrate. Recalling the past, Duan Kui was filled with mixed feelings and sighed: "Brother, God will not let down those who work hard, and finally they have made it. Seeing your glory today, the hard work you endured has finally paid off." Chang Xiao nodded: "Brother, just enjoy your life with peace of mind, and enjoy endless gold, silver and jewelry." Duan Kui smiled and said: "Brother, you are still short-sighted. If you had used the more than 10,000 taels of silver to start a family and start a business, you would at most be a local rich man, a rich man, not even one ten-thousandth of what you are today." Chang Xiao nodded and said: "If you hadn't practiced sword hard to avenge, you would definitely have achieved nothing. Every drink and every bite is destined." Duan Kui's wife and children were very curious to see the Princess of Tianzhu, and asked about her life. Princess Huaying was not very talkative, but Princess Yueying was very lively and told everyone about the customs and customs of Tianzhu. The value of the gifts Chang Xiao brought this time was inestimable. Duan Kui had never seen these rare treasures in the business world for a long time, and he was very happy. He could not finish eating these treasures in his lifetime. The two families happily lingered and took a pleasure boat to visit the West Lake. The weather was fine, the waves were rippling, and the boats were coming and going. The scenery was intoxicating. At this time, a building ship came over. The boat was decorated gorgeously, and beautiful women were coming and going, and the sound of stringed instruments continued. Chang Xiao asked, "Brother, who owns this boat?" Duan Kui smiled and said, "This boat belongs to Leping Hou. I heard that Leping Hou has recently fallen in love with a stunning beauty and accompanies her every day. It's funny to say that Leping Hou is almost sixty years old, but I heard that the beauty is really different." Chang Xiao didn't take it to heart, but Princess Yueying was not convinced and shouted, "Pull the boat over. I want to see what the beauties in the Central Plains look like." Since ancient times, wealth does not compete with power. Although the Duan family is rich, they can't afford to offend the government, but Chang Xiao doesn't care at all. Duan Kui ordered the boat to approach.

Coincidentally, the windows on the boat were split to the left and right, and a peerless beauty was looking out the window, with jade-like bones, ice-like skin, white teeth and red lips. Princess Yueying was quite confident in her appearance, and she couldn't help but be convinced when she saw this beauty, but Chang Xiao was stunned, this beauty was clearly Jade Butterfly. Princess Yueying didn't care and called out: "Sister upstairs, there's nothing fun upstairs, come down and have a drink." Jade Butterfly also felt strange when she saw Princess Yueying, this beauty was obviously not from the Central Plains, so she smiled and said: "Good sister, you should come up and drink with me." Princess Yueying shook her head: "I want to accompany my sister and brother-in-law. My brother-in-law is the best hero in the world. Sister will definitely regret not seeing him." Jade Butterfly nodded and agreed: "Good sister, I'll go down now." Chang Xiao didn't want to see this person, nor did he want to recall the past, but Princess Yueying had already spoken. Not long after, Jade Butterfly really came down from the boat, accompanied by two maids, and came to the painting boat like a lotus leaf swaying in the wind. Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai's eyes immediately went straight. Princess Yueying took Yu Hudie's hand and sat down, introducing them: "This is my sister, and the one next to her is my brother-in-law." Yu Hudie saw Chang Xiao, her face changed, and she reluctantly saluted. Chang Xiao nodded: "Miss Yu, how are you?" Princess Yueying was surprised and said: "Brother-in-law knows this sister?" Chang Xiao smiled: "Not only do I know her, Miss Yu is one of the three women I have experienced." Princess Huaying smiled and said: "So this is the most beautiful woman in the world you mentioned, and it is indeed well-known." Princess Yueying raised her thumb and said: "Brother-in-law is really amazing, he actually gave up such a beautiful woman." Chang Xiao shook his head and sighed, speechless. It turned out that Yu Hudie thought Princess Yueying was exaggerating. When she saw Chang Xiao nodded, she said: "Sister, you are right, this person is indeed a hero of the present." Princess Yueying was straightforward and said in Yu Hudie's ear: "Sister, I also want to marry my brother-in-law. It is difficult to meet such a person. If you are interested, I will talk to my brother-in-law. How about you two reconcile?" Yu Hudie was stunned. Such words could not be said by a woman from the Central Plains anyway. Thinking of the past, her face turned red and she sighed, "Sister is unlucky. She missed such a hero. It's hard to undo what has been done. You can't blame others for your own mistakes."

It was supposed to be a happy gathering, but everyone was uncomfortable because of the romance between Chang Xiao and Yu Hudie. Chang Xiao changed the subject and asked, "Miss Yu, isn't Marquis Leping on the boat?" Yu Hudie smiled bitterly, "Marquis Leping is just an old pervert. He is sick and can't come out today." Princess Huaying asked, "With your beauty, why do you want to commit yourself to Marquis Leping?" Yu Hudie looked at Chang Xiao affectionately and sighed, "Sister, I don't know, I'm not afraid of you laughing at me. I have seen a lot of people, but I have never treated anyone sincerely. I think all men in the world are the same. When Wanxiantang sent me to Julong Gang to be the gang leader's wife, I didn't take it to heart. When I first met him, he thought he was loyal and honest, but not courageous enough. It's hard to last long, even though we've been together for a while, it's just a pretense. He's a very tolerant person, he keeps a lot of things in his heart and doesn't tell anyone, he seems very mediocre, but in fact he knows everything. We always thought that we did it perfectly, until the end, we realized that he actually knew our details a long time ago. If it were someone else, he would definitely kill us, but he easily disbanded the Julong Gang. At that moment, I realized that he was the real hero, but it's a pity that the mistake has been made and it's hard to reverse it. "Princess Huaying was very fortunate: "Thanks to my father's change of heart, it's hard to find another husband like this." Princess Yueying was even more determined to marry Chang Xiao. Yu Hudie knew that Chang Xiao would never accept her, and she was afraid that she would never find such a person in the future. Thinking of this, she couldn't help feeling sad, her eyebrows slightly frowned, and she became more charming. Princess Yueying exclaimed: "If I were a man, I would definitely not let you go. There is a saying in the Central Plains, "To die under the peony flower is to be a romantic ghost." Jade Butterfly sighed: "Since ancient times, most beauties have a short life. I would rather be born mediocre and marry an honest man to spend the rest of my life with him." Chang Xiao shook his head and said: "Miss Yu, you were born in luxury and don't understand the suffering of ordinary people. You envy their ordinary days, and they also envy your colorful life. Since you are born in the world, you must find your place and don't have to feel about your life experience." Jade Butterfly found that Chang Xiao was very different from before. His words were full of confidence. After the Julong Gang was disbanded, Chang Xiao had the style of a king and was arrogant. Sighing in her heart: If Chang Xiao had such character, she would definitely not miss it. In short, she was unlucky. This is the change that Chang Xiao has undergone after returning from the desert, which outsiders do not know.

Chapter 20: Strange People in the Mountains

Chang Xiao was surprised to meet Jade Butterfly by chance in West Lake. To be honest, Jade Butterfly's beauty was indeed unparalleled in the world. After several trainings, Chang Xiao's martial arts skills improved by leaps and bounds, and he thought highly of himself. If he accepted Jade Butterfly, he would be ridiculed by the people in the martial arts world. How could a martial arts master who was famous all over the world marry a woman with a bad reputation? What's more, Jade Butterfly had seduced a group of old members of the Julong Gang. Jade Butterfly also understood that although the two were close, there were many mountains between them in their hearts. Princess Yueying was quite envious of Jade Butterfly's appearance and asked about her life. Jade Butterfly was unhappy, but she couldn't say it. She sat for a while and said goodbye to return to the boat. Duan Kui didn't say much. After Yu Hudie left, he let out a long sigh: "Brother, I really admire you. You are willing to push such a beauty away. I wish I could exchange all my family property for this beauty." Zhong Yuan smiled and said, "If it were me, I would definitely not let her go. No matter how famous this woman is, I would be happier than the emperor to hold her in my arms." Zhong Hai nodded: "If the emperor saw her, he would also be tempted. The owner of the manor is so cruel." Chang Xiao shook his head and said, "It is true that beauty is short-lived. This woman is born with natural beauty, but unfortunately she has drifted into the rivers and lakes and is bound to follow the crowd. It's not her fault. It's just that I can't let a It is better not to mention the matter of seducing a woman under my command as a wife." Duan Kui asked, "Brother, what are your plans?" Chang Xiao said, "I plan to go back to my hometown to live for a while, visit my parents' graves, and let them see their new daughter-in-law. In addition, I will study swordsmanship in my hometown, where my most painful memories are, which is a motivation for me." Duan Kui nodded, "Brother, you have great ambitions, and you will be famous in the world sooner or later." Princess Huaying understood that Chang Xiao brought her back to his hometown because he recognized this wife from the bottom of his heart, and she was very happy. Princess Yueying was carefree, drinking and chatting, thinking about marrying Chang Xiao.

The group lingered in West Lake for several days, and then Chang Xiao said goodbye and led his wife north to return to his hometown. This time was different from the last time. Last time he was alone, but now he had a BMW, two lively followers and a charming Indian princess. The people in Yangyi Town had never seen the world, and they were stunned by this scene and ran to the street to watch the excitement. Chang Xiao greeted the villagers with a smile, and did not have the airs of a martial arts master at all. At that time, it was announced that all the villagers would be invited to the Guandi Temple for a banquet and a wedding banquet would be held again. Everyone remembered the events of that year. Seeing that Chang Xiao finally returned home in glory and married a beautiful woman, everyone said that God blesses good people. Only Chang Xiao himself knew best that today's scenery was exchanged for countless hard work. Still staying in a small courtyard in the mountains, Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai went everywhere to buy wine, meat, vegetables, and spent a lot of money to paint the Guandi Temple. Many villagers followed him busy. It was natural to celebrate when a big figure appeared in a remote village. When the whole town was bustling, someone suddenly came. No one expected that it was Chen Xia, Chang Xiao's childhood sweetheart. It turned out that Chen Hongren was the most scheming. He knew the purpose of Wanqi Song inviting him to Xuchang. Since the Julong Gang had been disbanded, he had lost his value. His only hope was to roll the jewelry knife. Once the precious knife changed hands, he would be completely finished. So he secretly made a fake knife and gave the real knife to his daughter to take back to his hometown to hide it just in case. Because the Wanxiantang was powerful and had many spies, Chen Xia took a lot of effort to return to her hometown, just in time for Chang Xiao to reopen the wedding banquet. Chen Xia asked someone and learned that it was Chang Xiao who returned home in glory and invited all the villagers to a banquet to avenge his previous shame. After finding out, Chen Xia did not dare to show up. When she was tempted by someone else and married Lin Fengming, she never thought that there would be such a result. If Chang Xiao was cruel and ruthless, it was not caused by her. When they met in the snow, even if she only used a silk scarf to wipe the blood off Chang Xiao, there would be no later events. After thinking it over, he realized that he couldn't go back home, as all the villagers would poke him in the back. After some calculations, he hid the gold treasure that Chen Hongren got from Wanxian Hall under the cover of night and left quietly.

Chang Xiao naturally didn't know about Chen Xia's affairs. After more than ten years, he could finally hold his head high in front of his fellow villagers, and finally vent the bad anger he had suffered. After a lively time, Chang Xiao led his wife to worship in front of his parents' tomb to comfort his mother's spirit in heaven, and then began to study swordsmanship quietly, and practiced hard as before. Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai followed suit, and followed the prescription. If others can do it, why can't we? Therefore, the three of them worked together to practice martial arts. Chen Xia left her hometown, and she was worried. Once she was discovered by the people of Wanxiantang, it would be a disaster. The rolling pearl knife is still with her. Although she knows a few tricks, her real ability is extremely limited. Since Chang Xiao asked someone to paint and repair the old house, he might go there again, so the precious knife cannot be kept at home. But what should I do if I don't keep it at home? I can't go to Xuchang, and I can't go back to my hometown. Although the world is big, there is no place for me to stay. Although she experienced a tragedy, Chen Xia did not resent Chang Xiao very much. After all, she was wrong first. If she hadn't changed her mind, Chang Xiao would never have become the leader of the Julong Gang, and would never have achieved what he has today. As for Lin Fengming's death, there was really nothing to worry about. He had been scheming for the precious sword and the sword manual, and he could only blame himself for his body and head being separated. What hurt her most was her son, who was her only hope. Thinking of this, Chen Xia gritted her teeth and said to herself: Senior Brother, I don't blame you for killing the father and son of the Lin family, but you killed my only son, and I must avenge you. Thinking about it, Chen Xia understood that Chang Xiao had defeated Wanqi Song. Although he was not recognized by the major families, he was already the top swordsman in the world. It was not easy to avenge him. The power of Wanxiantang was concentrated in Jiangbei. Chen Xia went all the way south, preparing to go to Taibai Mountain, hide the precious sword in the mountains, and then return to Xuchang to see her father. Thinking about it, she hurriedly walked, but she actually went the wrong way and plunged into Zhongtiao Mountain. The mountains here are high and dense, with ancient trees towering into the sky. The scenery is good, but it's a pity that Chen Xia didn't have the heart to appreciate it. Being extremely hungry and thirsty, they finally found a village and went in to have a rest.

This place is far from the city, with only one hotel, which is also the only grocery store in the village. Chen Xia went in and sat down. A waiter approached and asked, "This sister-in-law must have come from afar. What do you want to eat?" Although Chen Xia was not short of gold and silver, in order to avoid the eyes of Wanxiantang, she dressed very ordinary. The waiter thought she was an ordinary village woman. At that time, she ordered three home-cooked dishes and a pot of light wine. Chen Xia poured herself and drank. She was anxious. If she didn't come back for a long time, the people of Wanxiantang would definitely be suspicious. The more anxious she was, the more confused she became. She took the wrong road. Just as she was thinking about it, an old man came into the store with a cane in his hand. He passed by Chen Xia. Whether intentionally or unintentionally, his arm touched the package. Chen Xia was startled, but then relieved. There could be no people from Wanxiantang in the wilderness village. The old man sat down to drink. Chen Xia had something on her mind. She rested for a while, paid the bill and left. She hurried on the road. The mountain road was narrow. She didn't meet anyone after walking three miles. Chen Xia felt weak in her heart. When someone came towards her, she felt a little more at ease. After seeing clearly, she was surprised that the person opposite was actually the old man she met in the hotel. After thinking about it, she immediately realized that this old man was not an ordinary person. Thinking of this, Chen Xia bowed and said, "Senior, I am a person in trouble passing by. I hope you can help me." The old man smiled and said, "Don't worry, I will not bully the weak, but I want to discuss business with you." Chen Xia said, "Senior, I have nothing." The old man shook his head, "You can't fool me. The precious sword in the package is worth a lot of money." Chen Xia was surprised. She wrapped the precious sword tightly and it couldn't be seen from the outside. This old man must be a hermit. In addition to being surprised, she thought in her heart that if the other party tried to snatch the precious sword, she would have no chance at all, and it would be impossible to run. She could only beg softly. Thinking of this, she knelt on the ground: "Senior, please spare my life." The old man disagreed: "Didn't I say I won't hurt you? How could such a magical object fall into the hands of someone like you?"

Chen Xia met a master, she was helpless and could only beg. The old man felt embarrassed. It would be beneath his dignity to take it away by force, but he was unwilling to let Chen Xia go. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Since I have met the precious sword, it is fate. I can't let it go. You can name the price. I will arrange everything for you and ensure that you spend the rest of your life safely." Chen Xia naturally refused. The old man said angrily, "I am so willing to help you, but you are so stubborn. In this case, tell me who you want to give the sword to. As long as this person is worthy of the sword, I will let you go." Chen Xia was speechless immediately. The old man sneered, "I can see that you are an extremely selfish person. You would rather destroy the sword than give it to others. . If you were a man, you would have lost all ten lives. Hand over the sword as soon as possible, otherwise it will be difficult to leave this place. "Chen Xia was hit by the old man's words, her face turned red, her mind turned, and she gritted her teeth and said: "Senior, you don't know, I have an enemy, and I leave this sword for revenge. As long as you promise to avenge me, I will offer the sword with both hands." The old man asked: "Who is your enemy?" Chen Xia gritted her teeth and said: "It is the ungrateful, cruel and ruthless Iron Arm Divine Sword." The old man was stunned, and then nodded: "So you are Chen Xia, I said that a sword could be so domineering, it turned out to be Duan Qingxiao's rolling pearl knife." Chen Xia didn't expect the old man to know her name, and she didn't know what to say. The old man sneered and nodded: "You are so angry that you are still venting your anger on others. You and your daughter are really hopeless. The Iron Arm Divine Sword once rescued more than 100,000 disaster victims. It is known to the world. In order to avoid fratricide, you even disbanded the Julong Gang. How can such a person be called cruel and ruthless?" Chen Xia argued: "That's a rumor. The senior was deceived." The old man looked disdainful: "According to what you said, Master Baekje is deceiving the world? To tell you the truth, I have been paying attention to Chang Xiao's every move. This person has a simple character, a solid foundation, and a limitless future. It is really unreasonable for you and your daughter to hate him. From another perspective, if you were Chang Xiao, would you practice martial arts to take revenge?" Chen Xia realized at this time that she had been considering her own gains and losses, and had never considered it from Chang Xiao's perspective. The marriage became a funeral, and her mother died of illness. Who can swallow this breath? He traveled a long way to find a teacher, was beaten, and almost died. The lover is ruthless and heartless, even a stone man will take revenge.

This past event was no longer a secret. Chen Xia had nothing to say, so she could only cry. The old man was unmoved and said coldly, "There is no one else here, so crying is useless. Since it is the Rolling Pearl Sword, I cannot let it go. Duan Qingxiao is a hero who is indomitable. How could his sword fall into the hands of you and your daughter?" Chen Xia cried out for injustice. The old man wanted to take the sword away, but it would be bad if it got out. How could a martial arts master take the sword from a woman? Moreover, the Rolling Pearl Sword is famous all over the world, and the inheritance is orderly. It should not be taken lightly. So he said, "You know that I cannot take the sword away. In this case, I will not change what I said before. I will prepare a mansion for you and your daughter, and 500,000 taels of gold and silver to ensure your safety. If you refuse to agree, I will spread this matter. You know what will happen to you and your daughter at that time." Chen Xia was shocked. The other party obviously knew about the Wanxian Hall. Once the news leaked out, the consequences would be disastrous. Thinking of this, she broke out in a cold sweat and reluctantly said, "Senior, you are of noble status, how can you bully the weak?" The old man smiled and said, "You have chosen your own path, you can't blame others. You and your daughter have ended up in this situation entirely because of your own faults. If your father had focused on his swordsmanship and served his master, his status today would not be lower than Wanqi Song. If you hadn't been fickle, you wouldn't have fallen to such a state. You say I bully the weak, but if I don't abide by the code of conduct, no one would know if I snatched a sword and killed someone in this wilderness. Your father would definitely not tell you that you took the sword away from Xuchang privately, and you would have died in vain." Of course, Chen Xia knew that what the old man said was true. There was no one around here, and no one would know if I really took action. After thinking for a moment, she said, "Since you know the whole story, I will hand over the sword to you. You must keep your promise." The old man laughed and said, "Do you think all the martial artists are as shameless as your father?" Chen Xia's face flushed, but she had nothing to say. She bowed and said, "Senior, I will go back to Xuchang to see my father first. We will live in seclusion together. How can I contact you then?" The old man pointed to the sword and said, "You and my daughter both recognize this sword. When the time comes, someone will naturally hold this sword to lead you out of Wanxian Hall." Chen Xia had no choice but to agree and hurried back to Xuchang.

The old man was overjoyed when he got the precious sword. Although it took a lot of twists and turns, he finally got something. There was no one around. The old man clamped the precious sword under his ribs, stretched out his body, like a monkey, and disappeared in the dense forest in a blink of an eye. Zhongtiao Mountain is lush with trees and the mountains are undulating. The old man is obviously familiar with the road. He crossed two valleys and sneaked into a deep canyon. There are few people here. If there are strangers, the birds and beasts in the mountains will naturally call. The old man went into an ancient cave, turned around three or two, and came to a stone door. He pushed with one hand, and the stone door made a muffled sound and slowly opened. The old man raised his head and walked into the door. Behind the door was a huge palace, which was very bright under the torch. This palace is huge in scale. It is unknown how much manpower and material resources were used when it was built. The huge stone pillars are carved with figures, and the walls are also covered with murals, mainly in red. After passing through a hall, the old man entered a passage, walked a hundred steps, and came to an iron door. He knocked a few times and the iron door opened. Inside was a thin middle-aged man with eyes as aggressive as an eagle and fair skin, probably because he rarely saw the sun. Seeing the old man, the middle-aged man saluted: "Dad, did you encounter something else when you came back so soon?" The old man smiled and said, "Child, a precious sword fell from the sky, you can go out of the mountain." The middle-aged man was very surprised and asked, "How could it be such a coincidence?" The old man asked with joy: "Guess the origin of this precious sword?" The middle-aged man smiled: "How can I guess without any clue?" The old man pointed out: "This precious sword once dominated the world and swept the universe for nearly 20 years." The middle-aged man immediately understood: "It turned out to be Duan Qingxiao's rolling pearl sword." There was a secret palace hidden in the deep mountains. The identity of the old man was obviously very special. The middle-aged man nodded and said, "Second uncle died under this precious sword, and the Fire God Sword was also destroyed. As fate would have it, the Rolling Pearl Sword fell into our hands." The old man sighed, "Your second uncle was born at the wrong time and met Duan Qingxiao. His years of hard work went down the drain. If a martial artist doesn't work hard enough, you can't blame others for not learning well. Now that you have the precious sword, you can go out and practice and prepare to take over the Fire God Palace." The middle-aged man nodded repeatedly. It turned out that the father and son were close relatives of the Red Spirit God who was defeated by Duan Qingxiao's sword. The old man called his son to the main hall. The middle-aged man was very respectful. The old man said slowly: "My son, since you are going to leave the mountain, I will tell you the origin of the Fire God Palace. Our ancestor was Gao Huailiang, a famous general in the Northern Song Dynasty. Our family has been generals for generations. Unfortunately, when it came to the time of Emperors Huizong and Qinzong, the government was corrupt, with internal and external troubles, and the empire was about to collapse. The Jin people invaded and abducted the two emperors. The country declined, and King Kang established the Southern Song Dynasty to survive." The middle-aged man listened attentively, wondering what these things had to do with the Fire God Palace. The old man continued: "At that time, Prime Minister Li Gang saw that the Jin people were powerful and Emperor Huizong was weak and incompetent, so he secretly sent a group of people to build a palace here. The person leading the team was our ancestor." The middle-aged man nodded: "It turns out that the Fire God Palace was built during the Northern Song Dynasty."

Chapter 21: The Scheme

No one could have imagined that the Rolling Jewel Knife would change hands and end up in the hands of the Red Spirit God’s relatives. The old man recounted past events and warned his son, "My son, there are a large number of treasures in the Fire God Palace. They are the national treasures preserved by Prime Minister Li Gang and are prepared for the restoration of the country. Remember after you leave the mountain, you must not leak any news. Although times have changed, people in the world still compete for fame and fortune. Once they know the secret of the Fire God Palace, it will set off a huge wave and I don’t know how many people will die." The middle-aged man nodded, "Don’t worry, Dad, I will never tell anyone about the Fire God Palace." The old man was very relieved about his son and smiled, "My son, you have been practicing hard in the Fire God Palace for nearly forty years. Your father is very relieved. Few people in the world today can be your opponents. Duan Qingxiao has retired, and Taoist Zuixia is studying swordsmanship in the mountains. The only person you have to pay attention to is the newly emerged Iron Arm Divine Sword. This person's cultivation has improved very quickly and it is difficult to measure." The middle-aged man asked, "Isn't Wanqi Song the number one swordsman in the Central Plains?" The old man shook his head, "You can totally master Wanqi Song's phantom swordsmanship. Deal with it, as for Chang Xiao, it's hard to say, this person has a very solid foundation, and his swordsmanship is almost impeccable. "The middle-aged man nodded: "I'll remember it." The old man smiled and said: "The colorful world outside is quite tempting. I hope you won't be confused by material desires. It's better to get to know the Iron Arm Divine Sword. It's good for both of you to promote each other. Since you were born, your father named you Gao Zhen. Unfortunately, no one else calls you. You will use this name when you travel in the world in the future." The middle-aged man smiled and said: "It's funny that you only know my name is Gao Zhen at the age of 43. You can't forget it." The old man said: "Pack up and go out tomorrow. Your father promised Chen Xia to arrange the rest of their lives. You can take one million taels of silver notes to Xuchang to get this done, and then you can visit Julong Villa and learn Chang Xiao's Liuhe swordsmanship. "Gao Zhen nodded and agreed. He has been staying in the Fire God Palace for more than 40 years. He always wants to go out and take a look. Once he is about to leave, he feels a little reluctant. The old man said: "A good man has great ambitions. You will have a heavy responsibility in the future. Remember to come back every Mid-Autumn Festival."

Gao Zhen had been practicing swordsmanship in the Fire God Palace since he was young. He was not very clear about his own skills and did not know what level his swordsmanship had reached. As a general, he had eyes and ears. In addition to swordsmanship, Gao Zhen also had a unique skill, which was the magic arrow technique passed down from his ancestors. However, the bow and arrow were too conspicuous, so he changed it to a slingshot, with 36 gold bullets and 72 silver bullets in his bag, which hit the target every time. Leaving the Fire God Palace, he felt mixed emotions. His father had taught him to be careful when dealing with people and talking to people. When entering a big town, Gao Zhen found everything new. After practicing martial arts for many years, he naturally had a sense of arrogance. When he stayed in a hotel, the waiter did not dare to look down on him and served him well. There was nothing good to eat in the mountains. Gao Zhen tasted fine wine and delicacies for the first time in his life. He was happy. It turned out that there were such delicious wine and food in the world. Anyway, there was no shortage of gold and silver, so he simply enjoyed it. So he ate and drank happily and walked slowly to Xuchang. Because of his family background, Gao Zhen was a military family with strict family education. He was well-read in military books and strategies, and knew that beauty could ruin a country. At the beginning, Emperor Huizong was licentious and had an affair with the famous prostitute Li Shishi, which led to the decline of the people's morals and the decline of the country. Therefore, Gao Zhen insisted on not being close to women and only tasting delicacies from all over the country. Approaching Xuchang, where the headquarters of Wanxiantang is located, Gao Zhen was more careful. Wanxiantang has a huge power and many masters, so there is no need to provoke it. At this time, Chen Xia had returned. Chen Hongren learned about the past. Although he was unwilling, he had no good way. Finally, the sword did not fall into the hands of Wanqi Song. It turned out that Chen Hongren was narrow-minded and could not bear to see others stronger than himself. Wanqi Song was already the master of Wanxiantang. He was so powerful that he could get a lot of money and gold and silver. He was jealous of Chen Hongren. Wouldn't it be like adding wings to a tiger to give him the sword? Therefore, although it was nothing to lose the sword, it would be best if the person who got the sword killed both Wanqi Song and Chang Xiao to relieve his hatred. Chen Xia was also worried that the old man with the knife would break his promise. The father and daughter were worried about the outcome and calculated every day, but unfortunately, after all the calculations, they still ended up with nothing.

Wanqi Song originally looked down on Chen Hongren. This person was narrow-minded, short-sighted, and used to playing tricks. He didn't repent even after falling to this point. He always blamed others for being immoral and never looked for the reason in himself. Lu Wenjun was still interested in the precious sword at first, but later he disliked Chen Hongren more and more, and he also looked down on the rolling pearl knife, so Chen Xia had the opportunity to leave. Otherwise, with Chen Xia's little ability, she would have no chance to take the precious sword away. She was worried for many days and was just worrying about nothing. Wanxiantang never paid attention to her. Gao Zhen had never been around in the martial arts world. He was a stranger, and Wanxiantang didn't pay much attention to him. He went to the city to live and waited for an opportunity to find out where Chen's father and daughter lived. He thought it would take some effort, but he found it as soon as he looked. It turned out that Chen Hongren often ate and drank under the banner of Wanqi Song and squeezed money, fearing that others would not know that he was the junior brother of the master of Wanxiantang. Gao Zhen observed for several days and didn't find anything before he paid a visit. Chen Hongren has always been suspicious and immediately became alert when he saw a stranger. Gao Zhen opened the package and revealed the scabbard. Chen Hongren immediately understood and knew that Gao Zhen's swordsmanship must be extraordinary. He did not dare to offend him and whispered: "There are many spies here. Let us prepare and meet at Wulipo in the south of the city tomorrow morning. Gao Zhen laughed in his heart. There are no spies. It's just that he is suspicious. The power of Wanxiantang is huge. If they pay attention to you and your daughter, the precious sword will not fall into my hands. Without pointing it out, he said goodbye and left, preparing three good horses to meet him. Chen Hongren was busy. He took everything he could take and hired a carriage. He filled it up and waited at the city gate in the middle of the night. As soon as the city gate opened, he left the city. Gao Zhen waited at Wulipo and found a carriage coming. When he was wondering, Chen Hongren stuck his head out of the car. Gao Zhen almost laughed out loud. Since he was afraid of Wanxiantang, he should travel light and leave as fast as possible. The carriage was big and slow. Chen Hongren was really funny. It was obvious that he was trying to cover his ears and steal the bell.

Meeting such a person, Gao Zhen had no choice but to be impatient and angry. Naturally, the carriage could not go fast. Chen Hongren even tried to guard against the coachman's movements and just gestured to Gao Zhen to urge him to hurry up. Gao Zhen thought: I have prepared a good horse, but you insist on taking a carriage. It is impossible to go fast. After leaving Xuchang, Chen Hongren opened his abacus again and secretly asked Gao Zhen: "My brave man, how much silver bills have you prepared to settle us?" Gao Zhen replied: "One million taels, enough for you to spend the rest of your life." Chen Hongren was happy, and thought that it was better to put the money in his own pocket than in the hands of others. Besides, buying a house and property is not worth it. If the other party takes advantage of it, wouldn't he suffer a loss? Thinking of this, he smiled and said, "The warrior has extraordinary martial arts skills. He should be famous in the world and show his skills. Why waste time for us? Why not give the banknote to me and we will find a place to settle down." Gao Zhen couldn't guess Chen Hongren's thoughts. He was eager to leave the father and daughter as soon as possible. He agreed and took out the banknote. Chen Hongren looked at it again and again and put it away after confirming that it was correct. Gao Zhen said goodbye and was about to leave. Chen Hongren said, "The warrior has prepared three horses, two of which are ours, and we should stay." Gao Zhen didn't know what to say, and smiled bitterly, "I'm not used to riding horses. All three are for you. Goodbye." He left in a hurry and never wanted to see Chen Hongren again. Chen Hongren got a huge sum of money and was overjoyed. He was thinking about the good days in the future. After thinking about it, he couldn't go back to his hometown. Taibai Mountain was not suitable. Living in a big town would inevitably be noticed by the people of Wanxiantang. It would be better to go to Shuzhong to be a rich man, buy good land and a mansion, and live a good life. So he took a boat to Shuzhong to settle down.

After Chen's father and daughter left, someone reported to Lu Wenjun, but Lu Wenjun didn't take it to heart. Two days later, he mentioned it to Wanqi Song. Wanqi Song complained, "You are an ignorant child. Chen Hongren is insignificant. The Jewel Rolling Knife is a first-class weapon. How can you let it go easily?" Lu Wenjun shook his head and said, "Master, I have considered it before. Although the Jewel Rolling Knife is good, it has fallen into the hands of Chen Hongren. If I get the knife, I don't know how long that old man will pester me. Besides, it won't sound good if the news gets out. It's okay to give it up." Wanqi Song nodded and said, "You are right. Magic weapons choose their masters. Chen Hongren has a low character and has implicated the treasure. "Master, I heard that Chang Xiao's swordsmanship has improved a lot. What level has he reached now?" Wanqi Song sighed and said, "I can't compare with him. Chang Xiao has a solid foundation and is supported by masters. Naturally, he will improve quickly." Lu Wenjun asked again, puzzled, "Master always says that Chang Xiao has a solid foundation. I have been practicing martial arts since I was a child and have never been lazy. Why am I much worse than him?" Wanqi Song said earnestly, "The key to practicing martial arts is to lay a foundation, just like building a house. The deeper the foundation, the higher the house. To build a tall building, you must first lay a deep foundation. Chang Xiao has been a disciple of Chen Hongren for ten years, but he has not learned a single superior martial arts move. Practicing basic skills diligently every day is laying the foundation. It may seem useless, but it has actually laid the foundation for the future. Later, for revenge, he practiced Liuhe swordsmanship diligently for nine hours a day. Most people can't stick to it, not even as a teacher. This is the benefit of a solid foundation. Of course, Chang Xiao's virgin body training also played a big role. His achievements today are all due to his own efforts, without any shortcuts. "Lu Wenjun nodded: "So that's the case. Even if I am willing to work hard, I can't stay a virgin. I'm afraid I can't catch up with him in this life." Wanqi Song nodded: "This person will become a martial arts master sooner or later. As a teacher, I have seen Zui Taoist Xia, his foundation is not as good as Chang Xiao, so I assert that Chang Xiao is the only one who has a chance to defeat the number one swordsman. "Lu Wenjun smiled and said, "Now that Chang Xiao has the Princess of Tianzhu and the help of the Dragon King of the South China Sea, he has endless treasures to enjoy. I am afraid he will not work as hard as before." Wanqi Song shook his head: "No, I have been paying close attention to Chang Xiao's every move. After receiving the guidance of Master Baekje, Chang Xiao's practice time has indeed been reduced, but his swordsmanship has entered a new realm. In the past, he won by speed, but now he can integrate his swordsmanship into the environment and transcend the world, which is similar to Taoist Zuixia's heart sword."

Upon learning that Chang Xiao's swordsmanship had improved, Lu Wenjun was shocked: "Master is right. It is indeed a good move to turn enemies into friends with this person." Wanqi Song smiled and said: "I learned this from Qingyang Swordsman. Wu Qingyang would not have promoted Chang Xiao for no reason. After fighting with this person, I understand the reason even more." Lu Wenjun nodded: "Disciple understands." Wanqi Song said: "Jiangnan has not made any progress. On the one hand, it is because the people of the Sixteen Villages feel guilty about Chang Xiao, and on the other hand, Qi Shizhen is unwilling to cooperate, so the source of information is not smooth. You go to Julong Villa tomorrow to meet Chang Xiao and tell him about the past. Let's talk about the matter and ask him to say hello to Qi Shizhen. It will benefit both sides. "Lu Wenjun asked, "Should we prepare some gifts?" Wanqi Song rubbed his beard and pondered, "It's not easy to give gifts now. The Dragon King of the South China Sea has given us a lot of rare treasures. We can't be too shabby. Since Chang Xiao doesn't care about gold, silver and jewelry, we will send a batch of aged good wine and prepare some local specialties. They must be high-quality goods that are not available on the market." Lu Wenjun agreed and began to prepare. Wanxian Hall had a large number of people. After the news was released, the branches in various places began to take action. They were ready in a few days. Lu Wenjun led his followers to Julong Villa. At this time, Chang Xiao had returned to Julong Mountain. Princess Huaying lived a life of luxury and lived in Yangyi Town. There was nothing to eat or drink. After a period of getting along, Lieyan and Chang Xiao had a lot of feelings, and they didn't let others get close at all. Princess Yueying tried several times but failed, and she was angry but couldn't do anything. Lieyan was quite like his father, acting quickly and often threatening people. Chang Xiao was determined to compete with Taoist Zuixia, and studied swordsmanship every day, not caring about the affairs of the martial arts world. Lieyan was impatient to stay in the villa, and often ran around on the mountain and scattered flowers. Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai had always been in charge of him. One day, Lieyan suddenly rushed to the door of Chang Xiao's bedroom. Chang Xiao was accompanying Princess Huaying. Hearing Lieyan's neighing, he knew something was wrong, so he went out and asked, "What did you see?" Lieyan lowered his neck and shook it a few times. Chang Xiao understood, "You mean there is a powerful person on the mountain." Lieyan nodded. Chang Xiao knew Lieyan's speed very well. The one who could make it feel scared must be a master, at least stronger than when he first met the Fire Dragon Horse. Thinking of this, he couldn't help but get excited. Since there was a master, he could just verify the martial arts principles he had learned recently. So he jumped on Lieyan and said, "Take me to see." Lieyan neighed and ran up the mountain.

There was indeed a master at Julong Mountain. It was Gao Zhen, who had just obtained the Rolling Pearl Knife. He originally wanted to visit him, but he was unfamiliar with him and was afraid of being laughed at. Chang Xiao was quite famous, and he might be arrogant. If he refused to meet him, he would lose face, so he went to Julong Mountain to wait for an opportunity. Lieyan was sensitive and found that there was a stranger on the mountain. He was about to drive him away, but he found that the murderous aura emanating from Gao Zhen was more terrifying than that of a tiger, so he returned to the villa to tell Chang Xiao. After a while, he came to the mountain. Chang Xiao looked around and immediately felt the approximate location of the person. He said loudly: "Who is the master who came to the barren mountain? Can you see me?" Gao Zhen hid in the bushes and looked carefully. The person on the red horse must be Chang Xiao. Everyone in the world knew that the red horse and red robe were Chang Xiao's signature. Seeing Chang Xiao's proud and heroic style, Gao Zhen cheered secretly. The name of the Iron Arm Divine Knife was well deserved. Just looking at his momentum revealed his extraordinaryness. I wanted to show up, but it seems that I am inferior to him if I go out like this, so I might as well show my skills to Chang Xiao. Thinking of this, I took out my slingshot, reached out and took out five silver bullets and shot them out at the same time. Chang Xiao heard the sound of weapons breaking through the air, but it was not coming at him. I saw five silver lights shooting into the sky, which were particularly dazzling in the sunlight. Just when I was wondering, five more golden lights shot out, and there was a crisp sound in the air. The five golden bullets actually hit the silver bullet at the same time. Chang Xiao praised: "Good kung fu, if my friend has no ill intentions, he can show up. I know your ability." Gao Zhen took back the golden and silver bullets, straightened his clothes and walked out of the dense forest, clasped his fists and saluted: "I am an unknown person who came to visit, and I dare not come to your door without permission, so I have to resort to this last resort. Please forgive me, owner." Chang Xiao dismounted and returned the salute: "Your skills are outstanding, and you will be famous in the world sooner or later. There is no need to be too modest." Gao Zhen nodded: "I am flattered by the owner of the manor. I am Gao Zhen, who has just entered the world of martial arts and came to ask for advice." Chang Xiao smiled and said: "I am not an old man in the world of martial arts, but I have seen a lot. Brother Gao, follow me to the villa for a chat." The two walked down the mountain side by side. Chang Xiao saw Gao Zhen's cultivation from his eyes and knew that Gao Zhen was a rare master. Gao Zhen also found that Chang Xiao's muscles and bones were very different from those of ordinary people. There were thick calluses on his hands, and he must have been tempered. The two entered the villa, and Lieyan ran away again. Chang Xiao invited Gao Zhen to the viewing tower. Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai were puzzled. The viewing tower was a place for receiving distinguished guests. So far, only the Dragon King of the South China Sea had come to drink in the tower. It seemed that today's guest was extraordinary. So the two brothers came to join in the fun and see what extraordinary skills Gao Zhen had. The four of them sat down, and Chang Xiao asked, "Where did Brother Gao get the precious sword?" Gao Zhen was shocked. His father was right. This Iron Arm Divine Sword was indeed amazing. He had wrapped it very tightly, but he still saw it. So he smiled and said, "Master, this sword is the Rolling Jewel Sword."

Chapter 22: Broad Mind

Hearing the words "rolling pearl knife", the past scenes came to Chang Xiao's mind. He felt bad. His first love was really unforgettable, but Chen Xia's ruthlessness was equally unforgettable. Thinking of this, he didn't ask Gao Zhen how he got the precious knife. He changed the subject and asked, "Brother Gao, you just entered the martial arts world. Does your master have any contacts with the major famous families?" Gao Zhen smiled and said, "My swordsmanship was passed down from my father. My father and I have been living in seclusion in the mountains and have no contacts with the Central Plains martial arts world." Chang Xiao nodded and said, "Looking at Brother Gao's eyes, his swordsmanship must be extraordinary. I'd like to learn from him." Gao Zhen hurriedly said, "The owner of the manor is too polite. It should be Gao who asks the owner for advice." Chang Xiao shook his head and said, "I'm just an empty owner of the manor. I just entered the martial arts world a few years earlier. Brother Gao, don't be polite." Gao Zhen nodded secretly: With such a great reputation but no airs, his swordsmanship must be unfathomable, so he should be more careful. After three rounds of drinks, Gao Zhen spoke: "Master, when I left the mountain, my father told me to pay a visit to Julong Villa, and he spoke highly of you. After seeing you today, I find that you are indeed a rare talent. I, Gao, am incompetent, so I would like to ask for your advice." Chang Xiao nodded: "Brother Gao has suffered as much as I have, and he has received guidance from famous teachers. I am afraid I am not your opponent. If I really cannot defeat you, please show mercy." Gao Zhen smiled and said, "Master, you are too modest." The moon was rising outside the window, and it was quiet all around. Chang Xiao said, "Why don't we go to the rooftop to compete." Gao Zhen naturally had nothing to say. Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai could not see anything unusual about Gao Zhen, but Chang Xiao was always calm and steady in doing things, so it was impossible for him to make a mistake. So the two of them also went to the rooftop to watch the fight. Gao Zhen had practiced swordsmanship for decades. When he met a master for the first time, he felt a little nervous. Chang Xiao smiled and said, "Don't worry, Brother Gao. Just give it a try. Without going through hardships, it's hard to achieve great things." Gao Zhen calmed down and solemnly opened the package to take out the pearl rolling knife. Chang Xiao felt familiar and unfamiliar when he saw this knife. He had seen it countless times during the ten years of learning the art, but he had never seen it unsheathed. When he was seeking revenge at Qingfeng Temple, he saw the true face of the precious knife, but the precious knife was coming for him. At that time, he was so focused on revenge that he had no time to think about the precious knife. Gao Zhen drew his knife carefully. His opponent was so famous that he could not be careless. The precious knife looked like a pool of autumn water under the moonlight. Gao Zhen gritted his teeth and struck the precious knife head-on. With one move and six styles, the knife light unfolded, and a ball of silver light covered Chang Xiao.

As soon as Gao Zhen made a move, Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai saw that this man had superb swordsmanship and profound skills, at least not inferior to the Dragon King of the South China Sea, and secretly praised Chang Xiao for his good judgment. Chang Xiao naturally could not neglect it, and the dragon scale sword struck out like a swimming dragon, with a crisp sound like a dragon's roar, and the two of them started their swordsmanship under the moon and fought to the same place. Gao Zhen was fighting with a master for the first time, and he felt timid. Chang Xiao deliberately guided him and was not in a hurry to attack, so that Gao Zhen could gradually adapt. After a hundred moves, Gao Zhen gradually found his confidence, and his swordsmanship became more rigorous, and his whole body was covered by the sword light. Chang Xiao found that Gao Zhen's swordsmanship was dense, and there was almost no obvious boundary between offense and defense. When he first entered the martial arts world, he did not have such a cultivation. Gao Zhen's swordsmanship gradually became mature, and Chang Xiao shouted and began to attack. Gao Zhen did not show any weakness and started to fight against Chang Xiao. The two of them spread out, and the sword light was like mercury leaking on the ground. Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai could not see the figures of the two at all, and only saw a ball of silver light. The two were shocked. This Gao Zhen was indeed amazing. He could fight against Chang Xiao for hundreds of moves. The two people were very fast in swordplay, and their moves changed very naturally. Chang Xiao felt that Gao Zhen's swordsmanship was very profound. Gao Zhen also felt that Chang Xiao's swordsmanship was overwhelming and pervasive. He secretly admired him. Chang Xiao was excited to fight. He looked up to the sky and roared. The dragon scale sword was like a huge hammer, and its power increased several times. Gao Zhen was immediately exhausted and fell from the roof. He put away his sword and clasped his fists: "The owner of the manor has an unparalleled swordsmanship. I admire it." Chang Xiao shook his head: "Brother Gao's swordsmanship is not worse than mine, but he was worried and didn't let go."

Returning to the building to drink, Gao Zhen exclaimed: "The owner of the manor's swordsmanship is almost impeccable. I have benefited a lot from it today." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "Brother Gao, don't be too modest. When I was taking revenge, I was not as good as you. If you had entered the world earlier, you would definitely be more famous than me." Zhong Yuan sighed: "It seems that we brothers still have to work hard. This brother Gao was much stronger than us when he first entered the world." Chang Xiao nodded: "Knowing shame leads to courage. As long as you work hard, you will reap rewards sooner or later." Gao Zhen was a little discouraged and sighed lightly: "The owner of the manor has not tried his best. I can't hold on any longer. Once I let go, I can't last more than two hundred moves." Chang Xiao persuaded: "Brother Gao, don't be discouraged. It's amazing that you can measure the depth of my swordsmanship. In fact, brother Gao's swordsmanship has not been fully utilized. It seems that he lacks the soul of the sword. If brother Gao can realize the essence of his own swordsmanship, the outcome is still uncertain." Gao Zhen knew that his second uncle Chi Lingshen was famous in the world, and was as famous as the top master at that time, Duan Qingxiao. Of course, there is still a certain gap between me and Chang Xiao. It is rare to get the praise of Chang Xiao. Thinking of this, Zhan Yan said: "What the owner of the manor said is very true. I have not worked hard enough, and I need to work harder." Chang Xiao has been instructed by the Baekje master, and he is far from the past. He shook his head and said: "Brother Gao has already got the form of swordsmanship. There is not much meaning in practicing it. If you want to get the soul of the sword, you must work hard on your mind. It's like calligraphy. Zhang Xu, the master of cursive, practiced hard for many years without any progress. It was not until he saw Gongsun Da Niang's sword dance that he realized the essence of calligraphy and became a master. Brother Gao is now missing this finishing touch." Gao Zhen stood up and bowed: "I am deeply grateful for the owner's guidance." Chang Xiao hurriedly helped him up: "Brother Gao, you don't have to be polite. If it weren't for the Baekje master's guidance, Chang would not understand the reason." Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai looked at each other. Most martial artists are afraid that others will surpass themselves, so they cherish their secret skills and keep some of them to their disciples. However, Chang Xiao opened his heart to a stranger he met for the first time and pointed out the key points. It is really hard to understand. Gao Zhen also knew this, and he was glad that he had listened to his father and came here to meet Chang Xiao. If he had met other masters, he didn't know what the outcome would be. Who would be willing to tell precious experience to outsiders easily?

Although Chang Xiao has achieved some success, he is still simple like a farmer, unlike the masters from famous families. It is because of this that he is appreciated by Wu Qingyang and Master Baekje, and they help him openly and secretly. Gao Zhen is very grateful. Chang Xiao asked, "What are your plans, Brother Gao?" Gao Zhen replied, "My father only ordered me to practice, nothing else." Chang Xiao nodded, "If Brother Gao has nothing to do, you can stay at Julong Villa, and we can promote each other." Gao Zhen knew that there was still a certain gap between him and Chang Xiao, and such an opportunity must not be missed, so he immediately agreed, "As long as the owner of the villa does not dislike it, Gao would be more than happy to do it." Chang Xiao immediately arranged for Gao Zhen to stay, and the two would exchange swordsmanship whenever they were free. Gao Zhen humbly asked for advice and respected Chang Xiao very much. In fact, Chang Xiao had another reason to keep Gao Zhen. When his father-in-law, King Riguan, was leaving, he handed Princess Yueying's marriage to him. Princess Yueying's conditions were too high and difficult to meet. Gao Zhen happened to appear. This man had superb swordsmanship and had never been married. Although he was a little older, his muscles and bones were very strong. If Princess Yueying agreed, she could put her mind at ease. She first told Princess Huaying about this and asked her sister to take a look at him secretly. After Princess Yueying came back, she shook her head repeatedly: "No, that man's eyes are like an eagle's, it's scary to look at him, I still like my brother-in-law." Princess Huaying told Chang Xiao, and Chang Xiao shook his head: "I am already satisfied that I can marry a virtuous wife. Marrying another one will inevitably delay my practice." Princess Huaying smiled and said: "I have never seen someone like you. You always push beauties away, I don't mind, what are you afraid of?" Chang Xiao smiled but did not answer. Princess Huaying said: "My sister has fallen in love with you a long time ago. I am already pregnant. Once I have a child, I can't be with you. I will feel at ease to let my sister take care of you." Chang Xiao still refused: "Let's talk about it after the baby is born." Princess Huaying couldn't force it, so she could only let her sister wait patiently.

A few days later, Lu Wenjun came to visit and Chang Xiao set up a banquet in the hall. Lu Wenjun explained his purpose. Chang Xiao wondered, "With Mo Qilin's swordsmanship and Soul-Chasing Needle's strategy, how can they not handle it?" Lu Wenjun sighed, "There is also morality in the green forest. The people of the Sixteen Villages are destroying the bridge after crossing the river. They are despised by their fellows and are unwilling to help. Asking Manager Qi for information doesn't work, so I have to ask the owner of the manor for help." Chang Xiao didn't want to care about it at first, but then he thought that he was also responsible for the situation that Mo Qilin and others had ended up in, so he readily agreed, "I'll ask Manager Qi to come right away." Lu Wenjun was overjoyed and clasped his fists and said, "If the owner of the manor agrees, I'll call Mo Qilin and Soul-Chasing Needle to put the previous grudge behind us." Chang Xiao nodded, "Okay, this matter will be settled sooner or later. After all, we are brothers." Lu Wenjun hurriedly sent someone to deliver a message, and Chang Xiao also sent someone to invite Qi Shizhen. After receiving the letter, Mo Qilin immediately consulted with his military advisor, Zhuihunzhen. Zhuihunzhen was overjoyed when he saw the letter: "This is a great thing. We should prepare a generous gift and go to apologize." Mo Qilin hesitated and said: "With my current status, how can I beg someone in such a low voice?" Zhuihunzhen smiled and said: "Young Master, don't forget that the old master is still friends with this person, calling him brother all the time and treating him as an equal. It is not shameful for us to go to his house to apologize. Besides, what we did at the beginning was indeed dishonorable. If this knot cannot be untied, it will be difficult for us to gain a foothold in Jiangnan. This time Chang Xiao is willing to put aside the past grudges with us. If the young master does not seize this opportunity, the old master will probably call us back to Xuchang." Mo Qilin had to endure several years to gain a foothold in Jiangnan. Of course, he did not want to go back to Xuchang. There, his father was the boss and he had no say at all. So he immediately prepared a generous gift and went to Julong Villa with Zhuihunzhen to apologize.

Qi Shizhen was well-informed and arrived long ago. Chang Xiao invited him to the secret room and Qi Shizhen asked, "What does the owner want me to do?" Chang Xiao smiled and said, "Shopkeeper Qi, please don't be so formal. This time we are here to negotiate peace." Qi Shizhen wondered, "To whom?" Chang Xiao replied, "I heard that Shopkeeper Qi and Mo Qilin are not on good terms, and I am willing to mediate." Qi Shizhen was very surprised, "They are deliberately plotting against you. Even an outsider like me can't stand it. Why are you speaking well for them?" Chang Xiao smiled and said, "The past is like smoke. I have always been content. I am satisfied with my achievements today. Why should I hold on to the past?" Qi Shizhen sighed, "To be honest, , the owner of the manor doesn't look like a man of the world. Since you don't care, what else can I say? As long as Mo Qilin sincerely admits his mistake, I am willing to reconcile. "Chang Xiao was overjoyed: "It's rare that Manager Qi is so reasonable. If it was just my personal grudge, I would never forgive Mo Qilin. From the overall perspective, the various forces in Jiangnan are going their own way, and fighting each other is not a long-term solution. It is still more important to make peace. My personal grudge can be put aside." Qi Shizhen stood in awe: "It turns out that the owner of the manor has a long-term vision and cares about the overall situation. Qi admires him." After the secret talk, Chang Xiao told Lu Wenjun to secretly inform Mo Qilin that Qi Shizhen had the intention to reconcile and not to waste this great opportunity. Mo Qilin was very happy to hear the news. Zhuihunzhen reminded him, "You must be humble on this trip. Even if you are just pretending, you must act properly." Mo Qilin laughed and said, "Do you want me to apologize? Wouldn't my brothers look down on me if I do that?" Zhuihunzhen shook his head, "Liu Bei is the best at acting. He cries all the time. He has the Five Tiger Generals by his side and a talent like Kong Ming. Who in the world would look down on him? Lian Po apologized for his crime by affixing himself to a thorn stick. This story has been passed down through the ages. I have never heard of anyone laughing at him." Mo Qilin nodded, "I understand what you mean, military advisor. Chang Xiao's martial arts are far superior to mine. There is nothing shameful in apologizing to him. . "The Soul-Chasing Needle agreed: "That's right. Chang Xiao looks mediocre, but he is actually quite scheming. He is very smart and foolish, and he has deceived us all. He is both wise and brave, and is definitely not an ordinary person. It will be very beneficial to solve this problem in the future." Mo Qilin smiled and said, "In short, he admitted his mistakes. To be honest, I feel sorry for him, especially for creating the opportunity for Jade-faced Wolf to seduce Dingxiang. This is really shameful. If Chang Xiao hadn't gotten married, I wouldn't have the face to see him." The Soul-Chasing Needle nodded: "I feel the same way. It's really unexpected that there are still such honest people in the world today."

Chang Xiao hosted a banquet at Julong Villa to entertain guests. Qi Shizhen first met with Lu Wenjun. With Chang Xiao in charge, everything went very smoothly. When Mo Qilin and his party arrived, Chang Xiao was not convenient to go out to greet them. Lu Wenjun took Mo Qilin and the Soul Chaser. The hall was filled with fine wine and delicacies. Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai were sitting with them. Chang Xiao specially invited Gao Zhen to meet the guests. These were all powerful people who had a great influence on the martial arts world. When Mo Qilin saw Chang Xiao, he bowed down, and the Soul Chaser also bowed down to see him. Chang Xiao smiled and said, "After all, we are brothers. There is no need to be polite." The Soul Chaser said, "The owner of the manor is magnanimous and does not hold grudges. Such a broad mind is rare in ancient and modern times." Chang Xiao shook his head and said, "I dare not wear such a high hat. Children of the martial arts world are not particular about trivial matters and forget their grudges by talking and laughing." Mo Qilin saluted Qi Shizhen, and Qi Shizhen returned the salute and said, "With the owner of Chang Manor coming forward, everything will be easy to talk about." Mo Qilin was happy and apologized and took a seat. Lu Wenjun naturally had to speak well for Mo Qilin. Everything had been arranged in advance, and the atmosphere was very harmonious. Mo Qilin recognized the two brothers Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai. He felt a little strange when he saw Gao Zhen. Chang Xiao kept calling him Brother Gao. This person must be extraordinary, but he had never heard of him. Just when he was wondering, Chang Xiao introduced: "Everyone, a new friend came today. His name is Gao Zhen. He is new to the world. I hope you can take care of him." Gao Zhen saluted with a fist. Lu Wenjun smiled and said: "With the owner of the manor, everything will be safe." Zhuihunzhen nodded: "This brother has a good cultivation level. He doesn't need us to take care of him." Mo Qilin naturally expressed his attitude: "Don't worry, owner of the manor. Since we have met, everything will be easy." Chang Xiao stood up for Gao Zhen. Gao Zhen was grateful in his heart, but he didn't need to say it out loud. He just remembered it in his heart.

After three rounds of drinking, Qi Shizhen expressed his position and agreed to provide information to Mo Qilin. Chang Xiao sent out a green forest post to express his reconciliation with Mo Qilin. In this way, the situation in Jiangnan would be stable, and Mo Qilin was extremely happy. The Soul Chaser asked: "Master, I heard that the Fire Dragon Colt returned to the desert. Is this news true or false?" Chang Xiao nodded: "Yes, the Fire Dragon Colt missed the desert, so I sent it back." Mo Qilin was surprised and said: "Master, are you really abandoning the Fire Dragon Colt?" Chang Xiao smiled: "The Fire Dragon Colt is not mine. The king of ten thousand horses must naturally lead the wild horses in the desert. The Central Plains is not a place for it to gallop. By the way, since the news of the Fire Dragon Colt has spread, please send out a martial arts post. Anyone who dares to take the Fire Dragon Colt is my enemy." Lu Wenjun promised: "Master, don't worry, I will take care of this matter." Zhong Yuan described the trip to the desert vividly, and everyone listened with relish. Gao Zhen got to know Chang Xiao a little more. It turned out that this person was so loyal and righteous. After listening to this, Mo Qilin sighed: "The Fire Dragon Colt is so amazing. In comparison, I am really ashamed of myself." Lu Wenjun was also quite touched. The sincere feelings between Chang Xiao and the Fire Dragon Colt were really touching. He made up his mind to visit the desert sooner or later to see the majesty of the king of horses. The Soul Chaser said: "Since the Fire Dragon Colt has handed over its offspring to the owner of the manor, can we open our eyes?" Chang Xiao nodded and agreed: "It's not difficult."

Chapter 23: Beauty and Fate

The reputation of the Fire Dragon Colt spread far and wide, and almost everyone in the martial arts world knew about it. It was not easy to get it, or even to take a few glances at it. Chang Xiao whistled, and Lieyan came to the outside of the hall in the blink of an eye, followed by three companions. Chang Xiao smiled and said, "The guests who came today wanted to see you, nothing else." Lieyan glanced at the people in the hall, neighed, and continued to play in the mountains. Lu Wenjun praised, "You can't find such a good horse in the palace." Zhuihunzhen nodded, "This horse is eight points similar to the Fire Dragon Colt, and those three are also one in a million. The owner of the manor has this opportunity, which is really enviable." Chang Xiao shook his head, "It was purely an accident to meet the Fire Dragon Colt. The king of ten thousand horses will not bow to anyone, and no one can subdue it." Because the reconciliation was implemented, the host and the guests were happy, and everyone drank happily. Lu Wenjun praised Chang Xiao's swordsmanship. Chang Xiao shook his head: "Speaking of swordsmanship, Chang still has a long way to go. The hard work in the past is of course indispensable, but the future development is a brand new realm. I can't say how far it will go." Mo Qilin sighed: "The owner of the manor has entered a new realm, and my generation can't catch up." Chang Xiao smiled and said: "There are talented people in every generation, and each has been leading the trend for decades. Brother Gao's swordsmanship is superb, not inferior to mine. I don't know when he will surpass me." Gao Zhen clasped his fists and said: "The owner of the manor does not need to be too modest. I have been here for a few days, just like a boy entering the school for the first time. I have benefited a lot, and I dare not dream of surpassing the owner of the manor." Chang Xiao shook his head repeatedly: "Brother Gao is too conservative. People who learn martial arts must have lofty ambitions in their hearts and cannot shrink back. I still want to challenge Fighting the number one swordsman Zuixia Taoist and the world-famous master of the Divine Sword Sect, Duan Qingxiao, you have already set me low as your target." Qi Shizhen's face changed slightly, and then he said with relief: "The owner of the manor has great ambitions. If your wish comes true, don't forget me." Chang Xiao smiled and said: "What are you talking about, Qi, I will never forget my friends no matter when and where. It is hard to say whether I can survive the challenge of Zuixia Taoist. If I lose and die, everything will be in vain." Lu Wenjun said: "We haven't fought yet, why does the owner of the manor say such an unlucky thing?" Chang Xiao smiled and replied: "There is no difference between life and death in my eyes. After experiencing so many things, I have let go of everything." Of course, Lu Wenjun didn't know that Chang Xiao had been on the verge of life and death. This was Chang Xiao's biggest secret, and only he knew it.

Everyone present knew that although Chang Xiao disbanded the Julong Gang, he had already gained a place in the martial arts world and no one could underestimate him. Soul Chaser knew that Wu Qingyang had some dealings with Chang Xiao, so he asked, "What is the relationship between the manor owner and Qingyang Swordsman? Are they sworn brothers or just ordinary friends?" This question showed that Soul Chaser was far-sighted. Finding out this relationship could determine his attitude towards Julong Villa. Chang Xiao replied, "Qingyang Swordsman saved my life and helped me in many ways. It's not an exaggeration to respect him as a teacher, but we are of the same age, so I call him brother. As for everything about him, I have never asked, and I don't think he would tell me." Qi Shizhen said, "Qingyang Swordsman is from Wuling Villa. He is the second son of the manor owner and has profound attainments in swordsmanship. The manor owner of Wuling Villa has a deep friendship with Yuxu Zhenren, the head of Wudang, and the elder Jinchan of the Beggar Gang. No one else can enter Wuling Villa." Chang Xiao asked, "Who is this manor owner?" Qi Shizhen smiled and said, "Except for the above... The two people mentioned above, no one in the martial arts world has seen the true appearance of this old man. It is said that this old man was once very powerful, but I don’t know why he retired. "Zhuihunzhen raised his thumb and said: "It is still the shopkeeper Qi who is well-informed. If you hadn’t told us, we would not know the details of the Qingyang swordsman." Chang Xiao nodded: "If it was just a swordsman who traveled alone in the martial arts world without the support of any force, it would be impossible for him to save my life in that situation." Mo Qilin has been rolling in the martial arts world for several years. He has always heard that Wuling Villa is a forbidden place in the martial arts world. No one knows the details. It is rare that Qi Shizhen opened his mouth, just to ask the truth. So he struck while the iron was hot: "Shopkeeper Qi is the most well-informed person in the martial arts world. Can you reveal the situation of Wuling Villa?" Qi Shizhen shook his head: "This is a big taboo."

Chang Xiao had never heard of Wuling Villa, but Qi Shizhen could not disclose the secrets of his fellow practitioners casually, let alone a martial arts forbidden place like Wuling Villa. So he smiled and said, "Don't make it difficult for me, Shopkeeper Qi. I just want to know which side is stronger, Wuling Villa or Zuixia Taoist." Qi Shizhen shook his head and said, "Zuixia Taoist's swordsmanship has reached the pinnacle and is unparalleled in the world. If we have a fair fight, he will definitely have the upper hand. But Wuling Villa is not just one or two people, but a mysterious force. If I have to choose between the two, I would rather offend the number one swordsman than be the enemy of Wuling Villa." Lu Wenjun nodded and said, "My master mentioned Wuling Villa. From the side, I learned that Zuixia Taoist and Wuling Villa don't seem to be on good terms and have no dealings at all." Qi Shizhen obviously knew some inside information, but couldn't tell it. Chang Xiao then changed the subject and said, "Shopkeeper Qi, when I disbanded the Julong Gang, I made the bloodbath at Qingfeng Temple public. Shangqing Palace should have sent troops to punish the culprit. Why has there been no movement for a long time?" Qi Shizhen smiled and said, "The owner of the villa has gone through some training and is no longer a novice in the world. , a lone traveler without any support. The Qingyang swordsman can protect you for a while, but the Baekje master can protect you for a lifetime. The disaster relief has won the praise of the people in the martial arts world. With the reputation of the Baekje master, Shangqing Palace naturally cannot act rashly. Besides, the times have changed, and the owner's swordsmanship has been respected by all parties. The people in the martial arts world will take revenge, and there is no loss to Shangqing Palace. "Chang Xiao nodded: "So that's the case. Having said that, the four famous families' views on me will not improve, and I will not associate with them. We will just go our own way. "Lu Wenjun agreed: "The owner of the manor is right. You need to enjoy yourself when you are happy in life. There is no need to worry about others. With the owner's ability, you can travel freely all over the world. "Mo Qilin said: "Yes, although the owner of the manor has never led the troops, he only needs a word, and the brothers will still serve you. Just speak up if you have any instructions. "Chang Xiao nodded. Although he reconciled on the surface, the knot in his heart has not been untied. The Soul Chaser was very smart and saw that Chang Xiao was not sincere in reconciling with Mo Qilin. No wonder, his initial move was too insidious and no one would forget it. However, since the first step had been taken, as long as all parties worked hard, there would definitely be a turnaround.

After the banquet, Mo Qilin said goodbye and left with Lu Wenjun and Zhuihunzhen. Qi Shizhen also went back to deal with business. Chang Xiao had something on his mind. Mo Qilin's visit was obviously not sincere. He didn't care about the past, but Mo Qilin still put on airs. If it wasn't for Wanqi Song, he would probably have to kill and wipe out the people of the Sixteen Villages to avenge his previous shame. Now it seems that peace is still the most precious. Master Baekje certainly doesn't want to become a killer. Besides, killing blindly will definitely affect the swordsmanship and mentality. Once you go astray, it will be difficult to turn back. After thinking about it, he decided to continue studying swordsmanship. With a master like Gao Zhen, he could prove it. Gao Zhen naturally wanted it and took this opportunity to ask Chang Xiao for advice. At this time, the four horses had grown up and had to run hundreds of miles every day to exercise their legs, so Chang Xiao often took Gao Zhen, Zhong Yuan, and Zhong Hai for a walk. Gao Zhen knew that he had his own things to do and couldn't always disturb Julong Villa. Anyway, he had gained a lot and was ready to say goodbye. In his words, he wanted the black horse that Chang Xiao brought back from the desert. Chang Xiao never regarded the BMW as his own private property, so he came to ask. The black horse was playing with Lieyan, and stopped when he saw Chang Xiao coming. Chang Xiao asked: "Are you willing to go to the world with that person?" The black horse shook his mane, showing his unwillingness. Chang Xiao asked again: "Don't you want to be separated from Lieyan?" The black horse shook his head, dug the ground with his front hooves, and spit. Chang Xiao was surprised and said: "Are you saying that the person's character is problematic?" The black horse neighed briefly to show his approval. Chang Xiao knew that animals' senses are often much more sensitive than humans, and the black horse must not be groundless. Although Gao Zhen's eyes were ambitious, which person in the world doesn't want to be famous and the only one in the world? Since the black horse was unwilling, Chang Xiao didn't mention it. Gao Zhen was embarrassed to speak, so he had to leave Julong Villa with regret. After sending Gao Zhen away, Zhong Yuan asked, "Master, why don't you keep this man as a helper?" Chang Xiao shook his head, "This man's origin is unknown. I was open with him, but he was evasive. Obviously, he was hiding something. Even Heima could see that this man had bad intentions. If he kept him around, he would cause trouble sooner or later." Zhong Hai nodded, "I've always felt that something was wrong with that kid's eyes. I'm just embarrassed to say that I'm not as good as him in martial arts, but I definitely won't associate with him."

Gao Zhen left Julong Villa, and he admired Chang Xiao very much, but he was also very jealous. Chang Xiao had all the good things in the world, including reputation, status, a foreign wife, a huge villa, capable helpers, a BMW that could travel thousands of miles a day, and endless gold, silver and jewelry. He had practiced swordsmanship for decades, and he thought he was not much worse than Chang Xiao, but his life was incomparable. Although he was guarding the treasure, he could not move. In particular, he complained that Chang Xiao was reluctant to give up even a dark horse, and secretly made up his mind that he would suppress Chang Xiao sooner or later. It turned out that Gao Zhen was quite scheming. When fighting with Chang Xiao, he did not use his real skills. The Fiery Sun Seven Styles created by the Red Spirit God was an extremely profound swordsmanship, comparable to Duan Qingxiao's Broken Moon Slash. Duan Qingxiao won with the help of moonlight. If it was noon, I'm afraid it would be the Red Spirit God who won. There are two reasons why Gao Zhen did not use the Fiery Sun Seven Styles. The first is that he did not have the Fire God Sword in his hand, so he could not bring out the exquisiteness of the swordsmanship. The second is that when entering the martial arts world, one must not expose his true abilities too early. Although Chang Xiao treated him sincerely, it still laid a hidden danger for the future. Gao Zhen did not want to spend the rest of his life in the Fire God Palace. The outside world was colorful, so why bother to stick to the teachings of his ancestors? The Southern Song Dynasty had already perished, and no one knew about the treasure. Why not enjoy it to the fullest? If it was passed down, who knows who would get it. Although he had such an idea, Gao Zhen understood that his father was too old-fashioned and would not let him use the treasure. However, his father was old, and sooner or later the treasure of the Fire God Palace would fall into his hands. Thinking of this, he became more open-minded. Chang Xiao's abilities should be comparable to his own. If he worked hard, he could also make a name for himself.

Mo Qilin and Chasing Soul Needle returned to Bajiao Village, and naturally they had to discuss. Mo Qilin asked: "Military Advisor, what do you think of Chang Xiao's attitude?" Chasing Soul Needle sighed: "He still holds a grudge against what happened in the past. This time he is doing it for the sake of the old hall master." Mo Qilin was quite dissatisfied: "If I had known this, why would I have begged him so humbly?" Chasing Soul Needle shook his head and said: "Young hall master is wrong. This trip has already yielded a lot of gains by being able to reconcile with Chang Xiao on the surface. With Qi Shizhen's promise, we can open up the situation in Jiangnan in the future. In addition, the young hall master must remember that Chang Xiao is a person who cannot be offended. This meeting has made this person's martial arts take a big step forward, and his future is limitless. The old hall master is far-sighted and has such a plan. With a master as a helper, the power of Wanxiantang is more stable. "Mo Qilin nodded: "I also feel that Chang Xiao is very different from before, and his words seem to be full of confidence, but that Gao Zhen is not simple. Since he can be appreciated by Chang Xiao, his martial arts must be good. This person is ambitious and must be guarded against. "Zhuihunzhen nodded: "The young hall master has been training in Jiangnan for several years, and he has indeed improved a lot. Gao Zhen will not be inferior to others. At present, this person's target is Chang Xiao, and I dare not say what will happen in the future. In my opinion, this person's swordsmanship is not inferior to Chang Xiao, and there is a kind of confidence in his eyes. We must investigate this person's background in detail. "Mo Qilin nodded: "It's just right to let Manager Qi assist." After the discussion, he immediately sent someone to send a letter to Qi Shizhen. Qi Shizhen didn't pay much attention to Gao Zhen. After receiving the letter, he secretly investigated Gao Zhen's origins, but he couldn't find any clues. Qi Shizhen was quite surprised and went to investigate in person, but the result was still the same, without any clues. So he wrote back to Mo Qilin, and there was no news for the time being. Mo Qilin was even more puzzled. The Soul Chaser suggested: "Why not let Jade Butterfly go out and find out the details of this person?" Mo Qilin nodded: "This person is new to the world, Jade Butterfly will definitely be able to find out something." So he sent someone to summon Jade Butterfly. At this time, Jade Butterfly was still in Jiangnan. Although she was extremely annoyed with Leping Hou, she had no choice. After receiving the letter, she followed the visitor to Bajiaozhai quietly. Mo Qilin told her about Gao Zhen, and Jade Butterfly had no choice but to agree. It was much better than accompanying Leping Hou, the old pervert. The Soul Chaser made careful arrangements to let Jade Butterfly meet Gao Zhen.

At this time, Gao Zhen was traveling and enjoying the scenery. There was nothing urgent at the moment. It was natural that he would benefit a lot from getting to know Chang Xiao. Gao Zhen knew that if he used the Seven Styles of the Fiery Sun, Chang Xiao might not be able to resist. If he had the Fire God Sword in his hand, he would have a sure win. However, the Fire God Sword was already destroyed, and it was not so easy to recast it. Even if there were suitable materials, it would be difficult to find a master craftsman. Having said that, he still had to find a way to find materials and inquire about the masters who forged swords. Without the Fire God Sword, he could not become a true master. Therefore, although he was traveling and enjoying the scenery, he was also looking for craftsmen to prepare to forge the Fire God Sword. Gao Zhen had lived in the mountains for a long time and did not like crowds. He mostly stayed in the inn during the day and went out to enjoy the night view at night. This night, he came to the pavilion by the river to drink alone. The moonlight was clear and bright, which was very interesting. He was enjoying himself when the sound of the piano came from the river. The rhythm was soothing and blended with the river water. It was obvious that the person playing the piano had profound skills. Along with the sound of the piano, a white figure appeared in the shadows. Gao Zhen was puzzled. No one should be sailing in the middle of the night. The figure gradually became clear, and Gao Zhen was stunned. Under the moonlight, a woman in white stood on the bow. She was so beautiful that it was hard to draw or describe. Even the fairy Guanghan could not compare to her. Gao Zhen always believed that beauty was a disaster. At this moment, he changed his mind. As long as he could get the beauty, nothing else mattered. The beauty on the boat was naturally Yu Hudie. The Soul-Chasing Needle specially arranged this meeting. The person playing the piano in the cabin was the famous contemporary pianist, Mrs. Shuijing. The piano was the Biyao piano, which was worth a lot of money, so she could impress Gao Zhen. Jade Butterfly felt extremely annoyed when she saw Gao Zhen's expression, but she had no other choice but to open her red lips and say, "The night is quiet, and I am drinking alone facing the moon. You must be an elegant person." Gao Zhen was flattered and saluted quickly, "The young lady is not a beauty on earth, but a fairy in heaven. I am a mere warrior, and it is rude to disturb the young lady's elegance." Hearing Gao Zhen's elegant words, Jade Butterfly reluctantly breathed a sigh of relief, "I am unworthy of your praise, knight. It is fate that we meet, so why not have a few drinks together." Gao Zhen was overjoyed, "I am an ordinary man and dare not drink with the young lady. I am lucky enough to see your beautiful face." Jade Butterfly smiled and said nothing. Two maids came into the pavilion to change the wine and food and spread the brocade mat. Jade Butterfly went into the pavilion and sat down. Gao Zhen stepped aside and did not dare to look at her. Jade Butterfly had seen a lot of people and could tell that Gao Zhen was not a man of the world of romance, so she smiled and said, "The knight is too reserved. The moon is bright and the wind is clear, and the beauty is in front of you. Who can let this great opportunity go to waste?" Gao Zhen didn't want to, but he just couldn't believe what was in front of him. How could such a peerless beauty like him? But Jade Butterfly was so dazzling that he couldn't bear not to look at her. So he sat down, but he didn't dare to look directly at her. Jade Butterfly smiled and said, "The knight has extraordinary muscles and bones, and his martial arts must be amazing. I have always admired heroes all over the world, and I was just thinking of asking you a thing or two. The knight is so reserved, it doesn't seem like a man of the world."

Chapter 24: Confused and Infatuated

Meeting Jade Butterfly by chance at Linjiang Pavilion, most people in the martial arts world would be suspicious. Gao Zhen naturally understood this, but he was already bewitched by the beauty of Jade Butterfly, and his mind could not hold anything else. Hearing Jade Butterfly asking about martial arts, he immediately became excited: "Since the lady asked, I will tell you everything I know. There are not many martial arts masters who can beat me." Jade Butterfly nodded: "I heard that the number one swordsman is Wanqi Song, the master of Wanxian Hall, and the number one swordsman Zuixia Taoist is the current leader." Gao Zhen shook his head: "Wanqi Song is no longer the number one swordsman, and few people have seen the skills of Zuixia Taoist. The current master is Chang Xiao, the owner of Julong Manor." Jade Butterfly thought of the past, and her heart was full of helplessness. She asked: "How is the knight better than Chang Xiao?" If someone else asked, Gao Zhen would definitely admit that he was not as good as Chang Xiao, but it was different in front of Jade Butterfly. No man would admit that he was not as good as others in front of a beautiful woman, not to mention that he was already a little arrogant. So he straightened his chest and said, "Although Chang Xiao's martial arts skills are unfathomable, I don't think I'm inferior to him. If I get a good sword, I can definitely beat him." Jade Butterfly immediately became interested and was about to continue asking questions, but then she changed her mind and smiled and said, "The Iron Arm Divine Sword is so powerful that even the four famous families give him three points. I'm afraid no one will believe what a knight said." Gao Zhen said confidently, "It doesn't matter if the lady doesn't believe it. Sooner or later, I will surpass him." Jade Butterfly was not interested in Gao Zhen at first, but she became excited after hearing such words. If Gao Zhen really has the ability, he might be able to get himself out of the control of Wanxian Hall. Gao Zhen has been fascinated by Jade Butterfly and spoke out his thoughts, fearing that the beauty would look down on him. The two of them were talking and laughing happily, and as the sky was about to brighten, Jade Butterfly stood up and said, "Sorry to bother you, sir. I'll take my leave now." Gao Zhen asked, "Where does Miss live? Can I come to visit her?" Jade Butterfly smiled and said, "I don't have a place to live. I'm temporarily staying in the banana garden thirty miles to the north. I'm always waiting for you to come to my house." She boarded the boat and left quietly. Gao Zhen was fascinated by Jade Butterfly's back and even suspected that he was dreaming. He pinched his thigh hard and felt pain, knowing that it was not a dream. He couldn't help but sigh, "There is such a beauty in the world. If I could get this beauty, I would not trade it for the emperor."

In the past, Gao Zhen had always hated Song Huizong for being greedy for beauty and ignoring state affairs. Now it was his turn, and he actually began to comfort the emperor. Such a beauty was really hard to resist. As the sky brightened, pedestrians gradually appeared. Gao Zhen hurried back to the inn, and his mind was full of the shadow of Yu Hudie. He asked the waiter about the banana garden, and after asking for the way, he was ready to leave. Then he thought that since it was his first visit, he should prepare gifts, so he spent all his money on shopping, not even leaving money for food and drink. He prepared a heavy gift, and when it got dark, he set off and arrived at the banana garden, which was brightly lit. When Gao Zhen arrived, a family member asked, "Why are you here?" Gao Zhen remembered that he had never asked the beauty's name, and when the family member asked, he had no way to answer. When he was in a dilemma, another family member came over and said with a smile, "It must be Miss Yu's guest, come with me." Gao Zhen agreed vaguely and had to follow his family into the house. After passing two courtyards, the family asked, "How much is the gift you brought?" Gao Zhen was stunned and replied, "About 13,000 taels." The family nodded, "The warrior can wait in the flower hall." Gao Zhen was puzzled and asked, "What does this mean?" The family smiled and said, "Guests who want to see Miss Yu are divided into three categories. Those with gifts of 30,000 taels are in the first category and can meet directly in the back garden. Those with more than 10,000 taels are in the second category and can wait in the flower hall and be entertained with wine and banquets. Miss Yu can only come when she is free. Those with less than 10,000 taels are in the third category and can only wait in the hall to drink tea, but they can also see Miss Yu's beautiful face." Gao Zhen immediately regretted it. What's the point of meeting like this? So he stopped the family and said, "So there is such a rule. Let me go back and prepare gifts. I won't go in today." The family smiled and said, "The warrior can leave the gift, as long as you can collect 30,000." Gao Zhen nodded and left the gift. The family asked his name. Gao Zhen hesitated and wrote the two words Gao Zhen and said goodbye.

After leaving the house, Gao Zhen was in a dilemma. He didn't expect that such a valuable gift was only enough for the second class. Now he didn't even have money for food and accommodation. Where could he find more than 10,000 taels? When he returned to the inn, he heard the guests talking about the local prefect's brother, who was also the richest man in the area, having his home robbed and losing a large sum of money. Gao Zhen immediately had an idea. With his own skills, it was no problem to break into the house. But then he thought, how could he lose himself to being a thief? How could he do such a petty thing after practicing martial arts for decades? He thought about it and had no idea. The shadow of the jade butterfly kept occupying his mind and could not be shaken off. After weighing it for a long time, he finally came up with a workaround. If he couldn't rob it, he could take it from the thief, even if it was self-deception. It can be seen that the power of beauty can make a martial arts master who came from a general's family have a crooked idea. Gao Zhen is a top-notch martial artist, and he is more than capable of dealing with petty thieves and bandits. He learned that the place where the thieves were entrenched was called Wild Wolf Valley, and he set out that night. There were only more than a hundred bandits in the Wild Wolf Valley, and the government troops failed to encircle and suppress them several times because of the dangerous terrain. Gao Zhen is extremely skilled, sneaking into the Wild Wolf Valley to kill people, and for the sake of his own face, he cannot leave a single person alive. This time, he got nearly 100,000 taels of gold and silver and some jewelry. Gao Zhen can finally fulfill his wish and prepare to rush to the Banana Garden again. Although he feels a little guilty, thinking of the peerless beauty of Jade Butterfly, it is worth it no matter how much he pays.

This time Gao Zhen learned his lesson. He spent thirty thousand taels just to meet her. He didn't know what would happen next, so he decided to be more restrained. Not long after, the family recognized him and let him in. Gao Zhen prepared a gift of twenty thousand taels, plus the ten thousand taels before, so he was naturally a first-class guest. The family entertained him and led him directly to the back garden. There was a table of exquisite dishes in the pavilion. Gao Zhen had never seen them, let alone eat them. He was still comforting himself in his heart that the thirty thousand taels were not wasted. After a while, a fragrant breeze blew, and Jade Butterfly came in, changed into a dress, and shone brightly. The girl smiled and said, "Sir, you are a trustworthy person. I am honored." Gao Zhen quickly returned the greeting, "Miss, you are a natural beauty. I am just an ordinary man, not worthy of you." The two sat down opposite each other. Jade Butterfly sighed, "Sir, I believe you have guessed my difficulties. Although I am naturally beautiful, I have fallen into the dust and have no choice." Gao Zhen had guessed about 80% of it and felt unfair, "What a fate. Who is so cruel to push Miss into the fire pit?" Jade Butterfly shook her head, "Everything about me is controlled by others. They spent countless gold and silver and hard work to make me a cash cow, so naturally they want to make some money." Gao Zhen was quite angry and gritted his teeth and said, "I am willing to help Miss get out of the fire pit. As long as I am here, no matter what happens, No one can hurt the young lady. "Yu Hudie smiled bitterly: "It's not one person who controls me, but a powerful force. There are people from all over the country. The knight is kind and understands. Even Chang Xiao doesn't have the ability to save me. "Gao Zhen was naturally unconvinced: "He can't do it, but I can. Don't worry, young lady, I will do what I say." Yu Hudie was half following the instructions of Mo Qilin to get close to Gao Zhen to find out the truth, and on the other hand, she also wanted to get rid of the control of Wanxiantang. She stood up and saluted, saying: "The knight is kind-hearted, and I will be grateful to you." Gao Zhen felt a little ashamed. If it was an ordinary person who needed help, he would definitely not be so concerned. The word "knight" was really unworthy. Yu Hudie couldn't tell whether she was sincere or false, but she just tried to win over Gao Zhen. Gao Zhen was already fascinated and was willing to do anything. He vowed to save Yu Hudie. The two agreed to leave here together and find another way out.

After the agreement, the two left the banana garden under the pretext of playing, boarded a small boat, and headed south along the waterway. Jade Butterfly knew that she could not avoid the people of Wanxiantang wherever she went. Anyway, Mo Qilin had something to say, so she tried to win over Gao Zhen, so she used gentle means. Gao Zhen tasted the joy of men and women for the first time, and was infatuated, and told everything about himself. Jade Butterfly heard that Gao Zhen not only had first-class swordsmanship, but also controlled a huge treasure. She was very happy and thought to herself that if Gao Zhen got the Fire God Sword and used the treasure to develop power, he would be fully capable of protecting himself. So she urged Gao Zhen to find a craftsman to forge the Fire God Sword. If he could defeat Chang Xiao, it would be a relief for himself. With Jade Butterfly's words, Gao Zhen really started to work and asked around for capable people. A few days later, he got the news that Zhong Wanshan was the most recommended expert in forging swords today. His ancestral home was Anping Village at the foot of Laoshan Mountain, and he had been retired for several years. After receiving the news, Gao Zhen and Jade Butterfly went north to search. Most people in Anping Village make a living by fishing, except for the Zhong family, which is very easy to find. The two entered the village. Most of the men in the village had gone out to sea and had not returned, only some women and children. The two came to the door of the Zhong family. The house was very ordinary. After knocking on the door, a young man opened the door and asked, "What do you want?" Gao Zhen clasped his fists and said, "I came to visit Mr. Zhong." The young man saw Gao Zhen with a gift and shook his head and said, "My father has retired a long time ago. Please go back." Jade Butterfly said, "This young man doesn't know the etiquette. We are visiting your father. How can you make the decision privately?" The young man noticed Jade Butterfly and was shocked. He couldn't speak for a long time. He had never seen such a beautiful woman in his dreams. His brain immediately stopped working. He bowed and said, "Miss, you are right. Please come in." He thought to himself that he would look at the beauty a few more times and have a good dream. When serving tea, someone inside scolded, "Who told you to bring people in private?" The young man shouted to the back, "Dad, a guest from afar asked for a drink of water, it's nothing." An old man came out and slapped the young man in the face, "How dare you lie to me? You obviously came here specially." When he saw the jade butterfly, he understood and nodded, "So you were mesmerized by beauty." Gao Zhen clasped his fists and said, "Senior, you have a keen eye. I do have something to ask for." The old man smiled and said, "You already have a precious sword, why do you still ask me for something?" Gao Zhen knew that the old man was extraordinary, so he asked, "Is the senior Zhong Wanshan?"

Hearing this, the old man laughed and said, "In this remote fishing village, who can tell that you have a precious sword?" Gao Zhen bowed and said, "Senior, you don’t know that although I have a precious sword in my hand, I can hardly display the essence of my swordsmanship." Zhong Wanshan looked at Gao Zhen carefully, nodded and said, "I didn’t expect you to have such attainments. It’s commendable. It’s a pity that I have retired." Yu Hudie interjected, "As long as you can help us, we are willing to pay a large sum of money." Zhong Wanshan shook his head, "No matter how much money you have, it will be useless." Gao Zhen said, "If you are unwilling to help, can you show me a way forward?" Zhong Wanshan laughed and said, "That's easy. What kind of sword do you want to forge?" Gao Zhen replied, "The Fire God Sword." Zhong Wanshan's expression changed, and then he shook his head, "No one in the world can forge the Fire God Sword. You'd better give up." Gao Zhen naturally did not give up, "Senior must have the ability. If you are willing to help, I am willing to agree to any conditions." Zhong Wanshan was quite stubborn. Gao Zhen thought highly of himself. He was angry and wanted to leave. Jade Butterfly refused and said to Zhong Wanshan, "What do you want me to agree to do?" Zhong Wanshan smiled and said, "You have come a long way to look for it, so I must give you a chance. The Fire God Sword is not an ordinary weapon, but a rare divine weapon. The things needed are extremely hard to find. Even if you can find them all, I may not have the ability to do so." Jade Butterfly hurriedly said, "As long as you agree, it doesn't matter if you can't refine it." Zhong Wanshan shook his head, "You haven't heard enough. My conditions are very harsh. Regardless of success or failure, you must first pay two million taels of silver and a precious sword." Gao Zhen asked, "What precious sword?" Zhong Wanshan smiled, "It's the Pearl Rolling Sword next to you." Gao Zhen was surprised and asked, "Who are you?" Zhong Wanshan was calm and said, "If you want If you agree to leave, maybe there are other extraordinary people who can forge the Fire God Sword. As for my identity, you already knew it." Gao Zhen stared at Zhong Wanshan's eyes and said slowly: "Senior is not a craftsman, but a rare master." Zhong Wanshan smiled and said: "How can ordinary people forge magical weapons? You are surprised by what you have seen." From Zhong Wanshan's eyes, Gao Zhen saw that this person had profound internal skills and must be a first-class master. After some calculations, he said: "In this case, I will pay two million taels first. After the Fire God Sword is completed, the Rolling Jewel Sword will be presented to you with both hands." Zhong Wanshan nodded: "I will trust you once. I will write down the things you need first, and I will send them to the foot of Longquan Peak in Mount Tai to start forging swords in three months." Gao Zhen promised, took the list issued by Zhong Wanshan and said goodbye.

Jade Butterfly saw that Gao Zhen looked strange and asked, "What's on your mind?" Gao Zhen gritted his teeth and said, "This Zhong Wanshan is by no means an ordinary person. I will kill him as soon as I get the Fire God Sword." Jade Butterfly was surprised and said, "Why?" Gao Zhen sighed, "This is a dispute in the martial arts world. You don't understand. This person actually recognized the Rolling Jewel Sword through the package. There are only two possibilities. One is that his cultivation is too high, even higher than my father's, and the other is that he is quite familiar with the Rolling Jewel Sword. I can't tolerate both of these situations." Jade Butterfly still didn't understand. Gao Zhen said, "Only the people of the Divine Sword Sect can be familiar with the Rolling Jewel Sword. I have a grudge against the people of the Divine Sword Sect." Jade Butterfly worriedly said, "If he really is a rare master, aren't you courting death?" Gao Zhen was quite confident: "Don't worry, even if he is a master, I am not afraid. With the Fire God Sword in hand, Chang Xiao is not my opponent." The two began to prepare. Gao Zhen amassed a lot of wealth and killed countless people. While preparing to pay Zhong Wanshan two million taels, he also purchased things for use. Although there were many things needed, Gao Zhen went all out, buying whatever he could, robbing whatever he couldn't, and killing people to silence them. As expected, he prepared everything in three months. The two arrived at the foot of Longquan Peak on Mount Tai as scheduled. A furnace had already been built here. Zhong Wanshan looked at the things needed and nodded to show his satisfaction. Gao Zhen handed the silver note to Zhong Wanshan. Yu Hudie bowed and said, "Thank you for your trouble, senior. I will reward you handsomely after the knife is completed." Zhong Wanshan smiled and said, "That's enough. You can go to the town store at the foot of the mountain to rest. It is expected to be completed in March." Gao Zhen clasped his fists and said, "Thank you for your trouble, senior. I will come to exchange it with the rolling pearl knife in three months." The two went down the mountain directly. Zhong Wanshan began to forge the Fire God Knife. Gao Zhen and Yu Hudie stayed at the inn at the foot of the mountain, visited the scenery of Mount Tai every day, and waited for the Fire God Knife. Yu Hudie privately passed the news back to Wanxian Hall. Of course, she couldn't tell everything. She only gave a general account of Gao Zhen's whereabouts and skills. After receiving the letter, Mo Qilin discussed with the Soul Chaser. After reading the letter, the Soul Chaser smiled and said, "Yu Hudie has already decided to leave. This information is obviously perfunctory. She must know the inside story." Mo Qilin asked, "How should we deal with it?" The Soul Chaser pondered for a moment and said, "Yu Hudie has been known by various people. It doesn't matter whether she stays or leaves. However, it is still unclear how deep Gao Zhen's martial arts skills are. Why did this person visit Zhong Wanshan? Doesn't he already have a precious sword in his hand? This matter must be investigated clearly. You can ask the headquarters to send someone to investigate." Mo Qilin immediately sent a letter to ask the headquarters for assistance. At this time, Wanqi Song was inspecting the branches. Lu Wenjun was in charge of the headquarters. After receiving the letter, he immediately sent someone to investigate. Sure enough, he found out that Gao Zhen asked Zhong Wanshan to forge weapons in Mount Tai. Lu Wenjun wondered: Zhong Wanshan had already retired, how could Gao Zhen impress this strange man to help?

Chapter 25: The Reappearance of the Divine Sword

Lu Wenjun was also very interested in Gao Zhen. From Chang Xiao's attitude, Gao Zhen's martial arts were extremely superb. The fact that he could make Yu Hudie change her heart also showed that this person was not simple. After investigation, he could not guess Gao Zhen's intention, so he sent a good hand to follow him and report any news at any time. Gao Zhen was ambitious and ready to show his strength. Knowing that Zhong Wanshan had a special identity, he made up his mind to get rid of this person. On the one hand, he was worried that this person would spread the matter of the Fire God Sword. Before fighting with Chang Xiao, the matter of the Fire God Sword could not be known to outsiders. On the other hand, he was reluctant to part with the Rolling Jewel Sword. Money and other things, the Rolling Jewel Sword itself was nothing. However, Duan Qingxiao of the Divine Sword Sect passed down the Broken Moon Slash. If it was performed with the Rolling Jewel Sword, it might threaten himself. It would be much more reassuring to keep the Rolling Jewel Sword in his own hands. This was Gao Zhen's mind, and even Yu Hudie did not understand it. In short, this person had outstanding skills and was sincere to himself, which was enough. The two of them were playing in Mount Tai, and they were in love with each other, which made other tourists envious. As the date approached, the two came to the foot of Longquan Peak and found that the fire had gone out. Zhong Wanshan was drinking tea in the reed tent. Gao Zhen saluted and said, "Senior, has the Fire God Sword been refined?" Zhong Wanshan smiled and nodded, "It's finally done. Take a look first." He solemnly held out a package. Just as Gao Zhen was about to take it, Zhong Wanshan stepped back. Gao Zhen understood and put the rolling pearl knife on the table. Zhong Wanshan took the rolling pearl knife with one hand and handed over the package with the other. Gao Zhen couldn't suppress his excitement. With the Fire God Sword in hand, he could surpass Chang Xiao and have a place in the world. He opened the package carefully, and sure enough, it was exactly the same broken sword treasured in the Fire God Palace. Gao Zhen's swordsmanship was extremely impressive. As soon as he held the handle, he knew that the sword was not fake. He deliberately frowned and said, "Senior, this is not the Fire God Sword." Zhong Wanshan was surprised and said, "How could this be possible? How could I be wrong?" Gao Zhen held the sword with both hands and handed it over, "Senior, you are indeed wrong. The Fire God Sword I am talking about is not like this." Zhong Wanshan didn't believe it at all, and moved forward to take the sword. In a moment, Gao Zhen swung the sword in his backhand, and a red light went straight to Zhong Wanshan's neck.

With Gao Zhen's swordsmanship and his unexpected ability, it seemed that Zhong Wanshan was doomed, but something happened. A dazzling silver light shot out, not only blocking the Fire God Sword, but also knocking Gao Zhen back several steps. Gao Zhen was shocked. Zhong Wanshan sneered, "I have been in the martial arts world for many years. How could you hide this little trick from me? You are from the Fire God Palace and a descendant of the Red Spirit God, but you don't know my identity." Gao Zhen gritted his teeth and said, "You are Duan Qingxiao's disciple." Zhong Wanshan was a little surprised. He nodded and praised, "Not bad, it's hard for you to guess it. Although your swordsmanship is good, you still have a long way to go to kill me." Gao Zhen was quite confident in the Seven Styles of the Fiery Sun and sneered, "Not necessarily." Zhong Wanshan shook his head, "You are new to the martial arts world and don't know your depth. The current number one swordsman, the Iron Arm Divine Sword, has already made great progress. You are far behind in making further progress." Of course Gao Zhen didn't believe it, "I have seen Chang Xiao's swordsmanship, it's nothing great." Zhong Wanshan sighed lightly, "For the sake of the Red Spirit God, I will tell you the truth. Swordsmanship is dead, but people are alive. Don't think that the Seven Styles of the Fiery Sun are invincible. According to your current temperament, you can only exert 40% of its power at most." Gao Zhen was shocked. He didn't expect Zhong Wanshan to even know the Seven Styles of the Fiery Sun. Zhong Wanshan knew that his mentor Duan Qingxiao highly respected the Red Spirit God, so he continued to instruct him: "Back then, the Red Spirit God was full of vigor and ambition, and he dominated the world. He was praised by my master as the first genius. Although you have obtained his swordsmanship, you have not obtained the spirit in the swordsmanship. When the Red Spirit God performs the Seven Styles of the Fiery Sun, he can exert 120% of his power at noon." Gao Zhen had heard Chang Xiao say something similar, but he did not believe that Zhong Wanshan would sincerely instruct an enemy. Zhong Wanshan naturally saw it, shook his head and sighed: "It's up to you whether you believe it or not. If my master did not value the Red Spirit God, I would not bother to pay attention to you." He turned around and disappeared into the jungle like a big bird. Gao Zhen was stunned on the spot. Jade Butterfly came over and asked, "You are not injured, are you?" Gao Zhen said bitterly, "It turns out that Chang Xiao did not use his full strength at all. I was deceived by him." Jade Butterfly knew what Gao Zhen did in Julong Villa. She nodded and sighed, "I was deceived by him too." Gao Zhen hurriedly asked what happened. Jade Butterfly did not hide anything and told him everything. Gao Zhen was even more angry: "Sooner or later, Chang Xiao will know how powerful I am."

As the saying goes, it is hard to be a good person. Chang Xiao did not do anything wrong to these two people, but these two people hated Chang Xiao to the core. Although Gao Zhen was frustrated, he finally got the Fire God Sword. After discussing with Yu Hudie, he was ready to go to the Fire God Palace to see his father and discuss future matters. Zhong Wanshan was very happy to get the Rolling Pearl Sword, and hurried to a manor in Laoshan Bay. The owner of the manor was named Xinyi. He was a well-known rich man and a kind man. He often helped the people and had a very good reputation. Xinyi was well-read and opened the largest antique shop in Jinan Prefecture. He had a large family and a large business, but his food and clothing were very simple. He always dressed like a scholar and ate light food. Zhong Wanshan did not go through the main gate at all, but sneaked into the back garden. Xinyi was drinking alone in the pavilion. Seeing Zhong Wanshan, she stood up and said, "Brother, why are you here?" Zhong Wanshan smiled and said, "Junior brother, it's been many years since we last met, and you are still as charming as before." Xinyi saw the package in Zhong Wanshan's hand and showed joy, "Brother, did you say that the precious swords have been obtained?" Zhong Wanshan nodded, "Yes, the Pearl Rolling Sword is back in our hands, and the Fire God Sword has also been born. There will be no shortage of fights in the future." Xinyi smiled, "These two precious swords dominated the world in the past, and it will be the same in the future." Zhong Wanshan shook his head, "Junior brother, You know, now that there is the Dragon Scale Sword in front of it, the Rolling Pearl Sword and the Fire God Sword are inferior. "The two sat down and talked in detail. Zhong Wanshan recounted the experience of getting the Rolling Pearl Sword. Xinyi was surprised and said, "The descendants of the Red Spirit God are so cruel and ruthless." Zhong Wanshan sighed lightly, "This man is ambitious and will stir up big waves in the martial arts world sooner or later. How is Xiyun recently?" Xinyi smiled and said, "He has made a lot of progress. I sent him to Tianheng Island to practice martial arts. Last month, he passed the Luanren Hall and can enter the martial arts world." Zhong Wanshan said happily, "It seems that God's will has been determined long ago. It's time for the Rolling Pearl Sword to reappear in the martial arts world.

It is obvious that Zhong Wanshan and Xinyi are both disciples of Duan Qingxiao, the leader of the Divine Sword Sect. They have been living in seclusion waiting for an opportunity. Now that they have obtained the Rolling Jewel Sword, the chance to revive the Divine Sword Sect has finally arrived. The two men discussed day and night, and a young man came in to greet them: "Master, I'm back." Xinyi pointed at Zhong Wanshan and said, "This is your uncle, come and pay your respects." The young man kowtowed, and Zhong Wanshan supported him with both hands. He looked at him carefully and saw that this man had thick eyebrows and broad eyes, and was dignified. He nodded repeatedly: "Indeed, he is somewhat similar to the master." Xinyi smiled and said, "We are originally a family, connected by blood. Child, today I can tell you the truth. My teacher's surname is not Xin, but Duan, and my full name is Duan Xinyi." The young man was stunned and asked, "Why did the master hide his surname?" Zhong Wanshan said, "Your master's surname is Duan, and your surname is also Duan. You and your disciple are originally father and son." The young man was even more surprised and asked, "Am I not an orphan?" Duan Xinyi sighed, "There are other reasons for hiding your life experience. If you knew your true identity, you would not work hard to practice martial arts. Your grandfather is the famous master of the Divine Sword Sect, Duan Qingxiao, and your name is Duan Xiyun." The young man obviously couldn't accept it, and he stood there in a daze. Zhong Wanshan explained, "Child, your grandfather was a master of the world. "You are called the Lord of the Underworld. I don't know how many people are jealous of you. Your father hides his real name just to avoid trouble." Duan Xinyi nodded: "I chose to settle here because it is close to Shangqing Palace, and I can use their influence to avoid trouble." Duan Xiyun seemed to understand, Zhong Wanshan smiled and said: "Since you have passed the Luanren Hall, your swordsmanship should be up to par. As for the affairs of the rivers and lakes, I will tell you." Duan Xinyi said: "You go to the back house to see your mother first. There are still many things to do later." Duan Xiyun took the order and ran to the back house. Zhong Wanshan breathed a sigh of relief: "I have endured for so many years, and I can finally be proud of it." Duan Xinyi shook his head: "Xiyun is still young and needs to experience some experience. The rivers and lakes are complicated now. It is difficult to recover if you make a mistake. "Zhong Wanshan smiled and said: "Don't worry, Junior Brother, Wanqi Song and I have contacted. When I see the Divine Sword Order, I will definitely assist with all my strength. With the support of such a huge force as Wanxian Hall, Xiyun will be fine." Duan Xinyi sighed: "If it weren't for father and son, I wouldn't be so worried. The future of the Divine Sword Sect depends on Xiyun, and there can't be any mistakes. "

Since Duan Qingxiao retired, Chen Hongren left the sect with the sword and the sword manual, and the Divine Sword Sect disappeared. No one could have imagined that Duan Qingxiao's only son, Duan Xinyi, who was weak and sick, had been preparing to revive the Divine Sword Sect. Duan Xinyi was worried about letting his son go out alone, so Zhong Wanshan accompanied Duan Xiyun to the Central Plains with the sword. Duan Xinyi used the huge amount of two million taels sent by Zhong Wanshan to build a house in Yuntai Mountain, preparing to re-establish the Divine Sword Sect. Duan Xiyun entered the Central Plains, and with the guidance of Zhong Wanshan, everything went very smoothly. Zhong Wanshan had high hopes for Duan Xiyun and gave detailed instructions from all aspects. Duan Xiyun knew his identity and had an extra responsibility. His grandfather's reputation was too loud, and he was afraid that he could not reach it. As long as he could make the Divine Sword Sect stand firm, he would be satisfied. The old and the young first went to Xuchang to see Wanqi Song. Zhong Wanshan entered later than Wanqi Song and was Wanqi Song's junior brother. They had not met for many years, but only corresponded by letter. When Wanqi Song heard that his junior brother had arrived, he hurried out to greet him. After meeting him, Zhong Wanshan saluted and said, "Senior brother, I am so rude to come here." Wanqi Song smiled and said, "Junior brother, you are so rude. In these years, only Junior Brother Lu has been closest to me, and his son is by my side." Lu Wenjun came forward and saluted. Zhong Wanshan nodded and said, "Good boy, I have heard of your name. You are indeed a young talent." Entering the hall, Wanqi Song treated him warmly. Zhong Wanshan introduced him, "Senior brother, this is Xinyi's only son. I am going to help him revive the Divine Sword Sect. I came here today to ask for your help." Wanqi Song He promised without hesitation: "Don't worry, Junior Brother, I have no choice but to serve the Master. Just ask for anything you need." Zhong Wanshan said: "To reopen the Divine Blade Sect, we need to invite the four famous sects as witnesses and announce it to the martial arts world. I don't have the face to do that." Wanqi Song smiled and said: "It's easy to invite people, but to re-establish the Divine Blade Sect, the new sect leader must show his martial arts. I wonder if this child can be recognized by the four famous sects." Duan Xiyun said confidently: "Uncle Master, don't worry. I have already mastered the Juechen Sword Technique, and I have mastered the Broken Moon Slash by 50%. " Wanqi Song was delighted: "Good boy, the Divine Blade Sect will depend on you."

Although Wanqi Song founded Wanxian Hall, he never denied that he was a disciple of the Divine Sword Sect. Although Duan Qingxiao retired, he still had a great influence on the martial arts world. Even the number one swordsman Zuixia Daoren did not dare to be presumptuous, let alone others? Therefore, Wanqi Song sincerely assisted and discussed with Zhong Wanshan to send out invitations to invite the four sect leaders to watch the ceremony. Spread the news and inform fellow martial artists from all sects. Zhong Wanshan wanted to send an invitation to Chang Xiao of Julong Villa, but Wanqi Song disagreed: "Junior brother, you don't know that Chang Xiao once massacred Qingfeng Temple with blood, and the four sect leaders have not yet resolved their old hatred, so it is not easy to meet. Besides, Chang Xiao recently had a child, so he probably won't come." Zhong Wanshan no longer insisted. Wanqi Song asked, "Junior brother, how did the Rolling Pearl Sword fall into your hands?" Zhong Wanshan told the story of Gao Zhen. Wanqi Song was greatly surprised and asked, "How is Gao Zhen's swordsmanship?" Zhong Wanshan replied, "The descendants of the Red Spirit God are naturally not bad. After obtaining the Fire God Sword, few people can withstand the Seven Styles of the Fiery Sun." Wanqi Song shook his head, "Junior brother's words are too general. Please tell me in detail." Zhong Wanshan described the situation of the fight in detail. Wanqi Song nodded, "It seems that this person is narrow-minded, ruthless, and extremely ambitious." Zhong Wanshan nodded, "I think so too. Gao Zhen is too arrogant, and he met the beauty of Jade Butterfly. I don't know how much trouble he will cause. In addition, these two people have contacts with Chang Xiao, and Chang Xiao will definitely help. We must be on guard." Wanqi Song smiled and said, "Junior brother, you are wrong. Gao Zhen will never speak to Chang Xiao. Instead, he will bear a grudge against him." Zhong Wanshan was puzzled and said, "What do you mean by this, Senior brother? Chang Xiao has never offended them in any way. How can they become enemies?" Wanqi Song has been in the martial arts world for a long time and understands the truth. He explained, "Junior brother, you don't know that Gao Zhen is narrow-minded. He has been in Julong Villa for a while. He knows that his swordsmanship is not as good as Chang Xiao. He must be dissatisfied in his heart. He took the trouble to build the Fire God Sword just to surpass this opponent. Yu Hudie really likes Chang Xiao, but she is not accepted. Naturally, she bears a grudge. This matter has nothing to do with the Divine Sword Sect. But we can't relax. These two people are determined to suppress Chang Xiao. One has a first-class swordsmanship, and the other is a master of the world. Sooner or later, there will be a big mess. "

Wanqi Song assisted Duan Xiyun in re-establishing the Divine Sword Sect. This news spread throughout the martial arts world. Chang Xiao naturally knew that the Divine Sword Sect was founded by Duan Qingxiao and had close ties with the four famous sects. Chang Xiao did not intend to join in the fun. As Wanqi Song said, Princess Huaying had a son, and the whole family was busy. Suddenly, family members came to report that King Riguan had arrived. Chang Xiao took him in and asked, "Why did my father-in-law come in such a hurry?" King Riguan smiled and said, "I came to ask for a favor from you." Chang Xiao shook his head, "We are a family, so why should we be polite?" King Riguan said, "I have no son, and I want to ask you to let this child inherit the throne. I wonder if you are willing to let him go." Chang Xiao hesitated and nodded, "Yes, but the child is too young and cannot leave his mother." King Riguan had already planned it, and smiled, "I plan to take my daughter away and let Yueying accompany you." Chang Xiao was stunned, and King Riguan explained, "Yueying has always liked you. A hero like you is hard to find in the world. It is very common to have three wives and four concubines, not to mention that Yueying really likes you." Chang Xiao thought that his wife and young son were about to leave, and he was extremely bored alone, so he nodded and agreed. Princess Yueying jumped out from behind, clapping her hands. This was something the father and daughter had discussed long ago. King Riguan was full of joy to take Princess Huaying and her son to Lingbo Island. Chang Xiao married Princess Yueying without inviting guests, but only celebrating at home. Let Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai ask about the Divine Sword Sect. The two brothers rode their BMWs to leave Julong Mountain and happily rushed to Yuntai Mountain. The disciples of Master Baekje were naturally treated with courtesy by all parties. In addition, the two brothers were uncles and nephews of Zhong Wanshan, and their father Zhong Yuanhai was Zhong Wanshan's elder brother. With this relationship, Zhong Wanshan naturally treated them specially. The two brothers explained their purpose, and Zhong Wanshan nodded: "After many years, you brothers are actually related to the Iron Arm Divine Sword. Since Master Baekje praises Chang Xiao, this person must be right. You can't be considered guests, but half the host, so help me." The two brothers naturally had nothing to say, running around and busying themselves. With Wanqi Song's full support, things went very smoothly. The heads of the four famous sects had agreed to come to watch the ceremony and sent people to send gifts first. Other sects also sent people to join in the fun. Duan Qingxiao's reputation spread far and wide, and his descendants would not be bad either. There was no harm in supporting him. Wanqi Song handed the affairs of Wanxiantang to Lu Wenjun, and stayed in Yuntaishan to help. He invited his junior brother Lu Zhengxiong, who was also Lu Wenjun's father. Duan Xinyi simply let go and let Wanqi Song take full charge. Everything was in order. Guests from all sides came one after another, and Wanqi Song received them all. He arranged their accommodation and waited for the ceremony. While he was busy, Qi Shizhen sent someone to deliver intelligence. Gao Zhen and Yu Hudie also came to Yuntaishan. It was unknown what they were planning. Wanqi Song was shocked. The visitor had bad intentions. Gao Zhen probably wanted to take this opportunity to become famous in the world and challenge the new leader. He was afraid that Duan Xiyun could not resist. Once defeated, it would be difficult for the Divine Sword Sect to turn over.

Chapter 26: Outshining the Others

Wanqi Song was quite worried when he learned that Gao Zhen and Jade Butterfly were coming. Although Duan Xiyun was proficient in swordsmanship, Gao Zhen had been recognized by Chang Xiao and could not be taken lightly. After thinking about it, Wanqi Song issued an order to use people to delay Gao Zhen and Jade Butterfly and not let these two people go up the mountain. Lu Wenjun immediately sent people after receiving the order, because Gao Zhen had superb swordsmanship and had the Fire God Sword in his hand, and rash actions would inevitably result in losses. Lu Wenjun planned carefully, spent money to bribe the government, and used officials to come forward to cut off the water and land routes to prevent Gao Zhen from going to Yuntai Mountain. Gao Zhen had just debuted and did not know these Jianghu practices. Seeing the government army blockade, he did not take it to heart and planned to take a detour. But Jade Butterfly could not bear the hardship and was difficult to follow. Although Gao Zhen was anxious, he had no choice but to let Jade Butterfly be alone. Gao Zhen really wanted to challenge the new leader of the Divine Sword Sect this time. On the one hand, he wanted to vent his anger for the dead Chi Lingshen, and on the other hand, he wanted to become famous in the martial arts world. However, he did not know that challenging the Divine Sword Sect when it was founded was a taboo in the martial arts world. Even if he won, he would be despised by his peers. Lu Wenjun was quite scheming. He had someone deliberately leak the false news of the postponement of the establishment of the Divine Sword Sect to Gao Zhen. Gao Zhen really believed it and stayed in the inn to wait. It turned out that Gao Zhen originally wanted to go back to the Fire God Palace, but he changed his mind temporarily after hearing the news that the Divine Sword Sect was back in the martial arts world. Thanks to Wanqi Song's help, if Gao Zhen was allowed to come to the door, once Duan Xiyun was defeated, the consequences would be unpredictable. The four famous families gathered together, and the Divine Sword Sect was officially established. Duan Xiyun had practiced swordsmanship since he was a child, and his skills were mature. He was unanimously recognized by masters of various factions. It was a lively day, and a martial arts post was issued, and the Divine Sword Sect re-entered the martial arts world. Wanqi Song saw that Duan Xiyun's swordsmanship was indeed full of fire and his skills were mature, so he did not take Gao Zhen's matter to heart. When Gao Zhen arrived, it was already too late. Duan Xiyun was not in Yuntaishan because he was going to visit various famous families to return gifts. Gao Zhen was about to issue a challenge, but then he thought that he should let his father know about this. Anyway, the Divine Sword Sect had been established, so it didn't matter if it was earlier or later. So he took the Jade Butterfly back to the Fire God Palace.

Although Gao Zhen's father was skilled in martial arts, he did not consider himself a man of the world and was still immersed in the glory of the past. Seeing Gao Zhen bringing outsiders back, he was very dissatisfied. Gao Zhen explained that Yu Hudie was his wife, but his father was very smart and saw that Yu Hudie was a woman who was unwilling to be lonely and could not live in the mountains for a long time. After his son got the Fire God Sword, he also changed his mind. The old man was very sad that the successor he had carefully cultivated changed his mind after going out. Thinking of what he had said at the beginning, he asked, "Didn't you go to Julong Villa to see Chang Xiao?" Gao Zhen said angrily, "Of course I went. It's really better to meet in person than to hear about it. Dad praised Chang Xiao to the sky. In my opinion, this person is insidious and cunning and difficult to work with." The old man was surprised and said, "How can this be? Tell me in detail what happened." Gao Zhen gave a detailed account of how he met Chang Xiao, and finally concluded, "In my opinion, this person is quite generous on the surface, but in fact he has evil intentions. He deliberately kept it to himself when fighting, for fear that I would surpass him." The old man was reasonable and sighed, "Chang Xiao treats me very well. You are not mean. How can you say that I am hiding my precious experience that I have gained with so much difficulty? As for not trying my best during the fight, it is natural. If he wins easily, he is afraid that you will lose confidence. It is a good intention. How can you bear a grudge against him? As for the BMW, it is his beloved friend, and it is understandable that he is unwilling to give it away. "Gao Zhen simply couldn't listen, and shook his head and said, "Dad always thinks the best of people, and doesn't know that the world is treacherous. I plan to challenge the leader of the Divine Sword Sect Duan Xiyun first, and then compete with Chang Xiao to let him know how powerful I am. "The old man saw that Gao Zhen had made up his mind and stopped trying to dissuade him. He thought to himself that if the Fire God Palace fell into his son's hands, it would definitely not be able to be preserved, so he said cheerfully: "Since you have obtained the Fire God Sword, you naturally cannot bury it in the mountains. Dad will give the treasure house of the Fire God Palace to you, and you and your wife can go to the Central Plains to make a living. I will travel around and close the Fire God Palace." Gao Zhen was overjoyed, and without a word of greeting, he urged for the key to the treasure house. The old man sighed in his heart, led the two of them to the treasure house, and said solemnly: "Son, this time we are parting, and it is difficult to determine the date of our meeting. If you listen to your father, remember not to challenge Chang Xiao. With your character, you will never be able to surpass him." Gao Zhen disagreed. He agreed with his mouth, but he was not convinced in his heart. The old man had other plans. After opening the treasure house, he went to his room to pack his luggage.

Jade Butterfly is well-informed and doesn't care much about gold, silver and jewelry, but she is dumbfounded when she sees the rare treasures in the treasury. Most of them are unheard of and may not be found in the palace. Gao Zhen is overjoyed and can't wait to pack the treasures and move them out without asking his father. Jade Butterfly is delighted and chooses her favorite jewelry to dress up. Gao Zhen emptied all the treasures in the treasury. The old man packed a small package and inspected the Fire God Palace. He burned incense on the ancestral tablets and closed the Fire God Palace. Gao Zhen couldn't wait to see the scenery in the Central Plains. He didn't care about his father at all and transported the treasures down the mountain first. Since the land route was troublesome, he went by water, bought a big ship, loaded the treasures on it and headed south. Jade Butterfly knows a lot of people and suggests holding a beauty party. She sends out invitations and invites people from all walks of life to Kaifeng for a while to show off her beauty in front of the world. The biggest reason why Gao Zhen hated Chang Xiao was actually because of Yu Hudie. After a period of getting along, Gao Zhen found that whenever Chang Xiao was mentioned, Yu Hudie would show a kind of regret in her eyes. Obviously, Yu Hudie still liked Chang Xiao, so Gao Zhen was naturally unwilling to accept it and tried every means to surpass Chang Xiao. The news of the Qunfanghui spread, and brothels from all over the country competed to participate. Yu Hudie invited Lady Shuijing to help with the fun, and also invited the reclusive court musician Mei Lushan, whose bamboo flute was unparalleled in the world. There were also Xiao Wang Qiao Dongshan. With these three top musicians participating, the Qunfanghui naturally attracted much attention. The host Yu Hudie selected the contemporary talent, Yan Shiqing, who was famous for his calligraphy and painting. These four people were naturally not easy to invite, but Yu Hudie offered a large sum of money, and the four had already agreed. In order to encourage beauties from all over the country, Yu Hudie arranged a large reward. As long as she was selected into the Qunfangpu, she could get three thousand taels. The Qunfangpu set up 100 quotas. Since ancient times, wine and sex have made people famous, and money has moved people's hearts. Such a large reward has attracted thousands of people.

Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai returned to Julong Villa. Chang Xiao asked what happened. The two brothers told Chang Xiao what happened and handed him a letter. It was written by Wanqi Song. Chang Xiao was puzzled. He opened the letter and found that it was Wanqi Song reminding Chang Xiao to beware of Gao Zhen. The letter detailed the process of Gao Zhen making the Fire God Sword and said that Gao Zhen was going to mess up the God Sword Sect. If it was not for the delay, there would definitely be trouble. After reading the letter, Chang Xiao was speechless for a long time. Gao Zhen was a rare talent with superb swordsmanship and solid foundation. His future was limitless. If he acted like this, he would sooner or later be opposed by masters from all walks of life and it would be difficult for him to gain a foothold in the martial arts world. Zhong Yuan asked, "Why is the owner of the manor worried?" Chang Xiao sighed, "I didn't expect Gao Zhen to be such a person. It's a pity for such a talent." The two brothers looked at each other after reading the letter. Zhong Hai laughed and said, "I said this kid is a piece of shit. He asked someone to make a sword but he turned against me. If he hadn't met a master, I'm afraid no one would know his despicable behavior." Zhong Yuan nodded, "If it weren't for my second uncle, I'm afraid no one would know Gao Zhen's wolfish ambitions. We must be more careful in the future." Zhong Hai asked, "We didn't offend him, why should we be more careful?" Zhong Yuan replied, "Gao Zhen made the Fire God Sword mainly to challenge the owner of the manor and become famous all over the world. Duan Xiyun is just the beginning." Chang Xiao pondered and said, "Not really. I haven't done anything wrong to him." Zhong Yuan laughed, "The owner of the manor is too honest. , Gao Zhen went to Julong Villa just to test his strength. A man like him would never be inferior to others. In addition, with the instigation of that beauty Yu Hudie, she will come to challenge sooner or later. "Chang Xiao couldn't understand and shook his head and said, "Yu Hudie has no reason to hate me." Zhong Yuan smiled bitterly, "The owner of the villa doesn't know the psychology of women. Yu Hudie is unparalleled in beauty and regards all men in the world as puppets. Only the owner of the villa is unwilling to accept her. In my opinion, Yu Hudie must hate the owner to the bone." Chang Xiao certainly didn't believe it: "How can this be? Why didn't I see it when we met in West Lake?" Zhong Yuan explained: "At that time, she was controlled by Wanxiantang. Even if she wanted to, she didn't have the power. Now she has the support of a master like Gao Zhen, she will take action sooner or later. The owner of the villa should be careful." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "Come if you want to. It's a good opportunity to experience the swordsmanship of the Red Spirit God."

The beauties gathering attracted many people, even the government was alarmed, and sent soldiers to maintain order. Most of the local officials were drunkards and women, and they also wanted to take this opportunity to select beauties and make a fortune. Of course, they would rush to do such a good thing. The venue was set up in Longting, Kaifeng. A high platform was built on the water as the main venue, and four sub-venues were set up on all sides to receive participants from all parties. Yu Hudie was very good at spending money. Anyway, she had countless treasures and could not spend them all in ten lifetimes. She could enjoy it while she was young and beautiful. Gao Zhen had other ideas. Yu Hudie was already quite famous. If she became famous through the beauties gathering, then everyone in the world would know that Yu Hudie was his wife, and his name would be spread, which would definitely be good. The four guests arrived one after another, and Yu Hudie received them warmly. Yan Shiqing specially drew a picture for Yu Hudie, with exquisite brushwork and quite vivid, and Yu Hudie loved it. Everything was ready, and the selection began under the protection of the government. More than a thousand beauties from all over the country took the stage to perform, and tens of thousands of people came to support them, all wanting to see the beauties, and the scene was very lively. This event had never happened before. The famous martial artists were proud of their status and would not join in the fun, but the outlaws didn't care. Mo Qilin brought a group of leaders to play and relax, and Chang Xiao also came, but not to join in the fun. Princess Yueying heard about it and insisted on watching the fun. Chang Xiao had no choice but to accompany him, and took Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai, and the four of them rode BMWs to Kaifeng. When the Soul Chaser learned of Chang Xiao's whereabouts, he immediately arranged for someone to receive him warmly and arrange for food and accommodation. Chang Xiao understood the meaning of the Soul Chasing Needle and accepted it calmly. Mo Qilin seized the opportunity to meet Chang Xiao. The two met in the private room of the inn. Mo Qilin said straight to the point: "I know that the owner of the manor holds a grudge about what happened in the past. It is better to resolve the grudge than to make it. Sooner or later, I will talk it out. Today is to make amends." Chang Xiao shook his head: "Forget it. Ding Xiangxiang is a woman of temperament. It is better for her to get into trouble sooner rather than later. I don't care about this matter." Mo Qilin was overjoyed: "It is rare for the owner of the manor to be so magnanimous. Jade Butterfly now has the support of Gao Zhen and wants to get rid of the control of Wanxian Hall. My father ordered me to let go. What do you think of the owner of the manor?" Chang Xiao praised: "Your father is indeed far-sighted. Giving up Jade Butterfly at this time is the best opportunity. Let's wait and see."

Mo Qilin saw that Chang Xiao was truly forgiving him, and he felt very happy. He patted his chest and guaranteed, "Don't worry, Master. If you have any orders in the future, just tell us and we brothers will do our best." Chang Xiao nodded, "That's enough for you. By the way, why are you here?" Mo Qilin smiled and said, "I brought the brothers to relax. Master must have come to watch the fun." Chang Xiao smiled bitterly, "I didn't want to come, but my newlywed wife insisted, so I had to accompany her." Mo Qilin nodded, "Master must be careful. Gao Zhen is very ambitious. He became even more arrogant after getting the Fire God Sword. Now he got a huge treasure from somewhere, and he has other plans for holding the Beauty Gathering." Chang Xiao disagreed, "Young Master, you are worrying too much. Gao Zhen got the Fire God Sword, so he will naturally find a way to become famous. He has no threat to me. "You should be careful, since Gao Zhen has a lot of money, he will probably recruit soldiers and develop his own power." Mo Qilin agreed: "Yes, Gao Zhen must want to develop in Jiangnan, and he will conflict with me sooner or later. With the military advisor here, it should be no problem. If Gao Zhen goes to Julong Villa to challenge, how confident is the owner of the villa that he can win?" Chang Xiao smiled: "Gao Zhen is narrow-minded and will not achieve great things. He will suffer the consequences sooner or later. He is not a threat to me, but the new leader of the Divine Sword Sect, Duan Xiyun, should be more careful." Mo Qilin nodded: "My father will naturally try his best to protect the Divine Sword Sect, but if Gao Zhen sends a martial arts post, there will be no way to hide." Chang Xiao has seen Gao Zhen's swordsmanship and knows that this person has a high level of cultivation. Duan Xiyun is likely to be unable to resist, but as the leader of the sect, he naturally has to take responsibility and others can't help. After the discussion, Mo Qilin said goodbye. Chang Xiao accompanied Princess Yueying to watch the excitement. Most of the people who participated in the beauty pageant were girls from brothels in various places. Once they were on the beauty pageant, their status could be increased. They might also be redeemed by dignitaries. Besides, there were prizes, so everyone was eager to compete. The four sub-fields were crowded with people. After layers of selection, a hundred beauties were selected in two days and they were ready to go to the main venue to sort out the pros and cons. Yu Hudie took great pains to make an appearance and discussed with Madam Shuijing many times before it was decided. Yan Shiqing was in charge of hosting, and a group of playboys assisted, commenting and evaluating, and they were overjoyed. This beauty pageant also determined the top three, similar to the imperial court's recruitment of officials. The top thirty could get 10,000 taels of silver, and the top three would get even more, and the scene became more lively.

It was midnight when the list was about to be announced. The lights on the water surface were as bright as day, competing with the bright moon in the sky. Yan Shiqing had prepared the list of beauties, and was still thinking of the beauty of Jade Butterfly. He sighed in his heart that she was the top scholar in the flower country today, and these mediocre women were far behind. It had been arranged in advance. When tens of thousands of people were waiting to see the list, a flute sound came from the water surface. It was Qiao Dongshan's masterpiece "Apricot Blossom Sky Shadow", which was a tune created by Bai Shidao, a famous poet in the Song Dynasty. It was also called "Apricot Blossom Sky" with gongche notation. Qiao Dongshan was a great poet. His flute sound was melodious and ethereal, and everyone was attracted. Green silk brushed the mandarin duck pond, thinking of peach leaves, and called them at that time. As soon as the first sentence was over, the sound of the piano sounded. It was Mrs. Shuijing's Biyao piano. I will leave my sad eyes with the spring breeze, and I will stay less leaning on the orchid paddle. Before the second sentence was finished, the sound of the flute sounded again. It was the bamboo flute of Meilu Mountain. On the road to Jinling, orioles sing and swallows dance. The tide knows the most bitterness of people. The sounds of the flute, the zither and the flute merged into one, and everyone seemed to have arrived in a fairyland, not knowing where they were. The grass on the shore was so fragrant that they could not return home, and at dusk, they moved the boat to a different place. The last sentence was even more soul-stirring and lingered for a long time, as if there was only this song in the world and nothing else. Under the attention of everyone, a pleasure boat slowly approached, and a peerless beauty immediately attracted everyone's attention. Her movements were light and ethereal, and her jade arms were hidden under the veil, her waist was slender and grasped, and her every move showed a variety of styles. The sound of the zither started, and it was Liu Yong's famous work "Jade Butterfly". In the tune of the three masters, Jade Butterfly opened her pearly lips; "Looking out, the rain has stopped and the clouds have broken. I lean on the railing quietly, watching the autumn light. The evening scene is bleak, which can move Song Yu's sadness. The water breeze is light, and the apple blossoms are getting old; the moon dew is cold, and the parasol leaves are yellow. I am sad, but where are my old friends? The smoke and water are vast." When singing this part, the onlookers are intoxicated. How can the wonderful music and the peerless beauty not make people intoxicated? Jade Butterfly danced to the tune, soft as boneless, charming, and seductive. Some dignitaries had already forgotten their status, salivating. The Jade Butterfly continued to sing: "Unforgettable, the literary party, the lonely wind and moon, the changing stars and frost. The sea is vast and the mountains are far away, I don't know where Xiaoxiang is. Thinking of the two swallows, it is difficult to rely on the distant news. Pointing to the evening sky, only they are left to return. Looking at each other sadly, listening to the sound of the broken wild geese, standing until the setting sun." When the song ended, there was silence all around, everyone was immersed in the illusion, after a moment, thunderous cheers suddenly resounded through the sky.

Chapter 27: The Human Heart is Unpredictable

Jade Butterfly made her debut at the Beauty Gathering, and indeed she overwhelmed all the beauties. Tens of thousands of people were attracted by her. Yan Shiqing said in a clear voice: "Everyone, this is the most beautiful woman in the world today, Jade Butterfly, the top scholar of the Flower Kingdom, and the first in the list of beauties today." Cheers were heard everywhere, and Jade Butterfly smiled and was satisfied. Princess Yueying was fascinated and envious. Chang Xiao beside her said: "Jade Butterfly is so ostentatious, it must not last long." Princess Yueying shook her head: "Even if it is a shooting star, such a scenery is worth exchanging for a lifetime." Chang Xiao stopped persuading her, and left Longting and returned to Julong Villa when the list was read. Gao Zhen did not expect that Jade Butterfly would be supported by tens of thousands of people. If the news spread, it would definitely have a greater impact. I wonder how many people will envy him in the future. Thinking of this, he was so pleased that he couldn't help but want everyone to know that he was the husband of the most beautiful woman in the world. The Beauty Gathering ended with cheers, and everyone felt that the trip was worthwhile. The name of Jade Butterfly spread across the country at a very fast speed. Gao Zhen got the Vulcan Sword and the treasure. His long-buried ambition finally had a chance to be released. Taking advantage of the influence of the Qunfanghui, he spread the news that he would build Tongtian Castle in Xianxialing and recruit martial artists from all walks of life. When the news spread, it naturally alarmed many people. Gao Zhen took Yu Hudie to Xianxialing to select a location and recruit craftsmen to prepare for large-scale construction. As long as there is money, everything will be solved. Thousands of people were recruited in a dozen days. Yu Hudie pointed out that Qi Shizhen was the most well-informed person in the world, and he must find a way to win him over, otherwise it would be difficult to gain a foothold in the world. Gao Zhen listened to his advice and personally went to Qi Shizhen's door to give him a generous gift. Qi Shizhen returned the gift with a picture, which was a castle designed by an expert. It was both offensive and defensive, extremely clever and indestructible. Gao Zhen was overjoyed and immediately returned to Xianxialing with the drawings to construct according to the drawings. With the treasure in hand, the project progressed very smoothly. Many people from the martial arts world came to join Gao Zhen. He accepted them all, regardless of whether they were wise or foolish. He was just worried that he didn't have good players. They were all low-ranking small characters. Yu Hudie advised: "Don't worry. Now the martial arts world doesn't know your ability. After Tongtian Fort is built, you can challenge the master of the Divine Sword Sect, Duan Xiyun. As long as you win, you will become famous. Then you won't have to worry about not having good players." Gao Zhen nodded: "That's right, first use Duan Xiyun to sacrifice the sword, and when the time is right, challenge Chang Xiao."

Tongtianbao made rapid progress. The news reached Julong Villa. Chang Xiao knew that Gao Zhen and Yu Hudie were unwilling to be lonely and might want to compete with Wanxiantang. While discussing with Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai, a family member came to report that there was a visitor. The name tag said it was the master of the Divine Sword Sect, Duan Xiyun. Chang Xiao hurried out to greet him. It was indeed Duan Xiyun. Since the establishment of the Divine Sword Sect, Duan Xiyun visited the four famous sects to seek advice. It was Wanqi Song's idea to come to Julong Villa. Although Chang Xiao did not participate in the establishment ceremony, his own cultivation was there, and no one dared to despise him. Since the Divine Sword Sect was famous for its swordsmanship, it was natural for them to ask Chang Xiao for advice. After sitting down in the hall, Chang Xiao found that Duan Xiyun was dignified and majestic. He liked him and set up a banquet to entertain him. During the banquet, Duan Xiyun said, "Although the four famous families do not recognize it, everyone knows that the owner of the manor is the best swordsman in the world." Chang Xiao shook his head and said, "It is difficult to distinguish the pros and cons in martial arts skills. The four famous families each have their own strengths. The master of Wanxian Hall Wanqi Song, the Dragon King of the South China Sea, and the newly debuted Gao Zhen, these three people's swordsmanship is no worse than mine. In addition, the master's uncle Zhong Wanshan is a hidden talent, and he is also a first-class master." Duan Xiyun smiled and said, "The owner of the manor is too modest. Uncle Wanqi asserted that the owner of the manor is the only master in the world who is qualified to challenge the Taoist Zuixia." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "Hall Master Wanqi is exaggerating. Chang's cultivation is still a long way to go." Duan Xiyun shook his head: "Master Baekje is famous all over the world, and his words are always true. The master highly respects the owner of the manor. Even the Taoist Zuixia does not have such an opportunity. The only one in the world today who has this honor is the owner of the manor." Chang Xiao tried to restrain himself in front of outsiders. Now that Duan Xiyun had made it clear, there was no need to be modest. So he nodded and said, "As a warrior, the biggest goal is to be proud and win the respect, and make all heroes bow down to him. Ling Zu Qingxiao has already done it." Duan Xiyun was surprised. It seemed that Chang Xiao had great ambitions and even wanted to challenge his grandfather. Speaking of Duan Qingxiao, Duan Xiyun smiled bitterly and said, "To be honest, I have never seen my grandfather. After knowing his life story, I asked my father. My father said that my grandfather did things his own way and no one could influence him. He left home for many years and never visited him, not even a letter." Chang Xiao nodded and said, "I hope to have a chance to meet this sword master."

The Divine Sword Sect became famous for its swords, so Duan Xiyun naturally asked Chang Xiao for swordsmanship. Chang Xiao was very generous, but there was no trick to martial arts. Although Duan Xiyun had learned a lot, he was still not as good as Gao Zhen. Chang Xiao knew that Gao Zhen was going to challenge Duan Xiyun. If the leader of the Divine Sword Sect was defeated by the descendants of the Red Spirit God, the Divine Sword Sect would probably find it difficult to gain a foothold in the martial arts world. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Master, please don't think I'm rude. According to the Zhong brothers, your uncle once mentioned that the Broken Moon Slash of the Divine Sword Sect and the Seven Styles of the Fiery Sun of the Red Spirit God have reached a very high level in swordsmanship and have become one with the heaven and earth. Gao Zhen has been staying in Julong Villa for many days and has competed with me for more than ten times, but he has not used the Seven Styles of the Fiery Sun. On the one hand, he does not have the Fire God Sword in his hand and cannot bring out the essence of his swordsmanship. On the other hand, he is not sure of winning against me. Now that Gao Zhen is building the Tongtian Fort, he will challenge the master on the day of completion. I have some understanding of Gao Zhen's swordsmanship and want to see if the master's Broken Moon Slash can win." Duan Xiyun was quite generous and immediately agreed, "Master, you have good intentions, how dare I hide them from you." Chang Xiao nodded, "You are indeed courageous. Let's exchange swordsmanship at midnight tonight." Duan Xiyun was young and energetic, and he never took Gao Zhen's affairs to heart, but it would be beneficial to use the Broken Moon Slash to test the reality of Chang Xiao's swordsmanship. The full moon was rising, Duan Xiyun came under the moon, eager to try. Wanqi Song praised Chang Xiao's swordsmanship to the sky, and if he could get the upper hand, the Divine Sword Sect would definitely be more prosperous. Chang Xiao saw Duan Xiyun's intention to win, but he didn't point it out, and smiled and said, "Master, just draw your sword." Duan Xiyun had heard that Chang Xiao's sword was so fast that even the head of Huashan, Wanqi Song, could not resist it, so he should not be arrogant. He immediately gathered his breath and stepped forward, and the rolling pearl sword was unsheathed in a flash, and a cold light covered Chang Xiao's head.

Chang Xiao originally wanted to help the Divine Sword Sect, but Duan Xiyun wanted to take this opportunity to improve the reputation of the Divine Sword Sect and was determined to win. Chang Xiao felt from the opponent's swordsmanship that Duan Xiyun was not interested in competing, but wanted to become famous in one battle. He sighed in his heart: How could this Duan Xiyun be the same as Gao Zhen, always regarding other people's kindness as a conspiracy. Duan Xiyun's swordsmanship was superb. Chang Xiao was alert and tried to test him, and found that Duan Xiyun's problem was the same as Gao Zhen's. He was skilled in swordsmanship but did not get the essence. Duan Xiyun attacked for hundreds of moves, but Chang Xiao never drew his sword. Duan Xiyun looked down on him: The famous Iron Arm Divine Sword was just like this, and today was a good time to wash away the previous shame. It turned out that Duan Xiyun had always been resentful about the Qingfeng Temple. Lin Qing and his son didn't care. The defeat of the Rolling Pearl Sword by the ordinary steel sword would definitely affect the reputation of the Divine Sword Sect. Zhong Yuan, who was watching the fight, noticed something was wrong and said to Zhong Hai, "Brother, why do I feel that Master Duan is not exchanging swordsmanship, but more like a life-and-death duel." Zhong Hai nodded, "I also feel something is wrong. His moves are so ruthless and leave no room for manor owner. He is really patient. If I had used a ruthless move earlier, he would have let him know how powerful he is." Everyone watching the fight could see it, and Chang Xiao certainly understood it even better. The reason why he didn't take action was to take care of the Divine Sword Sect, mainly because he admired Duan Qingxiao, a senior master. Duan Xiyun didn't understand Chang Xiao's painstaking efforts at all, and he didn't think about it carefully. Wanqi Song, as the master of the Ten Thousand Immortals Hall and the recognized number one swordsman of all sects, still admitted that he was not as good as him. Chang Xiao's cultivation level can be imagined. He only wanted to defeat Chang Xiao, become famous all over the world, and glorify the Divine Sword Sect. After several hundred moves, Duan Xiyun's offensive became more and more intense. The full moon was overhead, and soft silver light shone down. Duan Xiyun let out a long roar, leaped up, and the rolling pearl knife seemed to have spirituality like a silver dragon under the moonlight, whistling down, unstoppable. Chang Xiao naturally knew the amazing power of Shattered Moon Slash, and Duan Qingxiao's famous skill was certainly extraordinary. The dragon scale sword slashed out diagonally, like a breeze without a trace, and easily passed through the silver light and went straight to Duan Xiyun's neck. Duan Xiyun was shocked and swung his sword to block. With a loud bang, Duan Xiyun was shaken several feet away. This was still Chang Xiao's mercy. If he had used all his strength, Duan Xiyun would have died long ago.

The winner was decided. Duan Xiyun straightened his clothes and stepped forward to salute: "Master, your skills are amazing. I admire you so much." Chang Xiao nodded: "It is not easy for the master to have such skills at such a young age. Let's talk about it inside." Sitting back down, Duan Xiyun naturally could not tell his true thoughts, and asked: "Master, what do you think of Gao Zhen's swordsmanship compared to mine?" Chang Xiao naturally could not point it out, and shook his head and said: "To be honest, the master's skills are not as good as Gao Zhen's, and his swordsmanship is also not up to par. If we really fight, I can only have a 30% chance of winning at most." Duan Xiyun thought that Chang Xiao saw through his true thoughts during the fight and deliberately belittled his swordsmanship. He was not convinced in his heart, but he could not show it on his face, so he pretended to ask: "Master, how do you think Gao Zhen is better than me?" Chang Xiao could hear that Duan Xiyun was not sincere, and sighed in his heart: he has always treated people with sincerity, but he is always misunderstood. Since the other party was not really asking for advice, Chang Xiao did not need to specify it in detail. He sighed and said, "Gao Zhen has been practicing hard in the mountains for more than 30 years. He has worked hard and is very skilled in swordsmanship. When he changes his moves, it will come naturally. I am afraid that the master will not have the opportunity to perform the Shattered Moon Slash." Duan Xiyun thought to himself: How is it possible? Since Gao Zhen is your defeated opponent, he cannot be much stronger than me. He must still remember the grudge against Chen Hongren and deliberately belittle him. He thought so in his heart and showed it on his face. Chang Xiao certainly noticed it and smiled, "The master has a deep family background. He did not use his full strength in this fight. Chang's speculation does not count." Duan Xiyun felt relieved. There was a gap between them, and there was no need to talk any more. Chang Xiao never mentioned swordsmanship, but only talked about some interesting stories in the martial arts world. Duan Xiyun said goodbye and left at dawn. Chang Xiao sent Duan Xiyun out of the door, and sighed at his back: "This sect leader will definitely suffer a great loss at the hands of Gao Zhen." Zhong Yuan beside him said: "What did Director Zhuang do to him? This man is arrogant and eager for success, and he deserves his fall." Zhong Hai also agreed. Chang Xiao shook his head and said: "I have nothing to do with the Divine Sword Sect. I helped him because of Duan Qingxiao. It's not my fault that he doesn't appreciate it. Gao Zhen's move is ruthless. Once Duan Xiyun dies, it will be difficult for the Divine Sword Sect to recover."

Chang Xiao was honest by nature, and although Duan Xiyun didn't appreciate it, he was still worried about the Divine Sword Sect. Zhong Yuan persuaded him, "Master, don't worry too much. The Divine Sword Sect's affairs will be resolved by them, and it has nothing to do with you. Duan Xiyun is young and hot-tempered, and doesn't listen to good advice. You can't blame me." Chang Xiao nodded, but he couldn't let it go. He was so humble because he admired the senior genius Duan Qingxiao very much, and didn't want to see the Divine Sword Sect destroyed by Gao Zhen. But Duan Xiyun didn't appreciate it at all. After thinking about it, he asked Zhong Yuan to write a letter to his second uncle Zhong Wanshan to remind him. Zhong Wanshan received the letter and knew Chang Xiao's good intentions. He discussed it with Duan Xinyi. Duan Xinyi was a little skeptical and asked, "Brother, this Chang Xiao has a feud with Chen Hongren, and he once disbanded the Julong Gang under the influence of Brother Wanqi. Why would he kindly remind me?" Zhong Wanshan shook his head and said, "Brother, you are wrong. Brother Wanqi is the leader of Wanxiantang. He is the best judge of people. He tried to make Chang Xiao his friend not only because of his swordsmanship, but more importantly, his character. After discovering the conspiracy of Wanxiantang, he resolutely disbanded the Julong Gang. Such a broad mind is really rare. With his With his ability, he could completely eliminate the people of Wanxiantang and take over the Jiangnan Green Forest. Such tolerance is nothing more than not wanting to see the brothers of Julong Gang killing each other. How could someone who is even respected by Master Baekje have ulterior motives? "Duan Xinyi believed it and asked, "What do you think, senior brother?" Zhong Wanshan said, "Since Gao Zhen wants to challenge him publicly, there is no reason to refuse. Xiyun should be called back to study swordsmanship and prepare for the battle. Don't take it lightly." Duan Xinyi was naturally concerned about his son's safety, and hurriedly sent a letter to ask Duan Xiyun to return to Shendaomen as soon as possible. Duan Xiyun performed martial arts when Shendaomen was established, and was unanimously recognized by the four famous families. He had a high opinion of himself. Although he was defeated by Chang Xiao, he did not lose his spirit. He was defeated by even his uncle Wanqi Song, so it didn't matter if he lost. He didn't take Gao Zhen's matter to heart at all. After receiving the letter, he still complained about his father's cautiousness, but it was difficult to disobey his father's orders, so he hurried back to Shendaomen.

After dealing with various people, Chang Xiao felt very disappointed. Thinking of the various benefits of the Fire Dragon Colt, he thought of a trip to the desert. Now that the four ponies have grown up, it is just right to go back to the desert to take a look. Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai are very supportive, and Princess Yueying also wants to go with him. Originally, Chang Xiao was worried that Princess Yueying could not stand the wind and sand in the desert. Princess Yueying said that she had learned yoga from the national teacher in Tianzhu, so she didn't need to take a car at all, and riding a horse would be fine. Chang Xiao naturally didn't understand Tianzhu's martial arts. Since Princess Yueying insisted, the four of them took four BMWs to the desert to visit the Fire Dragon Colt. The four ponies did not have the temper of the Fire Dragon Colt. They had followed Chang Xiao for a long time and knew who was close to them, so Princess Yueying could ride the black horse smoothly. Lieyan took the lead, as if he was galloping at lightning speed. The four BMWs did not give way to each other, and they arrived at the border a few days later. After leaving the border and entering the desert, Lieyan was excited to see his hometown, and Princess Yueying was also excited to appreciate the magnificent scenery of the desert. The sun was so hot during the day that they could only find a place to rest. In the evening, the four of them headed straight for the oasis of the Fire Dragon Colt. Lieyan knew the way and soon approached the oasis without any guidance. Chang Xiao was very happy to think that he would see his old friend soon. At this moment, Lieyan suddenly stopped and stared at the oasis, his eyes full of vigilance. Chang Xiao was stunned. This was a sign of danger ahead. Could it be that the Fire Dragon Colt had an accident? Thinking of this, Chang Xiao's heart suddenly lifted up, and he gently stroked Lieyan's neck and said, "Don't be afraid, I'll take care of everything. Go in and take a look." Lieyan neighed and rushed into the oasis quickly. Zhong Yuan, Zhong Hai and Princess Yueying followed, and the four horses came to the spring like a whirlwind. It was still the same here, quiet all around, and there was no sign of danger. Chang Xiao jumped off the horse and looked around carefully. He found nothing unusual. When he was wondering, a huge black shadow rushed over silently without a trace of wind. Chang Xiao immediately sensed something was wrong, and the dragon-scaled sword moved out an inch, a burst of cold air shot out, and the black shadow suddenly stopped, and a pair of big eyes stared at Chang Xiao in the darkness. Princess Yueying asked, "What is it?" Zhong Yuan shook his head, "It's too dark, I can't see it." Chang Xiao's cultivation was profound, and his eyesight was far better than that of ordinary people. He smiled and said, "It's a camel. I didn't expect a camel to be so fast." Princess Yueying wondered, "Are you sure?" Chang Xiao slowly put away his sword and said to the black shadow, "This is the territory of the Fire Dragon Colt. I am a friend of the Fire Dragon Colt. Where are you from? Why are you occupying the oasis?" Princess Yueying smiled and said, "I've never seen such a stupid person. What's the point of talking to a camel?" Chang Xiao said seriously, "You are not a camel, how do you know that a camel can't understand?" Princess Yueying recalled, "I seem to have heard this sentence of yours, but I can't remember it for a moment. It seems that some master said it."

Chapter 28: Meeting an Expert

Chang Xiao was surprised that the Fire Dragon Colt's territory was occupied by a camel. Even if the camel was a divine creature, it could not compare to ten thousand wild horses. In the darkness, the camel suddenly turned around and flew away. Zhong Yuan sighed, "This camel is as fast as a horse." Chang Xiao went to the spring to drink water. Princess Yueying drank two sips and praised, "It's really delicious, cool and sweet, much better than the water in the Central Plains." Zhong Hai smiled and said, "The owner of the manor sunk the Ten Thousand Years Cold Jade Bottle in it. With this treasure, the spring water is naturally delicious." Chang Xiao said, "Be careful. The camel has an owner. The owner must be a rare master. Don't be careless." Princess Yueying was not convinced and asked, "How do you know?" Chang Xiao explained, "It's impossible for the camel to rob this oasis. A camel I dare not compete with thousands of wild horses for territory. I know the Fire Dragon Colt very well. Ordinary people can't compete with it at all. In addition, I have spread the word that anyone who opposes the Fire Dragon Colt is my enemy. Since the camel owner doesn't take me seriously, it must be a big deal. "Zhong Yuan nodded: "The owner of the manor is right. The four famous families all give the owner three points. This person must be a master." Princess Yueying smiled and said, "Who cares what master he is? My husband is the number one hero in the world and he is not afraid of anyone." Before the voice fell, a voice came with the wind: "A frog at the bottom of the well does not know the height of the sky and the depth of the earth." The voice was deep and echoed like a bronze bell. Chang Xiao looked directly to the north and said, "Senior has profound skills. Chang has never seen such a person before. Can you show up and see him?" The voice spread in all directions, condensing without dispersing. An old man suddenly appeared in front of him, with a look of surprise on his face, and asked, "Are you Chang Xiao?" Chang Xiao clasped his fists and saluted, "Yes, senior, your body movements are unpredictable, I admire you." The old man nodded, "I have always thought that rumors in the martial arts world are not credible. Today, I know that your cultivation level is much higher than Wanqi Song. The young are really formidable. It seems that you have been hiding your martial arts. Such a scheme is really rare." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "It's not that I am hiding something. First, there is no need. Second, I listened to the advice of Qingyang Swordsman and gave the opponent some room when fighting. Senior can see at a glance that I am a very skilled person. Please accept my respect." The old man supported him with both hands, "It's our first meeting, and you trust me so much. With such courage, it's no wonder that you are famous all over the world."

Chang Xiao was also surprised to meet a master in the desert. Zhong Hai was surprised to see Chang Xiao so respectful. In today's world, there are very few people who are worthy of Chang Xiao's worship. He turned to Zhong Yuan and asked, "Brother, who is this old guy? Why is the owner of the manor so humble?" Zhong Yuan shook his head and said, "I haven't seen him either. Anyway, the owner of the manor can't be wrong. You had better control your mouth and don't talk nonsense." Zhong Hai nodded and said, "Master said, I will listen to the owner of the manor in everything." The old man had white beard, ruddy complexion, strong muscles and bones, and was extremely powerful. Chang Xiao and the old man came to the spring and sat on the ground. The old man sighed: "Seeing your achievements, I really feel old. The new generation replaces the old." Chang Xiao smiled and said: "Why don't you be discouraged, senior? The old is still the best. I can't even catch up with your body skills just now." The old man shook his head: "That's just following the footwork of the predecessors. It's nothing special. If you want to learn, I will teach you right away." Chang Xiao shook his head: "I appreciate your kindness, senior. All of my martial arts are in the Liuhe swordsmanship, and I don't want to dabble in other things." The old man nodded: "I understand what you mean. The so-called inner three harmonies and outer three harmonies are actually derived from the three elements of heaven, earth and man. You have already realized this level, and there is no need to learn my footwork anymore." Chang Xiao was shocked. This was a secret he had buried deep in his heart. His dear wife, close friend the Dragon King of the South China Sea and his benefactor Wu Qingyang didn't know it, but the other party actually revealed it in one sentence. It can be seen that the old man's realm is unfathomable. The old man smiled slightly when he saw Chang Xiao's expression: "You don't have to be surprised. There are many hidden talents in the martial arts world, and each of them has his own unique abilities. However, there are only a few people who have reached this level in martial arts, and the youngest is over 60 years old. Before we met, I really didn't expect that you would reach this level. It's rare and precious." Chang Xiao asked: "How about Taoist Zuixia?" The old man stroked his beard and pondered for a moment before speaking: "I can't answer this question. Taoist Zuixia is famous in the martial arts world. He has reached the realm of heart sword three years ago. No one can tell his current cultivation. But Wanqi Song is right. You are the only one qualified to challenge." Chang Xiao shook his head and said: "It's not the time yet. The martial arts world is in turmoil and heroes are rising. Chang still needs to experience some experience." The old man praised: "Based on your character, your future is limitless."

Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai knew the taboos of the martial arts world and stayed away from it. Princess Yueying also knew her limits and rode a black horse around the oasis for a ride. Chang Xiao never asked the old man's name, which made the old man feel strange. He asked, "Don't you want to know my identity?" Chang Xiao smiled, "Senior, you will tell me if you want to. I won't ask you presumptuously." The old man nodded, "To be honest, I do have a secret that I can't tell you. You will understand it in the future. Among the top masters who have reached this level just now, there is one you recognize." Chang Xiao immediately said, "Master Baekje." The old man praised, "It's not easy for you to see how profound Master Baekje is. In addition to Master Baekje, I can barely be considered one. Taoist Zuixia is naturally indispensable, and there is another person from the Beggar Gang." Chang Xiao asked, "Is it Elder Jinchan?" The old man was stunned, "How do you know this person?" Chang Xiao was puzzled and asked, "What's wrong?" The old man explained, "Elder Jinchan often changes his appearance and hides in the world. He uses another name in the Beggar Gang. Even the gang leader doesn't know how profound he is. Only a very few people know the name Jinchan. How did you know it? ? "Chang Xiao thought for a moment and said, "It was Shopkeeper Qi who mentioned Wuling Villa, and then he mentioned Elder Jinchan." The old man nodded, "So that's the case, no wonder." Chang Xiao heard the old man's words and asked, "Is Shopkeeper Qi also a top master?" The old man shook his head, "Of course he is not, but his background is complicated, you have to be more careful when dealing with him." Chang Xiao didn't want to get involved in the disputes in the martial arts world. Hearing the old man's words, it seemed that he was hostile to Qi Shizhen. These things had nothing to do with him, so he changed the subject and asked, "The senior hasn't finished talking yet. Are there any other real top masters?" The old man nodded, "As far as I know, there are two more people, plus Duan Qingxiao, there are three people. I don't know the details. I only know that the three of them are hidden from the world and don't ask about the martial arts world. Then there is you. In my opinion, you still have to hide your strength in the future. It will be good to keep a low profile. "Chang Xiao smiled and said, "If I hadn't met the senior, no one would know my depth at all."

The old and the young had a long conversation, and before they knew it, it was already dawn. The old man stood up and said, "I came to the desert to look for a treasure. I stopped here, not intending to seize the oasis of the Fire Dragon Colt. Since you are here, I will leave immediately." Chang Xiao would not ask about the treasure, and tried to persuade him, "Since you have no ill intentions, why don't you stay for a few more days?" The old man shook his head, "Time is running out, I'm afraid it's too late." Chang Xiao rarely met a soulmate, so he clasped his fists and said, "Maybe I can help." Of course the old man didn't believe it, "I've spent so much effort to get it, what can you do?" Chang Xiao was quite confident, "If you trust me, why not give it a try?" The old man thought again, although Chang Xiao's words were unreliable, there was nothing wrong with giving it a try. Chang Xiao thought for a moment and asked, "Do you have a drawing of the castle?" The old man nodded, "Yes, I do, but I can't use it." Chang Xiao smiled, "Senior, please relax, let me think of a way." He raised his hand and called Lieyan to him and ordered, "Find your father." Lieyan shot out as fast as an arrow and disappeared in a blink of an eye. Half an hour later, a fiery red shadow rushed into the oasis, and Chang Xiao shouted, "Good brother, I'm here to see you." The Fire Dragon Colt was still very arrogant, but when he saw Chang Xiao, he immediately changed his attitude, shaking his head and wagging his tail, and was extremely excited. Chang Xiao was quite moved when he stroked the Fire Dragon Colt. Princess Yueying was immediately fascinated by it and said to herself, "I used to think that Lieyan was the best horse. Today I know what the king of horses is." Chang Xiao and the Fire Dragon Colt have a deep affection for each other, which is difficult for outsiders to understand. The old man had heard about the Fire Dragon Colt and was quite moved when he saw such a scene. In front of the Fire Dragon Colt, Lieyan had long lost his prestige and hid aside obediently. The Fire Dragon Colt kept neighing, as if greeting him. Chang Xiao nodded repeatedly, "Good brother, I understand, I understand."

Because there were outsiders, the Fire Dragon Colt had to maintain the prestige of the King of Ten Thousand Horses. Chang Xiao also had some concerns. After a moment of intimacy, he said, "Good brother, I need your help with something." The Fire Dragon Colt nodded repeatedly. Chang Xiao showed the picture of the ancient castle to the Fire Dragon Colt and pointed to the desert with his hand: "Where is this ancient castle?" The Fire Dragon Colt had obviously seen it before and neighed briefly. Chang Xiao nodded and said, "You have to take me there. I haven't seen you for so long. I just want to experience the prestige of the King of Ten Thousand Horses." He jumped onto the Fire Dragon Colt and disappeared in the desert in a blink of an eye. The old man was extremely surprised to see such a thing. Chang Xiao actually asked the Fire Dragon Colt for help. To search for treasure in the desert, no matter how strong a person is, he is not as good as the Fire Dragon Colt. The King of Ten Thousand Horses traveled across the desert and was very familiar with his territory. In less than half an hour, Fire Dragon Colt had returned. Chang Xiao dismounted and said with a smile: "Senior, the ancient castle is not far from here, it's just covered by quicksand. As long as we know the exact location, it should not be difficult to find the ancient sword." The old man was overjoyed: "I owe you a favor and I will repay you sooner or later." Chang Xiao said to Zhong Yuan: "You brothers help me, senior. I want to reminisce with Fire Dragon Colt." The old man could not wait to ride on the camel. Chang Xiao pointed to the west and said: "It's fifty miles to the west. I left the red robe there. It will be easy to find." The old man headed straight west, followed by Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai. Chang Xiao and the Fire Dragon Colt came to the spring. Princess Yueying approached and said, "Can I ride the Fire Dragon Colt?" Chang Xiao introduced, "Good brother, this is my wife." The Fire Dragon Colt shook its head and shook its mane. Chang Xiao said to Princess Yueying, "The Fire Dragon Colt said that he has hundreds of wives, and I only have one, which is too few." Princess Yueying shook her head, "I don't believe it. How can you understand horse language?" Chang Xiao smiled and said, "So the Fire Dragon Colt only recognizes me, and no one can get close to me." Princess Yueying understood that the Fire Dragon Colt would not let others get close to him, so she didn't mention it and rode the black horse for a ride. The Fire Dragon Colt nodded to Chang Xiao facing the spring. Chang Xiao smiled and said, "You are thanking me for putting the treasure into the spring. You don't have to be polite." The man and the horse snuggled together and lay quietly by the spring.

The old man quickly rushed to the red robe, which turned out to be a huge sand dune. The old man still had some doubts in his heart. Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai trusted Chang Xiao very much, so they jumped off their horses and started to clean up. The old man had no other choice. He used a rare martial arts skill, landed on the top of the sand dune, spread his palms, turned his body, and rolled up a powerful whirlwind. The quicksand spread in all directions, with an amazing momentum. Zhong Yuan was secretly surprised. No wonder Chang Xiao thought highly of him. This old man was really amazing. The whirlwind was so powerful that the quicksand quickly scattered, revealing a spire. The old man was overjoyed. The highest point of the castle was a pagoda. It was easier to find after the discovery. The old man determined the direction and continued to use martial arts to roll away the quicksand. It took two hours and finally found a package. The ancient sword was well preserved. The old man was overjoyed and hurried back to the oasis to thank Chang Xiao. Chang Xiao was still beside the Fire Dragon Horse. The old man approached and saluted: "If I hadn't met you, I would have returned empty-handed." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "Senior, you are too polite. Such a small matter is not worth mentioning." The old man shook his head and said, "This is a great favor. I will never forget it. Time is running out. I will take my leave." He hurriedly rode on the camel and left. Chang Xiao stayed in the oasis to reminisce with the Fire Dragon Horse and left a few days later. Princess Yueying was quite excited on the way. Chang Xiao asked, "Why are you so happy?" Princess Yueying replied, "This time I saw the king of ten thousand horses. I will brag about it when I see my sister later." Chang Xiao remembered something and asked, "I heard that my father-in-law took the road back to Tianzhu. What is his intention?" Princess Yueying smiled and said, "The succession to the throne requires a ceremony. Please ask the respected elders and the national teacher to help." Chang Xiao didn't value the throne very much and didn't take it to heart. The four of them were in no hurry to get going, chatting and laughing as they walked. Suddenly, Chang Xiao exclaimed, and Princess Yueying asked, "What's the matter?" Chang Xiao pointed ahead with his hand, "Isn't that the senior's camel?" Princess Yueying couldn't see the shadow of the camel and laughed, "You're talking nonsense again, where did the camel come from?" Chang Xiao raised his Dantian Qi and howled to the sky. The sound spread for several miles, and sure enough, a shadow was approaching quickly. It was the camel seen in the oasis. Princess Yueying sighed, "I admire you." Chang Xiao wondered, "The senior has been gone for several days, how could he still be here? Did something happen?" Zhong Yuan shook his head, "That old guy's martial arts are superb, who can do anything to him?" Chang Xiao also felt strange.

The camel came closer, and Chang Xiao saw that something was wrong, so he asked, "Where is your master?" The camel turned its head to the south, and Chang Xiao nodded, "You said he was over there, what's the matter?" The camel turned sideways, and there was a sword mark on its leg. Chang Xiao was surprised: "Is the senior injured? Who could hurt him?" The camel ran quickly to the south, and Chang Xiao followed closely behind. When they arrived at a mountain on the edge of the desert, the camel rushed into a valley and stopped at the bottom of a hillside. Chang Xiao dismounted and climbed the mountain, and asked the three to wait below. Looking at the sword marks on the camel, it can be inferred that the person who attacked was able to draw the sword quickly, so Chang Xiao became more careful. A cave was found in the distance, and Chang Xiao knew that the danger had not been eliminated, and the enemy was very likely still here. The old man's cultivation was unfathomable, but he was actually injured by someone. The person who attacked must be unusual. He approached carefully, but felt nothing unusual. He was puzzled. Suddenly, a crisp sound was heard, which was obviously the contact of weapons. Four men in silver suddenly appeared at the entrance of the cave. Their faces were covered tightly. They were tall and thin, and each of them held a red sword in his hand. Chang Xiao was shocked. He didn't even notice these four people. It can be seen that these people are very skilled in martial arts. The four men in silver joined forces to block a cold light shot out from the cave. The leader said, "Old man, accept your fate. It's better to come out and fight than to starve to death in there." There was complete silence in the cave. Another person asked, "Is he waiting for reinforcements?" The leader shook his head and said, "Impossible. The old man went out alone without any help. No one can save him in this desert." Chang Xiao observed carefully and quickly judged that he had no chance of winning against these four people together. Even if he was alone against two, it would be hard to say. The old man's injury was not clear yet. A rash action would only lead to death. He thought hard and came up with a plan. He quietly left the cave and met up with Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai at the foot of the mountain. After giving them a few words, the two brothers agreed and acted according to the plan. Princess Yueying asked, "What should I do?" Chang Xiao smiled and said, "Hide first, and I'll call you when it's safe." Princess Yueying knew that Chang Xiao never said too much, and that the enemy would definitely be difficult to deal with with such an arrangement. She led the four horses to hide in the distance and watched secretly.

Chapter 29: Taking Advantage of the Strong

Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai brothers came to the flat land in the valley, took out the colorful hammer and the gold-painted moon axe, prepared to fight, and the sound echoed in the valley. The silver-clad man at the entrance of the cave felt uneasy when he heard the sound of the weapons. The leader ordered: "Fourth brother, go and take a look, we will guard the entrance of the cave." One person floated down the mountain, with strange movements and no sound. With the cover of the hillside, he saw two people fighting in the valley, with weapons hitting each other, and the sound continued. He couldn't help laughing when he got closer. Such superficial kung fu is really not worth mentioning. These two people have brute force. Just as he was about to turn around, he suddenly realized that the weapons in the hands of the two people fighting were not ordinary. He thought to himself, why not take the two pairs of weapons and kill people to eliminate the traces. No one will notice in this desolate mountain. This is also because of his confidence in his martial arts, so he didn't think much. He made up his mind, slowly approached, and when the time was right, he jumped up, and shot at Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai silently with his sword. Just when they were about to succeed, Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai clashed their weapons and retreated like lightning. The man in silver was stunned. The opponent could not detect his actions. Without time to think, he changed his tactics immediately. The sword pierced Zhong Yuan, and a cold light shot out from his sleeve and went straight to Zhong Hai's throat. Suddenly, he felt a breeze passing by, his neck was cold, and he died without knowing it. Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai were well prepared. They avoided the opponent's killing move. Zhong Hai was still in shock. He looked for hidden weapons. Chang Xiao ordered: "Be careful, the hidden weapons are poisonous." Zhong Yuan sighed: "It's powerful. If it weren't for the owner of the manor, our brothers would have died." Chang Xiao said: "There are still three people on the other side. We can't be careless. Take off his silver clothes immediately." Zhong Yuan immediately took action, and Chang Xiao put them on. Although it was a little tight, it worked in a hurry. The first step was successful, and the next step of the plan was continued. Because the opponent's move was vicious, we can't be soft-hearted. The rivers and lakes are dangerous. This is exactly the reason.

The three people guarding the cave entrance did not see their accomplices return, and the leader wondered: "Why hasn't the fourth brother come back yet? Did something happen to him?" One of them said: "Don't worry, big brother, the fourth brother will be back soon." At this time, a silver figure approached quickly, and the leader breathed a sigh of relief: "It's good that he's back." Just as he was about to take a closer look, he saw the person suddenly flipped over, spit out a mouthful of blood, and lay down motionless. The three were shocked, and the leader ordered: "The second brother, go and have a look, be careful." One of them responded and went down the mountain. The leader watched helplessly and did not dare to leave easily. There was another master in the cave, and if he was not careful, all his efforts would be wasted. The silver-clad man called the second brother was extremely cautious. He observed all around and approached only after making sure there was no danger. Just as he was about to lean over to check, a cold light flashed by and he died immediately. Chang Xiao's plan was successful. He turned over and jumped up, throwing off his silver clothes. The silver-clad leader was shocked and shouted, "Who are you?" Chang Xiao smiled, "You are hiding your head and showing your tail, you are not worthy to ask my name." Another person said, "Brother, why are you confused? At this age, there is only one person with such skills." The leader gritted his teeth and said, "Okay, today my brother admits defeat. We will meet again in the future." Another person said, "We have to take the body back." Chang Xiao nodded, "It's human nature." The two silver-clad men acted quickly and hurriedly left with the body. Chang Xiao came to the entrance of the cave and said loudly, "Senior, the enemy is gone, you can come out." A moment later, the old man with disheveled hair and beard staggered out of the cave. Chang Xiao came forward to support him, and in a flash, a red light pierced Chang Xiao's throat, and the timing and position were perfectly grasped. Seeing that Chang Xiao was doomed to die, Chang Xiao turned his body lightly and avoided the fatal sword. The old man was quite surprised, because Chang Xiao could not have avoided it. Chang Xiao retreated a few feet away and sneered, "I saw the flaw as soon as you came out. Although your disguise was very good, there was still a flaw." The old man pulled off his beard and hair, revealing a middle-aged man with a ruddy face and an elegant look, three short beards, and clear eyebrows and eyes. Chang Xiao asked, "Who are you?"

The middle-aged man was not expecting the continuous changes. He said coldly, "I didn't expect that your scheming and martial arts are both top-notch. I underestimated you before." Chang Xiao knew that the other party would not sign up, so he asked directly, "How is that senior?" The middle-aged man smiled and said, "That old guy didn't even want to tell you his name, and you still want to save him. I have never seen such a stupid person. To be honest, I admire your ability very much. Even I didn't expect you to use a trick to get rid of my two capable subordinates. To tell you the truth, the old guy used the trick of escaping from the shell to trick me. He has already fled to the Central Plains. I used camels to set up a trap to lure his helpers, but who knew that you were attracted here." Chang Xiao felt that the middle-aged man in front of him and the old man who was looking for the ancient sword were not simple, and he didn't need to intervene. Since the old man was fine, he could also withdraw. So he clasped his fists and said, "Chang doesn't want to interfere in your disputes. I'll take my leave now." The middle-aged man nodded, "If there is a chance, you and I will fight fairly and learn your Liuhe swordsmanship." Chang Xiao turned and went down the mountain. He didn't want to spend too much time thinking about it, so he called Princess Yueying to leave together. After walking a few miles, Zhong Hai called out, "Master, the camel is following us." Chang Xiao knew that the old man was using the camel to lead his opponent away and escape, and the camel was homeless. So he dismounted and walked to the camel and said, "Your master has abandoned you. We are going to the Central Plains, so you should stay in the desert." Tears flowed from the camel's eyes. Chang Xiao stroked the camel and said slowly, "I know that you have tried your best and are completely worthy of your master. From now on, you will live a free and easy life in the desert and don't rely on anyone." The camel stared at Chang Xiao silently for a moment, then slowly turned and walked into the desert. Its lonely back was quite desolate. Chang Xiao said loudly, "Don't be discouraged. The world is selfless, and the road is under your feet." Princess Yueying doubted in her heart that she only understood these words halfway, so how could the camel understand them? But the camel raised its head, shook off its tears, and ran quickly towards the setting sun, leaving only a wisp of smoke and dust in the sunset. Princess Yueying no longer had the heart to tease, and tears filled her eyes unconsciously. Chang Xiao sighed for a long time, then mounted his horse and returned to the Central Plains.

Chang Xiao had gained a lot from this trip to the desert. He had been thinking about Gao Zhen all the time. As soon as he got home, he sent someone to invite Qi Shizhen to inquire. When Qi Shizhen arrived, Chang Xiao led him to the hall and asked impatiently, "Shopkeeper Qi, is there any news about Tongtian Fort?" Qi Shizhen nodded, "Gao Zhen has officially issued a declaration of war to the leader of the Divine Sword Sect, Duan Xiyun. The date is set for the 15th of next month, and the location is still in Longting, Kaifeng." Chang Xiao nodded, "It seems that Gao Zhen wants to become famous in one fell swoop, but I'm afraid someone won't agree." Qi Shizhen asked, "Does the owner of the manor want to watch the fight?" Chang Xiao shook his head, "This competition has no appeal to me. Duan Xiyun will definitely lose. It's good enough to save his life." Qi Shizhen said, "Don't worry, owner of the manor. Gao Zhen will not kill easily in such an occasion. Duan Xiyun will definitely lose. There is no worry about his life. "Chang Xiao was relieved and asked about the situation in the martial arts world. Qi Shizhen said, "Wanxiantang is going smoothly and nothing serious has happened. Tongtianbao is just a mob at the moment and it is difficult to develop." Chang Xiao shook his head and said, "Once Gao Zhen defeats Duan Xiyun, Tongtianbao will be different. Manager Qi should not underestimate Gao Zhen and Yu Hudie. These two are ambitious and will make big moves sooner or later." Qi Shizhen smiled and said, "Don't worry, Master. Tongtianbao has no capable people and Gao Zhen can't do much." Chang Xiao knew Gao Zhen's ability very well. Qi Shizhen was well-informed and would know it. He had doubts in his heart and the words of the old man in the desert came to his mind. Qi Shizhen had a complicated background and was careful in everything. Thinking of this, he didn't mention it. He changed the subject. Whether it was the Divine Sword Sect or Tongtianbao, it had nothing to do with him, so why bother? The old man he met in the desert and the middle-aged man in front of the cave seemed to come from two opposing mysterious forces. Only four swordsmen were not something he could handle. He had to be more careful in the future. Qi Shizhen must have had ulterior motives when he mentioned Elder Jinchan intentionally or unintentionally.

The undercurrents in the rivers and lakes are turbulent, and various forces are fighting openly and secretly. People in the game are entangled in it and cannot extricate themselves, but outsiders cannot understand the dangers of the rivers and lakes. Julong Town under Julong Mountain has been established for several years. There are many shops in the town, which is quite prosperous. In the past, the people in the town regarded Chang Xiao as a great benefactor, but now another person's reputation has gradually surpassed Chang Xiao and become the most popular person in the town. That is Pan Xiyuan, the owner of Pan's Grain Store. This shopkeeper Pan is kind and generous. Most people in the town have received his favor and have a very good reputation. Although Chang Xiao established Julong Town, as time goes by, the people in the town gradually forget the suffering of being hungry and having no one to take them in. Pan's Grain Store repairs bridges and roads, provides medicine and porridge, and also helps poor people who cannot get married to marry. Such good people are hard to find even with a lantern. However, no one doubts the source of money from Pan's Grain Store. It is impossible to maintain huge expenses with the income from the grain store alone. As the saying goes, one good look hides a hundred uglinesses. Pan Xiyuan did his best to do good deeds and spent a lot of money to help the poor. No one in the town doubted him. Pan Xiyuan was in his forties, very strong and energetic, but he handed the accounts to his clerk and was only responsible for doing good deeds, which was quite leisurely. Pan Xiyuan's house was in a small courtyard on the west side of the town, not very conspicuous. The courtyard was neither big nor small, with more than a dozen houses in front and back. The front yard was very ordinary, and the backyard was planted with green bamboo, red plums, and exotic flowers and plants. Pan Xiyuan would go to the small pavilion in the backyard every day to drink alone and recall the past. This night, while enjoying the quietness in the pavilion, a breeze blew, and Pan Xiyuan's hat tilted. He reached out to fix it, raised his eyes again, and was surprised to see a man opposite him, dressed in a farmer's outfit. Although he was dressed ordinary, he was extraordinary. Pan Xiyuan asked, "Who are you?" The man did not speak, but took out a long sword from his back and put it on the table. Pan Xiyuan asked, "What do you mean, warrior?" The man smiled and said, "Yuan Shouben, stop pretending." Pan Xiyuan was shocked and asked, "Who is Yuan Shouben?" The man said coldly, "Since we have found you, we are sure. If you don't want others to know, then don't do it yourself." Pan Xiyuan sat down dejectedly and sighed, "What is coming will come sooner or later."

After this conversation, it was obvious that Pan Xiyuan had another identity unknown to outsiders. The visitor took out a thin book from his arms. The paper had turned yellow, which showed that it had been there for quite some time. The visitor opened the book and read: "Pan Shoucheng, the second disciple of the Shanxi Tianlong Sect, found a treasure of great value in an old house. He became rich overnight and left his master to settle down in Penglai. On the third day of May, his family was robbed and all 18 people, young and old, died." Pan Xiyuan turned his head and stared at the moon and murmured: "It's been ten years. I thought no one would remember this, but who would have thought that it would be found out. Wu Qingyang, go ahead and do it. I have no complaints." The visitor turned out to be the famous Qingyang swordsman. No wonder Pan Xiyuan had no intention of resisting. Facing this master, he had no chance at all. Wu Qingyang asked, "Don't you have anything to say?" Pan Xiyuan said, "It's useless to say it." Wu Qingyang nodded, "It seems that you understand. I have inquired about it. You have done a lot of good things in the past few years. I will give you a chance to speak." Pan Xiyuan said slowly, "It's rare that your Excellency has shown me kindness. When I was learning martial arts at Tianlongmen, Pan Shoucheng was my senior brother, and we got along well. Later, Pan's father was seriously ill and needed ginseng to prolong his life. Pan Shoucheng's family was poor and could not afford it. I took out all the savings in my family to help, and finally saved Pan's father's life. Later, Pan Shoucheng became rich, and I thought he would return the money to me, but he quietly left Shanxi and disappeared. I was going to swallow my anger, but later I learned that Pan Shoucheng was actually in My fellow disciples spread the word that I spent all my money to help him because I coveted his wife's beauty and had bad intentions." Wu Qingyang nodded: "I know Pan Shoucheng is a low character, is that why you did it?" Pan Xiyuan sighed: "Yes, I really couldn't bear it, so I did everything I could to find Pan Shoucheng's residence and wait for an opportunity to kill him. After I succeeded, I changed my appearance and hid myself in the world. I came here to settle down when Julong Town was first established." Wu Qingyang said: "You used the treasure you got to do good deeds and changed your surname to Pan. It's obvious that you have a good heart, but there must be an explanation for the eighteen lives. Since you have a reason, I will let your family go and keep your good name." Pan Xiyuan thanked him: "Thank you for your help. I will be grateful in my nine springs."

The next day, the whole town heard that someone saw a silver light shooting straight into the sky from Pan's house. Pan Xiyuan died of natural causes in the pavilion at home. He must have done good deeds and was taken to heaven to enjoy happiness. This was Wu Qingyang's intention to help Pan Xiyuan's good name and protect his relatives. After finishing this matter, Wu Qingyang planned to go to Julong Villa to meet Chang Xiao. Before he left, a beggar suddenly brought a letter. Wu Qingyang took a look and found that it was an urgent letter from home. His father was seriously injured and his lungs were in danger. Wu Qingyang didn't have time to think about it and hurried home. Qi Shizhen's words were correct. Wu Qingyang was the young master of Wuling Villa. Wuling Villa hid a group of masters and had been fighting openly and secretly with another mysterious force for nearly twenty years. Wuling Villa is located in the mountains and is shrouded in a thick fog all year round, which outsiders cannot set foot in. Wu Qingyang hurried home and went straight to the hall. A middle-aged man was reading a prescription. Seeing Wu Qingyang, he stood up and said, "You're back just in time. I have something to tell you." Wu Qingyang bowed and said, "Mr. Tang, how is my father's injury?" The middle-aged man replied, "He was injured in the lungs by the sword energy, but he finally got through the difficulty. He is now regulating his breathing. Don't disturb him for the time being." After Wu Qingyang sat down, he asked, "Who did it?" The middle-aged man sighed, "Of course it was the enemy. I didn't expect that such carefulness would still leak the news." Wu Qingyang asked, "What did my father do in the desert?" The middle-aged man replied, "Of course he was looking for your eldest brother's lost Spirit Snake Sword. Without this sword, Wuling Villa will always be at a disadvantage."

It turned out that the old man Chang Xiao met in the desert was the owner of Wuling Villa, Wu Qingyang's father. Wu Qingyang was naturally concerned about the sword and asked, "Did you find it?" The middle-aged man nodded and said, "I found it. According to the old owner, he was going to return empty-handed, but he accidentally met a weirdo who helped him and got the sword." Wu Qingyang wondered, "Weird man, how could there be any weirdo in the desert?" While they were discussing, someone reported that Elder Jinchan had arrived. Wu Qingyang hurried out to greet him. Elder Jinchan was a big man with a dark complexion, wearing a tattered cloth robe and holding a short staff. After entering the room, he took the middle-aged man's tea and drank it. The middle-aged man smiled and said, "Old sir, you are still so casual." Elder Jinchan smiled and said, "What etiquette do beggars have? Mr. Tang still can't change his pedantic habits." After sitting down, Mr. Tang asked, "Elder, you just left not long ago. Why are you back?" Elder Jinchan said, "I got a piece of news and specially informed you." Wu Qingyang was very respectful to Elder Jinchan. He saluted and said, "The elder is back. This news must be unusual." Elder Jinchan nodded and said, "Yes, I heard that two Nether Swordsmen were killed by a mysterious person." Wu Qingyang ate a mouthful of wine. "Who has such means?" Mr. Tang was also surprised. Elder Jinchan laughed and said, "I didn't dare to believe it either. After verifying it myself, I found out that the news was true, but I couldn't find out who did it." Mr. Tang said happily, "This is great news and worth celebrating." Elder Jinchan said, "Yes, we should drink. I was also wondering, Jiang Laoer led the Nether Swordsman and was able to dominate the world. Who has the ability to do it? And get away with it?" Wu Qingyang nodded, "Even my father was injured by the sword energy and fled back in a panic. His beloved Chasing Wind Camel was lost. Who has this ability?"

Chapter 30: Kind-hearted

The owner of Wuling Villa was injured. Although they received good news, they couldn't really hold a banquet to celebrate. Wu Qingyang said, "We still have to rely on the elders." Elder Jinchan nodded and said, "Of course, I came back to ask your father who the strange man he met in the desert was. This person is very likely the mysterious master who eliminated the Nether Swordsman. Your father knew it but refused to say it because he was still trying to save face." Wu Qingyang asked, "What's so special about this strange man?" Elder Jinchan said, "According to your father, this person actually understands horse language and asked the wild horses in the desert to help him find the location of the castle." Wu Qingyang's mind was filled with... A person flashed by and blurted out: "Chang Xiao, how is it possible?" Elder Jinchan was stunned: "Could it be him? It seems that there is someone else who got rid of the Nether Swordsman." Wu Qingyang pondered and said: "Chang Xiao has a deep affection for the Fire Dragon Horse, the king of thousands of horses in the desert. No one else can get the help of the wild horse. As for getting rid of the Nether Swordsman, I'm afraid he doesn't have the ability to do so." Mr. Tang said: "Why are you so sure that it was not Chang Xiao who did it?" Wu Qingyang said: "I know Chang Xiao very well. He can at most defeat one Nether Swordsman." Mr. Tang shook his head: "In my opinion, it was him who did it. This man is deep and introverted. He is wise but appears foolish. So far, no one knows how good his martial arts are. The gap between him and Gao Zhen and Duan Xiyun is very obvious. "Wu Qingyang thought for a moment and shook his head and said, "I saved his life. He couldn't have kept it secret from me." Mr. Tang smiled and said, "You still don't understand Chang Xiao. If his martial arts are better than yours, he must be worried about hurting your self-esteem and won't say it clearly." Wu Qingyang was puzzled and asked, "Why did Mr. Tang conclude that it was Chang Xiao who did it?" Mr. Tang smiled and said, "The reason is very simple. There are only a few masters who can get rid of the Nether Swordsman. Only Chang Xiao has this ability in the desert." Elder Jinchan said, " If it was Chang Xiao who did it, how could Jiang Lao Er let him go after getting rid of the Nether Swordsman? Couldn't Jiang Lao Er and the two Nether Swordsmen kill him together?" Mr. Tang laughed and said, "You always use martial arts to measure, ignoring strategies. You use your wits to defeat the strong and capture the weak alive. Chang Xiao's strategy is even better than his martial arts. It was a brilliant move to disband the Julong Gang. I only understood it later. This move of retreating to advance has the essence of military strategy. On the surface, he gave up the Julong Gang and won praise from the world. It is natural to reconcile with Wanxiantang. Mo Qilin feels guilty. Once Chang Xiao shows up, Jiangnan Green Forest will still go all out."

Elder Jin Chan was surprised and said, "Does this person really have so many schemes? That's terrible." Wu Qingyang shook his head, "I have dealt with Chang Xiao before. He is very honest and loyal. It should not be intentional." Mr. Tang smiled and said, "This is just my speculation. Maybe God blesses good people, but the world is dangerous. It is better to believe it than not. Judging from the way he handled the crisis of the Julong Gang, this man is both wise and brave. He definitely did not rely on martial arts to get rid of the Nether Swordsman. No one in the world except Duan Qingxiao can kill people under the combined efforts of these five masters." Wu Qingyang was quite convinced and nodded, "It seems that I need to have more contact with Chang Xiao if I have the chance." Elder Jin Chan sighed, "The young are to be feared. I didn't expect that Chang Xiao is so capable. I have to pay more attention to Julong Villa in the future." Mr. Tang nodded, "Wanqi Song is still the best at judging people. I have to pay more attention to Wanxian Hall in the future. Wanqi Song is not an ordinary person either." Wu Qingyang asked, "What's the other party doing?" Elder Jin Chan smiled and said, "The loss of two "Mr. Tang said to Wu Qingyang: "The main reason for calling you back is the duel between Gao Zhen and Duan Xiyun. The rise and fall of the Divine Sword Sect is likely to alarm Duan Qingxiao, and I believe that the other party will also focus on the duel." Wu Qingyang nodded: "I already know about this. Gao Zhen has just entered the martial arts world and doesn't know many people. I heard that he once stayed in Julong Villa for a while." Mr. Tang smiled and said: "That's why I called you back. Ask Chang Xiao and find out the depth of the martial arts of both sides of the duel as soon as possible so that we can make preparations." Wu Qingyang said: "I'm still worried about Dad's injury." Elder Jinchan patted his chest and guaranteed: "Don't worry, your father's injury is not a problem. The date of the duel is approaching. Mr. Tang will tell you the new contact method in a short time. I'm leaving first." He hurriedly left Wuling Villa. Wu Qingyang asked about the contact method, then left and rode to Julong Villa. Dao Shang was thinking, is Chang Xiao's simplicity and honesty real or just pretending? This question must be clarified. If Chang Xiao's martial arts is really better than his own, he should be careful in the future.

Chang Xiao was also paying attention to the competition. Duan Qingxiao and Chi Lingshen were both top masters, so the competition between their descendants naturally attracted attention from all sides. Chang Xiao was hesitating whether to go to watch the competition, when his family came to report that the swordsman Qingyang was visiting. Chang Xiao hurriedly greeted him. Wu Qingyang came to the hall, and Chang Xiao ordered people to set up a banquet. Wu Qingyang smiled and said, "My brother has married two princesses of Tianzhu, and he can finally get rid of the humiliation he suffered earlier." Chang Xiao sighed, "The world is unpredictable, and I didn't expect so many changes." Wu Qingyang naturally wouldn't tell him everything, so he could only hint at it. Chang Xiao knew everything. Wu Qingyang found an opportunity to say: "I heard that you made a special trip to the desert to visit Huolongju. This feeling is really admirable." Chang Xiao smiled and said: "Master Baekje said it well. People should not think too highly of themselves. All living things have spirituality." Wu Qingyang nodded: "This truth is easy to say, but few people can do it. I have long wanted to go to the desert, but unfortunately there is no chance. Why don't you tell me about the customs of the desert." Before Chang Xiao opened his mouth, Princess Yueying had already started talking non-stop, and Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai supplemented at any time. Wu Qingyang listened with relish. When he talked about meeting a master in the oasis, Wu Qingyang paid attention. Of course, he could not point out that this person was his father. He pretended to be surprised and said: "Who is this master who has such skills?" Chang Xiao did not like publicity. Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai knew that Wu Qingyang had saved Chang Xiao's life, so there was no need to hide it. They gave a detailed introduction to Chang Xiao's use of tricks to kill two silver-clad swordsmen. Wu Qingyang secretly praised Mr. Tang for his perfect plan, and things turned out to be as he expected. After telling the story, Chang Xiao asked, "Brother Wu, you have been in the martial arts world for a long time. Have you heard of the swordsman in silver clothes?" Wu Qingyang shook his head and said, "These four people are obviously deliberately concealing their identities. They might be well-known masters." Princess Yueying said, "That camel was so pitiful, walking alone into the desert. I want to cry when I think about it now." Wu Qingyang's heart moved. The Wind-Chasing Camel was his father's most treasured mount. Chang Xiao was afraid that his father would be unhappy if he released it into the desert.

The matter of the desert has been clarified. Wu Qingyang turned the topic to the martial arts competition and asked, "In your opinion, who is more likely to win, Gao Zhen or Duan Xiyun?" Chang Xiao thought for a moment and said, "Gao Zhen should have more chances. Duan Xiyun is young and energetic. Although his skills are solid, he is not as focused as Gao Zhen. There is still a certain gap between the two." Wu Qingyang knew that Chang Xiao would not make empty promises. If Gao Zhen wins, it will affect the situation in the martial arts world, so he should prepare early. Thinking of something, he asked, "If Gao Zhen wins, he will probably challenge you. The Fire God Sword is amazing, and the Seven Styles of the Fiery Sun is even more amazing. Are you sure you can take it?" Chang Xiao smiled and said, "The Seven Styles of the Fiery Sun is indeed amazing, but Gao Zhen has flaws and is not a concern." Wu Qingyang was surprised. The fact that he could say this proved that Chang Xiao's realm was indeed higher than his. Thinking of this, he frowned slightly. Deep down, Wu Qingyang always thought that Chang Xiao's martial arts were not as good as his. Once he found that this rising star had surpassed him, he would certainly not be reconciled. Chang Xiao was very observant and immediately understood Wu Qingyang's thoughts. This matter was not easy to make clear. Although Wu Qingyang was his savior, he never opened his heart to him during their relationship and never mentioned his life experience and relatives and friends. Chang Xiao understood that Wu Qingyang had a strong backing and looked down on him as a mere empty owner. In comparison, Wanqi Song was more open-minded, clear about gratitude and resentment, and sincere in his loyalty. Wu Qingyang's goal had been achieved, and he said goodbye after staying for a day. Chang Xiao still saw him off warmly and took out the most precious treasure as a gift. Wu Qingyang looked down on these and politely declined. He left Julong Villa and immediately sent a message to inform Mr. Tang to get ready. He also rushed to Kaifeng to watch the battle.

After seeing Wu Qingyang off, Princess Yueying complained, "It's obvious that this Qingyang swordsman is here to gather information. Why bother hiding it? Why not just say it out loud? He has a great reputation, but he's not that great." Chang Xiao hurriedly said, "Don't talk nonsense. Brother Wu saved my life. His vague attitude today is mainly because he is unwilling to accept that my martial arts are better than his. This is the arrogance of all martial artists." Zhong Yuan shook his head and said, "The owner of the villa should be more careful. Wu Qingyang never mentions anything about Wuling Villa. I can assert that he has a relationship with the old guy in the desert. When he mentions the old guy, there is respect in his eyes." Chang Xiao knew very well that Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai had made a lot of progress in their cultivation and were completely different from before. Zhong Hai also perked up and slammed the table, saying, "Brother is right. Wu Qingyang is of the same kind as that old guy. He must know the details of those people in front of the cave, but he refuses to say it clearly. Obviously, he has ulterior motives." Chang Xiao stopped the two of them and said, "Don't guess. Brother Wu is upright and well-known in the martial arts world. He didn't make things clear because he didn't want me to be involved in the disputes in the martial arts world. He has good intentions." Zhong Yuan smiled and said, "The owner of the manor's biggest weakness is that he always thinks the best of people. In the martial arts world, right and wrong are confused and difficult to distinguish. Everyone must be more careful." Chang Xiao explained, "Strictly speaking, I am not a martial arts man, and neither is your master. The intrigues in the martial arts world have nothing to do with me." Zhong Hai smiled and said, "The owner of the manor has defeated Wanxian twice. Hall, famous in the martial arts world, actually said that he is not a martial arts person, how funny." Chang Xiao stopped explaining and smiled, "You don't understand, Master Baekje must understand, we will talk about this later. Since people from all sides are paying attention to the martial arts competition in Kaifeng, I also want to go and see it. Broken Moon Slash and Fiery Sun Seven Styles are famous in the martial arts world. This opportunity cannot be missed." Zhong Yuanxi said, "I also want to see it, maybe I can see Jade Butterfly. That vixen is really beautiful." Zhong Hai shouted, "I have hugged her in my dreams several times, let's go together." Princess Yueying was quite impressed by Jade Butterfly's beauty and wanted to see the most beautiful woman in the world. After discussion, Chang Xiao and his four companions set off for Kaifeng to watch the martial arts competition.

As the protagonist of the competition, Gao Zhen naturally arrived in Kaifeng early to prepare. Tongtian Fort has been completed, but there are no good players. If he wants to become stronger, he must not lose this battle. After contact with Zhong Wanshan, Gao Zhen has become wary of the swordsmanship of the Divine Sword Sect. Although Duan Xiyun is young, he has been recognized by the four famous families, so his swordsmanship must be good. Gao Zhen hurriedly prepared for the battle, and Yu Hudie was able to think it through. She took a pleasure boat to play on the water, deliberately showing her face, attracting many people to watch. Yu Hudie enjoyed herself, flirted with others, and fascinated many people. In fact, Yu Hudie and Gao Zhen got together just to leave Wanxian Hall, and there was no emotion to speak of. Yu Hudie has always been thinking about Chang Xiao in her heart. Looking back on the days when they were together, Chang Xiao can be said to be considerate to her. It is indeed rare for a first-class swordsman to treat a woman like this. At the beginning, she always thought that Chang Xiao was too weak, not like a Jianghu person, and not masculine. It was not until the moment of disbanding the Julong Gang that Jade Butterfly realized that Chang Xiao was a real man with both the pride and heroism of a warrior and a broad mind. Unfortunately, the opportunity had slipped away and could not be recovered. Whenever she thought of this, Jade Butterfly felt that her life was miserable. In the past, the people of Wanxiantang were all arrogant and domineering, which made her have the illusion that a man should be like this. But when these people arrived on the battlefield, they all turned into pustules. Even Wanqi Song, who was known as the number one swordsman, was defeated by Chang Xiao, and his disciples all became cowards. After several changes, Jade Butterfly realized that a man who was a hero in front of a woman was simply a coward. A real hero should be like Chang Xiao, who was vigorous and invincible on the battlefield, but had all kinds of tenderness and consideration for his beloved woman. No matter how much she thought about it, the mistake had been made and it was difficult to recover. Jade Butterfly wanted to take revenge on these hypocritical men, and deliberately showed her appearance, which made many people fascinated. Gao Zhen was focused on preparing for the battle and didn't care. As long as Jade Butterfly was by his side, it was enough. It was a pleasant thing to have thousands of people envy him. But when he thought of Chang Xiao, Gao Zhen's heart was overshadowed. His martial arts were better than his, and the only Jade Butterfly he could be proud of was actually Chang Xiao's wife who gave up on her own initiative. As a swordsman and as a man, these two things were intolerable. Whenever he thought of this, Gao Zhen secretly made up his mind to surpass Chang Xiao no matter what, and to trample him under his feet to relieve his hatred.

Although Chang Xiao did nothing wrong, Gao Zhen still hated him to the core, but he couldn't make it clear until he was sure of victory. Duan Xiyun was also very confident after some preparation. This fight was at midnight when the moon was full, so he could use Broken Moon Slash to become famous. Gao Zhen chose this time after careful consideration. Only by winning at the time of the full moon could he vent his anger for his second uncle, the Red Spirit God, and only by breaking Broken Moon Slash could he truly defeat the Divine Sword Sect. In this way, Tongtian Fortress could smoothly develop and grow. There was another meaning. The Seven Styles of the Fiery Sun were his greatest support. He had to keep them to deal with Chang Xiao and couldn't show them early so that Chang Xiao could be prepared. As for the Taoist Zuixia, it didn't matter. This person had been practicing in the mountains. It was hard to say whether his swordsmanship was real or fake. His current target was Chang Xiao. As long as he defeated him, Tongtian Fortress would be able to gain a foothold. He would be a powerful person who could call the wind and rain, and the Jade Butterfly would be able to shift his attention to him. For various reasons, Tongtian Fortress and Chang Xiao were already irreconcilable. However, it was too early to challenge Chang Xiao. First, he had to defeat Duan Xiyun. He had fought with Zhong Wanshan and was indeed very skilled. As for Duan Xiyun, he was definitely not as good as he was. The first reason was that he was young, and the second was that he had never suffered. Duan Xiyun was trained by his father, so he was definitely not as hardworking as he was. Although Gao Zhen was also trained by his father, the generals of the family had very strict requirements for their descendants. Gao Zhen was influenced by his second uncle Chi Lingshen since he was a child and was very hardworking, so Chang Xiao looked at him with a high opinion of him and thought that he had amazing potential and a bright future. At this time, Qi Shizhen sent intelligence that Duan Xiyun entered Kaifeng accompanied by his father Duan Xinyi and his uncle Zhong Wanshan. Gao Zhen smiled in his heart: A real man is upright, how can he live under the shadow of his father? He felt more confident. Qi Shizhen's news was correct. Duan Xiyun had indeed arrived in Kaifeng. Duan Xinyi was worried and accompanied him. Zhong Wanshan had met with Gao Zhen and knew that this man was insidious and cunning, and was cruel. He was afraid that Duan Xiyun would get into trouble, so he also came to Kaifeng. In fact, the two people had good intentions. It was not wrong for elders to care for their descendants, but as the leader of the Divine Sword Sect, Duan Xiyun would have to independently support the Divine Sword Sect and gain a foothold in the world sooner or later. It is not a good idea to always have two elders protecting you. Once you lose their protection, you will inevitably be at a loss, and you will also be looked down upon by the disciples, and it will be difficult to establish your prestige.

Chapter 31 Two Powerful Forces Join Forces

Both sides of the duel have arrived, and many people have come to watch the fight. At the beginning, Duan Qingxiao and Chi Lingshen fought at the highest point of Mount Tai, Yuhuangding, and no one watched, so no one had ever seen their peerless swordsmanship. This time, Gao Zhen chose Longting as the venue for the duel. There was no obstruction on all sides, so anyone could watch the fight. Therefore, many martial artists came to Kaifeng City. There were also many people who came to see the Jade Butterfly. It was worth their life to see the most beautiful woman in the world. The inns and restaurants in Kaifeng were already full. When Chang Xiao and his four companions arrived, it was already late and they could not find a place to stay. Others are easy to get by with, but Princess Yueying is pampered and cannot stand hardship. When she was in trouble, someone came up and saluted, saying, "Master, you are so polite. I am ordered by the hall master to invite you to the manor boat for a while." Chang Xiao immediately realized that it was someone arranged by Wanqi Song, and nodded and said, "Thank you for your concern, hall master. Lead the way." The man respectfully led the four people to a boat. Wanqi Song stood at the bow of the boat and greeted them. Chang Xiao dismounted and saluted, "Hall master, you are too polite." Wanqi Song smiled and said, "What are you talking about, brother? I didn't know you were coming and didn't make any preparations. Sorry for the embarrassment." They boarded the boat while talking and laughing. Lieyan led the three friends to play in the water, and Wanqi Song sent someone to watch them carefully. A banquet was set up on the boat. After they sat down, Wanqi Song raised his glass and said, "Brother, you can see the most clearly from here. This competition will definitely be exciting." Chang Xiao nodded and said, "The Divine Blade Sect is indeed proficient in swordsmanship, and Gao Zhen is no ordinary person." Wanqi Song said, "After all, the Divine Blade Sect is famous, and the casino's handicap is 60-40. Most people bet on Duan Xiyun to win." Chang Xiao disagreed, "In my opinion, Duan Xiyun will lose." Wanqi Song asked, "Why are you so sure, brother?" Chang Xiao explained, "Both of them have been to Julong Villa to fight with me, and the difference is obvious." Wanqi Song has been in the world for a long time and has a very quick mind. He called his men and ordered, "Allocate two million taels nearby to bet on Gao Zhen to win, and don't let the news leak out." The men understood and turned to go downstairs. Zhong Yuan praised, "The hall master is indeed a veteran. I never thought of taking this opportunity to make a fortune." Wanqi Song smiled, "Wanxian Hall has a large number of staff and huge expenses. We have to worry about gold and silver every day. Excuse me." Chang Xiao was a little uneasy when he saw that Wanqi Song trusted him so much, and persuaded, "Isn't it too rash for the hall master to bet such a huge sum of money? I just estimated the depth of their swordsmanship. There may be variables during the competition." Wanqi Song disagreed, "Don't worry, brother. You are right. Even if we lose, it's only a loss of two million taels. It doesn't matter." Chang Xiao nodded secretly: Wanqi Song is indeed a material for doing big things.

Wanxiantang's hospitality was very thoughtful, with exquisite food and clean accommodation. Princess Yueying was just waiting to see the fun. Wanqi Song thought highly of Chang Xiao, so he put down his work and accompanied Chang Xiao. Suddenly, someone reported that the Dragon King of the South China Sea led the Four King Kongs into the city. Chang Xiao said happily, "Please invite him in for a while. I haven't seen him for a long time." Wanqi Song knew that Chang Xiao had a friendship with the Dragon King of the South China Sea. If Wanxiantang and the South China Sea fleet joined hands to do business, it would be a huge source of wealth. So he immediately ordered someone to invite the Dragon King of the South China Sea to the ship. Chang Xiao and Wanqi Song went to the bow to greet him. Princess Yueying was enjoying the scenery upstairs and didn't know that the Dragon King of the South China Sea was coming. When she noticed the noise below, she looked up and saw four bald heads. Princess Yueying shouted, "Four big idiots, I'm here. Is Uncle Dragon King here?" The four Vajra recognized Princess Yueying. Tang Tianhao smiled and said, "Little princess, you are still so naughty after not seeing you for a long time. The Dragon King will be here soon." Princess Yueying was overjoyed and ran downstairs in a hurry. The Dragon King of the South China Sea had no contact with the Wanxian Hall and each went his own way. If Chang Xiao hadn't come forward, he wouldn't have come at all. Princess Yueying was the happiest among all the people. Her relatives were not in front of her and she followed her husband all day long. Although Chang Xiao was considerate, she always felt that something was missing. Now she met an old friend in a foreign land, so she was naturally happy. The Dragon King of the South China Sea did not change much. When he saw Princess Yueying approaching, he smiled and said, "Little girl, I got what you want this time." Princess Yueying looked very pleased and said, "Uncle Dragon King, we had a great time on the trip to the desert. My husband killed two men in silver clothes and met a camel that ran faster than a horse." The Dragon King of the South China Sea wanted to greet Chang Xiao and Wanqi Song, and said with a smile, "Don't be anxious, little girl. Wait until your uncle has eaten and drunk enough before I tell you." He greeted Chang Xiao and Wanqi Song, and boarded the ship one after another.

Wanqi Song was very enthusiastic and arranged a grand banquet. The Dragon King of the South China Sea, Chang Xiao, and Wanqi Song sat at one table, and the Four King Kongs, Zhong Yuan, and Zhong Hai sat at the same table. Princess Yueying was eager to tell about her experience in the desert, so she sat down next to Chang Xiao. Wanqi Song kept urging him to drink, thinking about how to talk about cooperation. After thinking about it, it was safer to ask Chang Xiao to come forward, and only talk about some Jianghu affairs and details of the competition at the banquet. Princess Yueying said whatever she thought of, and the Dragon King of the South China Sea and Wanqi Song were confused. Wanqi Song asked: "Brother Chang, what did you do in the desert? I really don't understand what the princess said." Chang Xiao smiled and said: "The princess is an Indian after all, and she can't learn Chinese well. This trip to the desert has gained a lot, but it is also quite dangerous. If there is any mistake, it will be difficult to survive." Wanqi Song and the Dragon King of the South China Sea were both surprised. Chang Xiao's martial arts were recognized by the world. Who could threaten him? Chang Xiao did not hide anything and told the whole story. Wanqi Song knew that Chang Xiao would not tell these things if the Dragon King of the South China Sea was not present. So he tried not to speak and listened to the Dragon King of the South China Sea's opinion. Although the Dragon King of the South China Sea lived far away overseas, he had contacts with the Central Plains martial arts world and knew some inside information. He pondered and said, "The old man you met is quite mysterious, and I know nothing about it. As for the silver-clad swordsman, I seem to have heard someone mention it, but I can't remember it for the time being. Wanxiantang is well-informed and should know more about it than I do." Wanqi Song has been in the martial arts world for a long time. When he heard about the silver-clad swordsman, he immediately thought of the Nether Swordsman, and then thought of the person behind the Nether Swordsman. He was uneasy in his heart. This force should not be provoked. He didn't expect Chang Xiao to have this ability. The Dragon King of the South China Sea is also an old man in the martial arts world. Seeing that Wanqi Song hesitated and knew that he had something to hide, he changed the subject and talked about martial arts. The three of them were all proficient in swordsmanship, expressed their opinions, and drank and talked until midnight. Because all the inns in the city were full, Chang Xiao and his four companions and the Dragon King of the South China Sea stayed on the ship. Wanqi Song took time out to find Chang Xiao and asked Chang Xiao to mention the cooperation to the Dragon King of the South China Sea. Chang Xiao agreed to give it a try, but he couldn't say whether it would work.

Taking advantage of the night, he came to the door of the bedroom of the Dragon King of the South China Sea. He coughed slightly, and the door was already opened. The Dragon King of the South China Sea stood at the door and said with a smile: "Brother, I was just looking for you, and you happened to be here." After entering the room and sitting down, Chang Xiao went straight to the point: "I am here on behalf of someone. The leader of Wanqi Hall is interested in cooperating with the Dragon King and asked me to be the middleman." The Dragon King of the South China Sea shook his head and said: "The fleet of the South China Sea has always done business with only one company. The two parties have cooperated for many years. There is no reason to cooperate with Wanxian Hall." Chang Xiao didn't hold much hope in the first place, and smiled and said: "Forget it if it doesn't work out. It's nothing." It's no big deal. By the way, who runs that business?" The Dragon King of the South China Sea had no need to hide anything, so he said a name. Chang Xiao was stunned: "Qi Shizhen, how could it be him?" The Dragon King of the South China Sea asked: "Why, do you know Shopkeeper Qi?" Chang Xiao nodded: "More than that, my Julong Villa was built by Qi Shizhen. This person is not simple, and he has contacts with all kinds of people in the world." The Dragon King of the South China Sea was of course concerned about Qi Shizhen's background, and asked: "What else do you know, brother?" Chang Xiao sighed: "Qi Shizhen helped me before, I I shouldn't praise or criticize him. But he is really hard to figure out. When Julong Gang was established, he came to congratulate me and said he would use all his strength to assist me. Later, he really helped me a lot. After Julong Gang was disbanded, he came to help me build Julong Villa. He did me a big favor, so I trusted him. Later, I mediated for Mo Qilin, and he agreed to it. He treated me as his own. But as soon as Tongtianbao was established, he got involved with Gao Zhen again. Obviously, he had ulterior motives. In addition, he deliberately leaked that Wu Qingyang came from Wuling Villa and Elder Jinchan. It is a very secret matter, and it seems to alienate me from Wu Qingyang. Although I don't understand the reason yet, I can see that Qi Shizhen is indeed a man with all-powerful hands and eyes, and his position is very unclear. "The Dragon King of the South China Sea was surprised and said, "This man is so complicated, I have to be more careful. In your opinion, what kind of person is Wanqi Song?" Chang Xiao said with certainty, "Wanqi Song is open and aboveboard, and he can clearly distinguish between enemies and friends. He is much simpler than Qi Shizhen. The two of us can turn enemies into friends completely from the heart." The Dragon King of the South China Sea nodded, "It seems that it is safer to cooperate with Wanxiantang."

Chang Xiao was a little embarrassed. Although Qi Shizhen's attitude was vague, he had helped him after all, and he shouldn't cut off his financial resources. After thinking for a while, he said, "You have cooperated for many years. You can't break up the relationship because of my words. If the Dragon King is interested in cooperating with Wanxiantang, I can come forward and use my name to ship and purchase goods to test the waters. When the time is right, I can terminate the relationship with Qi Shizhen." The Dragon King of the South China Sea nodded and said, "Brother, you are thoughtful. Let's do this. I will allocate three ships to you to test the financial resources and vision of Wanxiantang. Gangs in the underworld may not necessarily do business. In addition, you can also learn from the side whether the price offered by Qi Shizhen is fair." Chang Xiao nodded and said, "It's best to do it this way. When the Dragon King gave me a batch of treasures, Qi Shizhen was responsible for receiving them, but he didn't mention anything about his relationship with the South China Sea fleet. It's against common sense. I feel that there must be a powerful force behind Qi Shizhen, just like the old man I met in the desert, that is, The forces in Wuling Villa are incompatible with each other, fighting openly and secretly. According to my speculation, the two swordsmen who were killed by my trick are the masters of Qi Shizhen's side. Judging from the martial arts of those people, they are indeed not easy to deal with. "The Dragon King of the South China Sea praised: "Brother is really powerful. If it were me in that situation, I would have no chance of winning. But you must be more careful in the future. These two forces are not easy to mess with. Wanqi Song obviously knows some inside information, but he dare not mention it, which shows how powerful they are." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "What's so powerful? I killed two of their masters. After the incident with the Julong Gang, I have come to terms with it. No matter who he is, as long as I have the Dragon Scale Sword in my hand, even the number one swordsman Zuixia Taoist is nothing to be afraid of." The Dragon King of the South China Sea raised his thumb and said, "Brother, you are so heroic. I am ashamed of myself."

Wanqi Song had been waiting for Chang Xiao's letter. If this matter was done, the financial resources of Wanxiantang would be solved. Chang Xiao came at nearly five o'clock. Wanqi Song hurriedly asked, "What does the Dragon King of the South China Sea mean?" Chang Xiao smiled and said, "Don't be anxious, the Dragon King of the South China Sea still has some concerns, but he agreed to allocate three ships to try first, but he wants to use my name." Wanqi Song asked, "Why is this?" Chang Xiao told Wanqi Song about Qi Shizhen's affairs. Wanqi Song was dissatisfied. Qi Shizhen's hand was too long. In any case, he finally got something. He promised to do it. Three ships are also a big business. So he immediately ordered his capable disciple Lin Ruhu to be responsible for this matter and keep in touch with Chang Xiao at any time. After this matter was done, Wanqi Song was very happy. He went to the Dragon King of the South China Sea again to finalize the matter and drink a lot. This gathering was of course to watch the competition. Duan Xiyun and Gao Zhen had already arrived, and they were just waiting for the fifteenth day. Hearing that most of the masters from all walks of life came to watch the battle, Gao Zhen was happy. The greater the impact, the better. Only by winning under the spotlight can he become famous in one fell swoop. This is what the master of Tongtian Fortress did. On the other hand, Duan Xiyun was also full of confidence. The Red Spirit God died under the Broken Moon Slash. Gao Zhen could not resist it. Most people thought so. The victory or defeat was not suspenseful. They just wanted to see the unique skill of the Divine Sword Sect, the Broken Moon Slash. Zhong Wanshan reminded Duan Xiyun several times, but Duan Xiyun did not take it to heart. The elderly are cautious. What is Gao Zhen worth? Gao Zhen deliberately set up a bamboo raft on the water surface of Longting, just to let all parties see clearly. Jade Butterfly naturally did not want to be lonely, and dressed up carefully, ready to show off again. The fifteenth day had arrived, and all the people gathered at the Dragon Pavilion. Chang Xiao and the Dragon King of the South China Sea were watching the battle on Wanqi Song's ship. Gao Zhen arrived first, riding on a pleasure boat. With the windows open and the lights shining, he could be seen clearly. Gao Zhen wore a golden crown, a silver cloak, a tights, a valuable jade belt around his waist, and the Vulcan Sword was inserted diagonally under his ribs. His attire was gorgeous, very different from when he first met Chang Xiao. The Jade Butterfly was even more beautiful, attracting countless eyes.

Duan Xiyun's appearance was also unusual. Since the establishment of the Divine Sword Sect, there has been an endless stream of people joining the sect, and Duan Xiyun has also accepted ten disciples. This time, Duan Xiyun put on the airs of a sect leader, with gorgeous decorations and spotless appearance. Seeing the two people come out, the Dragon King of the South China Sea frowned and said, "This is not a martial arts competition at all, it's clearly a playboy showing off his family background." Wanqi Song nodded in agreement, "These two people are both famous, but it's a pity that they are inferior to me by putting on such a show." Chang Xiao sighed lightly, "This is why I didn't want to come earlier. The two people in the competition have the same problem and it's difficult for them to achieve great things. It's a pity for the reputation of their predecessors." The Dragon King of the South China Sea was quite emotional, "That's what I like about you, brother. The masters of each school cherish their secret skills and are afraid that others will surpass them. There is also intrigue among their fellow disciples. But you, brother, sincerely support the younger generation and don't hide anything from strangers. This kind of mind is really rare." Wanqi Song thought of the open and secret struggles among his fellow disciples and sighed in his heart. In order to compete for the Pearl Rolling Knife, the fellow disciples were suspicious of each other and had no feelings at all. From this point of view, Chang Xiao is indeed not a man of the world. Amid cheers, the boats of both sides approached the bamboo raft. Gao Zhen and Duan Xiyun almost jumped up at the same time and landed on the bamboo raft lightly. Their postures were graceful and graceful, and their feet were like dragonflies skimming the water. The cheers from all sides rang out like thunder, but the three masters on the building ship frowned at the same time. This kind of competition did not look like a duel between masters at all, but rather a competition for marriage. A real master would not show off. Gao Zhen landed on the bamboo raft, and after looking at Duan Xiyun, he smiled in his heart: The higher you climb, the harder you fall. You put on such a big air, and once you lose, let's see how you end up. Duan Xiyun was so focused on making a name for himself in the martial arts world that he didn't consider other things. What he was thinking about was who he should challenge after defeating Gao Zhen, and it would be best if he could win more than ten games in a row, so that the Divine Sword Sect could regain its former glory. The two of them had their own secrets, and there was nothing to explain. They drew their swords at the same time, and the two groups of sword lights wrapped together. The swords in the hands of the two men were first-class weapons, and their identities were not ordinary. Naturally, they could not reveal flaws when they attacked, which would make the masters watching the battle laugh. Therefore, they were more careful, and they made cautious moves. They did not seek merit, but did not make mistakes, and tested the opponent's strength. The sword skills of the Divine Sword Sect were extremely exquisite, and Gao Zhen's sword skills were not inferior at all. The two of them each made strange moves, which were also wonderful. However, both of them were too concerned about the things around them and could not devote themselves to it. It was beautiful, but not practical. The onlookers only watched the excitement and cheered endlessly, and the two felt a certain satisfaction in their hearts. After a hundred moves, Gao Zhen tested that Duan Xiyun's moves were not as skilled as his own, and his skills were still lacking. He made up his mind and was not in a hurry to attack. The longer the time was, the better. It would be more exciting if it was spread out like this. The two top swordsmen fought hard for thousands of moves, and they were evenly matched. In the end, Gao Zhen won in danger and finally decided the winner. It was compiled into a wonderful story and spread further. With such a thought in mind, Gao Zhen began to fight.

Chapter 32: Generous Contribution

Duan Xiyun didn't think so. This was the first time that the leader of the Divine Sword Sect had a duel. If it lasted too long, his reputation would be damaged. Only a quick battle could show his ability. Unfortunately, the opponent was extremely difficult to deal with, and he failed to succeed in several attacks. Seeing the moon in the middle of the sky, Duan Xiyun thought to himself: Let me show you how powerful the Divine Sword Sect's Broken Moon Slash is. Thinking of this, he moved his feet and prepared to use his special skills. Gao Zhen noticed it immediately and sneered in his heart: With your ability, you don't need the Seven Styles of the Fiery Sun at all. Originally, Gao Zhen was fully capable of preventing Duan Xiyun from performing the Broken Moon Slash, but Gao Zhen changed his mind temporarily. This opportunity was rare. If he defeated the Broken Moon Slash under the attention of everyone, the Divine Sword Sect would never be able to raise its head. Therefore, he deliberately left a flaw. Duan Xiyun was happy, and his feet exerted force. His body flew into the air, and the rolling pearl knife turned into a ball of silver light covering his body. The disciples of the Divine Sword Sect took the lead in cheering, and they all believed that Duan Xiyun would win this battle if he performed the Broken Moon Slash. Chang Xiao saw at a glance that the timing and position of Duan Xiyun's Shattering Moon Slash were all wrong. The fire was not enough to begin with, and if there was another deviation, he could not do anything to Gao Zhen. Moreover, once this move was used, he had no way to retreat and would suffer a great loss. He could not help but stamp his feet and said, "Not good, Duan Xiyun's life is in danger." The Dragon King of the South China Sea was still doubtful: "This move is extremely powerful. Even if he can't win, at least he can protect himself. Why would he lose?" Before he finished speaking, Duan Xiyun let out a long whistle, and the sword light scattered and fell, reflecting the snow-white surface of the water. Seeing that Duan Xiyun was bound to win, suddenly a dark red sword light silently penetrated the silver light. After a loud bang, Duan Xiyun felt a burst of heat in his chest, and his protective true energy was shaken away. He fell on the bamboo raft and fell unconscious. The victory and defeat were decided in an instant, and the spectators were stunned. Gao Zhen laughed up to the sky and floated back to his own pleasure boat. The people of the Divine Sword Sect rushed forward to rescue him. Although Wanqi Song had founded a new sect, he had never denied that he was a member of the Divine Sword Sect. Seeing Duan Xiyun in trouble, he was of course concerned and hurried over to check. After taking his pulse, he couldn't help but sigh, handed Duan Xiyun to Duan Xinyi, and returned to the ship sadly. Chang Xiao asked, "How is his injury?" Wanqi Song sighed, "Although Gao Zhen didn't kill him, he was very vicious. His true energy attacked his dantian, and Xiyun is finished."

The key to practicing internal energy is Dantian, which is the source of the whole body's true energy. Gao Zhen's move is to destroy Duan Xiyun's martial arts. The Dragon King of the South China Sea shouted: "What a vicious thief, it's better to kill him with a knife." Chang Xiao also knew the pros and cons of it. He felt sorry for Duan Xiyun, a talent, and even more sorry for the Divine Sword Sect, which suffered such a heavy blow just after its establishment. So he asked, "Is there no solution?" Wanqi Song said, "Even Hua Tuo was helpless when he was alive." The Dragon King of the South China Sea smiled bitterly and said, "Although I know a way, it is useless. It's useless to talk about it." Chang Xiao advised, "You can talk about it." The Dragon King of the South China Sea said, "The elixir that you and I obtained with the Cold Jade Bottle and the Warm Jade Bottle can restore Duan Xiyun's power, but it must be taken within twelve hours. The Warm Jade Bottle is far away in the South China Sea, and there is no thousand-year-old Ganoderma lucidum. Even if you have all three treasures, you can't wait for forty-nine days." Chang Xiao's eyes lit up, and he smiled, "There's hope now. I didn't take the elixir at the beginning. I have it with me all the time. It's just right for Duan Xiyun." The Dragon King of the South China Sea was surprised: "Brother, you are kidding, you haven't taken the elixir, but you have improved faster than me after taking it?" Chang Xiao didn't know how to explain, and said that he didn't try his best at the beginning for fear of hurting the self-esteem of the Dragon King of the South China Sea. Wanqi Song was overjoyed to hear that Duan Xiyun could be saved, and asked, "Brother, are you really willing to take out such a precious elixir to treat Duan Xiyun?" Chang Xiao took out a jade gourd from his arms and handed it to Wanqi Song, saying, "I won't go. I'll trouble you to make a trip." Wanqi Song said with emotion, "The Divine Blade Sect owes you a huge favor. Without further ado, I will go and treat Duan Xiyun first." He hurried downstairs to find Duan Xinyi. At this time, Zhong Wanshan and Duan Xinyi looked at each other with frowns. How could it not be heartbreaking to see the new sect leader they had cultivated with so much effort become like this. Duan Xiyun is still in a coma. Once he wakes up, knowing that he has lost all his martial arts, he may not have the courage to live. When the two were worried, Wanqi Song came and said with a happy face, "Xiyun can be saved. Take me there quickly."

Hearing Wanqi Song's words, Duan Xinyi couldn't believe his ears. No one could cure such an injury, but Wanqi Song didn't look like he was joking. Zhong Wanshan didn't believe it either and asked, "Brother, what did you say?" Wanqi Song said happily, "God has opened his eyes, and Xiyun is also lucky. The elixir given by heaven can cure Xiyun's injury." Duan Xinyi perked up and asked, "Brother, are you serious?" Wanqi Song patted his chest and guaranteed, "No matter how bad it is, I am the master of Wanxian Hall. How could I deceive you? This elixir cannot be bought with any amount of gold and silver. It is half human and half natural. It is a treasure that martial artists dream of." Zhong Wanshan wondered, " Who is so generous? Doesn't this person know martial arts? "Wanqi Song sighed: "This person's swordsmanship is the best in the world, but what he lacks is internal strength. He took out this rare elixir that can improve internal strength. It is really precious." Zhong Wanshan and Duan Xinyi looked at each other and said at the same time: "Chang Xiao." Wanqi Song nodded: "There is no time to lose, give Xiyun the medicine quickly." The three people hurriedly gave Duan Xiyun the elixir. Wanqi Song and Zhong Wanshan used their skills to help Duan Xiyun restore the circulation of true qi. This elixir is indeed extraordinary. With the profound skills of the two masters, Duan Xiyun's internal breath gradually became smooth, and the true qi began to flow in the meridians. Half an hour later, Duan Xiyun overcame the difficulties and fell into a deep sleep. Duan Xinyi was overjoyed. There was hope for the recovery of his beloved son and the Divine Sword Sect. The three of them gathered together, and Zhong Wanshan said, "Chang Xiao not only has no connection with the Divine Blade Sect, but has a grudge against him. It's hard to repay such a generous help." Duan Xinyi said, "I am willing to take out all my treasures collected over the years, and I will repay this kindness even if I have to go bankrupt." Wanqi Song shook his head, "Don't worry, if Chang Xiao is the kind of person who wants to repay a favor, he wouldn't have taken out the elixir. For martial artists, such elixir is hard to come by, who would be willing to give up such a great opportunity? Chang Xiao appears humble on the surface, but he has great ambitions in his bones. Taking out the elixir means that he wants to defeat Zuixia Taoist on his own and become the number one master." Zhong Wanshan sighed, "It's rare to have such a broad mind. This person will definitely be a martial arts master in the future."

Duan Xiyun's injury stabilized, Wanqi Song returned to the ship, Chang Xiao was still worried about whether it would work, and asked, "How is Duan Xiyun?" Wanqi Song bowed deeply: "Brother, you are a great benefactor of the Divine Sword Sect, I would like to thank you in advance." Chang Xiao shook his head and said, "It is the responsibility of people who practice martial arts to support the younger generation. If it were not for the Qingyang Swordsman and the Baekje Master, I would not be where I am today." The Dragon King of the South China Sea nodded: "Brother, your swordsmanship is impeccable, and your broad mind is even more rare. I am convinced." Wanqi Song echoed: "Yes, the same to me. As long as you open your mouth, tens of thousands of people in Wanxian Hall will go through fire and water and will not refuse even if they die." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "You two are too polite. It's just a bottle of medicine. It's not worth making a fuss about." The three began to discuss the matter of cooperative management. Using Chang Xiao's name would not arouse Qi Shizhen's suspicion, and it was reasonable for Wanxian Hall to assist. After the agreement, Wanqi Song deployed personnel to prepare goods, and the transaction was set in Julong Town. The Dragon King of the South China Sea went back to prepare and said goodbye to leave. Chang Xiao also wanted to leave, but Wanqi Song stopped him and said, "Slow down, old man. My two junior brothers want to take Xiyun to thank you in person." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "It's even more time to go. I'm not used to hearing people call me benefactor. Hall Master, please tell Duan Xiyun my intention. Don't be too arrogant or impatient, get up from where you fell, and be a man who stands tall and proud." Wanqi Song nodded and said, "I will definitely tell him." Chang Xiao and his group of four went straight back to Julong Villa. Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai didn't know that Chang Xiao had taken out the elixir, and were still discussing that the Divine Sword Sect would never be able to raise its head again. Chang Xiao didn't point it out, and sighed: "In the future, you should pay attention to Tongtian Castle. Once Gao Zhen wins, he will most likely expand his power, collect rare treasures, and find ways to improve his skills. When the time is right, he will challenge me. After this competition, I have a clearer understanding of Gao Zhen. He wants to suppress me in all aspects." Zhong Yuan smiled and said, "It is only the owner of the manor. If it were anyone else, it would be impossible to tolerate a villain like Gao Zhen, and they would have eliminated him long ago." Chang Xiao shook his head: "The Red Spirit God is the only master who can compete with Duan Qingxiao. Although he was defeated and died, he deserves respect from future generations. As long as Gao Zhen doesn't challenge me, I won't deal with him." Zhong Hai nodded: "Following the owner of the manor is really an eye-opener."

After Gao Zhen won, he was very proud and accompanied Yu Hudie to travel in Kaifeng for several days. They were noticed wherever they went, and they were very satisfied. The news that Gao Zhen, the master of Tongtian Fort, easily cracked the unique skill of the Divine Sword Sect, Broken Moon Slash, spread quickly throughout the martial arts world, and Gao Zhen's name spread all over the country. The two left Kaifeng and returned to Tongtian Fort amid countless envious eyes. The victory in the competition really had an immediate effect, and people came to join him in an endless stream. Gao Zhen selected good players, improved his strength, and first surpassed Chang Xiao in terms of power. Yu Hudie had completely left Wanxiantang, and she felt a little resentful. She planned to create trouble for Wanxiantang when her strength accumulated to a certain level. On the other side, something big happened to the Divine Blade Sect. It turned out that Duan Xinyi and Zhong Wanshan waited for Duan Xiyun to wake up and tell him what happened. Duan Xiyun was filled with remorse and wanted to thank Chang Xiao. When the three of them arrived at the ship, Chang Xiao had already left. Wanqi Song told Duan Xiyun what Chang Xiao said. After listening to Chang Xiao's wise words, Duan Xiyun remained silent. Wanqi Song invited the three of them to drink, but Duan Xiyun declined because his injury had not healed yet and left. When he returned to his residence, he felt deeply guilty for what he had done. Chang Xiao repeatedly emphasized that Gao Zhen's swordsmanship was superb, but he didn't take it to heart. If he had been more prepared, he would not have been seriously injured. After thinking about it, he felt ashamed to see people, so he left a letter, changed into coarse clothes and left alone. When Duan Xinyi and Zhong Wanshan came back and found out, it was too late to send people to look for him. The two men asked Wanqi Song for help again. Wanqi Song persuaded them, "Brother, Xiyun is already an adult. There is no need to keep him by your side all the time. Without going through the ups and downs, he can't take on the big responsibility. The hope of glorifying the Divine Blade Sect lies on him. The responsibility is huge. How long can you help him? Xiyun's defeat this time was mainly due to his lack of experience and shallow knowledge. This competition was a big blow to him. He should be allowed to calm down and walk around in the world." Duan Xinyi naturally understood the truth, but he was worried. Zhong Wanshan also persuaded them, and the two of them packed up and returned to Yuntaishan.

Duan Xiyun changed his clothes, did not ride a horse, and walked out of Kaifeng, just wanting to find a place with few people to be quiet. He walked hurriedly, and felt hungry and thirsty at noon, so he went into a roadside hotel to have a meal. The waiter entertained Duan Xiyun attentively, and Duan Xiyun ordered eight dishes and two pots of wine. The waiter was a little hesitant, because Duan Xiyun was dressed like a farmer, not like a rich man, and he was afraid that he would not have money to pay the bill after cooking. Duan Xiyun asked: "Why don't you serve the dishes?" The waiter saluted and said: "Sir, please don't blame me, the store is small and the profit is thin, and the vegetables are not complete. Please give me some money so that we can prepare them." Duan Xiyun was shocked, and then he remembered that he had to pay for eating out. It turned out that Duan Xinyi's physique was not suitable for practicing swordsmanship, and he placed all his hopes on his son. He arranged food, clothing, housing and transportation very thoughtfully, and Duan Xiyun never had to worry about it. The last time he went out, Duan Xinyi entrusted his fellow Taoists to take care of him, and Duan Xiyun didn't need to worry about it at all. Therefore, Duan Xiyun formed a habit of not bringing silver when going out. When the waiter asked for money, he was embarrassed. The waiter observed Duan Xiyun's expression and saw that Duan Xiyun had no money to pay the bill. He changed his face and said, "If it is inconvenient for the guest, you can go to another store. Our store does not accept credit." Duan Xiyun was angry but couldn't say it, so he had to leave the hotel. His stomach kept growling, which was really uncomfortable. There was no other way, so he had to run up the mountain. There should be wild fruits in the mountains to fill his stomach. Only then did he realize the distress of ordinary people. It was difficult to move without money. Duan Xiyun had extraordinary martial arts, but he couldn't rob houses. The master of the Divine Sword Sect wanted to maintain his identity and could never devalue himself. The mountain was lush with vegetation and flowers, but Duan Xiyun was hungry and had no mood to appreciate the beautiful scenery. He finally found a stream. At this time, he didn't care whether the stream water was clean or not. He quenched his thirst first. After drinking a few sips of water, he felt a little better. At this time, he regretted not bringing a water container when he went out. It was really hard to drink without water. Looking around, although there were fruit trees on the mountain, Duan Xiyun didn't know which one to eat. After searching for a long time, he found an apricot tree and finally recognized it. He quickly picked a bunch of them. At this time, the wild apricots were not ripe yet. Duan Xiyun frowned after taking a bite. They were too sour and difficult to swallow. But there was no other food, so he could only grit his teeth and swallow them raw.

Duan Xiyun had never expected that the dignified leader of the Divine Sword Sect would end up picking apricots in the mountains to fill his stomach. If he went back, he would be ashamed to see people. If he didn't go back, how would he solve the problem of eating? These wild apricots could only solve the problem temporarily. When he was in trouble, a hunter passed by. Duan Xiyun had an idea. He had practiced martial arts for many years, so hunting should not be a problem. He immediately became energetic when he thought of this. He happened to meet a pheasant. Duan Xiyun practiced both inside and outside, so it was easy for him to catch a pheasant. He picked up a branch casually, and his energy penetrated his arm. He shot outward, and the branch pierced the pheasant like a sharp arrow. Duan Xiyun was happy and went forward to pick up the pheasant. He was in trouble again. He had the prey, but how could he cook it? Even if it was cooked, how could he swallow it without seasoning? The joy just now disappeared in an instant. The hunter in the distance was quite surprised to see this scene, and came over to ask. Duan Xiyun was looking for someone who understood, so he came forward. The hunter clasped his fists and said, "This warrior has great skills. How could such a skilled warrior fall to such a state?" Duan Xiyun sighed, "It's hard to explain. I was just about to ask you, how do you eat this pheasant?" The hunter laughed and said, "It's a waste of talent for you to use your skills to hunt. When we eat pheasants, we cover them with mud and roast them over the fire. When the mud dries, the meat is cooked. When the mud is peeled off, the hair falls off. We sprinkle some seasoning on it and it's ready to eat." Duan Xiyun said in embarrassment, "I don't have any seasoning." The hunter also felt embarrassed, "I don't have much with me. It won't be enough for you. So, I see that you are very skilled. Why don't you kill a few more and take them? Let the chef of the restaurant in the town prepare it. "Duan Xiyun hesitated and said, "The chef can't work for free. I have no money." The hunter smiled bitterly, "The warrior must have never been to the rivers and lakes. Didn't I ask you to kill a few more? It's to compensate for the expenses. The restaurant likes to collect wild game the most. Not only can you eat enough, but you can also exchange some money for use." Duan Xiyun suddenly realized, "So that's how it is. Thank you for your advice, brother." He gave the pheasant to the hunter. The hunter thanked him and went into the mountains to hunt. Duan Xiyun finally found a way to eat. He was very happy. With his superb martial arts, he killed ten pheasants in a row and went down the mountain happily. At this time, a day had passed. The red sun was setting in the west. Duan Xiyun's stomach was rumbling. He had only eaten a few wild apricots all day, so of course he was hungry. The lights were on and he entered a town restaurant. It was time for dinner and the restaurant was very lively. Duan Xiyun was stopped by the waiter as soon as he walked to the door, "Come here, warrior." Duan Xiyun was worried about whether he could open his mouth, and the waiter's chat was just what he wanted. So he followed the waiter into the restaurant through the side door and went straight to the kitchen. A waiter holding an abacus said happily, "I was just worried about not having game, and it happened to be delivered. Don't worry, our restaurant is trustworthy and will not give you less."

Chapter 33: Mountain Youth

Duan Xiyun finally had some wine and food, but he felt that the delicacies from the mountains and the sea in the past were far less delicious than these home-cooked dishes. This is human nature. If it had not come to this, Duan Xiyun would not have looked down upon such food, but now he ate it with relish. After having enough wine and food, the waiter took two taels of silver and said with a smile: "Brave man, this is the price of the pheasant. The shopkeeper ordered that since it is your first visit, the wine and food should be considered as a gift." Duan Xiyun was quite uneasy and shook his head and said: "How can that be possible? It is reasonable to pay according to the price." The waiter whispered: "Brave man, you don't know that all the game you sent today has been used. The boss has made at least fifty taels of money. What is this little wine and food?" Duan Xiyun nodded. He took the silver and went out, feeling quite emotional. He had everything he wanted at the beginning, and never thought that it would be so difficult to get food. He had practiced martial arts for many years and suffered so much. What should ordinary people do? The two taels of silver in his arms have extraordinary significance, which is more precious than the thousands or tens of thousands of taels of silver notes in the past. Duan Xiyun decided to keep the two taels of silver and let his disciples know the difficulty of making a living in the future. This experience affected Duan Xiyun's life. From then on, Duan Xiyun's views on everything changed. A first-class master was also bound by his hands and feet when he fell into the folk. Now that he had a way to make a living, Duan Xiyun settled down and walked aimlessly, fully experiencing the ups and downs of ordinary people. One day, he encountered a purple fox while hunting. This is a valuable thing. Duan Xiyun tracked it for dozens of miles, and the fox ran away. Looking around, he was actually in the mountains and couldn't find a way out of the mountains. This shock was not trivial. It was very dangerous to spend the night in this deep mountain. The fox could not be taken care of. Finding a way out of the mountain was the most important thing. After running for several miles in one direction, he came to a cliff. Seeing that it was getting dark, Duan Xiyun knew that he could only spend the night in the mountains tonight. Duan Xiyun was different now. He carried a wine gourd, various seasonings, and a flint. These were important items that hunters needed, and they all had their uses. Duan Xiyun started a fire behind a huge rock near the cliff, and sat cross-legged beside the fire. But without food in his stomach, he could not calm down.

In the dimness, it seemed that he could smell a fragrance, which immediately aroused Duan Xiyun's gluttony. After running around for a day, he only ate two sesame cakes. Suddenly, he smelled the fragrance and couldn't help it. So he jumped up and looked around, and sure enough, he found a little fire, about two miles to his right. Duan Xiyun cheered up, extinguished the fire, and ran towards the fire. If it were an ordinary hunter, he would not dare to take this risk. Although Duan Xiyun lost to Gao Zhen, he was also a first-class master. Therefore, although the path was difficult to find and the thorns were thick, he could not be stumped. Approaching the fire, it gradually became clear that there was a wooden house here. Duan Xiyun was overjoyed. With the wooden house, he could rest at ease. The people in the mountains are simple and honest, and they are very enthusiastic about outsiders and never refuse. When he got closer, he found that there was a small flat open space in front of the wooden house. There was a fire on one side of the open space, and a man dressed as a woodcutter was concentrating on roasting something by the fire. There was a fragrant smell in the wind, which Duan Xiyun had never smelled before. He wondered in his heart, what kind of delicacy was so tempting? After calming down, he walked to the open field. It was quiet all around. The man who was roasting the fire heard the footsteps and turned around. Seeing Duan Xiyun, he asked, "Who are you? How did you get here in the dark?" In the light of the fire, Duan Xiyun saw that the man roasting the fire was a young man with thick eyebrows, round eyes, regular features, and a simple and honest face. So he clasped his fists and said, "This young man, I was hunting down the mountain, chasing a black fox and lost my way. I accidentally found the fire and rushed here." The young man nodded, "So that's how it is. The black fox is a spirit in the mountains. How can you catch it? I can't free my hands. You sit down and rest for a while." Duan Xiyun sat down on a wooden block as he said and chatted with him, "What delicacy are you roasting, young man?" The young man smiled and said, "What delicacy? It's the most common corn, also called corn, the second of the five grains." Duan Xiyun was a little surprised. This young man was obviously educated. Most children in poor and remote areas could not afford to go to school, let alone ask a teacher to teach them. Therefore, he asked, "Young man, have you ever been to school?" The young man replied nonchalantly, "I've read a few books. From the way you talk, you're not an ordinary hunter. You should be able to read and write. It seems that you've been unlucky and ended up living in the mountains." Duan Xiyun's mind was all on the food the young man was roasting. He chatted with him from time to time. The young man was simple and honest. He said whatever he wanted, with his eyes fixed on the corn in the fire.

After waiting for a long time, the young man took out a pile of black corn from the fire. Although Duan Xiyun knew that corn was the main food of the people, he seldom ate it. Occasionally, his family brought cooked corn, but he didn't think it was delicious after tasting it. He had never seen such a way of eating. It must be delicious if it smelled good. With an empty stomach, it was inevitable to salivate in front of the delicious food. At this time, Duan Xiyun was no longer the leader of the Divine Sword Sect, but just an ordinary hunter. The young man put the corn away, turned around and said with a smile: "You are lucky. The corn I planted has grown. I exchanged the herbs for two jars of good wine worth fifty cents. I was going to have a big meal. It happened that you came." Duan Xiyun was delighted and thanked him repeatedly. The young man shook his head and said: "Everyone has problems." After putting the corn away, he got up and went to the wooden house to carry out two jars of wine, two large bowls, and a jar. He smiled at Duan Xiyun and said: "There is nothing delicious in the mountains, so make do with it." Duan Xiyun couldn't wait to sit by the fire. The young man peeled a corn, and the fragrance filled the air. Duan Xiyun learned to peel off the corn skin and took a bite. He felt that he had never tasted so delicious in his life. After eating such delicious food, the young man wolfed it down and said with a smile: "It seems that you have been hungry for a day. Don't worry, there is enough for the two of us." Duan Xiyun was starving, and eating roasted corn was like eating heaven. He ate seven or eight pieces before he breathed a sigh of relief: "It is really delicious in the world." The young man smiled and said: "Rich people would not look down on such food. You are surprised by it." Duan Xiyun shook his head: "Otherwise, this roasted corn is much better than delicacies from mountains and seas." The young man smiled and said: "Brother, you really look like a rich man, always putting on airs." Duan Xiyun wondered, his eating style must be indecent, how could the young man see it? The young man smiled and said: "Poor people have been hungry for a day, and when they see food, they are like wolves, and they don't care about anything else."

The reason is actually very simple. Although Duan Xiyun doesn't have much money, his status and family background are very prominent. In addition, he is also a martial arts master. Naturally, he has a kind of arrogance and looks down on people in the mountains. It was revealed in his words and deeds. He didn't realize it, but the young man saw the clues. Duan Xiyun blushed. No matter what his status was, it was not good for him to look down on this young man who had done him a favor. So he apologized and said, "Don't mind, little brother. I will pay for as much as I have eaten." The young man shook his head and smiled, "Brother, you still look down on me. What are a few corns worth? People in the mountains are not as petty as people in big towns. They have to calculate their parents and brothers. Brother, don't remember this little thing. We will not meet again tomorrow. We are not the same kind of people." Duan Xiyun felt ashamed. The young man in front of him was open-minded, but he, the leader of the Divine Sword Sect, was so petty. The young man opened the can, and inside was hot fried soybeans. The golden soybeans smelled fragrant. The young man poured wine for Duan Xiyun and apologized, "I am a man from the mountains, so I don't have any good wine. Just drink a few sips." Duan Xiyun was thirsty, so he drank half a bowl in one gulp. Although the wine tasted quite light, it was like nectar, and his internal organs felt indescribably comfortable. The young man grabbed a handful of soybeans and said with a smile, "There are no chopsticks or spoons, so you can eat it with your hands." Duan Xiyun tasted the soybeans and sighed, "It's enough to eat such delicious food every day." The young man urged them to drink. After the two of them finished eating corn, they took soybeans to drink, and unknowingly swept them away. Duan Xiyun then took a closer look and found that this young man was extraordinary. His bones and muscles were very strong, and there was a lot of spirit between his eyebrows. It was obvious that he was smart and could endure hardships. So he asked, "What's your name, young man?" The young man shook his head and said, "I won't ask your name, and you don't have to ask me. There are a lot of thatched grass in the wooden house, so just rest. I'll show you the way out of the mountain in the morning. I can't be your friend." Duan Xiyun felt bad, but he couldn't deny that he looked down on her when they met. According to normal etiquette, you should introduce yourself first when you meet someone for the first time. It was really rude to wait until you were full and satisfied before asking someone's name. There was nothing to say, so he had to apologize and rest in the wooden house. The young man packed up his things, put out the fire, and then went to sleep.

After dawn, the young man pointed out the path out of the mountain in detail. Duan Xiyun thanked him and went down the mountain, continuing to hunt and relax. The young man sent Duan Xiyun away, and continued to farm and study as usual. In his spare time, he collected herbs to exchange for money to buy some oil and salt. His life was extremely dull. The young man didn't take Duan Xiyun's affairs to heart at all, nor did he expect Duan Xiyun to repay him. The next morning, he went up the mountain to collect herbs. A thick fog floated. The young man knew that he couldn't do anything when the fog came. He could only wait, so he rested under a big tree. The thick fog floated, and everything became blurred. The young man didn't care. He hummed a little song while waving a wooden stick to drive away snakes and insects. When he was bored, he suddenly felt a cool breeze. A figure appeared in the thick fog. The young man couldn't believe his eyes. It was impossible for someone to go up the mountain in such a thick fog. Was it the elves in the mountain that came out? Thinking of this, he couldn't help but be afraid. He looked carefully and found a white-haired old man walking slowly. The young man didn't think about it anymore, bowed down and saluted. The old man came up and smiled, helped the young man up, and looked at him carefully. Seeing that the old man was amiable and that even if he was an elf, he was not the kind that eats people, the young man was not so scared. He asked, "Old uncle, are you a human or a god?" The old man smiled and said, "Silly boy, of course I am a human. Why do you live alone in the mountains?" The young man replied, "There is no one at home. My uncle wants to marry his daughter-in-law and has no place to live, so I gave them the house." The old man nodded. It seems that this child is easy-going and easy-going. So he asked again, "Child, what is your name?" The young man did not want to use the same name as Duan Xiyun, but he did not hide it from the old man. He said frankly, "My surname is Yin, and my name is Yin Tianlei." Hearing this name, the old man was secretly surprised. Could it be that God really arranged everything in the dark? He smiled and took Yin Tianlei's hand to sit under the tree and asked Yin Tianlei about his life in detail. Yin Tianlei introduced that his ancestors were all scholars, but none of them had ever been officials. Later, they hid in the mountains when they encountered war. Later, they realized the true meaning of life in the mountains and forests and never left the mountains again.

The old man noticed that Yin Tianlei had strong muscles and strong arms, and asked, "Since your ancestors studied, why are your muscles and bones several times stronger than those of farmers who work all day?" Yin Tianlei smiled and said, "When my grandfather was alive, he often played with me and told me that we are children of heaven and earth, just like birds and beasts. There is no difference. Every herd of horses has a leader, and all horses listen to him because the leader is the strongest and smartest. It's the same for people. If you want to get everything you want, you have to be the strongest. So I climb mountains and lift stone locks every day to practice my strength. No one in the village is stronger than me." The old man sighed to the sky, "It's God's will. It seems that this child is the real owner of the Fire God Palace." Yin Tianlei wondered and asked, "What is the Fire God Palace and what does it have to do with me?" It turned out that this old man was Gao Zhen's father. After closing the Fire God Palace, he looked for someone who was willing to protect it. Later, when he heard that his son was challenging the leader of the Divine Sword Sect, the father and son were connected, and the old man also went to Kaifeng to watch the battle, but he didn't show up. After the competition, the old man knew that his son had done something bad, and he was extremely anxious. The Divine Sword Sect had been recognized by the four famous sects. If the sect leader's martial arts was abolished, they would definitely invite all the sects to join forces for revenge, and then his son's life would be in danger. After much inquiry, he learned that Chang Xiao generously took out a rare elixir to save Duan Xiyun's martial arts, and he was relieved. Duan Xiyun left a letter and left. The old man followed him all the time, fearing that Duan Xiyun's injuries had not healed and something would happen. The old man's martial arts had reached a state of perfection, and Duan Xiyun had never noticed it. When he came to the mountains, the old man was quite interested in Yin Tianlei. After observing for many days, Duan Xiyun had indeed recovered and could rest assured. He stayed in the mountains and appeared to meet Yin Tianlei. As soon as Yin Tianlei signed up, the old man knew that this child was destined to be with him. In addition to the Fire God Sword, the Fire God Palace also has a magical weapon called the Lightning Cone. The moves are extremely clever, with a total of 36 styles, called the Thunder Break, which is extremely powerful and almost indestructible. The Lightning Cone and the secret manual had always been in the old man's hands and had never been revealed. Because the Red Spirit God was famous, Gao Zhen was quite envious and had been practicing swordsmanship hard, so the old man did not mention the Lightning Cone. When Yin Tianlei signed up today, the old man immediately thought of Tianlei Po and determined that this child was the successor arranged by God, and was ready to cultivate him carefully.

When Yin Tianlei asked about the Fire God Palace, the old man hesitated for a moment. He couldn't tell him everything at this time, so he smiled and said, "My child, the Fire God Palace is a palace guarded by me. To tell you the truth, I know a little about martial arts, and I am looking for a successor. I wonder if you are willing to be my disciple?" Yin Tianlei was delighted and said, "The old man must be a hermit. I am willing to be your disciple." The old man asked, "How do you know that I know martial arts?" Yin Tianlei was quite sure, "In such a thick fog, I, a young man, dare not walk around. How could the old man be so arrogant? However, climbing in the fog is not strange for a master." The old man smiled and said, "You have good vision. I call myself Xinghe Yesou. Although I have been studying martial arts for most of my life, I am unknown to outsiders. No one in the world knows how deep I am." Yin Tianlei said, "I've made a note. Since you want to become my disciple, you can't be careless. I'll go and prepare." The old man shook his head and said, "People who practice martial arts don't care about trivial matters. As long as they are sincere, it is better than anything else. By the way, the day before yesterday you ate roasted corn with a foreign hunter. I was jealous. You roasted some corn for me. Once, as a gift to the master. "Yin Tianlei laughed and said, "This is too simple." The fog dissipated, and the two returned to the wooden house. Yin Tianlei prepared two jars of wine and soybeans again, picked corn in the field, and started a fire to roast corn. Suddenly, he remembered something and turned back and asked, "Old uncle, how do you know that I invited the hunter?" The old man laughed and said, "It's a long story. I followed that man. If it wasn't for him, we wouldn't have had the chance to meet." Yin Tianlei curled his lips and said, "That man is not a real hunter. He must be from a big town. I don't like him." The old man nodded and said, "You guessed right. That man is of noble status and looks down on everything. If he hadn't suffered a setback, he would never come to this remote place." Yin Tianlei laughed and said, "I said that man is not a hunter. Sure enough, the real hunter would have brought back the prey to thank you." The old man praised, "You have good eyesight, a good brain, and are willing to endure hardships. You are a good material for practicing martial arts." Yin Tianlei was happy and carefully roasted the corn and asked the old man to taste it. The old man hadn't eaten roasted corn for many years. Seeing Duan Xiyun and Yin Tianlei wolfing down the corn, he drooled. He was so happy that he finally got to eat it. He ate it heartily regardless of his status. Yin Tianlei laughed and said, "The way the old man eats is like a mountain person. That hunter is far behind."

Chapter 34: Good Intentions

Meeting by chance in the deep mountains, Yin Tianlei determined that the old man was a hermit. He had no worries, and with the help of a master, he could go out of the mountains and broaden his horizons. After eating roasted corn, the old man formally accepted Yin Tianlei as his apprentice. Yin Tianlei bowed and called him master. The old man explained: "I have never accepted an apprentice. I only have one son. Unfortunately, he was seduced by beauty and went astray." Yin Tianlei asked: "Master, why don't you teach him a lesson?" The old man sighed: "That beauty is extraordinary, enough to turn the world upside down. Children and grandchildren have their own blessings, let him go. Master, I think you have good roots and aptitude, and you are willing to endure hardships. The most rare thing is this character. I hope you will be consistent." Yin Tianlei nodded: "Master, don't worry, your apprentice has read a lot of books and understands it very well." The old man began to teach Yin Tianlei to practice basic skills. At the beginning, Yin Tianlei was not used to it and suffered a lot. After a month, he didn't feel the pain anymore, and the blood circulation in his body was very smooth. The old man was very satisfied. He knew that Yin Tianlei had put in a lot of effort and his muscles and bones were far better than those of ordinary people. Otherwise, it would take two years just to get started. Yin Tianlei was well-read and deeply influenced. He respected his master very much. In addition to practicing martial arts every day, he tried every means to take care of his master's food and daily life. The old man was very happy. His son was devoted to practicing swordsmanship and never cooked a meal for him. Now that this apprentice was so sensible, he finally let himself enjoy the joy of family. Yin Tianlei not only had strong muscles and bones, but also practiced martial arts hard. He was also extraordinary in comprehension and had a lot of ingenuity in the application of the changes in moves. The old man saw it and was happy in his heart. He accompanied Yin Tianlei to fight every day. The master taught him everything he knew, and the apprentice studied hard. After three months, Yin Tianlei began to practice Tianlei Po. The moves of the electric cone are special and very different from the swordsmanship. The electric cone is like a sword, but it has no blade. It is two feet long, like a pagoda, with a cone at the top. Most of the moves were stabbing. The old man first used an iron cone for Yin Tianlei to practice. The real electric cone was quite heavy, weighing 49 pounds. Yin Tianlei couldn't use it yet. The master and apprentice buried themselves in the mountains to practice. Half a year passed in a blink of an eye. When the old man was practicing internal skills in the middle of the night, he suddenly felt something abnormal in the Niwan Palace on his head. He was shocked. This was a sign of the end of his life. Now his apprentice's martial arts have not been completed yet, and he is worried. However, no matter how great his skills are, he can't pass this level. Time is running out, so he quickly led Yin Tianlei back to the Fire God Palace.

Yin Tianlei grew up in a mountain village and had never been to a big town. He was stunned when he saw such a magnificent palace and exclaimed: "Wow, such a large palace would take ten thousand people several years to build." The old man hurriedly led Yin Tianlei to his practice stone room. The walls were covered with graphics. The old man pointed out one by one, and Yin Tianlei remembered them in his heart. The old man took out a stone box and handed it to Yin Tianlei solemnly. Yin Tianlei took it and felt it was quite heavy, so he asked, "Master, what is this?" The old man had a solemn expression and said slowly, "This is your weapon, called the Lightning Cone." Yin Tianlei smiled bitterly and said, "Master, I can't use it now, why don't you give it to me later." The old man shook his head, "Time waits for no one, I don't have much time left, that's why I'm in a hurry to take you back." Yin Tianlei was shocked and shook his head, "Master's internal strength is pure, and his bones and muscles are intact. He can live at least another 20 years." The old man smiled and said, "Silly child, it's a good thing that Master has passed away. His internal strength is perfect, and all the meridians in the body are opened. Passing away peacefully is the best destination for those who practice martial arts. If Master traveled around the world and dealt with all kinds of people, he would definitely not pass away so early. It is precisely because he kept a low profile and never fought with others that he could achieve perfection ahead of time." Yin Tianlei understood that what his master said was right, but he couldn't help feeling sad when he had to part with a master after all the hard work. The old man smiled and said, "My child, I should thank God for meeting you. Time is running out, so I will tell you the origin of the Fire God Palace first." Then he told the story of Prime Minister Li Gang's good intentions in building the Fire God Palace, and the loyalty of his ancestors in guarding the treasure. Yin Tianlei was quite moved, and he resented the weakness and incompetence of the Southern Song Dynasty, which made Prime Minister Li Gang's efforts go down the drain. After the old man finished telling the story, he led Yin Tianlei to the practice room, pressed the mechanism, and the iron plate on the ground rumbled, revealing a passage. The two entered the passage, walked about a hundred steps, and came to a stone door. The old man sighed, "This is the treasure left by Prime Minister Li Gang. As for my disappointing son, what he took away were the treasures accumulated by my second brother, Chi Lingshen, which is also a huge amount. From now on, this treasure house will be guarded by you. Now that the Song Dynasty has been destroyed for many years, this treasure is useless here. When you become skilled in martial arts and travel around the world, you can take out the treasure when you encounter a disaster or the people suffer. I believe Prime Minister Li Gang will not blame you."

The master and the disciple had not been together for a long time. Yin Tianlei was very moved when the master handed the treasure to him. He even hid it from his own son, which shows the importance of the treasure. Now that it was handed to him, it showed his trust. The old man opened the stone door, and there were large iron boxes inside, neatly arranged on both sides. The old man said: "Child, you must remember that when using the treasure, you must publicize the original intention of Prime Minister Li Gang, so that people in the world will remember this generation of famous ministers who worked hard for the country and the people." Yin Tianlei nodded repeatedly: "Master, don't worry, the disciple will definitely publicize the merits of Prime Minister Li Gang, as well as the loyalty of the master's ancestors who guarded the treasure." The old man praised: "Good boy, the master knows that you will not change your heart, and your future is limitless." After looking at the treasure, the two returned to the practice room. The old man explained: "Your Tianlei Po is still not mature enough. You have to practice hard here. It is estimated that you will be able to use the electric cone in about half a year. At that time, you can go out of the mountain and visit Chang Xiao at Julong Villa to let him guide you. "Yin Tianlei wondered, "Who is Chang Xiao? Why do we have to go find him?" The old man showed gratitude on his face, "Child, this man's swordsmanship is the best in the world, and he is a top-notch master. He is simple and kind, without any gangster habits, you can trust him completely." Yin Tianlei asked, "Why don't you hide the treasure from him?" The old man hesitated and nodded, "You can tell him about the treasure, I believe he can use it well." Yin Tianlei asked, "Master, what does this man look like?" The old man smiled bitterly and said, "I have never seen him, I have only heard of his name, but I don't know who he is." Yin Tianlei was quite surprised that the secret that he had hidden from his own son for many years was handed over to a person he had never met. It seems that this Chang Xiao is indeed not simple, and he actually made the master trust him so much.

After explaining the treasure, the old man put aside his worries and hurriedly instructed Yin Tianlei to practice Tianlei Po. As for his affairs after death, they had been prepared long ago, so there was no need to worry too much. Yin Tianlei knew his master's intentions and practiced Tianlei Po hard every moment. The old man was very pleased and tried his best to tell his apprentice about his experience. But he was still worried about one thing, that is, his only son Gao Zhen. No one knows his son better than his father. After the martial arts competition in Kaifeng, the old man saw that Gao Zhen was determined to challenge Chang Xiao. From the fact that Chang Xiao generously took out the elixir to treat Duan Xiyun, it can be seen that Chang Xiao was broad-minded and his martial arts had reached a new level. His son Gao Zhen was not his opponent at all. Once the martial arts competition, his son's life would be in danger. This is the only bloodline of the Gao family. Once he died, the Gao family would be extinct, and he would not be able to face his ancestors in the underworld. After thinking about it, he wrote a letter in his own handwriting, explaining the whole story in detail, and asked Chang Xiao to leave Gao Zhen a way out for the sake of the Gao family's contributions to the country. After writing it, he solemnly handed it to Yin Tianlei, and told him to pass it on to Chang Xiao. Yin Tianlei kept the letter and promised to take it to Chang Xiao. The old man was relieved. When Yin Tianlei was practicing the electric cone, the old man had no worries and passed away peacefully. Yin Tianlei was heartbroken and cried. He arranged the master's funeral. He properly preserved the master's body and placed it in the ice cave in the back hall to sit with the ancestors. He set up a tablet and wrote the spirit of the noble and filial Xingheyesou. He burned incense and worshiped. After it was safe, he was the only one left in the huge palace. Fortunately, he was used to being alone and didn't feel lonely. Thinking of the great kindness of his master, he made up his mind not to let his master down. Yin Tianlei practiced harder, and the Tianlei Break became more and more proficient. Although he didn't know the depth of his martial arts, his master said that he could leave the mountain after the electric cone penetrated the stone wall. Yin Tianlei practiced hard without stopping, and was not in a hurry to leave the mountain. However, his master was in a heavy mood when he wrote the letter, and it was obvious that the matter was urgent. Yin Tianlei also wanted to hand the letter to Chang Xiao as soon as possible, so he practiced hard to fulfill his master's wish.

After the Kaifeng competition, Tongtianbao's reputation grew day by day. Although Gao Zhen wanted to defeat Chang Xiao, he was still unsure. If the Seven Styles of Lieyang failed, he would end up in a bad situation. He originally planned to abolish Duan Xiyun's martial arts, completely defeat the Divine Sword Sect, and vent his anger on his second uncle. Later, he learned that Chang Xiao took out the elixir to save Duan Xiyun's martial arts. Gao Zhen hated and was angry. He hated Chang Xiao for ruining his business, and was angry that such a precious elixir would fall into the hands of this fool. If he got the elixir, he would definitely be able to achieve his wish and defeat Chang Xiao to become the number one swordsman. Feeling depressed, he drank alone in the hall. Jade Butterfly came in happily, sat directly in Gao Zhen's arms and asked with a smile: "So many people have come to Tongtian Castle, what are you worried about?" Gao Zhen sighed: "I'm just angry that the spiritual medicine fell into Chang Xiao's hands, but was wasted by him. What's the use of saving Duan Xiyun's martial arts? If I took the spiritual medicine, I would definitely surpass Chang Xiao, at least be on par with Taoist Zuixia. I heard that Chang Xiao has a deep hatred with Chen Hongren of the Divine Sword Sect. Wouldn't it be confusing gratitude and grudges to help the Divine Sword Sect?" Jade Butterfly sighed in her heart: Chang Xiao has a broad mind, which is not something you can understand. Yanran smiled and said, "Chang Xiao is an absolute fool. You should be happy. If he takes the elixir, I'm afraid that Zuixia Taoist will not be his opponent. Tongtianbao has no chance at all." Gao Zhen thought about it and clapped his hands and said, "Yes, my virtuous wife can see clearly. I should be happy that Chang Xiao gave up such a good opportunity. He doesn't want the elixir, but I do. Tomorrow I will send people to various places to collect rare medicinal materials. After improving my skills, I will have a greater chance." Yu Hudie reminded, "We have to invite a famous doctor. It will be troublesome if we take the wrong medicine." Gao Zhen smiled and said, "My virtuous wife still loves me." After making up his mind, Gao Zhen really sent people to search for several rare medicinal materials such as ginseng, ganoderma lucidum, and snow lotus, and hired a famous doctor to prepare medicine, preparing to improve his skills to deal with Chang Xiao. Gao Zhen knew that although Tongtianbao had many people, they were still not as good as Chang Xiao. Although there were not many people in Julong Villa, Chang Xiao had friendships with Wanxian Hall Master Wanqi Song and the Dragon King of the South China Sea. Once something happened, these two forces would help. Tongtianbao was not enough, so he had to find another way.

Qi Shizhen was well-informed and found out that the Dragon King of the South China Sea had allocated three large ships to do business with Chang Xiao, and Wanqi Song sent people to assist. For many years, Qi Shizhen had been exclusively operating the marine goods of the South China Sea fleet, and the profits were lucrative, so he could support a huge news network. Of course, he was not happy to get this news. Three large ships could load tens of millions of taels of goods at a time. Chang Xiao did not need to do business, and the treasures of Julong Villa could not be used up at all. However, the Dragon King of the South China Sea and Chang Xiao were close friends, so it was difficult to say anything. Qi Shizhen was very shrewd. After thinking about it, he suddenly thought that Chang Xiao might have realized that he was not really friendly with him, but had other intentions. According to Chang Xiao's temperament, he would not openly turn his face, and he would definitely test it. Was doing business with the Dragon King of the South China Sea this time just a test? Thinking of this, Qi Shizhen couldn't help but worry. Chang Xiao was a man with a hidden needle in his cotton wool. Although he looked weak on the outside, he never gave up in his bones. He was cautious in doing things, and would never take action when he was not sure. Once he took action, he would never show mercy. Most people in the martial arts world think that Chang Xiao is weak and does not have the demeanor of a martial arts master. However, Chang Xiao actually killed two Nether Swordsmen in the desert. They were first-class masters. According to the situation at that time, Chang Xiao used a trick to lure them and succeeded in one blow. The Nether Swordsmen had no power to fight back. With meticulous thinking and outstanding swordsmanship, and the support of three important masters, Wanqi Song, the Dragon King of the South China Sea, and the Qingyang Swordsman, and the praise of Master Baekje, Chang Xiao is simply impeccable. Once he clashes with Wuling Villa, Chang Xiao's position is enough to control the situation. After thinking about it, he was no longer able to deal with the affairs of Julong Villa. It happened that Tongtianbao rose in the martial arts world. Gao Zhen became famous in one battle and rushed to expand his power. After much investigation, Qi Shizhen learned that Gao Zhen was determined to compete with Chang Xiao. This was good news. Qi Shizhen immediately sent a letter to ask several masters to change their identities and join Tongtianbao to act according to the situation. Chang Xiao's speculation was correct. There was indeed a powerful force behind Qi Shizhen, and they had been fighting openly and secretly with Wuling Villa for many years, but they could not tell who was better. Both sides had their own strengths and weaknesses. Wuling Villa relied on the Beggars' Sect to pass on information, and was well aware of the slightest movement in the martial arts world. Wuling Villa was full of masters, and mysterious. Qi Shizhen's side had a huge intelligence network, and the number of masters was small, but they were all independent figures. The two sides were wary of each other, and it was difficult to tell who was better.

Gao Zhen was eager to expand, but he didn't know that there were hidden dangers around him. Qi Shizhen intended to support Tongtian Fort to oppose Chang Xiao, and he also used Gao Zhen to test Chang Xiao's martial arts. According to the three people who came back from the desert, even if the three of them worked together, they were not sure of winning. It's not that Chang Xiao's martial arts were higher than the three masters combined. The most important thing was that Chang Xiao succeeded twice and was in high spirits, but his side failed one after another, and the target fled far away. Chang Xiao's martial arts and scheming were completely unexpected, and his momentum was five points weaker, so even if they fought, it would be useless. At that time, Chang Xiao dared to face two netherworld swordsmen, which meant that he was sure to win. The most urgent task was to test Chang Xiao's martial arts. If he couldn't win him over, he couldn't let him help Wuling Villa. Qi Shizhen's use of Gao Zhen was indeed a brilliant move. He hid behind the scenes and attacked at any time, firmly grasping the initiative in his hands. But Qi Shizhen still didn't understand Chang Xiao. In fact, Chang Xiao had no intention of getting involved in the disputes in the martial arts world. Most of his thoughts were on swordsmanship, preparing to compete with Zuixia Taoist. Qi Shizhen turned his attention to Julong Villa and didn't realize that Wanxiantang was cooperating with the Dragon King of the South China Sea. However, Wuling Villa did not seize the opportunity to win over Chang Xiao, but instead created a rift. Originally, Wu Qingyang had done a great favor to Chang Xiao, and Chang Xiao always kept it in mind. If he made it clear, Chang Xiao would definitely help Wuling Villa. But Wu Qingyang was evasive and lost the best opportunity. To put it bluntly, it was simple. Chang Xiao's swordsmanship improved by leaps and bounds. Wu Qingyang was not convinced. From the matter of getting rid of the Nether Swordsman, it seemed that Chang Xiao's scheming and martial arts had surpassed himself. When discussing martial arts, Chang Xiao obviously kept a hand, and Wu Qingyang had the intention of complaining. It was just that he had repeatedly told Chang Xiao to hide his martial arts, so now naturally he had nothing to say. It happened that Wu Qingyang's father, the owner of Wuling Mountain Villa, asked Chang Xiao for the Wind Chasing Camel. Wu Qingyang had to point out that Chang Xiao had already released the Wind Chasing Camel into the desert, and it was difficult to find. The old owner was very dissatisfied. Chang Xiao knew that the Wind Chasing Camel was his beloved mount, so he should have properly placed it. Releasing it into the desert was simply disrespectful to his elders. But he never looked for the reason in himself. You didn't even tell me your name, so why should others be open with you?

Chapter 35 Our Lady of Nanhua

Although Chang Xiao has already noticed these two mysterious forces in the martial arts world, he does not want to be involved in them. If Wu Qingyang invites him, it is difficult to refuse. Wu Qingyang thinks too highly of himself and is angry that Chang Xiao's martial arts are better than his. This is a common problem among famous masters, just like Duan Xiyun looks down on Yin Tianlei. Chang Xiao comes from an ordinary peasant family and is not valued by famous masters. Chang Xiao naturally understands and does not care. He discusses martial arts with Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai every day. At this time, someone sends a letter from home, saying that his father-in-law, King Riguan, has returned to Lingbo Island in the South China Sea, and his son has been given the title of King Yuelun. Princess Yueying is very excited, but Chang Xiao does not care and continues as usual. People in the martial arts world naturally value martial arts first. What are these two forces fighting for? Wu Qingyang and Qi Shizhen are mysterious, Wanqi Song is hesitant, and Chang Xiao is unwilling to spend more time thinking about it. Taoist Zuixia has been famous for many years, and Gao Zhen is searching for elixirs to improve his skills, so he cannot slack off. Wanxiantang cooperated with the Dragon King of the South China Sea, and the business was quite smooth. Lin Ruhu was smart and capable, everything was in order, and the price was fair and reasonable. The Dragon King of the South China Sea gradually gave some valuable goods to Wanxiantang to sell to the mainland. Princess Yueying was pregnant and clamored to bring her parents over. Chang Xiao sent a letter and took time to accompany Princess Yueying every day. The Riguan King and his wife were tired from running around and never came. They only sent someone to send Princess Huaying to Julong Villa. Princess Yueying was not satisfied. Princess Huaying persuaded her: "Sister, my sister didn't even take care of her son to take care of you, what else is there to be dissatisfied about." Princess Yueying said: "Sister is pregnant, and my father and mother are busy running around. When it's my turn, I don't even show up. I'm too partial." Princess Huaying smiled and said: "Sister, my father went to Tianzhu and was quite tired. My mother was also very tired. It's not intentional that she didn't come." Princess Yueying was relieved. Chang Xiao had time to go to the hall to drink with Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai. Zhong Hai said, "Master, there seems to be someone in the mountains these days. Although I didn't see anyone, I always feel that something is wrong." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "You didn't see it, but Lieyan and the others must know. Just call them over and ask them and you'll know."

Chang Xiao is indeed an extraordinary person. He trusts animals more than people. Lieyan ran to the outside of the hall, looking around with his head held high, as if no one was around. This was due to Chang Xiao's pampering, but Lieyan was indeed proud of himself. Chang Xiao asked, "Are there strangers in the mountains?" Lieyan shook his mane and threw his head back. Chang Xiao smiled and said, "I didn't play with you these days. It's my fault. Don't be angry." Lieyan nodded to show forgiveness, and then neighed towards the mountain, standing still with all four hooves, looking terrified. Chang Xiao nodded, "I understand. Don't get close to them." Lieyan ran out to play in the Black Dragon Pool with his friends. Zhong Yuan asked, "Master, are the people coming very powerful?" Chang Xiao nodded, "Yes, those who can make Lie Yan feel afraid are definitely not ordinary masters. They are probably the group of silver-clad swordsmen we met in the desert who came to test our strength. You brothers should be more careful." Zhong Hai asked, "What is your plan, Master? Will you let them come and go freely?" Chang Xiao shook his head, "Julong Villa is not a den of dragons and tigers, nor is it a place where anyone can come and go. The people who come have special identities and will not make things difficult for my wife. I want to fight these mysterious masters who hide their heads and show their tails. You brothers should not be idle, such an opportunity is extremely rare, but you must be more careful, the other party is ruthless and scheming, and your life will be in danger if you are careless." Zhong Yuan smiled and said, "Master, don't worry, we brothers haven't married yet, and we don't want to die so soon. "Chang Xiao nodded: "You brothers should be able to protect yourselves if you join forces. We can use the secret passage to find out the truth and find out the other party's situation before we take action." Zhong Yuan asked: "Where is the secret passage?" Chang Xiao smiled and said: "I specially commissioned Qi Shizhen to build the secret passage, but since it is a secret passage, of course it cannot be handed over to outsiders. If the people who come know the secret passage, we can just be sure that they are from Qi Shizhen's side, which proves that Qi Shizhen helped me with bad intentions." Zhong Hai praised: "I can't believe that the owner of the manor has such a strategy." Chang Xiao sighed: "When you are in the rivers and lakes, of course you have to be more careful. As the saying goes, the tree wants to be quiet but the wind does not stop. No matter how you hide your light, as long as others think you threaten him, you will not have a good life. You get ready, we will start tonight."

When the moon was rising, the three of them packed up, changed into black clothes, and prepared their weapons. Chang Xiao led the two brothers to the viewing tower, where they could see the scenery of several miles around the villa. Chang Xiao said, "Look, the secret passage is downstairs. Let's go in together and come out from two places. You two come out from under the ancient pine trees on the hillside behind the Black Dragon Pond. Qi Shizhen knows this secret passage. If someone from Qi Shizhen's side comes, they should be on guard. You should be careful. I'm near you." Zhong Yuan nodded, "Don't worry, Master. We brothers are not easy to mess with." After discussing, the three entered the secret passage. Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai hadn't taken action for a long time. Finally, they had the opportunity and were ready for a big fight. Soon they came to the entrance of the secret passage. After observing for a while, they found nothing unusual. The two quietly walked out of the secret passage and ran up the hillside according to the prior agreement. They moved like snakes and cranes without making any sound. The moonlight was dim, and the leaves rustled in the wind. The two brothers moved forward cautiously and slowly approached the top of the mountain. There was a figure meditating on the top of the mountain. The two brothers looked at each other, became more careful, and slowly approached. Getting closer and closer, the figure was motionless, like a wooden or stone statue. The two brothers took out their weapons and prepared to rush up. At this moment, a harsh sound rang out. This was a signal from Chang Xiao, and the danger was around. Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai did not think twice, and the four weapons were deployed. With a crisp sound, two black shadows were ejected and disappeared into the darkness. Zhong Yuan thought to himself: It was a close call, life and death were just a matter of a moment, thanks to Chang Xiao's timely reminder. There was still silence all around, and the two brothers understood that the other party obviously knew the secret path and had been following behind waiting for an opportunity to attack. If they failed the first time, there must be a follow-up, so they must not be careless. Suddenly, another sound came, which was the sound of extremely short weapons touching. The two brothers understood that Chang Xiao had started to take action. The two men moved closer to the place where the sound came from. In the moonlight, they could clearly see four figures surrounding Chang Xiao. They were covered with green gauze, holding long swords in their hands, and their movements were erratic, like ghosts.

Zhong Yuan couldn't help but admire him. No wonder his master praised him. Chang Xiao actually had the upper hand under the siege of four masters. Four masters surrounded one person but he defended more than attacked. Then he heard Chang Xiao said in a deep voice: "Chang is not a person who cherishes women. If you don't know how to advance and retreat, don't blame me for being ruthless." Zhong Yuan was shocked. From Chang Xiao's tone, these four people were actually women. What kind of women can have such skills? The four people who took action obviously would not retreat. They gathered together and used a move together. The four long swords combined together, and the light rose sharply, like lightning shooting towards Chang Xiao. Chang Xiao snorted coldly, and his body turned cleverly. The dragon scale sword drew a beautiful arc, as gorgeous as a rainbow. There was a loud noise, and the four figures were shaken out a few feet away, standing unsteadily and sitting on the ground. Chang Xiao approached at lightning speed and saw that the four people had no chance of escape. At this time, a loud voice came from the top of the mountain: "Spare their lives." Chang Xiao put away his knife and stepped back, laughing loudly: "The senior and his disciple are really amazing. It's rare for a woman to have such skills." The people on the top of the mountain responded: "If it weren't for the women, I'm afraid they would have died under the sword long ago. Come up for a while." Chang Xiao said to Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai: "Don't go up there. The people up there are no trivial matters." Zhong Yuan nodded: "Don't worry, Master. We brothers understand." Zhong Hai was a little worried. If the disciple was like this, one could imagine what his master would be like. He warned: "Master, be careful." Chang Xiao smiled: "I don't expect it." The four women defeated by Chang Xiao hurriedly packed up and ran to the top of the mountain. Chang Xiao straightened his clothes and slowly ran to the top of the mountain from the mountain path.

The four women on the top of the mountain took off their green veils, and they turned out to be graceful young beauties. Chang Xiao was surprised. These four people were experienced, skilled in swordsmanship, and extremely skilled. At such a young age, they had such skills. Their teacher must be a rare master. The four stood on one side, and in the middle was a monk, sitting cross-legged and meditating, as steady as a mountain. Chang Xiao wondered how a monk could accept female disciples? Without time to think about it, he clasped his fists and said, "What advice do you have for the monk who came to Julong Mountain?" The monk waved his hand, and the four women retreated. The monk then spoke: "I have heard for a long time that the owner of the manor has excellent swordsmanship and is very well-hidden. Today, I see that the reputation is well-deserved. I admire her very much." Chang Xiao was stunned. It turned out that this person was a nun. It was really wrong for him to make such a big mistake with his eyesight. At that moment, he bowed and asked, "Which famous mountain do you practice in? What's your name?" The old nun replied, "I am the old nun of Nanhua in Emei. I was asked by someone to come and meet the owner of the manor." Chang Xiao recalled that he seemed to have heard of this name somewhere. He suddenly remembered that when Wu Qingyang talked about the masters in the world, he mentioned a Nanhua Holy Mother, whose internal power was superb. Her plum blossom steps were profound and unfathomable. She had the ability to change her shape and shadow, and her five plum blossom hands were even more amazing. Thinking of this, he asked, "Is the senior the Nanhua Holy Mother?" The old nun smiled and said, "I don't dare to be the Holy Mother. It was said by my fellow monks who knew that I entered Buddhism in my middle age and had a son. They made fun of me." Although Chang Xiao was respectful, he knew in his heart that the other party had bad intentions, and he could not be careless no matter how noble his status was. So he asked, "Since you are a Buddhist, how can you allow your disciples to attack and hurt people?" The Holy Mother of Nanhua shook her head and said, "The owner is wrong. The disciples of this old nun are all nuns. These four people have other masters. They acted rashly because they were eager for revenge. Please forgive me." Chang Xiao wondered, "When did I become enemies with these four people?" The Holy Mother of Nanhua smiled and said, "The two Nether Swordsmen that the owner killed in the desert were the uncles of these four people." Chang Xiao then knew the names of the two swordsmen who died under his sword, and nodded, "So those four people are called Nether Swordsmen. Sure enough, their body movements are strange, just like their name." The Holy Mother of Nanhua was quite surprised and asked, "Didn't Wu Qingyang tell you the inside story?" Chang Xiao hurriedly said, "Brother Wu knew that I didn't want to interfere in the disputes in the martial arts world, so he didn't make it clear."

The Holy Mother of Nanhua was a contemporary expert. She immediately noticed that there was a gap between Chang Xiao and Wuling Villa, but she did not point it out. She smiled and said, "The owner of the villa is indeed different. I have no ill intentions in coming here. I heard that the owner of the villa intends to challenge the number one swordsman, so I came to test him." Chang Xiao knew that the person who leaked this matter was 90% Qi Shizhen. Since the words were made clear, there was no need to deny it, so she said generously, "Yes, I do intend to compete with Taoist Zuixia. I wonder if you know this person?" The Holy Mother of Nanhua hesitated and replied, "Buddhism does not lie. I have a lot of contacts with Taoist Zuixia." Chang Xiao understood a little bit in his heart. The leader of Qi Shizhen's group was probably Taoist Zuixia. Others had no power to fight against Wuling Villa. The Holy Mother of Nanhua was entrusted by someone to come from afar to test Chang Xiao's true and false. Of course, she could not draw a conclusion based on just a few words. After watching Chang Xiao fight with the four women, the Holy Mother of Nanhua understood a little bit in her heart, but she still wanted to test it herself. So she said, "I'm so humbled to see the master's swordsmanship. I'm learning a thing or two." Chang Xiao said modestly, "Senior, you're too modest. You should teach me." The Mother of Nanhua knew that Chang Xiao was modest in words, but he was very decisive once he took action. The Nether Swordsmen were best at ambushes and assassinations, but he killed two of them in one fell swoop. Although the people who came back said that Chang Xiao used a trick to lure the enemy to succeed, the profound skill shown by his sword attack was enough to scare anyone. The Mother of Nanhua took this battle very seriously. She took out a short sword about a foot long from her bosom, slowly stood up and smiled, "Master, be careful. I'm going to take action." Chang Xiao nodded, "Senior, please do as you please." The Mother of Nanhua flashed and disappeared in an instant. This is the mystery of the Plum Blossom Step. It is in front of you and behind you. Of course, Chang Xiao had to be careful and alert. His opponent was a well-known senior master with magical moves and pure skills. If he missed a move, the consequences would be unpredictable. The Mother of Nanhua drew her sword close to him. Chang Xiao lowered his body and slashed out with the dragon-scale sword diagonally. The sword light flickered and blocked all directions. Based on this sword, the Mother of Nanhua could already conclude that Chang Xiao's sword skills must have been tempered through thousands of hammers. He was able to control his swordsmanship at will, and he was a first-class opponent. When the two of them fought, their bodies intertwined. It was no longer possible to tell that they were two people. It was more like two elves fighting. The four women slowly approached, ready to wait for an opportunity to attack, but there was no chance to do so. The two of them were so fast that it was hard to tell who was who. The Mother of Nanhua's plum blossom steps were unpredictable according to the number of Qimen, and they would enter as soon as they found a gap. But Chang Xiao's sword skills were extremely dense, and they could not be penetrated by wind and rain, without a single gap. The Mother of Nanhua could not find a suitable opportunity, and thought to herself: I want to see how long you can hold out. As long as there is a slight gap, I will show you a good show.

Chang Xiao admired the swordsmanship of the Holy Mother of Nanhua, and was not in a hurry to attack. He took a defensive position to test the opponent's strength. The Holy Mother of Nanhua relied on the plum blossom step to protect herself, and attacked with every move. The sound of the weapons colliding was like rain hitting banana leaves, which was endless. Chang Xiao was full of joy to meet a master. These masters of famous families all have extraordinary qualities. The more he knows, the more confident he will be when challenging the Taoist Zuixia in the future. The two of them attacked quickly. After hundreds of moves, they did not slow down. Instead, they fought faster and faster. The sound of the weapons colliding was connected and could not be distinguished at all. The Holy Mother of Nanhua deliberately tested Chang Xiao's endurance. The true energy continued to penetrate into her arms, and her strength gradually increased. However, Chang Xiao was the same as always. No matter how the Holy Mother of Nanhua changed her moves, he always responded with the six-combination swordsmanship. The Holy Mother of Nanhua had been in Buddhism for a long time, and there was no murderous intent in her heart. She attached great importance to victory and defeat. She could not lose to the younger generation at any cost. Chang Xiao understood even more clearly that if he could not defeat the Mother of Nanhua, he would not be qualified to challenge the Taoist Zuixia. Moreover, the situation of today's battle was special. Once he lost, even if the Mother of Nanhua did not attack, the four women would not let him go. There was no way out in this battle. Unknowingly, thousands of moves had passed, and the two still could not tell the difference. Although the Mother of Nanhua had the upper hand, she could not attack the inner circle, and the situation was stalemate. Chang Xiao tried several times, but he could not find the pulse of the plum blossom step, and it was difficult to let go of the attack. He also admired his opponent's magical and impeccable martial arts. The two fought for an hour, and their bodies gradually slowed down. The four women thought that the opportunity had come, and they slowly approached from all sides, preparing to besiege and stab Chang Xiao with their swords. The real masters were more sensitive than ordinary people. The two who fought each other noticed the thoughts of the four women. The Mother of Nanhua was anxious. Although the moves were slowed down now, it was not that she was exhausted, but she was looking for an opportunity to launch a thunderous attack. If the four women acted rashly, Chang Xiao would not show mercy. If they died, he would have no way to explain himself. Thinking of this, he became anxious and took the initiative to attack. A silver light went straight into the center and split into five. The sword light took the shape of a plum blossom, and five plum blossoms penetrated the sword light from five directions. Seeing that the outcome was about to be decided, Chang Xiao leaned back, and the dragon scale sword instantly switched to his left hand and swung it from another direction. The Mother of Nanhua had been in the martial arts world for many years, and had never seen anyone dare to change hands at a critical moment. Seeing the dragon scale sword approaching like a silver dragon, she had no time to think, so she swung her sword to block and took advantage of the momentum to bounce back a few feet away.

Chapter Thirty-Six: Confidence

The four girls were ready to launch a sneak attack, but the two people fighting suddenly separated, losing the opportunity and standing there in a daze. The Holy Mother of Nanhua scolded, "Why don't you retreat?" The four girls retreated reluctantly, and Chang Xiao smiled and said, "They are looking for death themselves, why bother to meddle in other people's business? If you save them, you will probably be blamed." The Holy Mother of Nanhua sighed, "I can't explain to their master if these four people get into trouble." Chang Xiao praised, "Senior, your plum blossom steps are really amazing. Today I have really opened my eyes." The Holy Mother of Nanhua shook her head, "You haven't used your full strength yet. It's rare to have such a high level of cultivation at this age." Chang Xiao said to the four girls, "You four are vicious and skilled in stealth assassination. If it weren't for the protection of the senior, it would be impossible to leave Julong Mountain alive. Go back and tell your master that martial artists are upright and honest. If you use such despicable means, you will suffer the consequences sooner or later. If you fall into my hands, you will only die. "A woman said disdainfully: "With your few moves, you are not worthy of fighting with my master." Chang Xiao sneered: "If your master was sure to kill me, he would have come long ago, and there would be no need to spend so much effort." At this point, a shadow suddenly passed through his heart. Without further ado, he tapped his feet lightly, slid three feet away on the spot, and drew his knife with his backhand. A silver light suddenly rushed out, and even the Holy Mother of Nanhua was surprised. There was a loud bang, and a black figure was shaken away. Chang Xiao was no longer merciful, and the knife light condensed into a line, like a meteor, crashing out, with momentum like a rainbow and as fast as lightning. As the knife flashed, blood appeared. With a scream, a figure flew away quickly. A severed hand appeared on the ground, holding a red sword, which was very similar to the sword of the Nether Swordsman in the desert. Chang Xiao put away his knife and sneered, "You ran fast, and I left you one hand." The four girls were horrified. This sword was so familiar. Could it be that the master really came? If it was really the master, how could Chang Xiao cut off his right hand with one move? The Holy Mother of Nanhua was angry. It was not fair to use such means to attack secretly. However, the sword technique that Chang Xiao just displayed was so powerful that she could not help but admire: "The power of this move of the owner is so strong that it is comparable to the Fire God Sword Technique of the Red Spirit God." Chang Xiao knew that the Holy Mother of Nanhua did not know that someone had taken the opportunity to attack secretly. She smiled and said: "Senior, please praise me. I am ashamed to accept it. I advise you to respect yourself. If you associate with such people, you will get into trouble sooner or later." The Holy Mother of Nanhua sighed: "What you said is true, but the current martial arts world is very bad. Everyone has his own ulterior motives. If everyone is as upright as the owner of the manor, Duan Qingxiao would not have retired."

Seeing Chang Xiao's swordplay at the critical moment, the Holy Mother of Nanhua knew that Chang Xiao had never revealed his true strength. The swordplay he just used was the essence of his martial arts, and she could never resist it. Thinking of this, she said sincerely: "I really admire Wanqi Song. His vision is really extraordinary. You are indeed qualified to challenge the number one swordsman." Chang Xiao's target in his heart is Duan Qingxiao. This genius is the current Taishan Beidou. When he saw Duan Xiyun performing the Broken Moon Slash in Kaifeng, he could see that this move took away the fortune of heaven and earth and invaded the mystery of the sun and moon. It was the pinnacle of swordplay. Duan Xiyun only got the form, but was far from mastering the mystery. Duan Qingxiao, who was able to create this move, has reached the realm of unity between man and nature, and he still has a lot of gaps. At that moment, she said to the Mother of Nanhua: "Senior, take care of yourself. Today's matter ends here. If anyone breaks into the mountain again, don't blame me for being ruthless." The Mother of Nanhua nodded: "In the martial arts world, martial arts are the most powerful. I am not as good as you. There is nothing to say. I will take my leave now." Turning around and about to leave, a woman asked: "Can you take the sword with you?" The Mother of Nanhua's face sank: "Don't say too much. You don't even know the rules of the martial arts world." The four women had no choice but to follow the Mother of Nanhua and leave Julong Mountain. Chang Xiao picked up the sword and threw away the severed hand. Thinking back to the situation just now, he was still frightened. He didn't expect that there was such a master lurking around him. At that moment, his life and death really hung by a thread. If he was a little slower, his life would be gone. After going down the mountain and meeting up with Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai, the three returned to the hall. Zhong Yuan asked what happened and sighed. Zhong Hai asked, "What did you do, big brother?" Zhong Yuan sighed, "I never thought that we brothers couldn't even compare to women. How can we survive in the future?" Chang Xiao persuaded, "Don't be discouraged, brothers. These women are from the same school as the swordsman who died under my sword. They obviously have a unique way of invisibility and stealth. The person who assassinated me is even more proficient in this, and I didn't notice it. If it weren't for a flash of inspiration, I would have been pierced through the heart by a sword. When it comes to real skills, you brothers are not bad." Zhong Yuan asked, "How are we going to deal with this group of people in the future?" Chang Xiao picked up the sword and said, "Looking at the appearance of the sword, we can infer the characteristics of their martial arts. These people are good at light and soft skills, quick movements, and clever internal skills. The disadvantage is that their swordsmanship is rigid, and they only know how to kill with one blow, without much change. The sound of this sword breaking through the air is subtle, but it is quite different from other weapons. Remember it well. Once you hear this sound, react immediately. Just avoid the first blow and it will be easy."

Hearing Chang Xiao's opinion, the two brothers nodded repeatedly. Zhong Hai asked, "Master, although we didn't kill the visitor this time, we broke one hand and left a sword. Will the other party send masters to cause trouble again?" Chang Xiao shook his head and said, "It shouldn't be. They tested my martial arts skills mainly because they were worried that I would help Wuling Villa. The two forces are evenly matched and have their own strengths. If they go all out to deal with me, the other party will find an opportunity." Zhong Yuan smiled and said, "Even if they come, I'm not afraid. The Mother of Nanhua admits that she can't defeat them. Who else dares to cause trouble at Julong Villa?" Chang Xiao nodded and smiled, "Only Taoist Zuixia, I don't think he will show up easily." Zhong Hai shouted, "Anyway, our brothers are far behind, and we have to work harder." Chang Xiao naturally had to fully assist the two brothers. The three of them discussed countermeasures against the martial arts of the four women. As expected by Chang Xiao, there was peace and tranquility for many days in a row, and no one came to cause trouble. Princess Yueying gave birth to a daughter at full term. She was beautiful and pretty. When the full moon came, a banquet was held to celebrate. Her family came to report that a young man came to deliver a letter, claiming to have something important. Chang Xiao asked, "Where is the letter?" The family replied, "The person who came will hand it to the owner of the manor in person." Chang Xiao was puzzled. Wanxiantang and the Dragon King of the South China Sea both have special messengers. The letters of his eldest brother Duan Kui are always handed to his family. Who will come this time? So he got up and waited in the study, and told his family to bring the person in. Soon, the family brought in a person, who was Yin Tianlei. After unremitting efforts, he finally penetrated the stone wall. Although his tricks were still flawed, he hurried here just to hand the letter to Chang Xiao. After meeting, Chang Xiao saw that this young man had a solid foundation and clear eyes, and was a promising talent. He said in a friendly manner, "I am Chang Xiao. Where is the letter?" Yin Tianlei looked at him and asked, "Are you really the owner of the manor? I heard that the Iron Arm Divine Sword of Julong Villa has a dragon scale sword, which is a top-notch weapon today. Can I take a look?" Chang Xiao smiled and said, "Didn't your master teach you the rules of martial arts? Looking at the opponent's weapon means challenging." Yin Tianlei hurriedly said, "I don't mean to challenge, but there is a confidential matter in the letter from my master, which cannot be handed over to others." Chang Xiao asked, "What is your master's name?" Yin Tianlei replied, "My master calls himself Xinghe Yesou, and he has no dealings with any sects."

This name was unfamiliar. Chang Xiao pondered over it, but he didn't remember hearing it. He wondered, what could be a big deal if they didn't know each other? So he smiled and said, "I don't remember meeting your master. Did you go to the wrong place?" Yin Tianlei replied, "The master has indeed never met the owner of the manor, but he thinks highly of the owner of the manor." Chang Xiao nodded, "Well, take the letter and you'll know." Yin Tianlei hesitated and said, "Are you Chang Xiao?" Suddenly he found that the person opposite him was holding a letter, which was the one in his hand. He was shocked. The letter in his hand was taken away by someone, and he didn't know anything about it. Then he thought that this person must be Chang Xiao. Such a master couldn't use someone else's name. He couldn't help but sigh in his heart. The master was right. This person was indeed unfathomable. Chang Xiao read the letter carefully and was quite moved. Xinghe Yesou entrusted all his confidants to him, which was really unworthy. So he sent the servant away and asked Yin Tianlei: "Since your master gave the treasure to you, why did he entrust it to me?" Yin Tianlei replied: "My master was afraid that I was young and ignorant and could not make good use of the treasure. He was also afraid that the news would leak out and fall into the hands of others." Chang Xiao nodded: "If Gao Zhen knew about the treasure, he would definitely try his best to snatch it. You are not his opponent." Yin Tianlei said: "My master asked me to ask the owner of the manor for advice. I hope the owner will take me in." Chang Xiao hesitated and agreed: "Okay, I think Gao Zhen will not come to the Fire God Palace to check in the short term. This matter is very serious. You must remember to keep your mouth shut and be careful of my family. Don't let any news leak out." Yin Tianlei agreed happily. It would be great to get guidance from such a master. Chang Xiao put away the letter, arranged for Yin Tianlei to stay, and set up a wine party to welcome Yin Tianlei.

Because Gao Zhen turned his face and was ruthless, Chang Xiao did not tell Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai about the relationship between Yin Tianlei and Gao Zhen, so as to avoid estrangement. Anyway, Yin Tianlei's weapon is completely different from Gao Zhen's. That night, Yin Tianlei couldn't wait to ask Chang Xiao for advice, and even took out the secret book of Tianlei Po. Chang Xiao smiled and said, "You are really trusting. You even gave me the secret book." Yin Tianlei said confidently: "My master told me to trust the owner of the manor completely. Besides, the owner's swordsmanship is the best in the world, so it is impossible for him to be unfamiliar with Tianlei Po." Chang Xiao sighed lightly: "I really don't deserve your master's trust. It is also precious that you can give me such a huge treasure." Yin Tianlei said solemnly: "This treasure contains the painstaking efforts of Prime Minister Li Gang, and my master's loyalty is several times that of others. How can I take it for myself? A gentleman loves money and gets it in a proper way. This treasure belongs to everyone in the world. Even the emperor has no right to use it." Chang Xiao nodded: "It's rare that you are so reasonable. Your master has a good vision. Don't worry, as long as you work hard, the world is yours. In the palm of your hand, you can get whatever you want. I am alone in this world, so I have everything. "Yin Tianlei bowed and said, "I am young and inexperienced, so please give me more advice, Master." Chang Xiao promised, "For your trust, I will do my best. Let me see your martial arts first." Yin Tianlei was overjoyed and carefully took out the Lightning Cone. Chang Xiao praised him, "It is rare indeed. This weapon is unparalleled in the world. You must cherish this opportunity." Yin Tianlei carefully performed the Thunder Breaker, and Chang Xiao nodded repeatedly, "It seems that you have worked hard. Such an achievement is precious, but if you want to gain a foothold in the world, you have to work ten or a hundred times harder. You must be mentally prepared." Yin Tianlei knew how Chang Xiao became famous. His achievements today were all due to hard work. He was much luckier to get the Thunder Cone and Thunder Breaker. So he said firmly: "Master, don't worry, no matter how hard or tiring it is, it doesn't matter." Chang Xiao was quite satisfied and ordered: "Tomorrow you go to the Black Dragon Pool to practice the Heavenly Thunder Break. I feel that this move should have been created in the upstream." Yin Tianlei admired from the bottom of his heart. Chang Xiao understood the key point after only watching it once, and his realm was even higher than that of his master. He bowed deeply and said: "Master asked me to think about the Heavenly Thunder Break in the strong wind, and Master of the Manor said the key point in one sentence. I admire it." Chang Xiao smiled and said: "Your master's meaning is not bad, but it is still faster to make progress in the water, but it also hurts more."

Yin Tianlei returned to his room and couldn't sleep at all. He was very happy. No wonder his master asked him to go to Chang Xiao. It turned out that this man was so generous. The trick of practicing in water was too important for him. If he didn't point it out, he would never become a real master no matter how hard he tried. Thinking of this, he was extremely grateful and determined to repay this kindness in the future. Chang Xiao was touched by Yin Tianlei's sincerity. Such a person is rare nowadays. He explained to his two wives and freed up his hands to teach Yin Tianlei. When he first entered the water, Yin Tianlei felt that his feet were weak and he couldn't stand steadily. Chang Xiao explained: "The lower body is the foundation of a martial artist. There is no trick. You try your best to let your qi flow through your feet. After you adapt, you can take root and stand still." Yin Tianlei knew that these training tips were hard to come by. The masters of various schools kept it a secret for fear that outsiders would know. It was rare for Chang Xiao to help him. Without saying thank you, Yin Tianlei seized the rare opportunity and practiced basic skills under Chang Xiao's guidance, spending at least six hours in the water a day. After practicing hard for several days, he found that the training methods taught by Chang Xiao were often simple and easy, but the effect was very good, but it required several times more hard work than ordinary people. Yin Tianlei understood that Chang Xiao had suffered more than himself, so there was nothing to say, so he just practiced hard. Brothers Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai were quite curious to see Yin Tianlei practicing in the water. Such a method was unheard of. So they asked Chang Xiao, and Chang Xiao explained: "I realized this method after reading the Tianlei Po secret book. You brothers can also try it. It will definitely be beneficial." Zhong Yuan asked: "Why don't you try it, the owner of the manor?" Chang Xiao smiled and said: "Of course I want to experience it too, but not in the Black Dragon Pond. You calm down and experience the changes in the water flow around you. Over time, you can sense any movement around you."

So Yin Tianlei got two more partners. The three of them competed with each other, exchanged experiences, and made rapid progress. However, they didn't know where Chang Xiao was practicing. Lieyan and his three partners often went to Black Dragon Pond to play in the water. When he saw the three people, he thought they were playing with him, so he often ran to play among the three people. Yin Tianlei was not used to it, so he went to Chang Xiao to talk about it. Chang Xiao smiled and said, "This is just right. The water in Black Dragon Pond is still, and you can't feel the change of the water flow. It's more beneficial to you with Lieyan's disturbance. You should know that when masters compete, you must be careful about everything around you. If I had understood this principle some time ago, I wouldn't have been approached by others." Yin Tianlei nodded: "Thank you for your guidance, Master. I understand." This is empathy. Yin Tianlei took out the secret book of breaking the thunder, and Chang Xiao was able to comprehend the mystery and instruct Yin Tianlei, which was beneficial to both parties. If Yin Tianlei had been careful, he would not have obtained this method. This is why Chang Xiao liked Yin Tianlei. The three people were practicing hard in the Black Dragon Pool, and Chang Xiao naturally couldn't sit idle. He drew inferences from one thing and found that practicing in water was very beneficial to his internal swordsmanship. Chang Xiao tried to practice hard in various water flows, and gained a lot. He understood a lot of methods and was grateful to Yin Tianlei in his heart. If it weren't for this young man taking out the secret book, he wouldn't have made such progress. At the beginning, he only practiced in the flowing water, feeling the various changes of downstream and upstream. Later, he tried to practice in the rapids, and later he simply went under the waterfall. The strong water flow was as unstoppable as a mountain. Chang Xiao had suffered all kinds of suffering, but he didn't care at all. His cultivation had unknowingly taken another step forward. As for Yin Tianlei and the Zhong brothers, their internal and external skills were not good enough. They had reached their limit after practicing hard in the Black Dragon Pool for six hours every day. This was due to the limitations of their cultivation. There was no other way. Yin Tianlei got such a good opportunity, of course he was unwilling to be lazy. The master had high hopes for him, and Chang Xiao gave him advice without reservation. If he didn't work hard, how could he live up to these two benefactors? Brothers Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai also benefited a lot. After this training, their ears and eyes became much more sensitive than before. Their feet were firmly planted on the ground, and their moves were like overwhelming waves, unstoppable. With such progress, the two brothers were extremely happy.

Chapter 37: Clearing the Mist

Yin Tianlei made rapid progress under Chang Xiao's guidance, while Gao Zhen, the original heir of the Fire God Palace, lived a different life. He drank the best wine, tasted the best delicacies, wore the best clothes, and was accompanied by the most beautiful woman in the world. He thought he was happier than a god. However, he could not let go of Chang Xiao, who was a big worry in his heart. Although he defeated Duan Xiyun and became famous, he was still not sure about challenging Chang Xiao. Gao Zhen had other plans. Chang Xiao's foundation was really hard to match. If he wanted to win, he had to find another way. After some efforts, he really got a batch of rare medicinal materials. Gao Zhen asked a famous doctor to make medicine for him. He took it every day and felt that his whole body was strengthened and his dantian was swollen. He was very happy and started to practice the seven styles of the scorching sun. This was the only way to defeat Chang Xiao. Yu Hudie was much more relaxed. She used slaves and maids every day and enjoyed herself in various ways. Tongtian Fort now has a lot of people and has a certain strength. Yu Hudie always wants to find trouble with Wanxiantang, but Gao Zhen knows that Wanqi Song is not easy to mess with. Wanxiantang is powerful and has many good players. Wanqi Song has handled it well and is deeply supported by all parties. He cannot act rashly. As for the Fire God Palace, his father's instructions have long been thrown out of the clouds. Life is only a few decades long, why bother yourself? The couple enjoyed themselves to their heart's content, and Qi Shizhen was also planning behind the scenes to provoke Gao Zhen and Chang Xiao to fight. This matter must be done without leaks, and a lot of manpower is needed. During the preparation stage, someone sent an astonishing news. The Mother of Nanhua went to Julong Villa to inquire about the truth. Hua Mengdie, the leader of the Nether Swordsman, attacked and was cut off his right hand by Chang Xiao, and lost his sword. Hua Mengdie studied in Shangqing Palace in his early years and accidentally obtained the Blood Shadow Sutra. After leaving the master's sect and practicing hard for many years, he cultivated the Nether Swordsman after his martial arts became perfect, becoming the most powerful assassination organization in the world. He had never failed in many years. The loss of two Nether Swordsmen in the desert could be said to be a trick by Chang Xiao. This time, even a fool could understand that Chang Xiao's cultivation was advancing by leaps and bounds, and he could definitely compete with the number one swordsman. However, there was another good news, which was that Wuling Villa did not try to win over Chang Xiao, and was still suspicious of him. Qi Shizhen understood that this was a common problem among masters from famous families. They were respected everywhere, and once they found that others had surpassed them, they would not be happy. After thinking about it, he decided to start from Tongtian Castle. Although Chang Xiao rejected Yu Hudie, he still felt pity for him and would not kill Gao Zhen.

At this time, Chang Xiao's weight was getting heavier and heavier. Qi Shizhen secretly laughed at Wu Qingyang for not knowing how to rise and fall. If he had a heart-to-heart talk with Chang Xiao, given Chang Xiao's temperament, he would definitely help Wuling Villa with all his strength. However, this Qingyang swordsman had too high an opinion of himself and could not tolerate others being stronger than himself, so he lost a great opportunity. According to reliable information, the owner of Wuling Villa blamed Chang Xiao for letting the Chasing Wind Camel go, and also wanted to ask Chang Xiao for punishment. How could such a petty person succeed? Qi Shizhen hurriedly made arrangements. Just then, a messenger delivered a letter with a prescription in it. Qi Shizhen was overjoyed after reading it, and immediately arranged for someone to give the prescription to Gao Zhen. With Qi Shizhen's people in Tongtian Fort, it was easy to transfer the prescription to Gao Zhen, and he exaggerated that this medicine could maximize the power, stimulate the inner potential, and reach a new level. Gao Zhen ordered people to mix the medicine according to the prescription. After trying it once, he felt that the true energy had doubled suddenly, and he could open up the meridians in his body effortlessly. This is a blessing from heaven. With this medicine, it will be effortless to defeat Chang Xiao. Jade Butterfly and Gao Zhen don't have much affection. They just use each other. When they were in Julong Mountain, they always heard Chang Xiao say that there is no shortcut to martial arts, and there is no quick way to achieve success. Only by being down-to-earth can one become a real master. Gao Zhen's use of elixirs to improve his skills will definitely not last long, and it may even bring disaster. Although she understands the truth, Jade Butterfly doesn't want to remind Gao Zhen that this person is ruthless and ungrateful. He doesn't even care about his biological father and is only interested in pleasure. Although he is very considerate to her now, once he finds another beauty and falls in love with someone else, he will definitely kick her away. For various reasons, Jade Butterfly not only did not remind Gao Zhen, but also fanned the flames and encouraged him in every way. Gao Zhen is determined to surpass Chang Xiao, regardless of the consequences, and is ambitious to achieve his wish.

Chang Xiao instructed Yin Tianlei to practice Tianlei Po, and he also made a lot of progress. The little girl grew up day by day under the careful care of the two princesses. As soon as she learned to walk, she ran around everywhere, with a sweet voice, and was loved by people. After thinking about it, Chang Xiao named his daughter Su'e, nicknamed Qingting, and the family was happy. In the past, the family members of Julong Villa were arranged by Qi Shizhen. Since he knew that Qi Shizhen had bad intentions, Chang Xiao found an excuse to dismiss them and found a few loyal and honest family members again. Qi Shizhen understood very well that since Chang Xiao had noticed it, he had to prepare a countermeasure and sent people to find ways to block the source of information about Julong Villa. Chang Xiao didn't care about the disputes between various forces. In addition to practicing martial arts, he gathered with his family and visited his elder brother Duan Kui in West Lake from time to time. He didn't ask about the affairs of the rivers and lakes. As for the cooperation between Wanxiantang and the Dragon King of the South China Sea, it had never been publicized. The Dragon King of the South China Sea gradually shifted the focus of his business to Wanxiantang. Wanqi Song has a long-term vision. Wanxiantang has many people, so it is easy to get any goods. Although there are still three ships, the number has increased several times. Qi Shizhen was busy dealing with Chang Xiao, and he also had to pay attention to the actions of Wuling Villa. He did not send anyone to investigate in detail, and was kept in the dark. Gao Zhen's power increased greatly, and his confidence increased a hundredfold. He did not find out the source of the prescription, and practiced the Seven Styles of the Fiery Sun with all his heart, preparing to make a name for himself in the martial arts world. The people around him had their own ulterior motives, flattered Gao Zhen in every way, and encouraged him in words and deeds. With the promotion of Jade Butterfly, Gao Zhen finally made up his mind to challenge Chang Xiao. Just like the last challenge to Duan Xiyun, Gao Zhen sent out a martial arts post, the location was still in Kaifeng Longting, and the time was set at noon on the first day of June. Although his power improved greatly, he was still uneasy. He set the date at noon because he wanted to perform the Seven Styles of the Fiery Sun and succeed in one fell swoop. The news quickly spread throughout the martial arts world, and masters from all walks of life talked about it. Chang Xiao has never lost since his debut and has become the recognized number one swordsman. Although Gao Zhen defeated Duan Xiyun, he still cannot compare with Chang Xiao. Therefore, most people think that Gao Zhen will lose. The casino offers a handicap of three to one, which Gao Zhen is very dissatisfied with. He is ready to defeat Chang Xiao in one fell swoop and make a name for himself.

Since the other party has issued a martial arts invitation, Chang Xiao can only accept the challenge. Kaifeng Longting is lively again, and people from all walks of life come to watch the fight. Many people have never seen Chang Xiao's swordsmanship. As everyone knows, Chang Xiao has always used the Liuhe swordsmanship. This ordinary swordsmanship has incredible power in Chang Xiao's hands, and he easily defeated Wanqi Song. Everyone wants to see what is special about Chang Xiao's Liuhe swordsmanship, and also want to see this legendary figure who grew from an ordinary farmer to a first-class master. Gao Zhen is still ostentatious. Chang Xiao didn't take the martial arts competition seriously at all. He took his whole family to Kaifeng. It didn't seem like a martial arts competition, but more like a leisure trip. Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai naturally went together. Yin Tianlei also wanted to meet his master's only son, and they would inevitably have to deal with each other in the future. The group slowly traveled north, chatting and laughing while enjoying the scenery, and it was very relaxing. Wanqi Song, the head of Wanxian Hall, arrived in Kaifeng early to arrange everything. Zhong Wanshan and Duan Xinyi from the Divine Sword Sect also came to watch the battle. Duan Xiyun had not returned these days, but only brought a letter to his father saying that he was safe. Duan Xinyi speculated that if he got the news, his son would most likely go to Kaifeng to watch the battle, so he came here specially, perhaps to meet his son. As Duan Xinyi expected, Duan Xiyun did get the news that he was defeated by Gao Zhen's sword and fell from the peak to the bottom. Now Gao Zhen is challenging Chang Xiao, this opportunity cannot be missed, and he must watch the battle anyway. Although Chang Xiao is very famous, he rarely appears in public. This time, he should thank Gao Zhen for providing an opportunity to meet heroes all over the world. Wuling Villa also sent Wu Qingyang to watch the battle. The old owner was still complaining about Chang Xiao letting the Chasing Wind Camel go, and did not allow Wu Qingyang to meet Chang Xiao before the competition. Qi Shizhen also sent a large number of people to Kaifeng, and people from all major sects came. This competition attracted the attention of all parties. A large number of people with swords and knives gathered in and outside Kaifeng. The government was afraid of accidents and sent troops to maintain the situation. The scale of this competition was far larger than the previous one.

Wu Qingyang was still in disguise, pretending to be a fan vendor, walking around and observing the movements of people from all sides. This time, Wanqi Song made very thoughtful arrangements, and sent people to greet Chang Xiao and his party long ago, and took them to a restaurant next to Longting. After they sat down, Chang Xiao first introduced Yin Tianlei, and Wanqi Song was quite impressed: "Brother, you have a good eye. This young man has great potential and is a talent that can be cultivated." Yin Tianlei was humble and polite, and respected Wanqi Song as a senior. After settling down, Wanqi Song and Chang Xiao had a secret talk. Wanqi Song raised his thumb and said, "My brother's martial arts are improving by leaps and bounds. I admire you very much. The plum blossom step of the Holy Mother of Nanhua is so ingenious that it couldn't do anything to you." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "This matter has never been circulated in the martial arts world. The hall master's ears and eyes are really well-informed. In this case, I would like to ask you. That night, a mysterious master attacked me. In a hurry, I didn't think much and cut off the man's right hand. I got a sword. It seems to be used by the Nether Swordsman. Does the hall master have any news?" Wanqi Song shook his head, "I haven't heard of this. I only know that the Holy Mother of Nanhua visited Julong Villa at night and did not achieve her goal. Since my brother got the sword, there should be a green snake mark on the sword body." Chang Xiao thought about it and shook his head, "It's not a green snake, it should be a green dragon." Wanqi Song shook his head. Startled, he stood up and asked, "Brother, are you sure? Is it really Qinglong?" Chang Xiao was puzzled and smiled, "What's wrong? I can't even tell the difference between a snake and a dragon?" Wanqi Song couldn't believe it, and stammered, "Unexpected, unexpected, could he have given the sword to someone else? Impossible." Chang Xiao asked, "Who made the hall master suspicious?" Wanqi Song sighed, "It seems I can't help but believe it. Your swordsmanship is beyond my expectation. If my guess is correct, the one whose hand was cut off by your brother is the leader of the Netherworld Swordsmen, the Blood Shadow Sword Hua Mengdie. This person has obtained the Blood Shadow Sutra and has a unique swordsmanship. He is a first-class master." Chang Xiao understood that Hua Mengdie could not be the leader of Qi Shizhen's group. The only one who could control the Netherworld Swordsmen was Zuixia Taoist. It seemed that he had offended this number one swordsman.

Wanqi Song was extremely shocked to learn that Chang Xiao had cut off the right hand of the Blood Shadow Sword Hua Mengdie. Hua Mengdie learned the Fleeting Light Body Skills from the Blood Shadow Sutra and cultivated a group of masters to specialize in assassinations. No one could control her. Later, Taoist Zuixia took action to subdue Hua Mengdie. Since Chang Xiao cut off Hua Mengdie's right hand, it means that Chang Xiao can completely challenge Taoist Zuixia. After pondering for a moment, Wanqi Song made a decision and said earnestly: "Brother, you and I have known each other for several years. You have been very open with me, but I have never told you everything. I really have something to hide. Please don't be surprised." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "What are you saying, Hall Master? As the master of the Ten Thousand Immortals Hall, commanding tens of thousands of troops, of course you have to be careful." Wanqi Song nodded: "Since you have the ability to cut off Hua Mengdie's right hand, I can hand over the bottom line. When the Nether Swordsman was rampant, all the major The sect was helpless and jointly invited Taoist Zuixia to come out of seclusion. Taoist Zuixia used his advanced swordsmanship to capture Hua Mengdie three times. Hua Mengdie was convinced and from then on, the Nether Swordsman was recruited by Taoist Zuixia. After joining Taoist Zuixia, the Nether Swordsman restrained himself a lot and stopped killing people indiscriminately. He specialized in searching for ancient swords for Taoist Zuixia. Wuling Villa has a collection of top-quality ancient swords handed down from generation to generation, but the owner of the villa has unfathomable martial arts, and there are strange formations in the villa, as well as a group of masters, making it indestructible. Nether Swordsman Both attempts at cunning and force failed, and after several clashes, both sides suffered casualties, and a deep hatred developed between the two sides. "Chang Xiao finally understood how the two forces became enemies, and nodded, "So that's how it is. The matter is very simple to put it bluntly, why is the Qingyang Swordsman so secretive about it?" Wanqi Song smiled and said, "The number one swordsman is not someone who comes out of thin air. Taoist Zuixia rejected Wuling Villa's three challenges, so fellow Taoists naturally looked down on Wuling Villa. The Qingyang Swordsman had his reasons for not mentioning this matter." Chang Xiao sighed, "Brother Wu, It is understandable that he is saving face. Taoist Zuixia does not respect himself. He is greedy, so his swordsmanship must be flawed. It seems that the day when he will fight with the number one swordsman is not far away. "Wanqi Song advised: "Brother, don't think about the number one swordsman first. There is also Gao Zhen in front of you. According to reliable information, Gao Zhen has collected a lot of rare medicines and found a special prescription. His skills have greatly improved. The power of his swordsmanship has increased by at least twice that of a year ago. The Seven Styles of the Fiery Sun created by the Red Spirit God is as famous as the Broken Moon Slash. Don't be careless."

When mentioning Gao Zhen, Chang Xiao looked relaxed and smiled, "Gao Zhen has the same problem as Duan Xiyun, he is impatient and forgets the basics once he gains power. He is fascinated by fame, wealth and beauty, so he is not worth worrying about. The last time I saw Shattered Moon Slash, I knew that that level of realm is within reach. Even if the Red Spirit God is resurrected, I am not afraid, let alone Gao Zhen?" Wanqi Song knew that Chang Xiao never said anything he was not sure of. If it weren't for the story of Hua Mengdie, it would be hard to believe. Now the situation is different. Wanqi Song praised repeatedly, "Brother, you are really a genius. If one day I fight with Taoist Zuixia, I will bet all my property on you." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "The master is too kind. Taoist Zuixia has reached the realm of heart sword several years ago. I dare not say I will win." The two masters talked heart to heart, looked at the world, talked all night, and went back to their rooms to rest until dawn. Although the Dragon King of the South China Sea got the news this time, he never came. There was no suspense in this battle. It didn't matter whether he watched it or not. Gao Zhen and Yu Hudie still dressed up in a big boat, with dozens of people serving them, and put on the airs of the castle owner. Zhong Yuan, Zhong Hai and Yin Tianlei knew that Chang Xiao would win, so they went out for fun this time. The three of them took four BMWs to play in the water. Some people saw the attitude of Chang Xiao and his party and guessed that Gao Zhen had no chance of winning. In addition, Wanqi Song bet a huge sum of money, and the odds had reached six to one. The situation was one-sided, and Gao Zhen was obviously at a disadvantage. Gao Zhen was very unconvinced when he got the news. Six to one, the gap between him and Chang Xiao was too big. Yu Hudie tried to persuade him in every possible way, saying that the more he won under disadvantages, the greater the impact, and the better it would be for Tongtian Castle. Gao Zhen could not swallow this breath, and ordered people to take out a sum of money to bet, showing his determination to win. Qi Shizhen's side added fuel to the fire, knowing that Gao Zhen had no chance, but just wanted to learn more about Chang Xiao's martial arts. Hua Mengdie broke her wrist with one move. This news shocked even the Taoist Zuixia. He felt that his position was threatened. He arranged this competition to see Chang Xiao's martial arts skills with his own eyes. However, Qi Shizhen didn't know what identity the Taoist Zuixia would come in. He only knew that the Taoist Zuixia attached great importance to Chang Xiao and put down all the matters at hand. This was a major event that had not happened in ten years, which showed the weight of Chang Xiao. On the surface, it was just two people competing, but behind the scenes, there were various forces fighting openly and secretly. No matter what the result of the competition was, these forces focused their attention here. Wu Qingyang had the Beggar Gang pass on the news and paid close attention to the movements of Qi Shizhen's side. Both sides of the competition had arrived, and Kaifeng City was very lively. Wu Qingyang lived in an inconspicuous carriage and horse inn. After breakfast, he was about to go out when a carriage suddenly came in. The old man driving the carriage glanced at him when he entered the door. Wu Qingyang was stunned. This person turned out to be Elder Jinchan.

Chapter 38: Gathering of Experts

Wu Qingyang understood that Elder Jinchan would not meet him unless there was something important. Since he came to Kaifeng, something important must have happened. The two exchanged glances, understood each other, and met in Wu Qingyang's room. Elder Jin Chan smiled and said, "Didn't expect me to come?" Wu Qingyang nodded, "Since the elder has shown up, there must be something big going on." Elder Jin Chan nodded, "Yes, Taoist Zuixia has come out of the mountain." Wu Qingyang was shocked and asked hurriedly, "Are we going to attack Wuling Villa?" Elder Jin Chan shook his head, "If there was something wrong with Wuling Villa, I wouldn't be here. Taoist Zuixia is here." Wu Qingyang wondered, "What is he doing here?" Elder Jin Chan sighed, "We all made a mistake and underestimated Chang Xiao. Taoist Zuixia is probably here to inquire about Chang Xiao's martial arts." Wu Qingyang was quite skeptical and wondered, "Chang Xiao's swordsmanship is indeed good, but it is far from alarming Taoist Zuixia." Elder Jin Chan shook his head, "You don't know, Qi Shizhen attaches great importance to this competition. It can also be said that he was the one who promoted this competition. The prescription that Gao Zhen got must have come from Taoist Zuixia. They are eager to let Gao Zhen challenge, so something big must have happened. You'd better meet Chang Xiao as soon as possible and ask the truth. "Wu Qingyang said in embarrassment: "But my father is still angry with Chang Xiao." Elder Jinchan smiled and said: "You don't know your father's temper yet. I'm not praising or criticizing him. Your father really has no reason to blame Chang Xiao. He had a conflict with the Nether Swordsman to help your father. He didn't hesitate to face four masters for a stranger. This enthusiasm is far more precious than the Chasing Wind Camel. "Wu Qingyang nodded: "Chang Xiao's greatest strength is his kindness and generosity. Since he has alarmed Taoist Zuixia, something unusual must have happened. Elder, please sit down and I will talk to Chang Xiao immediately. "Elder Jinchan reminded: "According to the current situation, Chang Xiao already knows the details of Wuling Villa and Nether Swordsman. There is no need to hide it anymore. The best way to deal with this person is to be open and honest. "Wu Qingyang respected Elder Jinchan very much, agreed repeatedly, packed up and went to find Chang Xiao.

As the competition date approached, Chang Xiao still acted calm. He was close to the top, Gao Zhen was still halfway up the mountain, and had taken the wrong road, so there was no need to worry. While drinking tea with Wanqi Song, a servant came to report that the swordsman from Qingyang was visiting. Chang Xiao was stunned. Wu Qingyang rarely appeared in public, so this time he was out of character and must have something going on. He had no time to think about it and hurried to greet him. Wanqi Song was undecided and didn't know whether Wu Qingyang was willing to meet him, so he stayed upstairs. Chang Xiao went downstairs to greet him and found that Wu Qingyang had changed his clothes, wearing a tight-fitting suit, a hero scarf on his head, and a sword under his ribs, which made him look quite heroic. Chang Xiao clasped his fists and said, "Brother Wu, you are here for something important. Please go upstairs." Wu Qingyang smiled and said, "My brother's cultivation is advancing by leaps and bounds. I can't catch up." Chang Xiao shook his head, "Brother Wu, you are joking." The two went upstairs hand in hand, and Wanqi Song avoided them in advance. The two men sat down and someone brought tea. Wu Qingyang went straight to the point: "Brother, did you know that Taoist Zuixia came out of seclusion to watch your competition?" Chang Xiao was stunned, then relieved: "Although I haven't received the news, I can guess it." Wu Qingyang heard the hidden meaning in his words and continued to ask: "What did you do to alarm Taoist Zuixia?" Chang Xiao smiled and said: "Our Lady of Nanhua visited Julong Villa at night and fought with me. A mysterious master attacked and I cut off his right hand, leaving a sword. I originally thought it was the Netherworld Swordsman, but Master Wanqi said it was the Blood Shadow Sword Flower Dream Butterfly. If it is really this person, it makes sense for Taoist Zuixia to come out of seclusion." Wu Qingyang couldn't believe his ears. Shadowless Sword Flower Dream Butterfly is a first-class master second only to Taoist Zuixia, especially the fleeting body movement. He can sneak up on you without any warning and is hard to guard against. Could it be that Chang Xiao really has such a skill? After thinking about it, he finally decided that Chang Xiao's words were credible, Hua Mengdie's broken wrist and Zuixia Taoist's coming out of seclusion were inevitable. He thought of many things at once, but he couldn't find a clue and was speechless for a long time.

Chang Xiao understood that Wu Qingyang found this matter hard to believe, and explained with a smile: "Don't be surprised, Brother Wu. This is our first meeting and you have given me a lot of guidance. Since then, I have not shown my true strength. After Master Baekje's guidance, my swordsmanship has indeed improved a lot. Otherwise, I would not dare to face the two Nether Swordsmen." Wu Qingyang sorted out his thoughts and said: "I believe what you said, brother, but it would be better to confirm it. Hua Mengdie is the right-hand man of Zuixia Taoist. Such a big thing should have some big measures. Normally, Zuixia Taoist should have stepped forward to avenge Hua Mengdie immediately." Chang Xiao smiled: "Originally, I didn't know the person who came was Hua Mengdie. It was only when Master Wanqi heard that there was the shape of a blue dragon on the sword that he determined it." Of course Wu Qingyang knew the mark of the Nether Swordsman. For a martial arts master, weapons are his second life and he will never let go even if he dies. Since there is the shape of a blue dragon on the sword, Hua Mengdie's identity can be completely confirmed. He was surprised and delighted for a moment, and praised: "I didn't expect that my brother would have such means, and Master Wanqi is right. By now, I believe that my brother has already known about Wuling Villa, and I will no longer hide it. Zuixia Taoist is indeed invincible in swordsmanship. My father knew that he could not defeat him, and refused the challenge three times. Wuling Villa is despised by the martial arts world, so I have never made it clear." Chang Xiao nodded: "I understand brother Wu's difficulties, and I never mean to blame you." Wu Qingyang was relieved and sighed: "My brother is proud and heroic, I believe you have some opinions about my father. As a swordsman, you can't bow your head even if you die. It is indeed shameful to refuse a challenge." Chang Xiao shook his head: "The courage of a common man can only cost his life. A true master must not only have profound martial arts, but also wisdom. Accepting challenges and dying bravely is a sure thing. Although tragic and heroic, it did not help. Your father endured humiliation and protected Wuling Villa, and also fought against Zuixia Taoist for many years. This was much more difficult than accepting a challenge. "Wu Qingyang didn't expect Chang Xiao to say such a thing, and said happily: "If my father heard such a thing, he would definitely regard you as a close friend." Chang Xiao said solemnly: "In fact, I did the same thing. My newlywed wife cheated on me, but I let her go easily. I don't know how many people said I was a coward. Later, the dissolution of the Julong Gang was even more a joke among the people in the martial arts world. They said that I had no end in sight. I defeated Wanxian Hall with great fanfare, but wiped out the achievements I had made. But if I killed Dingxiang, expelled dissidents, and took the Julong Gang for myself, what would the Green Forest Dao in Jiangnan look like? As the saying goes, one step back will open up a new world. Why bother rolling in the cusp of the storm?"

Hearing these words, Wu Qingyang was convinced and nodded, saying, "Brother, your martial arts and knowledge are far superior to mine. It seems that I have to learn from you in the future." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "Brother Wu, you are too modest. No matter what happens in the future, I will always remember your life-saving grace and advice. It can be said that without Brother Wu, I would not be where I am today. As long as Brother Wu is in trouble, Chang will go through fire and water and die without hesitation." These words came from the heart, and Wu Qingyang was quite moved. He didn't expect to get any benefits when he stepped forward to save Chang Xiao because he couldn't stand the behavior of the four famous families. Now Chang Xiao's martial arts are catching up with the first swordsman. If he helps sincerely, the strength of Wuling Villa will be greatly improved. In addition, the men of Zuixia Taoist have been severely injured. It won't take long for them to gain the upper hand. Thinking of this, he couldn't help but be overjoyed. Elder Jinchan was right. When dealing with Chang Xiao, it is best to be open-hearted. The two were talking happily when suddenly they smelled a fragrant aroma. Chang Xiao, who was born in a farming family, immediately realized that it was roasted corn. It immediately reminded him of his childhood. He smiled and said, "I haven't eaten roasted corn for a long time. I don't know who reminded me. If you are interested, brother Wu, how about we have a big meal together?" Wu Qingyang often dressed up as various characters and camped outdoors very often. He was familiar with the taste of roasted corn. He smiled and said, "It's rare that my brother is interested. I haven't eaten this farmer's delicacy for a long time." Chang Xiao was about to find someone when Wanqi Song came in and said with a smile, "I don't know where Yin Tianlei got the corn from. He made a fire outside and roasted it. People upstairs and downstairs didn't want to eat delicacies, but wanted to try something new." Chang Xiao nodded and said, "It turned out to be Tianlei. I also want to have a big meal of roasted corn. Please prepare it for me." Wanqi Song made arrangements immediately. When Yin Tianlei heard that Chang Xiao wanted to eat roasted corn, he came upstairs and said, "Master, in It is not appropriate to eat roasted corn in the restaurant. It is better to go downstairs and sit around the fire, roasting and eating, talking and drinking. It is more delicious. "Chang Xiao nodded: "Yes, it tastes better if you roast it yourself. I will go downstairs now." He got up and went downstairs with Wu Qingyang. At this time, Wanqi Song had sent people to search for corn, which was soon delivered. Wanqi Song and the four disciples who came with him joined, Yin Tianlei, Zhong Yuan, and Zhong Hai were naturally indispensable. Together with Chang Xiao and Wu Qingyang, this group of martial arts masters sat under the tree to eat roasted corn. People passing by felt fresh.

Wu Qingyang and Wanqi Song had no contact, but they sat together because of Chang Xiao. The two of them represented two forces, and they had to be cautious in their words and deeds. However, with Chang Xiao around, everyone felt no pressure, and they were no different from ordinary farmers. Someone sent a few jars of fine wine, and Yin Tianlei frowned: "You can only eat roasted corn with wine that costs fifty cents a jar. This kind of wine doesn't taste good." Wanqi Song immediately ordered someone to change it. Chang Xiao had also drunk such wine. When he was farming at home, he was able to enjoy such wine. Everyone put aside all their worries and talked while eating, and they were happy. Regardless of status, martial arts skills, or age, everyone sat on the ground, and such an atmosphere easily brought people closer. The ones who were most touched were Wu Qingyang and Wanqi Song. These two people had special identities, and they had to be more careful when interacting with anyone. They had never had such an experience. Wanqi Song sighed, "It was very laborious for me to establish Wanxian Hall. It may seem glorious to others, but it was actually very hard and I had to be careful all the time. I didn't expect that roasting corn would bring me unprecedented enjoyment." Wu Qingyang quite agreed, "What the hall master said is very true. When you are in the world of martial arts, you can't guard against any attacks from both sides. It's rare to have such an opportunity." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "The burden you carry is too heavy, and you can't put it down. You feel refreshed when you relax occasionally. In fact, putting down the burden and integrating your mind into the world is the real freedom." Wu Qingyang praised, "No wonder your martial arts have improved so fast, brother. Most people understand this truth, but very few can really do it. Your future is limitless." Wanqi Song sighed lightly, "Everyone has burdens, and they are reluctant to put them down no matter how heavy they are. Brother Chang can break out of this circle, and I'm afraid Taoist Zuixia is inferior to him." Chang Xiao himself understood that the experience of hovering on the edge of life and death had changed his view of everything, which allowed him to face all problems calmly and resolve them easily.

As everyone was drinking and chatting, Yin Tianlei noticed that the corn roasted by Chang Xiao was better than his own. He was quite puzzled and asked, "The owner's roasting method is not much different from mine, why is it better than mine?" Chang Xiao explained, "It's simple to say, your technique is the same as mine, but I pay more attention to it than you. It's like the stone lions at the gates of wealthy families. Some are lifeless, not much better than ordinary stones. Others are majestic and seem to have life. This is because of the craftsmen's care. Everything is based on the same principle. You need to experience it more." Everyone present was a martial arts master. After hearing this, they certainly understood the meaning behind it. Practicing martial arts is the same. Wanqi Song sighed, "It's really a great experience to be with you." Wu Qingyang joked, "Since your corn is the best, we all want to try it. It's very rare to eat corn roasted by Iron Arm Divine Knife." Zhong Yuan immediately agreed, "Yes, the owner has worked hard, we all have a taste. Even the emperor doesn't have this blessing." Everyone started to make a noise, and Chang Xiao smiled and said, "That's good. In fact, I'm just an ordinary person. I'm not better than anyone else." Concentrating on roasting corn, one person roasting, nine people waiting, of course can't keep up, but no one is in a hurry, such an opportunity is really rare, in order to eat the corn roasted by Chang Xiao himself, it's worth waiting. At this time, an old man came over with a cart of corn. Wu Qingyang recognized it as Elder Jinchan, and laughed in his heart: this old man's greed has also been aroused. Elder Jin Chan, dressed in farmer's clothes, approached and said, "I have been tending crops for many years, and my roasted corn is better than anyone else's. When I smelled the fragrance today, I knew I had met a master. Can you compete with me?" Chang Xiao saw that Elder Jin Chan was not an ordinary person, and smiled, "It's rare to meet an opponent. You brought corn with you, obviously you are a person with a heart. I want to learn from you." Elder Jin Chan apologized and took a seat, roasting corn with all his heart, letting others taste it. It was indeed more delicious than Yin Tianlei's. Chang Xiao handed over a corn and said, "Try it, old man. I'm a little reluctant to eat it." Elder Jin Chan had a high level of cultivation, so of course he understood what Chang Xiao meant. Although it was a simple roasted corn, it was made with great care by Chang Xiao. So he nodded and said, "I can't bear to eat the corn I roasted myself, so let's taste each other's corn." After eating the corn roasted by Chang Xiao, Elder Jin Chan raised his thumb and said, "There is always someone stronger among the strong. I am convinced." After Chang Xiao tasted the corn roasted by Elder Jin Chan, he had a better understanding of Elder Jin Chan. This old man had a deep understanding of the subject and was a rare master.

These people talked and tasted delicious food, which made one person very greedy, that is, Duan Xiyun, the leader of the Divine Sword Sect, who came to watch the fight. This time, Duan Xiyun entered Kaifeng in disguise. He did not intend to show up. He stayed in a small inn and waited to watch the fight. Because many people bet on Chang Xiao, they were very concerned about Chang Xiao's every move. Hearing that Chang Xiao sat with many people to roast corn, his confidence increased greatly. With this mentality, he was obviously sure of winning. Duan Xiyun heard the discussion of others and was moved. At the beginning, he got lost in the mountains and met a young man roasting corn. The taste was unforgettable. Since then, although he has tasted it many times, it can never be as good as the young man's roasting. Thinking of this, he got up and left the inn, following the smell. From a distance, he saw more than ten people sitting around, talking and laughing. Chang Xiao and Wanqi Song recognized them, and Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai had also seen them, but others could not recognize them. They hesitated for a while and were embarrassed to approach. Later, when he saw an old man joining, he couldn't help himself. Many people present were not as good as him in martial arts. Even an old man pushing a cart could join, so he shouldn't be rejected. After traveling for a long time, Duan Xiyun now looked like a hunter, and he was completely different from before. No one could recognize that he was the master of the Divine Sword Sect who had competed here. After thinking about it, Duan Xiyun made up his mind, straightened his clothes and came forward to salute. Wanqi Song didn't notice him, but Chang Xiao recognized him at a glance and smiled, "Xiyun, I didn't expect you to come too. Come and sit down and taste my roasted corn." Duan Xiyun hurriedly said, "This opportunity is really rare. I'm just going to taste the craftsmanship of the owner of the manor." Wanqi Song was also very happy to see Duan Xiyun, and shouted, "Xiyun, come here. The corn roasted by the owner of the manor is the best delicacy. Come and try it." Duan Xiyun met his uncle and sat down next to Wanqi Song. Yin Tianlei didn't know many people, and he saw at a glance that Duan Xiyun was the hunter who got lost in the mountains. According to his original temper, Yin Tianlei would not say hello. After spending some time with Chang Xiao, Yin Tianlei's state of mind changed. If this person hadn't gotten lost, he wouldn't have had the chance to meet his mentor. So he smiled and said, "It seems that you have a connection with roasted corn. We meet again. Do you still recognize me?" Duan Xiyun was stunned. Although this person looked familiar, he couldn't remember who he was.

Chapter 39: Strange Competition

After training, Yin Tianlei was very different from before, plus he had changed his clothes, so Duan Xiyun couldn't recognize him and asked, "When did you meet me? Forgive my poor eyesight, I can't remember for a moment." Yin Tianlei pointed at the roasted corn and said, "Even if you can't remember, you should always remember the roasted corn. Do you remember the first time you ate roasted corn?" Duan Xiyun woke up suddenly and quickly stood up and saluted, "It's you. My apologies. I was ignorant when we first met and I offended you. I regret it." Yin Tianlei found that Duan Xiyun's words were humble, which was very different from before. He nodded secretly and smiled, "A meal of roasted corn is not worth a hundred or eighty cents, don't worry about it. The owner of the manor's craftsmanship is a hundred times better than mine today, come and taste it." Chang Xiao saw that the two knew each other, so he didn't ask any more questions. He smiled and said, "I didn't expect that you two were old acquaintances. It's a rare opportunity to meet. You should get closer in the future." Duan Xiyun didn't expect Yin Tianlei to appear here at all. He was puzzled, but it was not appropriate to ask more in front of so many people. He planned to ask in detail after the meal. Duan Xiyun's joining naturally added a lot of topics, and everyone talked about everything. Especially Elder Jinchan had the most extensive knowledge, and no one could stop asking questions. Chang Xiao knew that this old man had superb cultivation and was on par with the old man he met in the desert, so he asked: "How much do you know about the first swordsman?" Elder Jinchan smiled and said: "I was there when Taoist Zuixia subdued Blood Shadow Sword Flower Dream Butterfly." Chang Xiao became interested and asked: "Taoist Zuixia has been famous for many years. What's so special about his swordsmanship?" Elder Jinchan sighed: "One move short of the chess game, he is restricted. Taoist Zuixia is extremely talented and has been favored by masters. He has already passed the threshold of the unity of body and sword. If he doesn't draw his sword, it's fine. Once he draws his sword, it's like a raging sea, unstoppable. I am ashamed of myself." Chang Xiao knew in his heart that this kind of swordsmanship was close to his own swordsmanship, and it could be said that each had its own merits. Taoist Zuixia had reached this level several years ago, and it was unknown to what extent he had reached it now. He asked again: "How is Taoist Zuixia's swordsmanship practiced differently from others?" Elder Jinchan smiled and said: "In fact, he has not suffered much more than others. None of the masters have slacked off. The reason why he cannot be as good as them is because of his limited talent. It's like a person's height. If others grow taller and faster than you, there's no point in getting angry." Chang Xiao felt relieved that the number one swordsman was within his reach.

Everyone was drinking, chatting and eating roasted corn, but no one mentioned Gao Zhen. When the news reached Gao Zhen's ears, Gao Zhen was quite angry. The competition was about to start, but Chang Xiao was roasting corn with some irrelevant people. It was obvious that he didn't take him seriously. Suddenly, there was a fragrance. Gao Zhen smelled the smell of roasted corn. He wondered if the fragrance of Chang Xiao's roasted corn came over. Impossible. He sent people to inquire and learned that Chang Xiao, Wanqi Song and others roasted corn, which affected the people of the whole city. First, the people from the rivers and lakes who came to watch the fight followed suit, and then the people of the whole city also started to make fires to roast corn. The restaurant basically had no business, and the whole city was filled with the aroma of roasted corn. Gao Zhen was even more angry. He looked at the fine wine and food in front of him and had no intention of tasting them. Jade Butterfly came in and said with a smile: "Chang Xiao is really a bumpkin, eating such coarse food. One glass of wine is enough to buy 100 kilograms of corn." Gao Zhen found a balance, nodded and smiled: "My good wife, what you said makes sense. Chang Xiao is a farmer and has never seen the world. We don't need to pay attention to him." The two of them ate together. Although the words sounded nice, Gao Zhen also hoped to sit and talk with a group of masters, put aside all the grudges in the martial arts world, and it didn't matter what to eat. He was envious in his heart. The wine and food didn't taste the same as before, and felt that they were not as delicious as roasted corn. Jade Butterfly was used to enjoying it, and couldn't understand Gao Zhen's psychology at all. Seeing that Gao Zhen looked wrong, he asked: "What's wrong? Do you want to eat roasted corn too?" Gao Zhen sighed and shook his head without saying anything. He didn't want to eat roasted corn, but envied the atmosphere of a group of masters sitting and talking. Jade Butterfly would not understand these things, and it was useless to say. In comparison, the martial arts competition seemed less important. If he could roast corn with Chang Xiao, Wanqi Song and others, he would rather give up the competition. While he was daydreaming, his subordinates reported that a young man wanted to see him and claimed to be Gao Zhen's junior apprentice. Gao Zhen was stunned. He didn't have a junior apprentice at all. Then he thought that maybe his father had accepted another apprentice and asked someone to bring him in.

The man who came was Yin Tianlei. He bowed and said, "Brother, I am Yin Tianlei." Gao Zhen asked, "Whose disciple are you?" Yin Tianlei replied, "My master called himself Xinghe Yesou." Gao Zhen was shocked and said, "Did my father pass away?" Yin Tianlei replied, "Yes, I arranged it myself." Gao Zhen was speechless for a long time. He asked himself if he really didn't live up to his father's teachings for many years. He felt bad and nodded, "Sit down and talk." Yin Tianlei sat down. Yu Hudie smiled and said, "Brothers should celebrate when they meet. Have a drink." Yin Tianlei saw Yu Hudie for the first time and was full of admiration. If it were him, he would probably find it hard to resist this peerless beauty. Jade Butterfly brought the wine over, and Yin Tianlei came back to his senses and hurriedly said, "Brother, please forgive me. I was ordered to invite you to dinner." Gao Zhen was stunned and asked, "Who asked you to come?" Yin Tianlei explained, "Brother, you don't know. My master ordered me to go to Julong Villa before he died. I have always been with the owner of the villa. This time I came here because of the owner's intention. The owner said that it was rare for all the masters to gather in Kaifeng and prepare to have a long talk all night. Let me ask you if you are willing to participate." Gao Zhen was very surprised and asked, "Did Chang Xiao really ask you to come?" Yin Tianlei smiled and said, "Why should I lie about such a thing?" Gao Zhen immediately stood up and said, "Let's go together." He left without paying attention to Jade Butterfly and left with Yin Tianlei. Jade Butterfly was quite puzzled. How could Gao Zhen have dinner with his opponent when the competition was about to start? Women can never understand the true inner world of men. Gao Zhen put the competition behind him and walked quickly to find Chang Xiao with Yin Tianlei. It was very lively under the big tree. As Gao Zhen came closer, he hesitated a little. He heard Chang Xiao's voice saying, "Brother Gao, you are so kind. It's rare. Come and sit down." Gao Zhen blushed and lowered his head to Chang Xiao's side. Duan Xiyun's expression changed when he saw Gao Zhen. Chang Xiao said seriously, "Xiyun, your problem is that you can take it up but can't let it go. You can go further without the burden of winning or losing in your heart." Duan Xiyun nodded. Gao Zhen apologized and took a seat. He said to Chang Xiao, "The owner of the manor has forgiven the past. Gao is very grateful." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "All the people here today are ordinary farmers. There is no owner of the manor, nor are they martial artists. They are all waiting to eat the corn I roasted. You can't be special." Gao Zhen was grateful in his heart. Chang Xiao's acceptance of him showed that he was broad-minded.

The two parties who were about to compete actually sat together. This was an unprecedented anecdote in the martial arts world. The bettors were all unsure. Could this battle go on as scheduled? If they couldn't fight, it would be a disappointment. Chang Xiao didn't care about that. If Duan Xiyun didn't come, he wouldn't call Gao Zhen. Duan Xiyun couldn't get over his heart knot after losing. Calling Gao Zhen was mainly to let Duan Xiyun pass this level, and also to test whether Gao Zhen was completely obsessed with fame and fortune. Since Gao Zhen came, it means that this person still has the blood of a man. For the sake of Xinghe Yesou's face, he can't let him sink. Wanqi Song, Wu Qingyang, and Elder Jinchan admired Chang Xiao's arrangement. No one except Chang Xiao could do this. Gao Zhen waited for Chang Xiao's roasted corn with everyone, drinking the inferior wine that cost fifty cents a jar, which felt much better than delicacies from mountains and seas. He was full of emotion. It turned out that wealth and glory were not so tempting. This was the real delicacy. Elder Jinchan admired in his heart: Chang Xiao has no Jianghu habits, and his mind is worthy of everyone's admiration. Zuixia Taoist is too persistent, and I am afraid he is inferior. More than ten masters put aside all grudges and talked and laughed to their heart's content. This is a miracle that has not happened in a hundred years. The Jianghu people who came to watch the fight spread the news to each other, and they couldn't figure out Chang Xiao's intentions. The protagonist of this party is of course Chang Xiao. Elder Jinchan never revealed his identity. The corn he roasted was tasted by Chang Xiao and Wu Qingyang. Most people were waiting to eat the corn roasted by Chang Xiao. In the future, they can pat their chests and say that they have eaten the corn roasted by Tiebi Shendao in person. That is very glorious. Everyone was in high spirits, and no one cared about time. Gao Zhen even put aside the martial arts competition. This party started from noon and lasted until the morning of the next day. Duan Xiyun had already put aside the defeat at the beginning, and Gao Zhen didn't want to compete. Wu Qingyang and Elder Jinchan also put aside the disputes in the martial arts world. As the sun was approaching noon, many people came to watch the fight. Chang Xiao smiled and said to Gao Zhen: "Brother Gao, today is the day for you and me to compete. So many people have placed bets, we can't let everyone down." Gao Zhen nodded: "Yes, I have spent so much effort to surpass you, of course I have to give it a try." The two of them stood up, floated onto the bamboo raft on the water, stood opposite each other, and cheers rang out from all sides. The competition was finally about to begin.

Gao Zhen calmed down. He was no longer under any pressure and had no idea of winning or losing. This was due to the influence of Chang Xiao. Chang Xiao smiled and said, "Brother Gao, please pay attention. Today I will show you another side of Liuhe Sword Skills." Gao Zhen nodded, "Master, please do as you please. I will also show you the Seven Styles of Fiery Sun." Chang Xiao shook his head, "I'm afraid there is no chance." He took a slow step forward and was about to move forward when he suddenly felt a chill and a blade of light fell on his head. He was shocked. Chang Xiao's sword was so fast that it was unbelievable. He had no time to think about it. He quickly moved sideways and prepared to parry. The Fire God Sword was unsheathed, but he suddenly realized that Chang Xiao was still standing there. Gao Zhen knew that such skills were far beyond his reach. So he sighed, "Master, your skills are amazing. I am willing to admit defeat." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "Just now I took the initiative, but it doesn't count. This time you should strike first. There are so many people watching the fight, we can't just stop after one move." Gao Zhen nodded, "Being respectful is worse than obeying." He turned around and jumped up, ready to perform the Seven Styles of the Fiery Sun. Looking down, he found that there was no one on the bamboo raft, and there was no trace of Chang Xiao. Without a target, the moves could not be launched. He was hesitant, and the knife light protected him and fell lightly. Suddenly, he heard an uproar from the people watching the fight on all sides. Gao Zhen was puzzled and heard the voice of Jade Butterfly shouting, "He is behind you." Gao Zhen was startled and turned around at lightning speed. There was no one at all. He was puzzled. Jade Butterfly said anxiously, "He is still behind you." Gao Zhen was also a first-class master, but he could not feel anyone around him. If Chang Xiao was really behind him, it would be too scary. Without thinking, the Fire God Knife went straight behind him, facing forward, and backhanded 18 consecutive strikes. There were constant cheers from all around, and Duan Xiyun was impressed in his heart that Gao Zhen's swordsmanship was indeed much better than his own, so there was nothing to complain about losing.

Although everyone cheered for Gao Zhen's swordsmanship, they were also amazed at Chang Xiao's martial arts. No matter how Gao Zhen attacked, Chang Xiao always stuck to Gao Zhen's back, like a shadow. Gao Zhen tried several times. Now he was no longer seeking victory, but to face Chang Xiao, but this wish was difficult to achieve. He thought that no matter how high Chang Xiao's martial arts was, he couldn't stand on the water, so he jumped back and landed on the edge of the bamboo raft. He thought to himself: This time you have to turn to the front. Just as he was thinking, he suddenly felt a chill on his neck, and hurriedly turned back. When he turned back, he found that Chang Xiao was still standing there. Gao Zhen was convinced, put away his knife and bowed: "A frog in a well doesn't know how high the sky is and how deep the earth is. I admit defeat." Chang Xiao pointed out: "Although Brother Gao has taken elixirs, he has not made any obvious progress. I have not learned this body movement for a long time, but it has achieved miraculous results. It shows that Brother Gao has taken the wrong path." Gao Zhen understood and nodded: "The owner of the manor has good advice, Gao has remembered it." Chang Xiao was very satisfied and pointed to the big tree on the shore and said: "Remember this gathering, it will be of great benefit to your future." Gao Zhen bowed: "The owner of the manor is kind, Gao is deeply grateful, goodbye." He flew back to his bow. There were constant cheers all around, and Chang Xiao went straight back to the tree. Wanqi Song sighed: "Brother, this competition really opened my eyes." Elder Jinchan had dealt with the Nether Swordsman and knew that Chang Xiao easily won with the Floating Light and Shadow Body Movement. He admired him in his heart. He could perform it after only seeing it twice. Chang Xiao was indeed a rare genius. Zhong Yuan came over and asked, "The master's body movement is so magical, why has he never shown it?" Chang Xiao smiled and said, "I learned this body movement temporarily. It can give me the upper hand when fighting with Gao Zhen. I must not take risks when I meet a real master. Hua Mengdie underestimated my swordsmanship and suffered a great loss. In a real fight, the outcome is unpredictable." Wu Qingyang knew that the gap between him and Chang Xiao was getting bigger and bigger, and he was afraid that his father would be inferior to him. He said sincerely, "Brother, you can definitely challenge the number one swordsman." Chang Xiao shook his head and said, "Zuixia Taoist has gone astray and his swordsmanship has been greatly reduced. I have to wait until he passes this level and reaches the state of selflessness before fighting." Elder Jinchan sighed, "The master of the manor is a real warrior, and I am not as good as him."

The news spread quickly, and the most concerned thing was not the victory or defeat, but the gathering. People from all walks of life talked about it, and Chang Xiao's name became a catchphrase for people from all over the world. After the competition, Wu Qingyang and Elder Jinchan said goodbye one after another. Duan Xiyun was also ready to leave, and specifically asked about Yin Tianlei. Yin Tianlei told Duan Xiyun what happened, and Duan Xiyun finally understood. Chang Xiao called the two of them to come closer, and Duan Xiyun asked: "What advice does the owner have?" Chang Xiao reminded: "You should return to the Divine Sword Sect and take on the responsibility of the sect leader. It is not shameful to lose in the competition. Zhao Yun has won every battle, but in the minds of future generations, he is not as good as the Martial Saint Guan Gong. I believe you will understand the truth in this." Duan Xiyun bowed deeply: "Thank you for your help, owner." Chang Xiao nodded: "With your qualifications, you should achieve something. I hope to see the real Broken Moon Slash reappear in the world." Duan Xiyun was confident: "Don't worry, owner, the Divine Sword Sect will never be destroyed in my hands." Turned and left. Chang Xiao called Yin Tianlei over again and told him: "Tianlei, you should go to Tongtianbao to help Gao Zhen. He is surrounded by dangers and has no close friends." Yin Tianlei worshipped Chang Xiao as a god and agreed repeatedly. Chang Xiao nodded: "I know your character well, and it won't make any mistakes. Remember when you get to Tongtianbao, don't show your martial arts unless it's absolutely necessary, and be careful to investigate the people around Gao Zhen. In addition, I let Heima follow you. If you encounter a strong enemy, you can just leave, don't fight for your will. Don't mention the treasure for the time being, it won't be too late to talk about it when the time is right." Yin Tianlei agreed wholeheartedly to repay Xinghe Yesou's kindness. Chang Xiao was very satisfied and went to Heima to discuss it. Heima got along well with Yin Tianlei, said goodbye to his partner, and left with Yin Tianlei. Wanqi Song was more convinced when he saw Chang Xiao deal with it like this. From the beginning to the end, Chang Xiao never considered himself. Such a character is rare. After the competition, Chang Xiao's reputation rose sharply, especially the fact that he invited Duan Xiyun and Gao Zhen to drink together and helped them to open up their hearts. After everything was done, Chang Xiao was ready to leave. Princess Yueying was still complaining about not meeting the Dragon King of the South China Sea. Chang Xiao smiled and said, "If the old Dragon King doesn't regret missing the competition, he must regret not attending the party. He will definitely mention it when he meets in the future." Zhong Yuan interrupted, "That's right, I'm afraid there will be no chance to eat corn roasted by the owner of the manor again." Zhong Hai wiped his mouth and said, "The owner's craftsmanship is indeed first-class. I drool when I think about it."

Chapter 40: Determined to Win

Yin Tianlei has not been practicing martial arts for a long time, but he has a solid foundation. The Xinghe Yesou he met was originally a hermit master. After Chang Xiao's careful instruction, his own cultivation is very impressive. However, Yin Tianlei knows that he still has a long way to go in the future and has a lot to learn. After watching Chang Xiao and Gao Zhen's competition, he can already appreciate Chang Xiao's martial arts. His own ability is really not worth mentioning. If he wants to gain a foothold in the world, he must work a hundred times harder. If Gao Zhen is not in a bad situation, Yin Tianlei will not rush to Tongtianbao. For the sake of his mentor's face, he must help Gao Zhen anyway. The black horse moved quickly and soon caught up with Gao Zhen's boat. Although Gao Zhen lost this competition, he gained a lot. He was happily tasting roasted corn and reminiscing about the scene of the party. Hearing that Yin Tianlei came to find him, he was overjoyed and immediately ordered someone to take his junior brother on board. When the two met, Gao Zhen smiled and said, "I had originally planned to invite you to Tongtian Castle, but I knew you haven't practiced martial arts for long, so it would be better for you to stay with the owner of the manor to practice. I didn't expect you to follow me. Does the owner of the manor have something to tell you?" In front of outsiders, Yin Tianlei couldn't tell Chang Xiao's words, so he smiled and said, "The owner of the manor asked me to go to you to learn our martial arts." Gao Zhen immediately understood that the lightning cone that Yin Tianlei learned was completely different from his own, and saying that he wanted to learn our martial arts must be an excuse, so he nodded and said, "Junior brother, come with me, I'll show you the secret book." The two entered a secret room one after another. Gao Zhen asked, "Junior brother, what did the owner of the manor tell you?" Yin Tianlei secretly admired Gao Zhen's quick mind, as he guessed something was wrong with just one sentence. So he said solemnly: "Brother, the owner of the manor has something to say. Tongtian Fort is full of dangers, and there is no one close to you." Gao Zhen had never paid attention to what was happening around him, and his expression changed: "Are you serious?" Yin Tianlei said: "I have been practicing martial arts for too short a time. If it weren't for the danger of my brother, the owner of the manor would not let me leave." Gao Zhen was quite convinced by Chang Xiao's words. This man's enthusiasm came from the heart, without any falsehood. After thinking for a moment, he said: "The owner of the manor means that there is no one trustworthy in Tongtian Fort. It seems that I am sitting on the stove. How far has your martial arts reached?" Yin Tianlei naturally couldn't hide it, and replied: "I have mastered the Heavenly Thunder Break and the Lightning Cone." Gao Zhen nodded: "I didn't expect you to achieve such an achievement in such a short time. The owner of the manor is really a god."

Gao Zhen, who had always regarded Chang Xiao as his archenemy, actually praised Chang Xiao. Yin Tianlei was also surprised. During the days at Julong Villa, he heard Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai mention that Gao Zhen was ungrateful and ruthless. But Gao Zhen's performance still showed the heroism of a warrior. During the duel, he fought with all his strength. When he found the difference in martial arts, he immediately admitted defeat without dragging his feet. Gao Zhen himself knew that if he had not attended the party, he would not have such a big change. At that moment, he truly experienced the fun of martial arts and the heroism of a man, even the peerless appearance of Jade Butterfly was somewhat eclipsed. Yin Tianlei said, "Brother, before we left, the owner of the manor specifically told us that two powerful forces in the world are about to engage in a full-scale confrontation, so be careful." Gao Zhen asked, "Are they the Wanxian Hall and Tongtian Fort?" Yin Tianlei shook his head, "Brother, I don't know. The powerful forces that the owner of the manor mentioned have never been made public. One is the Wuling Villa. This group of masters rarely travel the world, but they have the full support of the Beggars' Sect. Their strength is far greater than that of the Wanxian Hall. The other force is headed by the number one swordsman, Zuixia Taoist, with the Netherworld Swordsman as the main force, and supported by some famous masters. Our Lady of Nanhua is one of them." Gao Zhen was greatly surprised. He had never heard of these things. He couldn't help but sigh: "It seems that the gap between me and the owner of the manor is not only in martial arts. I didn't even hear a word about such a major event." Yin Tianlei nodded: "It is said that the Nether Swordsmen are proficient in stealth and assassination. The owner of the manor once killed two Nether Swordsmen. The body skills he used in the duel were learned from them." Gao Zhen recalled the duel and was still frightened. He sighed: "This kind of body skills is hard to guard against. It comes close to you without any signs. It is extremely dangerous. You must be careful in the future." Yin Tianlei said: "The owner of the manor has realized a method of practicing from the Tianlei Po secret book. You can feel all the abnormal movements around you. Brother, you must start practicing early to prepare for the future. In addition, the owner of the manor especially emphasized that Qi Shizhen is the main figure of Zuixia Taoist's group. He has ulterior motives. You must be more wary of the people he recommends and be careful in dealing with the news he sends. Don't believe it easily." Gao Zhen nodded: "I have experienced the dangers of the world. The owner of the manor is so enthusiastic. This kindness must be repaid sooner or later." The two talked secretly for a long time to discuss the next strategy.

Back at Tongtian Fort, Jade Butterfly still had slaves and maids, living a life of luxury. It was not shameful to lose to Chang Xiao. Wanqi Song had also been defeated by Chang Xiao, but he was still the head of the hall. Gao Zhen knew that he was in a bad situation and was surrounded by dangers. The most important thing was to practice martial arts hard to guard against the Nether Swordsman. He hastily arranged and handed over all the affairs of Tongtian Fort to Yin Tianlei, and practiced martial arts in seclusion. He announced to the outside world that he was unwilling to lose the competition and practiced hard in seclusion to prepare for another competition, but in fact it was to guard against the Nether Swordsman. Jade Butterfly didn't care. There were so many people around her to serve her, and she had everything she wanted. It was just right that Gao Zhen didn't come to bother her. Yin Tianlei had only practiced martial arts for a short time, and no one cared about him. It was just right for him to observe the various people in Tongtian Fort. During the time at Julong Villa, Yin Tianlei gained a lot of knowledge. Although Chang Xiao was famous, he had never been ostentatious. When fighting with others, he always left some room for the opponent. It can be said that no one knew what level his martial arts had reached. The more he is like this, the more he is looked up to by others. During the competition, the people who place bets can know Chang Xiao's influence in the martial arts world. Great skill appears clumsy, great wisdom appears foolish. Chang Xiao will sooner or later become a martial arts master. Yin Tianlei understands these principles, carefully hides his martial arts, and treats people with a smile. People in Tongtianbao know that Yin Tianlei has only practiced martial arts for a year at most, so they don't take him seriously. In addition, Yin Tianlei dresses ordinary and eats simple. He can't even order dishes when he goes to a restaurant. No one likes him, not even Qi Shizhen. Although the fleet of the Dragon King of the South China Sea trades with him as usual, many overseas treasures have appeared on the market, which obviously entered the mainland through Chang Xiao's hands. Looking at the value of these treasures, it has affected his business. This matter is urgent. Just as he was about to go to Julong Villa to negotiate with Chang Xiao, he suddenly received a secret letter. He opened it and saw that Gao Zhen of Tongtianbao had changed his temperament after the competition and was very likely to join Chang Xiao's side. The gathering of masters at Longting had a far-reaching impact. Wu Qingyang and Chang Xiao had let go of their past grudges, mainly because Chang Xiao had always remembered Wu Qingyang's kindness. If Chang Xiao assisted Wuling Villa, the situation would be unfavorable to their side. In addition, Yin Tianlei, who had just arrived at Tongtian Fort, was a man of many talents, and his cultivation should not be underestimated. At present, we should immediately send people to seize Tongtian Fort as a basis.

After reading the letter, Qi Shizhen understood that he had to put the business aside. Tongtianbao must not fall into the hands of the other party. It took countless manpower and material resources to build Tongtianbao. With the treasures in the treasury of the fort, he could gain a firm foothold and become the master of the martial arts world. As for Gao Zhen and Yu Hudie, they were not a concern. Yin Tianlei had indeed practiced martial arts for a short time and was not a threat at all. He was just afraid that Chang Xiao would intervene. No one could guess this man. No one would forgive Gao Zhen for what he did, but he was trying to make peace with him, just like he made peace with Mo Qilin at the beginning. Outsiders could not guess his mind at all. After the duel, Zuixia Taoist once wrote a letter. Chang Xiao played it lightly during the duel and did not display his real martial arts at all. This person has now become a big worry. After weighing the pros and cons, Qi Shizhen decided to concentrate his manpower to seize Tongtianbao. Although this action was not big, it might lead to the intervention of several other forces. Qi Shizhen carefully considered the plan and reported it to the higher-ups. Tongtianbao had many of his own people, so it would not take much effort. I am afraid that Wuling Villa will make some moves. In addition, with Chang Xiao's assistance, Wanqi Song of Wanxian Hall will never dare to act rashly, so there is no need to worry. After the letter was sent, there was a reply soon. Taoist Zuixia instructed Qi Shizhen to be in charge of the periphery, and all the Nether Swordsmen were dispatched to guard against the people of Wuling Villa. As for Chang Xiao, he was intercepted by the four sword boys around Taoist Zuixia, led by his brother Jiang Feiluan. This operation must be successful. Qi Shizhen was not worried about Wuling Villa. With real martial arts, Wuling Villa had no ability to compete with him. It was just that they took advantage of the strange formation. I don't think they dared to leave the nest. The most worried person should be Chang Xiao. His BMW travels thousands of miles a day. If he arrives at the right time, the consequences will be unpredictable. But there is no need to worry about these. Jiang Feiluan has met Chang Xiao before, and he will not take on this important task without confidence. After receiving the instructions, Qi Shizhen immediately arranged the manpower. The pattern of Tongtian Fort was provided by Qi Shizhen, and the structure and layout inside were under control, so naturally a lot of effort was saved at this time. Qi Shizhen was quite cautious and kept the news strictly secret, preparing to succeed in one fell swoop and take the first step for Zuixia Taoist to enter the world of martial arts.

Gao Zhen was practicing martial arts in seclusion, concentrating on dealing with the Nether Swordsman's body skills, and he never thought that disaster would come. Qi Shizhen's men who were ambushing in Tongtian Castle received the news and began to make preparations. Gao Zhen was completely unaware of this. Yin Tianlei saw that something was wrong and hurriedly discussed with Gao Zhen. Gao Zhen was hesitant, Yin Tianlei said: "Although there is no accurate information, from various signs, something big will happen soon. If you have any doubts, you can send someone to write a letter to Julong Villa and invite the owner of the villa to be a guest. If the letter is sent smoothly, it's fine. If it is intercepted, it means the situation is not good." Gao Zhen nodded: "Junior brother, you have thought it through very carefully, I will handle this matter. There is a secret compartment in the Jade Guanyin Lotus Platform in the vault, which contains a ticket from the Black Dragon Escort Agency. You carry it with you just in case." Yin Tianlei was puzzled and asked: "What is a ticket? Precious things?" Gao Zhen shook his head: "Junior brother, you don't know. If you don't think about the future, you will have immediate worries. I specially selected more than a dozen of the most precious treasures and stored them in the Black Dragon Escort Agency. Once something unexpected happens, I can make a comeback with this money." Yin Tianlei didn't understand even more and asked: "How can I rely on it if it's stored in the escort agency?" Gao Zhen smiled: "Junior brother, don't ask too much. You will understand when the time comes. It's best not to move the funds. Without further ado, you and I will act separately to see who wants to make things difficult for Tongtian Castle." After the discussion, Yin Tianlei took out the bottom ticket of the Black Dragon Escort Agency and paid close attention to any movement inside and outside the castle. Gao Zhen sneaked out of Tongtian Castle from the secret passage and waited for the messenger at the main road down the mountain. Yin Tianlei had already announced the news that Chang Xiao was invited to be a guest and sent someone to deliver the letter. Gao Zhen waited for a while and saw the messenger going down the mountain. Gao Zhen recognized that it was Jia Tianhe, his most trusted subordinate. He followed quietly behind to see if the letter could be sent smoothly. Jia Tianhe was not concerned at all, humming a little tune as he led his horse down the mountain, not noticing Gao Zhen at all. Gao Zhen followed carefully behind him, determined to get to the bottom of this matter no matter what.

Jia Tianhe came to the foot of the mountain, turned his head and sneered at Tongtian Fort on the mountain, jumped on his horse, and ran north along the road. Gao Zhen made preparations, changed into ordinary clothes, put on a black robe, covered his head with a hat, and followed from a distance. Jia Tianhe was not going to Julong Villa. Gao Zhen knew that his junior brother Yin Tianlei was right, and there would be a huge change in the fort. He followed Jia Tianhe from a distance, walked for several miles, and a hotel appeared on the side of the road. Jia Tianhe dismounted and walked into the hotel. Gao Zhen dismounted from a distance, slowly approached, sat down in a teahouse to drink tea, and secretly observed the hotel. Not long after, a carrier pigeon flew out. Gao Zhen knew that it was conveying a message, and he wanted to see what Jia Tianhe was doing. Half an hour later, a sound of horse hooves sounded, and more than a dozen people rushed over on horseback, dismounted at the hotel, and walked in with their heads held high. The leader was Qi Shizhen. Gao Zhen gritted his teeth: You took so many of my jewels and still plotted against me behind my back. Wait and see, sooner or later you will know how powerful Gao is. Jia Tianhe's contact with Qi Shizhen was obviously detrimental to Tongtian Fort. Gao Zhen got the news from Chang Xiao and knew that Qi Shizhen was a subordinate of Zuixia Taoist, with a huge power and many experts. He could not act rashly at this time. So he got up and hid behind a big tree beside the road. Others could talk, but Jia Tianhe must not be let go. After waiting for another half an hour, Jia Tianhe went out with a smile, jumped on his horse, and this time he went straight to Julong Villa. Gao Zhen continued to track. Seeing that there were few people in front and no one on both sides of the road, Gao Zhen urged his horse to catch up with Jia Tianhe, and struck with his right palm like lightning, cutting Jia Tianhe's neck. Jia Tianhe fainted immediately and fell off his horse. Gao Zhen grabbed Jia Tianhe's collar and plunged into a dense forest. There was no one around. Gao Zhen took out the letter from Jia Tianhe's arms and opened it. The letter did not invite Chang Xiao to come as a guest, but asked Chang Xiao to meet at Julong Villa three days later. Gao Zhen pondered, the other party made such an arrangement, obviously unwilling to let Chang Xiao intervene. The date was set for three days later, which meant that the other party would make a big move in three days. Gao Zhen was born in a military family and was familiar with military books and strategies. He quickly judged that the other party wanted to seize Tongtian Fort. With an idea in mind, he stretched out his foot and tapped Jia Tianhe's shoulder. Jia Tianhe jumped up and shouted: "Who is so bold to rob in broad daylight?" Gao Zhen took off his bamboo hat. Jia Tianhe was shocked and bowed: "Where is the master of the fort going?"

Hearing this title, Gao Zhen was angry. He, the lord of the castle, was worthless. He snorted coldly, "Where are you going?" Jia Tianhe pretended to smile and said, "I was ordered to deliver a letter to Julong Villa." Gao Zhen asked, "What does the letter say?" Jia Tianhe shook his head, "I dare not open the letter." Gao Zhen sneered, "I dare not open the letter. You have changed all the letters." Jia Tianhe was shocked and his face changed color. Gao Zhen stared at Jia Tianhe and asked, "What did Qi Shizhen tell you? What actions will you take in three days?" Jia Tianhe had never taken this castle lord seriously. Now that the window paper had been broken, there was no need to pretend anymore. So he sneered, "It turns out that you are not a fool. To tell you the truth, we want to take Tongtian Castle as the first step to enter the Central Plains. If you know what's good for you, leave early. Once the fighting starts, your tricks will not be worth mentioning." Gao Zhen nodded: "Taoist Zuixia can't stand the loneliness, and it's understandable that he wants to come out. Why did he choose Tongtian Castle?" Jia Tianhe was stunned. He didn't expect that Gao Zhen even knew Taoist Zuixia. Then he thought that the overall situation had been decided, so it didn't matter if he told everything. So he said: "As the old saying goes, wine and women make people beautiful, and money makes people's hearts move. Tongtian Fort has countless treasures, so it is naturally our first choice. Besides, Tongtian Fort is indestructible, easy to defend and difficult to attack, and it is the most ideal fortress." Gao Zhen understood: "No wonder Qi Shizhen took out the blueprint, it turns out that he had planned it long ago. You know everything you should know, you can die now." Jia Tianhe was not afraid at all, he stretched out his hand to draw his sword, and snorted coldly: "Don't think that being the master of the fortress is great. If we really fight, the outcome is still uncertain." Gao Zhen gritted his teeth, he didn't expect that a servant dared to challenge him, he couldn't tolerate this tone, the Vulcan Sword was unsheathed, a red light flashed, Jia Tianhe stood still for a long time, and fell to the ground. Gao Zhen sneered: "Do you think I really didn't have the strength to fight back in the Kaifeng competition? I am indeed not as good as Chang Xiao, but I am not a fool."

Chapter 41: Unexpected

In the Kaifeng competition, Gao Zhen did not show his true strength. On the one hand, he saw the benefits of Chang Xiao's hidden martial arts, and on the other hand, the two reached a tacit understanding, intending to let the spectators think that Gao Zhen's swordsmanship was mediocre and vulnerable, so that he could achieve unexpected results at the critical moment. Gao Zhen and Chang Xiao have different personalities. He was ruthless and left no room for maneuver. After beheading Jia Tianhe with his sword, he returned directly to Tongtianbao and secretly discussed with Yin Tianlei. Yin Tianlei was greatly surprised to learn that Taoist Zuixia was going to seize Tongtian Fort, and asked, "Brother, why don't you ask the owner of the manor for help?" Gao Zhen shook his head and said, "When you are in the world of martial arts, you can't rely on others. Besides, Taoist Zuixia has made preparations. Even if Chang Xiao comes, it may not be of any use. At present, it seems that the other party is powerful, and Tongtian Fort is facing internal and external troubles. It can't be protected by you and me. What I mean is to pack up the important things, withdraw from Tongtian Fort before the other party launches an attack, and find a way to accumulate strength and have a chance to make a comeback." Yin Tianlei saw fortitude on Gao Zhen's face, like the expression of a battle-hardened general facing a powerful enemy, and he had a better understanding of Gao Zhen in his heart. So he nodded and said, "Brother, since you have an idea, I will do my best to help you." Gao Zhen took out a map and pointed out, "The blueprint of Tongtian Fort comes from Qi Shizhen. I made some changes and opened a secret passage through the cave in the mountain. You and I can sneak out of Tongtian Fort through the secret passage and find another way." Yin Tianlei asked, "What about sister-in-law?" Gao Zhen smiled and said, "If she is willing to follow me, she is still my wife. If she wants to find another better partner, then we have nothing to do with each other. I will handle this matter." Yin Tianlei said, "Brother, the owner of the manor gave me the BMW for another reason. In my opinion, we might as well go separately. Brother, take the secret passage, and I will find an excuse to get away and leave openly, so that people in the martial arts world will not laugh at us for escaping without a fight." Gao Zhen praised, "Brother, you have really thought it through. Let's do it. I will discuss it with Yu Hudie right away."

Jade Butterfly had no idea about these things and was just enjoying herself. After Gao Zhen entered the room, he sent the servants away first. Jade Butterfly asked, "Aren't you practicing in seclusion? How do you have time to come here?" Gao Zhen smiled, "It's because I miss you." The two sat opposite each other, and Jade Butterfly asked, "Did something big happen?" Gao Zhen nodded, "Yes, Tongtian Fort is in danger, and I can't be the lord of the fort anymore." Jade Butterfly was stunned, "What did you say?" Gao Zhen sighed, "The situation in the martial arts world is unpredictable. I was determined to surpass Chang Xiao, so I moved too fast. Now Taoist Zuixia wants to seize Tongtian Fort, and I am powerless to resist. I can only abandon this foundation and hide in the martial arts world." Jade Butterfly Butterfly was confused and thought for a moment before asking, "Is there no other way?" Gao Zhen was quite sure, "The other party will not allow me, the lord of the fort, to stay. There is no other way. I came here just to ask what you think. When Taoist Zuixia gets Tongtian Fort, he will definitely send people to hunt me down. If you follow me, you will have a hard time. If you stay in the fort, Taoist Zuixia will definitely support you and you will still have a good life. You should make a decision as soon as possible whether to stay or go." Jade Butterfly found that Gao Zhen seemed to have changed. He used to be arrogant and eager for quick success, but now he is calm, capable and restrained. After thinking about it, staying here can certainly enjoy wealth and glory, but it will be like before, at the mercy of others, without freedom, no different from a walking corpse, it is better to follow Gao Zhen. So he said straightforwardly: "Since we are husband and wife, no one can separate, I will go with you." Gao Zhen was reluctant to let Yu Hudie go, and nodded and said: "There is no time to lose, you pack up immediately and leave tonight." Yu Hudie hurriedly took out her jewelry box to pick out the jewelry. Gao Zhen said: "We are on the run, and we don't have much time. It is said that the Nether Swordsman is a first-class killer. Leave as soon as possible before they arrive. I have all the banknotes on me, so don't delay." Yu Hudie hastily packed a few pieces of her favorite jewelry and put them in her arms, and then picked out clothes. Gao Zhen reminded: "My dear wife, be careful not to let the news leak out. This is a matter of life and death."

Gao Zhen met with Yin Tianlei again and decided to leave separately and meet at Guojiaji, fifty miles away. Yin Tianlei prepared and announced to everyone that he would personally go to Julong Villa to invite Chang Xiao to come. Qi Shizhen immediately prepared to respond when he got the news. While the other party changed his deployment, Yin Tianlei rode alone to leave Tongtianbao, lingered until dark, and quietly changed his route to rush to Guojiaji. Gao Zhen and Yu Hudie sneaked into the secret passage, left at night, rode horses to Guojiaji at the foot of the mountain to meet Yin Tianlei. Qi Shizhen did not expect Gao Zhen to have such a plan. He prepared many people to intercept Yin Tianlei but failed. He also learned that Gao Zhen and Yu Hudie were missing, so Qi Shizhen immediately sent people to find the whereabouts of the three. At this time, someone sent a secret letter, and the Nether Swordsman discovered Gao Zhen's whereabouts and was ready to chase him. Qi Shizhen was relieved immediately. With Gao Zhen's swordsmanship, he would definitely not be able to resist the Nether Swordsman. So he took people into Tongtianbao to clean up and prepare to welcome the arrival of Zuixia Taoist. Coincidentally, Gao Zhen's plan had no loopholes, but Guojiaji was also the foothold of the Nether Swordsman. The people who were originally on guard against Wuling Villa accidentally discovered that three strangers had entered the inn of Guojiaji one after another, and their whereabouts were suspicious, so they sent people to investigate. Gao Zhen was ostentatious in Kaifeng, and many people recognized him and leaked the news. In the inn, Gao Zhen and Yin Tianlei discussed the next step. Yin Tianlei asked, "Brother, what are your plans?" Gao Zhen said, "I plan to develop outside the pass, and when the time is right, I will enter the pass to compete with Zuixia Taoist." Yin Tianlei knew that Gao Zhen was unwilling to ask Chang Xiao for help, so he nodded in approval. At noon, the waiter brought the food and turned to go out. Yin Tianlei was about to eat, but Gao Zhen stopped him and said, "Wait a minute, junior brother, there is something wrong with this waiter." Yin Tianlei asked, "Brother, what did you see?" Gao Zhen said, "This person walked without any sound. If I guess correctly, he should be a Nether Swordsman." Yin Tianlei was shocked. He didn't expect that he was still noticed by the other party.

The situation was critical, but Gao Zhen was very calm. He said, "Brother, ride fast. You take Jade Butterfly first. I'll take care of you from behind. We must get through this level no matter what." Yin Tianlei promised, "Brother, be careful. I'll go to the kitchen to get some dry food." Gao Zhen reminded, "Don't forget the water. You will have to sleep in the open air in the future. You can't live without water." Yin Tianlei immediately began to prepare. He slipped into the kitchen and filled a large bag of dry food and two gourds of water. He took the horse and left when there were many people. The three of them let their horses go slowly, chatting and laughing among themselves, secretly paying attention to the slightest movement around them. There were people coming and going in the town, and there was nothing unusual. But Gao Zhen knew that the Nether Swordsman was right beside him and could attack at any time. After leaving the town, the pedestrians on the road gradually became sparse. The three of them urged their horses to move forward. After walking about ten miles, a teahouse appeared in front of them, with four or five people drinking tea inside. Gao Zhen had excellent eyesight and warned, "Brother, be careful. Most of the people in the teahouse are Nether Swordsmen." Yu Hudie asked, "How do you know?" Gao Zhen explained, "The boots on these people's feet are from the capital. They are not available locally. Although their clothes are different, they all wear the same boots, which is obviously an attempt to cover up their own guilt. In addition, these people drank tea at separate tables and were on guard against their companions. They are obviously cold-blooded killers." Yin Tianlei praised, "Brother, your eyesight is not bad. Anyway, you can't avoid it, so just see what's special about the Nether Swordsmen." Gao Zhen looked up and saw that the sun was shining brightly. He murmured, "The Seven Styles of the Fiery Sun have been buried for many years. Today, let these Nether Swordsmen know the swordsmanship of the Red Spirit God." Yin Tianlei was full of confidence, "Brother, just let go and I will do my best to help you."

As they were about to reach the teahouse, in the blink of an eye, five figures blocked their way. One of them sneered, "Fort Master Gao, you can go by yourself, but leave the banknotes and the most beautiful woman in your arms behind." Gao Zhen sneered, "Isn't it a way to kill the Nether Swordsman to appear in the middle of the day? I gave up Tongtian Fort and the treasure, but Taoist Zuixia still didn't let go. Today, I'll let him know that I'm not easy to mess with." Before he finished speaking, he dismounted, and the Fire God Sword shot out a dazzling light. The Seven Styles of the Fiery Sun was a unique skill created by the Red Spirit God, and not many people had seen it. Gao Zhen had never had a chance to use it. This time, with powerful enemies surrounding him and it being the middle of the day, Gao Zhen had no other choice but to use his unique skills. The light of the Fire God Sword merged with the sunlight and instantly covered the five Nether Swordsmen. In the Kaifeng competition, Chang Xiao asked Gao Zhen to hide his strength, which worked. The Nether Swordsmen on the opposite side didn't take Gao Zhen seriously at all, thinking that this operation was extremely easy. He never expected that when the Fire God Sword came out, it flashed with a brilliant light, and everything in front of him was blurred. The masters were fighting, and there was no time for hesitation. The five people drew their swords to protect themselves. The Seven Styles of the Fiery Sun was a top-notch martial art, and the Fire God Sword was a rare weapon. Gao Zhen used all his strength to eliminate the five people. It was also because the Nether Swordsman was careless that the Fire God Sword passed by, and four people were dead on the ground. Only one person was lucky enough to avoid it and flew away. Before his feet touched the ground, a flash of lightning suddenly passed through, and the figure fell to the dust. Gao Zhen praised: "Junior brother can actually perform Thunder Thousand Miles Away. It seems that he has mastered the Heavenly Thunder Break." Yin Tianlei shook his head: "It was a fluke success. He is still a long way from the right level. Senior brother's Seven Styles of Fiery Sun is the real unique skill." Gao Zhen asked: "Do you think Chang Xiao can take it?" Yin Tianlei sighed: "Senior brother, I advise you not to fight with the owner of the manor. In my opinion, the owner of the manor is simply a dragon flying in the sky, unpredictable." Yu Hudie said unconvinced: "He is just a person." Yin Tianlei shook his head: "Sister-in-law is wrong. This person cannot be measured by common sense. The fact that he can see the key to the Heavenly Thunder Break at a glance is enough to prove that the owner of the manor is already a master of the generation who has reached the pinnacle." Although Gao Zhen was unconvinced, the gap was there, and it was useless to deny it. So he said in a deep voice: "The danger is not over yet, hurry up."

This battle shocked Qi Shizhen a lot. Five Nether Swordsmen died, and Gao Zhen fled far away and lost his trace. Chang Xiao had been in Julong Villa. How could Gao Zhen and Yin Tianlei kill five Nether Swordsmen? At this time, Tongtian Fort had completely fallen into Qi Shizhen's hands. The treasures in the vault were all there. Everyone in the fort unanimously expressed their allegiance to Zuixia Taoist. The reputation of the first swordsman was enough to convince these people. Qi Shizhen hurriedly dealt with various affairs, spread the news of the Nether Swordsmen, and sent people to track down Gao Zhen's whereabouts. While he was busy, someone reported that Jiang Feiluan had arrived, and Qi Shizhen hurried out to greet him. Jiang Feiluan was originally full of joy, but he was very angry when he heard the news of the Nether Swordsman, and hurried to Tongtian Fort. Arriving at the hall, Jiang Feiluan sat directly in the middle and asked with a serious face: "Is there any news about Gao Zhen?" Qi Shizhen shook his head: "It was an accident, and no one was arranged." Jiang Feiluan slammed the table and shouted: "What do your people do? They can't even do such a small thing?" Qi Shizhen was not afraid of Jiang Feiluan, and retorted: "It was obviously you who sent the news. Gao Zhen was under the charge of the Nether Swordsman and I was not allowed to intervene. How can you blame me for something going on now?" Jiang Feiluan realized that his tone was too heavy. Qi Shizhen's identity was very special and he must not turn his face against him, so he smiled and said: "Five Nether Swordsmen died. I am a little anxious. Don't mind, Manager Qi." Qi Shizhen could not go any further. After all, Jiang Feiluan was the biological brother of Taoist Zuixia, so he blamed himself: "It's also my fault that I wasn't prepared and let Gao Zhen run away." Jiang Feiluan sighed, "I didn't expect Gao Zhen to be so good at acting. He deliberately showed weakness during the duel and kept us in the dark, so we suffered a great loss." Qi Shizhen shook his head, "Gao Zhen was originally determined to defeat Chang Xiao and become famous, but that party made him change his mind. It was obviously Chang Xiao's instruction that he showed weakness during the duel. He has been hiding his martial arts, which has caused many people to suffer losses. I didn't expect him to teach this trick to Gao Zhen, and we were still fooled. Judging from the situation at the time, if the Nether Swordsman had attacked invisibly, Gao Zhen would have died. But they underestimated Gao Zhen too much and showed up openly, so they died under the Vulcan Sword." Jiang Feiluan nodded, "Underestimating the enemy is a taboo in military strategy. We must never make the same mistake in the future."

Although five Nether Swordsmen were lost, Tongtian Fort and a large number of treasures were finally obtained. Zuixia Taoist sent a new order, Jiang Feiluan was appointed as the master of Tongtian Fort, and issued a martial arts notice to the martial arts world. Qi Shizhen was still responsible for the spies in various places to expand the source of income. Gao Zhen was put aside for the time being, and Chang Xiao's every move was closely monitored. Jiang Feiluan sat on the throne of the master of the fort with great joy. There were four young men around him, who were the sword boys around Zuixia Taoist, specially sent to help Jiang Feiluan stabilize the situation. When Chang Xiao got the news, Tongtian Fort had changed hands. At this time, Chang Xiao was not concerned about his own interests. He first thought of the whereabouts of Gao Zhen, Yin Tianlei, and Yu Hudie, who were the masters of the fort, and what was going on in Wuling Villa. Zuixia Taoist was finally going to leave the mountain, and Chang Xiao thought to himself: The first swordsman, I will finally see your true face in Mount Lushan. The situation was urgent, so Zhong Yuan was specially asked to contact Wanqi Song to ask for details. Let Zhong Hai go to the Divine Sword Sect to meet Zhong Wanshan and ask about the Divine Sword Sect's plans. After the two brothers left, Chang Xiao called Lieyan to him, stroked Lieyan's neck and said, "I'm going to rely on you this time. I'm afraid you'll have to travel two thousand miles tomorrow." Lieyan jumped on the spot, showing his excitement, and Chang Xiao was quite satisfied. He prepared a simple baggage, told the family affairs, and left Julong Mountain alone. Lieyan played every day, and it was a rare opportunity for him to show off. This time he went out, he was full of energy, and his four hooves kicked out, as if he was running like lightning. The first stop was a city god temple on the outskirts of Luoyang, where incense was strong and people came and went. Chang Xiao did not go through the main gate, but went around to the corner gate at the back. There was no one around, so he knocked gently and a voice came from inside: "Which good man are you?" Chang Xiao replied: "The character 'Earth' means Phoenix Eye." The voice from inside asked again: "Who do you want to see?" Chang Xiao replied: "The character 'Sky' means Dragon Tail." After a while, a voice came from inside: "At three o'clock tomorrow night, on the rocky slope outside the city." Chang Xiao did not stay any longer and left quickly.

Obviously, this is a secret contact point. Chang Xiao came here to meet an important person. After sending the message, Chang Xiao returned to the inn to rest. He wandered around Luoyang City. After a day, he went to the Stone Slope after dark. When he arrived at the place, he found that the name was not wrong. There were gravels everywhere, and the largest one was only the size of a fist. There was one good thing. The surrounding area was open and there was no obstruction. No one could get close. It was already three o'clock in the morning, and Chang Xiao could not see anyone. When he was wondering, he heard a strange noise. A person sat up in the gravel pile on the left. Chang Xiao was quite surprised. He didn't expect this person to hide in the gravel. In the moonlight, he could see clearly that it was Elder Jinchan. Chang Xiao praised, "The elder's breath-holding skill is really amazing." Elder Jin Chan shook his head, "This is a stupid skill. No one is willing to practice it. It's nothing. Something happened in Tongtian Fort. I guessed you would come, and I kept rushing here, but I was still a step late. The owner's BMW is really extraordinary." Chang Xiao asked, "Tongtian Fort has changed its owner. How much do you know about it?" Elder Jin Chan smiled, "We know the general situation. Gao Zhen was hiding his strength and killed five Nether Swordsmen in one fell swoop, causing Jiang Feiluan to suffer a great loss." Chang Xiao nodded, "The Seven Styles of Fiery Sun are really powerful." Elder Jin Chan smiled, "Rather than saying that the Seven Styles of Fiery Sun are powerful, it's better to say that your strategy is brilliant. The Kaifeng competition gave most people the illusion that Gao Zhen was vulnerable. The Nether Swordsman dared to show up in public. If an assassination was carried out, Gao Zhen would have no chance at all." Chang Xiao knew the ability of the Nether Swordsman and secretly felt lucky.

Chapter 42: Prepare for a Rainy Day

Elder Jinchan was very open-minded and privately agreed with Chang Xiao on a method of contact, which even Wu Qingyang didn't know. Because Elder Jinchan saw that Chang Xiao was an important figure in the future, and the only master who could compete with Taoist Zuixia. Regardless of the future, at present, with the support of Wanqi Song and the Dragon King of the South China Sea, Chang Xiao's position could completely influence the situation in the world, and getting to know this person would be of great benefit to the Beggars' Sect. Although Elder Jinchan had a close relationship with the owner of Wuling Villa, he was still a member of the Beggars' Sect after all, and he had to consider the future of the Beggars' Sect. The Beggars' Sect was well-informed and knew everything about the Jianghu. Elder Jinchan gave a detailed account of what happened in Tongtianbao. Chang Xiao pondered for a moment and asked, "Is Gao Zhen going north to avoid the enemy temporarily or for other purposes?" Elder Jinchan said with certainty, "The three of them are traveling north at full speed. Obviously, they have other purposes. According to the current itinerary, they have already left Shanhaiguan." Chang Xiao wondered, "What are they doing outside the pass? Even if they can't afford to offend Taoist Zuixia, there is no need to run so far." Elder Jinchan smiled and said, "Gao Zhen has dealt with you before, you should understand his temperament." Chang Xiao pondered for a moment and nodded, "In my opinion, Gao Zhen must have gone outside the pass to reorganize his men and practice martial arts hard, and he will come back when the time is right. He has been competing with me and is unwilling to ask for my help. He just wants to create a world with his own strength. This person has a solid foundation, and sooner or later he will be proud of himself." Elder Jin Chan exclaimed: "It's you. If it were someone else, Gao Zhen wouldn't be able to save himself even if he had ten lives." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "Others like to stand out alone, but I like to see a hundred flowers bloom. The world of martial arts is not the private property of one person, but everyone's world of martial arts. Everyone has a world of martial arts in their hearts." Elder Jin Chan sighed: "Brother, you really don't look like a man of martial arts. Taoist Zuixia is about to come out of the mountain. What are your plans, brother?" Chang Xiao smiled: "Taoist Zuixia has a long-standing reputation and is said to be magical. Sooner or later, he will fight with me, but as long as I don't challenge him publicly, Taoist Zuixia will not make things difficult for me. I want to know how many people have gathered under the banner of Taoist Zuixia and how good their martial arts are." Elder Jin Chan sighed lightly: "People in the world of martial arts are respected for their martial arts. Taoist Zuixia has met many masters from all walks of life and is invincible in swordsmanship. Naturally, many people run around to serve him. There are also some famous masters who are under his control and are extremely powerful."

Chang Xiao never cared about the disputes in the martial arts world. Although he knew that Taoist Zuixia had won over a large number of martial artists, he did not care. He shook his head slightly and said, "Since Taoist Zuixia is invincible in swordsmanship, he should not be tempted by fame and fortune. What's the use of so many people?" Elder Jinchan smiled and said, "Brother, you don't know that Taoist Zuixia found a rare pattern on an ancient sword, which was handed down from ancient times. With his cultivation, he couldn't understand it, so he collected ancient swords and quoted extensively. But one person's strength is limited, and he has to save face and can't use force. That's why he asked his brother Jiang Feiluan to come forward to summon the martial artists. People work for him." Chang Xiao wondered, "Knife skills and sword skills have something in common. When you reach a certain level, there are no fixed moves. Doesn't Taoist Zuixia understand this truth?" Elder Jinchan smiled, "If he doesn't pass this level, he won't be the first swordsman. According to my speculation, the moves on the ancient sword must be able to restrain Duan Qingxiao's Broken Moon Slash. Taoist Zuixia has been in the world for many years, and his biggest knot is Duan Qingxiao. Because he lost so badly at the beginning, no matter how hard he tried later, he couldn't erase the shadow in his heart. "Chang Xiao laughed dumbly, "Taoist Zuixia is too naive , you are making progress, and Duan Qingxiao is not idle either. By the time you find a way to restrain the Broken Moon Slash, Duan Qingxiao has already entered a new realm. "Elder Jinchan shook his head: "It's not that Taoist Zuixia doesn't understand this truth. He wants to break through the Broken Moon Slash not to surpass Duan Qingxiao, but to break through his own psychological barriers and walk out of that failure. Only in this way can he fully integrate his body and mind into the swordsmanship and truly enter a new realm. "Chang Xiao praised again and again: "The elder's insights are indeed brilliant, I didn't expect it." Elder Jinchan smiled and said: "You have never lost since your debut, you can't understand the heart of a loser It's not your fault." Chang Xiao got to know Zuixia Taoist better, and nodded slightly: "So Zuixia Taoist still has such a knot in his heart. It seems that his wish has been fulfilled, otherwise he would not have seized Tongtian Castle. Let's put this matter aside for the time being. Elder, you have been in the martial arts world for a long time, do you know who is the best weapon forger in the martial arts world today?" Elder Jinchan was stunned: "Your dragon scale sword is already a first-class weapon, why do you still need to find a master craftsman?" Chang Xiao smiled: "Elder, you don't know, I want to make a hidden weapon for self-defense. The martial arts world will be in trouble in the future, so it's good to make some preparations."

After hearing Chang Xiao's words, Elder Jin Chan pondered for a moment and said slowly: "As far as I know, Zhong Wanshan of the Divine Sword Sect is good at refining swords, but his other weapons are a little worse. When it comes to making hidden weapons, the first choice is Pei Wu from Peijiazhuang in Yuquan Mountain in the suburbs of Beijing. This man is very clever and the hidden weapons he makes are all top-grade. But he has a rule that only those who are recognized by Shaolin or Wudang can do business with him. This is because he is afraid that the hidden weapons will fall into the hands of bad people and kill people, implicating himself." Chang Xiao said in embarrassment: "I don't have any dealings with these famous families. They have some opinions about me. Even if I visit them, I can't get them. 's recognition." Elder Jinchan smiled and said, "Who in the martial arts world doesn't know your name now? Pei Wu will definitely help you, so you can go without worry." Chang Xiao nodded and said, "We have to give it a try anyway. I'll leave tomorrow. Since Gao Zhen has gone outside the Great Wall to develop, there won't be any action in the short term. Wanxiantang is powerful, and Taoist Zuixia will not act rashly. In my opinion, he will mainly win over, and Wanqi Song will not go against him. At present, the main thing is to see what Taoist Zuixia's next goal is. As the number one swordsman in the martial arts world, he should not do anything despicable." Elder Jinchan shook his head: Brother, you can't change this bad habit. Why does the No. 1 swordsman gather a group of cold-blooded killers around him? It's the same old saying, if you are the best in martial arts, no one will care about your character. Taoist Zuixia appears to be righteous, but he secretly instigates his brother Jiang Feiluan, his right-hand man Hua Mengdie, and Qi Shizhen, several backbones, to stir up trouble in the world and take whatever they want. I just can't stand what they do, so I fully assist Wuling Villa. "Chang Xiao smiled bitterly and shook his head: "Brother Qingyang always told me that the world is dangerous, but I never took it to heart. Helping the poor and the needy is the real thing. The nature of warriors, intrigue, fame and fortune are only suitable for officialdom, but people in the martial arts world can't escape this circle. In any case, Taoist Zuixia will not think about Julong Villa, I will hurry up to make hidden weapons in case of emergency . "Elder Jinchan was a little worried and advised: "Brother, you should be more careful. Hua Mengdie broke her wrist, anything can happen." Chang Xiao smiled proudly: "I'm not bragging, as long as they hurt my relatives, no matter how many people are under Taoist Zuixia, the Dragon Scale Sword will be taken. As long as one escapes, I will commit suicide to thank the world."

Although Elder Jinchan seldom dealt with Chang Xiao, he knew that Chang Xiao was modest and never said anything too much. Today, he actually made such a bold statement, which was quite out of character. From this point of view, Chang Xiao also had great ambitions in his heart, but he rarely showed them. After the secret talk, the two parted ways. Chang Xiao rode his horse to the capital, ready to go to Yuquan Mountain to look for Pei Wu. Lieyan let go of his four hooves and ran wildly. People on the road only saw a red shadow flashing by, and they couldn't see what it was at all. Soon they arrived at Yuquan Mountain and asked about Peijiazhuang. When the red sun was setting, they finally found it. Chang Xiao went into the village to look for an inn. This place was close to the capital, and few merchants stayed overnight. There was no inn at all, only a small hotel. Chang Xiao didn't care. It didn't matter if he slept outdoors. He went to the hotel to rest first. The waiter entertained him attentively. Chang Xiao didn't care much about food. He just ordered a few dishes and drank alone by the window. Lieyan was outside scattering flowers and enjoying himself. It was getting dark, and the mountain breeze was quite cool. There was a sound of footsteps, and under the light, a middle-aged man walked into the hotel carrying a large gourd. The waiter smiled and said, "Brother Wu is here to get wine again. What dishes do you want today?" The middle-aged man said, "Five catties of beef and a leg of lamb." The waiter nodded and said, "Brother Wu, have you received another business?" The middle-aged man smiled and said, "I will start the stove tomorrow. I can't eat meat or wine for at least ten days. Let's have a good meal first." The waiter went to the kitchen to prepare. Chang Xiao was moved. Is this person the Pei Wu that Elder Jinchan mentioned? So he asked, "Is this gentleman surnamed Pei?" The middle-aged man turned around and clasped his fists, "There is no second surname in Peijiazhuang. I am Pei Wu. What advice do you have for me?" Chang Xiao thought to himself: It turned out to be Pei Wu, which saved me a lot of trouble. So Zhan Yan smiled and said, "My name is Chang Xiao. I have come all the way here to serve you. Since we have met, why don't we have a drink together?" Pei Wu nodded and said, "From your appearance, you seem to be a martial artist. Sorry to bother you." The two sat opposite each other. The waiter added more cups. Pei Wu asked, "Brother Chang, who recommended you here?" Chang Xiao smiled and said, "The elder of the Beggars' Sect." Pei Wu frowned and said, "To be honest, Brother Chang, I have a rule that I will not accept business without a recommendation from Shaolin or Wudang." Chang Xiao already knew about this, and asked, "Besides Shaolin and Wudang, do you really not accept any business from me?" Pei Wu nodded and said, "This is a rule passed down from our ancestors. However, there are two exceptions. One is Master Baekje and the other is Iron Arm Divine Sword. However, these two are top masters and it is impossible for them to come to me."

Chang Xiao was stunned. He wanted to go through some trouble, but he didn't expect Pei Wu to mention him. So he asked, "What's so strange about these two people?" Pei Wu was surprised and said, "Brother Chang, you are in the martial arts world, haven't you heard of these two people?" Chang Xiao smiled and said, "Of course I have heard of them, but I don't know the details." Pei Wu was quite dissatisfied: "If you don't even know these two people, what kind of martial arts person is he? Master Baekje is famous all over the world, helping the people, and his merits are higher than the sky. The Iron Arm Divine Sword built Julong Town and saved the lives of more than 100,000 disaster victims. It can be said that it is rare in the martial arts world." Chang Xiao thought to himself: It turns out that it is not for martial arts, but for disaster relief. Master Baekje still has a long-term vision. So he smiled and said, "It seems that our business has hope. Let me talk for a while." Pei Wu was a little puzzled, but he knew the rules of the martial arts world, so he nodded and agreed. The waiter brought wine and meat, and Pei Wu took it in his hand and said, "I don't have money on me today, I will deliver it another day, and the bill for this warrior will also be on my account." The waiter knew that Pei Wu had 1,800 taels for each business, and he would not default on his debts, so he promised. Pei Wu led Chang Xiao out of the house and walked all the way to a small hill at the east end of the village. There was a courtyard on the hill. Pei Wu pointed with his hand and said, "That's my home. It's very messy. Don't laugh at me." Chang Xiao hurriedly said, "No." After entering the house, Pei Wu led Chang Xiao to the main hall and sat him down at the eight-immortal table. After pouring tea, Pei Wu smiled and said, "Brother Chang is a first-class master. He must have a recommendation book from Shaolin and Wudang." Chang Xiao shook his head and said, "My martial arts skills are shallow and I don't deserve the title of master." Pei Wu was quite dissatisfied and said, "Brother Chang, you don't know that I often deal with people from the underworld. I walked all the way here. Not only did I not hear Brother Chang's footsteps, I couldn't even feel the presence of a master around me. This kind of cultivation is beyond the reach of even the Shaolin abbot and the Wudang headmaster." Chang Xiao couldn't help but look at him with new eyes: "I didn't expect Brother Pei to have such a keen eye. Let's be frank. I am the Iron Arm Divine Sword that Brother Pei mentioned." Pei Wu was shocked. He thought that such a master couldn't pretend to be someone else. He straightened his clothes and saluted: "I didn't expect the master to come. I'm very rude." Chang Xiao smiled: "Brother Pei, there's no need to be polite. I was born in a farming family. It was God's will that I stepped into the world." Pei Wu was very happy. It was very rare to meet such a master.

Sitting down again, Pei Wu asked, "I heard that Iron Arm Divine Blade disbanded the Julong Gang and became the owner of the manor. All the masters looked at him with admiration. Why did you come here?" Chang Xiao smiled and said, "Of course, I asked Brother Pei to forge a hidden weapon. Others can't do it." Pei Wu patted his chest and guaranteed, "Leave it to me, but the rules can't be broken. I have to confirm it." Chang Xiao asked, "How much do you know about Iron Arm Divine Blade?" Pei Wu smiled, "Everyone knows that Iron Arm Divine Blade has a magical dragon scale sword and the famous king of thousands of horses, the Fire Dragon Colt." Chang Xiao nodded, "The Dragon Scale Sword is right next to me. The magical weapon is not easy to use. The Fire Dragon Colt has returned to the desert. Now I am with the descendant of the Fire Dragon Colt, Lieyan, who is also a rare BMW. Let you see it." After speaking, he whistled, and after a while, the sound of horse hooves sounded, and Lieyan rushed into the door like a ball of fire. Chang Xiao pointed at Pei Wu and said, "Meet a new friend." Lieyan stared at Pei Wu, nodded, turned around and went out to play in the mountains. Chang Xiao smiled and said, "Lieyan thinks you're pretty good." Pei Wu praised, "So the rumors are actually true. The owner of the manor never puts a bridle on his horse." Chang Xiao said seriously, "Huo Longju and I are close friends. When Huo Longju traveled with me, we didn't have a bridle or even a rein. We ate and slept together, and were as close as brothers." Pei Wu nodded, "Top masters are naturally unique, and the owner of the manor is indeed different. But then again, with the owner's martial arts, what else does he need hidden weapons?" Chang Xiao shook his head, "There are many hidden dragons and crouching tigers in the world, and there are many masters. I dare not be arrogant. I was browsing a secret book a few days ago, and I accidentally got an idea to forge a rare weapon and practice a technique, so I came from afar to ask for it."

Pei Wu knew that Chang Xiao was very important in the martial arts world. Although he held a high position, he never put on airs and was always willing to help others. Seeing him today, he found that his reputation was well-deserved. So he said with great joy: "It is a great honor to serve the owner of the manor." Chang Xiao took out a pattern. The weapon on the pattern was somewhat similar to Yin Tianlei's lightning cone. Although Pei Wu was knowledgeable, he did not recognize it and asked: "What kind of weapon is this? Even I have never seen it before?" Chang Xiao smiled and said: "Few people know about this weapon, and it has no name for the time being. Brother Pei, make one according to the pattern first, and let me try it out and then modify it." Pei Wu was very straightforward and stood up and said: "I will start the furnace and make a pattern." He started immediately. Everything was ready and it was very fast. It was completed in just half an hour. Chang Xiao took it in his hand, weighed it, and swung it out, listening to the sound of breaking through the air, and nodded: "It should be at least twice as heavy, and the size is a little bigger." Pei Wu was surprised and said: "It's easy to make it smaller, but it's difficult to make it twice as heavy." Chang Xiao asked: "What's the difficulty?" Pei Wu smiled bitterly: "The owner of the manor doesn't know that even if you use red gold, you can't make it twice as heavy." Chang Xiao smiled and said: "It's because it's difficult to make it that I came to Brother Pei." Pei Wu pondered for a moment and said: "There is a way, but the material is hard to find. As far as I know, only black iron can meet the owner's requirements, but black iron is extremely precious and hard to come by. . "Chang Xiao nodded: "If there is a way, it's easy to say. Brother Pei naturally knows where to find black iron." Pei Wuming thought for a moment and said: "Black iron is the best material for making weapons. It has always been regarded as a treasure by martial artists. Even if they get it, they keep it secret. As far as I know, a prefect in Shandong once presented a lion paperweight made of black iron as a tribute. Later, because it was too heavy and didn't fit in the hand, the emperor gave it to the general standing in the palace, named Li Huatang. Because it was a gift from the emperor, it was enshrined in the ancestral temple and carefully guarded. Even if someone offered a large sum of money, he dared not sell it. "Chang Xiao immediately stood up and said: "In this case, Chang Mou will go to the capital now."

Chapter 43: The King of Hidden Weapons

Chang Xiao got inspiration from the secret book of Tianlei Po, which is the last move of Thunder Thousand Miles. Using the electric cone to make a fatal blow is unstoppable, but it also leaves no protection for himself. After repeated consideration, Chang Xiao decided to imitate the shape of the electric cone to make a small hidden weapon as his trump card to deal with future strong opponents, so he looked for a master craftsman. Yuquan Mountain is not far from the capital, and the flames are as fast as the wind. He entered the capital at dawn. After asking around, he learned that Li Huatang is the son of the Minister of War, who knows some martial arts and lives in the Shangshu Mansion. With Chang Xiao's skills, it is not a problem to go through the hall and enter the house. He can rest during the day and enter the Shangshu Mansion at night. He easily gets the black iron lion and rushes to Peijiazhuang in Yuquan Mountain. Pei Wu knows Chang Xiao's status in the martial arts world, and taking this thing is just a piece of cake. Chang Xiao took out the lion and asked, "Is this the thing?" Pei Wu took it, weighed it, looked at it for a moment and nodded, "Yes, it is." Chang Xiao asked in some confusion, "If it is so precious, why hasn't anyone in the martial arts world taken it away?" Pei Wu smiled and said, "This piece of black iron is only big enough to make a hidden weapon. It is not even enough to make a dagger, but no one can use such a heavy hidden weapon, so no one wants it." Chang Xiao nodded, "In that case, please make a fake one based on this thing, Brother Pei. I will send it back overnight to avoid involving others." Pei Wu praised, "The owner of the manor is very thoughtful. To be honest, I was present when this lion was made, and I made one when I came back, but it was much lighter. Now I've poured some mercury into it, and it can be mistaken for the real thing." Chang Xiao nodded, "There is no time to lose. Thank you Brother Pei for your trouble." Pei Wu smiled, "The owner of the manor is too polite. This little thing is not worth mentioning." He started to work immediately and soon took out a lion, which was exactly the same as the one Chang Xiao took. Chang Xiao was overjoyed and rushed to the capital immediately. He put the fake lion back to its original place without anyone noticing, and the task was done perfectly.

When he returned to Peijiazhuang, Pei Wu had already started the furnace. It was not easy to melt the black iron. He had prepared more than a thousand pounds of firewood. Once he started working, Pei Wu seemed to be a different person. He was focused and had no expression, as if he was wearing a mask. Chang Xiao understood the reason. Forging weapons was the same as practicing martial arts. Only by concentrating can you achieve results. Being distracted will lead to nothing. Therefore, he did not disturb them and just wandered around the village. Because Qi Shizhen would definitely send someone to track him, he would pay attention to see if there were any outsiders and make sure that no one was tracking him before he felt relieved. In fact, Qi Shizhen sent a lot of people to track him, but Lieyan moved so fast that he could not catch up at all. Moreover, even the leader of the Nether Swordsman, who was the most skilled in tracking and assassination, had his right hand cut off by Chang Xiao. Others had been scared and dared not approach. Therefore, Qi Shizhen did not know that Chang Xiao had made a hidden weapon. As for the pattern, Chang Xiao tried it many times before he decided on it. After a lot of deliberation, Chang Xiao always planned ahead and won in a stable way. Pei Wu melted the black iron with all his heart, and it didn't turn red until the seventh day. Pei Wu held the black iron with a pair of tongs in one hand and hit it with a small hammer in the other hand. Chang Xiao found that the black iron was indeed unusual. Ordinary iron would have turned into water long ago, but the black iron only emitted a faint dark red color. Pei Wu hit it for half a day, but not even a tip came out. Chang Xiao was not in a hurry. This hidden weapon was extraordinary and must be tempered a thousand times before it could have a powerful power. Pei Wu knew that Chang Xiao was famous for his generosity. If this hidden weapon was successful, he would definitely pay a large sum of money, and he could retire. Therefore, he put in 120% of his energy and must complete this hidden weapon.

After a month of hard work, Pei Wu finally finished the hidden weapon. The weapon was four inches and eight centimeters long, like a shuttle, with two pointed ends and a dark black body. Chang Xiao took it in his hand and weighed it. The weight was just right. He nodded and praised: "Brother Pei's craftsmanship is really superb. This is the hidden weapon I want." Pei Wu wiped the sweat from his head and stared at the hidden weapon. Chang Xiao understood that Pei Wu had put a lot of effort into this hidden weapon, and of course he wanted to see the power of the hidden weapon. So he smiled and said: "Brother Pei has worked hard for dozens of days. You must know the name and power of the hidden weapon. Chang called the hidden weapon the electric light shuttle. Brother Pei, pay attention and watch." With a flip of his palm, a dazzling electric light shot out. Pei Wu followed the electric light and found that the electric light shuttle penetrated the wooden pillar under the eaves and shot into the yard. After a careful search, he found a small hole in the courtyard wall. The electric light shuttle actually shot into the wall. Pei Wu was shocked. Such power is unparalleled in the world. But the electric light shuttle was embedded in the wall and could not be taken out. Just when he was in trouble, Chang Xiao came up to him, put one palm against the wall, and the true energy flowed into his palm and suddenly lifted it up, and the electric shuttle came out. Pei Wu was shocked. Such martial arts were unheard of. The two returned to the house and sat down. Pei Wu sighed: "This hidden weapon is the most proud work of my life. Such power is absolutely not something that ordinary people can resist." Chang Xiao felt a little regretful and shook his head and said: "It's just that I have to work hard to find it every time I use it." Pei Wu remembered something and smiled and said: "Don't worry, owner, I still have a piece of black gold silk in my collection. Because it is too rare, I have never been willing to use it. Now I drill a hole at the end of the electric shuttle and use the black gold silk to penetrate it. It is much more convenient to use." Chang Xiao was overjoyed; "Brother Pei is so troublesome, Chang must reward you handsomely." Pei Wu immediately found the black gold silk, which was as thin as a hair but extremely tough. It was only a small ball but more than ten feet long. Pei Wu carefully designed and hid the electric shuttle in an ordinary arm guard. When using it, you only need to press it lightly to get it in your hand. Chang Xiao was quite satisfied. He put it away solemnly and asked, "Brother Pei, please tell me what you need. I will give you a generous reward for such a sharp weapon." Pei Wu thought for a moment and said, "The owner of the manor is of high status. You can accept whatever reward you give. It's all up to you." Chang Xiao nodded and said, "Since Brother Pei is so polite, I will give you this much. If you think it's not enough, you can add more."

Pei Wu took the banknote and was shocked to see the amount. There was an amount of 100,000 taels on it. There were five banknotes in total, and the amount was as high as 500,000 taels. Pei Wu was the richest man in the area and was envied by everyone in the village, but he was still stunned when he saw such a large sum of money. Chang Xiao asked with a smile: "How about this amount?" Pei Wu recovered after a long time, and hurriedly put the banknote on the table and pushed it in front of Chang Xiao: "It's too much. People in the mountains dare not hope for it. Just 5,000 taels is enough." Chang Xiao shook his head: "Didn't I say that I will take whatever you give me? Brother Pei, you don't have to be polite. The importance of the electric shuttle to me is far more important than silver." Pei Wu still refused to take it. Chang Xiao smiled and said: "I understand what you are thinking, brother Pei. Too much money can easily bring disaster. The ancients said it well. Leaving gold and silver to descendants may not be able to enjoy them. Accumulating merits is an endless field of blessings. There are many suffering people in the world. Brother Pei should use this money to build water conservancy projects. "Isn't it good to help the orphans and widows, open a school, benefit the hometown, and leave a good name?" Pei Wu suddenly realized, solemnly put away the silver note, and nodded: "I will definitely publicize the kindness of the owner of the manor." Chang Xiao shook his head: "This money is what you deserve, it has nothing to do with me, you don't owe me anything. Brother Pei should know that in a critical moment, the electric shuttle can play a decisive role. "Pei Wu is quite confident: "Don't worry, owner of the manor, I dare to assert that the electric shuttle is the king of hidden weapons in the world today, unparalleled in the world." Chang Xiao had something on his mind. He had wasted a lot of time on the electric shuttle. He should go home and take a look, so he said goodbye and left. Pei Wu sent Chang Xiao away, and immediately asked the respected elders of Peijiazhuang to make the decision. He exchanged a large sum of silver to build a school for the village, build a canal, and divert water to every household. He also repaired the road, built new houses for poor families, renovated the Pei clan ancestral hall, and built a Guandi Temple. Pei Wu stopped taking on any business, devoted himself to doing good deeds, and became a well-known good man. His descendants prospered and multiplied endlessly, which was the reward for doing good deeds.

After leaving Peijia Manor, Chang Xiao hurried back to Julong Villa. Everything was fine at home, his wife and daughter were fine, and Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai were back. The three of them went to the hall to drink. Chang Xiao first asked Zhong Hai: "How is the situation of the Divine Sword Sect? Has Duan Xiyun changed?" Zhong Hai said happily: "After that time of eating roasted corn, Duan Xiyun is very different from before, and after traveling, he has indeed gained more experience and become calm and capable. After watching the competition, he knew his shortcomings and practiced the peerless swordsmanship in seclusion. When I came back, Duan Xinyi repeatedly told me to thank the owner of the manor." Chang Xiao nodded: "If Xiyun turns over a new leaf, he will have great potential. What does the Divine Sword Sect think of Zuixia Taoist?" Zhong Hai replied: "According to Uncle Wanshan said that Taoist Zuixia dared not conflict with the Divine Sword Sect. The old sect leader was still alive. Although he had not been home for many years, no one could predict his whereabouts and he might show up at any time. "Chang Xiao smiled and said, "Once bitten by a snake, one will be afraid of the rope for ten years. As long as Duan Qingxiao is alive, Taoist Zuixia will not dare to be too ostentatious." After asking about the Divine Sword Sect, Chang Xiao asked Zhong Yuan, "What is the attitude of Wanxian Hall?" Zhong Yuan replied, "The attitude of the Wanqi Hall Master is to keep out of each other's way. If necessary, he can give in a little and see how the situation develops." Chang Xiao asked again, "What about the Dragon King of the South China Sea?" How to deal with the cooperation? "Zhong Yuan said: "Master Wanqi said that the business has been opened. Even if Qi Shizhen knows it, it doesn't matter. If Jiang Feiluan goes to war, Wanxiantang will not be easy to deal with." Chang Xiao praised: "Master Wanqi is indeed courageous and dares to challenge the number one swordsman. Since both parties have countermeasures, we don't have to worry about it. At present, it seems that Taoist Zuixia has been hiding behind the scenes and letting Jiang Feiluan be a shield. I am worried that Hua Mengdie, the leader of the Nether Swordsmen, will come to seek revenge, so I rushed back specially. Let's wait and see what happens and see if Taoist Zuixia can... What is the real intention of Wuling Villa?" Zhong Yuan asked: "Will Wuling Villa not care about it?" Chang Xiao smiled: "It's not that I don't want to care, but they don't want me to intervene. Although Wu Qingyang has made his attitude clear, the old owner still has opinions about me. This is a common problem among famous martial arts families. No matter what the situation is, they are unwilling to admit that others are better than themselves. In my opinion, even if Wuling Villa is breached by Zuixia Taoist, they will not ask me for help." Zhong Hai disagreed: "In this case, we can just stand by and watch and let them fight Zuixia Taoist."

Chang Xiao's speculation was correct. Wuling Villa did not regard Chang Xiao as one of their own. Although Wu Qingyang and Elder Jinchan persuaded him, the old owner still blamed Chang Xiao for letting Chasing Wind Camel go. In addition, Chang Xiao's life was saved by Wu Qingyang, so he should obey Wuling Villa's dispatch and become Wuling Villa's subordinate. However, Chang Xiao not only did not intend to submit to Wuling Villa, but instead made a name for himself. His reputation was even greater than Wuling Villa, and he was on par with Taoist Zuixia. The old owner could not bear this. Seeing that Jiang Feiluan took over Tongtian Fort and Taoist Zuixia was about to leave the mountain, the old owner was also prepared to respond. The comforting thing was that the Nether Swordsman was severely injured, with seven people lost in succession, and even the leader Hua Mengdie was seriously injured, and Taoist Zuixia's power was greatly affected. Moreover, a group of people had to be assigned to pay attention to Chang Xiao's actions, which created an opportunity for Wuling Villa. The old owner called Wu Qingyang back and discussed with Mr. Tang, preparing to go to Jiangnan to deal with Tongtianbao. Wu Qingyang was quite surprised that he didn't see Elder Jinchan. How could such an important matter be missing this important person? Mr. Tang explained: "The elder has already arrived in Jiangnan to deploy." Wu Qingyang thought: Why are you still looking for me to discuss it when it has already been decided? So he asked: "Since the elder has already arrived in Jiangnan, why not let him contact me? Why call me back?" The old owner said seriously: "How do you know that Jinchan actually contacted Chang Xiao without my knowledge, and made Chang Xiao the first guest of the Beggar Gang. Obviously, he has two minds. I called you back to let you be careful." Wu Qingyang was shocked. His father actually doubted Elder Jinchan. If this matter was not handled well, Wuling Villa would be in danger. So he hurriedly advised: "Dad, the elder has served Wuling Mountain Villa for many years, it is impossible for him to have two hearts. Chang Xiao is not our enemy, why bother about it?" The old owner shook his head and said: "It's okay to deal with Chang Xiao. You don't know the status of the first guest official in the Beggars' Sect. Not only can you get the full support of the Beggars' Sect, but you can also meet the leader of the Beggars' Sect. My father has been friends with Jin Chan for many years. He has asked to meet the leader of the Beggars' Sect many times, but Jin Chan has always refused. Now he has given such an important position to Chang Xiao. It is obvious that he thinks Chang Xiao is more important than me."

Hearing this, Wu Qingyang sighed in his heart: Father still can't change his old habits, what's so strange about this, if it were me, I would also choose Chang Xiao as the first guest official, who can help at any time. Giving this position to my father, not only can he not help, but also a large number of people from the Beggar Gang will be mobilized. Although he thought about it, Wu Qingyang knew his father's temper and couldn't say it clearly. So he tried to persuade him to trust Elder Jinchan in every way. But the old owner was quite stubborn and believed that Elder Jinchan had a traitor. Wu Qingyang's persuasion was ineffective, so he had to perfunctorily discuss it with Mr. Tang in private. Mr. Tang certainly knew the importance of Elder Jinchan. Without his help, Wuling Villa could not be saved at all. Wu Qingyang asked Mr. Tang to solve the problem, but Mr. Tang shook his head repeatedly: "Ever since your eldest brother was injured in the desert and lost his martial arts, your father has been suspicious and doesn't trust anyone. My words don't work." Wu Qingyang said in embarrassment: "Elder Jinchan must not be offended. Chang Xiao is the only master who can compete with Taoist Zuixia. Without the support of these two people, Wuling Villa will be vulnerable." Mr. Tang sighed: "Of course I understand. The latest news shows that Taoist Zuixia's swordsmanship has reached a new level. Hua Mengdie installed an extremely vicious weapon after breaking her wrist. Poisoned weapons are more difficult to deal with than before. Although seven Nether Swordsmen were killed, there are still eleven. In addition, the sword boy beside the Taoist Zuixia is not easy to deal with. In addition, the Holy Mother of Nanhua and some masters under the control of the Taoist Zuixia are far more powerful than us." Wu Qingyang was quite worried: "How can we go to Jiangnan if we still doubt ourselves at this time?" Mr. Tang nodded: "Yes, the Taoist Zuixia is ready to move, and there are dangers everywhere. It is extremely dangerous to put people in Jiangnan." Wu Qingyang said anxiously: "In this case, why don't you dissuade him?" Mr. Tang smiled bitterly: "Your father's temper You don't know you're angry yet, but no one can change your mind once it's made. There is no other good way at the moment. You should rush to Julong Villa as soon as possible and tell Chang Xiao about Hua Mengdie and ask him to be careful. Only with this strong support can we resolve the crisis in front of us." Wu Qingyang nodded: "It can be said that Chang Xiao is indeed unfathomable. Not only has his swordsmanship improved by leaps and bounds, but he has also received support from Wanqi Song and the Dragon King of the South China Sea. With the praise of Master Baekje, he has become an important figure. Once he becomes the number one guest of the Beggar Gang, his power is far beyond the reach of the original Julong Gang." Mr. Tang agreed: "According to In my opinion, Chang Xiao's achievements today are not due to his scheming, but to his broad mind. His outstanding martial arts skills and his modesty naturally attract all kinds of masters to join him. This man is the only opponent of Zuixia Taoist. Sooner or later, the two of them will fight, just like Duan Qingxiao and Chi Lingshen. The winner will be the supreme ruler of the martial arts world. "Wu Qingyang asked: "Mr. Yi, who is likely to win?" Mr. Tang shook his head: "I'm afraid Duan Qingxiao can't answer this question. These two people have their own strengths, and it's hard to say who has the advantage. Besides, anything can happen during a duel."

Chapter 44: The Battle at the Villa

Wu Qingyang had no way to convince his father, so he had to comfort him and hurried to Julong Villa. Since Chang Xiao had become the first guest of the Beggars' Sect, there were naturally disciples of the Beggars' Sect who passed on the news. They already knew about Hua Mengdie and were practicing the Lightning Shuttle, determined to get rid of this dangerous person. The Lightning Shuttle is not an ordinary hidden weapon. Although it is not big, it is quite heavy. Apart from masters like Chang Xiao, few people can use it. The move evolved from Thunder Thousand Miles. Chang Xiao did not tell Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai about this matter. It was not because he was worried, but because he was afraid that Qi Shizhen would get the news and Hua Mengdie would be hard to hit with one strike. This person's martial arts and swordsmanship have entered the side door. I don't know how many people died under his sword. The sooner he is eliminated, the better. As for the Taoist Zuixia, the Lightning Shuttle is definitely not something that can be dealt with. It will take years of hard practice and accumulation of results bit by bit. The first swordsman has gone through countless storms and is not comparable to Hua Mengdie. One day, the family came to report that the Qingyang swordsman was visiting, and Chang Xiao hurried out to greet him. Wu Qingyang knew that after Chang Xiao cut off Hua Mengdie's right hand, he had already recognized the gap between his martial arts and Chang Xiao's. To be honest, even his father didn't have this ability. Therefore, his attitude was different from before. He threw aside the airs of a famous master and was very cordial when they met. The two came to the hall. Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai came to greet him. Wu Qingyang smiled and said, "We are all friends, no need to be polite." Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai looked at each other. The Qingyang swordsman was not like this before. It seems that the gathering in Kaifeng changed Qingyang swordsman a lot. The banquet was set up. After the four people sat down, Chang Xiao asked, "Brother Wu, you look hurried. Is there something important?" Wu Qingyang nodded, "I heard that Hua Mengdie wanted to lead the Nether Swordsmen to Julong Villa for revenge, so I came here to remind you." Although Chang Xiao had received the news, he could not make it clear, so as not to embarrass Elder Jinchan. He pretended to be surprised and said, "Hua Mengdie's martial arts skills are at least half as good as before. How can she have the ability to take revenge?" Wu Qingyang sighed, "Hua Mengdie is vicious and cruel. After her hand was cut off, she equipped it with a vicious weapon with extremely amazing power." Chang Xiao nodded, "Thank you for your care, Brother Wu. Hua Mengdie's martial arts skills have gone astray. There is no need to worry about her."

Such words seemed to be spoken by a martial arts master. If it were in the past, Wu Qingyang would definitely not accept it. But now the situation is different, and Chang Xiao is indeed qualified to say such words. So he nodded to show his approval: "Brother, what you said is correct, but it is better to be careful. Hua Mengdie has been in the martial arts world for many years, and it is not easy to deal with." Chang Xiao originally wanted to tell the matter of Elder Jinchan, but the elder told him not to make it clear, so he did not mention this matter during this meeting. Wu Qingyang explained his father's meaning, and Chang Xiao frowned: "It is better to be careful at this time. It is best not to act rashly before the strength of Zuixia Taoist is not clear." Wu Qingyang sighed: "That's what I mean, but my father thinks that the Nether Swordsman was severely injured, which is a great opportunity." Chang Xiao shook his head: "The Nether Swordsman is just some minions, even if they all die, it will not affect Zuixia Taoist. In the way of martial arts, a slight mistake can lead to a thousand miles of error. The cultivation of Zuixia Taoist is the most critical." Wu Qingyang is also a first-class master, and of course he understands the truth, but it is difficult to disobey his father's order, and there is no other way. Chang Xiao saw that Wu Qingyang was in a dilemma, so he smiled and said, "Brother Wu, don't worry. Although Tongtian Fort is full of experts, it is not impregnable. Although Qi Shizhen has many spies, there are still many loopholes. Since your father is going to Jiangnan, it's good to cause some trouble to Taoist Zuixia, but you have to be careful of Wuling Villa. If Qi Shizhen knows that the villa is empty, he will definitely send people to attack it." Wu Qingyang nodded: "Taoist Zuixia has coveted Wuling Villa for a long time, mainly to get the treasured ancient sword. If it weren't for Elder Jinchan tipping off and using the people of the Beggar Gang to contain it everywhere, the villa would have been lost long ago." While drinking and talking, Wu Qingyang did not dare to tell Chang Xiao the contact method of Wuling Villa without his father's permission. Chang Xiao knew in his heart that if you don't give me the bottom line, I can't help even if I want to. Now is not the time to conflict with Taoist Zuixia.

This time, Wu Qingyang mainly asked Chang Xiao for help, but he couldn't reveal the details. He felt awkward. In the end, Chang Xiao said, "Since your father is going to Jiangnan to fight against Tongtian Fort, I can only try my best to contain their manpower. The main target is the Nether Swordsman. This group of killers must not be left." Wu Qingyang was overjoyed: "Brother, you are really straightforward and much better than me. It is rare to be able to do this." Chang Xiao smiled: "Even if I don't show up, they won't let me go. It's better to make a quick end." Wu Qingyang knew how powerful the Nether Swordsman was. His brother was destroyed by Hua Mengdie, and his father almost died. Chang Xiao took the Nether Swordsman on himself, which was equivalent to taking away an arm of Zuixia Taoist. He was happy, so he drank heartily, said goodbye in a hurry and prepared to meet his father. Chang Xiao was also ready to deal with Hua Mengdie and the remaining eleven Nether Swordsmen. Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai had been practicing hard in the water for a long time, and finally had the opportunity to contact the Nether Swordsman. They were mixed with joy and sorrow. Chang Xiao was quite calm and said to the two: "Don't worry, the biggest advantage of the Nether Swordsman is that he is clever and can approach without being noticed. The disadvantage is that his swordsmanship is rigid and he only knows how to kill with one blow, and most of his targets are the back. As long as you feel them approaching, react quickly, there is nothing to be afraid of the Nether Swordsman." The two brothers nodded and went back to prepare, as the Nether Swordsman could arrive at any time. Chang Xiao had dealt with the Nether Swordsman before, and he was indeed more careful when they first met. Later, he found out the truth and practiced hard in the water for a long time, so he no longer took the Nether Swordsman seriously. However, Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai are still a little short of their skills, so they can't be careless. Now is different from the past. The information sent by Qi Shizhen was half true and half false. It is not possible to believe it completely, but not believing it will also delay things and take a lot of trouble. Now the news coming from the Beggars' Sect is extremely accurate, so there is no need to bother to study it. In fact, Chang Xiao didn't know that the token given to him by Elder Jin Chan represented the first guest official. He just thought it was an ordinary token. He never thought about meeting the leader of the Beggar Gang. He thought to himself that since the Beggar Gang was so helpful, he must find a way to do something for the Beggar Gang. This was the difference between Chang Xiao and the owner of Wuling Villa.

Hua Mengdie had been in the martial arts world for many years, and had never suffered such a big loss. She hated Chang Xiao to the core and was determined to take revenge. If other masters encountered this situation, they would know the difference in martial arts and would never repeat the same mistake. The other party would never let you go. Hua Mengdie didn't care about these things. She would do anything for revenge. She summoned eleven Netherworld Swordsmen under her and prepared to attack Julong Villa at night. Just as she was about to leave, she suddenly received a letter from Taoist Zuixia, which warned Hua Mengdie to give up the idea of sneak attack. The floating light and shadow body skills had failed, and sneak attack at night would backfire. Hua Mengdie thought for a moment and knew that what Taoist Zuixia said was true. The repeated setbacks of the Netherworld Swordsmen showed that Chang Xiao had reached the extreme level, and the sneak attack would fail 90%. However, she was not sure about the face-to-face challenge. The swordsmanship that Chang Xiao used at the critical moment contained a sense of righteousness from heaven and earth, which suppressed her martial arts. If not, even Taoist Zuixia would not be able to cut off her wrist with one move. Although he knew that Chang Xiao was not easy to mess with, he could not bear this anger. If he did not take revenge, the Nether Swordsman would become a laughing stock in the martial arts world. After thinking for a long time, he could not find a good solution. A female disciple approached and said, "Master, Julong Villa has Chang Xiao's wife and daughter. Why don't we use them?" Hua Mengdie scolded, "What are you talking about? The Nether Swordsman is a master in the martial arts world. How could he use such a despicable method? No matter how far a martial artist has reached, he cannot abandon his dignity." The female disciple retreated without saying a word. Hua Mengdie gritted her teeth and said, "Even if I die, I will die in Julong Villa. Remember, the head can be cut off, but the will cannot be taken away. The army can be deprived of its general, but the will of a common man cannot be taken away. I am ready to use my death to defend the dignity of the Nether Swordsman." The eleven Nether Swordsmen bowed down together, all moved by Hua Mengdie's courage, and said in unison: "Nether Swordsmen, born in one place, die in one place, and are willing to die with the Lord." Hua Mengdie took out an iron plate from her arms, stroked it gently, and sighed: "This token once made people in the martial arts world change color, and it took the lives of countless people in an instant. It was blood that created the reputation of the Nether Swordsman. As the law of nature goes, it is my turn to bleed. A martial arts notice has been issued, and three days later the Nether Swordsman and Chang Xiao will have a decisive battle at Julong Villa."

This news spread quickly throughout the martial arts world. The Nether Swordsman had killed countless people and had been rampant for several years. No one dared to confront him. After he surrendered to the Taoist Zuixia, he was even more fearless. The major sects avoided him as much as possible and didn't even want to mention his name. Now that the Nether Swordsman is on the decline, many people applaud. The news that Hua Mengdie went to Julong Villa to challenge was like a stone that stirred up a thousand waves. For a while, everyone in the martial arts world turned their attention to Julong Villa to see Chang Xiao's attitude. Chang Xiao also issued a martial arts post, accepting the challenge on time and refusing all guests. This disappointed many people and it was a pity not to see this decisive battle. Chang Xiao's attitude was very firm. Even figures like Wanqi Song and the Dragon King of the South China Sea were no exception. He insisted on using his own strength to deal with the Nether Swordsman. Wu Qingyang naturally got the news and sighed in his heart: Chang Xiao's humble appearance still hides a great ambition. Hua Mengdie is already a rare master. With the addition of eleven Nether Swordsmen, this force is enough to stir up a bloody storm in the martial arts world. Chang Xiao dared to fight alone, and he would be famous in the world regardless of life or death, and even surpass the first swordsman. Thinking of this, Wu Qingyang asked himself: If it were me, would I dare to face such a powerful force alone? There was no way to tell the answer clearly. Although Chang Xiao closed the door to visitors, many people still rushed to Julong Town to inquire about the news. The result of this battle could completely affect the situation in the martial arts world, and naturally affected countless people. If Chang Xiao was defeated and died, the Nether Swordsman would make a comeback and dominate the world. If Chang Xiao won, it would mean that the status of the first swordsman was seriously threatened, just like Duan Qingxiao and Chi Lingshen, and sooner or later there would be a more exciting decisive battle.

For a time, Julong Town was very lively. Masters from all walks of life gathered here, and the topic of discussion revolved around the decisive battle. The people of Julong Town were not worried about Chang Xiao. The reason was simple. On one side was a cold-blooded killer who killed people without hesitation, and on the other side was a kind-hearted person who saved the victims from disasters. The outcome was already clear, and some people even prepared gifts to go to Julong Villa to congratulate. When the news came, Hua Mengdie, contrary to her usual behavior, led the Nether Swordsmen to make a public appearance, dressed in gorgeous clothes, riding a horse with a carved saddle, as if she was determined to win. Julong Villa did close its doors to visitors and waited for Hua Mengdie to come. What was different about this battle was that it received unprecedented attention, but no one guessed the outcome. Although the casino wanted to make a big profit, no one bet, which showed the importance of this battle in the minds of the people in the world. The Nether Swordsmen never appeared in public, and this time they were so ostentatious. Once they won, they might become more aggressive, and there would be no peace in the world. Although Chang Xiao often made amazing moves, after all, the Nether Swordsmen had unique swordsmanship and clever body movements, which were hard to defend against. Besides, Hua Mengdie's martial arts are recognized by the world. If someone can control her, they will not ask Taoist Zuixia to come out. Chang Xiao was quite relaxed about this battle. He asked Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai to welcome Hua Mengdie at the door, and he waited alone in the hall. Hua Mengdie knew that if she went, she would die under the Dragon Scale Sword. With her right hand broken, her martial arts would be lost by more than half. Although she installed the Green Bamboo Sword given by Taoist Zuixia, she still couldn't reach the original level. It's true that the Nether Swordsman is a master in the martial arts world, but when he faced Chang Xiao, he had no chance of winning. This is the characteristic of martial arts. If the realm is one level lower, it's like a lamb to be slaughtered. There is no room for fighting back. But for the dignity of a warrior and the reputation of the Nether Swordsman, he can't retreat even if he dies. Because Chang Xiao closed the door to visitors, outsiders could not enter. Although Jiang Feiluan and Qi Shizhen wanted to send people to help, they couldn't do it. In the eyes of ordinary people, even if Chang Xiao had three heads and six arms, he would not be able to resist more than a dozen masters, and closing the door to visitors is tantamount to seeking death.

Hua Mengdie led the Nether Swordsmen to Julong Villa at noon. Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai were waiting at the door. Hua Mengdie walked in with her head held high and her face livid. She would not retreat even if the door to hell was closed. The hall was empty except for Chang Xiao, who was sitting in the middle. Hua Mengdie asked the Nether Swordsmen to wait outside the door and walked straight to Chang Xiao, looking at him intently without saying a word. Chang Xiao sat upright, motionless. After looking around for a long time, Hua Mengdie nodded: "Iron Arm Divine Sword, here I come." Chang Xiao smiled: "Hua Mengdie, the leader of the Nether Swordsmen, the right-hand man of the first swordsman Zuixia Taoist." Hua Mengdie saw her Blood Shadow Sword on the table in front of Chang Xiao, and felt uncomfortable. Chang Xiao pushed the Blood Shadow Sword forward: "This is your sword, I give it back to you." Hua Mengdie sighed: "Although the sword is good, it's a pity that I am no longer worthy of it." Chang Xiao shook his head: "You can come today, you are worthy of the Blood Shadow Sword. The beauty is given to the beauty, and the sword is given to the martyr. If you die here, I will bury the sword with you and end it. : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : As noon passed, the two people in the hall were still facing each other, with no intention of fighting. Hua Mengdie was waiting for an opportunity. Since learning the Blood Shadow Sutra, it was easy to kill people. There was no need to duel with others. This kind of atmosphere has not been experienced for many years. As for Chang Xiao, there was no contempt in his heart, and he even admired him. Hua Mengdie's persistence in swordsmanship and the pride of putting dignity above life and death were really touching. But both sides had no choice. The opponent was the opponent, and there was no room for thinking when fighting. Hua Mengdie admired Chang Xiao's determination. As time passed, her chances did not increase, but decreased. If she waited any longer, she was afraid that she would even run out of strength to fight. Helplessly, she flew up, let out a long and shrill roar, and delivered the last blow. In the blink of an eye, the winner was decided. Hua Mengdie stood in the middle motionless, and was pierced through the heart by a sword. It was the Blood Shadow Sword. Chang Xiao walked up to him and said, "It would be more appropriate for you to die under the Blood Shadow Sword." Hua Mengdie nodded slightly, "Thank you."

Chapter 45 Undercurrent

The winner was decided, Hua Mengdie got what she wanted, and the Nether Swordsman outside the hall saw it clearly. Eleven people entered the hall one after another, and ten of them silently lifted Hua Mengdie's body. The leader saluted Chang Xiao and said, "Master, the Nether Swordsman will be removed from the Jianghu from today." Chang Xiao saw that these people were disheartened and would most likely commit suicide after burying Hua Mengdie. He felt a little sorry, but these people had killed countless people, and this result was only a matter of time. Thinking of this, he stopped talking and nodded slightly. The eleven people slowly left Julong Villa. Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai entered the hall to congratulate. Chang Xiao felt a little regretful: "I didn't expect Hua Mengdie to be a man. The Nether Swordsman's ending was really unexpected." Zhong Yuan said: "I didn't expect Hua Mengdie to come here to die. This old guy is a man of character." Zhong Hai laughed and said: "The Nether Swordsman was completely destroyed by the owner of the manor. In the future, the owner's reputation will definitely surpass that of the number one swordsman." Chang Xiao disagreed: "Reputation is not a good thing for people who practice martial arts. I think Hua Mengdie's coming to Julong Villa to die is not as simple as it seems. It should be Zui Xia The Taoist meant to make me famous. After I become famous, I will be in trouble. My movements will be restricted. The most dangerous thing is to be satisfied and stop moving forward. That means my death is imminent. "Zhong Yuan was quite surprised: "This soft knife is really powerful. Taoist Zuixia is willing to send his capable assistant to the underworld. He is really cruel." Chang Xiao was the leader of the Julong Gang and understood the interests involved. He analyzed: "In my opinion, Hua Mengdie's martial arts skills have been reduced by at least half after she broke her wrist. She is no longer of much use. The Nether Swordsman only recognizes Hua Mengdie. Others I can't control it, so I just walked into the tiger's mouth, making me the focus of attention from all sides, which is equivalent to sitting on a fire." Zhong Hai asked: "Since you know the intention of Taoist Zuixia, why do you still do what he wants? Isn't it enough to let Hua Mengdie go?" Chang Xiao smiled bitterly: "If I let Hua Mengdie go, some people will say that I am colluding with this group of cold-blooded killers and betraying the moral principles of the martial arts world. This is where Taoist Zuixia's brilliance lies. You knew it was a trap and you had no other choice." Zhong Hai asked in confusion: "No one would stop Taoist Zuixia from taking the Nether Swordsman as his own. About him?" Chang Xiao smiled and said, "When Taoist Zuixia subdued Hua Mengdie, he had a pretext for turning over a new leaf. After the Nether Swordsman surrendered, he rarely killed people again. With this excuse, plus the reputation of the number one swordsman, naturally no one would say anything. It would be different if it were me. The four famous families have always had opinions about me. If it weren't for the help of your master, I would not be able to gain a foothold in the world." Zhong Hai shook his head, "I don't understand. He does the same thing to eliminate harm for the people, but I am just going along with it. What's the reason?" Chang Xiao couldn't explain it clearly.

The Nether Swordsman carried Hua Mengdie's body out of Julong Villa and returned to his old nest, Chiping Gorge. This was the most secret nest of the Nether Swordsman, and all the important items were in the cave. The Nether Swordsman carefully placed Hua Mengdie's body, carried out a stone coffin, moved Hua Mengdie into the coffin, and put the Blood Shadow Sword in place. The eleven people burned incense and worshiped in turn, and buried her properly. The leader said loudly: "Brothers, once the Lord is gone, the Nether Swordsman no longer exists. Our hands are full of blood. Instead of living in humiliation and suffering in the world, it is better to follow the Lord and go to the underworld together. There will be someone to take care of us on the way to the underworld." No one else objected. Once Hua Mengdie died, the Nether Swordsman had no soul, and there was no fun in living. The eleven people each took a sword and put it on their necks. Seeing that the Nether Swordsman was about to disappear completely, suddenly several subtle silver lights shot out, and the eleven people were actually sealed by silver needles at the same time, unable to move. A man in black appeared, looking up at the sky and laughing. He waved his hand gently, and more than 20 people walked out from the side. They were all in black clothes and black pants, with their faces covered. These people said nothing, lifted up the Nether Swordsman and left in a line. They moved quickly and did not make any sound. The first man in black who appeared first took a look around and then disappeared. Obviously, this was a carefully planned conspiracy. Every step of Chang Xiao fell into someone else's trap. There is only one person who can control the overall situation, that is, the first swordsman in the martial arts world today, Zuixia Taoist. Now that Chang Xiao's weight is getting heavier, this first swordsman has begun a series of plans against Chang Xiao, creating trouble for Chang Xiao from all aspects, and cannot let people who threaten his position develop smoothly.

The news of Hua Mengdie's death spread like wildfire, and many people came to Julong Villa to congratulate him. Chang Xiao had no choice but to receive them warmly. Ordinary guests were received by Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai, and important guests had a heart-to-heart talk with Chang Xiao in the viewing tower. Those present were Wanqi Song, the Dragon King of the South China Sea, and Wu Qingyang. The Dragon King of the South China Sea was in high spirits. He raised his glass and said, "Brother, you have eliminated the Nether Swordsman in one fell swoop. Your reputation has skyrocketed. I'm afraid even the No. 1 Swordsman is inferior to you." Chang Xiao shook his head, "It's not that simple. Hua Mengdie is seeking death to defend the reputation of the Nether Swordsman and for the dignity of a warrior. Why didn't Taoist Zuixia stop her? With his ability, he can definitely predict the result." Wanqi Song nodded, "Yes, the Nether Swordsman has helped Taoist Zuixia a lot. It is unreasonable to stand idly by this time." Wu Qingyang knew Taoist Zuixia and his gang quite well, and thought, "According to the current situation, Taoist Zuixia wants to completely control the Nether Swordsman and abandon Hua Mengdie. But the Nether Swordsman has his own way of doing things, and he cannot be controlled even if he gets the token. Is there any mystery in it?" Chang Xiao understood immediately after hearing Wu Qingyang's analysis, "Brother Wu is right. The Nether Swordsman is a first-class killer. Taoist Zuixia will not give up, and will definitely find a way to catch him. . I said something was wrong. It turned out that a few people were missed, namely the four female disciples of Hua Mengdie. They obviously did not have the courage to die generously. In my opinion, Taoist Zuixia must have won over these four people, otherwise he would not have known the inside story of the Nether Swordsman. "The Dragon King of the South China Sea shook his head: "How could Hua Mengdie give the details to the female disciples? It still doesn't make sense." Wu Qingyang smiled and said, "Old Dragon King doesn't know that Hua Mengdie is proficient in the art of collecting and replenishing. These four female disciples are actually his concubines. Naturally, the people beside him can get the details of the Nether Swordsman. "The Dragon King of the South China Sea frowned and said, "It's really chilling that the first swordsman of the dignified and magnificent swordsman actually deals with such a dirty person. "Wanqi Song smiled and said, "These are nothing. The world is like this. For example, the magnificent palace is solemn enough, but the intrigues inside are more complicated than the rivers and lakes, and everyone has several faces. Which of the well-dressed civil and military officials in the court does not say one thing and do another?"

After Wanqi Song's words were spoken, no one spoke for a long while. This is how the world is, and no one can do anything about it. As long as you sit on the throne of the emperor, everyone is paying attention to the power in your hands, and no one cares about your character. Yang Yuhuan was obviously the daughter-in-law of Emperor Minghuang of Tang, but she was taken as a concubine. Not only did no one blame her, but it was passed down as a good story by later generations. Isn't it ridiculous that such a person still uses the Three Bonds and Five Constant Virtues to restrain the people? The same is true in the martial arts world. Zuixia Taoist is invincible in swordsmanship. No matter what he does, there will be people who applaud him. Even if he kills a good person, there will be people who will blacken the gangsters and say that this good person is a bastard who does all kinds of evil. Everyone present has been in the martial arts world for many years and understands the truth. Chang Xiao feels even more. The several twists and turns since his debut are vivid in his mind. Even today, he is still excluded by some people. After a long silence, Wu Qingyang said, "For now, we still have to pay attention to the movements of Tongtian Fort. Taoist Zuixia seized Tongtian Fort for the treasure in Gao Zhen's hands. It is obvious that he wants to expand his power. He is very likely to turn his attention to the South China Sea fleet. The old Dragon King must be more careful in the future." Wanqi Song smiled and said, "The old Dragon King is the overlord of the South China Sea. His reputation is unmatched. Taoist Zuixia has no chance to take advantage of him." Chang Xiao shook his head, "We still have to be careful. Qi Shizhen will sooner or later find out that Wanxiantang is doing business with the South China Sea fleet. These people do things without any scruples and almost do whatever it takes. We must be on guard." The Dragon King of the South China Sea gritted his teeth and said, "As long as they dare to use my brain, I will bring the Haiqiu ship to turn the Central Plains upside down." Chang Xiao didn't know what the Haiqiu ship was, but Wu Qingyang and Wanqi Song knew that the Haiqiu ship was a powerful weapon for attacking the South China Sea. There were cannons and various firearms on the ship, which were absolutely beyond human power to resist. If the Haiqiu ship entered the Central Plains and started a massacre, it would really turn the world upside down. The two tried to persuade him, but the Dragon King of the South China Sea was just angry and didn't really want to do that, so they didn't mention it.

No matter what, winning is always a good thing. While toasting to celebrate, the four of them all felt the strong pressure from the Zuixia Taoist. The situation in front of them was very clear. Zuixia Taoist's minions had infiltrated everywhere, and there were many famous masters to help. No force could compete with him. At present, Zuixia Taoist completely regarded himself as the supreme master of the martial arts world. Not only did he want to be the number one master, he also wanted to be the overlord of the martial arts world and take the lead in all aspects. Wu Qingyang mentioned the Beggars' Sect intentionally or unintentionally to test Chang Xiao's reaction. Chang Xiao didn't understand the meaning of his words and asked, "The Beggars' Sect has many disciples all over the world, but few people know its leader. What's the secret behind this?" Wanqi Song sighed, "The previous leader of the Beggars' Sect, Ye Changxing, was upright, hated evil, had superb martial arts, and was quite prestigious. Because he couldn't stand the four famous families sheltering their disciples and fawning on the powerful, he punished them several times. Later, for some reason, Taoist Zuixia came to challenge Ye Changxing, and Ye Changxing was defeated, but he refused to agree to the conditions offered by Taoist Zuixia and was seriously injured. Later, I heard that the Beggars' Sect had a new leader, but he had never appeared in public. I think he was avoiding Taoist Zuixia." Chang Xiao nodded, "Taoist Zuixia's appetite is really not small. His shadow can be seen everywhere, and he even wants to interfere in the affairs of the Beggars' Sect." Only then did he understand the intention of Elder Jinchan to assist him, and he also hoped that he could help the Beggars' Sect fight against Taoist Zuixia. After learning from many sources, I gradually got to know more about Zuixia Taoist. This man has a strong vanity. Being the number one swordsman is only the first step. He wants to be the overlord of the world and become the emperor of the grassroots.

The three guests present represent three different forces, each with its own strengths and weaknesses, but none of them have the strength to compete with the Taoist Zuixia. Before they understand the Taoist Zuixia's intentions, no one dares to act rashly. Chang Xiao is the only master who can threaten the Taoist Zuixia. With him in Tongtian Fort, they dare not act recklessly. After the four people discussed, they decided that both Wuling Villa and Wanxian Hall should shift their focus to Jiangnan. Once a conflict with Tongtian Fort occurs, they will assist each other, and the Dragon King of the South China Sea will also be prepared to respond. Chang Xiao's target is the Taoist Zuixia. Sooner or later, there will be a decisive battle between the two. Wu Qingyang was originally worried about the safety of Wuling Villa. Chang Xiao believes that the Taoist Zuixia's big move proves that he has untied his knot, and the ancient sword of Wuling Villa is no longer so important. After the discussion, Wanqi Song said goodbye to the Dragon King of the South China Sea and went back to prepare. Wu Qingyang could not let go of the matter of Elder Jinchan, so he stayed until the end and privately instructed him: "It would be best if you could meet the leader of the Beggars' Sect. Without the support of the Beggars' Sect, we are no match for Tongtian Fort." Chang Xiao was puzzled: "The leader of the Beggars' Sect has been hiding for many years, how can I see him?" Wu Qingyang asked puzzledly: "The Beggars' Sect respects you as the first guest official. You are the only important person besides the elders who can meet the leader directly. How could you not know?" Chang Xiao shook his head: "What is the first guest official? Elder Jinchan only gave me a token and explained the method of contact, but didn't say anything else." Wu Qingyang thought for a moment, it turned out that Elder Jinchan had not yet handed over the bottom line to Chang Xiao, probably because the time was not right. So he told him, "Since the elders didn't make it clear, there must be something unspeakable. But you have to remember this. If you want to fight against Tongtian Fort, you must join forces with the Beggars' Sect." Chang Xiao nodded in agreement, and Wu Qingyang said goodbye and met with his father to take action against Tongtian Fort. At this time, Tongtian Fort is far from what it used to be. The banner of the first swordsman has attracted many masters. Tongtian Fort is strong and famous. The owner of the fort, Jiang Feiluan, has profound attainments in swordsmanship, and there are spies deployed by Qi Shizhen to tip off, as well as famous masters controlled by Taoist Zuixia. Such a huge force is enough to sweep the world. Jiang Feiluan was determined to take advantage of this opportunity to unify the world, but Taoist Zuixia ordered not to act rashly. Jiang Feiluan was unhappy. Since he had taken Tongtian Fort, he should take over the world in one go. The plan he had prepared for a long time was about to succeed, but he could only wait. The more he thought about it, the angrier he became, so he had to drink to drown his sorrows. At this time, someone reported that Qi Shizhen had arrived. Jiang Feiluan rolled her eyes and said, "Why not just let him in? Why report it?"

Qi Shizhen saw that Jiang Feiluan was unhappy as soon as he entered the room. He came up to her and sat down. Jiang Feiluan pointed to the wine and food on the table and said, "Let's have a drink together." Qi Shizhen smiled, "I just want to try the delicacies of Jiangnan." Jiang Feiluan smiled bitterly and shook his head, "Traveling at night in fine clothes, no food tastes good." Qi Shizhen asked, "What's bothering the fortress master?" Jiang Feiluan sighed, "I thought I could successfully enter the world of martial arts after taking over Tongtian Fort, but I only became a fortress master, not as good as Gao Zhen." Qi Shizhen was puzzled, "Why not even as good as Gao Zhen?" Jiang Feiluan slammed the table and said, "Gao Zhen has the most beautiful woman in the world, and I only have four boys around me." Qi Shizhen smiled, "The fortress master With such sword skills, you still lust after beauty?" Jiang Feiluan shook her head: "That's not the way to say it. I don't want Yu Hudie as a person, but her fame. The most beautiful woman in the world is enough to make thousands of people envy her." Qi Shizhen persuaded: "Why get angry for a woman? There is still a long way to go in the future." Jiang Feiluan finished the wine in the glass and said: "I'm not angry for Yu Hudie. In my opinion, after taking over Tongtian Fort and solving the problem of financial resources, we should make drastic moves to dominate the world. Now we are trapped here, it's better to be free than before." Qi Shizhen understood at this time, waved his hand, sent the servants away, and said in a low voice: "The lord of the fort doesn't know that the current situation is not optimistic. We can't be greedy for success and rush into battle." Jiang Feiluan disagreed: "Who can compete with us today?" Qi Shizhen sighed: "Wanxiantang, Wuling Villa, Beggars' Sect, and the South China Sea Fleet, these four forces have never surrendered. With our current strength, we can indeed destroy any of them, but if the four forces join hands, it will be difficult to deal with." Jiang Feiluan snorted: "So what if we join forces? As long as the eldest brother comes out, those who follow me will prosper, and those who go against me will perish." Qi Shizhen shook his head: "It's not that simple. The Beggars' Sect disciples are all over the world, and the leader is hidden very deeply. This force alone is not easy to deal with. The Haiqiu ship in the South China Sea has not been obtained, We can't act too hastily. In addition, Wanqi Song is shrewd and calculating, and the old fox in Wuling Villa is causing trouble from time to time. We must not take it lightly at this time. "Jiang Feiluan curled his lips and said, "I understand what you said. Although these things are a bit tricky, as long as we concentrate our strength and break them one by one, within half a year, the world will be ours." Qi Shizhen smiled bitterly, "Don't forget, Lord of the Castle, there is another big worry. This person's cultivation is so profound that even the real people can't see through it. The most troublesome thing is that this person has connections with the four forces. If the four forces attack at the same time, it will be difficult for us to gain a foothold." Jiang Feiluan slammed the table and said, "Chang Xiao, I don't believe I can't control you."

Chapter 46: The Swift Sword

The current situation is gradually becoming clear. The forces headed by Zuixia Taoist are eyeing them covetously. Although many people have surrendered, there are still some martial artists who dare to fight. However, these people have their own subordinates and it is difficult for them to join hands to fight against the powerful enemy. The situation in the martial arts world is changing, but Julong Villa is very calm. Chang Xiao accompanies his wife and takes care of his daughter as usual. At the same time, he practices hard to prepare for the various threats from Zuixia Taoist. Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai brothers are running around to deliver news and are often not in the villa. Therefore, Chang Xiao has no company when drinking. Someone sent a message that the people of Wuling Villa took action, destroyed dozens of hotels owned by Qi Shizhen, and attacked Tongtian Fort at night. After taking some advantage, they quietly retreated. Chang Xiao believed that such an action would not work at all. On the surface, they took some advantage, but in fact, the gain was not great. However, it is also a step to test the waters to see what the attitude of Zuixia Taoist is. The next message showed that Jiang Feiluan, the owner of Tongtian Fort, was furious and mobilized all his forces to kill Wuling Villa. Chang Xiao thought that it was impossible for Wu Qingyang and his son to fake a shot just to take advantage of this. The target should be the treasure of Tongtian Fort. Jiang Feiluan fell into the trap and left Tongtian Fort. I am afraid that someone will take advantage of it soon. Although this plan is good, it overlooks one thing, that is, Taoist Zuixia. His whereabouts are extremely secretive. It is unknown when and where he will appear. If this number one swordsman appears in Tongtian Fort, the loss of Wuling Villa will be great. While thinking about countermeasures, suddenly a figure entered the villa like a flying bird. Chang Xiao looked carefully and found that it was Elder Jinchan. It must be a big deal for him to appear at this time. Chang Xiao hurriedly got up and went to the door to greet him. Elder Jinchan looked flustered. When he saw Chang Xiao, he didn't have time to greet him. He immediately said, "Eight masked men appeared in Tongtian Fort. Wu Qingyang and his son were defeated. Wuling Villa lost a lot of people. After escaping from Tongtian Fort, they encountered a group of masters. The leader was Master Cunxin, a fellow disciple of the Holy Mother of Nanhua. The situation is critical. I specially asked you to go there." When Chang Xiao heard that Wu Qingyang was in danger, he whistled without saying a word. Lieyan soon appeared in front of him. Chang Xiao jumped on his horse and turned around and asked, "Elder, where are they?" Elder Jinchan pointed to the south and said, "It's at Hazelnut Ridge." Chang Xiao knew that Hazelnut Ridge was about a hundred miles south of Julong Mountain. Without saying anything more, he clamped his legs together, and Lieyan hissed and disappeared in the blink of an eye. Elder Jinchan nodded secretly. He didn't have time to rest and followed behind to rush to Hazelnut Ridge.

Chang Xiao values affection the most, and never forgets Wu Qingyang's life-saving grace. Upon hearing the news, he galloped to rescue without hesitation. A hundred miles is nothing to Lieyan. Not long after, Hazelnut Ridge appeared in front of him. Chang Xiao was eager to save people, so he urged his horse to go up the mountain. Lieyan was unusually majestic, climbing and crossing the water as if walking on flat ground, and soon reached the top of the mountain. Chang Xiao looked around and found a figure swaying in a valley, so he dismounted, patted Lieyan on the back twice, and let Lieyan play by himself. He spread his body and ran straight to the valley. At this time, a fierce fight was going on in the valley. There were only a dozen people left in Wuling Villa, surrounded by nearly a hundred masters. The old owner and Master Cunxin fought hard, but could not gain the upper hand. Wu Qingyang struggled to support himself, covered in blood, and the situation was critical. The people around him fell one by one, and Wu Qingyang was anxious, but there was nothing he could do. This group of people were masters of famous families, and none of them were easy to deal with. There was no hope of escape. He had to support every moment and could not admit defeat anyway. Nun Cunxin is not very old, only in her forties, but she has a very high level of comprehension and has learned the true teachings of her master, which is beyond the reach of the Holy Mother of Nanhua. The old manor owner could no longer hold on after a long battle and was already in a state of defeat. At the critical moment, a long roar came from the top of the mountain, like the roar of a dragon or a tiger, echoing in all directions. Wu Qingyang showed a look of joy, and there was hope if Chang Xiao came. Nun Cunxin was surprised when she heard the roar. The person who came had abundant internal energy and incredibly fast body movements. He was a rare master. Without knowing who was the enemy or the friend, Nun Cunxin sent a signal to stop the fight. The people in Wuling Villa had a chance to breathe, and they took the time to adjust their internal breath and prepare for a desperate battle.

Chang Xiao came up quickly and saw that Wu Qingyang was fine. He felt relieved and thought: I am not late at last. Wu Qingyang shouted: "Brother, if you had come a little later, we would have died here." Chang Xiao shook his head: "Life and death are determined by heaven. No one can save those who should die, and no one can kill those who should not die." Nun Cunxin had never seen Chang Xiao before, but judging from the whistle and the quickness of his body movements, martial arts masters naturally have unique vision. Nun Cunxin determined that the people who came were extraordinary. Chang Xiao walked slowly to Wu Qingyang and asked: "Brother Wu, what are the identities of these people?" Wu Qingyang smiled: "They are not masters from famous families, just like the ones you met when you first entered the martial arts world." Chang Xiao nodded and looked at the people opposite him. Sure enough, they all looked arrogant and looked down on everything. There was only one nun on the other side, and it was naturally Master Cunxin, so he clasped his fists and said, "This must be Master Cunxin. Since you are a master from a famous family, why would you kill so many people?" Master Cunxin asked, "Who are you? Who is your master?" This is a typical way of asking questions from a famous family. If you are from a prominent family, you will be treated differently. If you don't have a master or the power of your master is not strong enough, then it's another matter. Chang Xiao naturally understood and smiled, "I once worshipped you as a master, but later the master and apprentice turned against each other and went their separate ways." Master Cunxin immediately showed disdain on her face. It turned out that he was a prodigal who was expelled from the master's family and despised the world. She felt contemptuous, but she couldn't be careless when she thought of the howling sound, so she asked again: "What's your name?" Chang Xiao's expression froze: "Master, you have been in the martial arts world for a long time, it's really not right that you can't even guess my identity." Master Cunxin sneered: "It's not easy for people who bully their teachers and destroy their ancestors to live to this day, and you dare to be arrogant here." Chang Xiao was not angry, staring at Master Cunxin's eyes and said coldly: "Even if Taoist Zuixia comes in person, he may not be able to take my life. People in the martial arts world are heroes in martial arts. Now that I'm here, you can forget about it." Master Cunxin wanted to retort, but she saw a strong pressure in Chang Xiao's eyes, like a mountain pressing down on her head. This feeling seemed to have been experienced before, and a person's name immediately flashed in her mind: "So you are Chang Xiao."

Originally, Master Cunxin's party had a sure win and could deal with the people from Wuling Villa in less than half an hour. But when such a master suddenly appeared, the situation changed immediately. Master Cunxin heard the Mother of Nanhua introduce Chang Xiao in detail, and she was also very clear about Chang Xiao's past. She couldn't help but blame herself for not thinking of it. After being shocked, she calmed down and smiled, "Your swordsmanship is indeed good, but you are overestimating yourself to fight against us. Two fists can't beat four hands. What can you do alone?" Chang Xiao was a little disappointed: "I thought Master's realm was profound, but it turns out to be just so-so. Martial arts cultivation does not depend on the number of people. If the opponent is Duan Qingxiao, would Master still be so confident?" Master Cunxin smiled and said, "If Duan Qingxiao shows up, the rest of us will have no choice but to flee. Unfortunately, you are not." Chang Xiao shook his head slightly: "It turns out that Master still doesn't understand why Duan Qingxiao can defeat dozens of people by himself. Masters bowed their heads and admitted defeat? "Master Cunxin's expression changed: "You mean your swordsmanship can be compared with Duan Qingxiao, don't deceive yourself." Chang Xiao smiled: "Duan Qingxiao is also a human, not a god. The Yangtze River's waves behind push the waves in front, and there may be no one who can surpass him. Even if I can't compare with Duan Qingxiao, at least I can make you return with nothing." An old man couldn't bear it, flew forward and shouted: "Why waste words with him, let's see the real thing with your hands." He shook the long sword in his hand, and made a sword flower. His figure was as light as a yellow crane. This was to show off in front of many fellows, and sure enough, some people applauded. Unfortunately, this applause was a little early. Chang Xiao's sword was so fast that he had already made the famous Huashan head suffer enough when he first entered the world. After years of training, he almost reached the realm of perfection and exceeded the limit of speed. The old man's posture was indeed beautiful, like a flying bird, but this flying bird had been hit by an arrow before it arrived, and suddenly fell to the ground, and fell down. Everyone present was shocked. No one saw Chang Xiao draw his sword, and no one even saw the flash of the sword. Such a fast sword was simply unbelievable.

Master Cunxin was shocked. According to rumors, Chang Xiao was extremely humble and tolerant. He would not attack until he could no longer bear it. Even if he did, he would leave some room for his opponent. He never expected that Chang Xiao would be so decisive today and kill the opponent with one blow. It seems that there is another side of Chang Xiao that is unknown to outsiders. For a moment, there was silence everywhere, and even the air seemed to freeze. At this time, Chang Xiao had changed in the eyes of everyone, from a swordsman who was despised by the famous family to a sacred and inviolable sword god. Everyone present was an expert, and everyone understood that no one could avoid this silent and invisible sword. Everyone had only one life, and no one was willing to give it away in vain. For a moment, the entire battlefield was frozen there. Elder Jinchan followed Chang Xiao closely. His horse was not as fast as Lieyan, but it was not much slower. He hurried over, but found that Chang Xiao was standing alone in the middle. More than a hundred masters from both sides stared at each other motionlessly. Seeing such a scene, he was quite strange in his heart. What mystery were these people doing? Elder Jinchan rarely shows up. Since the two sides did not fight, there was no need to show up. So he hid in a big tree and observed carefully. The scene was silent for a long time. Chang Xiao still smiled and said nothing. But at this time, no one had any contempt. The martial arts world was originally respected. Chang Xiao's swordsmanship was obviously not something that the people present could resist. If they rushed forward, who would be the first? Who was willing to give up their lives in vain? Moreover, looking at Chang Xiao's posture, even if they attacked in groups, they might not be able to kill this person. At this time, Master Cunxin was not thinking about how to win, but how to leave decently. Fighting was absolutely impossible. She was Chang Xiao's first target and could not escape. The two sides were deadlocked for a long time. A shrill whistle came from the distance. Master Cunxin was relieved. She made a gesture and led a group of masters to leave in a hurry.

The matter was resolved satisfactorily, and the people of Wuling Villa finally breathed a sigh of relief. Wu Qingyang was about to thank Chang Xiao, but he found that Chang Xiao had a solemn expression and was staring at a big tree on the hillside. Wu Qingyang was puzzled and asked, "What are you looking at, brother?" Chang Xiao slowly uttered a few words: "Drunk Xia Taoist is here." Wu Qingyang's heart trembled. If the First Swordsman really killed him, the people of Wuling Villa would still have no way to survive. The First Swordsman was more dangerous than those people just now. Chang Xiao's first target appeared, and his blood naturally boiled. Facing the First Swordsman, the most important thing was to stay calm. As long as there was a little negligence, not only would all the previous efforts be wasted, but his life might be in danger. The true energy quickly traveled throughout his body, and he spread his body and rushed straight to the hillside. Wu Qingyang watched Chang Xiao disappear into the dense forest like a puff of green smoke in the blink of an eye. Only then did he understand Chang Xiao's true martial arts skills. If it weren't for the Taoist Zuixia, he wouldn't have had the chance to see it. He sighed in his heart that this person was indeed unfathomable. After this battle, the old manor owner has realized the gap between himself and the number one swordsman. Even Master Cunxin could not defeat him, which was enough to show that he could not resist the casual attack of Taoist Zuixia. Chang Xiao's sword attack just now has surpassed the scope of martial arts he knew. This person is a well-deserved master. Although he was unwilling, he had to admit the fact and felt bad. The people in Wuling Villa stayed where they were and waited for news. Elder Jinchan didn't know what happened. Looking at Chang Xiao's body movements, it was obvious that he had exerted his true energy to the fullest. It must be a difficult opponent. The elder was very curious. Who could make Chang Xiao show all his strength? With curiosity, he could no longer stay and approached the hillside under the cover of trees. Although he moved quickly, he was extremely careful. The person who made Chang Xiao pay so much attention must not be an ordinary person. Entering the dense forest and moving forward carefully, he suddenly found a person in the open space in the forest. It was Chang Xiao, standing there quietly, motionless, like a stone statue. The elder knew that the opponent was nearby and could deliver a fatal blow at any time. He was also more careful and carefully observed all the changes around him. There was another silence, so quiet that it was terrifying. This dense forest was full of murderous intentions, but it was completely silent. Even a master like Elder Jinchan felt uneasy and could not help but admire Chang Xiao's determination. If he were in another position, he would definitely not be able to hold on. This was a secret contest. Chang Xiao was in the open and the opponent was in the dark. Although the two sides did not fight, they had already started a competition. It was not a competition of a certain aspect, but a competition of the martial arts realms of both sides. Determination, skill, and perception are the essence of martial arts.

After watching for a long time, Elder Jinchan suddenly realized that Chang Xiao was not motionless, but the amplitude was too small to be easily detected. As an elder of the Daxing family, he found that Chang Xiao made some subtle movements from time to time, and each movement concealed a sword technique. If it was released, it would be amazing and unparalleled. Obviously, Chang Xiao had been fighting with an invisible opponent, but the two sides had never met face to face. Elder Jinchan sighed in his heart: Only such a master can use such a special way to compete. In less than a cup of tea, Chang Xiao had already made two hundred moves, and the opponent still did not show up. Elder Jinchan felt that this opponent was 90% likely to be Zuixia Taoist. In the current martial arts world, only the first swordsman has reached this level. Elder Jinchan was extremely excited to see this silent competition. This opportunity is worth a lot of money. After a stalemate of half an hour, there was suddenly a gust of wind passing by, and a group of leaves fell down in the wind. Elder Jinchan immediately saw that it was the person in the dark who made the move. Sure enough, a silver light suddenly flashed among the falling leaves, and it shot towards Chang Xiao's vest like a meteor. Elder Jinchan was startled, and just as he was anxious, he saw a flash of lightning in Chang Xiao's palm, followed by a crisp sound that lasted for a long time, and a laugh rang out in the dense forest: "Young man, not bad, not bad." Then there was no sound. Chang Xiao then turned around and said with a smile: "Elder, you can come out now." Elder Jin Chan floated forward and asked: "Is the opponent gone?" Chang Xiao nodded: "Yes, the title of the No. 1 swordsman is well-deserved." Elder Jin Chan asked: "Is it really Taoist Zuixia?" Chang Xiao was quite sure: "No doubt, this is the most difficult battle since my debut." Elder Jin Chan asked puzzledly: "What is that silver light? What is the lightning in your palm? Why don't you take the opportunity to attack?" Chang Xiao shook his head: "Taoist Zuixia has been in front of me. That silver light is a dagger, followed by a thunderous blow. If my movements change slightly and he seizes the opportunity, my life will be in danger in an instant." Elder Jin Chan was surprised: "Taoist Zuixia is in front of you, how can he attack from behind you?" Chang Xiao smiled: "This is the legendary sword-controlling technique, but it's not that magical." Elder Jin Chan's expression changed: "Sword-controlling technique, did I hear it right? Did Taoist Zuixia really reach such a high level?" Chang Xiao nodded slightly: "Of course the title of the No. 1 swordsman is well-deserved."

Chapter 47: South China Sea Storm

The duel between the two top masters in the dense forest opened the eyes of Elder Jin Chan, and he was also shocked by the sword-controlling technique. This legendary martial art actually existed. Seeing Elder Jin Chan's half-belief, Chang Xiao explained: "To put it bluntly, it is very simple, that is, to control it with black gold silk, but it is easy to say, it is not easy to control it with your hands, let alone add several feet long thin silk? It is really not easy for Taoist Zuixia to practice to this level." Elder Jin Chan recalled that if he had faced Taoist Zuixia just now, he would have lost ten lives. He couldn't help but sighed: "There is nothing to say about being inferior to others. The number one swordsman is indeed worthy of pride, but I admire my brother for not falling behind at all." After this fight, Chang Xiao became more cautious. Taoist Zuixia was indeed amazing. If he didn't have the electric shuttle, he would definitely be at a disadvantage. I didn't expect Taoist Zuixia to use a similar method. It seems that heroes think alike. The matter was resolved satisfactorily. Elder Jinchan said, "I will leave now. Go and say hello to Qingyang and contact me if there is anything." Then he disappeared into the dense forest. Chang Xiao wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. It was indeed dangerous just now. The Taoist Zuixia lived up to his reputation. He had to be more careful in the future. When they arrived at the valley, the old owner had already led his people away, and only Wu Qingyang was waiting. When they met, Wu Qingyang bowed deeply: "If it weren't for you, my father and I would have died here." Chang Xiao shook his head: "Brother Wu, you are a chivalrous man, and you will be protected by heaven and earth. It is said that good people are blessed by heaven." Wu Qingyang sighed: "I didn't expect that there were so many masters hidden under the command of Taoist Zuixia. I still suffered a loss in this operation. How was it when you fought Taoist Zuixia for the first time?" Chang Xiao praised: "You are indeed worthy of the reputation of the number one swordsman. Your swordsmanship is free and easy, which is far beyond the reach of Our Lady of Nanhua." Wu Qingyang nodded: "It seems that my father was too careless. The power of Wuling Villa and the Beggar Gang is still no match for Taoist Zuixia." Chang Xiao advised: "Brother Wu, don't be anxious. First of all, you must keep the power in your hands. You can't act rashly when facing such a huge force. At present, Jiang Feiluan is leading people to attack Wuling Villa. Brother Wu should go back to deal with it." Of course Wu Qingyang understood that the other party had a careful deployment and strong strength. It was quite dangerous for Wuling Villa to be presided over by Mr. Tang alone, so he hurriedly said goodbye.

Chang Xiao called Lieyan back, and did not mention the fight with Zuixia Taoist at all. He spent his days leisurely as usual. Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai came back one after another, and brought news that Jiang Feiluan suffered a loss in Wuling Villa and lost a lot of people. In this round of confrontation, neither side gained any advantage. However, after this fight, Jiang Feiluan began to look for capable people to study the strange array of Wuling Villa, preparing to eradicate Wuling Villa. In addition, Qi Shizhen was very dissatisfied with the cooperation between the Dragon King of the South China Sea and Wanxiantang, and put pressure on the South China Sea fleet. The Dragon King of the South China Sea simply broke up with Qi Shizhen and completely handed over the business to Wanqi Song. Chang Xiao thought that the treasure of Tongtian Fort obtained by Zuixia Taoist could solve the temporary expenses, but the treasure was in Jiang Feiluan's hands, and he might not give it to Qi Shizhen. Without the huge income of the South China Sea fleet, it would be impossible to maintain a huge intelligence network. I am afraid that Qi Shizhen would set his sights on the South China Sea, so he asked the two brothers to pay close attention to the news of the South China Sea. At this time, Chang Xiao's father-in-law, King Riguan, and his eldest son, King Yuelun, were both in Lingbo Island in the South China Sea. There were constant family letters, which could help him understand the movements in the South China Sea from the side. Now the eldest son of the Dragon King of the South China Sea commands the Haiqiu ship, and he is so powerful that he calls himself the King of Jingbo. As long as the Dragon King of the South China Sea is not in the South China Sea, he regards himself as a king and is quite domineering. The three brothers live on separate islands, and there are many people under them. They are unwilling to be angry with him, and often go to the Sea God Palace on Wulong Island to complain to their mother. The old lady thinks that the eldest of the four children is talented, and it is only a matter of time before he takes over, so she does not restrict him very much, so the King of Jingbo becomes more arrogant. The only concern is his father. In order to take over the South China Sea Islands smoothly in the future, he specially paid a lot of money to invite a group of capable people to assist. Chang Xiao was quite worried when he heard the news. The prospects of the South China Sea were worrying. If the Taoist Zuixia wanted to seize the Haiqiu ship, the Dragon King of the South China Sea could not resist it at all. Thinking of this, he was thinking about countermeasures. Princess Yueying brought Chang Xiao's little daughter Qingting into the house and said happily: "I have good news to tell you. Sister is pregnant with your child again." Chang Xiao's heart brightened. Why not do this?

Knowing that Princess Huaying was pregnant, Chang Xiao immediately thought of the situation in the South China Sea, and had an idea in mind. He stood up and said, "Why don't we go to Lingbo Island to see my father-in-law?" Princess Yueying was overjoyed and immediately told her sister the news. The family began to prepare to go to sea. Chang Xiao had a token given by the Dragon King of the South China Sea, and everything went smoothly. He prepared a large ship and many gifts. Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai were also very excited when they heard that they were going to go to sea, and insisted on going together. Chang Xiao naturally had nothing to say. The flames could not fall, anyway, the sea ship was wide and could accommodate it. Before leaving, Chang Xiao specially informed Wanqi Song, and asked Elder Jinchan to be careful and take care of Wuling Villa, and then he set off to sea with peace of mind. Qi Shizhen was well-informed. He immediately consulted Jiang Feiluan after hearing the news. Jiang Feiluan was overjoyed: "This Chang Xiao is seeking his own death. It's a good opportunity to find someone to destroy his ship. On the sea, no matter how great his ability is, it's useless." Qi Shizhen shook his head: "It's not that simple. Chang Xiao has the token of the old Dragon King, and no one is willing to do it. But it's also a good opportunity. The lord of the fort can ask for instructions. I will make preparations immediately. In addition, the batch of treasures promised by the lord of the fort last time has not been delivered yet." Jiang Feiluan promised: "You go back first, and I will have someone send it to you later. You should prepare for Chang Xiao first. I don't think my brother will object." Qi Shizhen said goodbye and left, thinking: Without my arrangement, Tongtian Fort would not be taken down at all. I should also get a share of the reward for merit. Now that there is a shortage of funds, it is so difficult to borrow a batch of treasures. How can I explain it to so many people under my command? Although I thought about it, there was still no way. I could only take out the accumulated capital to save the emergency. The news was delivered soon, and Taoist Zuixia fully agreed to let Qi Shizhen find a way to get rid of Chang Xiao on the sea. But there was no sign of the treasure at all, and Qi Shizhen felt quite embarrassed. Without enough gold and silver, he could not carry out his plan at all.

In fact, the Taoist Zuixia has been coveting the Haiqiu ship in the South China Sea for a long time. With this fleet, he can travel up and down the Yangtze River and the world is in his hands. However, the Dragon King of the South China Sea is popular and no one is willing to betray him. There are treasures in the South China Sea, and there is nothing good to impress people. However, the four sons of the Dragon King of the South China Sea are not in harmony, which created an opportunity for the Taoist Zuixia. He has sent backbones to sneak into Wulong Island to act according to the situation. The person in charge of the contact is Qi Shizhen. Originally, Qi Shizhen wanted to use this excuse to get the treasure, but he didn't get the treasure, and the expenses were even greater. He regretted it. He could only contact the spies lurking in the South China Sea fleet in person and prepare to take action. Although Chang Xiao didn't know about these things, he was also prepared. Since the Haiqiu ship can attack and defeat the enemy, there will definitely be people coveting it. According to the current situation, if the Taoist Zuixia gets this power, the rivers and lakes will inevitably set off a bloody storm. The purpose of this trip is to stabilize the situation in the South China Sea, and say that the Taoist Zuixia must not succeed. However, the fewer people who know about this, the better, so the brothers Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai were also unaware of it. The scenery on the sea is quite interesting. Lieyan and his two companions would go to the sea to play from time to time and enjoy themselves. After two days of sailing, they met the South China Sea fleet. After asking, they learned that the Dragon King of the South China Sea was not on Wulong Island. Because he had a falling out with Qi Shizhen and was afraid that his business would be in trouble, the old Dragon King stayed in the Central Plains. Chang Xiao only said that he was visiting relatives and did not say anything else, and sailed directly to Lingbo Island. King Riguan was naturally happy to know that his daughter had returned, and held a banquet in his palace to welcome her. Chang Xiao did not reveal anything at all, only talked about family matters, and did not mention anything else. After resting for two days, he prepared some gifts to meet the Taijun at the Sea God Palace on Wulong Island. Princess Yueying was eager to show off her daughter, and she boarded the ship happily. On the ship, she kept talking about how Taijun liked her. Princess Huaying was not feeling well and did not go with them. Princess Yueying only kept talking to Chang Xiao. Chang Xiao had something on his mind, so he chatted with her from time to time. Not long after the boat sailed, Princess Yueying pointed to the east and said, "That is Wulong Island, and the Haiqiu ship is in the harbor." Chang Xiao's heart moved. The purpose of this trip was to get the Haiqiu ship, and he wanted to see what was so powerful about this ship.

As they approached the harbor, patrol boats had come to check. When the people on the boat saw Princess Yueying, they all saluted. The Queen Mother loved Princess Yueying very much and almost obeyed her in everything, so no one dared to offend her. Princess Yueying was quite proud and introduced them to the people on the boat, saying, "This is my husband, the number one hero in the Central Plains, and this is my daughter, Qingting. Is she pretty?" The Dragon King of the South China Sea did not publicize his relationship with Chang Xiao, and most of the people on Wulong Island did not know that there was a young master in the Central Plains. He just nodded repeatedly to make Princess Yueying happy, and Princess Yueying was indeed very happy. After docking, Princess Yueying picked up her daughter and went to the island. Chang Xiao was not in a hurry and sorted things out slowly. Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai held the gifts and the three of them slowly went to the island to enjoy the scenery on the island. A palace appeared in the distance, magnificent and magnificent. Chang Xiao understood that this must be the Sea God Palace, the residence of the Dragon King of the South China Sea. There were swords and guns at the gate of the palace, and more than a hundred guards were guarding it. A woman in palace dress was waiting at the door. When she saw Chang Xiao, she bowed and said, "The lady invites you to meet in the harem." Chang Xiao nodded and said, "Thank you for leading the way, young lady." Just as he was about to enter, a guard stopped him and pointed at Chang Xiao's dragon scale sword and said, "Please leave your weapon behind." Chang Xiao smiled slightly and said, "As a swordsman, how can I leave my sword?" The guard insisted. Chang Xiao asked, "Does everyone have to hand over their weapons?" The guard replied, "Except for the four young masters, only the VIPs of the old Dragon King can be exempted." Chang Xiao immediately took out the token and asked, "Does this token count as a VIP?" The guard was surprised and immediately bowed and said, "This is the token that the old Dragon King carries with him. Excuse me, please come in." Entering the palace gate, the interior is magnificent and the furnishings are extremely exquisite. Going around the main hall and heading straight to the harem, along the way, everywhere is inlaid with gold and jade, and the wealth of the South China Sea can be seen. The harem is even more exquisite, with rare treasures and treasures, at least half of which Chang Xiao has never seen, and some of which he has never even heard of. Arriving at a hall, Princess Yueying's laughter could be heard from inside. The woman who led the way invited Chang Xiao in. Chang Xiao straightened his clothes and walked into the hall. An old lady sat on the throne in front of him. She was dressed gorgeously, with silver hair, a ruddy complexion, and bright eyes. Chang Xiao clasped his fists and saluted: "How are you, Madam?"

Although Chang Xiao is much younger than the Dragon King of the South China Sea, people in the martial arts world value martial arts first, so Wanqi Song, the Dragon King of the South China Sea, and even Elder Jin Chan all call Chang Xiao "brother" and do not regard themselves as elders. Therefore, when Chang Xiao sees Taijun, he only greets her as an equal. The Taijun didn't understand the whole story and asked, "You are Yueying's husband. You should be my junior. How can you not know etiquette?" Chang Xiao smiled and said, "Taijun, you don't know. The old Dragon King calls me brother. It's not good to regard myself as a junior." The Taijun knew her husband very well and nodded, "If he calls you brother, he must be inferior to you in some way. Come and sit down." Chang Xiao walked forward and sat down. Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai stood behind him. The Taijun looked him up and down and smiled, "Yueying praised you to the sky. I am skeptical. Tell me what earth-shattering things you have done." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "Most wives praise their husbands to the sky. It doesn't matter at home, but they will be laughed at outside. Don't take it seriously, Taijun." Princess Yueying immediately retorted, "Don't listen to him, Taijun. He is very capable. Uncle Dragon King told me so himself." The Taijun smiled and said, "Don't be anxious. Taijun believes that your husband is the best hero in the world." This sentence was meant to make Princess Yueying happy. The Taijun did not quite agree with this statement in her heart. Chang Xiao didn't care. Princess Yueying was quite happy and began to praise her daughter for being cute and naughty. Taijun liked Qingting very much and held her in her arms and was reluctant to let go. Chang Xiao had another purpose for this trip. He was thinking while sipping tea. Suddenly, someone came to the door and said that King Jingbo had arrived. Chang Xiao thought to himself: the person who commanded the Haiqiu ship has arrived, and I want to meet him. Taijun smiled and said, "Don't laugh at me. That's my eldest son. He is leading the Haiqiu ship and has forgotten himself." Chang Xiao nodded: "It turns out that he is the eldest son of the old Dragon King. It goes without saying that he will be a hero of the time." Taijun agreed with this statement. Parents certainly think that their children are better than others. Amid the conversation, a strong middle-aged man walked in proudly. He wore a crown, a tight golden silk armor, and a cloak, looking quite majestic. Chang Xiao did not stand up, but just nodded slightly. King Jingbo's face changed: "Who is this person?"

As mentioned above, as long as the old Dragon King was not around, King Jingbo would regard himself as the overlord of the South China Sea, and people from the South China Sea would pay him homage. Now, seeing that Chang Xiao had not left his seat, his face immediately darkened. Taijun explained, "This is Yueying's husband, your father's friend, haven't you met him yet?" King Jingbo saw that Chang Xiao was younger than himself, of course he was not happy, and reluctantly clasped his fists for Taijun's sake: "It's rude to have a distinguished guest come to my house." Chang Xiao smiled and returned the greeting: "No problem, sorry to bother you." At the beginning, King Jingbo also coveted the beauty of the two princesses of Lingbo Island, and sent people to ask for marriage, but was rejected by King Riguan. The Dragon King of the South China Sea was in charge, so there was nothing he could do. When he saw Chang Xiao today, he naturally felt hostile, thinking: How is this guy better than me? He actually married both princesses, and I must make you suffer. After sitting down, he asked, "Why did the guest bring a knife into the palace?" Chang Xiao smiled: "As a swordsman, my precious sword is more precious than my life." King Jingbo curled his lips, people like you are only fit to row boats under my command. Chang Xiao knew that he was looking down on him. After a moment of silence, King Jingbo sent a message: "Come here, call the gatekeeper in. I want to question him." Soon, the gatekeeper came in. King Jingbo asked with a sullen face: "Don't you know the rules of the Sea God Palace? Why let outsiders bring knives into the palace?" The guard prostrated himself and replied: "Reporting to the king, this guest is carrying the old dragon king's red gold order. I dare not stop him." King Jingbo's expression changed, and he waved his hand to send the guard out. He turned to ask Chang Xiao: "Do you really carry the red gold order?" Chang Xiao certainly understood this pretense, and nodded and smiled: "Yes, it was given to me by the old dragon king himself." King Jingbo was secretly happy. The effect of the red gold order was extraordinary, and it would be best to take the opportunity to get it in his own hands. So he pretended to be suspicious and said: "The red gold order is extraordinary. This king wants to check it." Chang Xiao didn't care. He took it out and put it on the table. An attendant handed the token to King Jingbo. There was only one red gold order. Jingbo Tianwang recognized it at a glance and was delighted. He immediately put it in his arms and said, "According to the rules, the red gold order can only be used once on the island, and I will take it back." Although Chang Xiao did not know the function of the red gold order, how could it fall into the hands of others since it was given by the Dragon King of the South China Sea? So he said, "The red gold order was given by the old Dragon King. Even if I take it back, I can only give it to the old Dragon King." Jingbo Tianwang immediately changed color and said, "With my father gone, I am the overlord of the South China Sea." Chang Xiao smiled slightly, "There is only one overlord of the South China Sea, but it's a pity that it's not you." Jingbo Tianwang was furious and slammed the table and said, "Come here, take down this rat who doesn't know his dignity."

Chapter 48: Reunion on the Island

The first meeting with Jingbo Heavenly King was very unpleasant. Taijun certainly could not sit idly by and said, "You are a distinguished guest, why are you showing off? Return the Red Gold Order." Although Jingbo Heavenly King was domineering, Taijun's martial arts were comparable to that of the old Dragon King. Once he lost his temper, killing someone was easier than stepping on an ant. Although she was unwilling, she could only obey orders obediently, threw the Red Gold Order on the table and left angrily. Taijun apologized, "I'm not a good parent, please don't laugh at me." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "For the sake of the old Dragon King, don't worry about these trivial matters." Zhong Yuan took back the Red Gold Token and gave it to Chang Xiao. Chang Xiao took it in his hand and asked, "Excuse me, Taijun, what is the use of this token?" Taijun sighed, "There is only one token. Everyone in the South China Sea sees this token as if they saw me, the old man. No one can disobey, so my son wants to take it for himself." Chang Xiao understood and nodded, "No wonder, I didn't expect the old Dragon King to trust me so much." At this time, Chang Xiao already had the token of Wanxian Hall and the first guest token of the Beggar Gang, plus the Red Gold Token, which made three. These three tokens represent three powerful forces, which means that Chang Xiao can unite these three forces. This is a priceless treasure that even the emperor can't get. But Chang Xiao himself didn't think anything of it. He only had the idea of helping others in his mind, and didn't have the idea of relying on others at all. The Queen Mother ordered a banquet to entertain the guests. She was still skeptical about Princess Yueying's words. Chang Xiao was too young to have such advanced martial arts. Princess Yueying and her daughter stayed that day. Chang Xiao couldn't live in the harem, so he lived in the small building in the garden with Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai. After settling in, Zhong Yuan smiled and said, "I really admire the good temper of the owner of the manor. If I had such advanced martial arts, I would have killed that damn Jingbo Tianwang long ago. How dare that bear claim to be king?" Chang Xiao took the opportunity to say, "As long as you have this idea, it will be difficult for you to make progress in martial arts and you will not be able to become a real master. A calm mind is the necessary condition for a master."

Taijun and Princess Yueying were quite affectionate, and loved the youngest daughter Qingting even more, and took out many treasures to give to the mother and daughter. Chang Xiao stayed in the Sea God Palace for several days, rarely leaving the garden, and studied martial arts with Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai every day. One day, while he was instructing the two brothers in the garden, he heard a noise from afar, and soon someone rushed into the garden, it was the Dragon King of the South China Sea. He said from a distance: "It is a great joy for my brother to come to the South China Sea. My family neglected him." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "The Dragon King is too polite. I came to the Sea God Palace to visit my relatives this time. It was rash." The Dragon King of the South China Sea approached and took Chang Xiao's hand and said, "I called all four sons to let them see the real first hero in the world today." Chang Xiao modestly said, "I don't dare to accept this." The Dragon King of the South China Sea did not say anything and directly led Chang Xiao to the main hall. There were eight tables of banquets and dozens of people serving. The Dragon King of the South China Sea invited Chang Xiao to take a seat. The brothers Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai each took a seat. The Dragon King of the South China Sea sat in the main seat and ordered people to call the four sons up. Not long after, Jingbo Tianwang entered the door first. Today's attire was very different from the last meeting. It was quite simple and his attitude was also very humble. It was like two different people. Chang Xiao knew in his heart that this person was quite scheming. He pretended to be in front of the old Dragon King, and he would change immediately once the old Dragon King left. This is the old Dragon King's family affair, there is no need for me to intervene. Jingbo Tianwang apologized and took his seat, followed by the other three sons of the Dragon King of the South China Sea. They sat upright and dared not speak. Chang Xiao thought: Are these three people just like Jingbo Tianwang, just pretending to fool the old Dragon King? The Dragon King of the South China Sea was very happy and introduced them to Chang Xiao: "These are my four sons, two of them take their mother's surname, and two of them take mine." The four signed up in turn, namely Zhou Zhicheng, Zhou Zhixin, Cheng Zhizheng, and Cheng Zhiyi. Chang Xiao naturally praised them: "Your sons are all handsome and capable of great things." The Dragon King of the South China Sea shook his head: "I know very well what kind of people these guys are. I named them Sincere and Righteous because I hoped that they would be sincere and upright, and not be blinded by the wealth and honor in front of them. My old father-in-law also had several sons, but they were greedy for pleasure and refused to practice martial arts. They were unable to take on important responsibilities, so he invited me to be his son-in-law. Of course, I don't want to repeat the same mistake, but they just don't listen."

Since ancient times, it has been difficult for an honest official to judge family affairs. Although Chang Xiao had a close relationship with the Dragon King of the South China Sea, he could not ask about family affairs. So he changed the topic and talked about martial arts. The four sons of the Dragon King of the South China Sea rushed to tell their own opinions, obviously to please their father. But the reasoning they said was so superficial that even Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai found it funny. Such people can only be escorts or guard houses in the Central Plains. The Dragon King of the South China Sea looked gloomy: "What is there to show off with your shallow skills? Shut up." The four of them lowered their heads. The Dragon King of the South China Sea snorted: "Today, eight tables of banquets have been set up. Do you think it is beneath your status to sit on an equal footing with the entourage of this guest?" Zhou Zhicheng, also known as the King of Jingbo, said first: "Dad's arrangement is correct. These two must have something extraordinary." The Dragon King of the South China Sea shook his head: "You are not speaking from the heart. What about you three?" The other three lowered their heads and dared not speak. The Dragon King of the South China Sea was quite generous. He pointed at Zhong Yuan and said, "Words are not enough. You can compete with this man in martial arts. As long as you can fight to a draw, it will be considered that you have worked hard, and you will be rewarded in the future." Before he finished speaking, Cheng Zhizheng and Cheng Zhiyi had already jumped to the center, ready to show off in front of their father. Zhong Yuan glanced at Chang Xiao, who nodded slightly. Zhong Yuan stood up with a smile and came to the center, clasping his fists and said, "Please show mercy." Cheng Zhizheng sneered and thought to himself: It's too late to be afraid now. The two brothers shouted, rushed to approach from both sides, raised their fists and palms, and rushed straight to Zhong Yuan to attack. Zhong Yuan had met a master like Master Baekje as his teacher. He had a solid foundation and superb martial arts. He was originally a master, but when he met Chang Xiao, he was restrained everywhere. After spending some time with Chang Xiao, the two brothers' martial arts improved rapidly and they were already first-class masters. As the saying goes, when you are in a room full of orchids, you don't notice their fragrance for a long time. Although the two brothers seldom fought with others, their martial arts had made great progress through their daily hard training.

Cheng Zhizheng wanted to show off in front of his father, so he struck out with both palms, and his posture was not bad. Zhong Yuan couldn't figure out his opponent's strength, so he turned his palm to block. Cheng Zhizheng felt a strong force coming and retreated a few feet away. Zhong Yuan felt strange. He only used 50% of his strength, and the opponent shouldn't be so weak. Before he could think about it, Cheng Zhiyi's fist had already arrived, so he withdrew his true energy and only used 20% of his strength. With a casual push, Cheng Zhiyi couldn't resist and retreated a few steps. The two brothers were not convinced. Usually, their mother supervised their practice and always praised them for their first-class skills. It was impossible for them to be defeated by a follower. Cheng Zhiyi bowed and said, "Dad, we brothers specialize in swordsmanship, so we are not familiar with boxing and kicking. Can we compete with each other in weapons?" The Dragon King of the South China Sea scolded, "Do you know who this guest is? This is the famous Iron Arm Divine Sword in the Central Plains, recognized as the best swordsman. Even your father dare not show his ugliness, so don't embarrass me." Among the four brothers, only Zhou Zhicheng had heard of him and was surprised, "Could it be Chang Xiao, the only one in the world who can compete with Taoist Zuixia?" The Dragon King of the South China Sea laughed and said, "How can an ordinary person carry the Red Gold Order?" Zhou Zhicheng secretly broke out in a cold sweat. He originally wanted to find someone to seize the Red Gold Order, but it was difficult to do it because Chang Xiao did not leave the Sea God Palace. This person's martial arts is more advanced than his father's. If he really took action, it would be too easy to take his life. He secretly felt lucky. The other three brothers were still asking who Chang Xiao was. Zhou Zhicheng even winked at the three brothers and told them to talk less. This person was not to be messed with.

After the competition, the Dragon King of the South China Sea sighed, "Brother, don't laugh at me. I have a lot of things to do. The old woman is in charge of the family, and they have spoiled them." Although Chang Xiao didn't understand, he still persuaded him, "Your son is not good at martial arts, but he must be outstanding in literature and can still make a career. We are just martial artists, and we can only make a living by killing." With this, the four brothers immediately found a balance. Martial arts can only roll in the rivers and lakes, which is far less than the glory of scholars. Since ancient times, beautiful women have been paired with talented men, and I have never heard of beautiful women paired with martial arts. The Dragon King of the South China Sea knew the thoughts of his four sons, so he didn't mention it. Since they lost the competition, the four brothers had nothing to say, so they just lowered their heads and drank. The Dragon King of the South China Sea talked with Chang Xiao about the affairs of the rivers and lakes and the details of the swordsmanship. The four brothers didn't understand at all, and they didn't dare to interrupt. Since Chang Xiao came to the South China Sea and stayed in the Sea God Palace for many days, there must be something else, not just a simple visit. After the banquet, the Dragon King of the South China Sea and Chang Xiao went to the quiet room for a secret talk. The Dragon King of the South China Sea asked, "Brother, what's the big deal that brings you to the South China Sea?" Chang Xiao then explained his purpose, "I'm worried that Taoist Zuixia is planning to take the Haiqiu ship, so I came to the South China Sea to take a look." The Dragon King of the South China Sea was surprised, "Do you have accurate information?" Chang Xiao shook his head, "I don't know what's happening on the sea, I can only guess that Taoist Zuixia has a big appetite and must be thinking about the Haiqiu ship." The Dragon King of the South China Sea said, "I heard that there was a fight between Wuling Villa and Tongtian Fort, and no one gained the upper hand. It seems that Taoist Zuixia is not that powerful." Chang Xiao shook his head repeatedly, "Dragon King doesn't know, the people of Wuling Villa were almost wiped out. If it weren't for the help of the Beggar Gang, they would never have survived." The Dragon King of the South China Sea was even more puzzled. "Who in the Beggars' Sect can resist the power of Taoist Zuixia?" Chang Xiao had no choice but to tell the whole story: "To be honest with you, Dragon King, the Qingyang Swordsman and his son were trapped by Nun Cunxin and a group of famous masters. The Beggars' Sect sent the news to Julong Villa, and I stepped in to rescue them." The Dragon King of the South China Sea suddenly realized: "So that's how it is. I didn't expect that Wuling Villa still didn't change its old habits and was so obsessed with face. Nun Cunxin's cultivation is unfathomable. Did you fight?" Chang Xiao shook his head: "Nun Cunxin didn't do it, but she did deal with the First Swordsman." The Dragon King of the South China Sea was shocked: "You fought with Taoist Zuixia?" Chang Xiao smiled and said: "It's said that we fought, but we didn't face each other. We just tested each other."

The Dragon King of the South China Sea is also a contemporary expert, but he did not understand Chang Xiao's words, and asked, "How can you fight without the Prime Minister?" Chang Xiao then told him about the fight. The Dragon King of the South China Sea was amazed: "Thank goodness I didn't dare to challenge you. If we really fought, I wouldn't have any chance of winning. There is really no shortcut in martial arts. Even if you get the elixir, it will be difficult to make a breakthrough." Chang Xiao asked, "Why are the four young masters' martial arts so mediocre?" The Dragon King of the South China Sea smiled bitterly: "My old wife is the most protective of her shortcomings. She never lets me get involved in anything. Of course, a spoiled person will never achieve anything great." Chang Xiao guessed about 80% of the answer from the Dragon King of the South China Sea's expression, nodded and smiled, "It turns out that the Dragon King had already made arrangements. He is indeed far-sighted." The Dragon King of the South China Sea sighed lightly: "So far, no one else knows that I can't follow the old path of my father-in-law, so I have already made arrangements. The current owner of Zhuguang Island, Yan Nanlou, is the successor I personally trained. When the time is right, I will hand over the power to him." Chang Xiao remembered this name in his heart. This person is the new Dragon King of the South China Sea. After discussing for a long time, Chang Xiao found that the Dragon King of the South China Sea was quite shrewd. He knew all the affairs of the South China Sea, and he had a thorough understanding of the temperament of every important person. He admired the Dragon King of the South China Sea and thought that he was indeed talented. No wonder he had dominated the South China Sea for many years. He was no longer worried. At this time, someone came to report that the Queen Mother was preparing a family dinner and invited Chang Xiao to come. The two came to the harem hand in hand. Princess Yueying was chatting with the Queen Mother. When she saw the Dragon King of the South China Sea, she first raised the child and asked, "Uncle Dragon King, is my daughter pretty?" The Dragon King of the South China Sea nodded and said, "She is pretty, ten times prettier than her mother." Princess Yueying took the Queen Mother's hand and said coquettishly, "Queen Mother, uncle bullied me and said I was not pretty." The Queen Mother smiled and said, "You are not happy when I praise your daughter for being pretty."

After sitting down, Taijun smiled and said, "Yueying has always said that her husband is the best hero in the world. I didn't believe it, but I understood a little after seeing the Red Gold Order. You, an old man, never do stupid things. You would never hand the Red Gold Order to an ordinary person." The Dragon King of the South China Sea smiled and said, "Yueying is indeed not bragging. This brother is extraordinary. It is not an exaggeration to call him the best hero in the world." Taijun still had some doubts: "The best in the world is not something you can say casually." The Dragon King of the South China Sea shook his head: "Of course others are not worthy. If you say that Brother Chang is the best in the world, at least 70% of the people in the world agree. Just because he can be on par with Taoist Zuixia, he is enough to be the best in the world. . "The Taijun was quite surprised: "The number one swordsman, Zuixia Taoist, is the leader of the martial arts world. I haven't heard of anyone who can be compared with him in these years." The Dragon King of the South China Sea explained: "You don't know about others, but you know the Nether Swordsman. He has been in the martial arts world for many years and is almost invincible. But when he came to Brother Chang, he first lost his soldiers and generals, then Hua Mengdie had his right hand cut off, and finally disappeared completely. With such skills, is he not worthy of being the best in the world?" The Taijun did not doubt her husband's words. She was shocked that the Nether Swordsman, who made all the masters helpless, was destroyed by this young man. From this point of view, Princess Yueying was indeed not exaggerating.

Because it was an ordinary family dinner, there were not so many restrictions. Taijun asked about Chang Xiao's life experience and the scale of Julong Villa. The Dragon King of the South China Sea smiled and said, "Old woman, Brother Chang has a great influence in the martial arts world. He has everything he wants. These details are useless." Taijun changed the subject and asked, "Have you ever fought with Taoist Zuixia? What is so magical about his swordsmanship?" Chang Xiao sighed, "It's true that we have fought, but we were just testing each other. Taoist Zuixia's swordsmanship is indeed unfathomable. His mind is ahead of the sword, and he is integrated with the world. He deserves the title of the number one swordsman." Taijun nodded, "It's rare that you can fight with him. Even the heads of the four famous families have to give him some points. In your opinion, if there is a formal duel, you will win. What are the chances? "Chang Xiao shook his head: "It's hard to say at the moment. This is the first test, and both sides have concerns. In terms of moves, we are equally matched, and our determination is also comparable. As for the other aspects, it's hard to say. No one is sure to win in a real fight." Taijun has a family background in martial arts, and she is very skilled in martial arts. Of course, she understands the truth. She immediately pulled Princess Yueying's hands and said, "Good child, this time Taijun believes that your husband is indeed the best hero in the world." Princess Yueying looked very pleased: "I married him because I couldn't find anyone better than him. When we first met, I determined that he was the reincarnation of the Dragon King Pojie." Taijun recognized Chang Xiao's ability, and began to praise his four sons for their all-round talents in literature and martial arts, and their courage and strategy. The Dragon King of the South China Sea couldn't stop him, so Chang Xiao could only agree. He felt funny in his heart. The four young masters really had nothing to boast about. They were all idiots. The lady talked about her son non-stop, and the Dragon King of the South China Sea couldn't bear to listen any more and interrupted, "Old woman, don't embarrass yourself. In the hall, Zhizheng and Zhiyi combined can't defeat one of his followers. Wouldn't the guests laugh their heads off if you said that?" The lady frowned and said, "Impossible. Our son is a first-class martial artist, so he must have given way on purpose." Chang Xiao hurriedly said, "That's right, your son was courteous to the guests, and his real martial arts were not displayed."

Chapter 49: Dragon King of the South China Sea

Since the Dragon King of the South China Sea had handled the situation properly, Chang Xiao did not need to stay in the South China Sea. After explaining the matter clearly, he returned to Lingbo Island to meet his family and prepare to return to the Central Plains. King Riguan held a farewell banquet and said hello to the Dragon King of the South China Sea. The group boarded the ship and left Lingbo Island. The boat was operated by experienced sailors, and the boat was moving steadily. The group sat on the bow to enjoy the scenery of the sea. After sailing for half a day, Chang Xiao's eyesight was far better than that of ordinary people. He saw a small black shadow on the sea and felt a little strange. While the wind was calm, he told the sailors to slow down and took Lieyan to play in the sea. No one else cared. After Chang Xiao went into the sea, he helped Lieyan approach the black shadow and found that it was a boat. After seeing the flag on the boat, Chang Xiao returned to the boat. After changing clothes, he called a sailor over and asked, "What ship in the South China Sea is flying the green Yaksha flag?" The sailor replied, "That's the Haiqiu ship." Chang Xiao nodded and asked again, "What does the Haiqiu ship usually do?" The sailor replied, "The Haiqiu ship is a barrier to the South China Sea islands and never leaves Wulong Island." Chang Xiao pondered for a moment and ordered, "Put the small boat down and set up a long mast. It must be secure." The sailor didn't know why, so he had to agree. Chang Xiao also asked people to prepare a long rope to connect the small boat to the back of the big ship. No one knew why. That night, Chang Xiao ordered people to turn off the lights of the big ship and hang the signal light on the top of the mast of the small boat. That night, everyone else was sleeping in the cabin. Chang Xiao came to the stern alone. The small boat fifty feet away rose and fell with the waves. Chang Xiao thought to himself: I hope I guessed wrong. The sea breeze was cool and pleasant. Chang Xiao stared at the small boat. Just in the second half of the night, a red light appeared on the sea, followed by a loud noise. The small boat was hit by artillery fire and instantly became driftwood scattered on the sea. The loud noise alarmed the people on the boat, and they all went out to check. Chang Xiao shouted in a low voice: "No one is allowed to light the lamp." Everyone didn't know what was going on. Chang Xiao's tone had never been so severe, so everyone came to the stern in the dark. The sea was silent, and only the small boat was missing. Zhong Yuan asked: "Master, what happened?" Chang Xiao smiled coldly: "Someone wants to get rid of me at sea."

As soon as these words came out, everyone was shocked. Who would do such a murder? Zhong Yuan immediately remembered that Chang Xiao had gone to sea during the day. He thought for a moment and blurted out, "It was the Haiqiu ship. The Dragon King of the South China Sea wanted to murder me." Chang Xiao immediately stopped him and said, "Don't guess. The Dragon King of the South China Sea can't harm me. It was the Taoist Zuixia who was lurking in the South China Sea. He will come to check it out soon. You brothers, follow me to the sea." Because they often played in the water with BMW, the three of them had already honed their swimming skills. They packed up and went to the sea. Sure enough, a small boat came over. Chang Xiao approached slowly. The people on the boat saw the floating wood on the sea and knew that they had hit it. However, such a large boat could not have only a few pieces of floating wood. While they were looking for it, Chang Xiao had already sneaked up to them. He came to the boat like a ghost. Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai jumped onto the bow and stern of the boat. The six people on the boat were shocked. One of them reacted very quickly and jumped into the water. Chang Xiao shouted, "Just jump in if you don't want to die." The remaining five people were stunned. They didn't expect such a change. Chang Xiao asked, "Who asked you to come?" One person answered, "Kill me if you want to. No one in the South China Sea Fleet is afraid of death." Chang Xiao sneered, "You have done something treasonous and still have the nerve to act like a hero. If I hand you over to the old Dragon King, you will inevitably be torn into pieces." One person shouted, "We are acting on the orders of the Dragon King. How can this be called treason?" Chang Xiao certainly didn't believe that the South China Sea Dragon King would attack him, and refuted, "As the overlord of the South China Sea, the old Dragon King's words are law. Since he has handed the Red Gold Order to me, it is impossible for him to send someone to kill me." The people on the boat were shocked. Everyone in the South China Sea Fleet knew the importance of the Red Gold Order. Someone immediately asked, "Do you really have the Red Gold Order?" Chang Xiao smiled and said, "Of course." Someone shouted, "He is Princess Yueying's husband, we have been deceived." The five people were extremely surprised, and one of them explained, "We came out under the order of the God of the Sea. We don't know the identity of the people on the ship. If we knew, we would never fire." Chang Xiao asked, "Who has the Order of the God of the Sea?" Someone answered, "It is in the hands of King Jingbo." Chang Xiao understood a little and asked, "Everyone in the South China Sea fleet, what should we do when they see the Red Gold Order?" Someone immediately answered, "Seeing the Red Gold Order is like seeing the old Dragon King. Those who disobey will be killed without mercy." Chang Xiao nodded, "Take me to the Haiqiu ship." The five people said nothing more and rowed the boat back.

The people on the Haiqiu ship were still waiting for news. When they saw the small boat coming back, someone asked, "How is it? Did it hit the target?" No one on the small boat answered, and they boarded the Haiqiu ship on their own. Under the lights, someone saw three strangers boarding the ship, and immediately felt something was wrong. Someone shouted, and dozens of people rushed out immediately. Chang Xiao secretly praised the old Dragon King for being well-trained, and the people on the Haiqiu ship were quick to respond and agile. No wonder they dominated the South China Sea. At this time, someone shouted, "Don't be rude. This is Princess Yueying's husband, and he carries the Red Gold Order." The people on the Haiqiu ship were shocked and bowed down to see him. Chang Xiao nodded and said, "Let's talk in the cabin." Someone respectfully led Chang Xiao to the cabin. Chang Xiao sat in the middle and shouted, "The leader of the ship, come in." A moment later, a young man entered the cabin and saluted, "I am Jiang Huaiyuan, come in to see you." Chang Xiao nodded, "Get up and answer." Jiang Huaiyuan stood up and stood by. Chang Xiao asked, "Who asked you to come?" Jiang Huaiyuan replied, "It was Song Xianchuan, an attendant beside King Jingbo. We left Wulong Island only after the Sea God Order was issued. "Chang Xiao had already guessed 80% of it, and asked, "What crime should you be punished for attacking someone with the Red Gold Order?" Jiang Huaiyuan answered without hesitation, "It is a serious crime, and you will die without a complete body." Seeing Jiang Huaiyuan's resolute and unmoved expression, Chang Xiao couldn't help but praise him, "You are a man, send someone to contact my ship and return to Wulong Island immediately. I will try my best to protect you." Jiang Huaiyuan shook his head, "Please let the old Dragon King decide." Chang Xiao nodded secretly. This is a real warrior. The four sons of the old Dragon King are simply idiots. At that time, the signal was sent, and the two ships returned to Wulong Island together. Princess Yueying came to the Haiqiu ship to ask, Chang Xiao did not explain first, and only waited until he arrived at the Sea God Palace to talk about it.

The old Dragon King sent Chang Xiao away and was sending people to strictly check the large and small ships of each island as well as the chief and deputy chiefs. Suddenly, someone reported that Jiang Huaiyuan came to plead guilty and Chang Xiao's ship also returned to Wulong Island. The old Dragon King was puzzled and couldn't guess what happened. He didn't have time to think about it and hurriedly got up to greet him. When he arrived at the palace gate, he saw Jiang Huaiyuan walking behind Chang Xiao, and he was even more puzzled. Jiang Huaiyuan knelt down to plead guilty when he saw the old Dragon King. The old Dragon King asked, "Huaiyuan, what happened?" Chang Xiao wanted to protect Jiang Huaiyuan and stopped him, saying, "It's not easy to talk outside, let's talk inside." The old Dragon King knew that something was wrong and nodded, "Okay, let's talk inside." After entering the Sea God Palace, Chang Xiao insisted on not going to the main hall, and there would be no room for maneuver if he talked there. Arriving at the quiet room, Jiang Huaiyuan knelt down again after sitting down. The old Dragon King asked, "What happened?" Chang Xiao smiled and said, "Someone wanted to kill me with a borrowed knife, and used the Haiqiu ship to take my life. Fortunately, I found out." The Dragon King of the South China Sea was furious. He had been in charge of the South China Sea for many years, and had never seen such a treasonous thing. He slammed the table and shouted, "Jiang Huaiyuan, you are so bold." Jiang Huaiyuan did not dare to look up, and prostrated himself to confess his guilt. Chang Xiao advised, "Dragon King, calm down. There is another hidden story. Someone used the Sea God's Order to dispatch the Haiqiu ship. , it’s none of Huaiyuan’s business.” The old Dragon King immediately thought of his son and heaved a sigh of relief: “So the fault was mine. Huaiyuan, the departure of the Haiqiu ship had nothing to do with you. Tell me the details.” Jiang Huaiyuan sent Song Xian’s message and got the release of the Second Young Master of Gangwan. The details of the Haiqiu ship leaving the island were described. The old Dragon King suppressed his anger and gritted his teeth and said: “Come here, summon the thirty-six island owners to the Sea God Palace for a meeting.” Seeing the old Dragon King’s rage, no one dared to say anything and hurriedly passed down the order.

In less than half a day, the Sea God Palace had completely changed. Inside and outside, there were swords and spears everywhere, and the air was filled with murderous intent. The old Dragon King sat high in the hall, his face gloomy, the four Vajras stood behind him, and the thirty-six island masters stood on both sides, silent as cicadas, not daring to breathe. After a long silence, the old Dragon King ordered: "Bring Zhou Zhicheng, Zhou Zhixin, and Song Xian up." The four Vajras responded, and no one else had the power to attack the old Dragon King's son. It was really swift and resolute, and the three people were brought to the hall in a moment. Zhou Zhicheng had long lost the prestige of Jingbo Heavenly King, and trembled into a ball. This formation was clearly intended to kill people, and Zhou Zhixin was also at a loss, knowing that he had caused a big disaster. The old Dragon King ordered: "Jiang Huaiyuan, tell the whole story to all the island masters." Jiang Huaiyuan explained the whole story in detail. The thirty-six island masters understood that it was a serious crime to mobilize the Haiqiu ship without authorization, and the person carrying the Red Gold Order must also be eliminated. There is no way to survive, even the old Dragon King's own flesh and blood. The formation of the Sea God Palace is enough to show the old Dragon King's determination. Zhou Zhicheng was eager to escape the crime, so he pretended to be ignorant and said, "Dad, I really didn't know that Song Xian, this servant, was so bold that he stole the Sea God's Order and made trouble privately." The old Dragon King slammed his iron fist and said, "Even if you didn't know, losing the Sea God's Order is a dead end. What else can you say? Whose order did Zhou Zhixin obey when he sent the Haiqiu ship out to sea?" Zhou Zhixin certainly couldn't say that it was the result of the discussion between the two brothers. In order to save his life, he had to push it onto his mother, so he replied, "It was my mother's idea." The old Dragon King was even more angry: "You are still quibbling at this time. What power does your mother have to control Haikou? Come on, take these two rebellious sons away and punish them with fifty sticks each." No one dared to plead for mercy, and four big men came to take the two away. Song Xian looked very relaxed, looking around as if nothing had happened. The old Dragon King shouted, "Song Xian, who told you to steal the Sea God's Order?" Song Xian smiled and said, "I am a servant of the eldest master. I shall obey his orders. How could I steal it?" The old Dragon King sneered, "Song Xian, it seems that you still have something to rely on. As the saying goes, if the master is humiliated, the minister dies. Your master was beaten, so you should die." Song Xian smiled slightly and said, "There is an iron rule in the South China Sea. As long as you can withstand the old Dragon King's 100 moves, even the heinous crime can be forgiven." The old Dragon King nodded, "Yes, do you want to fight with me?"

This rule was passed down from the ancestors, in order to urge the leaders of the South Sea to practice martial arts diligently, and also to leave a convenient door outside the law, so that the leaders can control appropriately when encountering special circumstances. Today, Song Xian brought up this rule, and the old dragon king certainly could not refuse. He asked with a sullen face: "Song Xian, do you know that if you lose, this serious crime will be torn into pieces." Song Xian did not care: "Although my martial arts are not good, it is more than enough to withstand the old dragon king's hundred moves." The old dragon king nodded: "Okay, I will fulfill your wish." Song Xian took off his coat. It turned out that this person had been prepared for it. He lined his body with soft armor. He reached his hand to his waist and took out a soft sword. The so-called soft sword is not a soft sword, but a sword that is soft and hard, and can be bent. It is usually worn around the waist. Once it is unsheathed, the sword tip is straight, which is the best sword. Seeing Song Xian's actions, the old dragon king already understood that this man was a spy lurking in the South China Sea, most likely a master under the command of Zuixia Taoist. There was no room for retreat in this battle. Only by winning could the dignity of the Sea God Palace be maintained. Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the old dragon king stood up from his seat, slowly walked to the center, and said coldly: "If you can take a hundred moves, I will guarantee your safety." Song Xian was very relaxed and smiled: "Life and death are determined by fate, and it is useless to force it." The old dragon king nodded and shouted: "Take the knife." The scimitar drew a faint arc, which was extremely fast. Song Xian was not in a hurry, swung the sword to parry, and the sword moves were exquisite, stabbing the old dragon king in the chest. The old dragon king shouted "good", the sword light spread out, and he approached step by step. Although Song Xian retreated repeatedly, he was strict and did not reveal a flaw. The old dragon king's moves were fast, and thirty moves passed in a blink of an eye, and Song Xian was still the same. The old dragon king was furious. How could he have the face to venture into the Central Plains if he couldn't even control this man? So he shouted and swung his scimitar so fast that the flash of the blade was almost invisible. Song Xian's swordsmanship was extremely advanced, and he could still handle the old dragon king's full-strength attack. With the sword and the saber in hand, Song Xian said loudly: "Ninety-seven moves, and three more." The old dragon king was shocked. Could he really let this man go? If so, wouldn't he, the Dragon King of the South China Sea, lose face? When the situation came to a critical moment, there was no other way, so he had to use his last trick. He turned around, and there were figures on all sides. Song Xian was stunned and swung his sword to protect himself. After a loud bang, Song Xian was hit hard on the shoulder, and his body flew up, hit the stone pillar and fell to the ground, spurting blood and being seriously injured. The old dragon king shouted: "Take him away and deal with it as usual." Someone stepped forward and took Song Xian down from the hall.

After the duel, someone brought up the brothers Zhou Zhicheng and Zhou Zhixin, their legs covered in blood. The old Dragon King asked, "Do you two have anything else to say?" Zhou Zhicheng reluctantly said, "I know I was wrong, I beg you to show mercy." The old Dragon King shouted, "How can such a serious crime be tolerated? Come on, take them out and chop them off." Before he finished speaking, a maid reported, "Dragon King, the Queen wants to enter the palace." The old Dragon King said with a sullen face, "Four Vajras, stop the Queen, even if you die, you can't let her enter the palace." The four Vajras obeyed the order sternly. Seeing that there was no hope, Zhou Zhicheng cried, "Dad, even a tiger won't eat its own cubs, can't you let me live?" The old Dragon King felt bad, after all, they were his own flesh and blood, and gritted his teeth and said, "No need to leave the palace, just execute them here." Two swordsmen approached, ready to kill the two brothers. All the thirty-six island masters were convinced, and no one could say anything about this way of dealing with things. Seeing the two brothers' heads falling to the ground, a figure suddenly flashed, and the swords of the two swordsmen suddenly disappeared. The old Dragon King sighed: "Brother, this is my family affair, don't interfere." The person who came was indeed Chang Xiao. None of the dozens of people present could see where Chang Xiao came from. Chang Xiao stopped the swordsman and said: "Dragon King, calm down. I am willing to use the Red Gold Order in exchange for the lives of these two people." The old Dragon King shook his head: "The Red Gold Order is limited to you and cannot be used to plead for others." Chang Xiao nodded: "In this case, I will fight with the Dragon King. This rule of 100 moves is okay, right?" The old Dragon King understood Chang Xiao's good intentions and nodded: "That's right, but your swordsmanship is better than mine, so you can't generalize. Since we are going to fight, as long as you beat me within 100 moves, I can make the decision." Chang Xiao sighed. It was really unexpected that things had come to this point, and he had to fight. This time the host and the guest changed places. The thirty-six island masters were very surprised and curious about Chang Xiao. It was hard to imagine that this man could defeat the Dragon King of the South China Sea within a hundred moves. The old Dragon King said to the thirty-six island masters: "This man is the first swordsman in the Central Plains, the owner of Julong Manor, who is as famous as the first swordsman, the iron-armed divine sword, and the Red Gold Order. You must remember it." The island masters agreed in unison, thinking: No wonder he is so elusive, it turns out that he is a top master. The Dragon King of the South China Sea stood opposite Chang Xiao. Chang Xiao felt a little embarrassed. It was not so easy to win within a hundred moves. The Dragon King of the South China Sea was not an ordinary person. But there was really no other way, so he clasped his fists and said: "I'm sorry." The Dragon Scale Sword was quietly unsheathed. The island masters present were all experts and immediately distinguished the pros and cons. Chang Xiao's sword had reached the invisible realm, which was obviously better than the Dragon King of the South China Sea. Of course, the Dragon King of the South China Sea could not admit defeat. He unfolded his scimitar and protected it around him, as if he was covered in a halo.

Chapter 50: Accidents

This battle is rare in ancient and modern times. One side wants to win within a hundred moves to save the offspring of the other side, while the other side insists on killing its own flesh and blood and tries every means to delay the battle beyond a hundred moves. The Dragon King of the South China Sea has no scruples in the face of a strong opponent and goes all out. His offensive is fierce and his strength is unprecedented. After taking the elixir, his skills have indeed improved a lot. This time he fully demonstrated his power, and the curved knife broke through the air and made a sharp whistling sound. Chang Xiao's knife was silent, and even the knife light could not be seen. In fact, it was not really silent, but the speed was too fast. When the sound reached the ear, the knife had already passed. Such a fast knife really surprised the thirty-six island masters. They didn't expect that someone could practice such a magical knife technique. Although Chang Xiao was superior in skills, the Dragon King of the South China Sea was also a rare master with rich experience and superb skills. It was not easy to win within a hundred moves. On the one hand, Chang Xiao had to take into account the face of the Dragon King of the South China Sea, and on the other hand, he had to win within a hundred moves. It was indeed a bit difficult. The two men attacked very quickly, and dozens of moves passed in a blink of an eye. The Dragon King of the South China Sea became more and more courageous. Chang Xiao sighed in his heart. In order to save the lives of the two men, he had to show his real ability. Without further ado, Chang Xiao shouted, "Be careful." The dragon scale sword was unfolded, and a chill spread in all directions. The Dragon King of the South China Sea was shocked. This was the extreme level of martial arts. The sword energy formed by the internal energy through the weapon was invisible and could take a person's head in an instant. He was shocked and had no time to think about it. His body swayed, and his feet stepped on the seven stars. There were figures on all sides. Since Chang Xiao had already attacked, all four sides were under control. Time was running out. He backhanded the sword and heard a thunderous sound. The Dragon King of the South China Sea was shaken five feet away and staggered a few steps before he could stand firm. Chang Xiao asked, "Is the Dragon King okay?" The Dragon King of the South China Sea was defeated but his face was full of joy: "Brother, you have actually mastered the sword qi, congratulations." Chang Xiao shook his head: "I can't say that I have mastered it, I have only glimpsed the basics." The thirty-six island masters in the hall were stunned. Sword qi, this kind of martial arts actually exists. There was silence for a while. After returning to his seat, the Dragon King of the South China Sea sighed: "This matter is up to you, brother." Chang Xiao nodded and said loudly: "First, help the two young masters to the back to recover." Brother Zhou Zhicheng and Zhou Zhixin really had nothing to say. They looked down on Chang Xiao at the beginning, but now they know that this man is a nine-day dragon and they are not even as good as loaches. With the help of the attendants, he went to the harem to recover. Someone immediately reported to the Queen Mother that the matter was finally resolved.

In the hall, the Dragon King of the South China Sea asked, "Do you think that I deliberately lost in order to save my son's life?" An island owner saluted and said, "Everyone saw the competition in the hall. The swordsmanship of this Julong Manor owner is unparalleled. It is rare that the Dragon King can hold on for dozens of moves. Such swordsmanship is absolutely beyond human power." The island owners echoed in unison. Everyone knew that when Chang Xiao's sword energy was released, the Dragon King of the South China Sea could not even resist ten moves. The high level of the first swordsman was indeed amazing. The Dragon King of the South China Sea nodded and said, "I am not a good parent. I am ashamed of you. For the sake of fairness, the Sea God Order will be given to one of you. You prepare and compete in civil and military strategies tomorrow. The winner will hold the Sea God Order and command the Haiqiu ship." The island owners were overjoyed and admired the old Dragon King very much. Chang Xiao was about to leave. The thirty-six island owners unanimously expressed their hope that Chang Xiao would be a witness to the martial arts competition. The Dragon King of the South China Sea also invited him warmly, and Chang Xiao had to agree. They stayed in the garden that day. After a busy day, Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai felt tired and went to bed early. Chang Xiao was alone in the moonlight, thinking. It was his first time to use his sword energy. Although it was powerful, he could not control it perfectly. He still had a long way to go before he could control it freely. When he was thinking, someone came to invite him. After asking, it turned out that it was the Queen Mother who came to invite him. Chang Xiao was puzzled. Princess Yueying and her daughter Qingting were accompanying the Queen Mother. Why did they invite him to come in the middle of the night? He didn't have time to think about it. He followed the visitor into the harem. This time, the road was different. After passing through several doors, he came to a narrow passage. Although Chang Xiao had some doubts, two maids were walking in front of him with lanterns. There should be nothing wrong, so he walked forward without worry. When he reached the middle of the passage, Chang Xiao's heart suddenly moved, and an ominous premonition came to his mind. Without thinking, the electric shuttle suddenly shot out, piercing through the entrance of the passage and nailing into the stone wall. Without further ado, Chang Xiao's body retreated rapidly like an arrow. As soon as he exited the passage, he was blocked by a thick iron door. If he was a little slower, he would not be able to get out.

This incident made Chang Xiao break out in a cold sweat. Once he was trapped in the passage, no matter how powerful he was, he would inevitably die. He never thought that he would brush shoulders with the gates of hell twice during this trip to the South China Sea. There was no sound around, and Chang Xiao knew that the spies of Zuixia Taoist had already mastered a lot of the inside story of the Sea God Palace. After thinking for a moment, he returned to the garden to rest without disturbing anyone. At dawn, the thirty-six island masters were ready to compete. The Dragon King of the South China Sea sent someone to invite them. Chang Xiao, Zhong Yuan, and Zhong Hai came to the hall. The Dragon King of the South China Sea sat on the main throne with Taijun today. Taijun's face was as gloomy as water. It was obvious that she was still angry with the old Dragon King. Seeing Chang Xiao's arrival, she did not ease up at all. After Chang Xiao sat down, the Queen Mother asked first: "Last night, I sent my maids to invite you, but your people didn't come. Instead, two maids walked into the Five Ghosts Alley and lost their lives. What happened?" The Dragon King of the South China Sea was surprised and said, "How could this happen? Why didn't you tell me earlier?" The Queen Mother ignored him and stared at Chang Xiao. Chang Xiao saw that the thirty-six island masters had not arrived yet and there was no one in the hall, so he spoke: "Queen Mother, last night a maid did come to invite me, and of course I agreed, but these two maids took me to a narrow passage. I guess it was the five ghosts that the Queen Mother mentioned. Ghost Alley, when I walked to the middle, I felt the danger and quickly retreated, thus escaping the disaster without making a sound. "Taijun shook her head: "It's impossible. The Five Ghost Alley mechanism is activated and no one can retreat. You didn't go in at all." Chang Xiao smiled and said: "I remember seeing a bat-like Yaksha appear on the wall at that time. I suddenly felt alarmed and retreated. If I hadn't been to the Five Ghost Alley, I wouldn't have seen this mural." Taijun was surprised. This figure was in the middle of the Five Ghost Alley, thirty feet away from the exit. How could Chang Xiao retreat before the iron gate closed? The Dragon King of the South China Sea changed his expression. He didn't expect that such things would happen one after another in his Sea God Palace. If Chang Xiao hadn't arrived, he would not have noticed it. The thought of this made him fly into a rage, he slammed the table and shouted, "Someone come." The Four Vajras appeared in response, and the Dragon King of the South China Sea gritted his teeth and ordered, "Bring all the servants in the harem to the shark pool and wait for me to question them. Anyone who disobeys will be killed on the spot." The Four Vajras took the order and left. The Taijun asked, "What basis do you have to suspect the people in the harem?" The Dragon King of the South China Sea respected his wife very much and explained, "Brother Chang came to Wulong Island with good intentions, but who knew that someone first secretly mobilized the Haiqiu ship to kill people at sea, and then led the distinguished guest to Wugui Lane. What has become of my Wulong Island? What has become of the Sea God Palace? What has become of me, the Dragon King of the South China Sea?" Seeing her husband angry, the Taijun reluctantly shut up.

Chang Xiao certainly didn't want to see the old Dragon King and his wife at odds, so he tried to persuade them, "Dragon King, calm down. Taoist Zuixia was determined to get the Haiqiu ship, so of course he had to plan a lot. It should be a good thing that I led out the hidden spy." The Dragon King of the South China Sea sighed, "If it weren't for my brother's cleverness, wouldn't I have regretted it for the rest of my life? How can the South China Sea fleet have the face to do business in the Central Plains if they can't even guarantee the safety of a single guest? How can I face my martial arts friends in the Central Plains?" Taijun knew very well that the foundation of the South China Sea was hard-earned, and the emergence of a traitor was a huge hidden danger. The fact that she actually transferred the Haiqiu ship out this time was a clear sign of this. At this moment, he didn't care about the quarrel and persuaded, "It's useless to get angry. It's better to start the investigation. Where did the mistake go?" The Dragon King of the South China Sea suppressed his anger and pointed, "Aren't they our precious sons? Except them, no one has the right to bring outsiders to the island. You have never let me take care of them since they were young. For the sake of my father-in-law, I won't bother with you. I will support my son even if he is not talented. But you didn't even know your own son's ability and handed over the power to them. This gave outsiders an opportunity to send experts to sneak into the Palace of the Sea God. If it weren't for the arrival of Brother Chang, you and I would have died at the hands of these four rebellious sons at any time." Although Taijun wanted to retort, she really had nothing to say. The old Dragon King's words were reasonable. Since the other party sent experts, they must have the next step. Once they control the Haiqiu ship, the situation would be over. Chang Xiao advised: "Dragon King, please calm down for now. Now that we have the clues, it will be easy to deal with. We should not delay any longer. We should first prevent the other party from escaping." The Dragon King of the South China Sea nodded: "I will immediately order the Haiqiu ship to seal the seaport and not allow any ship to leave. I will not be able to sleep or eat until these spies are investigated." At this time, someone came in to report that the brothers Zhou Zhicheng and Zhou Zhixin secretly opened the treasure cave, swept away a batch of treasures and left Wulong Island on the giant boat. The Dragon King of the South China Sea was furious and asked Taijun: "What did you do? Didn't I ask you to keep an eye on these two rebellious sons?" The incident was unexpected, and Taijun also felt strange. Chang Xiao interjected: "Since they just left the island, they should be able to be caught back." The Dragon King of the South China Sea sighed: "Brother, you don't know that the giant boat is the fastest ship in the South China Sea. It has been managed by this old woman. Once it leaves the island, no one can catch up."

This unexpected change really surprised Chang Xiao. He didn't expect that the Taoist Zuixia's men were so well-organized and had already arranged a retreat. Taijun wondered, "I am the only one who can open the iron door of Cangzhen Cave, and the people on the Bolang Giant Boat only listen to my orders. How can they succeed so easily?" The Dragon King of the South China Sea slammed the table and said, "Stupid, although there is only one key to Cangzhen Cave, can't they make another one? The people who came from the other side are all masters, even that inconspicuous Song Xian can fight against me, so it is natural for them to seize the Bolang Giant Boat." At this point, the only way to make up for the loss is to go to Cangzhen Cave to see the losses and arrange people to reorganize the Sea God Palace. Chang Xiao shook his head and sighed: "I didn't expect the two young masters to be so stubborn. No one can save their lives this time." The Dragon King of the South China Sea asked: "Why do you say that, brother?" Chang Xiao smiled bitterly: "Don't be surprised, Dragon King. From the fact that Taoist Zuixia used the Nether Swordsman, we can see that this person has a characteristic when using people. They must have value for use. After Hua Mengdie cut off her wrist, she actually went to Julong Villa to die. Although it was for her own honor, it can be seen that Taoist Zuixia intended to abandon this chess piece. At present, the two young masters are no longer of any value to use. I am afraid that they will return to the underworld before they can reach the land. . "The Dragon King of the South China Sea certainly understood, and slammed the table and said: "It is better to die in the Sea God Palace and bear the crime of unfilial piety and rebellion. Even if he goes to the underworld, he will go to hell. This is the end of spoiling. I don't blame Taoist Zuixia for using such a sinister trick. This loophole was caused by me. "Chang Xiao admired that the Dragon King of the South China Sea was indeed brave enough to take responsibility. Suddenly, he thought of the martial arts selection and asked: "Such a big thing has happened. Will the martial arts competition be postponed?" The Dragon King of the South China Sea shook his head: "The words have been spoken, how can it be postponed? The martial arts competition will proceed as usual." Chang Xiao nodded secretly: The Dragon King of the South China Sea is indeed courageous, no wonder he has dominated the South China Sea for many years. Taijun certainly didn't know that her son was in danger. She looked at the treasures and saw that the biggest losses were jewelry and small jades. This was because of the rush of time and lack of manpower. Only small valuable treasures could be picked up. Not to mention the heavy weight of large treasures, it was easy for people to find abnormalities. Taijun was relieved to find out that the loss was not great. She sent someone to report and learned that the Dragon King of the South China Sea had already started to host the martial arts competition. Taijun complained in her heart: I have never seen such a cruel father who doesn't care about his son's life or death.

The competition went very smoothly. The thirty-six island masters were not as weak as the four sons of the old Dragon King. They were agile, skilled, and skillful in swords, spears, and halberds. Chang Xiao observed carefully. The old Dragon King mentioned Yan Nanlou, the master of Zhuguang Island. This person was the successor trained by the old Dragon King and could not be treated lightly. The thirty-six island masters showed their strengths. Yan Nanlou appeared. He was in his twenties, with strong muscles and bones, thick eyebrows and broad eyes, and was quite majestic. He used a ghost-head knife weighing dozens of pounds in his hand, which was majestic. When practicing swordsmanship, his moves were skillful, and he was both hard and soft, and he had the style of a master. Chang Xiao was quite optimistic. This Yan Nanlou was definitely not an ordinary person, and he would become famous in the world sooner or later. After showing his martial arts, Chang Xiao thought Yan Nan Lou should be the first, but the old dragon king disagreed and said to everyone: "In terms of martial arts, Yan Nan Lou won the first place, but commanding the Haiqiu ship requires proficiency in ship operation and familiarity with the sea route, and martial arts alone is far from enough. I have decided to give the Sea God Order to Xia Kuan, the owner of Jinguang Island. Yan Nan Lou won the competition, and I plan to let him be in charge of the merchant ship, and all trade with Zhongyuan Wanxiantang will be handled by him." All the thirty-six island owners were convinced. The old dragon king solemnly handed the Sea God Order to Xia Kuan and gave him some instructions, but Yan Nan Lou came to Chang Xiao to ask for advice on the loopholes in his swordsmanship. Chang Xiao smiled and said, "There are no loopholes in the swordsmanship. It mainly depends on the person who uses the sword. At the beginning, the Martial Saint Guan Gong only used the Spring and Autumn Sword, which was known to almost everyone. Why is only the Martial Saint famous for all time? The reason is actually very simple. With the same swordsmanship, there is no difference between the postures of second-rate people and masters, but masters know the root of every move." Yan Nanlou felt suddenly enlightened and thanked him, "Master, your advice is valuable, and I will never forget it in my lifetime. What realm will I reach if I take the next step?" Chang Xiao explained, "To take the next step requires countless hard training. The spirit and energy will be condensed into one with the sword in the hand. When you use the sword with your heart, the power will naturally double." Yan Nanlou understood that he had not yet crossed this threshold, but was just a little curious and asked, "If I pass this level, how should my swordsmanship develop?" Chang Xiao smiled and said, "Being down-to-earth is the foundation. Don't be too ambitious. Come to me if you reach this realm." Yan Nanlou agreed and bowed and left.

After all the arrangements were made, the Dragon King of the South China Sea went to the harem to discuss with the Queen Mother. The Queen Mother was still thinking about her son, and the Dragon King of the South China Sea complained: "It is better to have no such rebellious son. Don't mention him again in the future." The Queen Mother was in the wrong and it was not easy to argue, so she said: "Since the Haiqiu ship is handed over to outsiders, shouldn't the guarding of the seaport be handed over to the brothers Zhizheng and Zhiyi? Your own sons are always more reliable than outsiders." The Dragon King of the South China Sea sighed: "Why can't you change your old habits? You haven't learned your lesson after such a big loss. Which of the thirty-six island owners betrayed? Which of the eighteen leaders of the Haiqiu ship betrayed? My own son has caused such a thing, which is really embarrassing for me. If our son has real talent and knowledge, Of course I am willing to hand over Haikou to him, but which of those two idiots has learned to operate a cannon? Which one knows the art of war? Which one can win the championship in a martial arts competition? "The lady was speechless and was silent for a long time before she spoke: "They can learn if they don't know how to do it. As long as they work hard, they can still do it." The Dragon King of the South China Sea smiled bitterly: "What are you talking about? Haikou is the barrier of Wulong Island and it concerns the lives of thousands of people on the island. How can I hand over the safety of the entire island to those two idiots? If they don't know how to do it, they can learn. You said it's easy, if you don't work hard when you are young, you will regret it when you are old. These two idiots can't even explain Tang and Song poems clearly, and they can't even lift a 100-jin stone lock. It's too late to learn now. Why don't you think about your father-in-law's instructions before his death?"

Chapter 51: Mend the Fence After the Sheep Has Been Lost

The words of the old dragon king were reasonable and reasonable. Taijun was speechless. Her father had spent countless efforts to preserve the foundation of Nanhai and had experienced countless wind, frost, snow and rain. But her two elder brothers and three younger brothers only knew how to eat, drink and have fun. They were immersed in fine wine, music, jewelry and treasures all day long and did not think about making progress. Her father had no choice but to think of the way to recruit a son-in-law. He finally chose a satisfactory person. On his deathbed, he repeatedly told her not to repeat the same mistakes. Since her husband took over, every day has been conscientious, hard-working, running between Nanhai and the Central Plains, and most of the year has been spent on the sea. This made Nanhai's business flourish, Haiqiu ships were invincible, and merchant ships made a lot of money. But she just couldn't bear to discipline her son. She had to take the main responsibility for such a big thing. The Dragon King of the South China Sea sighed, "If my brother Feichang arrives, these people will act early and reveal their true colors. Once the time is right, you and I will probably die without a burial place." Taijun nodded in agreement, "It's really scary to think about it. These people are first-class in skills and have many tricks. Once they start to attack, not to mention the Sea God Palace, even this foundation will be in danger. Yueying is right. This person is indeed worthy of being the world's number one hero. He was plotted against twice but he didn't hold a grudge. This kind of mind is rare. Should we prepare a heavy gift to reward him?" The Dragon King of the South China Sea shook his head, "Great favors cannot be thanked, but small favors can be repaid with treasures. Such a great favor cannot be compensated by treasures, and I will repay it when I have the chance in the future. The Braving Waves Boat is a speedboat carefully built by my father-in-law, and it must not fall into the hands of outsiders. I should have gone there in person, but the Five Dragons Island has undergone some changes, and people's hearts are unstable, so it needs to be reorganized." Taijun The prince said, "Why not entrust this matter to Chang Xiao? He is fully capable of doing it." The Dragon King of the South China Sea nodded, "That's what I meant. Chang Xiao can do it." The queen mother was worried about her son and immediately said, "It would be best if the two children could be brought back." The Dragon King of the South China Sea sighed, "Old woman, those two rebellious sons are stubborn and seeking death. Taoist Zuixia can let go of a master like Hua Mengdie, so how could he leave behind two worthless trash? Just give up." The queen mother hesitated for a moment and said, "Maybe there is still a chance. Zhicheng knows that we have a treasury in Central Plains." The Dragon King of the South China Sea was shocked and slammed the table in anger, "Old woman, are you happy only if you ruin this foundation? How can you tell him such an important secret?" He didn't have time to think about it at the moment. The situation was urgent, so he immediately ordered the preparation of the cuttlefish boat and sent someone to notify Chang Xiao to set sail back to Central Plains tomorrow.

Chang Xiao has made preparations. The purpose of this trip has been achieved. The South China Sea has stabilized and he can go back. Suddenly, someone informed that they would set off tomorrow and the old Dragon King would also go back on the same ship. Chang Xiao was wondering, the people of Wulong Island were unstable, why was the old Dragon King in a hurry to go to the Central Plains? So he came to ask, and the old Dragon King explained: "Brother, you don't know, the expenses of the South China Sea fleet are extremely large, and huge funds are needed for turnover. Once something happens to the treasury, it will shake the foundation. Zuixia Taoist seized Tongtian Fort for treasure, and sent people to sneak into Wulong Island half for the Haiqiu ship and the other half for treasure. The situation is urgent, so I can only go there myself." Chang Xiao sighed in his heart. The old Dragon King handled the affairs of the South China Sea in an orderly manner, but such a big mistake happened at home. After thinking for a moment, he advised: "Don't be anxious, Dragon King. In my opinion, the matter is not that urgent. Zhicheng should understand that handing over the treasury means handing over his life. I will handle this matter. The people on Wulong Island are unstable now, and the opponent's spies may not all leave. We need to investigate carefully. The Dragon King cannot leave easily at this time." The Dragon King of the South China Sea understood it very well, and nodded: "This is what I think in my heart. I am in a dilemma. Since you are helping me, I will explain the matter of the treasury. The guard will recognize the Red Gold Order, and then let Nanlou assist you." Chang Xiao had a good impression of Yan Nanlou, and immediately prepared to pack his luggage. Yan Nanlou was very excited to hear the news. The opportunity to hang out with the number one swordsman was priceless. The cuttlefish boat is a kind of fast boat in the South China Sea. Although it is not as fast as the giant wave-fighting boat, it is much faster than other boats. Chang Xiao bid farewell to the old dragon king. The old dragon king privately reminded him: "Brother, if these two rebellious sons die in each other's hands, don't mention anything. If they are not dead, you must make a prompt decision." Chang Xiao did not understand what he meant and nodded: "As long as the two are not dead, I will definitely send them back to Wulong Island." The old dragon king shook his head: "Brother, you are wrong. You can't let these two rebellious sons return to the island no matter what, and you can't keep their wives and concubines. Just bring their children back." Chang Xiao was stunned. He didn't expect the old dragon king to have the heart to attack his own son. The old dragon king sighed: "It's not that I am cruel. If these two rebellious sons are not eliminated, the South China Sea will not be stable. For the sake of the overall situation, this is the only way." Chang Xiao nodded: "It seems that being a leader is not easy."

After everything was ready, they set off immediately. It was Yan Nanlou's first time to take on such an important task, and he was extremely excited to travel with a master like Chang Xiao. The cuttlefish boat was indeed fast, and it was like an arrow shot from a bow with the help of the sea breeze. After picking up Princess Huaying at Lingbo Island, they sailed at full speed to the Central Plains. The two princesses had never been on such a fast boat, and they were quite excited and talked and laughed happily. Chang Xiao, Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai were watching the scenery at the bow. Zhong Yuan sighed: "I didn't expect that there would be so many changes on this trip to Wulong Island. I almost lost my life." Zhong Hai agreed: "Yes, the Haiqiu boat is really powerful. If the owner of the manor hadn't found out, we would have become food for fish and shrimp." Chang Xiao nodded: "I didn't expect that if I was a little lazy, it would be difficult to find the Haiqiu boat following behind, and it would be even more difficult to get out of Wugui Lane. This trip to the South China Sea is indeed dangerous." Zhong Yuan asked: "Owner, I heard that Wugui Lane is 60 feet long in total, and the iron gate is closed. But it was just a matter of a second, how could he escape at the critical moment? "Chang Xiao smiled and said, "It's not time to make it clear yet, you will understand it sooner or later." During the discussion, Yan Nanlou approached and saluted, and Chang Xiao nodded: "You are here to ask for advice on martial arts. The swordsmanship cannot be static, and it should be learned by analogy. You should fight with these two brothers first." Although Yan Nanlou agreed, he was a little unconvinced. After fighting, he found that the martial arts of Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai brothers were extremely superb, and they were much stronger than himself. Only then did he realize that he was short-sighted, so he humbly asked for advice and studied hard. Chang Xiao nodded secretly, this person will have a promising future sooner or later. The squid boat was extremely fast and arrived at the land a few days later. Chang Xiao immediately contacted the Beggar Gang to inquire about the news. Yan Nanlou also issued an order to prepare people to respond at any time. When he returned to Julong Villa, the intelligence of the Beggar Gang had been delivered. Chang Xiao was a little puzzled after reading it. It turned out that the intelligence said that the giant boat of fighting waves was anchored in Dongting Lake, and people on the boat were playing there. There was another hidden story. It turned out that Qi Shizhen had been in charge of contacting these people. After entering the Central Plains, Qi Shizhen immediately arranged for people to receive them and took all the treasures on the ship. This move made Jiang Feiluan of Tongtian Fort very dissatisfied, and accused Qi Shizhen of using his power for personal gain. Qi Shizhen, in turn, accused Jiang Feiluan of holding on to the treasures after obtaining Tongtian Fort, and his people were unable to make ends meet. The two sides had a quarrel, so the people on the Bolang giant boat were at a loss and could only stay in Dongting Lake.

Chang Xiao couldn't guess these inside stories. Since he had found his target, he couldn't delay and set off immediately. Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai accompanied him. Yan Nanlou got the news and prepared people to rush to Dongting Lake. Qi Shizhen was always cautious. He had spies around Julong Villa. He immediately reported Chang Xiao's rush to Dongting Lake. Qi Shizhen immediately guessed Chang Xiao's purpose. If these people got into trouble in his hands, Jiang Feiluan would find an excuse to stir up trouble. Without further ado, he immediately ordered these people to hide, resulting in the death of Zhou Zhicheng and his brothers. On the way back, these people planned to get rid of the Zhou brothers. Zhou Zhicheng saved his life by telling them about the vault. If Qi Shizhen knew about the vault, he would have taken action long ago, but these spies had selfish motives and wanted to get the vault and then flee far away to live freely overseas. But Qi Shizhen's spies were everywhere in the Central Plains, and it was inconvenient to move, so they delayed. After receiving the information sent by Qi Shizhen, everyone was shocked. Even if the Dragon King of the South China Sea came in person, there would be nothing to be afraid of. But Chang Xiao was going to come. This man was too powerful. He escaped danger twice not by luck, but by profound martial arts and flexible mind. It is said that even the Taoist Zuixia, who has always been worshipped as a god, has never had the upper hand. After the panic, these people were ready to leave Dongting Lake, but they did not expect Chang Xiao's BMW. Before they were ready to escape, Chang Xiao had arrived. These spies were all masters personally selected by Taoist Zuixia. After a panic, they calmed down. Chang Xiao only had two followers, but there were more than a dozen people on their side. If they really fought, it would be hard to say who would win. Even if they couldn't win, they could escape. After some discussion, two people were left to watch the Zhou brothers, and more than a dozen people took out their weapons to meet the enemy. Chang Xiao was surprised that these people dared to confront him. It seemed that they had something to rely on, so he told Zhong Yuan: "I will fight these people, and you take the opportunity to rescue the two brothers on the boat." Zhong Yuan agreed. Facing more than a dozen masters, he was not sure. This time Chang Xiao was different from the past. He had escaped death twice in the South China Sea and had aroused his inner heroism. This time he was determined to let these people know that the Iron Arm Divine Sword was not in vain. These people didn't know that a single thought had already put one foot in the gate of hell.

Chang Xiao dismounted and approached slowly. A dozen people looked at each other, and then they attacked first. They shouted, and each of them raised their weapons to surround Chang Xiao, and attacked him from all sides without saying anything. Chang Xiao turned his body cleverly and actually went behind these people. The Dragon Scale Sword was no longer merciful. This occasion was just right for him to test the extent of his sword energy. A group of cold air spread out, covering the figures of more than ten people. At this time, someone exclaimed: "Sword energy, run away quickly." When this was said, everyone was shocked. A master who could hurt people with sword energy was definitely not something these people could deal with. Without thinking, they ran away. Unfortunately, it was too late. Chang Xiao had already had the intention to kill. He had only tried his sword in the Sea God Palace, leaving some room for maneuver. This time, he really used it. When the Dragon Scale Sword turned over, there were several muffled sounds in the air, and more than ten masters immediately stood still. Chang Xiao was satisfied with his sword energy. The power was so amazing that it was worth his years of hard work. At this time, fighting had already started on the boat. Zhong Yuan, Zhong Hai and the two people who stayed on the boat were fighting. The two were originally masters of swordsmanship, and they were evenly matched with Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai. It was hard to tell who would win. During the fight, a man slowly boarded the boat. It was Chang Xiao. The two men immediately realized that their companions had either escaped or died. The opponent in front of them was already difficult to deal with. With the addition of an iron-armed divine sword, there was only one way to go, so they whistled, escaped through the window and jumped into the water. Zhong Yuan smiled and said, "These two guys are quite smart. If it were me, I would also choose to die under the dragon-scale sword." Zhong Hai nodded, "They got it easy." Zhou Zhicheng in the corner was shocked. Chang Xiao was still more than ten steps away from here. He didn't even draw his sword. How could he take the lives of two masters?

Coming closer, Chang Xiao pointed and said, "The old Dragon King was a hero all his life, how could he have a rebellious son like you?" Zhou Zhicheng begged for mercy, "Master, I know I was wrong, and I would like to apologize to my father." Chang Xiao shook his head, "It's too late, the old Dragon King has already issued a kill order, and he wants to use your head to command the South China Sea." Zhou Zhicheng's face turned pale and he said hastily, "I'll hand over the treasury to you, and you only ask for my life." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "I have the Red Gold Order and know the details of the treasury. You don't need to tell me." Zhou Zhicheng was completely desperate, and all his hopes came to nothing. He gritted his teeth and said, "I will not let you go even if I become a ghost." Chang Xiao smiled, "Since you hate me, tell me, what did I do wrong?" Zhou Zhicheng was speechless. Chang Xiao was originally an outsider, and he had been running back and forth for the affairs of the South China Sea, and he was exhausted and almost died. There was really no reason for him to resent Chang Xiao. Chang Xiao was about to make a move, but he thought that Zhou Zhicheng and his brother should still die at the hands of the people in the South China Sea, so he stayed on the boat and waited for Yan Nanlou. Half a day later, Yan Nanlou led his men to arrive, and Chang Xiao explained the matter. Yan Nanlou also received the secret order from the old Dragon King and knew how to deal with it. He ordered his men to organize the giant boat and rush back to the South China Sea immediately. On the way, he dealt with Zhou Zhicheng and his brothers and his wives and concubines, and only took the children back. This matter cannot be interfered with by others, so Yan Nanlou personally returned with the ship and entrusted Chang Xiao with the matter of the treasury. Qi Shizhen learned that Chang Xiao had arrived and dealt with a group of spies and the Zhou brothers, and he complained bitterly in his heart. This time, he made a fool of himself and let Jiang Feiluan catch the handle. Just when he was furious, someone suddenly reported that Wang Yisheng wanted to see him. Qi Shizhen's eyes lit up. This Wang Yisheng was a spy sent to the South China Sea, who was responsible for liaison and was his confidant. It was really lucky that he could escape from Chang Xiao's knife. So he ordered: "Let him rest well and come back to see you later." The subordinates reported back: "Wang Yisheng said he has something confidential to report." Qi Shizhen nodded and said: "Let him in."

Wang Yisheng was indeed a fish that slipped through the net. He was the first to get the intelligence. When everyone was discussing meeting the enemy, he excused himself for his poor martial arts skills, arranged a retreat for everyone, and found excuses to avoid them, and he escaped by chance. When he saw Qi Shizhen, he saluted and said, "Hello, Manager Qi." Qi Shizhen nodded, "Everyone on your ship has died. How could you escape?" Wang Yisheng sighed, "We got the news and knew that Chang Xiao was coming. We had a chance to escape immediately, but those people were arrogant and wanted to fight Chang Xiao. I couldn't persuade them, so I had to avoid them." Qi Shizhen nodded, "You are smart. There are no survivors on the ship." Wang Yisheng exclaimed, "What a powerful iron-armed divine sword." Qi Shizhen asked, "Did you see the fight?" Wang Yisheng shook his head, "I didn't dare to show up. I hid in the water beside the boat. I vaguely heard Qiu Laowu shout, it seemed to be: sword energy, run away. Four words, followed by a few muffled sounds, and then there was no movement." Qi Shizhen was shocked. Could it be that Chang Xiao really practiced sword energy? At present, it seems that this is indeed possible. An idea came to his mind, and he continued to ask: "You said there is a confidential matter, tell me." Wang Yisheng saw that there was no one around, so he lowered his voice and said: "Zhou Zhicheng knows a treasury, which is the working capital of the South China Sea Fleet in the Central Plains, and the amount is extremely large." Qi Shizhen was overjoyed and asked: "Are you serious? How much do you know?" Wang Yisheng smiled and said: "The people on the ship wanted to hide this treasury, embezzle it and then take a huge boat to overseas. Unfortunately, the Iron Arm Divine Sword arrived first. I know the exact location of the treasury, but I don’t know the situation of the guards. Zhou Zhicheng refused to tell me even if he died." Qi Shizhen stood up and said: "It’s enough to know the location. I will mobilize people immediately. Chang Xiao is very likely to know this secret. We must act first." For the treasury, Qi Shizhen was not vague. He immediately summoned all the people he had to go, and there were more than a thousand people. Chang Xiao missed a point. He didn’t expect someone to escape, but the treasury was of great importance. It was better to act as soon as possible to avoid more trouble. Arriving at Xuejiaji where the vault was located, Chang Xiao immediately contacted the guards. There were only five guards here. Seeing the Red Gold Order, they said they would obey his orders. Chang Xiao ordered the five men to prepare carriages and horses, and pack all the gold, silver and jewelry in the vault and move them. The five men prepared separately, and when they were busy, someone suddenly sent an urgent report that a large number of people were coming, most likely for this batch of treasures. Chang Xiao knew in his heart that the news had leaked out, and the other party was outnumbered and powerful, so he had to be on guard.

Chapter 52: Such a Jianghu

Qi Shizhen led more than a thousand people to come at full speed. Scouts kept reporting that the people in the treasury had begun to move. Qi Shizhen was extremely anxious and rode at full speed. When he arrived at Xuejiaji, he suddenly got the news that Chang Xiao was in charge. Qi Shizhen was shocked. If this person was really there, he might not be able to succeed. After thinking about it, Chang Xiao finally had some dealings with him. Even if he couldn't get the treasure, he should meet him. In addition, the number of this batch of treasures was huge. If he mobilized his men to rob, he could get some oil and water. He made up his mind and ordered his men to urge the horses to wade through the dust, shout loudly, and make a posture of thousands of troops. At this time, the treasures in the treasury had been packed, filling ten carts. Chang Xiao didn't want to alarm the people here, so he led the convoy to leave Xuejiaji. Just after walking five miles, shouts came from behind, the dust covered the sun, and more than a thousand knights came on horseback. The drivers were dumbfounded. They could not afford to offend such a large force, so they hid under the carriages. Chang Xiao dismounted and waited. He saw Qi Shizhen leading the way from afar, so he clasped his fists and smiled, "Manager Qi, how are you?" Qi Shizhen dismounted and came forward to return the greeting, "Master, it's been a long time since we last met. I didn't expect to see you here." Chang Xiao asked knowingly, "Why did Manager Qi mobilize so many people?" Qi Shizhen smiled and said, "Master, you are a smart man. Why are you playing dumb? It's for the treasure in the carriage." Chang Xiao pretended to be surprised and said, "This is the treasure of the South China Sea. What does it have to do with Manager Qi? ? "Qi Shizhen shook his head: "Master, I don't think I have done anything wrong, but you asked the South China Sea Fleet to cooperate with the Wanxiantang, which cut off my source of income. So many brothers under me can't live without food and clothing." Chang Xiao nodded: "This makes some sense. The cooperation between the Wanxiantang and the South China Sea Dragon King is a mutual consent. Chang is just a middleman." Qi Shizhen was quite dissatisfied: "Master, you are a hero in the world, why do you have to refuse? Why did the Wanxiantang cooperate with the South China Sea Dragon King under the banner of the master?" Chang Xiao knew that this matter would have to be talked about sooner or later, and it was best not to lose face. So he smiled and said, "The transaction is voluntary, no one can force it. Let's not beat around the bush. Hasn't Shopkeeper Qi already obtained a batch of treasures?" Qi Shizhen shook his head, "That's a small amount, it can only solve the urgent problem." Chang Xiao asked, "Now that the cards have been revealed today, what does Shopkeeper Qi intend to do?" Qi Shizhen smiled and said, "The owner of the manor has superb swordsmanship. I dare not attack him. But I'm sure the owner of the manor will not kill me. I plan to follow the carriage and take action as soon as the owner of the manor leaves." Chang Xiao asked, "What if I follow him all the time?" Qi Shizhen turned around and pointed, "These brothers don't even have money to visit brothels. It's not worth waiting no matter how long it takes." Chang Xiao was quite embarrassed. If these people kept following him, news would inevitably spread, causing people from all sides to scramble for it, which would be difficult to deal with.

Chang Xiao was in a dilemma, and Qi Shizhen naturally understood it. He smiled and said, "The owner of the manor should understand that if this news gets out, even gods will not be able to protect this batch of treasures. Since only I know about it now, give me five carts, and we can still be friends." Although Chang Xiao knew that what Qi Shizhen said was true, he could not give away the treasures of the South China Sea casually. He was embarrassed and said, "How can I be so generous to others?" Qi Shizhen smiled and said, "Since the owner of the manor has the Red Gold Order, he can make the decision. As the saying goes, the longer the night, the more dreams there are. It will not be good for anyone if it goes on for a long time." Chang Xiao gritted his teeth and said, "Well, I will make the decision and give you two carts." Qi Shizhen shook his head, "At least four carts." Chang Xiao insisted, "Two carts are not a small number." Qi Shizhen refused, "I have too many brothers, not enough to share." Chang Xiao knew that since Qi Shizhen had obtained the Red Gold Order, he would definitely give it to me. Qi Shizhen knew that he should stop when he saw the good news. As a top master, it was rare for him to make concessions. He readily agreed: "Master, don't worry. Qi will keep his word and let go as soon as he gets the treasure." Chang Xiao nodded: "It's a deal." The delivery was made immediately. Although the people guarding the vault were unwilling, they had no good way. Fortunately, Chang Xiao was in charge and divided the three carts of treasure. After checking, Qi Shizhen clasped his fists and said: "Master, we will meet again in the future." Chang Xiao returned the greeting: "Shopkeeper Qi, remember what you said." Qi Shizhen smiled and said: "If Qi breaks his promise, you can take my head." With a whistle, he led his men and the three carts of treasure away. Chang Xiao understood that this was the news leaked by Zhou Zhicheng. Without further ado, he immediately set off with the carriages and horses, safely transferred the treasures, and returned to Julong Villa after settling them down. While drinking in the hall, Zhong Yuan asked, "Master, will the people of the South China Sea Fleet be dissatisfied if we give three carts to Qi Shizhen?" Zhong Hai nodded, "Yes, wouldn't it be fine if we kill that shopkeeper Qi?" Chang Xiao shook his head, "Qi Shizhen is playing tricks behind my back, but on the surface he keeps talking about friendship, so I have no reason to kill him. This time I had to make concessions, and I'm sure the old Dragon King won't mind. Even if he's dissatisfied, I'll just compensate them with three carts of treasures." Zhong Hai asked, "That shopkeeper Qi doesn't dare to do it, so what's the big deal about letting him follow?" Chang Xiao smiled bitterly, "How do you know? Once the news of such a large treasure leaks out, it will inevitably attract all kinds of people, and I'm afraid the government will also be tempted. Qi Shizhen is right, even the gods can't protect him at that time."

The trip to the South China Sea finally came to an end. Chang Xiao began to think about the affairs of the Central Plains. He learned from the Beggars' Gang that Jiang Feiluan of Tongtianbao, a sect led by Zuixia Taoist, was at odds with Qi Shizhen, mainly because of the treasure. Jiang Feiluan was already very dissatisfied when he knew that Qi Shizhen had taken the treasures brought back by the South China Sea spies for himself. He also heard that Qi Shizhen had snatched food from Chang Xiao's mouth and got another batch of treasures. In addition, Qi Shizhen was also responsible for the death of the spies sent to the South China Sea at Chang Xiao's hands. These three things added up, and Jiang Feiluan was very dissatisfied. While writing to Qi Shizhen to ask for a batch of treasures, he also complained to Zuixia Taoist. Qi Shizhen was angry after receiving the letter. Tongtianbao only had a few hundred people, and the treasures left by Gao Zhen were enough for these people to squander for decades. He had more than 20,000 people under his command, and even if he got two bets of money, he could not support it for long. Jiang Feiluan actually complained and asked him for treasures. So an order was issued not to provide any information to Tongtianbao, and to distribute all the treasures obtained, leaving only the most basic liquidity. Jiang Feiluan was in a dilemma. Without spies, Tongtianbao could not do anything and knew nothing about the situation in the martial arts world. When the two sides competed, they naturally had no time to take care of other things. The other forces took the opportunity to cultivate their wings and prepare to deal with the big move of Zuixia Taoist. Wuling Villa was closest to the Beggars' Sect. Elder Jinchan was very shrewd and knew that if he wanted to fight against Zuixia Taoist, he had to unite the power of Wanxiantang. However, Wanqi Song was an old fox who was used to changing his mind and never clearly supported any side. The elder found an opportunity through the falling out between Qi Shizhen and Jiang Feiluan. It turned out that Qi Shizhen had no other source of income except the South China Sea Fleet. In this case, as long as the business of the South China Sea Fleet and Wanxiantang was guaranteed, Qi Shizhen's power could be gradually weakened. Therefore, the Beggar Gang dispatched capable personnel to secretly assist the Wanxian Hall, on the one hand to show goodwill to Wanqi Song, on the other hand to completely cut off Qi Shizhen's financial resources. Such a big matter requires a middleman, and the best candidate is of course Chang Xiao. The Wanxian Hall and the South China Sea Fleet owe him a lot of favors, so the elder personally went to Chang Xiao to ask him to mediate.

Chang Xiao agreed to Elder Jinchan's request and made a special trip to meet Wanqi Song. Upon inquiry, he learned that Wanqi Song was worried about offending Taoist Zuixia and was preparing to give up part of the business to Qi Shizhen. Chang Xiao advised, "There is nothing wrong with the hall master's plan, but Taoist Zuixia plotted to seize the Haiqiu ship. After the conspiracy was exposed, the Dragon King of the South China Sea had completely fallen out with Qi Shizhen and there was no possibility of cooperation. If the hall master gave the business to Qi Shizhen, I am afraid that the Dragon King of the South China Sea would cut off all contacts with Wanxian Hall and look for other partners. There are many people who are jealous of such a big business. The most powerful one is the Beggar Gang, which they would love to have." Wanqi Song sighed, "What you said makes sense, but the situation in the martial arts world is unpredictable. , Don’t think that Wuling Villa and Zuixia Taoist are irreconcilable, you never know when they will stand together. The leader of the Beggar Gang has never shown up, and his attitude is very unclear. As for Nanhai, although the old Dragon King and Zuixia Taoist are enemies, he is old and it is hard to say what the attitude of his successor will be. As far as I know, no one in Nanhai can match the old Dragon King’s martial arts and courage. I have worked hard to build this foundation, so I have to be more careful. "Chang Xiao never expected that what he thought was a natural thing would actually encounter trouble, and he could not help but remain silent. Wanqi Song explained, "Brother, the martial arts world is far more complicated than you see. Taoist Zuixia has the support of various famous families, as well as the help of hermit masters. Together with Tongtian Fort and Qi Shizhen's power, he already has the strength to sweep the martial arts world. If the other forces unite to fight, they can at least be evenly matched. However, these forces have their own confidants and are suspicious of each other. Sooner or later, they will be defeated by Taoist Zuixia one by one. I have no choice but to leave a way out." Chang Xiao asked, "Can the hall master explain in detail?" Wanqi Song nodded, "Brother, you are a smart man. If Taoist Zuixia really wants to eradicate Wuling Villa, what should be the first step?" Chang Xiao said without hesitation, "Of course, clean up the periphery and get rid of the wings." Wanqi Song smiled and said, "That's right. Wu Qingyang is the only heir to Wuling Villa and should be the first target. If the Nether Swordsman is sent, he can be eliminated. Why hasn't anyone taken action against him?"

This question was quite sharp, and Chang Xiao couldn't figure it out. Although Wu Qingyang's whereabouts were secretive, Qi Shizhen's power could have found him out. If he really took action, he would have a 90% chance of success. It was indeed suspicious that he hadn't taken action for so long. Wanqi Song continued to explain: "It's even harder to say about the Beggars' Sect. Their disciples are all over the world, and they are more well-informed than Qi Shizhen. They don't have to be afraid of Taoist Zuixia at all. Why are their whereabouts so secretive? Not to mention the dragon head, even Elder Jinchan is unwilling to show up easily. Their position is very suspicious. According to the news, the first fight between my brother and Taoist Zuixia seemed to be a natural thing. In my opinion, it seemed like a play. Someone arranged everything in advance to test my brother's martial arts." Chang Xiao had never thought about it carefully. At this time, he reflected that there were indeed several doubts. Given the temperament of the old owner of Wuling Villa, he would not ask for help from me even if he died. Why did he retreat towards Julong Villa? There is also Master Cunxin. If the old manor owner couldn't even deal with this person, it would be impossible for him to fight against Taoist Zuixia for many years. It can be seen from his wandering in the desert that the old manor owner has a high level of cultivation and is indeed a top-notch figure. It is impossible for him to be chased to a dead end. Chang Xiao has always been sincere to others. He never expected so many tricks. His mind was confused for a while, and he shook his head and sighed. Wanqi Song persuaded him, "Brother, I have always said that you are not like a man of the Jianghu. The people who help you in the Jianghu may not be your friends, and the people who harm you may not be your enemies. At present, it seems that only the Dragon King of the South China Sea is the most trustworthy. In addition, Gao Zhen can also be dealt with. Although he has ambitions, his ambitions are on the surface. Although Elder Jinchan is upright, he is not the leader of the Beggar Gang. He is manipulated by others in everything. We must be on guard. We must be more careful about Wuling Villa." Chang Xiao felt mixed emotions in his heart, and he couldn't tell what he felt. He didn't expect that the Jianghu would be like this. The masters and knights who seemed upright on the surface actually had their own ulterior motives. For a while, he felt at a loss. Wanqi Song persuaded him, "Brother, don't be discouraged. With your skills, you can protect yourself. You can live a carefree life. While accompanying your wife and children, you can practice martial arts. I believe that Taoist Zuixia also wants to fight with you. As for the disputes in the Jianghu, you don't have to take it to heart." Chang Xiao nodded, "It seems that I should be quiet. Thank you, Hall Master, for making it clear."

Chang Xiao was unhappy after returning to Julong Villa. He had been busy for a long time, but he still couldn't get his sincerity. Wanqi Song's words had already shown that Wuling Villa didn't trust him at all, and the Beggars' Sect also had other intentions. In comparison, it was easier to deal with Gao Zhen. Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai didn't understand why, and Chang Xiao couldn't make it clear, so he just stayed at home to accompany his wife and take care of the children. One day, a guest came to visit, but it was Lu Wenjun from Wanxian Hall. They met in the hall. Lu Wenjun bowed and said, "Master, my master asked me to send a book. Please take a look." Chang Xiao took it and saw that this book was neither an account book nor a martial arts secret book, but a notebook, which recorded various cases involving martial artists. Lu Wenjun explained, "Master, this is the result of my master's evidence collection from various sources through the government files. There is not a single false word." Chang Xiao nodded, "You stay first, and I will take a look slowly." Zhong Yuan led Lu Wenjun to his residence, and Chang Xiao calmed down and looked through it. It is marked on the first page, arranged in chronological order. The first case happened fifteen years ago. A group of thugs who killed and robbed were arrested. The leader escaped by relying on martial arts and changed his name to join Huihai Temple. Later, he couldn't stand the rules and regulations, went outside the temple to drink, and confessed the truth after getting drunk. When the abbot found out, he was afraid that he would be implicated in the incident, so he used the Ecstasy Powder to turn this person into an idiot. He claimed to be a lonely person taken in by the temple. Although this culprit became an idiot, he still escaped the punishment of the law. The second case was that a disciple of Shangqing Palace was seduced by the thieves of Xiawumen, indulged in the art of collecting and replenishing, went to the brothel to fool around with prostitutes, was recognized, and even injured people. When the news reached Shangqing Palace, the headmaster categorically denied it, claiming that this person violated the rules and was locked up in the back mountain. Then this person disappeared from the brothel and reappeared two years later. Now he is still in Shangqing Palace. The third case is about a prime minister who sent his daughter to Nanhua Shengmu to learn martial arts. Everything went well for the first two years, but the prime minister was later executed by the emperor and his property was confiscated. His daughter fell from grace and was forced to do hard labor by fellow disciples. She only lasted half a year before committing suicide.

As he watched, he saw cases where famous and upright sects ignored the law and human feelings to maintain their reputation and eliminate troubles. One by one, Chang Xiao was shocked. His view of these famous and upright sects has changed a lot. In comparison, the insidiousness and cunning of Zuixia Taoist and the intrigues of various characters are all logical. This is how the world of martial arts is. Recalling his own experience, Chang Xiao was really discouraged. He didn't expect that the world of martial arts would be the same as the officialdom, with everyone harboring their own ulterior motives and scheming against each other. He originally thought that people who practice martial arts should be more courageous than those in the officialdom, but now it seems that they are all the same. There is no difference. Even if he defeated Zuixia Taoist and became a martial arts master, it would be meaningless in such a martial arts environment. Almost everyone has several faces, one on the surface and another behind the scenes. The previous goals gradually lost their appeal, and Chang Xiao felt at a loss. After sending Lu Wenjun away, Zhong Yuan came to ask: "Master, what did Lu Wenjun bring?" Chang Xiao sighed: "It's best not to know. Knowing it will make me upset. It contains details of a case involving a famous and upright sect." Zhong Yuan smiled: "It doesn't matter. Most people in the martial arts world know these things. They know it well, but they can't make it public. Master has always reminded us to sit quietly and reflect on our own mistakes, and not to talk about other people's faults. So we brothers rarely mention it, Master, don't worry about it." Chang Xiao asked: "Tell me, are Wuling Villa and the Beggars' Sect really willing to make friends with me?" Zhong Yuan shook his head: "It's hard to say. Wu Qingyang is always mysterious every time he shows up, and the leader of the Beggars' Sect is hidden. No one can figure out what's going on. It's hard to say what his position is under the dominance of Taoist Zuixia." Chang Xiao nodded: "It seems that I was wrong. If Wanqi Song hadn't broken the window paper, I would still be kept in the dark."

Chapter 53: Mutual Appreciation

After this incident, Chang Xiao had a better understanding of the martial arts world. He stayed in Julong Villa and devoted himself to martial arts. He rarely showed up. He tried to refuse others' requests and claimed that he was preparing to challenge the first swordsman. Zuixia Taoist was wary of Chang Xiao. This opponent was really difficult to deal with. He was going to conduct a strict surveillance operation on Julong Villa. Unfortunately, at this time, his brothers Jiang Feiluan and Qi Shizhen had a quarrel. Both of them were very important. Zuixia Taoist could only start to resolve the internal disputes and mediate between the two. This time the meeting place was set at Yueyang Tower. With the first swordsman coming forward, Jiang Feiluan and Qi Shizhen had to come and arrived at Yueyang Tower on time. When the two met, they were not convinced by each other and glared at each other. If it were not for Zuixia Taoist's care, they would inevitably fight. Zuixia Taoist arrived at noon. This first swordsman was of medium build, with a clear bone structure, a ruddy face like a baby, a head full of black hair, and bright eyes. He looked like a man of about forty. He was wearing Bagua fairy clothes and holding a whisk, which was quite immortal. Jiang Feiluan and Qi Shizhen came forward to greet him. Taoist Zuixia nodded and ordered, "Let's talk upstairs." The three of them sat down in the private room upstairs. Jiang Feiluan was dressed very luxuriously, while Qi Shizhen was just dressed in ordinary clothes. Taoist Zuixia smiled and said, "Second brother, you've become rich, and your clothes are different. Why is Shopkeeper Qi so shabby?" Qi Shizhen replied, "I don't know, but the Dragon King of the South China Sea has teamed up with Wanqi Song and cut off all ties with us, almost cutting off our source of income." Taoist Zuixia nodded, "I already knew about this. Why didn't you prepare for it in advance?" Qi Shizhen sighed, "At first, Chang Xiao came forward to do business with the Dragon King of the South China Sea, and I couldn't interfere. Later, I learned that it was Wanqi Song who was behind it. He was going to attack Wanxian Hall, but he happened to attack Tongtian Fort, and things happened. Delayed. "Zuixia Taoist laughed and said, "Wanqi Song is an old fox, you may not be able to beat him. Since your people have contributed, you have a share of the treasure of Tongtian Castle. Why are you still arguing?" Qi Shizhen pointed at Jiang Feiluan and said, "This castle lord is unwilling to give it, so I can only think of another way to use the treasures brought back by the spies from the South China Sea for emergency." Jiang Feiluan sneered, "That's not right. I heard that Chang Xiao gave you three carts of treasures for our friendship. The amount is huge." Qi Shizhen's face changed, "The castle lord is not right. Even if Chang Xiao talks about friendship, it is impossible to use the treasures of the South China Sea as a favor. I got the news and led more than a thousand brothers to snatch it from Chang Xiao." Jiang Feiluan curled his lips, "Just relying on you to make Chang Xiao bow his head is a fool's dream."

Seeing that the two were about to quarrel, Taoist Zuixia's face darkened: "What is there to fight about among our own people? You two should take a step back. The treasure of Tongtian Fort does not need to be shared with Shopkeeper Qi, and Shopkeeper Qi can use the treasure he gets himself." Qi Shizhen asked: "Although it can solve the problem temporarily, what should we do in the future?" Taoist Zuixia smiled: "Wanqi Song will not be our enemy, and he will naturally give up some of his business. The Dragon King of the South China Sea is not stupid either. If I go all out to deal with him, I can completely cut off all the connections between the South China Sea Islands and the Central Plains. At that time, his life will not be easy." Qi Shizhen was convinced. Jiang Feiluan also nodded in approval, and Taoist Zuixia ordered: "You can only achieve something if you join hands. Don't lose your composure in the future." The two agreed in unison. Then they started drinking. Jiang Feiluan asked, "How is the work going on, big brother?" Taoist Zuixia nodded, "Almost, we can take action next month." Jiang Feiluan said happily, "Chang Xiao can only live for another month. This is great news." Qi Shizhen was also quite excited, "Getting rid of this man is indeed good news." Taoist Zuixia shook his head, "I don't want to touch him yet. I won't take action against Julong Villa unless it's absolutely necessary." Jiang Feiluan was puzzled, "Why? This person is a thorn in our eyes. If he lives one more day, there will be endless troubles." Qi Shizhen also had this doubt, "What do you mean by that, Immortal?" Taoist Zuixia sighed, "How would you know? Chang Xiao is a rare talent. To me, he is an opponent that is hard to find in the world. I won't touch him without a real fight." Jiang Feiluan advised, "Big brother should act decisively. This person's martial arts reputation is increasing day by day, let alone others. Even some people in our camp are inclined to him." Qi Shizhen also advised: "Yes, this man has the Red Gold Order, and he is the first guest official of the Beggar Gang. With the support of the Ten Thousand Immortals Hall, his strength is extremely strong and we must not underestimate him." Taoist Zuixia shook his head: "You don't understand. After Duan Qingxiao killed the Red Spirit God with his sword, he was depressed and retired because he lost his only soulmate. In today's world, Chang Xiao is my only soulmate. There are many things that only he can understand, and I can't bear to do it. Let's put this matter aside for now. After you two stabilize the situation, concentrate on tracking down the leader of the Beggar Gang. You must find out the truth no matter what. In addition, send people outside the pass to find out Gao Zhen's every move. This person's ability is not simple. If used well, he will be the best weapon to contain Chang Xiao." Qi Shizhen asked: "Where is Wuling Villa?" Taoist Zuixia smiled: "It's already in my hands."

The number one swordsman would naturally not lie to others. Jiang Feiluan and Qi Shizhen were overjoyed to hear the news. They were naturally happy to have their long-time rivals resolved in one day. Qi Shizhen asked, "When did the Immortal take action? Why is there no news at all?" Taoist Zuixia smiled and said, "This is still a secret. Remember not to spread it. We'll tell you the details later. In addition to Chang Xiao, we have another biggest hidden danger, and this is what I care about." Jiang Feiluan asked, "Who is worthy of big brother's attention? Is he more difficult than Chang Xiao?" Qi Shizhen understood and frowned, "The Immortal is talking about Duan Qingxiao. This old guy is really not easy to deal with." Jiang Feiluan shook his head, "Duan Qingxiao has retired and poses no threat to us." Taoist Zuixia accused, "You are already the master of Tongtian Fort, why are you so stupid? You can come out again after retiring. As long as you Just have a reasonable excuse. Besides, with his martial arts, even if there is no excuse, who dares to say no? As long as he comes out, all the famous families will change their homes, and our strength will lose at least 70%. "Jiang Feiluan gritted his teeth: "These people are all fake Taoists, they are righteous in front of people, but they are full of evil intentions when they turn their faces. "Zuixia Taoist laughed and said: "The world is like this, there are countless people who add icing on the cake, and there are very few people who help in times of trouble. I have always prevented you from dealing with the Divine Sword Sect for this person. The flesh and blood are connected, and Duan Qingxiao may re-enter the world for his relatives. "These words are understood by both of them. Without the halo of the first swordsman, those famous masters would not be able to help their side. Zuixia Taoist expressed his attitude and took a tolerant attitude towards the South China Sea Fleet. As long as they do business together, everything will be fine. Julong Villa must be closely monitored to find out Chang Xiao's every move, and then find the leader of the Beggar Gang. Only by finding this person can the Beggar Gang be disintegrated. After the deployment, Qi Shizhen asked, "How will the Immortal deal with Chang Xiao killing our spy?" Taoist Zuixia praised, "Chang Xiao is really not simple. He has reached the realm of injuring people with sword energy, which is more than ten years ahead of me. At present, the gap between him and me is minimal. Even if I can gain the upper hand, I can't take his life. I don't want to follow Duan Qingxiao's old path and find a chance to meet this weirdo at Julong Villa." Jiang Feiluan asked, "Brother, why do you call Chang Xiao a weirdo?" Taoist Zuixia explained, "It's strange that there are still such kind-hearted people in the world today. If it were someone else, the whole world would be very different." Qi Shizhen suggested, "The Immortal can go there in a different identity." Taoist Zuixia shook his head, "As long as I get close, he will feel it. Although we have never met, we can feel each other."

This is a perception ability that only top masters have. Jiang Feiluan and Qi Shizhen can't understand it. After making a plan, they left and acted separately. At this time, Chang Xiao was worried about something. Yan Nanlou returned to the South China Sea to deal with Zhou Zhicheng and Zhou Zhixin's brothers. He immediately led the merchant ship back to the Central Plains. He was deeply dissatisfied when he learned that Chang Xiao had privately handed over three carts of treasure to Qi Shizhen. It is impossible for a master like Chang Xiao to not be able to keep this huge sum of money. It is clear that he has other intentions when he gave it to Qi Shizhen. Because Yan Nanlou was responsible for the affairs of the Central Plains, he first wrote a letter to the Dragon King of the South China Sea to apologize, and at the same time asked for the details of the business partner. The old Dragon King told him that he could continue to cooperate with Qi Shizhen, leaving some room, and he must not ask Chang Xiao about the treasure. Although the old Dragon King did not mean to blame, Yan Nanlou was unwilling to give up, and specially wrote a letter to Julong Villa, stating that he was ready to continue to cooperate with Qi Shizhen, and thanked Chang Xiao for keeping the treasure in the vault. Chang Xiao immediately understood after receiving the letter that this was a complaint about him giving away three carts of treasures, and he was ready to return them after some discussion. First, he did not have that much on hand, and second, it would be embarrassing to return them openly. When he was in a dilemma, Zhong Yuan came in to report that Wanqi Song sent someone to deliver a letter, which also said that the South China Sea Fleet and Qi Shizhen had reconciled, and the business of the South China Sea Fleet would be divided equally between the two parties in the future. After much thought, Chang Xiao decided that Wanqi Song should be able to help, so he wrote a letter asking for a share in the business of Wanxiantang, and giving 10% of the price to Nanhai. Wanqi Song was quite surprised. Chang Xiao had the Red Gold Order, so why did he have to beat around the bush? Wouldn't it be enough to just invest in the South China Sea Fleet directly? As an old man in the world, Wanqi Song noticed that there was a gap between Chang Xiao and the South China Sea Fleet, and he could not intervene in this matter. Since Chang Xiao had spoken, Wanqi Song decided to give 10% of the current price and count it in Chang Xiao's name. Yan Nanlou was overjoyed when he heard the news. This ten percent may not seem like much, but when you count them one by one, it’s a lot. It won’t take long to recover the loss. He thought he had a good plan, but he didn’t tell the old Dragon King about it, which laid a hidden danger for the future. Chang Xiao owed Wanqi Song a favor for this matter, so he had to find a way to repay it. He helped Nanhai regardless of the gains and losses, but ended up with such a result. Naturally, he was unhappy. The problem now was where to find a huge sum of money to repay Wanqi Song. He couldn’t tell anyone about this matter, so he could only keep it in his heart, so he was unhappy.

It just so happened that before the current problem was solved, new troubles were added. My father-in-law, King Riguan, liked to visit the mountains and rivers of the Central Plains. He often traveled around and tasted fine wines and delicacies from all over the place. With the care of Wanxiantang, there would have been no problem. But he met a group of strange people who used a kind of evil magic to take away all the treasures he carried with him, and even lost his carriage. According to the news from Wanxiantang, this group of people also came from India, so they did not attract attention. Moreover, the evil magic was strange and hard to guard against. The three groups of people were all bewitched. After receiving the news, Chang Xiao first asked Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai to take his father-in-law to Julong Villa, and he contacted the Beggar Gang to find the traces of this group of people. The Beggar Gang had many eyes and ears, and soon sent back the news that these people had used evil magic to accumulate amazing wealth, and they were all loaded on the ship to go to sea. Without further ado, Chang Xiao immediately left Julong Villa, and the flames kicked off, rushing to Haikou like lightning. Sure enough, he found a large ship anchored, and many people were loading cargo on the ship. Chang Xiao would have taken a gentle approach to solve the problem under normal circumstances. But now he was in a depressed mood and could not care about anything else. He shouted in a deep voice, "Everyone on the boat, come out." His voice was deep and lasted for a long time like a bronze bell, making the eardrums of the people on the boat buzz. Soon a group of people rushed off the boat, led by two foreign beauties. Chang Xiao's two wives were both princesses of India. They had some understanding of the appearance of Indian beauties and immediately determined that these two beauties were not from India. More than ten people in black robes surrounded the two beauties. Although they were covered with veils, they could still see that they had deep eyes and high noses and were from foreign countries. This group of people looked Chang Xiao up and down. A beautiful woman asked, "Where are you from?" Chang Xiao sneered, "There is no point in talking more. Hand over the treasures of the Indian Sun Viewing King and let you leave." The beautiful woman smiled sweetly. This person was too arrogant. Many talented people failed to crack the spell and fled in embarrassment. This person actually spoke big words. Isn't it ridiculous? The people accompanying him also thought it was funny and laughed together. Chang Xiao shouted angrily, and his voice hit their hearts like a heavy hammer, and they were immediately silent. The two beauties looked at each other and realized that the person in front of them was extraordinary. They nodded to each other, posed in strange postures, took off the crystal pendants on their chests, and muttered something. Chang Xiao was wondering what these people were doing.

While he was wondering, he suddenly found something unusual. He turned around and saw that Lieyan's eyes were a little confused and his body was shaking slightly. Chang Xiao immediately understood that it was the evil magic cast by the other party. So he shouted, and the two beauties turned pale and staggered back as if they were hit hard. Chang Xiao found it strange. At this time, two men in black robes came forward with scimitars in their hands. Chang Xiao laughed in his heart, and he thought, "How dare you show your knives in front of me? You don't know whether you live or die." He was angry in his heart, so he didn't show mercy. It was too wasteful to draw a knife. It didn't take any effort to deal with such people. He turned his body and got the two scimitars in his hands. The two men in black robes fell on their backs. The people on the opposite side were shocked. These two people were elders in the church, with outstanding skills, but they were vulnerable to the other party. This person was really scary. Someone carried the injured onto the boat. Chang Xiao sneered: "Hand over the treasure obediently, otherwise it will be difficult to leave this place." Everyone discussed for a moment and returned to the boat in a line. Chang Xiao was waiting under the boat. After a while, an old woman in a black robe came down from the boat. She held a long staff in her left hand, with a colorful skull on the top. She held a crystal ball in her right hand, which looked very strange. Chang Xiao understood that this old woman must be the leader of these people, so he asked, "Why did you come to the Central Plains to make money?" The old woman looked Chang Xiao up and down, her expression was quite solemn, and she shook the long staff in her hand without saying a word. The golden rings hanging on the staff jingled, which was quite harsh. Lieyan felt scared and hid behind Chang Xiao. Chang Xiao didn't feel anything, and sneered, "What are you doing?" The old woman looked a little nervous, put the long staff beside her, took out a handful of powder from her arms, muttered, and sprinkled the powder into the air. Chang Xiao thought the powder was poisonous, so he waved his sleeves and rolled up a gust of wind, which swept the powder away without a trace. The old woman's expression changed drastically, and her body trembled a little.

Chang Xiao was puzzled. He didn't kill anyone, so the other party shouldn't be so scared. The old woman bit her tongue and spat out a mouthful of blood on the skull on the top of the long staff. She held up the crystal ball and screamed loudly. Chang Xiao didn't understand at all, and didn't care. He just watched quietly to see what the other party's evil magic was. The old woman exerted her full strength, but Chang Xiao was not moved at all. His eyes were clear and there was no sign of confusion. It turned out that this was the mind control technique, which had the effect of confusing and hypnotizing, but it was ineffective when encountering people with strong will. Chang Xiao's cultivation was rare in the world, so such a trick certainly couldn't do anything to him. The mind control technique also has a feature. If the other party cannot be confused, the mind of the person who casts the technique will be controlled by the other party. This is what the old woman fears. But after trying all means, it still didn't work, and her eyes began to be confused. Chang Xiao certainly noticed this change, so he smiled and said, "You'd better put it away. Such tricks are useless to me." The old woman immediately stopped all her movements and stood there stiffly. Chang Xiao didn't know what was going on, so he asked, "Are you the leader?" The old woman nodded, and Chang Xiao continued to ask, "Why did you go to the Central Plains to make money?" The old woman said, "To glorify my religion." Chang Xiao sneered, "It's best for such a religion to disappear. The affairs of foreign races have nothing to do with me. You hand over the treasure of King Riguan to me and leave as soon as possible, otherwise disaster is inevitable." The old woman immediately gave an order, and someone carried down three boxes. Chang Xiao nodded, "You go, it's best not to meet again." The old woman immediately gave the order, and the big ship raised the sails and set sail. Chang Xiao didn't understand why the other party was so obedient, and he didn't want to spend more time thinking about it. He found a car to pull the treasure back to Julong Villa.

Chapter 54: It's Hard to Distinguish Friends from Foes

King Riguan has experienced some unexpected events and is still in a state of confusion. He is drinking to calm his nerves and is accompanied by Zhong Yuan, Zhong Hai and Princess Yueying. Chang Xiao came in and greeted King Riguan, who nodded: "I was worried that something might happen to you. I'm glad you're back." Chang Xiao sat down and said with a smile: "The little demon clown is nothing. My father-in-law was frightened." King Riguan stuck out his tongue: "My dear son-in-law is so arrogant. The little demon clown, they are from the Persian Fire Poison Sect, and no one has ever dared to provoke them." Chang Xiao didn't think so. These people were really nothing special. So he smiled and said, "The old woman was scared by me and handed over the treasure and left obediently. It's really nothing." King Riguan was surprised and said, "I didn't expect you to subdue all the priests of the Fire Poison Sect." Chang Xiao shook his head: "I don't know her identity. The crystal ball is a rare thing, and the skull on the long staff can only scare ordinary people." King Riguan smacked his tongue: "Incredible, incredible." Princess Yueying smiled and said, "My husband is the reincarnation of the Dragon King Pojie. The priest of the Fire Poison Sect is nothing." The family gathered together for a few days. King Riguan packed up and continued to play. Chang Xiao stayed at home. Princess Huaying was about to give birth sooner or later, and could not leave easily. I never thought that there would be rumors in the martial arts world. One said that Chang Xiao should leave all the treasures and return them to the owner, and the other said that Chang Xiao took all the treasures for himself and was greedy for money. When Chang Xiao got this news, he was angry. What does it have to do with me if others can't keep the treasures? If you have the ability to take them yourself, why should I take them back? If I really take them all back, there will definitely be a dispute once they are returned, and I will not be able to please anyone. As for saying that I am greedy for money and forget about justice, it is even more nonsense. From the day I entered the martial arts world, I never thought that this word would fall on me. I was already worried, and this made me even more depressed, so I stayed at home, refused guests, and devoted myself to studying martial arts. Because the South China Sea Fleet and Qi Shizhen cooperated again, the Beggar Gang was also dissatisfied with Chang Xiao. With the care of Elder Jinchan, they finally maintained contact. Chang Xiao was tired of the martial arts world and didn't care much about these things. He devoted himself to studying swordsmanship.

Jiang Feiluan reconciled with Qi Shizhen and began to focus on the Beggars' Sect, trying to find the leader. In the past, they were restrained by Wuling Villa and could not go all out, but now they can go all out without any worries. As a result, the Beggars' Sect immediately felt the pressure. Although the Beggars' Sect has many disciples, there are only a few real masters. Facing such a powerful opponent, it is of course stretched. In desperation, Elder Jinchan went to Julong Villa in person to meet Chang Xiao. Chang Xiao still received him warmly. The two went to the secret room to discuss. Chang Xiao asked, "What's the big deal that makes the elder so anxious?" Elder Jinchan sighed, "To be honest, you know the current situation. Wanxiantang has made concessions, the South China Sea Fleet has also reconciled with Qi Shizhen, and the power of Zuixia Taoist has been further consolidated. Recently, they have focused all their attention on the Beggars' Sect, and the Beggars' Sect is a little overwhelmed." Chang Xiao wondered, "Isn't Wuling Villa related to the Beggars' Sect? Why are they unwilling to help?" Elder Jinchan smiled bitterly, "According to the current situation, Wuling Villa seems to have reached an agreement with Zuixia Taoist, and the Beggars' Sect has become the only force that does not listen to Zuixia Taoist's orders." Chang Xiao was shocked. He didn't expect that the owner of Wuling Villa would betray his ally for many years. Elder Jinchan was right. All forces bowed to Zuixia Taoist, leaving only the Beggars' Sect. Once the Beggars' Sect collapsed, Zuixia Taoist would become the real overlord of the world. If it were in the past, Chang Xiao would definitely challenge Zuixia Taoist to a duel. Now that my mood has changed, what would it matter if I defeated the No. 1 swordsman? What's the point of getting false support? No one will support you sincerely. At that moment, I just asked calmly: "What do you think, elder?" Elder Jinchan said: "Wanxiantang, Nanhai Fleet, and Wuling Villa all have dealings with you. Can you come forward and ask them to disperse the power of Zuixia Taoist?" Chang Xiao smiled bitterly: "To be honest with you, elder, Wanqi Song of Wanxiantang is very shrewd and will not offend Zuixia Taoist for me, not to mention that I still owe them a large sum of money. Yannanlou, who is in charge of the Central Plains of the Nanhai Fleet, has an opinion of me and will not listen to me. As for Wuling Villa, they have cooperated with the Beggar Gang for many years, but they can betray it in one day, and they don't care about me, an outsider." Elder Jinchan sighed repeatedly and shook his head without saying a word. Chang Xiao pondered for a moment and said, "There is still one person who can be used. Gao Zhen has been away from the Central Plains for a long time. If he returns to the Central Plains, he will definitely be able to contain the power of Taoist Zuixia. With my secret assistance, I should be able to relieve the pressure on the Beggars' Sect." Elder Jinchan nodded and said, "Yes, Gao Zhen's ability should not be underestimated. Please send a letter to invite him to return to the Central Plains."

The situation in the martial arts world is unpredictable. Elder Jinchan has assisted Wuling Villa for many years, but when it comes to the critical moment, he can't help. He turned to Chang Xiao, an outsider, and he felt bad. The situation is urgent, so he can only hurry up and send people to the outside to inquire about Gao Zhen's recent situation. Soon there is a reply. Gao Zhen and Yin Tianlei practiced martial arts hard, and at the same time trained 36 capable subordinates as the backbone of the future, known as the Vulcan Knight. Elder Jinchan couldn't guess Gao Zhen's position, so he sent someone to send Chang Xiao's letter to the outside. The news from the Beggar Gang was true. Gao Zhen was indeed sleeping on straw and tasting gall, preparing for revenge. He practiced hard with Yin Tianlei and made great progress. Yu Hudie was not used to this kind of life at first, but later she appreciated the fun of it. Gao Zhen was devoted to martial arts and didn't bother her at all. For the first time, Yu Hudie had no man around her. She indulged in the white mountains and black waters, the snow in Tianchi every day, and enjoyed the rare pleasure of mountains and waters. Gao Zhen was unwilling to fail. While practicing his sword skills, he also recruited 36 subordinates and trained them personally. Yin Tianlei practiced the Lightning Cone hard, and his skills increased day by day. With Chang Xiao's example in front of him, Yin Tianlei was extremely hardworking, and Gao Zhen was very appreciative of the progress of this junior brother. After this training, the two of them took a step forward in their cultivation, which was far from comparable to the past. Although Gao Zhen was outside the Great Wall, he was very concerned about the movements of the Central Plains and often sent people to the Central Plains to inquire. When he learned that the Nether Swordsman was completely destroyed by Chang Xiao, he was envious and jealous. He envied Chang Xiao's ability and hated why he could not reach such a level. After hard training, the sword skills of the 36 subordinates became more and more proficient, and Gao Zhen began to miss the life of luxury. Yin Tianlei didn't care. The environment here was beautiful, there was no hustle and bustle of big towns, and there was endless fun in the mountains and forests. At this time, someone sent a letter, and Gao Zhen immediately discussed it with his junior brother. Yin Tianlei hesitated and said, "Our strength is still small, and it is difficult to gain a foothold in the world."

According to Yin Tianlei's opinion, it would be fine to stay here for ten or eight years. Gao Zhen is not a person who is willing to be lonely. This kind of training is out of necessity. Seeing that his junior brother disagreed, he explained, "Junior brother, the owner of the villa has made it clear in the letter that Wanxiantang, Nanhai Fleet, and Wuling Villa have all bowed to Taoist Zuixia. If the Beggar Gang is controlled by Taoist Zuixia, the entire world will be in his hands, and we will have no chance. There are many advantages to entering the pass at this time. First of all, we can get the assistance of the Beggar Gang by helping the Beggar Gang. Secondly, we give face to the owner of the villa, and we can ask him to come forward if something really happens." Yin Tianlei was still not at ease: "If Taoist Zuixia points his spearhead at us, it will be a disaster." Gao Zhen smiled and said, "Taoist Zuixia wants to be the overlord of the world, and our biggest target is not us. He will not show up in person. I'm not bragging, senior brother. As long as he doesn't come, I don't care about others." Seeing that his senior brother had made up his mind, Yin Tianlei no longer insisted and began to prepare his luggage. Jade Butterfly was very happy to learn that she would return to the glamorous world of the Central Plains. The days of fine wine, music, and being obeyed by everyone were equally tempting. Gao Zhen still had a lot of money on him. Jade Butterfly missed the glory of the Longting Beauty Meeting and wanted to relive the old days. Gao Zhen also wanted to let the world know that he had not been destroyed by the Taoist Zuixia, so he sent people to prepare for the trip and held a beauty meeting at Longting in Kaifeng. The three of them packed up and went into the pass. After setting off, Yin Tianlei asked, "Brother, are we going to take back Tongtianbao?" Gao Zhen shook his head, "We can't take it down with our strength. Besides, it's useless to take it down. Instead, it will be a burden. We should find a way to improve our strength." Yu Hudie didn't care and smiled, "It's enough to live comfortably. I haven't tasted delicacies for a long time." Yin Tianlei sighed, "The corn roasted by the owner of the manor is still the best. It is the most delicious food in the world." Although Gao Zhen is used to enjoying himself, he also agreed with this sentence, "Junior brother is right, but it's a pity that it's hard to have the opportunity to taste such delicious food again." Yu Hudie was not convinced, "I don't believe it. What's so delicious about such a crude thing." Gao Zhen shook his head, "How do you know? The owner of the manor's roasted corn is hard to come by. I would be willing to pay 100,000 taels of silver, but it's a pity that there is no such opportunity."

Entering the pass while laughing and chatting, Yu Hudie shouted that she wanted to go to the capital to buy rouge, powder, and various clothes and jewelry. Gao Zhen was not in a hurry to leave, and the three of them took the capital to prepare for the gathering of beauties. Qi Shizhen certainly got the news of such publicity. Gao Zhen had once killed the Netherworld Swordsman with a knife, and his swordsmanship was extremely good. It was obvious that he had some intention to enter the pass at this time. Taoist Zuixia had told him to be careful of this person, so Qi Shizhen ordered his subordinates to keep a close eye on Gao Zhen. The Beggars' Gang spread the news to Julong Villa. Chang Xiao thought that this time he helped the Beggars' Gang mainly for the face of Elder Jinchan, but the leader of the Beggars' Gang never showed up. What was this person up to? How could he lead a huge gang if he didn't trust anyone? Elder Jinchan mentioned in his words that the leader of the Beggars' Gang was not hiding behind the scenes, but had been walking around in the rivers and lakes, just using different identities. Chang Xiao thought that he should not have known it, and if his martial arts skills reached a certain level, he would be able to feel it. Since only the Beggars' Sect refused to submit to Taoist Zuixia, he should meet with the leader to determine the next steps. Elder Jinchan understood Chang Xiao's meaning and had already started to arrange the meeting. Chang Xiao was ready to meet the leader at any time. The location had not been decided yet, and the time had not been agreed upon. Just then, Zhong Yuan came in to report that there was a guest who claimed to be an old friend. Chang Xiao's heart moved, wondering if the leader of the Beggars' Sect had come. Just as he was about to go out to greet him, he thought that since the leader of the Beggars' Sect was hiding his identity, he could not go out to greet him and reveal his identity, so he ordered Zhong Yuan to take the guest to the viewing tower for a meeting. Zhong Yuan was puzzled, why was he taking this stranger to the viewing tower when he had never met him before? He didn't ask too many questions and directly took the guest to the viewing tower to entertain him. Chang Xiao prepared to find Zhong Yuan and ask: "What does this guest look like?" Zhong Yuan replied: "He is about 40 years old, with a ruddy complexion, light steps, some background, no weapons seen, ordinary clothes, nothing special." Chang Xiao nodded: "You go, I will receive this guest." Zhong Yuan muttered in his heart: Who is so mysterious that even I can't be present?

Chang Xiao dressed and went upstairs. He felt something unusual after taking two steps away from the stairs. Although there was only one guest upstairs, it seemed as if there were thousands of troops, and murderous aura was everywhere. Chang Xiao secretly praised: The leader of the Beggar Gang is really amazing, and is obviously better than Elder Jinchan. When approaching the door, all the murderous aura suddenly disappeared without a trace, and everything lost its vitality and was dead silent. Chang Xiao was shocked. The leader of the Beggar Gang could not have such a cultivation. The person in the room must be Zuixia Taoist. Since the last fight, Chang Xiao has been very wary of this number one swordsman. This person's cultivation is broad and profound, and it is difficult to measure his depth. Now that he is about to meet, of course he must be more careful. Slowly walking into the door, the two top masters met for the first time. When their eyes met, they had already started to fight. Although invisible and shadowless, it was more dangerous than fighting with swords. The two looked at each other in silence, like two mountains. After a long stalemate, Taoist Zuixia smiled and said, "This is your home. I cannot take over the show." Chang Xiao's expression eased and he smiled, "The Immortal is respected as the No. 1 Swordsman. The entire Central Plains is under his control." The two of them sat down after chatting. Taoist Zuixia frowned and said, "What are you worried about today?" Chang Xiao admired him in his heart. He could feel his worries just by a short contact. The title of the No. 1 Swordsman was well-deserved. So he smiled bitterly and said, "The Immortal should understand my worries." Taoist Zuixia shook his head and said, "In fact, I rarely ask about the affairs of the martial arts world. The overlord of the martial arts world and the No. 1 Swordsman are originally two conflicting roles." Chang Xiao was a little surprised. Jiang Feiluan and Qi Shizhen made the martial arts world a mess, and everyone was in danger. It was really unbelievable that Taoist Zuixia said such a thing. Taoist Zuixia explained, "Others don't understand, but you should understand that people like you and me can't be tempted by fame and fortune. The position of the overlord of the martial arts world has no appeal to me." Chang Xiao nodded in agreement, "Yes, only by focusing on one's work can one make progress." Taoist Zuixia asked, "Since you understand the truth, why are you so worried?" Chang Xiao sighed, "Since I entered the martial arts world, I have always treated others with sincerity, tried to be tolerant when encountering things, and left some room for others. However, it often backfired. After several years of wandering around, I have gained nothing. Instead, I owe favors to others and am praised and criticized by the people of the martial arts world. It is inevitable that I will be unhappy." Taoist Zuixia smiled and said, "So it's because of these trivial matters. The affairs of the martial arts world cannot be taken too seriously. The martial arts world advocates the supremacy of the strong. High martial arts skills are only one aspect, and you also need courage. Brother, tolerance in things only applies to ordinary people."

These words should be advice between friends, but they came from the opponent's mouth. Outsiders find it difficult to understand, but Chang Xiao agrees and nods, saying, "Jianghu, I am getting more and more confused." Taoist Zuixia explained, "At first, I wanted to completely eliminate the Nether Swordsman, but changed my mind before taking action. I kept these people by my side. My original intention was to deter these self-important masters and underworld tycoons. Only by combining kindness and force can one gain a foothold in the world of martial arts. Brother, you have been too kind and too soft, so it's not surprising that you have ended up like this." Although the two had just met for the first time, When they met, they knew each other for a long time and they talked like old friends. Taoist Zuixia pointed out, "Brother, you disbanded the Julong Gang, did a great favor to the Wanxian Hall, established good relations with the Wuling Villa, sincerely assisted Wu Qingyang, used elixirs to rescue the leader of the Shendao Sect, promoted Gao Zhen, and helped stabilize the situation in the South China Sea. You worked so hard for others and not for yourself, but what did you get? Just now, when you got the treasure back for your father-in-law, some people from the underworld said that you are greedy for money and forget your principles. This is the nature of people in the martial arts world." Taoist Zuixia hit the nail on the head and Chang Xiao shook his head and said nothing. Taoist Zuixia smiled and said, "Now you should understand that the main reason for this result is that you are tolerant in everything. Others think you are weak and can be bullied. Although you have excellent swordsmanship, you are unwilling to kill easily, and no one is afraid of you. I was like this in the past, and no one took my words seriously until I subdued the Netherworld Swordsman. People in the martial arts world began to fear me." Chang Xiao couldn't help but sigh, "It's unpredictable. No wonder people always say that I don't look like a man of the martial arts world." Taoist Zuixia nodded, "I agree with this statement. Brother, you really don't look like a man of the martial arts world. I also want to advise you, brother, the leader of the Beggar Gang is insidious and cunning, and it is very likely that he has dealings with the government. He may be a pawn planted by the government in the martial arts world. You must be extra careful when dealing with the Beggar Gang." Chang Xiao was confused for a moment. He didn't expect the martial arts world to be so chaotic, and it was difficult to determine who was an enemy or a friend. Something flashed through his mind, and he asked, "I heard that the Immortal had fought with Duan Qingxiao. What is so magical about this senior's swordsmanship?" Taoist Zuixia smiled and said, "That is a memory that I will always remember. At that time, Duan Qingxiao's name was at its peak. I had just mastered the swordsmanship, and I went to his house to challenge him. I defeated six disciples of the Divine Sword Sect before I met Duan Qingxiao. This strange man knocked the sword out of my hand with just one strike. I didn't understand the reason at that time, and it was not until five years later that I realized that Duan Qingxiao's swordsmanship had been completely integrated into the world. When he swung his sword, he even forgot his own body behind his mind." Chang Xiao was amazed: "This senior actually has such a level of cultivation. I don't know how he cultivated it." Taoist Zuixia smiled and said, "Don't be discouraged, brother. Duan Qingxiao's cultivation at your age must not be as good as your current level."

Chapter 55: Reunion

These two opponents who had fought each other openly and secretly for many times actually sat together to talk, and they talked about almost everything, as if they were old friends. This matter was probably beyond the expectations of most people in the martial arts world. Although there would be a competition between the two sooner or later, it did not affect their relationship. Taoist Zuixia was open-minded, and Chang Xiao was also open-hearted. They talked about everything from the disputes in the martial arts world to the origin of martial arts, from various masters to their own martial arts experience. The two talked for a long time and forgot the time. Unknowingly, it was past noon. Zhong Yuan went upstairs to ask if he wanted to set up wine to entertain the guests. Taoist Zuixia smiled and said, "I heard that the corn you roast is the most delicious in the world. I really want to taste it. How about we compete in cooking skills?" Chang Xiao nodded, "I just want to experience the master's skill." Immediately prepare, the two go downstairs hand in hand, without any sense of defense. After setting up a fire, Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai put the corn in place, and deliberately prepared more, intending to taste the delicious food again. Chang Xiao and Zuixia Taoist sat side by side, concentrating on roasting corn. Zhong Yuan was surprised to find that the two people had surprisingly similar expressions and almost identical eyes. It was quite quiet all around. Zhong Yuan did not dare to say much, and concluded in his heart that this guest was extraordinary. Soon the corn in the hands of the two people was roasted, and they exchanged and tasted each other. Chang Xiao praised: "The real person is still better." Zuixia Taoist shook his head: "Although my brother's changes are few, he has a deep understanding of the three samadhis. You and I have our own strengths and weaknesses." Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai looked at each other. Are they talking about roasting corn or martial arts? Few people can understand such words. Watching the two people tasting the delicious food, the two brothers salivated and were reluctant to leave. Chang Xiao and Zuixia Taoist roasted corn in different ways. The changes were very subtle, containing the purpose of martial arts, and the words they said were irrelevant. Outsiders could not understand at all. Taoist Zuixia picked up three corns and roasted them at the same time. Chang Xiao did the same. After they were roasted, they exchanged them to taste. Chang Xiao sighed, "It's still not as good as the immortal." Taoist Zuixia smiled and said, "There are advantages and disadvantages to distracting yourself. We can't generalize." Before they knew it, the corns had been roasted and not a single one was left. Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai were quite disappointed. Taoist Zuixia turned around and smiled, "There's nothing you can do about your greed. It's not easy to eat such delicious food. Your master doesn't have such a good fortune." Zhong Yuan turned around and said, "Brothers, my stomach has been growling for a long time. Let's go eat." Zhong Hai sighed, "I've been waiting for half a day and haven't eaten a single bite. Let's go." The two brothers went to find food on their own.

The two contemporary masters exchanged their martial arts experience over roasted corn, and they had a certain understanding of each other. Taoist Zuixia asked: "What was the hidden weapon you used in the last fight in the dense forest? I have never seen it before?" Chang Xiao smiled and said: "I saw the move of Thunder Thousand Miles in the Tianlei Po Secret Book, which inspired me to create a hidden weapon, named Lightning Shuttle, which is similar to the sword-controlling technique of the real person." Taoist Zuixia nodded: "In this case, how about we try it out?" Chang Xiao was overjoyed: "I just want to learn a high-level move." Taoist Zuixia waved his hand, and a cold light shot out from his sleeves. Then his figure flew up like a feather, following the cold light for more than ten feet, and disappeared into the dense forest in the mountains. Chang Xiao shook out the Lightning Shuttle, and his body was as light as a swallow, and he shot into the dense forest with lightning. If Zhong Yuan saw it, he would naturally understand why Chang Xiao was able to withdraw from Wugui Lane at the critical moment. It was a pity that the two brothers left and did not see such a wonderful martial arts. The mountain breeze was blowing in the dense forest, and the two masters showed their unique skills. The sword light of the Taoist Zuixia was tortuous and changeable, and extremely agile, while Chang Xiao's lightning shuttle was extremely simple and faster than lightning. This time it was not a fight, but a trial performance, and this was not the real martial arts of the two. The swordsmanship and swordsmanship were the essence of their martial arts. After walking through the dense forest, the two returned to the viewing tower. They both understood that their cultivation was very close and it was difficult to tell the difference. Taoist Zuixia pondered and said, "Brother, it is impossible for you to comprehend this level at your age. You are detached from the world and have no distracting thoughts in your mind. Even Buddhists are extremely rare. How did you get here?" Chang Xiao felt a surge of admiration. Taoist Zuixia was indeed amazing. He could actually sense the secret in his heart. He did not hide it and told him about his experience of being seriously injured in Qingfeng Temple and hovering on the brink of life and death. Finally, he said, "If it weren't for that experience, I wouldn't have been able to persist in practicing swordsmanship for ten years, and I wouldn't have achieved what I have today." Taoist Zuixia nodded, "I see. It seems that brother has..." Having seen through the mysteries of life and death, the future is limitless. I have benefited a lot from today's meeting, so I will take my leave. If there is a chance, you and I will compete at the Jade Emperor Peak of Mount Tai. Since Duan Qingxiao killed the Red Spirit God there, no one has dared to set foot there for a long time. You and I will add another good story to the martial arts world. "Chang Xiao clasped his fists and said, "I dare not refuse. It is the greatest blessing in life to be able to compete at the top of Mount Tai." Taoist Zuixia said proudly, "Looking at the world, there are only you and me who are qualified to compete at the top of Mount Tai. Brother, you can put those trivial matters behind your mind and don't have to worry about anyone. I will leave now." He flew out of the window and disappeared in a flash.

The visit of the First Swordsman had a great impact on Chang Xiao. He originally thought that the Taoist Zuixia was ambitious and wanted to be the overlord of the martial arts world, and he had always been hostile to him. But later he found that Wuling Villa, Wanxian Hall, the South China Sea Fleet, and even the Beggars' Sect all had their own confidants, and it was impossible to tell the right and wrong in the martial arts world. Even if the Taoist Zuixia wanted to be the overlord of the martial arts world, he deserved it. In this light, it was better not to wade into these muddy waters. After Taoist Zuixia left, Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai came to inquire about the identity of the mysterious guest. Chang Xiao smiled and said, "If you can't guess it, then these days at Julong Villa will be wasted." Zhong Yuan was confused, and Zhong Hai shouted, "I know, it must be Taoist Zuixia." Zhong Yuan asked, "Brother, how did you know?" Zhong Hai smiled and said, "It's not easy to guess. When we were eating roasted corn in Kaifeng, the old man discussed with the owner of the villa, and he was obviously slightly inferior. Today's guest is not only not behind, but also surpasses the owner of the villa in some ways. Only the number one swordsman in the world has this ability." Zhong Yuan still didn't understand: "The owner of the villa has ruined his business several times, how can he be a guest here?" Chang Xiao explained: "The number one swordsman will not be involved in disputes in the martial arts world. If he really takes action, no force can compete with him." Zhong Yuan couldn't help but regret: "If I had known it was him, I would have asked for a piece of corn to try. Being able to eat corn roasted by the number one swordsman himself is enough for me to be glorious for the rest of my life." Zhong Hai nodded: "No wonder he said that we brothers are not qualified to eat. Others who say this must be bragging. Since the No. 1 swordsman said so, I have no choice but to accept it." The two brothers felt regretful, and Chang Xiao sighed lightly: "I always thought that my martial arts were good in the past, and I was qualified to challenge Duan Qingxiao, this strange man. Today I know that there is always someone higher than you. It is already difficult to surpass this No. 1 swordsman, and Duan Qingxiao is even above the No. 1 swordsman. It seems that I have overestimated myself." Zhong Yuan would never have dreamed that this mysterious guest turned out to be the famous No. 1 swordsman, Chang Xiao's only opponent, Zuixia Taoist. He shook his head and said, "I really can't understand it. Obviously, the enemies who are irreconcilable can sit together and are closer than old friends." Chang Xiao smiled bitterly and said, "At this point, I can't tell who is a friend and who is an enemy. It seems that everyone we interact with is not simple." Zuixia Taoist is a top master, and there is no need to deceive anyone. Since it must be true that the leader of the Beggar Gang is related to the government, Chang Xiao was confused.

The news of the beauties' gathering spread quickly throughout the country, and beauties from all over the country were eager to participate. Gao Zhen was not in a hurry, and he prepared with Yin Tianlei and Yu Hudie in the capital. Yu Hudie enjoyed the delicacies of the mountains and the sea, and Gao Zhen had other plans. He spent a lot of money to make armor for the thirty-six Vulcan Knights. He spent money like water, and the silver bills on him gradually decreased, which was not enough to deal with the beauties' gathering. Yin Tianlei asked, "Brother, didn't you say that the Black Dragon Escort Agency has a sum of money? Why don't you take it out?" Gao Zhen shook his head, "That's my foundation. I can't move it unless I have to. There are so many officials in the capital, where can't I find money?" Yin Tianlei persuaded, "Brother, with your skills, how can you lose yourself and become a thief?" Gao Zhen smiled, "Brother, you have been deceived by corrupt scholars. Those dignitaries spend thousands of gold every day, but they are plundered from the people. The magnificent palace is the blood and sweat of countless people. The rulers always say that the people are loyal to the emperor and patriotic, just for their own enjoyment. I feel at ease taking their money." Although Yin Tianlei felt that it was inappropriate, he had nothing to refute, frowning and saying nothing. Gao Zhen knew that this brother was honest by nature, and would never become a thief even if he died, so he didn't force him and prepared himself to start. He started that night. Yin Tianlei drank alone and couldn't figure it out anyway. Yu Hudie knew Gao Zhen's plan, but didn't care. Finding it strange that Yin Tianlei was drinking alone, she came over and asked, "Tianlei, what's wrong with you?" Yin Tianlei bowed and said, "I can't understand why my senior brother is a thief." Jade Butterfly smiled and said, "Tianlei, you are too stupid. In the past, I was controlled by Wanxiantang and often dealt with dignitaries. Whether they were civil officials or military generals, or royal relatives, they all had the same face. They were in high positions and extremely luxurious. They planned for themselves every day and never thought about the people. When it comes to enjoyment, it is varied and unheard of. A jar of wine costs thousands of taels of silver, and gambling is even more like a million gold. In order to please the beauty, they would not hesitate to take the treasures. It is natural to take these people's money." Yin Tianlei sighed, and he could not get around this corner. This is a concept passed down by his ancestors. Even if he starved to death, he could not be a thief. Jade Butterfly naturally understood that Yin Tianlei could not figure it out, and no matter how he persuaded him, it would not work.

Gao Zhen was a skilled man, so it was a piece of cake for him to do this. The treasures were eye-catching and difficult to get rid of, so he only took the silver bills this time. There were so many corrupt officials in the capital, and even a small jailer had a lot of wealth. Gao Zhen made a lot of money. Back at the inn, Yin Tianlei was still sulking. Gao Zhen walked in and said with a smile, "Brother, are you still angry with me?" Yin Tianlei saw Gao Zhen and quickly stood up: "Brother, let's go quickly. It will be terrible if the government finds out." Gao Zhen shook his head: "The things in the capital are not done yet, don't worry." Yin Tianlei grew up in the countryside and was most afraid of the government. His face changed. Gao Zhen persuaded him, "Brother, you don't know the officialdom. Ninety percent of these officials who lost their banknotes dare not report to the authorities." Yin Tianlei asked in confusion, "Why? How can you not report to the authorities when you lost so much money?" Yu Hudie smiled and said, "You are really a blockhead. This money is all embezzled. If you report to the authorities, you must first explain the source of the money. If you are not careful, you will lose your job and no one will get into trouble." Yin Tianlei shook his head, "Anyway, I don't understand. You can do whatever you want. I have to hide." He immediately went back to his room and slept soundly, not going out. Gao Zhen was amused. This brother was too pedantic and had a dull mind. So he did what he wanted, built a gorgeous colorful boat, and invited Qiao Dongshan, Mrs. Shuijing and other celebrities. This time must be more glorious than the last time. A few days later, everything was ready and ready to leave. Yin Tianlei dared to go out, but he was still frightened when he saw the officials. Gao Zhen knew that Yin Tianlei's martial arts skills were very solid, but he had never seen the world and was timid, so he joked: "Brother, this time there are many beauties at the gathering. If you like any of them, just tell me and I will be your matchmaker." Yin Tianlei shook his head repeatedly: "My Tianlei Po is still not mature enough, let's talk about it later." Gao Zhen smiled and said: "It would be best if Chang Xiao came, you can learn from him." Yin Tianlei nodded: "I was just thinking of asking the owner of the manor for advice."

Going south along the waterway, surrounded by thirty-six Vulcan Knights, it was quite a scene. With the experience of the last time, Gao Zhen didn't need to bother to prepare at all. The local government had already arranged it. The host was still Yan Shiqing. The scale was even larger than the last time. This was a good opportunity to make money, and no one wanted to miss it. People from all over the country came early, wanting to see the most beautiful woman in the world. Even if they couldn't see her, it was worth the trip to appreciate the beauties from all over the country. There were also many wealthy businessmen and corrupt officials who came to join in the fun, choosing the beauties they liked, or buying or snatching them home to enjoy. Kaifeng was ten times more lively than the festival. Because Chang Xiao wrote a letter to invite Gao Zhen, this time the Qunfanghui had to show up. Princess Huaying gave birth to a child successfully, but she refused to stay at home and had to join in the fun. Chang Xiao had to prepare a boat and go to Kaifeng by water. This time, it did not attract the attention of the people in the world, and the forces of all parties did not care much and stood by and watched. Chang Xiao didn't like such occasions at first, just to relax, but suddenly someone sent a letter, it was someone from Qi Shizhen's side, the letter said that according to reliable information, the leader of the Beggar Gang would appear in Longting, and his identity was extremely noble. Chang Xiao was half-believing and half-doubting, after hanging out with Zuixia Taoist, he was sure that this first swordsman had no ill will towards him. If he really took action, Julong Villa would not be able to be saved, and it was not impossible to take his life. In this case, Qi Shizhen had no need to deceive himself. If this information was true, then the leader of the Beggar Gang was probably someone in the government, and it was obvious that he had ulterior motives to win him over. In all dynasties, the government would send spies to sneak into the rivers and lakes to muddy the waters and prevent the people of the rivers and lakes from uniting to form a force and threaten the regime. It is not impossible to send someone to take over the Beggar Gang. Zuixia Taoist is famous all over the world and has strong strength. If he successfully becomes the overlord of the rivers and lakes, he will have a terrible power and be almost omnipotent. Whether there is ambition or not, the court cannot tolerate it, and it is natural to support the forces of the rivers and lakes to oppose it. Chang Xiao originally thought that Taoist Zuixia was indeed ambitious, but now his view is very different. With the sword-controlling technique, it is easy to break through Wuling Villa. With so many masters helping out, it is not difficult to sweep the world. Why bother so much? Taoist Zuixia is right. The overlord of the world and the first swordsman are originally conflicting roles. It is difficult for them to overlap in one person.

Since the information sent by Qi Shizhen is credible, it is possible to see the true face of the leader of the Beggars' Gang on this trip. This person is very hidden, and not many people in the Beggars' Gang know his details. According to common sense, a martial artist cannot be so timid. As the leader of a gang, how can he not dare to show up? Besides, Taoist Zuixia did not do anything to the Beggars' Gang. Today's Jianghu is chaotic and complicated, and it is difficult to tell right from wrong. Chang Xiao feels that Taoist Zuixia is very likely to be deliberately slandered by people with ulterior motives, causing chaos in the Jianghu. People who can use such means are definitely not martial artists. The first swordsman is an extremely skilled master. His whole body and mind are in swordsmanship. It is impossible for him to organize a huge force. From this, it can be inferred that the government is very likely to intervene. Doing so will be counterproductive. Originally, Taoist Zuixia was obsessed with swordsmanship and did not care about worldly affairs. In this way, he formed a huge force. In the past, his vision was blinded by superficial phenomena, or Wanqi Song was shrewd and scheming. When he thought of this, Chang Xiao felt dizzy. What is the essence of Jianghu people? Did I take the wrong path before? Although I have a clear conscience, I didn't get the real trust of any party, but owed others a large sum of money. In comparison, Zuixia Taoist is more like a close friend. Before the meeting, Chang Xiao would never think of these things. Now he reflected that he should really consider his future position and not always be led by others. With something on his mind, he naturally didn't pay attention to other things. Unknowingly, he had arrived in Kaifeng. The noisy voices brought Chang Xiao back to his senses. Zhong Yuan went around the city and came back with a smile: "The city is full, we can only live outside the city." Chang Xiao nodded: "Just rest on the boat and buy what you need at any time." The two brothers began to prepare. Because of the Qunfanghui, all the inns in Kaifeng were full of people. The prices doubled, and the prices of food, fruits and vegetables increased a lot. Chang Xiao naturally didn't care about this little money and settled his family. Kaifeng is an ancient capital, extremely prosperous. Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai went to the city together to stroll around, and brought back a piece of news that the gathering of beauties had actually alarmed the current uncle of the emperor, Prince Lian, who was living in Suzhou and Hangzhou, and the old prince also wanted to watch the fun. Chang Xiao's heart moved, maybe the leader of the Beggar Gang would appear in the shadow of this prince.

Chapter 56: Whitewashing the Peace

Gao Zhen's ship sailed south from the capital. He learned that the Qunfanghui had a great influence. Yu Hudie was very happy, while Yin Tianlei focused all his attention on martial arts and didn't care. Gao Zhen knew that it was almost impossible to recapture Tongtianbao. Jiang Feiluan alone was already very difficult to deal with. With Qi Shizhen and the Taoist Zuixia behind him, no one could afford to offend this force. This time, he entered the Central Plains mainly to gain a foothold. With the lessons learned last time, Gao Zhen did not plan to build a fortress again. He just took a group of knights to ride on the rivers and lakes, and he thought that no one would bother him. When they arrived in Kaifeng, the lively scene was unexpected. Yu Hudie was smiling, but Yin Tianlei didn't like the lively scene and hid in the cabin. It was not a shame to lose Tongtianbao. The strength gap was so big that others would have no choice but to leave. Therefore, Gao Zhen didn't take the old things to heart and sent people to arrange everything and prepare for a grand event. Spending money was like water, anyway, it was easy to come. Yin Tianlei rarely saw silver in the countryside. He felt uncomfortable watching Gao Zhen spend thousands of taels of silver while chatting and laughing. A casual silver note was enough for the whole village to spend for two or three years. They were all the same, so why was there such a huge gap? Gao Zhen had already let down his ancestors, but he was very caring for this junior brother. Knowing that Yin Tianlei couldn't untie the knot, he specially sent someone to inquire about Chang Xiao's whereabouts. He soon found out the location of Chang Xiao's boat and specially asked Yin Tianlei to talk to Chang Xiao. Yin Tianlei got off the boat immediately and suddenly heard the sound of a horse neighing. Yin Tianlei nodded and smiled, "You miss your friends too. I'll take you there." He led out the black horse to find Chang Xiao. There were many boats and it was difficult to find them, but the black horse had a special perception ability. It went straight to a big boat and neighed to the sky. Soon there was an echo. Lieyan and two companions jumped out of the water and came to the black horse, looking quite excited. The black horse jumped and jumped to show his joy. The four companions went into the water to play together. Yin Tianlei dressed up and boarded the boat. As soon as the black horse called, Chang Xiao knew that Yin Tianlei was coming, so he specially asked Zhong Yuan to take him. After this period of training, Yin Tianlei's muscles and bones became stronger, his skin was dark, and his eyes were shining. Zhong Yuan praised him, " Good man, a real man should be like this." Yin Tianlei smiled and said, "It's just that I suffered a little more, but I'm far worse than the owner of the manor."

Entering the cabin, Chang Xiao sat in the middle, and Yin Tianlei bowed to him. Chang Xiao shook his head: "No need to be polite, it seems that you have made a lot of progress. Take a seat." Yin Tianlei apologized and took a seat. He had a lot to say but didn't know where to start. Chang Xiao smiled: "You look worried, what's on your mind?" Yin Tianlei sighed and recounted how Gao Zhen made money in the capital. Finally, he asked: "Master, my senior brother is a first-rate swordsman. How could he do such a thing?" Chang Xiao smiled and said, "What's that? As the saying goes, everyone has their own aspirations and can't be forced. It's not surprising that Gao Zhen often does whatever it takes to achieve his goals, regardless of morality and ethics." Yin Tianlei frowned and said, "Wouldn't people laugh at you for doing this?" Chang Xiao shook his head: "As long as you are strong enough, no one will laugh at you. Even if you are an unforgivable bandit, once you are recruited, you will become an official in a golden robe. This is how the world is. There is no need to be obsessed." Yin Tianlei pondered over Chang Xiao's words. In all dynasties, there were bandits who were recruited by the court to become officials, and when they were fighting for the world, they even won over many green forest people. Having said that, the concept inherited for many years could not be changed for a while, and he sighed: "Brother, you spent tens of thousands of taels in one day for hosting the Beauty Festival this time. I have never seen even two taels of silver ingots in my hometown. Why do those dignitaries spend a lot of money, while the hard-working farmers count copper coins to make a living?" Chang Xiao smiled bitterly: "This question is not easy to answer. The changes of political power in all dynasties have relied on the power of farmers. Those in power are greedy for pleasure and ignore the suffering of the people, which leads to complaints. Someone must have taken the opportunity to confuse the people and rebel. The people thought that life would be better if they changed the emperor. Who knew that the new emperor who ascended the throne after many bloody battles was not for the people at all. It's for himself. Once the throne is stable, he will still eat, drink, play, and indulge in extravagance. When it's out of control, someone will rise up to overthrow him, and the people still won't get any benefits. It goes on and on. "Yin Tianlei asked, "Don't farmers have a good life?" Chang Xiao asked back, "Do you think your life is comfortable now or in your hometown?" Yin Tianlei thought without hesitation: "Of course, life in my hometown is comfortable. After solving the three meals a day, I don't have a trace of worries. I can fully enjoy the green mountains and clear waters. That's called freedom." Chang Xiao smiled: "That's right, having no money has its own fun, but having money doesn't necessarily mean freedom. There is a fixed number between gains and losses."

After hearing what Chang Xiao said, Yin Tianlei finally understood a little and nodded, saying, "The owner of the manor is sensible." Chang Xiao thought to himself: You ask me to solve your problems, but I'm afraid no one can solve my problems. Then they talked about martial arts. Chang Xiao praised Yin Tianlei's progress again and again. This was to encourage the young people who were lagging behind. Yin Tianlei was quite hardworking and made great progress, but there was always something wrong with being with Gao Zhen and Yu Hudie. The way these two people behaved was too inconsistent with himself. Chang Xiao understood Yin Tianlei's thoughts and persuaded him, "I know that you and Gao Zhen have different temperaments. Gao Zhen has no shortage of helpers at present. You can find an excuse to leave and practice martial arts in peace." Yin Tianlei always likes quietness. Hearing this, he said happily, "That's exactly what I want, but what excuse should I find?" Chang Xiao smiled and said, "Why not go back to the Fire God Palace to practice in peace? There are no outsiders there, which suits your temperament. I don't think Gao Zhen will stop you. He is a person who doesn't like loneliness and will not go back there." Yin Tianlei nodded, "Thank you for your advice, Master." Chang Xiao knew that as long as Yin Tianlei left, Gao Zhen would definitely blame him. Anyway, this person already had a prejudice against him, so he didn't need to worry about what happened in the future. Yin Tianlei also had one thing in mind, which was the treasure of the Fire God Palace. He could be completely relieved when he returned to the Fire God Palace, and he was very happy. Chang Xiao kept Yin Tianlei for a drink and asked about the situation outside the pass. He didn't care about the Qunfang Club. Feeling somewhat worried, he specifically reminded Yin Tianlei: "If anything serious happens in the future, I will let Lieyan come to find you. Gao Zhen's behavior is extreme and will cause trouble sooner or later. If anything unexpected happens, I will be sorry for the Gao family." Yin Tianlei nodded and agreed: "Master, rest assured, I will be there whenever you call."

After a day of drinking, Yin Tianlei said goodbye and went straight back to Gao Zhen's boat. Gao Zhen asked, "Brother, what did the owner say?" Yin Tianlei replied, "The owner asked me to tell you that Jade Butterfly is a beauty in the world, but I'm afraid she won't get pregnant. For the sake of the bloodline of the Gao family, I hope you can find a way as soon as possible." Gao Zhen himself didn't care, but when he thought of his father, he felt a little guilty and nodded, "I will find a way to deal with this matter, and I need your help." Yin Tianlei nodded, "I have no choice." Gao Zhen has always been jealous of Chang Xiao. This person is much better than himself in every way, but he is impeccable and there is no loophole. However, he also knows Chang Xiao's character very well. This person's enthusiasm comes from the heart and rarely thinks about himself. What does the bloodline of the Gao family have to do with him? Why worry about it? The date of the beauty gathering is approaching, and Jade Butterfly is carefully dressed up, ready to show off again. Beauties from all sides gathered, and Gao Zhen was even happier when he heard that the current emperor's uncle was coming. The greater the influence, the better. Many officials from various places also came. Yu Hudie knew the true faces of these officials, so it was best to make them look ugly and lose their dignity. So she dressed up very seductively. She used to be on good terms with Princess Yueying and they used to give each other clothes. Among the Tianzhu clothes given by Princess Yueying, there was a set of dancer's clothes, which was very revealing. Except for her breasts and lower body, the rest of her body was visible, with only a layer of gauze looming. Yu Hudie found this dress on purpose. After seeing it, Gao Zhen smiled and said, "If you go out wearing such clothes, I'm afraid that the old uncle will also be tempted, and the people in the audience will probably fight." Yu Hudie said sweetly, "I just want the world to see the true faces of these dignitaries." Gao Zhen didn't care. Looking around the world, there were very few people who could compete with him for Yu Hudie, and these few people would not be tempted by beauty, so he could rest assured. Although Yin Tianlei knew that Yu Hudie liked to show off her beauty, he never expected that she would dare to wear such clothes. What's the difference between this and being naked? Since her senior brother didn't care, she couldn't say anything. Yu Hudie even showed it to Yin Tianlei. Yin Tianlei blushed and lowered his head without saying anything. Yu Hudie deliberately teased him and asked, "Tianlei, does this dress look good?" Yin Tianlei didn't dare to raise his head and murmured, "It looks good, it looks good." Yu Hudie stared at Yin Tianlei and asked, "How do you know if you haven't even seen it?" Yin Tianlei was even more embarrassed. Nothing he said was appropriate. Gao Zhen came in to save him.

The beauties gathering was held as scheduled, and beauties from all over the country took the stage to make their debut. Jade Butterfly naturally had to wait until the end. Yan Shiqing specially invited two peers to assist him. Both of them were suave and elegant scholars. The show was lively from the beginning. Beauties from all over the country took the stage, and the people below the stage feasted their eyes. The dignitaries sat upright and looked dignified. They secretly sent their capable family members to write down the beauties they liked and send someone to handle it later. Everyone had their own plans, but Chang Xiao and his party did not come. They just stayed on the boat and waited until the last day to see Jade Butterfly. Gao Zhen was very proud and led the Vulcan Knights to show off their power. Yin Tianlei hid in the boat and did not come out. Qiao Dongshan, Mrs. Shuijing, and Mei Lushan had all arrived. This time, of course, could not be the same as the last time. The three of them brought dozens of disciples to accompany the beauties gathering with stringed instruments. This conference was unprecedentedly grand, and even the emperor himself would not be so lively. The old uncle of the emperor, Prince Lian, sat high on the ship, accompanied by more than a dozen officials. Seeing such a scene, he was overjoyed and even called it a prosperous age. In fact, it had nothing to do with the prosperous age. The accompanying officials echoed him, naturally to boast about their own achievements so that they could be promoted as soon as possible. These officials like to whitewash the peace and make some false forms to deceive their superiors and subordinates. This is also a common practice in the officialdom. It has been like this since ancient times. There is nothing strange about it. After a lively day, nearly a hundred beauties showed their talents. The evening was even more lively, with bright lights, as bright as day. Watching beauties under the lights is a special kind of fun. The gorgeous clothes of many beauties make their faces more beautiful. Princess Yueying loves to join in the fun, so she naturally couldn't help it. She took her daughter Qingting to the front of the stage to watch. Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai also wanted to have some fun, so they followed. Princess Huaying was afraid of the wind and stayed in the cabin. Chang Xiao sat alone in the cabin to drink tea. The venue of the Qunfanghui began to set off fireworks. Chang Xiao walked to the window to watch. Just as the colorful lights were overflowing, a ray of light suddenly shot towards Chang Xiao.

If it were an ordinary person, he would not notice it at all, but Chang Xiao was not an ordinary person. He noticed that this light was unusual in the sky. He did not move his hands and feet, but moved his body three feet sideways. The light came into the room through the window. Chang Xiao smiled and said, "The master's sword-controlling skills are superb. I admire you." There was one more person on the seat. He was indeed the number one swordsman. Taoist Zuixia smiled and said, "You moved three feet sideways. You have deeply understood the essence of stillness. We each have our own strengths." After the greetings, Chang Xiao asked, "Why did the master come on board?" Taoist Zuixia replied, "It's for the leader of the Beggar Gang. I had a chance to find out his identity, but suddenly I was distracted by another matter." Chang Xiao wondered, what could be more important than the leader of the Beggar Gang? Taoist Zuixia sighed, "I have discovered something concerning the fate of our country. A group of people came from the eastern sea, secretly sneaked into the Central Plains, and had close contacts with government officials." Chang Xiao smiled, "How can such a small matter stump the real person?" Taoist Zuixia shook his head, "My dear brother, you don't know. According to my inquiries, I learned that there is a country on the eastern islands. The people there are cruel by nature and regard human life as worthless. They behead and disembowel at will. They are even more cruel to foreigners and do everything they can. If these people are from this island country, they must have a major conspiracy. In addition, among these people there is a kind of killer called ninja, who is responsible for assassination and tracking. The martial arts they practice are completely different from those in the Central Plains. They are good at stealth and their weapons are even more vicious. Most of them are highly poisonous and can kill instantly when they see blood. They are extremely vicious." Chang Xiao's face also became solemn and asked, "In this case, why not try your best? Should we take action early and get rid of these people?" Taoist Zuixia shook his head: "The current emperor is quite courteous to the envoys of this island country, and the two countries do have some exchanges. If we act rashly, it will inevitably give the other side a pretext and cause disputes between the two countries. It is an iron rule in the martial arts world that people from the martial arts world do not interfere in political affairs. I really can't take action." Chang Xiao nodded: "Since we can't take action, it's best to find out the intentions of these people and the details of their martial arts as soon as possible." Taoist Zuixia sighed lightly: "It seems that this is the only way for now. I am here to track these people. There are five ninjas mixed in the crowd here. I don't know what their intentions are." Chang Xiao pondered for a moment and said: "It would be best to capture one alive and interrogate him." Taoist Zuixia shook his head: "We have tried it. They all have poison in their mouths. Once captured, they will commit suicide immediately. It is hard to prevent." Chang Xiao was quite surprised that these people were so indifferent to life and death.

This news was very important. After thinking for a while, Chang Xiao asked, "What do you think, Immortal?" Taoist Zuixia shook his head and said, "You can't act rashly before you know the other party's strengths and weaknesses. Originally, you can find out as long as you find out the officials who are colluding with these people, but I can't break the rules of the martial arts world. I came here today to let you be careful. If you meet these people, you must be more careful. You and I are naturally not afraid, but it's hard to say about the people around us." Chang Xiao nodded, "Thank you for your kindness, Immortal. I will be more careful." Taoist Zuixia nodded, "That's good. In my opinion, this matter is more important than the matter of the leader of the Beggar Gang. Once there is collusion between the inside and the outside, it is hard to say what kind of trouble will happen. Nowadays, the government is full of corrupt officials. Once something big happens, the consequences will be unimaginable. Take care, brother, I'm leaving." A sword light shot out from his sleeve, and his figure disappeared into the night sky like flying. Chang Xiao thought to himself: The first swordsman is worthy of being a martial arts master. He actually has a broad mind to worry about the country and the people. My previous views were all wrong. Thinking about it, what are these people doing here? The beauties from all over the country were present at the gathering. If these people were to contact an official, they would not have chosen such an occasion. They were probably here for the beauties. If that was the case, Jade Butterfly would definitely be the first target. It seemed that he could not sit back and relax. He made up his mind to call Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai after Princess Yueying and her daughter came back. Zhong Yuan asked, "What do you want from the owner?" Chang Xiao said, "You two stay on the boat. I'm going out for a while." Zhong Hai asked in confusion, "What are you going out for now?" Chang Xiao smiled, "We'll talk about it later. Remember, if the flames are raging, it means that there are enemies approaching. Be careful." Zhong Yuan understood that something big must have happened. He nodded and said, "Don't worry, owner. We brothers will not make any mistakes." Chang Xiao explained to his two wives, changed into ordinary clothes and left the boat. The warriors from foreign countries made Chang Xiao curious. What are the characteristics of these people's martial arts? How are their weapons different from the swords in the Central Plains? With these questions, Chang Xiao slowly approached Gao Zhen's boat. The streets were still very busy, because many people were only concerned with looking at the beauties and forgot to eat. At this time, they were all rushing to fill their stomachs. The restaurants were extremely busy. Everyone was talking and commenting on the beauties who appeared, enjoying themselves. Chang Xiao naturally didn't care about these things. As a killer, he must be different from ordinary people. Others couldn't see it, but masters like Chang Xiao could feel it. There was nothing unusual on the road. I think these killers were waiting for the Jade Butterfly to appear before taking action. Although Gao Zhen's cultivation was not bad, these foreign warriors were different from the masters of the Central Plains, and they could not be generalized. In addition, Chang Xiao also wanted to see the foreign martial arts. Since the other party didn't take action, Chang Xiao first familiarized himself with the surrounding environment to avoid being disturbed when encountering a situation, which would affect further actions.

Chapter 57: Confusion of All Beings

Kaifeng City was awake all night because of the Beauty Gathering. The lights were bright. Chang Xiao carefully observed and found nothing unusual. There were many official ships moored around Gao Zhen's ship, and people were coming and going. The Beauty Gathering would last for two more days, and I'm afraid those ninjas are not in a hurry to take action. Just as he was about to leave, he suddenly heard the sound of a piano. If it was an ordinary tune, it would be fine, but it was Mrs. Shuijing's Biyaoqin. Chang Xiao was attracted by the tune and thought: I might as well take a look at what the people on the boat are doing. So he turned to the backlight behind the boat, gently pressed his body against it, and silently came to the window on the second floor. Gao Zhen, Qiao Dongshan, and Mei Lushan were drinking inside, and the sound of the piano came from next door. Chang Xiao moved slowly and saw Mrs. Shuijing playing the piano through the veil, with a focused expression and concentration. The sound of the piano was light and graceful, and she was indeed worthy of being the best piano player. On the other side, a peerless beauty was dancing to the sound of the piano. The dance was familiar, as if it was a kind of enchanting dance from India. If he had not married the princess of Tianzhu, Chang Xiao would not have recognized her. This beauty was naturally Jade Butterfly. Chang Xiao had slept with this beauty before, so he was naturally very familiar with her. Under the light, Jade Butterfly was wearing revealing clothes, her soft waist was shaking frequently, and her charm was enough to turn everyone upside down. Chang Xiao admired in his heart: Jade Butterfly is indeed the most beautiful woman in the world. Madam Crystal closed her eyes and played the piano, her mind was completely immersed in the melody. Suddenly, her fingers jumped and a string broke. Jade Butterfly stopped and asked, "Madam, what happened?" Madam Crystal frowned and said, "This string suddenly broke, which means there is an assassin nearby." Chang Xiao was shocked outside the window. Was he discovered? Impossible, he had no ill intentions and no murderous intent at all, and it was impossible for Madam Crystal to sense it. Jade Butterfly inside didn't care: "Don't worry, nothing will happen." Madam Crystal adjusted the strings and put the piano away solemnly. She couldn't continue when she was upset. Jade Butterfly ordered people to serve wine and food. After Mrs. Shuijing sat down, she said, "This murderous aura is very strong, unusual, and seems to come from the water. How is it possible?" Chang Xiao, who was outside the window, was shocked. Could someone be hiding in the water? He had been very careful, and there was no movement on the water surface. If it was true, then it was really unusual for the killer to lurk in the water for so long. Jade Butterfly didn't quite believe what Mrs. Shuijing said, but Chang Xiao believed it without a doubt. When the body and mind are completely immersed in the music, one can indeed feel the slightest movement around him. This principle is similar to the principle of martial arts.

Because he often played with Fire Dragon in the sea, Chang Xiao was quite good at swimming. In addition, he had profound skills and outstanding abilities. Since he knew there was someone in the water, he couldn't let him go. So he quietly dived into the water. The feeling in the water was completely different from that on land. Every move took a lot of effort. Chang Xiao had practiced in the water before and was very familiar with this feeling. He calmed down and felt the changes around him, and slowly moved around the bottom of the boat. Soon he felt something unusual, the water flow changed, and two black shadows rushed out from the bottom of the boat. Chang Xiao followed the black shadows carefully. The water surface of Longting was not very wide. The two black shadows swam straight to a small boat on the opposite bank without noticing that someone was following them. Chang Xiao saw the two people get into the reed awning on the boat, slowly approached, and listened to the side of the boat. The people inside whispered quietly, but Chang Xiao heard it clearly, but it was useless to hear it. He didn't understand what these people said at all. He only inferred from the tone that the two people were praising the beauty of Jade Butterfly and the people on the boat were extremely excited. Chang Xiao could already conclude that these people came for the beauty. Taoist Zuixia explained that these people were extremely cruel and regarded human life as worthless. In addition, Chang Xiao hated lustful people, so he planned to get rid of these people. The people on the boat were indeed ninjas from Japan. They came to the Central Plains for a major plot. They came here just for beauty and would never dream that death was approaching. Since Chang Xiao was determined to take action, the people on the boat had no chance to survive. The so-called ninjutsu was not worth a laugh in front of such a master. Chang Xiao jumped out of the water, and the dragon scale sword penetrated the reeds like a swimming dragon. The five people inside had no time to react and were in the blink of an eye. Chang Xiao did not stay and immediately returned to his boat. After changing his clothes, he immediately called Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai. The two brothers knew something was going to happen and did not sleep at all. Chang Xiao ordered: "Before dawn, go to the west of Longting and find a small black-covered boat. Deal with the bodies on the boat and retrieve their weapons and letters." The two brothers agreed and were about to go. Chang Xiao reminded them: "Be careful, these people's weapons and hidden weapons are all poisoned." The two brothers nodded and hurried away.

Such a small matter was naturally easy. The two brothers came back quickly. Zhong Yuan praised: "The master's swordsmanship is really superb. He took five lives with one sword." Chang Xiao smiled and said: "This sword has integrated the essence of thousands of swords." Zhong Hai put three swords, two daggers, and five leather bags on the table and asked: "Master, where are these five people? Why don't their weapons and attire look like those of people from the Central Plains?" Chang Xiao explained: "These five people are indeed not from the Central Plains. They are from an island country in the East China Sea. They must have had evil intentions when they sneaked into the Central Plains this time, but they came here just to lust after beauty." The three of them examined the weapons together and found that these people's swords were less than an inch wide and quite sharp. The hidden weapons were extremely small, and each one was poisoned. Zhong Yuan nodded and said, "Based on these weapons, it is completely certain that these five people died without injustice." Zhong Hai nodded, "Those who used such vicious weapons are definitely not good people. Kill one less." Chang Xiao lowered his head and thought that these people must have some purpose to come to the Central Plains from afar. The people are already dead, so he can only start from the clues in front of him. So he asked, "Don't they have any letters?" Zhong Yuan shook his head, "Nothing except weapons. I guess these people made preparations before taking action." Chang Xiao nodded, "At present, it seems that these people are well-trained killers. There must be more than these five people. Logically, we should track them down, but there are court officials involved, so I can't intervene. You keep these weapons, maybe they will be useful in the future." After the two brothers packed up, it was already dawn, so they took a quick rest.

The beauties gathering continued, and it was still very lively. No one noticed that five living people disappeared silently. Chang Xiao had another thing in mind, that is, in what capacity did the leader of the Beggars' Sect come? This person had been hiding behind the scenes, and even Qi Shizhen could not find his trace. It can be seen that this person acted cautiously. It is said that he had been waiting for a while, and it was indeed unusual that he had not arranged a meeting for such a long time. This behavior was not like the leader of the Beggars' Sect, let alone a martial artist. The information of Taoist Zuixia might have some basis. This person was probably connected with the government. But Elder Jinchan was straightforward and had superb martial arts skills. How could he let someone from the government serve as the leader of the Beggars' Sect? The mystery here was not clear for a while. Now that the five killers were solved, the only thing left was the beauties gathering. Princess Yueying was as excited as a child. Such a grand scene was indeed rare. If it weren't for her daughter Qingting tripping her, she would have gone on stage long ago. Chang Xiao was observing the officials present. Which one was the leader of the Beggars' Sect? The prefects and county magistrates are unlikely to leave the government office easily. The military officers leading the troops will not leave either. From all aspects, it can be inferred that the leader of the Beggars' Gang should be an official of extremely high taste but without a special government office. There are not many such people. Chang Xiao observed carefully and did not find any flaws in the officials present. The leader of the Beggars' Gang must be proficient in martial arts. It can be determined at a glance that these people have never practiced martial arts. After waiting for a day in vain, without any gain, Princess Yueying was in high spirits, talking and laughing. In a blink of an eye, it was the last day, and the scene was even more lively. The world-famous first beauty was finally going to show up, and thousands of people were looking forward to it. The highlight was still in the evening. All the beauties took turns to appear on the stage, ranked, and received prizes. Everyone was happy. Chang Xiao did not like to join in the fun, so he just watched from a distance. Suddenly, there was a commotion, and many spectators whispered and focused their attention on the government's building ship. Chang Xiao looked around and saw a woman in palace dress appearing on the ship. Many officials stood up and saluted her with an extremely respectful attitude. The woman was dressed in exquisite clothes and jewels, which set off her beautiful face and made her look even more wealthy and elegant. The woman didn't take the officials seriously at all and walked straight to the side of Prince Lian and sat down. Chang Xiao immediately understood that the woman was a member of the royal family, no wonder the people looked at her with awe.

Although Jade Butterfly is extremely beautiful, she is a common beauty after all, and it is a rare opportunity to see the princess of the current dynasty. However, the rules of the government are very strict. If you say something wrong, you will get into trouble and be killed. Just watch from a distance. Chang Xiao doesn't care much. There is nothing special about being a princess of the royal family. She is just born in the emperor's family. Besides, the life of the royal family may not be really happy. As the sun sets, the long-awaited Jade Butterfly is finally going to appear. The crowd is excited. Tens of thousands of people raise their arms and shout the name of Jade Butterfly. The scene is spectacular. Chang Xiao is naturally unmoved. Princess Yueying is full of admiration and says to herself: "When my daughter grows up, I will definitely hold such a grand event for her." Chang Xiao shook his head: "What you see is just a mirage, an illusory illusion, which is of no benefit to my daughter. If you don't believe it, you can ask Jade Butterfly. Her life is not as happy as you think." Princess Yueying has always regarded Chang Xiao as a god, and nodded in agreement, but she still envied such a scene. It would be great if she was on the stage. The music sounded, and the protagonist was about to appear. The surroundings immediately became quiet. The curtain on the stage slowly opened, and eight beauties came out one after another, dancing to the music. The performers were famous artists of the time, and the dancers were all beautiful women, which attracted everyone's attention. Under the light, the smoke was lingering, the beauties were ethereal, and the music was like the sound of nature. Such a scene was really intoxicating. The officials on the ship were fascinated, and their eyes narrowed into a slit. If there were not so many people present, they would have been exposed long ago. The smoke gradually became thicker, slowly hiding the figures of the eight beauties. The less clear they were, the more attractive they were. Yu Hudie understood the psychology of men. If you really throw yourself into their arms, you will be looked down upon by men. As long as you hook a man's appetite, you can order him around at will, and be more dedicated than your parents. However, this principle only applies to ordinary people. Heroes like Chang Xiao are of course an exception. Among the many men she has experienced, Chang Xiao is the only one who left on his own initiative, and he is also the most unforgettable. Yu Hudie knows in her heart that this man will remain in her memory for the rest of her life.

The scene of the beauties gathering became more and more lively. Although Yu Hudie was satisfied with the vanity in front of her, if Chang Xiao expressed his acceptance, she would not hesitate to put aside everything in front of her and accompany him wholeheartedly, but this hope was no longer possible. The bamboo flute of Meilu Mountain sounded, and Yu Hudie knew that she had to go out. She tidied her clothes and stood up to walk onto the stage. The light smoke became lighter and lighter. Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Yu Hudie slowly revealed her figure accompanied by eight beauties. Tens of thousands of people in the audience were fixed on her. The most beautiful woman in the light smoke was wearing a light veil, with a graceful waist, white jade arms, exquisite jade legs, and eyes that conveyed emotions. It was difficult to draw or describe. Many people were stunned, and the officials on the building ship stared at Yu Hudie, wishing to grab her immediately. Even the emperor's uncle, Prince Lian, was amazed, and she deserved the title of the most beautiful woman. Yu Hudie revealed her figure in the music, and her soul-stirring eyes made countless people fascinated. Princess Yueying was amazed and envious, but Chang Xiao understood the original intention of Yudie's dress, but he just couldn't say it out loud. Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai also stared at her, stunned and speechless. Chang Xiao watched coldly. There were hundreds of people losing their composure in the audience, and the officials on the ship were also ugly and without their original airs. This was the scene that Yudie wanted to see. The full moon rose high, and Yudie was more charming under the moonlight. Her dance was ambiguous and extremely provocative. Her exposed clothes, coupled with her peerless appearance, made the whole audience boil. Countless people rushed forward regardless of everything. Countless people were pushed into the water, and no one cared. Everyone was desperate and the situation immediately became chaotic. Gao Zhen was already satisfied, and sent his men to protect Yudie and leave, leaving everything to Yan Shiqing. Without Yudie, everyone calmed down immediately. In any case, seeing Yudie was worthwhile. The government stepped in to maintain the situation and rescue those who fell into the water. Fortunately, most of the people here could swim, and no one died. The gathering of beauties came to an end, and everyone's minds were filled with the enchanting dance of the jade butterfly. They left happily. Ordinary people did not have any improper expectations. Such a beauty would definitely not fall into the hands of ordinary people. It was worth their life to have the honor of seeing her.

It is easy for the common people to be content, but these officials cannot sit still. They all started to make small calculations and prepared to rob and snatch this beauty. Chang Xiao did not care about these at all. The gathering of beauties was over and he could leave. So he asked his wife to return to the boat. Princess Yueying was still reluctant to leave and wanted to talk to Jade Butterfly. Chang Xiao persuaded her, "You also know the entanglement between Jade Butterfly and me. Gao Zhen must not be happy to see me. Let's go back." Zhong Yuan sighed, "Every time I see Jade Butterfly, I admire the owner of the manor more. Such a beauty is willing to be pushed away. The owner of the manor is definitely not an ordinary person." Zhong Hai nodded, "That's right. If Jade Butterfly is willing to marry me, I am willing to be a cow and a horse, and it is worth killing and setting fire." Chang Xiao smiled bitterly and said, "I would not have come if I had known this would happen. Let's go quickly." Back on the boat, ready to set off, someone suddenly sent a note. Chang Xiao saw that there was a secret note from Elder Jinchan on it. He immediately ordered Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai to protect the two princesses and return to Julong Villa first, and he stayed to meet Elder Jinchan. After the boat left, Chang Xiao arrived at an abandoned temple on the outskirts of the city as promised. It was quiet and there was no sound. Chang Xiao found the highest place to wait. He waited for half an hour without any movement. Chang Xiao was puzzled. Elder Jinchan would not break his promise. Could it be that he encountered some difficulties? When he was suspicious, a figure appeared in the distance. Chang Xiao had excellent eyesight and immediately recognized that it was not Elder Jinchan. Could it be that the elder had something to do and sent someone to meet him temporarily? Elder Jinchan would not do such a thing. The figure gradually became clear. She was dressed in black and even her head was covered tightly. However, from her posture, it could be identified that she was a woman. Chang Xiao was more and more puzzled. How could Elder Jinchan send a woman to meet him? Before he could think about it, the woman had already entered the temple. She looked around but did not look up. Chang Xiao felt strange. It was impossible for a martial artist to ignore the above. This woman's Qinggong was not bad. She should be a martial artist. How could she not know even the most basic common sense of the rivers and lakes? The woman couldn't find anyone, so she didn't say anything and went into the hall. Chang Xiao was even more puzzled. People in Jianghu have to be careful everywhere, and they have to look carefully when they arrive in unfamiliar places. It was too careless to rashly enter the hall. Who is this woman? Why did Elder Jinchan let such a woman come? The situation of the visitor was unknown, so Chang Xiao had to be more careful. He was not in a hurry to show up and carefully observed the woman's every move. The woman took off the black cloth covering her face and threw it aside. Chang Xiao was stunned. The woman looked familiar, as if he had seen her somewhere, but he couldn't remember. The woman took out a small folding fan from her arms and frowned while fanning herself. Chang Xiao suddenly remembered, why is it her?

Chapter 58: The Fire Poison Reappears

Elder Jinchan made an appointment with Chang Xiao, but a woman came instead. The identity of this woman was unexpected. She turned out to be the royal princess who appeared on the official ship. Because of the huge contrast in clothing, Chang Xiao did not recognize her at first. Later, he remembered this person and was naturally surprised. What was she doing here? Did she invite him here? The princess waited for a moment, obviously impatient, and said to herself: "What the first swordsman is, but he is just a name for nothing." Turning around and about to leave, Chang Xiao was sure that the person who invited him was this woman, so he appeared silently at the door of the hall. When the woman saw Chang Xiao, she looked him up and down for a moment and said impatiently: "Why are you not punctual?" Chang Xiao smiled: "You are not punctual, I would have arrived a long time ago." The woman's face changed: "How could a grass-roots person make me...this gang leader wait for so long?" Chang Xiao was surprised that this royal princess was actually the leader of the Beggar Gang. He really didn't expect it. So he smiled and said, "I didn't expect that the leader of the Beggars' Sect is actually a princess of the royal family. No wonder Elder Jinchan is so secretive about this." The woman asked, "How do you know I'm a princess?" Chang Xiao explained, "I met you once at the Beauty Gathering." The woman nodded, "Yes, I am the Rose Princess of the current royal family." After that, she waited for Chang Xiao to pay her respects, but Chang Xiao did not make any move. The Rose Princess was angry. The whole world belongs to the king, and all the people are the king's subjects. The other party was just a grass-roots man. After knowing his identity, he did not pay his respects. It was really treasonous. In Chang Xiao's eyes, the Rose Princess was really unworthy of the important position of the leader of the Beggars' Sect. He was already regretting this meeting. But it was already like this, so he could only do some superficial work and said lightly, "It is really rare for a princess of the royal family to have such skills. What's the big deal about meeting Chang this time?" The Rose Princess frowned and said, "Didn't you want to see me? Why are you asking me instead?" Chang Xiao thought to himself: If I knew that you were the leader of the Beggars' Sect, I would not bother to pay attention to you. Elder Jinchan would definitely not know about this meeting. Although she was thinking about it, she could only say, "Elder Jinchan gave me the top position of the Beggar Gang's guest. According to the rules, I have to meet the leader. It's nothing big." Princess Rose was disappointed. She didn't like this person to begin with, and she was even more discouraged when she heard this. Suddenly, she thought of something, so she said, "I heard that you are the best master in the world. Since you have nothing to do, show it to me." Chang Xiao was already very impatient, and he was even more dissatisfied when he heard Princess Rose's condescending tone. However, the other party was the leader of the Beggar Gang, so he had to save some face, so he modestly said, "My skills are not worth mentioning. I am grateful for the kindness of my friends in the world. I am not worthy of the reputation, and my cultivation is far inferior to that of the leader."

This was just a polite remark, but Princess Rose believed it and felt better. She nodded and said, "The commander of the imperial guards is not as good as me. He called me the best expert in the capital and said that I would be invincible if I were in the martial arts world." After hearing this, Chang Xiao didn't know whether to laugh or cry. If you didn't have the aura of a royal princess, you wouldn't even be considered second-rate. Ordinary escort leaders would be better than you. Princess Rose was still proud and continued, "Tell me about any strange things in the martial arts world recently." Chang Xiao felt uncomfortable. No wonder he acted so carelessly. It turned out that he was so high and mighty that he had no common sense in the martial arts world. What could he say to such a person? So Chang Xiao perfunctorily said, "Now the government is peaceful and the people are safe. There is no movement in the martial arts world. The only big event is the Qunfang Association, and the rest is not worth mentioning." Princess Rose nodded, "It's quite lively. I'm going back. Let the elders tell me if there is anything." She walked out of the hall on her own, deliberately showing off her Qinggong. She didn't go through the main door, but lightly crossed the wall, thinking: Let me know what a real expert is. This little bit of skill is really nothing in Chang Xiao's eyes. This meeting finally yielded some gains, knowing the true identity of the leader of the Beggars' Sect. Chang Xiao can already be sure that the purpose of the court supporting the Beggars' Sect to deal with the Taoist Zuixia is to let the people of the Jianghu fight each other, but letting this princess be the leader of the Beggars' Sect is too childish. I think there must be a master helping behind the scenes, otherwise she would not be able to escape Qi Shizhen's eyes. Back at Julong Villa, Chang Xiao said nothing about the meeting, and it was difficult to determine his position in the future. The most important thing at hand is to find a sum of money to repay Wanqi Song's favor, which is actually to compensate for the loss of the South China Sea Treasury. Yan Nanlou's attitude is very clear, and I am afraid that he will not get the support of the South China Sea Fleet in the future. Although Wanqi Song will not ask for it, such a large amount must be explained to one of his many subordinates. Chang Xiao thought about it for a long time but could not find a good solution. It happened that Princess Yueying came back from a ride on Lieyan with her daughter in her arms. When she entered the house, Princess Yueying said to her daughter, "Dragonfly, if there is a chance, I will take you to the desert to see the Fire Dragon Colt. It is truly the king of all horses." Chang Xiao's heart moved. The lifespan of a horse is shorter than that of a human. According to common sense, the Fire Dragon Colt should be old. He should go visit it. If anything happens, he will regret it for the rest of his life.

After making up his mind, he immediately discussed with his wife that he would not go out with the whole family this time, but only by himself. Princess Yueying was still a little dissatisfied, and Chang Xiao persuaded her: "This season is the most windy and sandy time in the desert. You can't stand it. I can do it alone." He also reminded Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai to be careful in everything. After a little preparation, he left Julong Villa and rode alone to the desert. Lieyan was in his prime, full of energy, and ran like flying. Chang Xiao was thinking about Huolongju, so he didn't delay on the way and soon went out of the customs and entered the desert. Lieyan was even more excited to return to his long-lost hometown. Without any guidance, he ran directly to the oasis of Huolongju. Although the wind and sand in the desert were strong, they could not do anything to such a martial arts master. Chang Xiao was thinking about Huolongju. He hadn't seen him for a long time and didn't know how much Huolongju had changed. Lieyan was very sensitive to wind and sand, and knew how to avoid it, so he came to the oasis smoothly. There was no change here. When the wind and sand were strong, the horses would usually hide in a sheltered place, and the oasis was empty. Chang Xiao came to the spring. Lieyan was thirsty, so he drank a few sips of water, jumped and scattered flowers. Chang Xiao knew how it felt. Returning to his long-lost hometown and drinking the sweet and cool spring water, he was naturally happy. He scooped up the spring water and drank a few sips. The spring water was cool and went straight to his lungs. He felt indescribably comfortable. After running on the road for many days, Chang Xiao was also a little tired, so he rested on the grass beside the spring. When it was getting dark, a red shadow rushed in. Chang Xiao jumped up. This figure was very familiar. The Fire Dragon Colt thought someone had invaded its territory, and he was overjoyed when he saw that it was Chang Xiao. When Chang Xiao got closer, he was stunned. The Fire Dragon Colt had hardly changed. Although its mane had grown a lot, it showed no signs of aging. Its eyes were still bright, its muscles were still strong, and its spirit was better than that of Lieyan. It was still the proud king of all horses. Lieyan hid aside obediently, not daring to get close. Chang Xiao hugged the Fire Dragon Colt's neck and murmured, "Good brother, we meet again."

Huo Longju and Chang Xiao were quite attached to each other. They were very happy to meet each other after a long separation. They just leaned against each other by the spring. Chang Xiao asked, "I was worried that you were old, but I didn't expect you to be so energetic." Huo Longju shook his head towards the spring, meaning that it was thanks to the spring. Chang Xiao remembered that when the Dragon King of the South China Sea gave the cold jade bottle to him, he said that this bottle had the effect of prolonging life. After sinking in the spring water for a long time, the spring water was no longer the ordinary spring water before, which was quite good for Huo Longju. In addition, Huo Longju was not an ordinary horse, so he could maintain a good condition. Chang Xiao was very happy to see Huo Longju still energetic. In comparison, Huo Longju was his most intimate friend. At dawn, Huo Longju was going to patrol his territory and lead the wild horses to gallop. Chang Xiao and Lieyan joined the wild horses. For a while, yellow smoke rose in the desert, sand and dust filled the sky, thousands of horses galloped, and the sound of horses' hooves shook the earth. Seeing such a scene, Chang Xiao felt that his mind was much more open. The sky and the earth were empty, thousands of horses were running wildly, there was no grudge, no Jianghu, and all the troubles were thrown behind his mind. He had never experienced this feeling since he entered the Jianghu. The horses were tired and left to rest. Chang Xiao found that the Fire Dragon Colt never entered a sand dune area. He felt strange and came to the Fire Dragon Colt and asked, "Good brother, why don't you go there?" The Fire Dragon Colt stepped on the sand with its front hooves. Chang Xiao immediately understood that there was quicksand there, and no one could stop. Generally speaking, there must be a lot of space under the quicksand, but no one could move the sand, not to mention himself, even the emperor didn't have this ability. The Fire Dragon Colt had lived in the desert for a long time, so he naturally knew the power of quicksand. Chang Xiao was with the Fire Dragon Colt, and he felt indescribably happy. He threw all his troubles behind his mind and galloped in the desert. He stayed there for five days. Chang Xiao and the Fire Dragon Colt were always together, and they didn't separate when they slept. As the king of thousands of horses, his value is not only his own. As long as he gets the Fire Dragon Colt, it is equivalent to getting tens of thousands of wild horses in the desert. This value is difficult to estimate. Although the Fire Dragon Colt is not easy to capture, there are still people who want it. However, Chang Xiao has announced to the martial arts world that no one in the martial arts world is willing to offend the owner of Julong Manor. Ordinary people can't do anything to the Fire Dragon Colt, so the Fire Dragon Colt's life is very stable. Coincidentally, someone just started to think about it at this time.

There are many horse thieves in the desert, specializing in robbing merchants. The largest group has more than 800 people. The leader of the bandits is a bald man. His swordsmanship is the best among the bandits. He kills people without blinking an eye. He claims to be the best in the world with a sharp sword. His bandit name is Wanrenzhan, which means he has killed more than 10,000 people and is extremely arrogant. Wanrenzhan has been thinking about Fire Dragon Colt for more than a day, but there is no way to catch it. Fire Dragon Colt is too fast and responsive. It can always find the traps in advance. After many attempts, Wanrenzhan failed, so he gave up. Suddenly, a horse thief under his command reported that a group of merchants passed by and there was a lot of money. Wanrenzhan immediately led his men to rob. This group of people were not dressed like people from the Central Plains, but Wanrenzhan did not care. There were often envoys and merchants from foreign countries on the trade route in the desert. After giving the order, many horse thieves swarmed around and prepared to take action. This group of people was very different from the ordinary merchants. They were not panicked when they saw the horse thieves. The leader raised a strange skull-shaped staff and shook it. The bells on the staff rang randomly. Wanrenzhan felt dizzy and all the horse thieves felt very uncomfortable and at a loss. After they calmed down, a man in black said in Chinese: "Listen, the Fire Poison Sect has come to the Western Regions to spread the Dharma. Hurry up and dismount and surrender. There is still a glimmer of hope. Otherwise, you will die." Wanrenzhan was unwilling to accept this and gritted his teeth and said: "You want me to surrender? It's a foolish dream." He urged his horse to rush over. A woman in black sprinkled a handful of powder. Wanrenzhan smelled a fragrance and sneezed involuntarily. The woman took out a crystal ornament, which was also in the shape of a skull. Wanrenzhan's attention was immediately attracted to them. The woman ordered, "Why don't you dismount and pay homage?" Wanrenzhan dismounted and knelt down obediently. The woman was quite satisfied and ordered, "Take us to your lair." Wanrenzhan led the way without saying a word. The horse thieves knew that this group of people were not easy to mess with, so they followed obediently. Soon they entered an oasis. The houses were all left by their predecessors. This was the lair of the horse thieves. Wanrenzhan led this group of people to the big house. The leading woman sat in the middle and said coldly, "Hand over the treasures you have accumulated." Wanrenzhan immediately gave the order. After a while, a large pile of treasures appeared in the house. The woman nodded to show her satisfaction and asked, "What is the most precious treasure in the desert?" Wanrenzhan answered without hesitation, "Of course it's the fire dragon colt."

The Fire Poison Sect's mind control technique was useless to Chang Xiao, but it was more than enough to deal with these horse thieves. Wanrenzhan was controlled by the other party and answered the Fire Dragon Colt without thinking. The woman was a little surprised and asked, "What kind of horse is so precious?" Wanrenzhan explained, "The Fire Dragon Colt is the king of wild horses in the desert. Getting it is equivalent to getting tens of thousands of wild horses. It can be said to be a priceless treasure." The woman was immediately moved. The value of tens of thousands of horses is indeed difficult to estimate. After discussing with her accomplices, she ordered, "You take us to subdue the Fire Dragon Colt." Wanrenzhan agreed repeatedly. The woman ordered her servants to collect all the treasures and followed Wanrenzhan to find the Fire Dragon Colt. Coincidentally, Chang Xiao had not left yet. Wanrenzhan did not know the oasis of the Fire Dragon Colt. He could only rely on experience and calculate the approximate location of the Fire Dragon Colt according to the time. After waiting for a while, yellow sand rose in the distance. Wanrenzhan pointed with his hand and said, "The Fire Dragon Colt is coming." The woman felt a little uneasy when she saw the scene of thousands of horses galloping, and went to a sand dune on the side to watch. As expected, the Fire Dragon Colt led the herd of wild horses to rush over. First, the people of the Fire Poison Sect were different from others. Second, with Chang Xiao here, there was no need to worry about any danger. They rushed straight over, and the woman had no time to look closely. When the Fire Dragon Colt ran away, it was too late. So she shook the short stick in her hand, and it really worked. The dozens of horses in the lead were immediately confused and fell down. The Fire Dragon Colt also felt very uncomfortable. At this time, a deep whistle came from the herd, which quickly offset the Fire Poison Sect's mind control technique. The woman was shocked and looked closely. She found that a burly figure shot out from the herd and arrived on the sand dune in a blink of an eye. Chang Xiao had never thought that there would be people from the Fire Poison Sect here. He shouted, "Didn't you go out to sea? How did you come here?" The woman was stunned. What this person said was irrelevant, so she frowned and said, "Who are you? What does it have to do with you that we captured the Fire Dragon Colt?" Chang Xiao was also surprised. These people should be people from the Fire Poison Sect. How could they not recognize him? It turned out that the Fire Poison Sect had a large number of people, scattered in various places. They only collected money and recruited disciples in the Western Regions, and never came to the Central Plains, so they did not recognize Chang Xiao. Hearing this, Chang Xiao smiled and said, "It turns out that you have quite a few people. I advise you not to think about the Fire Dragon Horse and leave as soon as possible, otherwise it will be too late to regret."

The mind control technique was indeed magical. The people of the Fire Poison Sect had everything going smoothly and had never suffered any setbacks, so they naturally refused to bow their heads. The woman sneered and said, "You are overestimating yourself." After giving the order, Wanrenzhan came out and rushed towards Chang Xiao with a knife. Chang Xiao didn't care about such a horse thief at all. He grabbed Wanrenzhan's knife with his hands and smiled, "Such a person dares to fight with me. See you in the next life." With a casual wave of his hand, Wanrenzhan's soul returned to the underworld. The people present were shocked. The leading woman solemnly raised her short stick and reached into her arms. Chang Xiao had seen it before and smiled, "It's the same trick again. You should save yourself from it." The woman sprinkled perfume powder and took out crystal ornaments. Chang Xiao saw from the short stick that this woman was one level lower than the old woman he had met before. Anyway, he was fearless and waited for the other party to perform. The woman tried her best, but Chang Xiao remained unmoved. At this time, two more men stood beside the woman to help, but it was also in vain. Chang Xiao saw that the woman's eyes began to be confused, and ordered: "Hand over the treasures you have accumulated and leave immediately." The woman was countered by the mind control technique. Without saying a word, she gave an order, put down the large and small packages, and turned around and left. The people of the Fire Poison Sect left in a hurry. Chang Xiao smiled and said to himself: "I didn't expect that someone would give gifts here. It would be disrespectful to refuse them, so I had to accept them." Although there were many packages and they were quite heavy, it was a trivial matter in Chang Xiao's eyes. All the treasures were put in a big bag, which was more than 300 kilograms, which was of great value. Chang Xiao was happy in his heart. Now he could repay Wanqi Song's favor. Back to the oasis, Chang Xiao specifically reminded Huo Longju: "Good brother, those people have evil magic, don't get close to them in the future." Huo Longju learned the power of the mind control technique and nodded in agreement. Chang Xiao stayed with Huo Long Ju for several more days, and only felt relieved after making sure that the people from the Fire Poison Sect dared not come again. He said goodbye to Huo Long Ju and prepared to return to Central Plains.

Chapter 59: Wealth can make you a god

Chunhua Town is located in Shaanxi Province, not far from Xi'an. It is also a large town with many officials, gentry and wealthy families. There are many people coming and going on the streets. The Zhao Family Old Store is located in the North Gate. It is a low-class inn. Because of its remote location, the business is deserted. Only 30% of the houses are occupied, and the rent is often in arrears. The owner Zhao Hongjiang is already in his early fifties. Seeing that it is getting late outside, he sighed in his heart. The rent he collected today with great difficulty has been paid for official taxes. The prepared wine and food will be wasted if they cannot be sold. The chefs and waiters should be paid monthly silver. He only has some copper coins on hand, not even enough for one guan. How can he live like this? Just as he was thinking about it, he heard a horse neighing outside. Zhao Hongjiang's heart moved. Is there a guest coming? He quickly asked the waiter to go out and see. After a while, the waiter led in a man with a burly figure and ordinary clothes. He was carrying a large package in his hand. It was hard to tell what he did. Zhao Hongjiang entertained him attentively and asked, "Sir, do you want to stay overnight or stay in the hotel?" The guest replied, "I will stay for one night and leave tomorrow morning. Please prepare some food and take good care of my horse." Zhao Hongjiang agreed and told the waiter to arrange a guest room and prepare wine and food. Obviously, this guest is Chang Xiao, who was passing by here after leaving the desert and returning home. The package in his hand is the treasure he got from the Fire Poison Sect. The waiter was about to pick up the package. Seeing Chang Xiao holding it easily without much effort, he thought the package was not heavy. However, he couldn't lift it after two or three times. Chang Xiao smiled and said, "Don't worry about it. Go and prepare wine and food first." The waiter was secretly surprised. This guest was very strong.

It was not easy to get guests here. Although they were not rich nor very poor, they should be entertained warmly. Zhao Hongjiang asked, "What would you like to eat and drink, sir?" Chang Xiao was not very particular about food, and replied, "It doesn't matter whether it is meat or vegetables, just a few stir-fried dishes, a pot of wine, and a big bowl of noodles." Zhao Hongjiang immediately asked the chef to prepare it, and turned around to continue chatting, "Where are you from, sir?" Chang Xiao smiled and said, "I went to the desert and was about to go home, so I passed by. The inn business here is good, and every room is full, so I found this place." Zhao Hongjiang shook his head, "Sir, you don't know, it's not that there are no rooms, they just see that you are dressed ordinary and there is not much to make, so they deliberately refuse." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "It's human nature. They are afraid that I can't pay the room rent, and this shabby bag is not very eye-catching." The waiter brought the side dishes to the table. Chang Xiao was not picky, and asked casually, "How is the business here?" Zhao Hongjiang sighed, "It's just barely enough to make ends meet. I'm afraid it won't last much longer." Chang Xiao saw that the business was quiet here, and nodded slightly. At this time, a young man hurriedly walked past the door. Zhao Hongjiang shouted, "Where's Silang going?" The young man turned around and saluted, "Shopkeeper Zhao, I'm not in a convenient position today. I'll return the eight hundred coins you owe me another day." Zhao Hongjiang went out and held the young man and said, "I'm not asking you for money. There are few customers today, and there are quite a few dishes left in the kitchen. It would be a pity to throw them away. Wouldn't it be better if we eat them together before they go bad?" The young man nodded and said, "Thank you, Shopkeeper Zhao, for your kindness. It would be disrespectful to refuse it." The two walked into the store hand in hand. Zhao Hongjiang instructed the waiter, "Go to the kitchen and tell them to use up the remaining dishes today so that we can eat together." The waiter agreed to help in the kitchen, and Zhao Hongjiang and the young man sat down at the table.

Chang Xiao found it interesting and asked, "Manager Zhao, can we have a few drinks together?" Zhao Hongjiang nodded and said, "It's rare that a guest would think so highly of me." So he put the two tables together, arranged the seats, and pulled the young man to sit down. Chang Xiao saw that Zhao Hongjiang was a kind-hearted man and wanted to help him. He asked, "Manager Zhao, is this young man a local?" Zhao Hongjiang nodded and said, "This is Zheng's Silang from the North Gate. He has lived here for a long time. He used to be a wealthy family, but now he is down and out." Chang Xiao turned around and looked at him. He found that Zheng Silang had a loyal face and did not look like a vagrant. He felt strange and asked, "Why are you down and out?" Zheng Silang lowered his head and said nothing. Zhao Hongjiang sighed and said, "It's fate. The Zheng family has always been kind and generous, and they have passed down poetry and books. They are a first-class good family here. But the world is not good now. The government specifically oppresses the good, levies money and grain, and conscripts people to join the army. They are unwilling to let the Zheng family go. But the Zheng family would not argue, so they sent all three sons to join the army and died on the battlefield. Only Silang was left to support the family. The family business was already in decline, and now it happened... His father was seriously ill, and the quack doctor squeezed a lot of money out of him, but he still couldn't save him. The funeral also cost a lot of money, and only the ancestral home was left to barely make ends meet. Silang's mother was also in poor health, and she often had to buy medicine. The furnishings in the house were pawned one by one and all given to the medicine shop. "Chang Xiao asked: "Since poetry and books have been passed down from generation to generation, why don't you take the exam to seek fame? If you really have real knowledge, wouldn't it be good to fight for an official position?" Zhao Hongjiang shook his head: "Sir, you don't know that the imperial examination is just a show now. The examiner looks at money, not talent. It is impossible to pass the exam without connections. Silang took the exam five or six times, but it was useless. The nephew of the county magistrate didn't recognize a hundred words in total, but he was praised by the examiner, got a job, and was arrogant and arrogant. "Chang Xiao didn't know these situations very well. He was in the rivers and lakes, and he didn't have much time to pay attention to these things. At this time, the chef prepared the dishes and heated a few pots of wine. The waiter helped, set up the wine and food, and sat together. Chang Xiao found it interesting that although these people were of humble status, they were much more sincere than those high-ranking officials.

After drinking and talking, Zheng Silang also started to talk and laugh. Although he was in adversity, he did not complain. He mentioned that because of the poverty of his family, Zheng Silang's wife who had not yet married him broke off the engagement and remarried, and became a concubine of a rich man. Chang Xiao sighed in his heart, the warmth and coldness of human feelings, the indifference of the world, do good people deserve to suffer? There is a god above us, if there really is a god, why is good and evil reversed like this? It is always said that good will be rewarded with good, and evil will be punished with evil, but this retribution is invisible and intangible. Those high-ranking officials do evil and plunder the people's fat, but they still live in luxury and have prosperous descendants. It is said that people will go to hell after death, and ordinary people are afraid, why are those officials not afraid? I am afraid that no one can answer these questions. After having enough wine and food, Zheng Silang stood up and said, "My mother is ill, so I can't stay for long. I will repay Manager Zhao for his kindness sooner or later." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "I'm afraid you won't be able to turn things around in this world. It's rare for us to meet. I'll give you a chance. You can grab a handful from my bag. It depends on your luck what you grab. Manager Zhao can also grab a handful." Then he put the bag on an empty table. Zheng Silang shook his head and said, "We are strangers, so I'm sorry to bother you." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "It's fate that we are drinking together. Don't think my bag is insignificant. You may be able to fulfill your wish." Zhao Hongjiang advised, "Since this guest is so kind, why not grab a handful?" It was also time for Zheng Silang to turn things around. He reached into the bag and touched pearls and jade. Although he couldn't see it, Zheng Silang could feel it and knew that this guest was extraordinary. So he grabbed a handful, put it in his arms without even looking at it, and bowed: "You are definitely not an ordinary person. I will repay you for your kindness in the future." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "This is a gift from God. I hope Silang can fulfill his wish." Zheng Silang nodded, said goodbye and left.

Zhao Hongjiang wanted to see what Zheng Silang took out of the bag, but he didn't see anything. Just as he was regretting it, he heard Chang Xiao say, "Manager Zhao is kind-hearted. Come grab a handful and try." Zhao Hongjiang nodded, "I want to see what's in your bag." As soon as he put his hand in, Zhao Hongjiang immediately understood why Zheng Silang thanked him. It turned out that the bag was full of jewels. Such a big bag could probably buy the whole city. So he also followed Zheng Silang's example, grabbed a handful and put it in his arms, bowed and thanked him. Chang Xiao stretched and said, "I have to travel tomorrow, so I'll rest now." When he stood up and was about to leave, Zhao Hongjiang asked, "Don't you take this bag with you?" Chang Xiao smiled, "There's nothing valuable here, no one will miss it." Zhao Hongjiang thought to himself: This is not valuable, I'm afraid there is nothing more valuable than this bag. Chang Xiao took a rest and threw the priceless bag beside the table. The waiter and the chef were confused. They could tell from Chang Xiao's clothes that there couldn't be anything good in the bag. After they cleaned up and rested, Zhao Hongjiang couldn't sleep. When it was late at night and everyone was asleep, he quietly took out the things in his arms under the lamp. As soon as he saw them, his eyes were immediately drawn. In his hands were round pearls, crystal clear crystals, rubies, sapphires, and rare emeralds and cat's eye gems in the Central Plains. In comparison, pearls were the cheapest. If all were sold, they would probably be worth more than 100,000 taels. This windfall made Zhao Hongjiang very excited. He was not only happy for himself, but also for Zheng Silang. With this money, he would have a chance to pass the imperial examination. At this time, Zhao Hongjiang already understood that the identity of this guest must be extraordinary. Looking at the treasures in his hand, Zhao Hongjiang didn't feel sleepy at all. He simply came to the counter and stared at the inconspicuous bag. This contained the dreams of countless people. I'm afraid the emperor would salivate when he saw it. Now it was right in front of him. Although he knew the value of the bundle, Zhao Hongjiang had no greed. The harvest from that handful was enough for him to live a carefree life for the rest of his life. Besides, Chang Xiao must have extraordinary abilities. Facing such a huge fortune, few people could fall asleep, and Zhao Hongjiang was no exception. Not only did he not feel sleepy that night, he barely even blinked until the cock crowed at five o'clock.

Chang Xiao got up early in the morning, washed his face, rinsed his mouth, and went outside. When the waiter was packing, Zhao Hongjiang finally came to his senses. At this time, he was using an abacus, but his mind was still on the bag. Seeing Chang Xiao, he hurriedly greeted: "Did you sleep well, sir?" Chang Xiao nodded and smiled: "Not bad, Zhao looks good, it seems that his luck is about to change." Zhao Hongjiang saluted: "Thanks to you, sir." The waiter didn't understand the meaning of the words, and arranged breakfast on his own. Chang Xiao went to the stable outside to take care of Lieyan first, and then came back to eat breakfast. Just because Zhao Hongjiang was not greedy, he was sure that his decision was not wrong, and this person deserved the money. After breakfast, Zhao Hongjiang frowned when he paid the bill. He shouldn't have accepted the money, but once he was exposed, he would inevitably be suspected by the waiter, and it would be difficult to deal with it if it got out. Chang Xiao smiled and said, "Don't look at my poor clothes, this little money is nothing to me." He took out two pieces of silver and said, "It won't take that much." Chang Xiao shook his head and said, "Manager Zhao is kind-hearted and deserves to be rewarded. What's the value of this little money?" He packed up and left Chunhua Town. Zhao Hongjiang was relieved when he saw the bundle out of his sight. He thought: This secret cannot be told to anyone. I must do more good deeds in the future. It seems that kindness really pays off. Zhao Hongjiang believed this truth, but Chang Xiao was a little skeptical. There are kind people everywhere. How many people can encounter such a good opportunity? How much can I help alone? Although the value of the bundle is huge, it can't do much compared to the people of the world. This experience also has a certain impact on Chang Xiao's heart. Because he was thinking about repaying Wanqi Song's favor, Chang Xiao did not go home and went directly to Xuchang Wanxian Hall. Most of the people here knew Chang Xiao and entertained him attentively. Lu Wenjun stayed behind and let Chang Xiao go to the hall. After sitting down, he said, "What does the owner of the manor want me to do?" Chang Xiao smiled and said, "I'm not the hall master, how can I order you around? I came here just to meet your master." Lu Wenjun nodded, "My master is nearby and will be back at noon." Chang Xiao knew that Lu Wenjun was quite talented and familiar with all kinds of people in the martial arts world, so he asked, "I just came back from the desert. What's going on in the Central Plains these days?" Lu Wenjun replied, "There is no movement from Tongtian Fort and Qi Shizhen. It seems that something happened in the Beggars' Sect. Duan Xiyun of the Divine Sword Sect came out of seclusion recently. I heard that his martial arts have improved a lot. Yan Nanlou of the South China Sea Fleet used elixirs to improve his skills and has become the successor of the Dragon King of the South China Sea. In addition, many people have set their sights on the Jade Butterfly, but they were easily resolved by Gao Zhen."

These things were almost expected. Chang Xiao was not surprised and continued to ask: "What's going on in Wanxian Hall? How is Mo Qilin?" Lu Wenjun shook his head slightly: "Mo Qilin has asked to return to the main hall many times and asked me to go to Jiangnan. My master refused, so he was delayed." Chang Xiao knew that Mo Qilin knew that his father was going to give up the throne of the hall master and was afraid that Lu Wenjun would snatch it, so he asked to come back. In fact, from all aspects, Mo Qilin is not as good as Lu Wenjun. This is an internal matter of Wanxian Hall and he has no control over it. So he just talked about some interesting things in the martial arts world. At about noon, Wanqi Song came back and met directly in the hall. Lu Wenjun had sent people to prepare a banquet. The only thing that was the most annoying in the magnificent hall was the broken bag. Because it was brought by Chang Xiao, no one could mention it. At the banquet, Wanqi Song asked, "Brother, you came back from the desert, what's the point of carrying a broken bundle?" Chang Xiao smiled, "This bundle is incredible, I can't even compare to its magical powers." Wanqi Song certainly didn't believe it, and shook his head and said, "Brother, you are almost omnipotent in the world, what is the value of this bundle?" Chang Xiao said seriously, "I'm not kidding, even the current emperor would have to bow his head when he sees it." After saying this, everyone in the hall became interested in this broken bundle. With Chang Xiao's status and prestige, it is impossible for him to lie. Chang Xiao turned around and said, "Wenjun, take the bundle to the middle and open it to see if what I said is right." Lu Wenjun agreed and stood up. He approached and lifted it. He already felt the weight. He took it to the middle and untied it layer by layer. When he lifted the last layer, colorful treasure light shot out. Lu Wenjun was stunned. Even a stone man would be tempted by such a large fortune. Chang Xiao asked with a smile, "What do you think? Was I right?" Lu Wenjun nodded repeatedly, "The owner of the manor is right. This bundle can change the color of the mountains and rivers." Before others saw it, Wanqi Song said, "Wenjun, why don't you open it and let your master see what good things it is." Lu Wenjun agreed and opened the bundle completely. The treasures appeared. The people in the hall were shocked. Most of them were stunned that such a huge fortune was actually packed in such a shabby bundle.

Wanqi Song was also surprised and asked, "Brother, where did you get such a huge fortune?" Chang Xiao smiled and said, "I'm right, this bag is much more powerful than me." Wanqi Song nodded repeatedly: "This wealth can make father and son turn against each other, husband and wife become enemies, and brothers fight to the death. It is indeed powerful." Chang Xiao explained: "I happened to meet people from the Fire Poison Sect in the desert who wanted to steal the Fire Dragon Colt, so I took away the treasures they plundered." Wanqi Song had heard a little about the Fire Poison Sect. He knew that this group of people was quite mysterious and had amassed countless treasures. Only Chang Xiao had ever snatched back a batch of them. So he sighed, "Only my brother can do it. No one else can do it." Chang Xiao explained, "At the beginning, I promised the Dragon King of the South China Sea to protect the treasury, but Qi Shizhen found out and the treasure was exposed. I had no choice but to give Qi Shizhen three carts. Later, Yan Nanlou complained, so I asked the hall master to give 10% of the price to the South China Sea fleet. Today I am here to repay this favor." Wanqi Song understood and said, "I didn't expect Yan Nanlou to be so short-sighted. The old Dragon King didn't choose the right person. I thought that the 10% price was a thank-you gift from the South China Sea fleet to my brother, but it turned out to be the case. It seems that I have to be more careful when doing business with Yan Nanlou." Wanqi Song knew Chang Xiao's temper and it was impossible for him to owe such a big favor and not repay it, so he asked Lu Wenjun to estimate the price and calculate it carefully. Although others were drinking, their eyes were fixed on the treasures. Chang Xiao only talked and laughed with Wanqi Song as if nothing had happened. Lu Wenjun rarely had such an opportunity, so he forgot about hunger and thirst, and carefully estimated the value and checked the accounts. After half an hour of hard work, he only picked out one-third of the treasures, which offset all the accounts. Lu Wenjun wiped the sweat from his head and bowed, saying, "Master, these are enough." Chang Xiao was surprised. How could such a small pile be worth three carts of treasures? Lu Wenjun explained, "The owner of the manor doesn't know that this batch of treasures comes from the Western Regions. They are rare in the Central Plains, so the value is naturally doubled. Conversely, the same is true for treasures from the Central Plains when they arrive in the Western Regions."

Chapter 60: Wish Fulfilled

After wrapping the treasures again, Chang Xiao smiled and said, "Isn't this old bag different now?" Lu Wenjun nodded, "It will be suitable even if it is placed on the emperor's throne." The people accompanying him to drink agreed. Wanqi Song took the opportunity to warn his disciples, "Don't be greedy for the treasures. They didn't fall from the sky. If you have the ability to control the evil magic of the Fire Poison Sect, you can get them." Lu Wenjun smiled bitterly, "Looking at the world, apart from the owner of the manor, I'm afraid only the number one swordsman has this ability. We dare not dream about it." Wanqi Song smiled and said, "That's it. There is no such thing as getting something for nothing in the world. Wishful thinking can only waste your ambitions and achieve nothing." After the work was done, Chang Xiao was ready to say goodbye. Wanqi Song saw him off personally. Chang Xiao After the flying horse left, Wanqi Song's disciples were still staring straight at him, not at Chang Xiao, but at the broken bundle. Wanqi Song taught him: "What are you looking at? If you have the ability, go and take it yourself." A disciple smiled bitterly: "Master said it was easy. It is already difficult to take it by force from the Fire Poison Sect. It is almost impossible to take it from the hands of this number one swordsman, unless you don't want to live." Another person said: "I dare not think about taking it. I will look at it a few more times and have a good dream at night." Wanqi Song also smiled, and he admired Chang Xiao's character even more. The South China Sea Fleet owed him such a big favor, but he didn't mention it at all. He spent so much time on such a small matter. It is unique among martial arts masters. Chang Xiao thought that there would not be much left after the treasures were paid off, so he opened it in public. Unexpectedly, there were so many left. Naturally, the people present spread it as a strange story, and soon it was known to the people of the world that Chang Xiao got a large amount of treasures in the desert, which was priceless. When the news spread, naturally many people were envious, but Chang Xiao was not someone to be trifled with, and no one dared to cause trouble at Julong Villa.

This incident spread all over the world, and it alarmed one person, Yin Tianlei. Everyone was saying that Chang Xiao had obtained a batch of treasures in the desert, and Yin Tianlei immediately thought of the treasure of the Fire God Palace. What kind of treasures could there be in the desert? Did Chang Xiao take the treasure privately? With this thought, he could no longer sleep. The treasure that his mentor had guarded for many years could not fall into the hands of outsiders. Although Chang Xiao was upright, he could not guarantee that he would not change his heart in front of such a treasure. At this time, Gao Zhen and his party were cruising up and down the Yangtze River by boat, recruiting talents and developing their power while having fun. Yin Tianlei could not help much, and he could not delay any longer with this incident, so he immediately asked Gao Zhen to return to the Fire God Palace. Gao Zhen had already bought two beauties, and was ready to entrust them to Yin Tianlei after they got pregnant. Yin Tianlei happened to propose to return to the Fire God Palace. Gao Zhen thought about it and nodded: "Junior brother, you go back and pack up first. I will send them back after I get pregnant. Please trouble your brother to train them." Yin Tianlei nodded: "Don't worry, senior brother, I will do my best." After packing up a little, he was ready to leave. They had been together for a long time. Yu Hudie was reluctant to leave, and she gave some special instructions. Finally, she said: "Your senior brother is careless. I will find you a beautiful woman and start a family early." Yin Tianlei nodded and thanked him, and hurried back to the Fire God Palace with the black horse. After entering the palace after a long absence, Yin Tianlei immediately opened the treasure house to check. He was relieved to find that there was no loss. Since then, he has stayed in the Fire God Palace to practice the electric cone and rarely went out. Whether Chang Xiao would be tempted or not, it would be most reliable to guard it himself. In fact, if Chang Xiao really wanted this batch of treasures, how could Yin Tianlei keep it? It can be seen that the most difficult thing to measure in the world is the human heart. As the saying goes, it is difficult to draw the bones of a dragon or a tiger, and you can know a person's face but not his heart. Chang Xiao's sincerity only earned suspicion.

The Divine Sword Sect is very happy these days. Duan Xiyun has been practicing swordsmanship in seclusion since he came back. Influenced by Chang Xiao, he no longer cares about winning or losing. After practicing hard for a long time, he finally made a breakthrough. After coming out of seclusion, he discussed with Zhong Wanshan, who praised him greatly and said that Duan Xiyun has realized the essence of the extraordinary swordsmanship. Duan Xiyun used to be very sharp, but after a setback, he seemed to have changed into a different person. His martial arts improved greatly, but he was unwilling to come out of seclusion. Gao Zhen would not be idle when he made progress. Besides, even if he defeated Gao Zhen, there were still two big mountains ahead, Chang Xiao and Zuixia Taoist, and it would not be easy to surpass them. So he continued to practice hard, train his disciples, and rarely left. Because of Duan Qingxiao, no force would make things difficult for the Divine Sword Sect, so the Divine Sword Sect was able to develop smoothly. Chang Xiao returned to Julong Villa, but after only two or three days, he already knew the rumors in the martial arts world. He didn't take it seriously. When he asked for his father-in-law's treasure back, he could already see the attitude of the martial arts world towards him. No matter how many good things you have done, as long as one thing is not in line with the public's appetite, you will be suspected. It is better for the thieves who have done many evil things to repent. Just doing one or two good things will be praised, such as changing evil to good, immeasurable merits, and the prodigal son returning to the right path, and the previous mistakes will be written off. Zuixia Taoist said it well, good people are bullied, and I am tolerant in everything. No one in the martial arts world is afraid of me, which leads to the current situation. However, although I understand the truth, Chang Xiao does not want to establish his authority. Others can say whatever they want, and I will go my own way. Lu Wenjun said that if there was something wrong inside the Beggar Gang, Chang Xiao would definitely ask about it if he didn't know the true identity of the gang leader. Now that he knows about Princess Rose, he doesn't care much about the Beggar Gang. It is not a glorious thing for martial artists to collude with the government, and I can't go along with them. The question in his mind was how could such a great man do such a foolish thing? As for Wu Qingyang, although he was his savior, he was always mysterious and did not have the openness of a martial artist. Therefore, he did not pay much attention to the affairs of Wuling Villa and concentrated on practicing martial arts at home.

Someone sent a letter, which was an invitation from the Dragon King of the South China Sea, inviting Chang Xiao to Wulong Island to watch the handover ceremony. Chang Xiao understood that Yan Nanlou was the Dragon King of the South China Sea's own flesh and blood, and now that he had grown strong, he could take over the South China Sea fleet. He should have gone, but in order to repay the favor, Chang Xiao did not want to deal with Yan Nanlou again, so he wrote a letter to politely decline. The Dragon King of the South China Sea was very surprised after receiving the letter. According to Chang Xiao's temperament, he would not refuse to come. Since he declined, something must have happened. So they called Yan Nanlou to ask him about it. Yan Nanlou smiled and said, "What's so strange about this? Chang Xiao has obtained a large number of treasures and can enjoy them endlessly. There is no need for him to interact with us." The Dragon King of the South China Sea changed color and said, "What are you talking about? Is Chang Xiao coveting the wealth of the South China Sea? How can you have such an idea? With Chang Xiao's ability, he can call the wind and rain in the Central Plains and get whatever he wants. He never bargains for the price when dealing with the South China Sea. If it weren't for him last time, not to mention the Haiqiu ship was in danger, the entire South China Sea's foundation would be in danger. He was in danger twice but still remained the same. Such a character is rare in the world. It seems that you don't take him seriously. You think he is just a nominal owner, but in fact, his power is far greater than you think. To tell you the truth, as long as he wants, he can cut off the lifeline of the South China Sea at any time." Yan Nanlou was shocked: "How is it possible?" The Dragon King of the South China Sea sneered: "You You may think I am exaggerating, but this is an ironclad fact. Wanqi Song of Wanxiantang gave Chang Xiao the Iron Tiger Order, which is second only to the hall master's token. He can use the power of Wanxiantang to prevent our ships from contacting the mainland at any time. "Yan Nanlou was still unconvinced and argued, "There is also Qi Shizhen. They are powerful and can fully accept all our business." The Dragon King of the South China Sea sighed, "You are just stupid, kid. What about Qi Shizhen? How capable do you think he is? He still relies on the number one swordsman to protect him. Now Chang Xiao is on par with Zuixia Taoist. Qi Shizhen will not offend him no matter how stupid he is. As long as he sends out a martial arts post, I believe no force dares to disobey. It will be too late to say anything at that time." Yan Nanlou immediately regretted his cleverness. Although he recovered some of his losses, losing such a powerful helper was indeed not worth the loss. The Dragon King of the South China Sea sighed: "Chang Xiao is a man who clearly distinguishes between gratitude and resentment, and no one can change what he has made up his mind. Although I don't know about this, I am sure that you have offended him. You have to rely on yourself in the future." Yan Nanlou knelt on the ground: "Please ask the Dragon King to step in and ease the situation." The Dragon King of the South China Sea shook his head: "Chang Xiao was eager to help Nanhai and nearly lost his life twice, but Nanhai didn't give him anything in return. Instead, it offended him. Even a wooden man would be dissatisfied. How can I have the face to see him? Even if I see him, it won't change anything." Yan Nanlou regretted it.

The matter of the Dragon King of the South China Sea passing on the throne had been decided long ago. All the island owners came to watch the ceremony. Yan Nanlou successfully took over the Azure Dragon Token and became the new leader. The old Dragon King and Taijun stayed in the Sea God Palace to retire. Yan Nanlou used Zhou Zhicheng's Jingbo Heavenly King as his name, built a palace on his own Pearl Light Island, and became the new overlord of the South China Sea. After accepting the throne, the first thing to do was to win over the hearts of the people. With the old Dragon King, everything went very smoothly. Yan Nanlou also had a worry, which was the Red Gold Token. This token was very important. To some extent, its effect was completely comparable to his own Azure Dragon Token. Now that he had offended Chang Xiao, the consequences would be disastrous if he turned against him. He had to find a way to take it back. Therefore, he made hasty preparations and led the caravan to the Central Plains. As for Lingbo Island, it was still taken care of by the old Dragon King, and there was no change. Yan Nanlou had something on his mind, and he was thinking about how to successfully take back the Red Gold Token. After thinking about it, he came up with an idea. The person who holds the Red Gold Token certainly has great power, but also has to bear great responsibilities. The old Dragon King did not make it clear at the beginning, mainly because he knew Chang Xiao's temperament. If something went wrong, he would definitely not stand idly by. Yan Nanlou made up his mind. After the ship entered the Central Plains, he immediately wrote a letter to Julong Villa, asking Chang Xiao to be responsible for contacting buyers and sellers and supervising the business. Chang Xiao couldn't help laughing after receiving the letter. Zhong Yuan beside him asked, "Why are you laughing, Master?" Chang Xiao handed the letter to Zhong Yuan and explained, "Yan Nanlou wanted to take back the Red Gold Order and deliberately made this excuse. Since I have taken the Red Gold Order, I have to take responsibility." Zhong Yuan couldn't help shaking his head: "What's this? We didn't go to him, but he got even more demanding." Chang Xiao smiled: "If he comes directly to Julong Villa and asks for it openly, I will definitely give it to him. Since he doesn't dare to come, there is no reason for me to pay attention to him. You write a letter back and say that I don't care about business matters. The Red Gold Order can only be handed over to the old Dragon King." Zhong Yuan agreed, and he despised Yan Nanlou's short-sightedness.

Yan Nanlou received a reply soon, and he knew that the gap between them was getting deeper and deeper, and it was difficult to resolve it. He had no choice but to deal with the business first. Qi Shizhen resumed the business with the South China Sea Fleet, and communicated with Wanxiantang to control the price, and made a lot of money. Jiang Feiluan of Tongtianbao focused his attention on the ninjas who sneaked into the Central Plains, and had no time to take care of other things. At this time, the Beggar Gang was really in trouble. Elder Jinchan received an order to invite Chang Xiao to serve as the deputy leader of the Beggar Gang. If he refused, he would take back the first guest token. Elder Jinchan felt embarrassed. Chang Xiao could not join the Beggar Gang. If he asked for the token back, he would definitely lose this powerful helper. But the leader's order had to be obeyed. In desperation, Elder Jinchan opened the Ziyun Cave and asked for the Beggar Gang's sacred purple wooden tablet, which had the names and life stories of the leaders of the past generations. The current leader of the Beggars' Sect, Princess Rose, does not know the rules of the Beggars' Sect and sneers at the Purple Wood God Tablet. As a result, the Beggars' Sect has a split, with some members being controlled by the leader, and the other group, with Elder Jin Chan as the core, vowing to protect the Purple Wood God Tablet. Princess Rose's side used high positions, wealth and honor to win over people and gained widespread support. Elder Jin Chan adhered to morality, and only a few people were willing to follow him, which made the elder feel embarrassed. When the crisis came, the old friends had long disappeared. The elder knew that helping him at this time was equivalent to fighting against the government. After thinking about it, only Chang Xiao could help, so he made a special trip to Julong Villa. Chang Xiao was still very enthusiastic and gave him a grand reception. After a good meal and a few drinks, Chang Xiao asked, "Elder, you look so sad. What's the matter that's hard to decide?" Elder Jinchan sighed, "Brother, I didn't have the face to come here, but the world is fickle. When they need you, they are very nice to you, but once it's your turn to ask for help, they immediately change their faces and are worse than strangers." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "As the saying goes, it's hard to climb to the sky, and it's even harder to ask for help. Coptis chinensis is bitter, and poverty is even more bitter. The spring ice is thin, and human feelings are even thinner. The rivers and lakes are dangerous, and people's hearts are even more dangerous. It has been like this since ancient times, so there is no need for elders to... "I am worried about you." These words touched the heart of Elder Jinchan, who shook his head and sighed, "These words are really true words. The most dangerous thing is the human heart. I mobilized a large number of Beggar Gang members for Wuling Villa to help them overcome many difficulties. Who knew that they turned their backs on me and didn't take me seriously at all. Now I won't hide it from you. In fact, they have a powerful backer behind them. What Zuixia Taoist is worried about is not Wuling Villa, but the person hiding behind it." Chang Xiao was surprised: "Is there such a thing? Who has such magical powers?"

This news was completely unexpected for Chang Xiao. Elder Jin Chan smiled bitterly and said, "I have been kept in the dark. I only found out recently that Wuling Villa doesn't need my help at all." Chang Xiao nodded, "No wonder. Taoist Zuixia's sword-controlling skills are simply not something that the Wu father and son can resist. By the way, Hall Master Wanqi suspected that my first meeting and confrontation with Taoist Zuixia was deliberately arranged by someone. I also have some doubts. Now it seems that the people hiding behind Wuling Villa deliberately set up a trap to test the martial arts skills of Taoist Zuixia and me." Elder Jin Chan nodded, "Now it seems to be true." Chang Xiao smiled, "Don't always talk about Wuling Villa. What is the purpose of your visit, elder?" Elder Jin Chan said seriously, "The Beggars' Sect is facing an unprecedented crisis. The current leader has ordered me to invite you to be the deputy leader of the Beggars' Sect. I am sure you will not agree. The leader actually wants to take back the token. I firmly oppose it. Yes, to the point of an open split. I took out the sacred object of the Beggars' Sect, the Purple Wood Divine Tablet, but they used high positions and generous salaries to win over a large number of backbone members and wanted to drive me out of the Beggars' Sect. "Chang Xiao nodded: "So that's how it is. Princess Rose once met with me. Logically, I shouldn't ask. Now that things have become awkward, can you explain why you let a princess from the imperial court become the leader of the sect?" Elder Jinchan no longer had any scruples and told him everything: "Brother, you don't know that the previous leader, Ye Changxing, was a superb martial artist, much stronger than me, but there was still a certain gap between him and Taoist Zuixia. Although he was not as good at martial arts, Leader Ye refused to bow to the number one swordsman. Taoist Zuixia did not press him too hard. He won the duel and left without asking any conditions. Although Leader Ye was injured, he also admired this opponent very much." Chang Xiao had come into contact with Taoist Zuixia and knew that this number one swordsman devoted himself to martial arts and rarely asked about other things. Elder Jinchan continued, "After Gang Leader Ye recovered from his injury, he was going to hand over his gang leader's token, but there was no suitable successor. Then a mysterious person appeared and entered the holy land of the Beggars' Sect, Ziyun Cave, and challenged Gang Leader Ye. According to the rules of the Beggars' Sect, the gang leader cannot refuse a challenge in Ziyun Cave, and the only way is to fight. But this mysterious person boasted that he would subdue Gang Leader Ye within three moves. Of course, Gang Leader Ye did not believe it, and even Taoist Zuixia did not have the ability to do so. So he agreed to the other party's conditions and handed over the gang leader's token if he lost. The person did what he said and won within three moves. Gang Leader Ye had no choice but to admit defeat and hand over the token. That's how the new gang leader, Princess Rose, came."

Chapter 61: Night Visit

Chang Xiao was shocked when he heard this. There was actually such a master in the world. The master hidden behind Wuling Villa was already mysterious. The person who easily defeated the leader of the Beggars' Sect was obviously better than Zuixia Taoist. This news was really shocking. Chang Xiao murmured, "I didn't expect there are such masters in the world, but why would such a master help the court? He actually gave the token to Princess Rose?" Elder Jin Chan nodded, "I don't understand either. Although the Beggar Gang does not have many masters, its disciples are all over the world. Once they are used by the court, the consequences will be disastrous." Chang Xiao was also quite worried and asked, "Where is the former leader Ye Changxing? What ideas does he have?" Elder Jin Chan shook his head, "Leader Ye was defeated in the Beggar Gang Holy Land and handed over the leader's token. He felt sorry for all the previous leaders of the Beggar Gang, so he committed suicide in Ziyun Cave." Chang Xiao sighed sadly, "What a pity, what a pity, fate has played tricks on people to the point of this. Leader Ye's cultivation is not bad, but he has bad luck." Elder Jin Chan nodded, "From the incident to now, I have inquired from many sources, but I can't find any clues about this mysterious person." Chang Xiao smiled bitterly, "Of course, such a master cannot be found by the disciples of the Beggar Gang. I'll ask someone to inquire if there is a chance. Let's not talk about this matter for now. How can the current crisis of the Beggar Gang be resolved?" Elder Jin Chan said, "Only As for taking back the leader's token, Princess Rose is not a problem, but no one can deal with the master behind her. "Chang Xiao pondered for a moment and asked, "What if the leader loses the token?" Elder Jin Chan thought without hesitation: "How can he be the leader if he can't even protect the token?" Chang Xiao nodded: "That's easy, steal the token back, and all problems will be solved." Elder Jin Chan was embarrassed: "The Beggar Gang's tokens are passed down in an orderly manner, and each time they are passed down with great solemnity. I'm afraid this method is not appropriate." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "It's urgent. "The Beggars' Sect is about to fall into the hands of the imperial court, and there is no telling how much trouble it will cause. We cannot save face at this time. If my guess is correct, the mysterious master will not be with Princess Rose, and it will not harm the reputation of the Beggars' Sect if I, an outsider, take action." Elder Jinchan nodded: "Whether it succeeds or not, the Beggars' Sect owes me a big favor." Chang Xiao smiled bitterly: "I get a headache when I mention favors. Without further ado, do you have any news about Princess Rose?" Elder Jinchan nodded: "She is still in Kaifeng, and the token is with her."

Although Chang Xiao didn't want to get involved in the disputes in the martial arts world, he couldn't change his enthusiastic habit when the time came, and he agreed without hesitation. Elder Jinchan went back to wait for news, and Chang Xiao prepared to go through Kaifeng. Lieyan is a rare BMW, and soon arrived at the city of Kaifeng. Because there was a royal princess, the guards were very strict. But for Chang Xiao, it was simply useless. The princess's headquarters was set up in a unique manor, and Chang Xiao moved in. After a thorough investigation, he found that there were many rules in the royal family, and it was easy to identify. The princess's residence was easy to find. Chang Xiao saw the location and was ready to take action at any time. At this time, Princess Rose had lost interest in the martial arts world and didn't take this gang leader seriously. In the past, it was just for the sake of novelty, but it became boring after a long time. Especially the people of the Beggar Gang were all in rags, unkempt, and uncomfortable to look at. Therefore, Princess Rose gave the token to Li Qingchen, the master of the palace who accompanied the emperor, and she only enjoyed herself in the headquarters and occasionally went out to relax. Chang Xiao went to the camp at night and happened to see Li Qingchen reporting to Princess Rose about the Beggars' Sect, so he eavesdropped outside. Li Qingchen was over fifty years old, in good spirits, with a bright light in his eyes, showing that he had profound inner strength. Chang Xiao had to be more careful, otherwise he would be laughed at if he was discovered by the other party. Li Qingchen said, "Princess, most of the people in the Beggars' Sect have expressed their willingness to obey the token. Only Elder Jinchan is clinging to the purple wood tablet and refuses to surrender." Princess Rose was a little impatient and ordered, "There are only a few people. Is it worth disturbing me? Just send someone to get rid of him." Li Qingchen bowed and said, "Princess, you don't know that Elder Jinchan's martial arts skills are extremely superb. There are few people in the martial arts world today who can kill him." Princess Rose curled her lips and said, "It's the same trick again. You praised Chang Xiao to the sky earlier, but he dared not breathe when he saw me. Elder Jinchan is not as capable as Chang Xiao. What's so difficult about dealing with him?" Li Qingchen nodded and said yes, thinking: Chang Xiao said a few polite words because he thinks you are the leader of the Beggars' Sect. If he is not as good as you, he will lose a hundred lives. You can think about it, but you can't show it on your face. Princess Rose ordered, "Since the token has been given to you, you are responsible for the affairs of the Beggars' Sect. You don't need to report to me." Chang Xiao outside immediately understood that the token was with this person, which made it easier to deal with. Li Qingchen didn't dare to say more, bowed and left, with Chang Xiao following far behind.

Wulin people have always called those who are willing to serve the court as hawks and dogs. Many sects have set up sect rules and never allow their disciples to serve the government. Chang Xiao also looked down on such people. On the surface, Li Qingchen's internal and external skills are good, and he can definitely gain a foothold in the martial arts world. But he was so humble and worked for this yellow-haired girl, which was really self-degradation. He originally wanted to get rid of this person, but then he thought that once he took action, he would be exposed. It didn't matter to him, but it would be bad if he implicated the Beggars' Sect. Because this matter involved the government, he couldn't be reckless. So he followed behind secretly, waiting for an opportunity to take action. Li Qingchen never dreamed that there would be such an extremely skilled master who was eyeing him covetously, and he arranged various matters and assigned people on his own. Chang Xiao could be sure that the token of the Beggars' Sect must be on this person, and such an important item could not be handed over to others. It was already late at night after Li Qingchen made the arrangements, and he returned to his room to rest. Chang Xiao naturally followed behind, thinking about countermeasures in his mind, and quickly made a decision. Li Qingchen returned to the house and sat cross-legged in meditation, regulating his internal breath and using the breathing technique to restore his energy. This was the result of years of hard training. One hour of breathing was equivalent to a night of sound sleep for ordinary people. Another benefit was that he could sense any small movement around him, so Li Qingchen was very relieved. Just as he was forgetting himself, a soft voice suddenly came to his ears: "Li Qingchen." Hearing these three words, Li Qingchen's heart was shocked. How could there be someone around him at this time? If there was any bad intention, he would have no power to fight back. He had no time to think about it, and hurriedly took back his true energy to his dantian, regulated his breathing, and slowly opened his eyes. He saw a person sitting on the chair in front of him, with curved eyebrows and tiger eyes, looking majestic without anger, staring at him with a smile. Li Qingchen calmed down and asked, "What kind of master are you?" Chang Xiao smiled and said, "You seem to be an old hand. How many people can come to you in this situation without being noticed?" Two people flashed through Li Qingchen's mind quickly, and he immediately made a judgment and blurted out, "Iron Arm Divine Sword." Chang Xiao nodded and said, "You are quite quick-witted. Yes, I am the Iron Arm Divine Sword."

Of course, Li Qingchen knew how powerful Chang Xiao was, and he was extremely shocked, but he was not very afraid. Since his debut, Chang Xiao rarely killed people except for revenge in Taibai Mountain, and he probably would not take his own life. So he asked, "Why did the owner of the manor visit you so late at night?" Chang Xiao said slowly, "It's for the token in your hand." Li Qingchen thought for a moment, and realized that if he lost the token, he would definitely die. On the contrary, Chang Xiao was famous for his good temper, and he let go of such a shameful humiliation as his newlywed wife's adultery, so he might not do anything to him. So he pretended to ask, "What token? Can the owner of the manor explain it more clearly?" Chang Xiao sneered, "Let's not beat around the bush. I don't have much time. Hand over the token and I'll leave immediately." Li Qingchen had to admit it, and said in embarrassment, "Hand over the token and my life will end." Chang Xiao said proudly, "You can't live without handing over the token. I know there are people behind you, but under the current circumstances, no one can save you." Li Qingchen certainly understood that since Chang Xiao dared to show up, he must be very sure, but when he thought of the master behind him, he really couldn't make up his mind. Chang Xiao acted cleanly and decisively. He said: "You have two choices now. One is that I will destroy your martial arts and take the token. The other is to give it a try and die under my sword, and the token will fall into my hands as well." Li Qingchen was really undecided. He had heard that Chang Xiao had reached the level of injuring people with his sword energy. He would only die if he attacked, but it would be better to die than to lose his martial arts. He gritted his teeth and said: "If the owner of the manor will show mercy, I am willing to hand over the token." Chang Xiao was surprised and asked: "Aren't you afraid of being hunted down?" Li Qingchen shook his head: "There is a pressing matter at hand. Let's talk about it after we pass this level." . "Chang Xiao nodded: "I know the person behind you has connections everywhere. If you hand over the token, you will be in danger of death. Maybe you can escape this disaster by hiding your identity." Li Qingchen had made a decision. He would pass this level anyway. He took out the token happily. Chang Xiao looked at it carefully, confirmed that it was correct, and nodded: "It's rare that you are so straightforward. If you encounter any difficulties in the future, you can come to Julong Villa to find me." Li Qingchen stood up and saluted: "I hope the owner of the villa will remember what I said today." Chang Xiao smiled and said: "Others may not remember what they owe me, but I will definitely not forget what I owe others, so you can rest assured." Before he finished speaking, he disappeared.

Seeing such miraculous martial arts, Li Qingchen secretly felt lucky. This person's skills were even better than the rumors in the martial arts world. He could never compare with him. Since he had lost the token and caused a big disaster, the court would not let him go, and the masters behind him would also investigate. Li Qingchen immediately made a decision. Since no one knew about his family, he immediately collected some gold and silver treasures in the camp, left overnight, changed his name, and disappeared. Ten years later, he returned to the martial arts world and earned a family business for his descendants with the help of Chang Xiao. This is a story for later. Chang Xiao returned to Julong Villa, and Elder Jinchan was still waiting. He was overjoyed to see the token and bowed down to pay his respects. Chang Xiao hurriedly supported him: "I dare not accept such a great gift." Elder Jinchan was quite excited, holding Chang Xiao's hands and said: "From now on, the owner of the villa is the great benefactor of the Beggars' Gang. I thank you on behalf of the deceased leader Ye. In the future, if you have any orders, the Beggars' Gang will go through fire and water and die without hesitation." Chang Xiao shook his head: "Elder, you are too kind. I don't deserve the word thank you for just a little effort. The rise and fall of the Beggars' Gang is related to the entire world, and it is right to contribute a little." Elder Jinchan understood that as long as the token was in hand, no one in the Beggars' Gang would dare to disobey. If you want to be an official, you can only withdraw from the Beggars' Gang first. The court wants the overall strength of the Beggars' Gang, and it is useless to win over a few backbones. After the matter was done, the elder immediately said goodbye and left, summoned people to spread the news that he would temporarily take over the leader's token and act as the leader of the gang. When the news spread, the Beggars' Gang immediately became united, and the court's plan was completely unsuccessful. When Princess Rose learned that Li Qingchen had mysteriously disappeared, she was furious and sent people to track him down, but there was no trace of him. Later, she learned that the token had fallen into the hands of Elder Jinchan, and she immediately realized that someone had tampered with it. The matter was of great importance, so she reported it to the court and asked people to come to discuss it. Two days later, a mysterious guest came to the camp. Without notifying anyone, he came directly to Princess Rose's residence. Princess Rose was not angry. When she saw this person, she half-saluted: "Master is here." The person nodded, sat opposite the princess, took off the bamboo hat on her head, and turned out to be an old woman with gray hair, but she was energetic and her eyes were bright. It turned out that this person was the master who taught Princess Rose martial arts. The Plum Blossom Mother, who was as famous as the Nanhua Mother, was a predecessor of the Emei Sect.

After sitting down, Princess Rose frowned and said, "Master, Li Qingchen is missing, and the token has fallen into the hands of Elder Jinchan. All our plans have failed. What if our father blames us?" The Plum Blossom Mother nodded, "This matter is indeed a bit tricky. We ignored him, but he came to us. This time we can't let him go no matter what." Princess Rose asked, "Who is the person Master is talking about?" The Plum Blossom Mother smiled and said, "It's Chang Xiao. He is the only one in the world who can do such a thing." Princess Rose didn't understand, and continued to ask, "Master, how do you know it's him? I've seen this person, and he doesn't have any skills." The Plum Blossom Mother shook her head, "The reputation of the world's number one swordsman is not gained out of thin air. Only he and Taoist Zuixia can make Li Qingchen obediently hand over the token." Princess Rose knew that Taoist Zuixia was the number one swordsman and had been famous in the martial arts world for many years. She asked, "Why is it Chang Xiao and not Taoist Zuixia?" The Plum Blossom Mother was quite sure, "If it was Taoist Zuixia, he would definitely take Li Qingchen away 's life and took the token. Now that Li Qingchen has seized the gold and silver and fled, this must have been done by Chang Xiao. "Princess Rose gritted her teeth and said, "I will immediately order the officers and soldiers to destroy Julong Villa." "The Holy Mother of Plum Blossoms said hurriedly, "No, the affairs of the people in the rivers and lakes must be resolved by the rules of the rivers and lakes. Once the official army is used, we will be passive." Princess Rose didn't understand and asked, "Why?" The Holy Mother of Plum Blossoms sighed, "People in the rivers and lakes have always been reluctant to deal with the government. The attack of the official army on Julong Villa will cause many people to turn to Chang Xiao's side." Princess Rose curled her lips and said, "What's the big deal about an ordinary citizen? If you dare to go against the court, just chop him off." The Holy Mother of Plum Blossoms shook her head and said, "Things are far from as simple as the princess imagined. Chang Xiao's cultivation is rare today, and with the dragon scale sword, thousands of troops can't do anything to him. If you provoke him, anything can happen." Princess Rose disagreed, "What can I do if I provoke him? Does he dare to raise the flag and rebel?"

It turned out that this princess didn't know much about the world of martial arts. She just wanted to go out and relax after living in the deep palace for a long time. The Plum Blossom Mother certainly understood that if the government troops were really sent out, no one knew what Chang Xiao would do. With his ability, it would not be difficult for him to enter the palace and chop off the emperor's head. So she tried her best to persuade the Rose Princess not to interfere in this matter and let herself handle it. The Rose Princess always believed that her martial arts had surpassed her master and was much better than Chang Xiao. She thought to herself that if she dueled with the number one swordsman and stabbed Chang Xiao with the sword, her name would spread throughout the world of martial arts and she would be famous. When this idea was put forward, the Plum Blossom Mother laughed in her heart. You are not qualified to challenge Chang Xiao with this ability. It's really a fantasy. So she persuaded from another side that the royal princess was of noble status, and Chang Xiao was just a grass-roots person, not qualified to compete with the princess. Only then did the Rose Princess give up the idea. After comforting her apprentice, the Plum Blossom Mother discussed how to reply to the court. This plan mobilized a large amount of manpower and material resources, and of course there was an explanation for being ruined by Chang Xiao. If it were any other official, no matter if you were of the first or second rank, your head would be in 90% danger of being killed. Now that she was the emperor's biological princess, the imperial edict only gave her a few mild reprimands and that was it. Princess Rose didn't take it to heart and continued to enjoy the scenery and taste delicious food. The Plum Blossom Mother left the camp and immediately sent a message to launch an action against Chang Xiao. Wuling Villa had been peaceful for many days, but suddenly someone sent an order, which made Wu Qingyang feel awkward. The order required Wuling Villa to concentrate its forces to deal with Chang Xiao. Zuixia Taoist was already difficult to deal with, and it was impossible to provoke Chang Xiao with the current strength, and Wu Qingyang was unwilling to conflict with Chang Xiao. Although the idea was good, the old owner was still there, and it was not Wu Qingyang's turn to make the decision. The old owner followed the order and immediately arranged for people to take action. The order made it clear that there was no need for a head-on conflict, just create some small troubles to trip up Chang Xiao's hands and feet. Because of the internal strife in the Beggar Gang, Qi Shizhen's relationship with Chang Xiao was also unstable, and the people of Wuling Villa took action without being noticed by Chang Xiao. It just felt that things were suddenly happening more frequently in Julong Town, and there was a characteristic: they seemed very serious, but upon closer inspection, they were all trivial matters. Chang Xiao immediately felt that someone was behind this.

Chapter 62: A distinguished guest arrives

This matter is easy to understand. If I help the Beggars' Sect, I will naturally offend the other party. The current situation is just a small trouble, and the more serious ones are still to come. So I handed over the affairs of Julong Town to Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai brothers. In addition to accompanying my wife and children, I was busy practicing martial arts. At this time, Julong Villa has become the focus of attention of all parties, and Chang Xiao has become an important figure in the martial arts world, but Chang Xiao himself does not think so. The various forces are fighting each other, and neither side is simple. Julong Villa is alone, with only himself and Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai brothers, and they have to divide their attention to protect women and children, so they are not a threat to any party. But others don't think so. Chang Xiao has a very good relationship with people, and all aspects give him face. He already has strong strength. In addition, his swordsmanship is the best in the world, and no one can underestimate him. The first one to cause trouble for Chang Xiao was Wuling Villa. Even if others told Chang Xiao, he would not believe it. Wu Qingyang and his son had received his assistance, and it was impossible for them to attack Julong Villa. Things are unpredictable, Chang Xiao closed the door and practiced hard, preparing for the ups and downs in the future. The internal turmoil of the Beggars' Sect has not been settled. Wuling Villa has turned back to deal with Chang Xiao. Yan Nanlou of the South China Sea Fleet intends to distance itself from him. Although Zuixia Taoist has had contact with Chang Xiao, Qi Shizhen and Jiang Feiluan still hate Chang Xiao. Only Wanqi Song of Wanxian Hall is the same as always, but Wanxian Hall also has problems. The main reason is still the seizure of power. Wanqi Song intends to let Lu Wenjun take over as the head of the hall, but Mo Qilin of Jiangnan is unwilling to accept it. How can the foundation he has worked so hard to build fall into the hands of outsiders? He has repeatedly requested to return to Xuchang but failed, so he sent his think tank, Zhuihunzhen, to the headquarters, and brought a group of confidants to important positions to lay the foundation for the future. Such thoughts cannot be concealed at all. Wanqi Song understands, and Lu Wenjun also understands. If Lu Wenjun is dissatisfied, it is likely to cause internal strife, but Lu Wenjun does not want to be the head of the hall at all. Although being the head of the hall is glorious on the surface, you have to be careful at all times, and any negligence will leave disasters. Besides, Wanxian Hall is powerless to fight against the power of Zuixia Taoist, and has to rely on others for support. There is no point in being the hall master.

As the saying goes, a man may not harm a tiger, but a tiger may hurt a man. Lu Wenjun does not want to be the head of the hall, but Mo Qilin does not think so. No matter what Lu Wenjun's attitude is, this person has threatened his position and must not be kept. No one knows his son better than his father. Wanqi Song knows his son's intentions and his son's abilities. He is not the material for being the head of the hall in any way. But Lu Wenjun is not interested in the position of the head of the hall, so he can only let his son place his confidants. The soul-chasing needle has some strategies, using both kindness and force to win people's hearts and win over many people. Most people in Wanxian Hall already know that Wanqi Song is going to abdicate, and the next head of the hall can only be Mo Qilin. No matter how talented Lu Wenjun is, he is still an outsider and can never be as close as his own son. Therefore, many people try to please Mo Qilin and leave a way out for the future. Lu Wenjun is very shrewd. He sees the current situation. Once Mo Qilin is fully grown, he will get rid of himself. Instead of waiting for the future to turn against each other, it is better to withdraw as soon as possible and leave the place of right and wrong. After making up his mind, he handed over all the matters in his hands to the Soul Chasing Needle and said goodbye to Wanqi Song. It was not that Wanqi Song did not want to stay, but he had no reason, so he had to agree, and specially prepared a huge sum of money for Lu Wenjun to start a family. Lu Wenjun accepted it, this was what he deserved, there was no need to refuse. He packed up and left, and none of his fellow apprentices who had worked with him for several years saw him off, because they were afraid that Mo Qilin would get suspicious after becoming the hall master. Although Lu Wenjun understood, he always felt a little sad in his heart, the indifference of human nature, the cruelty of the world, and he ended up in such a situation once he lost power. He was going to go back to his hometown, but then he thought that he should tell Chang Xiao about the change of ownership of Wanxian Hall, and he should also say goodbye when he left, so he rode alone to Julong Villa.

Chang Xiao didn't know about Wanxian Hall, and devoted himself to hard training, preparing to deal with the invisible strong enemy. Hearing that Lu Wenjun came alone, he felt strange and set up a wine reception in the hall. Lu Wenjun always respected Chang Xiao. After the ceremony, he said, "Master, I have left Wanxian Hall and am ready to return to my hometown to start a family. I came here to inform you." Chang Xiao frowned. In addition to Wanqi Song, Lu Wenjun was the most talented person in Wanxian Hall. How could he let him go easily? So he asked, "Does your master know?" Lu Wenjun nodded, "I have said goodbye to my master. My master gave me a sum of money to let me settle down." Chang Xiao thought about it and guessed 80% of it. He nodded and said, "It's better to leave Wanxian Hall. Mo Qilin is far inferior to his father. If I stay, I will tear my face sooner or later. It's better to withdraw as soon as possible." Although Lu Wenjun knew it in his heart, he still felt a little disappointed to leave Wanxian Hall suddenly. After working hard for several years, he only got a sum of money, which made him feel that the gain was not worth it. Chang Xiao advised: "You don't have to be discouraged. A blessing in disguise. Nowadays, various forces in the martial arts world are fighting openly and secretly. Although Wanxian Hall has a lot of people, it is at a disadvantage. No one can afford to offend it. Even if you become the hall master, you will inevitably be bullied. It is better to be free and easy in the mountains and rivers." Lu Wenjun nodded: "Actually, I think so too, but I can't help but feel unwilling that no one saw me off when I left." Chang Xiao smiled and said: "What's the big deal? The fickleness of human nature is caused by the current trend. It is like this in the officialdom and the martial arts world. Haven't I experienced it?" Lu Wenjun knew that Chang Xiao was very happy. Chang Xiao thought of something and asked, "Master Ling gave me a token, but I have never used it. What is its use?" Lu Wenjun smiled and said, "The Iron Tiger Token is on par with the Hall Master Token among all the tokens in Wanxian Hall. It can change the Hall Master's instructions. If something happens to the Hall Master, everyone must follow the Iron Tiger Token." Chang Xiao had never paid attention to this token. Now he knows that the Iron Tiger Token is as important to Wanxian Hall as the Red Gold Token is to the South China Sea Fleet. Knowing the details, Chang Xiao did not think about how to use the power of Wanxian Hall to make profits for himself, but was thinking that once Mo Qilin became the master of Wanxian Hall, he would return the Iron Tiger Token to save himself from worrying. During the dinner, Chang Xiao specifically asked Zhong Yuan to select a dozen treasures he brought back from the desert to give to Lu Wenjun. Lu Wenjun naturally declined. Zhong Yuan smiled and said, "Just take it. In today's world, there are not many people who can receive gifts from the owner of the manor." Lu Wenjun immediately understood the meaning of his words, thanked him and accepted them, then said goodbye and left.

After seeing off Lu Wenjun, Chang Xiao thought about the situation in the martial arts world. He had no idea at all. Once Lu Wenjun left, Wanxiantang would surely fall into the hands of Mo Qilin, and he didn't know what would happen. After several years in the martial arts world, he was still like the leader of the Julong Gang, busy for a long time but ended up with nothing. Since he had no clue, he simply gave up and lived his own life behind closed doors. The various forces continued to fight openly and secretly for their own interests. On the surface, the side of Zuixia Taoist had an absolute advantage, but with the intervention of the government, it was much more complicated. Chang Xiao understood that there was still a follow-up to his taking away the token of the Beggar Gang, and he could not take it lightly and be careful and alert at all times. One day, a guest arrived, but he was the world-famous number one swordsman. Chang Xiao was surprised. Zuixia Taoist rarely revealed his identity publicly. This time he was out of character, and he might have something important to discuss with him. He hurried to greet him, and it was indeed Taoist Zuixia. The two of them came to the viewing tower and sat opposite each other. Chang Xiao asked, "What big event could alarm the immortal?" Taoist Zuixia smiled and said, "I'm nothing special. I just have a bit of reputation. Forget the polite words. Brother, do you know where the people who have been causing trouble in Julong Town recently are from?" Chang Xiao shook his head, "I don't know, and I have no way to find out. The Beggars' Sect is in turmoil and I can't help." Taoist Zuixia sighed, "I'm afraid you won't believe it. It's the people from Wuling Villa who are causing trouble for you." Chang Xiao was stunned, "How is that possible?" If someone else said it, Chang Xiao would definitely not believe it, but the person in front of him was the famous No. 1 swordsman, and there was no reason to deceive himself. Taoist Zuixia smiled and said, "I understand your feelings. After much investigation, it is indeed the people from Wuling Villa who are causing trouble. It is obvious that they are instructed by someone. This person is my real opponent." Elder Jinchan once mentioned that there is someone backing Wuling Villa. Although Chang Xiao knew it, he was not willing to point it out. He nodded and said, "From the situation, it is indeed the case." Taoist Zuixia stroked his beard and pondered, "The old owner of Wuling Villa has already achieved great cultivation, and he thinks highly of himself. Who can completely control this power?" Chang Xiao asked, "Can't Qi Shizhen's people find out?" Taoist Zuixia shook his head, "Such a master cannot be known by ordinary people. Let's not talk about this for now. Elder Jinchan of the Beggar Gang suddenly set up his own sect and abolished the leader. Do you have any news, brother?"

Chang Xiao felt a little embarrassed when he heard this. This was a private matter of the Beggars' Sect and it was not easy to mention it to outsiders. The eyes are the windows to the heart. When Chang Xiao's eyes moved, Taoist Zuixia already understood and said with a smile: "Although I know it, it is not easy to tell it. I understand." Chang Xiao's face turned red, and he changed the subject and asked: "I heard that the Immortal had a fight with Ye Changxing, the former leader of the Beggars' Sect. How was it?" Taoist Zuixia recalled and said: "That was a long time ago. Ye Changxing's boxing and palm skills were famous in the world, but his weapons were not as good. Although I won with a sword, I have to admit that my boxing and palm skills were not as good as his. Later, I heard that Ye Changxing committed suicide out of shame and anger. I have never understood it. With his temperament, it is impossible for him to commit suicide. Besides, there is no condition for our fight, and it does not damage the reputation of the Beggars' Sect. Why do this? Moreover, the Beggars' Sect has no intention of seeking revenge on me. This problem has troubled me for many years." Chang Xiao hesitated. It should be irrelevant to the overall situation, and there is nothing wrong with telling it, but without the permission of Elder Jinchan, it is not good to publicize the secrets of the Beggars' Sect. After thinking for a moment, he said: "Master, there is a hidden story behind this matter. It concerns the reputation of the Beggars' Sect. If I tell it, I hope you won't spread it to others." Taoist Zuixia smiled and said: "I am a cultivator and I won't make fun of others." Chang Xiao knew that Taoist Zuixia had a respected status and would not speak nonsense, so he told him the real reason why Ye Changxing committed suicide. After listening, Taoist Zuixia looked quite solemn. Defeating Ye Changxing in three moves, this kind of martial arts is really unbelievable. After a moment of silence, Taoist Zuixia wondered, "Why didn't this person become the leader of the Beggars' Sect after getting the leader's token, but gave the token to someone else?" Chang Xiao asked, "Why do you think he didn't become the leader of the Beggars' Sect?" Taoist Zuixia smiled and said, "If the leader of the Beggars' Sect really has this ability, why would he hide it? How could he collude with the government? How could Elder Jinchan destroy him with his ability?" Chang Xiao nodded, "Your words make sense. In your opinion, what is this person's intention?" Taoist Zuixia shook his head, "It's not clear yet, but the identity of this person can be confirmed. He is the mastermind behind Wuling Villa, that is, Duan Qingxiao, the founder of the Divine Sword Sect." Chang Xiao was surprised, "How could it be him?"

Taoist Zuixia's words were shocking. Chang Xiao was greatly surprised and asked, "Why are you so sure?" Taoist Zuixia sighed lightly, "Duan Qingxiao is the biggest knot in my heart, and it has not been untied for many years. I am not bragging. In the whole world, no one has this ability except Duan Qingxiao. He is the only one who can defeat Ye Changxing within three moves." Chang Xiao nodded. He had never thought about it carefully. He just thought that there were hidden dragons and crouching tigers in the world, but he didn't expect Duan Qingxiao. So he asked again, "How do you know that Duan Qingxiao is the person behind Wuling Villa?" Taoist Zuixia smiled and said, "Hua Mengdie once led the Netherworld Swordsmen to attack Wuling Villa with all their strength, but they encountered a mysterious person. In Hua Mengdie's words, when they met this person, let alone fighting back, they couldn't even parry. I was sure at that time that except for Duan Qingxiao, Qingxiao has no one else. "Chang Xiao said his doubts: "There are many masters in the world, maybe there are other masters." Zuixia Taoist shook his head: "To become a master, it is far from enough to practice hard in the mountains. You should understand that it is impossible to become a master without experience in the world." Chang Xiao nodded in approval: "Yes, it is impossible to become a talent without going through wind and rain." Zuixia Taoist continued: "That's right, the masters who have become famous in the world are all in my heart. No one has this ability. There is no one else except him. According to my speculation, Duan Qingxiao should have a special purpose for doing this. Fame and fortune have no attraction to him. Is he looking for power? "Since ancient times, what makes men most addicted is not gold and silver treasures, nor stunning beauties, but power. Take whatever you want, say what you say, wave your hand, thousands of people go through fire and water, that feeling is really indescribable. Chang Xiao used to be the leader of the Julong Gang and experienced the joy of commanding thousands of troops. He sighed and said, "It seems that only power can move Duan Qingxiao's heart. Why does he collude with the government? Does he still want to be an official?" Taoist Zuixia shook his head and said, "What he wants to be is the overlord of the world. That is more glorious than the emperor. He is almost omnipotent and has no restrictions." Chang Xiao was confused. It was really hard to predict that the master he had always admired would appear in this way. He didn't expect that a master like Duan Qingxiao would also want to get involved in the world.

Duan Qingxiao was once a powerful figure in the martial arts world, and he was invincible. After he killed the Red Spirit God with his sword, he was even more powerful in the martial arts world, and the world was looking at him with awe. Now was the best time to become the overlord of the martial arts world, so why wait until he was old and retired to take action? Chang Xiao raised the doubts in his mind, and Taoist Zuixia thought for a moment and said: "In my opinion, Duan Qingxiao did not want to be the overlord of the world at that time, he just wanted to be a master. But his apprentice was not motivated, his son was not suitable for practicing swordsmanship, and he had no soulmate, so he decided to retire. Once he retired from the world, he didn't know what to do, so he was bound to have wild thoughts. He would start to act without considering the consequences when he found a target by chance." These words made sense, and Chang Xiao nodded in agreement: "The real person is really smart, and this is probably the case. Since Duan Qingxiao wants to get involved in the world, I'm afraid no one can compete with him. What are the real people's plans?" Taoist Zuixia was quite confident: "Since Duan Qingxiao is going to return to the world, the world is bound to be turbulent. I am going to hold a competition to attract the attention of all the people in the world and profit from it." Chang Xiao asked: "Who will be arranged for the competition?" Taoist Zuixia pointed with his finger: "It's You and I, let's have a formal duel at the top of Mount Tai, Jade Emperor Peak. I believe it will attract more than 90% of the people in the martial arts world. "Chang Xiao was stunned: "The real person wants to compete with me. Is it to exchange martial arts or a life-and-death duel?" Taoist Zuixia laughed and said, "How can we fight to the death without the protagonist appearing? This is a play for the world to see, to test the true position of various forces. Now it can be confirmed that Wuling Villa is on Duan Qingxiao's side, and the attitude of others is still hard to say. The positions of Yan Nanlou of Nanhai, Wanqi Song of Wanxian Hall, and Elder Jinchan must be clarified. In addition, I really want to see what level my brother's swordsmanship has reached, and whether he can compete with this senior strange man. "Chang Xiao nodded and smiled, "I also want to experience the sword-controlling skills and sword energy of the first swordsman." Taoist Zuixia stood up: "That's it, I will notify you when everything is arranged. Goodbye. "

Chapter 63: Scratching an itch

The news that the No. 1 Swordsman and the Iron-armed Divine Sword will fight on the top of Mount Tai has caused a sensation in the martial arts world. Since Duan Qingxiao killed the Red Spirit God with a sword on the top of the Jade Emperor, no one has dared to fight there for many years, fearing that they would be laughed at by their friends in the martial arts world. In the current martial arts world, there are only these two people who are qualified to fight on the top of Mount Tai. For a time, all forces focused their attention on Mount Tai. Everyone wanted to know whether the swordsmanship of the No. 1 Swordsman was better or the Dragon Scale Sword of the Iron-armed Divine Sword was more powerful. Therefore, the foot of Mount Tai became lively, and the four townships and eight towns were full of people from the martial arts world, which scared the local prefect. Tens of thousands of people from the martial arts world gathered together, and they didn't know what would happen. Later, they learned that it was for a martial arts competition. Just when they put their minds at ease, news came that Princess Rose was also going to watch the competition, and the prefect's heart was lifted again. There were so many people from the martial arts world, including many martial arts masters, and the servants under his command had no way to protect the princess's safety. This is the difficulty of being an official. You worry about gains and losses every day, and you may lose your job if you are not careful. Later, the princess sent someone to tell them that they only needed to prepare the headquarters. The princess had practiced martial arts for many years and did not need anyone's protection. Of course, the prefect did not believe that the royal princess was willing to work hard. She had only learned a few fancy moves and pretended to be good. If she met a master, she would be vulnerable. After sending someone to inquire, the prefect was relieved to know that the princess was protected by a master from the imperial palace. It was best not to take responsibility. Princess Rose was indeed going to watch the competition. Since it was a big event that shocked the martial arts world, it was natural that she could not hide it from her. The princess was arrogant and always regarded herself as a master. She thought to herself: Chang Xiao's skills were not very good. Maybe she could show off her skills and let the world know that she was the real master. Only in this way could she return to the palace to be appreciated by her father and envied by her brothers and sisters. She came to the headquarters with a large crowd and sent someone to ask. The news she got made the princess very angry. It turned out that Taoist Zuixia said that this competition was the same as Duan Qingxiao's battle with Chi Lingshen, and no one was invited to watch. Princess Rose came here in high spirits, but was very unhappy to hear that she could not watch the battle in person. She ordered her palace masters to go to the Jade Emperor Peak to watch the battle no matter what. Although her subordinates reluctantly agreed, everyone knew that the two contestants were the top masters of the time, and they did not take the current emperor seriously at all, let alone the princess.

In fact, many people from the martial arts world came to Mount Tai without expecting to watch the battle with their own eyes. Such a competition between masters would not tolerate hundreds of people watching and making noises around them. The reason they came was just to know the result of the competition as soon as possible and to determine who is the best master of the day. This competition did alarm a lot of people. Everyone from the Divine Sword Sect came, including Jiang Feiluan and Qi Shizhen. Wan Qisong from the Wanxian Hall led all his disciples, Mo Qilin, and the Soul Chaser to Mount Tai after leaving everything behind. In addition, the new leader of the South China Sea, Yan Nanlou, Wu Qingyang from the Wuling Villa, and the heads of the major famous families also arrived. Although the elder Jinchan of the Beggar Gang did not show up publicly, 90% of them came. Gao Zhen and Yu Hudie deliberately did not come. The protagonists of this event were Chang Xiao and Zuixia Taoist. It was not the turn of others to steal the limelight, even if it was the most beautiful woman in the world, so the two deliberately avoided it. Yin Tianlei stayed in the Fire God Palace and did not care about what was happening outside. Since Duan Qingxiao retired, Zuixia Taoist has always been recognized as the best master in the martial arts world. Later, Chang Xiao rose to prominence in the martial arts world, and his dragon scale sword dominated the world for a time. After defeating Wanqi Song, he became the number one swordsman, on par with Zuixia Taoist. The winner of the duel between the two was naturally the leader of the martial arts world, so this battle received unprecedented attention. As for Duan Qingxiao's affairs, only Chang Xiao and Zuixia Taoist knew about it, and it is still a secret so far. The people in the martial arts world are respected for their martial arts, and the rules of the famous and upright sects are strict. The martial arts masters have their own tempers. Others have nothing to complain about, and they can't blame others for their lack of skills. This is an unwritten rule, and the people in the martial arts world recognize it. But here comes a royal princess, who usually commands everyone to do what she wants, and whips and punishes people around her at will. Beheading is also a common thing. Even the court officials have to act according to her eyes. Develop an arrogant spirit, and say what she means. In addition, she thinks too highly of herself, and doesn't take this rule to heart at all, and insists on going to Yuhuangding to watch the battle.

Now the people around were in a dilemma. Even the abbot of Shaolin Temple and the head of Wudang Sect were not qualified to watch the fight. Princess Rose's skills were not worth mentioning. But they could not say it clearly, so they could only persuade her in various ways. The two people fighting were top masters. The sword and knife energy could reach ten feet away, and there was no sign of injury. It was invisible and it was not something Princess Rose could resist. Princess Rose did not believe that there was such martial arts in the world, and she was furious. At this time, the Holy Mother of Plum Blossom came hurriedly, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Princess Rose was very respectful to this master. After the greeting, she took a seat. The Holy Mother of Plum Blossoms asked with a smile, "Princess, what's wrong with you?" Princess Rose waved her hand to let others go, and said angrily, "Master, you don't know, I wanted to go to Jade Emperor Peak to watch the fight. It would be fine if they couldn't do it, but they said that the sword and knife energy emitted by the two people in the duel were so powerful that they could kill people from ten feet away. Isn't this alarmist? Where in the world can there be such magical martial arts?" The Holy Mother of Plum Blossoms shook her head, "Princess, you don't know, they didn't mean to deceive you. In fact, real masters can indeed extend their internal energy to several feet away through the weapons in their hands." After hearing this, Princess Rose lowered her head and said nothing, still half believing and half doubting in her heart. The Plum Blossom Mother saw it and continued to explain, "There is a martial art called Eight Steps to Light, which is to extinguish the candle flame with the palm wind from eight steps away. In fact, it is an extension of internal energy. When applied to swords and knives, it is knife energy and sword energy. This skill is extremely powerful, but the process of practicing is extremely difficult. In the past hundred years, few people have reached this level." The Rose Princess nodded and said, "Even if there is this skill, Chang Xiao can't practice it. I think he is ordinary and nothing special." The Plum Blossom Mother smiled bitterly and said, "Chang Xiao is a deep and introverted person. He is wise but foolish. He will not show his martial arts unless it is absolutely necessary. The princess only met him in a hurry and it is difficult to tell the depth of this person." The Rose Princess reluctantly agreed and asked, "According to what Master said, if the two people in the duel can really kill people from ten feet away, then they are omnipotent, right?" The Plum Blossom Mother nodded, "You can also say that there is nothing in the world that can stump such a master, but when martial arts reach this level, the gold, silver, treasures, beauties and fine wines that ordinary people are obsessed with have lost their meaning." The Rose Princess smiled and said, "Wouldn't that make you a wooden man."

After the persuasion of the Plum Blossom Mother, Princess Rose finally gave up the idea of watching the fight, and she was no longer so confident in her martial arts. If Chang Xiao really practiced to the point where his sword could hurt people, she would never be able to compare with him. It seemed that she had made a mistake. In fact, the royal princess was high up, and she always looked down at the common people. It was impossible for her to look closely, let alone think too much. Although Princess Rose gave up the idea of watching the fight, she was unwilling to return empty-handed. She wanted to visit Mount Tai. Fortunately, there were many scenic spots in Mount Tai, so it was worth the trip. In fact, Mount Tai's Riguan Peak was higher than the Jade Emperor Peak, but the Jade Emperor Peak was the main peak, which was naturally more attractive, so the location of the martial arts competition was set at the Jade Emperor Peak. Although tens of thousands of people from the martial arts world came, no one saw the two masters of the martial arts competition, but everyone understood that such masters would not break their promises. The emperor's golden words were often not counted, but the words of the top masters were real and true. This martial arts competition was indeed a big deal. It was not only for the competition for the position of the top master, but also affected the future pattern of the martial arts world, so it received unprecedented attention. Someone first discovered that Chang Xiao's BMW Lieyan was playing in the mountains, and the news spread that Chang Xiao had arrived. Wu Qingyang felt uncomfortable. Since he was here, he should have said hello to him. What was the point of being silent? Wanqi Song understood that this competition was of great importance and he could not be distracted by anything. People from all walks of life speculated and talked about it. No one expected that the two masters who were about to compete were roasting corn in a secret place in the mountains, chatting and laughing, and there was no hostility between them. It was ridiculous that only Lieyan knew about this location, and even the brothers Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai were unaware of it.

The two masters sat opposite each other by the fire, exchanging roasted corn and tasting the most ordinary inferior wine, enjoying themselves. Taoist Zuixia smiled and said, "My brother is more focused than I am, and the aftertaste is endless." Chang Xiao shook his head, "The Immortal has three distractions, and his methods are varied, much better than mine." Taoist Zuixia said modestly, "Three distractions are not as good as being focused. To be honest, I am not sure I can break the Fire Poison Sect's mind-controlling technique. From this point of view, my brother still has room for development, but my swordsmanship has reached its limit. One day, my brother will surpass me." Chang Xiao certainly did not think so, and said slowly, "Although the Immortal is currently in a stagnant stage, it is not the end. There is no end to martial arts, it just needs to be explored." Taoist Zuixia nodded, "Today, there is no classic book that can be used to study martial arts. "To learn from others, you have to rely on yourself to explore. What you can gain depends half on human effort and half on nature." Chang Xiao asked, "Did this competition alarm Duan Qingxiao?" Taoist Zuixia smiled and said, "Of course, he will come, but there is a 90% chance that he will not show up, and even his closest relatives will find it difficult to see him. If he is not well prepared, he will not show up in public." Chang Xiao nodded, "Of course, someone with such a high status cannot go back on his word. He must find a plausible excuse." Both of them knew when to stop. They ate and drank until they were 70% full. Seeing the moon rising high, Taoist Zuixia stood up and said, "Let's go. The scenery on the top of the Jade Emperor must be extraordinary." The sword in his sleeve shot out, and his figure followed like a flying swallow. Chang Xiao sent out a lightning shuttle and followed closely behind, heading straight for the Jade Emperor Peak. The people below faintly saw two bright lights shooting towards the top of the peak one after another, and knew that the people competing in the competition had arrived. Taoist Zuixia's sword-controlling skills are well-known in the martial arts world, but few people know about Chang Xiao's lightning shuttle. No one understands how Chang Xiao can perform martial arts skills similar to sword-controlling skills. If Yin Tianlei were present, he could still see some clues, but others would be confused. However, it is certain that the martial arts of these two people have reached the pinnacle and are indeed unmatched. This time, the duel is naturally a real skill competition. Taoist Zuixia has a long sword on his back, his expression is elegant, and his clothes are fluttering in the wind, like an immortal from Pengdao. Chang Xiao has a strong physique, a proud and heroic demeanor, like a god.

The people watching the battle below all had their own concerns. Jiang Feiluan, Qi Shizhen, and even the four famous families all hoped that Zuixia Taoist would win, but Wanqi Song believed that Chang Xiao could at least be evenly matched. Wu Qingyang had other plans. Duan Xiyun of the Divine Sword Sect had received great favors from Chang Xiao, so he naturally hoped that Chang Xiao would win. Yan Nanlou had the most complicated feelings. He lost this strong ally because of a single thought, and he still regretted it. After becoming the leader, he felt even more the importance of Chang Xiao's elimination of spies. It can be said that without Chang Xiao's help, whether the foundation of Nanhai could be preserved was a problem. However, he was so fussy that he lost a precious opportunity, so he had to find a way to make up for it. If Chang Xiao won, there would be thousands of people congratulating him, and it would not be his turn to line up. If he lost, he would definitely support him with all his strength to repay Chang Xiao's kindness. Although they were far away and could not see anything, no one complained. Who made them incompetent? The full moon was hanging high in the sky, and everything was silent. Everyone's heart was on the Jade Emperor Peak, and they had no time to care about anything else. At this time, there was a faint sound of wind, but the trees around did not move at all. Yan Nanlou was wondering, and heard Wanqi Song say: "I thought it was the sound of the wind, but it turned out to be the sound of the two people's swords and swords breaking through the air." Yan Nanlou admired in his heart, such a cultivation is indeed worthy of pride. While he was thinking about it, there were loud noises on the top of Yuhuang Peak, like thunder. Wanqi Song explained to the disciples who came with him: "This is the sound of the two people's swords and swords coming into full contact, and the collision of two powerful forces produces a loud noise. Such power is definitely not something you can resist." Yan Nanlou thought to himself: I can't resist it either, I'm afraid it will be difficult to escape. At this time Mo Qilin asked: "Dad, I heard that sword energy can take people's lives from ten feet away, but no one has ever seen it. Can you explain it to me?" Wanqi Song smiled and said, "Those who can hurt people with sword energy are all top masters. It's rare to see them. People like you are not qualified to die under sword energy." If someone else said this, Mo Qilin would immediately get angry, but it was different when it came from Wanqi Song's mouth. Mo Qilin nodded: "Dad is right. My ability is not worth mentioning. I just want to know the true power of these two masters' martial arts." Wan Qi Song naturally took care of his son and pointed out: "Didn't you see their body movements? Although the sword-controlling skill of Taoist Zuixia is not as fast as the legendary red line, it is also very fast. It only takes a blink of an eye to fly ten feet. With the sword energy, people twenty feet around him will definitely not be able to escape." Mo Qilin exclaimed: "Twenty feet, wouldn't that be a legend? But how could the owner of the manor resist?" Wanqi Song smiled and said: "Brother Chang is very secretive. No one knows where he got such a magical martial art. It is obviously not sword-controlling skill, but it is similar to sword-controlling skill."

Yan Nanlou listened carefully to the conversation between Wanqi Song and his son, not missing a single word. At this time, he already understood that Chang Xiao also had the ability of Zuixia Taoist, and could hurt people invisibly within a distance of twenty feet. Needless to say, he admired him in his heart. No matter how famous Zuixia Taoist was, Yan Nanlou had made up his mind to stand on Chang Xiao's side at all times. The competition on the top of Yuhuang Peak attracted all the people in the world, but no one was watching on the spot, so they could only guess from afar. After an unknown amount of time, the sound of metal clashing suddenly came from the top of Yuhuang Peak. Wanqi Song said, "The two have started to compete in moves. It seems that this competition will take a long time." He ordered his disciples to prepare food. Yan Nanlou was puzzled. The competition would only take an hour at most. What's the point of preparing food? He didn't take it seriously and listened to the movement on the top of Yuhuang Peak. Seeing that the east was getting white, the sound of metal stopped. Yan Nanlou thought that the competition was about to end. He was still making fun of Wanqi Song in his heart. Suddenly, a long whistle came, which resounded through the sky like a dragon's roar. Wanqi Song smiled and said, "This is a competition of internal strength. Brother Chang is really amazing. His internal strength is not inferior at all." Yan Nanlou was amazed: After such a long time of fighting, he still has such abundant true energy. It is really unbelievable. No wonder he enjoys such a great reputation. The red sun gradually rose, and two figures gradually emerged on the top of the Jade Emperor. The spectators were concentrating, and they all wanted to see the martial arts of the two top masters. The whistling sound stopped, and the figures on the top of the Jade Emperor were suddenly covered by dazzling light under the sunlight. Wanqi Song clapped his hands and said, "Zuixia Taoist used the sword control technique, and Brother Chang actually attacked against him. This is something to watch." Yan Nanlou looked carefully and saw that the light on the top of the Jade Emperor actually covered an area of 20 feet, and there were shadowy figures interspersed in it. This is what the Plum Blossom Mother mentioned. The sword control technique plus the power of sword energy can hurt people invisibly within a distance of 20 feet. Yan Nanlou felt deeply enlightened. He dared not even think about such martial arts. At this time, Wanqi Song and his disciples began to eat and drink. Yan Nanlou immediately felt thirsty. He had not eaten since he climbed the mountain, so he was inevitably hungry. At this time, he had to admire Wanqi Song's foresight.

Chapter 64: Equally matched

Wanxiantang had business dealings with the South China Sea Fleet, so Wanqi Song certainly couldn't ignore Yan Nanlou, so he sent someone to invite him. Yan Nanlou gladly came to Wanqi Song's side. After the greeting, Yan Nanlou hurried to fill his stomach, his eyes still fixed on Yuhuang Peak. Wanqi Song smiled and said, "It's hard to tell at this time. Such martial arts are far beyond our reach." Yan Nanlou admired Wanqi Song and nodded and asked, "In your opinion, when will this competition end?" Wanqi Song shook his head and said, "It's hard to say. These two people obviously want to compete with each other in everything they have learned. They also want to compete in endurance. I'm afraid it won't be finished in the middle of the day." Yan Nanlou sighed, "Such profound martial arts are really overwhelming." Wanqi Song smiled and said, "There have been few such people in the past hundred years. You are still young, so there is no need to be discouraged." Yan Nanlou smiled bitterly, "No matter how hard I try, I can't reach this level." Just as Wanqi Song expected, Chang Xiao and Zuixia Taoist wanted to pour out all their life's learning, take this opportunity to give each other some advice, learn from each other's strengths and make up for their weaknesses, so the time of the competition is unpredictable. Wanqi Song has always lived in harmony with all parties. He ordered his men to prepare food for the other people watching the battle, which invisibly improved the reputation of Wanxian Hall. The red sun slowly rose, and the competition on the top of the Jade Emperor Peak continued, with no intention of stopping. Martial arts are all-encompassing, and both of them are top masters. The competition naturally consumes a lot of effort. The people watching the competition below all admired it. Such a level of cultivation is indeed worthy of being a martial arts master. Unknowingly, the red sun has reached the top of the head, but the competition has not ended yet. The people watching the competition are a little bit tired. The hardship of the two people in the competition can be imagined. It was no longer the bright morning scene, only flashes of cold light could be seen from time to time. Yan Nanlou humbly asked: "Master, what kind of kung fu are you competing in?" Wanqi Song replied: "This is a speed test to see who is faster. It seems that the two people are not competing to determine the winner, but to exchange their martial arts experience." Yan Nanlou was puzzled: "Why do you think so? The winner will be the leader of the martial arts world. Isn't it worth striving for this goal?" Wanqi Song shook his head: "When martial arts reach that level, fame and fortune have long been left behind, and winning or losing is not important. If there is even a trace of greed in the heart, it is difficult to display such magical martial arts." Yan Nanlou nodded: "I really benefited a lot from listening to what the master said."

The people watching the fight were talking about it and speculating with each other, but the fighters were completely absorbed in the fight and had forgotten everything else. Internal strength, swordsmanship, swordplay, lightness, concentration, endurance, speed, all kinds of skills were tested one by one, and the gap between them was very small. In some aspects, Zuixia Taoist had the upper hand, and in some aspects, Chang Xiao was ahead. After many competitions, it was still a draw. Unknowingly, the red sun had set in the west. The people watching the fight had already eaten two meals and were too lazy to talk. They just waited for the result. Many people found a place to rest. Anyway, they couldn't see it, and it was enough to know the result. Yan Nanlou refused to leave, thinking to himself: I want to see how long you fight. The crowd had long lost the enthusiasm at the beginning. Although they admired the martial arts and endurance of both sides of the fight, they didn't have much heart to watch. Yan Nanlou could not help but ask, "Master, it's been almost a day and a night, why hasn't it ended yet?" Wanqi Song smiled and said, "It will be soon. According to the current situation, the winner should be known when the moon is full." Yan Nanlou praised, "After competing for a whole day and night, your endurance is amazing." As expected by Wanqi Song, at midnight, there was a dense sound of weapons clashing on the top of Jade Emperor. Wanqi Song asked his disciples, "Who knows how many moves the two have made in this instant?" Mo Qilin said first, "As fast as a rainstorm, at least more than eight hundred moves." Wanqi Song shook his head. Some of the disciples said more than a thousand moves, and some said more than a hundred. When they said five hundred moves, Wanqi Song always shook his head. Yan Nanlou couldn't help but say: "In my opinion, the two of them only used one move." Mo Qilin laughed and said: "Impossible, what move can attack more than a thousand swords in a row?" Wanqi Song solemnly said to his son: "How can you understand? The two of them really only used one move, but this move is all-encompassing. It is the essence of their martial arts. One becomes ten, ten becomes a hundred, a hundred becomes a thousand, endless, and absolutely difficult to resist." Mo Qilin was amazed and said: "It's really brilliant, and it's beyond reach." Wanqi Song knew that it was almost impossible to surpass these two people, and he didn't blame Mo Qilin for not making progress. But it can be seen that Yan Nanlou still has great potential. In time, he will definitely make a name for himself in the Central Plains.

The competition on the Jade Emperor Peak finally stopped. Everyone wanted to know the result. A figure slowly approached. Everyone looked closely and found that it was Chang Xiao. So some people speculated that the loser of this competition was probably Taoist Zuixia. After a day and night of fierce fighting, Chang Xiao did not show any sign of fatigue. He greeted everyone with a smile. Duan Xiyun asked first: "Master, where is Taoist Zuixia? Did you lose the competition and feel embarrassed to see people?" Others were also very concerned. Chang Xiao shook his head: "No, Taoist Zuixia and I have our own strengths. No one can gain the upper hand and share the same glory. Taoist Zuixia is used to quietness and not to lively scenes. I will leave first." Wanqi Song had guessed 80% of it and praised: "Brother, your martial arts are really improving by leaps and bounds. You are outstanding." Mo Qilin smiled and said: "Not only outstanding, but also reaching the pinnacle." Chang Xiao has never been complacent. He smiled and said: "There is still a long way to go. I am really tired after fighting hard for a day and a night. I will leave first." He left and returned to Julong Villa. The spectators dispersed and spread the news. Although there was no winner, this result was not surprising and all parties could accept it. Chang Xiao was indeed exhausted. This competition was very strenuous. He recovered after half a day of rest after returning home. Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai did not watch the competition either, but they were not surprised by the result. They were happy for Chang Xiao. After this competition, Chang Xiao would be recognized by all the martial artists. Sure enough, a few days later, news came that the Master Lingmu of Shangqing Palace jointly issued a martial arts post with the three masters of Shaolin, Wudang, and Huashan, honoring Chang Xiao and Zuixia Taoist as the North and South Kunlun. The green forest people expressed it in another way, drafting a couplet to praise the two masters: The sword is like thunder and spreads thousands of miles, and the sword energy soars into the sky and shakes the nine states. These two sentences represent the two masters. Even the government knows that the martial arts world has produced two top masters of the North and South Kunlun. Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai told Chang Xiao the news with great joy. They thought Chang Xiao would have a banquet to celebrate, but Chang Xiao frowned. Zhong Yuan asked, "Master, why are you not happy about such a big happy event?" Chang Xiao sighed, "What kind of happy event is this? It's nothing more than a little more false reputation. I feel that something is wrong here, as if someone deliberately arranged it. Master Lingmu has always had an opinion about me and it is impossible for him to change his opinion. This time he is out of character and there must be something else going on." Zhong Hai didn't care, "Master and the first swordsman are equally matched. The old Taoist is scared."

Most people would think so, but Chang Xiao understood that these famous and upright sects were very self-righteous and would not easily change their ideas. He should not be blinded by the achievements in front of him. The situation in the martial arts world was very complicated, and he had to be more careful in everything. Suddenly, a group of mysterious guests came to visit. They turned out to be the priests of the Fire Poison Sect. Chang Xiao felt funny in his heart. He had seized a large number of treasures from the Fire Poison Sect. This time, they came to settle accounts, but there was nothing to worry about. So they entertained them in the hall, setting out fine wine and delicious food. The priest of the Fire Poison Sect was still the old woman from before. She bowed first. Chang Xiao smiled and said, "A guest is a guest. No need to be polite. Sit down and talk." After sitting down, the priest began to speak, "The last time we met, it was a quick meeting and I didn't have time to ask about each other. Later, when I came back to Central Plains, I found out that you are a famous martial arts master with a very respected status." Chang Xiao shook his head, "You don't understand the affairs of the Central Plains martial arts. Last time I robbed a batch of your treasures in the desert. It's a bit unfair to say that if you come to ask for them back, I will give you half as a favor." The priest said solemnly, "You have cracked the magic of my sect twice, so it is right to get treasures. Today, we are not here to ask for treasures, but to give gifts." Chang Xiao understood that when you give gifts to others, you must have something to ask for, so he hurriedly said, "Don't rush to look at the gifts first, tell me what it is." The priest said solemnly: "Our sect would like to invite you to be the Holy King of the sect." Chang Xiao immediately refused: "I will not join the Fire Poison Sect." The priest did not hold out much hope, and continued: "Since you are unwilling, our sect will not force you. Now a powerful group of killers threatens our sect, can you lend a helping hand?" Chang Xiao was stunned. He should know that there were killers in the Central Plains, so he asked: "Where do these killers come from?" The priest replied: "From faraway Japan." Chang Xiao immediately remembered that he had killed five so-called ninjas, but he did not take it seriously later. Only when the priest mentioned it did he remember it, nodded and smiled: "I have killed five killers, these people are nothing special." The priest thought to himself: You are not afraid, but we can't deal with them. These people come and go without a trace, they are cruel and ruthless, greedy for money and lustful, and they are really not easy to deal with.

After the priest reminded him, Chang Xiao immediately thought that these Japanese killers must have bad intentions when they crossed the ocean. They colluded with the government and didn't know what they were up to. So he asked, "Where did you get the information about these killers?" The priest smiled and said, "My sect has its own way." Chang Xiao thought for a moment and said, "Since the Japanese killers have sneaked into the Central Plains, I will naturally deal with them. I won't accept your gifts. The last batch was enough for me to spend. Since you have news about these people, you might as well tell me so that I can start investigating." The priest intended to show the magic of the Fire Poison Sect. Someone held up a large crystal ball. The priest stared at it intently. After a while, his expression suddenly changed and he said in surprise, "It turns out that their appetite is so big. More than 100,000 people have entered the Central Plains in batches." Chang Xiao didn't think so. How could he know what was happening far away by looking at the crystal ball? Seeing that Chang Xiao didn't believe it, the priest explained, "The crystal ball has mysterious magic. Not only can it know the news from far away, but it can also predict the future." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "In that case, just take a look at what my future will be like." The priest looked at it again with a frown, and said after a while, "There is a bloody battle waiting for you, and a huge conspiracy accompanying you. You will fall from the peak to the trough." Chang Xiao knew that Duan Qingxiao was plotting against him, and he believed the priest's words a little, and asked, "What about my friends?" The priest shook his head, "You will lose your closest friends, and your relatives will also be injured." Chang Xiao was always skeptical and didn't take it seriously. The priest didn't insist and said solemnly, "Your Excellency can first see if the matter in Japan is true. My sect is preparing to go north to take shelter for a while." Chang Xiao nodded, "Since you have such ability, you should avoid danger and seek good fortune. The affairs of the Japanese people concern the people of the Central Plains, and I will definitely deal with it." The priest nodded, "I believe you have this ability, and we'll say goodbye." Chang Xiao insisted on not accepting gifts and sent the people from the Fire Poison Sect away. After returning to the hall, he immediately asked Zhuang Yuan to go out and investigate. The news he brought back really shocked Chang Xiao. Sure enough, a large number of Japanese people came to the Central Plains, and the court officials arranged accommodation for them. The total number was indeed more than 100,000. Chang Xiao knew that these people had bad intentions, but why did the government allow them to stay? No matter what, he had to find out the whole story.

At this time, all parties were cleaning up their own mess and didn't care about other things. By the time they figured out the situation, Jiangsu and Zhejiang were already in chaos. These Japanese attacked at the same time, burning, killing, looting, and poisoning lives. The people suffered countless casualties, and they called these Japanese pirates Japanese pirates. Most of the officials appointed by the government were corrupt officials. When they encountered danger, they would flee first. The escape of officials and the garrison naturally did not work. The urgent chapters were sent to the capital like snowflakes. But the emperor was celebrating the queen's birthday, singing and dancing, and such a big thing was put aside. Soon the news of the Japanese pirates spread all over the country, the number of refugees reached one million, and the court ignored the lives of the people. Chang Xiao couldn't sit still. First, he took out the gold and silver treasures in his home, asked Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai to try their best to resettle the victims, and he rode alone to Jiangsu and Zhejiang to investigate. Along the way, the disaster was indeed serious. Wherever the Japanese pirates passed, there was only a mess, corpses everywhere, and almost all women were raped. Chang Xiao suppressed his anger. These Japanese pirates were not human beings at all. They were worse than beasts. They should be killed. A small town was found ahead. Chang Xiao watched carefully and found that although there were still some residents here, they were also panicked. They were all carrying large and small bags and walking to the north. Chang Xiao sighed in his heart. These local officials usually abused their power and oppressed the people. When it came to the critical moment, the first thing they thought of was their own lives and property. They deserved to die more than the Japanese pirates. With dry food and some water from the well, he was ready to look ahead. Suddenly, a team of yamen runners rushed into the town with an official. The official was not very old and said loudly: "The Japanese pirates are behind us. Everyone flee to Yangzhou as soon as possible." As soon as these words came out, the residents became more panicked and cried. Chang Xiao was a little puzzled. There were still officials at this time. It seems that there will be exceptions after all. The official was attracted to Chang Xiao at the first sight. The famous Nan Kunlun was certainly different. Although he was fleeing, the official was polite and approached with a fist: "Where does this warrior come from?" Chang Xiao nodded slightly: "Julong Mountain, since the Japanese pirates are coming soon, why don't you run for your life?" The official said solemnly: "As an official of the court, I should think about the people. How can I abandon them? I will leave after the people have left." Chang Xiao knew that it was impossible to seek fame at such an emergency. This official was indeed an honest official who cared about the people. So he smiled and said: "It seems that you are blessed and protected by God. With me here, no matter how many Japanese pirates there are, they can't hurt you."

Although the situation was urgent, the official determined that Chang Xiao was not an ordinary person. He looked at him carefully and asked, "You look familiar, sir. Have you been to Chunhua Town?" Chang Xiao shook his head, "I have traveled all over the world and can't remember many place names." The official became more and more certain as he looked at him, and asked, "Have you ever carried a large package?" Chang Xiao was stunned. It was impossible for this official to know this. He nodded immediately: "Yes, sir, how did you know that?" The official bowed to the ground: "I was thinking you looked familiar, it turns out to be you, my benefactor. Do you remember Zheng Silang?" Chang Xiao suddenly remembered that he had helped two people out of a desire to do good, and Zheng Silang was one of them, so he smiled and said: "It turned out to be you. I couldn't recognize you in your official uniform. When you haven't seen someone for three days, you really have to look at him with new eyes." Zheng Silang sighed: "If it weren't for you, my benefactor, I couldn't even keep my ancestral property, let alone be an official. I should have paid homage with a grand ceremony, wearing an official uniform and representing the laws of the country. Please don't be surprised, my benefactor." Chang Xiao certainly didn't care: "Don't pay attention to the details. What official position did you get?" Zheng Silang smiled bitterly: "Jinhua Education Commissioner, a fifth-rank title, is the most impoverished government office." Chang Xiao shook his head: "For you... The government office is a lucrative position if it falls into the hands of others. There are many candidates taking the exam, and there is a lot of money to be made. "Zheng Silang said solemnly: "The candidates have worked hard to study, how can you bear to plunder them?" Chang Xiao nodded secretly, thinking that his original decision was not wrong. He felt a little strange and asked: "Since you are the academician, you have no right to ask about other things. You should escape as soon as possible. Why are you delaying until now?" Zheng Silang sighed: "The Japanese pirates were in chaos, and before they reached Jinhua, the prefect had already fled. Officials at all levels rushed to escape, not caring about the lives of the people. Although I am the academician, I am also a fifth-rank official of the court. Naturally, I cannot abandon the people. It's a pity that the prefect actually brought all the official troops with him. I can't defend the city, so I can only try my best to evacuate."

Chapter 65: Corrupt Officials Harm the Country

Chang Xiao was investigating the situation of the Japanese pirates and unexpectedly met an old friend. The two chatted and the yamen runners around them were anxious. The Japanese pirates were coming in a blink of an eye, so it was not the time to talk. Chang Xiao naturally didn't care and asked, "Are these yamen runners all your subordinates?" Zheng Silang shook his head and said, "No, these runners are from every yamen. They just saw that I didn't run away and followed me. They got together temporarily." Chang Xiao nodded, "Don't worry, no one can hurt you with me here." Zheng Silang believed that Chang Xiao was Li Jing, and that people like Qiu Ranke must have extraordinary abilities. He said confidently, "Without your help, I wouldn't be where I am today. I would rather hand my life over to you." Chang Xiao praised, "You are really courageous. Let's go to the restaurant in front for a drink." Although Zheng Silang was a weak scholar, he was more generous than many martial artists. The two walked into the restaurant hand in hand. The officers who followed him complained bitterly, and Zheng Silang scolded him, "If you want to escape, you can leave. You are not my subordinates, and there is no restriction on you." An officer came forward and said, "If you want to escape, you would have escaped long ago. We just see that you are really thinking about the people and disregarding your own lives. Since you want to stay, we should follow you. Even if we die, we will have a good reputation." Chang Xiao nodded, "People's nature can only be seen in a crisis. Don't worry, God has eyes and will not let you, the righteous men, die." The officers made up their minds and entered the restaurant together. There was no one here. Some officers went to the kitchen to clean up some dishes. Chang Xiao and Zheng Silang sat opposite each other upstairs, chatting and laughing, and did not take the Japanese pirates seriously at all. When the Japanese pirates started to riot, they were also afraid of the encirclement and suppression by the government troops, so they always gathered together, and each group had at least 10,000 people. Later, when they found that the officials were taking the government troops to escape, these Japanese pirates became bolder and robbed separately, with two to three thousand people in the big group and four to five hundred people in the small group. The pirates who chased here were a small group of Japanese pirates, but they were delayed because of the lack of horses. After rushing into the town, they saw that it was quiet and there was no movement. The streets were in a mess, which was obviously caused by the panic when fleeing. These pirates kept saying bad luck and were listless. They were destined to return empty-handed this time. Passing by a restaurant, they saw people talking and laughing upstairs. The pirates were very surprised that there were people there at this time. After a closer look, they found that there was an official drinking. The pirates were overjoyed. It turned out that as long as they caught up with an official, they could get a large number of treasures. The pirates believed that officials in the Central Plains were very wealthy. However, they did not know that they were unlucky and met the top masters in the martial arts world. Their lives were in danger in an instant.

The two men in the restaurant were chatting and laughing, not taking the Japanese pirates downstairs seriously at all. The officers were determined to die, so they just went for it. The Japanese pirates were a little confused when they saw this. This scene was really incredible. A Japanese pirate screamed and rushed upstairs with a knife. Immediately, more than a dozen people followed him. They rushed up the stairs quickly. They were still a few steps away from the table, but suddenly fell down on the ground. Zheng Silang and the officers were terrified and forced to smile. Seeing such a scene, their faces turned pale. Chang Xiao ordered: "You guys put these corpses aside and feed them to wild dogs. These beasts are not worth burying." Several officers looked at each other and felt incredible. More than a dozen fierce Japanese pirates went upstairs and fell down inexplicably, and turned into corpses. It was really unimaginable. Seeing that the officers did not believe him, Chang Xiao smiled and said, "The Japanese pirates are also human beings, not evil gods. Even if they are evil gods, there is nothing to be afraid of if they are dead." One officer bravely stepped forward to test and exclaimed, "They are really dead." The other officers immediately came over, and sure enough, the dozen Japanese pirates had died. The strangest thing was that there was no wound. The officers were shocked and carried the bodies to the side. Zheng Silang exclaimed, "The benefactor actually has such a skill. Li Jing and Qiu Ran Ke are no better than this." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "When we got rid of the five Japanese ninjas, these people reacted well and had some unique features. I thought these Japanese pirates were similar, but they were not much better than ordinary people. They died under the sword energy. It's a relief for them." The officers were stunned and regarded Chang Xiao as a god. With such a person, the Japanese pirates are not a concern. Zheng Silang became more and more sure of his vision, and simply let go of his arms and raised his glass to toast. The pirates downstairs were still waiting for news, but there was no movement for a long time, and the upstairs was still the same. The pirates couldn't help but wonder, how come there was no movement when more than a dozen people went upstairs?

By this time Chang Xiao had already understood that these Japanese pirates were far inferior to ninjas and not much stronger than ordinary people. They were only able to run rampant because of their ferocity. It would be a waste to use his swordsmanship to deal with them. But when he thought of the numerous crimes committed by the Japanese pirates, he couldn't help but feel angry and said with gritted teeth: "Since these Japanese pirates are so conscienceless, I will send them to the underworld to vent the anger of my fellow villagers who died." Zheng Silang stood up and toasted: "On behalf of the suffering villagers, I would like to offer a glass to you." Chang Xiao smiled: "In the past, Guan Yu drank warm wine and killed Hua Xiong, which has been passed down as a good story for thousands of years. Today I will follow suit and send these beasts to the gates of hell before drinking this cup." Zheng Silang praised: "What a great statement. I look forward to hearing from you." Chang Xiao floated out through the window. The power of the dragon scale sword was simply not something these Japanese pirates could resist. Zheng Silang looked down from a high place and saw a whirlwind sweeping into the group of Japanese pirates, followed by weapons flying and heads rolling. The result of the top swordsman in the martial arts world dealing with these Japanese pirates can be imagined. Hundreds of Japanese pirates died in confusion before they could figure out what was going on. In less than a cup of tea, Chang Xiao had returned to the upper floor and sat down. There was no blood on his body. The officers were stunned. Was he a human or a god? Hundreds of lives were lost so quickly. No one would believe it if they told others. Chang Xiao drank up the wine in the cup and smiled, "It was a great pleasure to kill today." Zheng Silang bowed and said, "If you are willing to come forward, the Japanese pirates are not a concern. I wonder if you can stand up for the people of Jiangsu and Zhejiang?" Chang Xiao pondered for a moment and shook his head slightly, "It's not that I don't want to vent for the people. If I come forward to summon the martial arts people, I can indeed eradicate the Japanese pirates, but the foundation of a country lies in the people. It takes a thousand days to raise an army and a moment to use it. Resisting foreign enemies is the job of the official army and the responsibility of officials in the court. I can't interfere, not to mention that the rule of martial arts people is not to work for the government." Zheng Silang said, "Can you watch the people of Jiangsu and Zhejiang being harmed by the Japanese pirates?" Chang Xiao said solemnly, "One should not interfere in the affairs of others if he is not in the position. The emperor enjoys the offerings of the people of the world, and the officials are pampered and should help the people. When encountering major events, they make all kinds of excuses and are greedy for life. If you are afraid of death, why should you enjoy the blood and sweat of the people? In my opinion, these people are even more despicable than the Japanese pirates. If you want to kill someone, kill the tyrant first. "Zheng Silang was shocked. With this person's ability, it would not be difficult to get rid of the emperor. He thought about it and quickly changed the subject: "What you said, benefactor, makes sense. Governing a country is like treating an illness. No matter how good a doctor is, the patient must work hard on his own and cannot rely solely on medicine." Chang Xiao was just angry at the moment. He didn't really want to kill the emperor. It was fine to say it. When it comes to the future, Chang Xiao said, "There is a kind of ninja among the Japanese pirates who specializes in assassination. It is easy to assassinate court officials. I will solve this matter. As for the Japanese pirates, the court will have to find a way. I don't need to say much about selecting generals and sending troops. The people must cheer themselves up and work together. The Japanese pirates are nothing to worry about." Zheng Silang nodded: "I remember what you said, benefactor."

After all, it is not safe here. Zheng Silang wants to report to the court and send troops as soon as possible to save the people from their misery. He summoned officials to rush to Yangzhou. Chang Xiao still went south to investigate the situation of the Japanese pirates. This time, the action was just a slight punishment. To solve the fundamental problem, the people and the court had to find a way. As for the ninja, it was related to the martial arts world, so they could be eliminated. After a round, it seemed that it was not easy to catch the whereabouts of the ninja. It was really difficult to do it alone, but it would take some thought to find someone to help. To find the whereabouts of the ninja, it would definitely not work to rely on the Beggars' Sect. The Japanese pirates never left anyone alive wherever they passed. The Beggars' Sect disciples did not have any outstanding masters, so it was difficult for them to take on this task. They should find some light-weight masters to help. There was no such person in Wanxiantang either. Only Qi Shizhen controlled a group of them, but he and Qi Shizhen were not quite right, so it was not easy to ask him for help. Just when he was in trouble, someone delivered a letter. Chang Xiao took a look and found it was Qi Shizhen's invitation. So he gladly accepted the invitation. It was indeed Qi Shizhen. When they met, they clasped their fists and said, "The owner of the manor has been honored as Nan Kunlun and has become a master of martial arts. I am very rude for not congratulating you." Chang Xiao returned the greeting and said, "Manager Qi, why are you so polite? Nan Kunlun is just an empty name. I am still me, the same as before." Qi Shizhen nodded and said, "Only by having no thoughts of fame and fortune can one become a master of martial arts. The owner of the manor deserves the title. I admire you. I won't say any polite words. The Japanese pirates are rampant and we can't sit idly by. When I learned that the owner of the manor was going south, I guessed that he wanted to deal with the Japanese pirates. Just tell me if you have any instructions. The people are displaced and suffering everywhere. No Chinese man can tolerate this. Our past conflicts are not worth mentioning." Chang Xiao thought to himself: It seems that Qi Shizhen is also a man at heart. The situation was urgent, Chang Xiao immediately said: "It is the government's business to expel the Japanese pirates, and it is not easy for martial artists to intervene. However, those ninjas are not something that court officials can deal with. I plan to get rid of these ninjas, but I can't find their whereabouts." Qi Shizhen nodded: "My people have been keeping a close eye on these people. Since the Japanese pirates started the riot, these people have been responsible for sneak attacks. When they encounter a city with strong defenses, they will sneak attack at night and open the city gates. The people have suffered a lot. The Japanese are strictly divided into different levels. The residences, diets, and clothing of ninjas are very different from those of ordinary Japanese pirates. It is easy to find them, but these people are more sensitive than wild animals and cannot be approached." Chang Xiao smiled and said: "I have eliminated five ninjas, and their abilities are not worth mentioning." Qi Shizhen nodded: "It is a blessing for these ninjas to die under the dragon scale sword of Nan Kunlun."

With the help of Qi Shizhen, everything was solved, and the residence of the ninjas was soon found out. However, these ninjas rarely gathered together, so it was not easy to catch them all in one fell swoop. Moreover, these ninjas had a unique way of contacting each other. Once someone got into trouble, others would know about it immediately and respond immediately. Things were a bit tricky. Qi Shizhen's people were quite capable and were very careful in doing things. They did not reveal any flaws and were careful to investigate. Chang Xiao understood that if they could not catch them all in one fell swoop, these ninjas would lurk in the Central Plains and would cause endless trouble. Haste makes waste. Chang Xiao waited patiently for the opportunity and always wanted to catch all these ninjas in one fell swoop. At this time, news came that the court sent the Minister of War to lead 200,000 troops to the south. It was originally a good thing, but this Minister of War was a notorious corrupt official. The war was urgent, but he deliberately delayed, plundered gold and silver everywhere, and did not take the people of Jiangsu and Zhejiang seriously. Chang Xiao expected that this military expedition was destined to be a waste of money and effort and nothing would be accomplished. The affairs of the court have nothing to do with the people of Jianghu. Qi Shizhen sent a message that all ninjas gathered together to prepare for a sneak attack on Haining City. Chang Xiao set off immediately. This opportunity should not be missed. He rushed to the city of Haining. There is a governor guarding the city here. Tens of thousands of elite soldiers have been resisting the Japanese pirates with the tall city walls for several months. It’s not that the governor really cares about the people, but there is a prince living in Haining City. If something happens to the prince, the governor’s head will definitely move, so he led a heavy army to guard the city. When he came to the city, the city gate was closed and no one could open it. Chang Xiao prepared and lurked at the foot of the city wall at night. The moonlight was very bright, and there was silence all around. Seeing the broken limbs and arms, weapons and flags left by the Japanese pirates attacking the city during the day, he felt a special feeling. A thin mist appeared in the distance. Chang Xiao knew that this was a trick used by ninjas. He thought: Today is your death day. I wonder if these Japanese people will also go to Senluo Palace to listen to the punishment of the King of Hell. The ninjas were extremely fast and good at disguise, so the soldiers on the city walls were unaware. These ninjas quickly crossed the moat, one by one, and soon approached the top of the city wall. Chang Xiao was somewhat impressed. It was not easy to do this, and they must have worked hard. It was a pity that this skill was not used in the right place. Seeing that the ninjas above had already climbed to the top of the city wall, Chang Xiao did not hesitate any more. A faint knife light flashed under the moonlight, and the ninjas climbing the city wall died in a daze. The people guarding below were still wondering, and they only felt the cold wind blowing, and they walked into the gates of hell, and they didn't even know who died.

After finishing the work, Chang Xiao did not stay any longer and left quietly, which was really unknown to people and ghosts. After meeting with Qi Shizhen, Qi Shizhen raised his thumb and said, "The sword of the owner of the manor did not have a trace of fireworks. It was a stroke of genius and deserved the title of Nan Kunlun." Chang Xiao did not care: "These ninjas are used to assassination. This way of death is a compliment to them. What we should worry about now is not the Japanese pirates, but the Minister of War. A general is incompetent and thousands of soldiers are exhausted. It is not a pity for such a corrupt official to die, but the 200,000 soldiers will be pitiful." Qi Shizhen persuaded: "The people of Jianghu do not ask about the affairs of the court. They can solve the affairs of the government by themselves. The owner of the manor has helped them a lot by getting rid of the ninjas." Chang Xiao shook his head and sighed, and disappeared into the night with Qi Shizhen. The Japanese pirates had planned to wait for the ninjas to open the city gates and then rush in, but there was no movement at all. They sent people to investigate and found that all the ninjas had died under the city walls. They were shocked and sent people to quietly transport the bodies back. It was hard to imagine that the ninjas, who had always been invincible, were completely wiped out. During the discussion, someone reported that the Minister of War had sent someone to deliver a letter. The Japanese pirates thought it was a letter of challenge. They called him in and asked him about it. It turned out that the Minister of War was timid and cowardly. He privately sent someone to promise to use 400,000 taels of silver as a condition for the Japanese pirates to retreat. The leader of the Japanese pirates learned that the ninjas had been completely wiped out and Haining City could not be captured. He was about to retreat. Why not get 400,000 taels of silver for free? So he agreed and agreed to a feigned confrontation the next day, pretending to be defeated and retreating. Preparations were made overnight. The next day, the Minister of War bluffed and led the soldiers to wave flags and shout, and the gongs and drums were loud. The Japanese pirates did not contact the officers and soldiers at all and retreated by boat. The Minister of War was very proud of this. He submitted a petition to the court to ask for merit and reward the soldiers. He also plundered the local area and returned to Beijing with a full load. When Chang Xiao first received the news that the Japanese pirates had retreated, he still felt strange. How could such a corrupt official dare to lead the troops in person? Later, Qi Shizhen sent news that the Minister of War had used 400,000 taels of silver to bribe the Japanese pirates. Chang Xiao was furious and wanted to cut the Minister of War into pieces several times. After thinking about it, he still endured it. The first-rank official was involved in a wide range of affairs. It was not a blessing for the country to act rashly. If troops were sent to seal the seaport and take precautions, the Japanese pirates would not come again. However, the Minister of War was eager to ask for merit and reward, and sent the soldiers back to various places. Chang Xiao predicted that it would not be long before the Japanese pirates would come back. However, the court thought that the great success was accomplished, celebrated and continued to enjoy themselves, and did not take the disaster relief funds allocated to Jiangsu and Zhejiang seriously. After layers of exploitation, only one in ten fell on the heads of the people. The common people were ravaged by the Japanese pirates and were exploited by the Minister of War. Needless to say, they suffered a lot. Finally, they escaped with their lives, but they could only barely stabilize their family business. One wave has not settled, another wave has risen. Chang Xiao's judgment was correct. The Japanese pirates were greedy and were unwilling to give up after tasting the sweetness. It didn't take long for them to come back, and the people of Jiangsu and Zhejiang fell into dire straits again.

Chapter 66: Shocking Incident

This time, there were more people coming than last time, and the attacks were more vicious than last time. The suffering of the people in Jiangsu and Zhejiang can be imagined. Chang Xiao thought that the court would learn from the lesson and send capable people instead, but it turned out to be the Minister of War, who said that the last time the Japanese pirates were wiped out, they had done a great service to the country and were the pillars of the country. Not only was Chang Xiao disappointed, but the people in Jiangsu and Zhejiang were also quite indignant, but the imperial edict had been issued and it was impossible to change it. The Minister of War still planned to use gold and silver to open the way, and the price was 800,000 taels, but he didn't know that Chang Xiao had secretly made a move last time, and this time the Japanese pirates were coming with such force that it was impossible for them to stop. However, the Japanese pirates were extremely cunning, and they agreed to the conditions first, and were ready to turn their faces after receiving the silver. This large sum of money naturally had to fall on the people. The local officials were rubbing the land three feet, and the people were gnashing their teeth in hatred, but there was nothing they could do. When the two armies faced each other, the Minister of War thought that the Japanese pirates would retreat like last time. Unexpectedly, the Japanese pirates rushed over in several directions. The Minister of War panicked and turned around and ran away. When the commander ran away, the soldiers naturally scattered. The Japanese pirates won a great victory and took advantage of the situation to invade various places and rampant. Chang Xiao focused his attention on the Japanese ninjas. These people had almost no humanity and did not even care about their own lives. They had to be eradicated at all costs. With the help of this martial arts master, the famous Nan Kunlun, the Japanese ninjas did not play any role at all. However, the government army was miserable. They lost their armor and were defeated. The Minister of War summoned a large number of troops to retreat to Yangzhou, only caring about saving his own life and trying to hide this defeat. Thanks to several upright young men among the new scholars, who were not afraid of the powerful, they reported the defeat of the Minister of War to the emperor. The emperor was furious and sent someone to lock up the Minister of War and bring him to Beijing, and sent another wise commander to lead the army to fight the Japanese pirates. Chang Xiao didn't have much hope. Officials were corrupt and few were truly capable. Qi Shizhen sent news that the new official was indeed talented. A few days after taking office, he selected 100,000 elite soldiers and fought a decisive battle with the Japanese pirates under the city of Haining. Although the Japanese pirates were fierce, they did not know how to fight, and were defeated by the government troops in one battle. Chang Xiao breathed a sigh of relief. With this beginning, things would be easier in the future.

The Japanese pirates were defeated, and the people responded in unison, working together with the government troops to defeat the enemy. The Japanese pirates soon lost their foothold and fled back to Japan in a panic. Although the war stopped, the suffering of the people in Jiangsu and Zhejiang has not ended. Their houses are gone, their property is lost, and even their food and clothing are difficult to solve. Chang Xiao wanted to take out all his property, but there were so many hungry people, and the number was too large. Suddenly, he remembered the treasure guarded by Yin Tianlei's master Xinghe Yesou, which should be useful at this time. So he immediately contacted Yin Tianlei. At this time, Yin Tianlei was practicing martial arts in the Fire God Palace, and another important thing was to train the descendants of his senior brother Gao Zhen. After receiving the letter, he was overjoyed, and he could finally fulfill his master's last wish. So he immediately asked Chang Xiao to come forward to take out the treasure. Chang Xiao thought it would be best to let Gao Zhen come forward for this matter, but this man was greedy for money, and seeing such a large treasure would inevitably produce selfishness. So he asked Wanxiantang for help, first spread the word, and made the treasure of Prime Minister Li Gang public, and then informed the martial arts world about the disaster relief, so that no one would be embarrassed to have any crooked ideas. Then he invited the eminent monk Baekje Master to preside over the disaster relief, and Gao Zhen, as a descendant of a noble family who had guarded the treasure for many years, participated in the matter, which was foolproof. Wanqi Song was very smart and publicly announced that Wanxiantang allocated one million taels of silver to donate to the people of Jiangsu and Zhejiang, which naturally received a lot of praise. Gao Zhen was shocked to learn about this. His father clearly gave him the treasure, so where could there be another treasure? He specifically asked his junior brother, and Yin Tianlei told him the whole story. Gao Zhen sighed and said, "It's all my fault that I am unfilial and made my father go through so much trouble. It turns out that my father gave me the treasure accumulated by my second uncle. In this case, my junior brother simply took out the treasures I hid in the escort agency to help with the disaster relief, which can also be regarded as comforting my father's spirit in heaven." Yin Tianlei was overjoyed, and being able to say such words proved that Gao Zhen had indeed changed a lot. Everyone can trust Master Baekje, so he is the most suitable person to lead the disaster relief. With the help of all parties, things are progressing very smoothly. Chang Xiao has never appeared in public, and the elimination of ninjas is also carried out in secret, and the disaster relief is hidden behind the scenes. This is the merit of Prime Minister Li Gang and the loyalty of the Gao family. There is no need for me to take credit for it. After the disaster relief, Gao Zhen's reputation has improved a lot, and the people of Jiangsu and Zhejiang are grateful for the merits of Prime Minister Li Gang.

Seeing that the matter was resolved satisfactorily, Chang Xiao still returned to Julong Villa and set up a banquet to celebrate. Zhong Yuan smiled and said, "After being busy for a long time, our brothers have gained some good reputation. The owner of the villa has been running around, but all the credit was taken by others. I always feel uncomfortable when I think about it." Chang Xiao shook his head: "As long as the matter is resolved satisfactorily, it doesn't matter who is responsible. The matter of the Japanese pirates has come to an end, but there are still undercurrents in the world and we must not take it lightly. You brothers are not young anymore, you can't always waste your youth here. Since I have become Nan Kunlun, Julong Villa should be fine. I will take out a treasure tomorrow and you brothers can start a family and build a career." The two brothers also had this idea. Chang Xiao was respected as Nan Kunlun, and it was impossible for anyone to cause trouble at his door. A real man cannot always live in the shadow of others, so the two nodded in agreement. Chang Xiao has always been a loyal and honest person. He sighed and said, "You brothers have helped me a lot. If you need anything, just tell me and I will do my best to assist you." Zhong Hai hurriedly said, "What are you saying, Master? We brothers have learned a lot from you, and you have helped us even more." Chang Xiao nodded and said, "Your master is famous all over the world, not because of his martial arts. You brothers certainly understand the reason. I don't need to say much about what we should do in the future." Zhong Yuan nodded and said, "Your master is right. My brother and I plan to build a manor at the intersection of land and water, do some business, stockpile rice, provide relief to the needy people at any time, and try not to associate with people from the martial arts world." Chang Xiao quite approved of Zhong Yuan's plan. It was troublesome to deal with people from the martial arts world, so it was better to concentrate on doing good deeds.

After the agreement, Chang Xiao personally prepared for the two brothers. The two brothers said goodbye and left Julong Villa. Chang Xiao took the time to study martial arts. He was only on par with Zuixia Taoist. Since Duan Qingxiao, who was higher than Zuixia Taoist, intervened in the affairs of the martial arts world, there would be contact sooner or later. At present, he had to make more preparations. Suddenly, someone came to visit. The name tag was Gao Zhen and Yu Hudie. Chang Xiao was stunned. These two people had some prejudices against him. Why did they come here? Princess Yueying was quite happy and shouted, "Sister Yu is here. I want to greet her." Chang Xiao followed. The visitors were indeed Gao Zhen and Yu Hudie. After the disaster relief work was done, Gao Zhen was deeply touched. What is his goal? The Tongtian Fort that he built with great effort in the past fell into the hands of others in the blink of an eye. He practiced swordsmanship hard in order to become famous, but no one looked up to him. The gains from this disaster relief were much greater than those from the past few years of running around. Gao Zhen liked to compare with Chang Xiao the most. Looking at Chang Xiao's gains, he could conclude that he was on the wrong path. The gap was not big at the beginning, but a few years later, Chang Xiao became a martial arts master, recognized by all factions as Nan Kunlun, while he was still wandering in the martial arts world, without even a decent home. Although he had fine clothes and delicious food every day, he could not get respect from others at all. He felt discouraged when he thought about it. His biological father actually handed the treasure to a stranger. But there was nothing to complain about. If it fell into his hands, it would definitely fall into someone else's pocket along with Tongtian Fort. He could only blame himself for not living up to his expectations. This visit was to sincerely seek advice. When would his wandering in the martial arts world end? Chang Xiao was still very enthusiastic and set up a banquet to entertain them. During the meal, when he asked about disaster relief, Gao Zhen blushed and said, "The owner of the manor has a broad mind. I really admire him. If it weren't for the owner's proper handling, I would be ashamed to see our ancestors." Chang Xiao shook his head and said, "Brother Gao, you have lived in the mountains for a long time. It is understandable that you are confused by material desires. You don't need to blame yourself." The two talked about the affairs of the martial arts world. Princess Yueying took Yudie to the back to chat with Princess Huaying. Naturally, the three beauties talked endlessly when they met.

Gao Zhen came to ask for advice on what to do in the future. Chang Xiao smiled and said, "Brother Gao is a smart man. It is better to train the people around you carefully than to recruit and deploy them. The Nether Swordsman was an example. As long as you are strong enough, no one dares to look down on you." Gao Zhen nodded and asked, "In your opinion, where should I settle down?" Chang Xiao blurted out without hesitation, "Of course the Fire God Palace. You have the help of heavenly thunder, and the disaster relief work has far-reaching influence. As long as you are willing to work hard, it won't take long for you to gain a place in the world." Gao Zhen was overjoyed: "Thank you for your guidance, Master. Although the Fire God Palace no longer has treasures, the palace is still there. As long as we work hard to manage it, it will be valued by the martial arts world sooner or later." Gao Zhen was very happy after hearing Chang Xiao's words. He quickly made a decision in his heart and felt that the trip was worthwhile. Talking about swordsmanship, Gao Zhen smiled bitterly and said, "At the beginning, I thought that the Seven Styles of Fiery Sun were extremely powerful and could completely threaten the owner of the manor. But today, it seems that I have no hope of surpassing it in this lifetime." Chang Xiao also had concerns in his heart and shook his head slightly, "I'm under a lot of pressure too. The title of Nan Kunlun is 90% likely a conspiracy. Who knows what will happen later." Gao Zhen was surprised and said, "How is it possible? Who else in the world today can threaten the owner of the manor?" Chang Xiao hesitated for a moment and decided to reveal some inside information. He sighed and said, "My current archenemy is Duan Qingxiao. His cultivation is higher than mine and Taoist Zuixia, and he has been planning for a long time." Gao Zhen was even more surprised. Duan Qingxiao was originally the enemy of the Fire God Palace, but he was unable to take revenge. Hearing this, he wondered, "Duan Qingxiao has already retired, why is he still involved in the disputes? How can such a master go back on his word?" Chang Xiao smiled and said, "As long as he wants to come out, he will definitely find a reasonable excuse. There is no need for him to show up himself." Gao Zhen frowned and said, "It's all my fault for not working hard enough. I don't have the ability to avenge my second uncle and vent the anger of the Fire God Palace." Chang Xiao persuaded, "It's very common for masters to fight. What if Duan Qingxiao dies? Don't keep these old things in mind. Look to the future." Gao Zhen nodded, "The owner of the manor is right."

After the guests left, Chang Xiao thought carefully and felt that the four famous families seemed to have other intentions in honoring him as Nan Kunlun, as if they were intentionally raising their status. But the higher you stand, the harder you fall. I'm afraid there is something else going on. Moreover, Wu Qingyang hasn't visited for a long time, as if he was deliberately alienating himself. The affection between the two has become pitiful. While thinking about it, Princess Yueying came in and said, "My husband, my sister and I will go to the town to take a walk and take the children to relax." Chang Xiao had something on his mind, so he said casually, "Go, remember not to spoil them." Princess Yueying and her sister took the children to Julong Town to play. Chang Xiao was still thinking about what Duan Qingxiao was up to? What was the purpose of his actions against him? After thinking about it for a long time, he had no clue. When he looked up suddenly, it was almost noon, but his two wives had not returned. Chang Xiao gathered his breath and concentrated his mind. An ominous premonition came to his heart. Suddenly, Princess Yueying laughed, and Chang Xiao was relieved, thinking that he was too sensitive. Princess Yueying walked in holding her daughter Qingting's hand. Chang Xiao didn't see Princess Huaying and her son, so she asked, "Where are Huaying and the child?" Princess Yueying was quite surprised: "My sister was afraid that the child would catch a cold, so she bought a few toys and came back." Chang Xiao's heart suddenly shook, and something must have happened. He didn't have time to think about it, so he ordered, "Take the child to the viewing tower quickly, I'll go out to look for him." Princess Yueying saw that Chang Xiao looked wrong, and had no time to ask more questions. She hurriedly picked up Qingting and went to the back. Chang Xiao called Lieyan and hurriedly left the villa. Lieyan was quite familiar with the terrain here. He kicked his four hooves and ran around Julong Mountain like a gust of wind. He didn't find any traces, so he went to Julong Town to ask. Who in the town didn't recognize Chang Xiao? This town store was built by Chang Xiao. The people in the town quickly provided clues. This is not a major traffic route, and there are not many outsiders. A couple came two months ago, and their behavior was a bit suspicious. After asking in detail, Chang Xiao urged his horse to chase along the road. After running for more than ten miles, he found a banner on a small hillside. The ink was not dry yet, and it was written in big black words: Chang Xiao, you have ruined my life, I want your son to pay you back. Obviously, someone is seeking revenge, but who hates me so much? With my current status, only two kinds of people dare to seek revenge: one is to have a bigger backer, and the other is to not want to live anymore and want to take someone with you before dying.

When he got closer, there was a corpse behind the banner. It was his beloved wife Princess Huaying. After many twists and turns, Chang Xiao finally got a satisfactory wife. The couple had a deep affection. When he saw his wife's corpse, tears flowed from his tiger eyes. After seeing the wound, he gritted his teeth and said, "Jade Wolf, I will not be a human being unless I cut you into pieces." It turned out that the wound on Princess Huaying's body was left by the iron fan, the unique weapon of Jade Wolf. Chang Xiao immediately determined that the person who did it was Jade Wolf. So he suppressed his grief and brought his wife's corpse back to Julong Villa. Princess Yueying was heartbroken when she learned that her sister had died. Chang Xiao ordered his family to arrange the funeral, and at the same time sent a letter to the martial arts world, saying that Jade Wolf should be caught at all costs, and those who sheltered him would be killed without mercy. When this news came out, the martial arts world was shaken. Who was so bold as to provoke Nan Kunlun? Seeing that Chang Xiao was anxious, no one dared to be careless. All forces, without exception, sent scouts everywhere, even if they turned the land upside down, they would find Jade Wolf. It was indeed Jade Wolf who did this. Since returning to his mountain stronghold, he has spent a few days comfortably. However, as Chang Xiao's reputation rose day by day, the Green Forest Dao removed Jade Wolf from the list. Without the Green Forest as a backer, the mountain stronghold could not be saved at all, and it was destroyed by the government army not long after. Jade Wolf fled in a panic with the treasures he had accumulated, and naturally there were women around him, including Dingxiang. Originally, these treasures were enough to live on, but Jade Wolf's nature was hard to change. He couldn't move when he saw a beautiful woman and spent a lot of money. Later, he contracted syphilis, and the women around him packed up their belongings and left one by one, leaving only Dingxiang. It was not because of any feelings, but because he had nowhere to go. Finally, he met a famous doctor who cured the disease, but he became a eunuch from then on, which was also God's retribution. But Jade Wolf did not blame himself, but instead hated Chang Xiao with a clenched tooth, and Dingxiang was the same. The two of them were always thinking about revenge. But Chang Xiao's ability was too strong, and it was not easy to take revenge. So the two changed their names and genders, wandered around, and accidentally came to the Four Heroes Village. The Zhou Four Heroes here were also outlaws in the past. After washing their hands, they turned from evil to good and took in the poor and lonely, and they were quite famous. Jade-faced Wolf and Dingxiang made up their life stories and lived in the Four Heroes Village. Although they had no worries about food and clothing, Jade-faced Wolf could not forget the happy days in the past. The current appearance of neither human nor ghost was caused by Chang Xiao. Anyway, there was no point in living, and he had to get rid of this breath anyway, so he tried every means to prepare for revenge. If there was a chance, he would go to Julong Town to inquire and wait for the opportunity. Because the two were inconspicuous, they had never attracted attention. Later, they knew that Chang Xiao was respected as Nan Kunlun and became a martial arts master. The two were even more gnashing their teeth. Anyway, they had no hope and would never let Chang Xiao have an easy life. So the two rushed to find an opportunity and waited for a long time. Finally, the moment of revenge came. Poor Princess Huaying died innocently and tragically. Chang Xiao was furious and was about to set off a bloody storm in the rivers and lakes.

Chapter 67: The Death of a Close Friend

The Four Heroes Village took in many poor and lonely people. People knew that the four brothers of the Zhou family were famous good people. Even the government gave the Zhou family a golden plaque to commend them for their kindness. However, the Jade Wolf offended Chang Xiao, which shocked the martial arts world. Tens of thousands of people went to hunt for the Jade Wolf, and they would find him even if he hid in the sky. Soon they found the Four Heroes Village. Zhou Yuanshan, the eldest brother of the Zhou family, was shocked when he heard the news. Did he really take in the Jade Wolf? If this matter is not handled well, the Four Heroes Village will be in great trouble. Chang Xiao is a martial arts master, and he has issued a martial arts notice that anyone who shelters him will be killed without mercy. If he wants to take action, I am afraid no one can stop him. Just when he was about to send someone to capture the Jade Wolf, his family rushed in to report that a master in red clothes and a red horse rushed into the Four Heroes Village. Zhou Yuanshan thought to himself: He came so fast, it seems that Chang Xiao is really anxious, so I have to be careful to deal with him. He dressed up and went out in a hurry. As soon as he stood on the steps, he saw a red horse approaching. The rider on the horse was furious and murderous. Zhou Yuanshan clasped his fists and said, "Master, you are here. Zhou Yuanshan is honored." Although Chang Xiao was furious at this time, he did not lose his courtesy. He dismounted and returned the greeting, saying, "Since you have been in the green forest, you should know Chang's martial arts post. Where is the Jade-faced Wolf?" Zhou Yuanshan was relieved. Seeing that Chang Xiao did not mean to kill him, he quickly replied, "I just got the news and haven't had time to catch him yet. It's best that the master of the manor is here." Chang Xiao already knew what the Zhou brothers had done. He had no intention of asking for punishment. He nodded and said, "The sooner the better. Remember to find the body of Chang's beloved son." Zhou Yuanshan said, "Maybe your son is not dead yet." Chang Xiao shook his head, "Impossible. This is your home. I don't need to do it." Zhou Yuanshan felt relieved. Judging from Chang Xiao's attitude, the Four Heroes Village would be safe. He immediately ordered his men to take action and first invite Chang Xiao to the martial arts training ground in the backyard. The Zhou brothers were proficient in martial arts and had some capable helpers under their command. They quickly took Yumianlang and Dingxiang to the martial arts training ground. Yumianlang had long been ready to die, with no fear on his face. He sneered and said, "Chang Xiao, I'll kill your wife and cook your son for food. It's worth dying." Dingxiang also looked indifferent. Chang Xiao gritted his teeth and said, "My moment of kindness at the beginning has brought me such a disaster. It seems that I was wrong from the beginning. It is simply a lie to say that if you endure for a while, you will have peace and tranquility, but if you take a step back, you will have a broader horizon." Seeing Chang Xiao's anger, Zhou Yuanshan did not dare to interrupt casually. The Jade-faced Wolf was quite proud: "You have caused me so much pain, of course I can't let you suffer. Anyway, I am tired of living, and I have waited until now just to see what you look like." Chang Xiao certainly couldn't let these two people die too easily. He asked with a sullen face, "What have I done to you?" The Jade-faced Wolf was determined to die, and he lived a little longer. He sneered, "I seduced your newlywed wife, and it would be fine if you killed me, but you let me go. On the surface, you were magnanimous, but secretly let the green forest remove me from the list. As a result, the village was lost, and the good days were gone. Now I have become a eunuch. Do you think I can't avenge such a grudge?"

Chang Xiao couldn't understand how such a perverse theory could be so justified. How could such a person exist in the world? He turned to Zhou Yuanshan and asked, "Is there any way to make these two people fully taste the cruelty of death?" Zhou Yuanshan hurriedly said, "Master, don't worry. I have seen all kinds of torture in the Green Forest before. This time, I will never let these two people off easily." He immediately issued an order. Someone brought a brazier and someone lit a stick of incense. Chang Xiao didn't understand what it meant. Zhou Yuanshan explained, "This is called the Soul-Returning Incense, so that they won't faint and feel no pain." Chang Xiao nodded. He didn't know much about the Green Forest's methods. Four big men came forward, holding a strange-shaped knife in their hands. Dingxiang didn't understand. Jade-faced Wolf was horrified and said, "Zhou Yuanshan, give me a quick death. I will be grateful for your kindness even if I become a ghost." Zhou Yuanshan sneered, "It's impossible to die quickly now. You've done evil. You can't live." He thought to himself: If I give you a quick death, my Sijie Village and my head will be lost. If Chang Xiao doesn't get rid of this breath, this matter will never be over. Jade-faced Wolf wanted to bite his tongue to commit suicide, but someone had put an iron walnut in his mouth. Zhou Yuanshan ordered someone to cut off the meat of Jade-faced Wolf with a knife and feed it to the dog, so that Jade-faced Wolf could watch it with his own eyes. Jade-faced Wolf's screams were shrill and terrifying. Dingxiang was scared silly when she saw it. She never dreamed that there would be such a cruel punishment in the world. Zhou Yuanshan knew the pros and cons very well, and did it very thoroughly. Jade-faced Wolf's limbs gradually became only bones, but his mind was still very clear. At this time, he regretted not seeking death earlier. The four men methodically took out the Jade Wolf's internal organs one by one and fed them to the dogs. Finally, they took out the Jade Wolf's eyeballs. It took more than an hour for the Jade Wolf to die. Chang Xiao had never seen such torture before. He finally gave an explanation to his dead wife and children. Ding Xiang could not be forgiven easily. The four men followed suit. Ding Xiang finally reaped what she had sown. Chang Xiao waited until Ding Xiang died. He let out a long breath, stood up and said, "It's rare for Brother Zhou to help. I thank you. Goodbye." Without stopping, he quickly left the Four Heroes Village. Zhou Yuanshan finally breathed a sigh of relief. He finally got through this difficult time. It seemed that Chang Xiao was indeed as easy to deal with as the rumors said. It was rare that such a great vengeance did not involve others.

Just when Zhou Yuanshan was thankful to have survived the difficult times, a catastrophe befell the Sijie Village. This was part of a huge conspiracy, and the Sijie Village finally failed to escape the catastrophe. Chang Xiao returned to Julong Villa to hold the funeral and told Princess Yueying what happened. When he was preparing, he suddenly received shocking news that more than a hundred people in the Sijie Village, together with all the people they took in, a total of 2,000 people, all died overnight. What's more, more than 2,000 people died under the same knife, and the time of death was less than half an hour apart. Chang Xiao immediately realized that this was a conspiracy, and he issued a martial arts post, which clearly stated that those who sheltered would be killed without mercy. He went to the Sijie Village to seek revenge, and just after leaving, all the villagers died, and the knife skills of the person who did it were superb. Even a fool would know that it was him who did it. In the world, there was only Duan Qingxiao who had such a knife skill, but no one would doubt Duan Qingxiao, and this black pot was really put on his head. Without further ado, Chang Xiao immediately made a decision and arranged a boat to send Princess Yueying and her daughter, as well as the body of Princess Huaying, to his father-in-law on Lingbo Island in the South China Sea, and faced the coming storm alone. As expected, the rumors spread in the martial arts world that Chang Xiao killed two thousand innocent lives overnight for his own personal vengeance, and he was not worthy of the title of Nan Kunlun at all. Because Chang Xiao's usual deeds were known to the martial arts world, many people doubted the truth of the incident, and then there was another saying that Chang Xiao's wife and children died, and he was stimulated and his mind changed drastically, so he killed so many people. These two statements spread throughout the martial arts world at a very fast speed. Chang Xiao still stayed in Julong Villa, and there must be more to this matter. At this time, no one sent news to Julong Villa, which was also expected. According to the current situation, Duan Qingxiao was looking for an excuse to return to the martial arts world.

Chang Xiao had experienced the warmth and coldness of human nature many times, and he didn't take the coldness in front of him to heart. At this time, standing with him would become the public enemy of the martial arts world, and there would be endless troubles. It was understandable that others planned for him. At this time, he remembered the words of the Fire Poison Cult priest, which really made some sense. The death of relatives fell from the peak to the trough. But he also said that he would lose a close friend, who would it be? Just as he was thinking about it, someone suddenly reported that there were guests in the viewing building. Chang Xiao understood that those who entered the viewing building directly were all distinguished guests, so he hurried there. When he came upstairs, it was Taoist Zuixia sitting in the middle. Chang Xiao was overjoyed and clasped his fists: "The real person has come, and there must be something important to discuss." Taoist Zuixia didn't move, nodded slightly, and said: "Sit down and talk." Chang Xiao felt a little strange, and sat down as he was told. Taoist Zuixia slowly said: "Don't interrupt, listen to me finish the story." Chang Xiao nodded in agreement, and was even more puzzled. Taoist Zuixia sighed, "Your wife and children were killed, so you went to Sijie Village to seek revenge. Then more than 2,000 people died in Sijie Village. I know everything about this. I believe you already know that it was Duan Qingxiao who did it." Chang Xiao nodded. Usually Taoist Zuixia always called himself a poor Taoist. This time, even the name changed. It must be urgent. Taoist Zuixia continued, "The following events are logical. The four famous families sent out a martial arts invitation, asking people from all sides to jointly invite Duan Qingxiao to come out and eliminate the harm for the martial arts world, that is, to kill you. Except for Yan Nanlou in Nanhai, everyone has recognized this matter." Chang Xiao thought to himself: If you refuse to bow your head at this time, it seems that Yan Nanlou is a good friend. I will take care of him in the future. At this time, Taoist Zuixia's complexion was very different from usual. He looked energetic and his eyes were shining. Although Chang Xiao was surprised, he didn't dare to ask. Taoist Zuixia continued, "Duan Qingxiao accepted requests from various factions in the Divine Sword Sect and convened a martial arts conference to denounce you. This opportunity cannot be missed, and for the shame I suffered in the past, I went to challenge him. After the fight, I was still defeated, and his sword energy penetrated into his lungs. He will die at midnight tonight." Chang Xiao was shocked: "Are you serious?" Taoist Zuixia smiled indifferently: "Life and death, honor and disgrace are nothing. I just care about you, so I specially remind you to be extra careful when fighting with Duan Qingxiao." Chang Xiao would never dream that the only confidant in his life would be in danger of death. Even though he was a top master, he couldn't help but shed tears.

As the best swordsman with a reputation for many years, Taoist Zuixia really doesn't care about life and death. He looks very calm and says lightly: "I already know the result before I leave. You don't need to be sad, let alone feel guilty. Sooner or later, there will be a breakup between Duan Qingxiao and I. There are two more things I want to explain this time. They are all written in the letter. You will know at a glance." As he spoke, he handed over two letters. Chang Xiao took them and felt that there was something else in the letters. He didn't have time to read them and put them away solemnly. Taoist Zuixia breathed a sigh of relief. He had nothing to worry about now that his worries were over. He smiled and said, "From hearing your name to meeting you, we have gone through many twists and turns. The most unforgettable thing is roasting corn. I don't have much time. Can you roast it for me again?" Chang Xiao naturally agreed: "Don't worry, Master, I will do my best." The two came to the top of Julong Mountain. The bright moon was rising, and the stars in the sky echoed with the lights on the earth. All was silent. Chang Xiao started a fire and concentrated on roasting corn. He was in a very heavy mood. He never thought that the words of the Fire Poison Cult priest would come true. His only confidant would die. To be honest, Taoist Zuixia challenged Duan Qingxiao for revenge, but also for himself. He could not repay this friendship anyway. Taoist Zuixia was very calm and smiled, "My energy has dissipated. I can't roast for you. Don't be offended." Chang Xiao really had nothing to say. This was a real master, and he really couldn't compare to him. The corn was roasted, and Taoist Zuixia devoured it voraciously, drinking half a jar of wine in one breath, nodding and praising: "It is indeed the most delicious food in the world. It seems that God has taken good care of me. I am satisfied." Chang Xiao felt bad and couldn't help but let his tears fall on the corn. Taoist Zuixia felt it and smiled: "I am probably the only person in the martial arts world today who has eaten such corn. This life is worthwhile, worthwhile." After eating and drinking, Taoist Zuixia gathered his breath and concentrated his mind, gathering all his true energy to impact the Niwan Palace, and passed away peacefully at midnight. Chang Xiao watched his confidant die, looked up to the sky and howled, the valley echoed, the sound spread for more than ten miles, and the whole Julong Mountain was immersed in grief.

Chang Xiao was heartbroken when the world-famous number one swordsman passed away. It was hard to find such a confidant in the world. It seemed that he had to face the entire martial arts world alone. After settling the body of Zuixia Taoist, Chang Xiao carefully read the two letters and felt a lot of emotion in his heart. He should have been the one to die, but now that Zuixia Taoist was gone, the burden fell on his shoulders. The days ahead would inevitably be full of hardships. The more this happened, the more it would inspire his fighting spirit. Chang Xiao had always been unyielding. The harder it was, the harder he would work. He quickly made a decision to let his family look after the villa, and he left Julong Mountain alone and hid in the world. At this time, the world was one-sided. Duan Qingxiao came out of the mountain, and the number one swordsman passed away. Even the dumbest person could see the situation clearly. All forces and masters of various factions bowed to Duan Qingxiao. Zuixia Taoist's brother Jiang Feiluan and his capable subordinate Qi Shizhen were no exception. Only Yan Nanlou acted on his own. Duan Qingxiao was very dissatisfied and ordered the black and white sides of the Central Plains martial arts world to block all the business of the South China Sea fleet. The South China Sea was in a tight spot immediately. Without the rice from the Central Plains, the fleet could not be maintained at all. At this time, someone helped, but it was the brothers Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai. The two purchased properties and ran a rice business, and helped the South China Sea fleet at a critical moment. Although Duan Qingxiao was arrogant, he was also a little wary of Master Baekje. This person not only had a high reputation, but also had unfathomable martial arts skills. Therefore, the South China Sea fleet was maintained. At this time, all the spearheads were pointed at Chang Xiao. Duan Qingxiao was eager to get rid of this opponent, but Chang Xiao disappeared, and only a few family members were guarding Julong Villa. Duan Qingxiao was proud of his status and could not think of a way to deal with Chang Xiao's relatives. Although Duan Qingxiao's coming out brought many benefits to the Divine Sword Sect, the current sect master Duan Xiyun was quite dissatisfied. His grandfather used to be an undefeated myth in the martial arts world, but now he has returned to the arena and is very different from the rumors. It's nothing to take back the rolling pearl knife, but it's wrong to deal with Chang Xiao.

At that time, he was seriously injured by Gao Zhen and lost all his martial arts. If Chang Xiao had not generously given him the elixir, his life would have been over. It can be said that Chang Xiao is a great benefactor of the Divine Sword Sect. Even if Chang Xiao really killed two thousand people, the one who came forward should not be from the Divine Sword Sect. Moreover, Chang Xiao could not be a vicious person. There must be something else going on. In the past, his grandfather was a god in his mind and the pride of the Divine Sword Sect. But now his grandfather is so obsessed with gains and losses and is extremely concerned about the attitudes of all parties. He is not like a martial arts master at all. Duan Qingxiao does not care about others, but of course he cannot ignore his relatives. Besides, Duan Xiyun is already famous and is a talent that can be cultivated. Since he found that Duan Xiyun was worried, he immediately freed up his hands to enlighten him. Duan Xiyun came worriedly, Duan Qingxiao said in a friendly manner: "Yun'er, tell me what's on your mind, the future of the Divine Sword Sect depends on you." Duan Xiyun frowned and said: "Grandson has received great favors from Chang Xiao, and now grandpa wants to get rid of Chang Xiao. As a warrior, how can I be ungrateful?" Duan Qingxiao smiled: "I don't think it's a big deal. Yes, Chang Xiao has done you and the Divine Sword Sect a great favor, but he also owes me a favor. When he first entered the martial arts world and massacred the Qingfeng Temple in Taibai Mountain, the heads of the four famous sects wanted to kill him, but Wu Qingyang came forward to save his life. The four heads did not do this for Wu Qingyang's face, but because they were afraid of grandpa's reputation. This life-saving favor can completely offset his... "For your kindness." Duan Xiyun shook his head: "That's not the case. Kindness is not gold, silver or treasure that can offset each other. Even if it offsets, we have no grudges against him, so why should we get rid of him? Ninety percent of the things in Sijie Village were not done by him. Even if he did, what does it have to do with us?" Duan Qingxiao explained: "It doesn't matter who did the things in Sijie Village now. Grandpa has retired from the martial arts world for many years. It was the heads of various sects who jointly asked grandpa to come out and eliminate harm for the martial arts world. This is the most important thing. Even if Chang Xiao was wronged, the fault lies with those sect leaders, not grandpa. It has nothing to do with the Divine Sword Sect." Duan Xiyun was confused. These words actually came from the mouth of his grandfather, whom he regarded as a god.

Chapter 68: Uncertain of Life and Death

After the death of Taoist Zuixia, Duan Qingxiao's reputation rose sharply, and the Divine Sword Sect once again became the focus of everyone's attention. However, something happened inside the Divine Sword Sect, and the new sect leader Duan Xiyun left without saying goodbye and disappeared. Duan Qingxiao had high hopes for Duan Xiyun, and sent out martial arts posts to search for him, but there was no trace of him. Duan Qingxiao came out of the mountain, the most important thing was to deal with Chang Xiao. If this matter was not resolved, there would be no way to truly enter the world of martial arts, so many people were looking for Chang Xiao's whereabouts. Chang Xiao's skills were outstanding, and ordinary people could not get close to him at all, and it was difficult to find his whereabouts. If Chang Xiao had been avoiding him, Duan Qingxiao would have no good solution. But being timid would not be Chang Xiao. Not long after Duan Xiyun disappeared, Chang Xiao issued a letter of challenge to fight Duan Qingxiao at the Soul-Breaking Cliff of Wuliang Mountain. Everyone in the martial arts world knew that there were cone-like stalagmites under the Soul-Breaking Cliff, and there was no possibility of survival for those who fell. Chang Xiao chose the place for the decisive battle there, obviously with the intention of dying. Duan Qingxiao was filled with joy and happily rushed to Wuliang Mountain. There was almost no suspense in this battle. When the Taoist Zuixia and Duan Qingxiao were fighting, there were many people present, and the gap between the two was obvious. Chang Xiao and the Taoist Zuixia were on par with each other, and there was almost no possibility of survival in this battle. It was natural to rush to do things that would add icing on the cake, so many people from the martial arts world went to Wuliang Mountain to show their support and prepared gongs, drums and colorful satin to cheer for Duan Qingxiao. Although they might not be able to see the fighting, as long as Duan Qingxiao knew about it, it would be fine. Chang Xiao's story was extremely rare in the martial arts world. He had just been revered as a martial arts master, but in the blink of an eye he became a public enemy of the martial arts world, falling from the peak to the bottom of the valley. There had been no such precedent in the past hundred years. Of course, Chang Xiao himself was the one who felt the most deeply. After this incident, Chang Xiao had a new view of the martial arts world, people's hearts, his past, and even life and death. The whole person had changed greatly. The news of the decisive battle with Duan Qingxiao caused a sensation in the martial arts world. It was spread everywhere that the famous North and South Kunlun would fall under the rolling pearl sword. Duan Qingxiao was the well-deserved leader of the martial arts world, and the Divine Sword Sect would rise again in the martial arts world. Chang Xiao ignored these rumors. No matter how high Duan Qingxiao's cultivation was, he would never retreat. He settled his relatives and sent a batch of treasures to his sworn brother Duan Kui. He had no worries in his heart and was ready to fight this sword master and martial arts wonder with all his strength.

The great changes in the martial arts world have of course alarmed the Fire God Palace. Gao Zhen has gathered everyone here to practice martial arts. He was shocked to get the news and quickly called his junior brother Yin Tianlei to discuss. Yin Tianlei was extremely shocked to learn that Chang Xiao was in trouble, and wondered: "With the temperament of the owner, how could he go on a killing spree?" Gao Zhen shook his head: "Junior brother, why don't you understand? The things in the Four Heroes Village could not have been done by the owner. This is Duan Qingxiao's conspiracy. He obviously wants to get out of the mountain and get involved in the martial arts world, but he can't have a bad reputation for breaking his promise, so he designed to frame Chang Xiao and asked the heads of the sects to come forward." Yin Tianlei hesitated and said, "It's not that complicated, right? Maybe the owner of the manor is heartbroken about the tragic death of his wife and children, so he went on a killing spree." Gao Zhen laughed and said, "Junior brother, you are really honest. You believe everything others say. When martial arts reach the level of the owner, you can almost merge with the world. How could you be confused? As for the Taoist Zuixia challenging Duan Qingxiao, at least half of it was for Chang Xiao. It seems that his relationship with Chang Xiao is unusual. The first swordsman died, Duan Qingxiao is already the supreme master of the martial arts world. As long as the owner of the manor is eliminated, the world will be his. "Yin Tianlei frowned and said, "The owner of the manor will definitely fight with Duan Qingxiao. The result is inevitable. It seems that the Divine Sword Sect will dominate the world. "Gao Zhen shook his head: "Doesn't Junior Brother know the past of the owner of the manor? The owner of the manor will not show off his courage and rashly die. Thinking back to when the owner of the manor competed with the Wanxian Hall, he was meticulous and wise and brave, which was enough to show that the owner's strategy was not inferior to martial arts. In my opinion, Duan Qingxiao will definitely not be able to kill the owner of the manor. At most, he can take advantage of it for a while. "Yin Tianlei is very confident in Chang Xiao, and nodded and said, "I hope so, but what should we do?" Gao Zhen was confident: "Cease the flag and retreat in the Fire God Palace, and wait for Duan Qingxiao to die before coming out of the mountain. "Yin Tianlei was half-believing and half-doubting. Even the first swordsman was defeated, what could Chang Xiao do? Since Duan Qingxiao is about to dominate the world, he must protect the last foundation of the Fire God Palace. The two immediately set about renovating the passage and stockpiling rice as a long-term plan. They would not watch the battle at the Cliff of Broken Souls, as preserving their strength was the most important thing.

Although Duan Qingxiao was very confident, he did not dare to take it lightly. Chang Xiao had always been a very secretive person, and no one could accurately tell the depth of his martial arts. However, he had already taken the upper hand in the situation. All the masters stood on Duan Qingxiao's side. Yan Nanlou in the South China Sea was too busy to even stand and cheer, so those who came to Wuliang Mountain to help supported Duan Qingxiao. The time had been set long ago. Although Duan Qingxiao did not care about his clothes, he naturally stood out among the crowd. The location of the competition was the Cliff of Broken Souls. Others could only watch from afar and were not qualified to approach. The crowd naturally included Duan Qingxiao's only son Duan Xinyi, his apprentice Zhong Wanshan, Wanxian Hall Master Wanqi Song, the old owner of Wuling Villa, and Wu Qingyang and his son. Although the Beggar Gang had a large number of people, they had always been looked down upon by the famous and upright sects, so no one came. In addition, Jiang Feiluan from Tongtianbao and Qi Shizhen, who had all-powerful hands and eyes, also arrived. Naturally, all the major families arrived. Although these people supported Duan Qingxiao on the surface, they secretly had their own plans. Duan Qingxiao had been silent for many years and was lonely. This time he returned to the world, he was in particularly good spirits. Although he was old, he was strong and strong, and his internal strength was profound. He looked no more than fifty years old. He had a famous rolling pearl knife inserted diagonally under his ribs, and he regarded himself as the overlord of the world. After the incident in the Four Heroes Village, there had been no news about Chang Xiao, and everyone wanted to see what Chang Xiao looked like now. After a series of changes, is he still as majestic as before? As time passed, Duan Qingxiao sneered, and Zhong Wanshan beside him asked, "Master, is Chang Xiao here?" Duan Qingxiao nodded slightly, "Yes, this young man is really different. No wonder he can be as famous as the Taoist Zuixia." Before anyone else noticed, a man suddenly appeared at the cliff, with iron bones, curved eyebrows and tiger eyes. It was Chang Xiao. There were many people present who had dealt with Chang Xiao. If it weren't for Duan Qingxiao, they would have rushed to see him. But now, they were silent. Duan Qingxiao shook his head and sighed, "It's a pity that he is not my son."

Chang Xiao looked normal, clasped his fists and saluted: "I have long heard of your name, senior. I am lucky to meet you today." Duan Qingxiao returned half a salute: "It is true that the younger generation is formidable. At your age, I am not even 70% as good as you." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "But now the senior is above me. Let's not beat around the bush. Zuixia Taoist has entrusted his affairs to me. As long as the senior kills me, I can rest assured. However, Chang's achievements are hard-won and he will not give up easily. Even if the senior is a martial arts master, he may not be able to do so." Duan Qingxiao nodded: "Yes, if it were somewhere else, I would be at least 70% sure, and here at most 30%." Although Chang Xiao looked normal, he was extremely disappointed. It was understandable that Duan Qingxiao returned to the arena, and it was also common to defeat Zuixia Taoist in a duel, but the people behind Duan Qingxiao were really chilling. How could a martial artist be as servile as an official in the court? Is death so terrible? The two strong men met. After exchanging greetings, Chang Xiao pointed to the bottom of the Soul-Breaking Cliff and said, "I think the senior already knows the situation below the cliff. I don't need to say more. I will wait below." He moved and disappeared in the smoke below the Soul-Breaking Cliff in a blink of an eye. Duan Qingxiao saw at a glance that Chang Xiao's body movement was integrated with the sword-controlling skills of the Taoist Zuixia. The two were very close, and they complemented each other's strengths and weaknesses. They were a strong opponent. Without time to think, he jumped down the Soul-Breaking Cliff. The spectators came to the cliff mouth. The fog was steaming below, and the figures of the two could not be seen at all. The two people in the duel were top masters, one was a well-known martial arts supreme, and the other was a top swordsman who had been tempered for thousands of times. This duel was destined to be exciting. Unfortunately, no one could see it. The fog under the cliff was too heavy, and there was no trace to follow. When Chang Xiao and the Taoist Zuixia competed, the spectators could still see their shadows, but this time they couldn't even see their shadows. It is conceivable that both of them are masters of swordsmanship, so they must be competing in sword energy. The older, the more experienced. Duan Qingxiao has been immersed in this art for many years and has almost reached the level of perfection. Chang Xiao has only learned sword energy for a short time and has not yet mastered many aspects. Naturally, there is a gap between them. However, Chang Xiao often acts unexpectedly, and the spectators are worried that if Chang Xiao wins, what will the future of the martial arts world become and how to face this person.

The fog under the cliff suddenly changed, from a chaotic state to a galloping horse, coming and going. Everyone knew that it was the sword energy of the two people that drove the fog, turning the invisible confrontation into a visible one. The sword energy collided with each other, making bursts of muffled sounds, and the valley echoed like muffled thunder. Everyone on the cliff was impressed. The two people in the competition were indeed at the pinnacle, and no one could compare to them. This time it was a fight of life and death. If Chang Xiao didn't die, the matter of the Four Heroes Village would be difficult to cover up. Duan Qingxiao tried his best to take Chang Xiao's life. It was impossible to be like the Jade Emperor Peak of Mount Tai, where two masters fought with all their strength, and it would be over in at most an hour. With a long roar like a dragon's roar, a series of loud noises came from the bottom of the cliff. After the shocking earthquake, there was silence. A person appeared at the cliff mouth, and it was Duan Qingxiao. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed that the winner had been decided, and Chang Xiao would definitely die. Zhong Wanshan and Duan Xinyi came forward to congratulate him, but Duan Qingxiao looked depressed and left the Soul-Breaking Cliff in a hurry without saying a word. Everyone guessed that Duan Qingxiao was probably injured and was anxious to go back for treatment. Anyway, the outcome had been decided and the situation in the martial arts world had been determined, so everyone put their worries aside. Duan Qingxiao rushed back to the Divine Sword Sect, and the disciples came to greet him. Duan Qingxiao said, "I am unharmed, you don't have to worry." Duan Xinyi was most concerned about his father. After the disciples dispersed and asked, Duan Qingxiao sighed and said, "Chang Xiao's swordsmanship has surpassed the Red Spirit God of the past. He has entered the realm of unity between man and nature. He is truly a rare genius." Duan Xinyi advised, "You are in a desperate situation. Father, don't blame yourself." Duan Qingxiao shook his head and said, "Chang Xiao is not only an expert in swordsmanship, but also a good scheming man. It would be best if he really died. If he is not dead, then he will be the one to take my head in the future." Duan Xinyi was surprised, "Is he not dead?" Duan Qingxiao frowned and replied, "There is thick fog all around. Although His father's sword energy penetrated in, but Taoist Zuixia died from the same trick, how could he not be prepared? Moreover, the location of this competition is quite advantageous for him. The strange hidden weapon in his hand is similar to Taoist Zuixia's sword-controlling skills, which can be used to show his strengths. If he takes this opportunity to hide, it will be a great worry for his father. "Duan Xinyi explained: "Father can send a capable person to search for his whereabouts." Duan Qingxiao shook his head: "Chang Xiao's martial arts are rare in the world. Once he hides, no one can find him." Duan Xinyi wanted to persuade him, but Duan Qingxiao ordered: "Don't worry about this matter. Find a way to find Yun'er. The future of the Divine Sword Sect depends on him." Duan Xinyi took the order and left.

After the competition, many people were worried about Chang Xiao's life or death. The heads of the four famous families stepped forward and first sent people to explore the environment of the Soul-Breaking Cliff to see if there was any other way out. In addition, they asked some people with good Qinggong skills to go down and search, hoping to find Chang Xiao's body. More people means more work, and more than a dozen people went down together. After searching for half a day, they came back and said that there were so many stalagmites under the cliff that there was no place to step. In addition, it was foggy and they found nothing. Another passerby reported that it was impossible to climb anywhere else, and they could only come up from the Soul-Breaking Cliff. The four heads discussed and decided to wait at the Soul-Breaking Cliff for ten days, and they had to find out Chang Xiao's life or death no matter what. After ten consecutive days, there was no movement. The four heads were sure that Chang Xiao was dead, and sent out news that the famous North and South Kunlun died one after another. Lingmu Zhenren of Shangqing Palace proposed to take out the treasures of Julong Villa to perform rituals for the victims of the Four Heroes Village to relieve their souls and arrange their affairs after death. This proposal received many responses and was immediately decided. Originally, they wanted to invite Master Baekje, but they couldn't contact him at all, and no one was willing to take on the responsibility alone. After discussion, they decided that the four famous families would jointly take the lead. There were only a dozen family members who didn't know martial arts left in Julong Villa, and they were unable to stop the people from the martial arts world, and the treasures were successfully taken out by these people. It didn't cost much to perform rituals and funerals, and no one knew where the rest fell. After the matter was settled, everyone dispersed, and Wanqi Song handed over all the Wanxian Hall to his son Mo Qilin. Originally, he was going to live a quiet life, but Duan Qingxiao sent a letter to summon him, and he couldn't refuse, so he could only temporarily settle down in the Divine Sword Sect. Duan Qingxiao became famous when he was young, and he began to accept apprentices in his twenties. He was not much older than Wanqi Song, but the master was the master, and Wanqi Song could only obey orders. Duan Qingxiao learned from the original lesson and supervised the disciples of the Divine Sword Sect very strictly. Everything went smoothly. The only regret was that he couldn't find Duan Xiyun. Duan Qingxiao couldn't let go of this key figure until he appeared.

One day, a scholar came to the Divine Blade Sect. It turned out to be Mr. Tang, the brain trust of Wuling Villa. This man was resourceful and proficient in Qimen Bagua. He was a contemporary hero. Duan Qingxiao personally greeted him. The disciples were surprised. Who deserved such a grand ceremony? When they arrived at the hall, Duan Qingxiao said to the people around him: "Remember, Mr. Tang is a guest of the Divine Blade Sect. His words are my words. Anyone who disrespects him will have his martial arts abolished." The disciples obeyed with awe. Duan Qingxiao led Mr. Tang to the secret room. After they sat down, he couldn't wait to ask, "Have you predicted Chang Xiao's life or death?" Mr. Tang nodded, "Of course I have." Duan Qingxiao was overjoyed and asked, "What was the result?" Mr. Tang said slowly, "Chang Xiao's fate is very strange. It is said that he could not escape the disaster of Taibai Mountain no matter what. However, he not only survived from death, but also became a master and dominated the world. When the sect leader came out of the mountain, Chang Xiao's death was coming, but he was challenged by Taoist Zuixia first. Only one person is destined to die in the north and south Kunlun, so Chang Xiao must not be dead." Duan Qingxiao believed Mr. Tang's words and nodded, "I also feel that he is not dead, but how could he survive under the Cliff of Broken Souls for ten days?" Mr. Tang smiled and said, "The sect leader should know about this person's past. He is a steady person. He is more "He must have made sufficient preparations before the battle. His electric shuttle can be called the king of hidden weapons, and his own cultivation is also extremely rare. He can actually use the electric shuttle to drive his body and move dozens of feet in an instant. His sword-controlling skills are comparable to those of Taoist Zuixia. The Cliff of Broken Souls can't trap him at all. "Duan Qingxiao nodded: "This person is indeed unfathomable, so can he threaten the Divine Sword Sect?" Mr. Tang said solemnly: "At most five years, he will be the biggest threat to the Divine Sword Sect." Duan Qingxiao has been mentally prepared, and it is not surprising. He pondered and said: "How can he go against me alone?" Mr. Tang shook his head: "The Sect Master doesn't know, according to my calculations, Chang Xiao has an extremely terrifying force in his hands, enough to control the martial arts world." Duan Qingxiao was greatly surprised. This news was really unbelievable. Chang Xiao couldn't have such a power.

Chapter 69: The Mysterious Grain Merchant

In fact, Mr. Tang is Duan Qingxiao's confidant in Wuling Villa, so Wuling Villa can overcome difficulties again and again and compete with Zuixia Taoist. Duan Qingxiao is the king of the world, so Mr. Tang has no need to stay in Wuling Villa, so he made his identity public. Duan Qingxiao was shocked by what he said in the secret room. It was not surprising that Chang Xiao was not dead, but where he got his powerful strength was really puzzling. Mr. Tang advised, "I am just speculating. The facts may be different. The master does not need to worry too much." Duan Qingxiao stroked his beard and said, "I have already put life and death aside. It doesn't matter even if I die under the dragon scale sword. The only worry is the Divine Sword Sect. There is no room for the matter of the Four Heroes Village. I am afraid that once Chang Xiao makes a comeback, the Divine Sword Sect will suffer a devastating disaster." Mr. Tang smiled and said, "The master does not need to worry. The Divine Sword Sect will prosper in the hands of the new sect master. Xiyun has a bright future and there is no need to worry about it." Duan Qingxiao nodded, "It seems that there is no need to ask him to come back for now." Mr. Tang smiled, "Of course, if he comes back, the Divine Sword Sect will have no way out. He cares about Chang Xiao's kindness and has a similar temperament with Chang Xiao. Sooner or later, the two will become friends. There is no benefit in forcing him to come back at this time. Besides, his swordsmanship is already perfect, and there is no harm in practicing it." Duan Qingxiao was immediately relieved, "I feel relieved with your words, No matter what the result of this old man is, the Divine Sword Sect will be fine. But where does Chang Xiao's power come from? How strong is he? "Mr. Tang shook his head: "I just inferred from the hexagram. At present, this force is not large in number, but the weakest person is no worse than Lingmu Zhenren, and is better at joining forces. With Chang Xiao as the leader, once he comes out of the mountain, he will be invincible. "Duan Qingxiao asked: "Can't I resist it?" Mr. Tang was quite sure: "Chang Xiao must have endured hardships, and it will be difficult for the Sect Master to make any further progress, and the gap will gradually narrow. Coupled with that group of masters, I'm afraid the Sect Master will not be able to resist it. "Duan Qingxiao pondered for a moment and smiled: "It seems that I still have five years of good days. In this case, I should enjoy myself in time and enjoy the world." Mr. Tang nodded: "Just as it is, although the gossip is magical, it is difficult to know the will of heaven, and there may be variables. Zhuge Wuhou has miscalculated, let alone me?"

After the competition at the Cliff of Broken Souls, the Jianghu spread the rumor that Chang Xiao was dead, and Julong Villa was empty. Naturally, it was a good time for the Divine Sword Sect to be proud of itself. It didn't matter whether Duan Xiyun was there or not. After Duan Qingxiao gained a firm foothold, the first thing he did was to deal with Yan Nanlou, the only one who refused to bow his head. Master Baekje could not be offended. Mr. Tang came up with an idea to let the government come forward, so that Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai brothers would have no way to deal with it. Duan Qingxiao handed the token of the Beggars' Sect to Princess Rose, which naturally had a connection with the government. This was Mr. Tang's arrangement. With the support of the government, many things would be easy to handle. This trick really worked. The government could not do anything to the Jianghu people, but it could do something to the merchants. Since Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai were doing business, they naturally had to deal with the government. The government blocked the supply of the two brothers with a ban. Yan Nanlou knew that it was Duan Qingxiao's trick, but he couldn't say anything. He was upset and thought hard about countermeasures. The retired Dragon King of the South China Sea was very worried when he heard the news, fearing that Yan Nanlou would be young and energetic and show off his bloody courage. If something happened to him, the loss of Nanhai would be great, so he made a special trip to the inland to meet Yan Nanlou. When they met, Yan Nanlou paid a great tribute, and the Dragon King of Nanhai supported him: "Now you are the leader, there is no need for such a great tribute." After sitting down, Yan Nanlou asked: "Dragon King, why are you here if you are not in the Sea God Palace to receive blessings?" The Dragon King of Nanhai smiled bitterly: "You don't have to hide it from me. The current situation is extremely unfavorable to Nanhai. The connection with the Central Plains has been cut off, and it is difficult to solve the problem of food." Yan Nanlou smiled and said: "No, Dragon King, don't worry, our business is very good." The Dragon King of Nanhai shook his head: "Do you think I don't know that in the battle of the Cliff of Broken Souls, Chang Xiao died under Duan Qingxiao's sword, and all forces surrendered, only you refused to bow your head, and now we are He is against the entire Central Plains martial arts world." Yan Nanlou nodded: "Since the Dragon King already knows the inside story, I will not hide it. This news has spread widely, and everyone in the martial arts world knows it. But I don't believe that Chang Xiao is really dead. Sooner or later, he will make a comeback. If we surrender to Duan Qingxiao, how will we deal with ourselves if Chang Xiao defeats Duan Qingxiao? Besides, Chang Xiao has done us a great favor, and we must not add insult to injury." The Dragon King of the South China Sea sighed: "If it were someone else, I certainly wouldn't believe it, but the opponent's martial arts are so strong that Chang Xiao will never survive." Yan Nanlou was quite confident: "I don't think so, Chang Xiao must be alive."

The Dragon King of the South China Sea had a good relationship with Chang Xiao, and of course he didn't want his old friend to die. However, three people can make a tiger, and how could the news that has spread throughout the martial arts world be false? So he asked: "What makes you think Chang Xiao is not dead?" Yan Nanlou explained: "I am not unaware of Duan Qingxiao's reputation, and I admit that his swordsmanship is better than Chang Xiao's. If he had competed with Chang Xiao first, I could be sure that Chang Xiao would die. But Duan Qingxiao first fought with Taoist Zuixia, and the news that the number one swordsman has passed away is absolutely true. Chang Xiao is not a fool and would not seek death." The Dragon King of the South China Sea immediately became interested: "Yes, Brother Chang is both wise and brave, and he will not rashly die." Yan Nanlou went on to explain: "The place where Taoist Zuixia passed away was Julong Villa. Obviously, this number one swordsman handed over his affairs to Chang Xiao. He has been operating for many years, and he must have a few trump cards to deal with Duan Qingxiao, and he must have handed them over to Chang Xiao before he died. What reason does Chang Xiao have to take risks alone?" The Dragon King of the South China Sea praised: "Great progress, your analysis is very reasonable, see I have chosen the right person." Yan Nanlou smiled and said, "It is because of the Dragon King's good teaching. In my opinion, Chang Xiao must be accumulating strength and will return to the arena when the time is right. As long as he defeats the Divine Sword Sect, he will be the supreme master of the martial arts world. It will definitely be beneficial for us to stand on his side. I think this bet is worth it." The Dragon King of the South China Sea nodded in approval: "Yes, I would do the same if I were in his place. But how to solve the crisis at hand?" Yan Nanlou smiled and said, "Don't worry, Dragon King. The current government is corrupt and officials are greedy. As long as we send a few gifts, we can open the channel and even get the tribute grain." The Dragon King of the South China Sea was overjoyed: "Good idea, it seems that my worries are unnecessary, you can completely handle the situation at hand. In this case, I will go back, and you must be careful that the other party sends experts to assassinate you." Yan Nanlou agreed: "I've made a note of it, Dragon King, don't worry."

After sending off the Dragon King of the South China Sea, Yan Nanlou frowned. It was easier said than done. Now the government was following the order of Princess Rose, and ordinary officials dared not disobey. If Princess Rose returned to Beijing, it would be easy to deal with, but she just stayed in Jiangnan and refused to leave. It was not easy to open up the trade route. The South China Sea fleet had a large number of personnel and consumed a lot of rice and grain. The current grain reserves could only support one month at most. If it was not resolved, a crisis would arise. Yan Nanlou understood that Duan Qingxiao was now the king of the world, and he was unable to compete with the power of the South China Sea. At this time, his subordinates came to report excitedly that a large fleet had arrived from Chengdu, and the ships were full of rice and grain. Yan Nanlou was overjoyed and immediately ordered people to prepare gifts to visit. The grain ship and the South China Sea fleet were across the water. Yan Nanlou ordered people to send a name card. A young man came with a small boat and greeted them: "My family's foreigner invites you." Yan Nanlou nodded and made up his mind that he would buy the grain even if he paid three times the price to solve the urgent problem first. The young man led Yan Nanlou to a restaurant. In the private room on the third floor, a table of exquisite banquet was set up. A middle-aged man was standing at the door. He was tall and had a straight back, like a bamboo pole. He was very different from an ordinary merchant. The young man introduced: "This is my master." The middle-aged man bowed and said: "Fang Zishou, his ancestral home is Chengdu." Yan Nanlou returned the greeting: "Nanhai Yan Nanlou, Boss Fang is indeed very wealthy. A fleet of fifty large ships is extremely rare in the mainland." Fang Zishou smiled and said: "No, only five of these ships are mine, and the rest are borrowed, specially for transporting this batch of fine rice. Boss Yan is a wealthy man with a huge family fortune." After the greetings, Yan Nanlou got straight to the point and asked: "Has Boss Fang's goods found a buyer?" Fang Zishou smiled: "Of course, how can we transport them thousands of miles without a buyer? To be honest, the deposit has been received." Yan Nanlou was of course not giving up, and continued to ask: "Have all the fine rice been bought?" Fang Zishou shook his head: "There are still twenty ships without a buyer. My mother has always worshipped Buddha and asked me to use these fine rice to help the poor people." Yan Nanlou immediately said: "Can you sell these twenty ships of fine rice to me? I am willing to pay a high price." Fang Zishou frowned and said: "My mother has repeatedly instructed me, I can't disobey her orders."

Although Yan Nanlou was a man of the world, he also understood the business world. Fang Zishou was raising the price to test his sincerity. If he knew that he was in urgent need of the goods, he would raise the price. So he smiled and said, "To be honest with you, Boss Fang, my fleet is in trouble and we are in urgent need of a batch of rice to help. As long as Boss Fang agrees, the price can be negotiated." Fang Zishou smiled and said, "Businessmen naturally put profit first. As long as Boss Yan's price is right, I would love it." Yan Nanlou was overjoyed: "Boss Fang is really straightforward. You can decide the price." Fang Zishou raised his glass to toast and tested him, "How much can Boss Yan eat?" Yan Nanlou smiled: "As much as you can eat, it depends on Boss Fang's methods." Fang Zishou nodded: "Don't worry about that. I have an official letter from General Pingnan of Chengdu. Officials in Jiangnan have no right to interfere. The harvest in Shu is good this year, and there is a large amount of surplus grain. But others can't get the ship, so they can only go through me. If Boss Yan has With this ability, we might as well cooperate for a long time. We can have as much refined rice as you want. "Yan Nanlou was happy and patted his chest to guarantee: "The price is easy to negotiate, but it must be refined rice, and we can't pass it off as good quality." Fang Zishou smiled and said: "Since we want to cooperate for a long time, we naturally can't do anything. The price of refined rice must be taxed by the government, and it can't be set too high. Fang has long heard that there are many rare treasures in the South China Sea. These 20 ships of refined rice are what my mother asked me to help the poor. It would be best if Boss Yan could trade them for a precious Buddha statue. As long as my mother likes it, I will have an explanation." Yan Nanlou nodded and agreed: "This is easy to talk about. There are many rich families in Shu. Boss Fang can bring back some rare goods from overseas and make a lot of money." Fang Zishou was very happy. With this person in touch, he would have a lot of money in the future. It was agreed that the refined rice would be traded at the official price, and the price would be converted into overseas goods. Once it was sold, there would be several times the profit. The host and the guest were happy and each got what they needed. Yan Nanlou observed carefully and found that Mr. Fang's muscles and bones were not like those of ordinary businessmen. He moved very lightly. But he was very thin and did not look like a martial artist. He was puzzled. When he asked, Fang Zishou smiled and said, "When I was a child, I had dysentery. All medicines were ineffective and I almost died. Fortunately, a monk saved me. Later, no matter how I took care of it, it was still like this." Yan Nanlou nodded. This explanation made sense. Anyway, the matter was urgent, and it would be fine if we could buy grain. After the business was settled, everyone went back to prepare. Yan Nanlou sent someone to check the refined rice, and Fang Zishou sent someone to estimate the goods. Things went very smoothly. Yan Nanlou ordered people to send 20 ships of refined rice back to the South China Sea, and he stayed in the Central Plains to preside over it.

Fang Zishou was good at business and didn't need an accountant at all. His accounts were perfect. Yan Nanlou was sure that this man was indeed a veteran in the business world. So he made the deal with confidence and sent the refined rice away as soon as possible. Fang Zishou had checked the goods and knew that he had made a great profit from this trip. He hurried back to Chengdu to collect the refined rice and sell the goods in his hands. Such a big thing certainly alarmed Duan Qingxiao. He sent people to investigate Fang Zishou's background while thinking of countermeasures. He called Mr. Tang to discuss. Mr. Tang thought for a moment and said, "We can't act rashly at the moment. I feel that this matter is not simple. It seems that someone is manipulating it behind the scenes. The South China Sea Fleet has run out of money. How could this Fang Zishou suddenly appear with an official letter from General Pingnan?" Duan Qingxiao nodded: "I also feel suspicious, so I sent someone to investigate this person's background. I believe there will be a response soon." Mr. Tang persuaded: "Master, don't be too persistent. It's no big deal that Yan Nanlou refuses to surrender. Besides, the South China Sea Fleet has a lot of business. It's a pity to fall into the hands of others." Duan Qingxiao smiled and said, "The precious things in the South China Sea are not worth it. "Treasure is not in my eyes at all. I am returning to the martial arts world just to vent my anger. I can't even control Yan Nanlou. I am too incompetent as the supreme master of the martial arts world." Mr. Tang nodded: "If that's the case, just mobilize your forces to deal with Fang Zishou. There is no need to waste your efforts." Duan Qingxiao smiled and said, "You and I have the same idea. Who do you think is suitable to go?" Mr. Tang said without hesitation: "Wanqi Song should be asked to go. This little thing is not difficult for him. Let Mo Qilin assist, it will be foolproof." Duan Qingxiao immediately gave the order, and Wanqi Song had to leave. He felt bad. This time, the master's return to the martial arts world was very different from before. In the past, the master was obsessed with swordsmanship and didn't ask about the affairs of the martial arts world at all. Now he is fussing about it. Yan Nanlou has done nothing wrong. Should he be eliminated if he doesn't obey? This is not what the leader of the martial arts world should do. Although he thought about it, he still had to do it. He mobilized thirty capable subordinates from Wanxian Hall to enter Sichuan.

This time, the main purpose was to prevent Fang Zishou from cooperating with Yannanlou. It was not a big deal, and Wanqi Song just took it as a distraction. After rushing to Chengdu, he learned that Fang Zishou was indeed the leading grain merchant in the area, with 10,000 acres of fertile land under his name, a large family and a close relationship with General Pingnan. Wanqi Song did not intend to hurt innocent people, and as long as he frightened him, Fang Zishou would naturally be scared. At this time, Fang Zishou was busy purchasing refined rice. Because he made a lot of profit, the purchase price was increased by 10%, and there was an endless stream of people sending rice. In addition, the local officials and wealthy families rushed to buy the treasures of the South China Sea, and they were very busy. Since he had tasted the sweetness, he naturally had to hurry up. Soon, fifty large ships were filled and ready to expand the business. Although others were jealous, they could not get a share of the pie, mainly because the government could not get through. Fang Zishou had the support of General Pingnan, and the prefect could not afford to offend him. Wanqi Song found out that Fang Zishou was indeed an ordinary businessman. He did not need to deal with such a person himself, so he sent people to pretend to be strong men and find a suitable place to burn the grain ship. As long as the business was not done, it would be fine. The people brought this time were all good at martial arts. In order not to reveal any flaws, thirty people acted together. Wanqi Song just waited for news in the inn. This operation was extremely simple, and Wanqi Song was not worried at all. In the middle of the night, a group of subordinates came in one after another, and the leader knelt down to plead guilty. Wanqi Song was quite surprised and asked, "What happened?" The leader bowed his head and reported, "There is a mysterious master on the grain ship. We are far from his enemy. The first eight people on board are all dead." Wanqi Song was shocked and asked, "What does the person who did it look like?" The leader replied, "It was the young man next to Fang Zishou. He took eight lives with a wave of his hand, and said that it was just a slight punishment to let us live." Wanqi Song frowned, and didn't expect that there was such a master around Fang Zishou. After thinking for a long time, if he went back like this, he would definitely not be able to complete the task. In any case, he had to meet with Fang Zishou to find out the truth. He made up his mind and asked people to prepare gifts and visit the ship in the morning disguised as a businessman.

Chapter 70: Returning with Failure

Wanqi Song had been in the underworld for a long time, so it was very easy for him to change his identity. The grain ship would depart soon and there was no time to delay. At dawn, Wanqi Song led eight followers on horseback and rushed to the riverside. There was a row of large ships lined up in front, with a tower ship in the middle, which was obviously Fang Zishou's ship. Wanqi Song came to the side of the ship and asked the people on the boat. Wanqi Song said, "Please let me know. I have a batch of Shu brocade leaving Sichuan. I would like to take a boat. The price is negotiable." Someone replied, "The boat is full and there is no way to load more." Wanqi Song clasped his fists and said, "There are only five boxes. It doesn't take up much space. I really can't find another ship. I hope you can be flexible." The subordinate handed over a five-liang ingot. The person on the boat took it and smiled, "Yes, only Boss Fang's ship can pass the checkpoint. Let me ask." He turned and went upstairs. After a while, a young man got off the tower ship. The people around him whispered, "This is the man who took action last night." Wanqi Song looked at him carefully and found that the young man had a fair complexion and delicate skin. He should be a pampered nobleman. How could he have such profound martial arts? The young man clasped his fists and saluted: "Please, old man. Boss Fang has something to say. Merchants should help each other. However, the time for the ship to leave has been set. As long as we can catch up, the ship fare can be waived." Wanqi Song hurriedly said: "Thank you for your kindness, Boss Fang. The goods will arrive soon and will not delay the departure. Please pass on the message. I want to thank Boss Fang in person." The young man nodded: "Boss Fang is drinking upstairs. Old man, please follow me." The people around him wanted to follow. Wanqi Song knew that these people could not help on the boat, so he boarded alone. When he came upstairs, Fang Zishou was indeed drinking, with several exquisite side dishes in front of him. Wanqi Song clasped his fists and said, "Thank you, Mr. Fang, for your generosity. I am Wan Tianhe, and I am polite." Fang Zishou returned the greeting and said, "We are both businessmen, and this little thing is not worth mentioning. I know all the merchants in Chengdu, and you are not a local, right?" Wanqi Song smiled and said, "Yes, my ancestral home is Xuchang, Henan, and I travel around to make a profit. My capital is meager, and I can't compare to Mr. Fang's wealth." Fang Zishou nodded slightly, "Okay, since we are destined to have a drink together, why don't we have a drink together?" Wanqi Song said, "Excuse me for bothering you."

After sitting down, the young man filled the cup with wine and stepped back. Wanqi Song was an old man, but he could not see any signs of martial arts training in this young man. He speculated that there were only two possibilities. One was that his subordinates had made a mistake and the young man was not the one who attacked. The other possibility was that this young man had practiced internal martial arts and had reached a certain level. His energy was restrained and could not be seen from his appearance. It was impossible for someone of this age to have such profound skills. Fang Zishou's lean body did not look like a martial artist, so he asked indirectly, "How many people are there in Boss Fang's entourage?" Fang Zishou pointed at the young man and said, "In addition to this He Tong, there are three confidants, and the rest are all associates." Wanqi Song was shocked. This He Tong was already unfathomable. With three more people, he might not be able to handle it. After chatting for a while, Fang Zishou asked, "Have you ever practiced martial arts, old man?" Wanqi Song smiled and said, "I have been wandering for many years and have learned a few tricks of kung fu, which can barely save my life. How does Mr. Fang know that I have practiced martial arts?" Fang Zishou explained, "The old man has a straight back and a strong body. It is impossible that he was born with this. I have been weak since I was a child, and I am particularly envious of people with strong bodies, so I asked this question." Wanqi Song nodded. In just a moment, someone had delivered five boxes. Fang Zishou carried them onto the boat and asked Wanqi Song, "Will the old man go with you on the same boat?" Wanqi Song shook his head and said, "I am not used to riding a boat, so I will just let the guys follow me." After finishing the superficial work, Wanqi Song said goodbye and left only one person on the boat. He led his followers to secretly keep an eye on the fleet. Anyway, the target was obvious and it was impossible to lose it. The river was curved, and Wanqi Song went straight and fast, and rushed to a ferry first. Since the master had spoken, he had to stop the grain ships from leaving Sichuan. However, since he had suffered a loss, he could not act rashly. The people on the boat were unpredictable. If he failed, the consequences would be unpredictable. There were soldiers guarding the ferry. The grain ship arrived at dusk. After crossing the ferry, they rested on the shore. Wanqi Song knew that there was another ferry ahead, so he prepared to find out the situation first. The people around him were not good at martial arts, so they stayed on the hillside in the distance to watch the wind. Wanqi Song packed up and took the fire starter to set a fire when he had the chance. He approached the fleet in the night. The night was hazy, and the lights on the boats were reflected on the river like stars. Wanqi Song had no intention of enjoying the scenery, so he carefully approached the building ship in the middle. Fang Zishou and his four followers must be on the building ship.

Wanqi Song is an old man in the martial arts world. He moves very carefully. He boarded the boat from the back light, and quietly came to the top of the ship. At this time, a voice came from below. It was Fang Zishou's voice. The voice was clear and very clear. "The shore is covered with fine grass and breeze, and the mast is alone in the night boat. The stars hang low over the vast plain, and the moon rises in the river. Du Gongbu's talent is beyond doubt. These four sentences show his skill, but he is not free and easy. The last four sentences are much worse, and the meaning of feeling about his life is too heavy. If he practices martial arts, Du Gongbu will definitely not become a master." At this time, someone asked: "Uncle Fang, how much can we make from this business?" It was He Tong's voice. Fang Zishou laughed and said, "It is so pleasant to enjoy the scenery under the moon, taste wine and talk about poetry. But you had to talk about money. It really spoils the scenery, really spoils the scenery." He Tong argued, "People die for money, birds die for food. Without money, nothing can be done." Fang Zishou also agreed, "This sentence is indeed true. Money can make things happen. From the emperor to the common people, no one can do without it. Has Qin Tong come back?" He Tong replied, "Yes, I just put down the letter and was taken away by Jiu Tong." Fang Zishou sighed, "Jiu Tong can't change his bad habits. It's not enough for him to drink by himself, he always has to drag someone along." Wanqi Song realized then that He Tong, whom he had seen in the daytime, was not named He. It should be He as in crane. Qin Tong, Jiu Tong, Crane Tong, and another one are most likely Jian Tong. Now it is certain that these people must be skilled in martial arts. After a moment of silence, Fang Zishou was probably reading a letter. He heard He Tong ask, "Uncle Fang, what instructions does the flag master have?" Fang Zishou replied, "The flag master assured us that everything is going well. The obstacles at Yannan Tower have been cleared." Wanqi Song wondered in his heart, who is this flag master? The subordinates are so amazing, the leader must be extraordinary. Just when he was suspicious, He Tong said, "The sword boy is back. How is it? Is everything going well?" Another person's voice came from the room, "This trip is boring, too easy, don't let me go next time for such a thing." He Tong said, "Who let the wine boy get addicted, not caring about anything, and even took the piano boy away." Wanqi Song was shocked. Who moved so quickly that he didn't even notice it. He heard Fang Zishou say from below, "Master Wanqi, you can come down." Wanqi Song was shocked. He didn't expect that he was still discovered even though he was so careful.

Since his whereabouts were exposed, there was no need to hide it any more. Although his opponent was unpredictable, Wanqi Song was still very confident in his ability. In fact, before fighting with Chang Xiao, Wanqi Song had always been recognized as the best swordsman. So he floated down and entered the house through the window. In front of him, in addition to Fang Zishou and He Tong, there was another young man with delicate features and fair skin. He should be Jian Tong. Fang Zishou smiled and said, "It's not easy for Wanqi Hall Master to come from afar. How about sitting down and having a drink?" Wanqi Song clasped his fists and said, "I came so rudely. Please forgive me, Mr. Fang." After the greetings, they sat down. Wanqi Song spoke first, "When did Mr. Fang recognize me?" Fang Zishou replied, "The Hall Master is famous and I have known his appearance for a long time." Wanqi Song was puzzled. If Fang Zishou recognized him, he should be a Jianghu person. Why didn't he have any impression of him? Fang Zishou said with a smile: "The old hall master must have come to destroy this business on the orders of the master. The flag owner has something to say. We don't need to hide our actions. Wanqi hall master can send back the news." Wanqi Song asked: "Who is the flag owner you are talking about?" Fang Zishou shook his head: "The flag owner is the flag owner, he has no other identity. The old hall master has explored three times and should have some gains. It's time to report." Wanqi Song felt bad. He had been rolling in the rivers and lakes for many years in vain. It was really embarrassing to be led by others. He said goodbye immediately. Fang Zishou sent him to the door and clasped his fists: "I'm sorry I won't see you off." Wanqi Song left the ship and hurriedly met up with his men, but all he saw was a pile of corpses. Wanqi Song was shocked by the other party's ruthlessness and was quite unwilling to accept it. He wanted to seek justice for these people. After thinking about it, he realized that he might not be able to take advantage of them alone. The three people were obviously fearless and must be very skilled. He couldn't act rashly at this time. There was total silence. Wanqi Song was thinking, he had led 30 people into Sichuan, but now he was alone, and he had no way to explain himself when he returned. Just when he was worried, someone suddenly spoke: "Master Wanqi, I have heard that you are very skilled in swordsmanship and are a great name in the martial arts world. I would like to learn a thing or two from you." Wanqi Song turned around and found that the sword boy who had met him on the boat was just a few feet away. He was really surprised. What kind of body movement was this? There was no sound at all, which was really incredible.

The person who came was Jian Tong. He had been practicing hard in the mountains for a long time. It was rare for him to meet a master. He was eager to come here to compete. Wanqi Song gritted his teeth and said, "You are so cruel and ruthless at such a young age. Since you are looking for death, you can't blame me." Jian Tong smiled and said, "Martial arts are respected in the world. You are more capable than me, so you can kill me. Just like your men died in my hands, there is nothing to complain about." Wanqi Song nodded and thought: Even if you have been practicing martial arts since your mother's womb, it has only been about 20 years. You don't know how high the sky is and how deep the earth is. Today I will let you know how powerful you are. With his mind made up, he drew his sword and struck it with lightning. But Jian Tong flashed lightly, like a ghost, and in a blink of an eye he was behind him. Wanqi Song turned his sword, but in a blink of an eye, Jian Tong actually changed direction again. This time Wanqi Song was quite surprised. This kind of body movement is really amazing, and it moves so quickly. It seems that this battle is not easy. After a few moves, the sword boy smiled and said, "Master Wanqi is not the only one who can do these two moves, show me some real skills." Wanqi Song gritted his teeth, stepped backwards on the Seven Star Step, and unfolded his original phantom sword technique. Suddenly, there were figures everywhere, and the wind was howling, covering all directions. The sword boy praised, "This is more like it, I will make a move." With a short sword in his hand, he unfolded his body, and each time he advanced and retreated, he was about ten feet away. The sword light condensed into a line, and he would find a gap to enter. Wanqi Song was secretly surprised. It seemed that this sword boy not only had great body skills, but also extraordinary skills. It was rare to see someone who could condense the sword light into a line in the world. The old and the young fought hard, and it was hard to tell who was better. Wanqi Song was more and more frightened as he fought. This sword boy had superb skills, magical swordsmanship, and incredible body skills. He was actually a first-class rival, and his phantom sword technique could not play its power. There is another layer. If Jian Tong is already like this, his three companions should not be far behind. What should Fang Zishou do? Add to that the flag master they mentioned, this power is really terrifying. In the fierce battle, there is no time to think too much. Jian Tong is very excited for the first time to fight with a master. His offensive is like a tide. Wanqi Song guards the gate tightly and looks for opportunities to attack. Unknowingly, two hundred moves have been made. Jian Tong exclaimed that it is exciting. Wanqi Song is unwilling to return empty-handed. He patiently looks for opportunities to kill Jian Tong. Although Jian Tong is young, he is experienced. He seems to be an old man who has been through many enemies. His sword moves are flawless. It is not so easy for Wanqi Song to win.

After fighting for half an hour, Wanqi Song did not find any flaws. He secretly admired in his heart that the young man was indeed promising and had a bright future. Just as the stalemate was about to begin, a figure came in like a ghost, grabbed Jian Tong by the collar and left the circle, and disappeared in a blink of an eye. Wanqi Song took a quick glance and barely saw that the man was tall and thin. It must be Fang Zishou. Since Fang Zishou could cut into the inner circle and easily take Jian Tong away, it would be easy for him to take his own life. It seemed that Fang Zishou did not kill him and showed mercy. If he did not hesitate at this time, the other party would be ruthless and not a good man. If he really killed him, his old bones would not be able to be saved, so he hurriedly packed up and rushed back to the Divine Sword Sect. Duan Qingxiao did not take this matter to heart. With Wanqi Song's ability, he was more than enough to deal with a businessman. Wanqi Song did not dare to neglect it. He hurriedly found Duan Qingxiao and told him the details of what happened. Duan Qingxiao frowned and asked, "Is Fang Zishou really stronger than you?" Wanqi Song nodded and said, "Master, there is no need for me to brag to others. Fang Zishou's martial arts are truly magical. We can't figure out his clues. He is absolutely impossible to resist." Duan Qingxiao asked his disciple to go back and rest, and invited Mr. Tang to discuss the matter. Mr. Tang sighed after learning what happened, "Those four young men must be the four boys who were close to Taoist Zuixia. It's hard to say who Fang Zishou is. The flag owner hidden behind the scenes is most likely Chang Xiao." Duan Qingxiao nodded, "Now it seems to be true. Taoist Zuixia actually gave the power he had cultivated with great effort to Chang Xiao, and he went to his death calmly. This kind of free and easy attitude is really rare. Now that we have identified the opponent, how should we proceed?" Mr. Tang thought for a moment and said, "Looking at Fang Zishou's attitude, it is obvious that he is fearless, which is enough to prove that the power in Chang Xiao's hands is extremely powerful. At present, it is best to find someone to test the truth. As for the candidate, the master of the sect will find a way." Duan Qingxiao wondered, "What can I do?" Mr. Tang smiled and said, "Master, why are you confused? No one else can do this. Only those with martial arts comparable to the master of the sect can go. Such a master cannot be invited by others." Duan Qingxiao understood, "So that's it."

After the secret discussion, Duan Qingxiao left the Divine Sword Sect, and Mr. Tang returned to his residence after making arrangements. His status was very noble, and his residence was very exquisite, with four maids serving him. Mr. Tang was not interested in women, and was immersed in articles and books all day long. He rarely went out and often read until late at night. That night, he read by candlelight, and before he knew it, it was past three o'clock. Mr. Tang packed up and returned to his bedroom to rest. Just as he lay down, he suddenly heard a subtle voice: "Tang Shiyu." Although the voice was slight, it was like thunder to Mr. Tang. It was impossible for outsiders to know this name. For a moment, cold sweat broke out all over his body. He got up and went to the window, lowered his voice and asked: "Who is it?" There was silence for a long time. He turned back inadvertently and his heart was shocked. A burly man was standing behind him. Mr. Tang managed to calm himself down and asked in a low voice: "Who are you?" The visitor smiled slightly: "With your intelligence, how can you not guess my identity?" Mr. Tang calmed down. He was suddenly startled just now and had not thought about it carefully. Now he came to his senses and immediately understood. He clasped his fists and said: "You must be the famous owner of Julong Manor, Nan Kunlun. I have heard of your name for a long time." Mr. Tang guessed correctly. This person was indeed Chang Xiao. After hearing what Mr. Tang said, Chang Xiao smiled and said: "Sir, you are really smart. Yes, I am Chang Xiao." The two sat down at the table, and Mr. Tang spoke first: "After Taoist Zuixia passed away, I expected you to come to me, but I didn't expect it to be so soon. You are really brave." Chang Xiao smiled: "Admittedly, I am not Duan Qingxiao's opponent, but no one can do anything to me except him. As long as he is not around, I can rule the world." Mr. Tang shook his head: "The owner of the manor still thinks too highly of himself. Duan Qingxiao is not the only master. There are people who are as good as him, but they just live in seclusion in the mountains and don't interact with outsiders." Chang Xiao was greatly surprised: "I didn't expect there are masters in the world. It seems that Chang's vision is too narrow. I hope you can give me some advice."

Chapter 71: Beauty in Decline

The meeting between these two people was beyond everyone's expectation, and there was naturally another hidden story. This Tang Shiyu was a Jinshi, and he served in the Hanlin Academy. Because of his erudition and talent, he was summoned to the palace as an enlightenment teacher for the princes and princesses. Later, he was appreciated by the emperor, regarded as a confidant, and his official position was increased to the second grade. Every change of dynasty involves martial artists, so the court attaches great importance to it and sends many spies to monitor the movements of the rivers and lakes. The emperor took a fancy to Tang Shiyu's talents and asked him to change his identity and hide in the rivers and lakes, command these spies, pass on information at any time, and deal with any disturbances immediately. Tang Shiyu arranged an opportunity to approach Duan Qingxiao, and was indeed favored by Duan Qingxiao, hired as a think tank around him, and discussed everything with him. Later, Duan Qingxiao retired and arranged Tang Shiyu to Wuling Villa to compete with Zuixia Taoist. Zuixia Taoist learned about Tang Shiyu's true identity through various channels and reached an agreement with him in secret, so he said that Wuling Villa was already under control. One of the two letters given to Chang Xiao before he passed away talked about this matter, so Chang Xiao knew the inside story and sneaked into the Divine Sword Sect to meet Tang Shiyu when Duan Qingxiao was away. During the conversation, Chang Xiao was surprised to learn that there was a master in the world who was as skilled as Duan Qingxiao, and asked hurriedly. Tang Shiyu explained: "Duan Qingxiao and I talk about everything, so I know a little bit. I remember mentioning a hermit master who is a senior of Shangqing Palace. He is already a hundred years old, and Lingmu Zhenren still calls him uncle. This person has superb internal strength and is respected as the Five Wood True Lord by the martial arts world. He has been living in seclusion for decades. Duan Qingxiao has a lot of dealings with this person. This time he left the Divine Sword Sect to ask this person to deal with you." Chang Xiao nodded: "I see, we must be careful. In addition Besides this Wu Mu Zhen Jun, are there any other masters who live in seclusion?" Tang Shiyu shook his head slightly: "I don't know the details. Duan Qingxiao once mentioned that Wu Mu Zhen Jun had competed with another master for many years and could never get the upper hand. The two of them competed every year and were always evenly matched. That master seemed to be the master of Master Cun Xin and Holy Mother Nanhua, but his name was unclear. "Chang Xiao nodded: "I didn't expect that there are such masters among women. I will ask Master Baekje for details when I have the chance." The two secretly agreed on a way to contact each other and would contact each other at any time if there was any news. Chang Xiao still sneaked out of the Divine Sword Sect.

Duan Qingxiao came back soon. Tang Shiyu asked and learned that Wu Mu Zhenjun was practicing the unique skill of Shangqing Palace, Jingtao Palm, in seclusion. He would not be able to come out until three months later. So Tang Shiyu secretly sent the news out, and Chang Xiao hurriedly prepared. It was not suitable to argue with Duan Qingxiao at this time. The current situation did not allow it, so there was no action except to ensure the supply of the South China Sea fleet. Duan Qingxiao did not want to go too far. Chang Xiao had extremely strong power in his hands. Once he started fighting, he might not be able to take advantage. Therefore, the two sides lived in peace. At this time, something happened in the Fire God Palace. Yin Tianlei and Gao Zhen almost fell out. The cause was the world-famous first beauty, Jade Butterfly. Since she had retired, Jade Butterfly was quite bored. This kind of life was too dull and meaningless. In order to pass on the family line, Gao Zhen bought two beauties. Later, he found that the newly bought beauties had a different flavor. Youth is the capital. After all, Jade Butterfly is in her thirties. In addition to indulging in sensual pleasures, fine lines have appeared at the corners of her eyebrows and eyes, and her skin is not as good as before. Therefore, Gao Zhen often slept with the newly bought beauty and neglected Yu Hudie. Yu Hudie was not used to such a simple life. In addition, she was angry and had an unbalanced diet, so she fell seriously ill. Gao Zhen turned his face and was ruthless, and didn't take it to heart at all. But Yin Tianlei couldn't bear it and asked a famous doctor to treat her and saved her life. After a lot of torture, Yu Hudie's face was extremely haggard, and she no longer had the peerless beauty of the first beauty. Gao Zhen had a new lover, so he wanted to move Yu Hudie out of the Fire God Palace to save trouble. Yin Tianlei was very dissatisfied and tried to persuade him several times, but Gao Zhen didn't listen at all. The two argued and almost got into a fight. In the end, Yin Tianlei decided to arrange Yu Hudie's future life himself. Yu Hudie and Gao Zhen didn't have much feelings for each other, so they packed up and left the Fire God Palace. Yin Tianlei was different from Gao Zhen. Although he wanted to find a fortune for Yu Hudie, he had no place to start, so he could only take out the few antiques he had around him. This was the beloved item of his master Xinghe Yesou. Yin Tianlei had always kept it with him, but now he couldn't take care of it and gave it to Yu Hudie.

At dusk, enveloped by the afterglow of the setting sun, Jade Butterfly and Yin Tianlei walked side by side. Today's number one beauty is not much different from an ordinary woman, with ordinary clothes and a haggard face. The end of a hero and the old age of a beauty are the saddest things in the world. Although Yin Tianlei wanted to comfort her, he had nothing to say. Jade Butterfly was very calm and said indifferently: "Tianlei, don't blame your brother. I knew the result from the day I followed him." Yin Tianlei was a little surprised. According to common sense, Jade Butterfly should be very disappointed. Jade Butterfly saw what Yin Tianlei meant and smiled: "You think I will be very sad, but in fact I have no heart. Do you know why I got sick?" Yin Tianlei shook his head. Jade Butterfly sighed: "My heart has been taken away a long time ago. Something happened to this person. I was depressed day and night and got this disease." Yin Tianlei was quite surprised and asked: "Who is it?" Jade Butterfly Butterfly's nose felt sore and she shed two lines of tears. After a while, she spoke: "It doesn't matter if I tell you now. I got sick after hearing the news that Chang Xiao was defeated by Duan Qingxiao and his life or death was uncertain. To be honest, no matter where I am, my heart is always with him. Your senior brother knew about this a long time ago, so he is so heartless. I don't blame him." Yin Tianlei was quite surprised and asked: "Since you like the owner of the manor, why don't you take the initiative to confess, but stay with senior brother?" Jade Butterfly smiled bitterly: "Fate is playing tricks on me. I was given to Chang Xiao by Wanxian Hall mainly because of The purpose was to disintegrate the Julong Gang. Although I slept with him, it was just a game. He was a deep and introverted person. On the surface, he was very humble, but in his bones he had an unyielding and heroic spirit. All the Jianghu people I have seen were angry and arrogant, but none of them was like him. So I thought he was cowardly and not like a man, and I didn't take him seriously. Later, when he realized the conspiracy of Wanxiantang and disbanded the Julong Gang, I realized that he was a real man, but it was too late. The mistake had been made and it was hard to reverse it. From that moment on, I knew that I could never love again in this life. "Yin Tianlei was quite sympathetic and nodded, saying, "It's sad that a beautiful woman has a tragic fate." Yu Hudie wiped away her tears, let out a long breath, and felt a lot more relieved after she spoke out her worries. She continued, "Later, every time I saw him, my pain increased a little. It was really uncomfortable to force a smile. I'm not afraid of you laughing at me, even his shadow is all in my dreams. Anyway, I have no chance to be with him in this life. If he leaves, there is no point in my living." Yin Tianlei hurriedly said, "The owner of the manor is both wise and brave, unparalleled in the world. Even if he loses, he will not die. Don't be discouraged."

Yu Hudie was indeed disheartened, and there was nothing more sad than a dead heart. She didn't listen to Yin Tianlei's words at all. After going down the mountain, Yin Tianlei asked Yu Hudie where she wanted to go. Yu Hudie said without hesitation: "I want to go to Julong Villa. My heart is there, and I want to find it back." Yin Tianlei found a carriage to take Yu Hudie to Julong Villa. After a few days, there was no one here. The huge villa was dead and silent. Yu Hudie had been here before and was familiar with it. She went straight to the hall and couldn't help crying when she saw the throne in the middle. In a trance, it seemed that Chang Xiao was sitting there. Yu Hudie suppressed the grief in her heart and said to Yin Tianlei, "Tianlei, I want to stay here. You have a bright future. Don't worry about me. There is food and drink here, and no one will disturb you. You can go now." Yin Tianlei felt unhappy, but he had nothing to persuade her. It was not a good thing for him to always be with Yu Hudie. It would be bad if the news got out. So he advised, "Take care of yourself. I'm leaving." Looking at Yin Tianlei's receding back, Yu Hudie could no longer hold back and burst into tears. She didn't expect that she would end up in this situation. She came to the throne and murmured, "You took my heart, why don't you give it back to me? Don't you want to owe others a favor? Give it back to me, give it back to me." But the throne could not speak. Jade Butterfly knelt on the ground, tears kept coming, and she said to herself, "Duan Qingxiao is Wanqi Song's master and the supreme master of the martial arts world. You can't beat him, so why do you want to fight with him? Even if you want to fight, why choose the Cliff of Broken Souls? There are sharp spikes below, don't you know that you will die if you lose? Why are you so stupid? How can I live if you leave?" These words came from the heart, but unfortunately no one answered. After crying for a long time, Jade Butterfly made up her mind and gritted her teeth and said, "I can't let you see me like this. I will come to accompany you after I dress up." So she left the hall and went to Princess Yueying's bedroom to find a mirror to dress up. Because Chang Xiao was famous and helpful, he had a very good reputation, and no one destroyed Julong Villa, even the furniture was not moved, and Princess Yueying's bedroom was still the same as before. Yu Hudie dressed up, put on a gorgeous dress, and returned to the hall. She muttered to herself in front of the throne, in a daze, forgetting everything.

After an unknown amount of time, Jade Butterfly felt cold all over. It turned out that it was late at night and the mountain wind was blowing in. Jade Butterfly had lost all hope and was unwilling to leave. She held the throne tightly and refused to let go. In the dimness, a gentle voice came to her ears: "Butterfly." Jade Butterfly immediately recognized that it was the sweetheart she had been thinking about day and night. She was overjoyed and shouted: "Chang Xiao, are you really here? Take me with you." She was too excited and the blood rushed to her head, and she fainted. After an unknown amount of time, she felt hot all over. She opened her eyes and saw that she was lying on a couch in a monastery, covered with a velvet quilt. Outside the window, there were green mountains and bamboos. The furnishings in the room were quite elegant. Jade Butterfly's mind was confused. It took her a long time to remember that she heard Chang Xiao's voice in the hall and fainted. How did she come here? So she asked, "Is anyone there?" Soon someone came in. She had a pretty face and a graceful waist. She was a beautiful woman. Jade Butterfly asked, "Where is this place? Who is the owner?" The woman smiled and said, "I don't know where this place is. There are several owners, and I can't tell them clearly. Anyway, she is an old acquaintance of mine." Jade Butterfly was quite surprised. This woman was in her prime, and she was already over 30 years old. Why did she call her sister? So she asked, "How old are you? Why do you call me sister?" The woman smiled and said, "Sister, you are not allowed to tell outsiders. I just turned 40 this year." Jade Butterfly was surprised and shook her head and said, "Don't lie to me. You are obviously in your early twenties." The woman showed a smug look on her face, "Don't be surprised, sister. The owner of the flag has great magical powers. He has everything he wants. The elixir here cannot be found in the palace. In addition, there is a hot spring here. Bathing in the spring every day can keep your youth and longevity. In addition, we sisters practice kung fu, so we can maintain our appearance." Jade Butterfly was surprised and surprised. She didn't expect that she had come to a paradise on earth. She asked, "Who is the owner of the flag? Can I see him?" The woman The girl shook her head and said, "The flag owner is very busy and won't be back for a month. Before he left, he asked us sisters to take care of you. It seems that your appearance really needs some care." Yu Hudie naturally cherished her appearance. She was of course happy to hear such an opportunity and asked, "What are your names, sisters?" The girl replied, "There are four of us sisters living here. My name is Hanmei. My three younger sisters are the same age as me. The second sister is Xianglan, the third sister is Cuizhu, and the fourth sister is Moju." Yu Hudie remembered these names and her mind gradually became clear. She was sure that the people here had no ill intentions, but she just couldn't figure out their intentions. Her appearance was not as good as before and was no longer of any value.

The environment here is elegant, but there is no way out. There are cliffs on three sides and a high mountain on one side. The stone walls are steep and impossible to climb. The area is one acre in size, with a total of nine houses, with flowers and plants in the front and a vegetable garden in the back. Although Yu Hudie was weak, she was in much better spirits. Hanmei called her three sisters to meet Yu Hudie. Yu Hudie saw that the four looked younger than each other and was extremely envious. Appearance is the second life of a woman, not to mention the world-famous first beauty. Hanmei saw Yu Hudie's thoughts and smiled, "Third sister, go and prepare quickly, let sister Hudie try the hot spring, I think she can't wait." Cuizhu agreed to go out. Yu Hudie really wanted to take a bath and take the opportunity to reorganize her thoughts. Hanmei was very careful and prepared the necessary things. She led Yu Hudie to a big house. When she entered the door, she found that there was a big pool inside, which could accommodate ten people. There were dark red curtains on all sides, and the water in the pool was slightly red. Hanmei pointed out: "This is the hot spring water, sister, take a bath without worry." Yu Hudie agreed to prepare, thinking that Hanmei would go out, but Hanmei actually undressed. When she was wondering, Hanmei smiled and said: "Sister will accompany you to take a bath, and tell you about the benefits of hot springs." Although Yu Hudie was not used to it, she had nothing to say. They were all women, and there was nothing to be shy about. The two undressed and entered the hot spring. Hanmei said: "It was a little hot when I first came in, but it became comfortable after a while." Yu Hudie felt that the spring water had a strange feeling besides being hot, as if pepper was applied to the skin. Hanmei stared at Yudie's body and admired her. Yudie felt a little embarrassed. Hanmei smiled and said, "Sister, you are really born beautiful. No wonder you are called the most beautiful woman in the world. If you take care of yourself, even gods will be tempted." Yudie blushed and said, "Sister, you are joking. You are old and your youth is gone. The past is unbearable to look back on." Hanmei shook her head and said, "Sister, you still lack confidence. Sister will help you regain your youth. Then you can surprise the world and you can have a good time with me. But I have to say something in advance. Restoring youth is not easy. You have to suffer a lot. Sister, don't be lazy." Yudie agreed, "I will listen to you."

After bathing, Jade Butterfly felt hot and energetic. Hanmei said, "At this time, your muscles and bones are soft, which is the best time to practice. They are ready. Let's go." The two went into another monastery hand in hand. Three beauties were posing strange postures on a thick mat, and their joints were extremely soft. Jade Butterfly smiled bitterly and said, "I don't know martial arts." Hanmei smiled and said, "This is not martial arts, it is Indian yoga. You may not be used to it at first, but it will be fine slowly. Sister will help you." Jade Butterfly is good at singing and dancing, and has a certain foundation. In addition to the effect of hot springs, she practiced yoga under the guidance of the four women and made rapid progress. Hanmei took out the best elixir and ground pearl powder to regulate Jade Butterfly's skin. In this way, Jade Butterfly changed from the inside out. In less than ten days, the wrinkles at the corners of her eyebrows and eyes disappeared, and her whole body was full of vitality, feeling like she had been reborn. Although she was happy, she was a little worried. Was the flag owner greedy for her beauty? If so, although she restored her appearance, she became someone else's doll and returned to the old way before. Such a life was really boring. Although she was worried, it was more important to restore her appearance. Maybe God would open his eyes and the flag owner was a woman. The four Hanmei girls never mentioned the flag owner. It was useless to ask. Yu Hudie could only comfort herself. At this time, there was really no other way to think.

Chapter 72: Paradise on Earth

After 20 days, Jade Butterfly seemed to have changed into a different person. She regained her confidence and studied the method of keeping her youthful appearance with Hanmei and the other two people every day. She was also amazed at the great power of the flag owner, who turned this desperate place into a paradise. One night, she had a dream by chance. In the dream, she saw her beloved Chang Xiao covered in blood, waving at her in a dark cloud. When she ran over, a giant python rushed out of the dark cloud and swallowed her in one bite. She woke up suddenly in fear and came to her senses. She was still frightened when she recalled the scene in the dream. She wiped the cold sweat from her forehead and could not sleep anymore. So she put on her clothes and went out. The moonlight was hazy and the leaves were rustling. It was very interesting. Jade Butterfly came to sit on the swing in the flowers and thought about her thoughts silently. Her future was confused and her fate was completely controlled by others. What was the point of living like this? Couldn't she resist? But her power was too weak, and even if she resisted, it would be useless. While she was daydreaming, she suddenly heard a strange sound. She listened carefully and found that it came from Mo Ju's room. So she stood up and went to the window. It was impossible for outsiders to come here. It was summer, so she didn't draw the curtains at all. The scene in the room was visible. Two red palace lanterns emitted soft light. Two beautiful women were naked and entangled on the couch. They were the sisters Xianglan and Mo Ju. Yu Hudie had always been manipulated by men. She was used to love affairs, but she had never seen two women doing such things. Her cheeks flushed. She thought about leaving quickly, but her feet did not move. The power of curiosity prevailed. Xianglan and Mo Ju in the room were enjoying themselves, panting and moaning continuously. Their jade bodies and breasts were quite attractive. Although Yu Hudie was a woman, she felt her heart was swaying and difficult to control. She didn't expect that the body of a woman was also attractive to women. The noise in the room was getting louder and louder, and Yu Hudie felt hot all over. After a while, Xianglan and Moju were satisfied and fell asleep in each other's arms. Yu Hudie returned to her room, her heart beating like a deer. This experience aroused her lust all of a sudden. If she could press other women under her body like a man, that feeling must be wonderful. At this moment, a figure flashed into the room. It was Hanmei. Hanmei was only wearing a gauze robe. She murmured like a dream, "I can't help it. I will get the most beautiful woman in the world tonight." Yu Hudie was still immersed in fantasy. Hanmei came forward and hugged Yu Hudie and pressed her down. Yu Hudie's cheeks were hot, and she let herself be manipulated. Hanmei did whatever she wanted and was very happy.

The next day, when the five girls were bathing together, Hanmei was quite proud and boasted to her three sisters about her experience the night before. Xianglan and the other two girls immediately refused and took Yudie to their room to enjoy themselves. Yudie finally experienced the pleasure of being a man and felt extremely happy. At lunch, Hanmei asked, "Sister, are the days here happier than being a god?" Yudie lowered her head and said nothing. Cuizhu stretched out her delicate jade hands to Yudie's waist and touched her randomly. Yudie begged for mercy, "Good sister, please spare me." Hanmei said with a smile, "Sister, you don't know. In the past, we sisters couldn't live without men every day. In addition to practicing martial arts, we thought about this matter. That was our master's intentional training. Later, the master died, and we were locked up by another person. We couldn't see a man for several months, so we had to find a way ourselves. Later, we met the flag owner who released us, and we were dumbfounded. He was a man among men, a hero that women dream of. So we pestered him desperately and finally moved him to take us in. , that's why we were arranged here." Xianglan interrupted, "It's really amazing to say that the flag owner is amazing. Even birds can't fly to such a high place, but he is so casual and comes and goes freely." Moju said with a smile, "After seeing the flag owner's ability, I don't want any other man anymore. It's my blessing in my previous life to be favored by the flag owner." Cuizhu smiled and said, "In a few days, the flag owner will be back. Then we must enjoy ourselves." Yudie asked, "Who is the flag owner? Can you tell me?" Hanmei frowned and said, "We can't talk nonsense without the flag owner's permission, but the flag owner must like you from the bottom of his heart, you don't have to worry." Yudie felt cold in her heart. It turned out that this was the case. The flag owner was also greedy for her beauty. At this time, Mo Ju smiled and said, "When I first met the flag owner, I felt that he was extraordinary. Although he was young, he had unfathomable abilities. I never thought that I would have the opportunity to get close to him. If it weren't for Master's tricks, I would definitely give birth to a child for him." Yu Hudie's heart moved. He was young, but his abilities were unfathomable. It seemed that only Chang Xiao could be worthy of this title. Could it be that this flag owner was him? Impossible. Duan Qingxiao was recognized as the leader of the martial arts world. In a place like the Cliff of Broken Souls, Chang Xiao could not escape. However, Yin Tianlei once said that Chang Xiao was brave and resourceful, and would not seek death. Perhaps God had a vision and gave him the opportunity to meet his beloved. Although he had fantasies in his heart, he could not express them. If it was not Chang Xiao, he would be in trouble.

Since the beginning was made, Jade Butterfly had no scruples. Every day, besides practicing yoga, soaking in hot springs, and maintaining their bodies, they also found ways to have fun. The five beauties lived a fairy-like life. What was to come would eventually come. One day, the five sisters were playing among the flowers. Mo Ju was sharp-eyed and saw a flash of light below. She clapped her hands and cheered, "The flag master is back. Let's prepare the food." Han Mei immediately assigned them. Cui Zhu prepared tea, Xiang Lan and Mo Ju prepared wine and delicacies. Jade Butterfly was confused and hurried back to her room. She owed someone such a great favor. What could she use to repay him? Was she really going to pledge herself to him? What if it wasn't Chang Xiao? She was thinking wildly in her mind and heard laughter coming from outside. The voice was clear, but it was not Chang Xiao's voice. Chang Xiao's voice was deep and rich, but this voice was extremely loud. Without giving it time to think, a burly figure appeared at the door. Jade Butterfly gritted her teeth, turned her head and was stunned. This figure had appeared in her dreams countless times, but it was so far away. Now it really appeared in front of her. Jade Butterfly was surprised and happy. Tears instantly welled up in her eyes. Her throat was choked and she couldn't speak. Chang Xiao sighed and asked, "Butterfly, are you feeling better?" Jade Butterfly opened her mouth several times but couldn't speak. She jumped up and rushed forward, hugged Chang Xiao tightly and refused to separate. Tears were like pearls that could not be stopped. Chang Xiao comforted her, "Butterfly, everything is over. No one will bully you anymore in the future." Jade Butterfly had gone through many hardships and finally saw hope. She hugged her lover tightly and refused to let go. She didn't listen to what Chang Xiao said at all. After an unknown amount of time, Hanmei came to greet them. Seeing this scene, she smiled and said, "It's not necessary to be so clingy after a long separation, right? The food and wine are ready. Wouldn't it be nice to talk while eating?" Yu Hudie then let go, and her tears soaked a large area of Chang Xiao's clothes. Chang Xiao let out a long sigh, "Butterfly, in fact, I have never forgotten you in my heart. I was too stubborn at the beginning. If it were today, I would never give up on you." Yu Hudie was still choking. Chang Xiao comforted her in every way, holding Yu Hudie's hand and drinking with the four girls. The sweetheart she had been thinking about day and night suddenly appeared, and Yu Hudie was speechless, mainly because she couldn't adapt to such a big change. The four sisters of Hanmei talked and laughed, and frequently urged them to drink. Chang Xiao talked and laughed with the four people. Yu Hudie found that Chang Xiao was very different from the past, and even his voice had changed. She felt quite strange, but she couldn't calm down for a while.

After three rounds of drinks, Yu Hudie finally spoke: "Is it really you? Why are you different from before?" Chang Xiao smiled and said, "What's wrong with this? If you were still as old-fashioned as before, we wouldn't meet here. It was the world of martial arts that changed my perspective. One tragic experience after another forced me to re-examine my past. The previous golden rules were completely overturned, and I became a different person." Yu Hudie didn't know much about Chang Xiao's experience. Although she wanted to know, she knew Chang Xiao's character, and bringing up the past would only add to his sadness. At this time Mo Ju joked: "If the flag master was like he is now, I would never leave Julong Mountain and would stay there to serve him." Xiang Lan nodded in agreement: "The flag master at that time was like a sword drawn from its sheath, and it was scary to look at him. But now it is different. I am willing to dedicate everything to the flag master." Han Mei raised her glass and said: "The flag master and sister Butterfly have reunited after a long separation. It is a great joy. Let's celebrate." Everyone raised their glasses and drank heartily. The huge stone that was pressing on Yu Butterfly's heart disappeared in one day, and she felt indescribably happy. After drinking the wine, two red clouds appeared on her face in a short while. Her sleepy eyes made her even more charming. Cuizhu smacked her lips and said, "She is truly the most beautiful woman in the world. I can't help myself when I see her, let alone a man?" Hanmei smiled and said, "We don't have a place today. Let the flag master and sister Butterfly stay a little longer, and we'll go and have fun on our own." The four girls greeted each other and left arm in arm. Moju turned back and reminded, "The flag master can't ignore us sisters." Chang Xiao smiled and nodded. Jade Butterfly leaned in her lover's arms and murmured, "Am I dreaming? Don't wake up." Chang Xiao felt bad and sighed, "Fate plays tricks on us. Those who are involved are confused. By the time we understand, we've been human for two lifetimes. Let's not talk about the past. Let's start over." Jade Butterfly said with emotion, "I heard that you and Duan Qingxiao were fighting at the Cliff of Broken Souls. I was very worried. Duan Qingxiao was originally the leader of the martial arts world, and I was worried day and night about the danger of going up the Soul-Breaking Cliff. I got a serious illness and almost lost my life. "Chang Xiao smiled: "I chose the location, of course there is a way to survive. The Soul-Breaking Cliff is indeed dangerous, but it is okay for me. It is precisely because Duan Qingxiao does not have this kind of body skills that I can escape unscathed." Yu Hudie twisted Chang Xiao's arm fiercely and said coquettishly: "I was worried to the point of getting sick, but you made a light talk about it. You are really heartless. I haven't seen you for many days. Your arms are stronger than before. I feel pain from twisting them." Chang Xiao put Yu Hudie's hand on his cheek and comforted him: "If you want to twist it in the future, twist it here. You can't twist it anywhere else." Yu Hudie praised: "You are really made of iron." Raising his head and putting his sweet lips on hers, Chang Xiao smiled and said: "Even steel that has been tempered a hundred times will become soft when it meets you." He gently picked up Yu Hudie and walked towards the couch.

After many twists and turns, Yu Hudie finally got to be with her lover. Needless to say, she was very happy. The two of them made love on the couch, like fish in water, using all their skills, endlessly. After an unknown amount of time, a ray of soft sunlight shone into the house. The two people on the couch were still snuggling together, enjoying this wonderful time. Chang Xiao's bronze skin shone in the sunlight, and Yu Hudie's jade-white skin was even more attractive. A furry, golden kitten jumped in from the window, patrolled around, meowed for food, and there was milk in its voice. Yu Hudie sat up and asked, "Where did the kitten come from?" Chang Xiao smiled and said, "Of course I brought it. The mountains are lonely, so I'll add some fun to you." Yu Hudie knew that when she got married, she said she liked cats the most. Unexpectedly, Chang Xiao still remembered it. She was moved and shed tears again. Chang Xiao comforted her, "Don't cry. I really don't understand. You cry when you are sad, and you cry when you are happy. Where do all those tears come from?" Yu Hudie said sweetly, "Women are made of water. Naturally, they have countless tears, but they only flow for the people they love." Seeing the cute kitten, Yu Hudie could no longer sit still. She hurriedly put on a coat, went forward to hold the kitten in her arms and gently stroked it, muttering, "Little darling, you must be hungry. Sister will find you food." She went out by herself. Chang Xiao got up, put on his clothes, put on the dragon scale sword, turned his head and said to the window, "Come out, don't hide." Cuizhu and Moju leaned out. Moju smiled and said, "Sister still has a way. Without this trick, sister Butterfly will never leave again." Cuizhu agreed, "Yes, if it were me, let alone a cat, I would not leave even if a tiger came." Chang Xiao smiled, "Sly." At this time, Hanmei had already prepared wine and food. Chang Xiao ate with the company of the four girls. Yu Hudie held the kitten and refused to let go. She was fully focused and drank absent-mindedly. Hanmei joked, "Sister Butterfly, now that you have Xiaoguaiguai, can you let us be the flag master for two days?" Yu Hudie ascended to heaven in one step, and was quite grateful to Hanmei. She nodded and said, "Sister is my great benefactor, I am very grateful, you can have fun." The four girls were overjoyed, staring at Chang Xiao with hot eyes. Chang Xiao smiled and said, "Don't look at me like that, eat and drink enough first." So the four girls rushed to pour wine and serve food to Chang Xiao. Since the tragic death of his wife and children and the death of Taoist Zuixia, Chang Xiao has indeed changed a lot. What did he do wrong? Why did he end up like this? His state of mind has changed a lot, so his behavior is very different from before. After eating and drinking, he went to the hot spring with the four girls to bathe, and they couldn't help but have fun. Yu Hudie came over from time to time with the kitten in her arms to tease a few words, knowing that if it were in the past, Chang Xiao would never do this.

After having fun, Chang Xiao couldn't help but have a heart-to-heart talk with Yu Butterfly. Yu Butterfly was still holding the kitten in her arms, leaning on Chang Xiao's broad chest, looking seductive. Chang Xiao gently stroked Jade Butterfly's hair and said, "I have a lot of things to do. I will be leaving in two days. You just rest and recuperate here." Jade Butterfly asked worriedly, "Are you going to deal with Duan Qingxiao? He is the supreme master of the martial arts world. You must be careful." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "Duan Qingxiao's swordsmanship is indeed unfathomable, but it is not that scary. I am fully capable of getting rid of him, but I don't want to use other means. I still have a hard way to win the formal competition." Jade Butterfly knew that Chang Xiao never said too much, so she felt more at ease and said softly, "You have really changed. I almost can't recognize you. These two days I have been asking myself, is this person really you? How come you have changed so much?" Chang Xiao smiled and asked, "How is your appearance different from before?" Jade Butterfly pondered and said, "You used to be like a god, making people in awe of you. Now you have become more human and much more friendly than before." Chang Xiao smiled bitterly, "Why would I want to change myself? This is God's will. It's my will. According to my calculation, I can challenge Duan Qingxiao in public in about five years. At that time, the world will be ours, and you can do whatever you want. "Jade Butterfly said with longing: "I also want to hold a gathering of beauties to let everyone in the world know that the world's most beautiful woman and the world's most heroic hero have become husband and wife." Chang Xiao promised: "No problem, but you have to take good care of yourself and don't let the world laugh at you." Jade Butterfly said confidently: "I will do everything I can to retain my youth. What Sister Hanmei can do, I can do too." Chang Xiao nodded: "I will try my best to spend time with you, and I will bring you anything you need next time." Jade Butterfly tapped the kitten's forehead and smiled: "With Xiaoguai, I don't need anything." The night is too short for pleasure, and the loneliness is too long. Happy days always pass quickly. Chang Xiao should leave. Although Jade Butterfly is reluctant, she knows in her heart that no one can keep a person like Chang Xiao. Anyway, her wish has been fulfilled, and the future is full of hope, so there is no need to worry. After Chang Xiao gave some instructions and said goodbye to Han Mei and her sister, he moved and swooped down like a big bird. Yu Hudie was still a little worried and looked at Chang Xiao's back. She saw Chang Xiao flying down for dozens of feet. Suddenly, a beam of light shot out from his hand. His body accelerated and disappeared in the clouds in a blink of an eye. Yu Hudie thought to herself: My lover has such magical powers that he can dominate the world. It seems that God treats me well.

Chapter 73: An Old Friend in a Foreign Land

Yin Tianlei left Julong Villa, feeling unhappy. It was chilling that his senior brother Gao Zhen was so heartless. How could such a loyal master have such a son? He thought to himself that he had done what his master had told him to do. He did not owe Gao Zhen any favors. He would not go back to the Fire God Palace. He would have to walk his own way in the future. After several trainings, Yin Tianlei's martial arts improved rapidly and he was already a first-class master, but he was honest by nature and did not like to show off. The black horse beside him was carefree. When he was hungry, he would nibble on some grass and when he was thirsty, he would look for water. Yin Tianlei sighed in his heart: It is difficult to be a human being, and it is even more difficult to deal with people. Take Chang Xiao as an example. He was just respected as Nan Kunlun by the martial arts world, but it didn't take long for him to become the public enemy of the martial arts world. It was unclear whether he was alive or dead. Is this the martial arts world? If the martial arts world is like this, why should I practice martial arts hard? Wouldn't it be nice to spend my days in my hometown? I walked aimlessly and let my horse run freely. There was not much silver in my pocket, and it was all spent in a dozen days. Yin Tianlei would not rob rich families and officials like Gao Zhen did. He was thinking about finding a job to make a living and then he would think about it later. Walking on the street, he thought about whether he could find a job in the escort agency. He should be able to do it. So he went to the escort agency to ask, but he knew that the escort agency had rules for recruiting people. They must have a recommendation from their peers or famous martial arts masters. Yin Tianlei rarely dealt with people from the martial arts world and didn't have many acquaintances. Chang Xiao was in trouble again, and he had nowhere to ask for help. He could only think of another way. While strolling on the street, he suddenly saw a group of people gathered together. He didn't know what they were looking at, so he went closer to watch. He saw a man who looked like an official holding a middle-aged man. He didn't look like he was arresting a criminal, but rather begging for help. Yin Tianlei was puzzled. How could an official beg for help from the people? Curious, he leaned over to listen. The official in the crowd said, "Brother, please be kind. If I can't get this crystal pork elbow back today, the master will break my legs." The middle-aged man looked honest and honest, holding a food box in his right hand, and said with embarrassment, "Brother, you know that the old man doesn't make crystal pork elbows casually. I begged for half a day and spent countless efforts to get a plate. My master is waiting for this dish for a banquet for the prefect. I really can't give it to you." If it were an ordinary citizen, the official would have robbed it by force, but the other party's owner was not an ordinary person. He could not afford to offend him, so he could only beg softly. Yin Tianlei was puzzled. These two people seemed to be fighting for a dish. There were all kinds of dishes in the restaurant, why did they want this one? So he listened carefully.

After arguing for a long time, an old man suggested: "You are arguing back and forth, but it is not a good idea. Let me give you an idea. Mr. Qian is inviting the prefect to a banquet. The guests are all officials. It is better to let the housekeeper go back and report to Mr. Qian and send an invitation to County Magistrate Fan. This way, it will pass." The official was overjoyed and bowed repeatedly. The middle-aged man nodded: "That's right. My Mr. Qian will definitely send an invitation." The matter was resolved and the crowd dispersed. Yin Tianlei was quite curious. It seemed that the cooking skills of the person were extraordinary. He wanted to see it. After asking around, he learned that an old man moved to a small courtyard in the south of the city half a year ago. He was alone and buried his head in preparing dishes every day. At first, no one paid attention to him. Later, the most famous chef in the city, Ma Sankui, passed by the south of the city and was surprised by the fragrance. He claimed that the imperial chef did not have such skills. Putting aside everything, he prepared various gifts and went to the door to become his apprentice. The old man had a strange temper and refused to accept them. Ma Sankui had to give up. As the story spread, there was an endless stream of people coming to the door to ask for food. The old man initially refused all of them, but later, because it was troublesome to collect the ingredients, he said that he would only serve three dishes a day, first come first served, and it was not certain what to cook. Each dish cost ten taels of silver, and the money was used to buy vegetables, chickens, ducks, fish and meat. People who had eaten it spread the word that it was absolutely worth the money, and there was no such delicacy in the inner courtyard of the palace. Yin Tianlei only had three or four pieces of silver in his bag, less than two taels, but it didn't matter if he saw this strange man or not. So he took the south road to the city. It was afternoon, and he asked someone. Someone pointed out the way and reminded him that the old man never received guests in the afternoon, and the prefect could not open the door. After thanking him, Yin Tianlei went to the south of the city. After finding the courtyard, he stopped to watch. A messenger came by on horseback. Yin Tianlei made way for the black horse, but the messenger's horse was unwilling to give in. It neighed to the sky, and the messenger's horse immediately slowed down, lowered its head, and walked slowly with its tail between its legs. The black horse was satisfied and went to the side to find water to drink. Yin Tianlei knew that his black horse was the descendant of the Fire Dragon Colt, the king of all horses in the desert. It was not obvious in the desert, but it was a rare thousand-mile horse in the Central Plains. Naturally, it was proud and would not tolerate ordinary horses being presumptuous.

The messenger didn't understand why and thought the horse was frightened. He comforted it for a while and slowly left. Yin Tianlei knew that the old man who cooked would not open the door in the afternoon, so he was ready to leave. Just as he was about to leave, the wooden door of the courtyard suddenly opened. An old man stood in front of the door and looked out. He saw the black horse and said in surprise: "What a good horse, rare, rare." Yin Tianlei was surprised. He didn't expect that the old man could judge the quality of his black horse from the sound. The old man looked at the black horse intently. It took a long time before he noticed Yin Tianlei. His eyes changed and he smiled and said: "Old friend, you didn't say hello when you came. Come in and talk." Yin Tianlei thought to himself: How could you know me? So he clasped his fists and saluted: "When will the old gentleman come to visit me?" The old man smiled: "It's not easy to talk on the street. With your ability, are you afraid of me?" Yin Tianlei was even more surprised. From the other party's tone, he was familiar with him, but he didn't have any impression of him. Since you are here, you should make the best of it. Just go in. There is really nothing to be afraid of. Following the old man into the house, the black horse followed. The old man closed the door and pointed to the main hall: "Please come over there." He led Yin Tianlei to the house and sat down, poured tea, and Yin Tianlei asked: "Did the old man recognize the wrong person? I really can't remember." The old man smiled and asked: "Aren't you Yin Tianlei?" Yin Tianlei was stunned and said in astonishment: "Yes." The old man turned around and rubbed his hands on his face for a long time. After turning back, Yin Tianlei was surprised and blurted out: "Master Duan." It turned out that the old man took off a thin mask and revealed his true face. It turned out that it was the new master of the Divine Sword Sect, Duan Xiyun. It turned out that Duan Xiyun was dissatisfied with his grandfather's actions. The idol that he had worshipped as a god since he was a child turned out to be like this. He couldn't accept it in his heart, so he changed his appearance, hid among the people, and settled here. Needless to say, Yin Tianlei was shocked. Duan Xiyun smiled and said, "You didn't expect it. If it weren't for your unique horse, we would have no chance to meet. You are not in the Fire God Palace, what are you doing here?" Yin Tianlei sighed and said, "It's hard to explain. I never thought that my senior brother would be such a person." So he told Gao Zhen everything about Yu Hudie. Duan Xiyun smiled and said, "What's the big deal? Yu Hudie is thinking about Chang Xiao. Gao Zhen must know that he is naturally dissatisfied, but he is inferior to her in everything. There is nothing to say. Yu Hudie fell ill because of missing Chang Xiao. No wonder Gao Zhen is so heartless." Yin Tianlei frowned and said, "Even if a stranger is in danger, we should help him, not to mention the lovers who spend every day together?" Duan Xiyun nodded, "That's true, but men are more jealous than women. Besides, Gao Zhen is not a broad-minded person."

Meeting an old friend in a foreign land, Yin Tianlei finally had the opportunity to speak out his true feelings, and he felt very happy. Duan Xiyun felt the same way. After preparing wine and food for the two men to drink, Yin Tianlei asked, "Why does the sect leader put so much effort into food?" Duan Xiyun sighed, "When I tasted the corn roasted by the owner of the manor in Kaifeng, I was touched. For a true martial arts master, it is far from enough to practice hard. The key lies in perception. Mountains, rocks, trees, changing winds and clouds, and even spring breeze, summer rain, autumn frost, and winter snow all contain the secrets of heaven. The owner of the manor has already realized this, and he puts his own experience into roasting corn, so that he can roast out the unparalleled delicacy in the world. I am obsessed with cooking because I am actually understanding the principles behind it. There is only one dish on the table, but there is a lot of effort behind it, including selecting ingredients, making it carefully, and controlling the heat and seasoning. If there is a mistake in any link, the dish will be ruined. The same principle applies to martial arts. A true master can perceive the secrets of heaven and predict danger in advance, just like a wise A chef can tell the quality of a dish by its aroma. "Yin Tianlei praised, "I haven't seen you for a long time. The master has already entered a new realm. Congratulations." Duan Xiyun shook his head, "There are pearls and jades in front of me. I am still far behind. Since you have nothing to do, why don't you help me and give me some advice? "Yin Tianlei was overjoyed, "I couldn't ask for more." Duan Xiyun nodded, "I don't want to get involved with the people of Jianghu anymore, and I don't want to see the people of the Divine Sword Sect. That's why I changed my appearance. What do you think?" Yin Tianlei smiled and said, "I will also imitate the master and dress up as an old man. I won't attract attention." Duan Xiyun immediately started, and Yin Tianlei also dressed up as an old man. Duan Xiyun reminded him, "We should change our names. From now on, you call me second brother and I call you my good brother. Remember this." Yin Tianlei agreed. Duan Xiyun told him his experience, and Yin Tianlei carefully understood it. It was a strange thing that the two of them exchanged martial arts experience while cooking. Duan Xiyun and Yin Tianlei's martial arts are not the same, but they are both highly skilled and can find common ground. This kind of communication is not just about the situation, but an in-depth discussion. Yin Tianlei quickly found the characteristics of his own martial arts and applied them in the kitchen to make a crystal meat skewer. The heat and seasoning are of course necessary, but the most difficult step is to thread the meat skewer, which is made of thin strips of tender lotus root. Yin Tianlei's weapon is the electric cone, and his moves are mainly stabbing. After trying many times, Yin Tianlei was finally able to penetrate smoothly. Duan Xiyun praised him again and again, saying that this young man has a promising future.

Duan Xiyun didn't bring much silver when he went out. After buying this small courtyard, there was not much left, so he set a rule of three dishes a day. Thirty taels of silver was enough to spend. When Yin Tianlei came, the two of them used their own tricks and competed with each other, and they made more dishes. Duan Xiyun is good at chicken, duck, fish and meat, while Yin Tianlei is best at vegetarian dishes. The two of them have their own division of labor. Duan Xiyun is responsible for knife skills. The knife in his hand is superb, and the slices of meat he cuts are evenly thick and accurate. Yin Tianlei uses thin strips made of tender lotus root, which can penetrate the beef slices. It is a unique skill. As for the heat, it depends on the individual's cultivation. At the beginning, the two tasted each other, but they couldn't eat much and often left over. Duan Xiyun didn't care. Yin Tianlei was born in a peasant family and was very frugal. He felt distressed when he saw it and told Duan Xiyun. Duan Xiyun thought for a moment and smiled, "In this case, let's make a feast, earn some money, leave here, travel around, and broaden our horizons." Yin Tianlei asked, "How much can a table of dishes earn?" Duan Xiyun was quite confident: "Just wait and see, the higher the price, the more attractive it is." He immediately wrote a notice and posted it at the door, saying that something happened at home and he had to leave here. In order to thank the local officials for their care, he made a sky-high feast for 10,000 taels. Yin Tianlei felt incredible. 10,000 taels, farmers worked hard for a year and could not earn one or two taels of silver. It was too outrageous for a table of dishes to cost 10,000 taels. Duan Xiyun smiled and said, "There must be someone rushing to give silver." Yin Tianlei still couldn't believe it. The news spread and caused a sensation. 10,000 taels of silver for a table of dishes had never been heard of since the founding of the dynasty. As expected by Duan Xiyun, the prefect had sent someone to tell him to order this table of dishes to entertain the current uncle of the emperor, Prince Lian. If he flatters the right person, promotion and wealth are just around the corner. Duan Xiyun told the visitor that the materials needed were expensive and he had to pay first. The prefect was very generous and sent someone to deliver the banknotes. Yin Tianlei was dumbfounded. There was such a thing in the world. Duan Xiyun explained, "It doesn't matter how much money the prefect spends to entertain the prince. As long as the prince is happy, a random note can get the prefect promoted. It's like doing business. The profit is huge. You can't lose anything if you invest more." Yin Tianlei shook his head, "Doesn't the court select talents through the imperial examination? Even the promotion of officials also requires assessment. What's the use of the prince's note?" Duan Xiyun smiled bitterly, "You are really stupid. The imperial examination selection is not based on your essay, but on the preferences of the examiner. Even if the examiner is not greedy for money, he has to act according to the faces of the princes and nobles. At least this subject can produce a few talents. If the examiner is greedy, there is no hope. Poor scholars have no chance at all." Yin Tianlei was stunned, "What kind of world is this?" Duan Xiyun smiled and said, "The world is like this, no one can do anything about it."

When Prince Lian heard about the sky-high banquet, he also wanted to compete with the imperial chef of the palace. How could such a small place have such talents? So he happily went to the appointment. At that time, Princess Rose had married General Xiaoqi, and General Xiaoqi became the son-in-law of the emperor and was counseling military affairs in the navy. Princess Rose lived in Hangzhou, and Prince Lian went to the appointment and also called Princess Rose. The prefect was overjoyed to hear the news. He had a relationship with the royal family, and he would surely rise to prominence in the future. So he carefully prepared fine wine, not sparing the price, and made sure it was the best. In fact, the dishes made by Duan Xiyun and Yin Tianlei were not made of any precious ingredients, but mainly in terms of craftsmanship. No chef has such cultivation, and no martial arts master is willing to work so hard in the kitchen. Prince Lian has a noble status, and other officials certainly want to curry favor with him, but they have no chance and can only worry. Since they have received a huge sum of 12,000 taels, Duan Xiyun and Yin Tianlei have spent a lot of thought, which is also a kind of training for themselves. It is really meticulously crafted, with various fruits carved into the twelve zodiac animals, which are lifelike and vivid. Crystal elbows and crystal meat skewers are of course indispensable. In addition, Duan Xiyun carefully roasted a pheasant with a combination of various game flavors, and Yin Tianlei made a pearl fish. These two are the main dishes. There are a total of 18 dishes on the table, and each one has its own surprises. Of course, the prefect would not honestly take out 10,000 taels of silver and send people to keep a close eye on it. If the prince is satisfied, there will be a reward. If the prince finds faults, then not only will the silver be recovered, but also the crime will be punished. Prince Lian arrived as promised. In addition to Princess Rose, there were two imperial chefs around him, who were sent by the emperor to serve him. This time he came here specifically to compete. Princess Rose is mean by nature, and she is here to find faults on purpose, whether it is good or not. The prefect received the guests carefully and put on a grand ceremony. The guests were seated, and after tasting tea, the banquet began. The maids served the dishes. Princess Rose saw that the twelve zodiac animals did not take it seriously and curled her lips and said, "Such knife skills are at best second-rate, and cannot compare with the palace." Prince Lian turned around and asked the imperial chef beside him, "What do you think of this knife skill?" The imperial chef whispered, "No one in the palace can compare to this. He is a rare master." Prince Lian nodded slightly and remained calm. The eighteen dishes were served one after another. Princess Rose liked to eat fish. After tasting a few bites of the pearl fish, she asked, "Where is this fish from? It tastes good. Let them bring in a batch later." The prefect did not know either, so he sent someone to ask. Yin Tianlei sent back that the pearl fish was a vegetarian dish, not a real fish. Princess Rose certainly did not believe it. Prince Lian asked the imperial chef to taste it, and the imperial chef praised it highly, saying, "It is a masterpiece that is beyond imagination. It can be called a top master." The prefect was happy and had a chance of promotion. Princess Rose knew that the imperial chef in the palace had no such means at all, so her tone softened and she tasted every dish carefully.

Chapter 74: Quarrying War

This meal was indeed worth the money. Prince Lian praised it highly, and Princess Rose had nothing to say. The imperial chef who came with him specially looked for the cook to ask for advice. Duan Xiyun showed his skills. The imperial chef knew that he could not reach such a level, and he was full of admiration. The prefect was very happy, but he did not want the extra reward. Ten thousand taels of silver was not a small amount. Duan Xiyun and Yin Tianlei successfully earned a sum of money, packed up and left, and traveled together. When the news of this feast spread, many people heard that there were two master chefs in Jiangnan, and the dishes they made were more exquisite and delicious than those in the palace. Some people gave them nicknames, called Crystal Two Old Men. No one would have thought that these two people were actually martial arts masters hiding in the market. After the two became famous, it was more convenient for them to act. With a new identity as a cover, no one would pay attention to them. So the two traveled together, casually, but there was a characteristic. The two put a lot of effort into food. They were not used to other people's cooking, so they always did it themselves. One day, they came to Yueyang Tower and sat by the window, enjoying the beautiful scenery. The waiter came forward to greet them. Duan Xiyun smiled and said, "I did it yesterday, and it's my turn today." Yin Tianlei nodded, "That's right." He turned to the waiter and ordered, "Bring a jar of Zhuangyuanhong. As for the dishes, there's no need. I'll go to the kitchen to clean them up myself." The waiter was stunned. He had never seen such strange guests. After thinking for a while, he exclaimed, "So you two are the two elders of Shuijing. I'm sorry, I'm sorry. You two sit down. I'll go down and prepare them right away." The waiter told the boss, and the boss immediately ordered the chef to clean up the kitchen and see the skills of these two masters. Yin Tianlei went straight to the kitchen, looked at the ingredients, nodded slightly to show his satisfaction, and casually took out a special kitchen knife from the leather bag beside him. The eight chefs of Yueyang Tower were all outside staring at him. Yin Tianlei's hands and feet were very agile, and he used the knife very quickly. He quickly made eight dishes, and the chefs outside were dumbfounded. Yin Tianlei washed his hands and went out. The eight chefs saluted him repeatedly and praised him. Back upstairs, the waiter served the dishes. Yin Tianlei said with a smile, "The ingredients are limited, so second brother, you have to make do with a little." Duan Xiyun nodded, "It's okay to make do when you're away from home." The boss understood that what these two people meant by "making do" was a rare enjoyment for others. These eight dishes were worth at least three hundred taels.

The two drank and talked, Yin Tianlei asked: "What's going on in the martial arts world recently?" Duan Xiyun lowered his voice: "Recently, a Blood Shadow Flag Master has appeared in the martial arts world. He has a group of masters under him. They use the Blood Shadow Flag as a command. Those who disobey will be killed without mercy. They are ruthless and have superb martial arts. According to my guess, this flag master is most likely the owner of the manor." Yin Tianlei asked: "Why are you so sure, second brother?" Duan Xiyun smiled and said: "My grandfather returned to the martial arts world and the heroes bowed to him. However, this Blood Shadow Flag Master dared to confront him openly, but my grandfather never launched a large-scale attack. This shows that my grandfather was not sure that he could get rid of the Blood Shadow Flag Master. In this world, who else can threaten my grandfather except the manor owner?" Yin Tianlei showed joy: "It seems that the manor owner is really not dead." Duan Xiyun smiled bitterly: "Of course he is not dead, but his temperament must have changed. Wherever the Blood Shadow Flag goes, those who disobey will be killed without mercy. , which is enough to show that the owner of the manor no longer has the good temper he used to have. It's no wonder. If it were me, I might have been more ruthless. The owner of the manor has superb swordsmanship and a kind heart. There are countless people who have received his kindness. This kind of mentality is extremely rare in the martial arts world. However, instead of getting the respect he deserves, the owner of the manor has become the public enemy of the martial arts world. His wife and children died tragically, his best friend passed away, and his friends betrayed him. Such a blow is enough to change the owner's temperament. "Yin Tianlei nodded: "Second brother is right. Once the owner of the manor appears in public, Shangqing Palace will not be able to bear it. You and I should not care about these things. After these days, I feel that the martial arts world is not as interesting as the kitchen." Duan Xiyun smiled and said, "I have also thought about it. It is too difficult to surpass the owner of the manor in martial arts in this life. It is also good to be the best in another field. The title of Crystal Two Elders is quite pleasant to the ear." Yin Tianlei nodded: "That's right."

Since Wanqi Song's defeat, the Divine Sword Sect has been preparing. After a period of time, they finally welcomed a distinguished guest, the senior Wu Mu Zhenjun of Shangqing Palace. Duan Qingxiao received him with great ceremony. Although Wu Mu Zhenjun was of high status, he was not arrogant. He talked and laughed with Duan Qingxiao and thought highly of Tang Shiyu. The three of them drank tea in the flower hall. Wu Mu Zhenjun had a very long beard and a very ruddy complexion. His eyes were shining with brilliance, which showed that his internal strength was superb. Tang Shiyu was respectful. Wu Mu Zhenjun smiled and said, "Mr. Tang is knowledgeable and resourceful. There is nothing you can't handle. Why bother me?" Tang Shiyu shook his head and said, "This opponent is extraordinary. Not only is his swordsmanship superb, but his strategy is also outstanding. I really can't do anything about it." Duan Qingxiao nodded and said, "That's true. This Chang Xiao is very close to Taoist Zuixia. The two of them promote each other and their martial arts cannot be underestimated. Plus, there are a group of masters around him, so it's really not easy to deal with him." Wu Mu Zhenjun smiled and said, "You can't deal with him. I can't do anything about it. I'm afraid he doesn't have the ability. "Duan Qingxiao shook his head: "Brother Dao is too modest. This person claims to be the leader of the Blood Shadow Banner. He should have some connection with the Blood Shadow Sutra. Brother Dao is the direct descendant of Shangqing Palace, so he should know some details of the Blood Shadow Sutra. "Tang Shiyu said solemnly: "Now it can be concluded that the master around Chang Xiao is the original Nether Swordsman. When Hua Mengdie was killed, the Jianghu was abuzz with rumors that the remaining eleven Nether Swordsmen all committed suicide. No one had ever thought that these people were actually controlled and secretly trained by the Zuixia Taoist. Later, the Zuixia Taoist passed away and passed on this power. The Nether Swordsman was already difficult to deal with, but after these two people's dedicated teaching, he has become the most terrifying force today. "Wu Mu Zhenjun knew a thing or two about the Blood Shadow Sutra, and pondered, "The essence of the Blood Shadow Sutra is not the fleeting body movement. Hua Mengdie has only comprehended 50% at most. It is very different when it falls into the hands of Zui Xia Taoist. Coupled with Chang Xiao's training, the Nether Swordsman is indeed the most powerful force today. Have you sent people to test it?" Duan Qingxiao replied, "My most proud disciple Wan Qisong once had a photo with a Nether Swordsman. They are no match at all. What is certain is that the Nether Swordsman today is far from what it was in the past. Even the four boys around the Taoist Zuixia are not ordinary people. Their body movements have improved a lot. They are difficult to defeat alone, and once they join forces, their power is unpredictable. "Tang Shiyu smiled and said, "Anyway, the True Lord's Jingtao Palm has been perfected, and the Nether Swordsman cannot resist it." True Lord Wumu shook his head and said, "I have a feeling that this trip will be dangerous, so I'd better ask Mr. Tang to tell me a fortune." Tang Shiyu admired in his heart: the masters of the Xuanmen are indeed extraordinary. He took out the gold and silver to tell the fortune, and after a careful look, he explained, "The True Lord's trip is indeed dangerous, but as long as you remember one thing, you can turn danger into safety." True Lord Wumu asked, "What's the key?" Tang Shiyu smiled and said, "The True Lord's Taoist name is Wumu. Among the five elements, gold can overcome wood, and water can give birth to wood. As long as you don't leave water, it's fine." True Lord Wumu nodded, "It's really smart."

During this period, Fang Zishou's business with Yan Nanlou was extremely prosperous. From the simple exchange at the beginning, it became a full takeover, and all the business of the South China Sea Fleet was in his hands, which was very lucrative. Wanxiantang and Qi Shizhen were intimidated by Duan Qingxiao's reputation and did not dare to act rashly. They could only watch the large amount of money flowing into other people's pockets anxiously. Fang Zishou was quite shrewd. With the help of He Tong and Jian Tong, the business was well organized. While he was busy, Qin Tong sent a secret letter. After reading it, Fang Zishou's face was solemn. He immediately ordered He Tong to issue a blood shadow secret order to summon the four nearby swordsmen to come as soon as possible. He Tong did not dare to neglect it. After issuing the secret order, he came back to ask. Fang Zishou sighed lightly: "There is an extremely skilled master who wants to trouble us. I am worried that I can't handle it. I called a few helpers just in case." He Tong nodded: "I see. Since we are facing a powerful enemy, I asked Jiu Tong not to drink to avoid delaying the work." Fang Zishou shook his head: "No need. The flag owner once said that Jiu Tong's swordsmanship is unique. It can only exert its greatest power when half drunk and half awake. As long as it is not excessive, it will be fine." He Tong smiled and said: "I see. I said that the flag owner let Jiu Tong go. This is the reason." The group was ready to fight and prepare to meet the powerful enemy. Wu Mu Zhenjun would never expect that Tang Shiyu, a key figure, had other purposes and leaked the news privately. Fang Zishou received a reply that the four swordsmen had arrived nearby. He was immediately calm in his heart. With four strong men, he could handle any situation. At this time, most of the business was on the ship. Fang Zishou still stayed on his own ship. Because the opponent was far from being comparable to Wan Qi Song, he was extra careful in his heart. The boat moored at Caishiji that night. It was here that the poet Li Bai passed away. Literati often come here to pay tribute to the past. The moonlight was very bright. Fang Zishou was drinking alone on the boat. There were only three or two small boats on the river. While he was immersed in the beautiful scenery, a red light suddenly appeared in the distance and disappeared in a flash. Fang Zishou was startled. This was the agreed signal, which meant that the enemy had boarded the ship. Fang Zishou was secretly surprised. The person who came was really amazing. He actually sneaked up to him without knowing it. He was indeed an extremely skilled master. He calmed down and said loudly: "It's rare for a distinguished guest to come. Please come in and have a drink together." The person who came was Wu Mu Zhenjun. He was also surprised to hear Fang Zishou's words. He didn't expect that his whereabouts would be discovered. Even Fang Zishou had such a skill. What should the Blood Shadow Flag Master do?

In fact, Fang Zishou didn't feel anything unusual at all, but the Nether Swordsman who was in charge of surveillance sent out a signal when he saw someone on the bow. Wu Mu Zhenjun was able to avoid the eyes of the four people and was not discovered until he arrived on the boat, which shows his own cultivation. Since he was discovered, Wu Mu Zhenjun moved into the room. Fang Zishou saluted with a fist and said, "Senior, I am honored to have you." Wu Mu Zhenjun looked at him carefully, nodded and smiled, "Your Qi and Blood Returning to the Origin Gong has reached 80% of its maturity. It's rare, rare." Fang Zishou was shocked. Qi and Blood Returning to the Origin Gong is the main internal power method in the Blood Shadow Sutra. Outsiders cannot know that the characteristic of practicing this internal power is a thin body, so Nether Swordsmen all have this characteristic. Wu Mu Zhenjun smiled and explained, "You don't have to be surprised. The Blood Shadow Sutra was created by my uncle, Huo Long Zhenren. Because it conflicted with the orthodox martial arts of Shangqing Palace, it was sealed in a stone cave. By accident, it fell into the hands of Hua Mengdie, and that's how the Nether Swordsman came into being." Fang Zishou nodded, "So that's how it is. It seems that you are a senior from Shangqing Palace. What advice do you have for me on board this ship?" Wu Mu Zhenjun hesitated for a moment and said, "It's just to meet the Blood Shadow Flag Master." Fang Zishou pretended to be confused and asked, "Your uncle lives in seclusion, how did you know the name of the Blood Shadow Flag Master?" Wu Mu Zhenjun shook his head, "People who practice martial arts don't need to beat around the bush. The Nether Swordsman's hands are stained with blood, he should have died long ago. I... Although the Dao cannot start a killing spree, it is easy to destroy your martial arts. As long as something happens to you, I am not afraid that the Blood Shadow Banner Master will not step in. "Fang Zishou smiled and said, "Although the senior is a martial arts master, the Nether Swordsman is not easy to mess with. In fact, the emperor is the one who kills the most people in the world. When the Japanese pirates were rampant, the appointment of a corrupt official led to the death of tens of thousands of soldiers and the burial of more than 100,000 civilians. Why didn't the senior go and settle the account with him?" Wu Mu Zhenjun didn't want to delay and scolded, "Ignorant young man, I don't have time to argue with you. Since you are not convinced, you can go outside to see the truth." Before he finished speaking, he went out through the window, and Fang Zishou followed closely behind him. The Nether Swordsman has always been ready to die, and will not frown even in the face of mountains of swords and seas of fire.

The two men landed on a bamboo raft one after another. Wu Mu Zhenjun waved his sleeves, and the bamboo raft quickly left the building ship and came to the middle of the river. Fang Zishou was unsure about facing a strong enemy. The opponent was too strong, and no one could tell what the result would be. Wu Mu Zhenjun was about to take action, but he had an idea and struck with one palm diagonally. A burst of true energy hit the water surface, and the water surface was agitated. Four young men came out with light movements and landed behind Fang Zishou. Wu Mu Zhenjun smiled and said, "I thought you were very smart, but who knew you were a fool. What can these four boys do?" As the saying goes, a newborn calf is not afraid of a tiger. The sword boy thought highly of himself. Hearing that Wu Mu Zhenjun looked down on him, he was dissatisfied and pointed and said, "The waves behind the Yangtze River push the waves ahead, and the new generation replaces the old. Don't think you are great just because you have a long beard. Look at the sword." A short sword came out of his sleeve, and he jumped up. He and the sword turned into a cold light, and shot at Wu Mu Zhenjun. The crane boy and the piano boy were unwilling to fall behind, and attacked from both sides. The wine boy took a different approach and stabbed out with his sword diagonally. Wu Mu Zhenjun was amazed. It was rare for a young man to have such superb swordsmanship. The Taoist Zui Xia really deserved to be the number one swordsman. The four swords were fired at the same time. Without time to think, Wu Mu Zhenjun turned his left palm, and the abundant true energy protected his whole body. With a clever turn, the four people who were besieging felt a huge force hitting them, and they were thrown out of their bodies. Wu Mu Zhenjun thought that the four people would fall into the water, but the crane boy gave a light shout, and the four short swords flew out and matched together. After a crisp sound, the four people fell back to the bamboo raft like butterflies. It turned out that the four short swords were connected with black gold threads, which was the basic skill of sword control. Wu Mu Zhenjun was surprised. It seemed that these four boys were not ordinary people. Fang Zishou certainly couldn't miss such a good opportunity, and said loudly: "Senior, your internal strength is superb, don't blame us for bullying the minority with our numbers." He drew his sword close to him, and a red light went straight into the center. The sword boy called out, and the four people swung their swords to assist, and the five of them surrounded the senior master. Wu Mu Zhenjun thought to himself: It seems that what Duan Qingxiao said is right, this group of people is really difficult to deal with, and he must not be careless, so he cheered up and dealt with the five people.

Fang Zishou knew that his opponent was powerful and that he would become a useless man if he was not careful. So he concentrated on displaying the essence of his martial arts, but Wu Mu Zhen Jun was protected by a powerful true qi, so he could not get close to him. Jian Tong, He Tong and the other four could only stay in the outer circle and could not help much. Wu Mu Zhen Jun's Jing Tao Palm was so powerful that it could break gold and stone. His true qi was like a tidal wave. Fang Zishou felt that his arms were getting heavier and heavier, and it was difficult to move. Wu Mu Zhen Jun was sure of victory and sneered, "You are rude, young man. Today I will let you know how powerful I am." He struck back and forth with both palms, and Fang Zishou suddenly felt short of breath and could not move an inch. At the critical moment, he shouted, "Thunder Thousand Miles." Wu Mu Zhen Jun was about to succeed. When he heard this, his heart moved. What does this mean? As soon as he hesitated, he heard a response from a distance: "The sword points to the south of the sky." Wu Mu Zhen Jun immediately understood that Fang Zishou was looking for help. He smiled secretly in his heart, and by the time your helper arrived, your martial arts would have been abolished. Just as he was about to attack, his heart suddenly shook, and an ominous premonition came to his mind. He did not hesitate any longer, and turned his palms to protect himself, sealing all the directions around him. In a flash, four red lights came like lightning, shooting at Wu Mu Zhen Jun from all directions. At the same time, Fang Zishou drew his sword with his backhand and attacked the inner circle with lightning. Wu Mu Zhen Jun was shocked. It turned out that Fang Zishou had not used his full strength before, and had been waiting for an opportunity. As a top master, of course he had a way to respond. Wu Mu Zhen Jun shouted, turned his body, and struck out with both palms in an arc. His true energy broke through the air, and a series of muffled sounds were heard. It can be imagined that the power of this attack was unparalleled. The five people who attacked were obviously well prepared. When they came into contact with Wu Mu Zhen Jun's true energy, they retreated in an instant, and then turned around. Their figures were really like ghosts, changing directions and attacking again. Wu Mu Zhenjun felt that the swordsmanship and martial arts of the four people who came later were not inferior to Fang Zishou. He knew in his heart that these people must be Netherworld Swordsmen. They were indeed difficult to deal with. No wonder even a master like Duan Qingxiao had to ask for help. He also had to be more careful. If he failed, he would probably not be able to leave this place safely.

Chapter 75: Tacit Understanding

A great battle took place at Caishiji, where five Netherworld Swordsmen fought against Wu Mu Zhenjun, and both sides were not at ease. Wu Mu Zhenjun was a top master, and no one else could resist him. On the other hand, when the five Netherworld Swordsmen joined forces, even Duan Qingxiao could not resist. As the saying goes, a wise man meets a wise man, and the battle on the river surface lasted for a long time, and it was difficult to tell who was the winner. Wu Mu Zhenjun understood that his true energy was depleted too quickly, and the five opponents assisted each other, so the loss was not great. It would not take long for him to be at a disadvantage, and the Netherworld Swordsmen were indeed difficult to deal with. In desperation, he let out a long whistle, struck down with both palms, shattered the bamboo raft, and performed the Jingtao Palm. The water column rushed up several feet high, and Wu Mu Zhenjun took advantage of the situation to escape and quickly disappeared into the night. Fang Zishou nodded slightly to his four companions, and the four of them disappeared silently on the river surface without saying a word. Fang Zishou returned to the ship, and Hetong and Jiantong entered one after another. Hetong smacked his lips and said, "What a powerful old Taoist. If we are not prepared, we will suffer a great loss." Fang Zishou nodded, "Yes, this old man has extraordinary palm power. He is a rare master. We must be more careful in the future." Jiantong smiled bitterly and said, "It seems that only the flag master can control this old Taoist." At this time, someone said, "I can't control him alone." The three of them looked around and saw that there was an extra person on the main seat, with curved eyebrows and tiger eyes, and a majestic demeanor. It was Chang Xiao. The three of them saluted quickly: "Greetings, Master of the Banner." Chang Xiao smiled and said: "No need to be polite, sit down and talk." The three of them sat down in order. He Tong asked: "Since the Master of the Banner is here, why don't you get rid of the old Taoist?" Chang Xiao shook his head: "I'm here, Duan Qingxiao is here too. Even if I take action, it will be difficult to succeed." Fang Zishou was surprised: "Duan Qingxiao is here, how come you haven't been discovered?" Chang Xiao explained: "Duan Qingxiao is extremely cunning. He has been following the old Taoist. As soon as the old Taoist shows up, all your attention is attracted, so he can avoid being discovered. His meaning is very clear. Let the old Taoist take action in the open, and he will look for opportunities in secret." Fang Zishou sighed lightly: "If the Master of the Banner doesn't come, my four brothers and I, plus these four children will all die. Duan Qingxiao is indeed cunning. . "Chang Xiao nodded: "This man is cunning and ruthless, so be careful. Where are Qin Tong and Jiu Tong?" Jian Tong replied: "Jiu Tong suffered a loss and was upset, so he took Qin Tong to drink." Chang Xiao smiled and said: "It's not shameful to lose to such a master. You can comfort him later." Fang Zishou asked: "Has the flag master found a way to practice?" Chang Xiao nodded: "There is a way, but it's not so easy to do, and it requires a hundred times more effort. Since Duan Qingxiao is eyeing us, we can't be careless. In the future, you brothers should not separate, and you should be able to protect yourself by helping each other in the light and in the dark. Even if Duan Qingxiao and the old Taoist join forces, they can't do anything to you." Fang Zishou was quite confident: "Yes, we are eleven brothers together, and we are not afraid of the king of heaven."

Chang Xiao explained and left quietly. Jian Tong gritted his teeth and said, "Sooner or later, we will let them know how powerful we are. We endured our anger to do business, but they kept making things difficult for us. If we had known this, we should have killed that old guy last time." Fang Zishou advised, "Don't be impatient when doing things. People in the rivers and lakes have their own rules. We can't act recklessly. If the flag owner brings us brothers, it won't be difficult to kill Duan Qingxiao. The reason why we didn't do it is to abide by the rules of the rivers and lakes. We must defeat this great enemy in a formal competition. This is the heroic spirit that martial arts masters must have." Jian Tong nodded, "Of course I understand, but I just can't swallow this breath. Next time they make trouble, I will definitely show no mercy." Fang Zishou persuaded him and first gathered everyone together to be ready to respond at any time. On the other hand, we should speed up the expansion of business, gather money, and prepare for the future. At this time, Yan Nanlou was wondering, it was a bit abnormal that the business was so smooth. Duan Qingxiao repeatedly exerted pressure and it was impossible for him to stop. Why could Fang Zishou purchase and ship goods smoothly? Is this person really just an ordinary merchant? After several contacts, nothing unusual was found. The results of the investigation showed that this person's property was not very rich. Why could he take all the goods of the Nanhai fleet? The shipping time was so short and the funds were recovered so quickly. Even Wanxiantang could not do it. The person who could quickly sell the goods of the entire fleet was definitely not an ordinary merchant. All signs show that Fang Zishou is not simple. In any case, if it were not for Fang Zishou's appearance, Nanhai would have been out of food long ago. To a certain extent, Fang Zishou has done a favor to Nanhai. Besides, expanding the business is beneficial to both parties, so there is no reason to abandon it. While he was thinking about it, his men came to report that Fang Zishou's fleet had arrived. Yan Nanlou immediately took people to greet them. When the two met, they first had to talk about business. The people from both sides were busy unloading and loading the goods. Yan Nanlou invited Fang Zishou to the restaurant by the river for a drink. During the dinner, Yan Nanlou asked, "Brother Fang, I have something I don't understand. This was our first transaction, and Brother Fang only had five ships, which proved that his family was not very wealthy. But not long after, Brother Fang took all my goods. What's the reason?" Fang Zishou smiled and said, "My family was not very wealthy to begin with, but because the first two transactions went smoothly, many of my peers were jealous and invested in me, so I was able to expand my business." Yan Nanlou nodded, this explanation was reasonable. But there was another part. Wanxiantang and Qi Shizhen did not dare to trade with him, so what was so surprising about Fang Zishou? Why didn't Duan Qingxiao send anyone to stop him? So he asked, "Brother Fang is the only one who is doing such a big business. Others will inevitably be jealous. Is it peaceful?"

Fang Zishou was very smart, of course he heard the hidden meaning of Yan Nanlou, and smiled and said: "Don't worry, brother, for the sake of insurance, I spent a lot of money to buy a small flag. With it, no one dares to have a crooked mind." Yan Nanlou asked puzzledly: "What flag is so powerful?" Fang Zishou took out a small triangular flag from his arms. There was a black skull looming on the dark red flag. Fang Zishou explained: "Of course the flag itself is nothing, the key is the person behind it. You must know who is the most important person in the martial arts world recently." Yan Nanlou has always been concerned about the development of the martial arts world, and of course he knows about the Blood Shadow Flag Master. He was surprised and said: "Is this the Blood Shadow Flag?" Fang Zishou nodded: "Yes, with this small flag, there will be no obstacles on land and water." Yan Nanlou understood that the current Blood Shadow Flag Master is very popular, acts ruthlessly, and leaves no room for maneuver. Even the martial arts supreme Duan Qingxiao can't do anything about it, and all forces are terrified. With this small flag, you can really rest assured. Nowadays, not many people in the martial arts world know the details of the Blood Shadow Flag Master. Since Fang Zishou has obtained the Blood Shadow Banner, he must know some inside information. Yan Nanlou also wanted to know, and asked: "How did Brother Fang get in touch with the Blood Shadow Flag Master?" Fang Zishou knew that he could not reveal the inside story at this time, and covered it up by saying: "People like me can't find the Blood Shadow Flag Master at all. They found me. According to the visitor, the Blood Shadow Flag Master is going to build a castle, and the amount of silver required is extremely huge, so he issued the Blood Shadow Banner. I only need to take out three million taels to get the Blood Shadow Banner, and thus get the protection of the Blood Shadow Flag Master. Although the amount is not small, the visitor guaranteed that my fleet will never get into trouble, and even if something happens, they will compensate for it. I thought about it again and again. If I don't agree, it's hard to say what the consequences will be, so I gritted my teeth and agreed." Yan Nanlou nodded: "So that's the case. Since the Blood Shadow Flag Master wants to build a castle, there must be news, and he will know it sooner or later. With this big umbrella, Brother Fang's business is guaranteed, and it is worth celebrating." The two toasted each other and returned to their ships after the goods were delivered.

Yan Nanlou received the news from the Blood Shadow Banner Master and immediately sent people to find out where there were major projects going on in the Jiangnan area. Soon, there was news that the government projects did not count, and the largest project at present was actually Julong Villa. According to the investigation, Julong Villa already had 20,000 craftsmen engaged in large-scale construction, and the scale of the project can be imagined. Yan Nanlou pondered that although Chang Xiao was defeated at the Cliff of Broken Souls, it had little impact on his reputation. Except for the Shangqing Palace Lingmu Zhenren who took away the treasures of the villa, no one destroyed Julong Villa. Now someone is building a large-scale project, and the person behind it is 90% likely to be Chang Xiao. After suffering a lot of humiliation, he must take action. Combined with Fang Zishou's words, it can be basically determined that the current Blood Shadow Banner Master is the original Julong Villa Master, who is respected by the martial arts world as Chang Xiao of Nan Kunlun. Yan Nanlou was happy to come to this conclusion. Although Duan Qingxiao's martial arts are unparalleled, he is getting old after all. Sooner or later, the world of Jianghu will be Chang Xiao's. By then, the treasure he bet on will be richly rewarded. This was great news. The fleet returned to the South China Sea, and Yan Nanlou hurried to the Sea God Palace to see the old Dragon King. At this time, the Sea God Palace was filled with drums and music, and the old Dragon King and Taijun were drinking. There were two beauties beside Taijun, Chang Xiao's wife Princess Yueying and his daughter Qingting. Qingting was now a graceful young girl with picturesque eyebrows and white skin. She was Taijun's favorite. Yan Nanlou bowed as he entered the room. The old Dragon King nodded, "Come and sit down, let's talk about the Central Plains." Qingting asked first, "Brother Yan, when will you take me to the Central Plains to play?" Yan Nanlou smiled and said, "Don't worry, this is a paradise on earth, what fun is there in the Central Plains?" Princess Yueying pulled her daughter back to her seat, and the Queen Mother nodded repeatedly, "Good girl, thanks to the old man for his vision." The old Dragon King waited for a long time before he had the chance to ask, "Nanlou, is this trip going well?" Yan Nanlou replied, "Business is fine, but the biggest gain of this trip is not business, but getting accurate news." The old Dragon King immediately became interested, "What news? Is it that Brother Chang has returned to the arena?" Yan Nanlou admired in his heart: the old man is still the best, the old Dragon King actually guessed the news he brought back. So he nodded and said, "Yes, the owner of the manor has taken some action."

The happiest people who heard the news were of course Princess Yueying and her daughter. Qingting clapped her hands and said, "There is news about my father. Now we can go back to Central Plains." Yan Nanlou smiled and said, "The situation is still unclear at the moment. I believe the owner of the manor will make arrangements. Don't be anxious." The old Dragon King also wanted to know the details of Chang Xiao, and urged him, "Don't beat around the bush. Tell me what happened." So Yan Nanlou told Fang Zishou what he said and the results of the investigation he sent people to do. The old Dragon King stroked his beard and said, "Your judgment is correct. This Blood Shadow Flag Master must be Brother Chang. It seems that he is secretly helping us through the difficult times. That Fang Zishou must be his right-hand manor." Yan Nanlou shook his head and said, "Fang Zishou is thin and shows no signs of having practiced martial arts. How can he be the manor owner's right-hand manor?" The old Dragon King smiled and said, "Martial arts are profound and extensive. There are many categories, and the martial arts practiced by Fang Zishou must not be known to outsiders, so don't underestimate him. "Yan Nanlou nodded: "I've made a note of it." The old Dragon King sighed lightly: "Looking at Brother Chang's actions, he will not have a decisive battle with Duan Qingxiao in the short term. Judging from Duan Qingxiao's attitude, the power in Brother Chang's hands is extremely strong, and he can't deal with it. But it is certain that Brother Chang's temperament has changed a lot, and the former owner of Julong Villa is gone forever." Yan Nanlou nodded: "Yes, after so many changes, even a wooden man will get angry, let alone a martial arts master with flesh and blood?" The old Dragon King instructed: "The South China Sea Fleet owes Brother Chang a great favor. You must find a way to contribute to the project of Julong Villa, so that Brother Chang will understand what you mean, which will be of great benefit to the future." Yan Nanlou said yes repeatedly.

The old dragon king had been through many storms and his deduction was not wrong at all. Yan Nanlou secretly admired him and had already thought of the steps. The happiest ones were of course Princess Yueying and Dragonfly. Although the old dragon king and the queen treated them warmly and were like a family, this was not their home after all. Without Chang Xiao, they had no backbone to do anything. Now that they had accurate information, they had hope. The old dragon king knew that when the time was right, Chang Xiao would naturally send someone to contact him. It was not appropriate to make trouble at this time. They could not act rashly before they were sure to deal with Duan Qingxiao. Yan Nanlou secretly rejoiced that if he had obeyed Duan Qingxiao at the beginning and had a complete quarrel with Chang Xiao, the result would be disastrous. At present, it seems that Duan Qingxiao will not sit idly by if Chang Xiao secretly confronts him. The two sides must have contacted each other, but outsiders have no way of knowing. Duan Qingxiao is already the supreme master of the martial arts world, and all forces surrender to him. The whole world is in a one-sided situation. Chang Xiao actually built a castle on a large scale under such circumstances. He must have something to rely on. It seems that he should act earlier. Helping at this time will definitely not be a loss. Having made up his mind, Yan Nanlou prepared a cargo ship to return to the Central Plains. The ship was moving very fast and soon entered the inland. Yan Nanlou took two followers and rushed to Julong Mountain. He could hear the noise from afar. When he got closer, he saw that everywhere was bustling with people coming and going. More than 20,000 people were busy, and the scene was naturally spectacular. Yan Nanlou asked someone to find out who was in charge. Someone pointed out that the person who paid for the construction had never shown up, and the supervisors were all the best at the time. Yan Nanlou understood that the people here could not know the inside story. He only learned from the side that the scale of the castle was extremely large, the drawings were made by experts, and the amount of silver required was huge, which even the royal family might not be able to afford. Yan Nanlou found out, rushed back to the ship, and arranged a meeting with Fang Zishou. A few days later, Fang Zishou's fleet arrived, and Yan Nanlou held a banquet as usual. After discussing the business, Yan Nanlou clasped his fists and said, "I have something to trouble you with. Brother Fang, please help me." Fang Zishou smiled and said, "As long as I can do it, I will never refuse." Yan Nanlou nodded, "In that case, I will tell you directly. Last time, I learned that Brother Fang's fleet was protected by the Blood Shadow Flag Master and had unimpeded access by land and sea. I think the situation in the Central Plains is complicated. Every time the fleet passes through a place, it will cost a lot of money. Although the amount each time is not large, it is extremely shocking when added up. Therefore, I would like to ask Brother Fang to be a middleman and purchase a Blood Shadow Flag." Fang Zishou smiled and said, "Brother, your swordsmanship is first-class, and there are many good players on the ship. It seems unnecessary to do this."

The speaker may not mean it, but the listener may take it seriously. Yan Nanlou immediately heard from these words that Fang Zishou was not simple. Fang Zishou also realized that he had spoken out of turn, and raised his glass to cover it up. Yan Nanlou said: "Brother Fang is right. There are many martial artists in my fleet, but there are many hidden dragons and crouching tigers in the Central Plains. As the saying goes, a strong dragon cannot suppress a local snake. It is safer to have a backer." Fang Zishou pondered for a moment, and saw that Yan Nanlou's meaning had already understood some of the inside story. This was to show his attitude and stand on his side. So he nodded and agreed: "Okay, I'll think of a way. I didn't have that much money at the beginning. It was agreed that 500,000 taels would be allocated from each business. Now the amount is not yet in place, I will mention it when they take the silver." Yan Nanlou immediately ordered someone to carry a box, pointing and saying: "This box of jewelry will be left on Brother Fang's ship as a gift for meeting. There will be another reward after the deal is done." Fang Zishou shook his head: "You and I are doing business together, this little favor is nothing." After the deal was settled, the business was delivered, and Yan Nanlou said goodbye. Fang Zishou knew that Yan Nanlou had already guessed the true identity of the Blood Shadow Banner Master and knew about Chang Xiao's secret assistance. This pretense was just an excuse to send a thank you gift. This box of treasures must be priceless. He Tong just happened to come in, and Fang Zishou ordered: "Bring that box over and have a look. I guarantee you'll be amazed." He Tong gently lifted the box and brought it closer, smiling and saying: "What treasures can be in this box?" When he opened it, he was stunned. The colorful treasures were dazzling. They were unheard of and unseen, and their value was inestimable. Seeing He Tong's expression, Fang Zishou smiled and said: "How about it, you've opened your eyes this time, right? To be honest, I haven't seen it before."

Chapter 76: Each Has His Own Agenda

The treasures sent by Yan Nan Lou made He Tong stunned and speechless for a long time. After finally coming back to his senses, he grabbed a crystal clear wine pot with purple light and held it in his arms. Fang Zishou smiled and said, "You don't like drinking, what do you want that wine pot for?" He Tong smiled and said, "I want to use this wine pot to exchange for Jiu Tong's ice ruler. With that treasure, I am not afraid of the hot weather." Fang Zishou shook his head: "The flag master gave the ice ruler to Jiu Tong because he was afraid that he would get drunk and make mistakes. It was specially used to sober him up. Don't make any random plans." He Tong thought for a moment and had another idea: "I can have his Da Huan Dan, but I feel a little disadvantaged." Fang Zishou smiled and said, "Da Huan Dan is an extremely precious elixir, which is hard to find. If Jiu Tong exchanges with you, he will suffer, not you." He Tong nodded: "Let's do it. If he sees it first, there will be no chance. Who told him to drink outside all the time." Having made up his mind, He Tong waited for Jiu Tong to come back so that he could make a fortune. At dusk, the wine boy and the piano boy came back together. The crane boy deliberately took out the wine pot and played with it, muttering: "This pot is really good. Pour hot water into it and it will cool down in a while. It is the best to quench thirst in summer." The wine boy spotted it at first sight and flew forward to grab it. The crane boy was prepared and moved sideways three feet to ask: "What are you doing? Robbery in broad daylight?" The wine boy looked at the wine pot carefully and spoke after a while: "Good stuff, it turns out that the legendary warm and cool pot really exists. You don't drink alcohol, why do you keep it? Give it to me." The crane boy smiled and said: "No, it's not worth it. You can drink wine or tea, it's none of your business. "The four of them get along day and night and know each other very well. Jiu Tong guessed He Tong's intention and said with a smile: "Just tell me what you want, no need to beat around the bush." He Tong was very pleased: "Originally I wanted your Ice Ruler, but Uncle Fang wouldn't let me, so I want your Great Rejuvenation Pill, no discounts allowed." Jiu Tong immediately agreed: "It's a deal, no regrets allowed." He turned around and went out, and came back in a moment with a small box in his hand. He Tong took it and opened it to take a closer look. He gave the wine pot to Jiu Tong after confirming that it was correct. Jiu Tong couldn't let it go, and took out a luminous cup from his arms, put it together with the wine pot and clapped his hands, saying: "Now it's all together, the old emperor doesn't have this blessing." Qin Tong said: "We should celebrate getting such a treasure, should we take out the tribute wine you hid to taste it?" Jiu Tong was happy and nodded: "Ordinary wine is not worthy of the warm pot, we must get drunk today." He went out hand in hand with Qin Tong. He Tong got what he wanted. He carefully put away the Dahuan Dan and showed it off to Fang Zishou.

The construction of Julong Villa progressed very quickly. Such a big movement naturally alarmed the people in the martial arts world. All parties speculated who had such a big hand. At this time, the old owner of Wuling Villa officially retired, and Wu Qingyang took over as the new owner. He was very worried about the situation in the martial arts world. In the past, Wuling Villa had always been under the protection of Duan Qingxiao. It was thought that Duan Qingxiao's comeback would make Wuling Villa proud. Who knew that Duan Qingxiao didn't take Wuling Villa seriously at all. Once Mr. Tang left, the strength of the villa was greatly reduced. If Duan Qingxiao really became the supreme master of the martial arts world, Wuling Villa would naturally be calm. But a blood shadow flag owner suddenly appeared out of thin air, and he actually openly confronted Duan Qingxiao, each doing his own thing, while Duan Qingxiao did not make any move, allowing the blood shadow flag owner to run rampant. Wu Qingyang knew in his heart that Duan Qingxiao was arrogant and could not tolerate others. This uncharacteristic behavior was enough to show that Duan Qingxiao could not deal with the blood shadow flag owner. Once there was a problem with this big tree, the situation of Wuling Villa would be dangerous. After thinking about it, since Duan Qingxiao couldn't be blamed, he could only think of another way. Elder Jinchan of the Beggar Gang had helped a lot, but his father lost this helper because of improper handling. In fact, the strength of the Beggar Gang is very extraordinary, and it would be best to re-establish contact with Elder Jinchan. Since Duan Qingxiao's comeback, the Beggar Gang has ceased its activities. Duan Qingxiao has always looked down on the Beggar Gang, and Elder Jinchan is busy reorganizing, so there is basically no accurate information about the Beggar Gang in the world. Wu Qingyang sent three groups of people to find Elder Jinchan using the previous contact method, but there was no news. Wu Qingyang decided to go out and look for it himself. Many people in the Beggar Gang recognized him, and maybe he could meet Elder Jinchan. Since taking back the token, Elder Jinchan has been busy with rectification, and he is grateful for Chang Xiao's kindness. Later, Duan Qingxiao came back and heard the news of Chang Xiao's death. Elder Jinchan was deeply uneasy, but there was nothing he could do. Duan Qingxiao was absolutely not to be trifled with. Therefore, he hurried to select talents, promote good players, and prepare to deal with the storms in the world. After a period of hard work, he finally received some rewards, and Elder Jinchan was quite pleased. At this time, he suddenly learned about the Blood Shadow Flag Master. Elder Jinchan pondered and thought that this person was Chang Xiao. After weighing the pros and cons, he prepared to contact Chang Xiao, but he had no idea where to start. After several attempts, there was no result. Suddenly someone reported that Wu Qingyang sent a message to reconcile with the Beggars' Sect. Elder Jinchan knew that Duan Qingxiao was a big tree that could not be relied on. At this time, he remembered the benefits of the Beggars' Sect and told people not to pay attention to him.

The Beggars' Sect was well-informed and learned that the South China Sea Fleet was suddenly assisted by a mysterious person in the difficult situation and survived the difficult situation. Elder Jinchan analyzed that this mysterious person should be related to Chang Xiao, but there was no way to get in touch with him. Obviously, Chang Xiao only wanted to do his own thing and did not want to rely on external forces. Therefore, Elder Jinchan still tried to accumulate strength and rectify the Beggars' Sect. Wu Qingyang could not see Elder Jinchan, and he knew that his father had hurt people too deeply and could not be relieved in the short term. He had no choice but to find a way to protect himself. Even Yan Nanlou and Elder Jinchan knew about Chang Xiao. Of course, Wanqi Song, the old master of Wanxian Hall, also noticed it. After contacting Fang Zishou and Duan Qingxiao's attitude later, Wanqi Song determined that Chang Xiao would definitely make a comeback, and the movement would definitely be big. No one could tell what would happen at that time. At this time, a wrong move would bring disaster to Wanxian Hall. From all the signs, Chang Xiao's temperament has changed. Wherever the Blood Shadow Banner goes, there is bloodshed. Those who disobey will die miserably. No one is spared. Wan Qisong is most worried about his son, so he wrote a letter to remind his son to be careful. The Blood Shadow Banner is like the death warrant of the King of Hell, and it must not be provoked. Mo Qilin heard about the Blood Shadow Banner Master and had discussed countermeasures, but there was no conclusion. At this time, he received a letter from his father and hurriedly called the think tank Soul Chaser to discuss. After reading the letter, the Soul Chaser was surprised and said, "So the leader of the Blood Shadow Banner is Chang Xiao. No wonder Duan Qingxiao can't do anything about it." Mo Qilin sighed and said, "This person is the most difficult to deal with. Even a master like Duan Qingxiao can't kill him. It won't be long before the world of martial arts is his." The Soul Chaser nodded and said, "What the hall master said is right. Chang Xiao himself is already a rare master. With the power cultivated by Taoist Zuixia, he will surely become the supreme master of martial arts who sweeps the world." Mo Qilin said in embarrassment, "But Duan Qingxiao's side is not something we can provoke. How should we deal with the fight between the two of them?" The Soul Chaser pondered for a while and smiled bitterly, "These two people are like water and fire. According to common sense, we should support Chang Xiao, but his temperament has changed. I don't know what will happen if he wins. It's impossible to have two boats at the same time. I think we should fully support Duan Qingxiao. No matter how hard Chang Xiao tries, it will not be easy to climb over this mountain." Mo Qilin nodded, "It's the only way."

Wanqi Song was extremely worried when he learned about his son's position. At present, his master no longer had the ambition to dominate the world, while Chang Xiao was working hard and was in high spirits. He had a great chance of winning. His son's move pushed Wanxiantang to the edge of the cliff. When he was worried, he suddenly received news that someone asked Wanxiantang for five million taels of silver with the Blood Shadow Banner. Mo Qilin knew that it was powerful and collected the amount to pass the test, but he was unwilling and wrote a letter to Duan Qingxiao to complain. Wanqi Song blamed his son for not knowing what was going on. When Chang Xiao disbanded the Julong Gang, Wanxiantang owed him a great favor, and it was no loss to spend some money to compensate. Once he made a fuss and annoyed Chang Xiao, the consequences would be disastrous. Duan Qingxiao was also in a dilemma. The influence of the Blood Shadow Banner Master was expanding, but he had no good way. The key was not Chang Xiao, but the Nether Swordsman. This group of people was really difficult to deal with. After Wu Mu Zhenjun's investigation, it was found that the Nether Swordsman had at least three people in each action, and there was no chance to take advantage of it. Judging from the current situation, Chang Xiao is making preparations and will not make any big moves in the short term, but these Nether Swordsmen are enough to give him a headache. Tang Shiyu came up with an idea. Since the martial artists are afraid of the Blood Shadow Flag Master, they might as well send people to command the martial artists with the Divine Sword Token, intentionally dividing the two camps to prevent the various forces from having their feet on both sides. Duan Qingxiao immediately issued an order, and the Divine Sword Token reappeared in the martial arts world. The various forces did not dare to disobey. Moreover, the Blood Shadow Flag was nowhere to be seen. Except for the South China Sea Fleet, no force stood on Chang Xiao's side. Duan Qingxiao thought he had a good plan and the martial arts world was still in his hands. Although he had gained temporary peace, his opponent was preparing intensively, and he could not sit and wait, so Duan Qingxiao tried his best to take time to study martial arts and prepare to meet Chang Xiao's challenge.

Jade Butterfly had been recuperating in the mountains for several months, and it really worked. Her face was delicate and her spirit was radiant. She regained her confidence as the most beautiful woman in the world. The only regret was that her lover came too seldom, and she could only see him once a month. Finally, she had a kitten to relieve her boredom, and she felt much more relaxed. One day, she was taking a break among the flowers, and suddenly she heard Cuizhu's voice: "The flag master will be here soon, everyone hurry up and get ready." Jade Butterfly jumped up to greet him, and she didn't forget to hug the little cutie lovingly. Soon, Chang Xiao's figure appeared in front of her. Jade Butterfly went forward and frowned, "What are you doing? Why do you lose weight every time you come?" Chang Xiao sighed: "My opponent is too strong, and I am undergoing an extremely difficult training." Jade Butterfly was very satisfied with the current situation, and persuaded: "Life is short, just live happily, why bother yourself? I believe Duan Qingxiao will not cause trouble for us." The two went into the house hand in hand, and after sitting down, Jade Butterfly leaned on her lover's chest, her heart full of joy. Chang Xiao said earnestly, "You don't know, the only confidant in my life is Taoist Zuixia. He gave me the power he had worked so hard to cultivate, and his intention of going to his death calmly was very obvious. First, it was for our friendship, and second, he knew he had no chance of defeating Duan Qingxiao. As a warrior, he naturally had to do everything he could to defeat his opponent. If he couldn't do it while alive, he had to fulfill his wish after death, so he entrusted everything to me." Yu Hudie shook her head and said, "I don't understand. With such a high status, why bother about winning or losing? The number one swordsman is famous in the world, admired by thousands of people, why bother to seek death?" Chang Xiao smiled bitterly and said, "This is the difference between men and women , a man should be masculine and would rather break than bend. The only regret of Zuixia Taoist is Duan Qingxiao. He will not rest in peace until he kills this great enemy. If the real person concentrates the power in his hands, he can kill Duan Qingxiao, but the real person is unwilling to do so. He must avenge his previous shame in the formal competition. Even if he loses and dies, he cannot disgrace the reputation of the first swordsman. This is a martial arts master worthy of respect. "Yu Hudie sighed and said, "Anyway, I don't understand. I'm satisfied as long as I can be with you." At this time, Hanmei and Xianglan came in and teased, "You are an old couple, and you are still together. Aren't you afraid of being laughed at?" Chang Xiao then got up to drink and eat.

At this time, Chang Xiao was short of manpower, with a total of fifteen people. The Nether Swordsmen had to take care of the business and ensure the safety of the Yannan Tower fleet, and they could not be dispersed, so they could not act rashly. As for Chang Xiao, he really couldn't spare time. It was not easy for the martial arts master to defeat the sword master, and it was impossible to succeed without some training. Finally, he had the Jade Butterfly, so he could completely relax after practicing hard, and he could also release his emotions. The most embarrassing thing at this time was the drunk Taoist's brother Jiang Feiluan and his right-hand man Qi Shizhen. Both of them had certain power. After surrendering, Duan Qingxiao did not make any demands, and the two could still live freely. However, the reputation plummeted, and the people in the rivers and lakes looked down on such character, so the two had a hard time. Jiang Feiluan was still the master of Tongtian Fort, but he could only protect himself. He had always been at odds with Qi Shizhen in the past, but now he was the only one who could come and go, so the two met from time to time to discuss countermeasures. Duan Qingxiao didn't pay much attention to details, and the magic sword token was unimpeded wherever it went. The two of them got together again that day. Although there were fine wine and delicious food in front of them, no one had the heart to taste them. Jiang Feiluan sighed, "Since my eldest brother was defeated and died, our good days have come to an end. The glory of the past is gone forever." Qi Shizhen smiled bitterly, "I didn't expect the real person to be so impatient that he didn't even leave a word." Jiang Feiluan complained, "My eldest brother is really something. He knew that Duan Qingxiao's main target was Chang Xiao, but he insisted on taking the lead and risking his life in vain. The worst thing he did was to leave his affairs to Chang Xiao. The reason for Duan Qingxiao's comeback was to get rid of Chang Xiao, and he would never let him go. After the battle at the Cliff of Broken Souls, all his efforts were wasted." Qi Shizhen shook his head, "The real person can't be blamed for this. In fact, there is no other choice. Chang Xiao is the only one who can fight against Duan Qingxiao." Jiang Feiluan sighed, "How can Duan Qingxiao be easily provoked? Once Chang Xiao dies, who can still compete with him?" Qi Shizhen shook his head, "You always stay in the fort and don't know that the Blood Shadow Banner Master who appeared a while ago is really powerful, and even Duan Qingxiao can't do anything about it."

Jiang Feiluan was overjoyed to hear the news. It was incredible that such a thing would happen at this time. She hurriedly asked what happened. Qi Shizhen roughly told her about the Blood Shadow Banner and finally analyzed: "Duan Qingxiao felt the influence of the Blood Shadow Banner and had to issue the Divine Sword Token. Although it has achieved certain results, it also shows that Duan Qingxiao has no way to deal with the owner of the Blood Shadow Banner. In addition, Julong Villa is building a castle on a large scale. According to my speculation, the man behind the scenes is probably Chang Xiao. He did not die at the Cliff of Broken Souls." Jiang Feiluan was shocked: "How is it possible? That is a Jedi known to all martial artists. No one can survive." Qi Shizhen shook his head: "How could you forget that Chang Xiao has a hidden weapon. When it is used, it is very similar to the sword-controlling technique of a real person. He can move more than ten feet in an instant and it is entirely possible for him to escape." Jiang Feiluan slapped his thigh: "Why didn't I think of it? Others have no way to survive but he does. The location was originally chosen by him, so of course there is a way to survive. But his impression of me The signs are not good. Even if he defeats Duan Qingxiao, our life will still be difficult. "Qi Shizhen nodded: "That's right, so I have been thinking of a way." Jiang Feiluan was depressed: "What can I do? I can only leave it to fate." Qi Shizhen shook his head: "Everything depends on human efforts, there is always a way to think of. The current situation is very unclear. Duan Qingxiao and Chang Xiao have their own strengths, and the outcome is unpredictable. If Duan Qingxiao wins, it's okay. Once Chang Xiao wins, we will find it difficult to deal with ourselves. So I want to find another backer. "Jiang Feiluan curled his lips: "Don't joke, who can compete with these two people?" Qi Shizhen smiled: "Strong martial arts is only one aspect, you can't have the upper hand everywhere. According to my investigation, there is a Broken Heart Valley in Wuliang Mountain in Dali, where a group of mysterious people live. They are proficient in poison. The leader is known as the Poison King and never leaves Wuliang Mountain. The poison they developed is colorless and tasteless, killing people invisibly. "Jiang Feiluan was disappointed: "What's the use of that?"

Chapter 77: The Heroine

Qi Shizhen mentioned that there was a Poison King in the Broken Heart Valley of Wuliang Mountain. Jiang Feiluan disagreed. Qi Shizhen smiled and said, "The backer I'm talking about is not the Poison King, but the poison in his hand. Think about it, if we master this poison and kill people invisibly, we can occupy a place in the martial arts world and don't have to look at other people's faces." Jiang Feiluan shook his head: "This poison is indeed powerful. It's easy to deal with others, but it can't deal with masters like Duan Qingxiao and Chang Xiao." Qi Shizhen continued to explain: "We don't have the ability to dominate the martial arts world, As long as we have a foothold, we can protect ourselves with this poison." Jiang Feiluan hesitated: "Since ancient times, those who play with fire will get burned. Even if we get poison, we have no ability to control it. Once it is used by others, it will inevitably harm others and ourselves. Moreover, the truth will come out sooner or later. Once the news spreads, we will become the public enemy of the martial arts world. At that time, let alone gaining a foothold, it will be difficult to even save our lives." Qi Shizhen's heart moved. It seems that Jiang Feiluan is not stupid. He really has bad intentions. He didn't expect that Jiang Feiluan would find out in advance. So he changed the subject and said, "This is just a last resort. From all the current signs, Chang Xiao's temperament has changed drastically. He is ruthless and leaves no room for maneuver. Once he defeats Duan Qingxiao, our situation will be bad." Jiang Feiluan was surprised and said, "Do you hope that Duan Qingxiao will win? No matter what, he is the murderer of my eldest brother. I don't have a good impression of Chang Xiao, but I always hope that Duan Qingxiao will lose to comfort my eldest brother's spirit in heaven." Qi Shizhen smiled and said, "I also hope to avenge the real person, but Duan Qingxiao is not young anymore. Even if we defeat Chang Xiao, we won't be able to stay in the limelight for long. Once Chang Xiao wins, we will never be able to make a breakthrough." Jiang Feiluan raised his glass to toast: "No matter who wins, he won't do anything to us. Duan Qingxiao's requirements are not high. Chang Xiao will always consider my elder brother's trust and won't do anything to us." Qi Shizhen nodded: "That's right. The situation in the martial arts world is unpredictable. Maybe there will be a turning point." In fact, Qi Shizhen has always had an opinion about Jiang Feiluan. In the past, he did it for the sake of Zuixia Taoist. Now that Zuixia Taoist has passed away, he has no scruples. He originally wanted to lead Jiang Feiluan astray, but he was noticed by him and could only perfunctorily let it go.

These key figures have guessed that Chang Xiao is not dead and is accumulating strength to prepare for a comeback. The decisive battle between him and Duan Qingxiao is inevitable, but the time is still uncertain. Everyone is making their own calculations and preparing for the future. Wanqi Song is shrewd and took the time to visit Julong Villa. Judging from the progress of the project, Chang Xiao will return to Julong Mountain in five years at most, and the situation of Wanxiantang will be bad at that time. After deliberation, he determined that his son was on the wrong side. It was not to distinguish the superiority of martial arts. Although his master defeated the first swordsman, he was old and had fallen in the west. He did not have the character of the past and could not even handle family affairs. On the other hand, Chang Xiao has been working step by step since his debut. The hard work he has put in is not what ordinary people can imagine, but he has never received the respect he deserves. You get what you sow. This is the way of heaven and earth. Only those who endure hardships can become superior people. Chang Xiao's hard work will surely bring rich rewards. From the perspective of fate, the future of the world must be Chang Xiao's world. Wanqi Song was worried about his son's safety, and couldn't bear to see Wanxiantang destroyed by Chang Xiao, so he made a special trip to Xuchang. Although Mo Qilin was the head of the hall, he still had to rely on Wanqi Song in many places. The fact that Wanxiantang could stand firm in the turbulent times of the world was entirely due to Wanqi Song's credit. He was clear about rewards and punishments, sympathetic to his subordinates, and lived in harmony with all parties. As for martial arts, it was secondary. Mo Qilin was ambitious but incompetent, but he was self-aware and knew that his abilities were limited, so he respected Wanqi Song very much. When the father and son met, Mo Qilin paid a great tribute. Wanqi Song first had a banquet with a group of old subordinates, reminiscing about the past and building relationships. In the dead of night, the father and son sat together to talk. Mo Qilin listened to his father's explanation of the pros and cons and nodded repeatedly: "At the beginning, I discussed it with the military advisor, and the military advisor's words were reasonable, so I made up my mind to stand on the side of Duan Qingxiao." Wanqi Song shook his head: "As the head of a hall, you must have your own opinions and cannot be swayed by others. The most important thing is to see the situation clearly. If you make a wrong step, not only will your years of hard work go to waste, but even your life and property will be in danger. Chang Xiao has great potential. Once he dominates the world, Wanxian Hall will inevitably collapse." Mo Qilin asked: "Master is supported by all parties, and the magic sword and token are powerful in the world. Such a huge force can't control Chang Xiao?" Wanqi Song sighed: "Why are you still so naive? Most of the people who submit to your master now are the people who gathered under the banner when Zuixia Taoist was rampant. These people have always changed their minds according to the situation. When your master defeated Zuixia Taoist, they immediately changed their ways. Once Chang Xiao wins, these people will definitely repeat the same trick. The current submission is just a superficial phenomenon." Mo Qilin was stunned.

Wanqi Song explained the interests in detail. Mo Qilin shook his head and sighed: "I really can't believe that the high-ranking masters are also opportunists." Wanqi Song asked: "What do you think of Chang Xiao?" Mo Qilin thought: "Of course he is a rare good man, loyal and righteous, kind-hearted, and never bullies the weak despite his superb martial arts." Wanqi Song smiled: "That's right, since he is a good person, he should be respected. Why did he become the public enemy of the martial arts world? Even the treasures in his home were divided up?" Mo Qilin Lin frowned and said, "It's because he was too ruthless. He took two thousand lives overnight." Wanqi Song shook his head: "How would you know? Chang Xiao couldn't have done what happened in Sijie Village." Mo Qilin was shocked: "Why do you say that? Who else could it be except him?" Wanqi Song sighed and said, "I didn't want to say it at first, but you know you must remember not to let any news leak out in the future. I once secretly investigated this matter and found that Jade-faced Wolf and Dingxiang were tortured by the outlaws. The person who did it was an expert. It should be someone from Sijie Village. : : : : : : : : : : : : : : :

At the beginning, the rumors spread that Chang Xiao had killed all the men, women and children in the Four Heroes Village. Many people immediately stood up to accuse him. Chang Xiao went from being the respected Nan Kunlun to being the public enemy of the martial arts world. Mo Qilin never dreamed that the person who actually did it was actually his master whom he worshipped as a god. He was stunned and speechless for a long time. Wanqi Song warned: "Just keep this matter to yourself, don't leak it out." Mo Qilin shook his head and said: "I can't believe that such a high status would do such a thing." Wanqi Song felt bad. His master's way of dealing with things was indeed unbecoming of a master. He continued to instruct: "Although your master's swordsmanship is magical, Chang Xiao is not an ordinary person. When masters fight, the most important thing is to forget yourself. Only when there is no distraction in your mind can you exert the essence of your martial arts. Once these two people fight, your master will lose momentum. After all, he feels guilty. Chang Xiao is different. He has no worries at all. So your father believes that Chang Xiao will defeat your master sooner or later. For the future of Wanxian Hall, your father specially gives you the bottom line. You decide what to do." Mo Qilin nodded. After sending his father away, Mo Qilin thought hard about countermeasures. His father's words were clear. At this time, he should find a way to befriend Chang Xiao. But Chang Xiao's whereabouts are uncertain and it is impossible for him to show up in public. He can only think of a way from the project of Julong Villa. This matter couldn't be done too obviously, but Chang Xiao had to know about it. After thinking it over, he came up with an idea. He sent a letter to Jiangnan, ordering the former members of the Julong Gang to come forward to assist in the name of the Green Forest, contributing money and manpower, so that he could kill two birds with one stone. The Soul Chaser was quite surprised to learn about this. Mo Qilin certainly couldn't tell everything, but just said that he couldn't leave room for others in the Jianghu. Although the Soul Chaser had some doubts, he didn't ask in detail.

The most famous mountain in Shandong is of course Mount Tai, but there are other mountains, and Mount Lu is one of them. This mountain is not as high as Mount Tai, and it stretches for dozens of miles. For ordinary people, it is just an ordinary barren mountain, but it is different for the disciples of the Beggar Gang, because the holy place of the Beggar Gang, Ziyun Cave, is in this mountain. Since Elder Jinchan took back the leader token and reorganized the Beggar Gang, as the largest gang in the world, it has finally recovered some vitality. After careful preparation, Elder Jinchan sent a message to summon the leaders of the halls from all over the country to gather in Ziyun Cave. Upon hearing the news, the leaders of all places were very happy. There was nothing else to do in the Ziyun Cave gathering. It must be to recommend a new leader. With a leader, there is a backbone, and they can be proud in the future. Because Duan Qingxiao looked down on the Beggar Gang and didn't pay attention to it at all, Elder Jinchan was able to gather the leaders of various roads with confidence. The biggest feature of the Beggar Gang disciples is that they are easy to move, and no one pays attention to the whereabouts of beggars. Leaders from all walks of life came to Lushan one after another. Ziyun Cave is a holy place and cannot be approached without being summoned. Elder Jin Chan sent someone to lead the way, and everyone went up the mountain in order. On the way, they didn't say a word, showing respect for the holy land. In the current Beggar Gang, Elder Jin Chan has the highest status and the best martial arts. He is also fair and fair, and is deeply loved by everyone. Everyone respects him. Ziyun Cave is a natural karst cave. The wide part inside can accommodate hundreds of people. After entering the cave, everyone went straight to the spacious part and sat on the ground, waiting for Elder Jin Chan. After the court made such a commotion, the impact was indeed not small. Elder Jin Chan knew very well that if Chang Xiao hadn't taken back the token, the Beggar Gang would have become something unknown. However, such a large gang cannot always rely on others, and it must cheer itself up. Therefore, it has devoted all its efforts to cultivate a new leader. Gathering everyone is to hold a ceremony for the new leader to take the stage. This is the holy land of the Beggar Gang, and no one dares to make a loud noise. Elder Jin Chan walked out of the back cave slowly, and everyone stood up and saluted. The elder nodded with a smile and waved his hand. After sitting down, he slowly began to speak: "Everyone knows the meaning of this gathering, so I won't say much. My Beggars' Sect has never recovered since the death of the last leader Ye. As the saying goes, a snake cannot survive without a head, but there is really no suitable candidate. I am old and dying, and I simply can't take on this responsibility. After years of hard work, I finally found a suitable candidate. Let everyone meet him today."

Although they had already guessed 80% to 90%, they were still happy to hear this. Elder Jinchan was steady and would not act rashly without certainty. This person must be right. Elder Jinchan clapped his hands three times, and a person walked out of the back cave slowly. Everyone looked at him and was surprised. It turned out that a middle-aged woman walked out of the back cave. She had a dignified appearance and simple clothes, no different from an ordinary woman. In their imagination, the leader of the Beggars' Sect should be a hero who stands tall and proud. How could she be such an ordinary woman? Everyone was speechless. Elder Jinchan had expected this and explained, "Don't jump to conclusions, let me introduce you. This woman is the niece of the former leader Ye. As you all know, leader Ye has never married, so he took great care of this niece and sent her to a hermit master to learn martial arts. It is rare that this woman is willing to endure hardships. With the guidance of the master, her martial arts attainments are extremely profound. She became a disciple at the age of eight and studied martial arts for twenty years. A few years ago, she returned to her hometown and went to Ziyun Cave to pay tribute to leader Ye, where she met me by chance. Since then, I have been training her intentionally and preparing to let her become the new leader. Of course, martial arts alone are far from enough to become the leader of the Beggars' Sect. In Jiang Rolling on the lake also requires rich experience and a flexible mind. So I arranged for her to go to the rivers and lakes for training. Over the years, I have been quite satisfied with her and believe that she is fully capable of being the leader. Now Duan Qingxiao of the Divine Sword Sect is in power, and all forces are bowing to him. Duan Qingxiao looks down on the Beggars' Sect and does not pay attention to it. This is a good opportunity for us. I think we should seize the opportunity to regroup. First of all, we must establish a leader. Only with a leader can we stabilize people's hearts and develop slowly. "It is of course important to establish a leader, but it is hard to say who to establish. Seeing that this woman is ordinary, how can she lead the Beggars' Sect with millions of disciples all over the world? The woman walked to the center and said in a humble and neither humble nor arrogant manner: "I am Ziyun Gu, and the elders have introduced me, so I will not say much. One point that needs to be emphasized is that today is not the appointment of the leader, but the recommendation. If you have a suitable candidate, you can put it forward. As long as the martial arts and strategy meet the standards, you can stand up and compete. The winner will be the new leader. "

After hearing this, everyone was convinced. Although Elder Jinchan was highly respected, it was not in accordance with the rules to force a new leader. The leaders discussed for a while and nominated three people. One was Hu Wenhai, the leader of the capital, one was Hong Zhenying, the leader of Nanjing, and the other was Jiang Hantao, who was responsible for transmitting intelligence. These three people had some skills and were very popular. Elder Jinchan was confident that Ziyungu's skills were far superior to these three people, and she could definitely win the competition. Ziyungu was also quite confident. Years of hard work were for this moment. For her deceased uncle and for herself, she must seize this rare opportunity. Hu Wenhai had a solid foundation and was quite powerful in the Tiger and Leopard Fist. Hong Zhenying's ground knife moves were clever, and Jiang Hantao was proficient in monkey boxing. These three people were well-known masters of the Beggar Gang. As for Ziyungu's learning, it was different from these three people. The former leader Ye Changxing had a very high level of martial arts cultivation, and the master he admired was certainly extraordinary. Ziyun Gu has been practicing hard for many years under the guidance of a master, and has become a master of the day, but it is unknown to outsiders. When the Golden Toad elder saw the people selected, he said: "This is the holy land of the Beggars' Sect, and we cannot fight against each other. You should show your most proud martial arts and let everyone bear witness." Everyone agreed in unison. First, Hu Wenhai, after cleaning up, performed a round of Tiger and Leopard Fist, with a whistling fist wind and strict gates, and received cheers. Hong Zhenying demonstrated the ground-stepping sword technique, with the sword flashing, and when he danced to the fullest, he could not see the human figure. Jiang Hantao's monkey fist is quite famous, and when it is performed, it is unpredictable and not alarmed. The Golden Toad elder has a high level of cultivation, and immediately determined that Jiang Hantao's martial arts is one level higher than the previous two, and others have no objection. It was Ziyun Gu's turn. She was full of energy and performed a round of palm techniques. When her body turned, there were actually several human figures shaking, and it was hard to tell which one was the real person. Others did not understand, Jiang Hantao immediately saluted: "Miss Ziyun's martial arts are superb, far superior to us."

Chapter 78: An Unintentional Encounter

In Ziyun Cave, Jiang Hantao took the lead in admitting defeat, and others naturally had no objection. However, it was not enough to be the leader of the gang with martial arts skills, so someone asked Ziyungu about the details of the Beggars' Gang. Ziyungu made sufficient preparations and answered fluently, which convinced everyone. Things went very smoothly. Elder Jinchan said: "Everyone, Ziyungu has a deep connection with the Beggars' Gang and is a rare master. She is fully qualified to be the leader of the Beggars' Gang. According to the rules, the new leader must enter the Gate of Life and Death, cross the Dulong Bridge, enter the Seven Stars Room, and take out a Nanmu bead before he can officially become the leader of the gang." Ziyungu had heard the elders mention it and knew this rule, but the elders had never entered the Gate of Life and Death and did not know the situation inside. Ziyungu was arrogant and thought that if her uncle could do it, she could do it too. She had to take out the Nanmu bead no matter what. Everyone stayed where they were and waited. Elder Jinchan led Ziyun Gu into the inner cave. When they came to a stone door, he specifically warned her: "It is extremely dangerous inside this door. Those who successfully take out the Nanmu Pearl will become the leader of the gang. If they fail, they will inevitably die. You must be prepared." Ziyun Gu nodded: "Don't worry, elder. Life and death are trivial matters. We must take out the Nanmu Pearl no matter what." Elder Jinchan was quite confident: "Your cultivation is not bad. Just be more careful. I am waiting for good news." After speaking, he slowly pushed open the stone door. A cold air rushed out, which was piercing. Fortunately, Ziyun Gu had superb internal skills. She took up her breath to protect herself and walked slowly into the door. Elder Jinchan closed the stone door and thought to himself: I hope Ziyun Gu can successfully take out the Nanmu Pearl. Only when the Beggar Gang has a leader can there be hope. The Gate of Life and Death can only be entered by the leader. After Ziyun Gu entered the door, it was dark in front of her, and she couldn't see her hand in front of her. After the stone door closed, there was no light at all. In this situation, one can only rely on one's own feelings. If one makes a mistake, disaster is inevitable. Ziyun Gu received guidance from a master. She learned the authentic internal energy of the Emei School, the Taiyin Qi. She had already opened up the small and large circulations, and the Qi was running through the meridians. She used the mental skills she learned, looking at the nose with her eyes, the mouth with her nose, and the heart with her mouth, eliminating distracting thoughts and sensing the situation around her in the emptiness.

After Elder Jinchan led Ziyun Gu away, the people in front immediately complained to Jiang Hantao. Hu Wenhai spoke first: "Brother Jiang, we all know your abilities. Ziyun Gu's palm method is nothing great. Why do you have to admit defeat?" Someone immediately agreed. Jiang Hantao shook his head: "How would you know? I don't recognize Aunt Ziyun's palm method, but I have seen her footwork, which is the unique Plum Blossom Step of the Emei Sect. Those who can learn this footwork must have practiced both inside and outside, and are definitely not something we can resist. Besides, the Gate of Life and Death is full of murderous intentions, and I don't have the ability to get in and out safely." Hong Zhenying interjected: "Yes, the Gate of Life and Death is indeed dangerous. At the beginning, Gang Leader Ye specifically instructed that you must not enter the gate before the true energy has penetrated the meridians of the whole body. We are still far from these two skills." Hu Wenhai nodded in agreement: "Yes, we really dare not enter the Gate of Life and Death. If Aunt Ziyun really takes out the nanmu bead, it will be a great joy for the Beggar Gang." Hong Zhenying shook his head slightly: "Even if Aunt Ziyun sits on the throne of the gang leader, it may not be a good thing. If what Brother Jiang said is correct, this Aunt Ziyun must be the descendant of Emei, If he becomes the leader, the Beggars' Sect will be under the control of the Emei Sect. "Jiang Hantao said with a smile, "You worry too much, brother. The Emei Sect originated from Buddhism and rarely interferes in disputes. Before the Mother of Nanhua traveled in the world, she had to set up a new sect first, and she could not use the name of the Emei Sect. The same goes for Aunt Ziyun. She cannot use the name of the Emei Sect, and the Emei Sect will not interfere in her affairs." Hong Zhenying nodded, "That's it. With a leader, the Beggars' Sect has hope. I think Aunt Ziyun is very smart and a great person." Hu Wenhai sighed, "I hope Aunt Ziyun can successfully take out the Nanmu Pearl. The elder's martial arts are impeccable, but he is too stubborn and doesn't know how to adapt. He has lost a lot of good opportunities. It's time for a young man to reorganize the Beggars' Sect." Everyone whispered and speculated whether Aunt Ziyun could successfully take out the Nanmu Pearl. This is the top priority of the Beggars' Sect.

In fact, the person who was most worried was Elder Jinchan. When Ziyun Gu returned from Emei, he had taught her all over again and taught her everything he had learned. If Ziyun Gu died in the Gate of Life and Death, not only would his years of hard work be wasted, but he would not have the energy to train new people again, and the future of the Beggars' Sect would be hard to say. The Gate of Life and Death was silent, and no sound could be heard. However, the elder's heart was like a tide and could not calm down. The rise and fall of the Beggars' Sect, the tragic experience of the former leader, the disputes among various forces in the world, Chang Xiao, whose life and death were uncertain, the intervention of the court, and Duan Qingxiao, who ruled the world, all kinds of problems came into his mind one by one. If Ziyun Gu failed, the consequences would be disastrous. When the former leader Ye Changxing entered the Gate of Life and Death, Elder Jinchan was waiting here. After about an hour, Ye Changxing took out the Nanmu Pearl. However, Ziyun Gu's cultivation was not comparable to Ye Changxing's. Whether he could succeed depended on God's will. Elder Jinchan also doubted his decision, but time was running out and he had no other choice. Only then did he realize the feeling of living a year in a day, which was really uncomfortable. The oil lamp on the cave wall gradually burned out. The elder added oil and muttered to himself: It's been an hour. I wonder how Ziyungu is doing. Another half hour passed in a blink of an eye. Jiang Hantao, Hu Wenhai, and Hong Zhenying came to ask. The elder shook his head and said nothing. Jiang Hantao took the wine gourd from behind and handed it to him, saying: "Elder, don't be anxious. Drink some wine first." Hu Wenhai took out an oil paper bag and smiled, "I also brought a beggar's chicken. Elder, you are old, don't suffer yourself." Elder Jinchan nodded, took the gourd and drank a few sips, and tore a chicken leg. Although it was delicious, he couldn't feel it at this time. All his thoughts were in the Gate of Life and Death. Hong Zhenying sighed, "The elder has worked so hard for the Beggars' Sect, and all Beggars' Sect disciples will never forget this." Elder Jin Chan didn't listen at all, and kept muttering, "Why haven't you come out yet? Am I too impatient?" Jiang Hantao and the other two were quite moved. With Elder Jin Chan's martial arts and status in the martial arts world, he could have traveled freely around the world. But now he is staying here, and just for this hard work, he is respected by all Beggars' Sect disciples.

Waiting is the most difficult. After two hours, Jiang Hantao found that Elder Jinchan no longer had the bearing of a martial arts master. He seemed like an ordinary old man with a frail appearance. He felt bad. Hu Wenhai and Hong Zhenying saw Elder Jinchan's appearance and hoped that Ziyungu would take out the nanmu beads as soon as possible, so that Elder Jinchan would not suffer any more. It was useless to say anything at this time. All hopes were placed on Ziyungu. Elder Jinchan was anxious, but he had no choice but to wait here. The longer the time dragged on, the less hope there was, but there was no other way except waiting. After waiting for three hours, Jiang Hantao knew that Ziyungu was in danger, but seeing Elder Jinchan's expectant look, he really couldn't bear to hit the old man, so he could only accompany him silently. Under the oil lamp, the four people were like wooden sculptures and clay sculptures. It was terribly quiet. Elder Jinchan was still full of hope. Once the hope was shattered, the consequences would be unimaginable. The stone door slowly opened, and Ziyun Gu staggered out, her whole body soaked with sweat. It was obvious that the journey to the Gate of Life and Death was extremely difficult. Elder Jinchan stepped forward to support her and asked, "How is it? Did you get the Nanmu Pearl?" Ziyun Gu nodded reluctantly and fell limp. Elder Jinchan felt Ziyun Gu's pulse, turned around and ordered, "Ziyun Gu just fainted from exhaustion. She will recover after half a day's rest. You go to the front and tell everyone the good news." The three of them were about to leave, and Jiang Hantao specifically reminded them, "Elders, take care of yourself too. The Beggars' Sect can be without a leader, but it cannot do without elders." Elder Jinchan nodded slightly, picked up Ziyun Gu and took her to the quiet room to regulate her breathing and recover her vitality. The people waiting in front were happy to hear that Ziyun Gu successfully took out the Nanmu Pearl. Jiang Hantao had the highest status, so he asked everyone to prepare fine wine and delicious food to celebrate, and everyone went out to buy them happily. Ziyungu was indeed just exhausted. With the help of Elder Jinchan, she quickly recovered. When she opened her eyes, she saw that Elder Jinchan seemed to have aged ten years, and his face was quite old. She hurriedly asked, "Why is the elder like this?" Elder Jinchan frowned and said, "Don't think about anything else. It's important to recover your strength." Ziyungu didn't understand why, so she had no time to ask in detail. She cheered up and regulated her breathing. Her true energy circulated twelve cycles, and finally she recovered. Elder Jinchan didn't care about his own haggardness, and immediately led Ziyungu to the front to meet the leaders of various factions. When they met, Jiang Hantao sighed, "The elder has worked hard for the Beggars' Sect. We are deeply grateful and accept Jiang's greetings." The others bowed down together and said in unison, "Elder, take care of yourself."

Seeing this scene, Elder Jin Chan shook his head: "As a member of the Beggar Gang, it is natural for us to serve the Beggar Gang. Everyone should pay homage to the new leader. Why do you have to pay homage to me?" Aunt Ziyun bowed: "The elder is the pillar of the Beggar Gang, and all disciples of the Beggar Gang should show great respect to you." Elder Jin Chan quickly returned the greeting: "I am not worthy of the leader's greeting." Aunt Ziyun insisted: "The elder is my senior, and we are also master and disciple. I can accept it both emotionally and rationally." Elder Jin Chan sighed: "My mission has been completed, and the future depends on you. From today on, I will put everything aside and travel around to relax. But I will inquire about the situation of the Beggar Gang at any time, and will come forward in times of crisis." Aunt Ziyun said: "Just ask if the elder needs anything." Elder Jin Chan smiled: "No need, I have been in the world for many years, and I have everything you want. You just need to do your part, and don't worry about me." After saying this, he flicked his sleeves and left. Hu Wenhai sighed: "The leader should keep the elders. There are still many things that need the elders to handle." Gu Ziyun shook her head: "I also want to stay, but the elders have given so much to the Beggars' Sect. There is really no reason to keep them." Jiang Hantao nodded in agreement: "The leader is right. The elders have fulfilled their responsibilities. We should also do our part. The most urgent thing right now is to hold a Beggars' Sect meeting and restore order." Hong Zhenying agreed: "Yes, all disciples must meet the new leader, so that they will have a backbone." Gu Ziyun nodded: "Everyone prepare separately and keep in touch at any time." Everyone agreed, and said goodbye and went back to prepare. Gu Ziyun also began to prepare. Taking out the nanmu bead is only the first step, and the road ahead is still long.

After leaving Ziyun Cave, Elder Jinchan felt relaxed. Although he was very tired, he was in good spirits. He had nothing to worry about now that his worries were gone. He had already handed over all the affairs of the gang to Aunt Ziyun, so he could have some free time. In the past, all his thoughts were on the Beggars' Gang. Now that he had nothing to worry about, he was not used to it. Elder Jinchan smiled bitterly. Was he destined to work hard all his life? He walked aimlessly. A big river appeared in front of him. There were boats coming and going from time to time. The elder thought, why not take a boat to relax and go wherever he wants. So he took a boat to the south and enjoyed the scenery every day. He was quite comfortable. When the boat entered the canal, the elder didn't care about anything else. He just relaxed. He had never relaxed since he entered the world of martial arts. This time he had to take a good rest. The boat went all the way south. One day, the people on the boat drank to celebrate, saying that the destination was coming. When the elder asked, it turned out that they would arrive in Wuchang tomorrow. The elder didn't care. Anyway, there was nothing to do. He had sat on the boat enough, so he went ashore to relax. The most famous scenic spot in Wuchang is of course the Yellow Crane Tower. The elder had heard of it for a long time, but he had a rare chance to go there, so he took the road to it. The Yellow Crane Tower is a place where literati and scholars often come and go. Literati often write poems here, mostly to show off their literary taste. The elder went up to the tower alone just to enjoy the scenery. The waiter asked him to sit at a seat by the window. The elder ordered a few side dishes and a pot of wine, and enjoyed the scenery by the window. This place is indeed different from other places. The vast sea of smoke and waves, set against the setting sun of the distant mountains, has a unique charm. The elder liked the scenery here, so he stayed nearby, visited scenic spots every day, and often went to the Yellow Crane Tower for wine. One day when he went up to the tower, he found that the waiter was absent-minded and distracted. He was surprised, so he asked, "What big thing happened today?" The waiter smiled and said, "Old sir, you don't know that the world-famous Crystal Two Elders are here. Our chefs here are waiting to learn a few tricks. I also want to see the skills of these two people." Elder Jinchan was stunned: Crystal Two Elders, it sounds like a name from the underworld, how can it be so unfamiliar? So he asked what was going on, and the waiter explained, "The two Crystal Elders are the best chefs in the world, and their dishes are even better than those of the imperial chefs in the palace. The eighteen dishes were sold at a sky-high price of 10,000 taels. Because their specialties are crystal pork elbows and crystal meat skewers, they are respected as the two Crystal Elders." Elder Jin Chan then realized that they were chefs, no wonder he didn't know it.

Elder Jinchan was never picky about food. For the Beggars, being full and satisfied was enough. He didn't take the story of the two elders, Crystal, to heart. He just enjoyed the view and drank. After a while, two young men came upstairs. The waiter asked them to sit at the table next to the elders. One of the young men asked, "Hey, are the two elders, Crystal, really here?" The waiter nodded, "Yes, they are now cleaning up the dishes in the kitchen." The two young men looked at each other, their faces showing joy. One of them said, "Go and tell them, we will pay 500 taels for two dishes." The waiter sighed in his heart: 500 taels, how many things can you do, but you only use it to buy two dishes. Rich people are different. Agreed to go downstairs, he came back quickly and said dejectedly: "Please forgive me, they don't agree." A young man immediately said: "You can add more if you think it's too little." The waiter shook his head: "It's not about money. The two elders Shuijing are not short of money. They just don't want to ruin their mood by cooking for others." The young man pondered for a moment and said: "You run again and say that we will exchange their two dishes with the best wine." He handed the waiter a small ingot of two taels. The waiter was overjoyed. He couldn't earn two taels of silver in a month. He ran downstairs happily. After a while, he ran back and said happily: "The two elders Shuijing said that if the guest's wine is really the best, we can drink it at the same table." The young man was overjoyed. Elder Jinchan also found it interesting and wanted to see what was so special about the dishes of the two elders Shuijing. After a while, two old men came upstairs. The waiter was extremely respectful. Two young men stood up and saluted. One of the old men said, "If your wine is really top-notch, of course there is nothing to say. If not, don't blame me for being rude." A young man took out a wine pot with a smile. It was crystal clear and radiant with precious light. It was obviously a treasure at a glance. The young man asked with a smile, "Do you recognize this pot?" The old man looked closely and nodded, "It's a warm and cool pot. It is indeed a treasure, but it still lacks something." The young man took out a blue ruler and a box from his arms. There were six jade cups in the box. The old man's expression changed, "Who are you? Why do you have such a treasure?" The young man smiled and said, "You don't even know my name. We met by chance, so let's get drunk together. Tomorrow we will go our separate ways. There is no point in saying more." The old man nodded, "Yes, your wine must be good. Let's get drunk together." The young man was delighted and the four sat together. Elder Jin Chan who was standing by was greatly surprised. He did not recognize the wine pot and wine glass. The ruler was clearly the Ice Ruler, a treasure of the martial arts world, which the Emei Sect had searched all over the world for but could not find in the past. It was unbelievable that this young man was using it to drink.

Chapter 79: The Truth Comes Out

The true identities of the two crystal elders are naturally Duan Xiyun and Yin Tianlei. The two young men are the wine boy and the piano boy. They have heard that the two crystal elders are famous all over the world, so they come here specially to taste them. Yin Tianlei doesn't understand much, but Duan Xiyun recognizes three kinds of treasures. Knowing that the two young people are extraordinary, he agreed to sit at the same table. The waiter brought the dishes, and Elder Jinchan watched carefully. It was indeed extraordinary, no wonder it was famous. The wine boy took a big gourd from behind, poured the wine into the wine pot, and boasted: "This is the tribute of the best Yuhuchun. With my wine pot and wine glass, even the emperor is not blessed to taste it." Duan Xiyun nodded: "That's right. There are only three warm and cool pots, one in the palace, and the night light cup in the palace, but there is only one Hanbing ruler in the world, and the emperor can't drink such fine wine." Elder Jinchan's heart moved. This person knows the preciousness of Hanbing ruler. Is he also a Jianghu person? Elder Jin Chan was originally very satisfied with his own food and wine, but the four people beside him were tasting the best wine and food. In comparison, his own food and wine tasted different. As a result, the elder lost his mood and told the waiter to pay the bill and prepare to leave. After walking a few steps, a young man walked towards him quickly, and his feet were very fast. Elder Jin Chan instinctively turned slightly sideways, and his right palm slightly extended, hiding a move of Jackdaw Duckling Water. The young man slid back, watched carefully, and whispered: "The old man has good kung fu." Elder Jin Chan smiled: "You are not bad either." As they were about to leave, the two exchanged a move, which happened to be seen by Duan Xiyun, who thought to himself: I didn't expect to meet two masters here. So he stood up and said, "Please go, old man. I am sorry to disturb your leisure. Can we have a drink together?" Elder Jinchan smiled and said, "I don't have much money on me." Duan Xiyun suddenly remembered that when Chang Xiao competed with Gao Zhen in Kaifeng, he had invited all the masters who attended the meeting to a party. This old man joined later and was favored by Chang Xiao. He must be a master. So he insisted on inviting him. Elder Jinchan also wanted to taste the best wine and food, so he agreed. At this time, the young man who had exchanged a move with the elder came forward and smiled, "Why didn't you call me for such a good opportunity?" It turned out that this person was Jian Tong. He learned that Jiu Tong and Qin Tong were looking for the two elders Shuijing, so he came to join in the fun. Jiu Tong smiled and said, "There are exactly six cups. It seems to be God's will."

The six people sat down again, and none of them knew each other's names. This way, there was no pressure and they could enjoy the wine and food wholeheartedly. The wine collected by the wine boy was indeed extraordinary. With the three treasures, it was not an exaggeration to say that it was top-grade. The dishes of Duan Xiyun and Yin Tianlei were also rare treasures. The six people were immersed in it, envious of others. Elder Jinchan had seen the knife skills and knew in his heart that the two elders of Shuijing were definitely not ordinary chefs, but martial arts masters. They must have used this identity to cover up their true faces, and the three young men were not ordinary people. He didn't expect that he would meet five masters here. Duan Xiyun also understood that these three young people were not only skilled in martial arts, but also had a complicated background. Those who could own such treasures must not be ordinary people in the world. The six people drank and chatted, never mentioning the world of martial arts. They knew each other well and didn't want to spoil the atmosphere. Elder Jinchan felt quite satisfied. Such a day was what he had dreamed of before. After eating and drinking, the six people didn't say much. Duan Xiyun smiled and said, "This young man is quite wealthy, so we won't be polite this time." The wine boy didn't care at all: "It's just a small matter, not worth mentioning. See you again if we are lucky." He took out a gold ingot and threw it on the table, and left with the zither boy and the sword boy. Elder Jinchan also said goodbye and left the Yellow Crane Tower. Duan Xiyun asked Yin Tianlei, "What did you see, my dear brother?" Yin Tianlei frowned and said, "That old man had met him before, and he was a martial arts master. It's hard to say about these three young men. Judging from the skills of the one who came later, he is definitely not an ordinary person." Duan Xiyun praised, "My dear brother, you are very observant and have made a lot of progress. The two young men who came first were not simple either. They deduced that we had martial arts skills from our knife skills. Although they never said it clearly, their expressions had changed. It is certain that these three young men are first-rate and come from an unknown force. With such powerful subordinates, one can imagine who their leader is." Yin Tianlei smiled, "Second brother, you have the same old problem again. The disputes in the martial arts world have nothing to do with us. Such days are comfortable enough. Why bother yourself?" Duan Xiyun nodded, "Yes, such days are quite enjoyable. The martial arts world has nothing to do with us." After making some arrangements, he continued to stroll around.

Elder Jin Chan was not so carefree. Judging from the knife skills, the martial arts of the two elders of Shui Jing were extremely exquisite, and even the masters of famous families did not have such skills. The three young men were even more extraordinary. They were first-class in skills and rich enough to rival a country, which made people suspicious. After thinking about it, the two elders of Shui Jing were very famous and easy to find. He first investigated the three young men and found out their details. He made up his mind and followed the three people secretly. He saw the three people talking and laughing, strolling in the street market, and left only when the red sun was setting. Elder Jin Chan followed behind and saw the three people in front leave the town and go straight to a fleet on the riverside, and boarded a building ship one after another. Elder Jin Chan waited until dark and approached the building ship under the cover of night. Elder Jin Chan's martial arts and experience in the martial arts world were first-class, and he was very careful in doing things. These people were definitely not good men and women, and he must not be careless. Since Wu Mu Zhenjun visited the ship at night, Fang Zishou has been more careful and arranged four Nether Swordsmen near the ship to respond at any time. Elder Jin Chan is an old hand, he dived into the water and waited patiently for an opportunity. When a ship passed by, he approached the ship, and when he saw that there was no one around, he quietly came out of the water, jumped onto the ship like a civet cat, and came to the upper window from the shadows. The lights were bright inside, and the three young men who had been seen in the daytime were sitting together drinking with another person of similar age, and there was also a thin middle-aged man sitting alone. Elder Jin Chan had assisted Wu Ling Villa in fighting against Zui Xia Taoist, and had dealt with the Nether Swordsmen. He saw at a glance that this middle-aged man was the Nether Swordsman, and his heart was shocked. It turned out that the Nether Swordsman did not disappear completely, but was invisible. Elder Jin Chan knew that the Nether Swordsman was best at ambushes and assassinations, and was extremely sensitive to the slightest movement around him, so he was more cautious. The five people in the room drank and talked. Jian Tong praised the two elders Shuijing for their unparalleled craftsmanship. He Tong felt sorry that he could not go. Jiu Tong asked, "What happened? It's a pity to miss this opportunity." He Tong smiled bitterly and said, "If it was a big deal, it would be fine. This is a trivial matter. The Beggars' Sect held a meeting and elected a new leader. Her name is Ziyun Gu, the descendant of Emei, and she is of a high generation." Qin Tong teased, "What does this have to do with us? It seems that you are not lucky enough." He Tong nodded, "That's right, it's a pity."

Elder Jin Chan outside the window was quite happy. It was a good thing that the Beggars' Sect had hope. Fang Zishou inside the house said, "It was the flag owner's intention to pay attention to the Beggars' Sect. Don't look at the fact that there are not many masters in the Beggars' Sect. In fact, the Beggars' Sect has great potential." Elder Jin Chan immediately determined that these people were the subordinates of the Blood Shadow Flag Owner. No wonder the Blood Shadow Banner was invincible. It turned out that there was a master like the Nether Swordsman under his command. The sword boy inside the house said, "Judging from the knife skills of the two elders Shui Jing, these two have extremely good martial arts skills. The old man is even more powerful, with pure skills and clever moves. He is much stronger than Wan Qisong who came to cause trouble last time." Fang Zishou nodded, "Although it was an unintentional encounter, we also gained something, but we don't have many people, so we can only protect ourselves at present. After the incident with Wu Mu Zhenjun, we must be careful in everything and not create unnecessary trouble." Elder Jin Chan was shocked when he heard this name. Wu Mu Zhenjun, the senior master who was most proficient in internal power palm techniques in Shangqing Palace, hadn't he already ascended to heaven? Just when he was wondering, he heard the sword boy inside sigh: "It's really not simple to mention this old guy. I tried my best, but I couldn't get close to him. His internal strength is really unimaginable." Fang Zishou nodded: "Yes, Master Wu Mu's Jingtao Palm is the most powerful palm method I have ever seen. It is like a tidal wave when it is performed. If we are not prepared in advance, we will suffer a great loss." Qin Tong interrupted: "I have never understood, how could the flag master know that Master Wu Mu was coming to trouble us? There are very few people in the world who know Master Wu Mu, and even fewer people who know his whereabouts. How could the flag master remind us in time and let us be prepared?" Crane boy nodded: "Yes, this news is extremely secretive, how could the flag master know it?" Fang Zishou smiled and said: "You might as well ask the flag master directly instead of asking me. However, it is useless to ask. The flag master will never tell you. Wait, you will understand sooner or later." Elder Jin Chan also had this doubt in his heart. He didn't even know that Master Wu Mu was alive. How could the flag master realize it in advance? Then several people in the room talked about business. Elder Jinchan quietly left the ship, dived into the water, swam about three miles downstream before going ashore. He used his lightness skills to return to the inn where he was staying under the cover of darkness. He changed his clothes, meditated and adjusted his breathing. By dawn, he had fully recovered.

While eating breakfast, the elder thought that since the five people on the boat were the ones who assisted Yan Nanlou, it was enough to prove that the owner of the Blood Shadow Banner was Chang Xiao. It seemed that he and Duan Qingxiao had never stopped fighting. With the Nether Swordsman, Chang Xiao was almost omnipotent. The reason why he did not take the initiative to attack was definitely that he wanted to surpass Duan Qingxiao in martial arts and win in the formal competition. Elder Jinchan understood that if Chang Xiao used the power of the Nether Swordsman, he could kill Duan Qingxiao, but as a top master, he must have great ambitions in his heart. No matter winning or losing, he must be open and aboveboard and not take shortcuts. As two of the most popular top masters in the martial arts world, Duan Qingxiao looked down on the Beggars' Sect from the bottom of his heart. Since Chang Xiao was paying attention to the Beggars' Sect, he naturally had to seize this opportunity. The elder immediately wrote a secret letter and prepared to inform Ziyun Gu. Then he thought that this matter was of great importance. Once the news leaked, it would be troublesome. It would be safest to go there himself. So he sent a message through the local Beggars' Sect disciples and asked Ziyun Gu to meet. At this time, Ziyun Gu's energy was also on Chang Xiao. After the Beggar Gang Conference, Ziyun Gu discussed with the leaders and believed that Duan Qingxiao would not last long. If Chang Xiao was really not dead, then the world would be his sooner or later. Therefore, people were sent out first to conduct a thorough investigation to determine whether Chang Xiao was alive or dead. Nothing could be found out from the project of Julong Villa, but the Beggar Gang was indeed unique. It was found that Chang Xiao had to go to Hangzhou every once in a while since he became the leader of Julong Gang. From the signs, it seemed that he was not going to enjoy the scenery, but to meet someone. After much effort, it was finally found that Chang Xiao had a deep friendship with Duan Kui, a medicinal material merchant by the West Lake. Ziyun Gu rushed to Hangzhou in person and learned from the servants of Duan's house that Duan Kui had a sworn brother. The two had a very close relationship and met every year without interruption. Ziyun Gu immediately confirmed that Chang Xiao was indeed not dead and had been in contact with Duan Kui. While preparing for the next step, she suddenly received news that Elder Jinchan had an appointment. Aunt Ziyun put down what she was doing and rode her horse to Wuchang.

Elder Jinchan didn't expect Ziyungu to arrive so quickly. When they met, he complained, "The leader should have arranged a place and let me go. Why did you come in person?" Ziyungu smiled and said, "Elder, don't be so rigid. Respecting teachers is the foundation of being a human being. How can we let teachers run around and get tired?" Elder Jinchan nodded secretly and told her the news he heard when he met the two elders of Shuijing and visited the ship at night. Ziyungu was delighted and said, "So that's how it is. The elder's news is worth a lot of money and it's a great contribution." Elder Jinchan shook his head, "It was an unintentional encounter, so it can't be considered a credit." Ziyungu understood that Elder Jinchan's contribution to the Beggars' Sect was unmatched, and it would be an exaggeration to say that he was a credit. So he also talked about his own actions, and finally analyzed: "From this point of view, Duan Qingxiao can no longer do anything to Chang Xiao, and the two are preparing for a decisive battle." Elder Jinchan nodded: "From the situation, it is indeed the case." Ziyun Gu sighed: "I have heard that Chang Xiao is unfathomable, but I did not quite believe it. Now it seems to be true. I did not expect that he still holds such a powerful force in his hands. Even a master like Wu Mu Zhenjun returned empty-handed. The most suspicious thing is the source of the information. How could he know the whereabouts of Wu Mu Zhenjun?" Elder Jinchan nodded: "Only Chang Xiao can answer this question. No matter what, I believe that the world of martial arts will belong to him in the future. Duan Qingxiao is already on the decline. We must be fully prepared." Ziyun Gu naturally had a plan: "Don't worry, elder. Since Chang Xiao values the Beggars' Sect and has had dealings with them before, I will be careful and not lose the opportunity." Elder Jinchan warned: "Wherever the Blood Shadow Banner goes, those who disobey will surely die. This shows that Chang Xiao's temperament has changed, but I have confidence in him. No matter how big the problem is, it can't be difficult for him. No matter how he changes, Chang Xiao is still Chang Xiao." Ziyun Gu solemnly agreed. The two of them discussed it carefully, and Ziyun Gu left on her own. Elder Jinchan himself didn't understand. He had made up his mind to put everything aside and relax, but he couldn't help it when he encountered something. Finally, he got something. Anyway, he had nothing to do, so he went to Julong Villa to take a look.

At this time, Julong Villa was very different from before. Most of the original buildings were gone, and a huge and solid castle had taken shape. Elder Jinchan turned around and was extremely surprised. The scale of this castle was beyond his imagination. Most of the materials used were bluestone, which was extremely solid. The palace under construction was even more complicated than the imperial palace. The Black Dragon Pool in the past had also changed. Even the royal family would need to raise funds for such a huge project for a year or two before it could start construction. Where did Chang Xiao get such a large fortune? After a tour, he actually made another discovery. There were actually many green forest people involved, regardless of compensation, and they contributed manpower and effort. Elder Jinchan immediately asked someone to inquire and learned that these green forest people were all sent by the current Wanxian Hall Master Mo Qilin. Elder Jinchan turned his mind and immediately understood that it must be the old fox Wanqi Song who saw the wind and asked his son to show his good will to Chang Xiao to make plans for the future. Wanqi Song was Duan Qingxiao's disciple and often came in and out of Duan Qingxiao's side. His decision would not be wrong. Thinking of this, Elder Jinchan felt more and more that this step was right. Duan Qingxiao's requirements were not high. It was enough to just obey on the surface, and there was no need for too much cost. This led to the fact that all parties said one thing and did another. If it was Chang Xiao, he would never tolerate the situation of playing both sides. However, Duan Qingxiao's ability was still very strong, as evidenced by the fact that he could invite masters like Wu Mu Zhenjun. God knows that he also knew several extremely secluded masters. In addition to the support of the four famous families, if these forces were concentrated, they would not be inferior to Chang Xiao's side. It was not without reason that Chang Xiao stopped fighting. Everything had to wait until the decisive battle between the two to draw a conclusion. At present, only Nanhai Yannanlou stood on Chang Xiao's side with a clear banner, and the huge project of Julong Villa must be inseparable from his support. The Beggar Gang must make its position clear as soon as possible, and it must support Chang Xiao both emotionally and rationally. Having made up his mind, the elder sent a secret letter specifically, telling Ziyun Gu to stand firm and not to sway her position for anything. The elder was relieved after the letter was sent.

Chapter 80: Rejuvenation

Ziyungu left Wuchang and sent a message that the elders had already found out that the Hangzhou personnel could be withdrawn. Another benefit of this trip was that she learned about the Ice Ruler. This treasure was made of cold jade that was more than ten thousand years old. It was hard to find and was very beneficial for practicing the authentic Emei internal energy Taiyin Qi. The Emei Sect had spent a lot of manpower and material resources to find it, but failed to do so. Since she had received the news, she naturally had to report it to the master. Ziyungu knew that it was not easy to get the Ice Ruler from these people. Even Duan Qingxiao had no way, let alone the Beggars' Sect. The Emei Sect had its own way of contacting people, and soon there was a response. The Mother of Nanhua and Master Cunxin came together. When Ziyungu heard the news, she knew that the visit of these two people was enough to show that the Emei Sect valued the Ice Ruler. When the three met, Aunt Ziyun bowed: "Senior sister, I am honored to meet you." The Holy Mother of Nanhua returned the greeting and said with a smile: "Little junior sister, you are too polite. Now your status is higher than that of senior sister, so there is no need to be polite." After the greetings, they sat down. Nun Cunxin couldn't wait to ask: "Junior sister, did the Ice Ruler really appear?" Aunt Ziyun nodded: "It did appear. Some people saw it with their own eyes." Nun Cunxin complained: "Junior sister, how can you be so confused? You know that Master has been looking forward to the Ice Ruler for a long time. When you saw it, you should have tried every means to keep it." Aunt Ziyun smiled bitterly: "Is it true that I know this? But unfortunately I don't have the ability." The Holy Mother of Nanhua was quite surprised: "Isn't it enough with the power of the Beggar Gang?" The aunt shook her head: "The person who possesses the Ice Ruler is extraordinary. The Beggars' Sect cannot afford to offend him. I don't believe it when I say others, but Master Wu Mu of Shangqing Palace was invited by Duan Qingxiao to cause trouble for them. Not only did he fail to gain any advantage, he almost suffered a loss." Mother Saint Nanhua and Master Cunxin looked at each other and clicked their tongues and said, "Master Wu Mu's Shocking Wave Palm is extremely powerful. Even Master can't do anything about it. Who has such means?" Although Aunt Ziyun is the heir of Emei, she cannot reveal the affairs of the Beggars' Sect. She cannot tell everything and can only give a general idea. After the three of them discussed it, they decided to ask the master to make the decision. So Mother Saint Nanhua stayed behind with Aunt Ziyun to keep an eye on Fang Zishou's fleet, and Master Cunxin hurried back to Emei to ask the master to make a decision.

It turned out that Ziyun was the last disciple of the senior monk Shenmu of the Emei Sect, and the younger sister of the Holy Mother of Nanhua and Master Cunxin. She was of a very high generation. Master Cunxin hurried back to Mount Emei. The residence of Master Shenmu was not in the nunnery, but in a secret cave in the mountains. Master Cunxin had studied in the cave for more than ten years, so she was naturally familiar with the place. After entering the cave, she went straight to the stone room where her master practiced. The stone door opened, and Master Shenmu was not inside, only an empty cushion. Master Cunxin was puzzled. Why did the master run outside instead of practicing here? There was no other way, so she could only wait here. The more anxious she was, the less she could see the master. Master Cunxin knew that going out to look for him was like looking for a needle in a haystack. The master's Taiyin Qi had already been perfected, and she could not find him at all, so she could only wait here. After two hours, she heard voices coming from outside the cave. After listening carefully, it turned out to be a nursery rhyme. After a while, two people walked into the cave one after another. The person in front was the junior sister, the Holy Mother of Plum Blossoms, and behind her was a young girl, jumping and skipping, holding a candied haws in one hand and a clay figurine in the other. Seeing Nun Cunxin, the Holy Mother of Plum Blossoms bowed and said, "Sister, why are you back?" Nun Cunxin did not bother to greet her and asked, "Where is the master? I have something important to report." The Holy Mother of Plum Blossoms pointed behind her and said, "Isn't the master there? Why don't you go over and pay your respects?" Nun Cunxin turned her head and looked back. Except for the girl, there was no one else, so she complained, "Sister, don't joke. I have something important to report." The Holy Mother of Plum Blossoms smiled and said, "Sister, I'm not joking. Look carefully, that's the master." Nun Cunxin looked carefully and saw that the girl's eyebrows and eyes were indeed very similar to the master's, but her skin was delicate, so she couldn't be the master. Just as she was doubtful, the girl took off her hat, revealing her shiny bald head and said, "Cunxin, you don't even recognize Master?" The voice was soft and deep, it was Master's voice. Nun Cunxin then bowed and said, "Master, I am rude. Why are you dressed like this?" The monk Shenmu sat down on the cushion and ordered, "Wait until Master finishes eating the candied haws." Nun Cunxin was puzzled and pulled the Mother of Plum Blossom over and asked, "Junior sister, what's going on? Why has Master become like this?" The Mother of Plum Blossom smiled bitterly and said, "I don't know. I came to pay my respects to Master and found that Master had changed. She insisted that I take her to the town to buy clothes. I didn't dare to disobey. Who knew that Master bought a set of girls' clothes and put them on, covered her head with a hat, and also wanted to buy toys. I didn't dare to ask more." Nun Cunxin was puzzled and could only wait.

After eating the candied haws, Monk Shenmu took out two toys from his arms and played with them for a while before speaking: "Cunxin, come over and tell me what happened." Nun Cunxin came closer and found Master's outfit funny, but she couldn't be rude, so she lowered her head and said: "Master, Junior Sister Ziyun found the Ice Ruler. The holder has a powerful backing. I dare not take it on my own. Please make the decision, Master." Monk Shenmu frowned: "Isn't Ziyun the leader of the Beggars' Sect? The Beggars' Sect is too bad if it can't handle such a small matter." Nun Cunxin shook her head: "Master, don't you know, the leader of this group of people is Blood Shadow? The flag owner is extremely difficult to deal with. Duan Qingxiao did not gain any advantage by asking Wu Mu Zhen Jun to come out. "Shen Mu Bhikkhu nodded: "It seems that the master has to go there in person. The Ice Ruler is extremely important to our sect. We must get it at all costs." Nun Cun Xin asked: "Why did the master change his clothes?" Shen Mu Bhikkhu smiled: "After the master's Tai Yin Qi penetrated the meridians of the whole body, he thought he had reached the peak, but he was unable to defeat Wu Mu Zhen Jun's Jing Tao Palm. Later, he specially asked Master Baekje for advice. According to him, when Tai Yin Qi is practiced to the extreme, it can produce Shao Yang Qi, which is like the Tai Chi diagram, Yin Extreme Yang gives birth to extreme Yin, and the cycle repeats endlessly. Master carefully experienced it and indeed felt the faint Shaoyang Qi in his body. After a year, he was finally able to harmonize Yin and Yang. He felt like he was reborn. Even his temperament changed. He just wanted to play all day long. "Master Cunxin suddenly realized: "It turns out that Master has reached a higher level and returned to his original nature. This is cause for celebration." The Holy Mother of Plum Blossom was surprised and said: "Master has really entered a new realm. Isn't that invincible in the world?" The monk Shenmu smiled and said: "Martial arts are profound and extensive. There is no truly invincible person. We should not delay any further. , you two come with me, and get the Ice Ruler no matter what." The Plum Blossom Mother advised: "Master, can you change your clothes? You will be laughed at if you go out like this." The Divine Eyes Monk shook his head: "No, what's wrong with this? What does it have to do with me if others laugh at you?" The Cunxin Nun advised: "Master, Junior Sisters Nanhua and Meihua are both famous in the world, and Junior Sister Ziyun is also the leader of the Beggars' Sect. It is inevitable that people will laugh at you if you pay homage to a young girl." The two took turns to persuade him, and the Divine Eyes Monk finally agreed to change his clothes, and the three of them set out to leave Emei.

During this period of time, the situation was calm and Fang Zishou was devoted to business. The construction of Julong Villa was in full swing. Money was spent like water, and he could only try to expand the business. With the help of Jiantong and Hetong, everything went very smoothly. Jiutong and Qintong had nothing to do. Apart from practicing martial arts, they just thought about fine wine and delicious food. Since they tasted the skills of the two elders Shuijing, their interest in food has greatly decreased. After tasting the best delicacies, eating ordinary dishes naturally lacks taste. Therefore, the two only prepared some snacks such as broad beans and peanuts to drink. Qintong also has a hobby, which is Go. The two would find a place to play Go when they have time. One day, the boat docked. Jiutong looked around and found a pavilion on the hill by the river. He called Qintong and pointed with his hand: "How about we go there to play chess and drink?" Qintong nodded: "Very good, prepare some food, and go now." The two prepared fine wine and snacks, took the chessboard and chess pieces and went ashore. When they came to the pavilion and looked around, the scenery was picturesque, the sky and the earth were empty, and the beautiful scenery was in full view. The two men cheered, sat cross-legged and started playing chess, with wine and food at hand. They played chess and ate and drank at the same time, enjoying themselves. When they were enjoying themselves, a girl suddenly jumped in, grabbed a handful of peanuts and ate them rashly, stared at the warm pot and asked, "This pot is really beautiful, can I have it?" The two men were enjoying themselves and didn't want to be disturbed. The wine boy grabbed a handful of broad beans and put them in the girl's hand and said, "Go away, don't make trouble." The girl took the broad beans but refused to leave, curling her lips and saying, "You don't understand chess at all, why are you pretending?" The boy was naturally not convinced, and sneered, "What do you know at such a young age? Go away, don't make trouble." The girl was not convinced, and pointed with her hand and said, "Why are you pretending when you can't even use the most common four-corner killing number?" The boy was not convinced. He was stunned, realizing that he really only knew the Four Corner Killing Technique, but he didn't expect the girl to reveal his true identity in one sentence. He frowned and said, "I didn't expect you to be right. Although we are playing chess, our minds may not be on the chess. You'd better leave quickly." The girl pointed at the luminous cup and said, "Give me a cup and I'll leave." The wine boy laughed and said, "Where did this wild girl come from? No one is following you, and you always ask for things from others." The girl took out an exquisite cloth tiger from her arms, held it in her hand and said to the two of them, "I'll trade this tiger with you." The wine boy didn't know whether to laugh or cry. A luminous cup was worth at least several thousand taels, and this cloth tiger was not even worth ten cents. Where did such a troublesome guy come from?

Seeing that the two disagreed, the girl pondered for a moment, took out another silk figurine, and said proudly: "Let you open your eyes, this is my beloved treasure, I won't trade it for all your wine pots and wine glasses." Qin Tong nodded: "Yes, yes, your treasure is unparalleled in the world, we can't compare, you can leave now?" The girl smiled: "You have good eyesight, I will show you another treasure." Carefully took out a small box, opened it and found a small crystal bottle with a colorful phoenix on it. The rare thing is that the pattern was actually painted from the inside. Qin Tong immediately determined that this crystal bottle was worth a lot of money, and this girl must be a rich lady. It is not surprising that she did not know etiquette when she ran out to play without permission. So she winked at the wine boy, and the two of them showed envious expressions. The girl was satisfied and said with a smile: "You have opened your eyes today, right? Let's play together, okay?" Qin Tong was secretly annoyed. He had been in high spirits, but it was all ruined by this girl. He was thinking of a solution, but the girl suddenly frowned: "My apprentice is here. I will come to play with you when I have time. I'm leaving first." She jumped out of the pavilion and went into the woods, and disappeared in a blink of an eye. The wine boy laughed and said, "This girl is really fooling around. How can she have an apprentice at such a young age?" Qin Tong nodded, "That's right. How could we not know that someone came? Just ignore her and let her go." The two continued to play chess. After a while, the wine boy frowned and said, "Someone really came. Could it be that what the girl said was true?" Qin Tong suddenly remembered something and said in surprise, "Oh, by the way, when that girl came, we didn't feel anything. Could it be that the girl is actually a master?" The wine boy was also surprised, "Yes, so far, I only know that Wu Mu Zhenjun has this ability. Could it be that we really made a mistake?" Qin Tong shook his head, "Impossible, how can such a master have such a temperament? Let's go back and ask Uncle Fang." The two no longer had the interest to play chess, so they packed up and returned to the ship. Fang Zishou was busy with business and had no time to spare. He had a chance only when it was late at night. When the two of them talked about the matter, Fang Zishou frowned and said, "Too much for such a thing to happen. Wu Mu Zhenjun is an extremely skilled master, on par with Duan Qingxiao and the flag master, and they both have their own strengths and weaknesses. Where did such a person come from? If he is really an extremely skilled master, how could he treat a cloth tiger and a silk mannequin as treasures? Is he pretending?" The wine boy shook his head, "I don't think so. There's no need." Fang Zishou nodded, "It's indeed unnecessary. No matter what this person's purpose is, we must be on high alert. Perhaps it's a master invited by Duan Qingxiao to cause trouble." The two nodded in agreement, and the piano boy asked, "Should we inform the flag master?" Fang Zishou shook his head, "Let's find out first."

This reckless girl was Monk Shenmu. After leaving Mount Emei, the two disciples kept nagging him every day, refusing to let him go. Monk Shenmu was impatient and decided to go ahead alone. He put on the girl's clothes again and played to his heart's content. Finally, he knew the purpose of this trip and did not go in the wrong direction. He accidentally saw the wine boy and the piano boy and ran over to make some noise. Of course, Master Cunxin and the Holy Mother of Plum Blossom could not keep up with Monk Shenmu and could only chase after him. They were helpless with their master. Since they saw Fang Zishou's fleet, the Holy Mother of Nanhua and Aunt Ziyun must be nearby, so they sent a message to meet up with the two. After the four people met, Aunt Ziyun asked, "Sister, didn't Master come?" Nun Cunxin smiled bitterly, "He came, but there was no sign of him." Holy Mother Plum Blossom sighed, "We left Emei together with Master. Master thought we were troublesome, so he went ahead. He should be nearby." Holy Mother Nanhua was quite surprised, "What are you talking about? Such an important matter is no joke." Nun Cunxin explained, "Junior sister, you don't know, Master has made a major breakthrough in practicing Taiyin Qi and has reached a new level. But his temperament has changed drastically, he has become younger, and he thinks about playing all day long. We can't do anything about it." Holy Mother Nanhua was skeptical, "It's a good thing that Master has made progress, but our martial arts are authentic internal martial arts. How can it affect temperament?" At this time, someone suddenly answered, "Nanhua, you are wrong. Master's temperament has not changed. It's just that the Qi has circulated through a big circle and started again." The four people looked over and saw the monk Shenmu was right in front of them. After all, he was not wearing girl's clothes, but a monk's robe. The four of them bowed together, with Monk Shenmu sitting in the middle, and the four disciples standing on the left and right. Aunt Ziyun replied, "Master, the Ice Ruler is on the boat. Please decide how to start." Monk Shenmu ordered, "As the leader of the Beggars' Sect, Ziyun does not need to participate in this matter. Nanhua and Meihua do not need to go either. Cunxin just needs to get on the boat with me." The four agreed. Monk Shenmu was half doing business, and the other half was selfish. First, he did not want to let the Mother of Nanhua and Aunt Ziyun see him playing, which would damage his dignity. Second, there were fewer people around, so there were fewer constraints, so he could play freely. The four disciples naturally could not guess the master's intentions, and they made preparations. Nun Cunxin accompanied the master to visit directly on the boat. Fang Zishou was puzzled when he received the report. He had heard of Nun Cunxin of the Emei Sect. She was a master of martial arts. Her master must be a rare master. Although he had never heard of her name, he could not be rude, so he ordered a grand welcome. The four boys, Jian Tong, He Tong, Qin Tong, and Jiu Tong, came out together, and Fang Zishou personally got off the boat to welcome them. When they met, the zither boy and the wine boy immediately found that the monk Shenmu looked familiar. Although he had changed his clothes, his facial features had not changed. He was a little suspicious at first, but when he saw the two of them, he was immediately happy: "So you live on the boat. If we had known this, we wouldn't have had to work so hard." The zither boy and the wine boy looked at each other and stuck out their tongues, both feeling incredible. Master Cunxin was already over seventy years old, and her master was probably around a hundred years old. How could she treasure a cloth tiger and a silk mannequin? The world is really big, and there are all kinds of strange things.

Chapter 81: Everyone Gains Something

Fang Zishou was very smart and immediately understood that this monk Shenmu was the mysterious master mentioned by the wine boy. He couldn't point it out at this time, so he exchanged a few words and let the monk Shenmu go upstairs. After sitting down, Fang Zishou said: "Since you are the teacher of Master Cunxin, you should be a senior master of Emei Sect. What do you have to say on this visit?" The monk Shenmu said solemnly: "It is not easy to practice the internal strength of our sect, Taiyin Qi. The most taboo is to be impatient. Once the Qi goes wrong, not only will all the previous efforts be wasted, but also the martial arts will be lost and become a useless person. I learned that the ice ruler is made of ten thousand year cold jade, which can stabilize the mind and is very beneficial for practicing Taiyin Qi. After searching for it in many places without success, I accidentally learned that this treasure fell into your hands, so I came here specially." Fang Zishou nodded. He vaguely remembered that the Emei Sect searched for the ice ruler. It seems that this treasure is really important to the Emei Sect. After so many years, it is still unforgettable. So he turned around and asked the wine boy: "What do you think?" The wine boy shook his head: "The Ice Ruler was given to me by the flag owner to sober me up. I have no right to deal with it." Fang Zishou nodded and said to the monk Shenmu: "Senior, the Ice Ruler is not ours. We must report it to the flag owner." The monk Shenmu smiled and said: "Then wait for him to come. We have spent a lot of effort on the Ice Ruler. Waiting for a few days is nothing." Fang Zishou agreed, feeling a little uneasy. After all, this monk Shenmu was an outstanding martial artist. If he really wanted the Ice Ruler, it would be the best. If he had other intentions, he would be more careful. So he gathered the nearby netherworld swordsmen together and was ready to respond at any time. At the same time, he contacted Chang Xiao as soon as possible to ask for instructions on how to deal with it. The monk Shenmu lived on the boat peacefully. Although he wanted to play, he always had to maintain his identity in front of outsiders. In addition, Master Cunxin kept a close eye on him, so nothing happened. Soon the news came back that Chang Xiao was on the way and would arrive in a day or two. Fang Zishou was relieved. Having such a master on the boat was not at ease after all. Chang Xiao was currently in a critical period of his hard practice, so he had no time to come. However, he read in the letter that the monk Shenmu was very abnormal, and at the age of 100, he was quite playful. Others did not understand, but Chang Xiao immediately realized that this master had broken through the inner power barrier and regained his youth. This method had something in common with his own practice, and if he exchanged ideas, he would definitely gain something. That's why he dropped the things at hand and came all the way here.

After the incident with Wu Mu Zhen Jun, Fang Zishou hadn't seen Chang Xiao for a long time, mostly sending letters by pigeon. To be on the safe side, Chang Xiao specially met with Fang Zishou in private to clarify the situation first, as some things could not be explained in the letter. When the two met, Fang Zishou saluted and said, "Meet the Flag Master." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "No need to be polite. Everything is going according to plan at the moment, and it won't be long before we know the outcome." Fang Zishou was a little worried and warned, "Flag Master, don't underestimate the enemy. Don't act rashly before you are sure. Duan Qingxiao's power is still strong." Chang Xiao nodded and said, "Don't worry. My achievements today are hard-won and I won't act rashly. The closer you are to the top, the more careful you have to be. The higher you climb, the harder you fall. If you make a wrong move, you will never recover." Fang Zishou knew Chang Xiao's strategy very well, so he changed the subject and asked, "Is the Flag Master practicing Qi and Blood Returning to Origin? Why is your body so much thinner?" Chang Xiao shook his head: "I just borrowed some of it. The martial arts in the Blood Shadow Sutra have some deviations. If you practice it wholeheartedly, you will inevitably go astray. That's why Shangqing Palace put it aside. This is why I caught Hua Mengdie's loophole. Otherwise, with his cultivation, even if he can't compare with me, he won't be broken in one move." Fang Zishou woke up as if from a dream: "So that's it. This matter has troubled us brothers for many years. Today I finally understand it." Chang Xiao asked about the details of the monk Shenmu, thought for a moment and ordered: "Master Cunxin and I have met, it's better not to meet this time. You ask Master Shenmu to meet at the pavilion on the mountain." Fang Zishou agreed, and told Master Shenmu after returning to the boat. Master Cunxin wondered why they had to meet alone? There is no need to worry about the master's skills, but I am afraid that he is too childish and makes trouble that makes people laugh. The monk Shenmu was quite happy and nodded in agreement: "I have been to that pavilion, it's pretty good." The wine boy and the piano boy smiled at each other. The monk Shenmu at that time was not what he is now.

Monk Shenmu is an extremely skilled martial artist, and Chang Xiao is also a martial arts genius who dominates the world. If these two people want to meet alone, no one can get close to them. The sun is high in the sky, the sky is blue and clear, the mountains are covered with dense vegetation, the river below the mountain flows slowly to the east, birds fly, fish swim in the water, and the world is full of vitality. In the small pavilion, the two people sat cross-legged opposite each other, the breeze blew, and their clothes fluttered, as if they were immortals. There was a sand table in the middle, which was covered with fine sand and was as smooth as a mirror. Chang Xiao stretched out his hand and drew a Tai Chi diagram in the sand table, and drew a human figure next to it. Monk Shenmu understood, stretched out his hand and drew two thin lines on the human figure. Chang Xiao pondered for a moment and tapped a few points on the Tai Chi diagram, drew a flame shape on the human figure's head, and drew water ripples under his feet. Monk Shenmu's expression changed, obviously a little surprised, stretched out his hand and drew a curve in the Tai Chi diagram, adding water on the fire shape and fire under the water ripples. The two of them said nothing, and drew some strange patterns that no one else could understand, as if they were two children playing games, and they never got tired of it. The sand table was cleaned again and again, and the patterns were all kinds of things, and there was no clue at all. The two of them were immersed in it and forgot everything around them. Unknowingly, the sky darkened, and it turned out that the red sun had set. The two of them did not mean to stop. Others could not see the patterns in the sand table clearly, but these two people did not care. Under the soft moonlight, the monk Shenmu drew an eagle with its wings spread, and there were water ripples below. Chang Xiao did not move for a long time, staring at the pattern in the sand table and thinking hard. The monk Shenmu drew a canary in the lower left corner. Chang Xiao shook his head slightly, drew two dotted lines from the eagle's right claw, and the monk Shenmu drew a winding arc from the canary. Chang Xiao pointed to the eagle's eyes, and the monk Shenmu sighed and stopped. The two of them faced the pattern silently. The bright moon moved slowly, and the figures of the two changed with it. When the moon reached the zenith, Chang Xiao suddenly stretched out his hand and drew a circle on the eagle's head. Thin lines shot out in all directions, like a bright moon. Shenmu Bhikkhu frowned and nodded slightly. Chang Xiao thought for a moment, and then drew a fish in the water pattern below the eagle. Shenmu Bhikkhu thought hard for a long time, and suddenly laughed up to the sky. The sound spread for several miles, and the valley echoed continuously, which showed that his internal strength was profound.

It turned out that the two were exchanging martial arts experience and using patterns to express their own views. The eagle drawn by Monk Shenmu represented Wu Mu Zhenjun's Jingtao Palm, the full moon drawn by Chang Xiao represented Duan Qingxiao's unique skill, Shattered Moon Slash, and the canary drawn by Monk Shenmu represented himself. Jingtao Palm is extremely powerful, and Duan Qingxiao's Shattered Moon Slash can indeed restrain it, but Monk Shenmu was not satisfied. He was happy when he saw the fish shape, because he found a way to restrain Jingtao Palm. The people on the boat waited for a day and a night, and finally waited for Monk Shenmu. Nun Cunxin asked anxiously: "Master, how did the discussion go?" Monk Shenmu smiled and said: "We didn't say a word." Nun Cunxin knew that the master would not lie, and said in surprise: "How could it be possible that we didn't say a word for a day and a night?" Not to mention Nun Cunxin, even Fang Zishou and He Tong and others felt strange. They were obviously discussing the matter of the Ice Ruler. What was the point of not saying a word for so long? Monk Shenmu sighed lightly, "I didn't expect that the flag owner would have such profound attainments. It's worth the trip, it's worth the trip." Nun Cunxin asked, "What about the ice ruler?" Monk Shenmu then remembered and frowned immediately, "I forgot. I'll call him back and ask him." Fang Zishou clasped his fists and said, "Senior, you don't know that the flag owner has gone on a long journey and specifically told me that the ice ruler can be given away, but I want to exchange it for a treasure that can sober me up." Monk Shenmu was relieved and nodded, "It's a deal. You must keep the ice ruler well." Fang Zishou smiled, "The flag owner has something to say. Senior is a hermit and you must keep your words. You can give the ice ruler to you and take it away." Monk Shenmu was stunned, then nodded, "The waves behind push the waves ahead. Your flag owner is really amazing." The wine boy held the ice ruler in both hands and approached, smiling, "Don't try to fool me with cloth tigers and silk dolls." Monk Shenmu also smiled, "Don't worry, I won't give it to you even if you want it." He led Nun Cunxin off the boat and left. Looking at the backs of the two men, the sword boy asked Fang Zishou, "Uncle Fang, what else did the flag master say?" Fang Zishou replied, "The flag master said that he benefited a lot from this trip and solved several problems. I guess the flag master and the monk Shenmu must have exchanged their martial arts experiences. Both sides have gained something. As for the ice ruler, it is secondary." The wine boy interrupted, "What's the use of a sand table for exchanging martial arts experiences?" Fang Zishou smiled bitterly and said, "We can't predict what the masters of the extreme flow do."

Monk Shenmu called four disciples together and told them the details of what happened. As for what happened in the pavilion, he didn't want to tell them about it, because they wouldn't understand it. When they heard that they had obtained the Ice Ruler, the four of them were delighted. Monk Shenmu said, "Don't be too quick to be happy. The Ice Ruler is a treasure. There is only one in the world. We must find a comparable treasure to exchange it for." Ziyun Gu frowned and said, "This is difficult. The Ice Ruler is extremely precious. What treasure can match it?" The Holy Mother of Nanhua smiled and said, "This task must be for Junior Sister Meihua. She is the master of the royal princess and can definitely find the treasure." The Holy Mother of Meihua nodded and said, "I can give it a try, but Princess Rose is in Jiangnan. She doesn't have too many treasures around her, which can't compare to the treasures in the palace." Monk Shenmu warned, "Don't take this matter lightly. The Emei Sect has been famous in the martial arts world for many years. If we perfunctorily handle it, we will not only be sorry for the flag owner, but also for the teachers of all generations." The four disciples nodded in agreement. Monk Shenmu was still worried and decided not to return to Mount Emei until things were done. Aunt Ziyun was already the leader of the Beggars' Sect and had a lot of things to do, so she left first. Mother Saint Nanhua also had to go back to take care of things. It was still Master Cunxin who accompanied the master, and Mother Saint Plum Blossom went alone to find Princess Rose. The court's attention to the martial arts world has not diminished at all, but Princess Rose can no longer make trouble, and Tang Shiyu is responsible for everything. Princess Rose has a husband and lives a comfortable life. She is too restrained in the palace and the etiquette is complicated. She is much less worried outside. She almost says what she wants, so she stays in Jiangnan with peace of mind and rarely returns to the capital. Mother Saint Plum Blossom knew that the master was anxious, so she went there as soon as possible and soon arrived at the princess's mansion. After reporting, someone came out, who was the princess's personal maid, and let Mother Saint Plum Blossom into the mansion. Today's princess's mansion is much better than the original headquarters, with carved beams and painted rafters and majestic palaces. Although it is not as good as the palace, it is also one of the best in Jiangnan. After walking through the hall and the room, they came to the garden. The Rose Princess was teaching several girls martial arts, and they were doing it very well. The Plum Blossom Mother was amused. You have to teach others with your skills. If you were not a royal princess, your fellow martial artists would laugh their heads off. When the Rose Princess saw the master stop, she came forward and bowed slightly: "Master, I haven't been here for a long time. This time, I have to teach you some tricks before I can leave." The Plum Blossom Mother smiled and said: "The princess is already a rare master. There is no need to learn anything else." The Rose Princess was somewhat self-aware and shook her head and said: "Master, don't fool me. I have been to the military camp. During the military martial arts performance, an ordinary general was better than me." The Plum Blossom Mother thought to herself: So you have understood.

The master and the disciple came to the flower hall and sat down. The maid brought tea. Princess Rose said, "Master, I know you love me and don't want me to suffer. After I got married, I found out that my husband practiced martial arts every day regardless of the weather. He said that if you want to gain a foothold in the army, you can't do it without good martial arts. Even if you have a high position, as long as the soldiers in the army look down on you, that kind of look can kill people." The Plum Blossom Mother nodded and said, "Wei Qing and Huo Qubing defeated the Huns several times, but the one who was most praised by later generations was Flying General Li Guang. This is the reason." Princess Rose took the master's hand and said, "I have always wanted the master to help me with guidance. "Now that the master is here, I will call him back immediately." "The Plum Blossom Mother said hurriedly: "The master has important things to do here, and can't delay. I will definitely come to your place after I finish my business." "Princess Rose nodded: "That's good, I see that he is lifting stone locks and opening hard bows, which is quite hard. If he learns some internal skills, he should be able to save some energy. What's the matter with the master?" The Plum Blossom Mother explained the purpose of her visit, and Princess Rose smiled and said: "Such things are nothing. Wait for me to pass on the message, and there is no fear of not having good things." She immediately wrote a handwritten order and ordered someone to give it to the local officials. It was really swift and resolute. All places counted the treasuries and rushed to collect treasures. The Plum Blossom Mother stayed in the mansion, and the princess sent someone to call her husband back. A banquet was held that night. The princess's husband Wei Heyang was born in a poor family and learned some superficial boxing and kicking. After joining the army, he practiced martial arts hard and was skilled in archery and horse riding. He was always the champion in every martial arts performance, which was appreciated by the superiors. During the military parade in the imperial city, he was noticed by the emperor and promoted as an exception. Later, he married the princess. Only then could he become a general who could take charge of everything. He had 30,000 elite soldiers under his command, and he was the most elite in the Jiangnan army. Although many people envied him, Wei Heyang was not very comfortable. There were many taboos in marrying a royal princess. He could not live in harmony like ordinary couples. Some people even said that his status was obtained by relying on royal relatives. If he had not won the championship in every martial arts performance, there would definitely be a lot of gossip. When he learned that the princess had invited him, he had no choice but to put down the things at hand and go. On the way, he learned that the princess's master had come and wanted him to go and meet him. Wei Heyang knew that the princess's ability was very ordinary and the master was not much stronger. After all, it was a good intention, and it didn't matter if they met. However, he was convinced that this trip was destined to be fruitless, so he just wanted to make the princess happy.

After the banquet was set up, Princess Rose invited the master out, and Wei Heyang came to greet him. The Plum Blossom Mother saw at a glance that this young man was strong, calm and capable, and was indeed a military talent, and she was happy for the princess. Wei Heyang saw that the Plum Blossom Mother was just an ordinary nun, and thought to himself: Such a person weighs only more than 100 kilograms with skin and bones, what amazing skills can he have? After sitting down, the princess praised the master's martial arts, and the Plum Blossom Mother had to be humble. Wei Heyang flattered her for the princess's sake. Princess Rose suggested that Wei Heyang ask the Plum Blossom Mother for advice. Wei Heyang felt uncomfortable, but he still agreed to treat her with respect. The Plum Blossom Mother saw Wei Heyang's thoughts and didn't want to spend more effort, but since she came here to ask for help, she had to show something, so she said: "Since the general treats you with respect, I will give you some advice." Wei Heyang was even more uncomfortable. It's a joke that you are pointing fingers at me. My stone lock weighs 400 kilograms. Princess Rose urged Wei Heyang to take the Plum Blossom Mother to the martial arts training ground after the banquet. The Plum Blossom Mother said, "General, you are skilled in archery and horse riding, and you practice hard every day. You have a promising future. Can you show me your skills and let me open my eyes?" Wei Heyang finally felt better. He picked up the stone lock, threw it up and caught it. After his whole body was hot, he first punched, then danced with a sword, and sweat appeared on his body. He thought to himself: You want to teach me with your strength, it's ridiculous. The Plum Blossom Mother smiled and said, "General, you don't understand internal skills, you only rely on brute force, it's not easy to achieve what you have today." Wei Heyang's face changed, and he felt very uncomfortable.

Chapter 82: Unexpected Gains

In the martial arts arena, the few innocuous words of the Plum Blossom Mother made Wei Heyang very uncomfortable. In the army, he was in charge of the power of life and death, and his words were final. How could he bear the anger of this nun? His face immediately darkened, and he would have lost his temper if the princess had not been present. The princess hurriedly persuaded him: "Master is a martial arts master, you must not be rude." The Plum Blossom Mother smiled and said: "A real man should be majestic. As the commander-in-chief of the three armies, he naturally cannot bear to be bullied. However, the most important thing in dealing with people is to be humble. There are many masters in the world. If the general blindly relies on his strength, it will be bad if he suffers in the future." Wei Heyang was of course not convinced, and he said nothing for the sake of the princess's face. Of course, the Plum Blossom Mother could not just talk about it on paper. She stretched out her left palm and gently placed it on the stone lock, smiling and saying, "General, you are very strong, I will show you my ugliness. General, watch me. If you can do it the same way I do, I will apologize for what I said just now." Wei Heyang thought to himself: Let's see what tricks you can play. I can't do it unless the red sun rises in the west. Watching carefully, the Plum Blossom Mother stood still. After a while, she pressed her left palm downwards, and a strange thing happened. The stone lock weighing hundreds of pounds actually sank into the soil, with only a small part exposed. The Plum Blossom Mother shouted, and with her left palm, the stone lock broke out of the soil, flew a few feet away, and smashed a deep pit after landing. Wei Heyang was shocked and rushed forward to kneel on the ground to salute: "Senior is really a god. Wei is convinced." The Plum Blossom Mother held her hands and said: "General, there is no need to be polite. These trivial skills are not worth mentioning." Wei Heyang sighed: "Today I know that there are people who are better than people and there are heavens beyond heavens." The Rose Princess took the opportunity to make a fuss: "I told you my master is a martial arts master, but you didn't believe it. Now you know how powerful he is." Wei Heyang nodded: "Princess, you are right. I used to be short-sighted and didn't know the depth of the matter. Today I have learned from you." The three of them came to the flower hall to taste tea. Wei Heyang asked: "Senior is a god The skills are so superb, he must be a top master, I wonder which school or sect he is from?” The Plum Blossom Mother shook her head: “Although I have practiced martial arts for many years, I am not worthy of the title of top master, the martial arts I practiced are from the Emei School.” Wei Heyang frowned and said: “Senior, such martial arts are rare in the world, is it self-deprecating or is it true?” The Plum Blossom Mother smiled and said: “Buddhism does not tell lies, there are hidden dragons and crouching tigers in the world, and masters are emerging in large numbers. I am just barely able to set up my own school, so I can’t be called a master.” Wei Heyang was even more surprised. It seemed that his vision was too narrow, so he asked various masters in detail.

The first person that the Plum Blossom Mother mentioned was of course Duan Qingxiao, who is currently the leader of the martial arts world. Then she mentioned Wu Mu Zhen Jun and her master, Shen Mu Bhikkhu, and there were many people who were on par with her. Wei Heyang could not help but be stunned. It turned out that there were so many masters in the world. It seems that he should be more careful in the future. The Plum Blossom Mother explained: "There are two ways of martial arts. One is from the outside to the inside, through boxing and kicking routines to achieve the purpose of strengthening the internal organs, and then improve the whole body. The other is from the inside to the outside, through regulating the internal breath, opening up the meridians, and infusing the true energy into the fists and feet, which is amazingly powerful. This is the external and internal martial arts. In comparison, the two methods are not much different. The difference is that the external martial arts are down-to-earth and take longer to take effect. Although the internal martial arts are faster, they are more dangerous. Once the true energy goes wrong, the martial arts will be lost at best, and at worst, it will be death or disability." Wei Heyang no longer had any contempt for it. He memorized every word and asked sincerely: "Senior, in this case, my years of hard work are not worth mentioning." The Plum Blossom Mother shook her head: "That's not the case. Your years of hard work are equivalent to laying the foundation. The deeper the foundation, the stronger the house. It's just that you haven't met anyone to guide you, so your skills remain on the surface." Wei Heyang hurriedly said: "Please give me some guidance, senior." The Plum Blossom Mother took out a thin booklet from her arms and said solemnly: "This is the introductory palm method of our sect from the outside to the inside. With your foundation, you can achieve success in three months. Then I can come back." At this time, Wei Heyang no longer had any contempt and took it and put it away. The Plum Blossom Mother knew that Wei Heyang thought highly of himself. Once he found out that there were so many people who were better than him, he would inevitably feel discouraged. So she comforted him, "In fact, your skills are already good, but you have never stepped into the threshold. Once you understand the mystery, you will definitely improve a lot. God will not let down those who work hard, and your years of hard work will eventually be rewarded." Wei Heyang understood the meaning of the words and nodded, "Please give me more guidance, senior." The Plum Blossom Mother explained the principles of internal energy clearly. Wei Heyang witnessed the power of internal energy and listened wholeheartedly. Princess Rose nodded, "That's why I value you. Unlike my brothers, they are arrogant and don't take anyone seriously except my father."

Two days later, the treasures were delivered. The Plum Blossom Mother looked around but could not find anything satisfactory. Of course, the Rose Princess wanted to satisfy the Master and for the dignity of the royal family. She thought for a moment and said, "Master, the overseas Siamese country once offered black pearls as tribute. They are the best for sobering up. My father gave them to Prince Lian, who is my grandfather. I will send someone to get this treasure." The Plum Blossom Mother hesitated and said, "Prince Lian is old and needs this treasure to sober up. How can I ask for it?" The Rose Princess smiled and said, "Master, you don't know. Three months ago, my grandfather had a serious illness. After he recovered, the imperial physician told him not to drink again. The treasure left by my grandfather is useless." The Plum Blossom Mother nodded. The Rose Princess immediately sent someone to get the black pearls a day later. The Plum Blossom Mother was afraid that the Master would worry, so she said goodbye in a hurry and soon met up with the monk Shenmu. Seeing the black pearl, the monk Shenmu hesitated and said, "The item is good, but it is not appropriate to exchange this treasure for the ice ruler. The value of the black pearl is not low, but their fleet has a large business and they don't care about gold and silver at all. The black pearl is not very meaningful to them, and we can't take advantage of them." Nun Cunxin asked, "What do you think, Master?" The monk Shenmu pondered for a moment and had an idea. He ordered, "Master won the Seven Falcon Styles created by Wu Mu Zhenjun in his later years in a bet. It is useless to keep it. It should be enough to use this body movement plus the black pearl. Cunxin will go immediately." Nun Cunxin agreed and asked, "What are the plans of the master?" The monk Shenmu smiled and said, "Of course, I will go back to the mountain to practice meditation. You should go quickly." Nun Cunxin saw from the master's eyes that after the matter was done, the master wanted to play around and would never go back to Mount Emei directly. I wanted to persuade him, but then I thought that the master was just changing clothes to play, and outsiders would not recognize him at all. Besides, being the general supervisor of the disciples was not a big deal, so without saying anything more, he took the black pearl and the seven styles of the falcon and left. After Master Cunxin left, Bhikkhu Shenmu immediately said to the Holy Mother of Plum Blossom: "You haven't finished what you promised to do, go and instruct that prince consort." The Holy Mother of Plum Blossom agreed and asked the princess to instruct Wei Heyang again. After the disciples left, Bhikkhu Shenmu felt much more relaxed and changed into a girl's outfit to play.

Nun Cunxin quickly found Fang Zishou's fleet and explained the master's intention. Fang Zishou accepted the black pearl and the book of the seven styles of falcon, and the matter was settled. The black pearl was naturally given to the wine boy. Fang Zishou carefully studied the seven styles of falcon, but could not figure it out. The sword boy was also confused after reading it. Fang Zishou smiled bitterly and said, "This is the essence of the martial arts extracted by the top masters who have cleverly comprehended the heavenly secrets. Only when the flag master sees it can we understand it. We are not good enough to understand the mystery." So he carefully put it away and passed the message to Chang Xiao. At this time, Chang Xiao was accompanying Yu Hudie. The two of them were in love with each other, and it goes without saying that the man and the woman loved each other. Hanmei, Xianglan and the four sisters naturally would not miss the opportunity. Mo Ju received the letter sent by the carrier pigeon and did not dare to delay and immediately handed it to Chang Xiao. After Chang Xiao read it, he thought for a moment. Yu Hudie asked, "Are you leaving again? Don't worry, I won't stop you." Chang Xiao shook his head, "This matter is not so urgent. I didn't expect that the monk Shenmu would show a martial arts to thank him. Even Fang Zishou couldn't understand it, which shows that this martial arts is not ordinary. It seems that I have to go and take a look. But I have to make some preparations first. It won't be too late to go after I'm ready." He picked up the pen and wrote a few words. Mo Ju took it and turned out to pass on the instructions. Although Yu Hudie said that she would not stop him, she was actually reluctant to let him go. She just knew in her heart that Chang Xiao was a figure that the martial arts world was paying attention to. There were dangers everywhere, and she couldn't slack off. Knowing that Chang Xiao didn't have to leave, of course she was happy. She set up a banquet, and the six of them sat around, chatting and laughing. Han Mei smiled and said, "This time the Banner Master has a few pounds more flesh than last time. I thought the Banner Master would keep losing weight." Mo Ju nodded, "Yes, the Banner Master used to look so majestic, but now he's thin, it doesn't show." Chang Xiao sighed, "When you're in the martial arts world, you can't help yourself. If you don't work hard, sooner or later you'll become someone else's meal. I can tolerate other things, but the only thing is that you must control your own destiny and can't be controlled by anyone else. For this goal, no matter how much effort you put in, it's worth it." Yu Hudie understood Chang Xiao's thoughts and nodded, "I understand. The more others hit you, the more you can't admit defeat. Sooner or later, you will become the supreme martial artist in the martial arts world."

Fang Zishou received Chang Xiao's instructions and admired Chang Xiao's thoughtfulness. It turned out that Chang Xiao meant to first collect the martial arts veins of Shangqing Palace. No matter how magical the Seven Falcon Styles were, its roots must be in the martial arts of Shangqing Palace. Fang Zishou immediately spread the news that the Nether Swordsman followed his usual style and did things cleanly and neatly. He soon got the Shangqing Palace's entry-level martial arts atlas, as well as Shangqing sword and palm techniques. Fang Zishou's own martial arts were very unusual. After reading the martial arts of Shangqing Palace, he really felt some of the characteristics of the Seven Falcon Styles. But he didn't fully understand it yet, so he couldn't start practicing it. He still had to wait for Chang Xiao to read it. A few days later, Chang Xiao arrived as expected. Fang Zishou called He Tong, Jiu Tong and the other four to come. After Chang Xiao carefully looked at the Seven Falcon Styles, he exclaimed: "Sure enough, he has a unique idea. Wu Mu Zhenjun is not simple. I said that Shenmu Bhikkhu was so generous. It turns out that this body movement cannot be practiced by women. It is useless for her to keep it." Fang Zishou asked: "Flag Master, is this martial art useful to us?" Chang Xiao nodded: "It is of no use to me, but it is very helpful to you. Didn't I say that the martial arts of the Blood Shadow Sutra have deviations? This body movement can make up for this gap. When Of course, if you meet masters like Duan Qingxiao and Wu Mu Zhenjun, you still have no chance, but except for a few people, you brothers can be invincible. "Fang Zishou was overjoyed, and the sword boy came over and asked: "Flag Master, can we learn?" The wine boy was also full of expectations: "This was exchanged for the ice ruler, and I have a share in it." Chang Xiao smiled and said: "What you are learning is the orthodox Xuanmen, of course you can practice, but don't be impatient, I don't have much time to instruct you, I will teach you after Zishou learns it." The four were satisfied. Chang Xiao couldn't stay too long, and took the time to explain the Falcon Seven Styles to Fang Zishou in detail. Fang Zishou remembered it firmly in his heart and verified it with the original fleeting body method. As expected, he benefited a lot. After many rehearsals, Chang Xiao corrected all the deviations, and then left with peace of mind. Fang Zishou took the time to practice hard, and the more he practiced, the more he felt the mystery was endless, and he was full of joy. Send a message to let the Nether Swordsmen take turns to come to the ship to practice, and then teach it to the sword boy, the wine boy and the four. After obtaining the Falcon Seven Styles, the strength of these people has increased a lot.

A fleet of ships sailed against the wind and waves, taking advantage of the sea breeze to travel at high speed. It was the fleet of the South China Sea. A purple flag was hung on the ship in the middle. Obviously, the leader Yan Nanlou was on the ship. When he took over the South China Sea fleet, many people were dissatisfied. After a period of time, the affairs of the fleet were in order, and the South China Sea islands were safe and sound. Everyone began to recognize the new leader. Of course, the old Dragon King contributed to this, but Yan Nanlou's talent and martial arts were also worthy of praise. Now that the title of Jingbo Heavenly King has been recognized, Yan Nanlou is naturally happy, but he knows in his heart that the current achievements are nothing, at most a good start, and he has to work harder to become the real overlord of the South China Sea. This time, he brought a lot of goods. During the last transaction, Fang Zishou mentioned that the business has expanded to the capital and needs more goods. Yan Nanlou understands that this is the critical moment of the project of Julong Villa, which needs a large amount of silver to support it. Of course I have to help him. As far as I can see, Chang Xiao has a big appetite. He built a huge castle not for enjoyment, but to dominate the world and become the supreme master of the martial arts world. Yan Nanlou has learned about Chang Xiao's life in detail. In fact, Chang Xiao is very simple by nature, values friendship and righteousness, and rarely plans for himself. But others don't think so. When encountering things, they always consider themselves first. After suffering countless losses, Chang Xiao was chilled by the intrigues in the world, and then he changed his temperament. If Chang Xiao successfully defeated Duan Qingxiao, no one could tell what changes would happen in the world. From the original battle between the Julong Gang and the Wanxian Hall, Chang Xiao not only had unparalleled martial arts, but also extraordinary strategies. His biggest characteristic was stability. He would never take action without certainty, and once he took action, he would never show mercy. He was a rare talent with a moderate degree of tension and relaxation, and a proper degree of leniency and strictness. As long as a good relationship is maintained, the South China Sea fleet will be smooth sailing. While he was calculating, his subordinates reported that land had been discovered and it was about to dock. Yan Nanlou nodded slightly and ordered the fleet to anchor in order. After docking, the ships were repaired and ready to enter the inland. A subordinate came to report that someone wanted to see him. Yan Nanlou looked at the name card and smiled, "Qi Shizhen can't sit still anymore, so he sent someone to contact him. Tell the person that the South China Sea Fleet's business has been booked by someone else and will not trade with anyone else." The subordinate agreed to go out. After a while, another person came in to report that another name card was sent. Yan Nanlou took it and saw that it was someone sent by Wanxiantang. He couldn't help but sneer, "Why are you here at this time? What were you doing before? I won't see you."

After sending the person away, Yan Nanlou felt amused. It seemed that Duan Qingxiao was no longer reliable. Qi Shizhen and Wanxiantang could not sit still, but the opportunity had been missed. He admired Chang Xiao's wisdom. Although he had not yet made a public appearance, he had already influenced many people. The battle at the Cliff of Broken Souls was obviously a retreat to advance, which was a beautiful move. If Fang Zishou seized all the businesses in the South China Sea, he would have a source of income, and no one else would be able to get involved in the future. Duan Qingxiao could not control the forces of all parties because he did not notice this. In fact, what effect can superficial submission have? Jianghu people always say that they value righteousness over money, but in fact, few people really do it. Without money, nothing can be done. Qi Shizhen must have had a hard time these days. It is not easy to maintain a huge intelligence network. Even if the emperor has no money, it will not work. Chang Xiao obviously saw this. No matter how high your martial arts skills are or how many good things you have done, it is impossible to get the sincere support of Jianghu people. To be the supreme master of the martial arts world, you must have a few trump cards in your hand, and money is one of them. Of course, strong strength is also indispensable. From the current situation, Chang Xiao's strength is already strong enough. If there is any weakness in Chang Xiao in the past, it is that he is too soft-hearted and too sentimental. Now Chang Xiao has changed. Once he returns to the martial arts world, he will surely be powerful and those who stand in his way will never have a good end. It is the martial arts world that created him and changed him. A new martial arts supreme is about to be born. However, before defeating Duan Qingxiao, it is impossible to draw a conclusion. Duan Qingxiao is not easy to deal with.

Chapter 83 Everything is ready

The situation in the martial arts world gradually became clear. On the surface, Duan Qingxiao had the upper hand, but Chang Xiao's influence gradually increased. All forces had already sensed his presence and his ambition to return to the martial arts world. Chang Xiao's determination could be seen from the project of Julong Villa. Duan Qingxiao had a premonition that a storm was coming, but he didn't care much, because he knew in his heart that it would not be easy for Chang Xiao to surpass him with his cultivation. As a person who had experienced it, Duan Qingxiao knew the hardships and dangers of this road. If he went astray, all his previous efforts would be wasted. At least half of his success was God's will. Chang Xiao's road was even more difficult. There was no precedent for those who could make a breakthrough at this stage. If he wanted to succeed, he had to be in a myth. Therefore, Duan Qingxiao was very relieved and very satisfied with the current situation. Tang Shiyu was of course aware of the current situation, but his stance was different. No matter who won, it would not affect him, so there was no need to worry. However, the fleet in the South China Sea gradually attracted Tang Shiyu's attention. According to various sources, the number of businesses of the South China Sea fleet was extremely large, and the total amount of each transaction was more than 10 million taels. If it could be used, it would be extremely beneficial to the court. Although he was jealous, he couldn't act too hastily. The person who traded with Yan Nanlou was the Nether Swordsman, who made people in the martial arts world turn pale. Even masters like Wu Mu Zhenjun couldn't do anything to them, let alone others. If he intervened rashly and angered these people, he didn't know what would happen. Although there were many difficulties, Tang Shiyu decided to give it a try. After all, the silver was the most practical. Since he couldn't start from Fang Zishou, he could only think of a way from Yan Nanlou. Although the South China Sea fleet was not weak, it was much worse than the Nether Swordsman. Tang Shiyu knew that the Nether Swordsman was best at stealth, sneak attacks and assassinations. If the government officials intervened openly, they might be eliminated by these people. After thinking about it, he decided to let the tax collector come forward to collect taxes to test the truth. He thought that Yan Nanlou would not dare to go against the government. The order was issued and soon a reply came. The tax collector boarded the ship smoothly, but died strangely in the downtown area shortly after getting off the ship. People were sent to investigate, but there was no internal or external injury at all, and the case could not be concluded. Five more detectives were sent to investigate the ship. After getting off the ship, the five were killed at the same time in public, and dozens of people around them did not notice anything unusual. The five detectives died in exactly the same way as the tax collectors. The government could not make a final decision and had already asked for instructions. Tang Shiyu immediately made a judgment that the perpetrator was definitely not someone from the South China Sea Fleet, but the Nether Swordsman. It seems that Chang Xiao valued the South China Sea Fleet very much and sent experts to protect it. It also shows that the Nether Swordsman is no longer the same as before, his martial arts have reached a higher level, and he has become a real master.

Wine and women can make people look good, and money can make people feel happy. But first of all, you have to save your life. Without your life, everything else is meaningless. This test is enough to show that Chang Xiao's attitude has changed a lot from before. In the past, Chang Xiao killed many people, but he never hurt innocent people. Now it is different. He will never show mercy to those who hinder him, whether they are dignitaries or ordinary people. Tang Shiyu now hopes that Duan Qingxiao will defeat Chang Xiao. If Chang Xiao gets the upper hand, with his strong strength and huge financial resources, I am afraid that both the black and white will obey him, and he will form an extremely terrible force that is almost omnipotent. This is the most taboo thing for the court. Duan Qingxiao is too confident, and Chang Xiao is steady and no one can stop him from moving forward. Tang Shiyu pondered over countermeasures and was worried. There was really no good way to deal with Chang Xiao. Send someone to inform the government first, don't send people to provoke the South China Sea fleet, and send lives in vain. If things get out of hand, it will not end well. Judging from the current situation, Chang Xiao would not care even if the government troops came forward. The ruthlessness of the Nether Swordsman was known to the world, and he would never be merciful. He could bully others with his large numbers, but he would not be able to do anything to such a master. Tang Shiyu's idea was good, but he could not control the government. Six lives were not a trivial matter. They were reported step by step and experienced coroners from all over the country were summoned for examination, but there was no clue. Soon the Ministry of Justice sent someone to investigate, but there was still no way. The most important thing was that the injuries could not be found and the case could not be concluded. In desperation, he decided to ask martial arts masters for help. After inviting several people in succession, they all admitted that their cultivation was insufficient after seeing the corpse and could not see the truth. Once the news spread, many people knew about it. Tang Shiyu complained that the local officials did not understand the truth. The purpose of the Nether Swordsman was to ensure the safety of the South China Sea fleet. If they were investigated in a big way, these people would definitely point the finger at the court officials, and it would cause a big mess. In order to prevent the situation from escalating, Tang Shiyu wrote to the emperor directly, explaining the pros and cons. However, the reply said that the imperial guards had been sent south to supervise the matter. Tang Shiyu secretly complained that once these imperial guards left Beijing, they would be arrogant and domineering, bully local officials, and extort money. Not only would they not find anything, but it would make things worse. Without further ado, Tang Shiyu made some arrangements to go to Beijing to meet the emperor in person. However, before he set off, news came that all the imperial guards had died strangely on the way, and all the officials involved in the investigation were also killed in the same way, shocking the court and the public.

Tang Shiyu knew that Chang Xiao's temperament had changed, but he didn't expect it to change so thoroughly, and he was completely different from before. Such a ruthless move was to convey a message. If the court continued to investigate, the target of the Nether Swordsman would be the emperor in the palace. Chang Xiao now didn't care about anyone's safety at all. The situation was urgent, and Tang Shiyu rushed to the capital day and night. The matter was urgent, and he hardly rested on the way. After arriving in Beijing, he packed up hastily and went to the palace to meet the emperor. Tang Shiyu's rank was very high, and he had a gold medal bestowed by the emperor on him, which allowed him to enter the palace directly. The gatekeepers saw the gold medal and let him go, and a eunuch took him to the study to wait. This is the palace, and there are many rules. Tang Shiyu sat upright and did not dare to be presumptuous. Half an hour later, the eunuch shouted, "The emperor has arrived." Tang Shiyu stood up to greet him and knelt on the ground: "Your Majesty, your humble servant Tang Shiyu pays respects to you." The emperor was in his early fifties and was not in good spirits due to his indulgence in wine and women. He nodded slightly and said, "Stand up and talk." Because Tang Shiyu had been a prince's teacher, the emperor asked someone to watch his seat. After he sat down, the emperor asked, "Your Excellency, you must have come here in person because of the murder of the palace guards. Who has such magical powers? He killed someone but couldn't find any scars?" Tang Shiyu replied, "Your Majesty, the person who did it is a top-notch master in the martial arts world and is skilled in assassination. Although I have asked the local officials not to make it public, it still came to this point today." The emperor frowned and said, "These people are so cruel and ruthless that we should send capable people to get rid of them as soon as possible. Who is their leader? What is the purpose of the killing?" Tang Shiyu briefly introduced Chang Xiao's story and explained the cause of the incident. The emperor said angrily, "What a courage! Committing such a serious crime should be exterminated. My dear minister, go to Jiangnan immediately to preside over this matter, and make sure to wipe out this group of thugs. "Of course, Tang Shiyu could not agree, and bowed his head and said, "Your Majesty, I really don't have this ability. This group of people are the Nether Swordsmen who make the martial arts world tremble. They are all first-class masters. The leader Chang Xiao is even respected as the martial arts master of Nan Kunlun. He is a top master and ordinary people can't get close to him at all." The emperor disagreed: "Since ancient times, two fists cannot beat four hands, and hungry tigers are afraid of waves. It's just a matter of mobilizing elite soldiers and fierce generals." Tang Shiyu explained: "Your Majesty, these people are not something that the government army can deal with. They are not ordinary petty thieves and bandits. The leader Chang Xiao is brave and resourceful. He is like a no-man's land in a million-strong army. He only needs to take down the general's flag and the whole army will immediately disintegrate." The emperor looked displeased: "According to this, do you want me to let this group of thugs go?" Tang Shiyu knew it in his heart but couldn't say it directly, which would hurt the dignity of the court. Seeing that the emperor was displeased, he dared not speak.

The emperor really didn't believe Tang Shiyu's words. What kind of talent could there be among the common people? But thinking of Tang Shiyu's talent, he thought it was probably not an exaggeration, so he calmed down and said, "My dear minister, you have been hiding in the rivers and lakes, so you should know the details of these people. You can tell me in detail." Tang Shiyu sorted out his thoughts and gave a detailed introduction to the origin of the Nether Swordsman and Chang Xiao's life. The emperor listened with great interest and asked for details from time to time. Half an hour passed, and the emperor finally understood the general idea. He pondered and said, "Does Chang Xiao really have such magical powers?" Tang Shiyu nodded, "Your Majesty, I am not exaggerating. This person is meticulous and has superb martial arts. He is a top talent in the world. Now his target is Duan Qingxiao. He will do anything for this goal. If the court obstructs him, he will point his spearhead at the government. In three months at most, there will be only a few officials left in Jiangnan. Once Jiangnan is in chaos, it will inevitably affect the whole world, and it will be difficult to clean up then." The emperor nodded slightly, "Jiangnan cannot be in chaos, but how will the current situation end? There must be an explanation for the deaths of so many people. In addition, if Chang Xiao defeats Duan Qingxiao and becomes the supreme master of the martial arts world, and gets the support of both the black and white worlds, wouldn't that be even more powerful? It will be even more difficult to get rid of him at that time. What if he goes against the court?" Tang Shiyu explained, "Your Majesty, there is an iron rule in the martial arts world, that is, you cannot interfere in political affairs. Even if Chang Xiao becomes the supreme master of the martial arts world, he cannot break the rules. Besides, Chang Xiao is simple by nature. He has rescued tens of thousands of disaster victims. When the Japanese pirates were in chaos, he worked hard to eliminate the ninjutsu masters of Japan to relieve the worries of the people. I believe he will not oppose the court. "The emperor nodded in approval: "Well, just follow your suggestion. I always thought that the imperial guards were first-class masters. Who knew that they were so vulnerable when they met real masters? It turns out that there is such an iron rule in the martial arts world. The matter in front of us must be suppressed. What do you think?" Tang Shiyu said: "Why not use the method of delay, tightening in public and loosening in private, and then use other things to attract the attention of the ministers. It won't be long before this matter is forgotten." The emperor smiled and said: "This is a magic weapon for officials to protect themselves. I didn't expect that I would use this trick." After some persuasion, the emperor finally recognized his point of view. Tang Shiyu's hanging heart was finally put down. The emperor showed his favor and specially gave a banquet to entertain him. He comforted him before ordering Tang Shiyu to leave.

This major event was finally settled. The officials in Jiangnan were not fools. From various signs, it was speculated that the South China Sea Fleet must have a great backer and must not be provoked. It was a common practice in the officialdom to change one's position according to the situation, so no one bothered the South China Sea Fleet anymore. Such a big commotion naturally reached Yan Nanlou's ears. Yan Nanlou sighed in his heart. Chang Xiao was now acting like a different person than before. If the court refused to give in , many people would die. It was hard to imagine that Chang Xiao was the same person who rescued tens of thousands of disaster victims. In addition, the power in Chang Xiao's hands was really terrible. It was fine if he killed people without blood, but he didn't even get hurt, which showed how powerful these people were. The business went very smoothly. Yan Nanlou knew very well that since he stood on Chang Xiao's side, he had no choice, and Chang Xiao needed the strong support of the South China Sea Fleet to return to the arena. According to the news, Qi Shizhen's power had been weakened a lot, but the declining Beggars' Gang was increasingly valued. The new leader Zi Yungu was quite talented. After the reorganization, the Beggars' Gang once again became the most well-informed gang. Yan Nanlou once sent people to investigate. The Beggars' Sect had no contact with Duan Qingxiao's side, and the leader Ziyungu was very hostile to Duan Qingxiao. I believe Chang Xiao will not miss the opportunity. At this time, he should send people to contact the Beggars' Sect. Getting hundreds of thousands of spies is crucial for the future. With a vast source of money and accurate information, coupled with a powerful force that can sweep everything, once he defeats Duan Qingxiao, he will become the true supreme master of the martial arts world. At that time, the whole world will change, but Yan Nanlou is most concerned about the South China Sea Fleet. As long as it can be maintained smoothly, it doesn't matter who becomes the supreme master of the martial arts world. Judging from the project of Julong Villa, Chang Xiao's comeback will not be too long. When the castle is completed, Chang Xiao will definitely return to the world and challenge Duan Qingxiao. Yan Nanlou is full of expectations for this battle. These two people are both martial arts geniuses and sword masters. The decisive battle between them must be exciting.

Yan Nanlou's guess was correct. Ziyun Gu had secretly met with Chang Xiao and reached an agreement. The Beggars' Sect would do its best to provide information and help Chang Xiao return to the arena. Originally, Chang Xiao thought that Ziyun Gu would put forward conditions, but Ziyun Gu never mentioned it. Instead, she thanked Chang Xiao for helping the Beggars' Sect and still regarded Chang Xiao as the first guest of the Beggars' Sect. This is the cleverness of Ziyun Gu. Chang Xiao is a person who values friendship the most. If she puts forward conditions, it will alienate him. It will definitely not be a loss to get closer. Once Chang Xiao succeeds, he will definitely help the Beggars' Sect. In this way, Chang Xiao has made all preparations for his comeback. The only thing he lacks is martial arts. Duan Qingxiao's swordsmanship is superb. If you are not sure, you must not act rashly, otherwise all your preparations will become a bubble. According to the news, Duan Qingxiao is now practicing in seclusion to prepare for this decisive battle. Chang Xiao knows that this battle is crucial and he must not lose. The same is true for Duan Qingxiao. Know yourself and know the enemy, and you will win every battle. At present, the most important thing is of course to understand the other party's background. No one knows the location and details of his practice, but there is a key figure Tang Shiyu beside Duan Qingxiao who can reveal accurate information at any time. According to the secret letter, Duan Qingxiao practiced in seclusion, and most of the time he sat cross-legged and rarely got up. It seems that Duan Qingxiao still has to win with sword energy, and it is really difficult for him to surpass him in this aspect. But he also has an advantage, that is, the king of hidden weapons, the electric shuttle. With this hidden weapon, he can come and go in a flash and be invincible. Of course, Tang Shiyu is a person from the court and cannot be fully trusted. Different positions and different ideas are different. In addition, Duan Qingxiao already knows his electric shuttle, so it is impossible not to be on guard. He cannot pin his hopes on hidden weapons, but still has to start with the internal strength of the sword. Therefore, Chang Xiao still gritted his teeth and practiced hard. Duan Qingxiao is also a human being. He can do what he can do, and no matter how high the mountain is, it can't stop his steps.

Since Yu Hudie and Yin Tianlei left the Fire God Palace, Gao Zhen didn't even have anyone to talk to. Gao Zhen knew what Yin Tianlei meant. He had no choice but to be ruthless to Yu Hudie. If Yu Hudie really liked him, he would do everything he could to protect her. However, Yu Hudie's mind was mostly on Chang Xiao, but Chang Xiao was better than him in every aspect. She couldn't get over it anyway, so she found a new lover. Yu Hudie's life and death didn't matter. Junior brother Yin Tianlei was a rare talent. Without such a strong man, the strength of the Fire God Palace was greatly weakened. Originally, Gao Zhen thought that his junior brother was just angry for a while and would come back soon, but two years passed and Yin Tianlei was nowhere to be seen. Gao Zhen regretted that he shouldn't have let his junior brother leave so easily. The Fire God Palace was extremely secretive and difficult for outsiders to find out. Every once in a while, Gao Zhen would send capable people out to get information and had a general understanding of the situation in the martial arts world. Although the Divine Sword Sect is powerful, Chang Xiao's influence is also not small. Both sides are preparing for it. As for the result, it will not be known until the final battle between Duan Qingxiao and Chang Xiao. There is no doubt that the winner will be the leader of the martial arts world. Gao Zhen wanted to sit on the throne, but he was not strong enough. Although he suffered a lot, Chang Xiao suffered more, almost beyond the limit of mortal endurance. After trying several times, Gao Zhen was completely discouraged. It was not easy to practice the Seven Styles of the Fiery Sun that he relied on to perfection. It was almost impossible to make a breakthrough. The Seven Styles of the Fiery Sun was created by his second uncle, the Red Spirit God. He was still far from his second uncle's realm. It was impossible to surpass the two super strong men, Chang Xiao and Duan Qingxiao. Therefore, Gao Zhen gave up. The Fire God Palace was also a paradise on earth. There was nothing wrong with spending a leisurely life here.

Chapter 84: Moving Forward Together

The happiest person during this period of time was of course Jade Butterfly. Her wish was fulfilled, her youth was restored, and her long-cherished wish was realized. What else could she not be satisfied with? Although it was a bit lonely in the mountains and there was no hustle and bustle of a big town, she had four female companions to accompany her. She was carefree and happy all day long. This kind of life was happier than that of a god. Jade Butterfly knew that her lover Chang Xiao was ready to challenge Duan Qingxiao, the only enemy in the martial arts world today. He was the most difficult master to deal with. She couldn't help but worry about this battle. This decisive battle was different from the last one. Both sides had no way out. If they lost, they would die. However, Jade Butterfly was still very confident. Her lover was the number one hero in the world and there was nothing he couldn't do. Even if he really lost and died, she only needed to jump down from here to be free. It was no big deal. Chang Xiao's hard training was extremely difficult. He came here mainly to relax thoroughly and relieve his tired body and mind. Therefore, Jade Butterfly, Hanmei, and Xianglan made an appointment not to ask about the martial arts world and not to distract Chang Xiao. From the outside, Chang Xiao's figure became thinner and thinner, and then began to recover, but he never recovered to his former burly appearance. Jade Butterfly found that Chang Xiao's arms, which used to be cast in copper and iron, had changed. They used to be harder than iron, but now they were much softer, but she still couldn't pinch them. It turned out that Chang Xiao's whole body was now full of true energy, and he naturally had resistance when encountering external forces. Jade Butterfly tried many times, but her jade hand was bounced back every time. Even an outsider could understand that Chang Xiao's martial arts had improved a lot and reached a new level. The four Hanmei girls were even happier. Chang Xiao's muscles became softer, and he had more fun when he was having fun, which was more enjoyable than before. Because of her restored appearance, Jade Butterfly became more and more confident. Recalling the scenery at the two beauties' gatherings, she wanted to let the world see her current appearance immediately. Chang Xiao had agreed to hold the third beauties' gathering, but it would have to wait until after his decisive battle with Duan Qingxiao. From this point of view, Chang Xiao was very confident in this battle. Jade Butterfly has made up her mind that she cannot bear the pain of losing her lover again. If Chang Xiao loses, she will commit suicide immediately. Now Chang Xiao comes less and less frequently, only once every two or even three months, but each time he comes, he stays for a few days longer. Jade Butterfly has a premonition that Chang Xiao's hard training has entered a critical stage, and all preparations have reached a critical juncture, and the time to the decisive battle is gradually shortening. After the two of them had a romantic moment on this day, when Chang Xiao was sleeping soundly, Jade Butterfly reached out and touched Chang Xiao's forehead. It was cold to the touch, and she couldn't help but be surprised. She quickly got up and asked Han Mei what was going on.

Hanmei had learned swordsmanship after all. Although she was not an expert, she knew some tricks. She comforted her, "Don't worry, sister. A master like the Flag Master cannot get sick. Look at the soles of the Flag Master's feet. Have you seen any changes?" Yu Hudie frowned and said, "The soles of his feet are red and steam is coming out of them." Hanmei smiled and said, "This means the Flag Master's internal strength has reached its peak and he has broken through the thousand-jin gate. This is a great joy." Yu Hudie was still worried and urged, "Sister, you'd better go and take a look. I don't know anything." Hanmei shook her head, "Sister, you don't know. The Flag Master can't sleep as soon as I enter the door. He can only sleep soundly if he trusts you completely." Yu Hudie was very happy, but she was still worried. After returning to Chang Xiao, she couldn't sleep anymore and just watched him quietly. Chang Xiao woke up, opened his eyes and saw Yu Hudie's concerned eyes, he couldn't help wondering, "Butterfly, why are you sleeping?" Yu Hudie sighed softly, "Your head is cold and your feet are hot. I thought you were sick, how could you sleep?" Chang Xiao smiled and said, "So that's it. I just broke through the thousand-jin gate of internal energy. The true energy runs up and down, and the yin and yang are exchanged. Because I have never experienced it, I have not collected the true energy, so you are worried." Yu Hudie leaned in Chang Xiao's arms and murmured, "You must have suffered a lot. Sister Hanmei said that it is extremely rare for people to break through the thousand-jin gate of internal energy. Even Buddhist monks and Taoist masters rarely do it. Even if they do, they are about a hundred years old." Chang Xiao smiled slightly. There were painful memories and the joy of success in his smile. He sighed softly, "Of course, suffering is inevitable, but for today's achievements, no matter how hard it is, it is not enough. It is also worth it. It's like climbing a mountain. Although the climbing process is hard, the scenery on the top of the mountain is totally worth the effort. "The Jade Butterfly touched Chang Xiao's forehead again, and felt relieved when she felt nothing unusual. She said with confidence: "I dare say that Duan Qingxiao must not have suffered as much as you, and you will definitely be able to defeat him." Chang Xiao shook his head slightly: "It is a good thing to have confidence, but you can't relax. Duan Qingxiao is a martial arts genius and cannot be measured by the eyes of ordinary people. The process of practicing internal skills is not only difficult, but also very dangerous. If you make a mistake, you will become a useless person. There must be something extraordinary about his success." The Jade Butterfly refused and said: "I don't care, you must defeat him. I'm still waiting to hold the Qunfang Meeting. You promised me in person." Chang Xiao smiled and nodded: "Don't worry, I will do what I promised. This time the Qunfang Meeting will be ten times more lively than the previous two times."

On one side, Chang Xiao made a breakthrough, and on the other side, Duan Qingxiao also made progress. The intelligence sent by Tang Shiyu was not very accurate. It was true that Duan Qingxiao practiced in seclusion, but he did not sit in meditation to regulate his breathing. Instead, he practiced hard to deal with the electric shuttle. Chang Xiao could not escape again. After a period of preparation, the new attempt was finally completed. Tang Shiyu was not unaware of it, but deliberately concealed it. Duan Qingxiao's victory would be more beneficial to the court. Duan Qingxiao was happy about the progress and set up a wine to celebrate. Only Tang Shiyu sat opposite. Duan Qingxiao was in high spirits and kept urging him to drink. Tang Shiyu asked, "Master, are you so happy because you are sure of winning?" Duan Qingxiao smiled and stroked his beard, "It's not that I am sure of winning, but that I am sure of getting rid of my opponent. Last time we fought, I suffered a loss in my physical skills. Although I won, he escaped safely, which led to endless troubles. Now it's different. I have found a way to deal with the electric shuttle. Once we fight, Chang Xiao will definitely die." Tang Shiyu was very wary of Chang Xiao and advised, "Master, don't be careless. Chang Xiao is very brave. "Xiao is a very extraordinary person, and we must not take him lightly." Duan Qingxiao smiled and said, "Of course, it is extremely difficult to achieve such an achievement at his age, but it is too naive to think that he can beat me. There is no shortcut to internal strength. His sword energy cannot be stronger than mine. As long as he dies, I will invite several masters to jointly eliminate the Nether Swordsman, and the whole world will be the world of the Divine Sword Sect." Tang Shiyu raised his glass and said, "I wish the Sect Master to eliminate the disaster as soon as possible and unify the world." Duan Qingxiao laughed up to the sky and drank the glass. Although Duan Qingxiao was very confident, Tang Shiyu was still very worried. Chang Xiao had a long-term vision, which could be seen from the two things that he took over all the business of the South China Sea Fleet and formed an alliance with the Beggars' Sect. Such a person would not treat his life as a joke, and would not act rashly without full confidence. However, Duan Qingxiao was in high spirits, so it was not good to spoil his fun. Tang Shiyu knew that the reason why Duan Qingxiao was so confident was mainly because he saw two points, one was that he had a way to deal with the electric shuttle, and the other was that Chang Xiao's sword energy could not make a major breakthrough. But Chang Xiao must have his own reasons for secluded himself and practicing hard. He must be studying ways to deal with Duan Qingxiao. He is a person who cannot be judged by common sense. His experience from debuting in the martial arts world to becoming the leader of Nan Kunlun is already a miracle.

Since receiving the guidance of the Plum Blossom Mother, Wei Heyang has been practicing hard. Because of his solid foundation and the authentic inner strength of the Xuanmen, he has made rapid progress. His physical strength has increased by nearly one-fold. The big sword he used before was too light, so he remade a new one with double the weight, and it took two soldiers to carry it. When he appeared in the military martial arts performance, he won countless cheers and everyone was convinced. Wei Heyang was extremely happy and was very respectful to the Plum Blossom Mother. In addition to the fist and palm inner strength, the Emei Sect is also good at swordsmanship, but the moves are dense and the body movements are flexible, which is suitable for women. Wei Heyang tried several times but couldn't get the point. The Plum Blossom Mother specially selected three fierce killing moves and changed them to teach Wei Heyang as a life-saving move. After Wei Heyang finished learning, the Plum Blossom Mother said goodbye. Before leaving, she specifically reminded him that if he met someone who could break these three moves, he must not fight with him, and if the opponent recognized the source of the swordsmanship, he would not press too hard. Wei Heyang kept it in mind and sent the Plum Blossom Mother away respectfully. He felt a little strange in his heart. The Plum Blossom Mother was so amazing, why was the princess so useless? A thought almost missed the master. After this training, Wei Heyang made a big step forward and was supported by the whole army. The princess was also very happy. Although there is no war at present, we cannot relax our vigilance. Wei Heyang often trains soldiers and horses, and the 500 tiger guards around him are all very strong. One day, after training soldiers and horses, he returned to the camp to take off his armor. Someone came to tell him that the princess was waiting at Qinfeng Restaurant, the largest restaurant in the city. Wei Heyang was wondering why the princess wanted to go to the restaurant? Not to mention that the imperial chefs around him were first-class, even if the wine and food at Qinfeng Restaurant were really good, they could let them deliver them to the house. Without time to think about it, he packed up and led four soldiers out of the camp and rushed to Qinfeng Restaurant. The horse was very fast and soon arrived in front of the restaurant. He dismounted and walked in. He was even more puzzled. It turned out that it was very lively inside, and there were diners sitting at every table. According to the princess' temper, if she wanted to eat here, she would have asked someone to drive the diners away long ago. When she was wondering, the maid beside the princess came to invite him. Wei Heyang ordered his personal soldiers to wait outside, and he ate some wine and food casually, and followed the maid upstairs. When they arrived at the private room upstairs, they saw the princess wearing ordinary clothes, smiling at the dishes in front of her. Seeing Wei Heyang, she waved and said, "Come quickly, the food will get cold if you don't eat it now. This is a delicacy that is not even available in the palace."

As we all know, the imperial chefs in the palace are famous chefs from all over the country, and the ingredients are all first-class. What kind of dishes can't they make? Wei Heyang was puzzled, and asked after sitting down: "What dishes do the princess value so much?" Princess Rose smiled and said: "Didn't I tell you that I accompanied Grandpa to taste a table of delicious food. It was really the best delicacy. The imperial chefs brought it were ashamed of themselves." Wei Heyang suddenly woke up: "Is it the sky-high banquet that is circulated in various places?" Princess Rose nodded: "Yes, I have always wanted you to taste it, but there is no chance. The whereabouts of the two elders, Crystal, are uncertain. It's rare for them to come here, so I found a way to get a table of dishes and let you taste it." Wei Heyang smiled and said: "Then I will thank the princess." The maid served wine, and the couple tasted the delicious food. Although Wei Heyang was not particular about food and drink, he could distinguish the pros and cons of these dishes and praised them highly. Princess Rose was also very happy. Wei Heyang practiced every day and practiced hard. The more he consumed, the larger his appetite. The princess ate slowly, but Wei Heyang seemed to be a whirlwind and ate most of it quickly. Princess Rose was quite regretful: "Such exquisite dishes were all ruined by you. You have to savor them carefully to appreciate their beauty." Wei Heyang smiled and said, "Eating in the army has always been like this. There is no time to chew slowly. Once the drums of war sound, there is nothing to eat and we can only go hungry. These dishes are indeed different. Why doesn't that fish have bones?" Princess Rose explained: "The pearl fish is a vegetarian dish, not a real fish, so it has no bones." Wei Heyang was surprised and said, "He must be a master to be able to make vegetarian dishes taste like fish." The maid next to her interrupted: "The princess likes pearl fish the most. She has been waiting for a long time, but unfortunately she still didn't get to eat it." Wei Heyang saluted quickly: "It's my fault for being reckless and never asking the princess." Princess Rose smiled and said, "Why are you two being so polite." Wei Heyang said, "Where is the cook? Let someone run and order another one." Princess Rose shook her head: "The two elders of Crystal are here. They are drinking with friends. They have a rule that they can only go into the kitchen once for each meal. It's useless to go." Wei Heyang stood up and said, "I'll try it or not." He turned and walked out.

Nowadays, the two elders of Crystal are very famous. Wherever they go, they attract attention. Chefs from all over the country want to learn a few tricks. Unfortunately, no one can follow their example. These two have a deep foundation in martial arts, which ordinary chefs certainly cannot compare with. At this time, the two were indeed accompanying a friend to drink. This friend was Wu Qingyang. Since taking over Wuling Villa, Wu Qingyang felt that he was overwhelmed and many people did not take him seriously. This is not the fault of others. First, his martial arts and swordsmanship are indeed difficult to convince the public. Second, after Mr. Tang left, the strange array of the villa had no one to preside over it, and it lost its function. Everyone felt that they had no one to rely on. At the beginning, Wu Qingyang worked very hard, but there was no progress at all. Later, Wu Qingyang lost confidence. Even if his martial arts and swordsmanship went further, the strange array could not be learned in a short time. He hired several people one after another, and they all admitted that they were powerless when they saw the array diagram. After several disappointments, Wu Qingyang was discouraged and missed the days when he was alone in the world with a sword. So he handed things over to others and left Wuling Villa alone to become a swordsman who helped the weak. After wandering for a long time and experiencing the fun, I don't want to go back even more. I accidentally heard about the two elders of Shuijing and wanted to taste their cooking skills. I went to Jiangnan to look for them, and indeed met them. At first, I didn't recognize them. Later, Wu Qingyang saw the clues from their dishes, and Duan Xiyun no longer concealed it. The three of them revealed their identities. They were all martial artists, so they naturally had similar temperaments. They stayed together and had been here for several days. Because Duan Xiyun and Yin Tianlei were dressed as old men, Wu Qingyang also dressed as an old man. The three of them called each other brothers and were quite close. Wei Heyang learned where the two elders of Shuijing were, and came to the door and coughed. Wu Qingyang smiled and said, "Here comes an official. Should we pay our respects?" Duan Xiyun praised, "Brother Wu is indeed an old man in the world, much better than me." Wei Heyang was surprised outside the door. The person inside actually heard that he was a government official from his cough. It was really not simple. After entering the room, he clasped his fists and said, "I am so rude. Please forgive me." Wu Qingyang looked at him and nodded, "So you are a general in the army. I am sorry for the inconvenience. Come over and have a chat." Wei Heyang was even more puzzled. Who on earth was this person? How could he tell at a glance that he was a general in the army? Yin Tianlei, who was standing beside him, was also puzzled and asked, "How did Brother Wu determine this person's identity?" Wu Qingyang smiled and said, "First, we have to ask if the guess is correct. If it is not correct, there is nothing to say." Wei Heyang nodded, "What the old gentleman said is not wrong. I do serve in the army and my rank is not low. I wonder how the old gentleman knew it?"

The most surprised person was Yin Tianlei. It was incredible that he could tell his identity from his voice even though they had never met. After Wei Heyang sat down, Wu Qingyang said, "When traveling in the martial arts world, the most important thing is not necessarily martial arts, but brains. You need to learn more and see more. The more you experience, the more accurate your judgment will be. It can determine life and death at critical moments. You must always pay attention to any disturbances around you. The footsteps of this general are completely different from those of ordinary people, and his cough carries the authority of an official, so I determined that the visitor is an official of the imperial court. After entering the door, his fist-clasping posture clearly showed traces of a military salute. After his hands fell, he naturally supported the hilt of the sword with one hand and swiped forward with the other hand before falling. This is a habitual action when sitting behind the commander's desk. You have to support the command flag and arrow first. To be able to sit behind the commander's desk, one must have a third-rank title at least, so I determined that the visitor is a military official. Lieutenant General." Wei Heyang praised: "It's really smart, I admire it." Yin Tianlei still didn't understand: "Why can't I see it at all?" Wu Qingyang smiled and said: "You haven't paid attention. From the dishes you cook, you have already mastered it, but you lack experience." Yin Tianlei nodded: "It's true that I have learned a lot by being with Brother Wu." Duan Xiyun knew that Wu Qingyang was an old man, so it was not surprising that he had such a good eye. He asked: "I wonder what the general wants to visit?" Wei Heyang replied: "To be honest with you three, I came here specifically to ask for a pearl fish." Duan Xiyun smiled and said: "The rules of our brothers are well known to the world. It is really difficult to agree. I hope the general will forgive me." Wei Heyang hurriedly said: "I am willing to pay a thousand taels of silver."

Chapter 85: Qingyang Swordsman

When Wei Heyang said this, Duan Xiyun and Yin Tianlei smiled at each other. Yin Tianlei explained, "General, you don't know that we brothers have no shortage of gold and silver, and the rules have been set long ago. If we change them casually, it will not be a rule." Wei Heyang was of a high rank, and he would not be humble if it was not for the princess. Hearing this, he was angry. At this time, Wu Qingyang interrupted and said, "I didn't expect that the general actually possessed authentic internal skills. Can you tell me where he got his master from?" Wei Heyang was even more surprised, and he looked at Wu Qingyang with new eyes. He replied, "I have only practiced internal skills for a short time, and it is inevitable that I will laugh at experts. To be honest, the Plum Blossom Mother of Emei Sect once gave me some advice." Wu Qingyang nodded, "So that's the case. My two brothers, since this general has obtained the internal skills of Emei Sect, he can be regarded as a fellow martial artist, and he has no official airs. It is extremely rare. Can you make an exception?" Yin Tianlei smiled and said, "Brother Wu, since you have spoken, I will serve you." Wei Heyang was surprised by Wu Qingyang's eyesight and was full of curiosity about this person. Yin Tianlei went to the kitchen to clean up, Wei Heyang asked: "This old gentleman has extraordinary eyesight, he must be a martial arts master, can you give me some advice?" Wu Qingyang smiled and said: "My two tricks are not worth mentioning. There are many people in the world who are better than me. They just rely on experience to make a living." Wei Heyang shook his head: "He can guess my identity because of experience. It's not so easy to see that I have learned authentic internal skills. It's impossible without a solid martial arts foundation." Duan Xiyun smiled and said: "You are right. This brother Wu has a profound family background. His internal skills and swordsmanship are first-class. He helps the poor and the needy, and is quite famous for being a hero. He is admired by all parties." Wu Qingyang hurriedly said: "Don't listen to his nonsense, I These two tricks can only barely stand on their own feet. The Plum Blossom Mother is a first-class master. "Duan Xiyun disagreed: "Brother Wu, why should you be too modest? The Plum Blossom Mother's cultivation is slightly inferior to the four famous sects. Brother Wu once competed with the Huashan Sect Leader Chixia Zhenren in swordsmanship and won after a thousand moves. It is still a good story among the people in the martial arts world. "Wu Qingyang shook his head: "Chixia Zhenren is a Taoist master who does not care about winning or losing." Wei Heyang had learned about various masters in the martial arts world. The Plum Blossom Mother was indeed not as good as the four famous sects. Hearing that Wu Qingyang had defeated the Huashan Sect Leader, he was a first-class master. He could not miss it no matter what, so he sincerely asked for advice. Wu Qingyang was frank: "The martial arts of the Emei Sect are suitable for women. The swordsmanship is light and the changes in moves are relatively complicated. It is not suitable for you. Since you are commanding thousands of troops, you must first have an overwhelming momentum. This kind of momentum cannot be faked. "Wei Heyang certainly understood the reason and nodded repeatedly.

Wu Qingyang was indeed knowledgeable and could talk endlessly about the art of war. Wei Heyang knew that he had met an expert and sincerely asked for advice. After the two chatted for a long time, Yin Tianlei came in with a food box and said with a smile: "It takes skill to make pearl fish, so I just made a few side dishes." Wei Heyang then remembered the princess, stood up and clasped his fists and said: "Thank you for coming, I'll have someone send silver later." Yin Tianlei shook his head: "Brother Wu's words are much more useful than your one thousand taels of silver." If it was when he first came in, Wei Heyang would definitely not agree. After a conversation, he already understood that Wu Qingyang was a rare person in the world and could not be measured by silver. People who practice martial arts don't like to be fussy. Wei Heyang took the food box and thanked Yin Tianlei, then turned to Wu Qingyang and said, "Could you please come to my house and stay for a few days, old gentleman?" Wu Qingyang nodded and said, "You can be my guest, but the date is uncertain. I'll go when the time comes." Wei Heyang was overjoyed and pointed to the west and said, "My house is just outside the west gate." Before he could finish, Wu Qingyang stopped him and said, "No need to elaborate. I know your identity and naturally know where your house is." Wei Heyang admired him even more. He bowed and said goodbye, without mentioning the meeting with the princess. Yin Tianlei looked at Wei Heyang walking away and asked, "Brother Wu, why do you care so much about this person?" Duan Xiyun also found it strange. Wu Qingyang explained, "This person is the current emperor's son-in-law, Jingnan Hou Feihu General Wei Heyang, who commands the 30,000 most elite troops in Jiangnan." Duan Xiyun asked, "Brother Wu, how do you know this person is Wei Heyang?" Wu Qingyang smiled and said, "The Holy Mother of Plum Blossoms would never pass on the Emei martial arts to outsiders, let alone to government officials. There is only one explanation. The current Rose Princess is a registered disciple of the Holy Mother of Plum Blossoms, and only her son-in-law can obtain the Emei internal strength." Duan Xiyun asked in confusion. "Even if he is the emperor's consort, so what? It is an iron rule for people from the martial arts world not to interfere in government affairs." Wu Qingyang smiled and said, "Not interfering in government affairs does not mean that they cannot interact with officials of the court. Famous and upright sects such as Shaolin and Wudang have received imperial decrees. Wasn't Qiu Chuji of Quanzhen Sect also honored as a guest official by Genghis Khan? The three heroes and five righteous men around Bao Longtu in the Northern Song Dynasty were all martial artists. They helped Bao Gong catch thieves and eliminate harm for the people, and they were still praised by people. The real meaning of not interfering in government affairs is that you cannot be used by the court to oppress the people, and you cannot be involved in the disputes between factions in the court. As for helping the court to benefit the people, that is what we should do."

Duan Xiyun and Yin Tianlei looked at each other, unable to come to their senses for a while, and remained silent for a long while. Wu Qingyang explained, "It's not easy for you to understand what happened in the past. Now, the Emei Sect has been around for hundreds of years and is respected by all the major sects. But why didn't anyone stand up and criticize the Plum Blossom Mother who accepted the imperial princess as her disciple? The reason is that she did not participate in the court disputes and was used by the government." Duan Xiyun was quick-witted and nodded, "I understand a little. Martial artists also need to survive and deal with the government. It is impossible to stay out of the world and have nothing to do with dealing with the government." Yin Tianlei smiled and said, "That's right. The major sects are based in the martial arts world, and they can't avoid dealing with the government." Although Duan Xiyun kept his real name, he was always concerned about the affairs of the martial arts world. Unlike Yin Tianlei, who was carefree, he naturally had to ask about it when he met an old martial arts master. So he asked, "Brother Wu has been in the martial arts world for many years. What do you think of the current situation?" Wu Qingyang smiled and said, "The situation in the martial arts world is very clear now. On one side are many masters headed by the old master of Lingzu, and on the other side are Chang Xiao and his Nether Swordsmen. After the battle at the Cliff of Broken Souls, Chang Xiao became invisible and secretly developed his strength and improved his martial arts. As his strength increased, his attitude gradually became tougher. You have naturally heard about the Blood Shadow Banner. Chang Xiao is indeed far-sighted. He has seized all the business of the South China Sea Fleet and has received the full support of the Beggar Gang. Once he returns to the martial arts world, he will rise rapidly and his strength will not be inferior to that of Lingzu." Duan Xiyun was naturally not as well-informed as Wu Qingyang. He shook his head and sighed when he heard this. One of these two people was his own grandfather, and the other was a great benefactor who saved him from danger. Unfortunately, they were at odds with each other, and he was really in a dilemma. Yin Tianlei was very relaxed. After these days, he learned a lot of martial arts principles from cooking and gained a lot. He didn't care much about other things. Wu Qingyang saw through Duan Xiyun's thoughts and sighed, "I got to know Wei Heyang just to leave a way out for the future. Judging from the current situation, once Chang Xiao wins, he will surely dominate the world, and Wuling Villa will find it difficult to protect itself." Duan Xiyun asked in confusion, "Brother Wu saved Chang Xiao's life, how could you have such thoughts?" Wu Qingyang shook his head, "Chang Xiao is no longer the leader of the Julong Gang. It's true that I saved his life, but he also faced the number one swordsman to save my son and me. I don't have the face to mention his life-saving grace anymore." Yin Tianlei interrupted, "No matter when and where, the owner of the villa is still the owner of the villa."

Of course, there is some truth in what Yin Tianlei said. Duan Xiyun also had some doubts. A person's character is innate and difficult to change. Wu Qingyang shook his head slightly: "Many fellows have asked me why I didn't take the opportunity to get closer to Chang Xiao when he was rising in the world." Duan Xiyun nodded: "Yes, I wonder too. Brother Wu is an old man in the world. It is impossible for him not to see the situation." Wu Qingyang sighed: "To be honest with you, Wu has been rolling in the world and has seen many people. There is only one person I can't see through, and that person is Chang Xiao. After I rescued him, I was sure that he would become a leader of the new generation, and I wanted to make friends with him sincerely. After he became the leader of the Julong Gang, I went to the mountain to visit him. My original intention was to get closer to him. It was also perfect to become sworn brothers. It's all possible. But after a closer look, I found that there was a kind of power hidden in his eyes that I couldn't understand at all. This power was extremely terrifying and it didn't exist in this world at all. It seemed to come from hell, which made me feel terrified from the bottom of my heart. From that moment on, I changed my mind and decided not to get too close to this person. Don't reveal this secret. So far, I have never mentioned it to anyone, including my father. "Yin Tianlei and Duan Xiyun looked at each other. Wu Qingyang's martial arts skills could not be bluffing. It must be an extremely terrifying power that could make such a master feel terrified from the bottom of his heart. Duan Xiyun asked, "Brother Wu, have you met my grandfather?" Wu Qingyang nodded, "Of course I have. Although your grandfather is a master of swords, he is still a human being in essence. There is nothing to be afraid of. Chang Xiao is different. Once that terrible power erupts, God knows what will happen. Therefore, I believe that Chang Xiao will definitely sit on the throne of the supreme master of the martial arts world. At that time, I am afraid that the whole martial arts world will change drastically." Duan Xiyun was concerned about his grandfather's safety and frowned, saying, "According to this, my grandfather is destined to die under the dragon scale sword." Wu Qingyang shook his head, "Not necessarily. Chang Xiao is a person who cannot be measured by common sense. Maybe one day he will turn enemies into friends with your grandfather." Duan Xiyun felt incredible. Wu Qingyang stood up and said, "I am just talking nonsense, and you are just listening nonsense. The actions of these two super strong men are simply unpredictable. I have to make some preparations for the future, so I'll take my leave."

After Wu Qingyang left, Duan Xiyun didn't come back to his senses for a long time. Yin Tianlei persuaded him, "Anyway, we have no ability to intervene, so we should just cook and have fun, and live a fairy life." Duan Xiyun nodded, "It's the only way." The two packed up and continued to travel around. After Wei Heyang got the pearl fish, the princess was naturally happy. Wei Heyang told the princess what happened and told her that he had met a martial arts master. The princess was very happy and told Wei Heyang not to miss the good opportunity. After the couple returned home happily, Wei Heyang couldn't forget it and told the gatekeeper to report immediately if a burly old man came to visit, and he must not be rude. The gatekeeper naturally agreed, and from then on he would be more careful when seeing the old man, for fear of neglecting the distinguished guest. But more than ten days passed, and no old man came to the door at all, so the gatekeeper didn't take it seriously. One afternoon, the gatekeeper was taking a nap when a woodcutter carrying two large bundles of dry firewood walked by the gate. The gatekeeper remembered that he had told the kitchen staff in the morning that there was not much dry firewood left, so he said, "Stop, we want this firewood." The woodcutter was a middle-aged man with thick eyebrows and broad eyes. He looked honest and simple. He smiled and said, "I'm sorry, but this is the firewood specially made for the prefect's house. It can't be sold to other families." The gatekeeper pointed to the golden plaque on the door and smiled, "Do you know how to read? This is the residence of the current son-in-law, Marquis of Jingnan. The prefect is nothing. When you come here, let alone the princess and the son-in-law, even if they see me, they dare not be rude. Carry it in." The woodcutter scratched his head and asked, "I know that a higher-ranking official can crush people. Is your marquis really better than the prefect? Big?" The gatekeeper laughed, "You are such a country bumpkin, have you never heard of the royal family? If our Lord stamps his feet, the whole of Jiangnan will tremble three times." The woodcutter nodded in agreement. The gatekeeper led the woodcutter into the mansion through the side door and went straight to the kitchen. After placing the firewood properly, he turned around and ordered, "Come with me to the account office to get the money." The woodcutter was surprised and said, "Give me money? The prefect has never given me money." The gatekeeper laughed and said, "How would you know? Our Lord was born in poverty and knows the hardships of the people. He has long established rules not to oppress the people. I also came from a poor family. Even if I want to make money, I will find a way to get it from those officials, not your two copper coins." The woodcutter went to the account office to get the money, thanked him profusely and left. The gatekeeper still returned to the door to wait.

This woodcutter is Wu Qingyang. In order to get to know Wei Heyang, it is necessary to understand the character of this person from all aspects. If he is arrogant and treats the people as grass, then just leave. After understanding, it is initially determined that Wei Heyang has not forgotten his roots, never oppressed the people, and rarely interacted with local officials. He stayed in the army most of the time and had a good reputation. As for the Rose Princess's ostentation, that is the usual style of the royal family, and has nothing to do with Wei Heyang. After making up his mind, Wu Qingyang dressed up as an old man again and came to the gate of Wei Heyang's mansion again when the lights were on. The gatekeeper had just finished his meal and was resting in the gatehouse with a pot of tea. When he heard the door knocker ring, he looked out of the gatehouse and found an old man. He immediately remembered what Wei Heyang had said, put down the teapot and ran out to open the door. It turns out that there are rules for opening the door. Officials below the fourth rank can only go through the small door, and those above the third rank can open the big door. The prefect is only the fifth rank, so the gatekeeper doesn't take it to heart. This time is different. The visitor is the distinguished guest of the Marquis and must not be neglected. The gatekeeper opened the door and bowed to the ground: "Old sir, you are here. The Marquis asked about you when he went out this morning." Wu Qingyang pretended: "I don't know Marquis Jingnan. I just have a relative who works in the mansion, so I came to visit." The gatekeeper was stunned, then laughed: "Don't joke, old sir. People who come here to visit relatives never go through the front gate. Although it is not the capital, the rules must be followed." Wu Qingyang nodded and smiled: "It's not difficult for you. I am the person that Marquis Jingnan is waiting to see." The gatekeeper was overjoyed and rushed to the front to lead the way, muttering: "That's great, I'll lead the way for the old sir." Wu Qingyang shook his head: "No need. I can tell nothing about the grass and trees in the mansion." The gatekeeper was stunned. Although the marquis said that the visitor was a strange man from the mountains, it was impossible for him to know the details of the mansion. Wu Qingyang knew that the gatekeeper would not believe him, so he casually described the layout of the mansion, the roads, and even the gardens and pavilions. The gatekeeper was stunned. Is there really such a strange person in the world?

Actually, it is very simple. Wu Qingyang had investigated it carefully, so he knew the answer. There was another purpose for talking to the gatekeeper. He would have to come and go frequently in the future, and deal with people in the mansion. It would be good to leave a mysterious impression on others through the gatekeeper. He walked forward, and the gatekeeper followed behind him, saying with a smile: "The Marquis has not returned from training, and the old gentleman can wait in the flower hall." Wu Qingyang shook his head: "The Marquis of Jingnan entered the mansion from the west corner gate two quarters ago, and is now in the study." The gatekeeper was quite surprised. How could this old man know something he didn't know? Although he was suspicious, he followed Wu Qingyang to the study. When he arrived outside the study, Wu Qingyang pointed and said: "Go in and report it." The gatekeeper thought: Is the Marquis in there? If he is, this old man is a living god. He took a peek at the door and saw the sword and quiver hanging on the wall. He couldn't help but stick out his tongue. This old guy is really amazing. Wei Heyang changed out of his armor and was checking the roster behind the desk. The gatekeeper noticed him as soon as he arrived at the door and asked, "What's the matter?" The gatekeeper came in and reported, "My lord, the old gentleman has arrived and is just outside the door." Wei Heyang was overjoyed and immediately got up to change his clothes. The gatekeeper served him and praised him. Wei Heyang asked, "What are you mumbling about?" The gatekeeper smiled bitterly and said, "This guest is different. He is like a little Zhuge Liang and knows everything." Wei Heyang asked what happened and smiled, "This person is a strange man today. He knows everything about the past and the present, and has great magical powers. Even I dare not offend him."

Chapter 86 Return to the Arena

Wei Heyang thought highly of Wu Qingyang. He changed his clothes and went out to greet him. Wu Qingyang supported him and said, "I am unworthy of your great gift, sir." Wei Heyang said ashamedly, "You are joking, sir. My ability is nothing in front of you." The two sat down in the study. Wei Heyang ordered someone to prepare fine wine and delicious food. Wu Qingyang did not refuse. Wei Heyang smiled and said, "Don't laugh at me, sir. The chefs in the mansion are far inferior to the two elders Shuijing." Wu Qingyang nodded and said, "That's right, but the dishes of the two elders Shuijing are not really the best. I was fortunate enough to taste the dishes baked by the martial arts masters in my early years. Corn, that is the ultimate delicacy, but it's a pity that there is only one chance. "Wei Heyang also came from a poor family, so of course he knew the taste of roasted corn. He wondered in his heart and asked, "What's so special about roasted corn? What kind of taste can this kind of food have when roasted?" Wu Qingyang shook his head: "Although roasted corn is ordinary, it contains the spirit of top masters. The truth in it is very subtle, and you will understand it later." Wei Heyang wanted to ask the princess to come out and meet the master, but Wu Qingyang refused: "No need, the royal family is noble and has many rules, and people in the mountains are not used to it." Wei Heyang did not insist. The two sat opposite each other in the pavilion in the back garden and drank. Wei Heyang was most concerned about martial arts. The swordsmanship of the Emei School was not suitable for men, but this old man was a first-class swordsman and must have profound swordsmanship. Wu Qingyang has been immersed in swordsmanship for many years and has some experience. It is more than enough for him to instruct Wei Heyang. After drinking, the two came to the martial arts training ground. Wu Qingyang took the opportunity to perform a sword technique. Wherever the sword light reached, the weapon racks scattered and the stone locks broke. Wei Heyang was shocked and bowed down: "The old gentleman is really a god. If you don't abandon me, I am willing to become your disciple." Wu Qingyang also had this idea in his mind, but he couldn't act too hastily. He helped Wei Heyang up and smiled: "It's difficult for me to be a teacher with my trivial skills. Let's talk about becoming your disciple later." Wei Heyang understood that the higher the martial arts status, the more cautious they would be in accepting disciples, so he didn't insist. Wu Qingyang watched Wei Heyang perform martial arts and gave him some advice: "Although you have obtained the authentic internal skills of the Emei Sect, you have not fully integrated them into yourself. Although you have made some progress, it is not the right way. There is still a certain gap between you and the real masters." Wei Heyang naturally understood and bowed: "Please give me more advice, old sir. If you make any progress, I will never forget your kindness." Wu Qingyang nodded: "Everyone's conditions are different. The eighteen martial arts that are often mentioned in novels are just exaggerations. In fact, it is not easy to master a weapon. Don't be greedy." Wei Heyang completely agreed. Wu Qingyang took out a picture and gave instructions: "This is a weapon I designed for you. I also know the moves. Once you master it, it will not be difficult to become an invincible general on the battlefield." Wei Heyang was overjoyed and thanked him: "I will repay you for your help, old sir." Wu Qingyang smiled and said: "Don't thank me yet. It's hard to say whether I can practice it."

The first step is of course to forge weapons. Wei Heyang is a general in command of troops and a son-in-law of the current dynasty, so it is natural for him to forge weapons. The message was passed down, and the craftsmen were summoned to prepare fine iron and start the furnace to forge weapons. Wu Qingyang designed a giant sword with a length of four feet and eight inches, a handle of nearly six feet, a width of four inches and eight points, and a very heavy weight. Dozens of craftsmen took turns to forge it, day and night. Wu Qingyang first helped Wei Heyang sort out the life-saving swordsmanship passed down by the Holy Mother of Plum Blossom. With such a master's guidance, Wei Heyang naturally gained a lot. Soon the giant sword was completed, with a net weight of sixty-three pounds, and the whole body was black. Wu Qingyang also covered the hilt with gold to make up sixty-four pounds. Wei Heyang tried it, and although he could pick it up, he was unable to swing it. Wu Qingyang brought the giant sword to the martial arts training ground, asked Wei Heyang to retreat outside, held the hilt with both hands, and the qi ran through his arms. The giant sword rose at hand without any effort. Wei Heyang could still see clearly the first few moves. Later, Wu Qingyang's swordsmanship unfolded, his figure flew, and the giant sword protected his whole body like a black dragon. Wei Heyang was stunned. There was such a fierce martial arts in the world, which was simply not something that ordinary people could resist. Wu Qingyang was excited and shouted. The giant sword hit out from all sides, with magnificent momentum and indestructible. The wall collapsed with a loud bang. Wu Qingyang smiled and put away the sword without changing his face. Wei Heyang was very surprised. If he could master this swordsmanship, he would be invincible on the battlefield. The princess heard the loud noise and sent someone to check. When she learned the truth, she was happy for her husband and urged her husband to worship the old man as his teacher. Wei Heyang knew that the opportunity was not to be missed. After mentioning it many times, Wu Qingyang no longer insisted and officially accepted Wei Heyang as a registered disciple. Because of Wei Heyang's special status, it was impossible for him to leave the government and become an inner disciple. Since they have become a master and an apprentice, they can no longer hide their identities. Wu Qingyang told Wei Heyang his identity and true face, and took the time to teach him swordsmanship. Wei Heyang was extremely hardworking. He threw away what he had learned before, practiced hard, and made rapid progress. Of course, Wu Qingyang would not always stay in the mansion. He would go out every now and then to inquire about the trends in the martial arts world. After several months of hard training, Wei Heyang was finally able to wield a giant sword. Needless to say, he was very happy. Wei Heyang was very grateful for Wu Qingyang's hands-on teaching. In a blink of an eye, a year passed, and Wei Heyang could already wield a giant sword skillfully. Wu Qingyang found out that the construction of Julong Villa was completed and a grand ceremony would be held. The world-famous monk Baekje Master was invited as a guest. Wu Qingyang immediately deduced that Chang Xiao was going to leave the mountain, which was a top priority, so he found Wei Heyang to explain and prepared to leave.

Hearing that his master was leaving, Wei Heyang was naturally reluctant to let him go and tried his best to keep him. Wu Qingyang smiled and said, "You have already mastered the swordsmanship, but you need to hone your skills slowly if you are not yet ready. Don't be impatient. I have nothing to teach you, and there is nothing to do here. Nan Kunlun is leaving the mountains, and the world is shaking. I have to go. I will come to see you in the future." Wei Heyang knew that he could not keep him, so he held a farewell banquet and prepared a lot of gifts. Wu Qingyang shook his head and refused: "My family business is not small, so I don't need these." Wei Heyang said, "I have received great kindness from my master, so I have to express my gratitude." Wu Qingyang nodded: "In this case, you can use this money to help the poor people, and I will be grateful." Wei Heyang nodded in agreement. Before leaving, Wu Qingyang took out a long box and handed it to Wei Heyang solemnly, admonishing him: "We are a master and a disciple, and it is also a predestined relationship. I am giving you the Chihuang sword that I have treasured for many years. Seeing the sword reminds me of you. I hope you will not slack off." Wei Heyang took the sword and looked at it carefully. The sword body was dark red and cold. He was overjoyed and thanked him. Wu Qingyang admonished: "This sword is not comparable to ordinary weapons. It can cut iron like mud. Don't use it lightly unless it is a critical moment." Wei Heyang agreed and was very happy. In the near future, he will become a truly invincible general. After Wu Qingyang explained, he set off alone. His destination was of course Julong Villa. On the way, he heard that Julong Villa had changed its name. It is now called the Never-Sleeping City. It was the idea of Master Baekje. Wu Qingyang understood that it was difficult for others to invite this master. Only Chang Xiao had this face. It was unclear why the name was changed. This news is absolutely true. Julong Villa has been renamed Never-Sleeping City. After the project was completed, Chang Xiao's practice had also achieved its goal. He officially issued a martial arts post, and Nan Kunlun returned to the arena. This news naturally caused a sensation, and people from all walks of life were trying to find out the details. The first guest Chang Xiao invited was Master Baekje. This world's number one monk came happily, and Chang Xiao welcomed him grandly. Master Baekje came to the castle and was surprised to see such a scale. Chang Xiao solemnly welcomed him. The two beauties beside him were Princess Yueying and her daughter Qingting, and then the four brothers Hetong and Jiantong. The netherworld swordsman headed by Fang Zishou did not show up, perhaps he was somewhere else. Chang Xiao was the first to bow down and greet the master, and Master Baekje returned the greeting: "I am a monk, I don't follow the secular etiquette, please stand up." Chang Xiao invited Master Baekje into the city. Master Baekje asked: "Why is the place where the words are engraved on the city empty? Doesn't a castle of this size have a name?" Chang Xiao smiled and said: "Master, I don't know, I still want to call it Julong City, but I feel a little awkward, so I was just about to ask you to give it a name."

Master Baekje was a great man in the world, with profound knowledge and deep understanding of Buddhist principles. He smiled and said, "Dragons fly through the nine heavens and travel across the four seas, but in the world, only the emperor is respected as the true dragon emperor. How can there be only one dragon? The Julong Gang and the Julong Villa could not last long because of the bad name. The name Julong should not be used anymore." Chang Xiao asked, "Since the master knew that the name was wrong, why didn't he say a word at the beginning?" Master Baekje sighed, "The rise and fall has been decided long ago, and I cannot reveal the secret." He Tong interrupted and asked, "Why is Julong Mountain okay?" Master Baekje explained, "The origin of Julong Mountain is The meaning is that the shape of the mountain is winding like a dragon, so it is naturally fine. "Chang Xiao asked: "Is Julong Town not inappropriate?" Master Baekje shook his head: "Julong Town is where the people live, and there is no conflict with the world, so there is no hindrance." Princess Yueying is a devout Buddhist and respects Master Baekje very much. She stepped forward and said: "Please give me a name, Master. The taste of the past few years is really unpleasant." Master Baekje smiled and said: "After all the hardships, there will be good days. In my opinion, this city is magnificent and magnificent. It can be named the City That Never Sleeps, which means splendor." Chang Xiao was overjoyed and thanked him. He immediately ordered people to carve it and spread it to the world. The architecture in the city is very exquisite. The stone pillars in the hall are several feet high, and the palaces and pavilions are extremely exquisite. Master Baekje naturally doesn't care. When he came to the hall, there were all kinds of dried and fresh fruits on the table, and the teapots and tea bowls were either gold or jade, which was extremely luxurious. Chang Xiao invited Master Baekje to take the seat, but Master Baekje declined, saying, "You are the only one who can sit in that position. I am a person who is not from the world and will not sit on the stove." Others did not understand, but Chang Xiao understood it very well. He stopped insisting and asked Master Baekje to sit on the side. Of course, there was something important to invite this monk out. Chang Xiao asked Princess Yueying and her daughter and Jian Tong to leave, and he discussed with Master Baekje. Chang Xiao talked about the results of his hard work, and Master Baekje was full of praise, saying that it was God's will. Then he talked about the situation in the martial arts world. Just when he was talking about it, suddenly a red shadow floated in, like lightning, and it came close in the blink of an eye. It turned out to be a girl in red. Without thinking twice, she grabbed two fruits and ate them. Master Baekje laughed and said, "Why are you here?" Chang Xiao also thought it was funny, and asked, "Didn't the senior go back to Mount Emei? Why are you out again?" The person who came was the monk Shenmu, and only such a master could regard the tall city wall as nothing. Monk Shenmu took off his hat and said with a smile, "I haven't been back home yet. There's so much fun outside. Why stay in the mountains? Old monk, let me tell you something. I have completely defeated that bastard Wu Mu." Master Baekje was quite surprised: "How can you break the Shocking Wave Palm?"

Monk Shenmu was quite excited. It had been his long-cherished wish to defeat Wu Mu Zhenjun. Once he succeeded, one could imagine how happy he was. There was nothing to brag about to others. Wu Mu Zhenjun's name was hard for outsiders to know, but these two people were different, so Monk Shenmu came here. Since they had met, they naturally had to brag. Monk Shenmu danced with joy, gesticulating and bragging: "What's the big deal about the Jingtao Palm? I cracked it in two or three moves. Wu Mu was still unconvinced and tried eight times before he was completely defeated." Master Baekje asked with a smile: "If the Jingtao Palm was so easy to deal with, why did you compete for more than ten years?" Monk Shenmu naturally could not change his words, and defended himself: "That was because I let him go on purpose to save some face for Shangqing Palace." Master Baekje's martial arts skills were unfathomable. He knew that Monk Shenmu must have made a new breakthrough. If he asked directly, he would definitely not be able to get the answer, so he asked indirectly: "What moves did you use to win?" Monk Shenmu was very proud, and his right palm came out from under his clothes, drawing an arc, like a fish swimming. Master Baekje had a keen eye and shook his head and said with a smile: "This move is definitely not a martial art of the Emei Sect. Where did you learn it from?" The monk Shenmu frowned and said: "It is the Flying Fish Hand that I created myself. What's so special about it?" Master Baekje smiled and said: "You can deceive others but not me. If you met me one day earlier, I still didn't understand. Today is different. This move of yours is clearly from the same source as what the donor Chang has obtained through hard work." The monk Shenmu made a face and said: "You are bragging. It turns out that you already know it. Yes, the Flying Fish Hand was thought up by this flag owner. Yes, but I also spent a lot of effort to implement it. "Master Baekje nodded: "That's right, you got a benefit from him, what did you give as a thank you gift?" Monk Shenmu smiled: "I gave him the Seven Falcon Styles that I won from Wu Mu." Master Baekje pointed and said: "You are smart and took such a big advantage." Chang Xiao interrupted: "Although the Seven Falcon Styles are useless to me, they are extremely important to my subordinates, so we all get something." Monk Shenmu smiled and said: "That's right, he doesn't mind, what's the matter with the old monk?"

The three talked about martial arts, exchanged what they had learned, and talked and laughed. Princess Yueying took her daughter Qingting to drink tea on a corner tower, and Jiantong and Qintong accompanied them to talk. Qingting wanted to know what her father had been like in the past few years, but Jiantong and Qintong didn't know either. Although they met from time to time, they didn't know where Chang Xiao was practicing, and they knew nothing about the process of practice. While chatting and laughing, Dragonfly saw from afar that there was one more person in the hall, it turned out to be a young girl. Wondering, she asked the sword boy, "Look, is there one more person in the hall?" The sword boy looked carefully and smiled, "I was wondering who it was, it turned out to be her. Then again, apart from her, there are not many people who can come here silently." Dragonfly asked, "Who is this person? What skills does she have? Why does she have such magical powers?" The sword boy explained, "This person is not simple. You can see that she is delicate and young, but in fact, she is the only remaining master of Emei Sect and is already a hundred years old." Dragonfly shook his head, "You are talking nonsense, there can't be such a person in the world." The piano boy smiled and said, "We didn't believe it at first, but then we saw Master Cunxin calling her Master, and the flag master exchanged martial arts experience with her, so we couldn't help but believe it." Dragonfly became curious and wanted to go over to take a closer look. Princess Yueying held her daughter, "Your father has been practicing hard for several years, you should know why, don't make trouble before you solve the big enemy." Dragonfly nodded in agreement. Qin Tong recounted the story of the exchange of the Ice Ruler with the Divine-Eyed Monk. Qingting was full of curiosity about this person and planned to find out more about him in the future. Princess Yueying looked around and sighed, "After leaving home for several years, he has become like this when he came back. The shadow of the past is gone. I really can't guess what he wants to do. What's the point of building such a castle?" Jian Tong explained, "In my opinion, the owner of the banner felt that he was too weak in the past and was looked down upon. This time he is back in the world, he will naturally make a big show and show his power." Qin Tong interrupted, "Since this place is called the City That Never Sleeps, the title of the owner of the banner should also be changed." Qingting clapped her hands in agreement, "That's right, he should be called the Lord of the City That Never Sleeps, Princess Yueying sighed, "When your father first entered the martial arts world, he became the leader of the Julong Gang, but it was disbanded not long after. Later, he built Julong Villa, and everyone called him the owner. After the battle at Yuhuangding, he was honored as the Southern Kunlun by the martial arts world. He was not happy for a few days before disaster struck. He became the public enemy of the martial arts world, and even the treasures in his home were taken away. Then he became the leader of the Blood Shadow Banner. Although I was not in the Central Plains, I know that he killed many people. Now he is called the Lord of the Never-Sleeping City. I hope this time it can last forever."

Chapter 87: Distinguished Guests

Chang Xiao's experience was really tortuous. Such examples were very rare. No one in the martial arts world could remain standing after several ups and downs. Princess Yueying's worries were not unreasonable. The magnificent Never-Sleeping City in front of her was real. Once Chang Xiao was defeated by Duan Qingxiao for the second time, the castle would become someone else's meal. All her efforts would be for others. The sword boy persuaded, "Princess, don't worry too much. The city lord has always been steady and would never return to the world without certainty. He must be sure of victory this time with such a big fuss." The piano boy also agreed, "Yes, the city lord has changed completely, as if he was reborn. He must have made a major breakthrough. Duan Qingxiao is nothing to worry about." Princess Yueying nodded, "I don't believe what others say, but I feel relieved when I see Master Baekje. This eminent monk must know the future pattern of the world. The fact that he can be a guest here is enough to show that my husband has a slightly better chance of winning." Dragonfly came over to persuade, "Didn't mother always say that father is the reincarnation of the Dragon King Pojie? Since he is a god, how can he lose to a mortal?" Princess Yueying sighed lightly, "Gods don't have mortal emotions, but your father has too many things on his mind. Even if he is a god, with so many concerns, he is no different from a mortal." Ever since Princess Huaying and her son were killed, Princess Yueying's spirit has been far worse than before. She has been thinking about all sorts of things every day. The three people took turns persuading her, and she finally put her worries aside temporarily. Three contemporary masters were sitting in the hall and talking, forgetting everything around them. Monk Shenmu knew that he had to maintain his status, but he couldn't help it. He wanted to grab the fruit in front of him. Master Baekje was calm and didn't care. Chang Xiao thought it was funny, but he could remain unmoved. The topic naturally turned to Duan Qingxiao. Monk Shenmu hesitated for a while and said, "I can't say for sure. Your cultivation is indeed rare. I am not afraid of you in an unarmed fight, but I am not afraid of you with weapons. Duan Qingxiao's sword energy is much more powerful than Wu Mu's Jingtao Palm. It's hard to say who will win if you two fight." Chang Xiao turned around and asked, "Master, what do you think?" Master Baekje smiled and said, "The answer to this question is in your heart. You don't need me to answer it." Chang Xiao smiled slightly, and his eyes met with Master Baekje's, and they understood each other tacitly. The monk Shenmu asked, "What are you guys talking about? Do you want to make a bet? I'll definitely accompany you." Chang Xiao changed the subject, "There will be a big event here in a few days. If you like, you can stay here." The monk Shenmu clapped his hands and said, "Don't forget me when there's a big event. I like everything delicious, drinkable, fun, and beautiful."

Since it was named the Never-Sleeping City, it was natural to decorate it. Chang Xiao ordered people to buy all kinds of lights, set up a mountain of lights on the tallest seven-story Lingxiao Tower in the city, and light up all the buildings in the city. At night, the city was as bright as day and colorful. From a distance, it seemed as if the palace in the sky had fallen to the mortal world. There were all kinds of strange and bizarre lanterns, which made the monk Shenmu happy. He ran around everywhere and took off the lanterns from time to time to play. If it was an ordinary wealthy family, it would be impossible to take care of so many lanterns, but for martial arts masters, it was a piece of cake. The sword boy and the piano boy were enough to handle thousands of lanterns. In addition to its large scale, the Never-Sleeping City also had many rare treasures. The South China Sea fleet had a large business, with a huge source of wealth, and gold and silver were not a problem. Therefore, the decorations of the Never-Sleeping City were extremely sophisticated. Master Baiji knew that Chang Xiao was not a person who coveted enjoyment, so he naturally had other intentions for doing so. While the monk Shenmu was busy playing, Chang Xiao asked Master Baiji: "I have a question in my mind. Can Duan Qingxiao and I really not coexist?" Master Baiji chanted the Buddha's name: "You still have to ask yourself this question. The key to the decisive battle between the two of you is not in martial arts and swordsmanship, but in the heart. Whoever has a higher realm is the winner. If you can't completely put aside life and death, honor and disgrace, you are not a real master at all." Chang Xiao nodded: "I understand, Master is really smart." Master Baiji understood that Chang Xiao had understood the meaning of the words and nodded secretly. Chang Xiao issued a martial arts notice to the world. The main purpose was to test the waters and see how many people are now standing on his side. Guests arrived one after another. The most important ones were Yan Nanlou of Nanhai and Ziyungu, the leader of the Beggar Gang. The four famous families did not express anything. Although Wu Qingyang arrived, he was not in a hurry to show up in public. In addition, the brothers Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai came to congratulate. Qi Shizhen and Jiang Feiluan did not come in person, but only sent people to deliver gifts. Wanxiantang also sent a valuable gift, but Mo Qilin did not show up. Since Master Baekje came to congratulate, Wu Qingyang judged that Chang Xiao had a great chance of winning, and he should publicly support him at this time. When he was preparing the gifts, he suddenly saw two people. They were Duan Xiyun and Yin Tianlei, who were transformed into the two crystal elders. They were still dressed as old men. Wu Qingyang did not change his clothes. The three met and talked for a while. Naturally, they were all for congratulations, so they came together.

Hearing that Wu Qingyang was coming, Chang Xiao personally went out to meet him. He saw that Wu Qingyang was dressed strangely. Wu Qingyang saw from Chang Xiao's appearance that this person's martial arts had made a big step forward, and praised: "Brother, you are really a god. I haven't seen you for several years, but you have achieved such an achievement. I am ashamed of you." Chang Xiao said modestly: "It's just luck. Without Wu's support, how could I be here today?" Seeing Chang Xiao's attitude, Wu Qingyang was relieved that Chang Xiao's nature had not changed. Zhan Yan smiled and said: "I came in a hurry and didn't prepare any gifts. I invited the world-famous Crystal Elders to come and support you." Chang Xiao was stunned: "Crystal Elders, are they newly rising martial arts masters?" The wine boy next to him smiled and said: "The city lord doesn't know that Crystal Elders are top chefs, and their skills are better than the royal chefs in the palace. I have tasted their skills and they are indeed top-notch delicacies." Chang Xiao understood and invited Wu Qingyang into the city. The first guest in the hall was naturally Master Baekje. Wu Qingyang approached and saluted. Master Baekje returned the salute, asked for information and sat down. Wu Qingyang was quite famous for being a hero. Ziyungu and Yan Nanlou were very respectful and invited him to take the seat. Wu Qingyang was always informal and greeted him and sat down. While drinking tea and chatting, Wu Qingyang found that there was an empty seat next to Master Baekje. He knew that the guest who could sit with such a great man must be extraordinary. While chatting, he found that a girl came in and sat directly next to Master Baekje. He was quite curious. Who was this girl? Just when he was wondering, Yan Nanlou asked, "Brother Wu, you have been in the martial arts world for a long time, do you recognize that woman?" Wu Qingyang smiled bitterly and shook his head, "I have never seen her. She is definitely not an ordinary person to sit with Master Baekje." Yan Nanlou nodded, "I am also wondering, others are very respectful to Master Baekje, but she is not very respectful, always calling him old monk." Seeing that her master was still dressed as a girl, Ziyun Gu was hesitating whether to make it clear. After thinking about it, she felt that it was impossible to hide it in such an occasion, so she said, "Don't guess, that's my master." Wu Qingyang was shocked. He had heard about the master of the Beggar Gang for a long time. Could it be that this girl was the only remaining master monk of the Emei Sect? It was incredible. Yan Nanlou didn't know, so he asked, "Who is the master of the gang leader?" Ziyun Gu smiled and said, "Swordsman Qingyang must know." Wu Qingyang nodded, "The gang leader's master is the famous monk Shenmu of the Emei Sect. He should be around a hundred years old." Yan Nanlou was surprised and said, "A hundred years old, how is it possible?" Wu Qingyang understood the reason and sighed, "It seems that this master has broken through the thousand-jin gate of internal energy. No wonder he can be on par with Master Baekje."

The banquet was set up, with a table for each person. The brothers Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai sat at the bottom. With their master around, they certainly didn't dare to act recklessly. The dishes were all made by Duan Xiyun and Yin Tianlei. Chang Xiao saw the dishes and smiled, "What are the two crystal elders? It turns out they are the two of them. It seems they have made a lot of progress." Others didn't understand, but Wu Qingyang understood and admired in his heart. It seemed that the gap between Chang Xiao and himself was getting bigger and bigger. He only saw that the two crystal elders had martial arts, and only knew their identities after a while. Chang Xiao could determine the true identities of the two with just one look. His realm was so high that he couldn't compare with them at all. The exquisite dishes immediately whetted the appetite of the monk Shenmu, but he couldn't eat meat. After eating all the other dishes, he stared at the pearl fish in a daze. Master Baekje smiled and said, "Don't worry, that fish is also a vegetarian dish." Bhikkhu Shenmu was half-believing and half-doubting. He picked up a piece and looked at it for a while and smiled, "It's really a vegetarian dish. You hid it from me. Your cooking skills are really extraordinary." Chang Xiao praised, "Master is really good. I only found out after I tasted it." Master Baekje explained, "To put it bluntly, it's very simple. I have been a vegetarian for many years and am very sensitive to meat and fish. Just like you know the cook very well, you can tell his identity at a glance." The two smiled at each other. Wu Qingyang concluded that Chang Xiao's cultivation was not far from that of Master Baekje and Bhikkhu Shenmu, who were over a hundred years old. At this time, there was no more jealousy, only admiration. The hardship of this journey was not something that ordinary people could imagine. Bhikkhu Shenmu quickly finished the dishes on the table, slapped the table and shouted, "I'm not full yet. Let them make some snacks and a big pot of lotus seed soup with more sugar." Someone passed the message down, and Duan Xiyun felt strange. Who would eat these when martial artists gathered? Could it be that there were children in the hall? Just then, He Tong and Jian Tong ran to the kitchen to get some food. Duan Xiyun asked, "Little brothers, do you know who wants the snacks?" Jian Tong laughed and said, "Who else could it be? It must be Monk Shenmu. It's really strange that a master of a hundred years can still be as fond of eating and playing as a child." Duan Xiyun was secretly surprised. There really is a master who can regain his youth. It seems that his cultivation is still far from enough. Since he is a top master, he naturally cannot neglect him. Duan Xiyun carefully made twelve-color snacks, some made into flowers, and some made into small animals. After serving them, Monk Shenmu clapped his hands and cheered. He was happy to see them but couldn't bear to eat them. Others found it funny. After hesitating for a long time, Monk Shenmu finally made up his mind, closed his eyes and ate all the snacks.

The sun was setting, and the monk Shenmu jumped up and shouted, "It's getting dark, hang up the lights, I want to go out and play for a while." Soon it was bright outside, the lights were brilliant, as bright as day. The monk Shenmu had already run away. Everyone was drinking tea and chatting in the hall. Duan Xiyun and Yin Tianlei still didn't want to show up, and lingered with Jian Tong and Qin Tong. At this time, someone came to report that a group of guests had come from outside the city. Chang Xiao had already received the news, and stood up and said to Master Baekje, "This guest is of an extraordinary status. I want to go out to greet him." Master Baekje nodded, "I'll go too, I haven't seen him for a long time." Wu Qingyang was wondering, who could make these two people greet him in person? Others also found it strange. After a while, voices came from outside. Chang Xiao and an old man came in side by side. Under the lights, it was clear that this old man was actually respected as a martial arts master, Chang Xiao's mortal enemy, the old master of the Divine Sword Sect, and the sword saint who had dominated the world for many years, Duan Qingxiao. Ziyun Gu and Yan Nanlou had never seen each other before. When Wu Qingyang learned the identity of the visitor, he was extremely surprised. How could he come here? The visitor was indeed Duan Qingxiao. The news that Chang Xiao returned to the martial arts world was expected long ago. Even Tang Shiyu had never thought that Duan Qingxiao would bring people to the Never-Sleeping City to congratulate him. As a top master, he must have different thinking from ordinary people. Wanqi Song, Duan Xinyi, Zhong Wanshan and Mo Qilin came with him this time. In fact, these four people did not understand Duan Qingxiao's intentions. They made many guesses in their hearts, but none of them worked out. Duan Qingxiao and Chang Xiao met, and they didn't seem like enemies at all. Instead, they seemed like good friends. They shook hands and greeted each other without a trace of vigilance. Entering the hall, everyone greeted each other in turn. Duan Qingxiao was a senior in the martial arts world, and Wu Qingyang also had to respect him as an elder. Because Shenmu Bhikkhu had eaten and drunk enough and went to play, Duan Qingxiao sat in her seat. Chang Xiao asked someone to tell Duan Xiyun, and Duan Xiyun couldn't figure out what these two masters who were as hostile as water and fire were thinking. It was hard to understand why they were sitting together when the decisive battle was imminent. If he cooked, his grandfather would definitely recognize him, so he asked Yin Tianlei to cook some dishes. Wu Qingyang's words flashed through his mind. No one could guess what Chang Xiao would do. Maybe he could really turn enemies into friends with his grandfather. That would be great news. I hope so.

Two powerful men who could influence the martial arts world sat together in the hall. Except for Master Baekje, no one else could interrupt and had no qualifications. Duan Qingxiao raised his glass to toast: "Martial arts are respected in the martial arts world, and seniority is irrelevant. There is no one else in the world except you who can fight with me. I cannot treat you as a junior and call you my brother." Chang Xiao nodded in agreement. If it were before, Chang Xiao would never have such confidence. Now the situation is different, and he is fully qualified to be on an equal footing with Duan Qingxiao. Duan Qingxiao was very satisfied. It was a kind of luck to have such an opponent. He sighed, "Since the battle with the Red Spirit God, I have never been truly happy. Without an equally matched opponent, everything I do has lost its meaning. I believe you can understand how I feel." Chang Xiao nodded, "Yes, I can totally understand this feeling." Duan Qingxiao smiled and said, "God has been kind to me. Many years later, he has given me another opponent. This cup of wine is my way of thanking God." His arm did not move at all, and the wine in the cup suddenly condensed into a line and flew out of the hall and disappeared into the night. Seeing this skill, Wu Qingyang, Yan Nanlou, Ziyun Gu, and even Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai brothers were all convinced. No wonder Duan Qingxiao was revered as a martial arts master. Such a superb internal skill is indeed unmatched. Chang Xiao nodded slightly: "Broken Moon Slashing the Heaven and Earth is the pinnacle of swordsmanship. It is an honor for me to fight with you." Duan Qingxiao shook his head: "Brother, don't be too modest. As soon as we met, I knew that you have broken through the inner strength. If we really fight, it will be a draw at most." As soon as these words came out, the four people following Duan Qingxiao changed color. They didn't expect Chang Xiao to have fulfilled the biggest dream of martial artists. It was a myth to reach such a realm at this age. Others also found it incredible. Wu Qingyang knew that Chang Xiao had made progress, but he never expected that Chang Xiao had crossed this threshold. He was overwhelmed with emotions and had nothing to say. Chang Xiao said with a smile: "For you and me, an evenly matched opponent is more precious than any worldly treasure. With good wine in front of us, let's get drunk together." Duan Qingxiao looked up to the sky and laughed: "Well said, just for this sentence, I won't go home until I'm drunk today." The two drank until the cups were dry, chatting and laughing freely. Others had no appetite and stared at their every move. This meeting was a top priority that shocked the world, and it would be a pity to miss it. Master Baekje couldn't drink, so he drank tea by himself and paid attention to all the subtle changes of the two. For a while, everyone in the hall was like clay sculptures and wooden carvings, only these two were drinking and laughing. Monk Shenmu came in from nowhere and felt very strange when he saw the expressions of the crowd. He turned around and found that someone was sitting in his seat. He jumped over and asked without thinking, "Who dares to take my seat?" Duan Qingxiao naturally recognized her and smiled, "I thought it was someone. It turns out that the elder sister came first. Brother Wu Mu said that the elder sister created the Flying Fish Hand and broke the Shocking Wave Palm. Congratulations, congratulations." Monk Shenmu was very proud, "You know everything. That's great. Since it's you, I won't pursue it. Who made me lose to you? You guys continue to stare at each other, I'm going to go play."

Chapter 88: Both Enemy and Friend

The monk Shenmu grabbed a handful of fruit and ran out. The atmosphere in the hall eased a lot. No one had expected such a scene to appear today. Everyone felt incredible. Duan Qingxiao tasted the dishes and praised: "Brother, you really have a way. Even the cook has such a skill. It seems that the city that never sleeps has hidden dragons and crouching tigers." Chang Xiao shook his head: "There are only a dozen people around me. The cook is a guest of congratulations. He just came to show his support." Duan Qingxiao smiled and said: "The strength of the Nether Swordsman is extraordinary. He can completely sweep the world. Mastering this power means mastering the lifeblood of the world." Chang Xiao was quite emotional: "I didn't expect that Master Zuixia would hand over the Nether Swordsman to me and die calmly." Duan Qingxiao sighed: "The first swordsman is the real warrior. If it were me, I would definitely not make such a choice." No one else expected that Duan Qingxiao would actually He would praise the Taoist Zuixia, and the Baekje master chanted the Buddha's name: "Daoyou Zuixia has devoted himself to swordsmanship, and has completely integrated his body and mind into it, reaching a state of selflessness. But he has not been able to get rid of the shadow of failure. It is better to say that he was defeated in his own heart than to say that he was defeated by the rolling pearl knife." Duan Qingxiao nodded in agreement: "Master's words hit the point. In fact, Daoyou Zuixia's swordsmanship is comparable to that of the old man. If we had not fought for the first time, it would be difficult to predict the outcome. It is said that with his cultivation, it is impossible to leave a gap. It seems that the defeat had a great impact on him." Chang Xiao and the Taoist Zuixia are each other's confidants. Hearing Duan Qingxiao's words, he was quite moved. Being respected by his opponent is enough to comfort the spirit of his old friend in heaven. Among the people who followed Duan Qingxiao, Zhong Wanshan's swordsmanship was the most refined. Although Wanqi Song was a master for a while, he was entangled in miscellaneous affairs and was not as focused as Zhong Wanshan, so there was a gap in cultivation. Zhong Wanshan couldn't help but feel anxious when he heard the master's words. In any case, he couldn't tell his only opponent about his details. Wouldn't this increase the opponent's confidence? But Duan Qingxiao always acted on his own, and others could not interrupt him, so they could only endure it. Chang Xiao was not surprised by Duan Qingxiao's visit, and outsiders could not understand it at all. Everyone found that Chang Xiao had no resentment at all, but was grateful instead. Duan Qingxiao also respected this opponent very much. These two people were really hard to figure out.

The two opponents who had fought openly and secretly for several times seemed to be old friends. They did not mention the past grievances. Duan Qingxiao praised the dishes and asked with a smile: "I heard that the best delicacy in the world is the corn roasted by your own hands. I wonder if I can have a chance to taste it?" Chang Xiao sighed lightly: "Since Master Zuixia passed away, I can no longer find the state of roasting corn. I am afraid I have to wait until Master Zuixia's wish is fulfilled before I can find the original feeling." Duan Qingxiao laughed up to the sky: "It seems that I have to lose to you if I want to eat the best delicacy in the world. It is like having your cake and eating it too. Sometimes I really envy you. It seems that the best in the world is related to you. You have got the best horse in the world, married the most beautiful woman in the world, and can be the god of the world. The best delicacy, the best castle in the world, and the best swordsman in the world. If you become the best master in the world, it will be perfect. Unfortunately, I will not let you do it easily. This first place must be kept in my hands anyway. "Chang Xiao solemnly clasped his fists and said: "In the decisive battle, Chang Mou will definitely go all out, and no matter whether he wins or loses, he must live up to the spirit of Zuixia Zhenren in heaven. I hope that the senior will not have any concerns and give it a try. If Chang Mou cannot see the true power of the Broken Moon Slash, he will regret it for the rest of his life. "Duan Qingxiao nodded repeatedly: "Okay, when the decisive battle comes, I will definitely let you see a real warrior. "The eyes of the two met, there was a collision of sparks, and there was also an exchange of feelings of mutual appreciation, the depth of which others could not understand at all. Duan Qingxiao picked up a jar of wine, raised his head and drank it dry, and laughed: "It's great, it's great, I'll treat you to a drink another day, and I'm leaving." He nodded slightly to Master Baekje and left. Wanqi Song, Zhong Wanshan and the other four followed him. The hall was completely silent for a long while. Duan Qingxiao's visit was beyond most people's expectations, and the circumstances of the meeting were even more incredible. The enemies who were obviously irreconcilable were so close. If it were spread out, few people would believe it. Wu Qingyang spoke first: "Today I am completely convinced, not because of your martial arts, but because of your broad mind. This kind of heroism and this kind of free and easy spirit are beyond my reach." Chang Xiao smiled indifferently: "I haven't seen you for several years. Duan Qingxiao is stronger than I thought. It is a great comfort to be able to fight with such a master. Victory, defeat, honor, disgrace, and even life and death are not important."

After a few days of excitement, when the guests left, Chang Xiao finally had time to talk with his wife and daughter. Qingting asked, "Dad, I heard that you married the most beautiful woman in the world. Can you tell me about it?" Chang Xiao loved his daughter very much and said with a smile, "Your mother and Jade Butterfly are sisters. Just ask your mother." Princess Yueying sighed, "After several years of separation, I also want to know how Sister Yu is doing and whether she is still with Gao Zhen." Chang Xiao hesitated for a moment and said, "Jade Butterfly can be said to be a beauty with a tragic fate. In fact, she has always been thinking about me. After knowing that I was defeated at the Cliff of Broken Souls and my life or death was unknown, she fell seriously ill. Gao Zhen refused to ask about it and she almost died." Princess Yueying was surprised and said, "Then why don't you help? Don't you have a heart of iron?" Chang Xiao sighed slightly: "After she left Gao Zhen, she came here to commit suicide for love. I found out and moved by her infatuation, I decided to accept her and send her to a secret place for recuperation." Princess Yueying was overjoyed: "Really? Then why don't you bring Sister Yu here?" Chang Xiao shook his head: "It's not the time yet. I can only take her out after my decisive battle with Duan Qingxiao. If she has to endure another blow, I'm afraid she won't have the courage to live." Princess Yueying frowned and said, "In that case, you are not sure of defeating Duan Qingxiao." Chang Xiao nodded: "Of course, the same goes for Duan Qingxiao. Only God knows the outcome." Qingting wanted to see Yu Hudie, who was known as the most beautiful woman in the world, but her father's safety was always her top concern. At this time, relaxing was the most important thing. So he changed the subject and said, "Dad, my elder brother is so powerful now, with so many people following him. He is truly the Moon King." Chang Xiao shook his head, "It is not glorious to sit on the throne by virtue of bloodline. People only respect the throne, not the person sitting on it." Princess Yueying agreed, "Your elder brother's glory is far inferior to your father's. Even the current emperor can't catch up. Your father was just a farmer, but he was able to build such a large city that never sleeps and received support from many people." Qingting nodded, "I understand. What you get through your own efforts is real."

The news of the encounter between these two strong men quickly spread throughout the martial arts world, and people from all sides were talking about it. A decisive battle between the two was inevitable, and from the perspective of attitude, neither of them had the upper hand. It was difficult to choose a position in such a situation, so all forces were watching and waiting for the development of the situation. The four famous families naturally did not want Chang Xiao to win, but the situation was there, fifty-fifty, and neither side had an advantage. Because there had always been grudges, once Chang Xiao won, who knows what would happen. He didn't need to do it himself, and the Nether Swordsman could turn the world upside down. Of course, the most worried thing was Shangqing Palace. It was Lingmu Zhenren who led the division of the treasures of Julong Villa. Now Chang Xiao has made a comeback and will definitely retaliate. Shangqing Palace has no power to resist. Lingmu Zhenren thought about it, but there was no good way. A person suddenly flashed in his mind, that is, his uncle Wumu Zhenjun. In the entire Shangqing Palace, only the head of the sect knew that Wumu Zhenjun was still alive, and this senior could not be disturbed unless there was something major. Now the situation is urgent and seriously threatens the foundation of Shangqing Palace. Lingmu Zhenren decided to ask his uncle to help resolve the crisis. After some preparation, Lingmu Zhenren left Shangqing Palace and went to the cave where Wumu Zhenjun was practicing alone. Wumu Zhenjun was defeated by Shenmu Bichou's Flying Fish Hand, and was thinking hard about how his opponent made such a breakthrough? This technique obviously did not have any traces of Emei martial arts, so where did Shenmu Bichou get it from? Could it really be the secret she had realized? If so, he would be far behind. When he was feeling bored, he felt someone coming. He knew it was Lingmu Zhenren without looking. There were only two people who could find this cave, Duan Qingxiao and Lingmu Zhenren. Duan Qingxiao never entered the cave, but only spread the word outside. The person who entered the cave must be Lingmu. Since he was here, something big must have happened. So he calmed down and said, "Lingmu, what are you doing in the cave?" Lingmu Zhenren saluted, "See you, uncle." Wumu Zhenjun nodded slightly, "No need to be polite, what difficulties have you encountered?" Lingmu Zhenren expressed his worries. Wumu Zhenjun frowned and said, "This matter is indeed difficult. This Chang Xiao is not simple. Once he retaliates, Shangqing Palace will inevitably be destroyed. I see, you go back first." Lingmu Zhenren agreed to withdraw. Since uncle agreed, there is hope. Wumu Zhenjun was not in a relaxed mood. He had seen the power of the Nether Swordsmen. The eleven Nether Swordsmen joined forces and were almost invincible in the world. With the addition of the leader Chang Xiao, this force was too powerful. It would definitely not work if he relied on his own strength. It would be better to find someone to talk it over, but who should he find? It was difficult to find a suitable candidate for the time being. The only hope is Duan Qingxiao. If he can win smoothly, everything will be solved. After thinking about it, Wumu Zhenjun decided to find Duan Qingxiao to test the truth before deciding on the next step.

After meeting Chang Xiao, Duan Qingxiao rushed back to the Divine Sword Sect. Tang Shiyu was quite concerned, and the two went to the secret room for a talk. Tang Shiyu noticed that Duan Qingxiao's face was not like usual, as if he had a great happy event, and asked: "Master, have you found Chang Xiao's weakness? Are you sure to win?" Duan Qingxiao shook his head: "No, Chang Xiao has broken through the inner strength barrier and is already ahead in inner strength." Tang Shiyu was shocked: "How is it possible?" Duan Qingxiao stroked his beard and praised: "I never expected that this junior would have such potential. He is really a rare genius." Tang Shiyu asked: "In this case, what are the chances of winning, Master?" Duan Qingxiao smiled: "No chance of winning, the two of us are evenly matched, and no one has the advantage." Tang Shiyu was quite surprised that the opponent was so strong, but Duan Qingxiao was not worried at all but was very happy. He really couldn't figure it out. Duan Qingxiao saw through Tang Shiyu's thoughts and explained, "The greatest regret in my life is that I killed the Red Spirit God with my sword. The Red Spirit God is not only an evenly matched opponent, but also my only confidant. Chang Xiao once said this. For the two of us, it is too difficult to find a real opponent in the world. This sentence has been buried in my heart for many years, but he said it out loud. Based on this point alone, I have regarded him as my confidant." Tang Shiyu was even more surprised that these two mortal enemies who were like water and fire actually regarded each other as confidants. No one could predict the situation in the future. Duan Qingxiao smiled and said, "Friends are friends, but we still have to compete in all aspects. His strategy is not bad, and my foundation is also very deep. Sword skills are just one aspect." Tang Shiyu asked, "Don't you only talk about winning or losing, not life and death?" Duan Qingxiao explained, "It is inevitable that we two will compete, but we can only decide the winner, and no one can kill the other. From ancient times to the present, no master who has broken through the inner strength of Qianjin Gate has died." Tang Shiyu nodded, his heart was in a mess, and he never expected that things would develop to this point. If the two can't tell life and death, regardless of whether Duan Qingxiao can win or not, Chang Xiao will sooner or later become the supreme master of the martial arts world. Duan Qingxiao is old, and it won't be long before he will completely retire from the world. Chang Xiao is in his prime, and there is still a long way to go in the future. Tang Shiyu has a lot of things to consider, the affairs of the rivers and lakes, the affairs of the court, and the affairs of the world. He has no clue for a while and can't help but frowning. Duan Qingxiao is full of expectations, and there are several questions in his mind. How did Chang Xiao achieve a breakthrough? How will he break his sword energy? After years of hard training, what kind of swordsmanship has he figured out? These questions will only be answered after the final battle. The biggest gain from the trip to the Never-Sleeping City is knowing the strengths and weaknesses of Chang Xiao. Duan Qingxiao is very happy, but his disciples and Duan Xinyi are not happy. They never expected that Chang Xiao would make such progress. Everyone is worried.

Duan Qingxiao was drinking when Wu Mu Zhenjun arrived. He stood up to greet him when he heard that his old friend had come. After a few words of greeting, the two sat down to discuss. Wu Mu Zhenjun knew Duan Qingxiao quite well. He had guessed about 80% of the situation by observing his words and expressions. He guessed: "The only thing that can make you so happy is to have a strong opponent. Is it because Chang Xiao has improved too fast and can already keep pace with you?" Duan Qingxiao slapped his thigh and said: "This is an old friend. He can see my thoughts at a glance. To be honest with you, Chang Xiao has broken through the inner power of Qianjin Gate and become a true extreme master." Wu Mu Zhenjun was surprised and said: "It's incredible. How can he do this?" Duan Qingxiao smiled and said: "I also want to know, but the answer may have to wait until the decisive battle between the two of us to know." Wu Mu Zhenjun nodded: "Indeed, breaking through the inner power of Qianjin Gate has made him invincible. What countermeasures do you have? "Duan Qingxiao shook his head: "No, just give it your all. The opponent is so strong that you can put everything aside and give it a try." Wu Mu Zhenjun nodded: "You haven't used your full strength since you killed the Red Spirit God with a sword. This time you can do as you wish." Duan Qingxiao smiled: "That's right, this opportunity is too precious to me. By the way, what's the matter that has brought you here from afar?" Wu Mu Zhenjun expressed his concerns, and Duan Qingxiao promised: "Brother, don't worry, no matter what the outcome of the duel is, I will take care of it, and Chang Xiao will never offend me." Others don't understand, but Wu Mu Zhenjun understands the feelings between these top masters, and nodded: "That's very good. Lingmu behaved improperly, and I will teach him a lesson ." Duan Qingxiao shook his head: "It's not entirely his fault. This is a trend that has been cultivated by the four famous families for many years and it can't be changed all at once. There is one more thing I want to mention. I met the Emei Sect's Shenmu Bhikkhu in the City That Never Sleeps. It seems that she has had contact with Chang Xiao. I guess that her Flying Fish Hand that cracked the Jingtao Palm may be related to Chang Xiao. "Wu Mu Zhenjun's face changed: "Could it be that the Flying Fish Hand was created by Chang Xiao? That's too scary." Duan Qingxiao persuaded: "It's not that mysterious. If Chang Xiao really found the flaw in the Jingtao Palm, he would become a god. I guess this is the result of his and Shenmu Bhikkhu's martial arts. He just proposed a solution. Shenmu Bhikkhu knows Jingtao Palm very well, so he can draw inferences from one example and succeed in one fell swoop. "Wu Mu Zhenjun's face changed: "Could it be that the Flying Fish Hand was created by Chang Xiao? That's too scary. "Duan Qingxiao persuaded: "It's not that mysterious. If Chang Xiao really found the flaw in the Jingtao Palm, he would become a god. I guess this is the result of his and Shenmu Bhikkhu's martial arts. He just proposed a solution. Shenmu Bhikkhu knows Jingtao Palm very well, so he can draw inferences about it and succeed in one fell swoop. " Master Mu nodded, "Bhikkhu Shenmu got the Ice Ruler and showed it off to me. He said he got it in exchange with someone. I'm afraid the person he exchanged it with was Chang Xiao. In that case, can we learn more about Chang Xiao's martial arts from this aspect?" Duan Qingxiao pondered for a moment and said, "From the changes in the Flying Fish Hand, there are shadows of Taoist Zuixia's sword control, as well as the essence of the Floating Light and Shadow Body Technique in the Blood Shadow Sutra. Chang Xiao has a deep friendship with Taoist Zuixia, and he got the Nether Swordsman, so he is naturally familiar with these two martial arts. The most rare thing is that he actually naturally integrated these two martial arts into one. He can be called a martial arts genius to be able to solve such a difficult problem." Master Wu Mu nodded and praised, "Yes, Chang Xiao is indeed the best talent in the martial arts world in the past hundred years."

Chapter 89 Great Changes in the Palace

The emergence of the Never-Sleeping City has brought great changes to the martial arts world. With the support of the Beggars' Sect and the South China Sea Fleet, and the powerful force of the Nether Swordsman, Chang Xiao already has the strength to compete with Duan Qingxiao. As an important chess piece placed by the court in the martial arts world, Tang Shiyu is naturally very concerned. Through various sources of information, all attention is focused on the decisive battle between Duan Qingxiao and Chang Xiao. However, at this time, a major event occurred within the court. The old emperor was old, and the crown prince he established was cowardly. He listened to his mother's orders in everything. He placed three uncles who had no real talents in important positions, mastered the military power of the capital, promoted his confidants, developed his party, and was ambitious. The knowledgeable people in the court gave advice, and the relatives in power were in power, which would inevitably lead to chaos in the world. These relatives in the court could not maintain peace in the country, and could not convince the public with their martial arts. They only relied on their cleverness to form gangs and factions and crack down on dissidents. Once the crown prince ascended the throne, power would inevitably fall into the hands of others and the country would be unstable. The old emperor hesitated for a long time and was ready to abolish the prince, but the relatives of the emperor had become powerful and had many confidants, who knew the situation in the palace very well. After getting accurate information, he actually sent troops to block the palace and announced to the outside world that the old emperor was ill and the prince was the regent, waiting for the old emperor to die before helping the prince to ascend the throne. The old emperor could not contact the outside world, so he could only use pigeons to inform Tang Shiyu and let him find a way to resolve the crisis. Tang Shiyu could only put down the things in his hands and think hard about countermeasures. Without the emperor's edict, the troops and horses from all over the country could not enter the capital. The imperial guards were completely controlled by the relatives of the emperor, and it would be futile to do anything without elite soldiers and generals. After thinking about it, a person flashed in his mind, that is Princess Rose. Now Princess Rose lives in Jiangnan, and her husband Wei Heyang controls 30,000 elite soldiers of the Weihe Camp, the most elite in Jiangnan. If he gets the support of this force, he will be a little sure. I used to be Princess Rose's enlightenment teacher, and I can get in touch with this relationship. As long as the princess trusts me, it will be easy. Without further ado, Tang Shiyu rushed to Jiangnan overnight and soon arrived at the princess's residence. After handing over the name card, he waited anxiously. Princess Rose was quite surprised when she saw the name card. Didn't this enlightenment teacher offend his father and be demoted to be a minor official in Shu? How could he appear here? Because of the teacher-student relationship, it was not good to not meet him, so she ordered the servants to invite Tang Shiyu to meet in the flower hall.

Although they were teacher and student, there was a difference between the monarch and his subjects. As a subject, Tang Shiyu still had to pay respect with great ceremony. When they met, the princess returned a half-offer and asked Tang Shiyu to sit down. She asked, "It's been many years since we last met. You look quite old. You must have suffered a lot." Tang Shiyu nodded, "Thank you for your concern, Princess. I have been working hard for several years. It's rare to have a moment of leisure. My body is not as good as before." Princess Rose thought that Tang Shiyu wanted to see her in order to ask for her to intercede and return to the capital to serve, so she comforted him, "Don't worry, sir. I know what my father is thinking. I will send someone to ask for a pardon letter and let you be an official in Jiangnan. The mountains and rivers here are beautiful and much more comfortable than the capital." Tang Shiyu bowed and said, "Princess, you don't know. I came to see you this time for a confidential matter, not to ask for a favor." Princess Rose was stunned. What big thing could a demoted official have? Tang Shiyu didn't look like he was joking. Maybe something big happened in Shu. So he ordered his attendants to leave. Tang Shiyu took out a small box from his arms and held it in his hand and said, "Princess, please take a look at what's in the box." The princess took it and opened the small box. She found a jade seal inside. She looked at it carefully and wondered, "Isn't this the Chilong jade seal that my father carried with him? How did it fall into your hands?" Tang Shiyu explained, "At the beginning, your majesty saw my talent and ordered me to hide in the martial arts world and use various means to stir up disputes to prevent the martial artists from uniting against the court. The princess got the token of the leader of the Beggars' Sect because of my role. Because it is a confidential matter, your majesty gave this jade seal to me so that I can control local officials at critical moments. . "Princess Rose suddenly realized: "It turned out that it was the master who was behind the scenes, and the demotion was just a cover-up. Since the master is visiting, is there any major move by the martial arts world that threatens the court?" Tang Shiyu shook his head: "I am not here for the affairs of the martial arts world, but for the court. There has been a huge change in the capital, which endangers the royal family. Your Majesty is under house arrest in the palace and is in danger of losing his life. The carrier pigeon sent a letter to me, asking me to find a way to resolve it." Princess Rose was shocked: "Are you serious?" Tang Shiyu took out a few notes and said: "This is written by your majesty, the princess will know it at a glance." The notes were brought out by pigeons, each with only a dozen words, but it was already very clear. The princess recognized her father's handwriting and knew the seriousness of the situation. She was terrified. Once the relatives took power, they would definitely exclude the royal family. Her own fate would be hard to say. She couldn't help but complain: "What can I do?"

Princess Rose was worried about her father's safety, and even more about her own fate. She was at a loss for a moment. Tang Shiyu persuaded her, "Princess, don't worry. Your Majesty is protected by General Tieyi. He will not be in danger. As long as the foreign relatives are dealt with as soon as possible, the danger can be turned into safety." Princess Rose calmed down, sorted out her thoughts and asked, "What do you think, sir?" Tang Shiyu replied, "I'm afraid we have to rely on the son-in-law and his elite soldiers to make a difference. The 180,000 imperial guards in the imperial city are all controlled by foreign relatives. It is difficult to compete with them without elite soldiers." The princess nodded, "In this case, I will call the son-in-law back to discuss it immediately." Tang Shiyu warned, "This is a confidential matter. Don't let the news leak out." The princess nodded and immediately ordered someone to go to the camp to invite the son-in-law back to the mansion. Wei Heyang had practiced hard for a long time, and his giant sword was already quite proficient, but he had no chance to display it, nor did he show it in the army. Without a war, no matter how good his martial arts were, they would be useless. After the drills that day, they were discussing matters. The imperial court's food and wages had been delayed for three months, which was rare in the past. The daily expenses of 30,000 troops were quite high, and they had to raise funds from many sources to overcome this difficulty. Several groups of people went to urge for food, but all returned empty-handed, and they could not explain the reason. After discussing for a long time, there was no good solution. At this time, the person sent by the princess came to see him. Wei Heyang had an agreement with the princess that he could know the severity of the matter from the token brought by the person. He knew without asking that something urgent had happened, so he explained it and hurried back to the palace. He rode at full speed and went straight to the palace without changing his clothes. When the couple met, Wei Heyang asked, "What big thing happened?" Princess Rose dismissed her attendants and said, "Something happened in the capital. Father is under house arrest and his life is in danger." Wei Heyang was shocked and immediately thought of the food and money. He nodded and said, "No wonder the food and money from the Ministry of Revenue cannot arrive." Princess Rose invited Tang Shiyu to come out to discuss and find out the whole story. Wei Heyang said, "Since the matter is urgent and cannot be delayed, I will immediately send troops to the capital to quell the rebellion." Tang Shiyu advised, "Don't be anxious, my husband. The capital's imperial army is 180,000 strong, well-equipped and well-trained. The Weihe Camp has only 30,000 people. We can't rush. Act rashly. For now, it would be best to transfer three battalions from the six battalions in Jiangnan and raise troops together. "Wei Heyang shook his head: "Sir, you are wrong. The food and wages of the Weihe Battalion have been in arrears for three months. I sent people to borrow money from the local officials, but the local officials made excuses. The food and wages of the other five battalions are sufficient, which is enough to show that the hands of these relatives have extended to Jiangnan. Without the documents of the Ministry of War, no one can mobilize the five battalions. In addition, this matter is extremely secretive. Once the news leaks out, those relatives will hold a large number of troops, and I don’t know what kind of chaos they will cause. For now, the only way is to achieve a surprise victory, use the surprise troops to rush to the capital, and attack the imperial city in one fell swoop. As long as Your Majesty is in power, the imperial guards will not dare to make trouble."

Tang Shiyu had never thought that things would be so serious, and frowned, "I didn't expect things to be so tricky." Princess Rose complained, "Brother is too confused. What's the use of sitting on the throne now that power is falling into someone else's hands?" Wei Heyang persuaded, "Princess, don't worry. The 30,000 elite soldiers of the Weihe Camp are only under my command. I won't frown even if I have to go through fire and water. Most of the imperial guards in the capital are children of wealthy families. They have never been in a battle. They are just in name only and cannot withstand a single blow. As long as we act quickly, we can completely resolve the crisis." Tang Shiyu said, "Sir, remember, you can't make it clear until the last moment. Once the news leaks out, it will be difficult to clean up." Wei Heyang was quite confident, "Don't worry, sir. The soldiers of the Weihe Camp will not make any mistakes. It's just that the crime of bringing troops into the capital privately is not small. Sir, 's identity cannot be made public, so Wei cannot act with peace of mind. "Tang Shiyu immediately expressed his position: "I will give the imperial seal given by His Majesty to the general, so that we can have a legitimate reason to do so." Wei Heyang was overjoyed: "It's a deal, time is running out, I will go back to the camp to make arrangements immediately, the princess will go with me to appease the army, what are your plans, sir?" Tang Shiyu said: "I cannot appear in public without the imperial edict, so I can only arrange for people to support me." Wei Heyang nodded: "In this case, we will act separately. 30,000 troops will make too much noise. I will go to the army to make arrangements, and we can start the army tomorrow morning. Since you have a lot of spies, you can pass on the news at any time." Tang Shiyu was quite smart and saw that Wei Heyang was brave and resourceful, and was a rare talent. After explaining the contact method, he hurried away. Wei Heyang packed up hastily. The princess finally learned martial arts and took a few attendants to the army to follow the army. Wei Heyang went to the tent overnight. Under the bright lights, the generals were in shining helmets and armor, and they were divided on the left and right. The princess knew the rules of the army very well, so she just waited in the back tent and listened to the commander-in-chief's orders when sending out generals. Her presence would affect her husband's prestige. Wei Heyang, wearing golden armor and looking gloomy, said coldly, "I have received a secret report that the Ministry of Revenue has withheld the food and wages of the Weihe Camp, and the Ministry of Personnel has issued an official document not allowing local officials to provide assistance. The six battalions in Jiangnan are targeting the Weihe Camp alone, which is obviously not your majesty's intention. I cannot sit and wait for death, so I am ready to use the food and grass in the Fuyang official warehouse for emergency."

After this was said, all the generals hesitated. Fuyang official warehouse is the largest granary in Jiangnan, directly under the national treasury. Using the grain from the national treasury is equivalent to rebellion, so the generals dared not agree. Wei Heyang explained: "The situation is urgent, and I will naturally go to the capital to apologize. With the order in hand, no one can blame you. This time, the princess and I are responsible for the uprising. Just obey my orders. Those who disobey my orders will not blame me for being ruthless. Military law will be enforced." Wei Heyang is usually the bravest of the three armies, and he knows how to sympathize with his subordinates, which is very popular among the soldiers. With the royal princess in charge, all the generals obeyed his orders. Wei Heyang picked up the order and ordered: "Tiger Wing General Shen Hanling." A general came out and saluted: "I am here." Wei Heyang said: "I order you to lead your 3,000 light cavalry to set off immediately and attack Fuyang official warehouse. The army will arrive soon." Shen Hanling stepped forward to take the order and turned to walk out of the big tent, and select the soldiers to leave the camp. Wei Heyang continued to send generals, 5,000 armored cavalry followed him as the central army, 20,000 elite soldiers as the left and right wings, 2,000 soldiers as the rear guard, and started the army overnight, marching in different ways, and the 30,000 troops all gathered at the official warehouse in Fuyang. The soldiers followed the orders of the generals, and the generals held the order arrows, all of which had a backbone. They ordered the soldiers to leave the camp one after another, marched in different ways, and rushed straight to Fuyang. Wei Heyang chose Fuyang not only for food and grass. There were more than 10,000 good horses in the suburbs of Fuyang. With these good horses, 20,000 cavalry could be formed and quickly rushed to the capital. Wei Heyang deliberately asked the princess to wear conspicuous clothes to show up, and the troops were completely relieved, and the 30,000 troops quickly rushed to Fuyang. Speed is the essence of war. Wei Heyang successfully rushed to Fuyang to replenish food and grass, took out the silver from the treasury to reward the three armies, and sent people to grab more than 10,000 good horses. After forming a powerful cavalry, he marched north and rushed straight to the capital. Wei Heyang was a man of great strategy. He knew that the walls of the capital were the strongest. Since his army had traveled a long distance to attack the city, they could not bring heavy siege equipment, so they could only use the method of internal and external cooperation. Therefore, he sent 500 Tiger Guards with thousands of good horses to travel day and night to sneak into the capital before the official report was delivered. When the army arrived, they would cooperate with the internal and external forces to open the city gates and welcome the army into the city.

The relatives in the capital were only clever and arrogant for a while. They didn't know how to make plans. They thought they could rest easy after controlling the palace. They were preparing for the new emperor to ascend the throne. Unexpectedly, the emperor still sent out the news. The imperial guards in the capital were pampered and mostly rich children. They had never been in battle. They could yell at ordinary people, but they were vulnerable when they met real enemies. The tiger guards sent by Wei Heyang were extremely fierce. They rushed to the capital without stopping. At this time, the official report had not arrived yet. Five hundred people disguised themselves and entered the capital to lie in wait. When the army arrived, they joined forces inside and outside to open the city gate. When the local officials' petition was delivered, the prince was immediately panicked and invited a group of relatives to discuss. These people had no real talents. Although they knew that Wei Heyang had seized the money and grain from the official warehouse, they did not care about it when they marched north. They thought that Wei Heyang was going to punish him for the grain and salary, and they just used this excuse to seize his military power. Withholding food and wages was indeed the idea of these relatives, the purpose of which was to force Wei Heyang to submit and take the opportunity to strike at the powerful royal relatives. Now that Wei Heyang was marching north, it was just what they wanted. After discussion, they decided to send 100,000 imperial guards to hold back Wei Heyang's troops and dispatch the garrisons of nearby prefectures and counties to annihilate the 30,000 elite soldiers of the Weihe Camp. Knowing yourself and the enemy, you can fight a hundred battles without danger. Although these relatives had a good plan, they did not understand this most basic principle. The battlefield was changing rapidly, and blindly responding without knowing the opponent's strengths and weaknesses would only lead to defeat. Wei Heyang's army marched very fast, using the method of replacement to save horsepower. Tang Shiyu laid spies along the way to pass on news at any time, and the army quickly arrived in the capital. At this time, the relatives were a little panicked and ordered people to close the city gates and let the imperial guards stationed outside the city fight.

When the two armies faced each other, Wei Heyang saw from afar that the city gates were tightly closed. He smiled to the generals around him and said, "Look, the city gates are tightly closed. These imperial guards are going to fight to the death with us." Shen Hanling said, "General, since ancient times, when we use troops, we can only burn our boats and cut off our retreat when the enemy is numerous and we are few. Now the imperial guards are several times more than us. Cutting off our retreat obviously shows that we don't understand the art of war." Wei Heyang shook his head and said, "You are only half right. Those who hold military power not only don't understand the art of war, but are also cowards who hide in the city. In fact, once the army is defeated, it is useless to hide anywhere. The horses, equipment and armor of the imperial guards in the capital are the best. We have to change our clothes for this battle." Although the generals acted according to orders, they were still not at ease. The crime of rebellion was too serious and would involve the entire clan. Wei Heyang certainly knew that if he didn't take action, the generals would not be able to go all out. So he ordered people to take out the giant sword and urge the horses to rush out. Although most of the imperial guards were weaklings, they knew that capturing the enemy commander was a great achievement. When they saw Wei Heyang charging into the battle formation, four military officers immediately came to meet him. Wei Heyang's giant sword made its debut, and he chopped it down on his head with unstoppable force, splitting a military officer in half with his horse. More than 100,000 soldiers from both armies were stunned. Wei Heyang succeeded with one sword, and without hesitation, he chopped down three military officers and rushed into the imperial guards to kill them. Wherever the giant sword went, blood gushed out like a fountain, and broken limbs flew everywhere. Princess Rose was very concerned about Wei Heyang. Seeing her husband go deep into the enemy's formation, she couldn't help but worry. Finally, she had learned martial arts and had some courage. She gave a delicate shout and led the attendants around her to rush towards the imperial guards. With the commander in front and the royal princess in charge, the soldiers and generals of the Weihe Camp no longer had any scruples, and the generals led their subordinates to charge over. The imperial guards had never fought before, and they were terrified when they saw such a cruel scene. Some of them took the lead, dropping their weapons and running away, and countless others followed suit. Since the city gates were closed, they could still run to other places. In an instant, the 100,000 imperial guards scattered like birds and beasts.

Chapter 90: Both Wisdom and Courage

The imperial relative who was the commander of the imperial guards was watching the battle on the top of the city. Seeing such a tragic fight, he was already scared and fled back to his own house. Without the commander, the imperial guards were even more panicked. They were completely defeated in less than an hour. Even Wei Heyang was surprised. Although he knew that the imperial guards were just for show, he never expected that they would be so vulnerable. The 100,000-man army had no fighting spirit. He originally planned to enter the city with the whole army, but changed his mind temporarily. Five thousand people were enough. The imperial guards were defeated, and Wei Heyang's troops were at the gate of the city. The soldiers on the city were also imperial guards, hiding behind the wall and dared not show their heads. The tiger guards in the city opened the city gate with almost no resistance. Wei Heyang issued an order, and the army was stationed outside the city to clean up the battlefield. He and the princess led five thousand elite soldiers into the city. The news quickly spread throughout the capital. Wei Heyang sent capable generals to first control the Ministry of War to prevent the imperial relatives from issuing official documents to mobilize the garrisons in various places to cause chaos. The couple led their troops straight to the palace. Since ancient times, when a wall falls, everyone pushes it. It is human nature to change one's mind according to the situation, and this is even more true in the officialdom. When the relatives of the emperor were in power, the ministers tried every means to curry favor with them. Now that the imperial guards were about to collapse, and Wei Heyang's army entered the city, the prince was definitely unreliable. Naturally, some people saw the situation, and the generals of the imperial guards who blocked the palace immediately changed their positions and handed over the military power to Wei Heyang. The ministers also tried to exonerate themselves, and the order in the capital changed drastically. Wei Heyang and the princess entered the palace smoothly. The old emperor never thought that the contact method agreed with Tang Shiyu would play such a big role. After some hardships, he burst into tears. Wei Heyang heard from Tang Shiyu that General Tieyi beside the old emperor was quite brave, and it was thanks to him that the old emperor was safe this time. When they met, this General Tieyi was indeed different. General Tieyi heard that Wei Heyang led by example and was invincible with his giant sword, and he admired him very much. The two became good friends. The old emperor had been forbearing for a long time, regardless of being tired, and immediately went to court to summon the ministers to discuss matters. Wei Heyang had made great contributions in saving the emperor, so he naturally had to go to the court to be conferred an honor. The six ministers gathered together, all saying that they had been deceived, and they all acted loyally. The emperor nodded in approval, and looked at Wei Heyang standing in the military class, sneered and asked: "Why are you laughing, my dear minister?" Wei Heyang couldn't help but answer: "Your Majesty, if the civil officials and military generals in the capital were all loyal, how could the relatives of the emperor rebel? Why would I, a humble minister, take the money and food from the treasury in the name of rebellion? There would be no need for 30,000 soldiers to rush thousands of miles and fight bloody battles to defeat the enemy." The ministers were immediately speechless. It was impossible for them not to know about such a big movement, and it was impossible for them to cover up the truth with clever excuses. Wei Heyang was both wise and brave, and he was also the royal son-in-law. He had made such a great contribution, so he must not be provoked at this time. Therefore, all the ministers bowed their heads and remained silent, and the court was silent.

The old emperor weighed the pros and cons. Although the ministers were wrong, the main responsibility was on himself. The improper handling of family affairs and poor supervision led to this incident. If all the ministers were punished and dismissed, it would lead to chaos in the world. Therefore, he first reviewed his own mistakes, and the ministers also knelt down to plead guilty. Although Wei Heyang was commanding troops outside, he also knew the rules of officialdom, so he went with the flow. The emperor rewarded Wei Heyang according to his merits, pardoned Wei Heyang for the crime of seizing money and grain from the national treasury, conferred him the title of General Longxiang, and granted him three blank imperial edicts, allowing him to act at his convenience, control the military horses of the six camps in Jiangnan, and reward 30,000 soldiers in the Weihe Camp. Tang Shiyu's merits cannot be made public. The princess is a family member, so there is no need to say more. Wei Heyang said, "Your Majesty, the imperial guards of the capital have a heavy responsibility, and with such poor military strength, they are bound to make mistakes. I recommend General Tieyi as the commander of the imperial guards, and train them well to be prepared for any emergency." The emperor then remembered that if it were not for General Tieyi who risked his life to protect him, he would not have made it to this moment, so he nodded and said, "Your Majesty, your family has made great contributions in protecting the emperor, and you can take on this task." Tieyi was overjoyed and thanked the emperor. The emperor asked Wei Heyang to eliminate the rebels, but Wei Heyang declined, saying, "Your Majesty, the soldiers of the Weihe camp have rushed thousands of miles and are now exhausted. The food and wages owed by the Ministry of Revenue must also be collected as soon as possible. This time we have risked the crime of rebellion by starting an army, and the morale of the army is unstable. I have to take charge of the army, and the affairs of the capital should be left to the imperial guards." This was Wei Heyang's cleverness. This time he had started an army to quell the rebellion, and he had achieved the expected results and was rewarded. Staying in the capital would be superfluous. The officialdom in the capital was very complicated. Eliminating the rebels would inevitably involve officials from the six ministries. If handled improperly, there would be endless troubles. Besides, the prince and the queen were involved, so they should not get involved in such matters. The emperor did not force it any more. These 30,000 elite soldiers were so powerful that he was worried about leaving them in front of him, so he ordered: "Since that's the case, you should go back to Jiangnan after organizing the army. This half of the country still depends on your talent." Wei Heyang said goodbye in the Golden Palace. After leaving the palace, he did not stay any longer. He summoned his subordinates to the Ministry of Households to collect food and wages. After getting them, he immediately left the city and returned to the camp. The court had sent wine and meat as rewards, and the soldiers were celebrating. Knowing that the general had returned to the camp, they all came to see him and congratulate him. Wei Heyang issued an order to move the camp and return to Jiangnan. The soldiers were a little surprised, but they did not ask too much. Anyway, they had gained a lot, so they were happily ready.

Princess Rose was quite surprised to learn about this. She was just about to show off in the capital after making such a great contribution. Why should she rush back? However, the army outside the city was about to return. There was no point in staying in the capital, so she had to rush to the army to accompany her husband. At this time, the vanguard had already set off, and the central army was also about to set off. Princess Rose rushed to the general's flag and saw her husband and complained: "Why are you in such a hurry? It's not easy to go back to the capital, why are you in such a hurry?" Wei Heyang shook his head: "The capital is a big melting pot. If you offend any official carelessly, it will sow disaster for the future. It's better to go back as soon as possible." Princess Rose said: "It's not too late to leave after I see my mother and brothers." Wei Heyang sighed lightly: "The palace has undergone tremendous changes, and everyone is in danger. It's better not to see each other at this time. Most of the generals of the imperial army in the capital have backers. Once they are defeated, they will inevitably bear grudges and seek revenge. You can't stay in a place of right and wrong for a long time. It's safest to go back to Jiangnan." Princess Rose understood the pros and cons, so she didn't say anything and followed her husband. On the way, the generals laughed at the incompetence of the imperial army. Wei Heyang warned them: "The most taboo in military operations is to underestimate the enemy. When Fu Jian of the Former Qin Dynasty led a million troops to the south, he was defeated by Xie An's 80,000 elite soldiers, so that the country changed hands. The harm of underestimating the enemy is so severe. You must remember it." The generals agreed that it was fortunate to have such a commander. The generals also praised Wei Heyang's giant sword for being invincible. Wei Heyang was also quite pleased and grateful to his master Wu Qingyang. Without the guidance of this master, it would not be easy to achieve such a great victory. The elite soldiers of the Weihe Camp returned, and the order of the capital was restored. Such a major event naturally could not be concealed. The emperor reorganized the court and announced it to the world. All places knew that the elite soldiers of the Weihe Camp in Jiangnan were invincible and that Wei Heyang, the Marquis of Jingnan, was brave and unparalleled. Officials from all walks of life and generals from the other five camps in Jiangnan sent gifts to congratulate him. Wei Heyang knew that although his skills were among the best in the army, he would still be no match for a true martial arts master, so he left the chores to the princess. In addition to handling military affairs every day, he practiced hard. Naturally, he became more motivated after tasting the sweetness this time.

Wu Qingyang was also relieved to know about Wei Heyang. His decision was not wrong. This disciple is indeed a talent. After the trip to the Never-Sleeping City, it is certain that Duan Qingxiao and Chang Xiao are evenly matched and will definitely compete in all aspects. However, it seems that the two will not launch a large-scale conflict. They just want to determine who is better, just like playing chess, only competing for victory or defeat. Once the chess game is over, the world will be wide open. As an old man in the arena for many years, Wu Qingyang clearly realizes the changes in the arena in the future. The Never-Sleeping City will surely rise, and Duan Qingxiao will not decline. These two top masters will hold out for a while. Since Chang Xiao has broken through the inner strength of the thousand-jin gate and has become a real top master, and has been very close to masters such as Master Baekje and Shenmu Bhikkhu, and Duan Qingxiao has also been recognized by these two masters, it is obvious that these top masters are all friends, and their fights are just a joke, not serious, and will not be a matter of life and death. Now that he has seen the situation clearly, Wu Qingyang is no longer worried. He still walks alone in the world, helping the poor and the needy, and being a wandering swordsman is quite pleasant. Chang Xiao returned to the world, and the city that never sleeps became famous. It has countless treasures and strong strength, so naturally countless people want to join it. Unfortunately, the city that never sleeps is very strict in selecting people, and ordinary people have no chance at all. In addition, Duan Qingxiao's influence is still very large. Before the two of them have decided the winner, many people are still waiting and watching. After returning to the world, Chang Xiao still has a concern in his heart, that is, the Fire Dragon Colt. After several years, I don't know what the Fire Dragon Colt has become. After meeting Duan Qingxiao, Chang Xiao has already felt that his fight with Duan Qingxiao has undergone a fundamental change, and it is not dangerous anymore, so he first takes the Jade Butterfly to the City that Never Sleeps. In his heart, the Fire Dragon Colt and the Jade Butterfly are equally important. Princess Yueying was surprised to see the Jade Butterfly. After not seeing it for several years, the Jade Butterfly did not look old at all, but looked more radiant. Jade Butterfly was also surprised to see Princess Yueying. Princess Yueying had always been carefree, lively and lovely, but now she was full of worries and looked old. Dragonfly was quite impressed by Jade Butterfly's beauty. He stared at her eyes and murmured, "My God, there is such a beauty in the world. She is worthy of being the most beautiful woman in the world." Princess Yueying held Jade Butterfly's hands and said, "Sister Jade, I haven't seen you for several years. How come you haven't aged? I'm almost turning into an old woman." Jade Butterfly sighed, "Sister, you don't know. Sister has gone through many twists and turns and suffered a lot to get what she wanted. He sent me to a paradise on earth and it took me a long time to recover." Princess Yueying complained, "He didn't tell me about such a good place. He is too biased. He loves new things and hates old things. I will come back to settle the score with him."

Chang Xiao certainly would not favor one over the other, but considering that Princess Yueying and her daughter had lived in the South China Sea for a long time, the old Dragon King would not treat them badly. Unexpectedly, Princess Yueying was so worried that her face was haggard. Princess Yueying knew the past of Jade Butterfly and Chang Xiao very well, and she had no jealous thoughts. When she heard that there was a paradise on earth, she wanted to go there for recuperation. She talked to Chang Xiao, and Chang Xiao agreed and personally sent Princess Yueying to Hanmei, Xianglan and other four sisters for recuperation. Qingting also wanted to go, but Chang Xiao naturally did not allow it, so she stayed in the Never-Sleeping City. The main purpose of bringing Jade Butterfly here was to visit the Fire Dragon Colt in the desert together. Now that there was nothing important, they would set off immediately. The Never-Sleeping City was handed over to the four brothers of Jiantong, and their daughter Qingting was spoiled and could not take on the responsibility. After the arrangements were made, Chang Xiao and Jade Butterfly set off. The flames had been dull for several years, and finally they waited for the opportunity to let go of their four hooves and run wildly. Jade Butterfly experienced this feeling for the first time, and she cheered like a child. Soon they entered the desert. Chang Xiao was very worried. After not seeing Fire Dragon Colt for several years, would something happen to him? After the battle at the Cliff of Broken Souls, would any masters come to cause trouble? Lieyan was very happy. He was full of energy after coming to his long-lost homeland. He quickly rushed to the oasis of Fire Dragon Colt. Nothing had changed here. The spring water was still clear, and the grass was still green, but there was no sign of Fire Dragon Colt. When they came to the spring, Jade Butterfly saw that Chang Xiao was worried and asked, "You don't even care about life and death, so what else do you have to worry about?" Chang Xiao shook his head, "My own life and death are nothing, but Fire Dragon Colt is different. For the same reason, I would be worried if something happened to you." Jade Butterfly frowned, "So in your heart, I am not as important as Fire Dragon Colt." Chang Xiao explained, "Fire Dragon Colt is like my brother. No one can replace him. In my heart, Fire Dragon Colt is far more important than the City That Never Sleeps. But you are different. I regard you as a part of my body. It would be better if we are inseparable at all times." Jade Butterfly gently stroked Chang Xiao's face and murmured, "You You have really changed. If I hadn't heard it with my own ears, I would never believe that such words would come from your mouth." Chang Xiao looked up at the blue sky and smiled bitterly: "Why would I want to change? It's just God's will. After many twists and turns, what have I gained? What have I lost? Even I can't explain it clearly." Yu Hudie felt the same way: "I'm afraid no one can explain clearly what the world means. You are completely different now than you were before. I have changed a lot myself. I used to be muddle-headed and only knew how to indulge in sensual pleasures. I never thought that I would fall in love with someone wholeheartedly. No one knows who changed you, but I know that it was you who changed my life."

After waiting for a long time, Chang Xiao was increasingly uneasy. Did something happen to the Fire Dragon? Seeing the full moon rising, Chang Xiao and Jade Butterfly came to a high place and howled to the sky. The sound spread for miles and lasted for a long time. After a moment of silence, a horse neigh suddenly came from afar. The sound was high and reached the sky. Chang Xiao said happily, "The Fire Dragon is fine. That's great." Soon, the Fire Dragon appeared in the oasis. Chang Xiao hugged the Fire Dragon's neck with mixed feelings. He had never told anyone about his years of hard work. Today, he finally had someone to talk to. The Fire Dragon was also very excited. The man and the horse snuggled by the spring. Jade Butterfly had heard about the magic of the Fire Dragon. When she saw it today, she sighed in her heart. No wonder her sweetheart valued it so much. The Fire Dragon was indeed the best horse in the world. It shouldn't be disturbed at this time. Jade Butterfly watched infatuatedly from a distance. Chang Xiao whispered in Huo Longju's ear from time to time, and Huo Longju responded. Under the moonlight, she saw tears flashing in Chang Xiao's eyes. Yu Hudie felt like the sun was rising in the west. This strong man could actually shed tears. She had been through many hardships, and she cried for a long time when she saw Chang Xiao, but she never saw Chang Xiao cry. Although Yu Hudie was closest to Chang Xiao, she did not understand the other side of Chang Xiao. Since his debut in the martial arts world, Chang Xiao has always appeared as a strong man, and he is not afraid of any strong opponent. Over time, the inner feelings were completely hidden, and only when facing Huo Longju could he fully release his emotions. What made Yu Hudie wonder was whether Chang Xiao really understood horse language as the legend said? She had asked Chang Xiao before, and Chang Xiao said he didn't understand it at all. But how to explain the scene in front of her? Huo Longju obviously understood Chang Xiao's words, and Chang Xiao also fully understood what Huo Longju meant. Yu Hudie made up her mind to figure this out. Chang Xiao and Huo Longju met again after a long separation, and they had endless things to say, and they talked almost non-stop for most of the night. Jade Butterfly was glad that she had seen another side of Chang Xiao. This iron-clad strongman also had ordinary people's emotions, and he would shed tears. When he saw old friends, he would talk endlessly. Every morning, it was the time for the Fire Dragon Colt to patrol the territory. Jade Butterfly spent most of the night leaning against Lieyan, feeling uncomfortable all over. After finally waiting until dawn, Chang Xiao got up and said, "Butterfly, I want to accompany the Fire Dragon Colt to patrol the territory. You and Lieyan can follow." Jade Butterfly nodded in agreement and struggled to get up. If it weren't for Lieyan's human nature, she wouldn't even be able to get on the horse's back. The Fire Dragon Colt neighed and rushed out of the oasis quickly. Lieyan followed carefully behind. Jade Butterfly hugged Lieyan's neck tightly, fearing that she would fall off. She couldn't tell what she felt in her heart. Soon, countless wild horses came in the desert. Jade Butterfly was surprised at first, but later she found that all the horses had to follow the lead of the Fire Dragon Colt, which was very interesting. When thousands of horses were galloping, she was happy again when she saw the spectacular scene. She never thought that she would have such a magical experience. He was so excited that he cheered non-stop and nearly fell off the horse several times. Fortunately, he was saved by the Fiery Divine Steed.

Chapter 91: The Hundred-Year-Old Naughty Boy

Almost all residents around the desert and soldiers at the border all know Huo Longju. This horse king has been rumored to be supernatural. No wonder, it is impossible for an ordinary horse to maintain the position of leader for more than ten years, let alone escape countless roundups. Chang Xiao found that Huo Longju seemed to have made a major decision when they met this time. After patrolling the territory, the wild horses dispersed to the surrounding areas. Huo Longju returned to the oasis and still snuggled with Chang Xiao. Yu Hudie moved closer and heard Chang Xiao asked, "Have you really thought it through?" Huo Longju nodded slightly. Chang Xiao stroked Huo Longju's mane and said slowly, "Don't worry, the situation is different now. No one in the Central Plains dares to take advantage of you. You can enjoy the famous mountains and rivers in the Central Plains and swim in the sea." Huo Longju stared into the distance with a pair of big eyes, full of expectation. Jade Butterfly asked, "Does the Fire Dragon Colt want to go to the Central Plains?" Chang Xiao nodded, "You can say that, but the Fire Dragon Colt really misses the sea." Jade Butterfly was surprised and said, "The Fire Dragon Colt is the horse king of the desert, but he misses the sea so much. Does he really have the nature of a dragon?" Chang Xiao smiled, "I don't know about other things, but it's true that the Fire Dragon Colt likes to play in the sea. When I took it to the beach, it often swam in the sea and would never go ashore unless it was extremely hungry." Jade Butterfly walked closer and asked, "Can I touch it?" Chang Xiao shook his head, "It depends on what it wants to know. It already knows our relationship, or... Maybe he will agree. "The Jade Butterfly stretched out her jade hand, and the Fire Dragon Horse did not refuse. The Jade Butterfly was happy in her heart, and she stroked it gently, and murmured: "Even an outsider can see the preciousness of the Fire Dragon Horse. I wonder if it will let me ride it." Chang Xiao smiled and said: "The world's number one divine horse is matched with the world's number one beauty, which complements each other." The Jade Butterfly said sweetly: "A BMW should be matched with a hero. I don't know when you can become the world's number one swordsman, and then you will be truly worthy of the Fire Dragon Horse." Chang Xiao immediately thought of Duan Qingxiao. This person has become his only goal. If he really wins or loses, will he be happy? It's hard to say. If he defeats this great enemy, he will naturally be at the top of the mountain and look down on all the mountains. But what about after that? He has achieved his wish, but he has become the only person at the top. Without a goal, how can he live in the future? The rich clothes and delicious food are just passing clouds, and the magnificent city that never sleeps is nothing but flowers in the mirror and the moon in the water. When Chang Xiao thought of this problem, he was a little worried and a little afraid of the upcoming decisive battle.

After several years of hard training, Chang Xiao finally relaxed at this time. With Fire Dragon and Jade Butterfly by his side, he had no pressure and enjoyed the scenery of the desert. Fire Dragon did miss the sea. The desert was his kingdom, but he missed the sea in his heart. After weighing the pros and cons, he decided to go to the Central Plains. Chang Xiao had already mastered a powerful force and could fully protect Fire Dragon, so he was very relieved. Under the setting sun, the sky was golden clouds. Chang Xiao and Jade Butterfly stood hand in hand on the hillside, and Fire Dragon was right in front of them. Everything was covered with gold, everything seemed hazy, and the breeze was blowing, as if it was a scene in a myth, not like in the human world. One was a top master who roamed the world, and the other was the most beautiful woman in the world. In addition, the king of ten thousand horses, who was famous all over the world, could not even wipe out their brilliance in the vast desert. They admired the beautiful scenery, but they didn't know that they had become part of the beautiful scenery. If others saw them, they would definitely think they saw a fairy. Seeing the sunset was about to set, Jade Butterfly leaned on Chang Xiao's arms and murmured: "Why can't beautiful things last forever?" Chang Xiao comforted: "It goes on and on, the sun and the moon rotate, endlessly, after the sunset, isn't there still a bright moon? Tomorrow, when the sun rises, there will be a different kind of fun." Jade Butterfly leaned on her lover's arms and was very satisfied. She smiled and said: "The same beautiful scenery can't be experienced if I'm not with you." The two looked at each other affectionately, feeling satisfied from the bottom of their hearts. Suddenly, the fire dragon colt neighed long, and Chang Xiao turned his head and saw a strange sight in the air. There were vague pavilions, trees and ponds in the smoke. There were people drinking and laughing in the pavilions, girls playing the piano, and children playing in the water. The beautiful scenery was definitely not in the world. Jade Butterfly was greatly surprised and asked, "Is that the fairyland?" Chang Xiao sighed lightly, "I have been to the desert many times, and although I have heard of mirages, I have never seen one. I did not expect it to appear today. It can be called a fairyland. Although it looks not far away, no one can reach there." Jade Butterfly was quite fascinated, "If only I could go there." Chang Xiao said with a double entendre, "Maybe you are from there." Jade Butterfly smiled and said, "Are you saying that I am a fairy? If so, then Fire Dragon Colt is the Pegasus, and you are the god." The two of them and the Fire Dragon Colt were immersed in the rare beauty.

After staying in the desert for more than ten days, Huolongju followed Chang Xiao back to the Central Plains. Lieyan followed behind obediently, never daring to overtake even a step. Chang Xiao never put a bridle on Huolongju, not even a saddle, and his love for him was beyond words. Yudie also liked Huolongju very much, and often fed Huolongju grass by hand. Because Yudie's reputation spread far and wide, in order to avoid unnecessary trouble, she wore a bamboo hat and covered it with a veil on this trip. Despite this, Huolongju and Lieyan still attracted a lot of attention. Lieyan was already a good horse picked from thousands of miles away, and Huolongju was an outstanding leader, rarely seen in the world. However, everyone in the martial arts world knew the relationship between Huolongju and Chang Xiao, and no one dared to have any bad ideas. Tang Shiyu also knew about this matter, and issued a secret order, strictly prohibiting officials from asking about it. Tang Shiyu at this time is different from before. Because of his great contribution in suppressing the rebellion, the emperor relies on him deeply. Although he is still lurking in the rivers and lakes, he is already a first-rank official and has the power of supervision. Officials from all over the country dare not disobey his orders. Chang Xiao and Yu Hudie are not in a hurry to return to the city that never sleeps. They travel around on the way. The fire dragon colt often runs around by itself. Chang Xiao does not restrain it and lets it run freely. Yu Hudie is determined to hold another beauties gathering to let everyone in the world know about her business, but she has to wait until Chang Xiao and Duan Qingxiao have a decisive battle. When it comes to it on the road, Chang Xiao ponders for a moment and says, "Now the situation has changed. The decisive battle between Duan Qingxiao and me is no longer a fight of life and death. The beauties gathering can be held earlier." Yu Hudie is overjoyed and shouts that she wants to go to Kaifeng to take a look, so she takes the road north. One day, Chang Xiao passed by Nanyang and stopped at a restaurant to stay. He saw the shopkeeper and the waiters whispering and talking to each other. He was a little puzzled. After asking, he learned that the two elders Shuijing had come here and all the chefs in the city had gone to see their cooking skills. Chang Xiao smiled and said, "They are both very comfortable. Since we have met them, it is a good opportunity to try their cooking skills. You may not know that their cooking skills are really extraordinary and they can be called first-class chefs." Jade Butterfly did not know about Yin Tianlei and asked, "First-class chefs, how are they better than the imperial chefs in the palace?" Chang Xiao trusted Duan Xiyun and Yin Tianlei very much and said affirmatively, "The imperial chefs in the palace cannot be compared at all. They once prepared a banquet with sky-high prices and earned 10,000 taels for 18 dishes. I don't think this price is high." Jade Butterfly immediately became interested, "Then what are we waiting for? Let's go quickly. But we don't have much silver. Will they be willing to cook for us?" Chang Xiao smiled and said, "Even the royal family can't invite these two people, but you can. One of them is your acquaintance." Jade Butterfly wondered, "Who is it?" Chang Xiao shook his head, "You will know when the time comes."

Wherever the two elders of Shuijing were, they would attract attention and were easy to find. Chang Xiao and Yu Hudie found a restaurant, where many people were already gathered outside and talking about it. After entering the door, the waiter greeted them. Chang Xiao asked, "Where are the two elders of Shuijing?" The waiter replied, "They are serving a little girl upstairs." Chang Xiao was puzzled. Duan Xiyun and Yin Tianlei were both first-class martial artists, so how could they serve people? After a while, he understood a little bit. It was probably the monk Shenmu who ran out to make trouble again. When he went upstairs, he saw that the upstairs was empty. There was only one table with people. The monk Shenmu was sitting upright. Duan Xiyun and Yin Tianlei came down to accompany him. When the monk Shenmu saw Chang Xiao, he smiled and said, "How did you have time to come out? Come and have a few drinks with me." He turned around and ordered, "You two go and get ten or eight more dishes, with a combination of meat and vegetables, and be quick." Duan Xiyun saw Chang Xiao, so naturally he had nothing to say. He smiled and said, "It seems that our brothers are destined to have a bad meal today." He went downstairs with Yin Tianlei. Because Yu Hudie was wearing a veil, and Yin Tianlei was very conservative and didn't look at her without permission, neither of them recognized her. Chang Xiao sat opposite to Monk Shenmu, and Yu Hudie was wondering who this girl was. Why was she so arrogant? It would be fine if the two elders Shuijing obeyed her orders, but why was her husband so respectful? You have to know that Chang Xiao's status and position are very special, and even the heads of the four famous families are not taken seriously. Monk Shenmu was quick-witted and straightforward, pointing at Yu Hudie and said, "Why are you wearing a veil when you have such a master by your side? Let me see if she looks good?" Because the other party was a girl, Yu Hudie was not angry. Chang Xiao smiled and said, "If she is not good-looking, there will be no beautiful beauties in the world." Monk Shenmu shook his head and said, "I don't believe it. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. Everyone has different vision." Yu Hudie was even more puzzled when she heard the title of senior. Could this girl be a senior in the martial arts world? This is too incredible. At the urging of the monk Shenmu, Jade Butterfly took off her veil. The monk Shenmu was a hermit with a completely different vision from that of ordinary people. He looked at her carefully for a long time and exclaimed: "You are right, she is indeed a first-class beauty. I bet that the concubines and princesses in the palace can't compare to her. I heard that there is a beauty named Jade Butterfly who is the most beautiful woman in the world. Although I have never seen her, I can be sure that this beauty must be better than her."

Chang Xiao was also happy for Yu Hudie to be recognized by such a great person. It is not easy to stay young at this age. Yu Hudie smiled, which made her even more charming. She said, "I am Yu Hudie." Shenmu Bhikkhu was stunned, then smiled and said, "I thought there couldn't be two beauties like you in the world. So you are Yu Hudie. You are the most beautiful woman in the world." Chang Xiao asked, "Why did you come here, senior?" Shenmu Bhikkhu pointed in the direction of the Never-Sleeping City and said, "Your Never-Sleeping City is fun, especially when the lights are on at night. But there are not many people and it is not lively enough. Anyway, I had nothing to do, so I wandered around and happened to meet these two fake chefs. Their cooking skills are really good. It's really good, so I asked them to cook for me and play with me for some time. "Yu Hudie was puzzled and asked, "Why are they fake chefs?" "Shenmu Bhikkhu pointed at Chang Xiao and said, "You ask him, he knows those two people." Chang Xiao explained, "These two people are martial arts masters. They use the identity of chefs to mix in the world. Their own cultivation is not bad. Didn't I say that one of them is your acquaintance? You will know when he comes up." Yu Hudie suspected that since he is a martial arts master, he is likely to be a fake old man. I have to take a closer look. After a while, Duan Xiyun and Yin Tianlei each carried a large tray upstairs, and there were six dishes on each tray. Yin Tianlei was surprised when he saw Yu Hudie. At the beginning, Yu Hudie stayed in Julong Villa and was desperate. It seemed that she would not live long. But now she is radiant and energetic, which is a world of difference compared to the past. After a moment's thought, he was relieved. Since Yu Hudie and Chang Xiao appeared at the same time, Chang Xiao must have accepted Yu Hudie and fulfilled his wish. In addition, Chang Xiao was omnipotent, so it was not surprising that he regained his youth. He arranged the dishes and bowed, saying, "Congratulations to the city lord for finding such a good match." Yu Hudie immediately recognized the voice and shouted, "Tianlei, why is it you?" Yin Tianlei replied, "Isn't it great? Free and unrestrained." Duan Xiyun also congratulated Chang Xiao. Chang Xiao sighed, "The world is like a chess game, it is unpredictable and no one can predict it." The monk Shenmu regarded himself as the master and ordered, "Put the meat over there and the vegetarian over here. You only need to keep one of them. The other one can make snacks for me and bring a pot of rose water." Because Yin Tianlei and Yu Hudie knew each other, Duan Xiyun took the order and went downstairs. Yu Hudie was quite curious. Who was this girl?

Chang Xiao knew that Yin Tianlei was not scheming, but Duan Xiyun was not stupid. A master like Shenmu Bhikkhu would not easily accept favors from others. If he accepted, he had to give something in return. Just giving a few pointers could save three or two years of hard work. Such a deal would be a sure win. Shenmu Bhikkhu didn't eat much, so he just wanted something new. Jade Butterfly also thought that these dishes were indeed extraordinary after tasting them. The four of them talked and laughed about the past. Duan Xiyun took the snacks upstairs and sat down and asked, "City Lord, I heard that the Desert Horse King Huolongju has entered the pass. Is he with the City Lord?" Chang Xiao nodded, "Huolongju missed the sea and followed me into the pass. He should be playing outside the city now." Duan Xiyun asked again, "Huolongju has been the Horse King for more than ten years. How is his muscles now?" Chang Xiao smiled, "As strong as before, he still dominates the world." Duan Xiyun praised repeatedly and envied him. Monk Shenmu disagreed: "People can regain their youth, and so can horses. In many places, people are not as good as horses." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "That's right. It is indeed against common sense that the Fire Dragon Colt has been roaming around for so many years. Isn't it the same for you, senior? I believe few people can tell your real age." Monk Shenmu shook his head: "Let alone others, even I can't tell my age clearly. I have forgotten it a long time ago." Yin Tianlei's life was very comfortable, and Yu Hudie was also happy. This meeting was in stark contrast to the last time. Neither of them mentioned the past to avoid evoking unpleasant memories. Duan Xiyun was most concerned about the inevitable duel between Chang Xiao and his grandfather. Shenmu Bhikkhu was a player in the game, and he comforted him: "Don't worry about it, kid. They are only fighting for victory or defeat, not life or death. With their achievements, no one can kill the other. Your grandfather is my little brother, and I won't lie to you." Yu Hudie was amused to see a young girl calling an old man a kid. She was extremely envious when she learned the true identity of Shenmu Bhikkhu from Yin Tianlei. There is really a miracle of rejuvenation in the world. Duan Xiyun asked: "How can the city lord come here after returning from the desert?" Chang Xiao explained: "Butterfly has been thinking about the scenery of the Qunfanghui. I plan to hold it in the near future. This trip is to go to Kaifeng first to see and make some preparations." Shenmu Bhikkhu clapped his hands and shouted: "I will definitely join in the fun. It will definitely be fun." Yin Tianlei said: "We brothers will definitely go to show our support." Duan Xiyun had no objection, and Yu Hudie's idea was completely understandable. The monk Shenmu suggested: "Don't forget to hang lanterns and set off fireworks. Without fireworks, you won't be able to attract many people." Duan Xiyun smiled and said, "Just the reputation of the world's most beautiful woman can attract tens of thousands of people." After eating and drinking, the monk Shenmu shouted that he wanted to go outside the city to see the Fire Dragon Colt. The five of them went out of the city together. Yin Tianlei's black horse was always by his side. It was naturally happy to meet the flames, but it became obedient as soon as it left the city. The majesty of the king of horses can be seen. A red dot appeared in the distance, and it came close in a blink of an eye. It was the Fire Dragon Colt. The monk Shenmu was surprised and said, "It's so fast. Tell it, I want to compete with it to see who runs faster." Chang Xiao was amused, but the Fire Dragon Colt didn't think so. The monk Shenmu shouted, "I just don't accept it. If you have the guts, come and chase me." He unfolded his body skills and disappeared like a wisp of green smoke. The Fire Dragon Colt was also surprised, but of course he couldn't admit defeat. He neighed and chased after it, and disappeared in a blink of an eye.

Chapter 92: Divine Skills

The monk Shenmu competed with Huolongju and ran away without a trace. Chang Xiao also found it funny. Duan Xiyun praised: "This senior is indeed a master of martial arts. He can even compete with Huolongju, the king of all horses." Yin Tianlei nodded: "I finally understand why my second brother is so flattering. Such skills are far beyond my reach." Yu Hudie finally waited for the opportunity and asked: "How old is that girl?" Chang Xiao smiled: "Her apprentice, Master Cunxin, is already more than seven rounds away. How old do you think she is?" Yu Hudie was still skeptical: "If that's the case, wouldn't she be an immortal?" Chang Xiao explained: "This is the result of the inner strength reaching the realm of perfection and returning to nature. Although it is extremely rare, it's nothing strange." Yu Hudie immediately became interested: "Then can I learn it?" Chang Xiao smiled: "This section It is difficult to tell outsiders about the hardships of the road. For example, there is only a half-foot wide stone beam in the middle of a ten-thousand-foot cliff. Do you dare to cross it? "Yu Hudie shook her head repeatedly: "I dare not cross it even in my dreams." Chang Xiao nodded: "That's it. The road to practicing internal skills is even more difficult and dangerous. Not one out of ten thousand people can succeed." Yu Hudie stuck out her tongue: "Forget it, I dare not think it is so difficult." Duan Xiyun said: "The city lord must have crossed this threshold. Can you give me some advice?" Chang Xiao shook his head: "Although your cultivation is not bad, you are still a long way from this realm. Don't be too ambitious. Only by being down-to-earth can you last long." Duan Xiyun nodded in agreement, knowing in his heart that the gap between him and Chang Xiao was already very far. While talking and laughing, a red shadow ran quickly and came close in the blink of an eye. It was the Fire Dragon Horse. Soon, the figure of the monk Shenmu also appeared. He came to the front and pointed, saying: "Now I understand that two legs are indeed not as fast as four legs." Chang Xiao praised: "Senior, your internal strength is superb, and your lightness skill is superb. If it were an ordinary horse, it would definitely not be able to catch up." The monk Shenmu pouted: "If you want to compete, compete with the fastest one. I don't even look down on ordinary ones. I bet that no one in the world can surpass the Fire Dragon Horse." Chang Xiao shook his head: "That's not entirely true." Of course, the monk Shenmu was not convinced: "You mean there are people with higher lightness skills than me, which is impossible." Chang Xiao was quite confident: "I can't say about long distances, but the Fire Dragon Horse will definitely not be able to catch up with me within fifty miles." The monk Shenmu shook his head: "Don't bluff me, your lightness skill can't surpass mine." Chang Xiao smiled and said: "In this case, let's make a bet. If I win, please promise me one thing." The monk Shenmu asked: "What is it?" Chang Xiao's face sank: "If one day I go all out to deal with Shangqing Palace, please don't interfere."

As soon as these words came out, the monk Shenmu was moved. Seeing that Chang Xiao had made up his mind, it would be difficult to save Shangqing Palace if he took action. Emei Sect and Shangqing Palace had a long history. It would be unreasonable not to help. But he really didn't believe that Chang Xiao could surpass him in Qinggong, so he nodded and said, "Okay, I promise. If you lose, you will let Shangqing Palace go. But you must not cheat. The Fire Dragon Colt is your friend. What if it deliberately lags behind? The three of us will compete together." Chang Xiao smiled and agreed, "Senior, you can rest for a while." The monk Shenmu shook his head, "No need. I just ran away. I am feeling comfortable now." The Fire Dragon Colt often ran wildly in the desert, and didn't care about this distance at all. The monk Shenmu shouted and took the lead to fly out, like an arrow from a bow. The Fire Dragon Colt followed, and Chang Xiao was calm and composed. He flew up and followed behind slowly. Monk Shenmu was very competitive and tried his best. The speed of the Fire Dragon Horse was well known to the world, and it quickly rushed to the front. Monk Shenmu was a top master. He felt that Chang Xiao was not far behind him, and thought to himself: I don’t believe you can surpass me. The lightness of the Emei School is the best in the world. It is impossible to lose to this rising star. When he was feeling proud, a bright light suddenly shot out from behind him. When Monk Shenmu was wondering, he saw a butterfly-like figure shooting with the light, and soon surpassed the Fire Dragon Horse and rushed to the front. Monk Shenmu was shocked. The Fire Dragon Horse accelerated first, and its four hooves were spread out, and its mane was blown by the wind. Monk Shenmu tried his best, but gradually fell behind, and could only see the light far ahead. Fifty miles is a long distance for ordinary people, but it is nothing for these two masters and the Fire Dragon Horse. When the monk Shenmu arrived at the finish line and saw Chang Xiao wiping the sweat off the Fire Dragon Horse, he shouted, "It doesn't count, you cheated." Chang Xiao asked, "Where did I cheat?" The monk Shenmu said angrily, "We agreed to compete in Qinggong, why did you use the sword-controlling technique? This doesn't count." Chang Xiao shook his head, "Senior, I didn't say we wanted to compete in Qinggong, I just said that the Fire Dragon Horse couldn't catch up with me within fifty miles." The monk Shenmu thought back to what he had just said. Chang Xiao did not say Qinggong, and it was too late to say anything more. Such a master naturally couldn't regret it, so he nodded and said, "I lost, let's talk about it when we get back."

After the competition began, Yin Tianlei asked Duan Xiyun: "Second brother, what do you think the city lord's chances of winning are?" Duan Xiyun smiled and said: "Ten percent. The monk Shenmu forgot a key point. The fastest of all martial arts is not Qinggong, but sword-riding. Although it is not as good as the legendary instantaneous thousand-mile skill, once it is performed, it is definitely beyond the imagination of ordinary people. The city lord's lightning shuttle is the king of hidden weapons. It was once on par with the sword-riding skill of Taoist Zuixia. The fact that he could escape from a dangerous place like the Cliff of Broken Souls is enough to show the magic of this martial art." Yin Tianlei nodded: "I didn't expect that a master like the monk Shenmu would miss a move. Second brother, does the city lord really want to deal with Shangqing Palace?" Duan Xiyun was quite sure: "Of course, I would do the same if I were in your place. Shangqing Palace is really going too far. This tone cannot be tolerated anyway." Yin Tianlei was quite worried: "Shangqing Palace is a famous family with a reputation in the world. It has dealings with all major sects. If one move affects the whole situation, it will make too many enemies. It's not a good thing. "Duan Xiyun said with a smile: "If the city lord goes all out to deal with Shangqing Palace, it's like a thousand-pound hammer hitting a chicken egg. Ninety percent of other sects dare not stand out. Besides, even if they stand out, it's useless. The strength of the Nether Swordsman is known to the world. It was the most powerful assassination organization at the beginning. After the careful training of Zuixia Taoist and the city lord, it has become an indestructible force. To be frustrating, even my grandfather can't do anything about it. "Yin Tianlei is kind by nature. He can't bear to see the bloody storm in the rivers and lakes. He said to Yu Hudie: "Now the city lord listens to you the most. Can you find a chance to persuade him?" Yu Hudie didn't want Chang Xiao to make enemies everywhere, so she nodded and agreed: "I will try my best to persuade him if I have a chance, but I can't say whether I can succeed. He is a very opinionated person. It's not easy to change his mind. "The figure of Fire Dragon Horse appeared in the distance. Chang Xiao was on the horse, and the Divine Eye Monk was pulling the horse's tail from behind, his figure flying, like a fallen leaf. Duan Xiyun praised: "The Emei Sect's reputation for light skills is well-deserved, and the four famous sects are inferior to it." Yin Tianlei also admired him very much: "This senior has superb skills and his cultivation is unfathomable. It would be great if you could give us some guidance." Duan Xiyun smiled and said: "She will definitely show some expression after eating our food. Such a master will not owe us any favors." Yin Tianlei then understood Duan Xiyun's intention and admired him secretly.

Chang Xiao came closer to comfort the Fire Dragon Colt, and the Fire Dragon Colt ran away again. The Monk Shenmu was still unwilling to accept it, and muttered: "I lost the bet, how embarrassing! How could I forget the sword-controlling technique? He got the advantage." Chang Xiao warned: "Senior, please remember what you said." The Monk Shenmu pouted and said: "Don't worry, I will keep my word and never cheat. But you have to remember, I will definitely beat you in the next bet." Chang Xiao smiled and said: "Next time I won't bet no matter what you say." The Monk Shenmu shouted: "No, you started it. If you don't bet with me, I will move to your city that never sleeps and make you sleep poorly every day." Chang Xiao nodded: "If senior wants to make a bet, Chang will certainly accompany you. Senior is always welcome to the City That Never Sleeps." Only then was the monk Shenmu satisfied, and Chang Xiao took his leave. The monk Shenmu did not forget to remind him a few words: "Remember my words, the Flowers Gathering must light lanterns and set off fireworks. I will definitely go to watch. If it is not lively, I will settle the score with you." Yu Hudie smiled and said, "Don't worry, senior. I am the protagonist of the Flowers Gathering. If it is not lively, I will be the first one to not let him off." The monk Shenmu clapped his hands and said, "Yes, if he doesn't listen, you bite him. Bite him so that he is covered with teeth marks and has no face to see people." Yu Hudie's face was shy and extremely charming. The monk Shenmu pointed at Chang Xiao and said, "I really don't know what blessings you have earned in your previous life. It's already enviable enough to have the best divine horse in the world, and you've married the most beautiful woman in the world, have the best hidden weapon in the world, master the most powerful netherworld swordsman in the world, and live in the best castle in the world. You have all the good things. I get angry just looking at you, and I swear I wouldn't be a human being if I didn't cause you some trouble." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "I'm always willing to listen to your teachings, senior. If life is too dull, even fine clothes and delicious food will be boring. Goodbye." After Chang Xiao and Jade Butterfly left, Yin Tianlei asked, "Why do you hate the city?" Master?" The monk Shenmu curled his lips and said, "How stupid. He won the bet against me, so of course I hate him. It would be great if I won. One day I will win him." Duan Xiyun persuaded, "Senior, you miscalculated for a moment, and you will make it up sooner or later. Speaking of sword-riding, it is indeed swift and unparalleled, even a divine horse like the Fire Dragon Colt can't catch up." The monk Shenmu immediately glared at him, "Why didn't you tell me when you knew the sword-riding technique? You made me lose the bet, you deserve to be beaten." Duan Xiyun smiled bitterly and said, "Senior was the first to rush out and didn't even let me speak." The monk Shenmu thought about it and laughed.

After the construction of the Never-Sleeping City, Fang Zishou's fleet and Yan Nanlou's business continued, and the accumulated wealth was extremely huge. After learning about Chang Xiao's contact with Duan Qingxiao, Fang Zishou didn't quite understand it at first, but later he thought of the first leader Hua Mengdie's generous death to defend the dignity of the warriors, and the open-minded and heroic spirit of Zuixia Taoist who knew he couldn't win but still challenged the strong hand, and he felt relieved. A true master would not take life and death to heart. After the establishment of the Never-Sleeping City, Chang Xiao had made it clear that half of the profits from the business would be sent to the Never-Sleeping City, and the other half would be at Fang Zishou's disposal. Fang Zishou discussed with his brothers that the Never-Sleeping City was not suitable for the Nether Swordsman to live in, and he should choose another place to settle down. Through Yan Nanlou, he learned that there was an uninhabited deserted island on the sea near the mouth of the Yangtze River. Fang Zishou had already selected one and named it the Nether Island. Chang Xiao specifically instructed to build a seven-story pagoda on the island as a symbol. After the decisive battle between Chang Xiao and Duan Qingxiao, the Nether Swordsman settled on the island. The project is in progress, Fang Zishou cannot split his time between two places, so he stays in the Central Plains to take care of the business. He is very satisfied with Chang Xiao's arrangement. The Nether Swordsman has been in the martial arts world for many years and has killed many people. Although he is not afraid of anyone now, he will decline one day. Once the red sun sets in the west, it is inevitable that he will die without a burial place. It is better to find a way out as soon as possible. There are many advantages to settling on an island. The unpredictable storms on the sea can discourage many people. Another use of building a pagoda is to see far away. Once a ship approaches, it can be discovered in advance to prevent it from happening. This is a long-term plan. At this time, someone sent a letter. Fang Zishou read it and found that Chang Xiao wanted to hold a group of beauties and asked him to assist. Fang Zishou heard about Chang Xiao accepting the jade butterfly, and thought: This is the true nature of the people in the martial arts world. I do my own thing. What others think is what they want. Emperor Yang of Sui even occupied his own sister and aunt, but there are still countless people working for him. Who dares to say no? The beauties' gathering is a great event, so naturally, many parties need to help. Fang Zishou is very smart. He knows that in the current situation, the reputation of the Never-Sleeping City has surpassed that of the Divine Sword Sect. There are many people in the Jianghu who are trying to build relationships, so there is no need for him to worry about it. So he passed the news to Jiang Feiluan of Tongtian Fort, Qi Shizhen who had been in hiding for a long time, and Wanxiantang headed by Mo Qilin. This trick really worked. When the three got the news, they all knew that this was the best opportunity to please Chang Xiao. They allocated a large amount of silver and sent a large number of people to Kaifeng to prepare. The number of people mobilized and the amount of financial resources consumed was unprecedented. Qi Shizhen was the smartest and knew Chang Xiao very well. Chang Xiao never put gold, silver and treasures in his eyes. After the Never-Sleeping City was built, it would not take long for him to give up the business of the South China Sea Fleet. If he could reconcile with the old friends and get a part of the business, he would have hope for the future.

The news of the beauties gathering spread quickly throughout the country. Qiao Dongshan, Lady Shuijing, and Yan Shiqing, who had participated in the gathering, had all accepted the invitation. Mei Lushan had passed away, and his son came as invited. He was well versed in music theory and his attainments were not inferior to his father. Because he was good at the piece "Three Variations on Plum Blossoms", he was nicknamed "Three Variations on Plum Blossoms". The people and officials in Kaifeng were moved by the news, but everyone had a question in their minds. Jade Butterfly was at least 40 years old. How much of her former beauty could she still retain? Could she cause a sensation like she did back then? Would she be outshined by the younger beauties? Although there were many questions, preparations had to be made. The rewards this time were extremely generous, more than three times more than the previous two times, which naturally attracted many beauties. People who booked accommodation in Kaifeng city came one after another, and the owners of inns and restaurants were so happy that they couldn't stop smiling. Even the rent of ordinary houses increased several times. According to insiders, this beauties gathering was the last one. For most people, it was almost impossible to see the most beautiful woman in the world again in the future. Therefore, people from all over the country came to Kaifeng to join in the fun and add some color to their ordinary lives. Seeing the most beautiful woman in the world with your own eyes is a capital for bragging in the future, and it is not bad to be able to drink two bowls of wine. With the experience of the previous two times, local officials and people are ready to make a fortune. After all, it is the last time, and if you don’t grasp it, there will be no chance. For various reasons, the whole city of Kaifeng became lively. There were people coming and going everywhere in and out of the city. Many people who had no money to stay in the city found a place to rest outside the city. Therefore, snack vendors from all over the country also came to join in the fun. Business was very good. Even if the emperor came, there would be no such scene. The officials in Kaifeng were naturally happy. The meeting of the beauties was held, which alarmed the retired Prince Lian. When he came, more than half of the officials of Jiangnan, big and small, had to come. If handled properly, promotion was just around the corner. At this time, Wei Heyang had become an important figure in Jiangnan. Although he was still commanding troops in Weihe Camp, no official of Jiangnan, big or small, dared to look down on him. It was mainly because he had three blank imperial edicts in his hand, holding the power of life and death. Therefore, the Kaifeng officials had sent the invitation to the mansion long ago. Wei Heyang didn't care about these things at all, but Princess Rose was very happy and prepared to go to Kaifeng to watch the fun. The royal family was very particular about every move, preparing carriages and horses, arranging post stations, and busying around the mansion. Originally, Princess Rose wanted Wei Heyang to accompany her, but Wei Heyang politely declined, using the excuse that he was busy with official duties. In fact, he didn't want to deal with so many officials, nor did he want to join in the fun. Princess Rose knew her husband's intentions and advised, "Officialdom requires tact. If you don't deal with local officials, you will inevitably suffer in the future." Wei Heyang smiled and said, "How can I not know the rules of officialdom? If I didn't have the blank imperial edict, I would have to be perfunctory. Now that I have a magic weapon to protect myself, who can do anything to me?" Princess Rose shook her head slightly, "Although the blank imperial edict can keep you safe for a while, you still have to deal with officials at all levels. It's no good if the relationship becomes strained."

Chapter 93: The First Divine Horse

Since the last time he went to Beijing to suppress the rebellion, Wei Heyang had indeed relaxed a lot. He was somewhat tempted by what the princess said. When he was hesitating, someone sent an urgent report that the war horses in the right garrison of Weihe Camp had broken through the fence and escaped. Wei Heyang was shocked. There were more than 5,000 good horses in the right garrison. Once lost, it would be a disaster. Without time to think about it, he immediately said goodbye to the princess and rushed back to the camp. When he arrived at the camp, he immediately went to the tent. All the generals came to listen to his orders. Wei Heyang knew the priorities. At this time, the most important thing was to find the war horses. The responsibility was a matter for the future. He immediately ordered the generals to chase in different directions. Which road found the traces of the war horses should send a signal to contact. After the order was passed, Wei Heyang ordered Shen Hanling to stay in the camp, and he led 500 tiger guards out of the camp to search in the direction where the war horses escaped. After chasing for thirty miles, the various routes sent back news that no traces of the war horses were found. Wei Heyang was puzzled. Five thousand war horses must be very noisy. How could they not be found? Urging the men and horses to move forward, suddenly there was news from the west that the war horses were all in the valley. Wei Heyang immediately led his men there, followed by soldiers. Wei Heyang urged his horse to the hillside, put his hands on the pergola to watch, and saw dust rolling in the valley, and thousands of horses were galloping. Wei Heyang was wondering, these war horses have always been fine, why did they act out of character this time? Without time to think about it, he immediately ordered his subordinates to block the entrance of the valley, and not let these war horses escape at all costs. The soldiers acted separately and soon blocked the two exits of the valley. Wei Heyang was about to lead his men into the valley, and someone around him shouted: "Marshal, there must be a leader on the hillside over there." Wei Heyang looked closely and saw a fiery red horse on the hillside, looking proudly, examining the war horses below like a king reviewing his troops. Wei Heyang immediately determined that this was not a war horse in the barracks. As a general commanding troops, Wei Heyang has always regarded BMW as his second life. When he saw the horse, he slapped his thigh and praised: "What a thousand-mile dragon colt." A general beside him said: "Marshal, this horse looks like the Fire Dragon Colt, the king of all horses in the desert." Wei Heyang frowned: "Are you sure? The Fire Dragon Colt has been roaming the desert for many years and should have aged long ago. How can it be so majestic?" The general replied: "I have seen the Fire Dragon Colt several times at the border and have a deep memory of it. I will not be wrong. The Fire Dragon Colt is the king of all horses. No other horse in the world can compare to it." Wei Heyang believed in the eyesight of his subordinates. They had been in the army for a long time and it was impossible for them to mistake such a BMW. So he nodded slightly and said, "It's no wonder that it's a Fire Dragon Colt. This king of all horses is indeed magical. Do you think we can catch and tame it?" The lieutenant general smiled bitterly and said, "Don't waste your energy, Marshal. We offered a reward of 200,000 taels of silver at the border but failed to get what we wanted. We sent thousands of people to chase it and surrounded it several times but couldn't catch it. It always escaped. Later, experts pointed out that the Fire Dragon Colt deliberately fell into the encirclement. Every time it rushed out, its prestige among the wild horses increased a little. If not for that, we would have no chance to get close to it." Wei Heyang praised, "It really deserves to be the number one divine horse in the world."

Hearing that the Fire Dragon Colt was so magical, Wei Heyang wanted to get it even more. He issued an order that whoever caught the Fire Dragon Colt would be rewarded with 250,000 taels of silver. There was no joking in the army. Such a high reward was of course tempting. For a while, all the soldiers were eager to try. Only the generals who had experienced the power of the Fire Dragon Colt did not care. The Fire Dragon Colt was by no means comparable to ordinary war horses, and no matter how much the reward was, they could not get it. Many soldiers happily laid trip ropes and prepared lassoes. If they succeeded by chance, they would be able to ascend to heaven in one step. 250,000 taels of silver were enough for a lifetime of freedom. After preparations were completed, Wei Heyang led his men into the valley. The war horses in the valley had been tamed for a long time and did not have the violent temperament of wild horses. They were quickly separated. The grooms were busy cleaning up, and hundreds of soldiers shouted and rushed towards the Fire Dragon Colt. The Fire Dragon Colt was quite excited since entering the Central Plains, always running around, and Chang Xiao did not restrain it at all. When playing in the river, he accidentally heard the horse neighing, and then discovered the war horses in the barracks. The Fire Dragon Colt was used to being at ease, and looked down on these war horses. He ran to the camp and ridiculed them. The war horses kept making noises for a long time, and then broke through the guardrail and ran out. The Fire Dragon Colt just treated it as a game, and made these war horses obey him by showing off his skills casually. The Fire Dragon Colt felt that it was boring, and there was not even an opponent among thousands of horses. Therefore, he brought these war horses into the valley, just to wait for people to show their skills. Wei Heyang and others had been discovered by it a long time ago, and he deliberately waited for them to make arrangements. When the soldiers surrounded them, the Fire Dragon Colt neighed to the sky, and the valley echoed continuously. Before the sound stopped, the soldiers suddenly realized that the Fire Dragon Colt was missing. They looked around and found that the Fire Dragon Colt was behind them. It was incredible that it moved so quickly. Wei Heyang saw it clearly from a high place, and immediately gave orders to force the Fire Dragon Colt to the hillside. Soon the Fire Dragon Colt reached the hillside, with high mountains behind it and soldiers holding swords and guns all around. When Wei Heyang was rejoicing, the lieutenant beside him said, "General, the Fire Dragon Colt climbs mountains and crosses ridges as if it were walking on flat ground. It is laughing at our arrangement being too simple and not worth mentioning." Wei Heyang's heart suddenly sank. It was obvious that the Fire Dragon Colt was using himself and his subordinates to show off his strength and show off to all the war horses. But he was reluctant to give up. He hesitated for a while and gritted his teeth and said, "I want to see how capable the Fire Dragon Colt is. It's too embarrassing that more than a thousand people can't even catch a horse." The lieutenant didn't know what to say. He thought: If it was so easy to catch the Fire Dragon Colt, it wouldn't be worth so much money. You don't know how powerful the Fire Dragon Colt is without suffering a little loss.

Wei Heyang made up his mind and led his soldiers to chase and intercept. The Fire Dragon Colt jumped out of the encirclement again and again. The most annoying thing was that every time the Fire Dragon Colt successfully escaped, it would not leave, but wait there and kept challenging him. At the beginning, the soldiers tried their best to intercept for the reward, but the repeated failures gradually reduced their confidence. After running wildly for nearly two hours, the Fire Dragon Colt was still energetic, and the soldiers were exhausted. Wei Heyang finally realized that the Fire Dragon Colt could not be caught, and he had no choice but to order the troops to withdraw. All the war horses lowered their heads and tucked their tails, and they had no choice but to admit defeat in front of the king of ten thousand horses. The Fire Dragon Colt was still not satisfied, and followed behind to laugh at the war horses and these people for their incompetence. Wei Heyang was furious, and ordered the generals to lead the war horses back to the camp, and he urged his horse to rush towards the Fire Dragon Colt alone. The horse under Wei Heyang was also a rare breed, but it could not compare with the Fire Dragon Colt. The Fire Dragon Colt waited for Wei Heyang to get close before starting, always keeping a distance of more than a hundred steps, and ran for a long time. Wei Heyang himself was fine, but the horse under him was already foaming at the mouth. He had no choice but to pull the reins and said: "Fire Dragon Colt, I admit that you are the king of ten thousand horses. Let's compete again if there is a chance." He jumped off the horse and walked back slowly. The Fire Dragon Colt neighed a few times and ran away. Wei Heyang was dejected. He led the troops to suppress the rebellion, rushed thousands of miles, killed the generals and seized the flag. How majestic? Now he was played by a horse, and he was naturally annoyed. When he came to the river to water the horse, he suddenly found a red horse playing in the river. Wei Heyang wondered, could it be that the Fire Dragon Colt was not giving up and ran ahead of him again? When the red horse jumped to the other side, he found that it was not the Fire Dragon Colt. Although this horse was very similar to the Fire Dragon Colt, there was an obvious difference. There was a white circle above each of the four hooves, and the mane was much shorter. There were two people sitting on the rocks on the other side of the river. Wei Heyang thought: This red horse is also a rare good horse. If it is the mount of those two people, I can buy it myself. The red horse walked to the two people and let one of them put the saddle. At this time, it was certain that the red horse had an owner. The opportunity was not to be missed, Wei Heyang said: "Can the warriors on the other side cross the river to have a chat?" The two people on the other side of the river jumped up lightly, crossing the several feet wide river as if strolling in the garden. Wei Heyang was shocked. He didn't expect that the other party was actually a martial arts master. After approaching, he saw that it was a man and a woman. The man was very strong and the woman was wearing a big hat, so her face could not be seen clearly. Wei Heyang clasped his fists and said: "Please come in, brother." The man returned the greeting and said: "No problem, judging from your attire, you should be a military attaché in the army. What do you want?" Wei Heyang replied: "It's specially for your BMW."

The two people are Chang Xiao and Yu Hudie. The Qunfanghui has already started preparations. The two are going back to the Never-Sleeping City. When they pass by this place, they meet Wei Heyang by chance. Hearing Wei Heyang's words, Chang Xiao smiled and said, "It is natural for a general to love horses, but a martial artist also loves horses as if they were his life, and it is difficult to give up." Wei Heyang has been practicing martial arts for a long time. When he sees a martial arts master, he naturally cannot let him go. He inquired, "Excuse me, which school are you a master of?" Chang Xiao shook his head, "I have no school or sect, I can only be considered a swordsman." In addition to the giant sword, Wei Heyang has been practicing the swordsmanship taught by Wu Qingyang. He has gained a lot these days, but unfortunately he has never had the opportunity to display it. It's rare to meet a master, so I want to learn from him. After saying this, Chang Xiao smiled and said, "It's okay to learn from him. I'm free anyway, so it's good to stretch my muscles." Wei Heyang was overjoyed. He hadn't had a chance to show off the Chihuang sword since he got it, so he wanted to try it this time. With a greeting, he stretched out his hand and drew his sword, and a red light went straight to Chang Xiao's face. Chang Xiao felt strange. What real skills could a military officer of the imperial court have? However, this man's swordsmanship was very standard and authentic, and he had obviously been taught by a famous teacher. Anyway, he had nothing to do, so he decided to see how capable this man was. After a while, Chang Xiao asked, "Who is Qingyang Swordsman to you?" Wei Heyang was stunned, put away his sword and replied, "Qingyang Swordsman is my mentor." Chang Xiao smiled and nodded, "So you are Brother Wu's disciple, so there is no need to compete." Wei Heyang was still not satisfied, so Chang Xiao smiled and said, "Your master and I are brothers, so we are also family." Wei Heyang only believed it 50%. The man in front of him looked only about 30 years old, how could he be brothers with his master? Chang Xiao asked, "Just now I saw a lot of soldiers passing by from afar. What was it for?" Wei Heyang didn't need to hide it, and answered, "Thousands of war horses escaped, and those soldiers were all chasing horses." Chang Xiao smiled bitterly and shook his head, "The Fire Dragon Colt is just playful. It's not enough for him to be happy, so he has to cause some trouble." Wei Heyang was surprised, "Could it be that the Fire Dragon Colt is your mount?" Chang Xiao explained, "The Fire Dragon Colt is my brother, not my mount." Wei Heyang sighed, "If I get the Fire Dragon Colt, I will treat it as a brother." Although Wei Heyang is Wu Qingyang's disciple, he is still a government official. Chang Xiao didn't want to stay too long, so he said, "Give my regards to your master when you see him." Wei Heyang asked, "What is your name?" Chang Xiao smiled, "Your master will know it as soon as you mention the Fire Dragon Colt." With a whistle, the Fire Dragon Colt soon came to him, and Chang Xiao and Yu Hudie got on the horse and left. Wei Heyang was envious. It didn't matter that this person was superb in martial arts, but getting the Fire Dragon Colt was really enviable.

After Princess Yueying had rested for a while, she did improve greatly. There were external reasons, but the most important thing was that she no longer had to worry. Without worries, she could take care of herself wholeheartedly. Hanmei, Xianglan and the other four sisters were also very interested in this princess from Tianzhu. They helped in many ways and achieved good results. When Chang Xiao arrived, he was also pleased to see the changes in his wife. While drinking and chatting, Hanmei asked, "What is the purpose of your visit this time?" Chang Xiao smiled and said, "You have been here for a long time, and it is inevitable that you will feel lonely. I am going to hold a gathering for butterflies, and it will inevitably be very lively. This time I came to pick you sisters up to join in the fun." The four sisters were overjoyed. Although this place is a blessed land, it is inevitable that it will feel monotonous after a long time. This opportunity is very rare. Princess Yueying asked, "Shouldn't it be held after your decisive battle with Duan Qingxiao? Why advance it? Are you sure you will win?" Chang Xiao shook his head, "I can't say we will win, but what is certain is that neither of us can kill the other. Now that there is no danger, the gathering of beauties can be held in advance." Princess Yueying let out a long sigh, "You should have said it earlier. I was worried about it." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "I only understood it later. I wasn't sure at the beginning." Princess Yueying sighed, "You've really changed. I can't recognize you anymore. I can't find any trace of you from before. I always thought I knew you very well, but today I know that I was wrong." Chang Xiao looked into the distance and said slowly, "Not to mention you, even I couldn't have imagined that such a big change would happen to me. Most people think that I have achieved success overnight and have everything I want. But I know that although I have reached the realm that martial artists dream of, I have lost many precious things and can never find my former self again. It is difficult to tell the difference between gains and losses. "Han Mei saw that the topic between the two was a bit heavy, so she changed the subject and asked, "Didn't the flag owner say that he wanted to see the Fire Dragon Colt when he picked up Sister Butterfly last time? Did you see it?" Chang Xiao's expression changed immediately when he mentioned the Fire Dragon Colt, and he smiled and said, "The Fire Dragon Colt has not changed much. It is still the king of thousands of horses that roam the desert. Because he missed the sea, he followed me to the Central Plains. A few days ago, he brought out the war horses from the military camp and played with the soldiers in the army. "Princess Yueying shouted, "I have seen the Fire Dragon Colt. No matter how many horses are together, the one that attracts your attention is definitely the Fire Dragon Colt."

Princess Yueying already knew the relationship between Chang Xiao and the four sisters, and she was also very close to the four of them. After hard training, Chang Xiao had reached the peak and was fully qualified to enjoy everything. After a while of lingering, the few people laughed and prepared, and Chang Xiao brought them down the mountain one by one, especially bringing Jade Butterfly's most beloved Xiaoguai down the mountain. The four Hanmei sisters came to the Never-Sleeping City and were very happy to see such a magnificent castle. If possible, they would take turns living on both sides. That kind of life would be happier than the gods. Jade Butterfly couldn't wait to hold Xiaoguai in her hands and caress him. The six beauties gathered together and talked and laughed endlessly, and no one else could interrupt them. At this time, someone sent fireworks, which were prepared for the Qunfanghui. Chang Xiao was asked to try it first, and if he was not satisfied, he could change it. In the evening, Chang Xiao ordered people to set off fireworks. The most excited were of course the four sisters Hanmei and Xianglan. These four had lived in the mountains for a long time and had no chance to see such a scene. They were all smiling and beautiful. It was hard to believe that they were already in their forties. The sword boy and the piano boy started to set off fireworks. For a while, colorful halos bloomed in the sky, and the sound could be heard for miles. Everyone was enjoying the beautiful scenery. Suddenly, a girl clapped her hands and ran in. It was the monk Shenmu. Chang Xiao thought to himself: The lightness of the Emei Sect is indeed unparalleled in the world. She even treated the several-meter-high city wall as nothing and came and went freely. Monk Shenmu ran to the sword boy, put a package in his hand and said: "This is the most expensive firework I found, please let me see it." The sword boy laughed and said: "Why don't you let off the fireworks yourself?" Monk Shenmu curled his lips and said: "I want to see the fireworks, not set them off. I won't have time to watch them if I set them off myself. Let them off for me." The sword boy knew the temper of this master, so he took the fireworks and set them up. Monk Shenmu shouted: "I'll go to the roof to see them, you can let me see them later, not in advance." The sword boy felt amused and nodded in agreement. Monk Shenmu quickly jumped onto the roof and made a gesture, and the sword boy lit them one by one. With a loud bang, the fireworks exploded into the sky, illuminating the entire city that never sleeps like daylight. Monk Shenmu clapped his hands and cheered, getting excited and forgetting everything else.

Chapter 94: Assessing the Situation

After the fireworks were over, Monk Shenmu ran into the room to ask for food and drink. He set his eyes on the little darling in Yu Hudie's arms. He jumped over to stroke it and liked it so much that he asked, "This kitten is so cute. Can you give it to me?" Yu Hudie naturally refused. Chang Xiao smiled and said, "If you like, I can ask someone to find a few." Monk Shenmu hesitated for a moment and shook his head, "Forget it. It's uncomfortable to carry a kitten with you. No matter where you hide it, others will know it as soon as it meows. It's not fun." The four Hanmei sisters were quite confident in their looks. When they learned that this master dressed as a girl was actually a hundred years old, they felt like a dwarf compared to a giant. The experienced monk Shenmu looked at them carefully and asked, "Where did you learn yoga?" Hanmei replied, "Our master had contact with an Indian monk in his early years, and it was that monk who taught us." The monk Shenmu shook his head and said, "Yoga is not simple, it is profound and mysterious, and it is no less than the top martial arts in the Central Plains. The masters of yoga have magical powers, no less than the masters in the Central Plains." Chang Xiao had never paid attention to yoga before, and thought that this skill was just to relax the muscles and bones. Today, when he heard that yoga had such a function, he immediately became interested and asked, "Can yoga really be used in martial arts competitions?" The monk Shenmu smiled and said, "Not only in martial arts competitions, masters of yoga can control the whole body. Joints, arms can suddenly grow half a foot when fighting, if you don't know the details, you will inevitably suffer. In addition, yoga can close the whole body's qi channels, and can also dissolve powerful attacks, and disperse the power of ten thousand kilograms to the whole body in an instant. "Chang Xiao nodded: "It turns out that yoga is so magical, I have to pay attention to it in the future." Princess Yueying was originally a princess of Tianzhu, so she naturally knew something, and said: "There are not many real yoga masters, and they are indeed quite powerful. After our son was canonized as the King of the Moon Wheel, his father specially invited a yoga master as a mentor to teach him. "For Chang Xiao, although the King of the Moon Wheel is his son, he has already given it to his father-in-law, so he has never paid much attention to it. Today, I heard that my son actually learned yoga, and I thought to myself that if my son is not willing to live on the island in the future and wants to develop in the Central Plains, I can give him some pointers. At this time, although Chang Xiao has six beauties around him, the Hanmei sisters cannot give birth, and the chance of Yu Hudie getting pregnant and giving birth is also very slim. Only Princess Yueying has this condition. Jade Butterfly knew Chang Xiao's situation, so she held Princess Yueying's hand and said, "Sister, take good care of yourself. When you are strong, give birth to a baby so that he can inherit the Never-Sleeping City in the future." Princess Yueying blushed, "Sister, don't joke with me. How can I have a child at my age?" Jade Butterfly shook her head, "As long as sister practices yoga hard, it won't be difficult to have a child. It's inevitable that people will laugh at the lord of the Never-Sleeping City if she doesn't have a successor."

In fact, Chang Xiao didn't care much about passing on his family line. After many twists and turns, he had achieved achievements that ordinary people could not reach, and the hardships he had paid were beyond the imagination of ordinary people. In Chang Xiao's view, the joys and sorrows of the world are unpredictable, and the rivers and lakes are full of intrigues and schemes. If he had died in Taibai Mountain, it would have been a relief, and he would have been free from all the hardships. The monk Shenmu was carefree, pointing fingers, asking for this and that, and four or five people were too busy to handle it. Chang Xiao thought of Duan Xiyun and Yin Tianlei and asked, "Where are the two elders Shuijing?" Shenmu monk smiled and said, "They went to Kaifeng first. This excitement cannot be missed. I was impatient to wait, so I came to see it first. I just caught up with the fireworks. I'm so happy. I must prepare more fireworks for the Beauty Fair. I want to see more." Chang Xiao nodded and said, "This is easy. At least more than 100,000 people will come to Kaifeng to watch the Beauty Fair. The people of Kaifeng will definitely benefit from it. I will ask them to distribute fireworks and lanterns to every household. Then the whole city will be lively together." Shenmu monk was very happy. Princess Yueying said, "You are holding a grand Beauty Fair for Sister Yu, but you can't favor one over the other." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "Except for the most beautiful woman in the world, no one can be the protagonist of the Beauty Fair. Others are just foils. If the protagonist is replaced by someone else, the Beauty Fair will not be held at all." Princess Yueying was helpless. Shenmu monk didn't care who was the protagonist, as long as it was lively and happy. Chang Xiao predicted that this Beauty Fair would be different from the previous two times, and it would probably attract many people from the martial arts world. Because the rapid rise of the Never-Sleeping City has attracted the attention of most people in the martial arts world, and may even alarm the masters of the world. For martial artists, this is a rare opportunity. Therefore, Chang Xiao asked the four brothers Jian Tong and Qin Tong to go together, and then notify Fang Zishou to summon the Netherworld Swordsmen to gather in Kaifeng. The sword boy asked, "City Lord, if everyone goes to Kaifeng, won't the Never-Sleeping City become an empty city? How can we resist if someone attacks?" Chang Xiao smiled, "Don't worry, no one dares to attack the Never-Sleeping City today. Don't forget that I am not only the Lord of the Never-Sleeping City, but also the Lord of the Blood Shadow Banner, and no longer the Lord of the Julong Manor. The place with the most treasures in the world is the imperial palace, why doesn't anyone have any bad ideas?" The sword boy replied, "That's because the imperial palace is heavily guarded, the imperial power is supreme, and no one can decide life and death." Chang Xiao smiled and nodded, "Yes, no matter how good the treasures are, you have to be alive to enjoy them. For most people, the Never-Sleeping City is the gate of hell. Even if the city gates are wide open, no one dares to take risks. I hope someone comes to cause trouble, then we will have the opportunity to show our strength. We can do what the emperor can do, and we can do what the emperor can't do."

Chang Xiao's words were not exaggerated at all. At this time, the Never-Sleeping City had already affected the whole country, which was completely different from the former Julong Villa. The key was Chang Xiao's change. If Chang Xiao was still as good-tempered as before, it would be hard to say. After deliberation, the elites of the Never-Sleeping City rushed to Kaifeng together. Only a few maids were left in the huge castle. Most people in the martial arts world knew that the Never-Sleeping City had countless treasures. Although it was powerful, it was a bit too arrogant. There were all kinds of people in the martial arts world, and there were many people who would rather die than give up their wealth. As soon as this news came out, some desperate people immediately started to think about it. The Never-Sleeping City was like a gold mountain. Although it looked greedy, there was a tiger guarding it, and no one dared to move. Now that the tiger has left, it would be a shame not to grab a handful. After getting it, sailing out to sea or leaving the Central Plains, settling down in a foreign land, and living a free and easy life like a god. As long as things were done cleanly, there would be no danger. These people were about to take action, but the Beggars' Gang got the news. Jiang Hantao, who was in charge of intelligence, immediately asked the leader of the gang. Ziyun Gu secretly sent someone to pass the news to Chang Xiao, but the messenger came back and said that Chang Xiao didn't believe that anyone dared to make trouble, and he didn't need the help of the Beggars' Gang. Ziyun Gu was a little embarrassed. The news was true. Once these thieves succeeded, it would be difficult to hide and hide. At this time, she just got the news from Elder Jinchan. It turned out that the elder also wanted to go to Kaifeng to join in the fun. Ziyun Gu met with the elder immediately and asked the elder to meet Chang Xiao. It would be best to take some precautions. Elder Jinchan promised and set off immediately, but he couldn't find any trace of Chang Xiao. It turned out that Chang Xiao was not with his family, but with Huolongju. Huolongju went wherever he wanted and moved quickly, so no one could find him. Elder Jinchan thought again and again and decided to go to Kaifeng first. Even if the thieves succeeded, it didn't matter. At this time, they suddenly received information that there were several masters among the thieves, all of whom were ruthless and merciless. The elder had to tell Jian Tong first. Jian Tong knew that the elder was a martial arts master, so he agreed to pass on the news. In addition to the Beggars' Sect, Tang Shiyu also got the news and discussed it with Duan Qingxiao. Duan Qingxiao took it very seriously and said, "Let me handle the affairs of the Never-Sleeping City personally. Don't alarm others." Tang Shiyu asked, "Does the sect leader want to help Chang Xiao get rid of these thieves? Isn't it beneath my dignity to do so?" Duan Qingxiao shook his head, "I am not helping the Never-Sleeping City, but taking this opportunity to find out Chang Xiao's true strength."

Tang Shiyu was quite surprised when he heard this: "Master, are you saying that there are still hidden masters in the Never-Sleeping City?" Duan Qingxiao stroked his beard and said, "Of course, Chang Xiao is a very cunning person. In addition to the Nether Swordsman and the four Sword Boy brothers, there must be hidden powers. I have studied some of the actions of the Nether Swordsmen. Although they are all masters, there are only eleven of them after all, and several of them have to be assigned to take care of the business, so it is impossible for everything to be done perfectly. The one who dealt with the aftermath is another force. In my opinion, that is where Chang Xiao's real strength lies." Tang Shiyu sighed lightly: "I didn't expect Chang Xiao to have this skill. No wonder he dared to make such a big fuss. I really admire the master for knowing Chang Xiao so well." Duan Qingxiao said solemnly: "He is my only opponent, and no tiny details can be ignored. The Nether Swordsman is indeed amazing, and the Sword Boy brothers are not ordinary people, but these people are in the open and it is easy to guard against. Besides, these people are the forces cultivated by Taoist Zuixia. If Chang Xiao relies on these people to roam the world, he will definitely not be willing. In my opinion, it won't be long before the Nether Swordsman leaves Chang Xiao. This time, the Qunfang Club deliberately exposed a flaw to let the people know that the Never-Sleeping City is a veritable dragon's den and tiger's lair. These thieves are like moths flying into the fire, and they are destined to die in the Never-Sleeping City. "Tang Shiyu nodded: "So that's the case. The Sect Master must have waited for the opportunity to find out the details of his opponent and make full preparations before taking action." Duan Qingxiao nodded: "Yes, Chang Xiao is indeed not a simple person. He is so patient. I tried every means to find out his details, and he is also exploring my background through various channels. In this regard, I have already fallen behind. This flaw was deliberately exposed by Chang Xiao. This trip is destined to have no substantial gains, and it can only be confirmed. And Chang Xiao has already mastered some of our internal information and will take action soon. "Tang Shiyu has had contact with Chang Xiao and knows a little about this person. Duan Qingxiao's speculation is likely to become a reality. The confrontation between these two super strong men will soon begin.

Although Tang Shiyu was resourceful, he had never thought that these two strong men actually had deep scheming minds. Their superficial interactions were real, and their confrontations behind the scenes were also real. As it stands now, the confrontation between these two people has far-reaching consequences, and the duel is only one aspect of it. As for the result, no one can predict it. Tang Shiyu thought for a moment and suggested, "Since Chang Xiao has concentrated most of his men in the Qunfang Club, why don't you concentrate your forces to destroy the Never-Sleeping City in one fell swoop?" Duan Qingxiao shook his head, "Chang Xiao's arrangements are far from as simple as they seem. The false can be real, and the real can be false. If I concentrate my forces to attack the Never-Sleeping City, the people left behind in the city will definitely not fight hard, but use the terrain to delay. As long as the news reaches Chang Xiao's ears, he can concentrate his forces to attack with all his strength. The Nether Swordsmen have already gathered, and with the four Jiantong brothers, they will suddenly attack under the leadership of Chang Xiao. How can we resist?" Tang Shiyu was stunned for a long time, and couldn't help but slap the table and sighed, "Yes, even if they turn back, we will be passive." Duan Qingxiao continued to explain, "There is another layer. There are many masters gathered in the Qunfang Club. The most important ones are Elder Jinchan and Wu Qingyang. Although their martial arts are slightly inferior, they must not be underestimated. With the help of these two people, Chang Xiao can almost be invincible." Tang Shiyu was a little puzzled, "The power of the Beggar Gang is indeed very strong. It's really not small. What's so special about Wu Qingyang? "Duan Qingxiao has been rolling in the rivers and lakes for most of his life. His vision is naturally different from that of ordinary people. He shook his head slightly and said, "The ability of Elder Jinchan is not in the Beggars' Sect but in himself. The same is true for Wu Qingyang. Elder Jinchan has a wide range of friends. From the head of a famous family to the leader of the Green Forest and even the head of the escort in various places, even the chief arrester of the Ministry of Justice respects him very much. The big and small sects in the rivers and lakes are more or less connected with him. Even the top masters who have reached the top have a new look at him. This invisible power is not comparable to the Beggars' Sect. As for Wu Qingyang, he has been a swordsman for many years. Although he does not leave a name, he can't hide it from the people of the rivers and lakes. No one can shake his position. The most valuable thing is his years of accumulated experience and keen judgment. This person is a rare talent in the rivers and lakes, but it's a pity that he can't be used by the old man. "Tang Shiyu immediately realized the value of these two people and nodded, "The master of the sect is reasonable. Why didn't I think of it. "Duan Qingxiao said, "There is no time to lose. I will leave immediately and leave the things here to you, sir. "

Duan Qingxiao's judgment was indeed correct. Chang Xiao deliberately exposed a flaw in order to lure out the snake. The city that never sleeps seems peaceful on the surface, but in fact, there are murderous intentions everywhere. However, very few people know the inside story, even the closest Jade Butterfly and Princess Yueying do not know. Duan Qingxiao went to the city that never sleeps alone. At this time, the attention of the people in the martial arts world was focused on the Qunfanghui, and not many people cared about the city that never sleeps. Duan Qingxiao traveled day and night and soon arrived at Julong Mountain. Because he had been there once, he was familiar with it. As an old martial arts expert, he knew that it was best to sneak into places like the palace at night, while entering the residence of a martial arts master had to be done during the day. The more night fell, the tighter the defense, so Duan Qingxiao waited until noon to sneak into the city that never sleeps. In terms of light skills, Duan Qingxiao was indeed not as good as the monk Shenmu, but he was experienced and successfully found a place to settle down without being noticed. Generally, the attention of the defenders was focused on the periphery. Duan Qingxiao planned to take the opportunity to explore the city, but there were only a few maids in the Never-Sleeping City. His target was too obvious. Once he was discovered, his original plan would be disrupted. After thinking about it, he decided to wait patiently. The Nether Swordsman made the people in the martial arts world tremble. Chang Xiao was even more dominant in the martial arts world. In order to avoid more trouble, these thieves did not delay and chose to act in the early morning. This was also a good opportunity. If there were guards, they would be the most tired and it would be easy to relax their vigilance. The gate of the Never-Sleeping City was not closed at all. After the thieves tried, they entered the Never-Sleeping City safely. They laughed at Chang Xiao for being too confident. No one would do a business that would lose money, but someone would do a business that would kill their heads. There were thousands of people who would disregard their lives for gold and silver treasures. No matter how great your ability was, you could not stop the greed hidden in everyone's heart. Duan Qingxiao observed carefully. The thieves acted very quickly. They split up after passing through the hall. Duan Qingxiao seized the opportunity to sneak to a high place. When six thieves passed through a garden, they suddenly fell down silently. Hooks flew out from both sides to take away the bodies. The garden was still a garden, as if nothing had happened. Duan Qingxiao was surprised. Killing people is not new, but this kind of killing is indeed rare. Six people died, and the person who did it could not even see a shadow. It seems that Chang Xiao's hidden manpower is not inferior to the Nether Swordsman. These six people disappeared out of thin air, and so did the others. The maids in the city did not even notice it. Duan Qingxiao watched these thieves die. After calculation, he concluded that there were at least fifty masters hidden in the Never-Sleeping City. He must be an experienced old man in the world to act so cleanly. He really couldn't understand how Chang Xiao accumulated such a powerful force. The stronger the opponent, the more excited Duan Qingxiao was. He felt as if he had returned to the time when he first entered the world of martial arts. There were dangers everywhere, powerful enemies around, and he was in danger at any time. Duan Qingxiao's blood boiled when he thought of these things, and he felt as if he was 20 years younger. The purpose of this trip had been achieved, and Duan Qingxiao seized the opportunity to sneak out of the Never-Sleeping City and hurried back to the Divine Sword Sect to discuss countermeasures with Tang Shiyu.

Chapter 95: Unprecedented Event

Tang Shiyu was also extremely shocked when he learned about the situation in the Never-Sleeping City. He murmured, "It's terrible. In just five years, Chang Xiao has done so many things." Duan Qingxiao nodded, "I like him more and more. In fact, from the time I debuted in the martial arts world to now, no one has surpassed me in many aspects. The original Red Spirit God was indeed hardworking, but he was too persistent. Chang Xiao is different. He is stronger than me in all aspects. If we start at the same time, I will definitely not be his opponent." Tang Shiyu deeply agreed, "Yes, this person's achievements are far beyond the reach of ordinary people. It seems that the leader has to use his old capital." Duan Qingxiao pondered and said, "At present "I can't move yet. I feel that Chang Xiao is selling this flaw to test the waters. His true strength has not yet been revealed. If I act rashly and he finds out my true strength, I will be restricted everywhere." Tang Shiyu was a little suspicious: "Could it be that the real purpose of Chang Xiao's move is to test our strength?" Duan Qingxiao was quite sure: "It can't be wrong. Others are not worth his efforts. If it is a game of chess, Chang Xiao has already cast the first chess piece. If I lose my temper, I can't hold on to the end." Tang Shiyu felt quite powerless when he heard such words. Such a battle of wits and strength is completely different from the disputes in the court. I can't understand the complex emotions between the top masters of the martial arts world, and it is difficult to intervene in many things. As a think tank, I am not allowed to make mistakes, but since Chang Xiao returned to the arena, I have made mistakes in judgment one after another. Although Duan Qingxiao doesn't care, I can't forgive myself. Duan Qingxiao saw that Tang Shiyu was worried and comforted him, "Sir, don't worry too much. I have investigated Chang Xiao's life in detail. Every step this man took was heavy, which is definitely a great misfortune for ordinary people. But for him, it was a deliberate training by God. Without that series of painful experiences, there would be no Lord of the City That Never Sleeps today. Now what I want to know most is his future. Once he truly becomes the Supreme of the Martial Arts World, what else can he do? Without an equal opponent, everything loses its meaning." Tang Shiyu smiled and said, "That's easy to explain. He has the Jade Butterfly and the Fire Dragon Horse by his side, and he can travel across the sea, which is enough to spend the rest of his life." Duan Qingxiao nodded in agreement, "Yes, with the beauty and the divine horse, the City That Never Sleeps doesn't seem so important. I understand a truth from Chang Xiao, God will not disappoint those who work hard, and only those who endure hardships can become the best. Chang Xiao has experienced painful training that ordinary people can't imagine, and he is fully qualified to enjoy life. Perhaps God is warning the world through his experience." Tang Shiyu felt the same way.

Just when Duan Qingxiao sneaked into the Never-Sleeping City, the Beauty Fair in Kaifeng was also in full swing. This time the scale was at least ten times larger than the previous two times, and the entire Kaifeng city was affected. Even many reed sheds were set up outside the city to accommodate the people who couldn't find a place to live. Since Prince Lian was alarmed, officials from Jiangnan naturally couldn't give up the good opportunity, and officials of sufficient rank had to come. As officials in Kaifeng, they were much busier. More than 100,000 people from far and near came to watch the excitement, and many senior officials were coming. They must not cause any trouble. Therefore, soldiers and yamen runners patrolled from time to time and dared not slack off. As the organizer of the Beauty Fair, Chang Xiao was very relaxed. The affairs of the color stage were handed over to Qi Shizhen, and Fang Zishou arranged food, clothing, housing and transportation. As for the colored lanterns and fireworks, they were the responsibility of Wanxiantang, and the jade butterflies and costumes of the people who sang and danced on the stage were provided by Jiang Feiluan of Tongtianbao. The strength of the Never-Sleeping City is extremely strong. All forces are trying to make friends with it and are eager to contribute. It is definitely not bad to have a good relationship with Chang Xiao. Moreover, although these things are tedious, there is no risk. Thousands of people from all parties are busy. Yu Hudie is busy choosing clothes and designing dance music. Chang Xiao invites Elder Jin Chan and Wu Qingyang to drink and talk. There are two guests who are cleaning up the food. They are naturally Duan Xiyun and Yin Tianlei. Chang Xiao is really different from the past. He used to be very simple and never paid attention to food, clothing, housing and transportation. This time, he entertained the guests with exquisite utensils, crystal cups, glass cups, and luminous pots. Each of them is worth a huge amount of money. The plates and bowls are made of pure gold and are exquisitely made. As for the wine and food, they are even more exquisite, even the palace is difficult to match. Elder Jin Chan found that Chang Xiao had changed a lot, as if he had changed a person, but he was still the same Chang Xiao in his bones, which can be seen from his attitude towards Wu Qingyang. Duan Xiyun and Yin Tianlei's craftsmanship is naturally beyond reproach, and the five people talked and laughed. Elder Jin Chan was always a little worried about the thieves' attack on the Never-Sleeping City, so he found an opportunity to bring it up. Wu Qingyang smiled and said, "Elder, you worry too much. Since the city lord has known about the thieves for a long time, these thieves are just moths to a flame. In my opinion, the city lord has other intentions." Chang Xiao nodded, "Brother Wu knows me." Elder Jin Chan was puzzled and said, "All the masters of the Never-Sleeping City have gathered in Kaifeng. There are five good players among those thieves. They are not so easy to deal with." Duan Xiyun interjected, "Why are you confused, the Never-Sleeping City must have hidden power. I think the city lord deliberately exposed this flaw. The real intention is definitely not for these petty thieves." Wu Qingyang praised, "Sure enough, you have a unique vision. Your future is limitless."

Elder Jinchan had been in the martial arts world for many years, so he immediately understood and nodded with a smile, "The city lord's trick is really powerful. He even hid it from me." This move was obviously aimed at Duan Qingxiao. As a master who has been famous in the martial arts world for many years, he must have a powerful force, but it is very hidden and outsiders don't know it at all. Chang Xiao deliberately exposed his strength to test Duan Qingxiao's reaction. From all aspects, Chang Xiao did not have much hostility, just a competition. However, it can be confirmed that it is only a matter of time for Chang Xiao to dominate the martial arts world. Just as they were talking happily, the monk Shenmu came in and called out, "Is the food I want ready?" Duan Xiyun quickly replied, "It has been prepared a long time ago." Handing over a large food box, the monk Shenmu looked at it, nodded to show satisfaction, and said happily, "There are really a lot of fun things, plus delicious food, not bad, really good." Turned and went out. Because Yu Hudie was rehearsing a song and dance, the costumes were exquisite, there were many beauties, and it was very lively. The monk Shenmu had no intention of competing with Chang Xiao and played by himself. Princess Yueying and her daughter Qingting accompanied Yudie. Everyone called Qingting the little princess. No one had ever thought that this title would lead to an incident. Rebellion was considered the most serious crime in all dynasties. The whole family would be implicated. Even if the words were taboo, they would be investigated. If they were not careful, their family would be destroyed. If ordinary people dared to call themselves princesses, it would be a serious crime of treason. The royal family had a strict hierarchy. The princesses and princesses were clearly divided. If they crossed the line, they would be investigated, not to mention ordinary people. There were many people coming to the Qunfanghui this time, and the people in the Never-Sleeping City had no scruples. This matter soon reached the ears of the prefect. Such a big event dared not be neglected, but the Qunfanghui was about to start. If they rashly arrested people, it might cause chaos and could not be cleaned up. After asking for instructions, it was decided to wait until the Qunfanghui was over before arresting people. They didn't know that even if they offended the emperor, they might still survive, but offending the Never-Sleeping City was like entering the gates of hell. They couldn't save their lives even if they hid at the ends of the earth. On the contrary, the target of Cheng Xiao was obvious. They were not afraid of escaping. They just sent people to keep an eye on them. If everything goes well and the most beautiful woman in the world, Jade Butterfly, is sent to the capital, the Emperor will surely be very pleased and you will be able to rise to a meteoric rise.

It is rare for the Nether Swordsman to have such an opportunity. The eleven of them drank in a secluded temple. Fang Zishou was not the leader, nor was his martial arts and swordsmanship the best. He was just smart and suitable for doing business, so he was in charge of the fleet. There was no hierarchy among the eleven, and they were all brothers. At this time, the Nether Island had taken shape, and the pagoda was almost completed. The Nether Swordsmen expressed their opinions and arranged their future lives. After years of rolling in the rivers and lakes, he was finally able to stay away from right and wrong, and he was naturally happy. It was rare to have such a result after killing countless people. With hope, the mood is naturally good, and everyone drank and sang, without distinction. Fang Zishou knew that when Chang Xiao built the Never-Sleeping City, he secretly cultivated another force as the capital to compete with Duan Qingxiao. The design of the Never-Sleeping City was extremely clever, with many hidden secret rooms. As long as there were masters hiding in it, the Never-Sleeping City could be tightly controlled. From its establishment to the present, the Nether Swordsmen have been controlled by others and lived in the shadows all day long. It is rare that Chang Xiao is willing to let go, and he can do whatever he wants in the future. Fang Zishou also couldn't see through Chang Xiao. This person was really hard to understand. The strength of the Nether Swordsman was well known. If you mastered this power, you could dominate the world and do whatever you wanted. But Chang Xiao just wanted to let go. To be honest, the Nether Swordsman didn't help Chang Xiao very much. Chang Xiao's care for the Nether Swordsman was out of respect for Hua Mengdie and the remembrance of Taoist Zuixia. The most important point was that Chang Xiao didn't treat the Nether Swordsman as a killing tool, but as a flesh-and-blood person. For this respect, the Nether Swordsmen agreed with each other that no matter where they were in the future, as long as Chang Xiao had something to do, they would help him with all their strength and go through fire and water. So it's hard to tell the gains and losses. Chang Xiao gave up the Nether Swordsman on the surface, but got the true feelings of these people, which was far better than tying them up tightly. Even Taoist Zuixia didn't expect this, and I'm afraid Chang Xiao himself didn't expect it.

The beauties gathering had not officially started yet, but it had already caused a sensation in several provinces in the south of the Yangtze River. Needless to say, beauties gathered there. Qiao Dongshan, Lady Shuijing, and Yan Shiqing all felt incredible when they saw Jade Butterfly. Several years had not left a trace on this most beautiful woman. Jade Butterfly was now even more beautiful than the last time. Because it was the last time, everyone was thinking hard and must make it perfect. Anyway, they didn't have to worry about gold, silver, and manpower. The costumes, music, songs, dances, and lyrics all reached the highest level at that time, and the stage was decorated with all kinds of colors. Because of the relationship with the monk Shenmu, Chang Xiao specially gave lanterns to everyone who came to join in the fun, and fireworks to every child. The cost of this item alone was as high as hundreds of thousands of taels. At night, lanterns were lit everywhere, and fireworks bloomed one after another. The monk Shenmu was very happy and ran around everywhere. No one could tell where she was. The government naturally had to express its gratitude and built a viewing platform to receive officials. The protagonist is of course Prince Lian. Although this old prince is very old, he is still very strong. He insisted on coming to join in the fun when he learned that this was the last time for the gathering of beauties. Princess Rose and Wei Heyang also came. Wei Heyang didn't like to join in the fun. Princess Rose knew that her husband was envied by the civil and military officials in Jiangnan after he got the blank imperial edict. He was unwilling to associate with officials at all levels, and he would inevitably suffer in the future. Therefore, she insisted on letting Wei Heyang come and take this opportunity to make peace with officials at all levels. With Prince Lian in charge, it would be very good for her career. The gathering of beauties was scheduled to start at night. At dusk, there were crowds of people near Longting. Everyone understood that such a large-scale event was rare in a century and it would be difficult to appear again in the future. The most noteworthy one is of course the world's most beautiful woman. According to insiders, the beauty of Jade Butterfly did not decline with age, but became better than before. Many people are skeptical. Time is like a knife. Even if you have great ability, you can't escape it. Despite the doubts in their hearts, everyone still hopes to see a perfect beauty. Jade Butterfly is a beautiful dream for many people, and no one wants their dream to be destroyed. The curtain on the stage slowly opened, the music sounded, and fireworks rang out in all directions, which was ten times more lively than the New Year. Amid the cheers, Yan Shiqing was the first to appear. Although he was not young, he was still elegant. There was another person beside him, the most famous flower country champion in Jiangnan, Mrs. Rainbow, who was also a beauty that turned everyone upside down. She had a very seductive appearance and was good at poetry and prose. She often sang with the literati of the time and was known as a talented woman in Jiangnan. Now she is old, but she still has six or seven points of color, a slightly plump figure, and a mature charm. When the sound of fireworks stopped, Yan Shiqing announced that the gathering of beauties officially began.

The opening of this beauties gathering was different from the previous two. At that time, the boundaries between men and women were extremely strict, and women had a low status. Yan Shiqing and Madam Rainbow appeared at the same time and immediately attracted attention. Madam Rainbow spoke eloquently: "Who taught us that every year on the night of the red lotus, we would ponder each other's minds. Although the beauties gathering is not a festival, it is better than a festival. The beauties from Jiangnan gathered and competed for beauty. It is a grand event that has never been seen in all dynasties." Yan Shiqing interrupted: "Madam, you are wrong. The beauties gathering is indeed rare in this dynasty. It is a bit exaggerated to say that it has never been seen in all dynasties." Madam Rainbow smiled and said: "Since the great talent Yan questioned me, I would like to ask, since the Tang and Zhou dynasties, men have been in charge of everything, and women can only serve as foils, following the three obediences and four virtues, without any autonomy. If you are not satisfied with your marriage, you will be punished by the government and cursed by thousands of people if you find another suitable husband. But men can divorce their wives at will if they are not satisfied with them, and they can even take concubines. Going to the red-light district is also considered romantic. In such a social climate, is there any event where all the protagonists are women?" Yan Shiqing is well-versed in history and current affairs, and he argued, "Madam, don't forget that the Empress Wu Zetian of the Tang Dynasty was so powerful that even the famous Di Gong had to bow down to her." Madam Rainbow shook her head slightly, "It is true that Wu Zetian became an emperor, but she never changed the situation of male superiority and female inferiority. Since she was a female emperor, why were there no female ministers?" Yan Shiqing nodded, "Madam, you are right, I know I was wrong." Yan Shiqing was already over 40 years old, and calling himself a young man was obviously a joke. Madam Rainbow smiled and said, "Since it is a women's event, it must be hosted by women. Why does the great talent Yan appear so many times?" The two quarreled, and immediately many people followed suit, whistling, and some people asked Yan Shiqing to go down. Yan Shiqing naturally had a plan to deal with it. He explained, "The towering green mountains cannot be elegant without colorful flowers. The same is true in reverse. Flowers in full bloom cannot be beautiful without green leaves. My original intention is to act as a green leaf to add some color to the flowers." Mrs. Rainbow laughed and said, "No wonder there is a green character in my name. It turns out that I have been preparing to be a green leaf for a long time." Such an opening remark has never been seen before, and such a scene is also unique. The gathering of beauties officially began amid laughter. Drums and music sounded, and the first batch of ten beauties took the stage. They were thin and plump, each with their own merits. They danced to the melodious music, and the audience applauded continuously. This grand event not only showed beauty, but also talent. Anyway, there was no time limit. Many beauties performed songs and dances, some showed their singing voices, and some painted on the spot. Yan Shiqing and Mrs. Rainbow came out to tease from time to time, adding a lot of fun, and many people watched with relish. Even officials at all levels felt that it was an eye-opener. Such a grand event was indeed rare. Wei Heyang was not interested at first, and was still thinking about the big and small things in the military camp. Seeing Yan Shiqing and Mrs. Caihong teasing each other, he became interested. This trip was really an eye-opener. Chang Xiao did not have any requirements. The more lively the better. In short, he had to satisfy Yu Hudie. Nothing else mattered. The happiest person was of course the monk Shenmu. There were countless lanterns and fireworks. There were so many beautiful and fun things to watch. There were also exquisite snacks made by Duan Xiyun and Yin Tianlei. This 100-year-old boy was extremely happy.

Chapter 96: Old Friends Reunited

Another feature of this beauties gathering is that the costumes change very quickly. The beauties on the stage change their clothes frequently. Mrs. Rainbow changes her clothes every time she appears, and even Yan Shiqing changes his clothes several times. The colored lights on the stage also change from time to time, one after another, which makes the people below the stage very addicted. Such a big hand naturally makes people jealous. The people don't care. The person who can host such a grand event must not be an ordinary person. The officials think differently. The gold and silver spent on this beauties gathering has reached an astronomical figure. Who can have such a huge fortune? Some officials who are good at calculations have come up with an approximate number. Counting the bonuses and prizes, the cost of this beauties gathering has exceeded 10 million taels. This number makes all officials smack their lips, and Prince Lian is also quite surprised. Even the royal family can't afford such a large number. After asking the local officials, they learned that this person had built a large-scale castle in Julong Mountain, and the cost was even huge. As for Chang Xiao's details, the local officials couldn't tell clearly. Prince Lian ordered the local officials to conduct a thorough investigation. At this time, the prefect did not want to mention that the people of the Never-Sleeping City had committed the crime of treason. This credit must not be shared by others. Promotion is only one aspect. The most important thing is that the Never-Sleeping City is rich enough to rival a country. How can such a huge gold mountain be allowed to be touched by others? The prefect was completely blinded by wealth and power and had no time to think about it. The Never-Sleeping City is famous all over the world. It can deter countless strange people from coming. It is enough to show that the master of the Never-Sleeping City is powerful and omnipotent. It is far from enough to hold such a grand gathering of beauties with gold and silver. It also needs human support. Without a strong force, how can thousands of people run around to serve? There is a common problem among officials, that is, they are self-righteous. They hold a certain amount of power and do not take the people into consideration. The prefect is the same, but he does not know that this greed has caused a great disaster for himself. Among the officials present, only Wei Heyang has some connection with the martial arts world. As for Princess Rose, it is just a whim and does not care about the martial arts world at all. Wei Heyang had heard of the City That Never Sleeps, but he only knew that the city lord was a popular figure in the world. Due to his busy military affairs, he had never taken it to heart. He only remembered it now, but it was inconvenient to say too much in such an occasion, so he kept silent.

After a night of excitement, Yan Shiqing announced a break at dawn and waited until the evening to continue. The onlookers dispersed and found a place to rest, conserving their energy and preparing to come back in the evening. Everyone knew that the Jade Butterfly could not come out on the first day, and they had to wait until the end. Anyway, the beauties on the stage were also very pleasing to the eye, the stage was colorful and ever-changing, and the teasing of Yan Shiqing and Mrs. Rainbow was very interesting, which was enough. For a while, the huge Kaifeng City became quiet. Chang Xiao entertained guests in the restaurant. In addition to Elder Jinchan, Wu Qingyang, and the two elders Shuijing, there were Qi Shizhen, Jiang Feiluan, and the master of Wanxian Hall, Mo Qilin, who contributed to the Qunfang Society. The Nether Swordsman would not show up in public, and Fang Zishou and his group did not participate. Among these guests, only Jiang Feiluan had not come into contact with Chang Xiao, but for the sake of Taoist Zuixia, Chang Xiao looked up to the master of Tongtian Castle. Jiang Feiluan was also an old man in the martial arts world. He knew the ins and outs of the matter. He never mentioned Zuixia Taoist and was very humble. No one would laugh at him for bowing to such a master. Chang Xiao was in high spirits and kept urging people to drink. The gathering of so many masters easily reminded people of the gathering before Chang Xiao and Gao Zhen’s duel a few years ago. However, the situation was different now. Chang Xiao’s martial arts status had changed a lot. Although he was still not arrogant, the guests present could not relax. They were all the same people and practiced martial arts, but the gap was so huge that it was hard not to feel ashamed. Everyone understood that it was difficult to get back the feeling they had at the beginning. During the banquet, Qin Tong brought a letter. After reading it, Chang Xiao laughed and said, "I didn't expect the beauties to have such a big impact. Even he was alarmed." Qi Shizhen asked, "City Lord, which other masters are coming?" Chang Xiao was in a very good mood and smiled, "The retired South China Sea Dragon King and Taijun are coming to join in the fun, but they encountered a headwind at sea and will be delayed for two days. They asked me not to rush to end the beauties gathering. In addition, Master Baekje, Zhong Yuan, and Zhong Hai are also coming. Jade Butterfly's face is really not small." Qi Shizhen shook his head, "The most beautiful woman in the world is attractive, but These hermits came for the city lord's face." Wu Qingyang agreed: "That's true. The city lord's return to the arena and the rapid rise of the Never-Sleeping City are the key." Chang Xiao smiled and said: "Although what you said makes some sense, it is only half right. Although my face is useful, it is difficult to alarm the old dragon king without such a grand event. The old dragon king did not come to the Never-Sleeping City meeting, but now he is busy attending the Beauty Gathering, obviously coming for the excitement. No wonder, the Beauty Gathering is the last one, and it will be difficult to have such a grand event in the future."

Yan Shiqing made new arrangements after learning Chang Xiao's intention. Originally, the show was supposed to end in three days, but now it was going to be extended for several days. Many things needed to be prepared. Fortunately, there were many people and no worries about gold and silver, so it was easy to get anything. Jade Butterfly was naturally happy, and it didn't matter how long it was extended, but she couldn't always watch others enjoy the glory while she waited until the end to show up. Yan Shiqing made a plan and arranged for Jade Butterfly to show up at the end of each night, so as not to steal the limelight from many beauties. The news spread quickly, and the people inside and outside Kaifeng were overjoyed, looking forward to seeing the most beautiful woman in the world. As the saying goes, the moon is crescent and shines on the nine states, some are happy and some are sad. There are happy people and there are depressed people. Among the depressed people, Gao Zhen is the most outstanding. It is not surprising to hear the news of Chang Xiao's comeback, and the rise of the Never-Sleeping City is also reasonable. What he never expected was that Chang Xiao actually accepted Jade Butterfly and held an unprecedented beauty party. Gao Zhen felt very uncomfortable. After thinking about it for a long time, he decided to go to Kaifeng to take a look. Although I know very well that this trip is destined to be sad, I still can't help but come to see it. When Yu Hudie left the Fire God Palace, her face was haggard and her beauty was greatly reduced. Now that the Beauty Gathering is held, she must have recovered as before. I have to take a look at it anyway. Because he was ashamed to see people, Gao Zhen deliberately disguised himself and entered the city with only two followers. After a few years, Gao Zhen already had two sons. His only wish was to revive the Fire God Palace and gain a foothold in the martial arts world. But now with Duan Qingxiao and Chang Xiao as two big mountains, it is difficult for the Fire God Palace to stand out, and it can only wait for the opportunity. Gao Zhen has been practicing martial arts for many years, and his sword skills and internal strength have made great progress, but he has no intention of complacency. Chang Xiao's rapid progress is known to everyone in the martial arts world, and his two tricks are really not good enough. When the Beauty Gathering began, Gao Zhen was also watching in the crowd. Seeing such a large-scale event, he felt very uncomfortable and was extremely jealous of Chang Xiao. Why is the gap between him and Chang Xiao so huge? If it weren't for this person, he would have become famous in the martial arts world a long time ago, at least he could sit in a place and call the wind and rain. Hearing that Jade Butterfly would show up at night, Gao Zhen was in a dilemma, wanting to see her but afraid to. Restoring youth is a myth for ordinary people, but it is not impossible for someone like Chang Xiao. The most important thing is that Jade Butterfly likes Chang Xiao from the bottom of her heart. For lovers, being with their loved one is much more effective than taking a panacea. If Jade Butterfly really restores her appearance, he will feel even more sad.

Hearing that Chang Xiao was inviting masters from all walks of life to a banquet, Gao Zhen thought of the original gathering with mixed feelings. Seeing people coming and going in the city talking about the gathering of beauties with a smile on their faces, Gao Zhen suddenly had an idea in his mind: why not start a massacre and ruin the gathering of beauties? Just when he was feeling proud, he suddenly thought of the Nether Swordsman, and his heart suddenly sank. Chang Xiao is no longer the owner of Julong Manor, nor is he the martial arts master Nan Kunlun. In addition to being the owner of the Never-Night City, he is also the owner of the Blood Shadow Flag. No one can escape wherever the Blood Shadow Flag goes. It is true that he had killed the Nether Swordsman before, but that was unexpected. After so many years, the Nether Swordsman is far from being comparable to the past. If he really wants to make a move, the Fire God Palace can't resist it at all. After thinking about it, he gave up the idea of disrupting the situation. From this gathering of beauties, it can be seen that all forces are now on Chang Xiao's side. Once he makes a move, he will definitely be found out. Chang Xiao no longer has the good temper he used to have. Once he knows that he is making trouble, it will be a disaster. I was alone and sulking for a long time, but there was nothing to complain about. My family had a long history of learning martial arts, and I had acquired superior martial arts since I was a child. My starting point was much higher than Chang Xiao. Now the gap between the two sides was so huge that it could only mean that Chang Xiao was a hundred times more hardworking than me. People who practice martial arts fight for hard work. He made such a big world with only a set of six-combination swordsmanship. What else can I say? After hesitating for a long time, I decided to see what Jade Butterfly looked like now. Although I could guess it, it was not as reliable as seeing it with my own eyes. I came all the way here just for Jade Butterfly. I couldn't sleep well if I didn't go back. At dusk, thousands of people rushed to the stage happily. Gao Zhen felt even worse and could only follow the crowd. Today's opening was different from yesterday. There were actually four people who appeared. In addition to Yan Shiqing and Mrs. Rainbow, there was also a pair of twin sisters, only fifteen or sixteen years old, with round faces and two dimples when they smiled, which was quite likable. The two sisters were not only beautiful, but also very eloquent. With the two singing in unison and Mrs. Rainbow playing the supporting role, Yan Shiqing was obviously overwhelmed. Thanks to his erudition, he was able to resolve any awkward situations. The four of them made the people in the audience laugh from time to time, and the atmosphere was very relaxed.

The beauties took the stage and showed off their talents. Yan Shiqing and Mrs. Caihong introduced them in detail. The twin sisters showed envious expressions from time to time, and the people in the audience watched with great interest. Although Prince Lian was knowledgeable, he had never seen such a grand event. He was very happy and felt that the trip was worthwhile. Other officials naturally changed their attitudes and said good things to please the situation. This gathering of beauties was indeed different. Even military commanders like Wei Heyang found it very interesting. After the beauties performed, in order to avoid monotony, Yan Shiqing specially arranged juggling and asked people from the troupe to come on stage to make jokes. The audience applauded and cheered continuously. The monk Shenmu was overwhelmed and didn't know what to watch. The happy time passed quickly, and before they knew it, a night had passed. Someone thought that the promised Jade Butterfly had not appeared yet, so they started to make a noise. Yan Shiqing saw that the time was almost up, and ordered the lights on the stage to be turned off. Light blue smoke rose from the four corners, and the music sounded in the haze. The audience knew that the Jade Butterfly was about to appear. For a moment, the whole venue was silent, and everyone was paying attention, waiting to see the world's most beautiful woman who was famous all over the country. The first to appear was Mrs. Crystal, sitting upright, concentrating on playing the piano, the piano sounded melodious, and the melody was soft. Then came Qiao Dongshan and Mei Sannong, each of them showed their strengths, the sound of the Dongxiao was light and graceful, and the spotted bamboo flute was like a clear spring flowing, transcendental. The effect of the cooperation of these three masters can be imagined. More than 100,000 people in the audience were intoxicated, immersed in it, and forgot everything. The three people were dressed in ancient costumes, with flying sleeves, like gods in the blue smoke. At some point, a woman quietly appeared, dressed in very ordinary clothes, with her hair tied up lightly, as if she had just returned from a bath. She sat there quietly with a golden kitten in her arms. At first, almost no one in the audience recognized that this was Yu Hudie, because every time Yu Hudie appeared, she was dressed in gorgeous clothes and wore exquisite jewelry. When they found out that this woman was Yu Hudie, most people found it incredible and stood there with their mouths wide open. Although Yu Hudie was not dressed up carefully, the tranquility and peace that appeared after washing away the lead and makeup, as dignified as a goddess under the moonlight, made people feel ashamed. The most surprised person was Gao Zhen. He had been with Yu Hudie for a long time, but he never thought that Yu Hudie had this side. On the other hand, Yu Hudie looked radiant and did not look like a woman in her forties at all. He had to sigh that Chang Xiao was indeed very powerful.

Jade Butterfly appeared without makeup, showing her true self, which had a better effect. More than 100,000 people in the audience stared at the stage, not blinking their eyes, and even forgot to breathe. The curtain slowly closed, and strange sounds came from all directions. It was more than 100,000 people who breathed a sigh of relief. Jade Butterfly was seen, but there was really no word to describe it. Everyone had a definite answer in their hearts. This beauty was definitely not a beauty on earth, but a fairy from heaven. Ordinary people did not have unreasonable expectations. Many court officials had also suffered. They had tried their best to get the beauty at the beginning, but Gao Zhen was a martial arts master and ruthless. The current Lord of the Never-Sleeping City must be even more difficult to mess with. They could not use the power of the government, so they had better be careful. As the sky gradually brightened, the people hurried home and took the time to have a good dream. It would be great if they could dream of the number one beauty. Kaifeng City returned to silence. When everyone was recuperating, a group of people rushed in. It was the Dragon King of the South China Sea and his party, accompanied by Yan Nanlou. In addition to the Taijun and his entourage, there were also Chang Xiao's father-in-law, King Riguan, and his son, King Yuelun. King Riguan liked to be lively, so he had to come when he knew about the gathering of beauties. It was not too late to leave, but the sea was unpredictable and delayed for a few days. Chang Xiao naturally got the news and asked Princess Yueying and her daughter Qingting to welcome them. It was naturally lively to meet so many people. The Dragon King of the South China Sea hadn't seen Chang Xiao for a long time, but he knew the situation in the Central Plains very well. He praised him repeatedly: "Brother, your progress is really fast, and your elder brother is already far behind." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "It was just luck." The Dragon King of the South China Sea knew that behind the four words Chang Xiao said lightly, there was no way to imagine how much hardship there was, which was not something that ordinary people could imagine.

After a long separation, they were naturally affectionate. King Yuelun had been living on the island. Although he knew that his father was a hero, he rarely met him. Princess Yueying took her son's hand and went to Chang Xiao to pay his respects. Chang Xiao looked at him carefully, and felt bad when he thought of the innocent Princess Huaying and her son who were killed. He comforted them and asked everyone to the restaurant. Taijun was most concerned about the gathering of beauties, and couldn't wait to ask: "Is the gathering of beauties over? Are we late?" Princess Yueying comforted: "Don't worry, Taijun, the gathering of beauties has been going on for two days, and the best is yet to come." Taijun nodded: "It's good that I didn't miss it. If it wasn't the last time, I wouldn't be in a hurry. If I missed it this time, I would have no chance. It happened that I caught up with the headwind and couldn't walk fast, which made me very anxious." Princess Yueying comforted her in every way. Taijun ate and drank hastily and found a place to rest, ready to watch the excitement in the evening. Chang Xiao warmly entertained the old Dragon King and invited his friends from the rivers and lakes to come. Princess Yueying hosted a family banquet for King Riguan and King Yuelun. The Dragon King of the South China Sea had not been to the Central Plains for a long time. He was extremely happy to see so many fellow travelers. They talked about the past, drank and sang, as if they were twenty years younger. This time, the old Dragon King brought a lot of exquisite clothes and overseas jewelry, half to celebrate Chang Xiao's return to the world and the rise of the City That Never Sleeps, and the other half to add some color to the Beauty Club. Chang Xiao ordered someone to send the clothes to Yu Hudie. Yu Hudie was overjoyed. Many of these clothes came from overseas and could not be seen in the Central Plains. Once they were worn, the effect would definitely be extraordinary. Because there were too many clothes, Yu Hudie asked to extend the period for a few days. Yan Shiqing didn't care: "As long as there are people to support it, it's okay to hold it for a month." Madam Rainbow smiled and said, "The longer the better. It would be best if it could be recorded in the history books to win face for us women."

Chapter 97: Beauty Flying

I have been looking forward to seeing the most beautiful woman in the world for a long time. I should have talked a lot about it when my wish came true, but there is really nothing to say. It is impossible to describe her beauty, which can make fish sink to the bottom of the water and geese fall, and the moon hide and shame the flowers. The most popular word in Kaifeng is fairy. Everyone agrees that there is no such beauty in the world. Gao Zhen was disheartened and left Kaifeng silently to return to the Fire God Palace. Things are unpredictable. I never thought that I would end up like this today. The appearance of the Jade Butterfly pushed the Beauty Meeting to a climax. Many people stayed in front of the colorful stage and did not leave, just to occupy a good position and appreciate the most beautiful woman in the world up close. The old Dragon King and the Queen were very happy. The scene was crowded with people and the lanterns and fireworks. Before they saw the wonderful performance, the stunning beauty made the old couple very happy. The Sun Viewing King also liked such a scene. His son-in-law had such a handicraft that was worth boasting about. As for Yannan Tower, he had other plans. Chang Xiao had monopolized the business in Nanhai for several years. Although he had no worries about sales, it also had an adverse effect on business expansion. Now that the Never-Sleeping City has been completed, Chang Xiao no longer needs to rely on the business in the South China Sea to maintain it, and will let it go soon. It's rare that Mo Qilin and Qi Shizhen are both here, so it's a good opportunity to build a relationship with these two people and lay a good foundation for future business. Qi Shizhen was naturally overjoyed, and Mo Qilin also wanted to cooperate with the South China Sea fleet, but it depends on Chang Xiao's attitude. Chang Xiao had already calculated that the Never-Sleeping City has a mountain of treasures that can't be used up in a hundred years, and the Netherworld Island is also close to completion. Since Yan Nanlou wants to expand its business, it's better to go with the flow and do a favor. Chang Xiao knows that the reason why Duan Qingxiao doesn't take Qi Shizhen, Tongtian Fort, Wanxian Hall and even the Beggars' Gang seriously is that he must have a more powerful force. His feint is just a test, and I'm afraid Duan Qingxiao won't be fooled easily. Chang Xiao's vision is different from Duan Qingxiao. Although Qi Shizhen, Wanxian Hall, Tongtian Fort and the Beggars' Gang don't have any outstanding masters, they can't be ignored. As a master, you must be proud of your status. You are unwilling to do many things, so you can't get a lot of information and can't handle many things. Take this gathering of beauties as an example. Without the strong assistance of Wanxiantang and Qi Shizhen, it wouldn't be so smooth. Sometimes money doesn't work so well, and the same is true for building the city that never sleeps. Now Chang Xiao is still speculating on Tang Shiyu's position. This person represents the court. Although he has helped him, it is not out of his heart. The information he gives cannot be fully trusted. It can only be used as a reference. It is necessary to compare the information from all parties to be assured.

The third day of the beauties' meeting was held. Because Jade Butterfly requested an extension, the Dragon King of the South China Sea and the Queen also wanted to have more fun for a few days. Chang Xiao informed Yan Shiqing that he was not afraid of spending money and would find a way to keep these people. Yan Shiqing was very resourceful. Since he had money, everything was easy. So he ordered people to distribute wine, meat and dry food to those who stayed in front of the color stage, six sesame cakes, a pound of cooked meat, and a pot of wine for each person. The news spread, and the whole city was shocked. In less than half a day, more than 20,000 people gathered in front of the color stage. Yan Shiqing also carefully arranged various entertainment programs, set up tables and chairs, set up special seats for the elderly and children, and special seats for women to prevent people from stealing and making trouble in the chaos, and prepared cakes and tea for each table. In addition, lanterns, fireworks, and candies were distributed to every child present. In this way, everyone looked forward to the beauties' meeting to be held for a few more days. These items cost a lot of silver, but Chang Xiao didn't care. Qi Shizhen and Mo Qilin were also willing to contribute. After some efforts, the opening of the third day was more lively than the previous two days. The beauties performed on stage, singing and dancing continuously, and the entertainment programs were also ingenious. Black bears and jugglers appeared on the stage, and monkeys wearing masks also ran onto the stage. There were flying knives, dancing forks, and somersaults. In addition to the fun, there was a bit of thrill, which whetted everyone's appetite. Jade Butterfly was still the last to appear, but her costume had changed a lot. She was elegant and luxurious, like a queen high above, and her cold and beautiful expression was even more memorable. Because there was a big contrast with the previous day, the people felt that they were still not satisfied after the closing. Chang Xiao accompanied the old Dragon King and his wife to watch, Wu Qingyang, Elder Jinchan and a group of guests talked and laughed while watching the scenery, and the monk Shenmu appeared from time to time, holding either candied haws or toy lanterns in his hands. Taijun was very happy and it was worth the long journey. Under the auspices of Yan Shiqing, with strong human and financial support, the Beauty Gathering became more and more lively. Jade Butterfly dressed differently every day. Sometimes she was very seductive, dressed as a demon girl, and sometimes dressed as Guanyin, kind and dignified, making people respect her. In the blink of an eye, a few days passed, and the Beauty Gathering was still the focus of everyone's attention. Chang Xiao was puzzled. The old Dragon King and his wife had already arrived, so why didn't Master Baekje come? Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai were nowhere to be seen. Master Baekje was a leading monk, and he didn't care how lively the Beauty Gathering was, but Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai should have come. They would not give up such an opportunity.

Before we knew it, the beauties gathering had reached its fifteenth day. The scene was still lively, the people were still enthusiastic, and even the officials did not leave. Now that the beauties gathering had attracted attention from all sides, there was nothing to do even if they returned to the government office, so they might as well stay here and watch the excitement. Chang Xiao knew that he should stop when he saw the good results, and that he could not hold it endlessly, otherwise it would be boring once the people got tired of it. So he passed on the message that it would be closed on the eighteenth. Yan Shiqing arranged for the selection of beauties, the distinction between the good and the bad, and the preparation of prizes. After more than ten days, beauties from all over the country had already appeared. Since it was the last three days, they were allowed to go on stage together to assist Jade Butterfly in singing and dancing. Lady Crystal, Qiao Dongshan, and Mei Sannong all brought out their own disciples to play music together. For a time, the drums and music were loud, the colorful stage was crowded with beauties, and the petals were flying, which was a spectacular sight. Jade Butterfly was naturally the well-deserved protagonist, singing and dancing continuously, and her costumes were changed repeatedly, one after another, and the audience applauded continuously, and the scene was extremely enthusiastic. After the group appeared, it was natural to announce the list of beauties and distribute prizes. The prizes and bonuses this time were extremely generous, and the beauties from all over the country were all smiling. The only regret was that there would not be a next time. When the awards were presented, the sound of fireworks shook the earth, and the light illuminated the city of Kaifeng. The cheers of the people rose and fell, and they were endless. The time for the curtain call was approaching, and more than 100,000 people in the audience shouted the name of Jade Butterfly. For most people, this was the last chance to see the number one beauty, and of course they couldn't let it go. Yan Shiqing was indeed talented. He actually connected a thick rope between the highest point of the color stage and the nearby high-rise building, and made a small swing for Jade Butterfly to sit on, passing over the heads of everyone in the audience. Jade Butterfly smiled sweetly, and although it was a little dangerous, she didn't have a trace of fear. Holding the swing with one hand, she waved a several-foot-long scarf with the other hand to thank the people below. At this time, many people hoped that Jade Butterfly would not be able to sit steadily on the swing and fall off, and just fall into their arms. The ending music sounded, and Jade Butterfly waved goodbye to everyone frequently. The people in the audience were reluctant to leave, and it would be good to take one more look. Yan Shiqing was afraid of arousing public anger and making it difficult to clean up, so he did not dare to stop suddenly. Yu Hudie was completely satisfied. She had no regrets in her life. Whether it was intentional or not, the scarf suddenly flew out of her hand and drifted away with the wind. Someone immediately ran after her, which immediately affected the whole audience. Yan Shiqing took this opportunity to immediately close the tent, turn off the lights and close the show. The beauties gathering ended successfully.

After eighteen days of excitement, the beauties gathering finally ended. After the people calmed down, they went home and resumed their normal lives. The aftermath was naturally handled by the government. In fact, the government also gained a lot of benefits from this event. The officials left one by one, and Kaifeng City returned to its former tranquility. Chang Xiao entertained guests from all parties in the restaurant, and Yu Hudie also came out to meet the guests. The Queen Mother took Yu Hudie's hand and looked at her carefully, praising her endlessly. She took out all her treasured jewelry and gave it to her, causing Princess Yueying to cry out for partiality. King Yuelun knew that this most beautiful woman in the world was his father's wife, and he could not be rude no matter how young she looked. When meeting her, Yu Hudie was a little puzzled. Although this King Yuelun had some eyebrows and eyes similar to Chang Xiao, he had fair skin and a graceful demeanor, which was completely unlike Chang Xiao. After thinking carefully, it became clear. Chang Xiao had been poor since he was a child, and he suffered repeated setbacks after he became an adult, and he had endured countless sufferings. However, King Yuelun was born in wealth and was canonized as a king in his cradle. He was pampered and lived a life of luxury. It was not surprising that he was not like Chang Xiao. Because Qi Shizhen and Mo Qilin had contributed to the gathering of beauties, the Dragon King of the South China Sea sent exquisite clothes, and Jade Butterfly thanked them one by one. Duan Xiyun specially prepared a sumptuous banquet to congratulate the success of the gathering of beauties. Yin Tianlei was also happy for Jade Butterfly, and used all his skills to make various exquisite dishes. The Dragon King of the South China Sea and the Queen praised the delicious food. When the guests arrived, Chang Xiao personally greeted them. They were Master Baekje and the brothers Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai. When they met, they asked, "Master, why did you arrive at this time?" Master Baekje smiled and said, "What's the difference between arriving early and late?" Zhong Yuan interrupted, "If it weren't for our brothers urging us, we would have missed the last scene of the beauty flying to the sky." Chang Xiao let Master Baekje go upstairs, and Jade Butterfly came to greet him. Master Baekje was a great monk in the world, and he clasped his hands and said, "The female donor has obtained the spiritual energy of heaven, and the calamity has been fulfilled. From now on, everything will go smoothly. Congratulations." Jade Butterfly thanked him. Master Baekje is highly respected, and even senior masters like the Dragon King of the South China Sea and Elder Jinchan have to show respect to him. After taking their seats, Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai stopped complaining after tasting the exquisite dishes. Although there were many masters present, no one was rude to Master Baekje, the only exception was Monk Shenmu. When they met, he shouted bluntly: "Old monk, you missed the show now, didn't you? You were so happy for eighteen days." Master Baekje smiled and said: "As long as you are happy, I have long forgotten joy, anger, sorrow and happiness." Monk Shenmu shook his head: "That's so boring, I'm like a wooden man."

Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai were quite puzzled. Although their master did not care about hierarchy, he was respected wherever he went. It was strange that this girl was so rude. Monk Shenmu didn't care at all and asked, "Old monk, if you can't come, don't come. Why are you coming when the event is closed?" Master Baekje smiled and said, "Something really delayed me this time. My junior fellow monk has been practicing asceticism in various countries in the Western Regions for forty years. He recently came to the Central Plains. Naturally, I have to go and meet him." After hearing this, Chang Xiao also became interested and asked, "Master, you still have a junior fellow monk. Can you introduce him to me?" Master Baekje nodded and said, "Why not tell me about it? My junior fellow monk's Dharma name is Baikong. He is quite intelligent and his comprehension is better than mine. He realized the true meaning of Buddhism at the age of forty and devoted himself to the classics. Later, he felt that there were too many categories and he might not be able to fully understand it even if he spent his whole life. So he simply put everything aside, practiced asceticism, and traveled all over the Central Plains to discuss Buddhism with eminent monks from all over the country to increase his experience. Because Buddhism was introduced to the Central Plains from India, my junior fellow monk went to India at the age of fifty-eight and stayed in India for more than twenty years. Later, he I was invited by a high monk from the Western Regions to preach the sutras and spread the Dharma in various countries in the Western Regions." Chang Xiao nodded and asked again: "I wonder how good is this Master Baikong's martial arts?" Master Baiji shook his head: "Buddhists have always regarded martial arts as trivial matters, and if you are familiar with Buddhism, you will know everything. Junior Brother Baikong has never really practiced martial arts, but he has been practicing asceticism for decades, and his muscles and bones are still okay." Zhong Yuan interrupted and said: "Master, Buddhism does not lie, and Uncle Baikong is more than just having okay muscles and bones?" Master Baiji smiled: "How can I break the precepts? What you said is not false at all." Chang Xiao knew that Master Baiji did not attach great importance to martial arts, so he asked in a different way: "Master Baikong's muscles and bones are okay, what about you?" Master Baiji replied: "Although my junior brother and I have taken different paths, we have gained the same." Chang Xiao has already understood that this Master Baikong's cultivation is not inferior to Master Baiji in all aspects, so he should pay attention to him in the future. Monk Shenmu shouted, "There's another old monk. Why didn't he come along so that I can get to know him." Master Baekje explained, "My junior brother brought back a lot of Sanskrit Buddhist scriptures. We need to put them well. He is busy collecting donations to build a temple." Chang Xiao laughed and said, "This is what the master miscalculated. Everyone here has a considerable fortune. It would be easy for anyone to build a temple if they took the initiative." Master Baekje shook his head, "It's not that I miscalculated. Building a temple is not a one-family matter. We need to collect donations from all directions, regardless of gender, wealth, or amount. We just need to be sincere. A thousand taels of gold from a rich family may not be worth a few copper coins from poor people." Chang Xiao nodded, "What the master said makes sense. In that case, I will give thirty thousand taels of silver." Qi Shizhen immediately said, "I'll give fifty thousand taels." Mo Qilin followed and said, "Wanxiantang will give one hundred thousand." Jiang Feiluan was a little embarrassed. She would feel embarrassed if she said less, but she would really be reluctant to say more. Master Baekje said with a smile: "You are not contributing money out of sincerity to Buddhism, but to show your respect to me. Such money cannot be used to build a temple."

According to common sense, it should be a great thing for someone to take out a large sum of money to build a temple, and most monks would be happy to have it. However, Master Baekje refused it outright, which shows that he has a profound cultivation and a different view. Jade Butterfly took out a few pieces of jewelry and asked, "Master, can you accept these jewelry of mine?" Master Baekje nodded and said, "The donor is sincere. I will chant sutras to dedicate the merit on the day the temple is built." The Dragon King of the South China Sea ordered someone to take out a box of jewelry and presented it to him. Master Baekje chanted the Buddha's name, "Although the donor is rich, she is also contemptuous. I cannot accept all of them. I will only choose five." He took out five pieces of jewelry from the box. The Dragon King of the South China Sea was surprised and said, "Those five pieces were taken out by my old woman. It seems that she is sincere. I have heard of Master Baekje's reputation for a long time. Today, I know that it is not false. I admire him." Princess Yueying took out a few pieces of jewelry that she loved, and the four sisters Hanmei and Xianglan also took out the jewelry around them. Master Baekje accepted all of them and wrote down their names one by one. Chang Xiao, Mo Qilin, and Qi Shizhen refused to accept any of the large sums of money. Duan Xiyun clasped his fists and said, "We brothers also want to contribute. On the day the temple is completed, we want to come to the temple to prepare vegetarian meals for the believers from all directions." Master Baekje clasped his hands and said, "Well done, the two donors have done this for their whole lives, and their merits are immeasurable." Wu Qingyang also wanted to contribute, but Master Baekje refused, "Your murderous aura is too strong, and your worldly ties are not yet resolved. I cannot accept your money." Wu Qingyang did not insist. Others expressed their opinions, and Elder Jinchan could not pretend to be deaf and dumb, but he really did not have much money on him. After searching for a long time, he only found three pieces of silver, which added up to only one tael. The elder stepped forward with a look of shame on his face and said: "It is well known that the Beggars' Sect is poor. I will give you some small change to show my appreciation. Please accept it, Master." Master Baekje took it seriously and said: "This is the most important donation we received today. I will perform a ritual to dedicate the merit to you." Others found it incredible. Others took out tens of thousands of taels of silver, but it was not as good as these three small changes of silver. This was really incomprehensible. Everyone in the martial arts world knew that Master Baekje rarely performed rituals, and no matter how much money was offered, it would not be accepted. Now Elder Jinchan took out one or two small changes of silver to perform a ritual to dedicate the merit. Not to mention others, even Master Baekje's disciples Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai did not understand. Master Baekje did not explain much, but turned to ask Monk Shenmu: "Do you understand the reason?" Monk Shenmu had been in Buddhism for a long time, and nodded and said: "Nothing else, just a sincere heart." Master Baekje praised: "The Dharma is boundless, only the mind knows, a single thought of goodness can eliminate countless sins."

Chapter 98: Change of Dynasty

After hearing about Master Baikong, Chang Xiao immediately spread the news and asked the Nether Swordsman to pay attention to this person. Fang Zishou and others immediately started to investigate. The Beauty Gathering ended successfully. Princess Yueying always wanted to go back to the mountains to recuperate. Hanmei and Xianglan also wanted to go back after playing. Chang Xiao sent these five people away first. The guests all had their own things to do. Yannanlou began to prepare goods to expand the business. Qi Shizhen and Mo Qilin also went back to prepare. Although Chang Xiao gave up the business, Qi Shizhen and Mo Qilin would take out 10% of the profit and send it to the Never-Sleeping City. This was for long-term planning. King Riguan liked to travel around the mountains and rivers. Now that he was old, he would have no chance to travel again, so he packed up and took King Yuelun to appreciate the mountains and rivers of the Central Plains. Chang Xiao invited the Dragon King of the South China Sea and Taijun to visit the Never-Sleeping City. The old Dragon King happily went there and was amazed at the scale of the Never-Sleeping City. Jade Butterfly was already satisfied. All her wishes had been fulfilled. In the future, in addition to accompanying her sweetheart wholeheartedly, she would stay young. As for the thieves' sneak attack, it was just a small matter. Chang Xiao arranged the affairs of the Never-Sleeping City and accompanied the old Dragon King to relax. As for the Fire Dragon Horse, it had already run to the beach to play. The influence of the beauties was great. Most people in the world knew that the Never-Sleeping City was the richest in the world and the city lord spent money like water. Chang Xiao was planning to compete with Duan Qingxiao and was ready to compete with this sword master. Suddenly, someone reported that the Kaifeng prefect and a deputy general led thousands of officials and troops to the Never-Sleeping City. Chang Xiao laughed in his heart. How dare a small mantis go wild in front of a tiger? At this time, Chang Xiao acted very differently from before. He immediately issued an order to take the heads of the prefect and the deputy general in the army, and at the same time sent people to Kaifeng to kill the prefect's entire family to warn the future. The Nether Swordsman acted very quickly and cleanly. The news spread to the capital, and the court and the public were shocked. If such a serious crime was not investigated, it would cause endless disasters. The emperor was furious and ordered the garrison near Kaifeng to attack the Never-Sleeping City and to capture the main culprit to enforce the law. The idea was good, but unfortunately, Chang Xiao was encountered. The court refused to give up. Chang Xiao issued an order that anyone who dared to lead troops to attack the Never-Sleeping City would be executed. However, within four or five days, more than ten military officers in Jiangnan died mysteriously. The emperor immediately thought of the Nether Swordsman who had killed the palace guards and their leader Chang Xiao. He felt quite embarrassed and immediately summoned Tang Shiyu to Beijing to discuss the matter.

Tang Shiyu had received the news and knew that the situation was serious, so he went to Beijing to see the emperor overnight. The emperor summoned him late at night. After paying homage, Tang Shiyu stood up and was secretly surprised. The emperor looked very bad. It turned out that the emperor was in poor health, and the rebellion of the foreign relatives made things worse. Although he had been nursed back to health in many ways, he still did not get better, and was just barely maintaining his health. The most important thing was to worry about it. The officials in the court were scheming against each other, the concubines in the harem were jealous of each other, the princes formed factions to fight for power, and the local officials were not in harmony. Everything had to be worried about, and any improper handling would cause endless disasters. Today's emperor is already a candle in the wind, and he is in danger of dying at any time. Tang Shiyu was knowledgeable and talented, and had a little knowledge of medicine. He saw that the emperor was in very poor health and was worried that the last time the prince was abolished, he had not been officially enthroned. Once the emperor passed away, the various forces in the court would inevitably fight, and it would inevitably affect the world. The emperor asked, "My dear minister, do you know about the Never-Sleeping City?" Tang Shiyu nodded, "I know it very well. The lord of the Never-Sleeping City is Chang Xiao who has returned to the world. The reason why the Kaifeng prefect rebelled is that Chang Xiao's daughter Qingting is called a princess." The emperor frowned and said, "Isn't it treasonous for a commoner to call herself a princess?" Tang Shiyu explained, "Your Majesty, Chang Xiao's father-in-law is the King of the Sun in Tianzhu, his wife is Princess Yueying of Tianzhu, and his son was canonized as the King of the Moon. With this relationship, it is not excessive to call him a princess. The Kaifeng prefect rebelled mainly for the wealth of the Never-Sleeping City and the beautiful Jade Butterfly." The emperor nodded, "My dear minister, I have already explained the pros and cons last time. I do not intend to escalate the situation. Chang Xiao is indeed a genius today. As long as he does not rebel, Don't pursue it, this matter is under your full authority. The main reason for calling you back is to establish a crown prince. Now the officials of the six ministries in the court are all using their connections to curry favor with the royal family, forming factions to seize power, and using all means to gain the throne. My five princes and the harem are all involved, and there is not a single person in the court who can be trusted." Tang Shiyu was naturally grateful for the emperor's trust, and he also knew the complexity of the situation in the capital, so he suggested: "Your Majesty, don't worry. As far as I know, the most loyal person in the capital is General Tieyi. This man is the most brave in the capital, and he controls the military power of the imperial army. He can be entrusted with important matters, and he should be transferred back to protect you as soon as possible." The emperor nodded repeatedly: "Yes, I trust Tieqing's family. I can rest assured with him by my side."

The issue of appointing a crown prince concerns the fate of the country. Tang Shiyu was quite hesitant. Although he was of a high rank, he had been away from the capital. The six ministries in the court had been running the business for many years and were deeply rooted. He had no ability to appoint a crown prince. The emperor understood and sighed, "I have long wanted to summon you back to the court to take up your post, but no one can shoulder your burden. Now it is too late." Tang Shiyu also felt embarrassed: "Originally, the son-in-law was the best candidate, but such a big thing happened in Jiangnan, and the military morale is unstable, making it difficult to get away." The emperor also felt it was a pity: "It would be best if the son-in-law could come, but more than a dozen generals in Jiangnan died at once, and the son-in-law cannot leave easily. Given the current situation, what do you think?" Tang Shiyu said, "Now the officials in the capital are... They are all busy looking for backers and building relationships. Your Majesty might as well cut the Gordian knot and hold the abdication ceremony immediately while you are clear-headed, establish a new emperor, and stabilize the situation. As for the candidate, I have lived in the martial arts world for a long time and dare not speak rashly. "The emperor hesitated for a moment and nodded: "It is the only way. Summon Tie Qingjia to the palace overnight. The palace guards have always regarded them as gods and will not cause chaos. As long as the troops in the capital are controlled, the abdication ceremony can be held smoothly." Without further ado, the emperor immediately sent his confidant to summon Tie Yi, the commander of the imperial guards in the capital, to the palace. Tie Yi is extremely brave and has great prestige in the imperial guards and even the imperial guards. The most important thing is that he is upright and loyal. After entering the palace overnight, the emperor asked Tang Shiyu and Tie Yi to plan. The two of them helped each other in civil and military affairs and arranged everything. After one day of preparation, it was announced that the abdication ceremony would be held and the throne would be passed to the emperor's fifth son, Prince Rui. The news shook the capital, and officials from various departments changed their attitudes and sent gifts to the Rui Wang Mansion. Tie Yi led the imperial guards to guard tightly, and Tang Shiyu made plans behind the scenes. The abdication ceremony went smoothly. Some of the six ministers supported the Rui Wang. Once the Rui Wang ascended the throne, there would be many benefits. As the saying goes, a new emperor chooses his own ministers. After the Rui Wang ascended the throne, he naturally promoted his confidants. The old emperor gave a lot of instructions, especially mentioned the contributions of Tie Yi and Tang Shiyu, and went to the harem to recuperate. It can be said that the Rui Wang is indeed quite scheming. He is used to doing superficial work, his food and clothing are very simple, he is humble and courteous, and he is also very tolerant of his servants, so he was appreciated by the old emperor. In fact, the Rui Wang was ambitious. He secretly won over the officials of the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War. He has already mastered a lot of money, food and soldiers, and is ready to seize power in the future. He never expected that the old emperor would pass the throne to himself, which saved him a lot of worries.

When the new emperor ascended the throne, it was customary to grant amnesty to the whole country, and officials from all over the country had to come to Beijing to congratulate. Wei Heyang had an important task and could not leave easily, so he only wrote a congratulatory letter and had his wife take it to Beijing. Princess Rose prepared a lot of gifts to go to Beijing, and the new emperor was very impressed and treated her warmly. The relationship between the sister and the brother does not matter, but the key is that Wei Heyang controls the various forces in half of Jiangnan, with a total of nearly one million people, and he must find a way to win them over. At the beginning of his reign, the new emperor formulated the future steps. Jiangnan is an important tax area, and it must be firmly grasped in his hands. Wei Heyang is too powerful, and he is invincible in martial arts. He is deeply loved by the army, which is a great hidden danger. We should find a way to seize his military power and take back the blank imperial edict. His advisers offered a strategy. One is to use the method of cannibalization, through the Ministry of War to reward the generals of the five camps in Jiangnan, isolate the Weihe Camp, and let the generals of the five camps compete with Wei Heyang, so as to achieve the purpose of weakening Wei Heyang. Another way is to divert the tiger away from the mountain, find an excuse to transfer Wei Heyang from the Weihe Camp, and send someone else to take over. The commanders of the six battalions in Jiangnan are of the same rank, and they check and balance each other, so there will be no chaos. The new emperor weighed the pros and cons and decided to adopt the second method. The warm hospitality of Princess Rose actually had another purpose. Princess Rose did not expect this. Seeing that her father was old and weak, she stayed in the palace to take care of him and wrote a letter to let Wei Heyang rest assured. The new emperor immediately made arrangements in a hurry. First, he asked someone to change Princess Rose's letter, saying that the princess caught a cold on the way and was bedridden, and asked Wei Heyang to come to the capital as soon as possible. Send the eunuch to Jiangnan first, and at the same time issue a fire card from the Ministry of War to transfer the five battalions in Jiangnan to trap the Weihe Camp, and then send a capable person to the Weihe Camp to announce the decree and take over the military power. After the arrangements were properly made, he thought he had a good plan and waited for good news, but he didn't know that such a big thing had a huge loophole. It turned out that Wei Heyang was both wise and brave, and knew the darkness of the officialdom. He had an agreement with the princess long ago. The letters between the two were all secretly marked, and outsiders did not know. When the eunuch delivered the letter, Wei Heyang immediately realized something was wrong. The eunuch was unaware of this. Wei Heyang sent someone to investigate and soon learned that the five camps in Jiangnan had already sent heavy troops to approach the Weihe Camp, and the new emperor's envoy would arrive soon. Wei Heyang thought hard about countermeasures. With his own ability, it would not be difficult to lead the soldiers of the Weihe Camp to break out of the siege, but what about after they broke out? His wife was a royal princess, so nothing would happen to her, but what would happen to these 30,000 brothers in the future? Once a large-scale confrontation took place, he would be charged with the crime of rebellion and his family would be implicated, which was what he least wanted to see.

The first thing the new emperor did when he ascended the throne was to seize his military power. Wei Heyang never thought that he would be in a dilemma at this time. The new emperor's envoy only dared to come to announce the decree after Wei Heyang left. If Wei Heyang didn't leave, he must not be reckless. Wei Heyang defeated the imperial guards in the capital, his giant sword was invincible, and he was well versed in military tactics and supported by the army. Once he led the army to rebel, the world would be in chaos. The new emperor had just ascended the throne and people's hearts were unstable. If the first step failed, the situation would be difficult to say. Wei Heyang thought hard all night and made up his mind. He rode out of the camp alone and went straight to find the envoy. The envoy never expected that Wei Heyang would find him, and he was afraid. Knowing that Wei Heyang was riding alone and didn't bring a giant sword, and that he had dozens of followers and five hundred personal soldiers around him, he felt relieved and went out to greet him in person. After the meeting, Wei Heyang went straight to the point: "Where are you going to announce the imperial edict?" The imperial envoy was embarrassed and speechless. Wei Heyang smiled and said, "Don't worry, my lord. I have come here alone to show my sincerity. It would be wrong for the court to cover it up. The new emperor can just issue an order to seize my military power. It is really unfair to use such means." Before the imperial envoy could speak, an attendant behind him scolded, "How dare you slander the emperor? Aren't you afraid that your whole family will be executed?" This was a confidant of the new emperor. He was in high spirits and didn't know his own limits. Wei Heyang smiled coldly and raised his sword-like eyebrows. The imperial envoy vaguely saw a red light. Before he could understand what was going on, the people behind him exclaimed. It turned out that the head of the person who spoke suddenly fell to the ground. The imperial envoy was shocked. One of his followers bravely questioned, "How dare you kill the eunuch in front of the imperial envoy? Are you going to rebel?" Before he finished speaking, a red light fell, and his body fell to the ground with a bang, split in half. The imperial envoy was shocked. He had heard that Wei Heyang was the bravest of the three armies, but that was only a battle between longbows and halberds in the army. He didn't expect that his swordsmanship was so amazing. He drew his sword and killed someone at such close range, but he didn't see any action. It was really scary. Seeing that the imperial envoy's face was pale, Wei Heyang comforted him, "Don't worry, sir. These two servants were rude and provoked Wei to take action. It has nothing to do with you." The imperial envoy barely calmed down and thought to himself that since Wei Heyang knew everything, there was no need to hide it anymore. Seeing that Wei Heyang's attitude did not seem to have any malicious intentions, he told everything.

Actually, Wei Heyang had guessed about 80% of it. After listening to what happened, he nodded and said, "A new emperor appoints new ministers. It's not surprising that the new emperor is worried about my command of a large army. Relying on such means shows that he is not a wise monarch with a long-term vision. Wei has decided not to serve the court anymore, to retire and leave the barracks. I'm just worried about the 30,000 soldiers in the Weihe Camp. The purpose of meeting with you is to discuss the aftermath and find ways to appease the army." The imperial envoy was relieved and praised, "Your Highness is very understanding. I will recommend you to the emperor after returning to Beijing. Even if you can't be reinstated, you can keep your title and perhaps even serve as an important official." Wei Heyang shook his head, "Since the new emperor doesn't trust me, it's boring to stay in the court reluctantly. It's better to resign from my official position." After the imperial envoy discussed with Wei Heyang, Wei Heyang returned to the camp alone. The imperial envoy admired Wei Heyang's ability and courage very much. The next day, the imperial envoy came to the Weihe Camp. All the generals came to listen to the imperial edict. The imperial envoy read it out in public and asked the head of the Ministry of War to take over the Weihe Camp. The generals naturally came to ask, and Wei Heyang comforted them: "The new emperor ascended the throne, and there is no capable person around him. I was specially transferred to the capital to serve as the Minister of War. You must train well and don't slack off." The generals heard that Wei Heyang was appointed as the Minister of War, and there was nothing to say. The Minister of War was in charge of the troops of the world and was a first-class official. Wei Heyang appeased the army, handed the blank imperial edict to the imperial envoy privately, handed over the roster of flags and arrows one by one, changed his armor, said goodbye to the generals, and left the Weihe Camp with the imperial envoy. The soldiers of the other five camps naturally returned to their camps. Things went so smoothly that even the imperial envoy was surprised. The new emperor promised in person that if he succeeded, he would promote himself to the position of the Minister of Justice. This time it was glorious. In order to avoid more dreams at night, hurry up.

Wei Heyang did not bring any soldiers with him, and even left his giant sword in the barracks. After walking ten miles with the imperial envoy, he set off alone, naturally to meet his wife in Beijing. He was uneasy and let his horse run wild, thinking about what to say to his wife when he saw her. The general who led thousands of troops suddenly became a commoner. Could Princess Rose accept this reality? He was hesitant and walked slowly, while the imperial envoy and his entourage hurried back to Beijing to report. The new emperor was very happy to hear that his confidant had successfully taken over the Weihe Camp. He frowned when he heard about it: "This Wei Heyang is too bold. He dared to kill my confidant. Immediately send an order to arrest and bring him to Beijing for questioning." The imperial envoy hurriedly advised: "Your Majesty, Wei Heyang is brave and resourceful. He is a rare talent. No one in the court can match him. He is also deeply supported by the soldiers in Jiangnan. Once he is arrested and brought to Beijing, the consequences will be disastrous." The new emperor hesitated for a moment and nodded: "Well, let's put this matter aside for now and wait until the situation in Jiangnan stabilizes." Princess Rose has been accompanying her father and doesn't know what's going on outside. The new emperor's confidants were upset that Wei Heyang had killed his companions, so they deliberately spread the news. Everyone in the palace knew that the son-in-law Wei Heyang had been demoted to a commoner. When Princess Rose heard the rumor, she hurried to ask the new emperor, but the new emperor avoided her. Princess Rose made inquiries and finally learned that her husband had indeed lost his position, and even the blank imperial edict had been taken back. Feeling aggrieved, she complained to her father. When the old emperor learned about this, he was shocked. He didn't expect that he had been deceived by the new emperor. The military power of Jiangnan was handed over to Wei Heyang not only because of his status as the son-in-law, but more importantly because of Wei Heyang's ability. A general without strategy can tire out thousands of troops, and without an outstanding commander, no matter how many troops there are, they will be vulnerable. In view of the seriousness of the situation, he immediately went to the new emperor to question him.

Chapter 99: Good Teacher and Good Disciple

Once you have power, you can issue orders. The new emperor doesn't care about the old emperor at all, but filial piety has been the foundation of life since ancient times, and the ruler of a country should pay more attention to it, so the new emperor should come to see his father as soon as possible. The old emperor got straight to the point and asked directly about Wei Heyang. The new emperor complained that his subordinates were ignorant and that the matter should be kept secret for the time being until the situation calmed down. At this point, he could only answer perfunctorily: "Your Majesty, you don't know that the prince consort is the most talented commander in our dynasty. Recently, the border is in a tight spot. I want the prince consort to command the troops at the border." The old emperor was furious, "You still want to hide it from me now. The greatest contributors to your ascension to the throne are the commander of the imperial guards, Tie Yi, and my confidant Tang Shiyu. But you took away Tie Yi's military power as soon as you ascended the throne, and did not give any reward to Tang. Now you have taken away the prince consort's military power. How could I be so blind to pass the throne to you?" The new emperor defended himself, "Your Majesty, the imperial guards are stationed in the capital, and we must be careful. Tang has worked hard and made great contributions. I will not forget it. Sooner or later, I will summon him to the court to serve as an official. As for the prince consort, my original intention was to transfer him to the capital. At the border, he mistakenly thought that I wanted to seize his military power, so he killed two eunuchs and escaped from the camp. Thinking of family affection, I did not pursue the matter. "The old emperor sighed and said, "As a king of a country, you are full of nonsense. At the beginning of the founding of the Song Dynasty, the national strength was strong, but Emperor Taizu was too suspicious and seized the military power of many generals. Although the throne was temporarily stable, it buried a huge hidden danger, causing the military strength to be extremely weakened. Later, the Jin people invaded, and the Song army collapsed at the first touch, and even the two emperors Huizong and Qinzong were abducted. You actually forgot such a heavy lesson and want to repeat the same mistake. Do you think the confidants around you are really so reliable?" Seeing his father angry, the new emperor did not dare to say anything and stood by with his head bowed. The old emperor murmured, "When hiring people, we must first look at their abilities. I never thought that you would appoint people based on personal connections. You don't even trust a loyal person like Tie Yi, and you don't trust your own brother-in-law. Once an enemy invades, who will you rely on to defend your country? You also saw when the foreign relatives were in chaos. The foreign relatives who were usually aggressive became paper tigers when they met the prince consort. They didn't even dare to show their faces. More than 100,000 imperial guards collapsed at the first blow. Those close confidants around you are not as good as the foreign relatives. You actually handed over the power to them. They abused their power in times of peace. Once something big happens, you run faster than anyone else. Sooner or later, the foundation of our ancestors will be destroyed in your hands." The new emperor thought about his father's words and realized that he did something wrong. He apologized and said, "I know I was wrong. I will immediately use General Tieyi and send someone to invite the prince consort back." The old emperor shook his head and said, "The transfer of military power is a top priority. How can it be a joke? Tieqing's family is a talented general, and the prince consort is a pillar of the country who can plan and win battles thousands of miles away, just like Wei Qing beside Emperor Wu of Han. What you did has chilled his heart, and you can't invite him back."

The old emperor knew Wei Heyang very well and was sure that Wei Heyang would not serve as an official again. The new emperor also regretted his rash behavior. But the mistake had been made and it was difficult to reverse it. The old emperor waved his hand and said, "Go, I am already old and can't take care of many things. You will walk your own way in the future, and you will bear the consequences of your own actions." The new emperor withdrew without saying a word. The old emperor called Princess Rose and comforted her, saying, "Although the son-in-law cannot serve as an official in the court, a person with real talent and knowledge cannot be buried anywhere. I have long determined that this person has a bright future and unlimited potential." Princess Rose nodded with tears in her eyes, saying, "Father, please take good care of your body, so don't worry about it." The old emperor sighed, "It would be best if your fifth brother can correct his mistakes. If he insists on doing it, he will make a big mistake sooner or later." He ordered people to take out his treasures and give them all to Princess Rose, and told her, "Child, you should go back to Jiangnan. Don't treat the son-in-law badly. I have been cautious all my life, but I made such a big mistake at the end. It's fate." Princess Rose originally wanted to wait for her father to die before returning to Jiangnan, but now that Wei Heyang has such a big thing, she has to say goodbye first. The new emperor was too embarrassed to see her off, so he sent someone to prepare a generous gift, and Princess Rose left the capital sadly. The old emperor's lessons did play a certain role, but he couldn't resist the people around him praising him, presenting rare things, and outstanding beauties. The new emperor soon forgot his father's instructions and began to enjoy himself. At this time, someone mentioned the Beauty Club, praising Jade Butterfly as the most recognized beauty in the world. The new emperor was immediately moved. How could such a beauty fall into the hands of the common people? She should be summoned to the palace. After checking the files, he learned about the Never-Sleeping City. He sent an imperial envoy to handle the matter without a detailed investigation, and did not even say hello to Tang Shiyu. He ordered the imperial envoy to destroy the Never-Sleeping City and bring Jade Butterfly to the palace. The imperial envoy was also a confidant. He left the capital triumphantly, and it goes without saying that he was showing off his power on the way. This mission was too easy. As long as the troops in Jiangnan were mobilized, the Never-Sleeping City could be broken overnight. When the time came to escort the beauty to the capital, promotion and wealth were just around the corner. He had beautiful dreams all the way, but when he came into contact with the local officials in Jiangnan, he was dumbfounded. The matter of the Kaifeng prefect some time ago was well known to everyone. Later, the mission to attack the Never-Sleeping City was like a death warrant from the King of Hell. The person who took over would be dead within three days. Now no general in the Jiangnan camp dared to take on this matter. The imperial envoy was shocked when he learned the details. More than a dozen military officers were killed, most of them in the military camp. If thousands of soldiers could not save their lives, what use would these people around him be?

The higher the position, the more afraid of death one is. The same is true for the imperial envoy. The future wealth and glory are within reach, so why take this risk? But since he has been ordered to leave the capital, he must give an explanation. According to the generals in Jiangnan, if there is no new emperor ascending the throne, the attack on the Never-Sleeping City will be undertaken by the Weihe Camp. The imperial envoy regretted it greatly. If he had known this, why would he bother to seize Wei Heyang's military power and let him attack the Never-Sleeping City. It doesn't matter whether he succeeds or not, as long as he loses his life. Now this mission has become the hottest potato, and the imperial envoy is restless and thinking hard about countermeasures. After a detailed investigation, it is learned that the Never-Sleeping City is rich enough to rival a country, and the city lord is a leading figure in the world. He is supported by all forces, has a wide range of hands and eyes, and is almost omnipotent. A piece of paper can make thousands of people work for him. After getting the accurate information, the imperial envoy is even more troubled. He thought it was a good mission, but he was caught in a dilemma. After thinking hard for a long time, he finally came up with an idea. The emperor's purpose was for beauties. As long as he had an outstanding beauty to please the emperor, he would have an explanation and the matter of the city that never sleeps could be put aside. He made up his mind and secretly sent people to find outstanding beauties by various means. Jiangnan was originally a place where beauties were produced. In less than ten days, the imperial envoy found nearly a hundred beauties. After selection, he chose one of them. After dressing up carefully, she was indeed charming and beautiful. The imperial envoy thought of a speech and set off to return to Beijing. After arriving in Beijing, the emperor summoned the envoy immediately and asked about the incident. The envoy replied: "Your Majesty, I have been to Jiangnan and learned that Yu Hudie is already over 40 years old and her beauty has faded. She is not even one tenth of what she was in the past. She is also a married woman. If she is summoned to the palace, I am afraid she will be laughed at by the world. I have specially selected a beautiful woman from Jiangnan. She is 28 years old and has a peerless appearance. She is far better than Yu Hudie." The emperor immediately ordered: "Summon her to the palace." Soon, the beauty came to the palace. The emperor was immediately moved and threw the matter of the city that never sleeps out of his mind. He immediately took the beauty as his concubine and rewarded the envoy generously. The envoy thought he had a good plan and took the reward home to celebrate.

Princess Rose returned to the mansion and immediately sent people to look for Wei Heyang, but there was no news. The princess knew that Wei Heyang had a high opinion of himself and was indeed talented and learned. He originally planned to make great plans and leave his name in history. Who knew that the trouble started from within the family. This time, he handed over the military power, and all his previous ambitions became a bubble. He must be ashamed to see people and would not show up in the short term. As Princess Rose expected, Wei Heyang was indeed disheartened. From a general commanding thousands of troops to a commoner, such a big contrast was really hard to accept. He originally wanted to go to the capital to see his wife, but what if he saw her? Even if his wife didn't dislike him, how could he feel at ease? The ups and downs of officialdom, wealth and glory became nothing in a blink of an eye, and it was inevitable that he would be depressed. He walked aimlessly and in a daze. While walking, he suddenly saw a green mountain on the side of the road with beautiful scenery. There was a small pavilion halfway up the mountain that was quite unique. Wei Heyang was in a bad mood. Thinking about relaxing, he bought wine and meat at the hotel on the side of the road and prepared to go to the pavilion for some entertainment. The mountain path is not difficult to walk. I led the horse up the mountain, and there were flowers and birds singing, green trees and a gentle breeze, which made me feel much more relaxed. I saw the pavilion in sight, and vaguely found someone inside. I looked closer and saw clearly that there were two people sitting inside, one monk and one layman. The monk had dark skin, shiny skin, thin body, and plain appearance. His age could not be seen. The other person was his master, Qingyang Swordsman. I didn't have time to think about it, and hurriedly stepped forward to salute. Wu Qingyang only accepted one apprentice, so of course he had to take care of him all the time. He knew that Wei Heyang had lost his official position and came here to enlighten him. He waited here and met a master by chance, so he lingered for a while. Seeing Wei Heyang, Wu Qingyang nodded slightly: "I will meet the monk first." Wei Heyang bowed deeply, and the monk clasped his hands and said: "Your disciple is dignified and handsome, and he is indeed a dragon among men." Wei Heyang felt bad. He was so miserable that there was nothing to say. Wu Qingyang said, "I know everything about you. Losing your job is just a trivial matter. A real man can stand tall and proud and create a world for himself with his bare hands." Wei Heyang nodded, "Master, you are right. I will remember it." The monk stood up and said, "It is rare for a wise master and disciple to meet. I have something to do so I have to go first." Wu Qingyang stood up to see him off, "Goodbye, Master." The monk nodded slightly and left.

Wei Heyang knew that his master was a high-ranking figure in the martial arts world. His respect for this monk showed that this monk was extraordinary, so he asked: "Master, where is this eminent monk practicing?" Wu Qingyang shook his head: "I don't know either. I met him by chance and didn't even ask his Buddhist name. But I can be sure that this monk is very powerful. Did you notice his monk shoes?" Wei Heyang shook his head: "I didn't pay attention." Wu Qingyang said solemnly: "This monk's monk shoes have no soles at all. He walks barefoot and walks freely on the gravel-covered mountain path. It shows that this monk is very extraordinary." Wei Heyang was greatly surprised and secretly admired his master's eyesight. He was indeed very observant. The next thing was to talk about the future. Wu Qingyang asked, "What are your plans?" Wei Heyang shook his head, "I have no idea what to do." Wu Qingyang comforted him, "To be with the emperor is like being with a tiger. Didn't Luo Cheng, the invincible general of the Tang Dynasty, die at the hands of his own people? Yang Jiye, the famous general of the Song Dynasty, was known as the invincible golden sword, but he was framed by his own people and his body was gone. The world knows that they were wronged, why didn't the emperor avenge them? Leaving the officialdom is not necessarily a bad thing. With your ability, you can be the master of the world and dominate the world." Hearing this, Wei Heyang felt much more comfortable. Although wearing a golden belt and purple clothes is glorious, there are also many hardships that ordinary people can't experience. Putting everything aside and riding a horse in the world is also a good thing, but he can't let it go in the end. Wu Qingyang also understood that it was not easy to turn this corner, and he had to let this apprentice experience the fun of the world. So he explained: "Master has never mentioned family affairs, but today I will tell you something. In fact, Master's family is quite wealthy. Several generations have run a large-scale villa. We have money and people. Master is the only heir." Wei Heyang wondered: "If you have everything you want, why bother to venture into the world?" Wu Qingyang smiled and said: "This is what most people think. Master also had this idea when he was young. Later, influenced by a master, Master completely changed his mind and ventured into the world with only one hundred taels of silver and a sword." Wei Heyang asked: "Who is this master?" Wu Qingyang said solemnly: "He is the famous elder of the Beggar Gang, Elder Jinchan. It was he who changed Master's life."

Wu Qingyang was counseling his apprentice and mentioned Elder Jin Chan. Wei Heyang asked about the matter. Wu Qingyang talked freely, "This old man lost both his parents when he was young, and he lived by begging. Later, he joined the Beggar Gang, practiced martial arts diligently, stood out in the Beggar Gang assessment, and became a hall master. After becoming a hall master, he worked hard for the Beggar Gang and made great contributions. He was promoted by the gang leader as an exception, and was taught the secret martial arts of the Beggar Gang. He became the gang leader's special envoy with supervisory power. The greatest characteristic of this old man is his enthusiasm. He never considers his own gains and losses. The Beggar Gang has a large number of people and is the most well-informed. When the various sects in the martial arts world have difficulties, they only ask this old man for help and there is no time to refuse. Later, the Beggar Gang leader Ye Changxing was defeated and committed suicide, and handed over the gang leader token. The fact that the Beggar Gang is still standing is entirely due to this old man's credit." Wei Heyang asked, "This old man and the master have taken completely different paths. Why are you affected?" Wu Qingyang smiled and said, "This old man and the master are very different. My biological father had a close relationship with him, and I often stayed with this old man when I was young. He often told me some interesting stories about the rivers and lakes that he had personally experienced. Among them, swordsmen, beauties, swordsmen, constables, chivalrous thieves, green forest tyrants, disciples of famous families, and wandering knights of the rivers and lakes, all kinds of colorful characters deeply touched me, so I have been looking forward to the rivers and lakes since I was a child. "Wei Heyang nodded: "So that's it." Wu Qingyang continued: "I have been determined to venture into the rivers and lakes since I was a child, and I have practiced swordsmanship for this. Elder Jinchan's experience has deeply influenced me, but everyone has a different path. I think the elder is too tired to run around all day, life is short, and I can't think about others everywhere. I always have to leave some time for myself to enjoy life. Therefore, I will just be a wandering swordsman, take action when I should, and enjoy when I should." Wei Heyang felt that his mind was opened, and a new world appeared in front of him, and his heart was full of expectations.

Seeing Wei Heyang's expression, Wu Qingyang understood that his disciple was already moved, and advised: "The first step to step into the world of martial arts is to put down your airs. There are many hidden dragons and crouching tigers in the world of martial arts. No matter how noble your status is, or how high your martial arts and swordsmanship are, as long as you are arrogant, you will never have a good ending. You must know the story of the oil seller. What happened when the famous archer met an ordinary old man? When walking in the world of martial arts, you must pay attention to discovering everyone's strengths, and don't even look down on a beggar. Take today as an example. The cultivation level of that inconspicuous monk is so high that even the master can hardly compare to him. It can be seen that there is no harm in being careful everywhere." Wei Heyang nodded: "Master, don't worry. I was born in poverty and will not forget my roots no matter how I get to the point." Wu Qingyang praised: "The master accepted you as his disciple because of this. You should follow the master to gain experience and make friends with various masters. In less than a year, you can travel the world of martial arts by yourself. The master guarantees that the joy of the world of martial arts is much greater than that of the temple." Wei Heyang nodded in agreement. Wu Qingyang walked with his apprentice, teaching him martial arts while introducing various people in the martial arts world and visiting various masters. First, there were several famous families of Shaolin and Wudang, and then there were various gangs in the martial arts world. Wu Qingyang's status and martial arts were beyond reproach, and he had a wide range of friends. He was respected wherever he went. Wei Heyang was careful and gained experience. At this time, Wu Qingyang didn't want to go to the city that never sleeps. Chang Xiao was now between the black and white worlds, and he couldn't see through it. Another thing was that Chang Xiao's martial arts was too high. Once Wei Heyang found out that the gap was so big, he would inevitably be discouraged and lose his ambition. This was the painstaking effort of a teacher. Wu Qingyang had been in the martial arts world for many years and only accepted one disciple. Naturally, he had to take good care of him. This apprentice was indeed a promising talent with a bright future.

Chapter 100: The Lustful King

One wave has not yet settled, another wave rises. The Jade Butterfly incident has just come to an end, but someone has presented a painting, which is a painting of a peerless beauty by the contemporary talent Yan Shiqing and several famous calligraphers and painters. When Yan Shiqing hosted the Qunfanghui, because it was the last time, he specially invited famous contemporary painters to work together to paint a long scroll to commemorate the Qunfanghui and the world's most beautiful Jade Butterfly. After the meeting, these famous artists gathered together and showed their strengths. They depicted a hundred postures of the Jade Butterfly on a long scroll of more than ten feet. Because they were all famous artists, the portraits were extremely vivid and lifelike, and it was needless to say that they wrote poems and left seals. When this painting was first completed, someone offered 50,000 taels of silver to buy it. Yan Shiqing was not short of money and was not moved. Later, the price rose all the way to 200,000 taels, but Yan Shiqing was still not tempted. This price alarmed the government, and the governor personally came to Yan Shiqing to pressure him, and Yan Shiqing had no choice but to hand over the painting. The governor presented this painting to the emperor when he went to Beijing. The emperor was shocked when he saw the painting. In comparison, his new beauty was far inferior. At first, he thought it was the appearance of Jade Butterfly when she was young. Later, he learned that the painting was made recently. Jade Butterfly's appearance had not aged at all and she was still the most beautiful woman in the world. The emperor was young and energetic. He was fascinated by Jade Butterfly's peerless appearance and was determined to get this beauty. Because Jade Butterfly was a married woman, it was not easy to issue an order publicly, so he sent his entourage to Jiangnan to handle the matter. The City That Never Sleeps has become the target of the government again, and Chang Xiao naturally knows it. Now that the Nether Island has been completed, Fang Zishou and other Nether Swordsmen have settled on the island and spread the word in the martial arts world that they want to find the Nether Swordsmen Avengers to welcome them to the island. The four brothers Jian Tong and Qin Tong are still in the City That Never Sleeps. Originally, it would be fine for these four people to take action, but Chang Xiao decided to handle it himself. On the one hand, he wanted to make the court retreat, and on the other hand, he wanted to show his strength to Duan Qingxiao. Without the Nether Swordsmen, he would be omnipotent. Because the government kept pestering him, Chang Xiao had already had the intention to kill. As a king, he had just ascended the throne and had to deal with countless important matters. He was so obsessed with seizing the beauty that it would be better if there was no such a tyrant. He made up his mind to leave the city that never sleeps and go to the seaside to meet up with the Fire Dragon Colt. With the Fire Dragon Colt, it would be more convenient to move. After the meeting, he immediately started the action. I wonder how many heads will fall in this battle.

Everyone in the martial arts world knows how powerful Chang Xiao is. With the addition of the Fire Dragon Horse, it is like a plague god that demands his life, which is simply beyond human control. The news soon reached Tang Shiyu's ears, and Tang Shiyu was shocked. After the new emperor ascended the throne, he promoted his cronies and monopolized power. He did not put the country and people's livelihood first, which had disappointed many people. Now he is going to war for a beauty. How can Chang Xiao be easily provoked? How many people in the world can escape his dragon scale sword? Once this person kills in the capital, won't the world be in chaos? The situation is urgent, Tang Shiyu consulted Duan Qingxiao, Duan Qingxiao did not care: "Even ordinary people cannot tolerate the hatred of taking away their wives, let alone the top masters of the martial arts world? Even if the new emperor is killed by Chang Xiao, what does it have to do with me? The Nether Swordsman has retreated to the island, and I just want to see Chang Xiao's true strength." Tang Shiyu had no choice but to set off for the capital and try his best to save the situation. If it weren't for the iron rule that martial artists don't interfere in government affairs, Chang Xiao would have killed his way to the capital long ago, but he had no scruples about those who intended to harm the Never-Sleeping City. The attack of the Nether Swordsman was already terrifying, and the effect of Chang Xiao's attack can be imagined. The emperor's confidants sent to Jiangnan were the first to be hit. Dozens of them died silently, and then the camp where these people lived became a haunted house. No matter who it was, as long as they took a step forward, they would surely die. The news quickly shocked Jiangnan. When the urgent chapter was sent to the capital, Tang Shiyu arrived. The emperor was angry after reading the chapter. Who was so bold that he didn't even allow the corpse to be collected after killing people? This was too rampant. Just as he was about to send a senior official to Jiangnan to supervise the matter, the eunuch reported that Tang Shiyu asked for an audience. The emperor was in a bad mood, and just as he was about to say "no", he suddenly remembered that his father had told him that Tang Shiyu was resourceful and loyal to the country. Since he was ordered to hide in the rivers and lakes, he had fulfilled his duties and made great contributions. When the foreign relatives rebelled, his contribution was no less than Wei Heyang. He also controls an invisible force in his hand, which cannot be taken lightly. Besides, he ascended the throne thanks to this person, so he cannot burn the bridge after crossing the river. Therefore, he changed his mind at the last minute and asked the eunuch to bring Tang Shiyu to the study to see the emperor.

When Tang Shiyu met the emperor, the emperor pretended to comfort him. Tang Shiyu had seen that the emperor was speaking one way and thinking the other. He sighed in his heart: The new emperor is very suspicious, and he should find a way out early. The emperor asked: "What do you want to see me for?" Tang Shiyu replied: "It's about the Never-Sleeping City." The emperor's face changed. This matter was not glorious, and he must not mention the matter of Jade Butterfly. He could only talk about official articles, so he asked: "My dear, you have been hiding in the rivers and lakes, so you should know the details of the Lord of Never-Sleeping City. Who is this person's backer? How can he be so arrogant?" Tang Shiyu replied: "Your Majesty, after the first conflict between the Lord of Never-Sleeping City and the court, I submitted the detailed information of this person to the late emperor, and the late emperor collected it as the first-class imperial edict. Didn't your Majesty read it after you ascended the throne?" Of course the new emperor didn't read it, but he had to find an excuse, so he smiled and said: "There are many things to deal with after ascending the throne, and I haven't had time. Since you mentioned this person, let me take a look." He ordered the eunuch to take the imperial edict, and soon found it. The emperor opened it and took a closer look. The more he read, the more surprised he was. He never thought that Chang Xiao had such magical powers. Since his father attached so much importance to him, there must be a reason for it. So he asked, "This man is so brutal and kills people like crazy. Should we just let him run rampant?" This sentence obviously has a condescending meaning. Tang Shiyu explained, "Your Majesty, the late emperor also wanted to get rid of this person, but he didn't have the ability to do so. Thousands of troops could not threaten him, and no one in the sects that had dealings with the government could compete with him. Most of the top masters were his friends and would not be his enemies. I can assert that even if a million troops from the south of the Yangtze River were deployed, they would not be able to shake the Never-Sleeping City. For such a master, except for a few extremely skilled masters, it is easy to take anyone's head." The emperor was surprised and said, "Does it mean that he can also take my head?" Tang Shiyu nodded, "Indeed, if he wants to kill someone, no matter how many elite soldiers and generals he wants, he can't protect him. There is an iron rule in the martial arts world that you can't interfere in political affairs, especially for extremely skilled masters. As long as the government doesn't provoke it, it's fine. Once a conflict arises, it's hard to guarantee that he won't kill him in the capital." The emperor was still skeptical about Tang Shiyu's words. How could there be such a person in the world? At this time, he was still thinking about the peerless appearance of Jade Butterfly, and he was reluctant to let her go. So he comforted him, "I understand what you mean, my dear minister, and I will deal with it as appropriate." Tang Shiyu saw that the emperor was unwilling to accept this, but he didn't know what to say. He took his leave and left, secretly sighing in his heart: The emperor is arrogant and greedy for beauty, so he is bound to suffer a great loss.

The emperor sent Tang Shiyu away. Although he did not believe that Chang Xiao was omnipotent, he knew that this person was indeed extraordinary and should not be underestimated. After thinking for a long time, he came up with an idea. There are many talented people in the world. It is impossible that only Chang Xiao can dominate. As long as there are more treasures, there will be no worries about not being able to invite experts. He made up his mind and sent his personal attendants to search for martial arts masters in Beijing after the morning court the next day. The purpose was to find out where there were real masters. Although there were not many masters among the imperial guards, they knew something about the martial arts world. He could ask them and start from these two aspects. Most of the people who practiced martial arts in the capital were from the escort agencies. What masters could there be? There were quite a few people who recommended people, but they were all mediocre people. At most, they were second-rate characters of the four famous families. They were not even the head of the family, let alone the imperial guards. The emperor was quite disappointed. At this time, someone suggested that the four famous families had the longest reputation in the martial arts world. The four heads of the family were all recognized masters. They must know where there were top masters. However, the four sect leaders would not be summoned easily, and they should find an excuse to meet. The emperor immediately decided to choose an auspicious day to go to Mount Tai to offer sacrifices to heaven. The real purpose was to go to Shangqing Palace. The emperor's departure from the capital naturally alarmed many people, and it goes without saying that he had a grand ceremony. The emperor's original intention was to get the world's most beautiful woman, Jade Butterfly. He went to great lengths for this beauty and naturally could not take care of state affairs. He carried a portrait of Jade Butterfly with him. He could not bring the jade seal, but he could not forget the portrait. The young emperor was obsessed with beauty and wanted to get Jade Butterfly at all costs. He did not consider the country and the people's safety at all. Because of his impatience, he did not delay on the road. It happened to rain when he arrived at Mount Tai. The emperor was impatient and simply rushed directly to Shangqing Palace on Mount Laoshan. Lingmu Zhenren was quite puzzled when he heard that the emperor had arrived. The emperor was offering sacrifices to heaven on Mount Tai, so why did he go to Shangqing Palace? Since he came, he had to be received. The four famous sects all had dealings with the government and had to follow the laws of the country. Therefore, Lingmu Zhenren personally led his disciples to greet him. The emperor was very friendly and kept calling the master "Zhenren" all the time, appearing to be very friendly. After paying homage to the Three Pure Ones, he went to talk to Lingmu Zhenren.

Lingmu Zhenren knew that the emperor must have something important to do when he came, so he responded carefully. The emperor had already had a certain understanding of Chang Xiao's ability, and knew that Lingmu Zhenren was no match for him. He went straight to the point and told Chang Xiao about his murders, pretending to be concerned about the country and the people, "This kind of thief has committed many evil deeds and should have been brought to justice and punished. I have tried many ways to deal with him, but this thief is very powerful and the imperial guards cannot match him. This time I came to Shangqing Palace to ask Zhenren for help." Lingmu Zhenren immediately understood that the emperor wanted to get rid of Chang Xiao. But what could he do? Chang Xiao's martial arts improved faster than ordinary people could imagine, and Shangqing Palace could do nothing about it. Even his predecessor Wumu Zhenjun could not control him. So he started to decline. The emperor also knew that Lingmu Zhenren was no match for Chang Xiao, and he said, "I am not asking Shangqing Palace to deal with Chang Xiao, I just want to ask who can deal with him. It is impossible that he is the only master in the martial arts world?" Lingmu Zhenren thought for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, as far as I know, only Duan Qingxiao, the leader of the Divine Sword Sect, is on par with this man. Sooner or later, the two will be separated." The emperor immediately became interested: "This Duan Qingxiao is one, are there any others?" Lingmu Zhenren has always had an opinion about Chang Xiao, and naturally does not want Chang Xiao to dominate the world. After thinking for a while, he said, "These two people are the Taishan Beidou of the current martial arts world. There is indeed no one in the Central Plains who can match them. However, I heard that the abbot of Shaolin Temple, Elder Huiyuan, mentioned a strange man, who is a master of Tantric Buddhism, who lives in seclusion in the Great Snow Mountain and has practiced for decades. He has quite magical powers. What he has learned is completely different from the martial arts of the Central Plains. Maybe he can deal with Chang Xiao." The emperor was overjoyed and asked for details, but Lingmu Zhenren was not very clear. So the emperor immediately left Shangqing Palace and went to Shaolin Temple to see Elder Huiyuan. Lingmu Zhenren thought that the emperor was really working hard to uphold the law and was a wise ruler. He never thought that the emperor was working so hard for the beauty. If he was working for the country and the people, he would not leave the palace at all.

Shaolin Temple has a long-standing reputation and the government has always respected it. The emperor's visit this time naturally needs to be received with great ceremony. The emperor naturally has to do some superficial things, such as worshipping Buddha statues, donating silver, and writing inscriptions. When he rests, he naturally asks Elder Huiyuan to accompany him. Elder Huiyuan thinks that it is normal for the new emperor to beg for God's protection soon after he ascended the throne, but he never thought that the emperor would actually ask about the top martial arts masters. Since the emperor had spoken, he could only answer truthfully: "Your Majesty, as far as I know, there is indeed such a person. He has practiced Tantric martial arts for most of his life and calls himself Mi Tuo Monk. Tantric martial arts are different from those in the Central Plains, and the methods of practice are also very different. This monk once went to Shaolin to discuss martial arts, but was rejected by me because of the different methods of practice." The emperor asked: "Then can this monk deal with Chang Xiao, the lord of the City That Never Sleeps?" Elder Huiyuan was stunned. He was really surprised that the emperor would ask such a question. Buddhism does not lie. The elder thought for a moment and replied: "Chang Xiao, the lord of the City That Never Sleeps, is the top master in the Central Plains, and Mi Tuo Monk is a strange man in Tantric Buddhism. In terms of martial arts, the cultivation of these two people is above mine, and it is difficult to say who is better." The emperor nodded and asked: "If Mi Tuo Monk and Duan Qingxiao join forces, can they get rid of Chang Xiao?" Elder Huiyuan was even more surprised. Why did this young emperor have to make things difficult for Chang Xiao? Chang Xiao is not only an outstanding martial artist, but also a first-class strategist. Today's Never-Sleeping City is definitely not supported by him alone. There must be a terrible force behind him. If it was in the past, it would be fine. Chang Xiao is now completely different from the past. He will kill people at any time. If things really get out of hand, who knows what will happen. In view of the serious consequences, Elder Huiyuan advised him gently. If it was really for the country and the people, the emperor would not leave the capital so far. It would be different for a beauty. However, this purpose cannot be made public, so the elder's persuasion has no effect at all. The emperor asked in detail about the place where the monk Mi Tuo practiced, and he would not stay any longer and would return to the capital immediately. He selected the person on the way and prepared gifts as soon as he returned to the palace. No matter how difficult it was, he had to invite the monk Mi Tuo out of the mountain.

The place where Mi Tuo Monk lived in seclusion was covered with snow all year round, and there were almost no roads. The imperial envoy who received this errand complained bitterly. However, money can make the gods go crazy. As long as they are willing to pay, there are still people willing to go up the mountain to deliver letters. Mi Tuo Monk has lived in seclusion for many years and has never asked about external affairs. He refused the letter without even reading it. The imperial envoy had no choice but to pay a large sum of money to invite someone to the mountain to show the emperor's sincerity. When Mi Tuo Monk learned that the emperor wanted him to go out of the mountain to deal with the top masters of the Central Plains, he was immediately moved, but he doubted whether Chang Xiao was worth it for him to go out of the mountain. Mi Tuo Monk's martial arts required the help of high-quality medicinal materials, which were very difficult to find. Just when there was this opportunity, he made a list, and the imperial envoy agreed, and Mi Tuo Monk agreed to go out of the mountain. On the one hand, the emperor sent people to invite Mi Tuo Monk, and on the other hand, he sent a message to Tang Shiyu, trying every means to intensify the conflict between Duan Qingxiao and Chang Xiao. Tang Shiyu was in a dilemma. The internal strength of these two people had already reached the realm of perfection. They were sharp-minded and had unique vision. As long as there was a tiny flaw, they could see the clues. It was harder to provoke these two people than to ascend to heaven. But the emperor had made up his mind and there was no room for redemption. Anyway, these two people were destined to win or lose in all aspects. They would clash without pushing, so he waited and watched. It took a long time to invite the monk Mi Tuo. The emperor temporarily forbeared and did not act rashly. After Chang Xiao established his prestige, he returned to the city that never sleeps and lived with Yu Hudie day and night. Yu Hudie knew in her heart that Chang Xiao was drinking and singing on the surface, but he had a lot of actions in secret. Duan Qingxiao's strength was extraordinary and must not be taken lightly. After many inquiries, Chang Xiao became very interested in Master Baikong. According to the news, in addition to being proficient in the martial arts of the Central Plains, this monk also had a deep attainment in the Indian Yoga technique, and the fusion of two different types of martial arts was really unfathomable. Chang Xiao wanted to let his son, King Yuelun, become a disciple of Master Baikong, so he first called King Yuelun back to the Never-Sleeping City and sent people to inquire about Master Baikong's whereabouts, preparing to invite him in person. King Yuelun had practiced yoga since he was young and had some experience. He was very excited to hear that there was such a great monk. This time when he went to the Never-Sleeping City, he originally wanted to learn Central Plains martial arts from his father, but his father did not agree. If he could become a disciple of Master Baikong, it would be a rare opportunity.

Chapter 101: Experts Fight

Master Baikong was planning to build a temple and collecting donations from all directions. His whereabouts were uncertain, so it was not difficult for Chang Xiao to find him. After getting accurate information, Chang Xiao was ready to go out, and Yu Hudie wanted to follow him, and the two set off together. Master Baikong was the monk who lingered in the pavilion with Wu Qingyang, and he was running around to build a temple. Because he had been running around in the Western Regions for a long time, his skin was tanned and his appearance was not good. Many people sneered at him, and he did not collect ten taels of silver in more than a month. Master Baikong did not care and continued to run. A red shadow was approaching quickly in the distance. Master Baikong had excellent eyesight and saw that it was a red horse with two people on it, a man and a woman. The red horse soon came close, and Master Baikong smiled and said, "Once the donor comes, there is hope for the construction of the temple." The people who came were Chang Xiao and Yu Hudie. Because they knew that Master Baikong had a high level of cultivation, it was not surprising for him to say such a thing. After getting off the horse and greeting, Master Baikong clasped his hands together and said, "The donor must be the Lord of the Never-Sleeping City, and this female donor must be the most beautiful woman in the world." Yu Hudie was a little surprised. How could she be recognized at a glance when she was wearing a bamboo hat and a veil? Chang Xiao didn't find it strange. He saluted and said, "Master, you have a keen eye. I am Chang Xiao." Master Baikong nodded and said, "I have heard from my senior brother that you are indeed extraordinary." After the greetings, the three of them sat down at a tea stall on the side of the road. After the waiter served tea, Chang Xiao said, "Master, your cultivation is very high, which is rare in the world. I have something to ask for." Master Baikong smiled and said, "I also have something to ask for." Chang Xiao was stunned, and then responded, "Master, please speak up if you have anything to ask." Master Baikong said, "It's not about building a temple. I believe the Lord of the City will not refuse." Chang Xiao frowned and said, "Master, please forgive me. It's not that I don't want to pay. Master Baekje mentioned this matter when he was a guest in the Never-Sleeping City. At that time, Chang expressed his position and took out tens of thousands of taels of silver, but Master Baekje refused to accept the money from the Never-Sleeping City. Gold and silver." Master Baikong nodded: "Senior brother must have his reasons for refusing, and I will not take the gold and silver of the Never-Sleeping City." Chang Xiao was even more surprised: "Master, what do you mean?" Master Baikong said: "There is a Julong Town at the foot of Julong Mountain where the Never-Sleeping City is located. There are tens of thousands of residents in the town. It is said that this town was built by the city lord to help the victims. Now the residents of the town have enough food and clothing and live and work in peace and contentment. They should repay the city lord's kindness. This is what I want." Chang Xiao nodded: "So that's the case. Master is really smart. Instead of asking Chang to ask the people of Julong Town to contribute money and effort to build a temple, it is better to say that the master has eliminated the disaster for these residents." Master Baikong was surprised and said: "The city lord actually thought of this level. No wonder senior brother values it so much."

After talking about the temple construction, Master Baikong asked Chang Xiao about his purpose. Chang Xiao told him that he wanted to find a master for his son, King Yuelun. Master Baikong did not refuse. He smiled and said, "Don't be in a hurry to become my disciple. As long as your son can eat, sleep and walk with me for three months, I will accept this disciple." Yu Hudie was very happy, but Chang Xiao knew that it was not easy to accompany Master Baikong day and night. Although his son had practiced yoga hard, he might not be able to do it. However, he had done his best. Whether he could become Master Baikong's disciple depended on his son's own luck. Since the two of them had to go to Julong Mountain to solve the problem, the three of them went to the Never-Sleeping City together. Yu Hudie had also practiced some yoga and wanted to ask Master Baikong for advice. Master Baikong was the only master in the world who was proficient in both Central Plains martial arts and yoga. His views were naturally different from ordinary people. He pointed out the way to practice in the future to Yu Hudie, and Yu Hudie was very happy. Soon they returned to the City That Never Sleeps, and Chang Xiao asked his son to pay a visit to Master Baikong. Although King Yuelun was of a high status, he could not put on airs in front of such a master and bowed respectfully. Master Baikong looked at him for a moment and asked, "Who taught you yoga?" King Yuelun replied, "It was the teacher Kana who was invited from India." Master Baikong nodded, "So it was him, no wonder, but why haven't you practiced Central Plains martial arts? Didn't your father teach you?" King Yuelun replied, "I have lived on an island since I was born, and I rarely meet my father, so I have no time to teach him." Master Baikong shook his head, "No, there must be another reason." Chang Xiao praised, "Master is really smart. When I first started practicing martial arts, I didn't meet a famous teacher. I went through many twists and turns and almost died. That's why I worked hard and practiced for ten years. The hardships are hard to tell to outsiders. I have been wandering around for many years and have seen many people, but none of them can endure the ten years like me. My son was born in wealth and luxury, and he couldn't complete the initial practice at all, so I didn't teach him Central Plains martial arts." Master Baikong nodded, "So that's it."

Even Chang Xiao's wife Princess Yueying, his son King Yuelun, and even the closest Jade Butterfly did not know why Chang Xiao did not teach martial arts, but Master Baikong saw the clue, which shows that this monk is extraordinary. After settling down, the first thing to do is to deal with the construction of the temple. Chang Xiao first sent people to Julong Town to understand the situation. It turned out that when Julong Town was first established, it accepted more than 100,000 disaster victims. Later, when the year was good, some people returned to their hometowns, and some people stayed here to settle down. After operating for a long time, inns, restaurants, rice shops, merchants, and pharmacies were opened. Naturally, people moved in and now it has become a prosperous town. Because Julong Town was built by Chang Xiao, the residents of the town specially carved a tall stone tablet to explain the origin of Julong Town in detail. Therefore, whether it is the original residents or outsiders, they all know Chang Xiao's name. After finding out clearly, Chang Xiao made some preparations and went to Julong Town for a tour. He was warmly received by the residents of the town. When Chang Xiao mentioned the matter of building a temple, the residents of the town agreed and immediately organized young and strong people to collect gold and silver. After all the arrangements were made, Chang Xiao asked Master Baikong to preside over the construction of the temple. With Chang Xiao, everything went very smoothly, and the temple was built at the foot of Taibai Peak on Tongbai Mountain. If Master Baiji came forward, it would not matter how much gold and silver he asked for, and he could build it on any scale. However, the two monks had a superior view. The temple was a quiet place, so it did not need to be too large, and the Buddha statue did not need to be too tall. The key was sincerity. Therefore, the temple had only more than 30 rooms, and more than 2,000 people from Julong Town helped. Naturally, the progress was very fast. Master Baikong invited monks from all over the country. When they heard that there were Buddhist scriptures brought back from India, monks from all over the country came happily. Duan Xiyun had promised to come to prepare vegetarian food when the temple was built. When he learned about this, he came with Yin Tianlei. Master Baiji used the money he raised to decorate the Buddha statues and paint the halls, and named the temple Qingquan Temple. Buddhists do not talk about publicity. Elder Huiyuan of Shaolin Temple came only as an ordinary monk, and the other monks did not talk about their identities. Chang Xiao knew that although these monks looked inconspicuous, they were actually not simple. In comparison, Elder Huiyuan was nothing. These monks gathered together to exchange Buddhist knowledge with each other, and most of what they said was not understood by outsiders. Among these people, the most eye-catching one was a young monk who was running around and was never idle. Not only was there no one to control him, but many monks also bowed to him and greeted him. Others did not know, but Chang Xiao knew that this person was the monk Shenmu, who looked like a young monk in monk's robes. She was of a high generation, so many people bowed to her.

Master Baikong is not well-known in the Central Plains, but Master Baekje is well-known. It is a rare opportunity for so many monks to gather together, so they naturally stay for a few days. When the temple is completed and consecrated, it is natural to perform rituals. There are not many believers who come to worship Buddha, because the temple is not large and not publicized. Many monks hold instruments and recite scriptures, and incense smoke floats. In the sound of Sanskrit chanting, Qingquan Temple is officially launched. Master Baikong has been in Tianzhu for many years and is proficient in Sanskrit. He took out the scriptures and discussed with many monks. Outsiders can't understand what he said at this time. Chang Xiao knew that his killing karma was too heavy, so he didn't go to the temple. He waited for the Buddhist meeting to ask Master Baikong to discuss martial arts. This Buddhist meeting lasted for 18 days. Duan Xiyun and Yin Tianlei stayed in the temple to cook and entertain various monks. Chang Xiao knew that these two people would never return empty-handed. Master Baekje and Master Baikong were both unfathomable and profound holy monks. Anyone's guidance would be enough for these two people. The Buddhist meeting ended successfully, and all the monks left. Chang Xiao invited Master Baikong to the Never-Sleeping City to discuss martial arts and learn about the mysteries of Indian Yoga. Master Baikong also wanted to know what level of martial arts the master of the Never-Sleeping City had reached. Chang Xiao had studied martial arts with Master Baiji before, but they only communicated verbally. Master Baikong was different. He proposed to fight formally, and Chang Xiao naturally wanted it, so he invited Master Baikong to his practice hall. Chang Xiao's martial arts are of course mainly swordsmanship, but nowadays, he can perform without a sword. When the two of them exchanged fists and palms, Chang Xiao felt that Master Baikong's true energy was different from others, with a kind of suction, which was different from the martial arts of various schools in the Central Plains. After a few moves, Master Baikong let go and attacked, and Chang Xiao was strict and took a defensive position. The two of them attacked very quickly. When they fought fiercely, Master Baikong's body was flying, his feet did not touch the ground, and his arms actually grew half a foot each, and his legs grew a lot, and he could flip at will and attack in all directions. Chang Xiao was secretly surprised. He had heard that a master of yoga could control his joints at will. He didn't expect the rumor to be true. This would give him a great advantage. The monk Shenmu had said that yoga could dissolve huge forces and disperse the powerful force to the whole body. He wanted to give it a try. So he used his right palm as a knife and performed a very fierce move. It seemed to be varied, but in fact it was not varied at all. He cut into the inner circle at the fastest speed and landed under Master Baikong's ribs.

This move was the essence of Chang Xiao's years of immersion in swordsmanship. Master Baikong had never thought of it. He was so surprised that he had no time to dodge. Chang Xiao's right palm fell, and it felt like he had touched a big fish. The powerful force was easily cut. After this move, both of them were shocked, knowing that the other's martial arts attainments were unfathomable. The two top masters each used strange moves, unpredictable, and fought fiercely. The strength gradually increased. Half an hour later, it was still difficult to distinguish. Master Baikong's body movements were extremely clever, and with the magic of yoga, at least seven of his ten moves were offensive, and he had the upper hand. After a long fight, Chang Xiao shouted, and his palms turned around, turning defense into offense. Chang Xiao's left-handed knife was not inferior to his right-handed knife, so the offensive of the two palms was almost the same, and the power was even more powerful when combined. Master Baikong's biggest headache was not Chang Xiao's moves, but the speed of his moves. Chang Xiao's knife speed was known to the world, and the same was true for his palms. Master Baikong felt the pressure and changed his body movements. He spun like a top, and attacked Chang Xiao with his hands and feet, as if he had several more hands and feet. At this time, he could no longer distinguish the moves. It was just a matter of who was faster. The sound of fists and palms hitting each other was like a storm. Master Baikong was also very familiar with the Central Plains martial arts. He found that Chang Xiao's moves were very simple, just the most common Liuhe swordsmanship, but his wonderful moves that combined the strengths of many people could not do anything. After an unknown amount of time, Chang Xiao's moves suddenly changed. He put his palms together and jumped up, like a carp, crashing into Master Baikong. Master Baikong understood that this attack was so shocking that there was no way to resolve it. He spun his body and spread his hands and feet, like a crab to deal with Chang Xiao's strange moves. Both masters exerted the essence of their own martial arts and fought with all their strength. At this time, someone outside suddenly applauded and laughed: "How funny, flying fish bites crabs, and crabs want to eat fish." The two people who were fighting each other stepped back. Master Baikong asked, "Who is making trouble?" Chang Xiao smiled and said, "Except for the monk Shenmu, no one in the world has the leisure time to do this. Senior, come in." A red shadow jumped in from the window, and after standing still, it was indeed the monk Shenmu.

Although Master Baikong had seen him before, he did not recognize him. The contrast between Monk Shenmu and the young monk who appeared in Qingquan Temple was too great after he changed into a girl's outfit. Monk Shenmu was quite excited and clapped his hands, saying, "I haven't seen such a wonderful duel in many years. You guys continue." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "Why don't you do it yourself, senior?" Monk Shenmu shook his head, "It's more interesting to watch you fight. If I fight by myself, I will miss a lot of opportunities and it won't be satisfying." Master Baikong recognized him at this time and smiled, "It turned out to be Monk Shenmu from Mount Emei." Monk Shenmu was not polite and shouted, "Black Monk, are you convinced this time? This guy is simply not a human. Even I can't beat him. I have always wondered how he can become a master at such a young age?" Master Baikong nodded, "Yes, if he has a knife in his hand, I can't resist it at all." Chang Xiao certainly couldn't agree, "Master, you are joking." Master Baikong said seriously, "Every word I say is the truth. If it is only based on your moves and internal strength, I am not inferior to you, and I am even ahead in some places. But your achievements today are definitely not because of these. , through the fight, I feel that you have practiced hard in the mountains for ten years alone, and you have not only mastered the Liuhe sword technique, but also combined the essence of the Liuhe sword technique with the environment around you and completely integrated it into yourself. From the changes of heaven and earth to the changes of ants and butterflies, flowers blooming and falling, wind, clouds, snow and rain, these changes all contain the secrets of heaven. Those who can comprehend the changes here are all geniuses who have shocked the ancient and modern times. You must have done it. "Chang Xiao shook his head: "Master, you are wrong. Chang has not read much, how can I comprehend such a profound truth?" Master Baikong was quite sure: "If you don't comprehend the secrets of heaven, it is impossible to fight with this monk. There is no trick in martial arts. This monk is several dozen years older than you. I started practicing martial arts when I entered Buddhism at the age of thirteen and never slacked off. Even if you stay up all night, you can't catch up. The only explanation is that you comprehend the secrets of heaven. "The monk Shenmu praised: "Black monk, even your senior brother didn't expect that you have two tricks. "

Although the two brothers took different paths, their cultivation levels were similar, and each had its own strengths and weaknesses. Master Baiji's whereabouts were uncertain, and he was busy saving people. He didn't pay much attention to the affairs of the martial arts world, and he had never formally fought with Chang Xiao, so it was not surprising that he didn't realize this. Master Baikong certainly understood and said with a smile, "Brother, you haven't fought with him formally, so you haven't figured out the truth." Chang Xiao disagreed, "No matter what the master says, I don't understand the secrets of heaven at all." Master Baikong sighed lightly, "The moonlight in the snow is naturally wonderful, and the reed flowers after frost are particularly strange. The secrets of heaven that many people have spent their entire lives to understand have been integrated into yourself unconsciously. It seems that the world of martial arts will be yours in the future." Monk Shenmu asked, "Is it possible that Duan Qingxiao can't beat him?" Master Baikong pondered and said, "I haven't seen Duan Qingxiao's martial arts. According to brother, this person is the most outstanding genius in the world today, and his swordsmanship has reached the pinnacle. If the two of them fight, it's hard to say who will win." Monk Shenmu shouted, "Then let's compete quickly. Whoever wins will be the first. How majestic that is." Chang Xiao shook his head slightly, "What's so great about being the first? Wind? I would rather have a chat with Duan Qingxiao over wine, and discuss swordplay by candlelight. For me, that is the greatest beauty. Even if we have to compete formally, it is an exchange of swordplay, without victory or defeat, and even less life or death. "Then won't you avenge fellow Zui Xia?" Chang Xiao said solemnly, "Zui Xia Zhenren is my confidant, and I know him very well. Zhenren's intention in handing over the Netherworld Swordsman to me was definitely not to ask me to avenge him, but to see that I am the only one in the world who has the opportunity to surpass Duan Qingxiao, and I cannot let Duan Qingxiao destroy me before my swordplay is perfected. This love and care will always be remembered in my heart. Of course, competing with Duan Qingxiao means venting for Zhenren, which is a comfort to Chang. If it is for revenge, I will look down on Zhenren. Zhenren was extremely calm when he passed away, without any worries. This is the demeanor of a master."

Chapter 102: Each has his own unique plan

If it were someone else, they would definitely not understand this kind of emotion. Master Baikong and Monk Shenmu were both extremely skilled people who fully understood Chang Xiao's meaning. Chang Xiao did not agree with Master Baikong's words. He thought that the secret of heaven was beyond his reach and that this statement was too bizarre. Master Baikong was very sure, although he knew that Chang Xiao did not believe it and did not care. There was no point in comparing anymore. Master Baikong said goodbye, and Chang Xiao called his son to give him some instructions. In the heart of King Yuelun, he had no affection for his father. They had rarely met since he was born and grew up, and they were not close to each other. However, his father was a dragon among men, sitting high on the top of the mountain, overlooking all the mountains. He mainly felt respect for him. It had been agreed in advance, so Master Baikong did not say much and led King Yuelun out of the city that never sleeps. Monk Shenmu ran away again when he saw that there was no excitement to see. After dealing with these things, the next step is to target Duan Qingxiao. Chang Xiao thought that no one from either side should show up, and they should compete with each other to see who has more power. After that, he will have a formal duel with Duan Qingxiao to learn swordsmanship. As Chang Xiao's only opponent, Duan Qingxiao is also considering that he is too old to stay in the Divine Sword Sect all the time. He will retire after a comprehensive competition with Chang Xiao. Duan Xiyun is naturally the best candidate to take over the Divine Sword Sect, but after many investigations, Duan Xiyun has been wandering for several years and has changed completely. He doesn't want to be the leader of the Divine Sword Sect at all. Duan Qingxiao considered for a long time and decided to hand over the Divine Sword Sect to his disciple Zhong Wanshan. No one else objected. Zhong Wanshan's swordsmanship attainments are perfect and he is fully capable of supporting the Divine Sword Sect. At this time, Tang Shiyu received the emperor's order. The monk Mi Tuo had already come out of the mountain, asking Tang Shiyu to find a way to provoke a dispute between Duan Qingxiao and the Never-Sleeping City, and find an opportunity to get rid of Chang Xiao and destroy the Never-Sleeping City. Tang Shiyu felt embarrassed. Duan Qingxiao would not have a full-scale conflict with Chang Xiao. The two were no longer enemies, and no matter how they fought, there would be no bloodshed. It was extremely difficult to sow discord between them. The two of them knew each other very well, and outsiders could not intervene at all. Tang Shiyu understood that the emperor was obsessed with the beautiful Yu Hudie, and that maintaining the law and eliminating harm for the people was all a cover. If there were no beauties, the emperor would not have asked about such trivial matters. Now the emperor has made up his mind, and he can only take one step at a time.

After several twists and turns, Mi Tuo Seng finally left the Great Snow Mountain. Although he was a monk, he was completely different from the monks in the Central Plains. He drank a lot of wine, ate a lot of meat, and never forgot to look for women, calling it "Chan Joy Zen". Although he had many flaws, Mi Tuo Seng was indeed extraordinary. He demonstrated in public at the military training ground that he could split two bulls with his hands, lift a stone lion with one hand, and open a monument with his iron palm. These were just clumsy skills, which were far from enough to fight with a real master. Mi Tuo Seng not only had amazing physical strength, but also mastered the superior martial arts of Tantric Buddhism, the Thunder Seal, and was revered as a divine monk by all the countries in the Western Regions. The emperor was short-sighted. After seeing Mi Tuo Seng's ability, his confidence increased greatly. He thought that this Mi Tuo Seng could completely get rid of Chang Xiao. Mi Tuo Seng did not take this matter seriously. What was the big deal about killing a few people? He just regarded it as a trip to the Central Plains. He wandered around every day under the guidance of the interpreter, eating, drinking and having fun. Because the emperor was anxious, he sent people to urge him one after another, and Mi Tuo Seng left the capital and went south. Traveling south by boat, the monk Mita would delay for several days at each dock, so the journey was very slow. At this time, Chang Xiao and Duan Qingxiao had already started their first competition. The target was the ice ruler that Shenmu Bhikkhu always kept with him. Whoever got it would be the winner. This topic sounds easy, but it is actually very difficult. Shenmu Bhikkhu's internal strength has reached the highest level. Even the falling flowers and leaves cannot hide within a few feet around him. It is harder to get close to this master than to ascend to heaven. Another difficulty is that this master's light skill is the best in the world, and she is very active and playful. No one can tell where she is. In order to get the ice ruler, we must first find and keep an eye on Shenmu Bhikkhu. This is definitely not something that one or two people can do. At least ten masters of light skills are needed. This topic was proposed by Master Baekje. Both sides had no objection and started to carry out the competition. It is more appropriate to call it a game than a competition, but it is by no means a simple matter to complete this game. The two super strong men have already sent out their men, but they use different methods. Duan Qingxiao is searching with all his strength, while Chang Xiao is preparing to arrange a lively event to attract the Divine Eye Monk. Tang Shiyu's idea to Duan Qingxiao is to take advantage of the situation. Even if the Divine Eye Monk is found, it is impossible to get the Ice Ruler. The only way is to make a fake one and find an opportunity to replace it. Duan Qingxiao agrees with this and starts to prepare in all aspects.

Monk Shenmu is a frequent visitor to the City That Never Sleeps, mainly to enjoy the lanterns. Every night, the City That Never Sleeps is ablaze with lights, and lanterns of all sizes are connected together, creating a spectacular sight. Monk Shenmu is elusive, and no one knows when and where she will appear. In terms of Qinggong, there is indeed no one who can compare with her. Monk Shenmu did not know about the gambling competition between the City That Never Sleeps and the Divine Sword Sect, and he went wherever he wanted to play, without any worries. He always carried the Ice Ruler with him. This treasure is crucial to the future of the Emei Sect and must not be lost. While playing, he suddenly heard a news that the City That Never Sleeps is holding a cat race. Because the number one beauty, Jade Butterfly, likes cats, Chang Xiao spread the news that a cat race will be held in the square in front of the City That Never Sleeps, and cat owners from all over the country can participate. The prize is a cat made of pure gold, and the eyeballs are two precious cat's eye gems, which are very valuable. Food is completely provided by the City That Never Sleeps. At that time, most people who kept cats were women. Men holding cats would be laughed at. Women were competitive. If they could stand out from thousands of cats and get the golden cat, it would be extremely glorious. After hearing about this, the monk Shenmu immediately became interested. Cat racing was something that had never been heard of since ancient times. It must be very lively. It would be fun to have all kinds of cats gathered together. So he took the route through the city that never sleeps. Duan Qingxiao couldn't help but smile when he heard the news. Chang Xiao actually came up with such a way to attract the monk Shenmu. Tang Shiyu was also surprised and praised: "You have a clever idea. The monk Shenmu will definitely go. We must also be prepared." Duan Qingxiao pondered and said: "It is not easy to do it in the City That Never Sleeps. Should we also hold a similar conference to attract the monk Shenmu?" Tang Shiyu shook his head: "The idea was thought up by Chang Xiao. It is useless for us to copy it. The cat racing conference cannot be held in the City That Never Sleeps. It must be held outside the city. We arrange people to participate in the cat racing conference. Such occasions are more chaotic and easy to start, but it is not easy to find female masters." Duan Qingxiao thought for a moment and smiled and said: "I will find the candidates, sir, just arrange the details." Tang Shiyu immediately began to deploy. The monk Shenmu was thinking about playing, and never thought that the real purpose of this cat racing conference was the ice ruler in his arms.

This cat race was hosted by the wife of the Dragon King of the South China Sea, the old lady. The old couple had been enjoying themselves in the city that never sleeps. The old Dragon King was very open-minded, but the lady was thinking about returning to her hometown after a hundred years. The sea road was long, so it was better to stay in the Central Plains. Anyway, there was nothing to do, so she started to arrange the cat race to have some fun. This cat race mainly looked at the appearance. No matter what type of cat, it was OK as long as it was well-behaved and cute. Because the prizes were expensive, it also attracted a lot of people, all of whom were women. Even the men who were accompanied stayed at the foot of the mountain waiting. The monk Shenmu came early and was dazzled by the various kittens. He didn't know which one to look at. He teased this one and hugged that one, and he never got tired of it. At this time, a woman in palace dress came holding a pure white lion cat, and the lion cat was dozing lazily. The monk Shenmu ran over to stroke the lion cat. The woman in palace dress smiled and said, "Little girl, my white lion is very lazy. It sleeps after eating. If you like it, I'll give it to you." The monk Shenmu shook his head and said, "I don't have time to find food for it. Just look at it." The lion cat was indeed lazy. It let the monk Shenmu stroke it without moving, only occasionally opening its eyes. A woman in green clothes came from a distance. The woman in palace dress greeted, "Fifth Miss is here too. Why don't you say hello? Wouldn't it be nice to come together?" The woman in green clothes came up to greet her with a very well-behaved pear flower cat. The monk Shenmu didn't even look at her. His attention was all on the two cute kittens. While the cat owner was talking, he picked up the lion cat and played with the pear flower cat. After a while, the lion cat suddenly became uneasy. The woman in palace dress picked it up and wondered, "My white lion will only be like this when it touches something cold. What happened today?" The monk Shenmu reached out and took out an ice ruler and said with a smile, "I brought an ice ruler with me and accidentally scared it." The woman in palace dress touched it and nodded, "It's really cold. It's a pity you put it in your arms." The woman in green smiled and said, "It turned out to be an ice ruler. It's also a rare thing. I heard that there are only three in the world." The monk Shenmu shook his head, "There is only this one. I spent a lot of effort to get it." The woman in green disagreed, "If you don't believe it, forget it." The monk Shenmu was half-believing and half-doubting, and asked, "Where else can I find it?" The woman in green took out a small box from her leather bag and handed it to him, "I only brought one with me. If you don't believe me, take it and have a look."

The ice ruler is unique, and now there is a second one. Of course, Shenmu monk did not believe it. He took it and opened it. There was indeed an ice ruler in the box, which was exactly the same as his own. It felt the same weight and felt almost the same in his hand. Shenmu monk was stunned for a moment. Is there really a second ice ruler? So he took the two rulers and compared them carefully. The woman in green smiled and said, "Well, there is nothing to say now." The woman in palace dress interrupted and said, "Are they really the same? Let me see." Shenmu monk put the two rulers in the hands of the woman in palace dress. This was a trap set by Tang Shiyu, specifically to trick Shenmu monk out of his ice ruler. The ice ruler of the woman in green was of course fake, but Tang Shiyu made it carefully, and it looked exactly the same as the real one. The only difference is that the material is different, and it will not be cold after ten days. Shenmu monk did not know the whole story, and more than half of his mind was on the cat. Although he had doubts in his heart, he did not take it too seriously. At this time, another group of women came, all holding cats. Shenmu Bhikkhu took back his ice ruler and ran over to play. The woman in palace dress winked at her companion, and the two quickly disappeared in the crowd. The cat race was very lively. The colorful kittens completely attracted Shenmu Bhikkhu, and he had no time to think about anything else. Chang Xiao held the cat race for the ice ruler, so of course he had to pay close attention. The fact that the woman in palace dress replaced the ice ruler had long been discovered, and he couldn't let these two people leave safely. These two women were masters specially arranged by Duan Qingxiao, and they were naturally not ordinary people. The woman in palace dress was the famous Hua Sijie, who wandered in the rivers and lakes when she was young, performing arts everywhere, good at magic tricks, and most proficient in disguise. Later, she met a master and learned superior martial arts. This time, her strengths were used, so it was so smooth.

After getting the money, they immediately went down the mountain. This gambling match was a competition of comprehensive strength between the two parties. The meaning of the game was very strong, and they could not fight face to face, so Chang Xiao arranged a lot of people to participate in it. Hua Sijie knew that the Never-Sleeping City was unpredictable and that she could not stay in such a place for a long time. She changed her clothes as quickly as possible, and a palace-dressed beauty turned into an inconspicuous village woman. The lion cat was naturally thrown away. They had agreed in advance that they would go by water and the woman in green would go by land, and there would be people on both sides to meet them. Things went very smoothly. When they arrived at the river, there was indeed a boat waiting. After getting on the boat, they were safe. The boat went down the river, and the matter was basically successful. If Duan Qingxiao succeeded so easily, the Never-Sleeping City would not be a big deal. Just when Hua Sijie on the boat was rejoicing, something unexpected happened. After a strange noise, the boat suddenly broke into countless pieces, and the people on the boat naturally fell into the water. Hua Sijie was also an old man in the arena, and she was very good at swimming. She immediately realized that the people in the Never-Sleeping City had taken action, so she dived into the water and hid the ice ruler under a big rock. This is just in case. If she is caught, the Ice Ruler will not fall into the hands of the enemy. After remembering the direction, Hua Sijie left quickly, swam three miles downstream to the shore, looked around and saw that there was no movement, changed her clothes and left quietly, and hurried back to the Divine Sword Gate to meet Duan Qingxiao. On the other side, the woman in green was safe and sound. When they arrived at the Divine Sword Gate, Duan Qingxiao met with the two. Hua Sijie told them what happened. Duan Qingxiao smiled and said, "I knew Chang Xiao's methods long ago. The Ice Ruler you hid under the water must have fallen into his hands, but it doesn't matter. It's a fake. The real Ice Ruler has been sent back through another channel." Hua Sijie asked in surprise, "When did the hands change?" Duan Qingxiao explained, "The moment you got on the boat, the Ice Ruler had been changed. This was Mr. Tang's clever plan." Hua Sijie praised, "It's really brilliant."

The cat race ended, and the winner naturally got the golden cat. Everyone who participated received ten taels of silver and one gold coin, and everyone was happy. The old lady who was the host was very happy, as if she was ten years younger. Jade Butterfly was also very satisfied, and was satisfied to see so many cute cats. The goal was achieved, and Chang Xiao informed Master Baekje that the two parties would meet formally. The meeting place was chosen to be Yueyang Tower, and Monk Shenmu would naturally be present. There were only four people at this meeting. Duan Qingxiao arrived first, Master Baekje and Chang Xiao came together, and Monk Shenmu came last. After the meeting and some greetings, Master Baekje smiled and said: "You have all put in a lot of effort, and today we will see the result." Chang Xiao took out the ice ruler, and Duan Qingxiao also took out one. The monk Shenmu asked: "What is so mysterious about you, old monk?" Master Baekje explained the gambling matter, and the monk Shenmu also took out a ruler and said with a smile: "Old monk, see which one is the real one." Master Baekje certainly recognized this treasure, and after careful identification, he smiled and said: "The ice ruler of the Lord of the City of Never Night is fake." Chang Xiao was stunned: "How is it possible? The ice ruler has never left my sight, how can it be fake?" Duan Qingxiao was quite complacent: "The Lord of the City of Never Night, Master Baekje, is a master of the City of Never Night. There is a loophole, and I still win. "Master Baekje shook his head: "The master's ice ruler is also fake." Duan Qingxiao was stunned, and the monk Shenmu said proudly: "How can such a trick be hidden from me? You want to take the ice ruler from me, unless the red sun rises in the west. You both lost, each of you compensate me with a good thing." Master Baekje nodded: "Yes, both of you failed, you should compensate me." It turned out that although the monk Shenmu was playful, he was a top master after all. The ice ruler was very important and it was impossible for others to replace it. He realized something was wrong at the beginning and was more careful. Neither party succeeded. Chang Xiao was the first to express his position: "I admit defeat, and I will prepare a rare thing to compensate the senior later." Duan Qingxiao knew that Master Baekje could not tell a lie, and nodded: "I also admit defeat." The monk Shenmu was very proud, and this time he finally had the upper hand.

Chapter 103: A Step Ahead

Mi Tuo monk took a boat to the south, eating, drinking and having fun on the way, which delayed him a lot. Under the urging of the accompanying officials, he finally arrived in Jiangnan. The Never-Sleeping City was well-known far and wide. According to Mi Tuo monk's intention, he would go to the Never-Sleeping City to challenge it. However, the local officials knew that the Never-Sleeping City was not easy to mess with. Under the persuasion, Mi Tuo monk decided to set up a ring in Kaifeng to challenge the Lord of the Never-Sleeping City. The news spread quickly, and people in the martial arts world laughed at this foreign monk for not knowing how to live or die. If he had challenged Chang Xiao in the past, he would not have worried about his life even if he lost. Now Chang Xiao no longer has the compassionate heart he used to have, and will never be merciful. Although Chang Xiao heard about it, he didn't take it to heart. Such an overconfident person was not worth his effort, so he didn't respond. Mi Tuo monk was arrogant and thought that Chang Xiao was afraid, so he was very proud. He challenged the Central Plains martial arts masters on the Kaifeng ring. Some people accepted the challenge. Mi Tuo monk was ruthless, and the people who fought were either disabled or injured. After more than a month without an opponent, the Mithraic Monk became even more rampant. After the competition, he would find a group of prostitutes to fool around, enjoying wine and food. One day, two people came down from the ring. A dark-skinned monk was Master Baikong, and the young man beside him was naturally Chang Xiao's son, King Yuelun. The two came to Kaifeng to watch the competition. Seeing the rampant Mithraic Monk, Master Baikong was quite surprised. The Mithraic Monk's cultivation was indeed not bad, but he was so rampant. Once Chang Xiao really came, it was inevitable that he would be in big trouble. After thinking about it, he decided to give this monk a wake-up call. If he persisted in his delusion, he would die in the Central Plains. It was his own fault. In the early morning, the competition started, and the Mithraic Monk went on stage as usual. He was extremely arrogant and showed no mercy to those who came on stage to compete. This monk's martial arts was indeed superb. He defeated three masters in half an hour. When he was feeling proud, he saw a monk coming on stage. The Mi Tuo monk saluted with his hands clasped. Master Baikong had been in the Western Regions for a long time and was proficient in various languages. He knew that the Mi Tuo monk knew Tibetan, so he greeted him in Tibetan: "I have heard that the Tantric monk has great magical powers. Today I see that his reputation is well-deserved." The Mi Tuo monk felt very friendly when he heard the Tibetan language. He smiled and said, "I didn't expect that senior brother could speak Tibetan. That's great." Master Baikong asked, "Why did the divine monk come to the Central Plains instead of practicing in the Great Snow Mountain?" The Mi Tuo monk replied, "A demon appeared in the Central Plains and no one could control it. The emperor invited me to defeat the demon." Master Baikong nodded and asked again, "I heard that you challenged the Lord of the Never-Sleeping City. Could it be that the demon the emperor was talking about is him?" The Mi Tuo monk nodded. Master Baikong smiled and said, "It's a good thing he didn't bother to pay attention to you, otherwise you, a Tantric monk, would inevitably die in the Central Plains." The Mi Tuo monk frowned and said, "It's obvious that he didn't dare to fight. How capable can a coward be?"

Master Baikong thought that Mi Tuo Seng had practiced for many years and it was not easy for him to achieve what he has today. He wanted to enlighten him. After all, verbal arguments could not convince people. He still had to fight to see if he was qualified. So he smiled and said, "I have fought with the Lord of the Never-Night City. Today, we might as well learn from each other and see if you are qualified to challenge him." Mi Tuo Seng was overjoyed: "Brother, please teach me. That's great." Master Baikong's martial arts skills were unfathomable. Mi Tuo Seng was also a rare master. He had long seen that Master Baikong was extraordinary, so he kept calling him "brother", otherwise he would have been kicked off the stage long ago. Mi Tuo Seng cried out that he was offended and chopped out with one palm, holding back the power and using clever techniques. Master Baikong intended to shock Mi Tuo Seng and followed the same moves as Mi Tuo Seng, but he was the first to arrive. Mi Tuo Seng was quite surprised and changed his moves immediately. Master Baikong's martial arts skills were extremely profound. No matter how Mi Tuo Seng changed his moves, he could always perform the same moves in a proper manner. The monk Mi Tuo performed more than a dozen martial arts in succession, but none of them were as exquisite as the other party. He was both surprised and impressed. This inconspicuous monk was really amazing. So he used his unique Tantric martial arts, the Heavenly Thunder Seal, but unexpectedly, Master Bai Kong was not vague at all, and the moves were still the same. The monk Mi Tuo was quite surprised. The Heavenly Thunder Seal was extremely powerful. It was a first-class secret skill of Tantric Buddhism. The practice was extremely difficult. Only a few people have mastered it in the past hundred years. There was only one monk Mi Tuo in this generation, so he was so arrogant. Seeing Master Bai Kong performing the Heavenly Thunder Seal, the monk Mi Tuo thought to himself: So you are just bluffing with your posture. The Heavenly Thunder Seal is a secret unique to Tantric Buddhism and it is impossible for outsiders to learn it. With a bottom line in his heart, he was confident in his moves, and gradually improved his skills, preparing to launch a thunderous attack. Master Bai Kong ignored it and let his opponent do it. The monk Mita had won dozens of battles in a row in the past few days and was in high spirits. Moreover, he had the emperor's support, so he had no scruples. He shouted and sent out the Heavenly Thunder Seal. Master Baikong did not dodge or evade, but swung his palm and struck back. The two extremely powerful forces collided with each other, making a thunderous sound, and the entire arena was shattered, with smoke and dust rising everywhere.

The Moon King who was watching the fight was not worried about his master at all. Even a master like his father praised him so much, so one could imagine the level of Master Baikong's cultivation. The Mithra Monk had no chance of winning. The smoke and dust gradually faded, and the people watching the fight found that the Mithra Monk was actually knocked out five feet away and fell to the ground. Master Baikong stood in front of the Mithra Monk with a smile. The Mithra Monk felt as if his whole body was burning, his joints were swollen and painful, and it was difficult to breathe. He was extremely uncomfortable. Master Baikong chanted the Buddha's name, stretched out his left palm and placed it on the top of the Mithra Monk's head. The Mithra Monk felt a cool air from the top of his head to his whole body, which was indescribably comfortable. After recovering for a while, the Mita monk stood up and asked, "Brother, how do you know the method of enlightenment? This is the unique method of Tantric Buddhism." Master Baikong smiled and said, "I stayed with a Tantric monk named Longge in Nalanda Temple in India for several years, so I am very familiar with Tantric martial arts." The Mita monk was shocked. The monk Longge that Master Baikong mentioned was a leader among his generation, and his cultivation was much higher than his. However, he still had doubts in his heart. Tantric martial arts cannot be passed on to outsiders, and Master Longge would not break the rules. So he asked, "Did Master Longge really pass on the Tantric Heavenly Thunder Seal and the Great Awakening Method to you, senior brother?" Master Baikong shook his head and said, "Longge would not violate the rules of the Tantric sect. At that time, he encountered several problems in the process of practicing yoga. He discussed with me, and I was able to know some of the veins of Tantric martial arts. The martial arts I performed today only have the posture of Tantric martial arts, and they are not the same in essence." From the words, the Mita monk heard that his predecessor, Master Longge, actually asked the monk in front of him for advice, so the monk's cultivation was far beyond his own. So he carefully asked, "I wonder what your Dharma name is, senior brother?" Master Baikong smiled and said, "My Dharma name is Baikong. I'm afraid you haven't heard of it. Someone in Tianzhu gave me an elegant name, called Wanling Monk." The Mita monk was shocked. Could it be that this inconspicuous monk in front of him was the Wanling Saint Monk who was omniscient and omnipotent in the Western Regions? Recalling the course of the fight, he no longer had any doubts and bowed down: "I was rude and offended the senior monk." Master Baikong smiled and said: "Buddhism emphasizes merit, regardless of status." This was just a self-deprecating remark. In the Central Plains, not many people knew the name of the Holy Monk Wanling, but in the Western Regions and even in India, he was a well-known name that everyone knew.

The monk Mi Tuo was overjoyed to meet a master, and did not dare to be rude, so he changed his etiquette to a disciple. He came out of the mountain mainly for the Lord of the Never-Night City. Since the holy monk in front of him had fought with the Lord of the Never-Night City, he naturally had to ask. Master Bai Kong said solemnly: "I advise you to leave the Central Plains as soon as possible while the Lord of the Never-Night City is not bothered by you, otherwise your years of hard work will inevitably go to waste." The monk Mi Tuo knew that the Holy Monk Wan Ling could not bluff, but he still had some doubts about the ability of the Lord of the Never-Night City, and asked: "How many rounds did the Lord of the Never-Night City last against the holy monk?" Master Bai Kong shook his head slightly: "We fought hard for half a day, but there was no winner. But that was bare-handed. The Lord of the Never-Night City is famous in the Central Plains for his swordsmanship. If he had a sword in his hand, I would not be able to resist him at all." The monk Mi Tuo was shocked. He never thought that the Lord of the Never-Night City was so amazing. He couldn't even defeat the Holy Monk Wan Ling. Wouldn't his two moves be in vain? Thinking of this, he couldn't help but gasp and murmured, "I didn't expect that there would be such a master in the Central Plains." The monk Mi Tuo believed in Master Baikong's words without a doubt. He thought for a moment, bowed and said, "Since the holy monk has mercy on me and enlightens the ignorant, can I be accepted as a disciple?" Master Baikong smiled and said, "The Tantric Buddhism has its own methods of practice. I can't be your master." Of course, the monk Mi Tuo was not willing to let go of the opportunity easily, and insisted, "In the Tantric Buddhism, only the master can perform the enlightenment on the disciples. The holy monk must know this rule." Master Baikong frowned and said, "The method I perform is similar to the enlightenment in form, but they are not the same. They cannot be generalized." The monk Mi Tuo smiled and said, "No matter which method it is, the practice of energy from the top of the head is unique to the Tantric Buddhism, or it can be called ordination by touching the top of the head." Master Baikong pondered for a moment and nodded slightly, "Well, I will accept you as a registered disciple." The monk Mi Tuo was overjoyed. He immediately put everything aside and followed Master Baikong. The court officials sent by the imperial court were helpless. This monk had a bad temper and was extremely powerful. They could not afford to offend him. Master Baikong went to a nearby temple to hold a simple ceremony and accepted the monk Mita as a registered disciple. At this time, King Yuelun had not yet been accepted as a disciple by Master Baikong, so this monk Mita was considered his senior brother. King Yuelun was also happy that the matter was resolved in this way. Although this monk was reckless, he had real talent and knowledge. It was a pity that he really died under his father's knife.

In a blink of an eye, Wei Heyang has been away from the military camp for more than half a year. Following his master to visit various masters and travel around, he has indeed gained a lot of knowledge. The world of martial arts is indeed colorful, but there are some regrets in my heart. The taste of the world of martial arts is indeed good, but the feeling of commanding thousands of troops can never be found again. On this day, the master and the apprentice came to Xinyang City. Although it is not as prosperous as Hangzhou and Kaifeng, it is also quite prosperous. The two found a seat in the restaurant and drank by the window. Wei Heyang seemed to be chatting and laughing on the surface, but he still missed his military career in his heart. The glory of commanding thousands of troops could not be forgotten. A group of people came on the street with music and drums. It was a funeral procession, which was extremely grand. There were eight people in front with banners, dozens of drummers and suona players, and more than a hundred people gathered around. Obviously, this was the funeral of a relative of an official. Wu Qingyang observed carefully and felt something was wrong. The people crying in the funeral procession were all servants, and no one of status. If the deceased was a servant, it would not be so grand. If the deceased was an official, it would be impossible for no relatives to cry. He asked the waiter over and found out that the funeral was actually for a beloved lion dog of the Marquis of Xinyang. It was kicked to death by a horse while hunting, and the Marquis of Xinyang ordered a grand funeral. Upon learning the details, Wu Qingyang raised his sword eyebrows. Wei Heyang knew that his master had murderous intentions. The Marquis of Xinyang deserved to die for being so domineering. Wei Heyang said, "Master, how about letting the disciple do this?" Wu Qingyang hesitated for a moment and shook his head: "It's better for the master to do it. Let's explore the Marquis's mansion today and start tomorrow night." It is natural that we cannot fall behind in eliminating evil and punishing traitors. After having enough food and drink, the two of them went around the Marquis of Xinyang's mansion to familiarize themselves with the route and prepare to enter the mansion at night. In the dead of night, the two left the inn. There were people patrolling the street, and the two only walked on the wall and roof. As they were approaching the Xinyang Marquis' Mansion, Wei Heyang noticed a figure flashing on the side and knew it was night walkers. Wu Qingyang also saw it and slowly approached it, wanting to see what was going on. It turned out to be four night walkers, and their target was not the Marquis' Mansion but a brothel. Wu Qingyang wondered: No matter whether it was the underworld or the white world, they would not be interested in brothels. Could these people be petty thieves from the lower five gates?

Night is naturally the busiest time for a brothel, with people coming and going and a smoky atmosphere. Wu Qingyang wanted to investigate the Marquis' Mansion. Anyway, these little thieves would not have any skills, so he asked Wei Heyang to follow and went to the Marquis' Mansion to explore. Wei Heyang stared at the four people in front of him. He saw that the four people came to the roof of the brothel, two of them were looking out, and the other two used the pearl inverted curtain to stick their heads down and peek in from the window. Wei Heyang also felt strange. Judging from the skills of these four people, they were not ordinary people. How could they use such means to investigate the brothel? It's nothing to go in openly. After thinking about it, the target of these four people must not be the money in the brothel, but a customer. Approach carefully and climb up the tall building opposite the brothel to observe carefully. From the open window, there were five gorgeous women singing and dancing. In the middle sat a young man with a face like a crown and eyes like stars. He was dignified and handsome. Wei Heyang cheered secretly, wondering why such a person would go to a brothel to have fun? After a closer look, it can be confirmed that this young man is not a scholar. The confidence between his eyebrows can only be possessed by people who practice martial arts. The thief outside the window did not look at the young man, but pointed at a sword hanging on the wall. Wei Heyang naturally turned his attention to the sword. Since he had learned swordsmanship, he naturally had a certain understanding of the sword. After paying attention, he immediately determined that this sword was definitely not an ordinary one. Only then did he understand that the target of these four thieves was the sword. People who travel around the world know that wearing an extraordinary sword must have extraordinary skills. Of course, there is a reason why the four thieves are so careful. The young man inside enjoyed the wine and the beauty to his heart's content. He got up and left in the middle of the night, taking off the sword and wearing it on his body. Wei Heyang shook his head slightly: As a swordsman, you must respect your sword. If you are so casual, you will never reach the state of unity between man and sword, and it will be difficult to fight with masters. I think this young man is a disciple of a famous family who has just entered the martial arts world and does not know his depth.

The young man left the brothel and rode a snow-white horse. The four thieves followed behind, and Wei Heyang followed. The young man went straight back to the inn to rest. The four thieves also came to the inn. It seemed that they had been following him for more than one or two days. Wei Heyang turned back to meet his master. Wu Qingyang had already figured out the situation of the Xinyang Marquis's mansion and didn't care much about it. After discussion, they decided that Wei Heyang would continue to follow the four thieves, and he would get rid of the scourge of Xinyang Marquis and arrange the aftermath. After the matter was settled, they would meet at the Shili Changting outside the city. After the discussion was completed, the two rested and acted separately at dawn. It was of course easy for Wu Qingyang to get rid of Xinyang Marquis. Wei Heyang rode his horse to the inn where the young man was staying and waited. After half of the Chen hour, the young man went out and left on horseback. The four thieves changed their clothes and followed far behind. Wei Heyang followed quietly. The young man went straight out of the city, moving forward slowly. A dense forest appeared in front of him. The young man did not hesitate and urged his horse to go in. It is a well-known rule in the martial arts world that one should not enter a forest. This young man was so arrogant that he obviously had something to rely on. The four thieves were of course happy and rushed into the dense forest at full speed. Wei Heyang was much more careful. He tied his horse to a tree, climbed up the tree, and slowly walked in under the cover of branches and leaves. There was an open space in the dense forest. When Wei Heyang approached, he found that the four thieves were kneeling in a row, and the young man stood proudly with a look of disdain on his face. He was surprised that the young man was so quick. Upon closer inspection, the four thieves were missing their left ears and begged for mercy. The young man was obviously very proud and asked, "How is my swordsmanship?" The thieves of course praised him a few words. The young man was quite proud and asked the thieves, "Who is the best martial artist today?" The thief replied, "The first choice is the master of the Divine Sword Sect and the Lord of the Never-Sleeping City." The young man's face changed, and the thief immediately changed his words, "Of course it's the young master."

Chapter 104: Overestimating One's Abilities

As the saying goes, a pony thinks the road is too narrow when it first walks, and a roc spreads its wings and hates the sky for being too low. This young man thinks highly of himself and cannot tolerate others being better than him. The four thieves took advantage of the situation and vie to flatter him. The young man was greatly pleased and laughed as he clapped his sword and said, "I will go to the Never-Sleeping City to challenge the city lord. Duan Qingxiao of the Divine Sword Sect is too old and he won't be able to show his ability." The four thieves said yes one after another. They all understood in their hearts and secretly said, "If you really go to the Never-Sleeping City and come out alive, I will take your surname." On the surface, the young man nodded and said, "Seeing that you are quite remorseful, this young master will let you go this time. Remember to change your evil ways for the better. If you do something wrong again, you will be killed without mercy." A thief patted his chest and guaranteed, "Don't worry, young master, we will never dare to do anything wrong." Another thief flattered, "As long as you defeat the Lord of the Never-Sleeping City, you will be the best master in the world. When you establish your own sect, we will definitely go to serve you and repay your kindness today." The young man was a little flattered and smiled, "As long as you really change your ways, this young master will definitely take you in." The four thieves thanked him profusely and left, thinking: You take us in, unless you don't go to the Never-Sleeping City. Once you go in, don't think about coming out alive. Wei Heyang watched from afar. This young man was obviously inexperienced, but he pretended to be an old man. Just as he was thinking about whether to meet, the young man said loudly, "Come out, my friend behind." Wei Heyang was shocked. He didn't expect that he was still discovered even though he was so careful. It seems that this young man has superb internal skills. No wonder he is so arrogant. He straightened his clothes and jumped down, clasping his fists and saying, "This young man actually has special skills. I admire him." Seeing Wei Heyang's dignified appearance, the young man clasped his fists and returned the greeting, saying, "Well, a little thief is not worth a laugh. Judging from your appearance, you must be a martial artist. It's a rare opportunity to meet. Why don't you learn sword skills?" Wei Heyang certainly had no reason to back down. He just took the opportunity to see what was so special about the young man's sword. The two were not familiar with each other. The young man was in high spirits. He stretched out his hand and drew his sword. A strange light shot out. Wei Heyang looked closely and saw that the sword in the young man's hand was crystal clear and showed colorful light under the sunlight. He had never heard of it before. The young man swung his sword and stabbed. Wei Heyang drew out the Chihuang sword to block. With a strange sound, the Chihuang sword was actually cut by the opponent's sword. Wei Heyang jumped out of the circle in shock.

This was a big surprise. The Chihuang sword was a gift from his master. It was extremely sharp. Although it was not the best, it was a first-class weapon. Today, it was cut into a gap, which showed that the opponent's sword was outstanding. The young man was still not satisfied. Wei Heyang said, "The young man's sword is too sharp. It is hard to match." The young man smiled and said, "My sword is a unique weapon in the world. I heard that the Dragon Scale Sword of the Lord of the Never-Night City is not bad either. It seems that only the Lord of the Never-Night City can fight with me. Goodbye." He turned around and left, jumped on the white horse, and flew away. Wei Heyang was surprised by the opponent's sword. His master had never mentioned it, so he had to ask about it when they met. The time agreed by the master and the apprentice was dusk. Wu Qingyang dealt with the Xinyang Marquis and met Wei Heyang at Changting. When Wei Heyang mentioned the sword, Wu Qingyang looked at the notch of the Chihuang sword and smiled, "Master, I recognize this sword." Wei Heyang asked, "What kind of sword is so sharp?" Wu Qingyang said, "Tell me what happened first, and I'll tell you later." Wei Heyang told the details of what happened, and Wu Qingyang was shocked: "What did you say? Did that young man really go to the Never-Sleeping City?" Wei Heyang was a little puzzled, and nodded, "Yes, he kept saying that he wanted to challenge the city lord and become the best master in the world." Wu Qingyang stamped his feet and said, "How can this child be so reckless? How can he go to the Never-Sleeping City? Hurry up, it will be too late if it's too late." Wei Heyang had never seen his master so anxious, so he had no time to ask more questions. He hurriedly prepared the horses, and the two of them rode at full speed to the Never-Sleeping City. The young man set off in the early morning, and Wu Qingyang and his apprentice started their journey in the evening, so they were already half a day behind. In addition, the young man's horse was extremely majestic, so it was not easy to catch up. Wu Qingyang was extremely anxious, and Wei Heyang couldn't figure it out either, so he could only follow behind. The two of them rushed to the Never-Sleeping City. The gatekeepers all recognized Wu Qingyang. Chang Xiao had already told them that Wu Qingyang was a first-class guest and didn't need to be notified, so they treated him warmly. Wu Qingyang asked, "Did any young man come here to challenge?" The gatekeeper nodded, "Yes, this young man is quite arrogant, but his skills are average, but his sword is extraordinary, and it alarmed the city lord." Wu Qingyang hurriedly asked, "What was the result?" The gatekeeper smiled and said, "What else can he do? Of course he died. The city lord has been admiring the sword for half a day." Wu Qingyang's face changed drastically, and he murmured, "What should I do?"

That young man overestimated his own abilities and died. Chang Xiao was very concerned about this sword. Based on his own experience, he could tell that this sword was the best of the best and its value was inestimable. Of course, Chang Xiao would not consider how much silver this sword was worth. What he thought in his heart was that if Taoist Zuixia had this sword, he would not have died even if he could not defeat Duan Qingxiao. It was a pity that fate played tricks on people. Seeing the sword reminded him of people, and he felt sad. He drank alone, thinking about the scenes of his interactions with Taoist Zuixia, and had long forgotten everything around him. His subordinates reported that Wu Qingyang had arrived. Chang Xiao prepared to greet him and let Wu Qingyang and his apprentice go to the hall. Wei Heyang remembered that this city lord was the strange man he met when he captured the Fire Dragon Colt. Seeing Wu Qingyang's expression was not right, Chang Xiao asked: "Brother Wu, what big thing has happened? With you and me as brothers, what problem can't we solve?" Wu Qingyang sighed: "There is nothing to hide now. The young man who challenged the city lord today is Wu's nephew, the successor of Wuling Villa." After this, Chang Xiao was stunned, and Wei Heyang was also surprised. He didn't expect that the arrogant young man had such a deep relationship with his master. Wu Qingyang explained: "My father knew that I would not stay in Wuling Villa for a long time, so he took my nephew to the deep mountains to train him carefully, preparing to inherit Wuling Villa." Wei Heyang asked: "Master, how do you know the identity of that young man when you have never met him?" Wu Qingyang smiled bitterly: "This sword is a rare magic weapon that Wuling Villa has treasured for many years. It has always been in my father's hands. I have only seen it twice. The young man holding this sword can only be my nephew." Chang Xiao was a little skeptical: "Brother Wu, you are not wrong? Your father has been rolling in the rivers and lakes for decades. How can he train such an arrogant young man? "Wu Qingyang nodded: "My father understands all these principles, but I don't know the reason very well. Now, we have no choice but to take the boy's body and the sword back with him." Chang Xiao hesitated for a moment and said: "Brother Wu, please don't be offended. You can take your nephew's body away, but I'm afraid you have to leave this sword in the City That Never Sleeps." Wu Qingyang was stunned. Chang Xiao was famous for his swordsmanship, and he also had the first-class Dragon Scale Sword. No matter how good the sword was, it would be of no use to him.

Wei Heyang couldn't forget the sword, so he interrupted and asked, "What is the name of this sword?" Wu Qingyang said solemnly, "This sword is crystal clear and is called Ganlu. It is the best sword today." Wei Heyang nodded: "Ganlu Sword, what a good name." Wu Qingyang didn't understand the meaning of Chang Xiao's words and asked, "Why did the city lord keep the Ganlu Sword?" Chang Xiao said seriously, "Brother Wu is a first-class swordsman in the world. You should know that swords have spirituality. If they meet the right person, they can cut gold and jade. If they fall into the hands of ordinary people, they are just a piece of scrap iron and will lose their spirituality in a short time. In my opinion, the spirituality of the Ganlu Sword has been severely damaged. If it continues to sink, it will completely lose its spirituality within five years." Wu Qingyang was quite surprised: "My father has been immersed in swordsmanship all his life and cherishes this sword more than his life. How could the spiritual energy of this sword be damaged? If it is damaged, how can it cut the Chihuang Sword? Gap?" Chang Xiao shook his head slightly: "Brother, you might as well be frank. The Ganlu Sword is a divine object in the world. Although the world is big, no other sword can compare with it. This sword is the only king among swords. Since it is a king, it naturally has the aura of a king. Only the best swordsmen can communicate with it, so that they can complement each other and display the highest and most wonderful swordsmanship. Your father obviously has not reached this level. Although he loves it more than his life, he cannot communicate with the spiritual energy of the sword. The sword has been buried for a long time and its spiritual energy has been greatly damaged. Now it has fallen into the hands of a young man who is ignorant of the immensity of the world. He actually used the rare and famous sword on petty thieves and bandits, and the spiritual energy of the sword has been damaged again. Cutting a gap in the Chihuang Sword can only mean that the sharpness of this sword has been greatly reduced. If it meets the right person, this sword can completely cut the Chihuang Sword. "Wu Qingyang was half-believing and half-doubting. He had practiced swordsmanship for many years, and Chang Xiao practiced knife skills. It is impossible for him to know better than himself. Seeing Wu Qingyang's disbelief, Chang Xiao explained, "Although I became famous with my sword, I often discussed with Master Zuixia in the past, so I am not unfamiliar with swordsmanship. Besides, if you master one martial art, you can master everything. The sword and the knife are just extensions of the arm, and there is no essential difference." Wu Qingyang asked, "Even if the city lord is right, can this sword recover its vitality if it stays in the Never-Sleeping City? Even if it recovers its vitality, who will own it?" Chang Xiao shook his head, "The magic weapon does not belong to anyone. Even if there is someone worthy of it, it is only temporary. People will die one day, but the sword must be passed down from generation to generation. Thousands of years later, it will still be able to cut through metal."

Wei Heyang had never heard of such a high theory, but he was sure that the martial arts skills of the Lord of the Never-Sleeping City were far superior to those of his master. Wu Qingyang was quite generous. Since Chang Xiao's words made sense, he immediately stated: "Since the City Lord wants to leave the Ganlu Sword, there must be a way to restore the sword's aura. I will not stay any longer. Such a big thing has happened and I need to go back immediately to arrange my family affairs. I will take my leave now." Chang Xiao nodded: "Brother Wu is really straightforward. On the day when the Ganlu Sword restores its aura, I will gather swordsmen from all over the world to hold a Ganlu Conference to determine the new owner of the sword. I hope Brother Wu will come at that time." Wu Qingyang smiled: "I will definitely come." He stood up and left. Chang Xiao remembered something and shouted: "Brother Wu, please go slowly. I have something to discuss with your disciple." Wu Qingyang didn't know what Chang Xiao wanted to find Wei Heyang for. Anyway, he had to rush back home, and it didn't matter whether Wei Heyang went or not. So he asked Wei Heyang to stay in the Never-Sleeping City, and he rushed back to Wuling Villa with his nephew's body. Wei Heyang was puzzled. The Lord of the Never-Sleeping City had profound martial arts skills. What could he want from him? However, he would not suffer any loss if he stayed with such a master, so he stayed with peace of mind. Chang Xiao first arranged the Ganlu Sword, and led Wei Heyang to the flower hall. After they sat down, Wei Heyang asked, "What does the Lord of the City want to discuss with me?" Chang Xiao smiled and said, "I know you used to be a military officer of the Weihe Camp. Recently, something happened to the soldiers of the Weihe Camp. I want to find someone who knows the inside story to ask." Wei Heyang was even more puzzled. Chang Xiao was a man of the rivers and lakes. What could he have to do with the officers and soldiers? Although he had doubts in his heart, he had to ask questions when something happened in the Weihe Camp, so he listened patiently. Chang Xiao continued, "The 30,000 elite soldiers of the Weihe Camp mutinied and were trapped by the heavy troops of the five camps in Jiangnan. They were in danger of losing their lives. I planned to recruit this elite force for my own use. It happened that you came. Since you have served in the army, you must know the inside story of the soldiers of the Weihe Camp. It's a good opportunity to borrow your help."

Wei Heyang was shocked. The soldiers of Weihe Camp were close to him, and he could not have imagined that such a big incident would happen. He hurriedly asked for details. It turned out that since Wei Heyang left, the officials who took over had arbitrarily withheld military pay and bribed the dignitaries in the court, and did not treat the soldiers as human beings at all. When Wei Heyang was there, the treatment of Weihe Camp was the best in Jiangnan. As soon as Wei Heyang left, it became the worst. The soldiers had already complained. Because the new commander reprimanded his subordinates and leaked the news, the soldiers learned that Wei Heyang was not promoted, but demoted to the people. They had always expected Wei Heyang to take care of them and have a chance to make a breakthrough. Now there was no hope, so they immediately started to make a fuss. The new commander did not know how to appease the army, but instead accused the leaders of treason and wanted to exterminate their entire clans. The army was in chaos all of a sudden. The soldiers detained the new commander and his cronies and submitted a petition to the court to defend themselves. The emperor had always been afraid that the 30,000 elite soldiers of the Weihe Camp were too strong, so he took this opportunity to make a move. So he sent an imperial envoy to the south, commanding the five camps of troops to trap the Weihe Camp and prepare to wipe it out in one fell swoop. The situation was very critical. Chang Xiao saw this opportunity and wanted to capture the 30,000 elite soldiers. He was ready. When he saw Wei Heyang, he just asked about the inside story. After hearing the whole story, Wei Heyang bowed his head and said nothing. The soldiers of the Weihe Camp had a deep affection for him, and it was really unexpected that he would fall to the point where he is today. Looking at the scale of the Never-Sleeping City, it can be inferred that the city lord has great magical powers and is fully capable of controlling the situation. However, he did not want the 30,000 soldiers of the Weihe Camp to be controlled by the Jianghu people. He was embarrassed in his heart, and his face naturally showed it. Chang Xiao was a little puzzled and asked, "Just tell me if you have any difficulties. Jianghu people don't need to beat around the bush." Wei Heyang hesitated for a moment, made up his mind, and told all his experiences. Chang Xiao was quite surprised after hearing it. He didn't expect Wei Heyang to be the commander of the Weihe Camp. After much consideration, Chang Xiao made an important decision: "Well, since you can't bear to part with the soldiers of Weihe Camp, I will give you these 30,000 elite soldiers."

Hearing this, Wei Heyang couldn't believe his ears. The value of 30,000 elite soldiers could not be measured by money. If used properly, they could become the king of the outside world. It was unbelievable that the Lord of the City That Never Sleeps was so generous. Chang Xiao saw that Wei Heyang's expression was as if he had eaten a hot bun and couldn't swallow it. He felt funny and urged him: "If you want to be a chivalrous swordsman like your master, it's fine. I'm reluctant to give up these 30,000 elite soldiers. But I see that you still can't forget the military camp. There is no time to lose. The military situation is urgent and it will be too late to delay any further." Wei Heyang woke up as if from a dream and bowed his head: "The city lord is so generous. Wei is deeply grateful." Chang Xiao smiled and said: "People in the martial arts world don't have so many etiquette. I have made a detailed plan and am ready to take over the whole thing. I have selected an excellent place to station troops in Wuling Mountain, called Menghu Cliff. The terrain is very good. It is a strategic location, easy to defend but difficult to attack. You should go to the army to make arrangements immediately. With your ability, you are fully capable of leading these 30,000 elite soldiers to break out of the siege. The retreat route has been arranged properly. All horses and supplies will be abandoned. Someone will naturally deliver them when the time comes. "Wei Heyang was still worried and asked, "What about the families of these soldiers? Once they go against the court, their families will suffer." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "Didn't I tell you that I have completely grasped the situation. The families are my responsibility." Wei Heyang understood that there were 30,000 soldiers and nearly 200,000 families. To accommodate so many people, there must be huge human and material support. It seems that this Lord of the Never-Sleeping City is indeed very powerful. Thinking of meeting his old subordinates again, he was indescribably excited and prepared to leave immediately. Chang Xiao reminded: "After the matter is resolved, remember to find an expert craftsman to re-forge the Chihuang Sword. Also, your wife asked you to take it yourself, and I can't help." Wei Heyang nodded: "The city lord is so helpful, Wei is very grateful, if you need me in the future, I will never frown." Chang Xiao shook his head: "You are too polite, actually 30,000 elite soldiers don't mean much to me. I just want to recall the feeling of commanding thousands of troops when I was the leader of the Julong Gang." Wei Heyang was horrified. This lord of the Never-Sleeping City was too scary.

Chapter 105: Fighting Jiangnan Again

The military situation was urgent, and Wei Heyang left the Never-Sleeping City on horseback. He was very familiar with the Weihe Camp. His wife was a princess of the royal family, so he didn't need to worry. It was important to solve the crisis of the Weihe Camp first. Soon approaching the camp, Wei Heyang was overwhelmed with emotion. He didn't expect that he could come back here and fight side by side with the soldiers. At this time, the five battalions of soldiers from Jiangnan had surrounded the Weihe Camp. The breakout route set by Chang Xiao was the only chance. Wei Heyang sighed in his heart. This Never-Sleeping City Lord was not only a martial arts master, but also a first-class strategy. If he joined the army, he would never get ahead. He came to the edge of the military camp and sneaked into the camp late at night. Wei Heyang had been in the army for a long time and knew the way to station troops. He successfully passed through the camp and entered the Weihe Camp. Several generals in the central army were discussing countermeasures. The court had made up their minds and there was no way out. Except surrendering, they broke through the siege. However, there were heavy troops guarding on all sides, and it would be a heavy loss to break through. Some people had illusions about the court and advocated handing over hostages, laying down their weapons and surrendering, while others advocated fighting to the death and breaking out of the siege. Several generals were of the same rank and no one could make the decision. When they were arguing, someone suddenly walked into the big tent with his head held high. Under the lights, they could see clearly. Several generals were overjoyed and bowed down: "Marshal, if you don't come back, Weihe Camp will be completely finished." Wei Heyang felt bad and sighed: "At the beginning, I compromised to save Weihe Camp, but who would have thought that it would come to this. Don't have any illusions about the court. Now, we can only fight to the death and break out of the siege." Wei Heyang was quite prestigious in the army. Once he spoke, no one argued. After Wei Heyang sat at the marshal's desk, he ordered to go up to the tent and beat the drum to gather the generals. Not long after, the generals, lieutenants, and generals of Weihe Camp came to the big tent to listen to the order. They were all excited to see Wei Heyang. With a backbone, everything will be easy. Wei Heyang was very excited to take charge of the Weihe Camp again. He shouted, "I don't have the imperial edict. Those who are willing to obey my orders can stay. Those who are not willing to obey my orders can leave immediately. I will never pursue them." The generals did not move. Wei Heyang was quite satisfied. It seemed that the generals had not forgotten him.

Since ancient times, soldiers follow the orders of the generals, grass follows the wind, and snakes cannot survive without heads. If Wei Heyang does not come back, the 30,000 elite soldiers of Weihe Camp will be just a pile of loose sand, without much combat effectiveness. As soon as Wei Heyang arrived, the whole army had a backbone, and Weihe Camp became an invincible force again. Wei Heyang immediately issued an order to give all soldiers three days of rations, throw away the heavy armor, prepare weapons, and prepare to break out. Each of the Tiger Guards was given a rattan shield and a short knife as a pioneer, and all the grass was tied into straw men for use. The generals followed the order, and soon the whole army knew the news of Wei Heyang's return. The soldiers were eager to fight, and the day of raising their heads was finally here. At dawn, Wei Heyang personally inspected, and wherever he went, there was thunderous cheers, and the Weihe Camp had a new look. After a day of preparation, more than 10,000 straw men were made. At dusk, Wei Heyang issued an order to tie all the straw men to horses and rush out from three sides. As a false illusion, all the soldiers walked out from the southwest corner. Before the action, someone sent a giant sword. Wei Heyang gritted his teeth and said, "Let the court know how powerful the Weihe Camp is. Come on, behead that dog official and his cronies as a sacrifice." The generals finally had a chance to vent their resentment that had been suppressed for a long time, and beheaded all the hostages. Seeing that it was dark, Wei Heyang ordered all the horses to be released, holding a giant sword and shouting angrily, "Brothers, follow me to break out of the siege." Amid cheers, Wei Heyang led 500 tiger guards to rush to the enemy camp first. Thirty thousand soldiers followed closely behind, like a long dragon that was unstoppable. The besieged soldiers were not in a hurry to attack. The elite soldiers of the Weihe Camp were extremely strong, and there was no good result if they confronted each other head-on. Anyway, their military rations were limited. As long as the food was cut off, even the strongest soldiers would be vulnerable, so they adopted a strategy of siege without attacking. Of course, it was necessary to guard against a breakout, so they were still more careful at night. At the second watch, Wei Heyang led his men to the enemy camp. At this time, chaos had broken out on all sides and it was difficult to distinguish anything in the darkness. The war horses carrying straw men frightened the government troops on three sides so much that they were frantically trying to resist and had no idea that this intrusion was a false alarm.

After some experience, Wei Heyang's martial arts improved a lot. He was more handy when he picked up the giant sword. He cut off the antlers and knocked down the wall of the stockade in two or three strokes. He roared and rushed into the enemy camp. The soldiers behind him were like tigers, like the Yellow River bursting its banks, rushing into the stockade. Wherever they went, there were corpses everywhere, and it was a mess. Although the government troops were prepared, they could not resist the 30,000 elite soldiers who were like wolves and tigers. Seeing that the people who rushed up were separated from their heads, no one had to fight desperately. It was important to hide in the dark night. Anyway, there was no crime of beheading. These government troops were far less well-trained than the elite soldiers of Weihe Camp. The shouts were loud, but few people came forward to fight seriously. Therefore, the soldiers of Weihe Camp rushed around in the government army camp and killed countless people. Under the leadership of Wei Heyang, 30,000 soldiers quickly broke through the siege and entered a valley. Fighting in the middle of the night, the soldiers were a little tired. Wei Heyang ordered them to rest for a while and set off immediately. The imperial court would not sit back and watch the elite soldiers of the Weihe Camp break out. They would definitely chase after them and could not delay. Because there were no war horses, they could not take the official road. They had to cross mountains and ridges. The next day, a plain appeared in front of them. Chang Xiao had said that someone would send horses here. Although Wei Heyang knew that Chang Xiao had great magical powers, he was also a little worried. Thirty thousand soldiers needed at least twenty thousand war horses. Where could so many war horses be obtained in a short time? The troops rested, and Wei Heyang stood on a high place to look around. The pursuers were still about sixty miles away from here, and there was not enough time. It was quiet all around, without any abnormality. Wei Heyang looked calm on the surface, but he was very anxious in his heart. Infantry would definitely suffer a loss against cavalry. Without war horses, once the pursuers arrived, the consequences would be unpredictable. Just when he was worried, a loud horse neighing sound came from a distance, straight into the sky, like the roar of a dragon and a tiger, which lasted for a long time. Soon a red shadow appeared, it was the fire dragon colt, the king of all horses that looked down on the world. Not far behind was a large group of war horses, stretching as far as the eye could see. Wei Heyang was overjoyed and exclaimed: "The Fire Dragon Colt is truly a priceless treasure." Someone beside him asked: "General, were all these war horses summoned by the Fire Dragon Colt?" Wei Heyang nodded: "Yes, except for the King of Ten Thousand Horses, no one else has this ability, but it's a pity that I have no chance of getting this horse." With war horses, everything would be easy. Wei Heyang ordered the entire army to mount their horses, and those with smaller statures could ride two horses together. Of the 30,000 soldiers, there were still 5,000 without horses. Wei Heyang ordered his capable general Shen Hanling to lead these people to change their clothes and rush to Wuling Mountain. The attention of the government troops must be focused on the large group of people and horses, so these people were not in much danger. After all the arrangements were made, the entire army set off.

The generals believed that Wei Heyang was the current imperial consort and would have a way to solve the problem and reconcile with the court, so they listened to his orders with peace of mind. Sure enough, someone supplied food and grass on the road, so there was no delay. A few days later, Wei Heyang led the elite troops to enter Wuling Mountain smoothly, and he was full of admiration for Chang Xiao. The pursuers were not far away, and they could not delay. Wei Heyang inspected and passed down the order that he would lead 10,000 elite troops to station at the mountain pass, and the rest of the people would take a rest and rotate after half a day. The elite soldiers of the Weihe Camp broke through the siege. If they were not handled properly, the life of the imperial envoy would be in danger. Therefore, the commander-in-chief and his entire army chased after him, with a vanguard of 50,000 troops. However, in a hurry, many things were not prepared, which delayed some time and fell behind for half a day. When the soldiers who were resting in the Weihe Camp came out to replace, the pursuers arrived. The generals were ready for a big fight. Wei Heyang smiled and said, "Those who need to rest should go to the mountains to rest. These rabble don't need so many people. The government army is still behind. Don't be impatient." The generals thought it made sense, so they left 10,000 elite soldiers and the rest went to the mountains to rest. Wei Heyang ordered someone to pick up the general's flag and personally led 500 tiger guards to the front. The imperial envoy was surprised to see the general's flag. Could it be that the son-in-law Wei Heyang is back again? This man is the first tiger general of this dynasty, and no one can compete with him. He sent someone to inquire and found that it was indeed the son-in-law Wei Heyang who led the troops. The imperial envoy took a breath of cold air. The well-equipped more than 100,000 imperial guards were defeated by this man. The soldiers and generals around him might not be able to compete with this tiger general. He thought about it and came up with an idea. He only needed to put the responsibility on Wei Heyang and his life would be saved. However, the two armies must fight, and the government army will suffer heavy losses before they can make excuses. As long as they can save their own lives, it doesn't matter how many casualties the government army suffers. Therefore, they ordered an attack and must destroy the troops of Weihe Camp. The government army knew that Wei Heyang was not easy to mess with, and the elite soldiers of Weihe Camp were invincible, so they made preparations in advance and dispatched 5,000 archers to lead the charge, and the other troops followed. Even if you, Wei Heyang, have three heads and six arms, you can't withstand the bows and arrows.

The plan was good, but unfortunately Wei Heyang had expected it. The five hundred Tiger Guards held rattan shields, which were light and could block strong bows and crossbows. Wei Heyang had been with his master for more than half a year, and his swordsmanship had improved a lot. It was a good opportunity to show his skills. He issued an order, and the five hundred Tiger Guards opened the way and attacked the archers of the government army fiercely. Although the arrows were like locusts, no one retreated. Approaching the enemy formation, Wei Heyang let out a long roar, and the valley echoed endlessly, with amazing momentum. Then the giant sword rolled into the government army camp like a black dragon. The archers were good at long-range attacks, and once they got close, they had no defense at all. Wei Heyang's giant sword showed its power. With one swing of the sword, at least four or five heads fell to the ground. Seeing this posture, the archers could not help but lose their souls, shouting in unison and fleeing in all directions. As the archers dispersed, the soldiers of the Weihe Camp raised their swords and guns, shouted and rushed over. The government army reluctantly joined the battle, and the two armies fought together. Although the government troops had 50,000 people, the enemy's commander was too powerful and invincible. He had the upper hand in terms of momentum, while the imperial envoy had led his personal followers to retreat and left the battlefield. How could such a confrontation have a chance of winning? Therefore, the government troops had no intention of fighting, and they fled one after another, leaving the dead bodies all over the ground, and military weapons and flags scattered all over the ground. Wei Heyang's long-suppressed resentment was finally vented in one day, and he was indescribably happy. He followed the government troops to kill and passed down orders, not to kill more, and to collect horses, weapons, and food as much as possible for later use. The imperial envoy knew that this battle would be lost, so he ran faster than anyone else. There were more than 100,000 troops behind him, and he could completely regroup. The 50,000 government troops as the vanguard were miserable, throwing away their armor and armor, and were defeated. Wei Heyang won a great victory. He chased for 50 miles before collecting the military horses and got a lot of horses and supplies. The troops returned home happily. At this time, Shen Hanling had not arrived yet, so Wei Heyang sent someone to deliver the news of the great defeat of the government troops to stabilize the army's morale. Back at Wuling Mountain, the Tiger Cliff that Chang Xiao had told him about was indeed an ideal place to station troops. Wei Heyang knew that the government troops would come again, so he had to make preparations early and ordered the soldiers to station separately and defend tightly. This time, confronting the court was a serious crime of rebellion, and it was inevitable that the family members would be harmed. Although the soldiers did not say it explicitly, they could see it from their faces. Chang Xiao had promised that he would take care of the family members. Wei Heyang was now 100% confident in Chang Xiao and no longer had any doubts.

The imperial envoy met up with the rear team and immediately wrote a petition to the court, saying that the son-in-law Wei Heyang had returned to the Weihe camp and led 30,000 soldiers to break out of the siege. He led his troops to pursue him, fought hard and bloody, but was finally defeated. The government troops suffered heavy losses, and asked for a decision. Wei Heyang had defeated the imperial army before, so it was natural that he would not be sentenced to death if he lost to him. The emperor was shocked when he saw the petition. Wei Heyang openly confronted the court. Was he going to rebel? This tiger general was invincible in the court. The situation was urgent, and the ministers were summoned to discuss. Most of the ministers were flatterers who had no real talents except singing wedding songs. Someone suggested that Wei Heyang's wife, Princess Rose, be captured as a hostage to force Wei Heyang to surrender, and the ministers agreed in unison. The emperor didn't know whether to laugh or cry, and pointed at her and said, "You good-for-nothings, Princess Rose is my sister. How can a king take his sister as a hostage? If it gets out, won't it make the world laugh at me? If it's recorded in history books, won't I be infamous for thousands of years?" The ministers pleaded guilty one after another, and the emperor had nothing to say. These mediocre people were all promoted by him, so he had to swallow the bitter wine. After discussing for half a day without a solution, he had to withdraw from the court. It was inevitable that he was depressed when he returned to the palace. At this time, the old emperor had passed away, and most of the old ministers were gone. When the emperor was in trouble, he remembered his father's teachings and felt quite regretful. Wei Heyang was the bravest of the three armies, and he had 30,000 elite soldiers. Once he rebelled, his throne would be unstable. After thinking hard, he suddenly remembered a person, that is, Tie Yi, the old emperor's closest and beloved general. This person might be able to fight with Wei Heyang. He hurriedly looked up the files and found that Tie Yi had resigned and was recuperating in a manor outside the capital. The emperor immediately sent someone to issue an order to summon Tie Yi to see him at night. At this time, the words were extremely gentle, and some self-examination was made for the past mistakes, because he was afraid that Tieyi would not obey the order. He only thought of the good generals in times of crisis, which was also a last-minute effort.

Tieyi was indeed dissatisfied with the new emperor. He had just ascended the throne when his military power was taken away, and a group of villains were appointed to hold power. The government was in chaos and something big would happen sooner or later. Therefore, he found an excuse to resign and rest, and not to ask about foreign affairs. Suddenly, someone came to deliver the decree, and the eunuch who delivered the decree was very polite. Tieyi had guessed that the new emperor must have encountered difficulties. He didn't want to go at first, but after weighing the pros and cons, he still accepted the decree for the sake of the people and followed the eunuch to Beijing to meet the emperor. This time, the emperor put down his airs, entertained him warmly, and set up a royal meal to show his favor. Tieyi knew in his heart that the emperor would not think of him unless he was in a very difficult situation, and he would wait and see what big things happened. The emperor frequently urged him to drink, and only mentioned the matter of Wei Heyang when he saw that Tieyi's face was gentle. Tieyi was secretly surprised. Wei Heyang was brave and resourceful, and he was deeply loved by the army. Once he rebelled, the world would be in chaos. The emperor asked, "Can you lead the army to fight the rebels?" Tie Yi said hurriedly, "Your Majesty, your husband is proficient in martial arts. I am no match for him, and I can't match his strategy. The 30,000 elite soldiers in the Weihe Camp are well-trained, and the government troops from all over the country are no match for them. I am really incapable of taking on this task." The emperor was still unwilling to give up and asked, "Your Majesty's martial arts are the best in the capital, how can you be inferior to Wei Heyang?" Tie Yi shook his head, "I will tell you the truth. Your husband has received guidance from a master and is proficient in swordsmanship. I really can't compare to him." The emperor was quite disappointed: "Should we just let the rebels run rampant?" Tie Yi suggested, "Your Majesty, in my opinion, The prince consort is not going to rebel, he just wants to save the 30,000 men and women in the Weihe Camp. Just send a capable minister to negotiate peace, and we can turn hostility into friendship." The emperor frowned and said, "Wei Heyang beheaded the general sent by the court and his cronies, which has already committed a serious crime, and defeated the government army. How can I negotiate peace with him?" Tie Yi could not say much, so he could only hint at it: "Your Majesty, you should correct yourself before you correct others. The court is also responsible for the situation. I think this is the only feasible strategy at present." The emperor pondered for a moment and asked, "If we negotiate peace, who is the most suitable person to send?" Tie Yi said without hesitation: "It must be Tang Shiyu."

Chapter 106: A sudden turn of events

In the eyes of the new emperor, there is really no place for Tang Shiyu. If he is needed, he can be recalled. If he is not needed, let him go. At this point, there is no minister in the court who can be trusted. Only then did he remember the benefits of Tang Shiyu. When Tie Yi mentioned him, he immediately nodded: "My dear Tang, you are the pillar of the country. If you hadn't mentioned it, I would have forgotten it." Tie Yi was speechless. What else can he say if the emperor has forgotten such a talent? So he said goodbye and left. The emperor immediately appointed him to an official position and gave him great rewards. Tie Yi refused and returned home to recuperate. After considering for a long time, the emperor decided to summon Tang Shiyu back to the court to discuss countermeasures. After Tang Shiyu received the letter, he immediately rushed back to the capital. The emperor was very enthusiastic this time. Tang Shiyu was well-informed and knew about Wei Heyang's affairs. He also understood the purpose of the emperor summoning him. He pretended not to know and only flattered the emperor a few words. Normally, the emperor would be very happy to hear such words, but it was different at this time. His face turned red and white, and he recovered after a long while. He sighed and said, "My dear, please don't make fun of me. I know that what I did was extremely inappropriate. I hope that you will put aside the past grudges for the sake of the late emperor and share my worries." Tang Shiyu naturally knew the priorities and nodded, saying, "Your Majesty, the consort Wei Heyang was born in poverty, but he has great ambitions and is willing to endure hardships. He is proficient in horseback riding, footsteps, and even bows and arrows. The first in the army, he was promoted from an ordinary sergeant, and was favored by the late emperor during the military parade, so he was recruited as the son-in-law. You should know that the army values real talent and knowledge the most. The son-in-law has been working hard with his soldiers, sharing the joys and sorrows, and has won the hearts of the army. He is also very strategic, and is a rare talent in this dynasty. "The emperor nodded in agreement: "I also know these. The defeat of the imperial army at the beginning showed that the son-in-law's ability is extraordinary. If the son-in-law is willing to serve as an official in the court, I will definitely entrust him with important tasks. But Weihe The soldiers of the camp mutinied, beheaded the important officials appointed by the court, and fought against the government troops. This crime must not be forgiven. "Tang Shiyu saw that the emperor was still condescending and said, "Your Majesty, it is said that such a serious crime must be investigated, but the current situation is that no one can match the son-in-law, and no army can fight against the elite soldiers of the Weihe Camp." The emperor gritted his teeth and said, "I can punish the families of the soldiers of the Weihe Camp to disrupt their morale, and then block Wuling Mountain to trap them to death." Tang Shiyu saw that the emperor was determined to do it, and bowed and said, "Since Your Majesty is confident, I will obey your orders." The emperor asked, "Can you serve as an imperial envoy to handle this matter?" Of course, Tang Shiyu could not agree: "Your Majesty, I have been hiding in the rivers and lakes for many years. Once I show up in public, all my previous efforts will be wasted." The emperor nodded: "Your Majesty, stay in the capital first, and go back after the situation calms down." Tang Shiyu understood that if he couldn't force it, he would have to go to negotiate peace himself, so he agreed.

Wei Heyang won the first battle and took a rest to prepare for the next round of war. The government troops were stationed fifty miles away, waiting for the imperial edict to decide. Shen Hanling sent a message that the more than 5,000 people behind the palace did not rush to Wuling Mountain, but lurked in the mountains as a surprise force. Wei Heyang knew that Shen Hanling was very smart. This surprise force stayed behind the government troops. Once the two armies clashed, it would be unexpected and effective. So he ordered Shen Hanling not to be greedy for small profits, wait patiently for the opportunity, and defeat the government troops in one fell swoop. At present, Wei Heyang is most worried about the families of the soldiers. Once the court completely turns its face and takes these families as a knife, the morale of the army will inevitably be in chaos. At this time, the soldiers reported that a strange team came to Wuling Mountain by water. Wei Heyang immediately sent people to check. It turned out that they were the families of the soldiers of Weihe Camp, who came to Wuling Mountain from both water and land. Wei Heyang was overjoyed and immediately sent people to meet and settle them. When the family members arrived, a hanging heart was put down. The soldiers were most worried that their families would be implicated. Now that they were gathered together, they were naturally happy. In this way, there was no need to worry about the future. When the imperial envoy received the emperor's edict, it was too late to take action, and no one was caught. The imperial envoy complained bitterly. How could it be so easy to trap Wuling Mountain? Wei Heyang was invincible, and his soldiers were all fierce. How could they be trapped? Someone came up with an idea. The army marched forward step by step, using the tactics of linked horses to advance, and built a city at the mountain pass, so that the soldiers of Weihe Camp could be trapped. The imperial envoy was overjoyed and immediately sent an order to the brigade to start the army. The linked horses can only be broken by hook-and-scythe spears, but the soldiers of Weihe Camp used short swords and long spears when breaking through, and did not bring hook-and-scythe spears, so this plan was feasible. Wei Heyang was not worried about the strategy of the government army, and led the soldiers to retreat and defend by taking advantage of the terrain. The government army successfully occupied the mountain pass and began to recruit civilians to build the city. Some generals were worried and asked Wei Heyang to fight, saying that they would be passive if the enemy built a city. Wei Heyang refused and explained, "We are stationed here, and there should be a city at the mountain pass. It would be great if the government troops could build a city for us." The generals knew Wei Heyang's strategy and said nothing more. Anyway, the government troops did not dare to attack, so they hurried to build houses and settle their families.

There are no weak soldiers under a strong general. Shen Hanling, the most trusted man by Wei Heyang, was no ordinary man. He led 5,000 people to lurk in the mountains. When the government army moved forward, he went back and snatched horses, food and equipment. He was ready to wait for Wei Heyang to fight with the government army in full force and then attack from behind to win a complete victory. At that time, there were five battalions of soldiers and horses in the government army, each with its own subordinates. When the baggage was lost, it was unclear which army had taken it away. The city of Wuling Mountain was built very quickly and was extremely solid, consuming countless manpower and material resources. The imperial envoy thought he had a sure victory. After the city was built, even if Wei Heyang had great skills, it would be difficult to display them. Wei Heyang was also waiting for the city to be built. Although there were more than 100,000 government troops, the generals of the five battalions had always been at odds and could not fight with one heart. The imperial envoy had only read a few military books and had never been to the battlefield. It was easier to deal with the linked horses. Wherever the giant sword went, no matter how solid the iron chain was, it would break, which was of no use at all. Seeing that the city was nearly completed, Wei Heyang ordered his generals to hold the mountain pass and not to act rashly. Prepare the horses and equipment, wait for the signal to attack, and sneak out of Wuling Mountain alone. Although the government troops guarded tightly, they could not stop the martial arts masters. Wei Heyang successfully got out of the mountain, found Shen Hanling's troops, and prepared to launch a large-scale attack. The imperial envoy thought he would win and made a lot of money from repairing the city. When he was happy, the soldiers suddenly reported that a team of people rushed to the camp from behind with the general flag. It should be led by Wei Heyang himself. The imperial envoy was shocked. Wei Heyang was obviously trapped in the mountain, how could he appear behind? There was no time to think about it, and he immediately ordered the linked horses to go to fight. The two armies faced each other. Although Wei Heyang only brought 5,000 people, he had an overwhelming advantage in momentum. The imperial envoy relied on the linked horses and was quite arrogant, urging the troops to attack. Wei Heyang led the way, and the power of his giant sword was so great that the linked horses could not resist it at all. As soon as it came into contact, it was cut open. The government troops were horrified, and Shen Hanling urged his men and horses to charge over and start a melee. Wei Heyang was famous, and the first battle was in the capital, and then in the south of the Yangtze River. The two battles had completely frightened the government troops, and no one fought against him. In addition, the soldiers of the Weihe Camp were well-trained, and they quickly took the initiative with one against ten.

The soldiers in Wuling Mountain had been waiting for a signal. Wei Heyang saw that the government troops were coming out to deal with him, so he ordered people to send a signal. The soldiers in Wuling Mountain shouted and rushed out, and soon captured the city and joined the battlefield. The government troops were immediately in chaos. In fact, Wei Heyang was fully capable of killing the imperial envoy, but there was no need to do so. Keeping this cowardly commander would not do any harm to his side. Sure enough, the imperial envoy turned around and ran away when he saw that the situation was unfavorable. The government troops were without a commander and immediately messed up the camp. In order to preserve their strength, the generals of the five camps summoned and deployed to retreat. Wei Heyang successfully captured the city and won a great victory. After cleaning the battlefield and obtaining a lot of supplies, Wei Heyang ordered people to make every effort to consolidate the city, build houses, and prepare to settle down in Wuling Mountain. After two great victories, the soldiers of Weihe Camp were elated. Anyway, their families had arrived, so it was nothing to live here. Wei Heyang named the city Soul Lock Pass, and Menghu Cliff was renamed Baizhang Cliff. He stored grass and grain, preparing to take root here. The government troops had just been defeated and could not return soon. Wei Heyang handed over the military affairs to Shen Hanling and went alone to pick up his wife, Princess Rose. The couple had not seen each other for a long time. Wei Heyang had not returned home since he lost his job. He was not without emotion when he returned home this time. Princess Rose had been sending people to inquire about her husband's news. She was worried about him after not hearing from him for a long time. She was overjoyed to hear that her husband had returned home. The couple met and felt a special kind of emotion. Wei Heyang recounted his experience in detail and finally asked his wife for her opinion: "Now 30,000 soldiers have been stationed in Wuling Mountain. I came here specially to pick you up. The attitude of the court is still unclear. If you go with me, you may be charged with rebellion and your position will be in jeopardy. You must think carefully whether to go or stay." Princess Rose was very happy and immediately expressed her opinion: "My father once told me that people with real talents and knowledge will not be buried wherever they go. We are husband and wife, and I will go wherever you go. Since you have decided to settle down in Wuling Mountain, I will naturally go too. There is no time to lose, and I will prepare immediately. I have completely given up on that brother." He immediately ordered people to pack up all the valuables and set off. The old emperor had given Princess Rose a batch of treasures that were priceless, so they naturally had to take them all with them. Money was needed at this time. After everything was ready, the family moved to Wuling Mountain. The local officials did not dare to stop them at all. The royal family's affairs could not be interfered with casually. If there was any mistake, they would lose their heads. Therefore, Princess Rose arrived at Wuling Mountain smoothly.

The emperor was shocked when he received this chapter. The combined forces of the five camps in Jiangnan were no match for Wei Heyang, and the families of the soldiers in the Weihe camp were not captured. Now the only way out was peace talks. So he called Tang Shiyu to discuss the matter. Tang Shiyu had expected this result and offered a price. Wei Heyang was of high rank and status. If he wanted him to submit to the court, he would have to be crowned a king. The emperor was very happy. He felt sorry for his sister and his dead father. Besides, it didn't matter even if he was crowned a king. Tang Shiyu continued to make demands, wanting to hand over all the military and political power in Jiangnan to Wei Heyang. The emperor was immediately in trouble. That was half of the country, and he couldn't bear to give it up anyway. Tang Shiyu persuaded him, "Your Majesty, half of Jiangnan cannot be handed over to others. This is just my plan. The prince consort has no ambition, otherwise he would have raised an army when the military power fell into someone else's hands last time. Why wait so long? This time, he did not kill all the soldiers and left room for them. Judging from the current situation, the prince consort wants to take root in Wuling Mountain and will not leave even if he is crowned a king. As long as Your Majesty is sincere and treats the prince consort and the princess as relatives, the prince consort will definitely turn back. As for the military... The emperor is skeptical and says, "What if he accepts it?" Tang Shiyu said with a smile, "It's okay to accept it. All officials, big and small, are appointed by the court. Everyone knows which side to lean towards. Taxes from all over the country are directly collected by the court. Even if the prince consort is stationed in Jiangnan, he can't shake the foundation of the country." The emperor pondered for a moment and nodded, "Just as you said. This imperial edict depends on your talent." Tang Shiyu nodded, "Leave it to me." He immediately picked up the brush and wrote. After a few clicks, it was completed in a moment. After reading it, the emperor praised it highly: "Well written. No wonder the late emperor relied on it so much. Now the court is full of mediocre talents. Can you serve in the court?" Tang Shiyu knew that the emperor was ruthless and difficult to work with, so he declined: "Your Majesty, I have been in the underworld for a long time and I am used to being lazy. Besides, the responsibilities are not light, so it is better for me to hide in the underworld. As for the lack of people in the court, I can recommend someone. As long as he is appointed as the chief examiner, we will surely get a pillar of talent with real knowledge and real knowledge." The emperor hurriedly said: "Since there is such a talented person, please tell me quickly." Tang Shiyu said: "It is Zheng Dongling, the assistant minister of the Ministry of Personnel who is on a temporary assignment in Beijing." The emperor was a little surprised and hesitated: "Six officials are reporting together, how can I use him?" Tang Shiyu smiled and said, "Your Majesty has forgotten that when faced with really difficult matters, can these officials who usually compete to flatter us be relied upon?" The emperor suddenly woke up: "Thanks to your reminder, I will do it." Tang Shiyu was relieved. The emperor was not completely confused.

Wuling Mountain was very busy at this time. Wei Heyang brought his wife over, took out a large amount of gold and silver to repair the Soul Locking Pass, and built houses in the valley to accommodate the soldiers and their families. When he was busy, someone came to report that his old friend Tang Shiyu had arrived. Wei Heyang immediately guessed it and said with a smile: "The emperor has invited the peacemaker. This person is really the best person." He ordered someone to invite him. A moment later, Tang Shiyu arrived. Because he was the princess's enlightenment teacher, Wei Heyang also respected him and invited him to the inner room to receive him. After Tang Shiyu sat down, he asked, "Who advised the prince consort to return to the Weihe Camp this time?" Wei Heyang shook his head, "I am concerned about our old friendship, so no one advised me." Tang Shiyu smiled and said, "Why do you have to hide it from me, prince consort? Even if you have three heads and six arms, you cannot turn the tide. There must be a powerful force to support you to defeat the government army." Wei Heyang smiled bitterly, "Nothing can be hidden from you, sir. Yes, the 30,000 soldiers of the Weihe Camp survived and turned defeat into victory thanks to the Lord of the Never-Sleeping City. Without his help, even the gods would have difficulty in saving them." Tang Shiyu was not surprised. In fact, the person with this ability was none other than Chang Xiao. The question was why Chang Xiao wanted to help. When asked, Wei Heyang told everything. Tang Shiyu frowned and said, "This man is really unfathomable. He mobilized huge manpower and material resources and was about to succeed, but he gave the results away. This kind of mind is rare in the world." Wei Heyang deeply felt the same: "Yes, giving away 30,000 elite soldiers, this kind of heroism is unique. In front of this man, I, the commander-in-chief, is nothing." Tang Shiyu was entrusted with an important task. To find out what happened, he had to get to the point. Wei Heyang knew it in his mind. Tang Shiyu did not take the imperial edict first, but explained the emperor's intention clearly. Wei Heyang was skeptical. The current emperor was very suspicious. How could he hand over the military and political power of Jiangnan to himself? Tang Shiyu comforted him, "Don't worry, Prince Consort. His Majesty has discussed this with me several times and told me personally that Princess Rose is my biological sister and Prince Consort is my brother-in-law. We are a family anyway. It's okay to have some disagreements. We can't give up our family relationship." Wei Heyang didn't want to confront the court for a long time. It would be bad for the court and the people if things were delayed. Since the emperor showed his sincerity, there was no need for him to be tense. So he said that it didn't matter whether he was crowned king or not. He didn't want the power of Jiangnan. He just wanted to lead his soldiers to station in Wuling Mountain. Tang Shiyu was happy. It would be good for the country and the people to calm down the war. So he took out the imperial edict and persuaded Wei Heyang to accept the throne. Wei Heyang refused. Tang Shiyu invited the princess out. The princess was very happy after hearing this. This was great news and she agreed with it. Wei Heyang felt that he had not made any contribution, and if he rashly made him a king would make many people dissatisfied. Tang Shiyu advised: "You don't have to be stubborn, your majesty. The great achievement of suppressing the rebellion of foreign relatives was enough to make you a king. After several battles, your majesty has spread throughout the world. Who would not accept it?" The princess also tried her best to persuade him, and Wei Heyang finally agreed. When the news came out, Wuling Mountain was filled with jubilation.

Chapter 107: The Monk Resolves the Dispute

Wei Heyang was officially canonized as the King of Wuling, sitting in Wuling Mountain. In addition to the ceremonial guards, he was also awarded a batch of treasures. The government allocated 100,000 taels of silver to build the palace, and the government provided food and wages for his elite soldiers. The matter was resolved satisfactorily. Wei Heyang knew that he could sit on the throne thanks to Chang Xiao. He had already made detailed plans, but he changed his mind temporarily because of his appearance. This favor was more important than the sky. Now that he was on the throne, he had to express his gratitude. Therefore, he selected a batch of treasures from the palace and prepared to visit the Never-Sleeping City. The princess also wanted to see this legendary Jianghu tyrant. At this time, the princess did not know that the current Lord of the Never-Sleeping City was the original owner of Julong Manor. Wei Heyang knew the habits of Jianghu people, and did not put on the airs of a prince. The couple traveled lightly with only four servants. Chang Xiao was naturally very clear about these things. The families of the soldiers in Weihe Camp were rescued by the Wanxiantang and the Beggars' Gang, and a lot of people were mobilized. If it were in the past, Chang Xiao would definitely find a way to repay this favor, but now it is different. The Never-Sleeping City is dominant, and all forces bow down to it. It is right to contribute. At this time, Chang Xiao was thinking about the Shangqing Palace. He couldn't tolerate this tone. There were no people in the Shangqing Palace who could compete with him. Although Wu Mu Zhenjun was very powerful, he couldn't resist the Dragon Scale Sword. The only problem was that Wu Mu Zhenjun and Duan Qingxiao were quite close. Once a conflict occurred, Duan Qingxiao would most likely come forward, and if things went wrong, there would be a full-scale conflict. Therefore, a strict deployment was required and there could be no mistakes. For this operation, Chang Xiao specifically informed the Nether Swordsmen who lived in seclusion on the island. These people didn't need to take action, just contain them. Because there were many people involved and it had been planned for several days, Yu Hudie tried to persuade them several times but was distracted by Chang Xiao. The affairs of the rivers and lakes were not something a woman could understand. At this time, someone came to report that Wei Heyang and his wife came to pay a visit. Chang Xiao ordered people to invite the guests to the hall. The couple came to express their gratitude, so it was not good to turn them away. Princess Rose was also surprised to see such a large castle and magnificent palace. The owner of the city that never sleeps must be rich enough to rival a country. Because the visitors were King Wuling and the royal princess, Chang Xiao specially asked Jade Butterfly to come out to meet them. Such opportunities are rare. There was a banquet in the hall. The dishes were exquisite and the utensils were luxurious, which was not inferior to the palace. Princess Rose was secretly surprised that the Jianghu tyrants could enjoy such a life, more comfortable than the emperor.

In front of Chang Xiao, Wei Heyang had no prestige at all. A martial artist can only bow his head when meeting a master. Chang Xiao and Yu Hudie walked out side by side. Their clothes were very ordinary, but they attracted everyone's attention as soon as they appeared. One was a top swordsman who roamed the world, and the other was a world-famous beauty. Even the sun, moon and stars could not take away their brilliance. Wei Heyang stood up and saluted: "With the help of the city lord, Wei not only returned to the barracks, but also received an imperial title from the court. I rose to fame overnight. This great favor cannot be repaid even with my life." Chang Xiao smiled: "It's a small matter, don't worry about it. Your master and I have a special relationship, and a small favor is nothing." Wei Heyang shook his head and said: "It's a piece of cake for the city lord, but it's a huge favor to Wei, and I will never forget it in this life." Chang Xiao nodded: "You and your master are of the same kind, no wonder you became master and disciple. You are already the King of Wuling, so there's no need to be polite." Wei Heyang lowered his head and said: "No one has the right to put on airs in front of the city lord." After sitting down, Princess Rose looked at him more and more familiarly, and whispered in Wei Heyang's ear: "Is this city lord the former owner of Julong Manor?" Before Wei Heyang answered, Chang Xiao had already spoken: "Princess, don't ask, I was the former owner of Julong Manor, and I met you once." Princess Rose was shocked. He could hear such a small voice from such a long distance. This person was really scary. Jade Butterfly smiled and said, "How can you recognize a princess from the royal family? I don't believe it." Her smile was enough to turn everyone upside down. Wei Heyang also felt his heart pounding and quickly looked away. Princess Rose was quite impressed by Jade Butterfly's beauty. In comparison, she, a princess from the royal family, was far less colorful than Jade Butterfly. While drinking and chatting, Chang Xiao frowned and said, "Why hasn't your Chihuang sword recovered its spirit yet? Didn't I tell you? Do you have to leave the world after becoming a prince?" Wei Heyang was shocked. He didn't expect Chang Xiao's cultivation to be so profound. He quickly explained, "Wei will never forget his roots. The Chihuang sword was given by my master. I have to ask my master for permission to re-refine it." Chang Xiao nodded, "Your master is a hero of the time. His father, the old owner of the manor, is not free and easy. He must hate me to the bone at this time. I'm afraid your master can't get away for a while." Wei Heyang knew about the Ganlu sword and nodded silently.

Although Chang Xiao and Jade Butterfly were welcoming, Wei Heyang and Princess Rose were still uncomfortable. They always felt ashamed of themselves when facing a master who was a hundred times stronger than themselves. After lingering for half a day, the couple said goodbye and left. When they returned to Wuling Mountain, they immediately became the focus of everyone's attention. Wei Heyang smiled bitterly and said, "There is a saying in the rivers and lakes that it is a crime to disobey a master. Now it seems to be true. The Wuling King, who is so glorious here, is simply worthless in the City That Never Sleeps." Princess Rose sighed lightly, "I really envy that Jade Butterfly. She has an unparalleled appearance and a colorful life. That is the dream of every woman." Wei Heyang smiled and said, "The princess of the royal family actually envies ordinary people. Did I hear it right?" Princess Rose said seriously, "The princess is also a woman and has her own dreams. Besides, there are many hardships that outsiders don't know about being born in the royal family." Wei Heyang agreed with this sentence, "Yes, there are gains and losses. There is no perfect person in the world." The couple set about repairing Wuling Mountain. The beautiful scenery and pleasant climate here are an excellent place to settle down. After the guests left, Chang Xiao embarked on a huge plan. If Monk Shenmu did not intervene, Shangqing Palace would lose a powerful helper. Wu Mu Zhenjun could not handle it alone, and Shangqing Palace was already in danger. The news that the Nether Swordsman had entered the Central Plains had already reached Duan Qingxiao's ears. Duan Qingxiao discussed with Tang Shiyu what Chang Xiao's goal was. Tang Shiyu thought for a moment and said, "The Nether Swordsman is in the open, obviously to attract our attention. Chang Xiao's real intention is still unclear, but judging from the current situation, I'm afraid he's going to have a full-scale confrontation with us." Duan Qingxiao stroked his beard and said, "Not entirely, Chang Xiao is just ready for a full-scale confrontation with us, which means that his goal is related to us." Tang Shiyu immediately determined, "Shangqing Palace, only Shangqing Palace can make Chang Xiao put up such a big posture." Duan Qingxiao suddenly woke up, "Yes, Taoist Wu Mu and Bhikkhu Shenmu both mentioned that Chang Xiao has always been brooding over Lingmu, and his target this time must be Shangqing Palace." Tang Shiyu first wanted to figure out Duan Qingxiao's attitude, so he asked, "Does the Sect Master intend to fully assist Shangqing Palace or just give a helping hand?" Duan Qingxiao was quite sure, "Assist with all your strength at all costs and swear to protect Shangqing Palace."

The two top swordsmen, the leaders of the martial arts world, are about to engage in a full-scale confrontation. The elites of both sides are out. Duan Qingxiao and Chang Xiao have already arrived near Laoshan, and the battle is imminent. As the focus of this operation, Shangqing Palace must be prepared. In fact, Lingmu Zhenren knows that the people in Shangqing Palace can't resist Chang Xiao's huge power at all. Even if the senior Wu Mu Zhenjun is invited, it will be useless. The only hope is Duan Qingxiao, hoping that he can stop Chang Xiao's powerful offensive. The four famous families have always been in the same spirit. Knowing that Shangqing Palace is in trouble, the three heads of Shaolin, Wudang, and Huashan all led their capable disciples to help. Although there are many people, everyone understands that even so many people can't stop the dragon scale sword. Chang Xiao's resentment for Shangqing Palace is not just one day. After the revenge on Taibai Mountain, he was hunted by the four famous families. If Wu Qingyang hadn't appeared at the right time, he would have died long ago. Later, this knot never had a chance to be untied. After the battle at the Cliff of Broken Souls, Lingmu Zhenren took the lead in robbing the treasures of Julong Villa, and the hatred became even deeper. It was completely reasonable for Chang Xiao to take revenge this time. The number of people involved in this conflict was unprecedented, and the martial arts were unprecedented. Once they clashed, the consequences would be disastrous. When the two sides were on the verge of a fight, things took a turn for the better. Master Baekje suddenly appeared in Shangqing Palace, and Lingmu Zhenren finally put down his hanging heart. The relationship between this monk and Chang Xiao was extraordinary, and he was the only one who could resolve the crisis at hand. Master Baekje had a great influence on Chang Xiao. Chang Xiao had always regarded this monk as his teacher, and was embarrassed to hear that he had arrived at Shangqing Palace. Master Baekje was very familiar with the situation in the Central Plains martial arts world, and knew that once the two sides clashed, they would inevitably suffer heavy losses and would not be able to recover for decades, so he made a special trip to Shangqing Palace to mediate the matter. First, he sent his disciples Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai to invite Chang Xiao. The two had been with Chang Xiao for several years and had developed a deep affection for him. Chang Xiao had no choice but to accept the invitation. Duan Qingxiao was also unwilling to engage in a full-scale confrontation. Since Chang Xiao accepted the invitation, it meant that things had turned around, so he also came to Shangqing Palace for a meeting. Lingmu Zhenren was obviously not important enough for such a big matter, so Wumu Zhenjun came forward on behalf of Shangqing Palace.

Only four people participated in this meeting, and even famous sects like Shaolin and Wudang did not have a seat. Master Baiji sat in the middle, with Wumu Zhenjun and Duan Qingxiao on his left and Chang Xiao on his right. These three people are not only top masters, but also have powerful strength. They are the most important characters in the martial arts world today. Master Baiji said with a pleasant face: "If the Lord of the Never-Night City has any grudges with the Shangqing Palace, you can tell me. If there is really no room for easing, I will leave immediately and let you fight." Chang Xiao let out a long breath and told his experience of the past. Wumu Zhenjun blamed Lingmu in his heart. As the head of the Shangqing Palace, every move he made has far-reaching influence. It is not just as simple as maintaining the Shangqing Palace. The four famous sects are very important in the martial arts world. How can the sect leader restrain his disciples without self-respect? After listening to this, Master Baekje chanted the Buddha's name, "The feud between the City Lord and Shangqing Palace was caused by the bloody incident at Qingfeng Temple on Taibai Mountain. Although Lin Qing and his son brought it upon themselves, they are ultimately people of Shangqing Palace. It is understandable for Lingmu to pursue them. The mistake was that he was only concerned about protecting his own shortcomings. His original intention was to maintain the reputation of Shangqing Palace, but with this thought he had deviated from the moral principles of the martial arts world. What do you think, Taoist Wumu?" Master Wumu nodded, "Master, you are right. If Qingyang Swordsman had not appeared at the right time, the City Lord would have inevitably died, and this matter would have been covered up. Revenge is justified." Hearing this, Chang Xiao felt much more comfortable. Master Wumu was much stronger than Lingmu. Duan Qingxiao said: "The four famous families have been famous for many years and have always been respected by people in the martial arts world. The reputation of the ancestors is too loud, and the pressure on the younger generations is also very heavy, for fear of ruining the reputation of the family. It is easy to say if they are both virtuous and talented, but who can guarantee that there will be outstanding people in every generation?" Master Baiji nodded: "The old master's words hit the nail on the head. This is a common problem of famous families. To put it bluntly, they just want to save face." Chang Xiao naturally understood the truth and said slowly: "Can famous families ignore the morality of the martial arts world to maintain their reputation? If Chang died under the Lingmu sword, would the reputation of Shangqing Palace be preserved? Who knows how many people Shangqing Palace has let go of injustice in order to maintain its reputation?" These three questions were very powerful. Wu Mu Zhenjun was speechless, and Duan Qingxiao had no way to answer. Master Baiji sighed lightly: "I understand what the city lord means. The real target of this massive revenge is not Shangqing Palace at all."

Duan Qingxiao was shocked when he heard this. Could it be that Chang Xiao's real purpose was to fight him to the death? Master Baekje smiled and said, "Don't let your imagination run wild, old master. The city lord's target is not you, but the trend of famous and upright sects protecting their shortcomings." Chang Xiao nodded, "Master is right. I really don't think highly of what the four famous sects have done. This time we mobilized a large army mainly to make them suffer. People in the martial arts world cannot live in the halo of their predecessors. They have to create everything by themselves." Wu Mu Zhenjun agreed, "That's right. After I came back, I found that the disciples of Shangqing Palace had mediocre martial arts skills, but they had bad tempers. They always carried the name of Shangqing Palace. If this continues, each generation will be worse than the previous one, and Shangqing Palace will be removed from the martial arts world sooner or later." Master Baekje felt that Chang Xiao's tone was a little loose, and he winked at Wu Mu Zhenjun and said, "The city lord's starting point is good, but I think it's inappropriate to kill them wantonly." Chang Xiao frowned, "If we don't take ruthless measures, it will be difficult to make them turn back." Wu Mu Zhenjun understood what Master Baekje meant. Things had turned around Chang Xiao saw an opportunity, so he immediately expressed his position: "I am ready to return to Shangqing Palace, vigorously rectify the style of the sect, and let Lingmu reflect on his mistakes in seclusion." Duan Qingxiao said: "I have a little reputation, and I can tell Shaolin, Wudang, and Huashan to reflect on themselves." With Master Baekje coming forward, Duan Qingxiao and Wumu Zhenjun both made concessions. Chang Xiao knew in his heart that it was impossible to change the style of the martial arts world by himself. He had finally taken a gratifying step, so he no longer insisted. If they confronted each other this time, the consequences would be difficult to predict, and it might not be good for the matter. So he nodded in agreement: "Well, for Master Baekje's golden face, my hatred with Shangqing Palace will be wiped out." Before he finished speaking, someone clapped his hands and ran in. It was Monk Shenmu. He smiled as he entered the door and said, "There is no fighting. Although there is no excitement to watch, it is not in vain." It turned out that although Monk Shenmu promised Chang Xiao not to interfere, he still ran to see the situation. After all, the Emei Sect and Shangqing Palace had a close relationship and could not stay out of it. As long as he did not take action, it would not be considered a breach of promise. He was delighted to see this result, so he came in to bear witness so that Chang Xiao could not regret it.

There was no way to take action in this situation. Chang Xiao stood up and said, "I hope the four famous families can truly change their ways. But I'll be frank with you. This is only the first time I'll make concessions. Bye." Standing up and leaving, Duan Qingxiao frowned and said, "It seems like he still hasn't forgotten the old grudge." Master Baekje smiled and said, "The city lord's meaning is very clear. This is to put pressure on the four famous families to be careful. Since they said they won't remember the old grudge, they won't regret it." Wu Mu Zhenjun sighed and said, "Shangqing Palace suffered this disaster entirely out of their own fault. They can't blame others. I'm afraid it will take me a lot of time to rectify the family's style." Duan Qingxiao advised, "It's not too late to cheer up now. If no one restrains them, things will get worse in the future." As expected, this incident may not be a bad thing for Shangqing Palace or even several famous families. "Shenmu Bhikkhu agreed: "That's right, treat the disease as soon as possible, it will be too late to treat it after it breaks out." Master Baekje stood up and said: "Misfortunes sent by heaven can still be cured. Misfortunes brought upon oneself cannot be cured. My mediation work is complete, and the rest of the road depends on you." Wumu Zhenjun was grateful from the bottom of his heart and bowed: "Master, don't worry, Shangqing Palace will never repeat the same mistake." Master Baekje was about to leave, and Bhikkhu Shenmu shouted: "I'll tell you a secret. Chang Xiao got a rare sword, unparalleled in the world, and is preparing to hold a nectar conference to decide the new owner. If you know about it, you are not allowed to tell anyone."

Chapter 108: Gathering of Experts

Very few people knew about the Ganlu Sword. Wu Qingyang and his disciple Wei Heyang would not publicize it, and Chang Xiao would not tell outsiders. Therefore, Duan Qingxiao and Wu Mu Zhenjun did not know about it. The most surprised person was Duan Qingxiao. The Ganlu Sword had always been treasured by the old owner of Wuling Mountain Villa and never shown to others. How could it fall into Chang Xiao's hands? The monk Shenmu must not be talking nonsense. After Duan Qingxiao left Shangqing Palace, he immediately sent someone to investigate the matter. It was soon confirmed that a relative of Wu Qingyang did die in the Never-Sleeping City, and the sword on his body was extremely extraordinary. Duan Qingxiao speculated that the old owner would never give up and would definitely find a way to take revenge, but with his strength, he had no chance at all, and he would most likely find it on his head. In view of the past friendship, he could not refuse it outright. It was too involved to seek revenge on Chang Xiao, so it was better to avoid it. So he found a reason and said that he was looking for the new master Duan Xiyun and hid in the rivers and lakes. As expected, the old owner came to the Divine Sword Gate to ask Duan Qingxiao to come forward for revenge. Tang Shiyu naturally knew that he could only delay, and the old owner was helpless. After this incident, Lingmu Zhenren was greatly touched and was ready to hand over the position of the headmaster and practice martial arts in seclusion. Wumu Zhenjun knew that no one in Shangqing Palace could replace Lingmu to take charge of the gate, so he retained his position as the headmaster and seclusion was inevitable. Wumu Zhenjun took out all the results of his years of hard work, hoping that Lingmu could make a breakthrough in martial arts and truly enter the ranks of masters. He stayed in Shangqing Palace to strictly supervise the disciples, and resolutely expelled those who were not good at martial arts and had bad conduct. The affairs of Shangqing Palace also affected Shaolin, Wudang, and Huashan. Duan Qingxiao had already made clear Chang Xiao's true intentions. The three heads of the sect were reasonable and returned to the mountain to rectify the style of the sect and set strict assessment standards. Those who could not pass were not allowed to walk around in the rivers and lakes. The actions of the four famous families soon spread throughout the martial arts world. Chang Xiao finally breathed a sigh of relief and notified the Nether Swordsman to return to the island. The matter had been resolved. The next step was to prepare for the Ganlu Conference, which was a major event that shocked the martial arts world and could not be taken lightly.

There is a forbidden area in the city that never sleeps. Only Chang Xiao can go in and out. Even Jade Butterfly doesn't know what's going on inside. There is constant incense burning here, but no gods are worshipped. There are only two swords on the table, one long and one short. There are four big characters on the wall: Sword points to the south of the sky. The writing is vigorous and powerful, like a dragon flying and a phoenix dancing, as if it wants to break through the wall. This place was specially set up by Chang Xiao for his close friend, Taoist Zuixia, to commemorate the deceased No. 1 swordsman. Chang Xiao would come here every now and then to accompany his old friend. The short sword on the table is the sharp weapon that Taoist Zuixia carried with him. It condenses the spirit of the No. 1 swordsman. Although the No. 1 swordsman has passed away, the swordsman's spirit still remains on the sword. As for the long sword, it is the recently acquired Ganlu sword. Except Taoist Zuixia, no one is worthy of this rare sword, so Chang Xiao put the Ganlu sword here to restore its spiritual energy. After a period of time, the Ganlu sword did change, and Chang Xiao was quite pleased. Today, the martial arts world is completely dominated by Duan Qingxiao and himself. There is no outstanding swordsman. Chang Xiao hopes to introduce a swordsmanship master through the Ganlu Conference to add some color to the martial arts world, and also comfort the spirit of his old friend in heaven. The Ganlu Conference is destined to become a sensational event in the martial arts world. Many people need to be notified. Chang Xiao chose the venue at the South Tianmen of Mount Tai and released the news half a year in advance. Who doesn't want to get the world's best sword? As long as you get the Ganlu sword, the power of swordsmanship will increase by at least 50%, and you may become the new first swordsman. Therefore, all major sects heard the news and summoned their masters to prepare for the conference. The Ganlu Conference has a great impact. Masters from all walks of life want to know who can get this sword and become the first swordsman today, so masters from all sides are also preparing to go to Mount Tai to participate. Chang Xiao didn't want to let some second-rate and third-rate people participate in the conference and lose interest, so he specially asked Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai brothers to be responsible for the reception, and refused all those who were not of sufficient weight. The two brothers readily agreed.

Nowadays, the most swordsmen in the martial arts world are Wudang, Huashan, and Shangqing Palace. The swordsmanship of Emei Sect's Shenmu Bhikkhu and Wumu Zhenjun is almost the same, and they are far ahead of others. They are both seniors and will not compete with the younger generation for the Ganlu Sword. Other sects are much inferior. In addition, Tongtian Fort's master Jiang Feiluan has profound attainments in swordsmanship, Wu Qingyang is also a top choice, and there are also nether swordsmen. This group of killers has unique swordsmanship, and no one dares to despise them. Because the nether swordsmen have a grudge against the various sects in the Central Plains, Chang Xiao did not inform them. If the nether swordsmen win the championship, the various sects will definitely not tolerate the Ganlu Sword falling into their hands. I am afraid that they will fight at that time, which will ruin the scenery. The Ganlu Conference is the first grand event in the martial arts world. Nanhai Yannanlou put down everything in his hands and rushed to Mount Tai. Wei Heyang, who has recently ascended the throne, will also participate. The two elders of Shuijing naturally couldn't miss such a good opportunity. The leader of Wanxian Hall, Mo Qilin, the leader of Beggar Gang, Ziyun Gu, the elder of Jinchan, the leader of Tongtian Fort, Jiang Feiluan, Qi Shizhen, and other masters of weight would attend. The Divine Sword Sect was naturally indispensable, and Duan Qingxiao led his disciples to prepare for the meeting. For a time, masters gathered at the foot of Mount Tai, and each of them was extraordinary. The Dragon King of the South China Sea and Taijun, who were enjoying themselves in the Never-Sleeping City, also wanted to attend. They were supposed to go together, but the old couple set off two months in advance, with the purpose of rushing to Mount Tai to reminisce with old friends. Chang Xiao asked the four brothers Jiantong and Qintong to accompany him, so that they could meet some martial arts masters and gain experience. He went with Yudie, and specially called Huolongju. His daughter, Princess Qingting, also wanted to go, but Chang Xiao didn't allow it. This was a gathering of martial arts masters, and Princess Qingting didn't know martial arts, so there was no need to participate. Princess Qingting was not convinced. Yudie didn't know martial arts either, so why could she go? Chang Xiao smiled and said, "No matter how good your father's martial arts are, they can't compare to Butterfly's smile. To some extent, a peerless appearance is more useful than martial arts." Dragonfly was very impressed by Jade Butterfly's appearance, so there was nothing much to say. Chang Xiao prepared a gorgeous car, but Jade Butterfly still couldn't forget to bring her beloved kitten. The two of them sat in the car together, and the Fire Dragon Horse ran around and scattered flowers, full of arrogance, attracting frequent glances from passers-by.

Gao Zhen of the Fire God Palace also knew about the Ganlu Conference. After hesitating for a long time, he decided not to go. Since he saw Yudie at the Qunfang Conference, Gao Zhen's mood has not recovered. He knows that his life was good. He has money, people, wives, concubines and children. He should not have any extravagant expectations. But he can't forget Yudie in his heart. There is no love for her. To put it bluntly, it is jealousy. Why does Chang Xiao catch up with all the good things, such as precious swords, BMWs, peerless beauties, and a huge force that sweeps the world? He has been practicing martial arts since he was a child and has never slacked off. Why is there such a big gap? Now countless people are trying to curry favor with Chang Xiao. Even the respected martial arts predecessors look at him with admiration, but he doesn't even have a friend to talk to. His only junior brother Yin Tianlei has never come back. Even if he meets, he is just like a stranger. He can't help but feel depressed every time he thinks of these. In fact, Gao Zhen's swordsmanship can be regarded as a first-class master, but he is arrogant and can't tolerate others being better than him. Unfortunately, Chang Xiao is a huge mountain in front of him, unable to surpass him, so he is worried. If it weren't for the Jade Butterfly incident, Chang Xiao would definitely find a way to help Gao Zhen for the sake of Gao Zhen's father. Because Gao Zhen had been with Jade Butterfly for a long time, Chang Xiao didn't want to see this person, so he completely let go of the Fire God Palace. As for Yin Tianlei, he didn't like what Gao Zhen did, and reluctantly assisted him for a long time for the sake of his master's face. Seeing Gao Zhen being so ruthless to Jade Butterfly, his lover who had been with him day and night, Yin Tianlei was completely chilled. He didn't want to see Gao Zhen again, and he didn't plan to return to the Fire God Palace at all. He had already planned in his heart that if Duan Xiyun returned to the Divine Sword Sect to take over as the leader one day, he would still walk the rivers and lakes as the two crystal elders. Such a life would be free and easy, which was very much to his liking. You are treated as an honored guest wherever you go. You can enjoy the most delicious food anytime and anywhere. You don't have to worry about gold and silver. You can have whatever you want. Such a life is happier than that of a god. Why bother to struggle in the world?

This is the difference between having ambition and not having ambition. Gao Zhen was not enjoying his good life, but was looking for troubles all day long. Yin Tianlei was very satisfied with his life and was happy every moment. As the saying goes, those who are contented will be happy forever. The Ganlu Conference is the top priority in the martial arts world. All masters gathered at the foot of Mount Tai. The happiest one was the Dragon King of the South China Sea. Seeing so many old friends, they talked endlessly. Duan Xiyun and Yin Tianlei also came to Mount Tai. At this time, Duan Qingxiao already knew that Duan Xiyun had transformed into the two crystal elders, but he had never made it clear. However, he knew that Duan Xiyun's martial arts and swordsmanship had made great progress, and he had established connections with masters from all sides, and was fully capable of taking charge of the Divine Sword Sect. Duan Qingxiao was quite relieved that there was a successor. After this worry was solved, he could devote all his energy to compete with Chang Xiao. The identities of the brothers Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai were well known in the martial arts world. They were extremely powerful in martial arts and had good eyesight. It was most appropriate for these two brothers to be responsible for receiving guests. Many people who came to watch the excitement were blocked by the two brothers at the foot of the mountain. The Ganlu Sword was in Chang Xiao's hand, so the protagonist of the Ganlu Conference was naturally Chang Xiao. Without him, the conference could not proceed. The most active person was of course the monk Shenmu, who ran around. His status and identity were very respected, but he was also playful and playful, so no one could do anything about it. The monk Shenmu's Qinggong was very good. He looked up from a high place from time to time. When he saw Huolongju from afar, he clapped his hands and said, "Here he comes, Huolongju is here, Chang Xiao must be here too. There is another person in the car, haha, it's Yu Hudie, and he's holding a cat. I'll go find them and play with them." He spread his body and ran towards Huolongju. Most of the masters present only saw a little shadow of Huolongju, and couldn't see the rest clearly. They praised the master's skills, and even Wu Mu Zhenjun admitted that he was not as good as him.

The monk Shenmu was very fast and soon came to the Fire Dragon Colt and asked, "Fire Dragon Colt, do you still recognize me?" The Fire Dragon Colt had compared speed with the monk Shenmu, so of course he remembered it, nodded, and jumped twice. The monk Shenmu shook his head and smiled, "No need to compare, I'm not as fast as you, but I didn't lose either, you have four legs, so you have an advantage." The Fire Dragon Colt touched the ground with all four feet and lowered his head slightly. The monk Shenmu smiled and said, "You asked me to run on my hands and feet, but I can't use my hands as feet." The Fire Dragon Colt shook his head, quite arrogant. Monk Shenmu had no choice but to admit defeat: "Okay, I'm not as fast as you, at least that's OK." Jade Butterfly was quite surprised to see this scene, and asked: "Senior, do you also understand horse language?" Monk Shenmu shook his head: "How can anyone understand horse language?" Jade Butterfly was even more puzzled: "How can you understand what Fire Dragon Colt means if you don't understand horse language?" Chang Xiao explained: "To communicate with Fire Dragon Colt, you must first be calm, and you must also have keen observation and judgment, which are only possessed by top masters." Jade Butterfly frowned: "Don't fool me, you gained the trust of Fire Dragon Colt when you first entered the martial arts world, and your martial arts at that time were not top-notch at all." Chang Xiao nodded: "That's not wrong, there is another reason why I can gain the trust of Fire Dragon Colt, mainly because I didn't regard Fire Dragon Colt as an alien, but As a friend, he first gained the trust of the Fire Dragon Colt. "Yu Hudie asked: "The Fire Dragon Colt is a divine colt that countless people dream of. I don't know how many people are thinking about it. The Fire Dragon Colt must be very wary of people, how can it easily trust you?" Chang Xiao smiled: "Your brain is much better than before. The Fire Dragon Colt is not an ordinary horse. It not only understands human nature but also can see the good and evil in people's hearts. It can see from my eyes that I have no greed and follows me." Yu Hudie was quite surprised: "Too mysterious, I have been married to you for a long time and I still can't see your heart clearly. How can the Fire Dragon Colt do it?" Before Chang Xiao answered, the Fire Dragon Colt leaned over and bared his teeth at the Jade Butterfly to express his dissatisfaction. The Jade Butterfly hurriedly said: "I was wrong. You are better than me, okay?" The Fire Dragon Colt was satisfied. Yu Hudie smiled bitterly and said, "Fire Dragon Colt has a bad temper. I can't even talk to him." She looked down and suddenly realized that the little darling in her arms was gone. She asked Chang Xiao hurriedly, "Where did my little darling go?" Chang Xiao smiled and said, "He must have been taken away by the Divine Eyed Monk to play. This senior's Qinggong is really unparalleled in the world. He took the little darling away without making any sound. Even I didn't notice it."

Chang Xiao was right. Little Guaiguai was indeed carried away by the Divine Eyed Monk. He ran to the side to tease her, not caring whether Jade Butterfly was anxious or not. Jade Butterfly knew the temper of this expert, so she could only wait until she was satisfied. The carriage continued to move forward, and soon after, the Divine Eyed Monk ran over and handed Little Guaiguai to Jade Butterfly, grinning and saying, "Here you go. I pulled out two of its whiskers, and it tried its best to scratch and bite me." Jade Butterfly caressed it lovingly and said softly, "Little Guaiguai, you have been wronged. Sister will give you something good to eat." The Divine Eyed Monk made a face and disappeared in a blink of an eye. The four brothers Jian Tong, Qin Tong came to the front of the car to greet them. Chang Xiao solemnly handed an antique sandalwood box to Jian Tong and instructed him, "This is the best Ganlu sword in the world. If Master Zuixia possessed this sword, he would be the undisputed number one master. It's a pity that fate played tricks on him and caused the talented person to die young. At today's Ganlu Conference, the four of you will hand over the Ganlu sword to the master who wins the championship to comfort the master's spirit in heaven." Jian Tong held the sword in both hands and knelt on one knee. Qin Tong, He Tong and Jiu Tong knelt behind him. The four of them said in unison, "Thank you, City Lord." Chang Xiao felt bad when he thought of his best friend. He sighed, "Master is my mentor and friend. Without Master's help, I would not be where I am today. I hope that a true master will appear at today's meeting." The group walked slowly. The Ganlu sword is a rare treasure in the world. Who would be willing to give it away if he was a martial artist? Although Chang Xiao used a knife, it was extremely rare to be able to take out this sword, so the attitudes of various masters towards Chang Xiao changed a little. According to normal thinking, who doesn't want to be the best? Who is willing to sincerely support other masters? But Chang Xiao is different. He actually took out the Ganlu sword to cultivate the new generation of the first swordsman. This mind is very rare. Of course, there are also people who resent Chang Xiao, that is, the old owner of Wuling Mountain Villa, Wu Qingyang's father. The Ganlu sword should have belonged to him, but Chang Xiao took it out for show, which certainly made him feel bad. In addition, the successor he had cultivated with all his efforts died in the Never-Sleeping City. This breath could not be tolerated in any way. According to the rules of the rivers and lakes, if you challenge someone, life and death are left to fate. The old owner of the manor understood it, but after Chang Xiao killed someone, he left the sword behind, without any consideration for Wu Qingyang's life-saving grace, and held a Ganlu meeting to improve his reputation. This was too much. Therefore, the old owner hated Chang Xiao to the bone and came to attend this meeting on purpose to regain the Ganlu sword. The reason why the old owner did not take out the Ganlu Sword to compete with Zuixia Taoist was mainly because he could not deal with the sword-controlling technique and was afraid of losing the sword. Now that Zuixia Taoist has passed away for a long time, he is fully confident that he can regain the Ganlu Sword, show his skills in front of many masters, and become famous in the world.

Chapter 109: The Manna Conference

It is very rare to see such a gathering of masters from all walks of life in the martial arts world. Chang Xiao thought that Master Baiji and his junior brother Master Baikong would also come, but he did not see these two monks. He knew that there was nothing dangerous in this grand event. It was a martial arts conference. The two monks valued Buddhism, not martial arts, so it was reasonable for them not to come. The most eye-catching of this meeting were of course Duan Qingxiao and Chang Xiao, the two top swordsmen. In comparison, Chang Xiao's side was more attractive. With the world's most beautiful woman, the world's number one divine horse, and the Ganlu sword, Duan Qingxiao's side was naturally no match. Masters from all walks of life climbed the mountain in order. Monk Shenmu was the most active and competed with Huolongju to have a competition. Huolongju was of course unwilling to admit defeat. Climbing mountains and crossing ridges was not difficult for the world's number one divine horse. Monk Shenmu shouted and jumped forward with his light skills. Huolongju followed closely behind him, and soon the two shadows disappeared in the mountains. Monk Shenmu did not take the Ganlu sword seriously. He came here just to join in the fun and have fun, so he had fun. Others are not in such a good mood. Shangqing Palace, Wudang, and Huashan, the three famous sects, all want to get the Ganlu Sword. Other sects are not willing to lag behind. Once they get the sword, the reputation and status of their sects will be greatly improved. At present, the most promising one is the old owner of Wuling Villa. He is the only one among the martial arts predecessors who participated in the fight for the sword, and naturally has more advantages than others. Chang Xiao understands what the old owner means, and feels a little bit different. The Ganlu Sword is a rare treasure of heaven and earth, not the private property of someone. As a martial arts predecessor, it is no wonder that Wuling Villa has not improved. Wu Qingyang also understands what his father means, but he can't stop it. Although his father's swordsmanship is unfathomable, there are many hidden dragons and crouching tigers in the world, and masters are emerging. It is by no means an easy task to obtain the Ganlu Sword. Wei Heyang did not come as a prince this time, but as a disciple of Wu Qingyang. Princess Rose also wanted to join in the fun and came as a disciple of Emei Sect to see the swordsmanship of various masters.

Arriving at the Nantian Gate, masters from all walks of life sat on the ground and formed a circle. Although there were only more than a hundred people, they gathered the elites of the current martial arts world. Everyone knew that this grand meeting was to determine the new owner of the Ganlu Sword. There was no need to say more. The four brothers Jiantong and Qintong stood on one side with swords in their hands. The middle was naturally the place to show swordsmanship. Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai walked to the center, clasped their fists on all sides, and Zhong Yuan spoke first: "Everyone, this Ganlu Conference is to determine the new owner of the Ganlu Sword. Everyone present is a master of today, and there are top masters such as the Master of the Divine Sword Sect and the Lord of the Never-Night City. They have sharp eyes and do not need to compete. Just show them to distinguish the good from the bad." Zhong Hai continued: "Anyway, we brothers have no hope, and we are satisfied with feasting our eyes. Today is not a competition, and there is no difference between the first and the last. Which master will go next?" Before he finished speaking, someone had already come to the center. It was a master of the Kunlun School. The main purpose of appearing first was to let many masters know each other, so that it would be more convenient to travel in the world in the future. They performed the sword techniques of Kunlun School, and then bowed and left. Someone started and someone else continued. The masters of each school showed their sword techniques. Although they all had their own strengths, there was no outstanding master. Lingmu Zhenren of Shangqing Palace did not come. Wumu Zhenjun was the leader, but Wumu Zhenjun could not show up. Seeing the sword techniques of the masters of various schools, he knew that the Ganlu Sword would not fall into the hands of Shangqing Palace. The old owner of Wuling Villa was secretly proud. These people were not as good as him. The Ganlu Sword would still return to his hands. At that time, he could ridicule Chang Xiao and vent his anger. Chang Xiao was disappointed every time he saw one person's sword technique. These people were not worthy of the Ganlu Sword. Could this rare and famous sword return to Wuling Villa? He looked around and saw that the expression of Chixia Zhenren, the head of Huashan, was different. He seemed extremely confident and had a plan in mind. Chang Xiao was puzzled. Shangqing Palace and Wudang, two famous sects, had lost their confidence. Why was Huashan Sect so sure? Then he found a strange Taoist priest next to Master Chixia. The man was seven feet tall, quite thin, pale, with a goatee, about forty years old, with dull eyes and a listless expression. His tattered Taoist robe made him look lifeless. If he was not sitting next to the head of Huashan, he would not have attracted anyone's attention.

At this time, three people from Huashan Sect had already left the stage, and they were on par with the masters of various sects. Chang Xiao believed that True Man Chixia must have great confidence in the Taoist priest beside him, and he wanted to see what extraordinary swordsmanship this Taoist priest had. Wu Qingyang did not leave the stage because of his father, so Wei Heyang naturally could not compete with the old owner of the manor, so he just watched quietly, observing the swordsmanship of various sects, and learning from each other's strengths and weaknesses. Each sect displayed in turn, and the old owner of the manor deliberately waited for the end, which was to raise his own status, but everyone understood that the old owner's end was obviously inappropriate, and the Ganlu sword would be buried in his hands. Even so, no one could say anything. After the masters of various sects showed their skills, Jiang Feiluan, the master of Tongtian Fort, had the highest attainments. The old owner of the manor was very proud and left the stage, performing a sword technique, the sword tip broke through the air, making a hissing sound, and the sword energy shot out for about a foot, and all the masters of various sects bowed their heads. The old owner of the manor was even more proud, and he saw that the Ganlu sword was about to return to his hands. Suddenly, a man came in. It was the Taoist priest next to Chixia Zhenren. Chixia Zhenren introduced: "Everyone, this man is my junior nephew, Taoist name Baoding, who has devoted himself to swordsmanship for many years. Today, he has met many masters. Please take care of him when we meet in the future." Everyone was discouraged by the plain appearance and listlessness of the Taoist priest Baoding. What's the point of such a person ending up like this? The old owner smiled and stepped aside, thinking: Chixia does not know the seriousness of the matter. Letting such a person end up like this is simply a discredit to Huashan Sect. Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the Taoist priest Baoding slowly drew out his sword. Chang Xiao immediately realized that this Taoist priest Baoding was by no means simple. From the moment he grasped the hilt of the sword, the whole person had changed a lot, as if this person had merged with the sword. Chang Xiao already understood that the Taoist priest Baoding had completely integrated his mind into the swordsmanship. Without the sword in his hand, he was just a walking corpse, listless. Once he had the sword in his hand, he became a master among masters. Although he hadn't used his swordsmanship yet, Chang Xiao had already determined that this man's swordsmanship was definitely better than the old owner's. Duan Qingxiao also noticed this man, and turned to Wan Qisong beside him and said, "Remember this man, he will be the leader among swordsmen from now on, and he will be Chang Xiao's new opponent after I retire." Wan Qisong nodded in agreement.

Taoist Baoding performed Huashan swordsmanship, which was quite standard and nothing special. However, experts all understood that the Huashan swordsmanship performed by Taoist Baoding was fundamentally different from the three masters of Huashan Sect just now. Although the moves were exactly the same, the fire was full, the intention was ahead of the sword, and there was a sense of floating out of the world. He was a rare master. The old owner of the manor was of course an expert. He was secretly surprised that Huashan Sect had such an outstanding master. All the masters had already appeared, and the next step was to select the pros and cons. Jiang Feiluan was the first to express his opinion: "In today's meeting, Taoist Baoding of Huashan Sect's swordsmanship ranks first." Chang Xiao also expressed his approval. Duan Qingxiao did not express his opinion because of the face of the old owner. Most people could see that the Taoist Baoding was an expert in swordsmanship, but the old owner was unwilling to accept that. He changed his expression and said, "I refuse to accept the defeat. Since the Taoist Baoding of Huashan has extraordinary swordsmanship, I'd like to learn a thing or two from him. The winner will get the Ganlu sword." There shouldn't be a sword fight at this event, but the old owner insisted. The masters had no scruples about the old owner, mainly because they were afraid that Wu Qingyang would lose face. For a moment, there was complete silence and no one spoke. At this time, the monk Shenmu appeared out of nowhere and shouted, "Let's fight. It's meaningless to fight alone." The monk Shenmu's words were equivalent to the Emei Sect's statement. Wu Mu Zhenjun persuaded, "The Lord of the Never-Night City has good intentions. It's best not to do it." The monk Shenmu glared and said, "You are defeated. Don't say much. If you don't accept it, let's fight again." Wu Mu Zhenjun had no way to deal with this hundred-year-old naughty boy. He nodded and agreed, "Okay, okay, I'll listen to you." Wu Mu Zhenjun represented Shangqing Palace. Once he expressed his position, others had nothing to say. Wu Qingyang had a unique vision and saw that the swordsmanship of Baoding Taoist was better than his father. It was reasonable to stop him, but his father had a bad temper and he couldn't stop it. He was secretly anxious. His father was arrogant. Once he was defeated in front of various masters, who knew what would happen. If it were in the past, he could ask Duan Qingxiao to come forward to rescue him. Now his father was quite dissatisfied with Duan Qingxiao, and no one could persuade him to come back.

The old manor owner was eager to take back the Ganlu sword, and urged the Taoist Baoding to leave. The Taoist Baoding was already obsessed with swordsmanship. It didn't matter who the opponent was, so he happily left. The two stood opposite each other. The old manor owner scolded and swung his sword straight, obviously showing his intention. The Taoist Baoding took advantage of the situation and did not take it hard. The sword tip was close to the opponent's sword and turned lightly, and turned to the side of the old manor owner. The sword tip was tilted and pointed directly at the opponent's empty door. Chang Xiao praised: "Good swordsmanship." Duan Qingxiao also saw that although the Taoist Baoding was not at the level of sword qi injuring people, his swordsmanship was superb. The old manor owner was impatient and would definitely lose. Wu Qingyang was anxious, but he didn't expect that the monk Shenmu would suddenly come out and promote this sword fight. The old manor owner was determined to get the Ganlu sword, and the opponent was a junior, so he couldn't lose this battle. Therefore, the sword moves came and went, covering the Taoist Baoding. On the other hand, the Taoist Baoding was extremely relaxed, like a carp playing in the water or a falcon spreading its wings. Anyone with a discerning eye could see who was better, but the old manor owner was extremely stubborn. After a long attack, he could not defeat the old manor owner. He shouted and took out a short sword from his arms. A cold light shot out, and the sword of the Taoist Baoding was instantly cut off. This move obviously violated the moral principles of the martial arts world, but the old manor owner did not care about much and wanted to take back the Ganlu sword no matter what. Seeing that the Taoist Baoding was bound to lose, the Taoist Baoding did not retreat from the circle. He turned his body sharply, brought up a strong wind, picked up the broken sword and continued to fight the enemy. His sword moves were unpredictable, and covered the old manor owner. The old manor owner was ashamed and angry. He could not win even with such means. This time, he was going to lose face. He had to grit his teeth and attack fiercely. It was really inappropriate for someone of such status to use a fighting style of mutual destruction. Taoist Baoding was obsessed with swordsmanship and rarely went out to the martial arts world. He didn't know much about martial arts. When he saw his opponent's weakness, he swung his sword without thinking. The cold sword tip instantly reached the old manor owner's throat. The old manor owner had no room to dodge and cried out inwardly: "My life is over."

The incident happened suddenly, and no one expected it. Just as the old manor owner was about to die, a black line suddenly flashed by. Taoist Baoding felt his wrist tremble, and the sword in his hand slipped out of his hand. He jumped out of the circle in shock. The old manor owner thought he was going to die, but suddenly he was out of danger and was at a loss. He was stunned. After a long pause, he stomped his feet and said, "Chang Xiao, I will never appreciate your kindness." He turned and left. Wu Qingyang was worried and followed him. The monk Shenmu kept scratching his face: "You are so old and still playing tricks. Don't you have shame." Fortunately, the old manor owner didn't hear it. If he stayed there, he would have committed suicide. The winner was decided. Chang Xiao was quite relieved and said loudly: "Everyone, the Ganlu sword has been buried for many years and has lost its sharpness. This Ganlu Conference is to find a suitable owner for this rare sword. Huashan Sect's Baoding Zhenren has excellent swordsmanship, so he can naturally get the Ganlu sword." No one else had any objections, but they were a little surprised by the result. They didn't expect Huashan Sect to have the last laugh. Taoist Baoding walked straight to the sword boy and solemnly took the sandalwood box with mixed feelings. Monk Shenmu shouted, "Hey, let's see what the sword looks like. It's not in vain." Monk Shenmu was a senior master of the Emei Sect, and his words were very important. True Man Chixia ordered, "Baoding, take out the sword and let all the fellow Taoists see it." To everyone's surprise, Taoist Baoding shook his head and said, "It's unlucky to leave a magic weapon without it." True Man Chixia was stunned. He didn't expect that this nephew didn't even listen to him. True Lord Wumu heard the meaning of the words and smiled, "This fellow Taoist Baoding is not unwilling to show the sword, but to challenge a master present." True Man Chixia was quite surprised. It was too hasty to establish his authority just after getting the sword. Taoist Baoding bowed to Master Wumu and said, "Senior, I really want to challenge a master." Master Chixia asked, "Which one?" Master Baoding turned around, his eyes gleaming with brilliance, and said word by word, "Since I learned sword, I have regarded sword as my life. Today, someone knocked the sword out of my hand, which shows that there are people better than you. I am not talented, so I will challenge the Lord of the Never-Night City with the Ganlu Sword." As soon as these words came out, everyone was shocked. Without Chang Xiao's generosity, there would be no Ganlu Sword, let alone the Ganlu Conference. No one had ever thought that Taoist Baoding would challenge Chang Xiao as soon as he got the sword.

Everyone knows Chang Xiao's martial arts, but his temperament has changed drastically in recent years. Challenging him is almost like seeking death. Everyone is waiting to see Chang Xiao's attitude. Wanqi Song quietly asked Duan Qingxiao: "Master, what does this Taoist Baoding mean? If they really fight, will Chang Xiao show mercy?" Duan Qingxiao sighed and said: "Taoist Baoding thinks highly of himself. On the one hand, he is upset that his sword was knocked down by Chang Xiao. On the other hand, he has obtained the Ganlu Sword, which has doubled the power of his swordsmanship and has given him confidence in himself." Zhong Wanshan came over and said: "Master, I think this Taoist Baoding is somewhat similar to the Taoist Zuixia who came to challenge him." Duan Qingxiao praised: "Good eyesight, Taoist Baoding's idea is exactly the same as Taoist Zuixia's. Unfortunately, the result was the same. Originally, the master had hoped that he could surpass Chang Xiao in the future, but now it seems impossible. In today's battle, Chang Xiao will definitely not kill him, but Taoist Baoding is defeated now and has no chance to turn things around, and is destined to be unable to surpass Chang Xiao. "Wanqi Song said: "Since you know the result, why don't you stop Taoist Baoding from challenging?" Duan Qingxiao shook his head: "Don't you see that he doesn't even listen to Chi Xia's words? What can the master do? On the other hand, if Chang Xiao doesn't accept the challenge, he will not be Chang Xiao. A martial artist cannot refuse even if he knows he will die. "I would never challenge him, not to mention the famous Lord of the Never-Sleeping City. You have also seen how the Taoist Zuixia bravely went to his death. That is the true spirit of a warrior." Wanqi Song nodded: "It seems that Chang Xiao will still be the master of the martial arts world in the future." Others were talking about it. Chang Xiao thought for a moment and said: "I have a few words of advice. It is understandable that the Taoist has gained confidence when he first got the sword, but it is a bit too much to challenge him face to face. People who learn martial arts should avoid being impatient. If the Taoist really wants to challenge you, you can change the time and place. I will definitely accompany you." The Taoist Baoding got the Ganlu sword and believed Chang Xiao was so angry that he refused to listen to other people's advice and insisted, "Since today is the Ganlu Conference, we must let all fellow Taoists see the Ganlu Sword. I think that only the city lord's dragon scale sword can compare with the Ganlu Sword." The monk Shenmu looked down on the attitude of Taoist Baoding, and ran to Chang Xiao and encouraged him, "It's the bull nose that wants to be hit, what are you afraid of? Let him suffer a little, and I will be ashamed if you don't hit him." Chang Xiao sighed, "I thought that holding the Ganlu Conference would comfort the spirit of Zuixia Zhenren in heaven, but something like this happened, and I am in a dilemma."

Chapter 110: Divine Skills

Taoist Baoding challenged Chang Xiao to a duel, and Chang Xiao had no choice but to accept the challenge. All the masters wanted to see the ultimate swordsmanship of the Lord of the Never-Sleeping City, and they stared at him intently, as it would be a pity to miss a single move. The Dragon King of the South China Sea specially called Yan Nanlou to his side to give him pointers at any time. Wei Heyang secretly felt lucky that he did not follow his master and leave. He would regret missing this competition for the rest of his life. Duan Xiyun and Yin Tianlei sat side by side. They had traveled for a long time, met many masters, and learned many tricks. Today, they took this opportunity to make a summary, and they were quite excited. Since Duan Qingxiao understood the truth, Chang Xiao naturally knew it too, but there was no way out, so he could only accept the challenge. Taoist Baoding opened the wooden box and took out the sword, solemnly carrying it behind his back. The person in front of him was the famous Lord of the Never-Sleeping City. Even masters like Wu Mu Zhenjun admitted that they were not as good as him, which showed how powerful this person was. Chang Xiao felt pity in his heart and wanted to leave some room for maneuver. He thought to himself that the Ganlu sword was unparalleled in the world and the Taoist Baoding was superb in swordsmanship. If he was a little careless, he would inevitably die, and all his previous efforts would be in vain. Since he was an opponent, he could not show mercy. A slight hesitation when making a move would reveal a flaw. He made up his mind to leave and stood proudly in the middle, as unmoved as a mountain. Yu Hudie was not worried at all. Her husband was an unparalleled hero in the world and would never lose. Taoist Baoding felt the strong pressure from his opponent, his face was solemn, and he stared at Chang Xiao's eyes. Although neither of them took action, they had already started an invisible confrontation. At present, it seemed that no one had the upper hand. Taoist Baoding had practiced Taoism for many years, so his concentration was naturally great. After thousands of trials and tribulations, Chang Xiao was as steady as a mountain. The two of them confronted each other for half an hour without moving. The masters watching the battle stared at them with their eyes fixed. This confrontation would surely make a sensation in the world and could not be missed at all. The red sun gradually moved to the top of his head. The shoulders of the Taoist priest Baoding shook slightly, and the Ganlu sword behind him jumped out of its sheath, emitting a colorful light in the sunlight. At this moment, he suddenly felt a chill, and a cold light was less than a foot away from his neck. The Taoist priest Baoding turned around and slid out in shock, reaching out to grab the sword to prepare for the enemy, but the cold light followed him like a shadow, and he had no chance to grasp the hilt of the sword. The Taoist priest Baoding never expected that his opponent could launch an attack in such a short moment, and he was already at a disadvantage before he could make a single move, and had no power to fight back. In desperation, he used all his strength, and finally freed his hand to grasp the hilt of the sword, but before he could rejoice, he froze in the place, and the Dragon Scale Sword had already stopped at his neck. In full view of everyone, the Taoist priest Baoding was defeated without making a single move.

Such a confrontation stunned most of the masters who were watching. They had heard that Chang Xiao was fast in using his sword, but they had never thought that he could be so fast. Chang Xiao put away his sword and returned to his seat. At this time, saying words of comfort would be tantamount to mocking his opponent, so it was better not to say anything. True Man Chixia stepped forward and pulled Taoist Baoding back to his side to comfort him. Taoist Baoding looked wooden and said nothing. Most people were very surprised. Chang Xiao's swordsmanship was indeed incredible. The monk Shenmu shouted, "Why are you so anxious? Can't you fight for a while longer? It's not enough to watch, it's boring." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "When you are in the martial arts world, you must never underestimate your opponent. No matter who the opponent is, I will go all out." Duan Qingxiao praised, "Brother, what you said is right. When competing, only by completely leaving your identity, status, and family affection behind can you fully exert your martial arts. This is a necessary condition for becoming a master." The monk Shenmu was carefree and felt that it would be boring to end like this, so he shouted, "Let me see you two fight." Chang Xiao and Duan Qingxiao smiled at each other. Everyone knew that these two top swordsmen would compete sooner or later, but it was impossible today, and it was impossible for them to fight for such a ridiculous reason. The monk Shenmu also understood that these two people would not be able to be dispatched at will. He thought of an idea and jumped to the center and shouted, "Wu Mu, let's have a fight." Wu Mu Zhenjun smiled and said, "The Lord of the Never-Sleeping City has superb swordsmanship. Why should you and I show off? Now that the Ganlu Sword has a master, the Ganlu Conference can also be over." As soon as he spoke, all the masters stood up and left. The monk Shenmu was not satisfied yet, and pointed and said, "Wu Mu, I will go to Shangqing Palace to settle the score later." Wu Mu Zhenjun smiled and said, "Come if you want. I welcome you." The monk Shenmu could do nothing.

All the masters left. No matter what, the Ganlu sword fell into the Huashan Sect, and the people of Huashan were naturally happy. Baoding Taoist was unhappy. Chang Xiao's swordsmanship had been deeply imprinted in his mind. He came to a conclusion in his heart that Chang Xiao was not a human being, and no one could practice such swordsmanship. Even if he was a human being at ordinary times, he changed when he used swordsmanship, becoming like a devil. Chang Xiao also made arrangements to turn around. Yin Tianlei and Duan Xiyun came to greet him, and then left without meeting Duan Qingxiao. Wei Heyang came with his wife and exclaimed: "I have practiced martial arts for many years, and today I have finally seen a real master. In comparison, my two tricks are really not worth mentioning." Princess Rose recalled and laughed: "It's ridiculous that I was self-righteous and thought that my kung fu was pretty good. I only understood what a top master is when I saw the city lord's swordsmanship." Chang Xiao comforted him, and the couple returned to Wuling Mountain. Duan Qingxiao led his disciples over, Chang Xiao stood up to greet him, Duan Qingxiao smiled bitterly and said, "I really never thought that my brother would be in the same situation as me. Baoding finally lost his patience. Once I retire, my brother will become a god on the top of the mountain. Although that kind of life is glorious, it is not easy." Chang Xiao nodded, "How could I have thought about that kind of life? It is really forced by the situation. I hope Baoding can forget today's defeat and become the real number one swordsman." Duan Qingxiao shook his head, "Baoding is not as free and easy as Zuixia. It is impossible for him to forget today's defeat. Even if he gets the Ganlu sword, it is impossible for him to surpass Zuixia. Don't count on it. Speaking of which, you are much luckier than me. You have the most beautiful woman, the most divine horse, and the unique sword-riding skills that allow you to travel freely in famous mountains and rivers. Such a life is happier than that of a god." Chang Xiao sighed, "Today's glory is certainly envied by many people, but how many people know the hardships behind it?" Duan Qingxiao could fully understand. The Ganlu Conference was over, and Duan Qingxiao led his disciples to say goodbye and leave. The monk Shenmu ran away again, and Chang Xiao and Yu Hudie also set out to return. Although the Taoist Baoding got the Ganlu Sword and became the first swordsman of the new generation, Chang Xiao was not happy. Duan Qingxiao was old, and the defeat of the Taoist Baoding by him would be a shadow that would accompany him for the rest of his life. It seemed that he was destined to have no equal opponent in the future.

Wei Heyang and his wife returned to Wuling Mountain. They had gained a lot from participating in the Ganlu Conference. The couple set up a banquet and talked enthusiastically. Suddenly, someone handed in a name card. Wei Heyang was stunned when he saw the seal on the name card and blurted out, "Strange, why is he here?" Princess Rose asked, "Who is coming?" Wei Heyang handed over the name card. Princess Rose was also stunned after seeing it and asked, "Do you want to welcome him?" Wei Heyang shook his head and said, "It's better not to make it public. You stay here and I'll go out." So he got up and changed his clothes. After a while, he walked in side by side with a scholar. Princess Rose asked the attendants to put the wine and food on the table again, sent the servants out, stood up and saluted, and said, "Your Majesty." It turned out that this scholar was the current emperor, Princess Rose's brother. The emperor was very friendly and helped her, saying, "Sister, don't be polite. There are no outsiders here." After sitting down, Wei Heyang asked, "What happened?" The emperor smiled and said, "Brother-in-law, don't worry. It's nothing. Since the promotion of Zheng Dongling, the court has changed its appearance and all government affairs are in order." Wei Heyang nodded. It seems that the emperor came to relax. Princess Rose asked, "Your Majesty is going to Jiangnan to relax. Why are you traveling so lightly without any ceremonial guards?" The emperor blushed slightly and said, "Sister, don't laugh at me. I came to Jiangnan not to relax, but for a woman. Naturally, it's not good to make a big fuss." Wei Heyang was amused. It turned out to be for a beauty. No wonder it was so secretive. After several twists and turns, Princess Rose no longer had any hope for this brother. Family affection was worthless compared to power. She said calmly, "The palace is full of beauties from all over the country. What kind of beauty is worthy of your majesty to come to Jiangnan in person?" The emperor knew that the knot in the past was not so easy to untie, and sighed, "When I ascended the throne, I was too proud and did whatever I wanted, and almost made a big mistake. I don't blame my sister for hating me." Wei Heyang knew that the emperor's words and deeds affected the people of the world, and he couldn't fall out with the court for personal grudges, so he changed the subject: "If there is a beauty in Jiangnan, it only takes an imperial edict to let the local officials send her to the capital. Why does your majesty have to come in person?" The emperor shook his head slightly: "This beauty is extraordinary, and the local officials are powerless." Princess Rose also felt strange: "Who is she? Even the government can't afford to offend her?" The emperor said solemnly: "It's the world-famous first beauty Jade Butterfly."

Hearing this, Wei Heyang and Princess Rose looked at each other. The emperor was actually obsessed with Jade Butterfly. Now everyone in the world knows that Jade Butterfly is indeed incomparable in beauty, but Chang Xiao, the Lord of the Never-Night City, must not be provoked. No matter how beautiful the beauty is, he must save her life. Princess Rose nodded slightly: "Jade Butterfly is indeed infatuated with everyone. She is the most beautiful beauty in the world." Wei Heyang asked: "When has your majesty seen Jade Butterfly?" The emperor sighed: "I have never seen Jade Butterfly, I have only seen a portrait. To be honest with my sister, brother-in-law, I have really put in some effort for this beauty, but the Lord of the Never-Night City is really hard to deal with." Wei Heyang nodded: "The Lord of the Never-Night City is not only superb in swordsmanship, but also has powerful power. The government is really powerless." The emperor was concerned about the beauty and asked: "Brother-in-law is a brave man, can you help me?" Wei Heyang understood that if he directly refused, it would definitely cause dissatisfaction in the emperor. After thinking for a moment, he had an idea and invited the emperor to the parade building of the martial arts field. The emperor did not understand what he meant, so he went upstairs and sat down. Wei Heyang passed down his order, and the soldiers moved eight huge stones and placed them on all sides. Wei Heyang pointed to the huge stone below and said, "Your Majesty, please look, this is an extremely hard Taihu stone. It is rare for you to come in person. I am so humble and would like to ask Your Majesty to take a look at my martial arts." The emperor was asking for help, so of course he was very polite: "I just want to see my brother-in-law's magical skills." Wei Heyang floated downstairs, reached out and picked up the giant sword, and shouted. The giant sword struck out, and a corner of a huge stone was cut off. The emperor applauded. Wei Heyang unfolded his body skills. When the giant sword was swung, the Taihu stone was like tofu, and the sword opened the stone. After a while, Wei Heyang shouted, and the giant sword broke through the air, making a sharp whistling sound, followed by a loud bang. The eight Taihu stones shattered in an instant, leaving only a mess on the ground. The emperor opened his mouth and could not speak. Is Wei Heyang a man or a god? How can a mortal have such powerful power?

After Wei Heyang went upstairs, the emperor sighed: "Brother-in-law's magic sword is invincible, I have no worries about half of Jiangnan." Wei Heyang did not comment, and after sitting down, he said: "Your Majesty, I am not showing off my martial arts, but I want to let Your Majesty know that the martial arts of the Lord of Never Night City are far superior to mine." Of course, the emperor did not believe it: "Impossible, such martial arts can be called unparalleled in the world." Wei Heyang smiled: "Your Majesty, my teacher is a first-class swordsman in the world, and he has a good relationship with the Lord of Never Night City. I have also received the assistance of the Lord of Never Night City and have been to Never Night City several times. As a warrior, no one wants to be inferior to others, but the gap is there, and you can't deny it. A few days ago, I was fooled at the Ganlu Conference. Today, martial arts masters have gathered together, and I am fortunate to participate. Among the many masters, I am really nothing. But the Lord of the Never-Night City is the best, and only the master of the Divine Sword Sect, Duan Qingxiao, can compete with him. The Taoist Baoding of the Huashan School has outstanding swordsmanship, surpassing all the heroes, becoming the first swordsman. After obtaining the Ganlu Sword, he immediately challenged the Lord of the Never-Night City, but was defeated before he made a single move. The martial arts of the Lord of the Never-Night City can be seen. "The emperor believed it a little and murmured, "There are such people in the world." Princess Rose persuaded, "Your Majesty, the Lord of the Never-Night City is not only a top martial arts master, but also has strong financial and human resources. He is almost omnipotent and must not be provoked." The emperor thought about it and still couldn't let go of the beauty. Wei Heyang had to tell everything and told him in detail how Chang Xiao helped him rescue 30,000 soldiers from the Weihe Camp. The emperor realized the horror of this Lord of the Never-Night City and felt half disappointed. After thinking for a long time, she proposed to ask Wei Heyang to find a way to see the Jade Butterfly in person, so that the trip would not be in vain. Wei Heyang thought about it for a long time and nodded in agreement. This request was not excessive. Princess Rose was worried that the emperor would have evil thoughts again after seeing the Jade Butterfly, but Wei Heyang disagreed. In front of Chang Xiao, no one could resist his sweeping momentum.

To see Jade Butterfly, you must first go to the Never-Sleeping City. You must find an excuse. After a long discussion, Princess Rose took out the crystal lamps from the treasury, and added twelve palace lanterns made by the royal family as gifts, saying that they were recently given by the emperor to add color to the Never-Sleeping City. In addition, she selected some rare jewelry and perfume powder sent from Persia for Jade Butterfly. She used this excuse to visit the Never-Sleeping City and asked the emperor to go with her. Maybe she could see Jade Butterfly. The emperor was willing to condescend for the beauty and promised. After everything was ready, they set off. The emperor changed into ordinary clothes and said that he was Wei Heyang's brother. The Never-Sleeping City was still very peaceful at this time. After Chang Xiao and Jade Butterfly came back, they paid attention to the movements of the martial arts world. The Taoist Baoding of Huashan Sect got the Ganlu Sword, which would definitely affect the situation of the martial arts world. As expected, many sects showed goodwill to Huashan Sect, and some simply joined Huashan Sect, while Taoist Baoding practiced hard in seclusion. Chang Xiao knew that Taoist Baoding had a very high opinion of himself, and he would certainly not be willing to accept defeat, so it was reasonable for him to put aside all the hardships and make corrections. At this time, someone sent a message that Princess Yueying wanted to come back and stay for a few days. Others were not capable of climbing the cliff, so Chang Xiao simply took Hanmei, Xianglan and the other four sisters to live in the Never-Sleeping City for a while. It was naturally lively when six beauties gathered together. Every day they drank and sang in the hall, rehearsed songs and dances, and it was even more lively at night when the lights were all on. When Wei Heyang and his wife arrived, there was singing and dancing in the hall. Chang Xiao felt strange. The couple had a noble status, but they could not show it in the Never-Sleeping City. It was inevitable that they felt uncomfortable and would not visit without important matters. Anyway, they were not outsiders, so he ordered people to invite them directly to the hall. Although Wei Heyang was the King of Wuling, he had to put away his airs in the Never-Sleeping City. It was not easy to be invited directly to the hall. The emperor was extremely shocked to see such a large castle. He did not expect that the Lord of the Never-Sleeping City could have such a big hand. The three of them came to the hall, where there was singing and dancing. Because of the guests, Jade Butterfly and Princess Yueying sat next to Chang Xiao. Wei Heyang came forward to greet him, and Chang Xiao nodded slightly: "We are not outsiders, sit down and talk." Wei Heyang nodded, and sat down with his wife. The emperor sat next to Wei Heyang and observed carefully. When he saw Chang Xiao first, he actually felt a sense of fear in his heart, as if he had come to a temple and saw a god.

Chapter 111: The King is Stunned

The emperor came to Jiangnan for the beauty, and finally had the opportunity to see the famous Jade Butterfly in person. He was attracted by Chang Xiao's aura, which was beyond his expectation. He had already determined in his heart that this person was not an ordinary person, and there was nothing in the world that could stump him. Wei Heyang mentioned it in his words, but Chang Xiao didn't take it to heart at all. The emperor was just an ordinary citizen in ordinary clothes, which was nothing special. Princess Rose was quite envious of the dancing of the four sisters Hanmei and Xianglan. Princess Yueying smiled and said, "It's not easy to see the royal princess. Sisters, show your real skills to help." Hanmei said, "The royal princess has arrived, and Princess Tianzhu can't be idle." Princess Yueying shook her head, "With the world's most beautiful woman here, I dare not show my ugliness." Chang Xiao was very excited and encouraged, "Butterfly, you sisters, just have fun together." Jade Butterfly stood up with a smile, and the emperor noticed it. His eyes were immediately straight. There was such a beautiful woman in the world. Although the portrait was vivid, it was not as good as the real person. He froze there for a while. Chang Xiao didn't take it to heart. There were many such looks at the Beauty Party. At least ninety out of a hundred men would show such an expression when they saw Jade Butterfly. Wei Heyang explained his purpose. Chang Xiao knew that Wei Heyang was not here to give gifts. It was probably related to that young man. He didn't ask any questions. He just told people to accept the gifts, hang them up, and light them in the evening to make everyone happy. Wei Heyang knew that he was not worthy of discussing martial arts with Chang Xiao, so he mentioned the current government affairs. Chang Xiao smiled and said, "I didn't care about the affairs of the court. I heard that the atmosphere in the court and the country has changed, and the people have gained some benefits, so they pay a little attention. It turns out that the new prime minister is Zheng Dongling. This person is a rare good official. The emperor has vision to promote him." Wei Heyang was a little surprised: "From the tone of the city lord, it seems that he knows Zheng Dongling." Chang Xiao nodded slightly: "I have met him twice. The first time we met he was still a commoner. The second time was when the Japanese pirates were in chaos. He was already a fifth-rank academician. Now he is the prime minister. It can be said that God has opened his eyes." Wei Heyang was puzzled. It was incredible that Chang Xiao had contacts with the prime minister of the dynasty.

Although Jade Butterfly's dancing is not as good as that of the Hanmei sisters, she is the protagonist with her peerless beauty. Princess Yueying can only serve as a foil. Although Princess Rose lives a life of luxury and takes good care of herself, she is not as radiant as these six people. She is very envious and wants to ask for advice on how to maintain her beauty. The emperor's attention is all on the beauties. In comparison, the six beauties in the harem are not worth mentioning at all. After singing and dancing for a long time, the six beauties wanted to rest in the back. Princess Rose proposed to have a heart-to-heart talk with the six people. They were naturally happy to have more female companions, and the seven people jokingly went to rest in the back. The emperor finally came to his senses at this time. Wei Heyang and Chang Xiao talked mostly about historical facts. The emperor naturally knew a lot about the gains and losses of famous generals in ancient and modern times, and occasionally interjected a few words. Soon the topic turned to the emperors of ancient and modern times, and the emperor spoke his mind: "In fact, it is not easy to be an emperor." Chang Xiao shook his head: "Everyone can be an emperor, what's so difficult about it? When Ru Ziying sat on the throne, didn't all the civil and military officials cheer for him?" Wei Heyang explained: "It is easy to be a tyrant or a puppet emperor, but it is difficult to be a wise emperor." Chang Xiao smiled and said: "It depends on the person. If you have real talent and knowledge and a broad mind, it is not difficult to be a wise emperor. Li Shimin is an example. Although thousands of years have passed, the prosperous Zhenguan era is still praised by people. If you lack talent and strategy and are short-sighted, it is certainly not easy to be a wise emperor. The same is true in the martial arts world. Even if a person with poor martial arts skills becomes the leader, he will not last long." The emperor agreed deeply. Since he ascended the throne, he has encountered obstacles in everything. He often feels that he lacks talent and strategy, and always regrets that he did not work harder. Wei Heyang took the opportunity to wake up the emperor to realize his shortcomings, but he kept a sense of propriety between his words so as not to embarrass the emperor. Chang Xiao had no scruples and said whatever he thought. The emperor knew that there were many people who were better than him among the civil and military officials and royal relatives in the court. Any one of them could be the emperor if he put on the dragon robe, but there was only one Lord of the Never-Sleeping City and no one could replace him. Therefore, he humbly asked for advice and completely put down his airs. He asked, "What should be done if a person with insufficient talent becomes the emperor?" Chang Xiao smiled and said, "First, be humble. Don't express your opinions easily when encountering major events. Consider the various opinions of the ministers carefully before making a decision. Doing so can not only avoid delays but also give people a sense of secrecy." The emperor nodded repeatedly, "That's right, that's right." Chang Xiao was a little puzzled. What did these things have to do with him?

The emperor was intimidated by Chang Xiao's aura. Although he saw the Jade Butterfly, he lost his desire to possess her. Only the Lord of the Never-Night City was worthy of this beauty. Only in front of Chang Xiao could the emperor listen to his opinions seriously. This person was too powerful. After listening to the first and asking the second, Chang Xiao just answered casually and didn't take it to heart: "The second is to discover talents and use talents. One person's strength is limited. It takes many people to work together to deal with national affairs." The emperor nodded repeatedly and asked, "What is the third?" Chang Xiao smiled and said, "There is no third or fourth. I just said it casually. The principle of governing a country is the same as that of governing an army. In the military, military orders are as strong as mountains and military laws are ruthless. Those who are hated must be rewarded for their merits, and those who are liked must be punished for their mistakes. Military laws in the army are like the laws of the country. The king cannot enforce the law with personal likes and dislikes. The foundation of the country is not the officials but the people. As long as the king truly understands the sufferings of the people and thinks about the people everywhere, the country will naturally be stable." The emperor has heard these principles, but he has never taken them to heart. Even the teachers who teach and impart knowledge are also ministers, so their words naturally have no weight. Now in front of Chang Xiao, the previous sense of superiority was swept away, and only then could he listen to opinions seriously. Wei Heyang secretly rejoiced that this trip was not in vain, and seeing the emperor's attitude did gain something. Chang Xiao had guessed that Wei Heyang came here most likely to let this young man see Jade Butterfly. If it was in the past, he would have found out long ago. The current situation has changed a lot, and all attention is on Duan Qingxiao. There is no need to worry about these things. The three of them drank and talked, and unknowingly it was getting late. Chang Xiao ordered people to light the lights, and soon countless lanterns were lit inside and outside the Never-Sleeping City, and the hall was also brightly lit. Princess Rose, Jade Butterfly, Princess Moon Shadow and others came to the hall to watch the lights and fireworks. The emperor sighed in his heart that Chang Xiao and Jade Butterfly were not mortals, but gods in heaven, and he no longer had any wishful thinking in his heart. The lights in the City That Never Sleeps lit up instantly, and the emperor was surprised and said, "So many lights lit up at once, why can't I see anyone lighting the lights?" Wei Heyang smiled and said, "There are many hidden talents in the City That Never Sleeps, and there are many experts. It is too easy to light the lights." Chang Xiao nodded and said, "There are only four people lighting the lights, they just have faster movements." The emperor was completely convinced.

Looking at the beauty under the lamp, it adds a bit of color. The emperor is intoxicated and wishes to stay in the city that never sleeps. Facing such a beauty every day, it doesn't matter if the emperor doesn't do it. Chang Xiao smiled and said to Wei Heyang: "The new tactics tested in Wuling Mountain are really good. They should be extended to the whole army. I think this tactic can not only defend but also attack, and can also survive the rapids." Wei Heyang was indeed practicing the new tactics. This was a secret in the army. Others could not know it. Chang Xiao had a lot of hands and eyes, so it was not surprising to know about this, so he asked for details. It turned out that Wei Heyang designed a new shield, which was square in the middle, triangular above and below, and hooks were installed on the corners. It can be connected together for infantry use. Once encountering cavalry, it can be connected to form a shield wall to block the opponent's attack. Chang Xiao meant to make a large number of shields, stack them up layer by layer, which can be used as a ladder to attack the city, or as a bridge to cross the river. Wei Heyang was overjoyed and thanked him again and again. The emperor didn't hear what they said at all. He stared at Yudie, causing Hanmei and Xianglan sisters to laugh. The emperor didn't care at all. It would be good to take one more look. Wei Heyang and Chang Xiao studied new tactics and benefited a lot. There was no need to thank him. Without Chang Xiao's generosity, there would be no King Wuling today. Such a great favor cannot be settled with verbal thanks. Fireworks were launched into the sky, and colorful lights shone. Yu Hudie talked and laughed with her female companion, her clothes fluttering, as if Chang'e from the Moon Palace had come down to earth. The emperor was more and more convinced that this person must be a fairy from heaven, and a mortal like himself was not worthy of her. At midnight, Yu Hudie felt a little tired and went back to rest. She was so weak while walking that the emperor was fascinated by her and couldn't recover for a long time. Chang Xiao laughed in his heart. It was normal for young people to see Yu Hudie with such an expression. In the past, the emperor would be very sleepy at three o'clock in the morning when reviewing memorials, but now he is in very good spirits. He still didn't feel sleepy until dawn, and he hoped to see Yu Hudie again. Wei Heyang was ready to say goodbye, but the emperor refused to move. Chang Xiao smiled and said, "It seems that your brother still wants to see Jade Butterfly." The emperor blushed and lowered his head. Chang Xiao ordered someone to ask Jade Butterfly to come out and see him off. After a while, Jade Butterfly arrived. Although the emperor felt embarrassed, he still couldn't bear to leave the beauty. He looked at her for a while before he was satisfied and said goodbye and left.

Chang Xiao didn't take it seriously. Jade Butterfly was a beautiful woman, and there were so many people who missed her. The emperor was distracted on the road, and his mind was full of the shadow of Jade Butterfly. He came back to his senses when he arrived at the palace in Wuling Mountain. Princess Rose asked, "Are you satisfied with your trip to the city that never sleeps?" The emperor cleared his mind and replied, "Chang Xiao and Jade Butterfly are not mortals, but gods in heaven. It's lucky to see them." Wei Heyang probed, "Your Majesty doesn't want Jade Butterfly anymore?" The emperor shook his head, "If it weren't for Chang Xiao, I would definitely not change my infatuation, but after seeing Chang Xiao, I already understand that no one in the world can take Jade Butterfly away from him." Princess Rose secretly admired her husband's calculations. Sure enough, the emperor changed his mind when he saw Chang Xiao. Since he came to Wuling Mountain, Wei Heyang asked the emperor to review the troops and take a look at his 30,000 soldiers. After resting, the emperor came to the parade ground without revealing his identity. Wei Heyang ordered the soldiers to train in order. The emperor also inspected the imperial guards in the capital. When he saw the elite soldiers under Wei Heyang, he realized that the imperial guards in the capital were far from being his enemy. He felt that this trip to Jiangnan had benefited a lot. Wei Heyang mentioned that the prime minister Zheng Dongling had had contact with Chang Xiao. The emperor remembered it and planned to ask about it carefully after returning to Beijing. As the emperor, he certainly couldn't stay in Jiangnan for a long time. Wei Heyang sent someone to escort him and the emperor returned to Beijing by water. After returning to the palace, he first summoned Zheng Dongling to ask about government affairs and then mentioned Chang Xiao. Zheng Dongling didn't know Chang Xiao's name. After asking in detail, he realized that Chang Xiao was the strange man who helped him twice. So he told the emperor in detail how he met Chang Xiao. The emperor had a better understanding of Chang Xiao and told Zheng Dongling to send someone to investigate Chang Xiao's life. This person was too important, and the more he knew, the better.

After the Ganlu Conference, everyone in the martial arts world recognized Chang Xiao's attitude. The only target of the Never-Sleeping City is Duan Qingxiao, and others are not qualified at all. Moreover, Chang Xiao intends to cultivate the younger generation and will not ask about the affairs of various factions. Therefore, each of them goes his own way. Tongtianbao, Beggar Gang, Wanxiantang, Qi Shizhen and even the fleet of Yannanlou in Nanhai all develop on their own. The most relaxed ones are Duan Xiyun and Yin Tianlei. The two of them travel everywhere, enjoying fine wine and delicacies while studying martial arts. Duan Qingxiao has seen it through. Whether Duan Xiyun is the leader of the Divine Sword Sect or not, he can gain a foothold in the martial arts world, so he doesn't need to worry about it. Therefore, he decided to hand over the position of the leader to Zhong Wanshan, and fully prepare for the decisive battle with Chang Xiao. As for the many masters under his control, Zhong Wanshan is not capable of taking over. In the world, only Chang Xiao can grasp the overall situation except himself. Tang Shiyu knows Duan Qingxiao's thoughts. No matter the outcome of the decisive battle, Duan Qingxiao will not be nostalgic for the martial arts world. In the future, the martial arts world will be dominated by the Never-Sleeping City. Through various channels, we learned that the emperor had gone to great lengths for the beauty Jade Butterfly and even came to Jiangnan in person. We were worried at first, but later we were relieved when we learned that the emperor had arrived at Wuling Mountain. Wei Heyang was experienced and could not make mistakes. As expected, the emperor changed his mind after arriving in the Never-Sleeping City. After returning to the capital, he reorganized the government, was pragmatic in government affairs, and did a lot of good things for the people. In view of the stable situation, Tang Shiyu was also ready to withdraw and find a quiet place to enjoy the rest of his life. The Taoist Baoding of Huashan obtained the Ganlu Sword and has become the number one swordsman in the world. The status of the Huashan School has been improved a lot. However, from all aspects, no matter how hard the Taoist Baoding tried, he could not compete with Chang Xiao. The Wuling Villa and the Fire God Palace, which were once glorious, have declined. Although there are external factors, the main reason is still internal, and it is not the fault of others. The old owner of the Wuling Villa was calculative, and Gao Zhen of the Fire God Palace was narrow-minded, and it was difficult to recover.

The old manor owner lost face at the Ganlu Conference. Wu Qingyang felt embarrassed and tried to persuade him. The old manor owner was still angry. The Ganlu Sword was extremely important. Of course, he would not accept it if it was lost, especially when it was lost in Chang Xiao's hands. He could not tolerate this. But it was not so easy to vent his anger. The Never-Sleeping City was in its heyday. Chang Xiao's reputation, power, and martial arts had reached their peak. The power of Wuling Villa could not compete with him at all. The old manor owner understood that Duan Qingxiao was no longer reliable. If he wanted revenge, he could only rely on himself. However, he was already in his twilight years and it was impossible for him to make a major breakthrough in martial arts. His only hope was Wu Qingyang. However, Wu Qingyang had no intention of being an enemy of Chang Xiao, so the father and son could never agree. To practice superior martial arts, one must first eliminate distracting thoughts and enter a state of forgetting oneself and the world. However, the old manor owner attached too much importance to gains and losses. Instead of improving his martial arts, his martial arts were not as good as before. Wu Qingyang tried to persuade the old manor owner for a long time, but the old manor owner just wouldn't listen. In desperation, Wu Qingyang promised his father to take over Wuling Villa again and hold a grand ceremony. If he could get a response from all parties, it would prove that he was on the right path and that traveling in the world did not necessarily rely entirely on martial arts. The old manor owner reluctantly agreed. Wu Qingyang had been in the world for many years, punishing evil and helping the poor. His reputation had long surpassed Wuling Villa. Although he did not have a strong force or huge property, he had accumulated intangible wealth. Wu Qingyang and his father returned to Wuling Villa and released the news, which soon received a response. The four famous martial arts families heard the news and were ready to come to congratulate. Then the news came that the master of the Divine Sword Sect, Duan Qingxiao, and the master of the Never-Night City, Chang Xiao, jointly issued a martial arts post, inviting all parties to participate in the event. When these two people came forward, people from all walks of life prepared gifts. The previously unknown Wuling Villa suddenly became a hot spot because of Wu Qingyang. Chang Xiao specially sent someone to deliver a letter, saying that Master Baekje, Wu Mu Zhenjun, and Shen Mu Bhikkhu would also come to Wu Ling Mountain Villa to congratulate. The old owner was surprised and happy. When Chang Xiao returned to the martial arts world, there were not so many masters to congratulate him. Because of Chang Xiao, the leader of the Beggars' Sect, Zi Yungu, Elder Jin Chan, Jiang Feiluan and Qi Shizhen of Tongtian Fort, Yan Nanlou of Nanhai, and even the retired Dragon King and his wife of Nanhai were all ready to go to congratulate him. This ceremony would become an unprecedented martial arts event.

Chapter 112 Grand Ceremony

Hearing that the master held a grand ceremony to take over Wuling Villa, Wei Heyang, as a disciple, naturally could not sit idle. If he went there as a martial artist, he would not be able to show his color in the presence of masters like Duan Qingxiao and Chang Xiao, so he simply went there as the King of Wuling. Princess Rose naturally went with him. The couple prepared precious gifts and set up a ceremonial guard to go by water, which alarmed many officials, who were busy welcoming and seeing him off. Wei Heyang was not only the King of Wuling, but also a general who commanded troops and was in charge of Jiangnan. He was extremely powerful and was the brother-in-law of the current emperor. Wherever the big ship went, the local officials received him wholeheartedly and tried to please him in every way. Wei Heyang never put on a show. This time, he went against his usual behavior mainly to strengthen the momentum of Wuling Villa, which really played a great effect. When the local officials of Wuling Villa heard that King Wuling was coming to congratulate them, they prepared to welcome him. First, they visited Wuling Villa and asked Wu Qingyang to say a few good words for them. It would be best if they could be transferred to Jiangnan to get a good job. Wu Qingyang also found it interesting that the officials who were usually very powerful were humble to a commoner. For a while, Wuling Villa was bustling with people coming and going. The old owner of the villa believed that his son was on the right path. It was far from enough to attract so many people to congratulate him with martial arts alone. His anger subsided a lot. Wu Qingyang had never expected that he had not even sent out a single invitation and had alarmed so many people. Hundreds of people had come before the day came, and more than half of them were from the government. Wu Qingyang understood the good intentions of his apprentice Wei Heyang, but the government officials could not sit together with the people of the martial arts world, so he arranged to entertain them separately. Fortunately, Wuling Villa was large enough with many houses, so it could handle it completely. As the King of Wuling, Wei Heyang was naturally headed by the officials. It was not easy to say about the people of the martial arts world. Duan Qingxiao and Chang Xiao were on par with each other. Although they both controlled powerful forces, they did not unify the martial arts world. Wu Qingyang judged that Chang Xiao had no ambition to unify the martial arts world. Duan Qingxiao had this plan when he returned to the martial arts world. Later, Chang Xiao's rapid rise made Duan Qingxiao change his mind and set his sights on the City That Never Sleeps. In view of the fact that Master Baekje and Wu Mu Zhenjun were coming, Wu Qingyang arranged these masters together, and the others would be easy to deal with.

This event caused a sensation in the martial arts world. Duan Xiyun and Yin Tianlei naturally heard about it. Wu Qingyang was well-known in the martial arts world and had a very good relationship with people. With the support of masters, this event was indeed unprecedented. The two discussed that there was no harm in joining in the fun. Now that Duan Xiyun knew that his grandfather had decided to let Zhong Wanshan take over as the leader of the sect, he had no scruples, so the two prepared to leave. Wu Qingyang was of course happy to know that the two elders from Shuijing had arrived, and he entertained them warmly. Duan Xiyun smiled and said, "Don't be so polite, master of the manor. We brothers are here as chefs and we didn't bring any gifts." Wu Qingyang shook his head, "You are too polite, my dear brother. My apprentice made a big show and alarmed the government. We have so many gifts that we can't put them all down before the ceremony even starts." Yin Tianlei nodded, "We have heard about Wei Heyang. This man is indeed talented. He sat on the throne based on his real ability. He deserves it." Wu Qingyang sighed lightly, "Speaking of which, I have to thank Chang Xiao. Without his help, there would be no King Wuling today. I originally planned to let my apprentice take over my role as a knight-errant in the world, but I never expected things to change so much." Duan Xiyun and Yin Tianlei didn't know about this. When Wu Qingyang told them about it, they were secretly surprised. The power of the City That Never Sleeps was indeed extraordinary, and Chang Xiao's generosity was really unimaginable. Duan Xiyun meant to find a way to hang out with masters like Master Baekje. Although their martial arts and reputation were naturally not as good as his, they both cooked well. Wu Qingyang considered it and agreed. The two immediately started to prepare the ingredients and made a table of exquisite vegetarian dishes to impress these masters. When they were busy, the most troublesome monk Shenmu ran in and regarded herself as the master. Wu Qingyang had no choice. This senior was of a very high status, but she was playful, so everything had to be left to her. Shenmu monk pointed fingers, and Duan Xiyun and Yin Tianlei had to make some delicious cakes to honor them. Shenmu monk certainly did not come for food and drink, but to join in the fun this time. She asked for a lot of cakes and candies, and two maids followed behind to bring them to her. Shenmu monk ate and gestured at the same time, and Wu Qingyang could only smile and listen. Shenmu monk ordered to hang up lights and decorations, prepare firecrackers, fireworks, and find some boys. Wu Qingyang secretly groaned, the gathering of martial artists was not a gathering for ordinary people to get married or to pass the imperial examination, so it was inappropriate to let a group of boys make trouble.

The old owner of the manor never expected that Wuling Villa, which had been silent for many years, would have such a glorious moment. He was very happy and did not care so much about the past. The Ganlu Sword is unparalleled in the world, but his swordsmanship is not worthy of it. Judging from the current situation, Wuling Villa can be famous even without the Ganlu Sword. Therefore, he was very tolerant to Monk Shenmu and let his son obey him. The status of Emei Sect in the martial arts world cannot be underestimated. Monk Shenmu is also a very famous master. There is no harm in obeying her. Therefore, Wu Qingyang listened to her and followed her advice. Monk Shenmu was quite satisfied and repeatedly reminded Wu Qingyang that he arranged the ceremony completely by himself. Wu Qingyang thought to himself: This is the best. If my fellow martial artists spread that I arranged such a ceremony, I am afraid I will be ridiculed for a year. At this time, news came that Duan Qingxiao attached great importance to this ceremony and summoned all his disciples to congratulate. Chang Xiao from the Never-Sleeping City brought not only Jade Butterfly, but also Princess Yueying and the Hanmei sisters. The four brothers Jiantong and Qintong were also coming. As for the Nether Swordsman, there was no need for them. These people had already retired to the island and there was no need to disturb them. In addition, the Dragon King and his wife of the South China Sea prepared valuable gifts together with Yan Nanlou. Wu Qingyang understood that the gifts received at this ceremony would be a huge fortune. Because he had participated in the cat racing conference, Shenmu Bhikkhu planned to get some kittens and puppies to cheer him up. Wu Qingyang tried his best to persuade him, but there was no cat or dog in any martial arts gathering. Shenmu Bhikkhu thought about it and thought about holding a horse racing conference, but Chang Xiao's Fire Dragon Colt was unparalleled in the world, so even if there was a horse racing, there would be no suspense and it would be boring. In the end, it was decided to prepare various parrots that could mimic words. Wu Qingyang had no choice but to start preparing. So Wuling Villa was full of bird cages, and the colorful parrots would occasionally say one or two human words, which was quite interesting. Only then was the monk Shenmu satisfied, and he played around. No one could tell when she would show up. Guests came one after another, and Wu Qingyang was busy receiving them and arranging their accommodations. They were mainly fellow Jianghu people, but he didn't have to bother with the government officials. Who would dare to offend the teacher of King Wuling? Therefore, these people tried their best to assist, not only did they not cause any trouble, but they also helped a lot. Wu Qingyang didn't need to appreciate it, because these people were not targeting him.

Chang Xiao and his party were already on the road. Wu Qingyang had saved his life, and he was also a swordsman with a long-standing reputation. It was reasonable for him to show his support, but the old owner didn't have the face to do so. But he didn't expect Duan Qingxiao to think so highly of Wu Qingyang. The commotion was bigger than the City That Never Sleeps. Although Wu Qingyang's swordsmanship was not bad, there was still a big gap between him and Duan Qingxiao. It seemed that Duan Qingxiao valued Wu Qingyang's experience in the martial arts world and his popularity. Chang Xiao brought the six beauties with him for fun, but he regretted it before he had gone far. The six beauties talked and laughed endlessly, and had an idea every now and then, and came up with many tricks. Sometimes they could not walk more than 50 miles a day, which made Huolongju frequently express dissatisfaction. Such a group of people certainly attracted attention. Hanmei and Xianglan, the four sisters, had lived in the mountains for a long time. They finally came out and found everything new. They bought a lot of things, regardless of whether they needed them or not. In addition, these four people have never learned the Three Obediences and Four Virtues, nor do they know a few words. Without the constraints of etiquette, they have to comment on a young man when they see him, which inevitably makes people have wild thoughts. People on the road all envy Chang Xiao. I don’t know how he got such a good fortune. If he walks like this, he will not be able to catch up with the ceremony. Chang Xiao has no choice but to agree with the six people to have a good time after the ceremony, so he speeds up the journey. It was learned on the road that Wei Heyang put on enough airs of a prince, which alarmed many people in the government. Chang Xiao certainly understood what Wei Heyang meant, and admired Wu Qingyang's foresight. This apprentice was really right. Jade Butterfly was obsessed with the Qunfanghui, and planned to compare whether there were more people participating in this ceremony or the Qunfanghui. Chang Xiao explained that this was a martial arts event and was not comparable to the Qunfanghui. Jade Butterfly didn't care so much, Chang Xiao had to let her be, facing such a beauty, no one could do anything. Judging from the current situation, Wuling Villa will surely become famous because of this ceremony, which is enough to prove that relying on martial arts alone is not enough to survive in the martial arts world. This ceremony has alarmed so many people, which is inseparable from Wu Qingyang's years of hard work and kindness.

Wu Qingyang presided over the ceremony. The most important people who came to congratulate were Master Baekje, Duan Qingxiao and Chang Xiao. The first two needed to be greeted from afar, but Chang Xiao didn't need to. The two had a good relationship and were brothers, so they wouldn't care about the details. In addition to Chang Xiao's invitation, there was another reason why Master Baekje came, that is, Wu Qingyang did a lot of good things and helped many people. He also came to congratulate for this character. Wu Qingyang knew that in the current Jianghu, only Chang Xiao could invite Master Baekje. He secretly thanked him in his heart. With this monk present, the reputation of Wuling Villa would be far better than before. The old owner of the villa was very happy and personally received Master Baekje. He still had some complaints about Duan Qingxiao in his heart, so he asked his son to receive him. Wei Heyang and his party came. Although they were kings, they were Wu Qingyang's disciples, and they didn't show their power among many masters. Wu Qingyang arranged for the couple to sit with the government officials, which was naturally very beautiful. Officials at all levels tried every means to curry favor with him. Chang Xiao hurried and finally arrived before the ceremony began. The first person to appear was Monk Shenmu, who boasted proudly that he had arranged a lot of beautiful and fun things to add to the fun. Chang Xiao agreed on the surface but found it funny in his heart. The little darling in Yu Hudie's arms recognized Monk Shenmu and bared his teeth to show off his power. Monk Shenmu laughed and said, "I just pulled out a few of your beards. There is no need to hate me so much, right?" Yu Hudie tried to comfort him in every way. Monk Shenmu saw Princess Yueying and the Hanmei sisters and asked Chang Xiao, "Why did you bring all six wives? Aren't you afraid that others will snatch them away?" Chang Xiao shook his head and sighed, "I came here to join in the fun, but I regretted it when I came out. These people had different ideas every now and then, which delayed a lot of time and almost made it late for the ceremony." Monk Shenmu showed a gloating expression, "One wife is enough to trouble you, but you found six. The trouble is still to come. "Chang Xiao could only smile bitterly: "So I decided not to look for one anymore. I really don't understand why the emperor married so many wives? These six wives have consumed a lot of my energy. The emperor has hundreds of wives. How much energy does he have to govern the country?" Yu Hudie said sweetly: "Although the emperor has many concubines, there are only three or two of them by his side. Many of them have entered the palace for more than ten years and have never seen the emperor. They grow old in obscurity and die in depression." Hanmei said without restraint: "That's right, the emperor has a hard time dealing with a concubine in one night, how can he compare to the city lord? My sisters and I are in our prime years, and the city lord can still gain the upper hand against six. It's really incredible." Chang Xiao's face turned red immediately.

Monk Shenmu became a monk at a young age and did not understand the affairs between men and women. He did not understand Hanmei's words and asked, "What martial arts can you six have? It is normal that you cannot beat him together. What's the big deal?" Hanmei smiled and did not answer. The others did not know how to answer either. Monk Shenmu took it seriously and continued to ask, "The emperor does not know martial arts, how can he fight with the concubine?" The six women laughed together. Monk Shenmu was even more puzzled and insisted that Chang Xiao answer. Chang Xiao hesitated, but fortunately someone came to greet him and changed the subject. When they arrived at Wuling Villa, many people had gathered here. Chang Xiao and the six beauties naturally attracted many people's attention. Wu Qingyang was waiting at the door. When they met, he clasped his fists and said, "The city lord has come from afar to congratulate you. I will remember this kindness." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "Brother Wu is too polite. These trivial matters are not worth mentioning." The two walked in hand in hand. Chang Xiao was the last to arrive. The four famous families and fellow practitioners had already arrived. Wu Qingyang immediately announced that the ceremony officially began. Seeing the boy and the parrot, Chang Xiao was amused. He thought that Monk Shenmu was joking, but it turned out to be true. Wu Qingyang was busy explaining that these arrangements were not his idea. Chang Xiao smiled and said, "Brother Wu, of course you won't find a group of boys. It must be Monk Shenmu's idea." Wu Qingyang nodded, "That's right. I have to listen to this senior. I have no choice." The ceremony officially began, with gongs and drums, firecrackers, and Wu Qingyang officially took over Wuling Villa. The ceremony was very simple and was over in half an hour. The next step was a party, and drinking and singing were naturally indispensable. Chang Xiao was invited to a quiet room. Only Master Baekje, Duan Qingxiao and Wu Mu Zhenjun were sitting with him, and Monk Shenmu was also there. Duan Qingxiao spoke first after entering the room: "Where are your six wives? Why didn't they come with you?" Chang Xiao didn't understand what he meant, and replied casually: "They went to the ladies' table." Duan Qingxiao smiled: "I heard from my elder sister that you had the upper hand against six people, but I didn't believe it. I was just about to ask, but I didn't expect that my brother had foresight and came alone." Chang Xiao understood then.

It turned out that Monk Shenmu didn't understand Hanmei's words, so he went to ask these people. Master Baekje and Wumu Zhenjun were both outsiders, and they didn't understand the relationship between men and women. Only Duan Qingxiao understood, so he used this matter to make fun of Chang Xiao. Of course, Chang Xiao couldn't answer, so Monk Shenmu interrupted and said, "Why don't monks understand, but he understands it as soon as he hears it?" Chang Xiao had to smile and said, "This is a trivial matter for laymen. It's not surprising that outsiders don't understand it." Monk Shenmu shook his head and said, "I still don't understand. If you don't tell me, I'll ask someone else." At this time, Wumu Zhenjun stroked his beard and smiled, "I understand a little. This matter should be about men and women having sex and reconciling yin and yang." Monk Shenmu suddenly realized, "So that's the case. Just say it clearly. Why are you hiding it?" Wumu Zhenjun explained, "Xuanmen originally had a method of practicing dual cultivation, but later people lacked concentration and often fell into the devil's way, so few people dared to try it. Tantric Buddhism also has a method of happy Zen, which can only be explored after practicing to a certain level." Master Baekje nodded: "The yin and yang of heaven and earth are interchangeable, and sex between men and women is also the right way. The main reason for covering it up is the customs of the Central Plains. My junior brother once said that there is a country in the Western Regions where there is no boundary between men and women. There are more than a hundred men and women bathing together naked." Chang Xiao nodded: "It seems that I am obsessed." Duan Qingxiao smiled and said: "It's not your fault. If there were no etiquette and discipline, I don't know what kind of chaos the world would be. Speaking of which, my brother is really amazing. He can maintain abundant energy with six beautiful wives, high martial arts, and control powerful forces. If it were me, I would be good if I could only have 30% of my martial arts left." Chang Xiao lowered his head and smiled: "The master is too modest." Thinking of changing the subject in his mind, he had an idea when he saw the dishes on the table: "The dishes made by the two elders Shuijing are not common. Don't waste them. I'll try the new ones first."

Chapter 113: Tempting Food

Taoist Baoding, who had recently obtained the Ganlu sword and became the best swordsman in the world, was not present. According to Chixia Zhenren, the head of Huashan, Taoist Baoding could not get rid of the shadow of the sword after being defeated by Chang Xiao, and he practiced hard in seclusion, which was reasonable. The Dragon King of the South China Sea reminisced with Wanqi Song, Zhong Wanshan, and a group of old friends. Yan Nanlou now has a high reputation and status and is respected by many people. Martial arts is only one aspect, and being a person is very important. Qi Shizhen has a wide range of friends, from the head of a famous family to the escort of a convoy, and he can talk to him even in the prosperous Never-Sleeping City. In comparison, Mo Qilin of Wanxiantang is far behind. Since taking over, the influence of Wanxiantang in the martial arts world is far from what it used to be, and it can only barely maintain the situation. Mo Qilin also realized that before he became the hall master, he felt that it was very impressive to sit in this position. Only when he really became the hall master did he realize that it was not easy to be the hall master. He had to deal with many things every day. He had to be both talented and virtuous, and only by being kind and powerful could his subordinates be convinced. If it weren't for the help of the think tank, the Soul Chaser, I'm afraid he would have given up long ago. Wanqi Song naturally knew these things. No one knows his son better than his father. Wanqi Song knew how much his son weighed, but things had come to this. What could he do? Ziyun Gu of the Beggar Gang was highly valued. Since the death of the former leader Ye Changxing, the Beggar Gang was hit hard and almost collapsed by the court. Since Ziyun Gu took over, after a great deal of rectification, the Beggar Gang has a new look. Ziyun Gu's status in the world has risen sharply, and it is comparable to the heads of the four famous families. As for Elder Jinchan, although he has made a lot of efforts for Wuling Mountain Villa, he did not get the sincerity of the old owner. The elder no longer cares about the old feelings. This time, she came mainly to join in the fun. Now that Ziyun Gu is fully qualified to be the leader of the Beggars' Sect, she can have some free time. The elders are very popular, and many people have received help from the elders, so many people invited the elders to sit at the same table. The elders valued the lively atmosphere and did not gather with Duan Qingxiao and Chang Xiao. Among the many martial artists, the most eye-catching ones are Yan Nanlou, Qi Shizhen, Ziyun Gu and Elder Jinchan.

Many officials attended the ceremony, and their number was even greater than that of martial artists, all of whom came for Wei Heyang. Therefore, Wei Heyang and his wife naturally became the protagonists, and officials tried every means to curry favor with them, just like the stars surrounding the moon. Wei Heyang pretended to be servile, knowing very well that these officials would not be so humble to their biological parents, and they did this just to get promoted and make money. Once such officials appeared in front of the people, they would immediately change their faces. The more humble they were in front of their superiors, the more mean they were to the people. Princess Rose had long been accustomed to such scenes and did not care. Such a gathering must be without the two crystal elders, and Princess Rose wanted to order a few good dishes. At this time, Wei Heyang already knew that the two crystal elders were martial arts masters, and their martial arts were only better than his own. It was not easy to get the dishes they cooked, so he could only let his master go and test them. Of course Wu Qingyang couldn't refuse, so he found Duan Xiyun and told him. Duan Xiyun smiled and said, "It's rare that the Lord of the Never-Night City is willing to roast corn today. We brothers have been looking forward to it for a long time. It's okay to cook a few dishes, as long as it doesn't delay the roasting of corn." Wu Qingyang also felt strange. Chang Xiao hadn't roasted corn since the Taoist Zuixia passed away. Why did he suddenly change his mind this time? So he went to the quiet room to see, and sure enough, several masters were sitting around a fire in the yard roasting corn. The biggest reason for Chang Xiao to change his mind this time was the monk Shenmu. He had heard that Chang Xiao's roasted corn was the most delicious in the world, but he had never tasted it and was unwilling to accept it. He had this idea for a long time. But it was not easy for Chang Xiao to change his mind. The incident in Shangqing Palace was enough to show that even the closest Jade Butterfly could not influence Chang Xiao's thoughts, let alone others? This time, the monk Shenmu took advantage of Chang Xiao's absence to greet the other people and tried every means to get Chang Xiao to roast corn. Chang Xiao could refuse or ignore the words of others, but the people present were the top masters of the day, Duan Qingxiao was his most admired opponent, and Master Baiji had a profound influence on him, so it was difficult to refuse the words of these two people, so he agreed to take action. The happiest person was of course the monk Shenmu, who stared at them intently.

When Wu Qingyang arrived, Shenmu Bhikkhu had already eaten a lot, and others hadn't eaten a bite yet. First, no one competed with her, and second, Shenmu Bhikkhu's lightness skills were unparalleled in the world, and her movements were extremely fast, so no one could snatch it from her. Once Chang Xiao started roasting corn, he forgot everything and concentrated all his energy. Duan Qingxiao nodded: "With this concentration, he will definitely roast the best food in the world." Wu Mu Zhenjun smiled and said, "It's a rare opportunity. The master and the master have deep concentration. I can't bear it. Please trouble the city lord to roast a few for me." In this way, Shenmu Bhikkhu couldn't snatch it anymore. No matter how playful he was, he was a master of Emei Sect after all, and he had to pay attention to his identity. Rubbing his belly, he smiled and said, "Niu Bizi can't wait. I'm full. I'm going to run outside. I'll come back to eat when I'm hungry." He jumped out. Only then did others have a chance to taste the corn. Besides Duan Xiyun and Yin Tianlei, Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai were also coveting the roasted corn. The long-lost fragrance immediately aroused their appetite. Chang Xiao couldn't roast it for a long time. The quantity was limited, so they had to seize the opportunity. Therefore, the two brothers waited by the side. After tasting it, Duan Qingxiao nodded and praised: "It is indeed the most delicious food in the world." Duan Xiyun didn't want to meet his grandfather, so he asked Yin Tianlei to come. Chang Xiao roasted four corns and gave them to Yin Tianlei. Yin Tianlei apologized and said: "I'll go first, it will lose its flavor when it gets cold." Duan Qingxiao smiled and said: "How can the corn roasted by the top masters with great concentration lose its flavor? As long as it is not smoked or burned, it can keep its flavor for three to five days." Yin Tianlei nodded, with some doubts in his heart, and told Duan Xiyun. Duan Xiyun smiled and said: "Since you don't believe me, let's give it a try and leave two." Shenmu Bhikkhu ran a long circle and came back. Chang Xiao had already stopped. Shenmu Bhikkhu shouted: "Roast more for me. Ten." Chang Xiao shook his head: "Today is an exception." Shenmu Bhikkhu insisted, Duan Qingxiao persuaded: "Old sister, don't make a fuss, I only ate two, the master only ate one, and fellow Taoist Wumu ate five. The three of us put together didn't eat as much as you alone." Shenmu Bhikkhu said angrily: "I know how many were roasted, and he ate them all by himself, so stingy." Master Baekje laughed and said: "You are wrong about the city lord. The city lord didn't eat any at all. The extra ones were shared by my two apprentices, and four were given to the two elders Shuijing." Shenmu Bhikkhu knew that Master Baekje would not lie, so he scratched his head and asked: "Why don't you eat it yourself?" Chang Xiao smiled and didn't answer.

For others, roasted corn is a first-class delicacy, but for Chang Xiao, it is the fruit of his own hard work, so of course he is reluctant to eat it. Shenmu monk knew that it was impossible to let Chang Xiao do it again, so he turned his head to look for Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai. The two brothers didn't know what was going on. Shenmu monk asked: "Have you eaten all the corn?" Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai looked at each other and replied: "Of course, who would be willing to let go of such a delicacy?" Shenmu monk didn't ask any more questions, and disappeared in a blink of an eye, leaving the two brothers puzzled. Monk Shenmu found Yin Tianlei and asked, "Have you eaten all the corn?" Yin Tianlei was honest and told the truth, "I ate two and left two." Monk Shenmu said happily, "Give them to me quickly." Yin Tianlei was puzzled, "Senior, haven't you eaten enough? Why don't you ask the city lord to roast a few more?" Monk Shenmu shook his head, "Why would I look for you if he is willing to do it? Give it to me quickly." Duan Xiyun said, "I heard that the corn roasted by top masters with all their heart will not change its taste for several days. I plan to give it a try. I will give you one and leave one." Monk Shenmu nodded, "You are so sensible." He took out a thin book from his arms and handed it to Duan Xiyun, "I won't take it for nothing." He took the corn and turned away. Yin Tianlei came over and asked, "Second brother, what did the senior give you?" Duan Xiyun looked down and showed joy, "It turned out to be Zui Tou Tuo's Po Feng Ba Da." Yin Tianlei had never heard of Zui Tou Tuo, so he asked for details. Duan Xiyun explained, "Zui Tou Tuo became a monk when he was young and studied martial arts in Shaolin Temple. Because of his superior aptitude and willingness to endure hardships, he was personally instructed by the abbot and learned the superior Shaolin martial arts. After middle age, his martial arts skills were highly developed and he had a high status in the temple. He traveled around the world and for some reason suddenly became addicted to wine. He violated the precepts and was expelled from Shaolin. Since then, he has traveled all over the country. , tasting all kinds of fine wines. Because of his profound inner strength and amazing drinking capacity, he was given the title of Zui Tou Tuo. Po Feng Ba Da is a martial art that Zui Tou Tuo learned in Zui Xiang. The moves are incredible, unprecedented, and extremely powerful. "Yin Tianlei nodded: "So that's how it is. Is this martial art useful to us?" Duan Xiyun smiled: "Of course, a true master must be knowledgeable and learn from many people. Although Po Feng Ba Da is a boxing method, it can also be applied to weapons." Yin Tianlei smiled and said: "Where did this senior get the martial arts secrets from others?"

It turned out that Monk Shenmu was bound by the rules of the sect and could not easily teach the martial arts of the sect to outsiders, so he took other people's achievements as a favor. The Emei Sect has collected a lot of martial arts diagrams for reference in the past dynasties, and Monk Shenmu took out those that had nothing to do with the martial arts of the Emei Sect as a favor. In addition, Monk Shenmu liked to gamble, so he naturally had to bring some gambling capital. The Seven Falcon Styles that he gave to Chang Xiao were won. After getting the corn, Monk Shenmu immediately returned and showed it to Chang Xiao: "How about it, I can still eat it even if you don't roast it for me." Chang Xiao had guessed 80% to 90%, and Master Baekje smiled and said: "Everyone has nothing to eat, and you still want to show it. Aren't you afraid that others will snatch yours?" Monk Shenmu didn't care: "Who can snatch something from me?" Many people agree with this statement. Monk Shenmu's internal strength has reached a state of perfection, and it is indeed difficult to snatch something from her. Monk Shenmu was very proud and deliberately ate slowly, showing off like a child. This time, most of the corn roasted by Chang Xiao was eaten by the monk Shenmu. Even Wu Qingyang, the owner, didn't get a share. It was not easy to care. In fact, these masters coming to Wuling Villa had helped him a lot. In the past, Wuling Villa had a strange array, which was covered by thick fog all year round. Since Tang Shiyu left, the array has not played any role. Duan Qingxiao suggested that Tang Shiyu redesign the array. Wu Qingyang considered it for a long time and declined politely. Seeing so many people come to participate in the ceremony, it can be seen that the people in the rivers and lakes value not only martial arts, but also your character. If your character is not good, no one will bother to pay attention to you. The strange array can only be put on yourself and will not play any role. Several masters agreed with Wu Qingyang's point of view. If it were the old owner, it would be rare to have one-tenth of the people coming now. What's the use of setting up a strange array? The old owner's thoughts have changed now, and he is very relieved about Wu Qingyang. However, he could not forget that the successor he had painstakingly cultivated died at Chang Xiao's hands, and he could not forget this hatred. Chang Xiao naturally understood that for Wu Qingyang's sake, he did not care about it. It was the other party who came to challenge him, and he did nothing wrong.

The gathering lasted for several days. These masters said that it would be difficult for others to leave early, and it was also difficult for people in the martial arts world to have such an opportunity to gather together. It was easier to deal with people in the government. No one dared to leave until King Wuling left. Such a scene was rare in the martial arts world and the officialdom. Shenmu monk tasted the taste and tried every means to get Chang Xiao to roast corn for him, but Chang Xiao was determined and no one could persuade him. Shenmu monk knew that the person who had the deepest relationship with Chang Xiao was Yudie, so he encouraged Yudie to come forward. Chang Xiao always missed Zuixia Taoist in his heart. He insisted on not roasting corn. On the one hand, it was to commemorate his close friend, and on the other hand, he could not find the mood at that time. Roasting once was already an exception. Shenmu monk didn't care so much. It would be fine for anyone, but Chang Xiao. This person insisted on his own principles and would never regret what he said. Nine oxen couldn't pull him back. If others had given up long ago, Shenmu monk also liked to call the truth. Since he had tasted the taste, he had to eat enough. So he tried all kinds of ways to persuade Chang Xiao and got everyone who could talk to him, but he failed. Chang Xiao never expected that he would be pestered by Monk Shenmu on this trip. If he stayed any longer, he would find many more people to persuade him, so he said goodbye to Wu Qingyang. He had promised his six wives that he would have some fun after the party, so he did not plan to go back to the city that never sleeps, but to go around. The Jade Butterfly was lost just after one day out. Chang Xiao knew that Monk Shenmu was the one who did it. He was quite troubled by this senior. It was really uncomfortable to be pestered by her. He was thinking about how to divert Monk Shenmu's attention. Monk Shenmu planned to ask Chang Xiao to exchange the Jade Butterfly for corn, but Chang Xiao knew that the Jade Butterfly was not dangerous, so he refused to agree. Monk Shenmu felt bored and had to release the Jade Butterfly and think of other ways. Jade Butterfly knew the whole story and said, "It doesn't take much effort to roast corn. Why don't you roast a bunch for her?" Chang Xiao shook his head, "It's not that easy to roast the best delicacy. Until now, I still believe that only Taoist Zuixia is qualified to taste it. He is the saint among swordsmen and the god among men." Jade Butterfly wondered, "Didn't Taoist Zuixia be defeated by Duan Qingxiao's sword?"

Speaking of this past event, Chang Xiao's heart began to ache again. He shook his head and sighed, "It's fate. Taoist Zuixia's swordsmanship has reached the peak. Duan Qingxiao's victory was a psychological advantage. I value not only swordsmanship, but Taoist Zuixia is upright and honest. He is a real warrior and my only confidant." Yu Hudie frowned, "Am I not your confidant?" Chang Xiao smiled, "My achievements today are all from martial arts. Martial arts have been integrated into my life. Can you discuss martial arts with me?" Yu Hudie asked again, "Can't masters like Duan Qingxiao and Monk Shenmu discuss martial arts with you?" Chang Xiao explained, "Duan Qingxiao's martial arts are completely different from mine. He practiced internal skills first and then swordsmanship. Monk Shenmu's martial arts also focus on practicing internal skills. My experience You also know that the foundation is the Liuhe swordsmanship. Only by practicing hard and tempering yourself can you gain a foothold in the martial arts world. The path taken by Taoist Zuixia is somewhat similar to mine, also from the outside to the inside. The two of us are both equally matched opponents and close friends who can talk about anything, and we benefit each other. "Jade Butterfly nodded: "I understand a little bit. You two have similar skills, similar status, and similar temperaments. It is natural for you to become friends." Princess Yueying next to her interrupted: "I know, when I first saw Sister Yu, I thought that this beauty must be a fairy who came down to earth, and I must be her sister. I think it's similar for men, it seems to be called something like mutual appreciation." Chang Xiao did not argue on the surface, but he knew in his heart that the feelings between him and Taoist Zuixia were difficult for outsiders to understand, let alone women. Sister Hanmei had practiced swordsmanship and had some basics. She asked, "Can Taoist Baoding compare with Taoist Zuixia?" Chang Xiao shook his head, "Even though he got the Ganlu sword, it's hard for Taoist Baoding to catch up with Taoist Zuixia. Taoist Baoding is obsessed with swordsmanship and has thrown everything aside. He's like a martial arts fanatic and is far inferior to Taoist Zuixia's broad mind." Hanmei smiled and said, "As long as Baoding can't surpass you, I'll be relieved."

Chapter 114: Meeting an Old Friend

It is difficult for ordinary people to understand the thoughts and practices of martial arts masters, and it is even more difficult to understand masters like Chang Xiao. Chang Xiao does not want to be the only one. People with inflated ambitions cannot practice superior martial arts and become masters. After the meeting at Wuling Villa, Chang Xiao has realized that Duan Qingxiao is almost ready. Although they have not made it clear, they both understand that the day of the decisive battle is not far away. For this long-awaited decisive battle, Chang Xiao has mixed feelings. Judging from Duan Qingxiao's attitude, no matter the victory or defeat, he will retire, so he is about to lose this opponent. Without an equal opponent, how can he spend the rest of his life? Although there are Jade Butterfly and close friend Fire Dragon Horse around him, as a warrior, he suddenly has no goal. How should he live like this? Duan Qingxiao must be unable to bear the torment of this kind of life, so he risked the world's disapproval and used extraordinary means to return to the arena. It seems that he will also follow Duan Qingxiao's old path. But he is much luckier than Duan Qingxiao. There is really nothing to complain about having such a colorful life. Therefore, he opened his arms and accompanied his six wives to have fun. Who in the Jianghu today does not recognize the luxury car of the Lord of the Never-Sleeping City? The leader of each force will attract the attention of all parties. Chang Xiao has been in the Jianghu for many years and has been investigated by various figures. Everyone knows that Chang Xiao is an important figure in the Jianghu today. This person has a clear distinction between gratitude and resentment. If you make friends with him, you will definitely not suffer. Therefore, many people try to please him, which is similar to the reason why officials curry favor with their superiors. Of course, there are many people who covet the beauty of the Jade Butterfly, and there are also many people who covet the Fire Dragon Horse, but Chang Xiao is too powerful. Who can be worthy of the Dragon Scale Sword that is famous throughout the Jianghu? What is the meaning of life without beauties and BMWs? Chang Xiao grew from an unknown young man to a top swordsman in the martial arts world. This experience is like a myth. Under his influence, all schools and factions began to pay attention to the Liuhe Sword Method, and the Liuhe Sword Manual became a hot commodity. In addition, the appearance of the Jade Butterfly is also incredible, and the Fire Dragon Colt is also very different from the ordinary. Many people have believed that even if they are not from the fairyland in the sky, they are elves from the earth. Although Chang Xiao disagrees, many people agree with this statement.

Jade Butterfly found that Chang Xiao was worried, and asked him about it. Chang Xiao expressed his worries. The six beauties talked about it and gave advice. There are too many things worth enjoying in life. But these enjoyments seemed very ordinary to Chang Xiao. He talked and laughed as he walked forward. The leader was the Fire Dragon Horse, who went wherever he wanted and without a purpose. The biggest reason for the Fire Dragon Horse to enter the Central Plains was the sea. It was natural for it to lead the way to the sea, but the road was different from the past. It took the Shandong border. There is Baotu Spring in Shandong, and the important town of Jinan is also known as the Spring City. The tea tasting is quite popular, so the tea trade is prosperous, with a full range of varieties and high prices. Chang Xiao doesn't like to drink tea, but the other masters like it. The brothers Jiantong and Hetong also like to taste tea under the influence of Zuixia Taoist, so they asked the four brothers to buy some good tea. Qintong knows the tea ceremony best, so he is the main one to buy tea. The other three are impatient with the endless laughter of the six beauties in the car, and they find an excuse to be quiet for a while. After spending some time together, the four brothers knew Chang Xiao's temper very well. This man's tolerance was beyond the imagination of many people, and the powerful force that burst out instantly when he could no longer bear it was also unparalleled. The four brothers were relieved to choose tea and play in the street market. Chang Xiao would not blame them no matter how long they were delayed. Qin Tong was very good at it. He chose the best tea. He was not afraid to spend money anyway. After buying and buying, he encountered trouble when buying Maofeng. This kind of tea can't be produced much in a year. After paying tribute, there is only one or two catties left, so the price is naturally very high. It's rare that a business here has two taels. It's not that Qin Tong is reluctant to spend money, but the owner is unwilling to sell it. At first, Qin Tong thought the waiter was trying to raise the price, so he added the price tag, but the other party still refused. Qin Tong couldn't help but question: "Your sign says that I'm paying for it but I'm not selling it. Do you think I'm a foreigner and easy to bully?" But the waiter thought that Qin Tong was plain-looking and dressed in ordinary clothes, and he didn't have any special skills. He sneered: "What can I do to me if I bully you?" Qin Tong was so angry that he grabbed the waiter by the collar and threw him. The waiter flew out of the window like a kite with a broken string, and was several feet away when he landed.

This naturally attracted a lot of people. The sword boy, the wine boy, and the crane boy came over to inquire. The piano boy explained, "The sign here says Mao Feng, but it would be fine if they don't have it. The waiter said yes, and I said I wanted to buy it, but the waiter laughed at me for not being able to afford it. I took out the silver note and said he didn't sell it, and he deliberately pissed me off, so I had to teach him a lesson." The sword boy frowned and said, "That's where you're wrong. Didn't the city lord say that if you don't fight, it's fine, but if you do, you can't show mercy, no matter who your opponent is." The piano boy nodded, "Of course I remember, but I don't want to be called a bully." While they were talking, a middle-aged man came over to salute and said, The tone was very kind. Qin Tong nodded slightly: "Are you the owner of the goods?" The middle-aged man was busy apologizing: "Don't be angry, young man. I am an ignorant man. Don't take it seriously. I am the owner of the goods, Wu Zhuang." Qin Tong calmed down his anger and explained: "If there is no goods or they have been reserved, I may not buy them. But your clerk said it very clearly. The price is 10,000 taels of silver per tael, and there are only two taels in stock. I took out the silver note and said he would not sell it. I added another three thousand taels, but he still refused to sell it. In anger, I threw it away and made him suffer." The onlookers knew what happened and blamed the clerk for being wrong. Wu Zhuang knew that his clerk had behaved improperly, so he apologized repeatedly, saying, "To be honest with you, this top-grade Mao Feng tea is extremely rare and has been reserved. The clerk saw that you were dressed in ordinary clothes, so he planned to scare you with a high price, but he didn't expect that you were very wealthy." Seeing that Wu Zhuang was so polite and Chang Xiao didn't care about Mao Feng, Qin Tong offered to give in, "Forget it, I'll teach the clerk a lesson later. Don't judge a book by its cover. A few tens of thousands of taels of silver is a huge sum for him, but it's nothing to us brothers." Before he finished speaking, someone said, "What a big tone. A few tens of thousands of taels of silver is nothing. Even royal relatives don't have such a grand style." Jian Tong sneered, "Royal relatives, even the emperor is not as rich as us." A middle-aged man walked out of the crowd, wearing a golden crown and crane cloak, quite graceful. Wu Zhuang introduced him, and said that this man was Mr. Lu who had reserved the Mao Feng tea.

He Tong was the most experienced among the four brothers. He saw that Mr. Lu was skilled in martial arts, so he smiled and said, "Where are you from, Mr. Lu? Can you tell me your name?" This is a pun. Mr. Lu's expression changed, and he obviously didn't expect to be seen through by the other party. So he smiled and clasped his fists, "Little brother, you have good eyesight. Although Mao Feng has been chosen by me, it is not certain whether he will accept it or not. Let's go to Yingxian Tower to discuss it in detail." He Tong immediately understood. There were too many people present, and Mr. Lu didn't want to reveal that he knew martial arts. So the four brothers followed Mr. Lu to a restaurant. The waiter was very respectful to Mr. Lu. Mr. Lu explained, "I have a small fortune and own eight businesses in the city. Yingxianlou is one of them." Hetong nodded, "So it's your restaurant, then we won't pay the bill." Mr. Lu smiled, "Of course." They sat down in the private room upstairs. The waiter set up a fine banquet. Mr. Lu raised his glass to toast, "I was in the underworld in my early years, and later I hid among the merchants, just hoping to live a simple life for the rest of my life. Today, you have revealed it with one word, which shows how smart you are. I admire you." Hetong disagreed "This little bit of eyesight is nothing. In fact, we don't have to buy Mao Feng. It's just a fight between the guys." Lu Yuanwai asked, "The four of you have first-class skills, but you are dressed like this. Are you inferior to others?" Qin Tong smiled and said, "Since Lu Yuanwai has been in the martial arts world, he should know the rules of the martial arts world. The higher the martial arts, the higher the status. We brothers are indeed serving a master." Lu Yuanwai was secretly surprised. He just saw clearly that Qin Tong threw the guy so far with a casual throw. He was so skilled that he was actually someone's subordinate. What should the master do if the servant is like this? He was suspicious, who came here? When it comes to Mao Feng, Qin Tong didn't care. Lu Yuanwai decided that Mao Feng had another use, and he was relieved to see that the other party let it go. At this time, someone came in and whispered in Lu Yuanwai's ear, and Lu Yuanwai was stunned.

The four brothers felt strange when they saw Mr. Lu's expression. They didn't know what happened. Mr. Lu stood up and said with a smile: "Is your master riding in a fragrant carriage?" Qin Tong was stunned. The other party couldn't guess it. Mr. Lu was quite confident: "You four don't have to doubt it. I am an old acquaintance of the people in the fragrant carriage. We had quite a lot of contacts in the past." Jian Tong nodded: "No wonder." Mr. Lu explained: "I also run the largest silk and satin shop in the city. Today, several strange female guests came, among whom is the world-famous first beauty." Qin Tong smiled and said: "Yes, Jade Butterfly is our master's favorite." Mr. Lu stood up and said: "You all can enjoy it. I will change clothes and go to greet them." Qin Tong nodded: "Mr. Lu, please do as you please. Let's drink first." Mr. Lu apologized and went downstairs. Jian Tong asked: "Do you think this Mr. Lu really knows the city lord?" He Tong nodded: "He should recognize him. Judging from his behavior, he is not an ordinary person. He will not lie." Jiu Tong interrupted: "You will be sorry if you don't drink such good wine. I won't be polite." He poured himself a drink. Chang Xiao did not have any restrictions on the four brothers, so the four of them enjoyed themselves. After changing his clothes, Lu Yuanwai rushed to the silk shop. He saw a gorgeous car from a distance. There was a person sitting in the car. Although there was a curtain between them, he still felt a lot of pressure. He came to the car and saluted respectfully. It was Chang Xiao in the car. He was impatient to accompany his six wives to choose silks, so he waited in the car. He found someone saluting and recognized the person. He smiled: "Wenjun, long time no see." It turned out that this Lu Yuanwai was Wanqi Song's first disciple and Wanxiantang's capable general Lu Wenjun. Because Mo Qilin seized power, he left Wanxiantang to avoid suspicion and ended up here. Lu Wenjun had dealt with Chang Xiao before, and Chang Xiao had a good impression of him, so he was very cordial. Although Lu Wenjun left Wanxiantang, he was young and could not retire from the world. Although he was running a business here, he was also very clear about the movements of the world. He knew that the Never-Sleeping City was in its heyday and Chang Xiao's status was very important. It was of course a good thing to have such an attitude.

It took a long time for six beauties to carry the silk. Lu Wenjun asked Chang Xiao to go upstairs of the silk shop. Someone served him tea. Chang Xiao smiled and said, "No need to be polite. Sit down and talk." Lu Wenjun nodded. Chang Xiao looked at him carefully and said, "You seem to have made a lot of money, but you are not just doing business. I'm afraid you haven't really left the world of martial arts?" Lu Wenjun nodded repeatedly: "City Lord, I entered the business world after leaving Wanxian Hall. However, doing business also requires both black and white. It is difficult to gain a foothold without a certain amount of power, so I have also accumulated some strength." Chang Xiao sighed lightly: "I can see that you have a lot of influence here. Your talent is evident that you have done things to this point. If you were the head of Wanxian Hall, Wanxian Hall would never be in the current situation." Although he had left Wanxian Hall, Lu Wenjun had been paying attention to the changes in Wanxian Hall. He knew that Mo Qilin was ambitious but incompetent, and Wanxian Hall was no longer the number one gang that dominated the world of martial arts. Hearing this, he was touched and shook his head slightly. Chang Xiao persuaded him, "A real man can take it and let it go. You can still make a living in the world after leaving Wanxian Hall. With your ability, you will never be buried anywhere." Lu Wenjun agreed, "What the city lord said is right. The fact that he resolutely gave up the Julong Gang shows that he is broad-minded. I just can't learn to be so free and easy." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "This is everyone's nature and can't be forced. If you have any difficulties, just speak up. Since you have encountered it, you must show your appreciation." Lu Wenjun declined, "Thank you for your kindness, city lord. When I left Wanxian Hall, I was given some treasures by the city lord. I haven't repaid you yet." Chang Xiao disagreed, "It's a trivial matter. Money and body are not worth it. "Lu Wenjun introduced in detail how he developed his business, which was mainly based on tea. Chang Xiao praised him, "You have made such a big name with just a small tea. You are indeed a talent." Lu Wenjun said modestly, "You are too kind, City Lord. Compared with you, I am not even a mosquito." Chang Xiao smiled, "If Duan Qingxiao had not returned to the arena, I would not have bothered to accumulate strength and build the Never-Sleeping City. Duan Qingxiao controls a group of masters, and there is no way to compete with him if I don't do this." Lu Wenjun nodded, "Finally, it was not in vain. According to the current situation, the Never-Sleeping City has a clear advantage." Chang Xiao shook his head, "Duan Qingxiao is ready to retire, so I stopped. "

Very few people in the martial arts world knew about this news, and Lu Wenjun was quite shocked. If this news was true, then the martial arts world would be dominated by the Never-Sleeping City in the future. Chang Xiao valued Lu Wenjun very much, and said to him frankly: "I will reveal some inside information to you. Once Duan Qingxiao retires, I plan to leave the Dragon Scale Sword in the Never-Sleeping City. There is no one in the world who is worthy of me using this sword. In addition, I will not be very concerned about the affairs of the martial arts world. The Taoist Baoding of Huashan will be the most important master. There is another person, the owner of Tongtian Fort, Jiang Feiluan. This person has obtained the sword-controlling heart formula of the Taoist Zuixia, and his swordsmanship has improved by leaps and bounds. He already has the strength to compete with the Taoist Baoding. I am afraid that these two people will compete in all aspects." Lu Wenjun knew that being able to tell him this news could fully show Chang Xiao's attitude, and he was extremely grateful in his heart and thanked him repeatedly. To understand the future pattern of the martial arts world, the most important thing is to know the level of swordsmanship of the Taoist Baoding and Jiang Feiluan, so he sincerely asked for advice. Chang Xiao patiently explained: "Neither of them can reach the realm of Taoist Zuixia. Baoding is obsessed with swordsmanship and is a martial arts fanatic. His moves are far beyond the reach of ordinary people. However, the most important thing about swordsmanship is not the moves but the sword intention. Baoding cannot comprehend the essence of swordsmanship. Jiang Feiluan was influenced by Taoist Zuixia and has a good foundation in swordsmanship, but this person is very calculative about gains and losses, and can't let go. It is impossible for him to practice sword control. At the beginning, Taoist Baoding has the advantage. After a long time, Jiang Feiluan will slowly catch up and may take the Ganlu sword away." Lu Wenjun firmly remembered that Chang Xiao was a top master in the world, and what he said must be right. Because of Qin Tong's purchase of Maofeng, Lu Wenjun wanted to give the tea to Chang Xiao, but Chang Xiao refused: "I don't like drinking tea. I heard that this tea is extremely precious. It's better to leave it to people who know it. It's a waste for me." Lu Wenjun no longer insisted and asked people to prepare exquisite side dishes and wine. The two drank and talked. It really takes a lot of time for women to buy things. The two chatted for a long time, but the silk for Yu Hudie and others had not been purchased yet. Lu Wenjun said that in the future, if he received rare silk, he would send someone to deliver it to the city that never sleeps.

Chapter 115: Peak Battle

Lu Wenjun knew that Chang Xiao's words had pointed out the future direction of the martial arts world, and that Taoist Baoding would definitely start a series of battles with Jiang Feiluan. The two had their own strengths and weaknesses. Taoist Baoding was a disciple of Huashan and had the support of the four famous families. Jiang Feiluan's Tongtian Fort was already quite powerful, and with the help of Qi Shizhen, he was not at a disadvantage at all. Because Chang Xiao had an unusual relationship with Taoist Zuixia, if Jiang Feiluan stood on the side of Tongtian Fort, his advantage would be obvious. Wu Qingyang of Wuling Villa had no ambitions and would probably not intervene in this dispute. Chang Xiao specifically reminded him that if he wanted to survive in the martial arts world, he had to be well-informed, so he had to pay attention to building good relations with the Beggars' Sect and Qi Shizhen. Lu Wenjun was a smart man and of course he understood the truth. It was rare to meet someone who understood. Lu Wenjun told him his plan to expand his business to Shuzhong. However, the connections had not been opened up yet, and he still could not achieve his wish after spending a lot of effort. Chang Xiao smiled and said, "This is nothing. You can go to Wuling Mountain to see Wei Heyang and ask him for a document. Everything will be solved." Lu Wenjun was trying to get in touch with the government, so of course he knew the famous King Wuling, but the threshold was too high for him to reach. Hearing what Chang Xiao said, he immediately became interested: "Does the city lord know the King Wuling?" Chang Xiao shook his head slightly: "It's not that I know him, but he knows me. You can go, just mention my name and it will work." Lu Wenjun was surprised. From Chang Xiao's tone, the famous King Wuling had to bow down in front of him. No matter how powerful the people in the martial arts world were, they could not compare with the court. How could the King Wuling bow down to the people in the martial arts world when he was in a high position and had great power? Chang Xiao saw Lu Wenjun's worry and explained, "Wei Heyang is Wu Qingyang's disciple, and he is also half a Jianghu man. I have helped him before, so you can go, and you don't need any gifts." Lu Wenjun nodded, "Do you need a token of love?" Chang Xiao said proudly, "Who in the world dares to use my name? Unless you don't want to live." Lu Wenjun always believed in Chang Xiao and thanked him repeatedly. The six beauties finally bought the silk, and Chang Xiao said goodbye and left immediately.

On the surface, Lu Wenjun is a businessman, but secretly he controls many people, buys stolen goods and makes profits, and has already mastered a certain amount of power. Since Chang Xiao pointed out the way, he naturally had to go to Wuling Mountain. Whether he could reach Chengdu or not would not be a loss. Therefore, there was an endless stream of people who made a special trip to give gifts to King Wuling, and they were divided into different levels, and the hierarchy was determined according to their official positions. No matter how exquisite Lu Wenjun's dress was, he was a commoner after all, and could only wait behind. The gatekeeper was not snobbish, and asked: "Why did this gentleman come to the door?" Lu Wenjun hurriedly said: "I am a businessman, I encountered some difficulties, and I would like to ask the prince for help." The gatekeeper was a little surprised. Since he was asking for help, why did he come empty-handed? So he asked: "Is there anyone to introduce me?" Lu Wenjun nodded: "It was Chang Xiao, the Lord of the Never-Sleeping City, who directed me here." The gatekeeper took out a pen and paper to write it down and handed it in, asking Lu Wenjun to wait in the gatehouse. Lu Wenjun found that the people in the Wuling Palace were not the same as ordinary officials. They were not arrogant. It seemed that this King Wuling was indeed extraordinary. Soon, word came from inside that the prince had summoned him personally. Lu Wenjun was secretly amazed. Chang Xiao's name really worked. Other officials had prepared thousands of valuable gifts, but he, a commoner, got it first. Following his family to the hall, Wei Heyang sat on the throne in the middle. He looked different in the royal robes. Lu Wenjun paid a great tribute. Wei Heyang asked his attendants to step down and said with a pleasant face, "Stand up and talk." After Lu Wenjun stood up and looked at him, he found that the King of Wuling had strong muscles and bones, and his eyes were full of light, which showed that he had profound internal strength. He had heard that this man came from the military and was respected as an invincible general. Today, he saw that he was indeed extraordinary. Wei Heyang said, "Since you are introduced by the Lord of the Never-Sleeping City, I will not ask any more questions. Just tell me what you want to say." Lu Wenjun quickly expressed his meaning. Wei Heyang nodded, "That's easy." He immediately picked up the pen to write the official document and stamped it with the seal. Seeing that the matter was done, Lu Wenjun was very happy.

After Wei Heyang handed the official document to Lu Wenjun, he asked, "How do you know the Lord of Never-Night City?" Lu Wenjun replied, "I used to work for Wanxiantang for several years. It was when the Lord of Never-Night City made his debut in the martial arts world, and we had several dealings." Wei Heyang nodded, "I heard that the Lord of Never-Night City had been against Wanxiantang since he first entered the martial arts world, and had fought several times. It's rare to have an insider. Can you tell me in detail?" He asked people to prepare wine and food, and Lu Wenjun told in detail the process of Chang Xiao leading the Julong Gang to fight against Wanxiantang. Wei Heyang asked for details from time to time, and got to know Chang Xiao a little better. Lu Wenjun knew the rules of the martial arts world. Since he had received Wei Heyang's assistance, he must show his appreciation. Wei Heyang's safety was for Chang Xiao's face, and he didn't expect Lu Wenjun's return. Later, it was agreed that in addition to his own business, Lu Wenjun would also be responsible for buying high-quality strong bows and crossbows for the army of Wuling Mountain as a thank you. Wei Heyang knew that the people recommended by Chang Xiao must have some means, which might be useful in the future, so he sincerely made friends with them. Lu Wenjun was naturally happy. With the official document from King Wuling, he could get assistance from the government and expand his business at least three times. After leaving King Wuling's mansion, Lu Wenjun immediately set about mobilizing a large amount of funds to buy goods and look for ships, preparing to expand his business to Shuzhong. Originally, it required a lot of approval procedures from government offices, but with the official document from King Wuling, officials at all levels not only did not dare to make things difficult, but instead tried to curry favor with him, so things went very smoothly. In addition to rice, Shuzhong also has a specialty product, which is Shu brocade. Lu Wenjun originally ran a silk and satin shop, so naturally he had to buy it. If there were any new patterns, he would select the best ones and collect them, preparing to send them to the city that never sleeps. The specialties of the Central Plains also made a profit in Shuzhong, and the specialties of Shuzhong were also in high demand in the Central Plains, so he made a lot of profit.

Now Chang Xiao is trying to separate the six sisters. It's too time-consuming to get together. It's fine to be entangled in the daytime, but in the evening, the six beauties are relentless. It's not good to ignore any of them. There is almost no time to rest. Ten days and half a month is fine, but it's inevitable to delay the business after a long time. It's hard to persuade a few people to change their minds. The four Hanmei girls are ready to return to the mountains, and Princess Yueying also wants to be quiet, so only Yu Hudie is left by Chang Xiao's side. After sending away the five wives, Chang Xiao began to prepare for the decisive battle with Duan Qingxiao. Although there is no worry about his life, this confrontation is also extraordinary. Since I heard the name Duan Qingxiao, I have been preparing to compete with this master. This decisive battle has been waiting for a long time. As a swordsman who is famous for his sword, it is worthy of pride to be able to compete with Duan Qingxiao who is above the peak. But Chang Xiao is not satisfied. He still wants to defeat this sword master. The main purpose is to let the world see that as long as you work hard, there is nothing you can't do. The news spread quickly in the martial arts world. Although this competition was expected, it still caused a sensation once it was really put into action. These two people are not only martial arts masters, but also have powerful forces. Their victory or defeat can completely affect the situation in the martial arts world. Although there are many people who are concerned, only a few people are really important. Because neither side of the decisive battle has issued a letter of challenge, which means that the matter has not been decided yet, but since Duan Qingxiao and Chang Xiao have begun to prepare for the battle, it is enough to show that the time for the decisive battle is not far away. Shenmu Bhikkhu has been near Chang Xiao's fragrant car, always thinking about Chang Xiao roasting corn for him, but Chang Xiao refused to agree. When he was in trouble, he heard about the decisive battle, which made him even more anxious. Once he started preparing for the battle, he would have no time to roast corn. Chang Xiao sent his five wives away and returned to the city that never sleeps to practice hard and sort out his martial arts. It was no use practicing any more tricks at this time. While he was meditating, a monk with divine eyes appeared through the window and pointed, "The best way to calm your mind is to roast corn." Chang Xiao's heart moved. This was true. Roasting corn was indeed the best way.

Obviously, the purpose of the monk Shenmu's suggestion was for himself, but he did hit the point. Roasting corn was the best way at this time. So Chang Xiao prepared and started roasting corn. His own experiences flashed through his mind, from his unforgettable first love to the painful memories of Taibai Mountain, from his sworn brother Duan Kui to his best friend Zuixia Taoist who passed away, from the respected Baekje Master to the peerless beauty Jade Butterfly, and the Fire Dragon Horse who followed him through life and death. His thoughts were like the ups and downs of the sea tide. The monk Shenmu saw the opportunity and took it to eat. He felt that the corn this time was a little different from the last time. It felt a little heavy, but the taste was still nothing to say, so he seized the opportunity to feast on it. Such opportunities are rare. Chang Xiao was immersed in the memories of the past, and didn't care about the monk Shenmu at all, and concentrated on roasting corn. The monk Shenmu could appreciate that the corn this time was ever-changing, and no two tasted the same, so it goes without saying that he was happy. I'll have something to brag about in the future. It's totally worth boasting about eating such corn. The most rare thing is that no one shares it with me. This decisive battle was different from the beginning. Both sides were preparing quickly, but there was no exact time and place. It was speculated that the location of this decisive battle was most likely to be Mount Tai, and it should be a full moon night. Because Chang Xiao once competed with Zuixia Taoist in Mount Tai, it was more appropriate to choose Mount Tai to commemorate the deceased first swordsman. In addition, Duan Qingxiao's Broken Moon Slash is unparalleled in the world, and it can only exert its greatest power when the moon is full, so this speculation is recognized by many people. Another theory is that it is the Cliff of Broken Souls, where Chang Xiao once lost to Duan Qingxiao. As a top swordsman, he should always think about avenging his previous shame. Both of these theories have some basis, but neither side of the decisive battle expressed their views, and the speculation never came to fruition. Suddenly, shocking news came that Duan Qingxiao had left the Divine Sword Sect, and no one knew his exact whereabouts. On the other hand, Chang Xiao also left the Never-Sleeping City, and even the closest Jade Butterfly couldn't tell where he went.

While people from all sides were speculating, the two top swordsmen of the time had already arrived at Penglai Pavilion. No one was watching this sensational competition. However, there was still a spectator. I believe that many people wanted to watch the two people's superb swordsmanship, but the one who got this opportunity was the world's number one divine horse. Penglai Pavilion is located in Shandong Province, majestically perched on the cliffs of Dany Mountain, with beautiful mountain scenery on one side and the vast blue sea on the other. Duan Qingxiao was wearing a very ordinary white robe, with a rolling pearl knife inserted diagonally under his ribs, and his silver beard fluttering in the wind. Chang Xiao was wearing a black tights, and his burly body and confident eyes made him look extremely sturdy. Shrouded in a faint light smoke, the figures of the two were looming, like gods descending to the world. It has been the third day since the two came here. It seems that they have been repeating the same thing for three days. They use sand tables to discuss swordsmanship during the day, and they compete at night. In the early morning, the two sat opposite each other in front of the sand table, drawing strange figures from time to time, each of which represents a sharp swordsmanship. The two men said nothing, immersed in it, forgetting everything around them. Although such a competition was beyond many people's expectations, it was also reasonable. This competition was between Duan Qingxiao and Chang Xiao, and had nothing to do with other people. There was no need for others to watch. In the past three days, the two of them said less than ten sentences in total, and were completely immersed in the exchange of martial arts. Not eating or drinking for several days is certainly unbearable for ordinary people, but it is normal for these two masters among masters. The two of them used their unique moves on the sand table during the day, and used their swords to verify them at night. The fourth day passed unknowingly. After the hard fight, the sky was still dark. Duan Qingxiao breathed a sigh of relief: "Tomorrow is the night of the full moon." Chang Xiao nodded: "Finally, we can see the Broken Moon Slash. In preparation for tomorrow's battle, let's take a break. I will roast corn for you, senior." Duan Qingxiao was overjoyed: "Thank you very much."

Everything was prepared before coming. Chang Xiao took out a large gourd and put it aside. Of course, there was fine wine inside. Roasting corn is very simple. Just light a fire. Chang Xiao concentrates on roasting corn while Duan Qingxiao waits expectantly to taste it. The two seem to be good friends for many years. If outsiders see them, they will never believe that the two are opponents who have been fighting openly and secretly for many years. Soon, the aroma of roasted corn spreads. Duan Qingxiao tastes it with big mouthfuls. Chang Xiao makes an exception for the first time. Duan Qingxiao eats one corn and he also eats one corn. The two drink from the same gourd without any suspicion. At dawn, the two of them quietly admired the sunrise over the sea. Duan Qingxiao sighed: "Among the Ten Scenic Spots of Penglai, the most famous is the mirage. If you are lucky enough to see it, it would be perfect." Chang Xiao nodded: "I have seen a mirage in the desert before. It was indeed magnificent. It would be a great wish if I could see it at this moment." Duan Qingxiao said proudly: "You and I are both strong men who can influence the world. I believe that as long as we want to see it, the mirage will appear. When the emperor is angry, millions of lives will be frightened. When you and I are angry, it is not difficult to change the situation. You see, the mirage will appear." Chang Xiao was also infected by Duan Qingxiao's heroism and nodded: "Yes, as long as we are willing, there is nothing we can't do." The two continued to compete on the sand table. The moves emerged in endlessly and varied, but the graphics became simpler and simpler. Two or three lines could clearly express their meaning. Unknowingly, it had darkened. Duan Qingxiao jumped up, kicked the sand table away, and shouted, "Come on." The two of them jumped onto Penglai Pavilion one after another. The Rolling Pearl Sword and the Dragon Scale Sword seemed to have come to life and turned into two silver dragons that entangled together.

The swordsmanship of both of them has been tempered through thousands of hammers and hundreds of times. The speed of the sword has exceeded the imagination of ordinary people. The bright moon moved very quickly, and just when it reached the top, Duan Qingxiao let out a long roar and flew up. When the precious sword was swung, a huge halo was formed, as if the bright moon fell to the earth. Chang Xiao knew that Duan Qingxiao was about to perform his famous unique skill, Broken Moon Slash, and a sense of heroism rose in his chest. Who else in the world could see the real power of Broken Moon Slash but me? For such a master, victory or death is no longer important, as long as they can see the pinnacle of swordsmanship. The two did their best to display the essence of their own martial arts. Duan Qingxiao performed Broken Moon Slash, and the huge halo scattered in an instant, emitting countless rays of light, each of which contained a sharp and wonderful move. Broken Moon Slash is a move, but also countless moves, one becomes ten, ten becomes a hundred, endless. Chang Xiao displayed the essence of Liuhe swordsmanship, using complexity to counter simplicity, and simplicity to counter complexity. As the saying goes, a chess player meets a worthy opponent, and a general meets a good talent. Duan Qingxiao's Shattered Moon Slash is no longer limited to the moon, and Chang Xiao's swordsmanship is enough to cope with any changes. The two of them fought to the point of being so intense that they had forgotten their own existence. There were only two precious swords circling and fighting between heaven and earth. The Fire Dragon Colt had been playing in the sea, and was unknowingly attracted by this extremely exciting competition. He came to watch from a closer distance. The two were no longer ordinary people fighting. At this time, the two were not on the top of Penglai Pavilion, but fighting in mid-air, which ordinary people could never do. Chang Xiao used the electric shuttle to drive his body, while Duan Qingxiao relied entirely on the opponent's strength. Such martial arts can indeed be called the pinnacle. The two fought endlessly, and unknowingly the sky had turned white. Both of them had entered a state of selflessness. At the critical moment, the Fire Dragon Colt suddenly let out a dragon-like neigh, and a mirage actually appeared.

Chapter 116 Ambitious

The sun was slightly out, and the sea was covered with a thin mist. In the mist, city buildings and a long bridge appeared faintly. Duan Qingxiao was full of heroic spirit and laughed up to the sky: "God will grant my wish. Shattered Moon Slash will be removed from the world from today." Chang Xiao couldn't tell how he felt. It was worth celebrating that Duan Qingxiao had such a perfect ending, but how would he end up in the future? He didn't dare to think about this question now. Duan Qingxiao's wish was fulfilled. He happily put away his knife, clasped his fists and saluted, saying: "Thank you for your help, brother. I can hand over the Rolling Jewel Knife and travel around the world." He left gracefully, and the sound of laughter echoed. Chang Xiao was not so relaxed. He had lost his only opponent. How should he spend the rest of his life? He had no choice but to return to the city that never sleeps. Soon, news came that Duan Qingxiao passed the Rolling Jewel Knife to Zhong Wanshan and retired with Tang Shiyu. This time, it was impossible for him to return to the world. Then the news came from the Never-Sleeping City that Chang Xiao was in a bad mood after the decisive battle and did not intend to ask about the affairs of the martial arts world. These two masters are not only top swordsmen, but also have powerful forces. These two forces are also of great concern to the people of the martial arts world. Duan Qingxiao explained before leaving that Zhong Wanshan did not have the ability to control many masters, and had let these masters do what they wanted and live out their lives. As for the power controlled by Chang Xiao, there was no expression. Obviously, Chang Xiao had no intention of giving up. The future was still long, and no one could tell what would happen. Without a strong force, it was inevitable that someone would cause trouble. With Duan Qingxiao's retirement, the Never-Sleeping City became the most powerful force today, but Chang Xiao's attitude was very clear. He was tired of the martial arts world. If no one provoked him, the Never-Sleeping City would not make things difficult for any force. In this way, the situation was very clear. The new generation's first swordsman, the Taoist Baoding, quickly became the focus of attention from all parties, and the master of Tongtian Fort, Jiang Feiluan, was also ready to move, but it was another force that rose in the martial arts world. This force had amazing potential and suppressed the limelight of the Taoist Baoding and Tongtian Fort in a short period of time.

Many people were surprised to find out who was the leader of this force. It turned out to be Gao Zhen of the Fire God Palace who had been silent for a long time. As the most well-informed, the Beggars' Sect and Qi Shizhen's side sent a large number of people to conduct a detailed investigation. The result was that Gao Zhen's martial arts had not improved much, and he relied on a kind of evil magic. It turned out that Gao Zhen had recently married a Persian woman, who was the new priest of the Fire Poison Sect. The two complemented each other's strengths and weaknesses and formed a new force. Using evil magic, they quickly gathered a group of masters and countless treasures. As we all know, the Fire Poison Sect was rampant at the beginning and no one could control it until Chang Xiao came forward to crack the evil magic. Now Gao Zhen has obtained the evil magic. No one can tell how powerful this evil magic will be when it is performed by a martial arts master. In addition to the Fire God Palace and the Fire Poison Sect, there is another piece of news. After Gao Zhen obtained the evil magic, he went to the border and took the Poison King who lived in seclusion in Wuliang Mountain under his command. In other words, the Fire God Palace now not only has evil magic but also poison. This news is enough to shock the world. The four famous families sent experts to test, but nothing came of it. They only said that the evil magic was powerful and difficult to resist. Jiang Feiluan originally wanted to become famous, but was suddenly disturbed by Gao Zhen. Of course, she was unwilling to accept it. After sending people to test, she realized that Gao Zhen had become a big deal and she had no ability to deal with him. She had to stop and wait and see. Of course, someone went to the Never-Sleeping City to inquire about such a big thing. Chang Xiao meant that Gao Zhen's ancestors had great merits and would not be eradicated unless they had no choice. Gao Zhen had always been angry in his heart. He finally got the opportunity to be proud of himself, so he was arrogant and proclaimed himself the Holy Lord of Fire Spirit. As for the new priest of the Fire Poison Sect, he also had other intentions. He planned to use Gao Zhen to expand the influence of the Fire Poison Sect and make a fortune in the Central Plains. Without the support of the Fire Poison Sect, Gao Zhen could not do anything well, so he respected his new wife very much and regarded her as the Holy Mother of Fire Poison. The two worked together to prepare to enter the Central Plains.

As for Gao Zhen, his own cultivation is first-rate, and there are not many people in the martial arts world who can resist the Fire God's Sword. After learning the mind-control technique, Gao Zhen realized the power of this evil technique and became addicted to it. After subduing the Poison King, he obtained colorless and tasteless poison powder, which can kill people invisibly. Gao Zhen's ambition gradually expanded. The Fire God Palace accumulated powerful power in a very short period of time. Gao Zhen was ambitious and prepared to attack the Never-Sleeping City, unify the martial arts world, and completely trample Chang Xiao under his feet. The Fire Poison Holy Mother had other intentions. It was impossible for the people of Central Plains to be controlled by the Fire Poison Cult. As long as they got a lot of benefits, they could get out. However, someone in Central Plains had cracked the mind-control technique, so for safety reasons, Gao Zhen was used as a shield. The mind-control technique is indeed powerful, especially when it is used by martial arts masters, the power is doubled. Gao Zhen easily subdued many masters, and his joy in his heart goes without saying. However, every time he thought of Chang Xiao, Gao Zhen's heart always ached. It was harder than ascending to heaven to surpass this person. After Duan Qingxiao retired, the Never-Sleeping City has become the most powerful force in the world. It is not easy to shake this big tree. However, Gao Zhen is confident. There are so many masters in the Never-Sleeping City. I can use the human wave tactic. If ten to one is not enough, I can use fifty to one, one hundred to one, and sooner or later, the Never-Sleeping City will be dragged down. Since the goal has been set, it must be implemented. Gao Zhen expanded wantonly, absorbed a large number of people, and amassed countless gold and silver treasures, determined to become the supreme master of the martial arts world. In this way, the strength of the Fire God Palace expanded, but it also offended many people. First of all, the masters controlled by the mind-control technique were not truly submissive, and secondly, the Fire God Palace used poison powder to violate the ethics of the rivers and lakes. Gao Zhen did everything he could to achieve his goal. The Fire Poison Sect was blindly making money. Everyone with a discerning eye knew that Gao Zhen would not have a good result if he continued like this. Once he offended the public, even a top master like Chang Xiao would find it difficult to preserve the Fire God Palace. Gao Zhen insisted on doing what he wanted. Yin Tianlei was extremely worried. If this continued, not only would the Fire God Palace be in danger, the Gao family would also be doomed. Gao Zhen brought about his own destruction and no one else could be blamed. However, as a disciple, he could not bear the fact that his master's years of hard work would lead to the extinction of his family line. Therefore, he planned to go to the Fire God Palace to persuade Gao Zhen, hoping that he would stop.

Duan Xiyun had fought with Gao Zhen before and knew that this person was very utilitarian. It would be useless for Yin Tianlei to go there, and he might even encounter danger. Yin Tianlei understood this, but for the sake of his master, he had to go even though he knew there was danger. Therefore, he set out alone and rushed to the Fire God Palace at night. At this time, the name of the Fire God Palace was well known to everyone. It used to be a mysterious palace hidden deep in Zhongtiao Mountain. Now the entire Zhongtiao Mountain has become the sphere of influence of the Fire God Palace, and there are people guarding everywhere. Yin Tianlei has been in the Fire God Palace for many years and is very familiar with the environment. Seeing this posture, he already understood that there are at least more than 10,000 people guarding Zhongtiao Mountain. It seems that Gao Zhen has indeed recruited a lot of people. Because Gao Zhen is an acquaintance, Yin Tianlei did not pretend to be an old man. As soon as he arrived at the mountain pass, someone had already questioned him. Yin Tianlei stated his identity and someone reported it in. It took a long time before a reply came, allowing Yin Tianlei to enter the mountain. Yin Tianlei felt bad. He had contributed a lot to the Fire God Palace, but now he had to be ordered around by outsiders when he entered the Fire God Palace. In fact, Yin Tianlei's martial arts skills are very high, but his nature is good and he doesn't fight, so he hides his skills. For the future of the Fire God Palace, Yin Tianlei swallowed his anger and followed the mountain guard to the Fire God Palace. From a distance, he saw a tall building. The original exit of the Fire God Palace was just a stone gate, which was very secretive. Now there is an additional palace, which was recently built by Gao Zhen to show his strength. When he arrived at the palace gate, the gatekeeper asked Yin Tianlei to hand over his weapon, but Yin Tianlei refused. As a martial arts master, weapons are part of his life, and of course he can't leave them. In an instant, more than a dozen people surrounded him, and they wanted to capture Yin Tianlei aggressively. Although Yin Tianlei had a good temper, he couldn't bear it at this time. He raised his eyebrows and said proudly: "The Fire God Palace was left by my master, how can you rats be rampant." Since getting the lightning cone, Yin Tianlei has been practicing hard, but he rarely shows it, and not many people in the world know about it. Now that he had drawn his weapon, it was clear that Yin Tianlei's anger had reached an intolerable level. Chang Xiao had told him that he should either not attack or not hesitate, as it would be either him or the enemy who would die. Yin Tianlei's lightning cone whistled out, unstoppable, and pierced the leader through in one go. Then, more than a dozen people who surrounded him fell one after another, and their deaths were exactly the same.

Gao Zhen was discussing things with his new wife in the palace. He was happy to hear that his junior brother had returned. Now he had a powerful helper. Suddenly, he received a report that Yin Tianlei was killing people at the palace gate. He was very confused. His junior brother had a good temper, so why did he get so angry? When the Fire Poison Mother heard that Yin Tianlei had shown his power, she looked displeased and ordered, "Come here, bring Yin Tianlei to me." Gao Zhen hurriedly said, "Madam, wait a minute. Yin Tianlei is my father's disciple and my direct junior brother. Let me handle this matter." The Fire Poison Mother reluctantly agreed. Gao Zhen hurried to the palace gate to see Yin Tianlei. At this time, dozens of people had surrounded Yin Tianlei, waiting for the order to arrest him. Gao Zhen scolded everyone from a distance, and everyone retreated silently. Yin Tianlei said coldly: "Brother, you are so powerful. The Fire God Palace has become a forbidden area. Even I can't enter." Gao Zhen hurriedly said: "Brother, don't mind. These newcomers don't recognize you. Don't mind it for my sake." Yin Tianlei suppressed his anger and reluctantly clasped his fists. Gao Zhen knew Yin Tianlei's ability very well. It would be very beneficial for him to get this helper. Therefore, his attitude was very cordial. He took Yin Tianlei's hand and entered the Fire God Palace. Because the Fire Poison Holy Mother was dissatisfied, they did not meet for the time being. The two came to the practice room and sat opposite each other. After serving tea, Gao Zhen said with joy: "Junior brother, the Fire God Palace is no longer what it used to be. It is unparalleled in the world. I am in need of help, and it is good news that you are back." Yin Tianlei shook his head and said: "Senior brother, I came back mainly to hear your real thoughts. Why is the Fire God Palace making such a big fuss?" Gao Zhen let out a long sigh: "It's not surprising that others ask this question, but it's wrong for you to ask. My meaning is very clear. No matter what means, we must destroy the City That Never Sleeps and trample Chang Xiao under our feet." Yin Tianlei knew Gao Zhen's ambition long ago, but Chang Xiao is no longer the owner of Julong Manor. Today's City That Never Sleeps is full of hidden talents and masters. Chang Xiao has made further progress. Duan Qingxiao's retirement marks that Chang Xiao has become the supreme master of the martial arts world, but Gao Zhen is still ambitious.

When the brothers met, they got straight to the point. Yin Tianlei said straight to the point: "Brother, I'm not trying to discourage you, but the power of the Fire God Palace is far from enough to deal with the Never-Sleeping City." Gao Zhen nodded: "Of course I know that there are many masters hidden in the Never-Sleeping City. In addition, Chang Xiao also controls the Nether Swordsman. I plan to get rid of these killers first." Yin Tianlei persuaded: "Brother, why do you have to make things difficult for Chang Xiao? The Fire God Palace has offended many people by using the evil magic of the Fire Poison Cult, and the use of poison powder has made many people hate it. If this continues, it will be difficult to protect itself." Gao Zhen Gao Zhen disagreed: "Brother, you are worrying too much. Those who achieve great things don't care about trivial matters. As long as you succeed, no one will care what means you use." Yin Tianlei knew that Gao Zhen had made up his mind and it would be difficult to change his mind, so he simply made things clear: "Brother, if you really want to deal with Chang Xiao, you can just issue a challenge publicly. If you win, you can legitimately become the supreme master of the martial arts world. Why use these tricks? Even if the Never-Sleeping City is destroyed, as long as Chang Xiao is not dead, he will still be the supreme master of the martial arts world, not brother." Gao Zhen's face turned red. To be honest, he was not sure about dealing with Chang Xiao. Although he had the mind-control technique, Chang Xiao had cracked it before, and the poison powder was even less likely to hurt a master who had broken through the inner strength gate. In terms of real skills, the gap between the two was obvious. Chang Xiao had been making progress, but he was too worried and stopped moving forward. I am afraid he would not be as good as before. Yin Tianlei's words made Gao Zhen realize that he was pursuing an impossible goal. Even so, Gao Zhen had no way back, so he said to Yin Tianlei: "Junior brother, no matter whether I succeed or not, I will not give up. There is no room for two tigers in one mountain. Chang Xiao and I cannot coexist." Yin Tianlei persuaded him earnestly: "Senior brother, this meeting I found that your martial arts have not made much progress, while Chang Xiao has not stagnated and is already a dragon in the sky. In addition, Chang Xiao's knot with the four famous families has been untied. Now all forces recognize Chang Xiao's status. His words can mobilize the power of the entire world. Once he gives an order, the Fire God Palace will suffer a devastating disaster." Gao Zhen sneered: "No matter what, I must destroy the City That Never Sleeps. It's fine if he reconciles with Jade Butterfly, but why hold the Beauties Gathering? Isn't that intended to humiliate me? I can never tolerate this." Yin Tianlei was so amused that he didn't know whether to laugh or cry. What does it have to do with you that others hold the Beauties Gathering?

Gao Zhen's original intention was to retain Yin Tianlei to help him, but Yin Tianlei of course refused to agree. Gao Zhen was very unhappy and planned to keep Yin Tianlei to persuade him slowly. But someone messed up the situation. It turned out that the Holy Mother of Fire Poison came to the gate of the palace to check. Knowing that Yin Tianlei was ruthless, she was dissatisfied and found the practice room and walked in with her head held high. Yin Tianlei had never seen him before, so Gao Zhen hurriedly introduced him. The Holy Mother of Fire Poison is now at least half the head of the Fire God Palace. Yin Tianlei stood up and saluted. The Holy Mother of Fire Poison nodded slightly. After sitting down, she said coldly: "Since we are brothers from the same sect, why are you so ruthless? Did you return to the Fire God Palace just to establish your authority?" Yin Tianlei suppressed his anger. If it weren't for the face of the master, people like you are not worthy of talking to me. Gao Zhen tried to smooth things over, saying, "Madam, you are overthinking. Junior brother is a master of the day, and his weapon was given to him by my father. He is considered half the master of the Fire God Palace. The gatekeeper didn't know the whole story and asked Junior brother to hand over his weapon, which led to the conflict." Fire Poison Mother nodded slightly, "Let's forget about this matter for your sake. As long as he is willing to stay in the Fire God Palace, we will let bygones be bygones, and we are still a family." Yin Tianlei immediately stated, "I have my own things to do, and I will not stay in the Fire God Palace." Fire Poison Mother's expression changed, "What a big burden, how dare you contradict me in person, come, take this lunatic down." Four people rushed in quickly, and they were masters under the Fire Poison Mother. Yin Tianlei sneered, "There is no place for you to run wild in this Fire God Palace. Today I will clean up the palace on behalf of my master." The electric light cone jumped out, as fast as lightning, and his figure was like a ghost. The four masters had no power to fight back at all, and were killed by Yin Tianlei in one move, and fell at the same time. Since Yin Tianlei had already started, he would not show mercy. The lightning cone reached the throat of the Fire God Mother in the blink of an eye. Seeing the critical situation, Gao Zhen showed the Fire God Sword and chopped at Yin Tianlei from behind. Yin Tianlei felt the golden wind, and the lightning cone turned back and hit it, knocking the Fire God Sword away. He bounced back to the side and said with a fist: "Brother, for the sake of the face of the master, I will not fight with you. I advise you that being with this woman will never end well. That's all. Goodbye." Without saying anything more, he spread his body and left the Fire God Palace. The Fire God Mother was frightened and sweated, and asked: "How does that Chang Xiao compare to your junior brother?" Gao Zhen sighed: "He is more skilled than you." The Fire God Mother was stunned.

Chapter 117: Famous Generals Dispatching

The Holy Mother of Fire Poison certainly knew that the mind control technique of the sect had been frustrated by Chang Xiao twice, and the reason why she chose Gao Zhen was to use the power of martial arts masters to suppress Chang Xiao. Now that she saw that Yin Tianlei was so amazing, she couldn't help but feel nervous. The original wishful thinking might not be so easy to achieve. Seeing Yin Tianlei's skills, Gao Zhen had realized that this junior brother's martial arts had taken a big step forward and had become a real master, but he had taken the wrong path. His real martial arts had not improved but was worse than before. Not to mention Chang Xiao, it was difficult to defeat Duan Xiyun. Although she knew it in her heart, she had already paid too much to defeat Chang Xiao, and it was impossible to give up halfway. So she carefully planned a way to deal with the Never-Sleeping City. First of all, of course, she had to eradicate the Nether Swordsmen. This group of killers was too famous. As long as they were eliminated, the Fire God Palace could be recognized by all forces. Of course, the Nether Swordsmen were not easy to deal with, but these people were not young anymore, and their martial arts must not be as good as before, otherwise they would not have retired to the island. Gao Zhen's idea is different from before. He has no intention of winning by martial arts. The Fire Poison Sect has accumulated a lot of treasures and is fully capable of buying large ships. There is a kind of warship in the West, which is equipped with cannons. The power is extremely amazing and cannot be resisted by flesh and blood. The Fire Poison Sect travels between countries and has believers everywhere. Five warships have been purchased, but no one knows how to control them. They are practicing hard. Once they master the method of maneuvering ships and firing cannons, they will take action. Gao Zhen has seen the power of cannons and is full of confidence. Even if you, Chang Xiao, are a master of martial arts, you can't resist cannons. Another point is that this kind of cannon works well on warships and can also be used on land. As long as fifty cannons are prepared, the city that never sleeps can be razed to the ground. Because of this reliance, Gao Zhen simply doesn't listen to other people's advice, and it doesn't matter if Yin Tianlei leaves. The Fire Poison Holy Mother means to make money. Helping Gao Zhen is mainly to obtain greater wealth. Once the goal is achieved, she will leave.

Yin Tianlei left the Fire God Palace and met up with Duan Xiyun first. Duan Xiyun had already guessed the result. Yin Tianlei was unhappy and told the story again. Duan Xiyun frowned and said, "Gao Zhen actually wants to deal with the Nether Swordsman. With his ability, how dare he make such a bold statement?" Yin Tianlei said, "It seems that he is not aimless, and he seems to be very sure." Duan Xiyun pondered for a moment and said, "The two of us should go to the Never-Sleeping City and discuss it with the city lord." Yin Tianlei was a little embarrassed. No matter what, Gao Zhen was still his senior brother, and he could not sabotage him even if he did not help. Duan Xiyun saw what Yin Tianlei was thinking and said with a smile: "You think we are going to the Never-Sleeping City to oppose Gao Zhen. To tell you the truth, the city lord knows Gao Zhen's every move very well and can destroy the Fire God Palace at any time. We are going there to find a way out for Gao Zhen." Yin Tianlei was quite surprised: "What do you mean, second brother?" Duan Xiyun explained: "My grandfather has officially retired from the world, and his masters have scattered, but the masters of the Never-Sleeping City have not scattered and are still under the control of the city lord. If I were the city lord, I would definitely closely monitor Gao Zhen's every move and be ready to strike with thunder at any time. With the power of the city lord, the Fire God Palace can be completely destroyed overnight." Yin Tianlei was shocked and hurried to the Never-Sleeping City with Duan Xiyun to find out the truth. The two elders of Shuijing had come to the Never-Sleeping City several times, and the gatekeepers knew them. They joked when they met and asked the two to cook a few side dishes. The two men had something to do, so they agreed casually and asked about Chang Xiao's news. The gatekeeper smiled and said, "Ever since the battle with the old leader of the Divine Sword Sect, the city lord lamented that no one in the world was worthy of the Dragon Scale Sword. So he put the sword away and stayed with his wife and Fire Dragon Horse all day." Duan Xiyun nodded, "Looking around the world, there is indeed no one who can let the city lord use the Dragon Scale Sword. Please let him know and say that we brothers want to see you." The gatekeeper promised, "The city lord is bored and will definitely meet you. Remember to promise me the side dishes." Duan Xiyun agreed.

Ever since Duan Qingxiao retired, Chang Xiao has put away the Dragon Scale Sword and put it together with the sword of Taoist Zuixia. Over the years, the Dragon Scale Sword has always been his second life, and he never leaves it. Once he doesn't have the sword at hand, he feels uncomfortable doing anything. Therefore, he either hugs the Jade Butterfly or stays with the Fire Dragon Pony. Whenever he has nothing to do, he feels at a loss. He was bored, and when he heard that the two elders of Crystal were visiting, it was a good time to relieve his boredom, so he invited the two to meet in the hall. Duan Xiyun and Yin Tianlei saluted when they met. Chang Xiao smiled and said, "We are not strangers, so there is no need to be polite. Sit down and talk." Yu Hudie teased, "Tianlei, why are you still pretending to be an old man? Don't you really want to get married?" Yin Tianlei nodded, "This kind of life is quite comfortable. One more wife means one more burden. I will have to think about you wherever I go." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "You brothers are not young anymore. It's time to get married. It's not realistic to buy a house, but it's still feasible to marry a heroine. It'd be better if she can cook well." Duan Xiyun lowered his head and said, "I haven't mastered martial arts yet. I'm afraid it will be delayed if I get married. Practice. "Chang Xiao shook his head: "Marrying and practicing are not in conflict. Didn't I marry six wives?" Duan Xiyun sighed lightly: "The city lord has broken through the inner strength of Qianjin Gate, so of course he has no scruples. "Chang Xiao pointed out: "I didn't break through the inner strength of Qianjin Gate when I got married. It doesn't matter as long as you don't practice the boy's skills. Marrying is not your personal matter, but a responsibility you should bear, to pass on the blood of your ancestors. "Duan Xiyun seemed to have some understanding. His father had also mentioned this statement, but he didn't take it to heart. The same words spoken by Chang Xiao certainly had different weight. Yin Tianlei also realized this and nodded in agreement: "I understand what the city lord said, and I will try my best if I have the opportunity." Chang Xiao was quite satisfied: "That's right, do you want me to help? I have nothing to do these days." Duan Xiyun hurriedly said: "Such things cannot be forced, let's solve it ourselves." Yu Hudie smiled and said: "He didn't have a knife in his hand, as if he had changed into a different person, nagging, and almost became an old man. "

After talking for a long time, Yin Tianlei told about his experience in the Fire God Palace. Chang Xiao disagreed: "The reason why Gao Zhen boasted that he wanted to destroy the Nether Swordsman was nothing more than relying on Western artillery. With real skills, a Nether Swordsman can stab Gao Zhen to death with his sword." Duan Xiyun was quite surprised: "Has the Nether Swordsman's martial arts improved?" Chang Xiao nodded: "Of course, the Nether Swordsman is no longer the cold-blooded killer he used to be. Since he got the Seven Falcon Styles, the Nether Swordsman has practiced hard again and has entered a new realm. Even if he is not the opponent of Taoist Baoding, he can protect himself." Yin Tianlei was secretly surprised. How could Gao Zhen deal with such a group of masters? Only then did he completely believe Duan Xiyun's words. Everything was under Chang Xiao's control. So he begged Chang Xiao to leave Gao Zhen a way out. Chang Xiao smiled and said, "If we really had to do it, the Fire God Palace would have been gone long ago. The reason why we didn't do it is because Gao Zhen's ancestors had made great contributions to the country. But Gao Zhen doesn't know how to respect himself and insists on doing it. If he angers the Nether Swordsman, he will be courting death. At that time, the Gao family will inevitably be extinct." Duan Xiyun asked, "Isn't the Nether Swordsman under the control of the city lord?" Chang Xiao shook his head: "The Nether Swordsman is also a human being and should have his own space. I won't use them as killing tools. From the moment I retired to the island, the Nether Swordsman was out of my control. They and I are just friends. We help each other when there is something, and we don't interfere with each other. Everything is up to them. "Yin Tianlei was greatly surprised: "The city lord actually gave up the Nether Swordsman?" Chang Xiao smiled calmly: "The Nether Swordsman is certainly the most powerful force today, but I don't want to use them to achieve my own goals. Everything depends on my own efforts." Duan Xiyun praised: "The city lord's mind is indeed broad, no wonder he has achieved such success." Chang Xiao pondered for a moment and said: "Gao Zhen's power has expanded, and he won't listen to anyone. The Nether Swordsman has already decided to retire. If he makes a fuss and re-enters the Central Plains, it is hard to say how many people will die at that time. This matter is already in the planning, so you don't have to worry about it." Duan Xiyun heard that Chang Xiao meant to protect Gao Zhen, so there is nothing to worry about. Yin Tianlei also understood and thanked him repeatedly. Chang Xiao didn't take such a thing to heart at all.

Just when Gao Zhen was busy preparing warships, Yan Nanlou suddenly received a message from Chang Xiao that Gao Zhen had prepared five warships with the help of the Fire Poison Sect, ready to dominate the rivers and lakes. Yan Nanlou made a prompt decision and immediately rushed back to the South China Sea to mobilize the Haiqiu ships to prepare to seize the five warships. After several years of experience, Yan Nanlou did things very differently from before and was not in a hurry to act. First, he sent people to investigate the other party's details and learned that Gao Zhen himself did not understand naval warfare. Although there were many people, there were no good boat operators and even some basic common sense. However, the prepared materials were the best. Yan Nanlou issued an order to send capable people to sneak into the other party's shipyard, find out the situation, and take over the other party's ship completely when the time was right, without any damage. Originally, Gao Zhen was an outsider, and there was no time to supervise. There were no masters in the shipyard, so the spies in the South China Sea successfully sneaked in and acted according to the situation. Because he was willing to spend money, Gao Zhen bought the best ships and artillery. The spies in the South China Sea asked Yan Nanlou to send good ship and artillery operators to the shipyard to complete the warships as soon as possible, so as to avoid leaks. Yan Nanlou agreed with him and immediately arranged to send experts to the shipyard. Gao Zhen was still happy to see the accelerated progress. His dream was about to come true. He never expected that he would spend countless financial and human resources to make wedding clothes for others. The people in the South China Sea fleet were quite capable. They quickly prepared the warships and saw the opportunity. They quietly drove the five warships away from the port late at night. There were Haiqiu ships to pick them up. They returned to the South China Sea without anyone noticing. Gao Zhen was in a fog when he received the report. How could five good warships disappear out of thin air? There was no result when people were sent to investigate. The Holy Mother of Fire Poison finally had some magical powers. Through the crystal ball divination, she learned that the warships had joined the South China Sea fleet. Gao Zhen was puzzled. He had nothing to do with the South China Sea Fleet, so why did Yan Nanlou make things difficult for him? It must be Chang Xiao who was behind this. This time he was right. It was Chang Xiao's intention to seize the warships, but his original intention was good. If Gao Zhen used the warships to attack the Netherworld Island, the Fire God Palace would be in trouble. Once the Netherworld Swordsman was provoked, the Fire God Palace would inevitably be destroyed together with him, and it would be difficult to save it.

Gao Zhen could not understand Chang Xiao's kindness. Without warships, he could not attack the Netherworld Island and it would be difficult to establish his prestige in the martial arts world. The Holy Mother of Fire and Poison suggested that they could pay a large sum of money to invite the pirate ship to help. These pirates were extremely cruel and killed people without blinking an eye. They only recognized money and not people. Gao Zhen sent someone to contact them without thinking carefully. The Fire and Poison Sect naturally had its own unique way and successfully obtained the support of the pirate ship. Gao Zhen was overjoyed and prepared to personally destroy the Netherworld Island. These things naturally could not be hidden from Chang Xiao. Yan Nanlou could handle the sea affairs completely. Sure enough, Yan Nanlou acted decisively, and the Haiqiu ship rushed thousands of miles, completely destroying the pirate ship with an overwhelming advantage, and gained a lot. Gao Zhen's calculations failed again, and he was angry at the Never-Sleeping City. Without warships, he could still build artillery and raze the Never-Sleeping City to the ground. The Fire Poison Sect's mind control technique was indeed powerful. It actually controlled some court officials under its banner. With the assistance of these officials, the pace of expansion of the Fire God Palace became faster and faster, and its power developed unprecedentedly, with a total number of more than 500,000 people. Since ancient times, the court has paid the most attention to gathering people to rebel, and the expansion of the Fire God Palace's power naturally attracted the court's attention. An official reported the Fire God Palace's affairs, which was taken seriously by Prime Minister Zheng Dongling, who sent capable personnel to investigate one after another. The news he received shocked Zheng Dongling very much. Among the 500,000 people, there were martial arts masters and court officials. Of course, the situation was so serious that it had to be reported to the emperor. The emperor was most afraid of the people rebelling, and of course he was surprised to hear the news, and immediately let Zheng Dongling handle it with full authority. Zheng Dongling knew very well that to eliminate this force, he needed an elite division that had nothing to do with the court army, and a general who was good at fighting. Naturally, he thought of Wei Heyang, the King of Wuling. Although Zheng Dongling was the prime minister, he did not have the power to mobilize Wei Heyang's elite troops, so he asked the emperor for permission. The emperor knew the seriousness of the situation and immediately sent someone to convey the order, asking Wei Heyang to attack the Fire God Palace and mobilize local troops to assist in destroying this force. Wei Heyang received the order and knew that this matter was serious. Five hundred thousand people were not scary. What was scary was that these people were controlled by the Fire Poison Cult. Once they fought, they would fight to the death and it would be difficult to deal with them.

Although there are only 30,000 elite soldiers in Wuling Mountain, these 30,000 elite soldiers are well-equipped and well-trained, and their combat effectiveness is far beyond that of ordinary official troops. Wei Heyang summoned the generals to discuss matters. The generals had been recuperating for a long time, and they all looked happy when they heard that there was a battle. Wei Heyang said: "This attack on the Fire God Palace is a tough battle. The opponent has 500,000 people." Shen Hanling smiled and said: "Marshal, if it is not a tough battle, we can't show our strength. 500,000 people are nothing." Wei Heyang warned: "Although the opponent has not experienced a battle, he is controlled by the evil magic of the Fire Poison Cult. It is very likely that they will fight to the death. There are also martial arts masters to assist. You must not be careless." The generals agreed in unison. Wei Heyang immediately sent a general, and 30,000 troops marched into Zhongtiao Mountain in different ways and set up camps at the mountain pass. They were not allowed to attack without military orders. The generals received the order and prepared to lead the troops out of the camp. The 30,000 troops were divided into three routes and rushed to Zhongtiao Mountain in a mighty manner. Although Gao Zhen was ambitious, he was not stupid. He knew that the Fire God Palace would make too much noise and would inevitably alarm the court. According to common sense, he should find a way to resist and kill the government troops halfway before they arrive. But Gao Zhen had other plans. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If the King of Wuling was defeated in Zhongtiao Mountain, the name of the Fire God Palace would spread all over the world and overwhelm the Never-Sleeping City. At that time, he would gather strength and flatten the Never-Sleeping City, and his goal would be achieved. Gao Zhen's wishful thinking led to Wei Heyang's soldiers not encountering any obstacles. They successfully arrived at Zhongtiao Mountain, blocked the mountain pass and set up a large camp. Gao Zhen had a high opinion of himself and never thought that the King of Wuling was not only the emperor's brother-in-law and a general in charge of the army, but also the disciple of the Qingyang swordsman. His martial arts and swordsmanship were first-class, especially the giant sword, which was invincible when he was used in the battle between the two armies. Gao Zhen believed that the royal family members were officials who relied on connections and would not have any real talents. Moreover, there were only 30,000 soldiers and horses, while there were no less than 300,000 people in Zhongtiao Mountain, and there were many believers outside. With the help of both sides, the government army would surely be defeated. In addition, there were many masters in the Fire God Palace, and it would be easy for the two armies to capture Wei Heyang. There was almost no suspense in this battle, so he felt at ease. The Fire Poison Holy Mother was even more indifferent. Most of the officials nowadays were drunkards and women, and could not resist the mind control technique at all. Winning this battle would definitely attract more people to serve, and the source of wealth would be even greater.

Chapter 118: Overwhelming

Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will win every battle. Before Wei Heyang started his army, he had sent people to investigate the details of the Fire God Palace in detail, but Gao Zhen knew nothing about Wei Heyang. The Fire God Palace was already at a disadvantage before the two armies even clashed. Wei Heyang analyzed the situation of the Fire God Palace in detail and believed that although the Fire God Palace had a large number of people, its weaknesses were obvious. The first was that the orders were unclear. Although Gao Zhen was the nominal leader, he could only be half the boss at most. The Holy Mother of Fire Poison was controlling everything behind the scenes. This woman was only interested in making money and did not understand the battle formation. Therefore, although the opponent had many masters, they were a mob. Wei Heyang immediately ordered to prepare more strong bows and crossbows. The opponent did not prepare armor at all. In mountain warfare, bows and arrows were the most effective. It should be noted that the opponent had won over many martial arts masters. If they fought alone, they would inevitably suffer. Therefore, the soldiers were required to act in groups of fifty, assist each other, and use shields and spears to cover the crossbowmen to increase the casualties of the opponent as much as possible. Each army prepared separately. The camp was filled with murderous aura, flags fluttering, and a solemn scene. On the other side, Gao Zhen was also arranging for a fight. The government army had only 30,000 soldiers, and his side had an absolute advantage. Therefore, he dispatched five groups of soldiers to attack separately, with 10,000 soldiers in each group, led by martial arts masters. These people have always looked down on the government army. This battle showed that they had more people and more power, and victory was inevitable. Gao Zhen and the Holy Mother of Fire Poison were full of confidence and set up a celebration banquet early. The Holy Mother of Fire Poison specially arranged for the people of the Fire Poison Sect to go down the mountain first, kill the general and seize the flag, and take the first credit. The elite soldiers under Wei Heyang's command had been in battle for a long time and were experienced. They soon noticed the actions of the Fire God Palace. Wei Heyang immediately passed down the order. The opponent's commander did not appear. These groups of soldiers were just testing, and there was no need to expose their strength too early. Therefore, they decided to use the strategy of arrogant soldiers and deliberately show weakness. Such a strategy was not surprising. The generals understood and made preparations. When the five armies of the Fire God Palace arrived, the government troops only put up a symbolic resistance, abandoned the main camp and retreated. The people of the Fire God Palace were overjoyed, and the first thing they thought of was not to chase the enemy but to ask for merit. Gao Zhen and the Holy Mother of Fire and Poison were overjoyed and rewarded the meritorious officials.

Wei Heyang deliberately showed weakness. Throwing the big camp to the opponent would disperse the opponent's strength. The opponent would inevitably send people to station in the big camp, and when the opportunity came, they could wipe out a large force in one fell swoop. As expected by Wei Heyang, the first battle was a victory. Gao Zhen was so excited that the Holy Mother of Fire Poison also laughed at the incompetence of the government troops. The two decided that Gao Zhen would lead 100,000 people to station in the big camp. They were not in a hurry to defeat the enemy, but must capture the King of Wuling. When setting up the camp, Wei Heyang had already made arrangements and arranged four ambushes to cut off the connection between Gao Zhen's troops and the Fire God Palace and then defeat the enemy in one fell swoop. Gao Zhen was afraid that Wei Heyang would flee in fear of the battle, and that he would not be able to show the prestige of the Fire God Palace if he could not catch the King of Wuling. Wei Heyang was making close arrangements, and suddenly a soldier came to report that a group of people from the rivers and lakes came outside the gate, and the leader called himself the Qingyang Swordsman. Wei Heyang hurriedly asked someone to invite Wu Qingyang into the big tent, and the commander-in-chief of the three armies could not leave the case casually. It turned out that Wu Qingyang learned that his apprentice led troops to deal with the Fire God Palace. Gao Zhen had received assistance from the Fire Poison Sect and was extremely powerful. He was afraid of any mistakes, so he contacted some fellow practitioners to help. When the master and apprentice met, Wei Heyang saluted: "Master, what advice do you have from afar?" Wu Qingyang replied: "Gao Zhen's swordsmanship is first-class. The Fire God Palace is no longer what it used to be. There are many masters. I am worried that you will suffer, so I came to help you." Wei Heyang was confident: "Master, don't worry. Although the Fire God Palace has a large number of people, they don't understand the battle formation. The disciple has already come up with a plan to defeat the enemy." Wu Qingyang warned: "Don't be careless. Gao Zhen's swordsmanship is extremely high, and the Fire Poison Sect's mind control is even more difficult." Wei Heyang nodded: "If you can't hold on, ask the master to take action." Wu Qingyang nodded. When the two armies clashed, morale was the first priority. It was of course a good thing for the commander to have confidence. Wei Heyang divided his troops and sent generals, waiting for the other side to discuss the battle. As expected, Gao Zhen was eager to show off his power and led his troops to fight. Wei Heyang selected his troops to fight. In order to implement the strategy of making the enemy proud, he only brought 5,000 men, with uneven clothing and armor, and of varying heights. Gao Zhen made one mistake after another. The officials who had joined him had said that Wei Heyang was the most outstanding general in the court, both wise and brave, and his elite troops were invincible. However, Gao Zhen still didn't care, thinking that the government troops were vulnerable and that Wei Heyang sat on the throne because of the princess's relationship.

Since ancient times, underestimating the enemy has been a taboo in military strategy. Most of the historical examples of winning with fewer troops were due to underestimating the enemy. Although the Fire God Palace has an absolute advantage in terms of numbers and overall strength, underestimating the enemy has already laid hidden dangers. When the two armies faced each other, Gao Zhen saw that the official army was in disarray, and he believed that his judgment was correct. At this time, he was not thinking about how to win, but how to capture King Wuling alive. Since marrying the Holy Mother of Fire Poison, Gao Zhen has learned some methods of mind control, which have worked very well, so he does not attach much importance to martial arts. Wei Heyang is King Wuling. The red flag of the commander is bright yellow in the middle, which is very conspicuous. Gao Zhen already knows that the person under the commander's flag is the brother-in-law of the current emperor, King Wuling Wei Heyang, the commander of the Fire God Palace this time. This opportunity cannot be missed, so he flew out on a horse, holding not the Fire God Sword but a skull staff with golden rings hanging on it. Wei Heyang had investigated the details of the Fire God Palace in detail and had a certain understanding of the Fire Poison Sect's mind control technique. When he saw Gao Zhen coming out, he already understood the other party's intention. Since Gao Zhen was a martial arts master, there was no need to let his generals take risks, so he urged his horse to meet him. Gao Zhen was secretly happy. As long as he captured this man, the government army would collapse in an instant, and the name of the Fire God Palace would surely be heard throughout the country. In order to capture Wei Heyang alive, Gao Zhen used the mind control technique, shook the skull staff, and made a harsh strange sound. Seeing that Wei Heyang's eyes began to become confused and his body shook, this was a sign of mental confusion. Gao Zhen continued to use the mind control technique and approached carefully, preparing to capture Wei Heyang alive. The two horses approached and were about to succeed. Gao Zhen was very proud and reached out to catch Wei Heyang. In the blink of an eye, a shadow suddenly passed through his heart. This was the instinctive reaction of a martial arts master to danger. Gao Zhen's heart moved, and his feeling was not wrong. As expected, a red light shot towards his chest like lightning. After all, Gao Zhen had practiced hard for many years. At the critical moment, he leaned back and drew his Vulcan Sword, barely blocking Wei Heyang's sword. Wei Heyang secretly praised Gao Zhen for his superb martial arts. The speed of his sword was beyond his imagination. He could still protect himself in such a situation. He immediately retracted his sword and swung the giant sword to chop it down on his head.

Gao Zhen never dreamed that the mind control technique would fail, and this Wuling King was proficient in swordsmanship. This sword was full of fire and the timing and position were just right. He was obviously a master. The timing was urgent, and there was no time to think too much. Wei Heyang's giant sword had already fallen. At this time, there was no time to think too much, and he could only rely on his real ability. After all, Gao Zhen was the descendant of the Fire God Palace, and his swordsmanship was extremely superb. However, Wei Heyang's giant sword was too domineering, and the Fire God Sword was much shorter, so Wei Heyang had the upper hand. Gao Zhen was determined to become famous, and he could not lose face in such a highly anticipated occasion. Therefore, he cheered up and attacked with all his strength. The Fire God Sword shot out a dazzling red light. After dozens of rounds, Wei Heyang had already realized that it was difficult to kill Gao Zhen with his own skills. This person's swordsmanship was indeed amazing, so he turned his horse back to his team and issued an attack signal. The government troops arranged neat teams and pressed towards the army of the Fire God Palace. Gao Zhen also knew that the opponent's martial arts were first-class, and it was difficult for him to win, let alone capture him alive. Therefore, the order was issued to meet the enemy in an all-round way, relying on the power of numbers to defeat the government army in one go. The people of the Fire God Palace shouted and rushed up under the control of the mind control technique, their eyes were dull, and they marched forward courageously. Wei Heyang's elite soldiers were well-trained and experienced, and the people of the Fire God Palace were slow to react, so they could cause great casualties with just bows and arrows. Therefore, the forwards connected their shields to block the opponent's offensive, and the javelins opened the way. The arrows were like locusts, and the people of the Fire God Palace fell in groups, with countless casualties. The people behind stepped on the people in front and continued to attack. Wei Heyang was very well prepared, and the bows and javelins were as dense as a rainstorm, causing great damage to the opponent. At the beginning, Gao Zhen didn't care, but later found that he lost more than 10,000 people in the first charge, while the opponent didn't lose anything. If this goes on, how long can his 100,000 people last? Therefore, he immediately ordered to withdraw his troops. Wei Heyang's arrangement was obviously not so simple. Under the waving of flags, two armoured cavalry rushed out. Gao Zhen was certainly unwilling to fail, but he didn't expect the opponent's bows and arrows to be so powerful. Since the government troops were out of the range of the arrows, they would be easier to deal with, so an order was issued to dispatch two groups of troops to meet the enemy. Wei Heyang urged his troops to form an orderly formation and charge into battle.

The two armies soon got mixed up. Although the Fire God Palace had many good players, they did not cooperate and fought on their own. The government troops all fought against the enemy in coordination. They advanced and retreated, and the various military branches had a tacit understanding. The people of the Fire God Palace suffered heavy losses, while the government troops did not suffer much damage. Although Gao Zhen did not understand the art of war, he knew that this would not work. His own advantages had not been brought into play at all. Although the other side had a small number of people, they were well-trained and had a strict formation, which took a great advantage. At this time, it was too late to retreat. The two armies had already been fighting together. If they retreated, they would suffer greater casualties. Therefore, Gao Zhen issued an order that all the troops should attack and use the human sea tactics to win by the number. For a time, the battlefield was dusty and killing was deafening. Wei Heyang had been paying attention to the changes in the battle situation. He was secretly happy when he found that the other side's entire army was attacking. He sent a signal, and the elite soldiers who had been ambushed in advance quickly attacked to seize the big village and cut off the other side's way back. Gao Zhen was commanding his troops to fight against the government troops in an all-round way. The people around him suddenly exclaimed. Looking back, the big village behind him had become a sea of fire. Gao Zhen was finally a descendant of a general family. He knew that he had committed a major military taboo and had fallen into the opponent's trap. The Wuling King and his elite soldiers in front of him were far from being comparable to ordinary government troops. There was no time to hesitate on the battlefield. Gao Zhen immediately issued an order, and the whole army worked hard to move forward, and the big camp was abandoned. Under the effect of the mind-control technique, the people of the Fire God Palace rushed forward at the risk of their lives, and the momentum was very fierce. Wei Heyang saw the situation and ordered the soldiers to alternately cover the retreat. The archers behind were ready. Seeing the government troops retreating, Gao Zhen thought the time had come, and he personally led his men to rush over. The government troops who seized the big camp were only a small group of people and would not play any role. The government troops often practiced, and although they retreated, the troops were not in chaos at all. The soldiers fought and retreated, luring the enemy deep into the depths. Gao Zhen did not expect Wei Heyang's arrangement to be so strict. He thought that he could win as long as he fought hard, so he urged his men to rush forward with all his strength. The government troops retreated about three miles, and the sound of war drums sounded. All the government troops stopped entangled and quickly hid in the dense forests on both sides of the road. Gao Zhen was shocked. This formation was obviously an ambush. As expected, countless flags were raised on both sides. With the sound of war drums, sharp arrows fell like raindrops. Gao Zhen had no choice but to order a retreat. The people of the Fire God Palace turned around and retreated, but the retreat was also full of archers. The people of the Fire God Palace were in a dilemma. Wei Heyang knew that the plan was successful, so he issued an order not to worry about anything and to kill as many enemies as possible.

A general's lack of strategy can lead to the death of thousands of soldiers. Gao Zhen underestimated the enemy, which led to more than 100,000 people falling into trouble, with countless casualties. Gao Zhen was certainly unwilling to fail, but there was no other way in this situation, so he led a group of masters to fight to the death, and staying where they were would only lead to death. At this time, the Holy Mother of Fire and Poison sent people to meet them, and Wei Heyang did not intend to kill them all. He ordered the soldiers to make way and only use bows and crossbows to kill the enemy on both wings. Therefore, Gao Zhen was able to lead a group of defeated soldiers to retreat to the Fire God Palace in a panic. Wei Heyang immediately issued an order to clean up the battlefield. After the army was reorganized, the entire army entered the mountain pass, cleared the remaining enemies on all sides, and approached the Fire God Palace. Gao Zhen fled back to the Fire God Palace, still in shock, but the Holy Mother of Fire and Poison did not complain. The strength of Wei Heyang and his soldiers was indeed unexpected. Gao Zhen was very upset after losing the first battle. He didn't expect that he couldn't even deal with the government troops. At this time, news came that the government troops were approaching the Fire God Palace. The Fire Poison Holy Mother asked, how could Wei Heyang resist the mind control technique? Gao Zhen also felt strange. The mind control technique was amazingly powerful. Although there were many masters in the Central Plains, only Chang Xiao dared to face it. How did Wei Heyang break it? These two people couldn't figure it out. Wu Qingyang in the government army didn't understand either. The mind control technique was extremely difficult to deal with. Even if Wei Heyang could resist it, how could those soldiers win without being disturbed? Therefore, he specifically asked, and Wei Heyang explained: "To put it bluntly, it is very simple. The mind control technique is mainly sound, and secondly, medicine. I made preparations in advance, and asked the soldiers around me to stuff cotton in their ears and use flags to pass orders. If you can't hear the sound, you will naturally not be affected. The medicine cannot reach far, and the confrontation between the two armies will not work. Wu Qingyang nodded repeatedly. This apprentice is indeed talented and can completely deal with the Fire God Palace, so he said goodbye with confidence. Wei Heyang knew the kindness of his master and thanked him endlessly. After sending Wu Qingyang away, Wei Heyang immediately deployed a full-scale attack on the Fire God Palace. First, let the nearby garrison open a large net outside Zhongtiao Mountain to try not to let the thieves escape. This time the strategy is fire attack, without direct contact. Even with strong martial arts and a large number of people, they can't withstand the raging fire. For a time, the Fire God Palace in Zhongtiao Mountain was surrounded by flames. Wei Heyang won a great victory in his first battle. Naturally, the nearby government troops would come to wave flags and shout, and they would naturally rush to add icing on the cake. If Wei Heyang lost, it would be another scene.

Gao Zhen made a wrong move and fell into a passive position. After thinking hard for a long time, he made a decision to let some people contain the government troops, and he led his people to withdraw from the secret passage to avoid the sharp edge temporarily. Because the mind-control technique was too insidious, Wei Heyang ordered to completely eliminate the Fire Poison Sect and never let these people stir up trouble in the Central Plains. Therefore, the government troops used fire to open the way and launched a full-scale attack. Gao Zhen summoned his confidants, packed up all the treasures, entered the secret passage with the Fire Poison Mother, and sent a large number of people to resist the government troops. When the Fire God Palace was built, a retreat was left. The secret passage was built using the karst cave in the belly of the mountain. Gao Zhen led thousands of people to sneak out of Zhongtiao Mountain quietly. Wei Heyang's army successfully captured the Fire God Palace. Knowing that Gao Zhen had escaped, they immediately sent people to track him down. Soon they got the news that Gao Zhen and his party broke through the encirclement of the government troops and disappeared. Wei Heyang knew that once Gao Zhen hid in the rivers and lakes, the government troops would be powerless. However, the Fire Poison Sect was ravaging the Central Plains, not just the government's business. In the battle of the Fire God Palace, many people in the rivers and lakes died, and they should rely on the power of the four famous families. His weight was not enough, so he sent someone to prepare a heavy gift to Wuling Villa, asking the master to come forward. Wu Qingyang certainly had no choice but to do it. Chang Xiao had already stated that he would not ask about this matter, so Wu Qingyang sent a letter to the four famous families, saying that the Fire Poison Sect used evil magic, causing many people in the world to die, and Gao Zhen aided and abetted the evil, so he should be removed from the world. After the letter was sent, it quickly received responses from all parties. On the one hand, the Fire Poison Sect's mind-controlling technique was unpopular, and on the other hand, many sects had people who died in the Fire God Palace, and this account should be recorded on Gao Zhen's head. Therefore, the four famous families mobilized their disciples and contacted various gangs and factions to pursue Gao Zhen and his party with all their strength. Once the people in the world started, Gao Zhen and his party fell into a situation of being surrounded by enemies. It was already difficult for the government to cope with it. Now all forces are searching comprehensively. Although the world is big, there is no place for them to stay. The huge forces collapsed in a short time.

Chapter 119: It's Your Own Fault

Gao Zhen and the Holy Mother of Fire Poison had no feelings for each other, they just used each other. Gao Zhen knew that the Fire Poison Sect was unpopular, so he decided to part ways with the Holy Mother of Fire Poison. The Holy Mother of Fire Poison also knew that Gao Zhen was no longer useful, so she led the backbone of the sect to leave on her own, and her mind control technique was enough to protect herself. The four famous families jointly issued a martial arts post, eradicating the Fire Poison Sect at all costs, and never let this evil cult cause harm in the future. In addition, Gao Zhen's perverse behavior has become a public enemy of the martial arts world, and he is determined to get rid of it. People in the government naturally fully support it. In fact, it is difficult to eradicate the Fire Poison Sect without the assistance of the people in the martial arts world. For a time, all kinds of people in the martial arts world from north to south were taking action to eliminate the remnants of the Fire Poison Sect and search for Gao Zhen's whereabouts. Although there was no harvest for the time being, with so many people working together, success is inevitable. Yin Tianlei was very anxious when he got the news. According to Gao Zhen's actions, it was indeed unforgivable, but the Gao family guarded the treasure for the country and made great contributions to the world. If he died out, how could he be worthy of his master? After discussing with Duan Xiyun, Duan Xiyun immediately pointed out the way. In this situation, only Chang Xiao could help, as no one else had the strength. Yin Tianlei immediately set off for the Never-Sleeping City, and Duan Xiyun naturally went with him. The matter was urgent, and the two of them rushed to the Never-Sleeping City at night. Because they were frequent visitors, the gatekeeper immediately let them in. Chang Xiao was in the hall, and he always felt uncomfortable without a knife in his hand. When the two met, Yin Tianlei couldn't wait to tell Chang Xiao about Gao Zhen. Chang Xiao smiled and said, "I knew Gao Zhen would not have a good result, but I didn't expect it to be so soon. Wei Heyang is indeed a talent." Yin Tianlei expressed his concerns. Now that all forces have joined forces, once Gao Zhen is found, they will definitely cut the grass and eradicate it, and the Gao family will be extinct. Chang Xiao pondered for a moment and said, "Gao Zhen is seeking his own death and he doesn't deserve sympathy, because his ambition has killed many people, and those people also have parents and relatives. Everyone is responsible for their own actions, and of course they have to bear the consequences of their own actions." Yin Tianlei was anxious and begged repeatedly, but Duan Xiyun persuaded him, "Brother, you don't have to do this, the city lord has decided to help."

Chang Xiao was a little surprised to hear this, and praised: "I didn't expect you to have such vision. It seems that you have made a lot of progress. Yes, I decided to intervene in this matter, but right and wrong will be judged by the public, and I cannot risk the world's condemnation. This matter is entirely Gao Zhen's own fault. I don't want the Fire God Sword to be forgotten. I plan to rescue Gao Zhen's son and take the Fire God Sword away." Yin Tianlei said: "The master has only one son. Can the city lord think of a way to preserve him?" Chang Xiao shook his head: "I decided to intervene mainly because of your master, and also because of the senior master Chi Lingshen. Under the current circumstances, it is not easy to preserve the Gao family lineage and the Fire God Sword." Duan Xiyun hurriedly said: "Thank you for your help, the city lord, we brothers are very grateful." Chang Xiao nodded: "There is no time to lose. I have to go there in person for this matter. You stay here and wait for news. If Gao Zhen refuses to hand over the Fire God Sword to me, even the gods can't do anything." Duan Xiyun understood that it would take a lot of people to find Gao Zhen before all forces could, and the gains from this trip were not small. Chang Xiao immediately issued an order, mobilized all the forces at hand, first found the whereabouts of the Holy Mother of Fire Poison and her group, informed the world, bought time, and found a way to find Gao Zhen before all forces. Soon there was a response. The Holy Mother of Fire Poison had prepared a large ship to leave the Central Plains. After receiving the news, all forces quickly concentrated their forces to deal with the Fire Poison Sect, and Chang Xiao was able to find Gao Zhen first. At this time, Gao Zhen no longer had the prestige of the past. He was simply a frightened bird. The days of fleeing for many days had wiped out his ambitions. The group rested in the deep forest, and everyone was exhausted. Looking at his embarrassed relatives, Gao Zhen felt very uncomfortable. The days to come would be more difficult. He was thinking about it, and suddenly someone came slowly. Although Gao Zhen was a first-class master, he did not feel anything unusual. When the person came close and stopped, Gao Zhen still did not respond. The person said, "Brother Gao, long time no see." Gao Zhen was shocked. Why didn't he react when an outsider approached him? If the other party had malicious intentions, his life would have been gone long ago. An idea flashed through his mind, and he blurted out, "Lord of the Never-Sleeping City."

Gao Zhen was very smart. In the world today, there are only two masters who have reached the state of unity between man and nature. Duan Qingxiao is Chang Xiao. Duan Qingxiao cannot come, so the person in front of him must be Chang Xiao. Everyone else was surprised. This person approached casually, and so many people on his side did not feel anything unusual. Is this person a human or a god? Chang Xiao smiled and nodded: "It's rare that Brother Gao still remembers me. Let me talk for a moment." Gao Zhen knew that Chang Xiao's appearance at this time must be a big deal, so he followed Chang Xiao to the depths of the dense forest. Chang Xiao got straight to the point: "To be honest with you, Brother Gao, Yin Tianlei came to the Never-Sleeping City and asked me to save you." Gao Zhen bowed his head and sighed: "My junior brother is so kind, I am ashamed of myself. I have committed many sins and have no hope of survival." Chang Xiao agreed: "I am not here to save you. In fact, I don't want to save you from the bottom of my heart. For the sake of your father and the great reputation of the Red Spirit God, I plan to save the Gao family. If you trust me, give me a son and the Fire God Sword. If you don't, I will leave immediately and let you fend for yourself." Gao Zhen immediately made a decision: "Thank you for your kindness, Lord of the City. I will hand my son over to the Lord of the City immediately." Gao Zhen knew that Chang Xiao helped people from the bottom of his heart and would never start and end. It would be right to hand over his son to him. Therefore, he immediately called his eldest son Gao Yuan, gave him a careful instruction, handed over the Fire God Sword and the sword manual, and told his son to practice swordsmanship hard, read more, and not miss his relatives. Gao Yuan was reluctant to be separated from his family, but Gao Zhen scolded him, "You are carrying the hope of the Gao family, how can you be sentimental? This is our last chance." Gao Yuan bid farewell to his father in tears, and then said goodbye to his mother and brothers, and left with Chang Xiao. Gao Zhen finally let go of his worries and led a group of people to continue fleeing. Chang Xiao had already calculated that the four famous families could not deal with the mind-control technique, and would definitely ask for his help, so he led Gao Yuan back to the City That Never Sleeps. When Gao Yuan saw Yin Tianlei, he was overwhelmed with emotions and prostrated himself. Yin Tianlei felt uncomfortable and comforted Gao Yuan. Gao Yuan asked Yin Tianlei to help his father through the difficult times, but Yin Tianlei sighed, "I am powerless."

As expected by Chang Xiao, the Fire Poison Sect's mind-control technique was extremely vicious. Hundreds of experts from various forces were gathered, but they were repeatedly deceived by the mind-control technique, killing each other and suffering heavy losses. However, the Fire Poison Sect also lost a lot of people, and the two sides were in a stalemate. At the beginning, Chang Xiao's breaking of the mind-control technique was known to the world. The initiator of this action was Wu Qingyang, who had a good relationship with Chang Xiao. Therefore, the various factions discussed and asked Wu Qingyang to write a letter to Chang Xiao, asking him to take the lead in breaking the mind-control technique. After receiving the letter, Chang Xiao set off immediately. For Gao Yuan's future, he should take the lead, otherwise Gao Yuan would still bear the crime of being the public enemy of the martial arts world and it would be difficult for him to gain a foothold in the martial arts world. First, he met with Wu Qingyang and told him about his protection of Gao Yuan. Wu Qingyang could not make the decision, so he reached an agreement after discussing with the heads of the sects to let Gao Yuan go for the sake of Gao's ancestors. Chang Xiao put his worries aside and prepared to deal with the Fire Poison Sect. The original priest was reasonable and steady, but the new priest was young and hot-tempered, and acted recklessly, which led to the disaster. Now the boat of the Fire Poison Cult is trapped in Taihu Lake, and they are in a dilemma. They can only rely on mind control and poison powder to protect themselves, and their life is extremely difficult. Chang Xiao approached on a bamboo raft, and he didn't need anyone's help at all. The people of the Fire Poison Cult didn't have many masters, and they only relied on evil magic. Once the evil magic failed, they would be lambs to be slaughtered. Chang Xiao easily eliminated several leaders of the Fire Poison Cult. Wu Qingyang led people to completely eradicate the remnants, and sold the treasures looted by the Fire Poison Cult to help the families of the victims of the Zhongtiao Mountain War. The matter was resolved satisfactorily, and Chang Xiao returned to the Never-Sleeping City. Gao Yuan was still thinking about his relatives, and Yin Tianlei was powerless. Chang Xiao told Gao Yuan that all forces had decided that as long as Gao Zhen committed suicide to thank the world, they would let the others go. This was a concession made in view of Chang Xiao's coming forward to solve the Fire Poison Cult. Gao Yuan also knew what his father had done. He was lucky to have such a result and could not ask for anything more.

Gao Zhen knew that he could not escape death, and that it was Chang Xiao's effort that saved his family. Reflecting on what he had done, he was too ashamed to face this man. As a warrior, if he could not become famous during his lifetime, it would be a good thing to die in a blazing manner, so he wrote a suicide note, saying that he would commit suicide in the Fire God Palace to thank the world. When the news spread, people from all walks of life rushed to the Fire God Palace. Once Gao Zhen died, the matter would come to an end. Wei Heyang got the news and was also ready to rush to the Fire God Palace. He had to see such a big thing with his own eyes before reporting it to the court. Chang Xiao got the news but was not ready to go. Although Gao Zhen had brought it upon himself, he was a master after all, and there was nothing good about him committing suicide. In addition, if Gao Zhen made any requests in front of everyone, it would be difficult for him to refuse, so it would be better not to go. Yin Tianlei naturally had to go, Gao Yuan also wanted to see his father for the last time. Yin Tianlei considered that the Zhongtiaoshan War had caused tens of thousands of casualties, and the families of these people must hate Gao Zhen. If Gao Yuan showed up, he would become a thorn in the eyes of everyone, so it was better not to go. Therefore, Yin Tianlei and Duan Xiyun set out to rush to the Fire God Palace. There were already many people on the road, including martial arts colleagues, government officials and the families of the victims. The Fire God Palace had been burned by the fire, and it was pitch black everywhere, without a trace of life. Yin Tianlei was inevitably sad. He had lived in the Fire God Palace for many years and had feelings for every plant and tree here. Now he was in this state and couldn't help but feel sad. Gao Zhen acted extreme and had no friends at all. Yin Tianlei prepared two jars of good wine to send Gao Zhen on his way. Duan Xiyun was defeated by Gao Zhen before, and now Gao Zhen was bound to die, but Duan Xiyun couldn't be happy. If he had known this, he should have challenged earlier to restore his reputation. Once Gao Zhen died, he would have no chance to turn over. Although many people gathered at the Fire God Palace, only Yin Tianlei was kind-hearted. Gao Zhen naturally understood and had to admit that he was a failure. Masters from all walks of life came one after another, led by Wu Qingyang. Gao Zhen faced thousands of resentful eyes alone, but he did not feel scared. Instead, he felt a sense of accomplishment. It was a blessing to get so much attention before his death. It can be seen that Gao Zhen was very vain.

Wu Qingyang brought a bowl of wine, Gao Zhen took it and thanked him: "Thank you for your kindness, Master. It's ridiculous that Gao is so arrogant, but I was defeated by the master's disciples. I am really ashamed of myself." Wu Qingyang said: "Considering that you are a contemporary master, your ancestors have great merits. Wu guarantees that your relatives are safe." Gao Zhen drank it all in one gulp and said generously: "Thank you, Master. I will never forget this kindness in my nine springs." Although there were many people present, there were only a few who came up to toast. Duan Xiyun came over with a glass of wine and said with some regret: "I was defeated by you at the beginning, and I never had a chance to turn over. After today's separation, I am afraid that we will have to wait until the next life to settle the account." Gao Zhen smiled slightly: "Gao has taken the wrong path. His swordsmanship has regressed a lot, far less than that of his junior brother Yin Tianlei. Your martial arts are better than my junior brother. If we really fight, Gao will definitely lose." Such words would never come from Gao Zhen's mouth in the past. When a man is about to die, his words are also good. On the one hand, Gao Zhen knew that his martial arts skills had indeed declined and he was not as good as Duan Xiyun. On the other hand, if one died, all would be lost. It was better to resolve a feud than to create one. There was no need to keep this grudge. Duan Xiyun understood what Gao Zhen meant and sighed, "Why am I always fussing about every little thing? How can I become a master if I can't even see the outcome?" Gao Zhen finished his drink and smiled, "Based on this sentence, you are already far ahead of me." Yin Tianlei came over to toast. Gao Zhen sighed, "Junior brother, I insisted on doing what I wanted. I am sorry to my ancestors, my wife and children, and you. I can only repay you in the next life." Yin Tianlei felt unhappy and said sadly, "Master has been very kind to me. It is my duty to help you. To be honest, Senior Brother I am also responsible for what has happened today." Gao Zhen felt guilty and remorseful: "Junior brother, I am really ashamed to say that." Yin Tianlei wiped his tears and said: "No more, brother, rest in peace, leave your affairs to me." Gao Zhen knew that although Yin Tianlei was kind, he was not capable of protecting his family. He had made too many enemies. Since Chang Xiao did not come, Wu Qingyang was the only capable one. Therefore, he did not tell Yin Tianlei the hiding place of his relatives, but told Wu Qingyang. Wu Qingyang was a man of his word and would not regret it.

With his mind at rest, Gao Zhen drew out his sword and laughed loudly: "Chang Xiao, I never thought that I was not better than you when I was alive, but I am better than you when I am dying. There must not be so many people to see you off when you die." After saying that, he swung his sword and killed himself. Seeing that Gao Zhen still couldn't forget his vanity before his death, everyone was moved. In fact, everyone has vanity. Yin Tianlei stepped forward to clean up Gao Zhen's body. The heir of the Fire God Palace should have his own destination. Everyone dispersed and the matter came to an end. Duan Xiyun asked Yin Tianlei what he was going to do. Yin Tianlei thought for a moment and replied, "I wanted to take care of my senior brother's wife and children, but he didn't tell me where he was hiding. As for Gao Yuan, I don't need to worry about him if I leave him to the city lord. After settling my senior brother, I will still use the identity of Crystal Two Elders to mix in the rivers and lakes." Duan Xiyun nodded, "To be honest, I can't bear to give up the identity of Crystal Two Elders. I am carefree, free, and have no worries. I am happier than the emperor." Although the Fire God Palace was looted by officers and soldiers, it was not destroyed. Yin Tianlei carefully put Gao Zhen's body in the resting place left by Gao's ancestors. Originally planning to tidy up the Fire God Palace, Duan Xiyun advised, "My dear brother, Gao Zhen has made countless enemies, and many people hate him. It is not appropriate to reorganize the Fire God Palace at this time. Let's wait a few years." Yin Tianlei nodded, "Second brother is right. I think this matter should be left to Gao Yuan." The two discussed it and dressed up as old men again. Yin Tianlei was always worried about Gao Yuan, so they went back to the city that never sleeps. Chang Xiao already knew what happened, and persuaded Yin Tianlei to put his worries aside. Yin Tianlei did not see Gao Yuan, and when asked, Chang Xiao smiled and said, "I am not familiar with the swordsmanship of the Fire God Palace, so I sent Gao Yuan to a master." Yin Tianlei was quite surprised: "Who else in the world can compare to the owner of the manor?" Chang Xiao turned to Duan Xiyun and asked, "Can you guess the identity of this master?" Duan Xiyun thought for a moment and said, "Could it be that the master the city lord is talking about is my grandfather?" Chang Xiao smiled and nodded, "In this world, the only person who is familiar with the Fire God's swordsmanship is your grandfather. With the advice of such a master, I believe Gao Yuan has a bright future." Yin Tianlei was overjoyed, but Duan Xiyun felt strange. His grandfather retired, and even his closest relatives and disciples did not know where he was. How could Chang Xiao find him? In response to the question, Chang Xiao explained, "Your grandfather's internal and external skills have reached perfection. Although he retired, he never hid from the world and often hung out with old friends. Besides me, Master Wu Mu also knows your grandfather's whereabouts." Duan Xiyun already understood that those who interacted with his grandfather were all top masters, and there was a big gap between his own cultivation and these masters, so it was difficult for him to see his grandfather.

Chapter 120: Life is short

Knowing that Gao Yuan could actually get Duan Qingxiao's guidance, Yin Tianlei was extremely happy and had a little more respect for Chang Xiao. No matter what Chang Xiao did, Gao Yuan would never be grateful. It would be good enough if he didn't regard Chang Xiao as an enemy in the future. Because Gao Zhen was obsessed with surpassing Chang Xiao, Gao Yuan was influenced by his father and had deep hostility towards Chang Xiao. Chang Xiao couldn't have been unaware of these things. Knowing Gao Yuan's attitude, he still helped him. This mind was really precious. Out of gratitude to Chang Xiao, Yin Tianlei did his best to prepare a feast. The Never-Sleeping City naturally had to have fine wine. Chang Xiao called out the Jade Butterfly to taste it, and his daughter Dragonfly also came to join in the fun. The four brothers Jian Tong and Qin Tong also wanted to take advantage of it. Chang Xiao never regarded these four brothers as servants, so everyone sat together and tasted the food in a lively manner. There were nine people in total, but Chang Xiao had arranged ten seats. Duan Xiyun was a little surprised and asked, "Does the city lord have any guests?" Chang Xiao smiled and said, "No, I didn't invite her. She comes whenever she wants and no one can stop her." Duan Xiyun immediately understood and blurted out, "Bhikkhu Shenmu." Before he finished speaking, someone answered, "Who called me?" In the blink of an eye, there was one more person on the seat, and it was Bhikkhu Shenmu. This expert often came to the city that never sleeps. These days, he always wanted Chang Xiao to roast corn for him and never left. Naturally, she was indispensable for such occasions. As soon as Monk Shenmu arrived, Yin Tianlei knew that he would not eat well, so he stood up and said with a smile: "I will make some cakes for you." Monk Shenmu nodded and said: "Good boy, you are so sensible." Monk Shenmu was still dressed as a girl, while Yin Tianlei was an old man. It was certainly funny for a girl to call an old man a child. Qingting smiled. Monk Shenmu never talked about etiquette, and pointed and said: "I am older than his grandfather, what's wrong with calling him a child?" Qingting smiled but did not answer. Monk Shenmu tasted a few bites of the dish and shook his head slightly: "It's still not as good as roasted corn." Duan Xiyun nodded and said: "The delicious food roasted by the city lord himself is indeed unparalleled in the world." Monk Shenmu was very pleased: "I dare say that I have eaten the most roasted corn in the world today, even he himself can't compare to it."

When Wu Qingyang took over Wuling Villa, Duan Xiyun knew that Monk Shenmu had encouraged Chang Xiao to roast corn, and he ate a lot of it, but it was a bit exaggerated to say that he ate the most. Monk Shenmu saw that Duan Xiyun didn't believe it, and pointed at Chang Xiao and said, "If you don't believe it, ask him, his words are always true." Chang Xiao nodded, "Yes, the person who ate the most is none other than her." Duan Xiyun was a little surprised, and Chang Xiao explained, "Before the duel with your ancestor, I prepared carefully and adjusted it by roasting corn. All the roasted corn was eaten by her alone." Duan Xiyun understood it, and immediately asked Chang Xiao about the decisive battle. Many people in the martial arts world wanted to know the result, and who had the upper hand between Duan Qingxiao and Chang Xiao. The monk Shenmu smiled and said, "It's useless to ask. I also want to know the result, but he won't tell me no matter how I ask. I can't get the answer even if I find your grandfather. My bet with him is invalid." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "We are on different paths, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. If you want to ask about the result, it can be said that we are evenly matched." This answer was ambiguous. Duan Xiyun knew that he couldn't get anything out of it, and he felt a little regretful. The monk Shenmu smiled and said, "This is not bad. Many things are better without results than with results. It's best for the two of them not to win or lose. Whoever loses will feel bad, and the winner may not be happy. Having said that, the two of them no longer care about winning or losing, and have jumped out of this circle." Duan Xiyun was quite emotional. Yin Tianlei knew the taste of the monk Shenmu, so he made some cakes and sent them to him. The monk Shenmu grabbed them and ate them. Qingting also liked cakes. He was greedy when he saw them, but he was embarrassed to speak. Jade Butterfly smiled and said, "Senior, can I have a taste of the cakes of the two elders, Crystal?" The monk Shenmu was very generous and handed over two pieces. Jade Butterfly put them in front of Dragonfly. The monk Shenmu pointed and said, "Little girl, if you want to eat, just tell me. They listen to me the most." Dragonfly tasted a few bites and found them delicious. The monk Shenmu handed over all the cakes in front of him and turned to Duan Xiyun, "When he is done, you can get a few more." Duan Xiyun agreed and stood up. The last time he was given the Pofeng Ba Da, he had benefited a lot. It was his duty to contribute. The monk Shenmu was very proud and couldn't help bragging.

The Fire Poison Sect completely disappeared, Gao Zhen committed suicide, and all forces in the martial arts world rushed to recover their vitality. Jiang Feiluan, the master of Tongtian Fort, practiced swordsmanship and made rapid progress. Jiang Feiluan did not show his strength at the Ganlu Conference. Although the Ganlu Sword is the best weapon today, he does not have enough power to keep the sword. It is better to hide his weakness before he is sure. Anyway, he already knows the whereabouts of the Ganlu Sword. When the time is right, he will take it in a duel. Jiang Feiluan is steady and patiently waits for the opportunity. After Duan Qingxiao retired, Chang Xiao put down the Dragon Scale Sword, and Baoding Taoist practiced hard in seclusion. This is a good opportunity to develop power. Therefore, Jiang Feiluan contacted Qi Shizhen and rejoined forces to develop. Now that the Beggars' Sect has recovered its vitality, the Wanxian Hall has also firmly established its foothold, and Wuling Villa is also thriving. Qi Shizhen is of course unwilling to fall behind. Therefore, the two hit it off and joined hands again, with the main target being Baoding Taoist. Because Chang Xiao has no intention of the martial arts world, as long as he does not offend him, he will be fine. Qi Shizhen and Chang Xiao have some friendship, plus the relationship with Zuixia Taoist, so he can rest assured. To be on the safe side, Qi Shizhen made a special trip to the Never-Sleeping City to find out Chang Xiao's attitude. He found that Chang Xiao was not interested. No wonder, without a goal, he would be at a loss. Now Chang Xiao has no opponent, and the power of the Never-Sleeping City is unprecedentedly strong. There is nothing to worry about. After getting the accurate information, Qi Shizhen began to take action. After years of operation, Qi Shizhen has a deep foundation and has activated many hidden manpower. To gain a foothold in the world, not only must there be huge manpower and material resources, but also good popularity. Qi Shizhen is well aware of this. He tries to make friends with the Beggar Gang, get along well with Wu Qingyang, and help Wanxiantang to lay a solid foundation for the future. Jiang Feiluan mainly improves martial arts, trains disciples, and selects good players to enrich Tongtianbao. Because Baoding Taoist is a disciple of Huashan, the four famous families are of the same blood, and it is necessary to be fully prepared to confront Baoding Taoist. It was indeed a good thing that Taoist Baoding obtained the Ganlu Sword when he made his first appearance, but he was defeated by the Dragon Scale Sword. This knot could never be untied, so he went into seclusion and practiced hard, hoping to break through that unpredictable sword.

Qi Shizhen has always had a good relationship with people, so things went very smoothly. Being well-informed has many benefits. Qi Shizhen found that Wuling King Wei Heyang was not a simple person. He was both wise and brave, and his status was respected. He was a hot figure in Jiangnan. Not only that, Wei Heyang was also Wu Qingyang's disciple, with high martial arts skills, and had contacts with the Never-Sleeping City. He had a certain influence in the world. Qi Shizhen immediately sent someone to investigate Wei Heyang's attitude. According to various sources, Wei Heyang was more inclined to the court. Qi Shizhen was relieved. At this time, someone reported that a tea merchant in Shandong had obtained the official document of Wuling King and went to Shuzhong to do business and made a lot of profit. Qi Shizhen immediately sent someone to investigate and learned that this person turned out to be Lu Wenjun, the first disciple of Wanqi Song of Wanxiantang. Qi Shizhen immediately determined that this person had great power and should find a way to cooperate. Immediately sent someone to contact, Lu Wenjun certainly knew Qi Shizhen, this person was well-informed, had contacts with various forces, and it would be very beneficial to join hands. Therefore, a meeting was arranged. Lu Wenjun had just opened up the trade route in Shuzhong and could not leave easily, so the meeting place was chosen in Chengdu. Qi Shizhen's spies were widely distributed, and there were some in Shuzhong, but not many. Most of the people in the martial arts world were concentrated in the Central Plains, so there was no need to send more people. The two met smoothly. Lu Wenjun had been busy for many years and had indeed accumulated a lot of money. He had invested in many industries in Chengdu, including a restaurant. The two negotiated in the restaurant. Qi Shizhen had met Lu Wenjun. The young man who was full of vigor and vitality at the time had entered middle age. He couldn't help but sighed: "Time makes people old. I feel old when I see your changes." Lu Wenjun smiled and said: "The sun and the moon rotate, and no one can stop it. These days I always ask myself, what is the purpose of life? Why do I travel around everywhere?" After greeting each other and sitting down, Qi Shizhen sighed: "After many years of separation, I am already old. I have been busy for most of my life. What have I gained? What have I lost?"

The topic at the beginning was a bit heavy. Lu Wenjun smiled and said, "It is important for people to be content. You and I have fine clothes and delicious food. I wonder how many people envy us." Qi Shizhen nodded and said, "That's right. Although the emperor is rich, he is not necessarily happier than us. What is there to be dissatisfied about?" After three rounds of wine, Lu Wenjun ordered people to prepare singing and dancing. Qi Shizhen smiled and said, "Brother, you have to sing and dance to liven up the society. It seems that people's ideas are different when they get old." Lu Wenjun nodded and said, "Life is short. We have plenty of gold and silver. There is nothing strange about enjoying it while we can." Eight beauties came in one after another. Qi Shizhen felt his eyes brighten. These beauties were all beautiful and charming. They were all first-class beauties. He couldn't help but admire: "My dear brother, you really know how to enjoy life. There may not be such beauties even in the inner court of the imperial palace." Lu Wenjun smiled: "Brother Qi, you forgot that I was the one who cultivated the number one beauty, Jade Butterfly." Qi Shizhen asked: "Did my dear brother get some secret recipe?" Lu Wenjun nodded: "The secret recipe was obtained by my master from ancient books. He started to cultivate her a long time ago, and I took over halfway." Qi Shizhen frowned: "Could it be that Jade Butterfly's beauty is the result of acquired training?" Lu Wenjun shook his head: "No, Jade Butterfly is naturally beautiful. Although conditioning plays a certain role, innate qualifications are also very important." Qi Shizhen remembered something and asked: "How old is Jade Butterfly now?" Lu Wenjun sighed: "She should be around fifty this year." Qi Shizhen was shocked: "Fifty years old, how can she be so beautiful? ? Last time I went to the Never-Sleeping City, the Jade Butterfly looked enchanting, but she looked only about thirty years old. "Lu Wenjun said calmly, "The Lord of Never-Sleeping City is already nearly sixty years old, and he looks no different from when he first entered the martial arts world." Qi Shizhen shook his head and said, "The City Lord has superb internal skills, so it's not surprising that he stays young. Jade Butterfly doesn't understand internal skills." Lu Wenjun smiled and said, "The City Lord has great magical powers, and nothing can stump him." The singing and dancing began, and eight beauties sang and danced, their dancing was light and soft, and Qi Shizhen felt his eyes opened. He smiled and said, "It seems that it was these beauties who helped my brother get the official document from King Wuling." Lu Wenjun said solemnly, "King Wuling is both wise and brave, and he will not be tempted by beauty and money. If it weren't for the help of the City Lord, I would not have been able to get his official document, and I would have no chance to develop in Shuzhong at all."

Qi Shizhen was a little surprised to hear this and asked what happened. Lu Wenjun narrated the story of his chance encounter with Chang Xiao. Qi Shizhen was quite emotional: "It seems that the city lord's power is much stronger than I imagined. It's not an exaggeration to say that he is the current supreme master of the martial arts world." Lu Wenjun agreed: "The city lord's power has reached its peak, but he has lost his ambition, mainly because he has no opponent." Qi Shizhen smiled and said: "The city lord seems to have become a different person after putting down the dragon scale sword. No wonder. As a swordsman who regards the sword as his life, he naturally feels uncomfortable without the sword in his hand. But there is no one in the world worthy of his effort." Lu Wenjun sighed: "Speaking of which, the city lord is indeed not an ordinary person. Only the Jade Butterfly is worthy of him. In addition, the Fire Dragon Horse is also very extraordinary." The two sighed and talked about the matters of cooperation. Lu Wenjun had no intention of being in the martial arts world and just wanted to be a wealthy businessman, which was exactly what Qi Shizhen wanted. It was best for him to have no ambition so that they could benefit from each other. It was agreed at the time that Qi Shizhen would provide market conditions in various places, and Lu Wenjun would take 10% of the profits as a reward. This was a big business and would be of great benefit to both parties. Both the host and the guests were very happy. Lu Wenjun asked Qi Shizhen to select two beauties, but Qi Shizhen refused. Lu Wenjun advised, "Brother Qi, why do you have to be so persistent? The city lord, who is so old-fashioned, has come to terms with it. He not only accepted Jade Butterfly, but also four beauties. Why should we torture ourselves?" Qi Shizhen agreed. Lu Wenjun said, "I have trained a total of 18 beauties. Brother Qi, you can bring these two beauties with you when you return to Central Plains, so that everyone in the world will know about the beauties I trained." Qi Shizhen was very shrewd. He immediately understood and laughed, "Brother, you really know how to do business. These beauties will bring you huge profits." Lu Wenjun smiled, "When it comes to business, you naturally have to use your brains. Since ancient times, how many people can resist the temptation of beauties?" Qi Shizhen nodded, "Brother, you made the right move. I will definitely help you when I return to Central Plains." After the business was settled, Qi Shizhen rested for two days and left Shuzhong with the two beauties and returned to Central Plains. Having accepted someone else's beauties, one naturally has to work for them. Qi Shizhen took two beauties to appear in public and made a big fuss about it. This first attracted the attention of people in government offices, and soon the news spread all over the country that Lu Wenjun, a wealthy businessman in Shu, had trained more than a dozen beautiful women.

Lu Wenjun's move really worked. The news actually alarmed the Dragon King and his wife of the South China Sea. It turned out that Yan Nanlou was already quite old, but he had always refused to marry. The main reason was that after seeing the Jade Butterfly, he had no interest in ordinary beauties. The old Dragon King was of course anxious. He looked for many women, but he couldn't find one he liked. He was very happy to hear the news and immediately set off for Chengdu. Lu Wenjun of course recognized the old Dragon King. If he took this opportunity to sell the tea and silk he operated overseas, the profit would be even greater. He immediately expressed his intention to select two of the most outstanding beauties to give to Yan Nanlou. Although the old Dragon King was old, he was very smart. After thinking about it, he realized that this business would not be bad for the South China Sea fleet, so he agreed. He happily returned to the Central Plains with the two beauties. First, he asked Yan Nanlou to take a look. Yan Nanlou really liked them. The old Dragon King was very happy and immediately began to arrange a marriage. As the leader of the South China Sea Fleet, it was natural for him to get married in the South China Sea, but Taijun didn't want to go back and insisted on getting married in the Central Plains. Yan Nanlou had no choice but to agree and prepare to return to the South China Sea after the wedding. At this time, the old Dragon King had already bought a property in the Central Plains, in Luoyang, the ancient capital of the Nine Dynasties, and the wedding was held here. As the news spread, there were naturally many people who gave gifts. The old Dragon King had a wide range of friends, and the South China Sea Fleet was rich enough to rival a country, so there was an endless stream of people congratulating him. The elderly like to be lively the most, and the old Dragon King and Taijun were so happy that they couldn't stop smiling. Now the business of the South China Sea Fleet in the Central Plains is mainly handled by Wanxiantang and Qi Shizhen. Mo Qilin and Qi Shizhen both sent heavy gifts, and many martial arts colleagues also came. Chang Xiao was free and was also ready to come to congratulate. When they learned that the leader of the Never-Sleeping City was coming, many people were full of expectations. They didn't want to see Chang Xiao, but mainly wanted to see Yu Hudie. This beauty was really unforgettable, and it would be good to see her more. This time, Chang Xiao did not take the fragrant carriage. Instead, he came on the Fire Dragon Horse with Jade Butterfly. After setting off, they were not in a hurry to travel. Instead, they visited mountains and enjoyed the scenery along the way to relax. Although they did not bring any gifts, Chang Xiao's personal presence was more valuable than any gifts.

Chapter 121: Beauty in the Present

The South China Sea fleet was extremely wealthy, so the wedding was naturally very luxurious. The old Dragon King and Taijun were of course the hosts, and the first guest seat was naturally reserved for Chang Xiao. As the groom, Yan Nanlou could only be at the mercy of others and listen to the arrangements of the old Dragon King. The guests were mainly fellow martial artists. Who didn't know the name of the Lord of the Never-Sleeping City? Therefore, Chang Xiao and Yu Hudie became the focus as soon as they arrived. Chang Xiao never cared about his clothes. In fact, what he wore was no longer important today. Yu Hudie didn't dress up deliberately. She applied light makeup and held a kitten in her arms. Her frown and smile were intoxicating. The old Dragon King was extremely happy. Taijun called Yu Hudie to her and asked about her life, just like a family. The ceremony began, and firecrackers were naturally indispensable. Yan Nanlou officially got married, which was considered to be a relief for the old Dragon King and Taijun. After the ceremony, there was naturally a banquet. Everyone drank happily, and many people wanted to take a closer look at Yu Hudie. This beauty was really addictive. When it was lively, there was suddenly another person beside Chang Xiao, who was the monk Shenmu. It is not surprising that this master appears in any place or occasion. Chang Xiao smiled and said, "Senior, are you here to join in the fun again?" Monk Shenmu shook his head and said, "There is nothing interesting about a wedding. I came here to make a bet." Chang Xiao asked, "What bet? What's the bet?" Monk Shenmu said seriously, "You don't know, Wanqi Song has carefully cultivated a beauty, who has just appeared recently. Many people think that this beauty has surpassed Yu Hudie. Of course I don't believe it, so I made a bet with Wanqi Song." Chang Xiao was stunned. He didn't expect Wanqi Song to have such a trick, so he asked, "What's the point of making a bet? Is that beauty coming here?" Monk Shenmu smiled, "Of course, that beauty is here. "I want to compete with Yu Hudie. Besides, I heard that she swore to marry the current supreme martial artist." Chang Xiao didn't answer and frowned, "Who is the supreme martial artist? Why haven't I heard of him?" The monk Shenmu scratched Chang Xiao's nose and said, "How stupid! The current supreme martial artist is you." Chang Xiao laughed, "What are you talking about? I have never thought of being the supreme martial artist." The monk Shenmu laughed, "Duan Qingxiao has retired. You have the highest martial arts skills in the world, and the power of the Never-Sleeping City is the greatest. Whether you like it or not, others think you are the supreme martial artist." Chang Xiao shook his head, "Even if others think I am the supreme martial artist, I am not young anymore. How could that beautiful woman think of marrying me?"

The conversation between the two attracted the attention of the old dragon king, who interrupted and said, "Those involved are confused, but those who are watching can see clearly. That beauty thinks highly of herself, so of course she cannot commit herself to an ordinary person. Given your current status and ability, being your wife is more glorious than being a queen." The monk Shenmu nodded, "That's right, you were quite smart, how come you have become stupid?" Chang Xiao smiled and said, "My mind is always on others, and I rarely think about myself. I once said that six wives are enough to keep me busy. Even if this beauty really surpasses Jade Butterfly, I will not be tempted. Jade Butterfly and I have a deep relationship. That beauty is pure and innocent. It's for power, it's impossible to move my heart. "Shenmu Bhikkhu agreed: "Wanqi Song insisted that you would definitely be moved by this beauty, so I made a bet with him. Don't change your mind. If I lose, I will never let you go." Chang Xiao agreed: "Don't worry, senior, nowadays, there are only a few people and things that can move my heart." While talking, someone came to report that Wanqi Song had come to congratulate. The old Dragon King knew Wanqi Song and went out to greet him. After a while, Wanqi Song came in. There were indeed three women behind him, two of whom were maids, all of whom were outstanding beauties. The woman in the middle was wearing a white dress and a veil. Wanqi Song was quite influential in the world, so he naturally had to let him sit in the upper seat. Seeing Chang Xiao, Wanqi Song spoke first: "After countless hardships, my brother finally reached the top. Do you still remember me?" Chang Xiao hurriedly returned the greeting: "What are you talking about? The current Lord of Never Night City is no different from the former Lord of Julong Manor. The old hall master is making fun of you. Come and sit down." Wanqi Song nodded secretly. Although Chang Xiao became the number one in the martial arts world, his character remained unchanged. After sitting down, Wanqi Song introduced him: "Girl, this is the leader of the martial arts world today, the hero in your mind, come and meet him." The woman came forward and lifted her veil, bowed, and opened her delicate lips: "My little girl Shanhu greets the city lord."

Shanhu showed her face, Chang Xiao was still not in a hurry, but the monk Shenmu was unsure. This woman had curved eyebrows and phoenix eyes, a rosy complexion, a high bun, and an aura that was compelling, like a fairy descending from the earth. The old Dragon King present at the time determined that this woman was as beautiful as Yu Hudie. Chang Xiao was unmoved and nodded slightly: "Okay, people from the martial arts world don't have to be polite." Shanhu stood up and should have gone to the female guests' seat, but she refused to leave. Wanqi Song said: "This girl is my adopted daughter. She always pesters me to tell her stories about me. It's a rare opportunity for us to meet today. I'm going to have some free time." Shanhu took advantage of the situation and approached to ask: "I have always admired the city lord, but I never had the chance to meet him. Today I have finally fulfilled my wish. I have heard a lot about the city lord's deeds, and I have some doubts in my heart. I wonder if the city lord would be so kind as to solve them?" Chang Xiao's expression did not change at all, and he said lightly: "Today I am here just to congratulate you. The past is gone, so let's not talk about it." Shanhu was of course unwilling to give in, and she showed off her beautiful figure intentionally or unintentionally, and the guests nearby stared at her. The monk Shenmu was only thinking about the bet, so he turned around and asked the old dragon king: "Hey, where is Yudie? Call her over to compete." The old dragon king knew the identity of the monk Shenmu, and promised: "Yudie was called by my old woman, she will be here soon." Yudie didn't know what was going on, so she came over and saw Shanhu, and couldn't help but praise: "Where did this beauty come from? Could it be Chang'e from the Moon Palace who came down to earth?" Shanhu had of course heard of Yudie, and stepped forward to salute and said: "I am Shanhu, and I have long heard of your name as the most beautiful woman in the world. I am lucky to see you today." Influenced by Chang Xiao, Yudie no longer had the heart to compete, and smiled: "I am old, old, the most beautiful woman in the world should be you." After the two shook hands, Shanhu had already noticed that Yudie had no internal strength foundation, and he felt more confident. The monk Shenmu next to him was anxious. Yudie admitted that she was not as good as him, so wouldn't he lose? Therefore, he shouted: "What I say does not count, what others say counts." He asked the old dragon king to arrange ten male guests and ten female guests to compare the two women's looks. Chang Xiao did not want to offend the monk Shenmu, so he let her do whatever she wanted.

When the guests arrived, they were delighted to hear this topic. It is a wonderful thing to appreciate beautiful women. However, it is difficult to tell who is better. Some people think that Jade Butterfly is better, while others think that Coral is better. The final result is that Jade Butterfly must have been more beautiful than Coral when she was young, but now she is slightly inferior. Coral was happy in her heart. Youth is her capital, and she has an advantage that Jade Butterfly cannot match. Jade Butterfly has seen countless men, and she is still a virgin. Today's competition will definitely impress Chang Xiao. Jade Butterfly did not take this competition seriously, but she found from Coral's eyes that the woman's target was actually her husband, and she immediately became alert. Monk Shenmu made two bets with Wanqi Song. He had already lost the first one, and he was very unhappy. He must not lose the second one no matter what, so he told Chang Xiao not to change his mind. Chang Xiao had already sensed the ambition hidden behind Shanhu's beautiful appearance, so he was not moved at all. He changed the subject and said to Wanqi Song: "Old Hall Master, I heard that the current emperor is recruiting beauties from all over the country to fill the harem. Your daughter is so beautiful, why don't you apply? If you enter the palace, you will definitely be favored by the emperor. Once you become the queen, you will be the father-in-law of the emperor. At that time, you will be able to call the wind and rain, and there will be many benefits." Wanqi Song already understood what Chang Xiao meant, and smiled and said: "Brother, you are joking. My daughter is not interested in the palace. I admire heroes in the world." Chang Xiao did not respond, but deliberately interrupted: "The old hall master has a wide range of friends, and he will definitely be able to help your daughter. I love to find a talented person of the same age and appearance. "Wanqi Song said: "My daughter has high standards and wants to marry the world's number one hero." Chang Xiao smiled indifferently: "There are many hidden dragons and crouching tigers in the world, how can there be a number one hero?" Shanhu interrupted: "In today's world, only the city lord deserves to be the world's number one." Chang Xiao shook his head: "Chang is not a hero at all, let alone the world's number one." Everyone present already understood Shanhu's meaning, but Chang Xiao was indifferent. Many people were itching to see such a stunning beauty delivered to the door, but he turned her away. I really don't understand Chang Xiao's thoughts. He rejected the good fortune that others dreamed of. No matter how hard she tried, Yu Hudie could not retain her youth. Shanhu was in her prime and was willing. As long as she was a man, she could not turn her away.

No matter what Wanqi Song and Shanhu said, Chang Xiao just refused. Wanqi Song already understood that Shanhu did not impress Chang Xiao, and it would be futile to say anything more. He couldn't help but feel strange. Except for Princess Yueying, Chang Xiao's six wives were not virgins. Shanhu was young, beautiful, and a virgin. There was no reason to refuse from any aspect. He really didn't understand what Chang Xiao was thinking. Shenmu Bhikkhu was of course happy, but the happiest one was Yudie. After spending a long time together, Yudie deeply understood that Chang Xiao was a person who valued his promises very much. He would not agree to others without certainty, and he would definitely do it if he agreed. If he hadn't expressed his feelings in Julong Villa, Chang Xiao would never accept him. From his attitude towards Shanhu today, it can be seen that Chang Xiao was indeed not moved. Since he had made up his mind, he would not change it. In other words, Shanhu would never marry Chang Xiao. Wanqi Song was full of confidence, but he didn't expect Chang Xiao to refuse, so he asked to discuss with Chang Xiao alone. The old dragon king arranged for the two to go to the quiet room. Wanqi Song expressed his doubts, and Chang Xiao explained: "I know the old hall master's good intentions very well. Let's not beat around the bush. Chang's five wives are not virgins, but they are attracted to me as a person, not my power and money. No matter whether I succeed or not, they will not leave me. Shanhu is different. If I lose to Duan Qingxiao, she will choose Duan Qingxiao without hesitation. She wants to marry the supreme master of the martial arts world. Appearance and age don't matter." Wanqi Song was quite surprised: "Since ancient times, there are not many examples of men and women falling in love with each other. At least nine out of a hundred marriages have other intentions. The royal family and What is the purpose of kissing? Does it have something to do with feelings? No matter what Shanhu is after, there is absolutely no reason to reject such a perfect beauty. "Chang Xiao smiled slightly: "The old hall master's words only apply to ordinary people. When I first met Yudie, Yudie was extremely beautiful and charming, and she was more beautiful than Shanhu now, but I still gave up because I had no feelings. Later, when I accepted Yudie, her face was haggard, no different from an ordinary woman. But she was infatuated with me, so I changed my mind and accepted her because of feelings, which had nothing to do with appearance. "

After hearing this, Wanqi Song understood that although Chang Xiao's status and martial arts had changed a lot, he had not changed in his bones. Shanhu was determined. As long as there was a glimmer of hope, she would not give up. So she continued to persuade him: "Brother, why do you have to be so persistent? It is true that Yu Hudie loves you deeply. Could it be that Hua Mengdie's four disciples are also infatuated with you? Shanhu is willing to marry you. Brother, you have gone through untold hardships. Now you are successful and famous. You should enjoy everything. No one else is worthy of such a beauty except you." Chang Xiao shook his head: "I have just said that my wife only likes my people. If I give up the Never-Sleeping City and the power I control, they will still stay with me. After many twists and turns, I have become indifferent to all kinds of things in the world. The old hall master should not worry about it." Wanqi Song sighed lightly: "It seems that my brother has given up, and I will not force it." After coming out to talk to Shanhu, Shanhu was extremely resentful. She was so young, but she still lost to Yu Hudie. Most of the people present laughed at Chang Xiao for not understanding romance, and how he could be willing to push away such a beauty. If he was really a fool, it would be fine, but Chang Xiao had six wives, it was impossible for him not to understand tenderness, which was really puzzling. The others were talking about it, and the monk Shenmu finally saved his face and went to the side with Wanqi Song to cash in the bet. Yan Nanlou came out to thank the guests, and everyone congratulated him and changed the topic. The old dragon king found an opportunity to tell him what had just happened. Yan Nanlou noticed Shanhu and secretly admired him. If it were him, he would never be willing to push away such a beauty. Although he was shocked by Shanhu's beauty, Yan Nanlou knew that this woman had too high standards and it was impossible for her to be his turn, so he tried to avoid contact with her to avoid getting into trouble. This was Yan Nanlou's cleverness.

Jade Butterfly was very happy. Although Shanhu's beauty surpassed hers to some extent, Chang Xiao was devoted to her. She was completely satisfied with such a husband. No matter how hard Shanhu tried, she could not find a better candidate. There were many men present, most of whom were fascinated by Shanhu's beauty. Even the old Dragon King, who was very old, had a different look in his eyes. Only Chang Xiao's eyes were as clear as water, and there was no change at all. Shanhu was very smart and knew that it was impossible to impress this man. She thought in her mind that if she could not marry Chang Xiao, there was no need to mix in the rivers and lakes. The next best thing was to join the palace. If she became the queen, she would be very glorious and could control the power of life and death. Although she was resentful in her heart, Shanhu did not have any thoughts of revenge. Wanqi Song had once told Chang Xiao's experience in detail. This man's martial arts reputation and the power he controlled had reached the peak. He was almost omnipotent. No one in the world could do anything to him. Shanhu was still young and did not realize the preciousness of feelings at this time. It was normal for people to think so. Wanqi Song naturally spent a lot of time and effort to cultivate such a beauty, and of course he had his own intentions. If Chang Xiao accepted her, it would be the best. Now that things didn't work out, he had to find another way to make a fortune. Of course, joining the palace was the best choice. Therefore, he had already started to plan the next step at the wedding. According to reliable information, the current emperor was not very old and had been obsessed with jade butterflies. He spent a lot of effort but failed to achieve his wish. From this incident, it can be fully inferred that Shanhu's beauty must be able to impress the emperor. As long as the emperor's will is obtained, Wanxiantang can get the support of the government and its power will grow invisibly. Shanhu is not a weak woman. She has practiced internal skills and has some means of self-defense. For Chang Xiao, it is not worth mentioning. But it can play a certain role in the palace. The intrigues in the palace are even worse than the rivers and lakes. There is no harm in having martial arts to protect yourself. In addition to martial arts, Shanhu has also learned the art of seduction and singing and dancing. It has no effect on Chang Xiao, but it is more than enough to deal with the young emperor. Therefore, Wanqi Song immediately decided on the next steps and prepared to let Shanhu go to Beijing to find a way to contact the emperor.

Chapter 122: Storm Rises Again

Yan Nanlou's wedding was successfully concluded. The old Dragon King prepared a boat and arranged for Yan Nanlou to return to the South China Sea to let the island owners of each island meet the new wife and celebrate. Chang Xiao and Yu Hudie returned to the Never-Sleeping City. On the way, they learned that the appearance of Shanhu had a great impact. There were rumors everywhere that the former world's most beautiful woman, Yu Hudie, had been compared to others, and Shanhu was the real first beauty. Yu Hudie didn't care. No matter how beautiful Shanhu was, she couldn't raise her head in front of her. She couldn't find someone better than her husband. Wanqi Song naturally had means. Soon the news of Shanhu had spread all over the country. The emperor didn't get Yu Hudie, and he always felt a little regretful. He specially arranged for someone to search for beauties among the people. The appearance of Shanhu really attracted the attention of these people, and the news was immediately sent back to the capital. The emperor was overjoyed when he learned about it, and couldn't wait to send his confidants to search. If you find a beautiful woman who suits the emperor, it will be a great achievement, and high positions and generous salaries will be at your fingertips, so these people are very hard-working. The power of Wanxiantang was not small. It soon contacted the emperor's envoy. After meeting Shanhu, the envoy was overjoyed and immediately prepared a fragrant car to escort her personally. Wanqi Song sent people to protect Shanhu and sent Shanhu to the palace safely. When the emperor heard that the beauty had arrived, he immediately put aside all the important matters. The rumors about this beauty were so amazing outside. Was she really better than Jade Butterfly? When they met, the emperor was stunned. The rumors outside were indeed not exaggerated. This beauty did surpass Jade Butterfly in some aspects. She was young, beautiful and full of vitality. Getting this beauty could completely make up for Jade Butterfly's regret. At that time, Shanhu was canonized as a concubine and rewarded with countless treasures and silks. At this time, the emperor was in power and had no scruples. He had sex on the bed. Shanhu used all his tricks. The emperor was infatuated with her, as if in a dream, and regarded the concubines in the harem as dust. Since then, Shanhu has not attended court for several days. She understands that if the emperor ignores state affairs, she will be accused of harming the country and the people, so she tries to persuade the emperor to deal with state affairs. The emperor was reluctant to part with his beauty, so he asked someone to bring the memorials to his bedroom to deal with them. Shanhu, a woman, was actually exposed to the memorials of the six important officials. At first, she just asked casually, and the emperor occasionally answered a few words. Not long after, she began to give advice and sometimes even reviewed the memorials on behalf of the emperor.

Wanqi Song had done a great favor to Shanhu, so Shanhu naturally could not forget it and looked for an opportunity to ask the emperor for a reward. Wanqi Song was a man of the world and was unwilling to accept an official position. What he wanted in his mind was to monopolize the private salt business. Private salt had great profits and many people were thinking about it. Those who really made it had strong backers, and ordinary people had no right to ask about it. The emperor knew about the private salt business and it was banned repeatedly. Wanqi Song's conditions were very suitable. He paid 3 million taels of silver to the court every year. The emperor then issued an order to grant Wanxiantang a special license to operate salt business. In this way, Wanxiantang had an additional way to make money, and its power naturally expanded to a certain extent. Shanhu was favored by the emperor, so naturally many people were jealous. Headed by the queen, the concubines in the harem regarded Shanhu as a thorn in their eyes and a thorn in their flesh, and they must get rid of him as soon as possible. In the name of the queen mother, Shanhu was given cakes and poisoned. The two sisters who followed Shanhu into the palace had never eaten such exquisite cakes, so they rushed to eat them first and died of poison immediately. Shanhu was shocked and realized the danger in the palace. She went to the emperor to talk about it. The emperor ordered a thorough investigation, but there was no result at all. It could only be left unresolved. Shanhu realized that her life would be full of hardships. Wanqi Song was an old man in the world of martial arts. Of course, he knew the rules of the martial arts world. He did not ask about the affairs of the court, but only helped his son to expand his wealth. The profit of private salt was very large, and many people were jealous. Wanqi Song knew that in order to carry out the business smoothly, he had to take care of all parties. Mo Qilin obviously did not have such talent. The soul-chasing needle had some strategies. With the cooperation of Wanqi Song, the situation was quickly opened up, and the strength of Wanxiantang gradually recovered. At this time, the Beggars' Sect was also very colorful under the leadership of Ziyun Gu. Ziyun Gu herself had a good cultivation, a flexible mind, and fair dealings, and was supported by the disciples of the Beggars' Sect. Although Elder Jinchan decided to let it go, he couldn't help but come forward when encountering things. He still helped the Beggars' Sect a lot, and the Beggars' Sect was very respected.

Duan Qingxiao retired, Zhong Wanshan became the leader of the Divine Sword Sect, and the martial arts world was naturally headed by the Never-Sleeping City. However, Chang Xiao put down the Dragon Scale Sword and rarely asked about the affairs of the martial arts world, so all forces seized the time to develop. Wanxiantang expanded its financial resources, the Beggars' Sect established a strict information network, and Qi Shizhen was really looking for opportunities to develop. Seeing the current situation, he made a decision to join forces with the Beggars' Sect. First, he sent someone to meet with the leader Ziyungu. In addition to Tongtianbao and Qi Shizhen, the Beggars' Sect had contacts with all forces. The reason was that Qi Shizhen's intelligence network was not inferior to the Beggars' Sect, so there was no need to ask the Beggars' Sect for assistance. Ziyungu felt strange when she got the news. What could Qi Shizhen ask her to do? After weighing the pros and cons, she decided to meet him. Qi Shizhen's power was not small, and there was no harm in meeting him. The two met soon, and Qi Shizhen went straight to the point: "Boss, the situation is very clear now. Apart from the City That Never Sleeps, the Taoist Baoding of Huashan is the leader. Tongtian Fortress Lord Jiang Feiluan has made great progress in swordsmanship and is ready to compete with Taoist Baoding. Naturally, I will do my best to assist him. I wonder what the Beggars' Gang's position is?" Ziyun Gu smiled and said, "The Beggars' Gang has always gone its own way, regardless of the underworld or white world." Qi Shizhen nodded: "This is the purpose of the Beggars' Gang. The purpose of my appointment with the boss this time is to join forces with the Beggars' Gang and exchange information with each other. This will benefit both parties." Ziyun Gu pondered. This proposal is certainly good, but in this way, the Beggars' Gang will inevitably offend the four famous families. Qi Shizhen explained: "I don't mean to ask the Beggars' Sect to support us, but to cooperate. If the four famous families ask the Beggars' Sect for information, the leader can fully assist, as long as the information provided by our side is not leaked." Ziyun Gu thought this was feasible, so she stated: "This matter is beneficial to both sides. As long as it has nothing to do with positions, I am willing to cooperate. I already know about the matter of Lord Jiang of Tongtian Fort. It is normal for people who practice martial arts to be competitive. To be honest, I think such a dispute is meaningless. With the Lord of the Never-Night City here, what is there for others to compete for?" Qi Shizhen shook his head: "The Lord of the Never-Night City is the top swordsman today, the supreme master of the martial arts world. Lord Jiang is competing for the number one swordsman, which has nothing to do with the city lord. Who among martial artists doesn't want to be the number one? Who is willing to be inferior to others?"

After the deal was settled and the information exchanged, the two sides were more informed. Another reason why Qi Shizhen decided to cooperate with the Beggars' Sect was that the four famous families looked down on the Beggars' Sect. Even if they cooperated, they would be condescending. As long as they corrected their attitude, they would be able to fully cooperate with the Beggars' Sect sooner or later. Jiang Feiluan worked hard to practice swordsmanship, train his disciples, and improve the strength of Tongtian Fort. Although some progress has been made, he still has no confidence in fighting against the Taoist Baoding. Qi Shizhen suggested that he could go to the Never-Sleeping City to ask the four brothers Jian Tong and Qin Tong around Chang Xiao to come to assist. Jiang Feiluan thought about it for a long time, worried that Chang Xiao would not agree and expose his intentions too early. Qi Shizhen persuaded that no matter whether it succeeded or not, Chang Xiao would not leak the news, and there was no harm in testing it. Jiang Feiluan agreed. He originally wanted to go to the Never-Sleeping City in person, but he was worried that he would be overwhelmed by Chang Xiao's momentum and destroy the confidence of the warriors. In the end, he decided to let Qi Shizhen come forward. Qi Shizhen prepared and set off for the Never-Sleeping City. Chang Xiao was often upset these days because he didn't have a knife in his hand. When he learned that Qi Shizhen was coming, he just wanted to reminisce about the past and relieve his stress, so he asked someone to bring him in. Qi Shizhen and Chang Xiao had dealt with each other a long time ago, and they were very cordial when they met. Chang Xiao prepared a feast for them. The two drank and talked about the past, immersed in memories, and had many feelings. Chang Xiao knew that Qi Shizhen had something to do, but he didn't rush to ask. He talked about the main topic after he had enough fun. Qi Shizhen asked first: "How much does the city lord know about the current situation in the martial arts world?" Chang Xiao smiled: "I know everything you know, and I also know things you don't know." Qi Shizhen believed it completely and nodded: "No wonder the martial arts world respects the city lord as the leader, he is indeed very powerful." Chang Xiao shook his head: "It's because he has nothing to do and uses it for entertainment. Although Jiang Feiluan has made great progress, he is still not good enough to deal with Taoist Baoding." Qi Shizhen nodded in agreement: "Lord Jiang also knows his own shortcomings, so he asked me to come to the Never-Sleeping City to ask the city lord for help." Chang Xiao already knew Qi Shizhen's intention, and stated at the time: "Jiang Feiluan is the closest relative of Master Zuixia. Master Zuixia has done me a great favor and should help. If brother Jiantong is willing to go, I won't stop him, but if he doesn't want to, I can't force him."

Qi Shizhen knew Chang Xiao's character. He would not treat the four brothers Jiantong as servants, so he readily agreed: "Whether the matter can be accomplished or not, Lord Jiang and I are grateful to the city lord." Chang Xiao immediately called the four brothers Jiantong, Qintong and told them what happened. The four brothers discussed for a while and Hetong said, "Since we have nothing to do, we might as well go out and relax. Lord Jiang is Zhenren's brother, and we should help him for Zhenren's sake." Qi Shizhen was overjoyed. Chang Xiao asked the four brothers to get ready. Qi Shizhen asked, "The city lord has made friends with hermit masters. Can you tell us about their movements?" Chang Xiao nodded, "The Five Wood True Lords have left Shangqing Palace. The current headmaster is naturally Lingmu. The Divine Eye Monk travels around and will not intervene in the disputes in the martial arts world. The other masters are all in seclusion and will not ask about the affairs of the martial arts world." Qi Shizhen put his worries aside and asked, "How much does the city lord know about Taoist Baoding?" Chang Xiao sighed lightly, "This person has a solid foundation, but unfortunately his mind is not smart enough, and it is difficult for him to comprehend the essence of superior martial arts. Martial arts are profound and you cannot reach the peak just by hard work." Qi Shizhen smiled bitterly, "I don't understand this truth. No matter what, Taoist Baoding is indeed the number one swordsman today." Chang Xiao nodded, "With the Ganlu sword in hand, it will be difficult for Jiang Feiluan to win. Taoist Baoding will come out of seclusion in three months, so you should hurry up and prepare." Qi Shizhen was secretly surprised. He didn't expect that time was running out. Qi Shizhen thanked the Jiantong brothers for their great gains and left the Never-Sleeping City with them. When they arrived at Tongtian Fort, Jiang Feiluan gave them a grand reception. The Jiantong brothers were no longer the same as they used to be. Even Chang Xiao did not treat them as inferiors. He did not dare to be arrogant. After Qi Shizhen explained Chang Xiao's words, Jiang Feiluan immediately started to work. First, he asked the Jiantong brothers to help him practice swordsmanship. At the beginning, the four brothers had learned a lot from following the Taoist Zuixia. After years of training, they had made great progress. Jiang Feiluan was shocked when he tried to test them. The swordsmanship of the four brothers was unfathomable, especially the Jiantong brothers. He had to go all out to gain the upper hand. If the two of them joined forces, he would definitely lose.

The martial arts world is respected by the martial arts. The four brothers are highly skilled in swordsmanship, so they are naturally respected. Jiang Feiluan humbly asks for advice without any airs. The four brothers make it clear that this trip is to help Jiang Feiluan improve his swordsmanship, and they will not fight with the four famous families or intervene in the disputes in the rivers and lakes. Jiang Feiluan naturally promised and told people to entertain him well. He took out the sword control secrets left by the Taoist Zuixia and studied with the four brothers. The four brothers also gained something and each expressed his own opinions. Jiang Feiluan got the help of the four people and his swordsmanship went to a higher level. Needless to say, he was very happy. Qi Shizhen sent people to inquire about the news of the Taoist Baoding, but Huashan Mountain was steep and the rules of the Huashan School were strict, so it was difficult for outsiders to get close. The disciples of the four famous families were all over the world. Every year, the disciples would return to the mountain to visit their teachers and report in detail what they saw and heard. In case of emergency, they could also use pigeons to send letters. Therefore, the news of the four famous families was also very well-informed and knew about Tongtianbao. Huashan Sect Leader Chixia Zhenren did not take Jiang Feiluan seriously, thinking that this person could not defeat Baoding. After the retreat, Shangqing Palace Lingmu Zhenren did change a little. He rectified the style of the sect, strictly disciplined the disciples, and tried to improve the martial arts of the sect. However, he still resented Chang Xiao in his heart. If he had known this would happen, he should have been ruthless and eliminated this scourge. It was no big deal to offend Wu Qingyang. Now Chang Xiao has reached the top, and he has no ability to shake him. At this time, Huashan Sect sent the news of Tongtian Fort. Zhenren Lingmu was quite unimpressed. Jiang Feiluan was nothing, and what could Tongtian Fort do? Therefore, he did not take this matter to heart. Since Huashan Sect obtained the Ganlu Sword, many people have indeed joined the four famous sects. The Ganlu Sword is unparalleled in the world, and Baoding Taoist will surely become the leader of the martial arts world in the future. Zhenren Lingmu has every reason to be confident. But the following news made people worry. Qi Shizhen fully supported Tongtianbao, including Wuling Mountain Villa. Most of the Jianghu gangs expressed their support, and even the Beggars' Sect reached an agreement with Qi Shizhen. These were not the main points. As long as Baoding Taoist's swordsmanship was ahead, there was no need to worry. However, Jiang Feiluan worked hard to practice the sword control heart formula, and his swordsmanship improved by leaps and bounds, which had shortened the distance with Baoding Taoist. This was the most critical point.

In view of the seriousness of the situation, Lingmu Zhenren felt it necessary to discuss with several sect leaders, so he sent out invitations to discuss the plan at Shaolin Temple. The three sect leaders all knew about Jiang Feiluan's affairs, and they all thought that they should discuss it, so the four sect leaders met at Shaolin Temple to discuss the matter of Tongtian Fort. Because the location was in Shaolin Temple, Elder Huiyuan naturally had to entertain them. The three sect leaders arrived one after another, and after the greetings, they quickly got to the point. Lingmu Zhenren first put forward his own opinion: "At present, it seems that Tongtian Fort is ready to move and is making intensive preparations. I guess it has something to rely on. People in the martial arts world are respected for their martial arts. The key is whether Jiang Feiluan's swordsmanship can surpass that of Fellow Daoist Baoding." Wudang Yuxu Zhenren nodded: "Yes, Jiang Feiluan obviously did not go all out at the Ganlu Conference. This person is very cunning and will not take any action unless he is sure." Elder Huiyuan turned to Zhenren Chixia and said: "Baoding is a disciple of Huashan, and Fellow Daoist must know the details." Zhenren Chixia was very confident: "Three "Don't worry, Bao Ding is a martial arts genius with a high level of comprehension. He is obsessed with swordsmanship and has worked harder than others can imagine. Although he lost to Chang Xiao at the Ganlu Conference, it had no effect on his psychology. In his opinion, this was just a difficult problem in front of him. Although Jiang Feiluan obtained the sword-controlling skills of Taoist Zuixia, it is impossible for him to reach the level of Taoist Zuixia. I guarantee that Jiang Feiluan has no chance of defeating Bao Ding." Hearing these words, the three sect leaders were relieved. Taoist Chixia himself had a high level of attainment in swordsmanship, and his words could be completely trusted. Lingmu Zhenren has studied swordsmanship for many years, so he naturally wanted to know the details, so he asked, "What stage has Baoding reached now?" Chixia Zhenren sighed lightly, "It can be said that Chang Xiao is indeed unfathomable. After returning to the mountain, Baoding once discussed with me. His moves are natural and without a trace of fireworks. The most difficult thing is speed. He draws the sword too fast and there is no time to react." The three sect leaders all felt the same way. Yuxu Zhenren frowned and said, "Everyone knows that Chang Xiao draws the sword quickly, but how can Zuixia Taoist and Duan Qingxiao solve this problem?" Chixia Zhenren explained, "This is not difficult to understand. Zuixia Taoist has the sword-controlling technique, and his advance and retreat are as fast as lightning, so he can naturally resolve it. As for Duan Qingxiao, he has been immersed in sword energy for many years and can use sword energy to block his opponent, so it's okay."

Chapter 123: Intensive Work

The four sect leaders talked about the recent situation of Taoist Baoding. They were all happy to learn that Taoist Baoding was considering ways to resist Chang Xiao. If he could really deal with Chang Xiao, Jiang Feiluan would not be worth mentioning. The idea is good, but everyone knows that it is too difficult to realize it. Today's Chang Xiao is no longer the Nan Kunlun of the past. His martial arts and swordsmanship have entered the extreme realm, and he has a powerful force. Even if the four famous families join forces, it is difficult to shake this big tree. According to the news, after Duan Qingxiao retired, Chang Xiao was somewhat uninterested. Putting down the Dragon Scale Sword meant fading out of the world. Although he did not make it public, he would not easily ask about the affairs of the world. Therefore, the four sect leaders determined that Chang Xiao would not intervene in the dispute between Tongtianbao and Taoist Baoding. The disciples of the four famous families are all over the world, and there are many branches. They are also very powerful. This is why they do not take the Beggar Gang, Wanxiantang and other forces in the world seriously. However, once these forces join hands, it is difficult to deal with them. After discussing, the four sect leaders decided to use various relationships to win over the Beggars' Sect, Wuling Villa and Wanxian Hall, and not let these forces stand on the side of Tongtianbao. The leader of the Beggars' Sect, Ziyun Gu, is a disciple of the Emei Sect. The Emei Sect has a close relationship with the Shangqing Palace, so the Beggars' Sect is under the charge of Lingmu Zhenren. Wu Qingyang of Wuling Villa is worldly-wise and it is impossible for him to offend the four famous sects. Elder Huiyuan of Shaolin Temple is ready to go there in person. As for Wanxian Hall, Wanqi Song is an old fox and the most tactful. It is impossible for him to stand on the side of Tongtianbao with a clear banner. However, it is hard to say if the attitude of the four famous sects is cold, so Zhenren Yuxu decided to have talks with Wanqi Song. Without the support of these three forces, Qi Shizhen and Jiang Feiluan can't make much waves. As for Zhenren Chixia, the most important thing is to help Taoist Baoding improve his swordsmanship. No matter what the positions of the various forces are, if Taoist Baoding is defeated by Jiang Feiluan's sword, everything will come to nothing. The martial artists are respected for their martial arts. If Jiang Feiluan defeats Baoding Taoist and wins the title of the first swordsman, all forces will naturally lean towards Tongtianbao. The burden of Chixia Zhenren is heavy, and he needs to spend all his energy to help Baoding Taoist practice swordsmanship. Huashan Sect is derived from Quanzhen Sect, and its martial arts are the orthodox Xuanmen, which is extremely profound. As long as you practice hard in this sect's martial arts, you will be able to gain a foothold in the world, and there is no need to dabble in other martial arts. Chang Xiao's martial arts foundation is only Liuhe swordsmanship, but he still dominates the world.

After leaving Shaolin Temple, Lingmu Zhenren first sent someone to contact Ziyun Gu. Ziyun Gu was very smart and had guessed eight or nine points of Lingmu Zhenren's intentions. After weighing the pros and cons, she decided to meet him. In fact, the four famous families have never taken the Beggars' Sect seriously. No matter how hard Elder Jinchan tried, the Beggars' Sect was still not worth mentioning in the eyes of these famous families. First, arrange a meeting with Lingmu Zhenren. Although Ziyun Gu is much older than Lingmu Zhenren, Ziyun Gu is a disciple of Shenmu Bhikkhu. In terms of seniority, there is no difference between the two, so Ziyun Gu is not very respectful. Treating Chang Xiao is another matter. Chang Xiao's status is very special. If it is based on seniority, even Wanqi Song can be regarded as an elder, but Duan Qingxiao actually calls Chang Xiao his brother. Master Baekje and Shenmu Bhikkhu also treat him as an equal, so others naturally follow suit. Of course, martial artists value martial arts. If you don't have good martial arts, no matter how senior you are, no one will listen to what you say. Lingmu Zhenren has a high status. In fact, he has only suffered losses in front of Chang Xiao for many years. He has a great psychological advantage in meeting Ziyun Gu. Although his attitude is very kind, it is already shown in his expression. Ziyun Gu has received the true teachings of Emei Sect, and has also received the guidance of Elder Jinchan and the martial arts that the leader of the Beggar Gang must learn. Her own cultivation is very high. To be the leader of the Beggar Gang, her martial arts must not be inferior. Ziyun Gu has a high self-esteem and is somewhat dissatisfied with Lingmu Zhenren, but she can't show it on her face. Lingmu Zhenren made his meaning clear. Jiang Feiluan of Tongtianbao was ready to make a move. The four famous families were ready to deal with him. He hoped that the Beggar Gang would not take the wrong position. Ziyun Gu did not reply at that time. It was obvious that the four famous families did not need the assistance of the Beggar Gang, but they just didn't want the Beggar Gang to help Jiang Feiluan. It happened that Elder Jinchan was nearby, and Ziyun Gu immediately sent someone to invite the elder to come to discuss. After hearing about this, Elder Jinchan thought for a long time and said what he meant. The Beggar Gang disciples were all over the world, and they were united. There was no need to worry about the four famous families. They should walk their own way. Aunt Ziyun was a little surprised. The elder always valued harmony, so why did he act out of character? Elder Jinchan explained, "This is influenced by the Lord of the Never-Night City. From his experience, we can see that the more you tolerate others, the more they look down on you. We have many disciples in the Beggars' Sect and we are very strong. As long as we stand up straight, no one can stop us." Aunt Ziyun nodded, "The elder is right."

After these days of rectification, the Beggars' Sect has a new look. Ziyun Gu pays attention to discovering talents and establishing a strict communication system. Now she cooperates with Qi Shizhen in an all-round way and exchanges intelligence. She is very well-informed and does not need to worry about the four famous families. Elder Jinchan means that no matter what the battle between the four famous families and Tongtianbao is, the Beggars' Sect can do whatever it wants and do everything in the interests of the Beggars' Sect. Ziyun Gu has a backbone. In comparison, Qi Shizhen's attitude is much stronger than that of the four famous families, and it is beneficial to the Beggars' Sect. It can be assured to cooperate. Therefore, Lingmu Zhenren's calculations basically failed. Elder Huiyuan of Shaolin Temple visited Wuling Villa. Wu Qingyang was well versed in the world and responded in a good way. He just didn't express his position and left room for what he said. Elder Huiyuan understood that Wu Qingyang would not easily offend any party before the situation was completely clear. Everyone in the world knows that although the head of Wanxian Hall is Mo Qilin, the person who can really control it is Wanqi Song. Without his full support, Wanxian Hall would hardly survive to this day. Therefore, the person that Yuxu Zhenren wanted to meet was not the hall master, but Wanqi Song. Ever since Duan Qingxiao retired and Zhong Wanshan took charge of the Divine Sword Sect, Wanqi Song returned to Wanxian Hall to help his son handle the affairs of the hall. Now that Wanxian Hall has obtained permission from the court to run the salt business, Mo Qilin is too busy to handle it, so he completely handed over this business to his father. After many arrangements, things went very smoothly and the harvest was great. Wanqi Song was very happy. With this huge income, he didn't have to spend so much time on the South China Sea fleet. At this time, Wanqi Song learned that Yuxu Zhenren had invited him, and he gladly accepted the invitation. Yuxu Zhenren was the head of Wudang and had a respected status. When the two met, Wanqi Song was the first to be rude. Yuxu Zhenren smiled and said, "Old Hall Master, there is no need to be polite. Compared with Wudang, Wanxiantang has a much greater influence in the martial arts world." Wanqi Song shook his head and said, "Zhenren, you are too modest. Wudang is the authentic inner family, and Wanxiantang is just a gang in the martial arts world. They cannot be compared." After the greetings, Yuxu Zhenren explained his purpose. Wanqi Song of course knew about Tongtianbao and had already made up his mind. He spoke frankly, "Zhenren has a respected status in the martial arts world and is respected wherever he goes. He does not understand the difficulties of gangs in the martial arts world. If you want to gain a foothold in the martial arts world, you will be tested by wind and rain from all directions. If you are not careful, you will be eliminated."

Seeing Wanqi Song's attitude, Yuxu Zhenren was quite pleased. Being able to open his heart to each other showed his sincerity, so he said sincerely: "Old Master, please speak your mind. I am all ears." Wanqi Song sighed and said: "Since I founded Wanxian Hall, I have received support from all parties and have been developing smoothly and rapidly. Zhenren knows all these things. Until Chang Xiao appeared, the situation took a sharp turn for the worse. Wanxian Hall fell from the peak to the bottom under the influence of this person. The main reason is that my martial arts are not as good as Chang Xiao. The views of the people in the martial arts world on Wanxian Hall have changed a lot, even the people in Wanxian Hall Many problems have arisen in all departments. To be fair, I didn't want to swallow my anger, but the situation was there. Chang Xiao had worked much harder than me, and I couldn't surpass him. I had to compromise. Of course, if Chang Xiao was just a brave man, it would be easy to deal with, but Chang Xiao's strategy was also better than mine. In order to protect Wanxian Hall, I had to be humble. Fortunately, Chang Xiao was loyal by nature, and Wanxian Hall was able to overcome the difficulties. "Zhuo Zhenren Yuxu knew all about these things, and felt a little ashamed. He sighed and said, "I should have helped at that time." Wanqi Song smiled and said, "Zhuo Zhenren, you don't have to. I blame myself, and I always have to solve my own problems. Later, Chang Xiao disbanded the Julong Gang, and the power of Wanxiantang expanded to Jiangnan. It should be a good thing, but I found that life became more difficult after the expansion of the territory. I always wanted to expand the territory in the past, but after the expansion, I found that I had no ability to control it at all, and it was not as comfortable as before. There are many people in the world who are targeting Chang Xiao, and even my retired master was alarmed. The various forces first tended to the first swordsman Zuixia Taoist, and later Chang Xiao and Zuixia Taoist became friends, and the pattern of the world changed again. When my master came out of the mountain, Zuixia Taoist died, and Chang Xiao was defeated at the Cliff of Broken Souls, the situation in the world was one-sided again. But when Chang Xiao returned to the world, the situation changed a lot. My master retired for the second time. Only the Never-Sleeping City in the world has absolute strength to sweep everything, and the situation has changed again. Don't think I'm being long-winded, Master. I mentioned these things just to show that it is impossible to keep the same position to gain a foothold in the world. "Master Yuxu nodded in agreement: "I know these things very well. It is not easy for Wanxiantang to maintain it to this day. "

Wanqi Song was also very pleased with Yuxu Zhenren's attitude, so he stated his position openly: "The current policy of Wanxiantang is to make friends with various forces, expand financial resources, gain a firm foothold, and not seek development. Whether it is Tongtianbao or the four famous families, no matter how they fight, they can never suppress the Never-Sleeping City. Chang Xiao is in his prime, and his martial arts and swordsmanship have reached the peak. The power of the Never-Sleeping City is also unfathomable. Coupled with the Netherworld Swordsman who lives in seclusion on the island, I dare to assert that the Never-Sleeping City will be the strongest force in the world for at least ten years. Therefore, Wanxiantang prefers the Never-Sleeping City." Yuxu Zhenren The man nodded: "I know these things, and I can understand them. The purpose of inviting the old hall master is not to ask Wanxiantang to assist and be an enemy of Tongtianbao." Wanqi Song immediately felt relieved: "I understand what the master means. Wanxiantang's position is very clear. It will not help Jiang Feiluan. I believe that the four famous families are fully capable of dealing with Tongtianbao." Yuxu Zhenren nodded and smiled: "I feel relieved with the words of the old hall master." Both of them knew that Baoding Taoist and Jiang Feiluan could not reach Changxiao's realm. No matter who won, it would not affect the Never-Sleeping City, and the pattern of the rivers and lakes would not change much. After the matter was settled, Wanqi Song naturally returned to Wanxiantang. Although he promised Yuxu Zhenren, he could not offend Qi Shizhen. Now Qi Shizhen has reached an agreement with the Beggar Gang. Wanxiantang has a large territory and will inevitably ask him for help. The result of the consultation between Yuxu Zhenren and Wanxiantang was relatively good, and Wanqi Song's personal promise was obtained. However, the meeting between Lingmu Zhenren and Ziyungu was counterproductive. It did not work but increased the trouble. Wuling Villa's position has not changed, so Elder Huiyuan has made a wasted trip. The overall result still depends on the swordsmanship of Taoist Baoding and Jiang Feiluan, so the key is still in Huashan Sect. When True Man Chixia learned the result of the consultation, he knew the key, so he tried to help Taoist Baoding. After the Ganlu Conference, Taoist Baoding couldn't figure out how Chang Xiao could be so fast. The first thing to consider is the difference between a knife and a sword. The sword is straight, and it takes a process to draw the sword out of the sheath, and the arm needs to change its position. The knife is curved, and as long as the hand grasps the handle, the knife can be drawn smoothly. The same length of three feet, the same martial arts cultivation, the knife is faster than the sword.

This is just the first problem. Even if his martial arts skills are comparable to Chang Xiao's, he is still not as fast as him, not to mention that there is still a gap in martial arts. At the beginning, the Taoist Zuixia used a short sword with black gold thread, and Duan Qingxiao also used a knife. Without this concern, it would be very difficult for me to defeat Chang Xiao with the Ganlu sword. There are only two ways. The first is to take the initiative and be the first to draw the sword. This method is only applicable to opponents of equal strength, not to Chang Xiao. Such a master must be observant and will never be preempted by me. The second way is to retreat in order to advance, but once Chang Xiao preempts, it is not easy to fight back. The Taoist Baoding retreated and practiced hard to solve this problem. The real person Chixia told Chang Xiao's life in detail. If you want to defeat the opponent, you must first understand the opponent. The Taoist Baoding found that the most critical thing in Chang Xiao's life was the ten years of hard training in the mountains. Without these ten years of hard work, there would be no later domineering martial arts. If it is just hard training, it is impossible to achieve such achievements. I have been learning swordsmanship since I was a child, working day and night, rain or shine, and I have worked hard. Chixia Zhenren suggested that the foundation of Chang Xiao's martial arts is the Liuhe swordsmanship, and he should understand the mystery of this swordsmanship. Therefore, Taoist Baoding put down his sword and started with the Liuhe swordsmanship. This process is not simple. Taoist Baoding has been learning swordsmanship since he was a child. It takes a hundred times more effort to find the essence of the Liuhe swordsmanship. After many attempts, he finally gained some results. He basically figured out the veins of the Liuhe swordsmanship and could roughly infer the route of Chang Xiao's sword. In this way, he could change the strategy and block the dragon scale sword when the sword was half out of the sheath. Of course, even if this strategy succeeds, it can only block Chang Xiao's sword attack, and there is still a long way to go to win. After coming out of retreat, he learned that Chang Xiao had put down the dragon scale sword. Taoist Baoding was very disappointed. In this way, his retreat lost its meaning. When True Man Chixia mentioned Jiang Feiluan, Taoist Baoding had met Jiang Feiluan before and had some understanding of his swordsmanship. He had some idea about this man's swordsmanship and did not take the matter to heart.

Jiang Feiluan of Tongtianbao had no intention of looking down on him. Taoist Baoding was obsessed with swordsmanship and had obtained the essence of Huashan swordsmanship. He was a first-class rival. After Jiantong, Qintong and the other two obtained the Seven Falcon Styles, their martial arts improved as a whole. Their body movements were extremely fast, and they moved forward and backward like ghosts. Jiang Feiluan, in turn, learned this body movement from the four people and integrated it with his own martial arts. In addition, Jiang Feiluan was also practicing sword control, but he could not compare with Taoist Zuixia. If the opponent was Chang Xiao, he would not have to work hard. Even if he mastered the sword control technique, he would not have a chance to win. But he would need to deal with Taoist Baoding. Therefore, he worked hard and gained a lot. Qi Shizhen made a lot of preparations. Although Wanxiantang did not express its attitude, Wanqi Song was a well-known old fox, the most tactful, and would not fail to see the heat and make things difficult for Tongtianbao. Since joining forces with the Beggars' Sect, Qi Shizhen has been well aware of the slightest movement in the martial arts world. When he learned that Wanxiantang had allocated a lot of manpower to run the salt business, Qi Shizhen was a little surprised. Since ancient times, it has been said that accompanying the emperor is like accompanying a tiger. Shanhu is indeed a national beauty, but the inner court of the imperial palace is full of intrigues. Many concubines have colluded with senior officials in the court, deceiving their superiors and subordinates, enriching themselves, and fighting for power and profit. Shanhu, a weak woman, can hardly stay in the harem for a long time. Once something happens, it will implicate Wanxiantang. At that time, no one can say what will happen. Since Wanxiantang has shifted its focus, we just happened to take over the business of the South China Sea Fleet. The South China Sea Fleet is not only a merchant fleet, but most importantly, there are warships in the South China Sea with sharp artillery. It is an extremely strong force. If we get the assistance of Yannan Tower, we can get a lot of benefits. Therefore, Qi Shizhen identified the direction and tried every means to fully cooperate with Yannan Tower.

Chapter 124: The Famous Sword is Published

Both camps began to prepare, and soon the news began to spread in the world of martial arts, with various opinions. In the world of martial arts, there are naturally all kinds of disputes, such as the arrests and thieves, the escort agencies and the green forests, between the sects and gangs, between the martial arts masters, and so on, for fame or for profit, which is commonplace. Without disputes, it is not called the world of martial arts. Although the power of the two camps is very strong this time, it still did not attract enough attention. The main reason is the Never-Sleeping City. The fight between Duan Qingxiao and Chang Xiao had a lot of meaning at the beginning. It was a competition at the peak, so it attracted a lot of attention. Now Jiang Feiluan and Baoding Taoist are obviously not enough. No matter who wins, it will not affect the pattern of the world of martial arts. Never-Sleeping City is far ahead. Baoding Taoist believes that the provocation of Tongtianbao should be a good thing. It is not bad to start with Jiang Feiluan before dealing with Chang Xiao. Chixia Zhenren is not so optimistic. Jiang Feiluan has never shown his strength, but his swordsmanship is very high, and he will not act rashly without a certain degree of confidence. Taoist Baoding had long heard of the former number one swordsman, Taoist Zuixia. Since Jiang Feiluan had obtained the Sword Controlling Heart Technique, he should be able to appreciate some of Taoist Zuixia's swordsmanship. It would be best if he could get the Sword Controlling Heart Technique. This way, he would be more confident in dealing with Chang Xiao. Qi Shizhen made intensive preparations, and things went very smoothly. Jiang Feiluan's swordsmanship was further improved, and his confidence increased greatly. The current problem was that Taoist Baoding had obtained the Ganlu Sword, which was the number one weapon in the world. He did not have a sword that could rival it, and it was difficult to fight against him. Jiang Feiluan originally wanted to ask Chang Xiao to retrieve Taoist Zuixia's sword in the Never-Sleeping City, but Chang Xiao believed that Jiang Feiluan's sword control skills were not good enough, and he could not reach the point of unity between man and sword, so he was not qualified to use Taoist Zuixia's sword. Jiang Feiluan knew the gap between him and his brother, so he had to give up and find another way. Because he often dealt with the South China Sea fleet, Qi Shizhen learned that the smelting technology in the West was different from that in the Central Plains, and the forged swords were quite tough, and might be able to resist the Ganlu Sword. Therefore, he asked Yan Nanlou to find a way and spared no expense to search for the best weapons. At the same time, he started looking for expert craftsmen to forge the sword.

Yan Nanlou knows the affairs of the martial arts world. No matter who will win between Baoding Taoist and Jiang Feiluan, Qi Shizhen has cooperated with the South China Sea Fleet for many years, and it is reasonable for him to help. The South China Sea Fleet has nothing to do with the four famous families, so there is no need to worry. Qi Shizhen learned that the Ganlu Sword had cut a gap in the Chihuang Sword, so the sword prepared by his side must surpass the Chihuang Sword. Because the Chihuang Sword was produced by Wuling Villa, and the Ganlu Sword had been treasured by Wuling Villa for many years, Qi Shizhen specially went to Wuling Villa to visit Wu Qingyang to find out the truth. Since becoming the owner of the villa, Wu Qingyang can no longer do whatever he wants like before, and he is very uncomfortable, but there is no way, he can only endure, and he is very depressed. Qi Shizhen is also an old man in the world. Of course, he has dealt with Wu Qingyang before. When he visited him, Wu Qingyang personally came out to greet him. The two met and greeted each other, and entered the villa hand in hand. After sitting down in the hall, Wu Qingyang joked, "I heard that Manager Qi is busy with business. Is there any way to make money?" Qi Shizhen smiled and said, "The owner of the manor has a disciple like King Wuling. It's not a problem for him to have mountains of gold and silver. My business has encountered some difficulties. This time I came here to borrow money." Wu Qingyang knew that Qi Shizhen would not come here to borrow money, so he replied casually, "No problem. As long as I can afford it, I will never refuse." Qi Shizhen changed the subject and said, "Don't beat around the bush. I've heard that the owner of the manor is very smart. Can you guess why I'm here?" Wu Qingyang nodded, "Manager Qi certainly didn't come here to borrow money , now Tongtianbao Jiang Feiluan is preparing to compete with Huashan Baoding Taoist, the biggest obstacle is the Ganlu Sword, and Shopkeeper Qi must have come for this matter. "Qi Shizhen praised: "The owner of the manor is really smart, Baoding's swordsmanship is not bad, but the owner of Jiangbao is not inferior. Just as the owner expected, the difficulty now is the Ganlu Sword. "Wu Qingyang smiled and said: "What's the difficulty, just make it clear in advance and let Baoding Taoist not use the Ganlu Sword. "Qi Shizhen shook his head: "The sword is the second life of the swordsman. Changing swords in a decisive battle is not in line with the rules of the martial arts world." Wu Qingyang agreed: "That's right."

The Ganlu Sword has been treasured in Wuling Mountain Villa for many years. Wu Qingyang certainly knows something about it. He knows how difficult it is to find a weapon that can rival the Ganlu Sword. He first explains the magic of the Ganlu Sword to Qi Shizhen, who listens carefully and remembers it in his heart. Then he mentions the Chihuang Sword. Wu Qingyang explains that the Ganlu Sword is no longer what it used to be. After Chang Xiao's efforts, it can completely cut off the Chihuang Sword. Qi Shizhen is shocked and tells Wu Qingyang all his plans and asks him for advice. Wu Qingyang pondered for a moment and said, "The method you used is indeed very appropriate, but the chance of success is not great." Qi Shizhen frowned and asked for details. Wu Qingyang said, "The birth of a sharp weapon is half human and half natural. Your idea is very good to absorb Western forging technology, but where can you find master craftsmen? To make a real weapon, you need a real master." Qi Shizhen said, "I have used a lot of money to invite today's famous swordsmiths." Wu Qingyang shook his head: "Those people can forge a weapon comparable to the Chihuang Sword. It is already very good. It is impossible to forge a weapon that can rival the Ganlu Sword." Qi Shizhen asked hurriedly: "What do you think, Master?" Wu Qingyang said solemnly: "I will show you a way. There is only one person in the world who can accomplish this." Qi Shizhen was overjoyed: "Please let the master tell me." Wu Qingyang said slowly: "The Lord of the City That Never Sleeps." Qi Shizhen was stunned: "It turned out to be him. "Wu Qingyang explained: "Although Chang Xiao is famous for his sword, he is not unfamiliar with swords. Since he can restore the spiritual energy of the Ganlu Sword, he can forge a sharp weapon that can rival the Ganlu Sword." Qi Shizhen still didn't quite believe it: "As the saying goes, different trades are like different mountains. Chang Xiao's martial arts skills are there, and no one can deny it. But he has never learned swordmaking, how can he forge a sharp weapon?" Wu Qingyang smiled: "I have tasted the corn roasted by Chang Xiao himself, and even Duan Qingxiao admits that it is the most delicious food in the world. Do you understand the truth here?" Qi Shizhen smiled bitterly and shook his head: "I have heard of it, but I just don't understand it." Wu Qingyang sighed lightly: "In fact, I don't understand it very well, but there is a truth that is obvious. If a top master does one thing wholeheartedly, he can reach a realm that ordinary people can never reach." Qi Shizhen understood a little: "So that's the case. It seems that I have to go to the City That Never Sleeps again."

When Wu Qingyang mentioned Chang Xiao, Qi Shizhen felt that the trip was worthwhile. Without Wu Qingyang's guidance, he would never have dreamed of asking Chang Xiao to forge a sword. Out of curiosity, Qi Shizhen raised his own question: "Why can't Duan Qingxiao bake the best delicacy in the world?" Wu Qingyang smiled and said, "It depends on personal interest. Duan Qingxiao's cultivation is indeed profound, but he has never been poor, and he can't experience the taste of hunger, so his feelings for food are not that deep. Chang Xiao was born in a farming family and knows the value of food, so he can put all his thoughts on roasting corn." Qi Shizhen nodded: "No wonder some people say that one day of hanging out with the owner of the manor is more experience than a year of wandering in the world. Today I am convinced, but can Chang Xiao put all his thoughts on forging swords?" Wu Qingyang was quite confident: "He certainly can, judging from the deep friendship between him and Taoist Zuixia and his It is certain that he knows swordsmanship. "Qi Shizhen nodded, still a little hesitant in his heart: "I wonder if Chang Xiao is willing to agree." Wu Qingyang smiled and said: "You should go as soon as possible. Chang Xiao has not had anything to do since he put down the dragon scale sword. It is just right to use this matter to relieve his anxiety. If other things attract his attention, it is hard to say." Qi Shizhen stood up and saluted: "Thank you for your guidance, the owner of the manor. I will definitely remember this kindness in my heart." Wu Qingyang was very indifferent: "These trivial matters are not worth mentioning. The children of the rivers and lakes should support each other." Qi Shizhen said goodbye immediately, and was full of gratitude to Wu Qingyang in his heart. Before coming, he never thought that this trip would have such a great harvest. It seems that Wu Qingyang deserves the respect of masters from all sides. On the way, he calculated whether Chang Xiao could agree to help. If it is inferred according to common sense, Chang Xiao has asked the four brothers Jiantong and Qintong to go to Tongtian Fort to assist Jiang Feiluan, and he will probably not agree to this matter. But Wu Qingyang knew Chang Xiao very well, and his words were completely credible, so he was very happy. Time was running out, Qi Shizhen traveled day and night and soon arrived at the city that never sleeps. The gatekeepers were surprised. What on earth did Qi Shizhen come so often for? Qi Shizhen was worldly-wise and of course he would handle these matters. As the saying goes, it is easy to see the King of Hell but difficult to deal with the little ghosts. If the gatekeepers did not manage well, they would inevitably have to spend more time and effort.

Chang Xiao was also surprised when he heard the news, so he asked Qi Shizhen to go to the hall. Qi Shizhen apologized first, but Chang Xiao didn't take it seriously: "You and I are old friends, there's no need to be polite, just tell me if you have anything to say." Qi Shizhen didn't mention the matter of asking Chang Xiao to forge the sword first, but told him about his visit to Wuling Villa. Chang Xiao nodded in agreement: "It should be so. When the swordsmanship is almost the same, the sword is very important. Your decision is right." Qi Shizhen told Wu Qingyang what he meant. Chang Xiao was stunned, and then he turned his mind and slapped the table and shouted: "Brother Wu knows me. Why didn't I think of it?" Qi Shizhen asked: "Can the city lord help?" Chang Xiao shook his head: "I'm not helping you, but I found something to relieve my depression. You should start preparing immediately." Qi Shizhen was overjoyed. Chang Xiao explained: "First of all, I have to make it clear that I am not sure whether it can succeed." Qi Shizhen was quite confident: "There is nothing in the world that can stump the city lord." Chang Xiao shook his head: "This time the situation is different. Most of the magic weapons are natural. We should do our best and listen to fate. You should start preparing first. I also want to familiarize myself with it. I will definitely be there when the furnace is opened." Qi Shizhen thanked him repeatedly and left the city that never sleeps immediately. He allocated a large amount of gold and silver and mobilized a lot of manpower to prepare for this matter. Selecting a location, building a furnace, hiring craftsmen, and preparing materials, everything was going on in an orderly manner. Jiang Feiluan understood the importance of this matter to him, so he put everything aside and put all his energy into sword forging. As a swordsman, the sword is of great importance, and Jiang Feiluan wants to see the sword come into being with his own eyes. Qi Shizhen was also pleased. Being able to experience this proved that Jiang Feiluan had indeed made a lot of progress. The four brothers Jian Tong and Qin Tong were already interested in sword forging. They were very happy to learn that Chang Xiao was going to come and forge the sword himself, and they also came to help, mainly to broaden their horizons. Chang Xiao would never change his mind about what he promised, and everyone believed in this. More than a thousand people were mobilized to start the furnace this time, including many skilled craftsmen. The reward was secondary. Everyone wanted to know whether they could forge a rare weapon this time.

The materials used for sword forging this time were all top-grade, some were sent by Yan Nan Lou, and some were collected in the Central Plains, all kinds of materials. The furnace was also extremely tall, with firewood piled up like a mountain, and more than a dozen bellows were prepared, the scale was unprecedented. Many craftsmen heard that the person in charge of sword forging this time was not a swordsmith himself, and had never learned sword forging. How could such a person forge a real sword? However, seeing that Jiang Feiluan, who was in charge of this matter, had a look of respect when he mentioned this person, it seemed that this person was extraordinary, and everyone wanted to meet him. Everything was ready, and when the furnace was officially opened, a person really came. Seeing Jiang Feiluan's attitude, everyone believed that this person was the person in charge of sword forging this time. Chang Xiao had fasted for seven days. As a warrior, of course, he knew this rule. To forge a magic weapon, you must first have respect. When Chang Xiao arrived, everyone became a foil, and everything was done by Chang Xiao. Chang Xiao attached great importance to this sword forging, and asked the four brothers Jian Tong and Qin Tong to help, and started to work after getting familiar with it. After selecting the right materials, the fire started. The fire rose. It would take more than two or three days to melt the materials, so the first work was just to keep an eye on the fire. Chang Xiao hurriedly asked the craftsmen for some details. The craftsmen laughed in their hearts. It was ridiculous for such a person to forge a magic weapon. Many people thought that this sword forging would end in failure. Jiang Feiluan was very confident in Chang Xiao. If even Chang Xiao couldn't do it, he could give up. After a few days, it entered the critical stage. Chang Xiao controlled the fire alone, and the four brothers Jian Tong and Qin Tong assisted. At first, the craftsmen thought it was funny, but the next day they thought this person was unusual. He actually stayed in front of the fire for a whole day and night. It took a lot of energy to concentrate on doing one thing like this. It was rare for ordinary people to persist for two or three hours. The craftsmen's view of Chang Xiao changed a lot. No wonder Jiang Feiluan valued him so much. This person was indeed extraordinary. Chang Xiao was fully focused and didn't say a word. He just made a gesture when he needed something, and the four brothers Jian Tong and Qin Tong naturally understood. It was like this on the first day, the second day, and the third day. The craftsmen's admiration for Chang Xiao had turned into horror. He remained silent and focused on controlling the fire for three days and nights. Even the world-famous sword-making master Ou Yezi couldn't do it. Jiang Feiluan was full of expectations. His dream was getting closer and closer.

Chang Xiao sat in front of the fire for seven days and seven nights. The flames of the fire changed. The craftsmen knew that this was a sign that the sword would be made. Everyone's heart was in their throat. The hard work of many days would finally bear fruit. Chang Xiao sat for seven days and nights. Under the reflection of the fire, he looked like a stone statue. It seemed that even if the sky and the earth changed color, it would not affect him. The fire gradually showed five colors. The craftsmen knew that it was time to take the sword out of the furnace, but Chang Xiao did not move. Someone was anxious and told Jiang Feiluan privately that if the sword was not taken out of the furnace when the time came, the sword would be ruined. Jiang Feiluan was full of confidence in Chang Xiao and told the craftsmen not to speak. This was the most critical moment. Any negligence would ruin all the previous efforts. The fire returned to normal from five colors, and soon became five colors again. It changed dozens of times in half a day. The craftsmen were stunned. This method of sword-making was unheard of and unseen. Just when everyone was in doubt, the fire suddenly made a loud noise and the flame went out. Everyone was shocked. Once the fire was extinguished, it was considered a failure. But in the blink of an eye, the fire rose again, and the flames were even hotter than before. The fire made loud noises one after another, and the fire changed several times. Chang Xiao suddenly said, "Master Jiang, come closer." Jiang Feiluan approached without thinking. Chang Xiao scratched Jiang Feiluan's wrist with his fingernails, and a stream of blood spurted out. In full view of everyone, a puff of green smoke rose into the sky, and there was a cheer from all around. The green smoke meant that the sword was forged. Everyone came closer to watch, and saw that Chang Xiao was holding a sword in his hand, which was shorter than an ordinary long sword, only two feet and four inches, and the sword body was faintly dark yellow. Chang Xiao carefully examined the sword in his hand. No one dared to say anything. After a long time, Chang Xiao let out a long sigh and said with a smile: "You'd better take it. I won't be able to bear to part with it if I look at it for a while longer." Jiang Feiluan took the sword solemnly and bowed: "Thank you for your great help, City Lord." Chang Xiao stood up, waved his arms, and his joints made a crisp sound. Jiang Feiluan exclaimed: "The City Lord's cultivation is indeed profound. Jiang is far behind." Chang Xiao smiled: "Back then, Master Bodhidharma sat in Shaolin for several years, and even his shadow was left on the stone. I only sat for a few days, which is nothing."

Chapter 125: Entering the House

Although Chang Xiao said it lightly, Jiang Feiluan knew in his heart that such a realm was beyond his reach no matter how hard he tried, and he admired him very much. Chang Xiao asked: "At the beginning, your brother completely handed over his affairs to me. Do you understand what he meant?" Jiang Feiluan nodded: "My brother knows my ability and has no ability to take over. In addition, he has a good relationship with the city lord." Chang Xiao sighed: "If your brother had not been robbed, the current Jianghu would definitely be different. In my heart, your brother's position is far higher than Duan Qingxiao." Jiang Feiluan thanked him repeatedly. Chang Xiao looked solemn and said: "You go back to Tongtian Castle to prepare immediately. During the sword-making process, I realized that a major event that will shake the world in the future needs to be prepared here." Jiang Feiluan was shocked: "Can the city lord reveal something?" Chang Xiao shook his head: "This matter has far-reaching implications. It would be no good to know it earlier." Jiang Feiluan knew that Chang Xiao didn't want to say that no one could force him, so he said goodbye immediately and told the craftsmen to continue to assist Chang Xiao. The craftsmen readily agreed. At this time, most people regarded Chang Xiao as a god. It didn't matter whether they were paid or not. It was an honor to serve such a person. After Jiang Feiluan left, Chang Xiao ordered people to prepare again and start the furnace again. The craftsmen didn't know Chang Xiao's intentions, but just followed his orders. The four brothers Jian Tong and Qin Tong stayed to help. Chang Xiao asked Qi Shizhen to collect weapons, regardless of whether they were good or bad, as long as they had killed people, preferably weapons used by executioners and generals who had been on the battlefield for a long time. Qi Shizhen didn't understand what he meant. This was not difficult to do. Qi Shizhen quickly collected more than 200 pieces and sent someone to deliver them immediately. Chang Xiao passed on the message that the weapons were fine, but the number was not enough. Qi Shizhen was asked to continue working hard to collect an integer of 1,000. Qi Shizhen was even more puzzled. Anyway, he couldn't ask, so he didn't think too much. So he sent a large number of people to collect them with all his strength. Because not every sword could be used, Qi Shizhen did not limit the number, the more the better, and soon thousands of swords were placed in front of the fire.

Chang Xiao had prepared everything and selected the right weapons to put into the furnace. Strangely enough, when he was forging the sword for Jiang Feiluan, the sky was blue and the air was clear. When he opened the furnace for the second time, the weather changed. The clouds rolled in and the wind was howling, as if it was going to rain at any time. Chang Xiao was fully focused, and the craftsmen were worried. The weapons they were refining this time were definitely not sharp weapons. There was a strong murderous aura at the beginning of the furnace, and even the weather changed. Although the weather changed, not a drop of rain fell. The atmosphere was very depressing. Not to mention the craftsmen, even the four brothers Jian Tong and Qin Tong felt a little uncomfortable. As more and more weapons were put into the furnace, the murderous aura became heavier. No craftsman dared to get close to the fire. It was the Jian Tong brothers who were busy. Because of his experience, Chang Xiao was confident and kept the fire at the highest temperature. This was something that ordinary craftsmen could not do at all. Another seven days and seven nights, a thousand weapons were put down, the fire glowed dark red, deep and terrifying, the craftsmen whispered to each other, feeling as if a disaster was about to happen. At midnight, thunder roared in the sky, lightning illuminated the earth, and it looked like a heavy rain was coming. The craftsmen prayed, hoping that this time they would not succeed, and that heavy rain would put out the furnace fire. As lightning flashed, heavy rain fell, and with a loud bang, the tall furnace collapsed. The craftsmen secretly rejoiced, because they were all experts and knew that once this weapon was born, many people would suffer. Not long after, Chang Xiao arranged for the craftsmen to go home with a pleasant face. Although the craftsmen did not dare to ask, they guessed that once the furnace collapsed, the weapon they had forged was doomed to fail. After sending the craftsmen away, Chang Xiao arranged for the four brothers Jian Tong and Qin Tong to go to Tongtian Fort to see if Jiang Feiluan's swordsmanship had improved. He still returned to the City That Never Sleeps. Except for Chang Xiao himself, no one could be sure whether the weapon he had forged was successful or not.

Jiang Feiluan was overjoyed when he got the sword. He rushed back to Tongtian Castle and tried other weapons. Jiang Feiluan was also an expert and knew that even if this sword was not as good as the Ganlu Sword, it would not be cut by the Ganlu Sword. As a swordsman, he was naturally very happy to get a sword that satisfied his heart. Jiang Feiluan immediately started to practice swordsmanship. A few days later, the sword boy brothers came. Jiang Feiluan specifically asked Chang Xiao why he left the craftsman, but the sword boy could not explain it clearly, so he had to give up. At present, the most important thing is the Taoist Baoding, and he can't take care of other things. Besides, even if he wants to take care of Chang Xiao's affairs, he can't. Before long, the news that Jiang Feiluan got the sword spread throughout the martial arts world. Huashan Chixia Zhenren was a little dissatisfied when he learned that Chang Xiao came forward to help. Baoding Taoist was very open-minded and said, "Uncle Master, don't worry about it. Chang Xiao's ideas are different from those of ordinary people in the martial arts world. According to common sense, martial arts masters are afraid that others will surpass themselves and are on guard everywhere. But Chang Xiao is just the opposite. He sincerely supports the newcomers. It's a pity that these people are not up to standard." Chixia Zhenren smiled and said, "Why do you think so? You couldn't say such a thing before." Baoding Taoist said seriously, "This is the result of seclusion. After this seclusion, I feel that in order to become a top master, you must first have a broad mind. The former Zuixia Taoist, Duan Qingxiao and Chang Xiao now all have this characteristic. Chang Xiao and Zuixia Taoist fought openly and secretly for a long time before they became friends and became people who could trust each other. It is impossible to be a close friend of life and death without a broad mind. In addition, Chang Xiao and Duan Qingxiao also fought many times, but they became close friends in the end. It can be seen that the best masters have broad minds. "Chixia Zhenren praised again and again: "It's hard for you. The fact that you have such an idea is enough to prove that your swordsmanship has made great progress." Baoding Taoist smiled slightly: "The same is true. If I care about surpassing Chang Xiao, then I will be at a disadvantage psychologically, and no matter how hard I try, I will have no chance. The same is true for Jiang Feiluan. As a true warrior, you should hope that your opponent is as strong as possible, and put your own life and death, honor and disgrace aside. If you care about gains and losses, you are not a master at all." Chixia Zhenren couldn't help but look at this nephew with new eyes, so he asked: "What changed you?" Baoding Taoist sighed lightly: "Ganlu Sword and Chang Xiao."

The four famous families have always had opinions about Chang Xiao, and after what happened in Shangqing Palace, the contradictions became even deeper. After hearing the real thoughts of Taoist Baoding, True Man Chixia felt that this nephew had already entered a new realm. This is good news. In fact, every contemporary master has worked hard, but it is extremely rare to find someone who can really break out of the circle. Taoist Baoding has obviously taken a gratifying step. So they discussed how to deal with Jiang Feiluan's threat. Taoist Baoding smiled and said, "It would be best if he gets the sword. If he doesn't have the sword, I will fight him with an ordinary sword. As for things other than swordsmanship, I don't want to think about it at all." Zhenren Chixia nodded repeatedly: "It seems that your progress has exceeded the imagination of your uncle. The Huashan School will surely flourish in your hands." Taoist Baoding sighed lightly: "Different martial arts have the same destination. When you reach a certain level, you will take the same path. It doesn't matter what school or move you use. I just got a glimpse of the mystery. Obviously, Chang Xiao has already passed this stage. If possible, I would like to ask him some difficult questions." Zhenren Chixia's heart moved. The four famous families have always had a deep grudge with Chang Xiao, and even a master like Master Baekje cannot resolve it. Perhaps a breakthrough can be made from Taoist Baoding. Still a little skeptical, he asked, "Can Chang Xiao tell you?" Taoist Baoding smiled and said, "It's entirely possible. The key to Chang Xiao's achievements today is not his hard work, but his broad mind. He sincerely advises those who are not as good as he is, without any selfish motives. Doing so actually benefits both parties. The party being advised will naturally make progress, and Chang Xiao's own cultivation will be improved unconsciously. As the saying goes, the sea accommodates all rivers and the sea is vast. I'm afraid Chang Xiao himself has never thought of it. I have never understood how Chang Xiao could reach such a realm without learning the classics of Xuanmen. At present, it can only be regarded as God's blessing." Although True Man Chixia did not believe that Chang Xiao had reached such a high level, he also agreed with Taoist Baoding's point of view. Taoist Baoding prepared his luggage, and True Man Chixia asked, "Where do you want to go?" Taoist Baoding smiled and said, "First go to the Never-Sleeping City, then go to Tongtian Fort to see Jiang Feiluan's swordsmanship."

Chang Xiao returned to the Never-Sleeping City. After not seeing each other for many days, he naturally had to spend some time with Jade Butterfly, and he could not forget the other five wives, so the Never-Sleeping City began to bustle again. Jade Butterfly was the closest to Chang Xiao, and she felt that Chang Xiao had changed slightly this time, as if he had something on his mind. Normally, there was nothing to worry about now. Chang Xiao pretended not to know when she asked him indirectly. Jade Butterfly understood that Chang Xiao must have his reasons for not wanting to talk, so she stopped asking. Princess Yueying was concerned about her son's safety and planned to let her son, King Yuelun, live in the Never-Sleeping City in the future. Chang Xiao did not comment, and explained to his six wives that the Never-Sleeping City was not only a castle, but also a symbol of a powerful force. If he retired from the martial arts world one day, King Yuelun would not be able to take over. Once this powerful force disappeared, the Never-Sleeping City would lose its meaning, and self-preservation would become a problem. If King Yuelun lived here, he would face all kinds of dangers. Princess Yueying was naturally unwilling to accept this, and Chang Xiao persuaded her in many ways, saying that the real capital to dominate the martial arts world lies in oneself, not outside. As long as one has real talent and knowledge, one can live comfortably wherever he goes. Princess Yueying seemed to understand, but she didn't mention it. The six beauties gathered together, playing in all kinds of ways. Chang Xiao was busy and didn't care about anything else. A few days later, someone reported that Taoist Baoding was visiting. Chang Xiao was stunned. It was said that Taoist Baoding shouldn't have made a breakthrough so quickly. After arranging a meeting in the hall, the six wives appeared in their best clothes. Taoist Baoding walked in slowly, wearing a Taoist costume, with the world-famous Ganlu sword behind him. From the Taoist Baoding's demeanor, Chang Xiao had already concluded that this person's cultivation had taken a big step forward. After the ceremony, Chang Xiao first asked: "Did you achieve such success because of seclusion?" Taoist Baoding shook his head: "No, I felt the spirit of the number one swordsman on the Ganlu sword. Although Taoist Zuixia has passed away, his sword and spirit are still there." Chang Xiao nodded in praise: "If it weren't for the sword left by Taoist Zuixia, I wouldn't be able to restore the spiritual energy of the Ganlu sword. Taoist Baoding actually sensed the spirit of Taoist Zuixia, which shows how profound his cultivation is." Taoist Baoding bowed slightly: "If I hadn't fought with the city lord, I wouldn't have this feeling. I have to thank the city lord for his great help to make today's progress."

Martial arts masters are naturally proud. Once defeated, they will try every means to seek revenge and restore their reputation. However, Taoist Baoding actually thanked Chang Xiao. Chang Xiao believed that this person had transcended swordsmanship itself and became a true master. He was extremely happy and asked with a pleasant face, "What is the purpose of your visit?" Taoist Baoding said bluntly, "I have a few questions to ask the city lord." Chang Xiao agreed and stood up, saying, "Master, follow me." The two came to an octagonal pavilion, which had a sand table as smooth as a mirror. Taoist Baoding didn't understand what he meant. Chang Xiao explained, "I once exchanged martial arts experience with Bhikkhu Shenmu and Duan Qingxiao, but basically didn't speak. You can give it a try. Sometimes, truths that cannot be expressed in words can be expressed in pictures." Taoist Baoding understood and nodded, saying, "I will try my best. Thank you for your care, city lord." The two sat cross-legged opposite each other. Chang Xiao drew several thin lines on the sand table. Taoist Baoding was surprised when he watched it. These thin lines turned out to be a very sharp sword technique. Chang Xiao became famous for his sword, so how could his sword technique be so amazing? He thought for a moment and then felt relieved. Chang Xiao and Taoist Zuixia were close friends. They often exchanged ideas. It was not surprising that Chang Xiao was familiar with swordsmanship. So he drew the countermeasures he had in mind on the sand table. Chang Xiao nodded slightly and then drew a few arcs. Taoist Baoding frowned. The angle of this sword attack was incredible and beyond human power. After thinking hard for a moment, he suddenly thought of Taoist Zuixia's sword control and Chang Xiao's lightning shuttle. He immediately understood that others could not attack at this angle, but these two could. It was not easy to deal with this move. Taoist Baoding thought for a long time before coming up with a solution. Chang Xiao understood that Taoist Baoding had just stepped into the threshold and could not act too hastily, so he did not use advanced swordsmanship for the time being. At this time, Chang Xiao was like an examiner, drawing difficult questions for Taoist Baoding to answer. Taoist Baoding responded carefully. Although it was not a real fight, he could not be careless. Chang Xiao now has mastered the art, and he can use many moves at will. In less than half an hour, Taoist Baoding already felt dizzy. Chang Xiao's moves are so varied that it is obvious that one move can be transformed into ten or even hundreds of moves with a slight change. It is really hard to cope with. At this time, Chang Xiao has another difficult problem. Taoist Baoding has been thinking hard but has no idea how to solve it. He is silent for a long time without an answer. Suddenly, a hand stretched out from the side, drawing a winding arc. Taoist Baoding woke up as if from a dream. Seeing Chang Xiao standing up, he saluted and said, "Senior, you are here to mess up again."

Taoist Baoding turned around and saw that it was the master of Emei Sect, Monk Shenmu. He saluted immediately. Monk Shenmu pointed and said, "This move is nothing. Why can't you solve it? It made me anxious for a long time." It turned out that Monk Shenmu came to the city that never sleeps to play. He felt strange when he heard that Taoist Baoding came to visit him, so he followed to see. Seeing the two of them using the sand table to exchange martial arts, he immediately became interested, but Taoist Baoding's cultivation was not enough, and he jumped out anxiously. Taoist Baoding was quite touched. It seemed that he was still far from these masters. Chang Xiao smiled and said, "It's not difficult for those who can do it, but it's difficult for those who don't. Didn't the senior also go through this stage?" Monk Shenmu nodded and said, "That's right, but I don't have as good a temper as you. You guys continue, I'm going to play." In a blink of an eye, he ran away. Chang Xiao wanted to continue, but Baoding Taoist was already a little exhausted, so he declined, saying, "Please forgive me, City Lord. I have gained a lot today, and I need to digest it carefully. I can't handle more." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "I am also a little anxious. You think about it carefully here, and I will wait for you in the hall." Baoding Taoist watched Chang Xiao go away, calmed down and carefully recalled his previous moves. His original idea was completely wrong. Chang Xiao's method was unheard of, but the effect was very good, and he remembered it more clearly than teaching by words and deeds. Chang Xiao's moves today were extremely complicated, and the purpose was to let Baoding Taoist find the simplest way to defeat the most complicated through his own efforts. It's simple to say, but it's not easy to do it. Baoding Taoist racked his brains but couldn't solve it. Unknowingly, it was dark, so he had to go to the hall first. Chang Xiao could see what was going on from Baoding Taoist's expression, and advised him, "Don't be too persistent, put the problem in your mind first, and you never know when a flash of inspiration will come to your mind and the problem will be solved." Baoding Taoist agreed to take a seat. At night, lanterns are lit everywhere in the city that never sleeps, making it as bright as day inside and out. Six beauties are singing and dancing. Taoist Baoding's mind is full of swordsmanship. Although he is in the hall, his mind has already been looking for the answer in all his life. He cannot sleep or eat until this question is answered.

Chapter 126: Knowing the Treasures

Taoist Baoding really didn't expect Chang Xiao to use such a method. He was not used to it for a while, and his mind could not hold anything else. He was thinking hard, and suddenly there was a loud noise in his ears. When he came to his senses, he realized that it was fireworks. When the monk Shenmu came, fireworks were inevitable. Chang Xiao understood Taoist Baoding's thoughts and said, "The person in charge is confused, and the bystander is clear. It's useless for you to remember all the moves today. You should understand the roots of all the moves. Huashan is the orthodox Xuanmen. You should understand these principles." Taoist Baoding's heart moved. Why didn't he expect it? Suddenly, a new world appeared in front of him. No matter how complicated the moves are, they are all made by people. As long as you recognize the opponent, there is a pattern to follow. Taoist Baoding has always wanted to know what level Taoist Zuixia's swordsmanship had reached. Chang Xiao is the only one in the world who knows this best, so he raised his doubts. When mentioning Taoist Zuixia, Chang Xiao was quite sad, and said slowly: "Taoist Zuixia has been immersed in swordsmanship for many years and has long since broken free from the shackles. It's a pity that God is jealous of talents, and he has spent most of his life without a sword that suits his taste. In addition, he met Duan Qingxiao at the beginning of his debut, and the shadow of that failure always looms in his heart. If it weren't for these two factors, Taoist Zuixia would definitely have been able to lead the group and become a martial arts master who dominates the world." Taoist Baoding was also quite sorry. The death of Taoist Zuixia was indeed a great loss to the martial arts world. Then he asked, "If Taoist Zuixia had not passed away, what would the martial arts world be like today?" Chang Xiao was quite sure, "As long as he survived that disaster, Taoist Zuixia's swordsmanship would be as unrestrained as a dragon flying in the sky. At that time, there would be a three-way balance of power in the martial arts world, which is also the situation I most hope to see. Unfortunately, it is not what we want." Taoist Baoding asked again, "If there is really a three-way balance of power, who will be in the lead?" Chang Xiao shook his head slightly, "It's hard to say. No one can take the lead in all fields. They can only have their own strengths. Duan Qingxiao had the upper hand at the beginning, and no one can tell what will happen later." Taoist Baoding asked about the contemporary masters, and Chang Xiao introduced, "There are only a handful of masters of sufficient weight today. These few people have already looked down on all kinds of worldly things. Although they are in the mortal world, their hearts have already traveled in the sky. There is no need for you to worry."

Before leaving, True Man Chixia specifically told him to ask about the current situation in the martial arts world. This was for the sake of Huashan Sect, so Taoist Baoding naturally could not forget it, so he specifically asked. Chang Xiao smiled and said, "The only people who can influence the situation in the martial arts world are masters from all walks of life. Most of these people have appeared at the Ganlu Conference. As far as I know, the most powerful masters today should be the two elders Shuijing. They both have good cultivation, and they have won the favor of masters through their dishes, and have made further progress. In addition, these two people get along day and night, and their cooperation is very tacit. Once they join forces to fight the enemy, I am afraid no one can do anything." Taoist Baoding understood that Chang Xiao was expressing his views from an outsider's perspective and did not count himself among them. Chang Xiao continued to introduce: "In addition to the two elders Shuijing, there is also a pair of brothers, who are the two disciples of Master Baekje, Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai. Although these two people keep a low profile and never care about fame and fortune, their martial arts have reached a certain level, and they can stand alone against the enemy together." Taoist Baoding murmured, "The city lord said that these four people are indifferent to fame and fortune, and it seems that they will not be involved in disputes in the martial arts world." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "This is just on the surface. These four people are in their prime, and they all want to show their talents, but they just haven't had the right opportunity." Taoist Baoding nodded: "Who else can be called a master?" Chang Xiao mentioned Wu Qingyang first. Taoist Baoding was stunned. This person has a very good relationship with people, but his martial arts are inferior. Chang Xiao explained, "I dare say that few people in the martial arts world today know the depth of Wu Qingyang's martial arts. In fact, Wu Qingyang has never shown his true strength. When we first met, he told me to hide my martial arts and not to use my full strength unless it was necessary. Later, although we often interacted, I did not realize his true background. I thought that his martial arts and swordsmanship were still not up to par. Later, the appearance of King Wuling changed my mind. In the past, Wei Heyang was just a general in the army and did not know advanced martial arts. Even if he received guidance from the Plum Blossom Mother of the Emei Sect, it would not be a big deal. But since he became Wu Qingyang's disciple, Wei Heyang's martial arts have improved by leaps and bounds, and he has entered the ranks of masters in a very short time. From this incident, we can see Wu Qingyang's cultivation. I think his swordsmanship is not much inferior to Jiang Feiluan."

Chang Xiao's mention of Wu Qingyang was beyond Baoding Taoist's expectation. He was even more surprised when another name was mentioned. He had never heard of this person. This person was Qi Shizhen. Chixia Zhenren once listed the masters in the martial arts world, and this name was not among them. Chang Xiao smiled and said, "The most well-informed person in the martial arts world today is him." Baoding Taoist then realized, "The city lord is talking about Manager Qi, the right-hand man of Tongtian Fort." Chang Xiao nodded, "This person is more hidden than Wu Qingyang. At least others know that Wu Qingyang is a first-class swordsman, and there is probably no one else who knows Qi Shizhen's details except me." Baoding Taoist completely agreed, "Yes, no one has ever mentioned this person's martial arts." Chang Xiao looked back on the past, "I noticed the abnormality a few years ago. At that time, the South China Sea fleet was in crisis, and the old Dragon King asked me to protect a treasure. When I was transferring, Qi Shizhen arrived and asked me to give him a share. Although he brought a lot of people with him, these people were nothing to me, but the momentum displayed by Qi Shizhen at that moment made me feel that this person was not simple. On the surface, I am I was afraid that the treasure would be exposed and cause trouble, so I made concessions. In fact, I was not sure about dealing with Qi Shizhen. "The Taoist of Baoding was quite surprised: "Didn't the city lord practice sword energy at that time? How could I not deal with him?" Chang Xiao said solemnly: "Many people know my character. I am not afraid of any strong opponent, but judging the situation and acting according to the opportunity is the way to survive in the martial arts world. I judge that Qi Shizhen's internal strength is very deep, and he has reached the level of controlling the qi to hurt the enemy. My sword energy can't hurt him. Of course, if it is a one-on-one competition, I will definitely have the upper hand, but the situation was special at that time, and Qi Shizhen helped me in the past, so I had to give in. Even so, Qi Shizhen's martial arts are also very good, and to some extent, he has surpassed Jiang Feiluan. "The Taoist of Baoding remembered this name firmly. If Chang Xiao hadn't brought it up, he would not have known about it. The next person mentioned is the elder Jinchan of the Beggar Gang, because this person has spent a lot of effort for the Beggar Gang and has no extra time to study martial arts. Compared with the previous person, he is slightly inferior, but he has friends all over the world and is also an indispensable master in the martial arts world. Taoist Baoding certainly knew that Elder Jinchan had a very high prestige in the martial arts world and his position was unshakable.

The two talked about the masters of the world. Jade Butterfly and Princess Yueying were upset and took their female companions outside to watch the lanterns and fireworks. Only Chang Xiao and Taoist Baoding were sitting and talking in the hall. After introducing the masters mentioned above, Chang Xiao talked about Zhong Wanshan. This man was calm and experienced. He rarely fought with others, but his swordsmanship was very high. Duan Qingxiao passed the rolling pearl knife to him because of this. As for Wanqi Song, this man was worldly-wise. His heroic spirit in the past was worn away a lot, and his swordsmanship had regressed a lot. The next people mentioned were Zi Yungu, the leader of the Beggars' Sect, and Yan Nanlou, the leader of the South China Sea Fleet. These two people were not famous for their martial arts, but the leaders of two forces, but their own cultivation was not bad. As for the others, there was nothing much to say. Taoist Baoding felt that this trip was worthwhile and he gained a lot in all aspects. Because the next step was to go to Tongtian Fort, Taoist Baoding asked Chang Xiao for his opinion. Chang Xiao smiled and said, "Jiang Feiluan is of average talent. He has entered the ranks of masters under the influence of his brother Taoist Zuixia. If he can comprehend the sword-controlling secrets left by Taoist Zuixia, he will be an ideal opponent for the Taoist. When forging the sword, I have already noticed his changes. He has reached the level of cultivation that the Taoist had at the Ganlu Conference." Taoist Baoding was very happy. Chang Xiao's words were not wrong. As a warrior, such an opponent was too precious. At this time, Taoist Baoding had already realized that there was a big gap between his martial arts and Chang Xiao's. It was already difficult to resist on the sand table. If he really fought, he would only bring humiliation upon himself. Therefore, he never mentioned fighting. Among the masters mentioned by Chang Xiao, the Nether Swordsman and the four brothers Jiantong and Qintong were omitted. He also did not mention the four famous families. Taoist Baoding wanted to make a comparison. In the current world, only Chang Xiao knows the background of the Nether Swordsman. Chang Xiao hesitated for a moment and then told him that the Nether Swordsman was originally a master. After years of training, he is no longer a cold-blooded killer. He has become a true master, and the people mentioned above cannot compare to him. And the brothers Jian Tong and Qin Tong can join forces to fight against masters like Baoding Taoist and Jiang Feiluan. Baoding Taoist has a bottom line in his heart, and this trip has been fruitful.

After spending three days in the Never-Sleeping City, Taoist Baoding said goodbye and left, taking the Tongtian Fort. Qi Shizhen had long known that Taoist Baoding had left Huashan, and had sent many people to inquire about his itinerary. He felt strange to learn that Taoist Baoding actually visited the Never-Sleeping City. There are two possibilities for this matter. One is that Taoist Baoding has made a breakthrough in swordsmanship and wants to challenge in the Never-Sleeping City to avenge his previous shame. The other is that he is sincerely seeking advice. If it is the first one, there is naturally nothing to worry about. Taoist Baoding has no chance of winning. If it is the second one, it will be a bit troublesome. According to Chang Xiao's temperament, he will definitely not hide his private knowledge, and then his side will be at a disadvantage. After inquiring from many parties, he got accurate information that Taoist Baoding was not going to challenge in the Never-Sleeping City. Qi Shizhen immediately realized that Taoist Baoding had gotten rid of the shadow of failure in the Ganlu Conference. From this point, it can be determined that Taoist Baoding is far ahead of Jiang Feiluan. Not long after, news came that Taoist Baoding actually set off for Tongtian Fort. Qi Shizhen immediately thought of Taoist Zuixia at the time. Taoist Baoding has changed from a martial arts fanatic to a real master. Without further ado, the news was immediately passed to Jiang Feiluan, and he was told to be careful in dealing with it. Jiang Feiluan was quite surprised to receive the news. Although the two sides had not made it clear, they had already started to compete with each other. What could happen to the Taoist Baoding at this time? After thinking for a long time, he knew that he had the brothers Jiantong and Qintong with him anyway, so he had no worries. Therefore, he made some preparations and personally went out ten miles to pick him up to show his solemnity. Taoist Baoding knew that Qi Shizhen was well-informed, so he was not surprised by Jiang Feiluan's welcome. When they met and greeted each other, Jiang Feiluan was very polite and saluted, saying, "The Taoist priest is the number one swordsman in the world. It is a great honor for Jiang to come to Tongtian Castle." Taoist Baoding returned the greeting, "The castle owner is too polite. Although I was lucky enough to get the Ganlu sword, I dare not regard myself as the number one swordsman. There are many hidden dragons and crouching tigers in the world, and there are many masters. If the castle owner had fought with all his strength at that time, the ownership of the Ganlu sword might not be certain." Jiang Feiluan nodded secretly, and Taoist Baoding was indeed amazing.

At the Ganlu Conference, it was Jian Tong who personally handed the Ganlu sword to Taoist Baoding. Naturally, he had to thank him when they met today. Jian Tong saluted and said, "Master Taoist, you are an expert in swordsmanship and you surpass all others. You deserve the Ganlu sword. We brothers have only been running around for you and don't deserve your thanks." Qin Tong echoed, "Ever since Master Zuixia passed away, we brothers have been hoping that there would be a new number one swordsman in the world. Master Taoist's obtaining the Ganlu sword is a gratifying step. We hope that Master Taoist will keep up the good work and fulfill our brothers' wish." Taoist Baoding nodded, "I'll do my best." After the greetings, Jiang Feiluan let Taoist Baoding into Tongtian Castle and asked him to sit in the hall. He first asked, "Master Taoist, you must have gained a lot from visiting the city lord of the Never-Sleeping City. Can you tell me a little?" Taoist Baoding let out a long sigh, "The martial arts skills of the city lord of the Never-Sleeping City are truly unfathomable and profound. Even if I were unarmed, I would have no chance." He gave a detailed account of his experience in the Never-Sleeping City, but did not mention the details of Chang Xiao's evaluation of the world's masters. Jiang Feiluan turned around and asked Jian Tong: "Were you brothers present when the city lord used the sand table to exchange martial arts experience with the monk Shenmu?" Jian Tong shook his head: "When using the sand table, you must concentrate on it. Only those who are in the game can understand it. Even if we brothers are present, we can't understand it." Jiang Feiluan nodded, ordered someone to bring the sand table, and asked Taoist Baoding to demonstrate it. Taoist Baoding drew the figure that Chang Xiao had drawn at the beginning. Jiang Feiluan pondered for a long time but couldn't get the point. After Taoist Baoding explained it, he finally understood it and was amazed. After barely seeing the third figure, Jiang Feiluan could no longer resist and could not help but sigh: "It seems that the Taoist master is much better than me." Taoist Baoding shook his head: "The Lord of the Never-Night City is famous for his swordsmanship. He actually used swordsmanship to stump me. If he used swordsmanship, I am afraid I would not be able to handle a single move. The gap is really huge. The Lord of the Castle and I are almost the same." Jiang Feiluan asked for details and learned that Chang Xiao had drawn dozens of pictures for Taoist Baoding, which means he had drawn dozens of moves. It would be hard to tell with all the changes. I only saw the third move. It seems that even if I get the sword, I can't catch up with Taoist Baoding.

Taoist Baoding asked the sword boy, "As far as you brothers know, how long does it usually take the city lord to use the sand table?" The sword boy thought for a moment and replied, "When he first met Monk Shenmu, he used the sand table to communicate for nearly a day and a night, and then he rarely used it. I heard from the city lord that he fought with Duan Qingxiao for several days. They used the sand table during the day, and the real fight was at night." Taoist Baoding smiled bitterly and said, "Lord of the Castle, you heard it, right? You and I are just like the pot calling the kettle black. With such a master in front of us, what is there to argue about?" Jiang Feiluan nodded in agreement, "The Taoist priest is right. With the Lord of the Never-Sleeping City here, the number one swordsman can't show up at all. But as a swordsman, the first priority is naturally swordsmanship, and everything else can be put aside. It's rare for the Taoist priest to come here, so you and I might as well have a real exchange of ideas." Taoist Baoding readily agreed. He came here just to discuss swordsmanship, and there was no reason to refuse. Jiang Feiluan took out the sword solemnly, and the Taoist Baoding asked: "I heard that the Lord of the Never-Night City personally refined a sword for the Lord of the Castle. I want to see it. I wonder what the name of this sword is?" Jiang Feiluan stroked the sword and replied: "This sword is deeply inspired by the earth, and it is dark yellow. It can be called the Rehmannia Sword." The two of them prepared and came to the highest point of Tongtian Castle. They stood opposite each other five feet apart. The four brothers Jian Tong and Qin Tong watched the battle from afar. The Taoist Baoding gathered his energy and concentrated his mind. After the Ganlu Conference, he had not fought with anyone. Jiang Feiluan in front of him was the most ideal opponent. He wanted to verify what he had learned in his heart. Since he was defeated by the Dragon Scale Sword, the Taoist Baoding knew the importance of the speed of drawing the sword. In the face of a strong opponent, he must not hesitate. The Ganlu Sword was unsheathed in an instant. Jiang Feiluan had seen Chang Xiao's swift sword at the Ganlu Conference, and had also put in a lot of effort. The two drew their swords at the same time. Jiang Feiluan's Dihuang sword was more than a foot shorter, but he drew his sword a little slower than the Taoist Baoding. The two swords collided with each other, making a pleasant sound. The two stepped back and checked the swords in their hands. The Ganlu sword was naturally intact. Jiang Feiluan carefully checked and confirmed that the Dihuang sword was intact. He was overjoyed and said loudly: "The Dihuang sword is intact. Today you and I can give it a try." Taoist Baoding was also very happy. With such an opponent to promote each other, his swordsmanship could be greatly improved. The two drew their swords for the second time, and each of them used strange moves while the sword light flashed. The two contemporary top swordsmen started a wonderful duel.

Chapter 127: Swordsman's Heart

Jiang Feiluan has been studying swordsmanship. Although he has a high level of cultivation, few people pay attention to him because of the presence of Taoist Zuixia. Later, he obtained the sword control secrets, and his swordsmanship gradually improved, and then he decided to compete in the martial arts world. Although he is slightly inferior to Taoist Baoding in terms of realm, his swordsmanship is extremely superb, his moves are unpredictable, and his body movements are agile and elegant. It is difficult to distinguish between him and Taoist Baoding. If he had not been to the City That Never Sleeps, Taoist Baoding would definitely attack against attack and first curb the opponent's offensive. After experiencing the extremely complicated swordsmanship in the sandbox, Taoist Baoding has touched some veins and can find the characteristics of Jiang Feiluan's swordsmanship in a very short time, so he can deal with it easily and at ease. As for the sword control secrets left by Taoist Zuixia, Jiang Feiluan did not fully master it. He only got the form but not the spirit. Despite this, his swordsmanship also showed great power. Taoist Baoding sighed in his heart that Jiang Feiluan's swordsmanship lacked a spirit of agility, just like an article, although there are many good sentences, there is no main line connecting them, it can't be called a masterpiece. This shows the exquisite swordsmanship of Taoist Zuixia at the beginning. If the opponent is him, it is difficult for him to deal with it. Jiang Feiluan let go and attacked, but he couldn't do anything to Taoist Baoding, and couldn't attack the inner circle at all. During the fight, Jiang Feiluan also found that Taoist Baoding's swordsmanship was stable, and he deserved to be as quiet as a mountain, but it was difficult to make a thundering attack, and he didn't reach the realm of being able to control it freely. The two had their own strengths and weaknesses. The four brothers who watched the fight had already seen that Taoist Baoding was indeed slightly better, and the Ganlu sword was ahead everywhere, and Jiang Feiluan had few chances to win. Everyone who watched the fight could see it, and the two people who fought were of course even clearer. Jiang Feiluan couldn't attack for a long time, and knew that there was no hope of winning. The Rehmannia sword unfolded, and the sword shadows filled the sky, but not a single sword landed on the ground. Taoist Baoding understood, and the Ganlu sword drew a halo. The two men put away their swords and stepped back, smiling at each other. Jiang Feiluan clasped his fists and said, "Master, you are more skilled. I admit defeat." Taoist Baoding shook his head, "We are just exchanging sword skills, not a formal duel. Neither of us has used our full strength, so it doesn't count."

Back in the hall, Jiang Feiluan first put forward his own views. Taoist Baoding agreed with him and sighed, "I am obsessed with swordsmanship and rarely fight with others. I was defeated in the Ganlu Conference, which inevitably left a shadow in my heart. Therefore, I was a little hesitant when attacking and it was difficult to control myself." Then he put forward his views on Jiang Feiluan's swordsmanship, and Jiang Feiluan also agreed, "The most critical main line in the Sword Control Heart Art is the sword control art, but I haven't mastered it, so my swordsmanship is flawed." Taoist Baoding asked tentatively, "Can you take out the Sword Control Heart Art for me to see?" It is a common practice in the martial arts world to treasure secret skills. Although Taoist Baoding asked, he didn't expect Jiang Feiluan to agree. Unexpectedly, Jiang Feiluan was very straightforward and immediately took out a thin book from his arms. Taoist Baoding was a little surprised and hesitated whether he should take it. Jiang Feiluan smiled and said, "Master, don't hesitate. I know my own strengths and weaknesses very well. No matter how hard I try, I can never fully master them. I am very grateful for your willingness to help me." Taoist Baoding nodded, "The fortress lord is really straightforward. I admire you." Jiang Feiluan shook his head, "I learned this from my brother. Every martial art is the crystallization of the wisdom and experience of many people. It cannot be achieved by one or two people. When practicing martial arts, one cannot be complacent. One must quote from many sources to achieve higher achievements." Taoist Baoding praised, "Master Zuixia is indeed a true warrior and deserves to be the first swordsman." He took the book and looked at it carefully. Although his swordsmanship was very high, after all, the way of practice was different. After Jiang Feiluan's explanation, he understood it. Originally, Taoist Baoding thought that he could find the key with his swordsmanship, but after reading it, he found that the sword control secrets were far more profound than he had imagined, and it was difficult to understand even with Jiang Feiluan's explanation. Because Jiang Feiluan was so generous, Taoist Baoding did not hide anything. He did his best to study every move and style, and Jiang Feiluan did gain a lot. But Taoist Baoding had more questions in his mind. Most of the sword techniques that Chang Xiao demonstrated on the sand table in the Never-Sleeping City were from Taoist Zuixia, but there was no connection between those sword techniques and the Sword Controlling Heart Sutra. After thinking hard for a long time without an answer, Taoist Baoding had to admit that he had thought too simply before, and the gap between him and Taoist Zuixia could not be narrowed in a short period of time.

With a good start, the rest will be easy. Taoist Baoding drew the sword techniques he had seen in the Never-Sleeping City in detail and exchanged them with Jiang Feiluan. Jiang Feiluan was very puzzled after seeing them. These moves were indeed familiar, but the veins were different. The two people were at a loss in front of the drawings. Jian Tong and He Tong smiled at each other. Taoist Baoding was a little surprised. These four people obviously did not respect Jiang Feiluan very much, so he asked. Jiang Feiluan explained: "The four of them were trained by my brother. Later, my brother passed away and arranged them to be with Chang Xiao. Until now. As the saying goes, if you are in a room full of orchids, you will not feel their fragrance for a long time. The brothers have high attainments in swordsmanship and have begun to practice sword control. People in the Jianghu respect martial arts, and I dare not put on airs." Taoist Baoding said happily: "Since that's the case, why don't we discuss it together?" Among the four brothers, Jian Tong had the highest cultivation, but He Tong was the first to see the clues. This is because He Tong had once used the sword technique to verify his swordsmanship. So he put forward his own opinion: "I don't quite understand the sword control heart formula, but the city lord's diagram has some clues. Although the diagram drawn by the city lord is a sword method, it hides the six-combination sword method. You can change your way and reconsider it from the perspective of sword method." Jiang Feiluan frowned and said, "How is it possible? The knife and the sword are completely different. These diagrams are obviously sword methods." Baoding Taoist also found it incredible. He Tong smiled and said, "Words are not enough. You will understand if you try it with a knife." Jiang Feiluan immediately ordered someone to get a knife. Baoding Taoist took the knife and followed the method. He felt something was wrong. Jiang Feiluan tried it but still couldn't understand it. He Tong picked up the knife and first performed the six-combination sword method. Then he changed the sword and performed the sword moves on the diagram, and then used the sword to perform the six-combination sword method. Seeing this, Baoding Taoist suddenly realized: "So that's it. It's really wonderful." He stretched out his hand and drew the sword. The sword light surged and meandered like a flying dragon. Jiang Feiluan still didn't understand, and asked, "How did the Taoist master understand the key?"

Many hands add fuel to the fire. After He Tong's reminder, Taoist Baoding realized the key and was extremely happy. He explained to Jiang Feiluan, "We have all overlooked one point. Taoist Zuixia and Chang Xiao are very close. They often discuss martial arts and influence each other unconsciously. The diagram drawn by Chang Xiao is indeed a sword technique, but the foundation is built on Liuhe sword technique, and the same is true for the sword control heart formula. Taoist Zuixia was influenced by Chang Xiao, and the sword technique he left behind is largely aimed at Liuhe sword technique. As long as we understand this key, it will be easy." Jiang Feiluan was overjoyed and thanked He Tong repeatedly. If he hadn't seen the clues, it would take him a long time to understand the mystery. Taoist Baoding also thanked him repeatedly. Hetong smiled and said, "It was purely accidental. If I hadn't put more effort into the Liuhe sword technique, I wouldn't have noticed it." It's easy to deal with it if you understand the truth. Taoist Baoding first pondered the Liuhe sword technique. Jiang Feiluan used the sword technique in the Yujian Heart Technique to fight Hetong. Hetong used the Liuhe sword technique to attack. Jiang Feiluan then understood the key and was very happy. In this way, his swordsmanship took a step forward in a short time. The six people discussed for half a day, and Taoist Baoding went outside with Jiang Feiluan again. This time was completely different from the last time. Jiang Feiluan's sword technique had become coherent, and Taoist Baoding also understood the key. The two of them came up with strange moves one after another, which was wonderful. Both of them worked hard and explored for a long time. Once they stepped into the threshold, they would naturally feel free. This fight lasted for a thousand moves before it was stopped. When they returned to the hall, Taoist Baoding apologized to the four brothers Jiantong and Qintong. He did have some contempt for them before. The sword boy smiled and said, "The top masters that we brothers have come into contact with all have one characteristic in common, that is, they have no airs and treat everything with humility. From big things like wind, clouds and thunder to small things like the movement of ants and the flight of butterflies, I have seen the city lord go without food and water for several days just to pay attention to a mantis." The piano boy agreed, "Yes, I have seen the city lord sit by the stream for two days and nights just to watch small fish." Taoist Baoding seemed to have realized something, "It seems that to become a true master, one must first have a broad mind." Jiang Feiluan sighed, thinking back to the past, when his brother had the same experience. He didn't understand at the time and even made fun of him. Now he feels ashamed when he thinks back.

After some discussion, Taoist Baoding, Jiang Feiluan and even the four Jiantong brothers had gained a lot. Taoist Baoding was ready to leave and find a quiet place to digest what he had gained. Through the fight, Jiang Feiluan felt that Taoist Baoding was indeed sincere and had no ambitions. His previous plan had chosen the wrong target. After seeing Taoist Baoding off, he invited Qi Shizhen to Tongtian Fort to discuss countermeasures. Qi Shizhen had been paying attention and came as soon as he got the news. Jiang Feiluan did not avoid the Jiantong brothers and discussed in the hall. After listening to the story of Taoist Baoding entering the fort, Qi Shizhen put forward his own opinion: "It seems that Taoist Baoding has no ambition to get involved in the martial arts world, and is devoted to studying swordsmanship, but our previous preparations have not been in vain. It is true that Taoist Baoding has no ambition, but it is unclear what the four famous families behind him are up to. In my opinion, although the four famous families do not want to control the forces of all parties, they want to maintain their previous high position and make all parties bow their heads. For this reason, we cannot stop." Jiang Feiluan nodded: "That's right, we have to make preparations for both situations. We must be open-hearted to Taoist Baoding, and we must change our minds when dealing with the four famous families." Qi Shizhen immediately made arrangements. Jiang Feiluan still had to study swordsmanship as soon as possible. Taoist Baoding's obsession with swordsmanship has reached a fanatical level, and his side cannot fall behind too much. In addition, we cannot act too hastily when dealing with the four famous families. This is a confrontation in secret and cannot be exposed. After the discussion, Qi Shizhen left Tongtianbao and arranged for people to spread the swordsmanship and character of Taoist Baoding everywhere. This person really deserves the reputation of the first swordsman. Doing so will have many benefits for his side. In addition, he must vigorously develop the information network at hand. Because of the alliance with the Beggars' Sect, many people can be freed up to be placed in other places. On the one hand, they can collect information from multiple sources, and on the other hand, they can increase the speed of information transmission. This is a very complicated task, and Qi Shizhen has invested most of his energy.

When Taoist Baoding returned to Huashan, he first reported to Master Chixia about his gains from the trip. Master Chixia was concerned about Jiang Feiluan's swordsmanship and whether the sword in his hand could match the Ganlu sword. After hearing what happened, Taoist Baoding frowned. He didn't want to bother with these things, so he went to the mountain to study swordsmanship. Master Chixia got the news from his disciples and knew Qi Shizhen's actions. He didn't understand Qi Shizhen's intention to elevate Taoist Baoding. Soon the answer came. The fact that Taoist Baoding and Jiang Feiluan fought and jointly studied swordsmanship was made public. Not only did Taoist Baoding's status and reputation improve, but Jiang Feiluan also began to be valued by people in the martial arts world. Although he was slightly inferior to Taoist Baoding, he could still be regarded as a master of swordsmanship. Master Chixia immediately understood that Qi Shizhen was indeed calculating. Taoist Baoding had obtained the Ganlu sword and was already recognized as the number one swordsman, while Jiang Feiluan, who was previously unknown, suddenly became the focus of attention from all parties and benefited more from this matter. The original intention of the four famous families was to maintain a high position and suppress other forces. Qi Shizhen and Jiang Feiluan's actions had violated taboos, so they naturally attracted attention. Chixia Zhenren immediately spread the news and took action from all aspects to find ways to control the situation and prevent Tongtian Fort from developing. Although there was such an idea, it was not easy to implement it. Qi Shizhen was very smooth and had established a good relationship with the gangs in the rivers and lakes. The most important thing was that he had a tight information network in his hands. When the people in the rivers and lakes encountered difficulties, they would inevitably ask him for help, and no one could offend him. Baoding Taoist was eager to study swordsmanship and did not tell the news that Qi Shizhen himself was also a master. The main reason was that Chang Xiao did not want others to know. Baoding Taoist also knew the rules of the rivers and lakes. Qi Shizhen's affairs were extremely secretive and had not been leaked for many years. Once he made it public through his mouth, he would forge a deep hatred. If they really competed, there would be many casualties. Chixia Zhenren did not know the inside story. After repeated consideration, he believed that the most critical person at present was not Jiang Feiluan but Qi Shizhen. This person had great power and he should find a way to destroy his information network. Since they are a famous family, they naturally have to take their identities into consideration and cannot resort to assassination or sneak attacks. True Man Chixia meant to release a lot of false news, so that Qi Shizhen would be at a loss and the news network would naturally become ineffective. This idea was approved by the three sect leaders, who mobilized the sect members and their branches to spread false news everywhere. For a time, the Jianghu was in an uproar, and all kinds of rumors were spread.

Qi Shizhen knew the attitude of the four famous families and made some preparations, but he did not expect this move. True and false news were flying everywhere, and it was difficult to make a correct judgment. Qi Shizhen understood that this was a conspiracy carried out by the four famous families against him, with the intention of making the information network under his control ineffective. So he tried to deal with it. After exchanging information with the Beggars' Sect, he found that the news of the Beggars' Sect was also varied and difficult to distinguish between true and false. Qi Shizhen immediately determined that the four famous families mobilized many people to deliberately confuse the water. This move was indeed difficult to deal with. Qi Shizhen really had no choice but to visit the Never-Sleeping City again and ask Chang Xiao for help. Chang Xiao generally ignored trivial matters in the martial arts world, but he was very clear about the masters with enough weight. Although the two had old friendships, Chang Xiao had helped a lot, and it was not appropriate to bother him all the time. But no one except Chang Xiao could solve the current crisis. Qi Shizhen had no choice but to set off for the Never-Sleeping City with a heavy gift. The gatekeeper was very polite. When they met in the hall, Qi Shizhen saluted first: "I'm really sorry to bother the city lord again." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "We are old friends, no need to be polite." He presented the gift first. Chang Xiao frowned and said, "What is this for? There are already many treasures in the Never-Sleeping City. More will only cause trouble." Qi Shizhen said, "I have bothered the city lord several times without showing any uneasiness. If the city lord refuses, I will have no face to speak." Chang Xiao nodded slightly: "Well, I will let Butterfly and the others pick out a few things they like, and you can take the rest back. When you are using money, don't spend it on nothing." Qi Shizhen thanked him. Chang Xiao called out his six wives, each of whom picked two or three items, and kept the rest. The six beauties were indifferent to the affairs of the rivers and lakes, and went to the back to play. Qi Shizhen had the opportunity to explain his purpose. Chang Xiao smiled and said, "I have thought of this move a long time ago, but I didn't have the chance to use it. I didn't expect that someone else would get there first. The current situation is extremely clear. It is beyond my expectation that Jiang Feiluan can be so open with Taoist Baoding. The two of them can make greater progress by supporting each other. It is actually useless for the four famous families to muddy the waters. If they have any major plans, it will be difficult to deal with. We can only take the initiative and concentrate our forces to defeat them one by one. As far as I know, they just want to make your information network useless. There is no big move, so you don't have to pay attention to it. It is enough to understand the whereabouts of Taoist Baoding, and let him deal with irrelevant matters." Qi Shizhen finally understood and sighed, "The city lord still understands."

Chapter 128: Strange People and Strange Events

At present, the key figure of the four famous families is Taoist Baoding. Since he has become friends with Jiang Feiluan, there is no need to worry too much. The fight between the two parties is unlikely to turn into a real fight, but just a secret competition. Chang Xiao pointed out the key, and Qi Shizhen was relieved. In fact, with the Never-Sleeping City in front, other forces can't make any trouble. During this visit, Qi Shizhen found that Chang Xiao had changed a little. The lazy feeling was gone, and there was a sharpness in his eyes. He was surprised, but because they were old friends, he had no scruples and asked. Chang Xiao smiled and said, "As expected of an old man, something of great impact will happen in the near future. I am preparing for it." Qi Shizhen was shocked. The big event Chang Xiao mentioned must be earth-shattering. He asked quickly, "Can you tell me something?" Chang Xiao's expression was very calm: "Actually, this matter has nothing to do with me personally, but it involves many people." Qi Shizhen was unsure, and Chang Xiao persuaded him, "This matter is completely aimed at the Never-Sleeping City and has nothing to do with other forces." Qi Shizhen was quite puzzled: "Today, who dares to touch the Never-Sleeping City?" Chang Xiao shook his head: "I don't know much at the moment, but I have a premonition that it is not a small matter. It seems to be caused by a woman. After the matter becomes a big deal, the Never-Sleeping City will welcome various masters. I am afraid that even the Nether Swordsman who lives in seclusion on the island will come to join in the fun." Qi Shizhen was puzzled. Who has such a great ability? Another thing is how Chang Xiao could predict something that has not happened? Raising the question in his mind, Chang Xiao explained: "The operation of internal energy is like the rotation of the sun and the moon. After reaching the state of unity between man and nature, one can indeed comprehend the secrets of heaven, which is different from the ordinary calculation of the Eight Trigrams and the Five Elements." Qi Shizhen was very impressed: "The city lord's cultivation is advancing by leaps and bounds, and we are far behind." Chang Xiao smiled: "This matter involves a wide range of things, but I will take care of everything, so you don't have to worry." Qi Shizhen nodded and said self-deprecatingly: "Even the Nether Swordsman was alarmed, what is my ability?" Chang Xiao shook his head slightly: "You don't have to belittle yourself. Isn't it enough to be able to practice Tiangang Qi to the eighth level?" Qi Shizhen was shocked. This was his biggest secret. Then he realized that he couldn't keep any secrets in front of this person, so he smiled and said: "My insignificant skills are not worth mentioning. Please forgive me, city lord." Chang Xiao smiled and said: "Tiangang Qi is not insignificant skills."

Qi Shizhen had hidden this secret very deeply. He felt uneasy when Chang Xiao revealed it today. Chang Xiao comforted him, "I understand what you mean. In the martial arts world, there are thorns everywhere. It is indeed necessary to keep a hand. But there are pros and cons to doing this. If you are cautious about everyone, you will not get any help in practicing internal skills. You can only rely on yourself and it will be difficult to make progress. If you can be honest and sincerely ask for advice from the masters, your Tiangang Qi will have already broken through the ninth level. Who can do anything to you at that time?" Qi Shizhen's mind was in a mess and he didn't know what to say. Chang Xiao understood Qi Shizhen's feelings and let him figure it out by himself. After a while, Qi Shizhen let out a long sigh: "Am I really wrong?" Chang Xiao smiled and said, "You are a smart man, you don't need me to wake you up. The world has yin and yang, and things have advantages and disadvantages. As the saying goes, solitary yin cannot grow, and solitary yang cannot grow. Wise people understand the harmony of yin and yang, and capable people can turn disadvantages into advantages." Qi Shizhen was a smart man and quickly understood the truth. He thanked him, "Thank you, City Lord, for your words to wake me up." Chang Xiao explained, "From the beginning of our acquaintance, you have never completely believed in me. This is a common practice in the martial arts world and there is nothing wrong with it. You know all about my interactions with Master Zuixia. To be honest, if Master Zuixia hadn't been open-hearted with me and promoted each other, I wouldn't be where I am today. I broke this window paper today because I see that you have been practicing hard for many years and your efforts have been in vain, so I am willing to help you." Qi Shizhen sighed. : "The city lord has a broad mind which is rare in this world." Chang Xiao was very calm: "I can't say that he is broad-minded, but I will never forget those who have helped me. Tiangang Qi comes from Xuanmen, and the best person to guide you is Wu Mu Zhenjun, but you are competing with the four famous families, so it is certainly not appropriate to find him. The main reason I brought up this matter today is that there is an opportunity in front of me. This master's whereabouts are uncertain, and it will be difficult to find him once he travels far away." Qi Shizhen stood up and thanked him: "The city lord is so helpful, Qi Mouming is deeply grateful." Chang Xiao smiled and said: "You and I are brothers, there is no need to be polite. There is a small temple on the hillside of Waifang Mountain in Henan. There will be a Buddhist ceremony there in three days. You go there and wait. If you see a dark-skinned monk, go up to him and greet him. As long as you mention my name, you will definitely gain something." Qi Shizhen kept it in mind.

Obviously, the master that Chang Xiao mentioned was Master Baikong. This monk was knowledgeable and had high attainments in martial arts. He was fully capable of instructing Qi Shizhen. This matter was extremely important to Qi Shizhen, so he naturally had to ask in detail. According to Chang Xiao, all the monks who participated in Buddhist affairs were monks. Qi Shizhen felt strange. How could a monk appear in such a remote place? Chang Xiao explained: "Real monks don't care about the size of the temple at all. Buddhism emphasizes purity." Qi Shizhen immediately understood. Time was running out, so he said goodbye and rushed to Waifang Mountain on horseback. The two places were far apart. Qi Shizhen changed ten horses before he arrived at Waifang Mountain at dusk the next day. He took a rest for a night and prepared to go to the foot of the mountain the next morning. The mountains here are beautiful and the breeze is gentle. Qi Shizhen put everything behind him and climbed the mountain. Green trees and red flowers are shaded, birds are singing, streams are gurgling, and bells can be heard faintly in the valley. Qi Shizhen felt like a spring breeze and was relaxed and happy. Only then did I understand that famous mountains and temples are inevitably crowded with people, and the noise is constant, which is not as quiet as here. Walking along the mountain road, Qi Shizhen for the first time left the world behind, and felt indescribably comfortable all over his body. A thought came to his mind. He had been in the world for most of his life, when would it end? He should find a way out early. If possible, he would find a place like this to retire and enjoy the rest of his life. As for the candidate to take over, there is a ready-made one. Lu Wenjun is quite talented and can definitely handle everything. Thinking in his mind, he walked forward, turned a hillside, and entered a dense forest. Suddenly, a dark shadow approached. Qi Shizhen was startled. The person who came was very fast, and he should be a martial arts master. When he came closer, it was a dark-skinned young man. Qi Shizhen thought to himself that Chang Xiao was talking about the dark-skinned monk, and this young man might have something to do with the monk he was looking for. So he clasped his fists and asked, "Why is this young man blocking my way?" The young man bowed deeply and said, "Old man, you are in a good mood to climb the mountain so early in the morning."

Obviously, the young man also found out that Qi Shizhen was not an ordinary person. Qi Shizhen was in a good mood and asked with a smile: "Brother, are you also sightseeing?" The young man shook his head: "I've been here for several days, and I don't look like you're sightseeing." Qi Shizhen nodded: "I'm here to find a monk." The young man was stunned: "How do you know there is a Buddhist ceremony here?" Qi Shizhen smiled: "Of course someone will tell you." The young man nodded: "I won't ask, since you won't tell me anyway. The Buddhist ceremony will end at noon, so you'd better not disturb me." Qi Shizhen came here to ask for help, so he naturally couldn't be rude, and replied: "Thank you for your advice, brother. I'll wait outside." The young man smiled: "Anyway, it's still early, let's chat. Since you have good martial arts and know that there is a Buddhist ceremony here, you should know a lot about the Central Plains martial arts world, right?" Qi Shizhen frowned and said: "Brother has such a good foundation, you should be a disciple of a famous family. Don't you know about the Central Plains martial arts world?" The young man smiled: "I told Master is an ascetic, and most of the places he goes are inaccessible. He rarely interacts with people and knows nothing about the Central Plains martial arts. "Qi Shizhen finally understood: "So that's how it is. If you want to know anything, just ask. I'm well-informed." The young man scratched his head and said, "I don't want to know anything else. You just need to tell me whether the Lord of the Never-Night City and Duan Qingxiao of the Divine Sword Sect had a competition, and how they won or lost." Qi Shizhen was stunned. He didn't expect the young man to ask such a question, so he smiled bitterly and said, "The two did compete, but except for the two parties in the competition, no one in the world can give you an accurate answer. Until now, no one can determine the outcome of this battle, and no one can even tell the location of the competition between these two masters. "The young man was not surprised by this answer, and nodded, "It's completely understandable. Then what changes have occurred in the Never-Night City and the Divine Sword Sect later?" Qi Shizhen immediately realized that the young man was quick-witted and asked the key question. So he answered, "Duan Qingxiao passed the Pearl Rolling Knife to his disciple Zhong Wanshan and officially retired from the martial arts world. The Lord of the Never-Night City also put down the Dragon Scale Knife and rarely asked about the affairs of the martial arts world." The young man shook his head repeatedly, "I still can't guess."

Anyway, it was still early, Qi Shizhen was quite interested and asked, "Brother, how many years have you practiced martial arts?" The young man smiled and said, "Guess." Qi Shizhen was quite perceptive and stroked his beard and said, "Brother, you have been practicing martial arts for at least fifteen years." The young man shook his head and said, "My situation is very special. I can say that I have been practicing martial arts since I was born, or I can say that I have only studied for a year." Qi Shizhen was puzzled and said, "What do you mean?" The young man smiled and said, "I only became your disciple a year ago. It is true that I have only studied for a year, but I have started to lay the foundation since the day I was born, so both statements are possible." Qi Shizhen nodded in agreement. It was not easy to delve into the matter since they met by chance, so he changed the subject, "Brother, you are very fast and light. The skill is really good, I wonder what other skills it has? "The young man shook his head: "I haven't practiced Qinggong, I just followed my master everywhere, and my leg strength is stronger than ordinary people. As for other things, my master only taught me the trick of turning in circles all the way. I practiced for a year before I could stop feeling dizzy. "Qi Shizhen was quite surprised. There are many martial arts schools in the Central Plains, but there is no martial arts that can turn in circles. He was itching to show his skills and suggested: "It's a rare opportunity to meet, how about we fight?" The young man nodded: "I haven't fought with anyone yet, it's good to give it a try." In Qi Shizhen's mind, this young man was just a young man who had just started out, and he was just giving him some advice. When they started fighting, he couldn't help but be shocked. This young man kept turning in circles, and he had no target at all, and didn't know where to attack, but the young man could launch an attack at any angle. It was natural to suffer a loss in such a fight. Although Qi Shizhen was experienced and had profound skills, he was still in a mess. Qi Shizhen also found that when their fists and palms touched, no matter how much force he used, the opponent could easily neutralize it. What was even more difficult to deal with was that the opponent used his turn to punch and kick at the same time, with extremely strange angles, which was very contrary to common sense, as if he had several extra arms, which was really hard to deal with. The young man attacked very quickly, and seeing that Qi Shizhen had no power to fight back, he retreated and said with a smile: "You have never learned to turn in circles, I can't take advantage of you." Qi Shizhen stopped, still feeling dizzy, and he was dizzy just watching, this martial arts was really incredible.

Qi Shizhen has never been publicized, but his martial arts skills are very high. This time he was frustrated by an unknown young man, so he was naturally uncomfortable and thought hard about how to deal with it. What was strange in his heart was that his attack with concentrated true energy was enough to break the monument and shatter the stone, so how could it be easily resolved by the other party? The young man smiled and said, "The old man is really capable. He can actually exert such a strong force, which is much stronger than me." Qi Shizhen asked, "How did you resolve it?" The young man hit directly with his left fist and drew a circle with his right palm to stop it: "You see, if it's a head-on collision, it can only be a contest of strength. Whoever is stronger will win, and it's easy to get hurt. But I didn't parry directly, but contacted from the side, using only a small force to change the direction of your force. This is just an entry-level skill. My master can return your force to hit you without using any force himself." Qi Shizhen was shocked. This martial art is really magical. The weak can defeat the strong. How powerful will it be once it is practiced? So he carefully experienced the principles, and the more he thought about it, the more mysterious it felt. He couldn't help but indulge in it and stretched out his hand to gesture. The young man did not interrupt and just watched with a smile. As a martial arts master, Qi Shizhen would not give up after seeing new martial arts. He was completely immersed in it and forgot everything, even the purpose of his trip. After an unknown amount of time, a voice came from his ear: "The Buddhist ceremony is over. Why don't you go and find someone? It will be too late if you are late." Qi Shizhen suddenly realized and did not care about anything else. He just said, "Thank you for reminding me, brother." He turned and ran towards the small temple. From a distance, he saw more than ten monks walking out of the small temple. Sure enough, there was a dark-skinned monk who was very conspicuous. The monks dispersed one after another. Qi Shizhen stared at the dark-skinned monk and saw the opportunity to salute him: "Greetings, Master." The monk smiled and said: "It must be the Lord of the Never-Sleeping City who guided you here." Qi Shizhen was stunned. The monk explained: "There are only two people in the world who know the whereabouts of this poor monk, and the Lord of the Never-Sleeping City is one of them." Qi Shizhen was really convinced and saluted: "Master is really smart, it is indeed the Lord of the City who guided you." The monk nodded: "I can tell from your face that you are here, follow me." Qi Shizhen was extremely impressed and followed behind obediently. Entering the dense forest, the young man who just passed by came over to salute him. The monk smiled and said: "It's your first time fighting with someone, how does it feel?" Qi Shizhen was even more surprised. How did this monk know that he had fought with this young man before?

Seeing Qi Shizhen, the young man smiled and said, "So the person you are looking for is my master, why didn't you say so earlier?" The monk came to the dense forest and sat cross-legged, the young man stood behind him, Qi Shizhen approached and bowed, this monk is unfathomable, no need to say more. The monk said with a pleasant face, "I understand what the Lord of the Never-Sleeping City means, you are here by fate, I will help you find the way out." He stretched out his right palm and gently placed it on the top of Qi Shizhen's head. Qi Shizhen only felt a cool air penetrate from the top of his head, and instantly his whole body was cool, indescribably comfortable, intoxicated, as if in a dream. After an unknown amount of time, Qi Shizhen suddenly woke up, there was no one in front of him, the monk and the young man had disappeared. Reorganizing his thoughts, the things he had experienced came back to his mind one by one. Who exactly is this monk? Who is that young man? How did Chang Xiao know these things? The three questions cannot be answered for the time being. The most important thing at the moment is to check the changes in himself. So he meditated in the dense forest and adjusted his breathing. He found that the Qi in his body was running very smoothly. Usually, whenever he rushed to the Danzhong acupoint, his Qi and blood would surge and his Dantian would swell, but now there was no abnormality. This time, he was surprised and happy. He was surprised by the monk's magic, and happy about his own changes. If he successfully opened up the Danzhong acupoint, he could further complete the practice of Tiangang Qi. This was obviously not a good place to practice. Qi Shizhen got up and went down the mountain, putting aside everything and concentrating on practicing. His Tiangang Qi made great progress. In addition, after this adventure, Qi Shizhen's thoughts also changed fundamentally. The wealth and power that he valued so much in the past did not matter now. He had been running around since he was sensible. He had gained a lot and lost a lot. Did he make a profit or a loss? Although he had everything he wanted now, time was gone forever. Once he died, everything would belong to others. Since he had figured it out, there was nothing to delay. Qi Shizhen immediately contacted Lu Wenjun and prepared to hand over everything he had in his hands and become a leisurely person. Lu Wenjun was very surprised when he heard the news. What was Qi Shizhen up to? When they met, Qi Shizhen immediately told him what he meant. Lu Wenjun couldn't believe his ears. Qi Shizhen sighed and gave a detailed account of his experience. Only then did Lu Wenjun understand that Qi Shizhen had seen through the world and wanted to withdraw.

Chapter 129: Blessings and Curses

When leaving Wanxian Hall, Lu Wenjun was full of anger. Although many years have passed, he still can't forget it. Now this opportunity can make him proud and let Mo Qilin see that he can still call the shots after leaving Wanxian Hall. However, he still has some concerns in his heart. It is not easy to control so many people. Qi Shizhen is discouraged. He can't carry this burden anymore. Lu Wenjun suggested that he can't take over rashly. At least he needs to get familiar with it for a while and find out all the situations before deciding. Qi Shizhen agreed. This request is very reasonable. At that time, it was decided to let Lu Wenjun meet the leaders of various spies first and master the accounts of money in and out. Lu Wenjun was very surprised by Qi Shizhen's change. Many people couldn't turn this corner. How did Qi Shizhen do it? Is that monk really so magical? Qi Shizhen was quite emotional. In order to solve the doubts in his heart, Lu Wenjun proposed to visit the Never-Sleeping City. Qi Shizhen also wanted to thank the Never-Sleeping City, so the two set off together. At this time, Chang Xiao was still with his six wives. When he heard that Qi Shizhen and Lu Wenjun were visiting together, Chang Xiao already understood something in his mind and met them in the hall. Qi Shizhen was the first to express his gratitude. Chang Xiao smiled and said, "Although it's a little late, you have finally taken this step." Qi Shizhen mentioned the martial arts performed by the young man. Chang Xiao nodded and said, "I have experienced it before. That martial arts is indeed ingenious and extremely profound." Qi Shizhen asked, "I wonder how the city lord will respond?" Chang Xiao said calmly, "Of course it's fast. Cut into the inner circle at the fastest speed." Qi Shizhen smiled bitterly, "The city lord's quick knife is famous all over the world. Others can't do it." Chang Xiao nodded, "That's true. Another way is to do the opposite. If the opponent draws a circle, you can also draw a circle. Take advantage of the situation and at least you can be invincible." Qi Shizhen hesitated and said, "Should I practice turning in circles too?" Chang Xiao smiled and said, "Don't underestimate turning in circles. It is difficult to control it freely without the guidance of a master. Central Plains martial arts also have their own characteristics. You can let your own true energy flow continuously to form a circle." Qi Shizhen understood and was very happy. Lu Wenjun learned swordsmanship, and he was unsure about taking over such a large organization without good martial arts, so he asked Chang Xiao for some advice. Chang Xiao became famous for his swordsmanship, so of course he had a lot of experience. In addition, Lu Wenjun's swordsmanship was passed down from the Divine Sword Sect. Chang Xiao had contact with Duan Qingxiao many times, and he was very familiar with the swordsmanship of the Divine Sword Sect. He expressed his views from his own perspective, and Lu Wenjun benefited a lot.

Qi Shizhen was still worried about the big thing Chang Xiao had mentioned, and he kept thinking in his heart, what exactly could it be? Then he thought, no matter how big the matter was, Chang Xiao could handle it, and it would be useless for him to worry about it. Chang Xiao was very satisfied with Qi Shizhen's change. The fact that he could give up the career that had been busy for most of his life showed that this person really let it go. From the first contact, Chang Xiao had a very good impression of Lu Wenjun. This person was calm and capable, and he could take charge of things on his own. It was most appropriate for him to take over. I am afraid that in the future, Lu Wenjun's status in the world will be much higher than that of the master of the Wanxian Hall, Mo Qilin. Qi Shizhen knew in his heart that although he had taken a crucial step, it was already many years late, and it would be difficult for him to really become a master and roam the world. Chang Xiao held a different view and explained, "If you don't believe me when I talk about others, take me as an example. In the martial arts world, all the sects and schools train their leaders from a young age, starting at the age of three or four, and usually four or five people teach them hand in hand. It stands to reason that in such an environment, the martial arts of these leaders should be very high. You should all be familiar with my experience. I became a disciple at the age of eight, but my master despised me and looked down on me. He only taught me a few simple skills like horse stance and ploughing with an iron ox. In ten years, I learned the Liuhe sword technique. However, this Liuhe sword technique actually helped me to get revenge and rise in the martial arts world." This experience was known to almost everyone in the martial arts world. Lu Wenjun nodded, "The city lord's experience is indeed incredible." Chang Xiao smiled slightly, "Now the heads of the four famous sects have repeatedly bowed to me, just because of the gap in martial arts. They 's foundation and environment are more than a hundred times stronger than mine, why are they so far behind? " This question is difficult to answer. After pondering for a moment, Qi Shizhen said, "Is it because the city lord has worked a hundred times harder?" Chang Xiao shook his head, "This is only one aspect. The martial arts of the Central Plains are extensive and profound. It is impossible to reach the peak by hard practice alone. In my opinion, the key lies in the human heart. As martial arts gradually improve, self-confidence will grow. This is inevitable. It's like climbing a mountain. When you climb to the middle of the mountain and see countless people at the foot of the mountain, you can't help but laugh at them. Many people lose themselves at this time, thinking that they are superior to others and forgetting that they are also one of the common people. "Lu Wenjun slapped his forehead, "I understand a little bit. It's like a commoner who becomes an official and puts on airs and doesn't recognize his relatives."

Except for a few masters, Chang Xiao seldom discussed his martial arts experience with others. Qi Shizhen and Lu Wenjun both understood that this opportunity was rare, so they listened attentively and remembered every word. Chang Xiao turned to Qi Shizhen and said, "The truth is very simple. I believe those sect leaders understand it, but they can't get past this level. The monk's help to you is not only in martial arts, but also in his heart. To become a true master, one must have a mind that encompasses the world. If one is too calculative, he will fall behind. Take Monk Shenmu as an example. This senior has even forgotten his own age. He has thrown away his identity, status, and worldly things. His mind is clear, and only then can he regain his youth." Qi Shizhen nodded, "I'll remember what the city lord said." When Lu Wenjun asked about his future path, Chang Xiao smiled and said, "In this world today, there are very few people who can break away from the mundane world, which means that most people are in the world of fame and fortune. Didn't you train some beauties? As long as you use them well, you can completely control the situation." Lu Wenjun suddenly realized that many of Qi Shizhen's men were very skilled and could not be moved by money, so beautiful women were the most appropriate. Qi Shizhen said: "When the city lord debuted in the martial arts world, he was in his thirties. At that time, the city lord was full of vigor and looked down on the heroes. After so many years, there has been little change. I think he is similar to the path of cultivation of the monk Shenmu." Chang Xiao said calmly: "Although the paths are different, the gains are similar." The three talked for a long time. Before leaving, Chang Xiao reminded: "There will be a lively event in the Never-Sleeping City in the near future. It will have a great impact on the future of the martial arts world. It is a pity to miss it." Qi Shizhen immediately stated: "I must come." Lu Wenjun also wanted to come. Chang Xiao explained: "This lively event is full of blood and involves a lot of people. For the sake of the future, you should not come." Lu Wenjun knew that Chang Xiao must have a good reason for saying this, so he did not insist. The two left the Never-Sleeping City. Qi Shizhen quickened his pace and handed over all the forces in his hands to Lu Wenjun for control. He withdrew himself from the matter and wanted to see what earth-shaking events would happen in the Never-Sleeping City.

Not long after Qi Shizhen and Lu Wenjun left, another distinguished guest came to the Never-Sleeping City. It was the world-famous monk Master Baekje. Chang Xiao personally went out to greet him. His six wives all admired the monk and went to the hall to pay their respects. After sitting down, Master Baekje asked, "Does the city lord know why I came?" Chang Xiao nodded, "Of course." Master Baekje nodded and asked, "Then what do you think of the city lord?" Chang Xiao said solemnly, "Master, I understand your compassionate heart. If I were to cause trouble to others, you would let it go immediately with just one word. But this time, someone else is causing trouble to me, and there is absolutely no reason to retreat." Master Baekje advised, "If the city lord takes a step back, it can turn hostility into friendship, and it will be a great merit." Chang Xiao smiled slightly, "Chang's words are as strong as a mountain, and there is no reason to regret it. I made it clear in Shangqing Palace that I would only make concessions this time. Master, you won't forget it, right?" Master Baekje certainly remembered it, and knew in his heart that Chang Xiao had made up his mind and there was no room for redemption. He chanted the Buddha's name and sighed endlessly. Princess Yueying, who was standing next to them, was completely confused. She didn't understand what the two were saying. Master Baekje knew that both sides of the conflict had sufficient reasons and would not back down. Seeing that an unprecedented massacre was inevitable, all he could do was to summon the great monks to perform a ritual. Time was running out, so he had to hurry up and leave. After sending the guests away, Jade Butterfly asked, "What are you two talking about? Why don't I understand it at all?" Chang Xiao smiled, "It hasn't happened yet, and I'll understand it when the time comes." Princess Yueying asked, "How do you know something that hasn't happened yet?" Chang Xiao didn't answer directly, "Don't you always say that I'm a god from heaven? Of course, gods know the past and the future." Princess Yueying knew that Chang Xiao wouldn't say it, so she didn't ask. At this time, Xianglan interrupted, "I found that the Fire Dragon Colt has been particularly happy these days, as if it had a premonition of something." Chang Xiao nodded, "Most beasts can sense danger. The Fire Dragon Colt is the king of all horses and has already sensed the upcoming excitement." Jade Butterfly couldn't help but feel discouraged, "We're not as good as the Fire Dragon Colt."

In a blink of an eye, Shanhu has been in the palace for almost a year. She used to think that life in the palace was happier than that of a god, but after entering, she found that it was full of dangers, intrigues and deceptions, and she would die if she was not careful. At the beginning of entering the palace, two female companions were poisoned to death, and even the murderer could not be found. From that moment on, Shanhu was careful everywhere. Although there were many people serving her, she was always worried about the fine clothes and delicious food. She was just living a life of year. The only consolation was that the emperor was very fond of her and took good care of her, but it was impossible to canonize her as the queen. Many officials in the court colluded with the harem and formed gangs. Shanhu was isolated and had no chance at all. Now there is hope. Shanhu is pregnant and gave birth to a son. The emperor promised in person that he would make this child the prince. In this way, Shanhu will become the queen sooner or later, and the child will become the queen mother when he becomes the emperor. Life will be better with hope. Just when Shanhu was looking forward to the good days in the future, a disaster suddenly came. It turned out that the concubines in the harem were fighting for power and were already in a mess. When they heard that the emperor was going to make Shanhu's son the crown prince, these people turned their spearheads on the mother and son and instigated people to strangle Shanhu's son to death. Upon learning of this, the emperor was furious and ordered a strict investigation, but the concubines in the harem protected each other and only killed a few eunuchs and palace maids. All of Shanhu's hopes were completely shattered, and she was desperate and had no longer any attachment to this magnificent palace. At the beginning of entering the palace, Wanqi Song had told Shanhu to hide the secret that he had practiced martial arts, so that he could have an unexpected effect at a critical moment. Therefore, Shanhu did not reveal it. After making up her mind, Shanhu took care of herself and prepared a hook for climbing the wall. She sneaked out of the palace late one night, used the contact method left by Wanqi Song to find the spies of Wanxiantang, and left the capital with the help of these people. Wanqi Song soon got the news and was extremely shocked. He put down everything and came to see Shanhu. Although he is not her biological child, Wanqi Song has always been very caring towards Shanhu and can be considered Shanhu's only relative. All the grievances that Shanhu had suffered in the past year burst out and she cried bitterly.

Seeing Shanhu's haggard face, as if she had aged ten years, Wanqi Song felt bad and had to comfort her. After crying, Shanhu told her what happened. Wanqi Song knew the seriousness of the situation and asked Shanhu's plan. Shanhu's attitude was very firm, and she would not return to the palace no matter what. Wanqi Song knew that Shanhu's identity was a concubine and she was deeply favored by the emperor. If this matter was not handled properly, it would definitely implicate many people. Obviously, Wanxiantang did not have the ability to control the situation. In the current Jianghu, the only person who had the power to fight against the court and did not take the court seriously was Chang Xiao. Therefore, Wanqi Song took Shanhu to the Never-Sleeping City at night and asked Chang Xiao to help him through the difficulties. Chang Xiao was not surprised by Wanqi Song's arrival. Yu Hudie was surprised to see Shanhu. She looked nothing like before. Shanhu was in her prime, but she looked like a woman in her thirties or forties, and there was no luster on her face. Princess Yueying and the four sisters Hanmei and Xianglan had heard about Shanhu and wanted to see her and compare whether this beauty could really surpass Yu Hudie. The sisters were disappointed when they met. They were puzzled. The palace was the most envied place for ordinary people. They had everything they wanted. How did Shanhu become like this? When Shanhu saw Yudie, she felt ashamed. Yudie had not changed much from a year ago. She was still radiant and confident. But she had fallen into such a situation. She felt wronged and could only cry. Yudie took Shanhu to her room and comforted her. Wanqi Song told Chang Xiao what had happened. Chang Xiao was mentally prepared and promised: "Don't worry, old hall master, I will take care of this matter. Wanxian Hall will definitely be implicated. The old hall master will go back and settle down immediately, and Shanhu will stay in the city that never sleeps." Wanqi Song was overjoyed. He had never thought that Chang Xiao would take on so much responsibility before he came. Time was running out, and Wanqi Song said goodbye immediately. The emperor would definitely investigate such a big matter, so he had to prepare early.

Chang Xiao immediately sent out a message, and the news that Shanhu was left in the Never-Sleeping City spread, and the martial arts world was shocked. Shanhu was the emperor's favorite concubine, and taking her in was tantamount to open rebellion. The palace was already in chaos. The emperor was extremely angry about Shanhu's disappearance, and he personally supervised the search, but found nothing. He had already executed more than ten people for this matter. At this time, news suddenly came that Shanhu had sneaked out of the capital and was taken in by the Never-Sleeping City. The emperor liked Shanhu very much, but he also knew that Chang Xiao was not easy to mess with, so he immediately sent his confidant to the Never-Sleeping City to negotiate and ask Chang Xiao to hand over Shanhu. Soon the news came back that the people sent could not enter the Never-Sleeping City at all. There was also bad news, that Shanhu's stay in the Never-Sleeping City had spread, and people from north to south were talking about it. The emperor was furious and made up his mind. How could the king of a country bow to the martial arts world? He immediately issued an order to let Prime Minister Zheng Dongling stay in the capital, and he personally led the troops to attack the Never-Sleeping City. The emperor selected 100,000 elite soldiers from the imperial army and marched southward. At the same time, he ordered the five battalions in the south of the Yangtze River to station near Julong Mountain and be ready to be deployed at any time. Because Chang Xiao was an excellent martial artist, Wei Heyang was specially asked to send troops to assist. Wei Heyang was extremely shocked when he received the imperial edict. The emperor actually wanted to lead troops to attack the Never-Sleeping City in person. Normally, he should have tried to stop the situation from developing, but the emperor had made up his mind and the army was already on the way. Wei Heyang thought of the Never-Sleeping City and asked Chang Xiao to take a step back and not escalate the situation. Just as he was about to leave, someone came to report that Wu Qingyang had arrived at the door. Wei Heyang understood that his master must have come for this matter, and hurried out to greet him. When the master and the disciple met, Wu Qingyang nodded: "Finally caught up. I was afraid that you would do something stupid if I was too late." After entering the palace and sitting down in the hall, Wei Heyang asked: "What is the master worried about?" Wu Qingyang sighed: "I am worried that you will go to the City That Never Sleeps." Wei Heyang was puzzled, Wu Qingyang explained: "The current situation is extremely serious. You and I are powerless to stop it. If you go to the City That Never Sleeps, it will not only be useless but even worse." Wei Heyang didn't understand, Wu Qingyang explained: "I guess you have received the imperial edict. The emperor wants to attack the City That Never Sleeps and mobilize more than 300,000 troops and nearly 100 artillery pieces. Do you know the situation in the City That Never Sleeps?" Wei Heyang shook his head: "No news yet." Wu Qingyang's face was solemn: "Chang Xiao is already the current supreme master of the martial arts world. Although he has not issued an order, many people have already gone to the City That Never Sleeps. Even the Nether Swordsman who lived in seclusion on the island has re-entered the arena and will soon arrive in the City That Never Sleeps. There is also a major news. Yan Nanlou, the leader of the South China Sea fleet, has mobilized all warships to rush to the aid of the City That Never Sleeps, and the fleet has entered the inland."

Chapter 130: The Great Waves

Although Wei Heyang held a respected position, after all he had been in the martial arts world for a while and was well aware of how powerful the Nether Swordsmen were, it was already a headache for these people to re-enter the martial arts world, and the fleet in the South China Sea was even more worrying. These warships were equipped with cannons, and once a clash occurred, it would inevitably cause great casualties to the government troops. In view of the seriousness of the situation, Wei Heyang asked his master to think of a solution. Wu Qingyang smiled bitterly and said, "Even Master Baekje couldn't persuade Chang Xiao, what can your master do? According to reliable information, Master Baekje has invited monks from all over the country to prepare for a ritual, not for praying, but for the salvation of the dead. It is conceivable that a war will inevitably break out in the City That Never Sleeps." Wei Heyang was worried: "In this case, won't the world be in chaos?" Wu Qingyang nodded: "That's why your master came to stop you. The emperor is angry now. If he knew that you were going to the City That Never Sleeps at this time, he would definitely vent his anger on you, and then it would be difficult to deal with." Wei Heyang understood of course, and then asked, "Master, what do you think?" Wu Qingyang let out a long sigh: "In your opinion, the government army will inevitably suffer heavy losses in the City That Never Sleeps, and I am afraid that few of the imperial troops who went south will be able to survive. After this battle, the prestige of the court has plummeted, the people are unstable, and the military is in chaos. The only way to stabilize the situation is You and your elite soldiers, so you must preserve your strength no matter what, this is the foundation of the court. "Wei Heyang certainly understood, but the emperor's decree had been issued, and he could not disobey it. Wu Qingyang suggested: "You can still send troops, but try to avoid mixing with other troops. Your master will go with you. Chang Xiao will remember our past friendship and will definitely show mercy." Wei Heyang stood up to thank him: "Master, you are so caring, and I will be grateful to you. But there is one thing that makes people most worried. Will Chang Xiao kill the emperor? "Wu Qingyang was quite sure: "No, Chang Xiao is a very strategic person and will not do such a stupid thing. Killing the emperor will inevitably lead to chaos in the world, which will not benefit anyone. However, the officials and entourage guards who follow the emperor may not be able to be saved. Eighty percent of the 100,000 imperial guards will be wiped out. "With Wu Qingyang in charge, Wei Heyang had a backbone. He selected the troops and chose a place to station them, which was the Xiema River at the foot of Julong Mountain, keeping a certain distance from the five battalions in Jiangnan. Although the emperor was anxious, the journey was long and he was still on the road.

At present, apart from the Never-Sleeping City, the most difficult thing to deal with is the warships in the South China Sea. Wei Heyang sent someone to deliver an urgent report, asking the emperor to order the artillery of the Jiangnan Army to be concentrated to block the river, and the fleet of the South China Sea must not be allowed to approach Julong Mountain. The emperor approved it, and Wei Heyang arranged for a capable person to handle this matter, and at the same time sent people to inquire about the news of the Never-Sleeping City. At this time, the Never-Sleeping City was full of joy, and everyone was smiling. This was the biggest bustle since the Never-Sleeping City was built. Many guests have arrived. Jiang Feiluan, the owner of Tongtian Fort, led ten good players to arrive first. The elder Jinchan of the Beggar Gang also arrived. Zhong Wanshan of the Divine Sword Sect also arrived with several disciples. Qi Shizhen naturally couldn't miss it, and there were also six masters around him. The four famous families did not express anything. Chang Xiao knew in his heart that these people could not come. Chang Xiao entertained in the hall. The four brothers Jiantong and Qintong were very happy. This was a big bustle that they had never experienced before. These guests all knew that Chang Xiao would not give in and the emperor would not give up, so a confrontation between the two sides was inevitable. Therefore, no one tried to persuade Chang Xiao, but just drank and discussed how to deal with the government troops. Chang Xiao said in a clear voice: "Everyone, the emperor mobilized a large army to deal with the City That Never Sleeps, to put it bluntly, it was nothing more than for the beauty. Everyone knows about Shanhu's story. Although she was favored by the emperor, she never had a good day. First, she was poisoned, and her two female companions died. The emperor couldn't even find the murderer. The days that followed were even more difficult. She was always worried. The emperor either didn't want to make her the queen, or he couldn't influence the forces in the court and the concubines in the harem. Finally, she became pregnant and gave birth to a son. The emperor promised in person that he would make the child the crown prince, but the child was killed before they were happy for a few days. To be honest, Shanhu and I have no relationship, I just can't swallow this breath, and I want justice for Shanhu." Elder Jinchan has always valued harmony, and this time his attitude was very firm: "I have long been fed up with those corrupt officials who bully the people. The palace is the dirtiest place in the world for filth. It's rare that the city lord is so clear-cut and confronts the court. I have to join in the fun anyway." This old man is like this, and others have nothing to say. Jiang Feiluan said with a smile: "This time, we must let the Rehmannia Sword taste human blood. In fact, the city lord can handle it. We are just joining in the fun. We must not forget to thank the city lord for providing such a good opportunity."

Everyone agreed with this statement. Chang Xiao alone could kill the emperor, and there was no need to mobilize an army. Everyone present was smart, and they all knew that Chang Xiao would not kill the emperor. At this time, news came that the South China Sea fleet was blocked, and Yan Nanlou had already led his capable subordinates to rush over. Chang Xiao had not expected to win by artillery, so he did not take this matter to heart. Another piece of news was that Wuling King Wei Heyang had raised an army and Wu Qingyang was accompanying him. Chang Xiao understood what Wu Qingyang meant. This elite army would not participate in the attack on the Never-Sleeping City, so there was no need to take it to heart. An old man walked into the hall. It was the Dragon King of the South China Sea. Chang Xiao frowned. This old man was old and had been pampered for many years. I am afraid he is not suitable to participate in this fight. He wanted to persuade them, but the old Dragon King was in high spirits and patted his chest to guarantee: "Don't worry, brother. I have never been lazy in practicing martial arts. The elixir I took at the beginning also played a big role. This time, let those rats see how powerful the old man is." Chang Xiao was relieved after hearing this. The old Dragon King sat with the Golden Toad Elder. These two have been through hundreds of battles. Not only are they superb in martial arts, but they are also very experienced. They should be able to handle things on their own. During the discussion, someone mentioned that no one from the Wanxian Hall came. Chang Xiao didn't care. Mo Qilin was not brave enough, and Wanqi Song was busy dealing with the court and couldn't get away. It was not surprising that he couldn't come. Besides, even if he came, he couldn't help much. Duan Xiyun and Yin Tianlei came in side by side. This time they did not dress up as old men. They were dressed in bright clothes and looked proud and heroic. Chang Xiao nodded and smiled: "This is the true nature of a warrior. This time, I want to see what level your martial arts have reached." Duan Xiyun bowed and said: "This lively event is rare in ancient and modern times. It cannot be missed at all costs." Yin Tianlei echoed: "Please ask the city lord to take a look at my Thunder Thousand Miles." Chang Xiao valued these two people very much and immediately arranged for them to sit down. At this time, someone reported that the brothers Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai had arrived, and there was another guest, the Taoist Baoding who won the championship at the Ganlu Conference. Chang Xiao nodded in approval: "The fact that Baoding can come shows that this person is no longer the martial arts fanatic he used to be. It is a cause for celebration."

Many masters gathered together, happily preparing for a battle. Chang Xiao entertained them warmly. At night, all the lanterns were lit and fireworks were set off to celebrate. The sword boy came forward and made a gesture. Chang Xiao stood up and left the hall. Others didn't understand. Qi Shizhen explained: "It must be the Nether Swordsman." Everyone's heart moved. The Nether Swordsman was also alarmed by the excitement. It seemed that the government army would suffer heavy losses. As expected by Qi Shizhen, the Nether Swordsman was a maverick, doing his own thing, and didn't get along with the people of the world. When they met, Chang Xiao smiled and said, "It's been a long time since we last met. You brothers are still the same." Fang Zishou saluted and said, "The city lord is openly defying the court this time. How can we brothers miss such a big event? Besides, we haven't appeared for a long time, and I'm afraid that people in the martial arts world will forget us brothers." Chang Xiao nodded and said, "This time the emperor has mobilized more than 300,000 troops. I'm ready to kill one to satisfy my craving. It's best that you brothers are here. We can deal with the 100,000 imperial guards around the emperor together." Fang Zishou was very shrewd and nodded and said, "As long as we don't move that dog emperor, all the imperial guards will not dare to retreat. We will kill him and blood will flow like a river." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "The officials accompanying the emperor this time are all corrupt officials, and the yamen runners and followers are all scum who are accomplices to the tiger. You brothers can fight to your heart's content and don't let anyone go." The Nether Swordsmen agreed in unison. Chang Xiao was right. The emperor personally led the army, and many officials accompanied him. These officials were all enemies of Prime Minister Zheng Dongling. They were afraid that Zheng Dongling would be unfavorable to them after he took power, so they asked to follow the emperor. On the one hand, they could avoid disaster, and on the other hand, they could please the emperor and prepare for future promotion. Unfortunately, this wishful thinking was wrong. For these people, the city that never sleeps is the gate of hell. Once they come, they can't leave. The emperor sent troops this time partly for his beloved beauty Shanhu, and the other half was to maintain the dignity of the royal family. The dignified concubine actually fled the palace. If they were not held accountable, wouldn't the royal family become a laughing stock?

Many martial arts masters gathered in the Never-Sleeping City, and the emperor's army also arrived at Julong Mountain. There were more than 300,000 people, covering the mountains and plains. The emperor was full of confidence. With so many people, even if you, Chang Xiao, had three heads and six arms, you couldn't resist. The main force of the attack on the Never-Sleeping City this time was the imperial guards of the capital, and the rest of the troops were assisting from behind. The emperor asked the soldiers to rest and prepare to attack the Never-Sleeping City with all their strength. Because the artillery had been transferred to intercept the warships in the South China Sea, they could only prepare for the siege of the city with ladders and rams. Archers were naturally indispensable. The emperor knew the strength of his opponent and was afraid that Chang Xiao would assassinate him, so he arranged many crossbowmen around him to protect him. According to common sense, a declaration of war should be issued before a battle. The emperor felt that issuing a declaration of war to the people of the world would undermine his majesty, so he prepared to attack the city with all his heart. The next morning, the army gathered under the Never-Sleeping City. There were mountains of swords and seas of guns, dense and endless. The emperor sat on the dragon chariot, and there were people behind him holding yellow umbrellas, and they were surrounded by people and put on a full posture. Looking at the top of the city from afar, there was a colorful tent with several beauties sitting side by side. Although it was far away, it was still possible to see that the world-famous first beauty, Jade Butterfly, and her beloved concubine, Coral, were sitting there. The beauties were chatting and laughing, pointing and talking, as if they were watching the fun. The emperor was extremely angry. With the army approaching, these people were in the mood to watch the fun. They really didn't take him seriously. Just as he was about to issue an order to attack the city, the gate of the city that never sleeps opened. The first person to come out was not a person, but a horse. It turned out that the fire dragon colt was impatient and ran out first. Such a scene was very suitable for his appetite. There were tens of thousands of war horses gathered everywhere, just right to show the majesty of the king of ten thousand horses. The fire dragon colt was in high spirits, neighing to the sky, and the sound was heard from a long distance. He looked around proudly and regarded himself as a king. Many war horses bowed their heads to show their submission. The emperor was very displeased and ordered the crossbowmen to shoot the fire dragon colts. Just as the crossbowmen were about to approach, a group of people came out of the city. In the middle was Chang Xiao, the Lord of the Never-Sleeping City. This time, he wore a red robe, which was quite conspicuous. The four brothers Jian Tong and Qin Tong stood on both sides. The eleven Nether Swordsmen put on the silver tights again, which was the signature of the Nether Swordsmen.

Chang Xiao's determination can be seen from his clothes. This time, he will inevitably go on a killing spree. However, Chang Xiao did not wear the dragon scale sword. The most eye-catching thing was the long black package carried by Jiu Tong and He Tong, which was probably Chang Xiao's weapon. Seeing Chang Xiao, the emperor couldn't help but feel nervous. This man was too powerful. But he had no way out, so the emperor pointed and said, "You bold thief, you dare to harbor my beloved concubine and openly oppose the court. I will kill you in a moment." Chang Xiao had recognized that this person was the young man who came to the Never-Sleeping City with Wei Heyang, so he sneered and said, "So you are the emperor. You mobilized a large number of troops for a woman. On the surface, you seem to be affectionate and righteous, but in my opinion, you are not a man at all." Someone around the emperor immediately rebuked him, "You are so bold. You slandered the emperor and should be executed." Before he finished speaking, the person who spoke fell down and died in a daze. The emperor changed color immediately. With such martial arts, it was too easy to take his life. Chang Xiao said in a clear voice: "You will definitely not accept what I said. You always say that Shanhu is your beloved concubine, that is, the woman you love, but what did you do when someone poisoned her? Did you catch the murderer? Since you like Shanhu, why don't you make her the queen?" The emperor was speechless. It was difficult for outsiders to understand the complexity of the palace. Chang Xiao continued to question: "You promised to make Shanhu's son the prince, but the prince was murdered. What do you say? Who is the murderer behind the scenes?" The emperor was speechless. Chang Xiao Xiao was merciless and scolded: "As the king of a country, you can't even protect your beloved woman and children. Tell me, are you a man? So many people are stirring up trouble in the harem, and you don't do anything. How dare you sit in the Golden Palace and command the world?" The emperor certainly couldn't admit his mistake. He gritted his teeth and said: "Bold traitor, how dare you rebel? Archers, shoot." This was the emperor's only way. In the emperor's view, if thousands of arrows were fired at the same time, anyone with flesh and blood would not be able to escape. Killing this person would make everything easy. The abacus was well made, but it was a pity that he was facing Chang Xiao and the Nether Swordsman who roamed the rivers and lakes and killed countless people. Since all the words had been said, there was only one way to go. Chang Xiao reached out and picked up the package carried by the wine boy and the crane boy, shook it casually, and showed a big knife.

When he helped Jiang Feiluan refine the sword, Chang Xiao asked all the craftsmen to start over after the sword was completed. The weapon he created with great effort was this broadsword. This sword is extremely heavy and similar in shape to the Qinglong Sword, except that the handle is very short, less than two feet, while the blade is very long and the back of the sword is very wide, with the widest part exceeding one and a half feet. It is dark in color and full of murderous aura. As soon as this broadsword appeared, the people present could not help but shudder. This weapon was not like something from the human world, but seemed to come from hell, making people daunted. The crossbowmen of the government army began to shoot arrows, and Chang Xiao waved his broadsword, and the arrows fell to the ground one after another, which was completely useless. Of course, Chang Xiao not only blocked the opponent's arrows, but also waved this broadsword, making a piercing whistling sound, as if thousands of ghosts were crying together, which was creepy to hear. Chang Xiao looked up to the sky and howled, and then the fireworks over the Never-Sleeping City went up into the sky, making a loud noise. Obviously, this was a signal from Chang Xiao. With the sound, chaos broke out in all directions, and shouts and cries of killing filled the air. The emperor was shocked, and before he could think much, Chang Xiao had already rushed to him. His broadsword was indestructible, and soldiers fell down in droves. Chang Xiao's strategy was very clear. First, he had to eliminate the corrupt officials who stayed by the emperor's side, as well as the yamen runners and eunuchs who were accomplices to the emperor, and then the imperial guards. Although the guards around the emperor had some martial arts skills, who could withstand Chang Xiao's broadsword and the sword of the netherworld swordsman? Not long after, all the hundreds of people around the emperor were beheaded. The emperor was so frightened that he turned pale and trembled and couldn't speak. Is this a human? It's clearly a demon from hell. After clearing the archers and the people around the emperor, Chang Xiao whistled, and the Fire Dragon Horse quickly came to him. Chang Xiao jumped on it, brandished his broadsword and killed into the imperial guards. He came and went as if he was in an empty space. As the broadsword was swung, countless lives were taken away. The Nether Swordsman hadn't taken action for a long time, so this time he was like a fish in water, his body movements were as fast as a ghost, and he killed people with his sword, leaving no one alive. The four brothers Jian Tong and Qin Tong fought side by side, beheading countless people, and they shouted that it was exciting. They had never experienced such a scene before. On the top of the city, Shanhu gritted his teeth, and finally had the opportunity to vent his anger that he had endured for a long time. His grievances and his son's tragic death all came to his mind. For this moment, he was willing to die.

Chapter 131: Unprecedented War

There were two people watching on the hillside in the distance. They were Wu Qingyang and Wei Heyang. They were surprised to see such a fight. Wu Qingyang sighed and said, "Everyone started fighting. This is the biggest conflict between the Jianghu people and the imperial court in history. After this battle, there may not be many of these 300,000 soldiers left. It would be better if they died for the country, but it's a pity that they died for a woman." Wei Heyang didn't have time to sigh and observe carefully. In this battle, Chang Xiao must have used all his strength. It was a good opportunity to understand. Although it was far away, Wei Heyang had a good eye. In the imperial army, there were Chang Xiao, the nether swordsman, and the sword boy brothers. To the east were Jiang Feiluan, the master of Tongtian Fort, and the first swordsman in the current Jianghu, Baoding Taoist. There was also Qi Shizhen. Qi Shizhen's martial arts had achieved an unprecedented breakthrough. This time he exerted his full strength and was like a fish in water. Jiang Feiluan and Baoding Taoist joined forces, and the two swords formed a sword curtain, which was indestructible and could move freely. In the south, two old men led the way, followed by Yan Nanlou and his capable subordinates. There were also two people who were quite eye-catching, namely the brothers Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai. Although these two had superb martial arts, they had never had the opportunity to display them. Most people in the martial arts world thought that they were just relying on the reputation of the Baekje master. This time, they could finally show their martial arts. The two brothers used their colorful hammers and painted gold moon axes. If they were touched, they would die. If they were touched, they would die. Their popularity had overwhelmed the Dragon King of the South China Sea and the Golden Toad Elder. The most conspicuous in the north were Duan Xiyun and Yin Tianlei. The two had been together for many years and knew each other very well. Their tacit cooperation was almost seamless. Yin Tianlei's electric cone opened the way, and Duan Xiyun's swordsmanship swept left and right, killing countless people. Zhong Wanshan held a rolling pearl knife and led his disciples to charge left and right, like a tiger descending from the mountain, unstoppable. Killings were everywhere, Wei Heyang sighed in his heart, he originally thought that his martial arts were pretty good, but seeing this, he realized that there are indeed hidden dragons and crouching tigers in the martial arts world, and each of these masters is extraordinary. Wu Qingyang asked: "What do you think of these people's martial arts?" Wei Heyang nodded and said: "Master is right, there are indeed hidden dragons and crouching tigers in the martial arts world." Wu Qingyang explained: "Until the critical moment, the martial artists will not show their true skills. Today's situation is special. On the one hand, the scene is extremely tragic, and on the other hand, many masters are together, competing with each other, no one wants to lose, and they have brought out their best martial arts. You must remember it firmly, this opportunity is rare."

Although all the masters were invincible, the most conspicuous one was Chang Xiao, because he was wearing a red robe and riding a fire dragon horse, which was quite eye-catching. His speed of movement was beyond the imagination of ordinary people, and he treated countless soldiers and generals as nothing. His sword swept across the battlefield like a whirlwind, killing countless people. Wei Heyang asked, "Master, did the city lord use his full strength this time?" Wu Qingyang shook his head, "Not really. This confrontation was based entirely on killing, and no exquisite moves were needed. If Chang Xiao used the Dragon Scale Sword, the sword energy could reach several feet, and the power could be several times stronger than it is now." Wei Heyang was extremely shocked, "No wonder he is respected as the leader of the martial arts world. He is indeed at the pinnacle and no one can match him." Wu Qingyang nodded, "No one can deny this fact. Since Duan Qingxiao retired, Chang Xiao has put down the Dragon Scale Sword, and there is no one in the world who is worthy of him using this sword. Although the situation today is special, I speculate that he didn't think it was worth using sword energy against these soldiers, so he used such a big sword." Wei Heyang was amazed, and a question arose in his mind, "Master, in addition to the Nether Swordsman, doesn't the city lord control another force? Why haven't I seen it?" Wu Qingyang didn't know the details of this force, so he could only speculate, "One possibility It is that these people did not show up or took other actions. Another possibility is that these people have dual identities, and no one knows about them even though they showed up. "Wei Heyang murmured, "If it is the first possibility, it is understandable. If it is the second possibility, the city lord is too scary." Wu Qingyang deeply agreed, "You have spoken the truth of my teacher. This person's ability is indeed so powerful that it is scary. Relying on the Liuhe sword method to bloodbath Qingfeng Temple and defeat the head of Huashan has made many people feel incredible. Later, he actually practiced sword energy and kept pace with Zuixia Taoist. This is beyond my teacher's imagination. What's more, he actually broke through the inner strength of Qianjin Gate and became a real extreme master. Such an experience is simply a myth. "Wei Heyang sighed, "At this time, the city lord seems to be a soul-collecting messenger from hell, and is definitely not a flesh-and-blood person." Wu Qingyang also agreed with this view, "When he doesn't have a knife in his hand, he is still a person, but once he has a knife in his hand, he changes. "

In addition to Wu Qingyang and his disciples, there were also people watching this fierce battle, namely the heads of the four famous sects. Although they did not participate in the incident, they could not miss such a sensational conflict, so the four heads made an appointment to come and watch. Seeing such a tragic fight, the four of them felt a little reluctant, but Huashan Sect Leader Chixia Zhenren was the most free and easy, and said: "You three don't have to worry too much. The great waves washing away the sand is not necessarily a bad thing. Many masters are doing their best. Such a scene is extremely rare and must not be missed." After saying this, the three heads of the sect focused their attention on these masters. The most eye-catching one was of course Chang Xiao. The four of them understood that Chang Xiao had reached the peak and no one could surpass him, so they paid the most attention to Jiang Feiluan and Baoding Taoist. The two men joined forces to charge, and from the way they used their moves, it could be judged that the two had no grudges against each other. Zhenren Lingmu nodded and said, "Daoist Baoding has made great progress in swordsmanship, and his character has also changed. He is far beyond the reach of the rest of us." Zhenren Chixia explained, "Since obtaining the Ganlu Sword, Baoding has indeed changed a lot. After visiting the Never-Sleeping City and Tongtian Fort, he has gained a lot, and his swordsmanship has reached a new level." Zhenren Yuxu put forward his own opinion, "Although Daoist Baoding has made a lot of progress, others cannot be ignored. Duan Xiyun and Yin Tianlei's martial arts have reached perfection. The appearance of brothers Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai also surprised me. The martial arts of these two people are indeed unfathomable. The four young men from the Never-Sleeping City also have great potential. It seems that the future of the world will be a flourishing one." The four of them understood that these people had received more or less help from Chang Xiao, but the knot between Chang Xiao and the four famous families had not been untied, and none of the four were willing to mention it. Shaolin's Elder Huiyuan couldn't bear to see countless soldiers die, and he kept chanting Buddha's name. Lingmu Zhenren sighed: "If they keep killing like this, there may not be many left of the 300,000 troops. Chang Xiao has an unshirkable responsibility for such a serious killing." Yuxu Zhenren had a different view: "The cause of this incident is known to the world. The emperor mobilized his troops for a woman. If the Never-Sleeping City did not have enough strength, it would have been razed to the ground long ago. The emperor was at fault in this matter." Lingmu Zhenren shook his head: "The emperor was certainly wrong, but if Chang Xiao had handed over the coral, things would not have evolved to this point." Chixia Zhenren shook his head: "Since ancient times, the weak have bowed to the strong, and I have never heard of the strong surrendering to the weak. The Never-Sleeping City is powerful, and Chang Xiao's swordsmanship is the best in the world and he can do everything. It really doesn't make sense for him to bow his head."

The opinions of all parties were different, and the fighting under the Never-Sleeping City continued. Although the government troops were numerous and powerful, they were facing the top martial arts masters of the day, and shields, armor and weapons were all useless. However, these masters were like tigers in a flock of sheep, doing whatever they wanted. For a time, corpses were everywhere under the Never-Sleeping City, and blood flowed like a river. Princess Yueying on the top of the city was the first to be unable to watch it. She frowned and said, "It's too miserable. I can't watch it anymore. I can't even sleep well when I go back." Yu Hudie felt the same way: "I don't want to watch it anymore. Let's go back and rest." Shanhu refused to move: "Please go ahead, sisters. I don't want to leave." It was mainly because of a lot of resentment accumulated in her heart. Hanmei smiled and said, "It doesn't matter to us sisters. Accompany little sister Shanhu. You can rest as much as you want." It turned out that Hanmei, Xianglan and the other four sisters all learned assassination martial arts from Hua Mengdie. They had killed many people and didn't care about such scenes. Yu Hudie and Princess Yueying didn't know martial arts, and couldn't stand such stimulation, so they hurried back to their rooms to rest. Shanhu knew that the emperor liked her. If the people around her had not obstructed her, she would have been the queen and her son would not have died. Therefore, she hated the people around the emperor and wished that they would die. She was not afraid but felt happy. The fact that the yellow umbrella cover did not fall meant that the emperor was still there. None of the soldiers dared to retreat. They just fought to the death, like moths to a flame, one after another. Even the battle-hardened Wei Heyang felt a little reluctant, but Wu Qingyang was very calm and said, "There are pros and cons to everything. This fight is indeed tragic, but it may not be without benefits." Wei Heyang was stunned: "Master, what do you mean? Is there any benefit in killing so many people?" Wu Qingyang nodded: "It may not be a bad thing for the world. First of all, all the ministers and followers who followed the emperor died. Then there will be no one in the court to oppose Prime Minister Zheng Dongling. Officials with real talents and knowledge can be promoted to enrich the officialdom and make profits for the people. It may not be a bad thing for the country and the people. In addition, all the attendants around the emperor were killed. Most of these people were spies of the concubines in the harem, monitoring the emperor's every move at any time. Once these people are eliminated, the emperor can vigorously rectify the harem and free up most of his energy to govern the country."

Wei Heyang's eyes lit up when he heard his master's words. Wu Qingyang's words made sense, so he asked, "Most of the imperial guards are from wealthy families and don't have much combat effectiveness. They can be reorganized after this incident. But what's the benefit of the heavy losses of the five battalions in Jiangnan?" Wu Qingyang explained, "The generals of the five battalions in Jiangnan are of the same rank and they check and balance each other. They have always been incompatible. Once a war breaks out, they will inevitably blame each other and wait and see, which will not be of any use. After this battle, the generals of the five battalions will have no chance of surviving. The emperor will most likely hand over all the military power in Jiangnan to you. You can reorganize elite troops. Do I need to explain the benefits to you?" Wei Heyang nodded, "Master is right, but the emperor mobilized his troops for a woman. Not only did he suffer heavy losses, but he hasn't achieved his goal. He will inevitably be looked down upon by people all over the world. Such a situation is difficult to deal with." Wu Qingyang was quite confident, "You and I understand these things, and Chang Xiao also understands them." Bai, he doesn't want the world to be in chaos, and he must have prepared a solution. Master speculates that Chang Xiao will most likely arrange for Shanhu to return to the emperor. As long as this woman returns to the palace, everything will be easy. "Wei Heyang was skeptical: "The city lord's attitude is so firm that he can't bow his head. How can he hand over Shanhu?" Wu Qingyang smiled and said, "I know Chang Xiao very well. His massive confrontation with the court this time is probably God's will. With his character, it is impossible for him to launch such a large-scale killing. He is a very cautious person. He will not let go of the fight without the power to turn the tide. Master believes that he has arranged the rest. Besides, handing over Shanhu does not mean bowing to the court. With such a great victory, the Never-Sleeping City will surely reach its peak. Even if Shanhu is handed over, who can say anything?" Wei Heyang has always believed in his master and nodded, "I hope that Master's prediction is accurate." Wu Qingyang comforted, "Don't worry, it's almost right."

Many masters were busy fighting. Apart from Chang Xiao, the most conspicuous one was the Nether Swordsman. These killers were cold-blooded and ruthless, with superb swordsmanship and ghost-like movements. Even the Taoist Baoding, who was revered as the number one swordsman, was surprised. If it was a one-on-one fight, he might have the upper hand, but the eleven Nether Swordsmen joined forces and were indeed worthy of the word invincible. This fight started in the early morning and was coming to an end at dusk. The bodies of the government troops were everywhere, and even the land was stained red with blood. The emperor sat stiffly on the dragon chariot with a dull expression, like a wooden sculpture. The Nether Swordsman completed his mission and disappeared immediately, naturally returning to the island. After the war, Chang Xiao couldn't bear to see the endless corpses, so he immediately returned to the Never-Sleeping City and asked many masters to celebrate together, and asked the sword boy and the piano boy to take good care of the emperor. Everyone in the hall was in high spirits. The happiest one was the Dragon King of the South China Sea, who thanked Chang Xiao again and again. It was really rare to have such an opportunity to show off his power in his twilight years. Taoist Baoding was impressed by the martial arts of Duan Xiyun, Yin Tianlei, Zhong Yuan, and Zhong Hai, and he was even more impressed by the Jiantong brothers. The lights were on, and a banquet was set up in the hall. Duan Xiyun and Yin Tianlei cooked dishes to cheer them up. Everyone was toasting and smiling. At this time, someone reported that Wu Qingyang had arrived. Chang Xiao nodded and said to himself, "I calculated that he would come too." When Wu Qingyang came in, the Dragon King of the South China Sea said first, "Master Wu, it's a pity to miss this fight." Wu Qingyang smiled and said, "If it weren't for my apprentice, I would definitely fight side by side with my brother." Chang Xiao knew Wu Qingyang's purpose, but he didn't mention it at this time, and just drank and talked happily with many masters. Everyone was in high spirits. Chang Xiao took the time to invite Wu Qingyang to the quiet room. Wu Qingyang smiled and said, "The city lord must understand my purpose." Chang Xiao nodded, "Brother Wu is far-sighted. He must have come here to deal with the aftermath. To be honest, Brother Wu, this conflict was not my intention, but was predetermined by fate. I just happened to be there. As for the rest, it has been arranged. Shanhu still has feelings for the emperor, and I will let them return to the palace."

This sentence relieved all of Wu Qingyang's worries, and he smiled and said, "I said that the city lord would not do such a thing. So that's the case. I feel relieved with your words." Chang Xiao then expressed his own point of view: "The prime minister Zheng Dongling is devoted to the country and has extraordinary talents. He can stabilize the situation in the court. As for Jiangnan, Wei Heyang is here to ensure that it is safe. After this incident, there will be a period of peace." Wu Qingyang nodded: "Heroes think alike. I think so too. After this cleansing, the court may have some new atmosphere. My apprentice is still worried, so I won't stay any longer." Chang Xiao personally sent him out and left the Never-Sleeping City. Wu Qingyang found that all the corpses were gone, and he was secretly surprised. The Never-Sleeping City is indeed powerful. It cleaned up the battlefield so quickly. No wonder it dominates the martial arts world. Back in the camp, Wei Heyang asked immediately. Wu Qingyang explained Chang Xiao's attitude, and Wei Heyang was relieved and immediately sent a capable person to deal with the aftermath. The key to solving this major issue is Shanhu. If she refuses to return to the palace, there will be no solution. Chang Xiao first discussed with the emperor. The emperor was listless and could not lift his spirits. Chang Xiao's words on the battlefield deeply hit the emperor's self-esteem. Chang Xiao explained: "Since you have been to the Never-Sleeping City, you naturally understand my abilities and the power I control. You are risking your life to lead the expedition in person this time. You can be regarded as a man of character to be able to do this." The emperor's eyes lit up. It was not easy to get Chang Xiao's praise. Chang Xiao continued, "As the emperor of the current dynasty, you must be both gracious and powerful. To be honest, you have to take a lot of responsibility for the chaos in the harem." The emperor let out a long sigh, "I also want to rectify the harem, but the empress dowager indulges the concubines, and the senior officials in the court instigate them, so there is really nothing I can do." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "That's because you don't have enough power. You are indecisive and have too many concerns. In fact, you should make decisions when you should. Since you have set the rules, you must implement them without any compromise. Only in this way can everyone be convinced. If you don't keep your promises, you will naturally fail to handle big and small things." The emperor was still worried about Shanhu. Chang Xiao saw it and smiled and said, "If you can really cheer up again, I guarantee that Shanhu will go back to the capital with you."

Chapter 132: Change of Path

The emperor was indeed obsessed with Shanhu. He thought he had no chance. He was shocked when he heard Chang Xiao's words: "Are you serious?" Chang Xiao said solemnly: "My words are not yours. Once I say it, I will do it." The emperor immediately stated: "I can first cut off the connection between the harem and the outside world. The guards in the harem who do not obey my orders will be removed. Shanhu will be made queen in a month at most." Chang Xiao nodded: "Of course you have the final say on making the queen. Others have no right to ask. Even the queen mother can't control this. A real man must have courage and act alone at critical moments." The emperor was concerned about Shanhu and wanted to take his heart out and swear. Chang Xiao certainly knew the importance of the emperor to the entire country. After this incident, the young emperor was deeply touched. As long as he could really cheer up, it would be good for the people. Therefore, he tried to encourage the emperor to take up courage and reorganize the court. At this time, the emperor's mind was full of Shanhu. If he continued to be weak, he would inevitably be looked down upon by the beauty. For this reason, he had to change his ways. Being looked down upon by the woman he loves is the most embarrassing thing for a man. Even ordinary people have to find ways to change themselves, let alone the emperor? After so many things, the emperor made up his mind and sighed: "It can be confirmed from the first meeting that the city lord is not an ordinary person. After this battle, I am more certain that the city lord is a dragon that travels around the world." Chang Xiao smiled indifferently: "Gods are originally mortals, but mortals are not strong in heart. As long as you are down-to-earth and set your goals, no matter how high the mountain is, it is only at your feet." The emperor carefully pondered the meaning of the words and nodded repeatedly. In fact, Chang Xiao is just an ordinary farmer. Most of his achievements today are the result of his own efforts. The emperor is most worried about Shanhu. Now it seems that identity, status, and power are no longer needed. He can only rely on feelings, which are the most sincere and ordinary. From emperors and generals to peddlers and hawkers, everyone has them, and no one can do without them. It is the most basic condition for being a person.

Shanhu obviously didn't guess what Chang Xiao meant. She couldn't figure out why Chang Xiao was so polite to the emperor. After this incident, Shanhu no longer had any attachment to the palace. She was thinking about how to arrange her future life. At this time, she no longer had any thoughts about competing with Yu Hudie. A year later, Yu Hudie was still radiant and beautiful. But she had become much more haggard. Although she was still very young, her mind was already old. Sitting alone in the pavilion, although the scenery around was picturesque, her heart was at a loss. When she was lost in thought, a man in green walked slowly towards her. Shanhu didn't care. Perhaps he was someone running around in the city that never sleeps. After the man in green entered the pavilion, he called softly: "Shanhu." Hearing this voice, Shanhu's heart was shocked. This voice was very familiar, but very distant. She looked around and found that it was the emperor. In the palace, the emperor was always on the shelf. Even when he was having sex, he was a little reserved. At this time, the emperor had completely changed. He had no dragon robe and crown, no majesty, and was just an ordinary person. Shanhu was confused and at a loss, after all, the two of them still had deep feelings for each other. The emperor sighed: "Shanhu, when you left, I was half-hearted. I came to the City That Never Sleeps even though I knew it was impossible. In fact, I knew long ago that no one in this world could threaten the City That Never Sleeps, but for you, even if there is only a one in ten thousand chance, I will make every effort." Shanhu didn't know how to start, and the emperor shook his head again and again: "I know you have been wronged, it's all my fault, the city lord is absolutely right, as a man, how can you stand in the world if you can't even protect your beloved woman and children?" Shanhu hurriedly stopped her: "You can't say that, you also have difficulties, there are so many things going on in the court, most of the harem are the confidants of the queen mother, and the concubines collude with the officials in the court to stir up trouble. It is not easy for you to protect me under such circumstances." The emperor was sad and almost cried, and sighed: "Shanhu, although there are countless people around me, you are the only one who really understands me."

Since ascending the throne, the emperor has been wearing a mask all the time. This time he really took off the mask and became an ordinary person. Shanhu was very moved. A woman will have a special feeling for her first man. In addition, they live together day and night and dote on each other, so naturally they feel pity for him. Despite this, Shanhu still feels very disgusted with the palace and refuses to make a clear statement. The emperor understood Shanhu's thoughts and tried to persuade her, "Shanhu, after this incident I now understand that today's situation is entirely due to my weakness. If I had investigated the poisoning issue thoroughly, what happened later would not have happened. I am the emperor of this dynasty. The court and even the harem should all follow my lead. The officials in the court, the concubines in the harem, and even the empress dowager cannot shake my dignity." Shanhu was delighted, "It's best if you can think so. What women like most is a man with flesh and blood." The emperor gritted his teeth and said, "This time I will vigorously rectify the government and clean up the harem. I hope you can help me." Shanhu frowned and said, "Doesn't the ancestral precepts strictly forbid the harem from interfering in politics?" The emperor sneered, "Didn't the empress dowager interfere in politics? Isn't it considered interfering in politics for the concubines to collude with the officials in the court? I am the emperor of this dynasty. What I say is golden words and cannot be discounted." Shanhu nodded, "I believe you can do it. After After this bloody battle, both you and I have changed a lot." The emperor's eyes were full of expectation: "Can you help me? Without you by my side, I don't have the courage to face everything." Coral was thinking about whether she should agree or not. The emperor solemnly stated: "If I cannot fulfill my promise, you can leave the palace at any time. I will give you privileges. Anyone who dares to stop me will be killed without mercy." Coral was still very wary of the palace and hesitated: "You promised to make me the queen more than once, and you also promised to make our child the prince, but you didn't keep your promise. Will it count this time? Once I return to the palace, what should I do if I become a caged bird again?" The emperor was full of confidence: "This battle has changed me. From today on, my words are real golden words." Coral thought about it and felt that the emperor had indeed changed a lot, but it was not certain whether he could fulfill his promise. Once you enter the marquis's house, it is as deep as the sea, let alone the palace?

The emperor knew that Shanhu was deeply traumatized by his son's tragic death, and it was not easy for her to feel at ease to return to the palace. Shanhu proposed her own conditions: "If the city lord guarantees, I will go back with you." The emperor immediately went to find Chang Xiao, and Chang Xiao of course wanted to make this matter a success, so he nodded and agreed. When they arrived at the pavilion, Shanhu bowed deeply to express her gratitude. Before coming to the City That Never Sleeps, she never dreamed that Chang Xiao would openly confront the court. After a few words of comfort, Chang Xiao got to the point. The emperor had indeed changed and could be trusted. To be on the safe side, Chang Xiao specially gave Shanhu the floating light and shadow body skills. After learning this body skill, Shanhu could enter and leave the palace freely, and no one could stop her. Shanhu was completely relieved and thanked him again and again. Not knowing how to repay such a great favor, Chang Xiao smiled and said, "When we first met, you wanted to marry me. Just for this love, it is worth helping me. You don't owe me anything." Shanhu sighed, "The city lord is really a dragon and phoenix among men. I can't catch up with him." When the emperor heard that Shanhu agreed, he thanked her repeatedly. Even if he broke through the Never-Sleeping City, he would only get Shanhu's people back, and he couldn't get her sincerity. Now that Shanhu has changed her mind, everything is hopeful. After packing up and preparing to leave, Chang Xiao specifically reminded him that the Jiangnan army suffered heavy losses and only Wei Heyang could stabilize the situation. The emperor naturally knew that after leaving the Never-Sleeping City, the first stop would be Wuling Mountain, and then return to the capital. Wei Heyang was naturally very concerned about the development of the situation. When he learned that the emperor and Shanhu were leaving the Never-Sleeping City together, he secretly admired his master's foresight and his predictions. He immediately sent someone to protect him secretly. The emperor was very happy to win the beauty back, and the big loss he suffered in the Never-Sleeping City didn't matter. Arriving at the Wuling Palace, Wei Heyang and Princess Rose set up a wine feast to calm the nerves. The emperor was all smiles, and this trip to Jiangnan finally got what he wanted. The most important thing at the moment is of course to stabilize people's hearts. The emperor discussed with Wei Heyang and first issued an edict that the emperor had taken back his beloved concubine Shanhu and would return to Beijing soon. This way, he would have an explanation to the people of the world. Then, he completely handed over the military power of Jiangnan to Wei Heyang, reorganized the five battalions of elite soldiers, learned from previous lessons, and divided the subordinates to avoid mutual restraint and failure to play the role they should at the critical moment.

Wei Heyang certainly remembered that his military power had been taken away, and he was inevitably a little wary. The emperor could no longer be cowardly in front of Shanhu, and immediately stated: "Brother-in-law, don't worry. My father once told me that I should trust people when I employ them. If I regret it, you can use swordsmanship to kill me." Wei Heyang was sure that the emperor had really changed. The emperor carried the imperial seal with him, and wrote down the imperial edict at that time, setting up the military order, and Wei Heyang officially took over all the military power in Jiangnan. After the instructions, he was ready to return to Beijing, because there were countless people following him when he came, and he couldn't be careless when he went back, so Wei Heyang arranged a large ship, arranged a ceremonial guard, and returned to Beijing with great fanfare. The emperor was also worried about the capital, so he set off after preparing the ship. After the news was released, everyone in the world knew that the emperor had successfully welcomed his beloved concubine back. Although he paid a great price, he finally saved his reputation. When the emperor returned to the capital, he was indeed vigorous and resolute, vigorously rectified the court, strictly restrained the concubines in the harem, and officially appointed Shanhu as the queen. Although the Queen Mother was not satisfied, the Emperor was determined and confronted her face to face. As the ruler of a country, how could he rule the world if he couldn't even decide who would become the Queen? The Queen Mother had no choice but to agree. The Emperor gave the important task of rectifying the officialdom to Prime Minister Zheng Dongling, and invited the old general Tie Yi to reorganize the imperial army from scratch. He would inspect and review the troops with Shanhu from time to time. The order in the capital was restored and the atmosphere changed drastically. Zheng Dongling naturally knew all the events and admired Chang Xiao very much. He thought it would be a great change that would shake the world, but it ended like this. It's like a person has a malignant tumor. It's naturally painful to cut it off, but the pain is only temporary and will heal soon. If you are timid and let the malignant tumor grow, it will endanger your life sooner or later. The Emperor gave all the military power in Jiangnan to Wei Heyang, and he always felt uneasy. He discussed the matter with Prime Minister Zheng Dongling and expressed his concerns. Zheng Dongling explained, "Your Majesty, since ancient times, there are countless examples of people who have been defeated because of suspicion. Take Emperor Gaozu of Han as an example. After unifying the country, he was afraid that Han Xin and Peng Yue, who were capable ministers, would rebel, so he deliberately dealt with his own people. He did not want to take away their military power, but to execute them. This made all the soldiers feel cold, and when foreign enemies invaded, no one was willing to help. As a result, they were besieged by the Huns and almost died. They had to offer their beauties to buy their lives. This is a shame that my China will never be able to wash away for thousands of years. The cause is suspicion."

The emperor was naturally aware of the historical facts of the Siege of Baideng, and nodded, saying, "If Han Xin had been allowed to lead the army, how could the Xiongnu rats have succeeded? Emperor Gaozu of Han did make a big mistake, which caused the descendants to lose face for several generations. It was not until Emperor Wu of Han that they were able to fight back. I am aware of all these things, but Emperor Gaozu of Han was also justified in his worries. These meritorious officials have a large number of troops, and once they rebel, the country will inevitably change hands. When King Wu of Zhou enfeoffed the princes, these princes expanded their power and became more powerful. They no longer took the Zhou emperor seriously." Zheng Dongling solemnly He said, "The main reason for the decline of the Zhou Dynasty was King You of Zhou's setting fire to the beacon towers to trick the princes. If it weren't for King You of Zhou's perverse actions, the princes would not have had any dissenting thoughts." The emperor pondered for a moment and nodded, "My dear minister, you make sense. I am not worried about King Wuling. He is my brother-in-law, a man of steel and a man of his word. He is unlikely to rebel. But what about the future? In the past, the six battalions of soldiers in Jiangnan restrained each other, and no one had the ability to rebel. But now the military power of Jiangnan is concentrated in one person. If he rebels, the country will change hands. Wouldn't I become a sinner for all eternity?" Zheng Dongling was quite strategic and put forward his own opinion: "Your Majesty, as long as you implement benevolent policies and have the support of the people, no one will have the ability to rebel. Rebellion will inevitably require the support of soldiers. In fact, soldiers are also ordinary people. The wish of the people is to have enough food and clothing. As long as they live a good life, no one will rebel. Of course, it is not enough to just implement benevolent policies. We cannot let go completely. The Chenqiao mutiny of Emperor Taizu of Song Dynasty happened because the ruler was weak and the ministers were strong." This sentence touched the emperor's heart: "I am worried about this." Zheng Dongling offered a suggestion: "This is easy to handle. We can establish a system. Military officers above the seventh rank will be honored by the court for their family status, and their families will be exempted from all taxes and registered. Once they leave their hometown, all benefits will be canceled. Doing so can show the favor of the court on the one hand, and can also fully control the families of these generals." The emperor was delighted: "My dear minister is indeed talented. I will let you handle this matter with full authority. Only in this way can I feel at ease." Putting down the heavy stone in his heart, the emperor began to rectify the government and carefully select talents. There have indeed been great changes in the court and the country. After returning to the palace, Coral practiced the Light and Fleeting Technique hard to be prepared for any eventuality so that she could easily escape from the place of trouble.

After dealing with the emperor and Shanhu, the city that never sleeps welcomed various monks. Master Baekje presided over the ritual personally and performed a ritual to help the dead souls to be reborn. Many monks came, and many people came to rejoice. The scene was extremely lively. At this time, the masters who participated in the war did not leave. They sat together to exchange martial arts experience. Such an opportunity is extremely rare. Only by learning from each other can we make faster progress. Besides, there is Chang Xiao, and you can ask any questions at any time. Such a scene is very rare in the martial arts world. Generally speaking, each sect has always cherished its secret skills for fear that others will surpass it. Such an occasion is naturally indispensable for the monk Shenmu. In fact, this master has arrived a long time ago. Because he is a Buddhist, he can't bear to see the scene of killing, so he plays in the city. When the matter is settled, many masters exchange martial arts, and the monk Shenmu will of course come to join in the fun. This master's martial arts has reached the realm of perfection, and it is natural for her to instruct others. This time, the monk Shenmu put on a full airs, sitting upright, and appeared as a teacher. Everyone knew that this senior was already a master over a hundred years old. If we were to pay attention to seniority, the people present were much younger, so they all respected him. Monk Shenmu was very proud. He only put on airs for half an hour before he got tired of it. He returned to his old ways and started to make a fuss, often talking nonsense. Taoist Baoding knew that Monk Shenmu and Chang Xiao were exchanging martial arts on a sand table, so he deliberately raised his own questions. Monk Shenmu answered casually, but Taoist Baoding really didn't understand, so Chang Xiao came out to explain. In the midst of the excitement, someone came. It turned out to be Master Baikong and Chang Xiao's son, King Yuelun. Master Baikong came here specially to participate in the ritual. Later, he learned that many masters were exchanging martial arts in the Never-Sleeping City. Master Baikong was extremely knowledgeable and had a deep understanding of the Western Tantric Buddhism and Indian Yoga. Although he had practiced Central Plains martial arts, he had never exchanged with various sects. He wanted to learn about the martial arts of the Central Plains masters, so he brought his apprentice with him. Qi Shizhen recognized him immediately and stepped forward to thank him. Master Baikong smiled and said, "It's just a small favor. You should thank the city lord. It's his broad mind that has influenced the atmosphere of the martial arts world." Qi Shizhen agreed, "Yes, only the city lord can make this event happen." The monk Shenmu was immediately excited when he saw Master Baikong, and shouted, "Black monk, your crab skills are quite good. Let me compete with you." Master Baikong smiled and said, "I just want to experience the unique skills of Emei."

Chapter 133 Mutual Assistance and Mutual Benefit

Not many of the masters present knew Master Baikong. This monk had dark skin and was unremarkable. But when they learned that the monk's disciple was actually Chang Xiao's son, they inferred that this monk must be extraordinary. Everyone knew the identity and martial arts of Monk Shenmu, but no one had ever seen her demonstrate martial arts. When they heard that Monk Shenmu was going to take action, everyone became interested. Such an opportunity was too rare. Generally speaking, martial arts competitions between top masters are mostly held in places where few people go, just like Duan Qingxiao and Chang Xiao, but Monk Shenmu thought and did it without any scruples, and Master Baikong was also detached from the world, and it didn't matter whether there were people around him or not, which gave everyone the opportunity to feast their eyes. Not to mention others, even Chang Xiao rarely had the opportunity to see such a competition. Everyone stood around, Monk Shenmu was still smiling, and Master Baikong was calm and composed, and didn't look like he was going to compete with anyone. The monk Shenmu shouted, "Black Monk, I'm here, take it." In the blink of an eye, he was close to him, and his movements were extremely fast. Master Baikong had heard that the monk Shenmu's light kung fu was unparalleled in the world, so he was prepared. He turned his body skillfully and swung his palms diagonally. It was obvious that the two people's moves were far apart, but they happened to collide with each other. The masters watching the fight were secretly surprised. Such martial arts were indeed incredible. After the fight, the two showed their strengths. The monk Shenmu had seen Master Baikong's martial arts and had thought about how to deal with it. It was similar to what Chang Xiao thought. He drew a circle with his feet, and the flow of his true energy matched the changes in his body movements, like a spinning top. Master Baikong naturally understood what his opponent meant, and did the opposite. He stood still and sealed his arms on all sides, without leaking a drop of water. The monk Shenmu was very strange in his heart. When he saw Master Baikong fighting with Chang Xiao, he had obviously used all his strength, which means that the crab skill was what he was best at. Now he actually used a completely different move, which had never been seen in the Central Plains martial arts. So he intensified his hands and attacked Master Baikong from all sides. Although it was fast, it was not chaotic at all, just like flowing water. Master Baikong secretly praised his opponent's martial arts for being perfect, and his internal and external skills had reached perfection. Seeing that the monk Shenmu's moves were getting faster and faster, like a storm, Master Baikong suddenly sat cross-legged on the ground. The masters watching the battle were puzzled. How could he sit down to face such a fierce attack?

Although he had fought with Master Baikong before, Chang Xiao had never thought that Master Baikong would perform such a strange move. Shenmu Bhikkhu was of course not convinced, and he stepped up his moves. It would be boring even if he won while the opponent sat down and he stood. Master Baikong did not stay still after sitting down. His body changed its position with the position of his arms, and he calmly dealt with Shenmu Bhikkhu. These Central Plains masters first experienced the magic of yoga. Master Baikong's arms could be bent at will, his legs could be attacked from any angle, and his joints could be controlled freely. Because the two of them attacked very quickly, in the eyes of everyone, Master Baikong seemed to have countless arms. Qi Shizhen blurted out: "Isn't this the Thousand-Armed Tathagata?" Taoist Baoding immediately agreed: "Yes, this monk can be called the Thousand-Armed Tathagata." Everyone present was a master of the day, with first-class status and martial arts. Therefore, this proposal earned Master Baikong the reputation of the Thousand-Armed Tathagata and was highly praised by masters from all walks of life in the Central Plains. In fact, Master Baikong does not value false reputation and has always been unknown. In terms of real talent and knowledge, he is indeed worthy of respect. Monk Shenmu is very competitive and always wants to gain the upper hand, but Master Baikong leaves no room for error. The two fought hard for a long time and were still inseparable. Chang Xiao was very relaxed. The two had their own strengths. Monk Shenmu was ahead in terms of light skills and body movements, but Master Baikong's concentration was far beyond that of Monk Shenmu. He really did not change color when facing a collapse of Mount Tai. His heart was as still as water, and his mind was clear. He had no idea of winning or losing in his heart. Monk Shenmu could not defeat him for a long time, so he used a rare martial art. He jumped up and inserted into the inner circle like a carp jumping over the dragon gate. This move was so ingenious that it was hard to describe the beauty of the posture. As expected, Master Baikong did not block this move, and Monk Shenmu hit Master Baikong in the chest with a palm. The masters thought the victory was decided, but after the palm of the monk Shenmu touched Master Baikong's chest, it suddenly slipped, not winning but leaving an opening. Master Baikong fought back with both palms, but the monk Shenmu took it with his back palm, used the force to penetrate, and after standing still, he laughed and said, "Wow, you can even slip away from my heart-piercing palm, amazing."

This fight opened the eyes of everyone present. Master Baikong praised: "The martial arts of the Emei Sect are really amazing." The monk Shenmu shook his head: "The martial arts I display are all-encompassing, not just limited to the martial arts of our sect. If we stick to our ways, we will be inferior to the previous generation." Master Baikong nodded: "Yes, the last move seems to be somewhat similar to the martial arts of the Lord of the Never-Night City." The monk Shenmu was open-minded and did not hide it: "You have a good eye. We have discussed martial arts and influenced each other. He can thank me for breaking through the thousand-jin gate of internal strength." These words touched everyone present. At that time, people in the martial arts world took sectarianism very seriously, and the four famous sects had strict rules and regulations. The martial arts of the sect must not be passed on to others. But these extremely popular masters in front of them obviously did not have this concern. The world is selfless. Only those who truly have a broad mind can appreciate the martial arts of the unity of man and nature and become true masters. If everyone is like Chen Hongren, Duan Qingxiao's disciple who has a profound influence on Chang Xiao, and is always on guard, teaching martial arts is like doing business, and always has to keep a few tricks. It won't be long before even the most advanced martial arts will be lost. However, you must be careful when choosing a disciple. If the disciple has bad behavior, it will be difficult to deal with him. Once he gets into trouble, it will inevitably affect the master. Jian Tong and Qin Tong brought a large square sand table. Chang Xiao, Shenmu Bhikkhu, and Master Baikong each took one side. Baoding Taoist and Jiang Feiluan sat side by side. Neither of them had reached this level. Only by working together could they be on par with the other three. After the sand table was set up, Jian Tong held a long sword, Qin Tong stood opposite with a saber, and He Tong and Jiu Tong were bare-handed, ready to demonstrate the moves of the four sides. This scene was very strange. The masters present had never experienced it before and found it strange. What is certain is that these people are going to demonstrate martial arts. Such an opportunity is extremely rare. Everyone is concentrating and cannot miss any tiny details. The monk Shenmu was anxious and first drew a Beidou figure. The wine boy then took the posture of Kuixing kicking the dipper. Master Baikong drew two interlaced circles, Chang Xiao drew a few water lines, and Taoist Baoding discussed with Jiang Feiluan and drew a zigzag shape. The sword boy drew his long sword and the tip of the sword made a zigzag shape. Some of the masters present understood, some did not, and no one spoke, watching carefully.

The hall was quite quiet. Five masters exchanged martial arts with the help of graphics. The four brothers Jiantong demonstrated and slowed down their moves. Everyone present benefited a lot and felt that the trip was worthwhile. This exchange was initiated by Chang Xiao, of course, Chang Xiao was the main one. Chang Xiao knew that if he bit off more than he could chew, it would be difficult for Yin Tianlei, Yan Nanlou and others to digest it if the competition lasted too long. Therefore, he drew a straight long line after half an hour. Master Baikong smiled and shook his head, and the monk Shenmu stopped. Taoist Baoding sighed: "What a powerful force splitting Huashan." Everyone watching felt strange. Force splitting Huashan was the simplest, and almost everyone could do it. What was so powerful about it? Originally, Qintong demonstrated Chang Xiao's moves with a knife. When he saw this move, he put away the knife and smiled: "I can't use this move." Qi Shizhen saw the clue and exclaimed: "What a fast knife. No one can use it except the city lord." Chang Xiao was quite pleased. Qi Shizhen really jumped out of the circle of fame and fortune and became a master today. Among the masters present, only Yan Nanlou's cultivation was slightly inferior. Knowing that this opportunity was rare, he stepped forward and asked, "City Lord, what's so special about this move of splitting Huashan with force?" Chang Xiao smiled and said, "The move itself is very simple, almost everyone can do it. It's just that it's fast, the simplest and most direct, but it's difficult to crack." Yan Nanlou still didn't quite understand. When he was thinking about it, he suddenly felt a figure flash in front of him. Before he could react, the figure had disappeared. Just as he was stunned, there were praises from all sides. The Dragon King of the South China Sea said loudly: "Brother, your swordsmanship has reached the pinnacle. I admire you." Wu Qingyang was quite emotional: "It is incredible that you have practiced swordsmanship to this level." Yan Nanlou was puzzled. Elder Jinchan laughed and said: "Just now the city lord turned his palm into a sword and swept it over your head. If you really fought, you would have been cut in half." Yan Nanlou was shocked that there was such a magical martial art in the world. He asked: "Why don't I feel anything?" The Dragon King of the South China Sea sighed: "The city lord's martial arts have reached the realm of being invisible and intangible. How can you detect it?" Yan Nanlou was shocked and saluted: "The city lord's magical skills are beyond reach."

After Chang Xiao was defeated at the Cliff of Broken Souls, Yan Nanlou had not changed his position. Chang Xiao naturally knew this, and because of their friendship with the Dragon King of the South China Sea, he had to give some advice, so he deliberately gave some pointers. The original intention of this gathering was to exchange martial arts. All the masters took out what they had learned and raised their own questions. Even Qi Shizhen, who had hidden his martial arts for many years, did not hold back. Elder Jinchan also took out the secret martial arts of the Beggars' Sect and asked Master Baikong for guidance. Duan Xiyun specialized in swordsmanship. Although his grandfather was a top master, he rarely had the opportunity to give guidance. Apart from Duan Qingxiao, Chang Xiao was the only one in the world who knew the swordsmanship of the Divine Sword Sect the best, so he sincerely asked for advice. Chang Xiao took the sword in his hand, and in an instant he seemed to have changed into a different person. All the masters present focused their attention on him. Chang Xiao put forward his own opinion: "The essence of the swordsmanship of the Divine Blade Sect lies in the Broken Moon Slash. As long as you understand the mystery of the Broken Moon Slash, you can master it." The Divine Eye Bhikkhu shouted: "I haven't seen the Broken Moon Slash for a long time. You can use it once and see how it compares to Duan Qingxiao." Chang Xiao smiled and asked Duan Xiyun: "You have studied the Broken Moon Slash for many years. Do you know how many swords are needed for this three-style move?" Duan Xiyun answered without hesitation: "Ninety-nine eighty-one swords." Chang Xiao shook his head: "Only one sword." Duan Xiyun was stunned: "One sword, how is it possible?" Chang Xiao explained: "You also know the speed of my sword. If your grandfather's sword is not fast enough, how can he get the upper hand?" Duan Xiyun still didn't believe it. He had studied for many years and knew the Broken Moon Slash very well. How could such a complicated move only have one sword? Chang Xiao gathered his breath and concentrated his mind. His body suddenly jumped up, and the sword light moved, forming a halo, like a bright moon. Unknowingly, the sword light suddenly scattered and fell, and the cold air scattered, and the hall was like a cold winter. It took Duan Xiyun a while to come to his senses after Chang Xiao put away his sword. He was still a little doubtful. Did Chang Xiao really only make one move?

Master Baikong spoke first: "The city lord indeed only made one move of the sword." Monk Shenmu nodded: "Although it's not as good as Duan Qingxiao's, it's not bad." Qi Shizhen asked: "Is the city lord's swordsmanship not as good as Duan Qingxiao's?" Monk Shenmu smiled and said: "Broken Moon Slash is Duan Qingxiao's swordsmanship, no one is better than him. On the other hand, the Six Harmonies Swordsmanship is naturally better used by this guy, no one can compare to him." Monk Shenmu has always been outspoken, and no one cares about her. Chang Xiao said solemnly: "The Broken Moon Slash I performed was only superficial, but not spirited. The Broken Moon Slash performed by the old master in the mirage during the battle at Penglai Pavilion was the pinnacle of swordsmanship." Monk Shenmu recalled the past and accused: "Why didn't you tell me about your fight?" Chang Xiao asked in return: "Were there any spectators when senior fought with Master Wu Mu?" Monk Shenmu shook his head: "That's different. At the beginning, we were equally matched and no one was sure, so we didn't let others watch. Later, I was able to beat him, and I couldn't wait to let others know." Chang Xiao smiled: "We both were unsure, so naturally we didn't want others to know." Monk Shenmu pressed: "Who won between you two?" Chang Xiao sighed lightly: "There is no winning or losing. That sword fight was just to fulfill each other's long-cherished wish." Duan Xiyun was still in deep thought. The Broken Moon Slash was quite complicated. How could all the moves be connected? Chang Xiao smiled and said, "The key to Shattering Moon Slash is not the sword but the change of body shape. Only by changing the posture can the sword be moved in one go." Duan Xiyun was even more puzzled. He had been immersed in Shattering Moon Slash for many years, but why hadn't he understood this key? Chang Xiao explained, "The sword manual does not mention this key. The old master's meaning is very clear. To understand the essence of Shattering Moon Slash, you must first fully master the moves and all its changes. This process requires a lot of practice. If you perform it rashly without enough heat, it will leave gaps, which is extremely dangerous when encountering a master." Duan Xiyun immediately thought of the duel between him and Gao Zhen, and sighed, "That's true. If I hadn't been greedy and reckless, I wouldn't have lost that time."

Chang Xiao knew that after years of experience, Duan Xiyun had made great progress. He was calm and capable, and his swordsmanship was proficient. He could tell him the secrets. So he explained the key points of Shattered Moon Slash in detail. Duan Xiyun was overjoyed. He could reach a higher level by getting the essence of Shattered Moon Slash. Yin Tianlei was best at Thunder Thousand Miles, which was earth-shattering and powerful, but the disadvantage was that there was no way out, so he sincerely asked for advice. Chang Xiao explained in detail: "There are two directions for the development of Thunder Thousand Miles, and you can only choose one of them." Yin Tianlei was very respectful of Chang Xiao and asked for details. Chang Xiao continued: "One is to cultivate Qi. This Qi is not internal Qi, but momentum. Cultivate the righteousness in your chest, put life and death aside, and use the power of heaven and earth to launch a thunderous attack. The other is to integrate yourself with the weapon. Doing so naturally cannot achieve the power of the previous one, but the advantage is that you can send and receive as you wish, and you can advance and retreat freely." Yin Tianlei asked: "Is there no way to have the best of both worlds?" Chang Xiao smiled and said: "It's not that there is no way. In fact, the end point of the two roads is the same, that is, the unity of man and nature. When it is sent out, it is indestructible, and when it is received, it is invisible. It just takes a long way to reach this step." Yin Tianlei pondered for a moment and asked: "Can I see the real Thunder Thousand Miles?"

Chang Xiao was about to answer when he suddenly realized that everyone stopped and looked at him. He felt strange and asked with a smile: "Why did you stop? Only by learning from others can we go further. Don't always listen to me. After all, one person's opinion has limitations." Qi Shizhen was the first to express his opinion: "The city lord's martial arts have been tempered for thousands of times, and every word he said is a true insight. We should naturally pay attention to it." Others also meant the same thing. Chang Xiao shook his head: "Everyone here has their own uniqueness. Everyone has different experiences and gains. If they accumulate, it will be a considerable wealth. If you only listen to me, the meaning of this gathering will be lost." Wu Qingyang praised: "I finally understand that the key to the city lord's achievements today is not to work hard, but to be humble. No matter when and where, you can find the strengths of others. Only in this way can you learn from others and stand proudly at the top." Everyone expressed their approval, but Chang Xiao disagreed. He tried his best to promote exchanges among everyone, but before long, everyone would still focus on him, and Chang Xiao had no way to deal with it. In fact, Master Baikong and Monk Shenmu are also very famous people, but they are indifferent to fame and wealth, and their reputation is far less than that of the Lord of the Never-Sleeping City. If Chang Xiao was only proficient in swordsmanship, it would be easy to deal with, but he is proficient in one art, proficient in a hundred arts, and has a deep understanding of other categories. Naturally, everyone wants to ask him for advice. Monk Shenmu showed a gloating expression: "Now you know the disadvantages of being famous, I dare say, you will never have the chance to live a comfortable life like me." Chang Xiao smiled bitterly and nodded: "Indeed, it is too difficult to unload such a heavy package." Master Baikong chanted the Buddha's name: "The Lord of the City does not need to be obsessed. If a person has a tangible package, the package will naturally be tangible. If a person is intangible, the package will naturally not exist." Chang Xiao suddenly woke up, approached and saluted: "Thank you for the enlightenment, the so-called package is what you carry on your own back."

Chapter 134 Mysterious Guest

The gathering in the Never-Sleeping City was a great success, and all the participants gained a lot. Such gatherings are extremely rare in the martial arts world. The masters stayed for more than ten days before leaving to digest what they had gained from this gathering. Among these masters, only Taoist Baoding was from the four famous sects, so the four sect leaders naturally asked him for details of the gathering. Taoist Baoding told True Man Chixia about the details of the gathering, and then he went into seclusion to practice, trying to integrate what he had gained from this gathering into himself. Zhenren Chixia met with the three sect leaders to discuss the matter. Zhenren Lingmu sighed, "Everyone participating in this meeting has made great progress, and our lives have become even more difficult." Zhenren Yuxu suggested, "This idea is very good. Why don't we learn from it and hold a four-sect grand event every year to exchange martial arts from various factions. If we continue to stand still, I'm afraid there will be no place for us in the martial arts world in the future." Elder Huiyuan immediately agreed, "We have fallen behind a lot, and we can't be chaotic anymore. Gatherings should not be limited to the four sects, but should be broad-based. Regardless of status, as long as they are masters related to the four sects, they can participate." Zhenren Lingmu was still hesitating. He was reluctant to take out the secret martial arts of Shangqing Palace. Chixia Zhenren persuaded him, "Brother, don't be so persistent. To be honest, since Chang Xiao returned to the martial arts world and the Never-Sleeping City has become a powerful force in the martial arts world, the status of the four famous families has fallen again and again. Of course, martial arts are the most important thing in the martial arts world. Chang Xiao has made rapid progress and is far superior to our generation. There is nothing to complain about. None of the masters who participated in this gathering were mediocre. After the gathering, they made progress again. If these people's martial arts surpassed ours, how would the four famous families deal with themselves?" After hearing this, Lingmu Zhenren made up his mind, "Well, in addition to the martial arts passed down by the head of the sect, the swordsmanship, palm techniques and internal strength of Shangqing Palace can be made public." The four sect leaders reached an agreement and began to prepare for the martial arts exchange conference. Chang Xiao was happy to hear the news. It was not easy for the four famous families to change their ideas. The martial arts world should be a situation where a hundred flowers bloom. If you stick to the old ways, it is inevitable that one generation will be worse than the next. The moves and routines are dead, but people are alive. The study of martial arts cannot be bound by the moves.

Finally, under the influence of Chang Xiao, the atmosphere of the martial arts world has undergone a fundamental change. The four famous sects jointly held a conference to exchange martial arts. In addition to the four sect leaders, they specially invited Wu Mu Zhenjun. In addition, Elder Huiyuan of Shaolin Temple specially invited a senior monk, but no one knew him. The four famous sects have been famous in the martial arts world for many years, and of course there are some masters hidden by outsiders. Shangqing Palace has Wu Mu Zhenjun, Shaolin Temple has also invited a monk, and Huashan Sect is naturally Baoding Taoist, who has obtained the Ganlu Sword and has become the number one swordsman today, which is enough. Wudang Yuxu Zhenren stated that Wudang will invite a master who is proficient in swordsmanship to come, and this person's swordsmanship is at least not inferior to Baoding Taoist. It can be predicted that this grand event will gather many masters. Wu Mu Zhenjun intends to invite Shenmu Bhikkhu to come. Emei Sect is also an authentic martial arts sect. Shenmu Bhikkhu has outstanding martial arts and unique light skills. Of course, it would be best if he could come. Bhikkhu Shenmu likes to join in the fun and is happily preparing to attend the event. Originally, Taoist Baoding intended to invite Master Baikong, but Master Baikong did not accept the invitation and went on a journey. The four famous families are preparing intensively. The biggest suspense of this event is what kind of expert will Yuxu invite. The event is scheduled to be held in Wudang Zixiao Palace. The four famous families will join forces, so naturally there will be many people participating. There are many people gathered in Wudang Mountain, and there are naturally many experts among them. Chang Xiao is also very concerned about this event. He is very interested in the expert promised by Yuxu Zhenren. Yuxu Zhenren will not lie. If he publicly points out that this person's swordsmanship is not inferior to Taoist Baoding, then it is very likely that this person's swordsmanship is better than Taoist Baoding. Chang Xiao knows in his heart that the four famous families are deeply rooted and have been famous in the world for many years. They must have a certain reliance. This time, they will reveal some clues. This opportunity is rare and must not be missed.

Because the location was Wudang, Yuxu Zhenren set about arranging everything and receiving guests from all sides. The four famous sects had been established for hundreds of years, and their disciples were all over the world. Naturally, there were many people coming, but the sect rules were strict and the order was in good order. Wudang had received hundreds of people in a few days. Yuxu Zhenren set up a place for martial arts performance in the square in front of Zixiao Palace and prepared a lot of food. The purpose of this gathering was to exchange martial arts and promote each other. Martial arts performance was secondary, and communication was the highlight. Wudang, Shangqing Palace, and Huashan three sects all used swords. Shaolin Temple's fist and palm kung fu was famous in the world, with a variety of weapons, mainly sticks. Therefore, Yuxu Zhenren specially set up two martial arts arenas, one for sword competition and the other for sticks, fists and feet. The four famous sects had never held such a gathering before, and of course they couldn't be careless for the first time. Zixiao Palace was decorated with lights and colors, and was full of joy. As the date approached, people participating in the conference arrived one after another. On the right day, gongs and drums were loud, firecrackers were blasted, and the scene was extremely lively. The four sect leaders led their disciples to sit on each side. There were five seats in the middle. The first seat was occupied by Wu Mu Zhen Jun. Next to him was an old monk who was not good-looking, with eyebrows longer than his ears and a listless look. Next to him was Shen Mu Bhikkhu. Of course, he could not lose his status in such an occasion, but his nature was hard to change, and he could not help looking around. Next was Bao Ding Taoist. Although he was much older than him, Bao Ding Taoist won the championship in the Ganlu Conference and was hailed as the world's number one swordsman. This gathering was mainly for exchanging martial arts and swordsmanship. No one could say anything about Bao Ding Taoist sitting here. The last seat was vacant, obviously reserved for the distinguished guest invited by Yu Xu Zhenren. Many people knew in advance that Wudang Sect had invited a swordsmanship master. Everyone was full of curiosity. Bao Ding Taoist's swordsmanship was superb and he made rapid progress. He had been recognized by all parties. Who else could compare with him? The answer was soon revealed. Just before the start, a person appeared on the seat, and everyone present was surprised.

It turned out that the person sitting on the seat was a timid girl, who looked about seventeen or eighteen years old, with a dignified appearance and a somewhat restrained manner. The appearance of this person surprised many people. The swordsmanship expert invited by Wudang Sect turned out to be a girl. The five seats represented not only status, but also the people sitting there were all masters who surpassed the four famous families. Only Taoist Baoding was qualified to sit there because of his unparalleled swordsmanship. How capable could this girl be? For a while, everyone was talking about it. Monk Shenmu had originally felt that the atmosphere of this gathering was too serious, and was thinking of making some noise. He noticed that the girl immediately became lively, so he stood up, walked up to the girl, and took her hands and asked, "Little girl, what's your name? How old are you this year?" The girl blushed and lowered her head to answer, "My surname is Nie, and I'm the ninth child." Monk Shenmu nodded, "So your name is Nie Jiuniang, how old are you?" Nie Jiuniang whispered, "Seventeen." Monk Shenmu was puzzled and blurted out, "Why are you sitting here at the age of seventeen?" Nie Jiuniang pursed her lips and smiled, then replied, "It's just that I rely on the prestige of my predecessors. The senior has such superb internal skills, he must be the famous Monk Shenmu from Emei. It's a rare opportunity to meet you, please give me more guidance." Monk Shenmu nodded, "You It's not surprising to have heard of my name, but do you know my abilities?" Nie Jiuniang said eloquently, "The senior has superb internal skills and has opened up the gates of life and death. His lightness skills are unrivaled in the world, and his Flying Fish Hand is a rare and unique skill." Monk Shenmu was surprised and said, "You know my abilities are nothing, but why haven't I heard of you? There don't seem to be many masters with the surname Nie." This hundred-year-old naughty boy always ignored everything and turned around and shouted, "Yuxu, come here, I have something to ask you." Although True Man Yuxu had a very high status, he couldn't put on airs in front of Monk Shenmu. He came forward and saluted. Monk Shenmu asked, "Where did this girl come from? Why did you arrange her to sit here?" Many people wanted to ask this question, but they couldn't say it out of consideration for their face. Only Monk Shenmu could ask it in person. Yuxu Zhenren smiled and said, "Please forgive me, this is a private matter within Wudang, and it cannot be spread outside. I guarantee that this girl is absolutely qualified to sit here." Shenmu monk curled his lips and said, "She is right in front of me, how can I find out if you don't tell me? Go back." After Yuxu Zhenren returned to his seat, Shenmu monk asked Nie Jiuniang, "Where is your home? Who did you learn martial arts from?" Nie Jiuniang bowed and said, "Please forgive me, my ancestors left me the instruction not to reveal my residence and family affairs." Shenmu monk smiled and said, "I will know sooner or later."

At the beginning of the meeting, the four disciples took turns to show their martial arts. Shenmu Bhikkhu's attention was completely focused on Nie Jiuniang. He pointed at Baoding Taoist and said, "You go sit in my seat. I want to talk to this little girl." Baoding Taoist smiled and stood up. To be honest, in today's martial arts world, no matter how high your martial arts status is, you have to give way to Shenmu Bhikkhu. Shenmu Bhikkhu observed carefully and found that Nie Jiuniang's hands were very delicate. The swordsmanship she practiced must be from the inside out. Since Yuxu Zhenren guaranteed it, Nie Jiuniang's cultivation must have surpassed the four sect leaders. However, Shenmu Bhikkhu did not find Nie Jiuniang's sword, so he asked. Nie Jiuniang answered vaguely, saying that she was attending the grand event, not a martial arts competition, and did not bring a sword. Shenmu Bhikkhu shook his head and said, "Little girl, don't try to hide it from me. You clearly have a hidden murderous aura." Nie Jiuniang was shocked. No wonder he was so famous. Shenmu Bhikkhu was really amazing. From Nie Jiuniang's attire, Monk Shenmu deduced that Nie Jiuniang was using a dagger, which was most likely hidden in her sleeve, so he asked: "Have you heard of the name of Taoist Zuixia?" Nie Jiuniang nodded: "I have heard of him a little, but didn't he die in defeat?" Monk Shenmu shook his head: "Young people are ignorant. Taoist Zuixia is a real warrior. His defeat does not damage his reputation." Nie Jiuniang nodded in agreement, obviously not taking it to heart. Monk Shenmu continued, "He also used a short sword, and he also mastered the art of controlling the sword. He was known as the best swordsman, and he was well-known in the martial arts world. His swordsmanship was so high that no one has surpassed him to this day." Nie Jiuniang said calmly, "The Taoist Zuixia has only mastered the basic skills of controlling the sword. If he is really good, how could he lose?" Monk Shenmu's face sank, "You are so arrogant at such a young age. Be careful not to suffer in the future." Nie Jiuniang bowed her head to apologize, "Please forgive me, senior. I dare not be arrogant. I just speak the truth." Monk Shenmu warned, "I advise you not to talk nonsense about Taoist Zuixia. If you speak without restraint, it will be too late to cause trouble." Nie Jiuniang agreed, but her face showed a different meaning. Monk Shenmu often went to the city that never sleeps to play. He knew that Chang Xiao had a close relationship with Taoist Zuixia. If he heard such words, he would definitely not let this woman go. So he changed the subject and started talking about swordsmanship.

The Wudang disciples and the Huashan disciples were fighting with swords. Their moves were in accordance with the rules and their schools were strict. Monk Shenmu asked, "How are these two people's swordsmanship?" Nie Jiuniang smiled slightly and said, "They are just reading from the book." Monk Shenmu felt disgusted when he saw that the woman was so arrogant. He said angrily, "People who practice martial arts have different starting points. Some are born in martial arts families, and some meet famous teachers at a young age and learn superior martial arts. But there are also many people who don't have good opportunities and rely entirely on hard work. Such people are more worthy of respect. People who look down on others just because they are in a high position will not be able to get by in the martial arts world. No wonder they are so secretive. It turns out that they are afraid of losing face." Nie Jiuniang's expression changed, and Monk Shenmu said, "The starting point of martial arts practitioners is different. Some are born in martial arts families, and some meet famous teachers at a young age and learn superior martial arts. But there are also many people who don't have good opportunities and rely entirely on hard work. Such people are more worthy of respect. People who look down on others just because they are in a high position will not be able to get by in the martial arts world. No wonder they are so secretive. It turns out that they are afraid of losing face." Nie Jiuniang's expression changed, and Monk Shenmu His words were a bit hurtful, and he was about to get angry, but thinking of the identity and martial arts of the monk Shenmu, and the instructions of his family before he left, he gritted his teeth, suppressed his anger, sorted out his thoughts and began to attack from the side: "People in the Jianghu are naturally respected for their martial arts. Whether there is a famous teacher or not, they have to compete in their hands." The monk Shenmu saw that Nie Jiuniang was arrogant and laughed in his heart: Even if you have been practicing martial arts since your mother's womb, it has been less than 20 years. Maybe your family has treasured the secrets of ancient martial arts and shortcuts to temper your tendons and bones, but it is still a bit presumptuous to want to make your way in the Jianghu with such skills, let alone look down on the heroes. Which martial arts master has not been tempered? Martial arts alone are far from enough to gain a foothold in the Jianghu. One person's strength is limited. Even if you have three heads and six arms, you can't cover the sky with one hand. Seeing Nie Jiuniang's condescending attitude, the monk Shenmu said nothing more. He thought to himself that Chang Xiao would definitely pay attention to this gathering. This woman's origin is unknown, and she will definitely attract attention. If he heard that she despised the Taoist Zuixia, it would be a bad thing. Nie Jiuniang didn't understand what Monk Shenmu was thinking, and she felt a little unhappy. It was her first time attending such a grand event, and she was going to relax, but she ran into Monk Shenmu, which really ruined her mood. Taoist Baoding was paying attention to the changes on the field, and on the other hand, he was also observing Nie Jiuniang. True Man Yuxu mentioned that this woman was proficient in swordsmanship. From her conversation with Monk Shenmu, it can be heard that Nie Jiuniang has obviously studied sword control, and perhaps in some ways she is stronger than the first swordsman at the time, Taoist Zuixia. It seems that this person is not simple. Although he was careful, Taoist Baoding didn't believe that Nie Jiuniang really surpassed Taoist Zuixia. Every martial arts master has gone through countless battles, encountered all kinds of opponents, and accumulated countless valuable experiences to face everything calmly and gain a firm foothold in the world. It is impossible to succeed just by practicing hard in the mountains. Nie Jiuniang is too confident in her own martial arts, and will suffer sooner or later.

The four disciples on the field demonstrated one by one, and asked the master to correct them one by one. The monk Shenmu couldn't sit still. Nie Jiuniang was arrogant and it was meaningless to talk to her, so he turned his attention to the old monk next to Wu Mu Zhenjun and shouted: "I said, monk with long eyebrows, how old are you? Over a hundred?" The old monk shook his head slightly, meaning that he was not a hundred years old. The monk Shenmu was very proud: "Then you must be younger than me. Although I have forgotten my birthday, I know that I am over a hundred years old." The old monk nodded: "I have been practicing for decades, but I still haven't seen through the law outside the law and the body outside the body." The monk Shenmu asked: "What kind of kung fu do you practice, old monk? Do you want to show me?" The old monk shook his head: "I forgot it a long time ago." As soon as these three words came out, the monk Shenmu's heart moved. It is not easy to forget the martial arts learned in his life, and he can't do it. If this old monk really did it, then once he fights with others, he can use all the moves at will, and he has reached the invisible realm. Thinking of this, he nodded and said, "I didn't expect there is such a great monk in the world today. I'm afraid I can't beat you." Taoist Baoding interrupted and asked, "May I ask, great monk, if we go against the Lord of the City That Never Sleeps, what are the chances of winning?" The old monk said calmly, "I won't fight with anyone, so there is no chance of winning." Monk Shenmu explained, "This old monk has deeply understood the true meaning of the way of Nirvana. Only the black monk Baikong can talk to him. Even the old monk Baekje can't do it." The old monk had been practicing in Shaolin Temple and had never heard of the name of Master Baikong. He asked, "Brother, how can you be sure that Baikong can communicate with me?" Because Monk Shenmu was older, they were both Buddhists, regardless of gender, so the old monk called Monk Shenmu his brother. Hearing the old monk's questions, Monk Shenmu was quite proud: "Monk Baikonghei traveled far to the Western Regions and has a deep understanding of Tantric Buddhism and Indian Buddhism. He has obtained the true meaning of the word "forbearance" and has some insights into the cycle of life and death. You will definitely get along well with him." The old monk stood up and saluted: "Please give me some guidance, senior brother." Monk Shenmu smiled and said, "Why are you in such a hurry? Let's talk about it after the meeting." The old monk insisted, "Senior brother is restless. I'm afraid he has disappeared before the meeting is over." Monk Shenmu smiled and said, "That's right. I'll tell you, there are only two people in the world who can find Monk Baikonghei. One is the old monk of Baekje, and the other is the lord of the City That Never Sleeps. It's not easy to find the old monk of Baekje. You might as well go to the City That Never Sleeps. Even if Chang Xiao goes out, he will know about you." The old monk nodded and returned to his seat.

Chapter 135: Mysterious Family

Although Nie Jiuniang lived in seclusion in the mountains, she did not live in seclusion. She often went out to do things as an ordinary person, so she could recognize the monk Shenmu. The Never-Sleeping City rose in the world, and Chang Xiao's reputation was at its peak. Nie Jiuniang had certainly heard of it. One of the reasons for coming here this time was to see if Chang Xiao's swordsmanship was as magical as the legend said. At this time, she immediately became interested when she heard the monk Shenmu mention Chang Xiao's name, and asked: "Is the martial arts of the Lord of the Never-Sleeping City really that high?" The monk Shenmu thought for a moment and played a trick: "It's better to meet him than to hear about him. You can meet him when you go to the Never-Sleeping City. In fact, Chang Xiao's martial arts are not as high as the legend says. It's mainly because he has good relationships with people and has someone to help him. Otherwise, the Never-Sleeping City would have been defeated long ago." It was difficult for others to refute what the monk Shenmu said. Wu Mu Zhenjun knew the monk Shenmu very well, and complained in his heart that although Nie Jiuniang was arrogant, her crime was not punishable by death. If she really went to the Never-Sleeping City, she would probably die. Wouldn't this create karma out of thin air? So he said, "Nine, don't believe it. The master of the Never-Sleeping City has reached the pinnacle of swordsmanship. His swordsmanship is so fast that it is unimaginable. The Taoist Baoding present here has experienced it before. You can ask." Nie Jiuniang asked, and Taoist Baoding smiled bitterly and said, "Speaking of that sword, I am really ashamed. Until now, I still don't understand when he approached and how he drew his sword." Nie Jiuniang was half-believing and half-doubting. In fact, in her heart, Taoist Baoding was not a big shot. Wu Mu Zhenjun had already guessed that Nie Jiuniang must come from a martial arts family that had been hidden for many years. Her ancestors had a very glorious era and left behind profound secrets. Nie Jiuniang was immersed in the aura of her predecessors and it was impossible for her to treat people with a peaceful attitude. So she changed the topic and talked about this conference. Because Taoist Baoding had participated in the gathering in the Never-Sleeping City, Master Wumu wanted to make a comparison and asked. Taoist Baoding sighed and said, "Although the four famous families have taken a difficult step, they are all reserved, which is far from the gathering in the Never-Sleeping City. In the Never-Sleeping City, everyone is open about their secrets. Even Qi Shizhen, who has hidden his martial arts for most of his life, revealed his Tiangang Qi Heart Method, and Qingyang Swordsman also took out his best tricks. There is no need to talk about others." Master Wumu nodded and said, "Only Chang Xiao can make many masters open their hearts and show what they have learned."

Although there were reservations, this gathering still had some gains. The four sect leaders and their disciples learned a lot. However, in comparison, the participants in the Never-Sleeping City gathering gained more. These people will inevitably become the shining stars in the world, each with their own strengths and leading the way. At the beginning of the conference, the participants were very excited. After two days, everyone understood that none of the four sects had brought out their true skills. Shaolin's Yijinjing, Wudang's Yin-Yang Palm, Huashan's Beidou Sword, and Shangqing Palace's Qingquan Sword did not appear, so few people really brought out all their skills. As a result, it was naturally meaningless, and the conference ended hastily after only three days. Wu Mu Zhenjun knew in his heart that the four famous sects were still very conservative. In this way, masters such as Duan Xiyun and Yin Tianlei would sooner or later surpass the four sect leaders, and the future of the four famous sects was hard to say. The monk Shenmu said without restraint, "It's boring. I won't come next time. You say one thing and do another. You all want others to give out everything and keep some for yourself." After saying that, he turned around and left, disappearing in a blink of an eye. The four sect leaders looked at each other, feeling somewhat ashamed. The original intention of this gathering was good, but at the critical moment, none of the four sects were willing to show their unique martial arts. Taoist Baoding made a wasted trip and gained nothing. He immediately said goodbye to True Man Chixia and went on a journey. Nie Jiuniang knew the status of the four famous sects in the martial arts world. Seeing that there was no real master at the conference, she had an idea in her mind that the current martial arts world only values reputation. Even the four famous sects were like this, let alone the other gangs. As for Chang Xiao, he was probably more fake than real. With this idea, he was too lazy to even go to the Never-Sleeping City and left Wudang and turned back. However, he never expected that someone was following him, and the secret hidden for many years was about to be revealed. It turned out that although Chang Xiao did not attend the gathering of Zixiao Palace, he knew everything about the conference and was very interested in Nie Jiuniang. His judgment was consistent with that of True Lord Wu Mu, and there must be a hidden power behind Nie Jiuniang for a long time. After investigation, Chang Xiao learned that Nie Jiuniang was actually proficient in sword-wielding. After weighing the pros and cons, he decided to track Nie Jiuniang personally. On the one hand, he was afraid that others did not know the sword-wielding technique and would lose the target, and on the other hand, he wanted to take the opportunity to stretch his muscles.

Nie Jiuniang had little experience in the martial arts world, and even if she had a lot of experience, she would not have noticed a master like Chang Xiao, so she was relieved to hurry on. She left Wudang Mountain and headed south. Soon she entered a green mountain. Chang Xiao asked and learned that this mountain was called Laojun Mountain. It was not very high and steep, and the scenery was quiet. It was said that Laojun had practiced Taoism here, so it got its name. Entering the valley, Nie Jiuniang spread her body. Her body skills were indeed somewhat magical, and she shuttled freely in the dense forest. Chang Xiao followed far behind. It was quiet all around, with a breeze blowing, leaves swaying, and no human voice. Chang Xiao understood that it was difficult to avoid the eyes and ears of martial arts masters in such an environment, which was why he followed them personally. Others had not reached the state of no one and no self, so it was inevitable that their whereabouts would be exposed. Once they were discovered by the other party, it would be meaningless. Nie Jiuniang walked forward with confidence and soon came to a cliff. Chang Xiao watched carefully. This woman must have come here to perform sword control skills, so he wanted to compare them. A red light shot out from Nie Jiuniang's sleeves, and she leaped up and flew down the cliff. Chang Xiao had discussed martial arts with Taoist Zuixia, and had some knowledge of sword control. The method of using the electric shuttle was very similar to sword control, so he could see the trick. The sword control performed by this woman was indeed different from Taoist Zuixia's. She could actually change her body shape by riding the airflow, which Taoist Zuixia couldn't do. It seemed that this trip would not be in vain. There was a layer of fog under the cliff, and the situation below could not be seen. According to common sense, he should prepare before going down, but Chang Xiao was skilled and bold, and he jumped down from the cliff lightly. With the electric shuttle in his hand, he could control it completely. Today, no one can compete with Chang Xiao for a day, but he was still careful. After all, he was facing an unknown force. Judging from Nie Jiuniang's attitude, this force was not small. Because of the fog, he couldn't follow too closely, so when Chang Xiao came down, he couldn't find Nie Jiuniang's figure. After careful observation, there are only three or four acres of land under the cliff, with green grass, flowers and trees surrounding a pool of clear water, which is obviously a man-made setting. Since there are no houses, the people here must live in caves. As for the location of the cave entrance, it is hard to say. There are stone walls on all sides, and there is no flaw. After thinking for a while, Chang Xiao made up his mind that the people here will come out eventually, so he might as well wait here and relax.

Chang Xiao had never completely relaxed since the moment he entered the martial arts world. He had too many things in his mind and couldn't let go even if he wanted to. Now, facing the deep valley and stone wall, he actually had the idea of leaving the world. So he sat cross-legged under a tree, adjusted his internal breath, and soon relaxed. It was extremely quiet. Chang Xiao could sense any movement. He had no worries and put everything aside to rest. Such an opportunity was extremely rare. Flowers were blooming everywhere, the spring was warm, and the weeping willows were swaying, reflecting the pool water, which was very interesting. Chang Xiao's endurance was recognized by the world. There was only one person in the past hundred years who could practice Liuhe swordsmanship to this level. It was even more unique to become the supreme martial artist without the guidance of a famous teacher. Waiting here was certainly nothing. At noon, the fog gradually dissipated, revealing the blue sky above. This should be lunch time. Chang Xiao inferred that generally speaking, after lunch, it should be a good opportunity for the elderly to rest and for the young to play. Maybe someone would come here, so he carefully observed and looked for the location of the cave entrance. As expected, not long after, a subtle sound came from above. Chang Xiao immediately understood why there was no trace below. It turned out that the cave entrance was above. Hiding behind the tree and looking up, he saw a cave entrance about five feet from the ground. Then three women fell down one after another, led by Nie Jiuniang. One of the two women behind was wearing a light blue dress. Although she was pretty, she looked naughty. Obviously, she was still young and childish. The last woman was wearing a goose yellow dress, with a high bun, curved eyebrows and phoenix eyes, and a graceful figure, like a person in a picture, and seemed a little older. The three girls came to the pool, and the blue-clothed girl let out a sigh of relief: "The ancestor finally fell asleep, sister, please tell me about the Yuxu Palace Conference." Nie Jiuniang smiled and said, "There is really nothing to say. Those so-called masters are just in name only, without any real skills. If I go, I guarantee that I will have no opponents." The yellow-clothed girl shook her head and said, "Ninth sister, don't say that. The four famous families have been established for hundreds of years and have always been respected as authentic and respected by all parties. It is impossible for them to last forever without their own unique features. Perhaps those people have other reasons and did not show their real skills."

Hearing this, Chang Xiao nodded secretly. This woman had some knowledge. In fact, the four famous families were reserved and did not show their special skills. Nie Jiuniang disagreed: "If you don't believe it, you can go and see it yourself. Originally, I wanted to see the Lord of the Never-Sleeping City who was said to be so magical this time. I saw that the so-called upright masters of the four famous families had no real skills. I was too lazy to go to the Never-Sleeping City." The blue-clothed woman looked disappointed: "It turns out that sister didn't go to the Never-Sleeping City and didn't see the Jade Butterfly." The yellow-clothed woman smiled and said: "It's better to meet in person than to hear about it. Since the masters of the famous families are all in vain, it is clear that people in the world today only care about false reputations. According to this, the first beauty may not be so good." The blue-clothed woman shook her head: "I don't believe it. Many people have seen the Jade Butterfly, and no one has ever questioned the title of the first beauty. The Jade Butterfly must be extremely beautiful. I must see it." The three women were playing and chatting by the pool. Chang Xiao learned that the three women were sisters. The yellow-clothed woman was the third sister, and the blue-clothed woman was the youngest. It seemed that this family had many children. The focus of the three women's discussion was the Never-Sleeping City and the Jade Butterfly. It was no wonder that women valued their appearance more than their lives. Of course, they paid attention to the Jade Butterfly, who was known as the most beautiful woman in the world. As for martial arts, it was secondary. Chang Xiao carefully sneaked to the vicinity of the cave entrance and observed carefully. He did not find anything unusual, so there should be no traps. This is also easy to understand. The people living inside have a very high self-esteem, and there is a natural barrier. It is difficult to reach without the sword-controlling technique. There are very few people in the world who are good at sword-controlling techniques, so there is no need to set up traps. Seeing that there was no movement, Chang Xiao quietly entered the cave door and was greeted by a faint fragrance. There were many women here, so it was not surprising to have such a fragrance. But Chang Xiao felt something was wrong. This fragrance was full of murderous intent. Although it was not poisonous, it could make people drowsy. Now Chang Xiao's martial arts have reached a state of perfection, so of course he would not be stumped by this fragrance, so he quietly operated his internal breath and raised his true energy. After careful observation, there was a passage of about 30 steps in front of him, and there was a half-closed door inside. At the door, there was a fat golden retriever, lying there lazily sleeping. Chang Xiao knew that dogs were much more sensitive to the outside world than humans. It was easy to deceive people, but it was not easy to deceive dogs. After thinking for a while, he came up with an idea. As long as the speed was fast enough, the golden retriever would not feel it.

This exploration was mainly for the sword control technique. Chang Xiao himself did not expect that he had used the lightning shuttle twice before he saw the real owner. As the lightning shuttle was used, Chang Xiao's figure was like a ghost, and he instantly passed through the wooden door. The golden retriever was still sleeping and did not react at all. Entering the wooden door, two big men stood at the door. Chang Xiao was shocked. He should be able to feel that there was someone behind the door. Could it be that these two people have reached the state of selflessness? After a closer look, he couldn't help laughing. It turned out to be two statues, lifelike, with shining eyes, like real people. It seems that the sculptor is a master, and his eyes are inlaid with rare gems to achieve such an effect. Behind the statue is a screen wall, and then there is a spacious corridor. There are eight large pillars supporting the cave roof. The walls are smooth and the top is more than ten feet high. It seems that this cave is very large. Chang Xiao knows that such a cave is mostly formed naturally, and it can only reach such a scale after the later generations have made great efforts to repair it. Having said that, such a project is also extremely large, and the builder must have a certain amount of manpower and financial resources. I have been looking at the pictures on the stone wall for many years. The beauties in the pictures are plump and look like they were painted in the Tang Dynasty. It was lunchtime at this time. The corridor was empty. Chang Xiao walked forward carefully and heard the sound of water. There must be an underground river near this cave. It is not surprising to have a spring in the mountains. There are stone doors on both sides of the corridor that are exactly the same in width, height and height, but the patterns on the stone doors are different. Each stone door is painted with a kind of flower. The most conspicuous one is peony. Behind the stone door painted with the king of flowers is naturally the owner's residence. Chang Xiao came to this door and determined that there was no one behind the door with his super sense ability. In addition to peony, the most attractive thing is rose, the bright red color is the most eye-catching. Chang Xiao came to this stone door and heard the sound of running water inside. He carefully sensed and determined that there was someone inside. Moreover, this person's internal strength is very deep. He is practicing breathing and regulating his breath. He must be practicing the kung fu of Ziwu. The so-called Ziwu time is to practice at noon and midnight, and use the yin and yang energy of heaven and earth to regulate the true energy in the body.

The main purpose of this exploration of the deep mountains is to control the swordsmanship. Without clear gains, they cannot leave. Chang Xiao speculated that the people in the room practiced martial arts mostly related to water. He had also practiced hard in streams and waterfalls, so it was not surprising. From the subtle breathing of the person inside the door, it can be concluded that this person is a woman with extremely deep internal skills. Just as he was about to turn around in another stone door, he suddenly heard the sound of a dog barking. It should be someone coming in. Chang Xiao hid behind a stone pillar. Sure enough, the three sisters who were chatting outside the cave came in, tiptoeing and sneaking, fearing that they would be discovered. Chang Xiao laughed in his heart. It was obviously his own home, why should he be so careful? Even the imperial palace did not have such a rule. The three women opened a stone door and went in, and the surroundings became quiet again. Chang Xiao was ready to continue the exploration, but his heart suddenly moved, as if someone was secretly spying on him. Could he be discovered? It shouldn't be. While he was hesitating, he suddenly heard the sound of a sharp weapon breaking through the air. Chang Xiao had been through many battles, so of course he had a way to deal with it. He spun his body lightly, and dozens of steel needles missed. Then a silver light shot towards him. Chang Xiao dodged to the left, and the silver light followed him like a shadow. However, Chang Xiao was still in the same place, and the left dodging was just an illusion. This move was very well-timed and just right. The person who made the move obviously did not expect it, and retracted the weapon. Chang Xiao looked around, and it turned out to be an old woman with silver-white hair, kind eyes, and a rosy face. She was holding a peach wood stick and looked Chang Xiao up and down. Chang Xiao clasped his fists and said, "I'm sorry for coming to your house. Please forgive me, old lady." The old lady said slowly, "I didn't expect that there are still people in the world who know how to control the sword. Who is your master?" Chang Xiao smiled slightly, "According to Nie Jiuniang, I don't know how to control the sword at all. The reason I came here this time is to see the real sword-controlling technique." The old lady said coldly, "You can sneak here, not be affected by the dark incense, and avoid the spirit dog. Your internal and external skills have reached the first-class level, far beyond Jiuniang. Who are you?"

Chapter 136: Dragon and Phoenix

With Chang Xiao's cultivation, he was discovered by the old woman, which shows that he is also extraordinary. Despite this, Chang Xiao never took the people here to heart. The first point is that Nie Jiuniang is arrogant and conceited. The reputation of the ancestors was earned by the ancestors and has nothing to do with the descendants. The descendants need to work hard and cannot live in the halo of the ancestors. The second point is that the people here must have not been in the martial arts world for a long time. No matter how magical the moves are, they will not work without actual combat practice. They have never exchanged with various masters and only practiced hard in the mountains. They are not masters. Based on the above two points, Chang Xiao's attitude was neither humble nor arrogant. The old woman was angry and scolded: "I know you have some skills, but when you get here, your skills are not worth mentioning at all." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "Don't be too confident, old man. The martial arts of each faction in the world are the result of the hard work of several generations. Only when all the experience is gathered together can one become a school of their own. And the disciples of each faction have to wander in the world for three years after they have mastered their skills. Only after being assessed by the master of their own school can they officially use the name of their master." The old woman was quite disdainful: "What do you mean by saying this?" Chang Xiao explained: "What I mean is that everyone who can gain a foothold in the world is not simple, and you seem to look down on these people. If they really have amazing skills, it's fine, but if Without real talent and knowledge, being arrogant and conceited, wouldn't that make people laugh? "The old woman's face changed even more. For many years, this family has looked down on those who roll in the rivers and lakes and call themselves sword immortals. This concept is deeply rooted. Today, she was actually scolded by Chang Xiao, of course, she was unwilling to accept it. She scolded with her cane, "You bold lunatic, how dare you come here to make trouble, wait for me to teach you a lesson." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "Old man, don't be angry. Nie Jiuniang said in person that martial artists are respected for their martial arts, and I agree with this statement. If there is indeed someone here who is better than me in martial arts, I will naturally let him do it. If no one here can beat me, what should I do?" The old woman gritted her teeth and said, "What a big tone. If no one here can beat you, I will pay you with my life." Chang Xiao nodded, "It's a deal."

Chang Xiao himself had not expected that this investigation would turn into a duel. When the time came, there was no reason to retreat. He wanted to learn what amazing skills the people here had. From the body movements just now, it can be seen that the person's martial arts are very good, and he has rich experience in fighting. He is a rare strong enemy. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Come with me." Chang Xiao knew that the people here have a high self-esteem and will not use despicable tricks, so he felt relieved to follow. The two walked through the corridor and came to a hall. It was very spacious and there was nothing to decorate. There was only a table and a throne on the high platform in the middle. The old woman came to the front but did not sit down. She rang the golden bell on the table. The sound was very pleasant and echoed. Soon, voices came, and ten women came in one after another. Nie Jiuniang and the two sisters who were talking together were among them. The leader was a palace beauty, white clothes were white, thin eyebrows and phoenix eyes, and calm manners. Although there were no gorgeous jewelry, she looked elegant and luxurious. This was the temperament cultivated over many years. Seeing this woman, Chang Xiao's heart moved, and a warm feeling surged in his heart, as if he had returned to his childhood when he played with his mother and had a carefree time. Chang Xiao had not had this feeling since his mother passed away. He did not expect that this place would suddenly bring back his childhood memories. Ten women came in and were surprised to see Chang Xiao. The leading woman asked the old woman: "Grandma, what's the matter with this person?" The old woman said solemnly: "This person broke into the cave without permission and plotted something bad." Chang Xiao smiled and shook his head: "It's not a plot, it was Nie Jiuniang's words that led me here." The woman in palace dress walked to the middle and sat down. Nie Sanniang brought an embroidered stool for the old woman to sit sideways, and the women lined up on both sides. Chang Xiao had a good impression of the woman in palace dress, and his attitude changed unconsciously. The old woman whispered in the ear of the woman in palace dress. After hearing what happened, the woman in palace dress frowned, obviously realizing that Chang Xiao was coming with bad intentions. First he asked, "Who are you? Why are you here?" Chang Xiao smiled and said, "I am just an ordinary person in Jianghu. You may not know my name even if I tell you. As for why I am here, you should ask Nie Jiuniang. If it weren't for her words at the Yuxu Palace meeting, I would not have come here."

After Nie Jiuniang came back, she naturally reported what happened in detail. The woman in palace dress asked, "What did she say to bring you here?" Chang Xiao had become the number one in Jianghu, and no one dared to treat him in a condescending manner. However, because he felt a little familiar with the woman in palace dress, Chang Xiao didn't mind at all and smiled, "It has nothing to do with me that Nie Jiuniang looks down on the people of the four famous families, but she said that the swordsmanship of the recognized number one swordsman in Jianghu is not up to par, so I wanted to come and see it." The woman in palace dress said coldly, "Just for this reason, sneaking in here is no different from breaking into a private house? Don't you understand the law?" Chang Xiao smiled and said, "How can children of Jianghu be so... Rules, even if it's a challenge at home, it's not against the rules, right? If you want to come to my house, you are welcome for any reason." The woman in palace dress was quite disdainful: "What good place can a person who doesn't understand things live in? Even if you kneel down and beg me, I won't go." Chang Xiao didn't argue, and nodded: "I hope you remember what I said today. What if one day you come to my house?" The woman in palace dress believed that Chang Xiao would not leave this place alive, and said casually: "If I break my promise, it's up to you. Stop talking nonsense, since you come to challenge me, I will fulfill your wish." With a wave of her hand, a woman came out. It was the third sister who had a heart-to-heart talk with Nie Jiuniang, that is, Nie Sanniang. Seeing this opponent, Chang Xiao shook his head repeatedly. The opponent obviously underestimated his ability, so he simply said: "This girl is not my opponent, let's change someone." The woman in palace dress sneered: "You are so arrogant, let's fight first." Chang Xiao explained: "It's not that I am arrogant, I have been hiding behind the tree for a long time, and this girl didn't notice it. The difference is already determined, why bother?" Nie Sanniang was of course not convinced, but the woman in palace dress was an expert and asked Nie Sanniang to withdraw. Chang Xiao did not wait for the opponent to change people and said: "In my opinion, the person who just practiced in the stone room with rose patterns may be able to fight, and others don't need to worry too much." The woman in palace dress was secretly surprised. The person practicing in the stone room was herself. This person could actually sense that someone was practicing inside through the thick stone door. Could it be that this person has reached the realm of seeing and hearing? How is it possible? But the facts are here, and I have to believe it.

Everyone here knew who Chang Xiao was talking about. This was in their own home, so there was no reason to retreat. The woman in palace dress thought for a moment and stood up and said, "I will take on the challenge." Hearing this, Chang Xiao already understood that the person practicing in the stone room was the one in front of him, and he felt more at ease. Everyone here practiced sword control, and they naturally used short swords. Chang Xiao did not bring a knife this time, and he could handle it with the electric shuttle. The two stood opposite each other in the middle of the hall. Chang Xiao had a strange feeling in his heart. Since the second time of his retreat, every time he fought with someone, he would put everything behind him. This time, he couldn't do it. The person in front of him was like his own flesh and blood, and he couldn't treat him as an opponent no matter what. The other party didn't think so. The family prestige passed down from their ancestors was challenged for the first time, and the opponent was so powerful. The burden on his shoulders was too heavy. The two of them confronted each other for a while. The woman in palace dress lost her temper first. She shouted softly, and a cold light shot out from her sleeves. Her figure jumped up. Chang Xiao could see that her opponent had not yet used a backhand sword. One was bright, the other was dark, one was yin, and the other was yang. There was something special about it. In fact, martial arts have different paths to the same destination. When you reach a certain level, you will take the same path. Because he felt very close to this woman, Chang Xiao did not plan to win quickly. He used the body skills he learned from Master Baikong. His body spread out and spun like a spinning top. Although the woman in palace dress practiced in the mountains and had studied the martial arts of various schools, she had never seen such a body skill and had no idea where to start. Chang Xiao observed carefully and found that the swordsmanship performed by the opponent was indeed mysterious, but there was still a thread to follow. What is certain is that if this swordsmanship is practiced well, it will definitely be able to dominate the world, but the opponent is obviously not up to the task. It seems that he is slightly inferior to Taoist Baoding and is on par with Jiang Feiluan. Chang Xiao had easily defeated the Taoist priest Baoding before, so he would have no problem winning this time. After finding out the details of his opponent, he did not hesitate and shot out the lightning shuttle, heading straight for the opponent's face. The woman in palace dress attacked for hundreds of moves, but she did not see the opponent's weapon. She was naturally anxious and could not lose this battle. But the opponent kept turning in circles, and she could not see clearly how to attack him. While she was thinking of a way, suddenly a cold light shot straight at her face, the speed was indescribable. She was shocked and hurriedly dodged, but she did not expect that the lightning shuttle was waiting in front of her. If she was a long-time expert, she would definitely be prepared, but the woman in palace dress was inexperienced in facing the enemy, and her moves were old, so her life was only a matter of seconds.

Chang Xiao naturally would not kill, so he waved his palm and knocked his opponent out of the circle. The winner had been decided, and it was okay for others, but the old woman couldn't hold back her pride, so she gritted her teeth and said, "Good boy, my life is yours." The woman in palace dress didn't know that the old woman had made a bet with Chang Xiao, and she couldn't help but turn pale when she heard this, and asked, "Grandma, what's going on?" The old woman said angrily, "We made a bet, and whoever loses will give his life to the other party." As soon as these words came out, all the women gathered around, and Nie Jiuniang shouted, "Grandma, how can this be?" Chang Xiao smiled and said, "Although I won the bet, I have no intention of hurting this old man. If you can find a master, as long as you can draw with me, this bet can be dropped." The woman in palace dress nodded, "Then I'll have to ask you to stay here. A master will definitely come to meet you within three days." Chang Xiao readily agreed, "Okay, I'm sorry to bother you then." The woman in palace dress Zi immediately ordered Nie Jiuniang to arrange a place for Chang Xiao to live. Nie Jiuniang led Chang Xiao to a stone room, which was arranged like a study and was obviously a man's residence. Chang Xiao asked, "Are there any men living here?" Nie Jiuniang ignored her and said, "Why are you asking so many questions? You'll be in trouble when we invite an expert later." Chang Xiao didn't care. He had broken in without permission, so the other party was naturally hostile. However, he was the stronger party and there was no need to read their faces. So he made a request, "I haven't eaten since the tracking and the competition. Can you get some wine and food?" Nie Jiuniang nodded and went out. She turned back and gave Chang Xiao a blank look, "You're lucky." Chang Xiao didn't understand the meaning of the words. After seeing Nie Jiuniang leave, he sat down to rest. After a while, two women came in each with a tray. There were four vegetarian dishes, a pot of wine, and two bowls of fragrant rice on the tray. Seeing these dishes, Chang Xiao immediately understood the meaning of Nie Jiuniang's words. It turned out that these dishes were extremely exquisite, with good color, fragrance and taste, and could be called top-grade. The rice exuded a fresh fragrance, and the rice grains were crystal clear like pearls. Chang Xiao nodded and praised: "I didn't expect there would be such delicious food in the valley."

After the two women left, Chang Xiao tasted them and felt that these dishes were as good as those made by Duan Xiyun and Yin Tianlei. They were carefully crafted, but they were made by women and had a bit of a feminine smell. The wine was also brewed by women, and it was warm, mellow, and had no aftertaste. Although it was a little inadequate, it was rare under such circumstances, so he opened his arms and ate all the wine, food, and rice. Nie Jiuniang came to clean up, and when she saw that the dishes were empty, she curled her lips and said, "It's a waste for such delicious food to fall into the stomach of a reckless man like you." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "These dishes are indeed first-class, especially the rice. It's really not easy to achieve this level." Nie Jiuniang was very dissatisfied: "Don't think we haven't seen the world. My sister's cooking skills are unparalleled in the world. No one can compare to her." Chang Xiao shook his head: "Although such skills are first-class, they are not unparalleled in the world. Have you heard of the two crystal elders?" Nie Jiuniang nodded: "What can those two old men do? They must not be as good as my sister." Chang Xiao smiled: "If there is a chance, let your sister compete with the two crystal elders to see who is better." Nie Jiuniang packed up and left. Chang Xiao was about to adjust his breath when the stone door suddenly opened and a girl flashed in. It was Nie Jiuniang's little sister who talked to her. Chang Xiao knew that this girl was innocent and lively, full of curiosity about the outside world, and it was just right to understand the situation here. The girl looked back carefully, and was relieved to make sure that there was no one. After the stone door was closed, she lowered her voice and asked, "Can you tell me if someone is outside?" Chang Xiao nodded, "Sure." The girl was delighted, "That's good. Please tell me if someone is coming so that I can hide." Chang Xiao nodded and asked, "What's your name?" The girl smiled and said, "My name is Cherry. Does it sound good?" Chang Xiao naturally praised her, and Cherry was very proud, "You are a good person. I have never seen anyone from outside in my life. Tell me about what's happening outside." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "The world outside is very big, with mountains, rivers, cities, villages, and all kinds of people. Where should I start?" Cherry blurted out, "Jade Butterfly."

In the world today, perhaps no one is more familiar with Jade Butterfly than Chang Xiao. Upon hearing Cherry's question, Chang Xiao smiled and nodded: "I have seen Jade Butterfly. What do you want to ask?" Cherry couldn't wait to ask: "Is she really as beautiful as the legend says?" Chang Xiao nodded: "More than ever." Cherry immediately posed and asked: "What do you think of me? How do I compare to Jade Butterfly?" Love of beauty is a woman's nature, and Cherry is no exception despite her young age. Of course, Chang Xiao could not give a direct answer, and said euphemistically: "Beauty is like flowers. Although peony is the king of flowers, some people like roses and peonies." Cherry obviously agreed with this answer: "That makes sense. Then do you think I am a beauty?" Chang Xiao felt amused and answered casually: "A first-class beauty." Cherry was very happy. Chang Xiao tentatively asked: "What is the name of the place where you live? When was it built?" According to common sense, Cherry could not answer such a question. After all, Chang Xiao came with bad intentions, and the two sides were still in opposition. Unexpectedly, Yingtao blurted out without thinking: "This place is called Yinxian Palace. The one who fought with you is my mother. Except for the three of us sisters, everyone else calls her the Suyun Palace Master." Chang Xiao was surprised. He didn't expect Yingtao to hide anything. Maybe Ying, the little girl, had lived in the mountains for a long time and didn't have any ulterior motives. If that was the case, it would be difficult for him to ask. But Yingtao couldn't stop talking after she started. She continued to talk about the Yinxian Palace: "Our ancestor is very famous. You must have heard of it. She is the famous sword fairy Nie Yinniang." Chang Xiao's heart moved. The name Nie Yinniang did have some impression. It seemed that she was a sword fairy in the Tang Dynasty in the legend of immortals. Wasn't that made up by literati? Could there really be such a person? Yingtao said with a smug look on her face: "It's amazing, isn't it?" Chang Xiao nodded: "Yes, yes, Nie Yinniang is a sword fairy who travels in the world. I didn't expect your ancestor to be so amazing." Hearing Chang Xiao praising her ancestors, Yingtao was even more happy and talked about it incessantly. However, Chang Xiao still had some doubts. Did Nie Yinniang really exist? If this person really exists, has her swordsmanship really reached its peak? These questions can only be kept in mind. Yingtao said whatever she thought of, and warned: "You must be more careful. My mother has already sent a letter to ask for the Lord of Haoyue Palace. This person is amazing. The ancestors call her sister."

Chapter 137 Family History

Chang Xiao was of course interested in his upcoming opponent. From Yingtao's words, he learned that the Lord of Haoyue Palace was at least eighty or ninety years old, but she didn't look old at all. Her appearance was similar to Yingtao's mother, Lord Suyun Palace. From this, it can be inferred that the Lord of Haoyue Palace had extremely profound internal skills and had broken through the gate of life and death. Chang Xiao was happy. He didn't expect that this investigation would lead to such a master. Yingtao came secretly and couldn't stay for too long. After leaving in a hurry, Chang Xiao carefully pondered whether the people here were really descendants of Nie Yinniang. If this was true, then the swordsmanship of this family must be passed down to girls and not boys. According to this inference, the Haoyue Palace must be inhabited by men in this family. Since the Lord of Haoyue Palace was a woman, the women in the family must be better than the men. After thinking about it, Chang Xiao was full of curiosity about this family. Could Nie Yinniang's swordsmanship really travel thousands of miles in an instant? Chang Xiao didn't believe it in his heart. The story of the sword fairy was illusory. Perhaps Nie Yinniang's sword-controlling skills were indeed superb. When outsiders saw it, they were shocked and thought it was a god. The story spread, and later generations added some details, turning it into a story of a sword fairy. The swordsmanship of the upcoming Master of Haoyue Palace must be extremely amazing. I have to learn it carefully to see if I can compare with the Taoist Zuixia. While thinking about how to deal with it, I suddenly heard footsteps and two women walked in. Chang Xiao laughed at himself and said, "It seems that I didn't rest well today." The people who came in were the sisters Nie Jiuniang and Nie Sanniang. Nie Sanniang brought two dishes and put them on the table. She turned around and said, "I heard from my ninth sister that you have tasted the dishes of the two elders Shuijing. The first few dishes were just casual and didn't show their skills. Today I will let you open your eyes." Chang Xiao realized that Nie Sanniang was here to compete in skills. After careful observation, she nodded and praised: "Young lady, you have great skills. Even the imperial chefs in the inner palace can't make these two dishes." Nie Sanniang immediately asked: "What about the two elders, Shuijing?" Chang Xiao told the truth: "In terms of the excellent selection of ingredients, the fine combination, and the meticulous use of ingredients, young lady does have the upper hand. But the knife skills and the heat are a little worse. To be honest, young lady, the two elders, Shuijing, are extremely skilled in martial arts and are rare masters in the martial arts world. In this respect, young lady really can't compare with them."

If Chang Xiao made random comments, Nie Sanniang would certainly not believe it, but Chang Xiao's words made sense, so Nie Sanniang believed it to some extent, so she pondered and said, "You mean my martial arts are not as good as the two crystal elders." Chang Xiao nodded, "Those two have cultivated both inside and outside, and have surpassed the heads of the four famous families. They are indeed better than the young lady." Nie Sanniang frowned, "The four famous families don't have any masters at all, and the heads don't have any real skills. Judging from this, the two crystal elders may not be that good." Chang Xiao shook his head, "What the young lady said when she was chatting outside makes sense. How come you forgot it as soon as you came in? The four famous families have been famous in the world for many years and have a deep foundation. The heads of each family have unique skills that are passed down from generation to generation and will not be used until a critical moment. There are also many masters among the disciples, but the most taboo in the world is to be impatient, so these people are low-key. In fact, each of them is not simple." Nie Sanniang seemed to be thinking about something, and obviously understood something. Nie Jiuniang interrupted, "Sister, don't believe his nonsense. What does such a reckless man know?" Nie Sanniang said solemnly, "Sister, you have to change your temper. This man is not a reckless man. The fact that he can sneak here without making any noise shows that he is not simple." Nie Jiuniang was still unconvinced, "What kind of hero is sneaking around?" Nie Sanniang sighed lightly, turned around and left. Nie Jiuniang glared at Chang Xiao and left the stone chamber. Chang Xiao was amused. The women here are really interesting. Since there are such famous ancestors, it is no wonder that people here look down on people in the martial arts world. However, things are different now. First of all, Nie Yinniang may not be as powerful as the legend says, and secondly, her descendants may not be able to catch up. There is nothing to worry about. Therefore, Chang Xiao opened his arms and enjoyed the wine and food. On the other side, Suyun Palace Master was worried. Chang Xiao's martial arts were unexpectedly strong. He could not use the swordsmanship he had practiced for many years. Although he sent a letter to invite Haoyue Palace Master to come, it was hard to say whether he could win. If it was just for the sake of winning or losing, it would be fine, but with the added element of gambling, he could not afford to lose. Chang Xiao enjoyed himself to the fullest, but Palace Master Suyun felt like she was living a miserable life.

Finally, the news came that the Lord of Haoyue Palace had arrived, and Lord of Suyun Palace put down half of his worries. Chang Xiao lived very comfortably, eating and drinking well, and the little girl Yingtao came to entertain him when she had time, so he was not lonely. Three days passed quickly, and Nie Jiuniang led Chang Xiao to the hall. Although there were many people in front of him, Chang Xiao's attention was completely attracted by one person. A beautiful woman as beautiful as peach and plum, cold as ice, stood proudly in the middle, her eyes emitting cold light, and there was no trace of human emotion in her cold eyes, as if she was a god who was not in touch with the world and was high above. Although this woman took the lead, Chang Xiao was not an ordinary person after all. Even the mind-control technique of the Fire Poison Sect could not do anything to him, which showed Chang Xiao's concentration. The eyes of the two met, and an invisible confrontation had already begun. After testing, Lord of Haoyue Palace said: "Your concentration is good, I wonder how your swordsmanship is." From this sentence, Chang Xiao could already determine that this woman's cultivation was not good. How could a real master not feel what weapon the opponent used? Therefore, he said with dignity: "Palace Master, you think too highly of yourself. This competition is at most a draw. You have no advantage at all." This was already very polite. In fact, Chang Xiao should have the advantage. But Palace Master Haoyue disagreed and said coldly: "You are so arrogant. Today I will let you know that there are people who are better than you. There are always better things." Chang Xiao's expression was condensed. He stared at Palace Master Haoyue and said slowly: "I should say this. Palace Master, you'd better be more careful. I don't want this competition to end in just three moves or two styles." Palace Master Haoyue was shocked. Chang Xiao's eyes and words contained extremely strong self-confidence. It would be impossible for him to put such great pressure on himself without a terrifyingly strong force. At this moment, Palace Master Haoyue realized that this battle would never be easy. The strength of the opponent in front of him was beyond his imagination.

All the people in Yinxian Palace stood on both sides, staring at the two people in the middle. The Lord of Haoyue Palace was the most powerful person in the family, and he was the most skilled swordsman. In the eyes of the younger generation, he was the contemporary swordsman. He would definitely win this battle. How could a swordsman lose to a mortal? Others could think so, but the Lord of Haoyue Palace was not so optimistic. The glory of his ancestors did not represent anything. Everything depended on his real ability. Although he worked hard, he still had not mastered the swordsmanship passed down by his ancestors, and his opponent was so powerful. In view of the serious situation, the Lord of Haoyue Palace was ready to take the initiative and succeed in one fell swoop with the magic sword left by his ancestors. He would never let his opponent have a chance to fight back. If this family had not lived in seclusion, Chang Xiao's identity could be inferred from the electric shuttle. Chang Xiao's quick action was known to the world. If the Lord of Haoyue Palace knew this, he would definitely not make such a decision. But these people think too highly of themselves and never take people from the rivers and lakes to heart, so it is inevitable that they will suffer losses. The Lord of Haoyue Palace made up his mind, shouted softly, and performed a rare body movement. He stepped on the seven stars, and three figures appeared in an instant. This body movement contains the extremely profound Qimen Dunjia that has been passed down from ancient times, and has been extinct in the martial arts world for hundreds of years. The key to this body movement is to hide. The three figures are all phantoms, so the real body can get close to the opponent and deliver a fatal blow. Unfortunately, the Lord of Haoyue Palace was still wrong. After years of hard training, Chang Xiao has entered the state of unity between man and nature. No matter how the opponent moves, he cannot hide. These phantoms have no effect at all. Chang Xiao always takes the initiative when fighting with others. How can he be controlled by the opponent? When the Lord of Haoyue Palace came up and prepared to attack, he suddenly felt that his eyes were blurred and he lost the trace of Chang Xiao. This was quite surprising. If he failed to attack, he would inevitably lead to the opponent's counterattack. After all, the Lord of Haoyue Palace was proficient in swordsmanship. The sword in his sleeve flew left and right, protecting his whole body like a butterfly. But it was too late. Chang Xiao had already seized the moment to cut into the inner circle, turning his palm into a knife and performing a fierce move to split Huashan Mountain. There was no change, just the word "fast". The Lord of Haoyue Palace had miscalculated and had no chance to fight back. Chang Xiao's right palm was already close to his face.

Although the Lord of Haoyue Palace felt Chang Xiao's strength, he did not expect that Chang Xiao's move was like lightning, and there was no chance to fight back. After a few days of getting along, Chang Xiao's attitude towards this family has changed a little. After all, the other party is a woman, there is no need to be ruthless. Therefore, he temporarily stopped and went out of the circle. The Lord of Haoyue Palace stood there like a wooden sculpture. After a moment, he let out a long sigh: "I lost." The people of Yinxian Palace were shocked. Chang Xiao had been fighting with the Lord of Suyun Palace for a while. How could he win the battle with the Lord of Haoyue Palace, who was more powerful in swordsmanship? The Lord of Suyun Palace was stunned. The development of the matter was completely unexpected. Thinking of the seriousness of the matter, she couldn't help but pale. The victory or defeat of this competition directly involved the life and death of the ancestor. Unexpectedly, the Lord of Haoyue Palace, who was usually worshipped as a god, was defeated by this mysterious person. Chang Xiao smiled and said, "The Palace Master was eager to win, so he didn't leave me any room, and he didn't have much room either." Palace Master Haoyue gritted her teeth and asked, "Who are you?" Chang Xiao shook his head, "You have been in seclusion for many years, and you don't know much about the world. You may not know my name even if I say it. Since the Palace Master admits that he lost, the previous bet is still valid. I can give you a few more days. If you can invite a real master, there is still a chance." Palace Master Haoyue nodded, "That's it." She called her sister and Palace Master Suyun to leave the hall in a hurry to discuss countermeasures. Chang Xiao naturally returned to his residence. Everyone else was worried, but Yingtao, the little girl, was carefree. Seeing that no one was watching, she came to Chang Xiao again. As soon as they met, he asked: "How did you win?" Chang Xiao gestured: "It's very simple, I split Mount Hua with one move." Yingtao frowned: "You lied to me, the Lord of Haoyue Palace is very powerful, you must have used some advanced magic, tell me quickly, are you a Taoist priest from Maoshan?" Chang Xiao felt amused and explained: "I don't understand magic, I did use martial arts, it's just that I spent a little more effort than ordinary people." Yingtao naturally didn't believe it. Just as she was about to ask another question, she thought of a key question and changed the topic and asked: "Why did you bet with the ancestor? If you win, will you really take the ancestor's life? The ancestor is so good to me, can you pretend to admit defeat?" Chang Xiao hesitated and replied: "It's not that I want to bet, it's your ancestor who insisted. In fact, I have no intention of hurting this old man. But admitting defeat is not an option. I promise you, even if I win, I will not hurt the ancestor in the slightest." Yingtao was immediately relieved and started asking questions again.

Palace Master Haoyue had a very high opinion of herself, and it was inevitable that she was angry after losing this time. Palace Master Suyun was at a loss, but the old ancestor was very calm and said, "Second sister, don't be angry. At most, you can give him your sister's life." Palace Master Suyun shouted, "Grandma, how can this be done?" Palace Master Haoyue said bitterly, "This man's moves are invisible. Although he is standing there, I can't feel his presence. It's like facing a ghost." Palace Master Suyun knew that Palace Master Haoyue was the only one in the family who had the most profound swordsmanship. What could she do to save this situation? Palace Master Haoyue was very opinionated, and sighed, "For now, the only way is to go to the Snow Mountain to ask for help from my eldest brother." The old ancestor shook his head, "My eldest brother has cut off contact with us for at least forty years. How can he be invited? Besides, even if he is invited, we are not sure of winning." Palace Master Suyun didn't know about this, and asked hurriedly, and the old ancestor explained. It turned out that this family valued girls over boys. Women practiced swordsmanship since childhood, and they were very particular about food, clothing, housing and transportation. Men were much worse off, they could only learn the most basic swordsmanship and were subject to very strict constraints. The rules were like this, and there had been no changes for many years. In the generation of the Lord of Haoyue Palace, a rebellious figure appeared, the eldest brother of the Lord of Haoyue Palace. This man had great ambitions and was unwilling to live under the shadow of women, so he tried every means to change the situation. In addition to the sword manual, the ancestors also passed down a sword manual, which was left by the strange man Qiu Ranke of the Tang Dynasty. By chance, it fell into the hands of Nie Yinniang and was preserved. Although this sword manual was preserved, no one had ever practiced it, because this sword method was not suitable for women, and men in the family were not valued. The eldest brother of the Lord of Haoyue Palace accidentally learned about this, and tried every means to obtain the sword manual and practiced hard in secret, but he was discovered before the sword method was perfected, and according to the rules, he should abandon his martial arts. The ancestor took into account the feelings of compatriots and informed the news, so that this person was able to escape, saved his life, and disappeared from then on. Later, the Lord of Haoyue Palace became the new leader. He once looked for the whereabouts of his eldest brother, not for family affection, but to clean up the family. It was learned that this person lived in seclusion in the Great Snow Mountain, called himself Master Lingjiu, and practiced swordsmanship. The Lord of Haoyue Palace once went to the Great Snow Mountain in person and met his brother. The two fought several times. At the beginning, the Lord of Haoyue Palace had the upper hand, and Master Lingjiu used the trick of dying together to be saved. But not long after, Master Lingjiu's swordsmanship improved by leaps and bounds, and he actually fought the Lord of Haoyue Palace to a draw. Later, the ancestor came forward, and the brother and sister reconciled and reached an agreement that Master Lingjiu would not disclose the family secrets, and the Lord of Haoyue Palace would no longer embarrass her brother.

This incident happened many years ago, and no one knew about it except the Lord of Haoyue Palace and the old ancestor. Today, at the critical moment, the Lord of Haoyue Palace mentioned this brother. Lord Suyun did not dare to hold too much hope. The Lord of Haoyue Palace had great magical powers, but he was defeated in one move. Master Lingjiu was at most on par with the Lord of Haoyue Palace, and his chances of winning were slim. The old ancestor also had such concerns, but the Lord of Haoyue Palace was quite sure and explained: "Sister, you don't know. After the fight, I was worried that my elder brother would reveal the family secrets, so I kept an eye on him. For many years, my elder brother has never left the Great Snow Mountain and has been completely immersed in swordsmanship. His attainments are so high that I can't measure them." Lord Suyun was surprised and happy. She didn't expect that there was such a strange person hidden in the family. Palace Master Haoyue sighed and said, "Although we are siblings, my elder brother and I are already at loggerheads. It is not easy to ask him to come out of the mountain." Palace Master Suyun immediately said, "I will go there. No matter what, I must ask Master Lingjiu to come out." Palace Master Haoyue thought for a moment and nodded in agreement. He pointed out the path in detail and told Palace Master Suyun to keep the secret strictly and not to disclose it. Palace Master Suyun prepared to leave Yinxian Palace and rushed to the Great Snow Mountain. The matter was urgent and could not be delayed. Three days later, he had arrived at the Great Snow Mountain. The Great Snow Mountain was extremely high and steep. The highest peaks were covered with snow all year round. Ordinary people would naturally stay away. Palace Master Suyun had superb internal skills and practiced sword control, so it was natural for him to walk on flat ground. Palace Master Haoyue pointed out the path. Palace Master Suyun searched all the way and soon came to the foot of a mountain. It was extremely cold here. The mountain wind rolled up the snow grains and hit her face, which was very uncomfortable. Palace Master Suyun took a breath to protect herself and gritted her teeth to find a way to climb the mountain. Although some preparations were still very laborious, after all, she had never experienced this before. Palace Master Suyun wondered in her heart, how could Master Lingjiu bear to live in seclusion in such a desolate place? There was nothing in the colorful world outside? Living here would be boring to death.

Chapter 138: Master Lingjiu

Although she had a solid foundation and sword-controlling skills, Palace Master Suyun still felt tired after arriving at the cave where Master Lingjiu lived. She finally arrived at the place, rested for a while and prepared to enter the cave. Palace Master Haoyue had explained that Master Lingjiu had a high level of martial arts skills and would immediately know when someone came to the cave. While she was thinking about how to start, a thunderous and strange laugh suddenly came from the cave, making her eardrums buzz. Palace Master Suyun quickly took a breath to resist. After a while, a voice came from inside: "I'm finally here, second sister, there's a time when you need me for help." Palace Master Suyun didn't understand the meaning of the words. When she was thinking about it, she suddenly saw a blur in front of her eyes. When she looked closely, there was another person, thin, with messy long hair, pale face, no blood color, two eyes like lights, like a beast. Palace Master Suyun thought to herself: This person must be Master Lingjiu, so she bowed and said, "Junior Nie Suyun pays respects." This strange man was Master Lingjiu, who was extremely happy to see Palace Master Suyun, and was almost at a loss. He smiled and said, "Good, good, come in quickly, it's windy outside." Palace Master Suyun felt strange. Master Lingjiu had lived in seclusion for decades, and his temper should have been wiped out long ago. Why did he speak and behave so casually, not like a master at all. After the two entered the cave, they soon came to a simple stone room with only four or five thick cushions. Master Lingjiu casually pointed at the cushions and said, "Sit down and talk." Palace Master Suyun sat down with suspicion, and before he opened his mouth, Master Lingjiu asked, "What problem did my sister encounter that made her think of me?" Palace Master Suyun sighed and recounted the details of Chang Xiao's visit. Master Lingjiu praised, "Good boy, you are really good at it." Palace Master Suyun was even more surprised. No matter what, Master Lingjiu was also a member of the family. How could he praise his enemy when the family was in danger? Master Lingjiu smiled and said, "Don't be surprised. At the beginning, the family tried their best to kill me, but I couldn't beat them. I was caught by them and could only wait for death. It was my third sister who begged me and guaranteed my life to save my life. Later, although I came to the Great Snow Mountain, I still couldn't get rid of their control. It wasn't until my second sister became the leader that they relaxed a little. But my second sister forced me to swear a poisonous oath that I would not leave the Great Snow Mountain. Only when the family members come to invite me can I get rid of the shackles of the oath. With your coming, I can get rid of the oath and travel around the world. Don't you think I shouldn't thank that silly boy?"

Hearing this, Suyun Palace Master was shocked. It turned out that Haoyue Palace Master had reached an agreement with Lingjiu Master. Lingjiu Master was not really staying in the Great Snow Mountain, but was bound by the oath. Can such a person defeat the mysterious visitor? Did Haoyue Palace Master intentionally show favoritism and take this opportunity to restore her brother's freedom? Thinking wildly in her mind, she heard Lingjiu Master gnashing his teeth and saying, "Second sister, I will make you look good." There was a lot of resentment in his words. Suyun Palace Master asked, "Haoyue Palace Master has freed you from the oath and restored your freedom. You are siblings. It's okay if you are not grateful, but why do you resent her?" Lingjiu Master said bitterly, "Try living in this Great Snow Mountain for decades. Not seeing anyone in a year can drive people crazy. I have lived here for decades. Have you ever thought about that feeling?" Suyun Palace Master realized the pain of Lingjiu Master. If it were her, she would not be able to bear this loneliness. Lingjiu Master was very excited. After waiting for decades, he could finally leave this ghost place. There was nothing to pack, so he only took a knife with him and went down the mountain. Looking back at the snow-white mountain peaks, Master Lingjiu stamped his feet and said, "Even if the sky collapses and the earth breaks, I will not come back." Palace Master Suyun could fully understand this feeling. The first thing Master Lingjiu did after going down the mountain was to wash and change clothes. Palace Master Suyun was naturally prepared. If he went back like this, he would inevitably be laughed at by outsiders. Master Lingjiu was well-read, but there was no way he could stay in that kind of place. Now that he was going to the human world, he naturally had to dress up. After dressing up, he looked completely different. Palace Master Suyun knew that Master Lingjiu was older than the ancestor, but after dressing up, she found that Master Lingjiu was not as old as she imagined. There was no wrinkle on his face, his back was straight, and he was full of energy. Palace Master Suyun was also an expert and could see that this Master Lingjiu was indeed better than Palace Master Haoyue. Although Palace Master Haoyue looked young, he actually had wrinkles at the corners of his eyebrows and eyes, which could still be seen even though he carefully covered them up. But this Master Lingjiu is different. He is full of energy, like a young man.

Chang Xiao naturally stayed in the Hidden Immortal Palace to wait, with endless wine and delicious food, and he was happy and comfortable. After the defeat, the Lord of Haoyue Palace was depressed and couldn't figure out the reason. How could he lose to such a simple move after years of hard training? How could the opponent launch such a fierce attack in that fleeting moment? When he was thinking hard, he suddenly saw Cherry. Others were worried, but this little girl was humming a little song and jumping around. The Lord of Haoyue Palace felt strange and called Cherry to come closer. Cherry was still carefree. After bowing, he asked: "Is there something the Lord wants to talk to me about?" The Lord of Haoyue Palace nodded: "Your ancestor took his life as a bet, why aren't you worried? Is the ancestor not good to you?" Cherry immediately replied: "The ancestor is very good to me, but I'm not worried. That person said he won't hurt the ancestor." The Lord of Haoyue Palace was stunned: "Which person?" Cherry curled her lips: "It's the one in the martial arts competition." The Lord of Haoyue Palace was moved, and then asked: "When did he say that?" Cherry thought about it, shook her head and said: "I can't remember, we chat every day, I can't remember when he said it, anyway, he said it. "The Master of the Haoyue Palace thought for a moment, maybe he could learn something from this little girl, so he asked: "What did he say on the day of the competition?" Cherry shook her head: "It's been several days, I can't remember." The Master of the Haoyue Palace asked in a different way: "What did he say about the competition?" Cherry thought for a moment before answering: "He said he only used a move called the Huashan Splitting Move, but I don't believe it, he must know magic." The Master of the Haoyue Palace knew that this little girl had a simple mind, so he could only ask indirectly, so he asked: "Did that person say how good my swordsmanship was?" Cherry thought for a moment and answered: "He said that the Master had too many concerns in his heart, his moves were not coherent, and his experience was not rich enough, and I forgot everything else." The Master of the Haoyue Palace nodded secretly. If it wasn't for the head of the family, his swordsmanship would definitely not be what it is now. It was not easy to ask these from Cherry, so the Master of the Haoyue Palace changed the subject: "What do you think of this person?" Cherry thought without hesitation: "Very good, his magic is so powerful, but he has always been polite, and he waited for us to invite people after winning the bet. "

Everyone in the Hidden Immortal Palace was very hostile to Chang Xiao, and Yingtao's words could be said to be a wake-up call. The Lord of the Haoyue Palace immediately realized that Chang Xiao had no ill intentions at all. With his ability, he could get whatever he wanted. He won the duel and the bet, so why should he stay here and wait? Moreover, in a fair duel, life and death are determined by fate. Chang Xiao showed mercy twice, obviously not looking for trouble. Thinking of this, the Lord of the Haoyue Palace relaxed his tight strings. So Zhan Yan smiled and said, "Yingtao, go tell your third sister to cook a few dishes to entertain him. In addition, when you are free, go and chat with him. After the chat, come to my place and talk." Yingtao was very happy and ran to find Nie Sanniang immediately. The Lord of the Haoyue Palace immediately sent someone to find his sister. The old ancestor had been uneasy. It was nothing to lose his life in the bet, but the prestige of the family was destroyed. How could he have the face to meet his predecessors in the underworld? If this knot could not be untied, he would naturally not be able to eat or sleep well. The Lord of the Haoyue Palace invited him to come out to meet. Palace Master Haoyue recounted Yingtao's words, and the old ancestor shook his head and said, "How can we take a child's words seriously?" Palace Master Haoyue shook his head: "It is precisely because Yingtao is young that she will not tell lies. I think her words are credible, and there is no need for that person to lie." The old ancestor thought for a moment and nodded: "Second sister's words make sense. My mind is full of bets and I can't think of anything else." Palace Master Haoyue put forward his own thoughts: "This person should not be hostile to us, but why did he come here? Is it really for the sword-controlling technique?" The old ancestor sighed: "I didn't expect that the sword-controlling technique passed down by our ancestors would decline in our generation. It seems that we are indeed a little bit sitting in a well and looking at the world." Palace Master Haoyue nodded: "I feel the same way. Our ancestors lived in seclusion and always regarded the people of Jianghu as nothing. I didn't expect such a person to appear in Jianghu. This person's martial arts are so simple but so difficult. The sword-controlling technique we have studied for most of our lives cannot be used at all. It seems that the sword-controlling technique passed down by our ancestors is not a unique and unique skill."

When Master Lingjiu came to Yinxian Palace, he naturally met his relatives. He treated his ancestors very kindly, but was extremely arrogant towards the Lord of Haoyue Palace. The three of them discussed in the quiet room. The Lord of the Haoyue Palace said, "Brother, I know you hate me, but there is nothing I can do. The rules set by our ancestors cannot be changed." Master Lingjiu sneered, "Why has it changed now? Everything in the family is decided by women. Why should I come?" The old ancestor persuaded, "Brother, although the second sister is the leader, she has many concerns. It is also a good intention to arrange for you to meditate in the Great Snow Mountain." Master Lingjiu said angrily, "Good intentions, but is that where people live? You go and try it." The Lord of the Haoyue Palace was the leader after all, and said seriously, "Brother, if you don't want to come, you can go back. Things here are not that bad. I can handle it. If it weren't for the relationship between brother and sister, why would I give you the sword manual? Why would I send someone to invite you?" Master Lingjiu thought for a moment. If this sister really turned against him, he would have to go back to the Great Snow Mountain. Thinking of this, he quickly changed his face and said, "I was just angry just now. I have been depressed for decades, so I naturally feel bad." The old ancestor tried to smooth things over, and the Lord of the Haoyue Palace's expression eased. Master Lingjiu asked Chang Xiao, and the Lord of Haoyue Palace recounted the experience of the fight. Master Lingjiu pondered for a moment and said, "This person is extraordinary. I need the Wind-Splitting Blade treasured by Haoyue Palace and the Flow-Breaking Blade treasured by Yinxian Palace." The Lord of Haoyue Palace asked, "The precious swords are fine, but why do you need two?" Master Lingjiu smiled and said, "Second sister, this leader is really unworthy of his reputation. This person is obviously a master of swords. Although he didn't bring a precious sword with him, he still used swordsmanship. Which family's swordsmanship is powerful enough to split Huashan?" The Lord of Haoyue Palace finally realized, "I see, but if he is a master of swordsmanship, how could he come to Yinxian Palace? It is impossible for someone who doesn't know how to control a sword to easily cross the natural dangers." Master Lingjiu smiled and said, "This matter will only be understood after the fight. Go and get the swords."

This family has lived in seclusion since the Tang Dynasty, and they still uphold the customs of the time, passing down poetry and books, keeping a promise, and being upright. It is difficult for people to understand that Master Lingjiu stayed in the Great Snow Mountain for decades for a vow. Chang Xiao took the risk alone, and there were many means he could use, such as poisoning, traps, and joining forces to resist the enemy. But these people not only couldn't do it, but couldn't even think of it. Master Lingjiu wanted two swords, which meant that he had to fight with Chang Xiao fairly and couldn't take advantage of him. The Lord of Haoyue Palace sent someone to Haoyue Palace to get the Pifeng Sword. Yingtao learned about this and immediately told Chang Xiao. Knowing that Master Lingjiu had stayed in the barren mountain for decades for a vow, Chang Xiao felt a surge of respect in his heart. Such a character was too rare, and this family still had many merits. Master Lingjiu began to prepare for the competition. Although he had been immersed in the sword manual for decades, he had never fought with anyone after all, and the opponent's moves were extremely fast, so he couldn't be careless. Soon the Pifeng Sword was brought, and Master Lingjiu had his first meeting with Chang Xiao. After the two sat opposite each other, Master Lingjiu asked first: "Who taught you the sword technique?" Chang Xiao smiled and said: "It's the Liuhe Sword Technique. I don't know who created it." Master Lingjiu nodded: "Your path is much more difficult than mine." A warm current surged in Chang Xiao's heart. He could understand his hardships with just one sentence. This person could be his close friend. Master Lingjiu continued to ask: "How can you come to the Hidden Immortal Palace if you haven't learned the sword-controlling technique?" Chang Xiao was puzzled and asked back: "How do you know that I haven't learned the sword-controlling technique?" Master Lingjiu smiled: "The sword-controlling technique is passed down from ancient times, and the requirements for the successor are extremely strict. Your eyes are unrestrained and uninhibited, and obviously you have not been subject to such harsh constraints." Chang Xiao sincerely praised: "You are really smart. I really haven't learned the sword-controlling technique. I just use a hidden weapon to drive my body, which is similar to the sword-controlling technique in form but not in spirit." Master Lingjiu sighed: "To be able to do this, the hardships you have endured are absolutely unimaginable to ordinary people. I didn't expect that there are such people in the world today." Chang Xiao found that this Master Lingjiu had elegant conversation, sharp thinking, and his eyes were full of wisdom. After a conversation, the two had a certain understanding of each other. Chang Xiao determined that this person was a rare master who had realized the changes of heaven and earth from the Xuanmen classics and then cultivated his qi and self-cultivation. Master Lingjiu also realized that the person in front of him had been through a lot of hardships, and this time the two were evenly matched at most, and he had no advantage at all.

Palace Master Suyun sent two precious swords. Master Lingjiu asked Chang Xiao to choose one, and then asked, "Why did you put down the precious sword you carried with you?" Chang Xiao sighed lightly: "Looking around the world, there is no opponent that satisfies me." Master Lingjiu smiled and said, "I thought there were many masters in the world, but it turns out that there are not many people like you." Chang Xiao agreed: "It can be said that the other masters are leisurely and secluded, and only I am in the world, so I have made some reputation." Master Lingjiu smiled and asked: "Then do you think I am qualified to be your opponent and let you pick up the sword again?" Chang Xiao said solemnly: "You are well-versed in ancient and modern times, and your cultivation has reached the realm of perfection. You are an ideal opponent." Master Lingjiu laughed and stood up, reached out and picked up the Broken Flow Knife: "This place is not spacious enough, let's fight outside." Chang Xiao picked up the Pifeng Knife, and the two left the Hidden Immortal Palace one after another, climbed the cliff, and came to a verdant mountain. It was early in the morning, the red sun was rising, the breeze swayed the green leaves, and the air was particularly fresh. Master Lingjiu and Chang Xiao sat opposite each other on the top of the mountain, calm and ready to fight. Originally, Chang Xiao was worried that the Lord of Haoyue Palace would come to watch the fight, and he couldn't give his full attention if he had concerns in his heart. Master Lingjiu had already thought of it, and was the first to speak: "There are only two of us in this competition. For the sake of fairness, no one will come to watch, so as not to be distracted." Chang Xiao was very satisfied. The people in this family really understand things and think carefully about everything. After the two of them adjusted their breathing, Master Lingjiu shouted, jumped up, and unsheathed the Broken Flow Sword, shooting out a dazzling cold light, covering his head. After the decisive battle with Duan Qingxiao, Chang Xiao had hardly fought with anyone. This time he finally had the opportunity. The presence of a master inspired Chang Xiao's fighting spirit, and the Wind-Splitting Sword was unsheathed with lightning, and the cold air was chilling. Master Lingjiu was overjoyed and said, "Your sword energy can be controlled by your heart. This is rare. I will go all out today." Chang Xiao was of course very happy. Master Lingjiu had been studying sword energy for many years, but had never had the opportunity to display it. He was very happy to meet a master like Chang Xiao. He sent his energy through his right arm, and the light of the Broken Flow Sword increased greatly. The sword energy broke through the air, making a sharp whistling sound. Chang Xiao was overjoyed. He did not expect Master Lingjiu's sword energy to be so powerful and his moves to be so mysterious. This trip really brought him a lot of gains.

Chapter 139: Fantastic Ideas

On the mountain peak, Chang Xiao and Master Lingjiu fought with swords. The visible precious sword collided with the invisible sword energy, making loud noises, like thunder, and the valley roared with an extremely shocking momentum. There was no figure in the sunlight, only two balls of bright silver light colliding with each other. Master Lingjiu had been immersed in swordsmanship all his life, and he had obtained the most profound sword manual. His high achievement was self-evident. Chang Xiao did not expect that this opponent was so powerful, with abundant sword energy and superb swordsmanship. The most rare thing was that the sword was as fast as the wind, and it appeared and disappeared like a ghost. It was just right to give it a try. So the two showed their abilities and fought hard on the mountain peak. The sword manual studied by Master Lingjiu was passed down from the strange man Qiu Ranke in the Tang Dynasty. It goes without saying that it was brilliant, and Chang Xiao's Liuhe swordsmanship was constantly improving. It was just like the saying that chess meets a match and generals meet talents. For Chang Xiao, this opponent is different from Duan Qingxiao. Duan Qingxiao's martial arts are magnificent, while Lingjiu Shangren's martial arts are extremely clever, and his moves and sword energy are extremely coherent and natural. Chang Xiao was full of joy and took out what he had learned in his life to fight against Lingjiu Shangren. The two did not give in to each other and their moves were as fast as lightning. After a long fight, Lingjiu Shangren realized that the opponent was indeed using Liuhe swordsmanship, which was extremely ordinary. He used the mysterious swordsmanship passed down by the strange man of the Tang Dynasty, and the difference was self-evident. But he just couldn't get the upper hand at all. It was obviously very ordinary and simple moves, but the opponent was so difficult to perform. The two sides of the fight had extremely deep internal strength and long-lasting strength. They became more and more courageous as they fought. At the beginning, they had some tentative intentions, but later they let go of their hands and feet, and the swordsmanship unfolded, and the entire peak was covered with cold light. The two started from early morning and were still inseparable at noon. Chang Xiao was very happy. He had never thought that there was such a master hidden in the mountains. He was full of heroic spirit and roared to the sky. The sound echoed in the sky for a long time. Lingjiu was secretly surprised. After such a hard fight, the opponent still had such abundant true energy. This person was really unfathomable. After a long roar, the light of the wind-splitting knife in Chang Xiao's hand increased greatly, and the knife energy gushed out with the knife, like an unstoppable sea wave. Lingjiu was a little tired. After fighting for half a day, his energy had been depleted. Facing the unstoppable offensive, he was really a little overwhelmed. Chang Xiao was so excited that he had forgotten everything and let go of the attack. Lingjiu struggled to support himself and secretly complained. At this moment, someone suddenly applauded and laughed. Chang Xiao's heart moved, and he put away the knife and stepped back. Lingjiu breathed a sigh of relief. He didn't care about anything else. He adjusted his breath and recovered his vitality.

It was impossible for the people from the Hidden Immortal Palace to come and watch the fight. There were only a handful of people in the world who had the ability to sneak here, and there was only one person who had the leisure time, and that was naturally the monk Shenmu. Chang Xiao smiled and said, "Why do you have the interest to come here, senior?" As expected, the monk Shenmu appeared on the side and pointed, "If I hadn't come, this guy would have been hurt. It would have been too late for you to regret it. Why don't you thank me?" Chang Xiao then noticed Master Lingjiu and blamed himself. He should have always paid attention to the changes of his opponent, but he was so excited about the fight that he forgot this. At this time, he could not take care of anything else and looked at Master Lingjiu carefully to make sure that he was fine. The monk Shenmu smiled and said, "I'm right, aren't you thanking me?" Chang Xiao bowed deeply and said, "This time, it's really thanks to you, senior." The monk Shenmu was very pleased with himself and said, "It's not enough to just say it. I spent a lot of effort to find this place." Chang Xiao nodded and agreed, "Okay, but how did you find this place?" The monk Shenmu told the story. It turned out that not long after the Zixiao Palace Conference, the monk Shenmu suddenly had a whim and wanted to go to the Never-Sleeping City to watch the lanterns and set off fireworks. He felt strange when he didn't see Chang Xiao in the Never-Sleeping City. Usually, Chang Xiao would bring the Jade Butterfly and the Fire Dragon Horse when he went out. Now he must have something to do when he went out alone. After deduction, the monk Shenmu determined that Chang Xiao's trip was related to Nie Jiuniang. Now there was something interesting to watch, so the monk Shenmu found Ziyun Gu and asked her to use the power of the Beggar Gang to find Nie Jiuniang's whereabouts. It was not easy to find Nie Jiuniang. Nie Jiuniang only showed up once at the Zixiao Palace Conference and did not attract attention. It was difficult to find such a person. Thanks to the information from Lu Wenjun, Nie Jiuniang's whereabouts were known, and the final target was Laojun Mountain. Monk Shenmu came here quickly and found the cliff, but there was no way to go down. People who don't know how to control the sword can't control the rapidly falling body. Monk Shenmu suddenly had an idea to make a big kite and fly down. Ziyun Gu sent people to help, but things didn't go smoothly. Many attempts failed. Monk Shenmu thought it was fun, so he stayed in Laojun Mountain. One day, he heard a noise and saw the light on the top of the mountain. Monk Shenmu knew that someone was fighting, so he came to watch the fight and just got out of the siege.

After Lingjiu Master recovered his strength, he looked up to the sky and sighed: "God rewards hard work, God rewards hard work." Shenmu Bhikkhu asked: "What do you mean? Tell me." Lingjiu Master knew that if Shenmu Bhikkhu had not appeared at the right time, he would have been hurt, so he was grateful and explained: "This sentence is easy to understand, that is, God pays special attention to hardworking people and takes special care of them." Shenmu Bhikkhu nodded in agreement: "You don't know, this guy is simply not a human, he is the only one who can practice the Liuhe sword technique to this level in the past hundred years." Although Lingjiu Master was not as good as Chang Xiao, he was not an ordinary person after all. He knew that Shenmu Bhikkhu was not young, and this was similar to what he had learned, so he looked up to him. Shenmu Bhikkhu could not hide his thoughts, and pointed to a small mountain and said: "Come with me and see my big kite." He did not allow anyone to refute him at all, and flew away. Master Lingjiu asked, "Who is this expert?" Chang Xiao smiled and said, "The famous monk Shenmu of the Emei Sect has superb internal skills and unique light skills." Master Lingjiu nodded, "How can such an expert be missed?" Chang Xiao had no choice but to follow the monk Shenmu as they ran to another peak. Although they were far apart, it was nothing unusual for the three of them. They soon reached the top of the peak, which was about 15 or 16 feet above the ground. The monk Shenmu proudly showed off his big kite. Chang Xiao took a closer look and found that the kite was indeed not small, more than two people tall, with a frame made of thin bamboo, covered with silk, and painted with patterns, which was very beautiful. When Master Lingjiu learned that Monk Shenmu actually wanted to use this kite to fly, he couldn't help but laugh. Monk Shenmu snorted: "Do you think I'm kidding? I've flown it several times. If the wind direction wasn't wrong, I would have flown to the place where you're competing and scared you." Master Lingjiu was skeptical: "Can this kite really take people to the sky?" Chang Xiao pondered for a moment and put forward his own opinion: "I think it's possible. When a goshawk flies in the sky, it often spreads its wings and stays motionless, relying entirely on the wind to float in the air. If the design is reasonable, it is not impossible for people to fly in the sky." Monk Shenmu was overjoyed: "You still understand. I'll fly it once and show you." Chang Xiao said hurriedly: "No hurry, this kite still has defects and should be repaired. It would be a pity if it breaks."

Monk Shenmu said that he was exaggerating when he said he was flying in the sky. In fact, he just glided for a while and landed. Chang Xiao meant that he really flew with the wind. Monk Shenmu immediately became interested and asked, "Tell me, what's wrong with my kite?" Chang Xiao smiled and said, "This kite is too heavy. If you let it fly, it won't fly. You should try to reduce the weight. In addition, you can't just focus on the appearance. You should pay attention to practicality. The material should be as light as possible, and the edges should be like blades. In fact, I am not an expert. If I want to do this, I will definitely ask a master craftsman to help." Monk Shenmu began to think about it. Master Lingjiu thought it was very interesting. This idea was too bold. From ancient times to the present, no one has ever heard of people flying in the sky with the help of the wind. After a while, the monk Shenmu slapped his forehead and said, "I don't care. You do it for me." Chang Xiao refused and said, "I have a lot of things to do. I'm afraid I don't have time to deal with this matter." Of course, the monk Shenmu refused and shouted, "No, I have helped you so much, and you won't do such a small thing. No." Chang Xiao immediately regretted why he came up with this idea. The monk Shenmu was in a playful mood and forgot about it in two days. His reminder just whetted her appetite, and now it was troublesome. Making a kite is certainly not a big deal, but it is difficult to take people to the sky. The monk Shenmu took it seriously, and Chang Xiao had to agree. At present, the first thing to do is to solve the matter of Master Lingjiu. The monk Shenmu had a new goal and lost interest in the Nie family. He immediately left Laojun Mountain with the kite and went to the Never-Sleeping City to find the four brothers Jiantong to study together. Chang Xiao and Master Lingjiu returned to Yinxian Palace. The Lord of Haoyue Palace was naturally concerned about the victory or defeat. Master Lingjiu spoke frankly and admitted that his cultivation was not as good as Chang Xiao. Palace Master Suyun was shocked. The defeat of Master Lingjiu meant that the bet was completely lost. The ancestor had staked his life on it and could not afford to lose. However, Palace Master Haoyue was very calm. It was certain that Chang Xiao had no ill intentions and her third sister would not be in any danger. The three siblings sat together with Chang Xiao and prepared exquisite wine and food. Palace Master Suyun was not present.

Chang Xiao was very interested in this family. Why did these people hide in a place where few people go? How did they inherit the family for so many years? As the leader, the Lord of Haoyue Palace naturally knew these things. She told them in detail at the banquet that this family was headed by women, and all the descendants took their mother's surname. The selection of sons-in-law was very strict. They did not require martial arts, but they must be outstanding in literature and dignified in appearance. Chang Xiao was surprised. Ordinary men were unwilling to marry into the family, and outstanding men were even more unwilling. It was a great shame for men to have their children take their mother's surname. The Lord of Haoyue Palace explained that because of the sword-controlling technique, once a person in the family appeared, he would be regarded as an immortal, so no one would refuse. Once they got married, they would only have three years to get along with each other, and then they would send the man away without any worries. Chang Xiao realized that the saying that literati met immortals was not groundless, but it seemed a bit cruel to do so. The Palace Master of Haoyue said with a smile: "Three years is neither short nor long. Rather than waiting until we are old and gray, sighing to each other in vain, it is better to separate early and leave beautiful memories." Chang Xiao was originally a very open-minded person. He nodded and smiled: "What the Palace Master said makes sense. The beauty is old and the hero is at the end of his life. It is a good idea to withdraw early." Master Lingjiu sighed: "In fact, I have taken advantage of this competition. If you used your own sword, I would not be able to support it for so long." Chang Xiao smiled and said: "Thanks to the appearance of the Divine Eye Monk. If she doesn't come again, I will prepare to use my left-handed sword." Master Lingjiu was shocked. He originally expected that the gap between him and Chang Xiao was not big. Now it seems that the opponent has not been using his full strength and still has reservations. The Palace Master of Haoyue was extremely shocked when he learned about this. He could not imagine how Chang Xiao could reach such a high level. Chang Xiao has never revealed his identity, and the Palace Master of Haoyue did not ask, but only asked about some things in the martial arts world. Chang Xiao knew that the master of Haoyue Palace was too eager to achieve success when practicing internal skills, which had buried hidden dangers. He could not solve this problem by himself. The only one who could help was the monk Shenmu, so he proposed this matter. The master of Haoyue Palace felt embarrassed. He had no contact with the outside world and did not know the monk Shenmu at all. How could he ask for help? Chang Xiao decided to find a way to get the monk Shenmu to help, and then left the Yinxian Palace and returned to the Never-Sleeping City.

At this time, the city that never sleeps is very lively. Everyone's attention is focused on the big kite of Monk Shenmu. Everyone has the dream of flying, but few people actually do it. Monk Shenmu has always regarded herself as a half-master in the city that never sleeps. She is not polite to anyone and orders people around at will. Her cultivation is there, and she is a veritable senior master, so no one cares about her. Under her arrangement, five expert craftsmen who specialize in making kites have been invited, and a lot of materials have been prepared. The four brothers Jiantong and Qintong are running around to help. They also want to know the result. Can people really fly into the sky? Chang Xiao came back and saw the busy scene and felt funny. He also blamed himself for being too talkative and making so many people busy. After seeing Yudie, before he said a few words, Monk Shenmu ran over and shouted, "Go and have a look, the first kite has been made." Chang Xiao wanted to refuse, but Yudie was also very curious and urged him to go to the front to have a look. With everyone's efforts, a kite was indeed completed. Although it was large, it was extremely light. Chang Xiao immediately ordered to take it to a high place and fly it to see how it works. Shenmu Bhikkhu was anxious and wanted to go up at that time. Chang Xiao persuaded him, "Don't be anxious, it's okay if it can't fly. Once it flies up, it will be difficult to control and it will be dangerous if it falls." Shenmu Bhikkhu thought about it and didn't insist. The first flight went smoothly. The big kite flew up in the air with the wind and was extremely stable. Next, Chang Xiao ordered to increase the weight and hang a heavy object under the kite. When it was added to 30 kilograms, it was difficult to keep the kite balanced even though it flew. Chang Xiao understood that if someone else was on it, they could control the kite at any time and face the wind. It was still possible to succeed. Then the second and third kites went up to the sky one after another. After many flights, they finally gained some experience. After many improvements, they finally made a big kite that could fly with more than 100 kilograms of weight. Shenmu Bhikkhu clapped his hands and cheered, very excited.

After several busy days, Chang Xiao did not see his daughter Qingting. He felt strange. Qingting would not miss such a novel thing. After asking, he learned that Qingting liked the dishes and pastries made by the two elders, Shuijing, and had left the city that never sleeps to taste the food. Duan Xiyun and Yin Tianlei are both outstanding people in the world. Qingting has nothing to worry about with them. The kite is completed and is finally going to be released. Shenmu monk is very happy. To be safe, Chang Xiao decided to try it himself first. Shenmu monk of course refused. The method was thought up by himself, so of course he would be the first to test it. Chang Xiao persuaded: "I don't want to argue with the seniors, but I am worried about losing control. If it really falls, I can use the electric shuttle to dissolve the strong force." Shenmu monk hesitated for a long time before reluctantly agreeing. Chang Xiao has always been steady in doing things. He has studied the changes in wind and made full preparations. He came to the highest peak of Julong Mountain and unfolded the kite with the help of the strong wind. The kite drove Chang Xiao to slide into the valley. If it just glides and then falls, it is not considered a success. Shenmu Bhikkhu stared at it closely, watching the kite carrying Chang Xiao all the way down and quickly approaching the ground. Just when he was disappointed, he suddenly saw the kite leap up, blown into the air by a strong wind, and quickly surpassed the mountain. Shenmu Bhikkhu was overjoyed and clapped his hands and cheered. Chang Xiao also felt very novel. Originally it was for a game, but after really flying into the sky, he had a wonderful feeling. The trees, rivers, and mountains were vivid in his mind, as if he had really become a flying bird, soaring freely. Seeing Chang Xiao in the air, Shenmu Bhikkhu was very anxious and urged Chang Xiao to come down quickly so that he could go up. Chang Xiao realized that it was not so easy to control the direction of the kite. He had to follow the wind and let the kite take in the wind like a sail. No matter how he turned, he could not go against the wind. In addition, it was not easy to control the landing point. He needed to follow the wind and find the landing point to gradually lower himself. He must not be impatient.

Chapter 140: Game Life

Hearing that the kite really took people to the sky, people in the city that never sleeps came to see the novelty. Such a thing has never been heard of from ancient times to the present. After Chang Xiao landed, Shenmu Bhikkhu couldn't wait and wanted to go up immediately. Chang Xiao hurriedly explained the key points of controlling the kite. Although Shenmu Bhikkhu was anxious, he also understood the truth. Although his lightness skills were unparalleled in the world, it was also dangerous to fall from such a high sky. Therefore, he listened carefully and remembered it firmly in his heart. After some preparation, with the cheers of Shenmu Bhikkhu, the kite flew into the sky again. Because Shenmu Bhikkhu was thin and much lighter than Chang Xiao, he quickly flew to a high altitude. At the beginning, Shenmu Bhikkhu did not dare to be careless. He tried to control the kite carefully and follow the wind. Not long after, after mastering some tricks, he began to be proud, looking around and enjoying the beautiful scenery. Just then, a group of wild geese flew by, and Shenmu Bhikkhu was overjoyed and immediately approached. The wild geese saw this monster and hid. Shenmu Bhikkhu cheered loudly and was extremely excited. Although it was far away, Chang Xiao had superb internal strength and his eyesight was far better than that of ordinary people. He could see it clearly and could not help but complain: "How can you forget yourself at this time?" Others did not understand, so Chang Xiao explained: "When you are in the sky, you have no place to borrow strength. No matter how high your martial arts are, you cannot display them. You must not be careless. This senior is too playful. If he loses control, it will be troublesome." Before he finished speaking, the monk Shenmu greeted the wild geese above, and the kite suddenly turned sideways and slid down quickly. Chang Xiao shouted that it was not good, and the electric shuttle shot out like a flash. His figure was like an arrow from a string, and he rushed towards the kite at a high speed. Although the people in the Never-Sleeping City knew that Chang Xiao used the electric shuttle to move very fast, and was on par with the sword-controlling skills of the Taoist Zuixia, most of them had never seen it. This time, they were enlightened. It turned out that it was really so fast. Chang Xiao rarely showed his martial arts unless it was necessary. This time, the monk Shenmu played too much and was extremely dangerous. He had no choice but to use the electric shuttle. Finally, he arrived before the monk Shenmu landed on the ground, and condensed his true energy to send out a palm, which was powerful enough to break the monument and shatter the stone. The monk Shenmu was an expert in martial arts, and he immediately waved his palm to catch it, using Chang Xiao's palm power to dissolve the force of the fall, and landed lightly, grinning and saying, "You've overplayed your hand."

No one could do anything to this senior. Normally, he should stop after suffering a loss, but the monk Shenmu wanted to go to heaven. Chang Xiao tried to persuade him, but the monk Shenmu didn't listen at all. He pointed and said, "I have nothing to fear with you below to catch me. Besides, it doesn't matter if I can't catch you. I will die if I die." Chang Xiao knew that this senior had already seen through life and death, so he had no choice but to accompany him. The monk Shenmu prepared to go to heaven again. He was more careful after failing once. It was really uncomfortable to fall down, and he was also laughed at by others. Seeing the appearance of the Divine-Eyed Monk in the sky, the Jade Butterfly next to him was extremely envious and asked Chang Xiao: "Can I go up?" Chang Xiao shook his head: "You don't know martial arts, it is difficult to control the kite and follow the wind. And the wind is strong at high altitudes, you can't stand it." The Jade Butterfly felt regretful: "It would be great if I could fly to the sky too." The sword boy next to him interrupted: "If you make a bigger kite, maybe you can take two people up." The Jade Butterfly immediately perked up. Chang Xiao smiled bitterly and said: "I got into this trouble because I talked too much. Won't it be more troublesome when you say that?" The sword boy chuckled: "To be honest with the city lord, my brothers and I also want to fly up and experience it. Life should always be colorful. There are so many heroes in ancient and modern times, how many have experienced this feeling?" The wine boy echoed: "That's right, the famous King of Chu did not have such a blessing. As long as I can fly to the sky, I would rather quit drinking." The crane boy and the piano boy felt the same way. Chang Xiao nodded helplessly: "Well, you brothers are all good at cultivation, you should be able to master the essentials. By the way, flying in the sky is really nice, with a wide field of vision, and it is a unique experience." Jade Butterfly heard that Jian Tong and his brother also wanted to go to the sky, and she said she would try it no matter what. Chang Xiao reluctantly agreed and began to plan to make a kite. At noon, the wind weakened, and the monk Shenmu felt hungry, so he landed to eat a big meal. Jian Tong expressed his idea, and the monk Shenmu applauded: "It's always lonely to fly alone, it's fun to play together." Therefore, he made every effort to promote it, and Chang Xiao had to continue making the kite.

With experience, the progress was naturally faster. Various kites were made one after another. Each one was tested by Chang Xiao before others were allowed to fly. Half a month later, Jian Tong and Qin Tong brothers could already fly to the sky with kites. Shenmu monk was extremely happy. He played with the four brothers in the sky, like wild geese in order. Seeing others fly to the sky one after another, Yu Hudie was very anxious, but it was not so easy to take people to the sky. After many experiments, the big kite was finally successful. Chang Xiao took Yu Hudie to fly in the wind. Yu Hudie cheered. What else could she ask for in life? Shenmu monk was also very happy. He could show off to everyone with such an experience. Since then, these people have been playing in the sky every three or two days. Some people in Julong Town went up the mountain to chop firewood. They didn't take the kite seriously. Later, someone found that there was actually someone on the kite. This was the first new thing in the world. It was inevitable to spread it everywhere. The news spread quickly. Many people didn't believe it. It was impossible for such a thing to happen in the world. Soon, people in the world knew about this and felt half-believing and half-doubting. The first person to be alarmed was the leader of the Beggars' Sect, Ziyun Gu, because it was Ziyun Gu who helped when Monk Shenmu was making kites in Laojun Mountain, so Ziyun Gu believed the rumor. If Chang Xiao fully assisted, it would not be impossible to fly a kite to the sky. In order to see it with her own eyes, Ziyun Gu decided to go to the City That Never Sleeps and see it for herself. Monk Shenmu was just about to show off, and of course he couldn't miss his apprentice, so he immediately prepared to let Ziyun Gu see it. The kites flew into the sky one after another, and Ziyun Gu was stunned. There was such a thing in the world. It was already a wonder that the master could fly to the sky, and Chang Xiao actually took the jade butterfly to the sky with him, which was really incredible. Monk Shenmu wanted his apprentice to try this taste. Ziyun Gu tried several times, but because she was too worried, she didn't succeed and had to give up. Chang Xiao knew that Ziyun Gu had not seen through life and death, so he couldn't force her. Ziyun Gu left the City That Never Sleeps, because Chang Xiao didn't ask for confidentiality, and everyone in the Beggars' Sect knew about this matter. Everyone agreed that the Lord of the City That Never Sleeps was indeed powerful and almost omnipotent.

The leader of the Beggars' Sect would not lie to others. Many people knew about this and wanted to see it in the Never-Sleeping City, but not many people could visit the Never-Sleeping City. Duan Xiyun and Yin Tianlei were also a little suspicious when they heard about this. At this time, Chang Xiao's daughter Qingting was with them. When she knew about this, she couldn't sit still and wanted to go home to see it immediately, so the three of them set off to the Never-Sleeping City. In addition, Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai, who had been with Chang Xiao for several years, also wanted to see it when they heard about this. They put down their work and rushed to the Never-Sleeping City. Jiang Feiluan of Tongtian Fort and Wu Qingyang of Wuling Villa were also alarmed and were ready to open their eyes. Chang Xiao never thought that the game would alarm these people. The first to arrive were Duan Xiyun and his three companions. Qingting was overjoyed to see her father really fly up to the sky, and insisted that Chang Xiao take her up to try it. Chang Xiao knew that his daughter did not know martial arts and had never experienced setbacks. She would inevitably be nervous when she arrived in the sky, so he did not agree for safety reasons. Duan Xiyun and Yin Tianlei were shocked to see such a scene. It was incredible that a kite could take people to the sky. Shenmu Monk was very happy and immediately ordered the two to make some delicious food. Qingting was a little disappointed that he didn't get what he wanted. He thought of his mother and urged Chang Xiao to bring his mother back for a reunion. Yu Hudie also wanted to meet the five sisters, so Chang Xiao brought the five ladies back for a lively party. Guests arrived one after another. The most proud one was Shenmu Monk. He came up with the idea himself and flew to the sky many times. Of course, he deserved to be boasted. Several guests knew the temper of this master, and they couldn't help but flatter him. Shenmu Monk was extremely proud. At the beginning, because he was blocked by the cliff and didn't reach the Yinxian Palace, Shenmu Monk had been brooding about it. This time the kite was successful, and he could finally be proud of it. At the banquet, he said that he would let those people see his kite. Chang Xiao immediately thought of Palace Master Haoyue. He had promised to find a way to ask Monk Shenmu for help. He took advantage of Monk Shenmu's good mood and brought it up. Monk Shenmu readily agreed. This was a good opportunity for Chang Xiao to show off his kite.

Seeing Chang Xiao taking the Jade Butterfly to the sky, Princess Yueying was the first to refuse, and the other four ladies also shouted that they should be treated equally. Chang Xiao had no choice but to take the five people to the sky in turn to experience it. Princess Yueying had experienced great joys and sorrows, and she no longer cared about life and death. The sisters Hanmei and Xianglan were originally killers and looked lightly on life and death. Therefore, everyone was able to go to the sky smoothly, which made Qingting very jealous, but there was nothing she could do. Seeing that the brothers Jiantong could also go to the sky, the brothers Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai were eager to try it, but they were too worried and did not succeed. Wu Qingyang was very open-minded and his cultivation was not bad. With the help of Chang Xiao, he successfully used the kite to go to the sky, and felt that his life was worthwhile. Jiang Feiluan originally just wanted to see it, but seeing Wu Qingyang succeed, she couldn't help but feel itchy, so she asked the brothers Jiantong for help, and successfully took off into the sky, and was extremely happy. Duan Xiyun also wanted to try it, but he was unsure at the beginning and didn't dare to try it rashly. Seeing Wu Qingyang and Jiang Feiluan succeeded one after another, he could no longer sit still and wanted to try it himself. Chang Xiao valued Duan Xiyun very much and helped him. Duan Xiyun succeeded and was extremely happy. Yin Tianlei was conservative. After trying several times, he found it difficult to adapt and simply gave up. Everyone in the hall gathered and drank, and both the host and the guests were happy. Princess Yueying found that her daughter Qingting looked at Yin Tianlei with a different look. She knew that her daughter was not young anymore and the two had developed feelings after getting along for a while. Yin Tianlei had good skills and was a good cook, so she simply helped them get married. After discussing with Chang Xiao, Chang Xiao valued Duan Xiyun more in his heart. Yin Tianlei's skills were indeed good, but his problem was that he was too loyal and honest, but not bold enough, and he was not as free and easy as Duan Xiyun. Qingting liked Yin Tianlei, and as a father, it was not easy to force him, so Princess Yueying was asked to handle this matter without making a big fuss. People in the martial arts world did not need to make such a big fuss.

The most proud person in this gathering was Monk Shenmu. Without his wonderful ideas, there would be no gathering today. Everyone complimented him, and Monk Shenmu was so happy that he danced with joy. Duan Xiyun and Yin Tianlei cooked a table full of dishes to express their gratitude. Chang Xiao suddenly thought of Nie Sanniang from Yinxian Palace, and smiled at Duan Xiyun: "Last time I went out, I met a wonderful woman. Her cooking skills are different from yours. Except for knife skills, she is better than you in other aspects." Duan Xiyun was stunned. Chang Xiao couldn't be bragging. Is there really such a woman in the world? So he asked for details. Chang Xiao couldn't reveal the secrets of Yinxian Palace, so he only roughly described Nie Sanniang's cooking skills. Duan Xiyun was quite interested and asked, "Does this woman know martial arts?" Chang Xiao nodded, "Although she is not as good as you, she is not far behind. She is well-versed in classics and beautiful in appearance. She is a rare talent." Duan Xiyun immediately made up his mind. Chang Xiao smiled and said, "You two are very compatible. If you are interested, I can help you." Duan Xiyun knew that Chang Xiao was very measured in what he said. One is one, two is two, and he would never exaggerate. Therefore, he immediately expressed his attitude: "There is such a woman in the world, of course I can't miss it. Thank you for your trouble, Lord of the City." Chang Xiao naturally agreed. Anyway, he still had to go to the Hidden Fairy Palace with the Divine Eye Monk. Others didn't take it seriously, but the Divine Eye Monk kept it in mind. The woman had different tastes, and the food she made must be more to his taste, so he opened up another idea in his mind. The guests left one after another, and Princess Yueying began to arrange a marriage for her daughter. Duan Xiyun naturally stayed in the Never-Sleeping City, and Chang Xiao went to the Hidden Fairy Palace with the Divine Eye Monk. The two of them traveled quickly. When they reached the cliff, Chang Xiao sent a signal, and soon the Lord of Haoyue Palace and Master Lingjiu came up to greet the guests. The monk Shenmu said proudly, "I am better at controlling your swords." The Lord of Haoyue Palace didn't know what was going on, so Chang Xiao explained it to her. The Lord of Haoyue Palace was skeptical, thinking that such a thing was too incredible. Master Lingjiu believed it without a doubt, thinking that a master like Chang Xiao couldn't brag. When they arrived at the Yinxian Palace, all the women came to watch the fun, including Nie Sanniang. The monk Shenmu put on airs and asked Nie Sanniang to make her something delicious. Nie Sanniang naturally agreed and made cakes to entertain the guests.

After years of hard training, the Lord of Haoyue Palace has seen the cultivation of the monk Shenmu. He knows that the person brought by Chang Xiao is indeed better than himself, so he sincerely asks for advice. Chang Xiao knows the temper of the monk Shenmu, as long as he is happy, so he tells Nie Sanniang to show her real skills. As expected, the monk Shenmu tasted the food and exclaimed that it was wonderful. Cherry next to him was quite proud: "The pea cake made by my third sister is the best, the most delicious in the world." The monk Shenmu shook his head: "The most delicious in the world is the corn roasted by that guy, no one else can compare." Cherry pouted: "I don't believe it, you are lying." The monk Shenmu smiled and said: "This girl is really interesting." Nie Sanniang is very proud of her skills. She was very dissatisfied when she heard this. Roasted corn is the simplest, and it is impossible to compare with the cakes she made. The monk Shenmu was happy with the food, and went to the quiet room with the Lord of Haoyue Palace to discuss, while Chang Xiao chatted with Master Lingjiu. Nie Sanniang came over and bowed. Chang Xiao nodded and said, "Young lady, your craftsmanship is indeed extraordinary. The day before yesterday, the two elders Shuijing were guests at my home, and I mentioned you to them. They were very unconvinced and wanted to compete with you. What do you think?" Nie Sanniang said, "Of course a competition is good. As long as mother agrees, I am willing to come out." Yingtao shouted, "I want to go too." Palace Master Suyun was right next to them and scolded, "You know the rules of the palace, why are you making such a fuss?" Nie Sanniang lowered her head helplessly, and Yingtao pouted. Chang Xiao said slowly: "In my opinion, your rules should be changed. It's okay for people who have experienced the vicissitudes of life to live in seclusion in the mountains and valleys, but it's a bit inhumane to let the descendants stay here. The world is colorful and they should see it." Suyun Palace Master sighed lightly: "The rules passed down by our ancestors cannot be ruined in my hands." Chang Xiao smiled and said: "Rules are set by people and changed by people. Times have changed. We can't always stick to the dead rules of our ancestors. People have to live for themselves to live a wonderful life." Suyun Palace Master was silent. Chang Xiao's words did make sense. The ancestors had their own way of life, and the descendants had their own way of life. It's a different time now, and we can't always be bound by the rules of our ancestors. Although he agreed with it in his heart, Suyun Palace Master still couldn't make a decision. He was not the leader, and everything depended on the opinion of Haoyue Palace Master. Master Lingjiu had been bored in the Snow Mountain for many years and had long wanted to go out for a walk. He agreed greatly with Chang Xiao's words: "That's right. You have to walk your own path. The glory of your ancestors doesn't represent anything. The younger generation should redouble their efforts to surpass their ancestors and achieve greater glory. This will better comfort the spirits of their ancestors in heaven. If you are trapped in the deep mountains and valleys, seclude yourself, and be arrogant, you will only gradually decline. I believe that your ancestors don't want to see such an ending." Palace Master Suyun naturally understood and nodded, "After this turmoil, I understand that there are many masters in the world, and our Nie family has declined."

Chapter 141: Deep Hatred in Past Lives

Monk Shenmu was an experienced person, and he was very clear about the problems encountered by Lord Haoyue, so it was easy for him to give advice. Lord Haoyue solved the problem that had troubled him for many years, and he was very happy. Returning to the hall, he first thanked Chang Xiao, who immediately put forward his own opinion that the people of the Nie family should leave the deep mountains and valleys, walk outside, meet all kinds of people, expand their thinking, broaden their horizons, which would be very beneficial to improving the swordsmanship passed down by their ancestors. Lord Haoyue pondered for a moment and asked Chang Xiao to go to the quiet room for a private discussion. Others did not understand his meaning. Chang Xiao vaguely felt that the seclusion of this family was not as simple as world-weariness, and there might be other reasons. As expected, the Palace Master of Haoyue Palace first proposed: "Who in the family below me doesn't want to be free and unfettered? There are really reasons for doing this." Chang Xiao was already mentally prepared, and nodded: "If the Palace Master trusts me, you might as well speak out, maybe we can find a solution." The Palace Master of Haoyue sighed: "Our family used to be very free. Although we lived in the mountains, we often went to various places to play, happier than the gods. Later, we closed the door when we encountered an accident." Chang Xiao immediately became interested. Could it be that these people met a strong opponent? The swordsmanship passed down in this family is extremely exquisite. The person who can make them retreat must be a rare master. Palace Master Haoyue made up his mind and explained, "This matter is the biggest secret of the family. Only the leader knows it. Since your martial arts are far better than ours and you have done me a great favor, you might as well tell me the truth today. In the early years, my ancestor traveled the world with a sword, and he was really invincible. Later, he heard that there was a mysterious master living in seclusion in Changbai Mountain, so he went there immediately. At that time, my ancestor won many battles and developed a sense of arrogance. When they met, he was quite tough. After fighting, he found that the opponent's martial arts were indeed very superb, and it was not easy to win. The two fought fiercely for three days and three nights, and my ancestor finally got the upper hand. When fighting, you must not be soft-handed, and the opportunity is fleeting, so my ancestor cut off the opponent's right arm with a sword. Although he won, he also admired this person's martial arts very much."

Chang Xiao was naturally an expert. He already understood that the difference between the two men’s martial arts was only a hair’s breadth, and there must be more changes in the future, so he continued to listen carefully. The Lord of the Haoyue Palace continued, “The ancestor was extremely sorry that this man’s martial arts was destroyed by one sword. He originally wanted to remedy the situation, but the other party was full of resentment and left on his own, so he had to give up. Although this man lost his right arm, he had a strong desire for revenge. He tried every means to practice hard with his left hand, and finally made progress after several years. This man thought he could take revenge, and tried every means to find the ancestor. Unexpectedly, the ancestor met many masters in the world, and his swordsmanship was further improved. The gap between the two was even greater than the first time they fought. After the second defeat, this man understood the gap, hid again, and lost his trace. The ancestor thought that this man had been discouraged, so he didn’t take it to heart. Unexpectedly, this man’s desire for revenge did not diminish in the slightest. He tried every means to search for martial arts secrets and studied hard. However, because he overused his brain and practiced hard, his true qi went astray, hurt his heart meridian, and became mentally unclear, sometimes better and sometimes worse. Although as However, this person still did not forget revenge. Later, he went deep into the desert and lost his way. He was already doomed to die. Unexpectedly, a mirage suddenly appeared. The person's injuries recurred and he had hallucinations. Under the influence of the mirage, he entered a fantasy realm. Because this person never forgot revenge, he actually realized a martial art in the illusion, which was so powerful that it could seize the fortune of heaven and earth. "Hearing this, Chang Xiao was quite surprised and asked, "Has this martial art been passed down?" The Lord of Haoyue Palace nodded and said, "If it had been lost, our family would not have to hide in the mountains. After this person realized this martial art, he immediately sought revenge on his ancestors. The ancestors were defeated in the fight and retreated by relying on the sword-controlling technique. This person refused to let go and chased after him. The ancestors had no choice but to jump into the deep ravine to be saved. "Chang Xiao thought to himself: This is the difference between men and women. If it were a man, he would not escape even if he died. Palace Master Haoyue knew that this past was not glorious, but there was no need to hide it in front of Chang Xiao, so he continued to narrate: "This person refused to give up and pursued everywhere. The ancestor was afraid that someone in the family would be implicated, so he warned the clan members to live in seclusion in the mountains and valleys to avoid the limelight. This person searched for him in many ways but failed, but his heart of revenge did not stop. He selected one of his descendants, passed down this martial arts, and also handed over the matter of revenge to the younger generation."

The grudges in the martial arts world are extremely complicated, and no one can explain them clearly. Hearing about this entanglement, Chang Xiao couldn't help but sigh. Hatred can indeed change a person, and he himself is no exception. It is conceivable what happened next. The two families have never resolved this feud. The Nie family has always been unable to match the martial arts of their opponents, so they had to set rules and strictly restrict the younger generation from going out to avoid accidents. So he asked: "So what is the current situation of this family?" The Lord of Haoyue Palace shook his head slightly: "Their martial arts are all passed down to a single person, and there is only one person in each generation. Each generation of descendants must remember the past hatred and be ready for revenge at any time." Chang Xiao nodded. He couldn't blame the other party for this. The Nie family had to live in seclusion. After thinking for a moment, he asked, "Has the Palace Master seen this martial art?" Palace Master Haoyue shook his head, "No, my cultivation is not as good as that of my ancestors, so I dare not act rashly." Chang Xiao wondered, "What kind of swordsmanship can surpass the sword-controlling technique?" Palace Master Haoyue shook his head, "This martial art is not a swordsmanship, but a knife technique." Chang Xiao was shocked when he heard it, "Knife technique, why have I never heard of it?" Palace Master Haoyue sighed lightly, "It is because we can't defeat the opponent's left-handed knife technique that our ancestors have tried their best to find the knife manual left by the bearded guest, hoping to find a way to restrain the opponent." Chang Xiao immediately became excited when he heard about such a magical knife technique, and asked, "Where does this family live?" Palace Master Haoyue certainly had a purpose in revealing this secret. Chang Xiao's knife technique was unpredictable and extremely profound. If he could defeat his opponent, his family would be free again. Therefore, he said bluntly: "This family has always lived outside the Great Wall, but the only descendant is in the Central Plains. This is to monitor our family at any time." Chang Xiao continued to ask: "Is there any way to find this person?" The Lord of Haoyue Palace said solemnly: "They also have ancestral teachings. That kind of swordsmanship is completely from heaven and can only be used for revenge, not for fame and fortune. As long as we don't show up, the other party will not show up."

After learning this secret, Chang Xiao immediately came up with an idea. No wonder there has been no trace of the sword control technique for so many years. So this is the reason. As a swordsman who is famous for his sword, he certainly cannot miss such a magical sword technique, but only a woman who is proficient in sword control can bring out this sword technique. After thinking for a long time, he put forward his own ideas: "In my opinion, this festival belongs entirely to the older generation and has nothing to do with the younger generation. When will it end for both of your families to carry this heavy burden?" The Lord of Haoyue Palace certainly understood, but he did not have the ability to solve it. Chang Xiao suggested: "In my opinion, it is better to show up in public, contact the other party, and find a way to completely untie this knot, so that the younger generation will not continue to carry this burden." The Lord of Haoyue Palace certainly did not want the younger generation to hide in the mountains, but he did not know the other party's situation and could not come out rashly. In order to see the wonderful sword technique, Chang Xiao was willing to spend time and effort to tell his own arrangements. He would lead Nie Sanniang out of the mountains, release the news, attract the other party's attention, and then come forward to mediate and try to resolve the conflict between the two families. The Palace Master of Haoyue Palace was very happy. In fact, her original intention was to rely on Chang Xiao's martial arts. After the matter was settled, Chang Xiao came out to tell the Palace Master of Suyun that he wanted Nie Sanniang to follow him out of the mountain. The reason will not be mentioned for the time being. Since the leader approved, the Palace Master of Suyun agreed. Hearing that her sister could go out, Yingtao was very anxious. Shenmu Bhikkhu liked this child very much and promised to take Yingtao out to relax. Of course, the Palace Master of Haoyue Palace could not refuse. Yingtao went back happily to prepare. Seeing that they were about to leave, Shenmu Bhikkhu remembered an important thing. He had not let the people here see the big kite, so he prepared immediately. The Palace Master of Haoyue really didn't believe it. Since ancient times, no one had heard of people flying up to the sky on a kite. Shenmu Bhikkhu liked the excitement and let everyone see it. After everything was ready, everyone was watching on the top of the mountain. Shenmu Bhikkhu was very proud and flew up with the strong wind on the top of the mountain. The people below the Palace Master of Suyun were stunned. The Palace Master of Haoyue Palace was also very surprised that there was such a thing in the world. Cherry saw the most interesting thing in the world and clapped her hands and cheered. The monk Shenmu was very proud and this time he was very happy.

The Never-Sleeping City is preparing for a wedding. Princess Yueying feels sorry for her daughter, and the sisters Yu Hudie and Hanmei also want to have some fun. Therefore, the Never-Sleeping City is decorated with lights and is full of joy. Of course, everything has to wait for Chang Xiao to come back. Chang Xiao is not only a father, but also the soul of the Never-Sleeping City, and the leader of the world. If he is not there, the wedding will lose a lot of color. Soon Chang Xiao came back, and in addition to the monk Shenmu, he also brought back two women. No one understood what Chang Xiao meant. The monk Shenmu could not hide the matter, and spread it everywhere. The people who came were sisters, and the dishes they cooked were more delicious than those made by the two elders of Shuijing. Duan Xiyun was quite attentive when he learned about this. Yin Tianlei was preparing for a marriage, and he happened to be free, so he came to meet Nie Sanniang. Chang Xiao brought Nie Sanniang to the Never-Sleeping City half for Duan Xiyun, so naturally he had to arrange it. He did not let the two meet first, but only let the two of them make their own dishes to compare with each other. Nie Sanniang was young and very competitive. She made four vegetarian dishes carefully. Duan Xiyun was naturally unwilling to be outdone, so she made eight dishes, with a combination of meat and vegetables, each one more exquisite than the last. Shenmu Bhikkhu rushed to be a witness, mainly to taste the food. The dishes of the two were served, and Chang Xiao asked them to look at each other's dishes first. Duan Xiyun was still dressed as an old man. He nodded repeatedly when he saw Nie Sanniang's craftsmanship. Nie Sanniang was also surprised when she saw Duan Xiyun's dishes. She couldn't compare with such knife skills. Fortunately, Shenmu Bhikkhu could only eat vegetarian dishes, otherwise no one would be able to eat a bite. Everyone was waiting for the result. Shenmu Bhikkhu shouted, "Of course the little girl's cooking is delicious." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "We are all laymen. We have to let them say the results themselves before it counts." Duan Xiyun said, "This girl is clever and skillful, and the combination of dishes is quite ingenious." Nie Sanniang said, "The old man's knife skills are really amazing. I am ashamed of myself." The two praised each other, but still couldn't tell who was better. Chang Xiao first called Duan Xiyun out and asked, "Xiyun, what do you think of Nie Sanniang?" Duan Xiyun nodded, "She is clever and graceful, and can be called a first-class talent." Chang Xiao nodded, "To tell you the truth, this girl's swordsmanship is also extraordinary, and she has read a lot of poetry and books. Such talents are hard to come by, and you must not miss them." Duan Xiyun is already quite old. He has either never been in contact with women or has never liked any of them. Now that such a suitable candidate has fallen from the sky, of course he cannot miss it, so he bowed and said, "It's all thanks to the city lord's help."

Duan Xiyun had no problem. Chang Xiao found Nie Sanniang again. When Nie Sanniang mentioned the marriage, she shook her head. She was in her prime, how could she marry an old man? Besides, she couldn't make the decision without her mother's permission. Chang Xiao smiled and said, "What if this old man regains his youth?" Nie Sanniang was amused. Was this man talking in his sleep? Chang Xiao continued, "I know you don't believe it. Look who it is." Nie Sanniang turned her head and saw a man walking in the door. He was very handsome and imposing. Duan Xiyun was originally a talented person. After training, he no longer had the sharpness he had at the beginning. He was calm, capable and elegant. Nie Sanniang was wondering, Duan Xiyun saluted and said, "Just now we were competing in dishes. In a blink of an eye, didn't you recognize me?" Nie Sanniang had lived in the mountains for a long time and had little experience. She couldn't get back to the point for a long time. Chang Xiao smiled and said, "The two elders Shuijing are not very old. They are just disguised. You two are evenly matched. You are of equal age and appearance. There is no need for me to say more." He got up and left. Duan Xiyun is worldly-wise and knows how to seize opportunities. Nie Sanniang was confused for a moment. This man is indeed extraordinary, but the rules of the family cannot be changed, so her heart was in a mess. Chang Xiao was relieved. The monk Shenmu came over and asked, "How are you doing as a matchmaker?" Chang Xiao was quite confident: "Duan Xiyun can definitely seize the opportunity, there is no need to worry. Where is Yingtao? Why didn't she follow you?" The monk Shenmu scratched his head and said, "I was so busy eating that I forgot about this little girl." Chang Xiao felt funny and immediately asked someone to find her. It turned out that Yingtao had lived in the mountains for a long time. It was her first time going out, and she felt that everything she saw was new. She was even more dazzled when she came to the city that never sleeps. She ran around and played when no one was watching. After a while, He Tong brought Yingtao in. Chang Xiao asked, "How is it here?" Yingtao smiled and replied, "It's quite fun." Shenmu Bhikkhu reminded, "There's nothing much to do during the day. It's really beautiful at night when the lanterns are lit. Add in the fireworks, and you'll be blown away." Yingtao was overjoyed, "Really? I saw a lot of beautiful toys hanging on the roof. They turned out to be lanterns." Chang Xiao remembered the conversation in Yinxian Palace and smiled, "Don't you want to see the Jade Butterfly with your own eyes? She lives here."

Although Chang Xiao's reputation shook the world, in Yingtao's heart, the most important thing was Jade Butterfly, who was known as the most beautiful woman in the world. Yingtao was overjoyed to hear that Jade Butterfly lived here. Chang Xiao ordered people to invite all six ladies to meet the guest. At this time, someone reported that Duan Xiyun and Nie Sanniang had fought. Chang Xiao smiled and said, "They are a natural match. Nothing will happen. Don't pay attention to them." After a while, Jade Butterfly and Princess Yueying walked out side by side. Yingtao stared at Jade Butterfly with her mouth wide open, forgetting even to breathe. Jade Butterfly found it interesting and asked Chang Xiao, "Where did this little girl come from? Why are you staring at me?" Chang Xiao smiled and said, "This little girl is not convinced by your title of the most beautiful woman. This time she came to compete with you." Jade Butterfly said with a smile, "The Yangtze River is always changing. I am old, how can I compare with the young?" The monk Shenmu interrupted, "No matter what, so far, you are still the most beautiful woman in the world." Hanmei and Xianglan followed out. After a while of chatting and laughing, Cherry finally came to her senses and let out a long sigh, "My God, how can you be so beautiful?" Jade Butterfly had a good impression of Cherry. She stepped forward and took her hand and said, "Let's watch the lanterns together tonight." Cherry was extremely happy. After chatting and laughing for a long time, Duan Xiyun came in. Chang Xiao asked, "What is Sanniang's attitude?" Duan Xiyun replied, "I think she is interested, but I am worried about my mother and the family rules." Chang Xiao nodded, "I will take care of these things. You can get married." Duan Xiyun was overjoyed. Because Chang Xiao had reached an agreement with the Lord of Haoyue Palace, he could make the decision. As for Nie Sanniang's mother, the Lord of Suyun Palace, Chang Xiao was not worried. He Tong sent a letter saying that Nie Sanniang met her ideal husband in the Never-Sleeping City and would get married soon. When Palace Master Suyun heard the letter, she was shocked. How could her daughter be so bold? She decided to get married after leaving home for the first time. How could this be tolerated? She immediately asked Palace Master Haoyue for instructions. However, she could not come forward because she had something to ask of Chang Xiao. In desperation, Palace Master Suyun personally rushed to the Never-Sleeping City to stop her daughter from getting married.

Chapter 142: Unexpected

Because the matter was difficult and time was tight, Palace Master Suyun didn't think much and rushed to the Never-Sleeping City, determined to arrive before her daughter got married. Chang Xiao's letter was very vague, and Palace Master Suyun didn't know the details. She came to the Never-Sleeping City and rushed to find Nie Sanniang. Someone led Palace Master Suyun to the hall, and Chang Xiao was sitting in the middle. Palace Master Suyun's heart moved, who is this person? Could it be that his daughter's marriage this time was also his idea? Just as he was daydreaming, Chang Xiao smiled and said, "That's good, the person who can make the decision is here." Palace Master Suyun said with a serious face, "I came here to take my daughter back." Chang Xiao didn't care: "Palace Master, don't forget, we had an agreement when we first met." Palace Master Suyun was stunned: "What agreement?" Chang Xiao was confident: "At that time, I said that if you want to visit my house, any reason is welcome. You refused it sternly at that time, and said that if you come to my house one day, I will do whatever you want." Palace Master Suyun was shocked, he did say such words, he thought about it and said, "Although I said such words, it's a pity that this is not your home." It turned out that Chang Xiao had never revealed his identity. Palace Master Suyun lacked experience in the world. Although he knew about the City That Never Sleeps, he had never connected Chang Xiao with the Lord of the City That Never Sleeps. As soon as this was said, everyone around laughed. Palace Master Suyun asked, "What's so funny?" Jian Tong laughed and said, "It's really funny that someone still says such a thing today. Who among all the martial artists in the world doesn't know the Lord of Never-Night City?" Palace Master Suyun just lacked experience. When someone reminded her, she immediately understood that the mysterious person who sneaked into the Hidden Immortal Palace was the hot Lord of Never-Night City in the martial arts world. She couldn't help but pale when she thought of what she said. Chang Xiao asked, "Does the Palace Master mean what he said?" Palace Master Suyun gritted her teeth and said, "A promise is worth a thousand gold, and I will never regret it even if I die." Chang Xiao praised, "You are courageous, and you are really as good as a man. Your daughter is very smart and will not do stupid things. The husband you chose is both talented and beautiful, and has superb martial arts. He is a talent picked out of a million. Since you two love each other, the elders should not obstruct." Palace Master Suyun gritted her teeth and said, "You have the final say."

Anyone with a discerning eye could see that Palace Master Suyun was unwilling to give up, but was only bound by her promise. On a big day, it was best to eliminate all worries, so Chang Xiao explained: "If the Palace Master is obsessed with the family rules, I can guarantee that there will be absolutely no problem with Palace Master Haoyue." Palace Master Suyun has a high status in Yinxian Palace, and of course she is unwilling to bow her head in front of so many people this time, and no matter what Chang Xiao says, it will be useless. Chang Xiao thought about it and said: "There is an important matter to discuss with the Palace Master." Palace Master Suyun had no choice but to follow Chang Xiao to the quiet room. Chang Xiao told her the real reason why the Nie family lived in seclusion. Palace Master Suyun was shocked. She didn't expect that Palace Master Haoyue would tell outsiders about the most secret things of the family. Chang Xiao explained, "I have reached an agreement with Palace Master Haoyue to come forward to resolve this conflict. As long as this knot is untied, your family rules will lose their meaning." Palace Master Suyun is not an unreasonable person. After hearing this secret, he understood Palace Master Haoyue's arrangement and nodded, "So that's how it is. In order to resolve this old feud, it is worth it for my child to make sacrifices." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "It's not a sacrifice. Since I have made things clear, I want to completely resolve this entanglement. Don't worry, no matter how big the problem is, it won't be difficult for me." Palace Master Suyun was a little strange. It is said that the Lord of the Never-Sleeping City is powerful and kills people without blinking an eye. Now it seems that the rumors are not credible. Chang Xiao is so enthusiastic on the one hand because of the mysterious swordsmanship, and on the other hand because of Palace Master Suyun. From the first meeting, Chang Xiao felt that Palace Master Suyun was very kind, so he was so enthusiastic and tried every way to help. Now that it was open, Chang Xiao smiled and said, "Palace Master, you can go meet your son-in-law. My daughter Qingting is also getting married. These two sons-in-law are sworn brothers, so let's have some fun together here." Palace Master Suyun nodded in agreement, and Chang Xiao ordered someone to bring Nie Sanniang and Duan Xiyun to meet his mother. Nie Sanniang was nervous, wondering if her mother would punish her. Unexpectedly, after the meeting, Palace Master Suyun was very kind and comforted her with gentle words. Duan Xiyun came to meet her mother-in-law, and Palace Master Suyun naturally had to inspect him. Duan Xiyun was knowledgeable and skilled in martial arts, and was indeed a first-class talent, so Palace Master Suyun didn't say anything.

The marriage went smoothly, and Chang Xiao began to focus on the mysterious sword technique. First, the news was released that a woman who was good at sword control appeared in the Never-Sleeping City, and then people were sent to closely monitor all aspects of the movement. Duan Xiyun's marriage naturally had to be informed to his father. Duan Xinyi was very happy to learn about this. After discussing with Zhong Wanshan, all the backbones of the Divine Sword Sect rushed to the Never-Sleeping City to attend the ceremony. The happiest person was the little girl Cherry. Jade Butterfly took her to see the lanterns and set off fireworks every night. There were delicious fruits and cakes. Cherry was in high spirits and left the Hidden Fairy Palace behind. Chang Xiao was ready to completely resolve the old feud of the Nie family. The person who was coming this time was extraordinary and could not be sloppy. Soon there was news that a strange blue-shirted scholar came to the Never-Sleeping City with a book boy. Chang Xiao believed in the eyesight of his subordinates, and this person must be extraordinary. So he arranged for the four brothers of Jiantong to be responsible for the reception. The four brothers knew that the visitor was not simple, so they arranged the guests to the Yaxuan in the garden. Chang Xiao personally received the guest. He first observed from a distance and saw that the guest had a handsome face, a tall figure, delicate features, and was well-mannered. He was calm and confident. Chang Xiao stepped into the elegant pavilion, and the scholar saluted with a fist: "You must be the famous Lord of the Never-Sleeping City. Long Jingtian is polite." Chang Xiao returned the greeting: "No problem, I am sorry for the neglect of the distinguished guest who has come from afar." After sitting down, Chang Xiao asked: "Where are you from, Mr. Long?" Long Jingtian replied: "Jiaozhou, Shandong." Chang Xiao nodded: "Let's not beat around the bush. Mr. Long has nothing to do with the Never-Sleeping City. This visit must be for the Hidden Immortal Palace." Long Jingtian exclaimed: "It is said that the Lord of the Never-Sleeping City has great magical powers. It is true after seeing him today. Yes, I came here for the Hidden Immortal Palace. Judging from the current situation, the city lord must stand up for the Hidden Immortal Palace." Chang Xiao took the responsibility: "Yes, this hatred will be resolved sooner or later." Long Jingtian raised his hand to send the book boy out and asked with a smile: "Can the city lord guess Long's identity?" Chang Xiao pondered for a moment and said: "You are a scholar with a look of authority in your eyes and behavior. You should be an official." Long Jingtian nodded: "The city lord's eyesight is indeed extraordinary. It's true. I am the fifth-rank official prefect of Jiaozhou."

This answer surprised Chang Xiao. People who practice martial arts are all arrogant. How can they survive in the government? Long Jingtian said with a smile: "To be honest, I don't know martial arts at all." Chang Xiao was even more surprised. How dare he come to the Never-Sleeping City to seek revenge without knowing martial arts? Long Jingtian explained: "The matter of the Hidden Fairy Palace is indeed a secret. The Long family has passed it down from generation to generation. To put it bluntly, it is also very simple." Chang Xiao was shocked. Is there any hidden secret in it? Long Jingtian smiled and said: "The people of the Nie family have come forward publicly. Long has understood that it is time to settle this feud. To be honest with the city lord, the ancestor did comprehend a sword technique in the mirage, but this sword technique has not been passed down." Hearing this, Chang Xiao couldn't help but be stunned. The wonderful sword technique that he had gone through so much trouble to see was actually lost. It was really unexpected. Long Jingtian explained, "The city lord should know that when the ancestor comprehended this sword technique, the situation was very special. First of all, he had to be between illusion and reality, and the mirage had to appear to trigger the inspiration in his heart and reach a realm that mortals could not reach. But such an opportunity is too rare, and it may not be encountered in hundreds or thousands of years." Chang Xiao was an expert, of course he understood, and raised his own question: "Since the sword technique has been completed, it can always be passed down." Long Jingtian shook his head: "The city lord became famous with his sword, of course he knows a lot about sword techniques, but this kind of sword technique is not something that only humans have. The ancestor tried many ways and couldn't teach it to others. Later, he realized that this kind of sword technique must be performed in an illusion. Ordinary people cannot keep their minds clear after entering the illusion." Chang Xiao seemed to understand something, and the Fire Poison Sect's mind-control technique flashed through his mind. There were very few people who could resist it, so it was understandable that this kind of sword technique was not passed down. So he continued, "Since it has not been passed down, why don't the people in the Hidden Immortal Palace dare to come out?" Long Jingtian smiled and said, "This is a joke made by our ancestors. First, they let the other party know how powerful this sword technique is, and then spread the news of seeking revenge. In fact, this sword technique is so wonderful that it can completely take the other party's life. Our ancestors thought that the other party was a woman, and it was not easy to practice such swordsmanship, so they did not kill her. The other party believed that the reason for her escape was the sword control technique. In fact, the development of that sword technique has already surpassed the scope of sword control." Chang Xiao sighed, "A joke made the Nie family live in seclusion for many years."

After explaining the whole story, Chang Xiao felt that the senior was not wrong. It was not too much to punish him for breaking an arm as a joke. The main reason for today's result is the difference between men and women. If the ancestor of the Nie family was a man, he would definitely understand that the other party showed mercy and dealt with it properly, and the two could have become friends. However, women have different ideas from men, which led to the younger generation living in seclusion in the mountains for many years. Long Jingtian explained: "The ancestor has been waiting for the other party to come out and make things clear, but the other party has been invisible and lurking for decades. The ancestor's death is approaching. I have no choice but to tell this matter down and let the younger generation remember that once the Nie family re-emerges, I will find a way to settle this old feud." Chang Xiao sighed: "I didn't expect that hundreds of years of festivals turned out to be a joke." He was quite disappointed. The magical swordsmanship that he had expected had been lost, and he had worked in vain. Although he was a little disappointed, there was a result after all, and although Long Jingtian was a scholar, he was quite generous and had the style of Yanzhao. After thinking for a moment, Chang Xiao said, "If the people of the Nie family knew the truth, they would most likely seek revenge on you. And since there is no one in your family who practices martial arts, you will definitely suffer a great loss." Long Jingtian frowned and said, "No way, our ancestors have been very tolerant. Living in seclusion in the mountains is their own choice of being afraid of death and not daring to face reality." Chang Xiao shook his head, "Women think differently from men, otherwise they would not have lived in seclusion for hundreds of years. In my opinion, this matter should not be made clear. Let me handle it." Long Jingtian knew Chang Xiao's status and position. This man was a man of his word and dared to take responsibility. It was most appropriate for him to handle it. Therefore, he said generously, "The city lord is a master of martial arts and can make the decision. I am absolutely relieved." Chang Xiao nodded, "Mr. Long, please don't reveal the truth. I will explain to the Nie family and say that the Long family came to seek revenge, was defeated by my knife, and has promised to give up." Long Jingtian was extremely shrewd. He knew that Chang Xiao did this entirely for the sake of the Long family and thanked him repeatedly. Chang Xiao asked, "Why did Young Master Long join the government?" Long Jingtian smiled and said, "I am quite fond of classics and history, and always wanted to make a difference. But the government was in chaos, so I had to mingle among the people. Later, Prime Minister Zheng Gong received the support of the emperor and vigorously rectified the government. Only then did I decide to become an official and do some good things for the people. I think I have not wasted my life."

Everyone has different ambitions, and Long Jingtian was right to think so. Although the problem was solved, Chang Xiao still felt a little regretful that he had not seen this magical sword technique. Long Jingtian called the book boy in and presented a scroll, which looked like a painting. Long Jingtian explained: "Although the ancestors did not pass on the sword technique to future generations, they drew this painting and passed it down. This sword technique is hidden in the painting. Perhaps someone in the future can understand this painting and comprehend the sword technique hidden in it. The city lord is the leader of the current martial arts world. The dragon scale sword is feared by the world, and the sword technique has reached the pinnacle. Long will give this painting to the city lord." A glimmer of hope ignited in Chang Xiao's heart, perhaps he could comprehend this sword technique. After receiving the painting, Long Jingtian said, "I hope the city lord will not indulge in this painting. Now that the Never-Sleeping City is in its heyday, the city lord's name is feared by the world. Whether he can comprehend this sword technique is irrelevant." Chang Xiao shook his head: "Mr. Long is not a martial artist and cannot understand the feelings of a martial artist. I understand what you mean. To practice this sword technique, you need to enter an illusion. Once the spirit is blinded, you will lose your mind and cause endless harm. You can rest assured about this. I have had similar experiences and will never get lost in an illusion." Long Jingtian nodded: "The city lord is a martial arts master and will never lie." After the matter was settled, Long Jingtian said goodbye immediately and Chang Xiao personally sent him out. The Nie family's matter had been resolved. Palace Master Suyun was still waiting for news. When she heard that Chang Xiao had defeated his old enemy, she was overjoyed. This person was really unfathomable. The big stone that had been pressing on the entire family for hundreds of years was easily removed by him. Without any worries, she can naturally focus on the wedding. Yu Hudie found it strange that Chang Xiao was very concerned about the wedding at the beginning, but now he seems to have lost interest and left everything to others. The people from the Divine Sword Sect came to the Never-Sleeping City. According to common sense, Duan Xiyun should get married in his own home, but Duan Xiyun has no intention of becoming the leader of the Divine Sword Sect and is determined to ride the rivers and lakes. In addition, with Yin Tianlei's relationship, it is reasonable to hold the wedding together. In addition, the Never-Sleeping City is very important in the rivers and lakes. Holding a wedding here is enough to show the relationship between the Divine Sword Sect and Chang Xiao, which has certain benefits, so Duan Xinyi didn't say anything.

Nie Sanniang is both talented and beautiful, and her swordsmanship is extraordinary, Duan Xinyi is quite satisfied. The Divine Sword Sect is also a well-known sect in the martial arts world, so naturally it cannot be shabby, and brought a lot of jewelry, silk and satin. As the female party, Suyun Palace Master, the first thing she did was to pass on the good news. Haoyue Palace Master was very happy and led the women's army of Yinxian Palace to the Never-Sleeping City to make a fuss. Yin Tianlei didn't have many relatives, and Princess Yueying felt sorry for her son-in-law and took care of him in many ways. Chang Xiao privately told the four brothers Jiantong and Qintong that there were many beauties in Yinxian Palace, and most of them practiced swordsmanship from a family background. The four brothers could take this opportunity to find a wife that they wanted. The four brothers agreed and made their own preparations. After explaining this matter, Chang Xiao locked himself in a secret room and carefully studied the painting sent by Long Jingtian. The painting was quite messy and colorful, and ordinary people would feel dizzy after looking at it for a while. Chang Xiao had encountered mirages twice, once in the desert and the other time in Penglai Pavilion by the sea, so he was prepared. This painting is extremely complex. It is difficult to see the veins, and it is even more difficult to comprehend the hidden knife skills. Chang Xiao understands that if it is easy, it will not be lost, so he puts aside everything and studies carefully. Monk Shenmu likes excitement the most. The one getting married is his acquaintance, so of course he wants to stir up some noise. Among the two newlyweds, three are good at cooking. Monk Shenmu suggested that these three people work together to make a unique dish to add color to this wedding. Duan Xiyun didn't want to ruin her mood by cooking at this time, but Nie Sanniang was very concerned because Monk Shenmu mentioned that the best delicacy in the world is the corn roasted by Chang Xiao. Nie Sanniang has always not believed it, so she took this opportunity to show it. The three of them can definitely make the best delicacy in the world by working together. Yin Tianlei didn't want to go to the kitchen when getting married, but Monk Shenmu was very determined and could only agree. Monk Shenmu was overjoyed and prepared to let Chang Xiao roast corn to compete with the three people, but he couldn't find Chang Xiao no matter how hard he looked. Although he was very familiar with the City That Never Sleeps, no one could find Chang Xiao if he didn't want to see him. Monk Shenmu thought about it and decided to find Chang Xiao no matter what. Without his roasted corn, wouldn't all his work be in vain?

Chapter 143: Strange Wedding

The monk Shenmu has a very high level of cultivation and excellent Qinggong. It is easy for him to find someone. However, Chang Xiao built the Never-Sleeping City after all, so of course there are some places that are unknown to outsiders. The monk Shenmu was obsessed with food and wandered around everywhere. She unexpectedly found a secret room. Although she did not find Chang Xiao, she found two interesting things. A large crystal ball and a golden staff. These were brought back by Chang Xiao when he eradicated the Fire Poison Sect. Although they were not useful, they could not fall into the hands of bad people. Originally, they were to be destroyed, but Chang Xiao felt that the sword had two edges and the mind control technique could do good things if used properly, so he kept them. Today, the monk Shenmu accidentally broke into the secret room and took the golden staff and crystal ball as toys and took them out to play. The crystal ball was crystal clear, as if it had a magical power, which was very eye-catching. However, the golden staff was in the shape of a skull, which was very realistic. Of course, it was inappropriate to have such things on a happy day. The monk Shenmu also understood and took Yingtao to find a place where no one was around to play. It was a big deal that someone entered the secret room and took away the things inside, so someone immediately reported it to Chang Xiao. When Chang Xiao mentioned the crystal ball, an idea suddenly flashed through his mind: could he use these two things to solve the mystery of the picture and understand the knife skills hidden in it? Thinking of this, he hurried to find the monk Shenmu. After finding him, he was amused. It turned out that the monk Shenmu and Yingtao were lying on the grass in the garden, staring at the crystal ball, like two little friends. Outsiders would never think that one of them was already a centenarian. Chang Xiao first picked up the golden staff that was thrown aside. The monk Shenmu said, "Don't take it away. I want to play with it." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "These two things are harmful to people. Let's not play with them." Yingtao didn't know that the monk Shenmu certainly knew about the Fire Poison Sect. After thinking about it, it was true. Just as he was about to give up, he suddenly changed his mind: "If it is something that harms people, why do you keep it? Don't try to fool me." Chang Xiao had no way to deal with this senior, so he had to explain: "The mind-control technique cannot be considered an evil technique. It can also do good things if used properly." The monk Shenmu naturally knew that Chang Xiao was the only one in the world who dared to face the mind-control technique. Of course, he could use these two things, but others didn't dare to say anything. Even so, the monk Shenmu couldn't let go easily: "You can want it, but you have to roast corn for me. Two grooms and a bride have to make a big dish. I want to compete with them." Chang Xiao smiled bitterly; "This seems to be my home, and these two things are also mine." The monk Shenmu didn't care: "It's mine in my hand. If you don't agree, I won't give it to you." Chang Xiao nodded helplessly.

Nie Sanniang was quite excited to learn that Chang Xiao agreed to roast corn, and she wanted to compete with him. Duan Xiyun did not hold out much hope, but seeing that Nie Sanniang was eager to try, she did not want to pour cold water on her. The three of them each came up with their own ideas and prepared to make three dishes, a total of 18 dishes including side dishes. The monk Shenmu asked Chang Xiao to roast 18 corns for comparison. There were not a few people in the City That Never Sleeps, but few people had really tasted the corn roasted by Chang Xiao himself. Everyone knew that, except for the monk Shenmu, even Yu Hudie could not make Chang Xiao roast corn. It was rare for the bride and groom to cook together in the kitchen for such a wedding, but fortunately, people in the martial arts world were not particular about trivial matters. The Lord of Haoyue Palace led the family to join in the fun, and they found it quite funny to hear about this. The four brothers Jiantong and Qintong tried to get close to the beauties of the Hidden Fairy Palace and prepared to end their lifelong affairs. The City That Never Sleeps became lively, because no news was released, and the people who came were limited to the Divine Sword Sect and the Hidden Fairy Palace. However, the most active person in the city that never sleeps is the monk Shenmu, who leads Cherry around, waiting to taste the food. Since it is a competition, there must be witnesses. The monk Shenmu regards himself as the host. The eighteen corns have been distributed long ago. The three cooks each get one, and the Suyun Palace Master and the Haoyue Palace Master are naturally indispensable. Then there are Duan Xinyi and Zhong Wanshan. In addition, the bride Qingting and her biological mother Princess Yueying each get one, and the rest are all shared by herself and Cherry. The wedding will not be held until after the competition, so a table of dishes is first placed in the hall. It is indeed exquisite and far exceeds the imperial chef. On the other side, there is a large plate of roasted corn. The monk Shenmu ignores the dishes and stands in front of the roasted corn first. Nie Sanniang invites the Haoyue Palace Master and her mother to taste her cooking first. Duan Xinyi and Zhong Wanshan also taste it and praise it. Cherry has great confidence in her sister. She looks down on the ordinary roasted corn and wants to taste the exquisite dishes. Chang Xiao himself did not show up. This was just a joke, so there was no need to worry too much. After tasting the dishes, Monk Shenmu handed a roasted corn to Palace Master Haoyue. Although Palace Master Haoyue knew Chang Xiao's ability, she still had some doubts in her heart. How could roasted corn compare to such exquisite dishes? After eating it, she savored it carefully and was speechless for a long time. Palace Master Suyun also tasted one, turned to Nie Sanniang and said, "Child, you should admit defeat this time."

Nie Sanniang was certainly not convinced. After eating it, she sighed and said, "I can't make such a delicacy." Shenmu Bhikkhu knew the result long ago. When he heard Nie Sanniang admit defeat, he immediately put away the corn. After thinking about it, he felt that it was not appropriate, so he gave one corn to Duan Xinyi, Zhong Wanshan, Princess Yueying and Qingting's mother and daughter, and Duan Xiyun and Yin Tianlei were spared. Although he got it, Shenmu Bhikkhu was not in a hurry to eat it. He first tasted the dishes, and after he had a good time, he took the cherry and found a place where no one was around to enjoy it. After the competition, the wedding was held. The two couples officially got married. Chang Xiao only came out to attend the event and left. It was not that he didn't care about his daughter, but he was mainly worried about something. He was thinking about the knife skills in the picture. Through the crystal ball and the golden staff, he had already touched some clues, but it was still a long way from success. Chang Xiao already had a plan. First, he had to find a hidden cave, tidy it up, and then find someone to completely describe the scene he felt in the picture. After completing it, he might be able to feel the hidden knife skills with the help of the crystal ball and the golden staff. This matter has already begun, but others don't know about it. As the leader of the Nie family, the Lord of Haoyue Palace is of course happy to be able to resolve the old feud in his own hands. From now on, the family members can live freely and carefree. Gongs, drums and firecrackers rang out, and the sound of congratulations was endless. When it was lively, several kites suddenly flew over. It turned out that the monk Shenmu had finished eating corn and wanted to show off his big kite in front of everyone, so he called the sword boy brothers to ride the wind to the sky together. If they could land in the yard, it would be the most beautiful. Duan Xinyi and Zhong Wanshan heard about the kite and didn't believe it at first. Later, Wu Qingyang personally confirmed that the kite in the Never-Sleeping City could indeed take people to the sky, and he succeeded. At that time, in addition to Wu Qingyang, there were also witnesses, so they had to believe it. The two came this time to see it. Although they were mentally prepared, they were still stunned when they really saw the monk Shenmu and the sword boy brothers flying over on a kite. They didn't even dare to think about such a thing, let alone do it, but the monk Shenmu did it.

It happened to be a sunny day with a very suitable wind. Under the watchful eyes of everyone, the monk Shenmu landed smoothly in the courtyard, and his joy was beyond words. The four brothers Jian Tong and Qin Tong landed one after another, and seized the opportunity to invite the beauties of Yinxian Palace. The Lord of Suyun Palace agreed, and a group of young men and women went to the mountain to play with laughter. The Lord of Haoyue Palace was very opinionated. In the past, the women had the final say in the family. In the future, this could be changed. Men and women could compete in various aspects, and whoever won would have the final say. The Lord of Suyun Palace also approved of this method. The wedding was very lively, but Chang Xiao, as the host, only stayed for a moment and then disappeared. No one could tell where he was. At this time, Chang Xiao was arranging a huge project specifically for the knife skills hidden in the picture. Many people had been mobilized for this plan. Although the movement was not small, it was all carried out in secret, and no one in the city that never sleeps knew about it. At the wedding, Duan Xinyi wanted her son to go home and live for a while, but Duan Xiyun had his own opinion. The current leader of the sect is Zhong Wanshan. He used to be the leader of the sect. It would be awkward to see old friends when he returns. Therefore, he decided to travel around with his new wife Nie Sanniang to enjoy the beautiful scenery. Duan Xinyi couldn't force it. His son had grown up and it was not good for him as a father to interfere too much. Yin Tianlei also had this idea, but this time they were going to separate. They were almost inseparable before, but now that he had a wife, there were always many inconveniences. After the wedding, the guests dispersed, and the two couples prepared to travel around the world. Duan Xiyun and Yin Tianlei had been together for many years, and it was inevitable that they would feel sad once they separated. Duan Xiyun was going to go north, and Yin Tianlei wanted to travel around the southwest. After they were ready, they had a drink in Changting. Duan Xiyun was a free and easy person. He raised his glass and said, "My dear brother, now that you and I have returned to our original identities, will the two crystal elders be wiped out of the world?" Yin Tianlei shook his head and said, "Second brother, you are wrong. We brothers will meet again sooner or later after this separation. At that time, we can transform into the two crystal elders and play around in the world." Duan Xiyun smiled and said, "My dear brother, you are indeed very different from before. In that case, let's set a three-year deadline. On the ninth day of the ninth month three years later, we will meet at Yueyang Tower in Dongting Lake." Yin Tianlei nodded in agreement.

Princess Yueying has only one daughter, who is naturally her dearest. Now that she has just gotten married and is about to travel far away, she can't help but feel reluctant to let her go, but there is nothing she can do. Her daughter has grown up and has her own way to go. She felt sad and wanted to talk to Chang Xiao, but she couldn't find him anywhere, so she felt depressed. She originally thought that Chang Xiao was with Yudie, but Yudie didn't know where Chang Xiao was. The six ladies gathered together and looked at each other, wondering what Chang Xiao was busy with. What else was worth bothering about at this time? After the wedding, the Lord of Haoyue Palace was ready to return to Haoyue Palace, and the Lord of Suyun Palace should also return to Yinxian Palace. However, the younger generation left the mountains for the first time, and they were all very excited and wanted to see the world. The Lord of Haoyue Palace decided that the Lord of Suyun Palace would lead the younger generation to relax. The monk Shenmu knew that these people had lived in the mountains for a long time, and it was just right for them to show their knowledge, so he asked to go with them, and naturally no one refused. Jiantong discussed with his three brothers and decided to go with these beauties and slowly cultivate their feelings. Palace Master Suyun originally disagreed, but Bhikkhu Shenmu insisted, so he had to agree. The group happily left the Never-Sleeping City for fun. The Never-Sleeping City quieted down, and Chang Xiao hurriedly carried out his plan. He had already chosen a location, which was in Wuyi Mountain. This cave was extremely deep. Only one person could pass through the narrow part, but it could accommodate thousands of people in the wide part. Chang Xiao prepared many craftsmen to repair it vigorously and designed the cave according to his own ideas. Although the project was large, it was nothing to Chang Xiao. No matter how large the project was, it could not compare to the scale of the Never-Sleeping City. Although the movement was not small, few people in the world knew about it. Chang Xiao did not want others to know about it, so he did not show up in public. The project took time, and Chang Xiao took time to return to the Never-Sleeping City to reunite with his six wives. When they met, Princess Yueying complained, and Yu Hudie was also dissatisfied. The six beauties took turns to make trouble, which made Chang Xiao very embarrassed, so he had to persuade them in many ways.

The Never-Sleeping City affected the martial arts world. Soon, all the sects knew about the appearance of the sword-controlling technique and the strange story of the Divine Eyes Monk flying to the sky with the help of a kite. In comparison, the two marriages seemed less important. Among all the masters, the one who was most touched was Jiang Feiluan, the master of Tongtian Fort. At the beginning, the Taoist Zuixia found the cultivation method from ancient books, which was extremely general and incomplete. Although he spent a lot of effort and achieved certain achievements, he never realized the essence of the sword-controlling technique. Now that the sword-controlling technique has appeared, if he can get the orthodox cultivation method, it will be of great benefit to the improvement of swordsmanship. After detailed investigation, it was learned that these people have lived in the mountains for a long time and rarely show up. The only people in the martial arts world who have contact with these people are the Divine Eyes Monk and Chang Xiao. After finding out, Jiang Feiluan thought of asking Chang Xiao for help in the Never-Sleeping City. When he arrived in the Never-Sleeping City, he found out that Chang Xiao's whereabouts were uncertain and he only came back once every ten days or half a month. Although he did not see Chang Xiao, he also gained something. He knew that the four brothers of Jiantong were traveling with these people. Jiang Feiluan immediately had an idea and could ask the brothers of Jiantong for help. After leaving the city that never sleeps, Jiang Feiluan sent people to inquire. This group of people was quite conspicuous and easy to find, so Jiang Feiluan quickly got accurate information that these people were playing in the West Lake in Hangzhou. Jiang Feiluan set off immediately. Each martial arts sect has its own unique martial arts, which are kept secret. The sword-controlling technique must be the biggest secret of this family. It must not be easy to obtain. Jiang Feiluan had already anticipated the difficulty of things and made some preparations. He was ready to use the ancient books and sword manuals collected by his brother Zuixia Taoist as a condition for exchange. In addition, there is a batch of precious jewelry. This family is all women, and they should like these. It would be easy if the four brothers Jiantong and Qintong were willing to help. I hope they can help for the sake of Zuixia Taoist. Although the four brothers are no longer the same as before, they should not forget the kindness of Zuixia Taoist.

The beauty of West Lake is well known to the world. The Three Pools Mirroring the Moon, Su Causeway in Spring Dawn, Willow Waves and Singing Orioles, Autumn Moon over the Calm Lake, etc. have long been known to everyone. However, the most popular one is the Broken Bridge, because the legend of White Snake is deeply rooted in people's hearts. People who come here to play must go to the Broken Bridge. Palace Master Suyun has led her juniors to West Lake for several days. These women are reluctant to leave after experiencing the beautiful scenery for the first time. Jian Tong chartered a pleasure boat and several small boats for these beauties to have a good time. Of course, the monk Shenmu became the protagonist, and he talked endlessly about the origin of the beauty of West Lake. The poems of ancient and modern literati praising West Lake naturally include the legend of White Snake and Leifeng Pagoda. Yinxian Palace has been secluded from the world for a long time. Although there are some treasures, there is no gold and silver. All expenses are paid by Jiantong and his brothers. Anyway, the city that never sleeps has plenty of money. If there is no money, no matter how beautiful the scenery is, it will change. There was once a man who never talked about money all his life. When his wife piled money in front of him, he just said to take these things away. In fact, such a person is the most hypocritical. In a person's life, food, clothing, housing and transportation cannot be separated from money. He never talks about money, but which of the food, clothing, and housing is not bought with money? This shows that this person is hypocritical to the extreme. There are many benefits to having money. The beauties of Yinxian Palace are enjoying fine wine and delicacies, various fruits and cakes, and are naturally happy to play freely in the West Lake. Jiantong also prepared various jewelry and exquisite dresses, bought zithers, pipa, sheng, xiao and guzheng, and the beauties sang and danced happily. Jiang Feiluan rushed to the West Lake and soon found this group of people. He first found an opportunity to discuss with Jiantong and his brothers. While He Tong was buying tea, they went forward to meet. He Tong was a little surprised and saluted, saying, "Why are you here, Lord Jiang?" Jiang Feiluan pulled He Tong to a secluded place to explain their purpose. He Tong frowned and said, "This may not be easy. The sword-controlling technique of the Nie family has been passed down in an orderly manner. The teachings of our ancestors must not be leaked to outsiders." Jiang Feiluan was of course unwilling to give in. He Tong hesitated for a moment and said, "Palace Master Suyun mentioned these days that the city lord has been very kind to their family. If the city lord comes forward, it may be useful." Jiang Feiluan said in embarrassment, "I don't know what the city lord is busy with, and his whereabouts are uncertain. Besides, even if the city lord is willing to come forward, the other party may not agree." He Tong smiled and said, "Why does the Lord of the Fortress force it when he knows it's impossible?" Jiang Feiluan sighed lightly, "My brother has studied sword-controlling techniques for many years. Although he has made some achievements, he still can't get the point. I also know that the Nie family will never leak the secret manual. This is just to comfort my brother's spirit in heaven." He Tong nodded, "I can try it."

Chapter 144: Bright Moon and Beautiful Moon

In view of the nostalgia for Taoist Zuixia, He Tong discussed with the three brothers and decided to test it. Others could not make the decision, so they had to find Palace Master Suyun. The Nie family has been passed down for hundreds of years, and has always regarded the sword-controlling technique as the foundation. It is impossible to disclose it, and Palace Master Suyun will certainly not agree. Jian Tong told the life of Taoist Zuixia in detail, and Palace Master Suyun was also very sorry, but she could not disclose the biggest secret of the family. Jiang Feiluan finally proposed to compete with Palace Master Suyun, which would also be considered a relief. Palace Master Suyun agreed, and the two prepared to have a competition on the West Lake. Since his contact with Taoist Baoding, Jiang Feiluan's reputation has been increasing day by day, and he has quite an influence in the world. However, facing Palace Master Suyun, he still cannot be careless. The sword-controlling technique is extremely profound, and there is no room for tricks. Those who can practice it must be masters. After the last competition with Chang Xiao, Palace Master Suyun was still frightened. He used to look down on people in the world, but now he feels a little guilty. However, at the wedding, it was learned that masters like Chang Xiao were rare, and others were inferior. The two prepared and started the competition at midnight. Although it was not yet the fifteenth day, the moon was extremely bright, the stars were twinkling, the water was rippling, the breeze was blowing, the moon shadow in the water was swaying, the shadows of the trees were dancing, and the lights in the distance were flickering, which was a unique mood. Although Jiang Feiluan had never practiced sword control, he practiced both inside and outside, and his own cultivation was very high. He chose a long bamboo and put it on the water. The two of them faced each other on the long bamboo. Although the Suyun Palace Master was not young, because of her good maintenance and superb internal skills, she looked only about thirty years old, with a beautiful face and graceful manners. Under the moon, she looked like a fairy. Jiang Feiluan landed lightly on the long bamboo. The Suyun Palace Master gave a delicate shout, and a cold light shot out from her sleeves. Her figure jumped up with a light and graceful posture, like a fairy dancing in the Yaochi. Jiang Feiluan swung his sword to block. After sparring with Taoist Baoding, Jiang Feiluan had improved rapidly. This sword was steady and experienced, and his skills were perfect. The two swords collided with each other in an instant, making a pleasant sound. The Lord of Suyun Palace took advantage of the situation to spin around, and the sword light swirled. The changes in moves were extremely natural, as if it was a natural outcome.

After one move, Jiang Feiluan already understood that the opponent's swordsmanship was very different from the swordsmanship of the various schools in the martial arts world today, and he had to be more careful. The two of them attacked very quickly, and in the blink of an eye, they had exchanged thirty moves. Jiang Feiluan's feet never left the long bamboo, and the Suyun Palace Master never touched the long bamboo, relying entirely on the opponent's strength and sword control to hover in the air. The sword control technique has been silent for many years, and its first appearance was indeed extraordinary. The sword boy brothers who watched the battle were all amazed. Seeing that both of them were a little cautious and not satisfied with the fight, the monk Shenmu shouted: "The dignified Tongtian Fortress will lose face to a woman. I wonder how you will survive in the martial arts world in the future. The ancestors of the Nie family were glorious for a time, and the younger generation must not lose face no matter what. Show your true skills and have a good fight." Although both sides knew that the monk Shenmu was afraid that the world would not be in chaos, they were still affected. Jiang Feiluan's sword stabbed out obliquely, drawing a beautiful arc under the moonlight, like a wild goose gliding, without a trace of fireworks. The monk Shenmu praised: "This sword is not bad." The Lord of Suyun Palace used both swords, and attacked the enemy's defenses with great skill. The monk Shenmu nodded: "That's right, either don't fight, or show your true ability. Your moves are not fast enough, try harder." In fact, the two of them were already very fast, but in the eyes of the monk Shenmu, they felt slow. When the Lord of Suyun Palace fought with Chang Xiao, Chang Xiao's moves were simple, practical, and fast, and he was completely restrained, so he had no chance to display his sword skills. This time, he was finally able to display the sword control skills that he had practiced for many years. His clothes fluttered, and the sword light was like snow. Under the moonlight, he looked like a fairy in the sky, beautiful and magnificent. Among the four brothers watching the battle, only He Tong liked reading. He exclaimed: "In the past, there was a beautiful woman named Gongsun. Her sword dance moved all directions. The spectators were as depressed as the mountains, and the sky and the earth were low and high for a long time. I always felt that Du Gongbu's poem was a bit exaggerated when I read it before. Today I know that the swordsmanship of the Tang Dynasty was indeed superb, and there was infinite murderous intent hidden in the elegance and splendor." Although Shenmu Bhikkhu was naughty, he was a great expert after all. He pointed out: "The literary style was extremely prosperous in the Tang Dynasty. From the old men in the seventh month to the young children, everyone knew poetry and prose, and sword practitioners were no exception. This is how romantic feelings were integrated into swordsmanship. People nowadays can't do it."

The swordfighting on the West Lake went from the initial probing to the stalemate stage. Jiang Feiluan's swordplay became more and more mature, and Princess Suyun also gradually exerted the power of sword control. The two began to attack each other. The sword light reflected the moonlight, and with the reflection of the water surface, it didn't look like a martial arts master fighting, but like immortals fighting on the water. Although not as good as masters like Chang Xiao and Master Baikong, it was also very exciting, with coherent moves, clear veins, and beautiful postures. Shenmu Bhikkhu was happy to watch, and he made a few jokes from time to time, and gave instructions to the people around him when he had time, and he was very happy. The two sides had deep internal strength, long-lasting strength, superb swordsmanship, and were evenly matched. After fighting for an hour, it was impossible to tell the winner. Jiang Feiluan was not seeking victory this time, and Princess Suyun also left room for her move. Shenmu Bhikkhu knew that there was no trick, and shouted: "Stop fighting, there is nothing good to see if you fight again." The two stopped fighting and came to the boat together. The monk Shenmu said bluntly: "The changes in the sword-controlling technique are subtle, but unfortunately I am not skilled enough. The main disadvantage is the lack of experience." Jiang Feiluan knew that the monk Shenmu had a very high level of cultivation, and bowed and said: "What's wrong with Jiang's swordsmanship?" The monk Shenmu smiled and said: "Your swordsmanship has improved quite fast, but what you lack is the great spirit. You must work harder on cultivating your energy in the future." The sword boy interrupted and said: "The palace master's sword-controlling technique just now was like a fairy descending from heaven. I was really enlightened tonight." Although he said this with the intention of flattering, the Palace Master Suyun was indeed very graceful. The monk Shenmu felt unsatisfied and gestured with his hand, "These four young men are good at swordsmanship. They are quite good at fighting together. They are always arrogant on weekdays, but they are honest in front of me. You girls should not be idle. Teach them a lesson and let them know that women are not easy to bully." The Suyun Palace Master immediately agreed and smiled, "The ancestors once left behind a method of joint attack. I don't know if it will work. Today is a good time to try it." As soon as these words came out, these young men and women were eager to try. The monk Shenmu liked to watch the excitement the most, and arranged, "Four people on each side, we can't let them say that we win by numbers." The Suyun Palace Master arranged four juniors, led by Nie Jiuniang. Of course, a long bamboo is not enough for so many people to compete, so a bamboo raft was found to let these young people compete.

What Palace Master Suyun said was true. The ancestors did pass down the method of joining forces to defeat the enemy. The moves contained the profound numbers of the Big Dipper and were unpredictable. The Jiantong brothers also had a method of joining forces, which was extracted by Chang Xiao from the martial arts of the Nether Swordsman. It was also a profound martial art. This competition had its own merits, and no one could predict the outcome. The monk Shenmu understood the purpose of the four Jiantong brothers accompanying these beauties, and said on his own initiative: "If you four win, I will let you choose one of these beauties as your wife." Palace Master Suyun didn't want to agree, but she found that her juniors were blushing, and she wanted to say something but couldn't. She knew in her heart that these girls had already moved. On second thought, the four Jiantong brothers were all good at martial arts, and they were all handsome and well-educated. No wonder these girls were moved. Thinking of this, she went with the flow and agreed. The four brothers were overjoyed. Nie Jiuniang asked, "What if we win?" Shenmu monk smiled and said, "If you win, you can choose your husband from the four of them at will. Anyway, I'm sure to drink the wedding wine." Nie Jiuniang blushed and frowned, "What's that?" Shenmu monk looked complacent and said, "If you don't like him, you can give the opportunity to others. I tell you, it's not easy to find such a young talent. You can't find it after this village." Nie Jiuniang's heart was beating wildly and she retreated without saying a word. Suyun Palace Master reiterated the new rules of the family. Whoever is more capable between husband and wife has the final say. There is no male superiority and female inferiority. The past practice of women making decisions is not advisable. These young men and women are ready to fight. On the surface, it is a martial arts competition, but there is no murderous intent. Shenmu monk is quite proud. This kind of martial arts competition is more interesting. After everything is ready, with the order of Suyun Palace Master, the eight young men started fighting on the bamboo raft. Shenmu monk called Jiang Feiluan to his side to appreciate it together, and Yingtao sat aside with a smile. This competition was different from the beginning. No one was in a hurry to win. They focused on showing their posture and expression, and every move was perfect. Shenmu monk smiled at Jiang Feiluan and said, "How is it? Isn't this competition fun?" Jiang Feiluan nodded and said, "In my opinion, it doesn't look like a competition, but more like a dance, but it lacks music."

When the music was mentioned, Cherry immediately shouted, "My mother can play the piano, and it sounds so good." The monk Shenmu immediately ordered, "Don't we have flutes, pipa, etc.? Come on and play them to liven up the atmosphere." Palace Master Suyun knew that the monk Shenmu was of high status, had superb martial arts, and had helped Palace Master Haoyue a lot, so it was difficult to refuse, so she ordered people to burn incense, wash their hands, and take out the zither. The music sounded, and the tune was exactly Spring River Moon Night. Some of the beauties in the Hidden Fairy Palace played flutes, and some sang softly. For a while, the West Lake was singing and dancing, and the music was melodious, like a fairyland. The eight young men who were competing in the martial arts became more energetic when they heard the music, and they made moves according to the beat, and exchanged their eyes and emotions when they inserted moves and changed styles. The monk Shenmu watched with great interest and smiled. Jiang Feiluan also found it novel, and she had never thought about the experience of this sheep. The soft moonlight sprinkled, and four pairs of young men and women came and went on the water, shuttling back and forth, like dragonflies skimming the water. Especially the four beauties, they looked even more beautiful and charming under the moonlight, like fairies from the Yaochi Lake who had descended to earth. With the melodious music, the bright moon moved slowly. Someone brought tea to Jiang Feiluan. Seeing the jade cup, Jiang Feiluan's mind suddenly flashed with the famous line from "Quail Sky" written by the famous Song Dynasty poet Yan Jidao, and he blurted out: "Colorful sleeves diligently hold the jade bell, and in those days she was drunk and blushing. The moon dances low in the heart of the willow tower, and the wind blows under the peach blossom fan." The monk Shenmu praised: "Not bad, not bad, I didn't expect you to be so talented and come up with such a good sentence." Jiang Feiluan hurriedly said: "This was written by the predecessors, I don't have this ability." The monk Shenmu nodded: "I was wondering how you became talented, it turns out that you used the sentences of the predecessors, but it is indeed quite appropriate." The Lord of Suyun Palace smiled and said: "I also remembered a sentence, which was written by Liu Tuntian, and it seems more appropriate." The monk Shenmu hurriedly said: "Read it out quickly and beat him." The Lord of Suyun Palace chanted softly: "The sky is clear, the Jiang River is shallow, and the bright moon is beautiful." The monk Shenmu clapped his hands and cheered: "What a good sentence, the bright moon is beautiful."

Most of the people in this group are women, each of them has unique skills. Not only do they not take the etiquette of male superiority and female inferiority to heart, but they also want to suppress men everywhere. So when Suyun Palace Master mentioned this sentence, the moon is bright and beautiful, except for the moon, there are beautiful women, and there is no place for men at all. Shenmu Bhikkhu certainly applauded, and Jiang Feiluan had nothing to say. His skills were indeed not as good as those of the person in front of him, so he had to smile. Everyone was in high spirits, the sound of piano and singing continued, and the eight people in the competition were immersed in it, and they didn't feel tired at all. Unknowingly, the bright moon gradually fell, and a ray of light appeared in the east. Suyun Palace Master put away the Yaoqin, and everyone stopped and returned to the boat to rest. Jiang Feiluan said goodbye and left. Before leaving, Suyun Palace Master asked: "How is the swordsmanship of Baoding Taoist, the number one swordsman today?" Jiang Feiluan replied seriously: "Baoding Taoist has a broad mind. Every time he draws a sword, he can concentrate on it. His body and sword are one, which is better than mine." Suyun Palace Master has already understood that his swordsmanship is not as good as Baoding Taoist. After seeing off the guests, Yingtao asked, "They fought for so long, who won?" Shenmu Bhikkhu smiled and said, "Little girl, there is no winner or loser in this competition. Either they all lost or they all won. Their minds were not on the sword at all." Yingtao didn't understand. After thinking for a moment, she clapped her hands and said, "I know. My sister won. Those brothers were shy and embarrassed to admit it." Suyun Palace Master smiled and said, "You don't understand now, but you will understand in two years." The people of Yinxian Palace have been strictly restrained in the mountains. Now they can finally let go of their arms and fully appreciate the beautiful mountains and rivers. Men and women love each other, of course, they are happy, so they are very excited. After lingering in West Lake for a long time, someone mentioned Penglai Fairyland. Shenmu Bhikkhu immediately decided to go to Penglai, Shandong to play. Everyone went north along the waterway happily, and it goes without saying that they visited the mountains and enjoyed the scenery on the way. The four brothers Jiantong and Qintong all had their favorite beauties, and they tried every means to get close to them and win their favor. Palace Master Suyun is the head of the family. As long as she nods, everything is easy to talk about. Therefore, the four brothers respect Palace Master Suyun very much. Shenmu Bhikkhu is a Buddhist. He treats these young people with a playful attitude, teasing them from time to time. With the help of Cherry, these young people often blush, which is quite interesting.

At this time, Chang Xiao's energy was completely focused on the project in Wuyi Mountain. Many people had already participated in it, but except Chang Xiao himself, no one knew the real intention of carrying out this project. In addition to the excavators, there were many skilled craftsmen busy at work. Some were painting on the tidy walls, some were carving stone statues, and some were making various statues of gods with gold, silver, copper and iron. Although there were many people involved, no one knew Chang Xiao's true identity. Anyway, the wages were generous and there was no danger, so why bother with side issues? Because this project had to be carried out completely according to Chang Xiao's design, Chang Xiao stayed in Wuyi Mountain most of the time, and naturally had less time to accompany his wife. As long as he returned to the city that never sleeps, he would be closely watched by his six wives, and there was no free time. Chang Xiao had to sigh that there were also bad things about having many wives. This project needed to create an illusion close to a mirage. In addition to pictures and sculptures, it also required a variety of light to be refracted from many angles. Therefore, Chang Xiao had hundreds of bronze mirrors of different sizes refined, and some crystal clear treasures prepared, and they would be installed when the project was completed. Because he had experienced the mirage and had the painting in hand, things went very smoothly. Chang Xiao was naturally clear about the affairs of the sword boy brothers, and he didn't need to worry about the affairs of young men and women. But there was another thing that could not be ignored. It turned out that there was news that there was something unusual on the Nether Island where the Nether Swordsman lived in seclusion. This force was extremely powerful. In today's world, no one could control it except himself, so he decided to go to the Nether Island. After finally pacifying his six wives, Chang Xiao withdrew and went to the Nether Island, and of course, he was accompanied by the Fire Dragon Horse. Halfway through, Chang Xiao changed his mind. He didn't need to go to the island. He could send a letter to contact and meet the Nether Swordsman on land. Chang Xiao's way of contacting the Nether Swordsman was extremely secretive, and very few people knew about it. Soon, news came that Fang Zishou had entered the inland and asked Chang Xiao to meet in a fishing village by the sea. Chang Xiao was puzzled. The Nether Swordsman made people in the world tremble. What was there to worry about? Did he meet a strong enemy? The Fire Dragon Pony traveled a thousand miles a day and soon arrived at the fishing village. This fishing village was surrounded by mountains and not many people lived there. Fang Zishou came to greet him and greeted him, saying, "I was just about to ask the city lord for help with something, and when I was halfway there I heard that the city lord was coming, so I saved myself some trouble." Chang Xiao was relieved by Fang Zishou's look, thinking it was nothing serious. The two did not enter the fishing village, but went straight up the mountain. When the Fire Dragon Pony saw the sea, he had already rushed into the waves to play.

Chapter 145: Journey to the Fantasy Land

Arriving at a leeward place, the two sat down on a rock. Chang Xiao asked first, "What do you want to see me for?" Fang Zishou smiled and said, "City Lord, take a look at this first." Pointing to the sky, Chang Xiao looked carefully and found a bat in the air. He thought that a bat could not fly so high and was not so big. After concentrating, he saw clearly that it was a person wearing strange clothes, like a bat, floating in the air with the sea breeze. Chang Xiao nodded: "So you brothers heard about the kite and made such clothes." Fang Zishou sighed lightly: "This process is not simple. Our brothers have suffered a lot in order to successfully fly into the sky. Two of them injured their internal organs and now they can't walk." Chang Xiao knew the difficulty of this matter, but he didn't understand and asked: "Why bother so much for a game?" Fang Zishou smiled: "The city lord sees this as a game, but we brothers are different." Chang Xiao thought for a moment: "You want to master the skills of flying over the sea and protect the Nether Island forever." Fang Zishou nodded: "Yes, if this kind of clothes is successful, I believe no one will dare to take the Nether Island." Chang Xiao was very interested in this idea and asked: "What difficulties did you encounter that you came to me for?" Fang Zishou smiled bitterly and said: "The city lord is familiar with our martial arts. Flying is not a big problem. The key is landing. The landing point is difficult to control. Once the wings are retracted, they will fall. Falling into the sea is okay, but falling on the ground will be troublesome." Chang Xiao already understood that the Nether Swordsman would not follow the wind, slow down and circle, and landing would be very dangerous, so he asked for his help. So he readily agreed, and Fang Zishou was overjoyed. Because he was concerned about the project in Wuyi Mountain, Chang Xiao did not plan to go to Netherworld Island, so he gave instructions here. First, he improved the bat coat, and after trying many times, he finally achieved the ideal effect. Then he taught Fang Zishou the method of following the wind. This martial art was learned from Master Baikong, and the Netherworld Swordsman certainly did not know it. Fang Zishou himself had a very high level of cultivation, and after trying more than ten times, he had roughly mastered the essentials, and was extremely happy. There was no need to thank him, because Chang Xiao was very grateful to the Netherworld Swordsman, and thanking him would be awkward. After explaining the matter, Chang Xiao was about to leave. Fang Zishou remembered something and asked, "The city lord hasn't told us what he wants from us brothers?" Chang Xiao smiled and said, "I almost forgot. I got the news that you brothers have found many young men in the Central Plains and made some strange moves, so I came to see you. Now I know it's about the bat coat, so it doesn't matter."

Fang Zishou knew Chang Xiao's strength, so it was not surprising to know this. He nodded and said, "We brothers have indeed found a group of young people, all of whom are poor and helpless children. Such children can endure hardships. We brothers are not young anymore. Once we are old, we will inevitably be sought after by others and die without a burial place. Therefore, we have started to train successors." Chang Xiao fully understood and agreed, "If you don't think about the future, you will have immediate worries. There is nothing wrong with doing this. Once the bat coat is successful, you brothers will be able to dominate the sea, but you can't be careless. Although the bat coat is unexpected, it also has weaknesses, that is, it is very slow to dodge. Bows and arrows naturally can't do anything to you brothers, but firearms are different. I suggest that you use them at night." Fang Zishou remembered it firmly. After Chang Xiao gave the instructions, he left immediately and naturally went to Wuyi Mountain first. The project progressed very quickly and was nearing completion. Chang Xiao was very satisfied and paid the craftsmen very well. The craftsmen were all very surprised. No one knew the purpose of this project. Anyway, people with such a big hand were definitely not ordinary people. It was good to get the wages. There was no benefit in knowing more. After meeting Fang Zishou, Chang Xiao had an idea. The principle of the bat coat is the same as that of a big kite, but it is extremely light and does not take up much space when folded up when not in use. He should prepare one. With the bat coat, he can take advantage of the wind to fly wherever he goes, which makes things much more convenient. So he started to make it. In order to distinguish himself from the Nether Swordsman, Chang Xiao made his bat coat red. When not in use, he folded it up and carried it with him, which was very convenient. This matter must not be known to the Bhikkhu Shenmu. Once she knew it, it would cause trouble again. Seeing that the project was completed, Chang Xiao sent the craftsmen back and started to transport the bronze mirror, install the bronze mirror, and finally use various gems to create a fantasy feeling. After unremitting efforts, Chang Xiao's requirements were finally met. Because every craftsman knew the location of the cave, in order to prevent people from disturbing him, Chang Xiao set up many obstacles after the completion of the work, so that ordinary people could not get close at all. After everything was handled, he returned to the city that never sleeps.

Jade Butterfly and Princess Yueying are both old, and the sisters Hanmei and Xianglan are a few years older. Although these six are old, they are well-maintained and energetic. When they stay together, they can't help but get entangled with each other. Of course, they can't let Chang Xiao go. Therefore, when Chang Xiao returned to the Never-Sleeping City, he was entangled by the six wives before he had time to rest, and they had fun all night. Although Chang Xiao's internal skills are superb, he felt tired after satisfying his six wives, so he took a rest and took a rest. After recovering his energy, he naturally prepared to go to Wuyi Mountain. The cave was named Huanmo Cave by Chang Xiao. The light and shadow inside changed, like a fairyland. Of course, he did this to understand the sword skills hidden in the pictures of the ancestors of the Long family. Originally, Chang Xiao only planned to take Jade Butterfly into the cave, but Jade Butterfly, Princess Yueying and Hanmei had a deep relationship with each other, so they leaked the matter. Of course, the five women didn't agree, and they entangled Chang Xiao together. In desperation, Chang Xiao had to take the six wives to Wuyi Mountain together. On the road, Jade Butterfly said happily: "In this world, besides you, only we sisters have the chance to enter the Magic Cave. We are proud of it." The Fire Dragon Colt shook its head and neighed. Chang Xiao smiled and said, "When I entered the cave, the Fire Dragon Colt was naturally with me. It has seen it." Princess Yueying hit him hard and complained, "You can't forget the Fire Dragon Colt in everything, and put us behind." Chang Xiao sighed lightly: "The Fire Dragon Colt has become a part of my body. The feelings between us are hard to explain in words." It is naturally not fast to bring six wives. The Fire Dragon Colt still runs around as he pleases. After a few days, they came to Wuyi Mountain, where the mountains and rivers are beautiful and the scenery is pleasant, but the six women's minds are all in the Magic Cave, and they have no time to take care of the beautiful scenery. Under the leadership of Chang Xiao, the group finally came to the entrance of the Magic Cave. There were countless vines covering it, and outsiders could not see it at all. Chang Xiao activated the mechanism and the cave door appeared. Yu Hudie cheered and wanted to go in, but Chang Xiao stopped her and warned her, "The cave is mostly an illusion. You should be prepared and don't make a fuss." Princess Yueying said nonchalantly, "It doesn't matter. We are brave and are not afraid of anything."

After entering the Magic Cave, it was pitch black after the door closed. Jade Butterfly complained, "What can you see in such a dark place?" Chang Xiao reminded, "This is the first level, rebirth." There was a faint light on all sides. Princess Yueying looked around and found that the darkness on all sides was dark red, as if there were flames jumping, and the atmosphere was depressing and terrifying. Then she found several points of light, which gradually enlarged. Princess Yueying's heart was pounding and cold sweats were pouring out. Those lights turned out to be ghosts, with strange shapes, all in the shape of skeletons, some holding bloody human hearts, and some dancing bone sticks. There were endless skeletons behind these ghosts. Seeing these, Princess Yueying was shocked. She thought that the Magic Cave was like a fairyland, the most fun place, but how could it be so terrifying, as if she had come to hell. When frightened, most people would scream, but they couldn't scream because they were too frightened. Princess Yueying trembled and trembled into a ball. No matter who was around her, she hugged them tightly and refused to let go even if she died. The same was true for Jade Butterfly. Chang Xiao thought that Hanmei, Xianglan and the other four sisters had learned swordsmanship and killed many people, so they were at least braver than Princess Yueying and Jade Butterfly. Unexpectedly, the four girls were even more scared. It turned out that the four girls were not afraid of people, but were extremely afraid of ghosts. Seeing such a scene, their reaction became even stronger and they hugged each other. The Fire Dragon Horse behind them laughed at these people and deliberately made some noises. The six girls thought that there were evil ghosts coming to claim their lives, and they couldn't help but scream. Chang Xiao felt amused, opened his arms and took his six wives through the first floor. The second floor was the human world, with the sun, moon and stars on the top, mountains and rivers on all sides, villages and cities, and soft light. It took the six girls a long time to recover. Chang Xiao smiled and said, "Didn't I tell you? Why are you so scared?" The Jade Butterfly jumped up and started to bite. Chang Xiao raised his arm. The Jade Butterfly vented for a while before speaking, "It was obviously you who scared us on purpose, and then you laughed at the joke." Chang Xiao defended himself, "I clearly said this was an illusion." Of course the Jade Butterfly did not admit it, "You didn't explain it clearly at all, you deserve to be beaten." Princess Yueying also joined in, and Chang Xiao had to admit his mistake.

A smart man would not reason with a woman. Chang Xiao certainly could not ask for trouble in front of six beauties, but how could the six women, who were frightened, let it go? So they took turns to attack, scolding and fighting, and it was still Fire Dragon Horse who rescued them. Chang Xiao sighed: "Good brother, you have so many wives and none of them make trouble. If you have any tricks, teach me." Fire Dragon Horse shook his head and wagged his tail, looking gloating. Chang Xiao sighed: "The dignified Lord of the Never-Sleeping City was actually bullied by his wife. If people knew, wouldn't they laugh their teeth off?" The six women made a fuss for a while before they calmed down. Jade Butterfly asked: "Isn't this the human world? What's so good about it?" Chang Xiao explained: "Of course, the human world is not just these. There is a desert on the left and the sea on the right." Jade Butterfly remembered her experience in the desert and asked: "Are there mirages in the desert?" Chang Xiao nodded: "Of course, there are also mirages in the sea." Jade Butterfly was happy and pulled the sisters to the left. Fire Dragon Horse, of course, liked the sea and went to the right. Jade Butterfly never forgot the scenery of the desert. She was extremely excited to see the sunset in the desert and told Chang Xiao what she and Chang Xiao saw and heard in the desert. The design of the Magic Cave was extremely complex. There was a day-night rotation. The scene during the day and the night were each ingenious. The six women were so excited that they forgot the shock they had when they entered the cave. After appreciating the desert, the six women went to the sea on the right to enjoy it. Jade Butterfly asked Chang Xiao: "The first layer is hell, the second layer is the human world, what is the third layer?" Chang Xiao explained: "Of course it is heaven." Jade Butterfly immediately asked: "Take us to see it quickly." Chang Xiao smiled and said: "There are many changes in the first layer. You have only seen a small part of it. It's not too late to enter the third layer after you have seen them all." Jade Butterfly shook her head again and again: "I won't do it. Take us there quickly." The six women urged together, and Chang Xiao had to lead his six wives into the third layer.

Everyone has a paradise in their mind, and although they are different, they have many similarities. Paradise is naturally golden and peaceful, with exotic flowers and plants, colorful clouds, and towering palaces. The six women are immersed in it and forget everything. Chang Xiao has prepared a lot of food. The six women came out to find food because they were hungry. Han Mei said excitedly: "This is really the most fun place. I want to have fun in paradise." Xianglan immediately agreed: "I want to do whatever I want in the waves of the sea." The other four women immediately agreed. Chang Xiao frowned and said: "I built the Magic Cave to comprehend a martial art, not to have fun." Yu Hudie shook her head: "I don't care, you are our husband, you must satisfy us." If it were someone else, Chang Xiao would definitely be cruel, but facing Yu Hudie's peerless appearance, he really couldn't say no, so he had to agree. The six women cheered in unison and started to pack up the food together. After eating and drinking, they pestered Chang Xiao to have fun everywhere. It took several days before they calmed down. The six girls played around in different places, all on the second and third floors. They were not allowed to go to the first floor because it was too scary. Of course, the Magic Cave has more than three floors. There is also a fourth floor, which is sealed by a solid stone door. There are four big characters on the door: Taixu Fantasy Realm. The six girls asked to go in and take a look, but Chang Xiao refused. That was where he studied martial arts. There was a strong murderous aura, and there was an illusion created by crystal balls and golden rods. Ordinary people would lose their minds if they went in. It was extremely dangerous. Although the six girls were very curious, no one could open the stone door, so they had to give up. Fortunately, the human world and heaven were already free enough. After preparing for several days, Chang Xiao settled his six wives and went to the fourth floor to practice martial arts. Chang Xiao did not have much hope for this sword technique. What if he mastered it? His status was already high enough, and there was no point in further improving his martial arts. Now that there was no opponent, wouldn't he become a lonely person on the top of the mountain if he really mastered this sword technique? Such a life might not be interesting. The reason why I went to so much trouble was to treat this picture as a difficult problem to be solved, and it didn't matter if I couldn't solve it. Another reason was to build a comfortable home for myself so that I could live freely after retiring from society.

For ordinary people, the Magic Cave can indeed be regarded as a paradise on earth. The six women indulged in various beautiful scenery and left the city behind. Chang Xiao entered the Great Illusion to study the swordsmanship, but there was no progress for several days. Although there was an idea in his mind, he could not grasp it. On this day, Yu Hudie drank a lot of wine and walked around in a daze. When Chang Xiao found her, she was still talking nonsense. Chang Xiao's heart moved. At the beginning, the ancestor of the Long family was half asleep and half awake to comprehend the heavenly secrets. His mind was too clear and it was difficult to grasp the fleeting inspiration. Thinking of this, he had an idea. He could use fine wine. Of course, it would not work if he was drunk. He had to be 50% drunk and 50% sober. Chang Xiao was very excited when he had a solution. He immediately took the fine wine and entered the Great Illusion. The changes here are extremely complicated. The changes in the previous three layers are included in it, and there are many more magnificent colors. Chang Xiao drank while looking for a way to solve the problem. In fact, it is extremely dangerous to do so. The Fire Poison Sect's mind control technique is extremely powerful. If Chang Xiao is sober, he can resist it completely. Now that he is confused under the influence of fine wine, it is hard to say. Chang Xiao is cautious in doing things. Today's achievements are hard-won, and there is no need to take risks. Therefore, he is careful, not in a hurry to drink, and gradually increase his drinking. Never act rashly. In this way, the delay is long. Anyway, there is nothing big, so these people stay in the Magic Cave and spend their days freely. The sudden disappearance of the dignified Lord of the Never-Sleeping City has certainly attracted the attention of others. The return of the Hidden Fairy Palace is a big deal, which has alarmed many people. According to various sources, the return of the Hidden Fairy Palace has a lot to do with Chang Xiao. Many people want to find Chang Xiao to ask what happened, but Chang Xiao suddenly disappeared, and various masters speculated, but none of them could get the point. The news soon reached the ears of the Shenmu monk. The Shenmu monk felt very strange and asked the Jiantong brothers, but the four brothers were also unaware. The monk Shenmu was very curious and immediately rushed to the Never-Sleeping City to look for him. He found that Chang Xiao and his six wives were missing. The monk Shenmu deduced that Chang Xiao must not have taken his wives with him for some important matter, so he spread the word everywhere that Chang Xiao and his wives were enjoying the happiness of having two wives. The monk Shenmu was in a high position, so her words were certainly credible. Most people agreed with this statement, but there was one person who did not believe it, and that was the swordsman Qingyang who knew Chang Xiao very well. Wu Qingyang knew Chang Xiao very well and knew that Chang Xiao must have had other reasons for his disappearance this time, and it was impossible that he was just accompanying his wives. As for the details, it was impossible to deduce them. Chang Xiao had reached the peak in all aspects, so what else could interest him?

Chapter 146: The Dream is Hard to Come True

No one in the martial arts world knew about Long Jingtian's affairs, so naturally no one could tell the purpose of Chang Xiao's hiding this time. What is certain is that the Never-Sleeping City dominates the martial arts world, and all forces are much inferior. Although Chang Xiao has a respected status, he never restricts the development of other forces, so all parties are not worried and can develop with confidence. The emperor attacked the Never-Sleeping City for Shanhu, and the officers and soldiers suffered heavy losses. After the matter was resolved, the emperor and Shanhu returned to Beijing and handed over the mess in Jiangnan to Wei Heyang. After some efforts, they finally recovered some vitality. Wei Heyang is in a high position and can mobilize officials from all parties to assist at any time. After some preparation, he reorganized elite troops, selected generals, and used them according to their talents without any favoritism. Wei Heyang is not only the brother-in-law of the current emperor, the king sitting in Wuling Mountain, but also the first tiger general of this dynasty, an invincible general on the battlefield, so all the soldiers are convinced. Things went very smoothly, and the five camps were quickly reorganized, with strong soldiers and horses. Although the number of people was not as large as before, the combat effectiveness was greatly enhanced. Wei Heyang knew that the emperor was most worried about the rebellion of the generals holding heavy troops and the mutiny of the soldiers, so he took precautions. The five battalions were no longer divided into different arms as in the past. Each battalion only retained one arm. The siege required the cooperation of various arms. In this way, each battalion did not have the conditions to make trouble, and there would be no looting of baggage. In fact, Wei Heyang had to do this. If he could not make the emperor completely at ease, he would not get the support of local officials and the court, and he could not make great efforts to rectify. After many efforts, the situation was finally stabilized and order was restored in Jiangnan. After being busy for a long time, Wei Heyang was finally able to be more relaxed and spare some energy to pay attention to the development of the rivers and lakes. After many understandings, it was learned that the Never-Sleeping City is still the most powerful force in the world today. Under the efforts of Chang Xiao, masters from all walks of life are trying to improve their own cultivation. The four famous families have also changed their concepts, communicated with each other, and learned from each other. Baoding Taoist is still recognized as the first swordsman. Tongtian Fortress Master Jiang Feiluan has made rapid progress and has surpassed the four famous families, and is as famous as Baoding Taoist. In addition to these two people, Qi Shizhen emerged as a dark horse and unexpectedly became a master. The progress of others was also significant.

Although Wei Heyang was fascinated by his military career, he had not forgotten the taste of the rivers and lakes. Seeing that all kinds of masters were advancing together, if he was satisfied with the status quo, he was afraid that he would be left behind and had no place to stand before long. Therefore, he freed up his hands to study swordsmanship. The dignity of the king was indeed majestic, and it was difficult to give up the colorful rivers and lakes. At this time, news came that a strange sight suddenly appeared in the city that never sleeps. The kite actually took people to the sky. Wei Heyang was very surprised to hear this news. How could there be such a thing in the world? Originally, a trip to the city that never sleeps would understand, but Wei Heyang is no longer the same as before, and his dignity is quite heavy. He can't raise his head in front of Chang Xiao, so he doesn't want to go. One day Wu Qingyang visited, and Wei Heyang greeted him grandly. Without this master, he would not have the glory of today. People should not forget their roots. When the master and apprentice met, Wei Heyang was extremely respectful, but Wu Qingyang was very free and easy, ignoring the details. The two were drinking in the pavilion in the garden. Wu Qingyang praised his apprentice for his great success in reorganizing the military camp. Wei Heyang modestly said, "This is the duty of a general. Recently, I heard that the City That Never Sleeps actually uses kites to take people to the sky. It's incredible. What do you think, Master?" Wu Qingyang smiled and said, "I didn't believe it when I first heard about it. Later, I went to the City That Never Sleeps. Seeing is believing. This is absolutely true." Wei Heyang was quite surprised: "The city lord is really powerful. I haven't heard of such a thing since Pangu created the world." Wu Qingyang nodded: "This idea came from the monk Shenmu, and it was Chang Xiao who put it into practice. Not only did the master see it with his own eyes, but he also tried it once. The big kite in the City That Never Sleeps is really powerful. It actually took the master to the sky. That feeling is really Wonderful." Wei Heyang was even more surprised: "Master actually tried it himself, I would like to hear the details." So Wu Qingyang told him in detail about his experience of riding the wind to the sky in the city that never sleeps. Wei Heyang sighed and said: "It is really the first wonder in ancient and modern times. I wonder if I can experience such a taste?" Wu Qingyang explained: "Making a kite is not difficult, and flying to the sky with the wind is also easy. The most difficult thing is to control it. When you are in the sky, there is no place to borrow strength, and no matter how powerful your martial arts are, you can't use them. Once you fall, you will inevitably be smashed to pieces. Shenmu Bhikkhu was so proud that he lost control of the kite and fell to the dust. If it weren't for Chang Xiao's rescue, he would have died long ago. Such a master is like this, let alone you and me?" Wei Heyang was unwilling to say: "Didn't Master try it?"

Wu Qingyang knew that his disciple's life depended on the safety of Jiangnan, so he must not take risks lightly, so he persuaded: "The main reason why the master dared to try was that he had no worries. Chang Xiao was below at that time, so he would not worry about his life if he failed. Don't try rashly. This is extremely dangerous. Once something goes wrong, the consequences will be disastrous." Wei Heyang was quite yearning and unwilling to give up this idea: "Master can help from below." Wu Qingyang shook his head: "In the way of martial arts, a slight mistake can lead to a thousand miles of error. The master is not sure he can catch you. First of all, the distance is difficult to measure. The wind direction changes at any time, and you may be blown to any place. Once you fail, the master is not sure he can arrive in time. Chang Xiao could not do it without the electric shuttle. Another point is strength. Falling from a high altitude, the force is beyond your imagination. The master is not sure he can resolve it." Wei Heyang frowned and said: "Master has superb internal strength and strong palm power. He can completely resolve it." Wu Qingyang sighed lightly: "The principle here is very profound. If a big rock falls, the master has "The person who fell was a flesh-and-blood person. If the power was small, it would be impossible to save him. If the power was large, the two forces would counterattack. Even if you saved your life, you would be seriously injured. You must be careful about the degree of control here. Your master does not have this ability. "Wei Heyang thought again and again. The master's meaning was very clear, but the temptation of flying into the blue sky was too great. He still did not give up. He then asked: "The city lord became famous for his sword. Internal strength is not his forte, but he can still do it. The master has a deep family background and has practiced internal strength for many years. Isn't he better than the city lord? "Wu Qingyang certainly didn't want his apprentice to take risks. He patiently explained: "Although Chang Xiao's martial arts are from the outside to the inside, he has broken through the internal strength gate and become a real master. His internal strength is far ahead of my master. "Wei Heyang finally recognized the master's statement and nodded: "It seems that the city lord's help is indispensable to fly into the sky. "Wu Qingyang smiled: "Now Chang Xiao and his six wives have left the Never-Sleeping City together, and no one knows where they are going. "Wei Heyang was quite regretful.

After hearing about the big kite, Wei Heyang couldn't forget it. If only Chang Xiao and Shenmu Bhikkiu flew to the sky, he would not think about it. The difference in cultivation was too great and there was no comparison. But there were others in the Never-Sleeping City who also flew to the sky, and Chang Xiao actually took his wife to the sky. It seemed that it was entirely possible for him to fly to the blue sky. Although Wu Qingyang tried to persuade him, Wei Heyang still couldn't forget it and was thinking about finding someone to make a big kite. Wu Qingyang knew this apprentice and would not give up until he suffered a little hardship. Therefore, he was not in a hurry to leave. It would be safer for him to stay with him. There was a hundred-foot cliff in Wuling Mountain, where the wind was extremely strong, which was naturally the most ideal place. Wei Heyang ordered the making of kites. As the King of Wuling who held the power in Jiangnan, he naturally responded to the call and soon sent more than ten kites. Wu Qingyang had some experience after all, so he selected three to fly. The craftsmen who made kites did not know Wei Heyang's intention, and the kites they made were light enough, but they could not bear weight, and none of them succeeded. Wei Heyang couldn't make the matter clear. If Princess Rose knew about it, she would definitely stop him. The couple had a deep affection for each other and couldn't argue over such a small matter. Therefore, he said that the reason for making the kite was to facilitate the transmission of information. Although Wu Qingyang had tried it before, he didn't participate in making the kite after all, so he didn't know the essentials very well. He couldn't make the matter clear, so he failed again and again. Wei Heyang had no choice but to give up this idea temporarily. Wu Qingyang couldn't stay for long. He left Wuling Mountain after instructing his apprentice and took the road back to Wuling Villa. Although Duan Xiyun and Yin Tianlei's marriage was not publicized, Wu Qingyang also got the news. It was nothing for Yin Tianlei to marry Chang Xiao's daughter Qingting, but Duan Xiyun's wife was from Yinxian Palace, which was a force that had been hidden for many years, and many people in the world were paying attention to it. Wu Qingyang was no exception, but no one could explain it clearly. Only when he met Chang Xiao could he understand the details. Today's Jianghu presents a pattern of flourishing flowers, and masters from all walks of life are moving forward together. Such a good momentum is inseparable from Chang Xiao's strong promotion. Nowadays, all the masters who have enough weight have received assistance from Chang Xiao to some extent. Chang Xiao also helped change the ideas of the four famous families. Unexpectedly, the Hidden Immortal Palace suddenly appeared at this time, adding a new color to the world. The sword-controlling technique has always been said to be magical, and this time it finally appeared.

At the beginning, the sword-controlling technique that Zuixia Taoist practiced was incomplete. Although it had achieved certain achievements, it still had some flaws. The people of Yinxian Palace were orthodox descendants, so they must have their own unique features. Therefore, Wu Qingyang wanted to see it. After asking around, he learned that the people of Yinxian Palace traveled around and their whereabouts were uncertain. In addition to the Jiantong brothers from the Never-Sleeping City, there was also the Shenmu monk. Wu Qingyang had a wide range of friends and learned that this group of people were playing in Penglai, Shandong, waiting for the appearance of the mirage. Therefore, Wu Qingyang went back home to make some arrangements and set off for Penglai, ready to learn the sword-controlling technique. At this time, the people of Yinxian Palace were in high spirits. They had lived in the mountains for many years, and seeing the magnificent ocean, they were naturally excited. Shenmu monk liked the excitement the most. He had endless fun talking and laughing with so many people, so he put other things behind his mind. Of course, the Jiantong brothers could not leave. How could the young men and women be willing to leave when they were in love? Jiang Feiluan had left after the swordfight at West Lake. Although he did not get the sword-controlling technique, it was worthwhile to see the real sword-controlling technique. Wu Qingyang was not in a hurry to get going. The people in Yinxian Palace had to wait for the mirage to appear and would not leave soon. Mirages are hard to come by. Sometimes they do not appear for two or three years, and sometimes they appear two or three times in a month. No one can predict it. Wu Qingyang has been walking alone in the rivers and lakes for many years with his sword. He has traveled all over the country and is very familiar with the customs and customs of the Central Plains. Therefore, he is not unfamiliar with any place. One day, he came to the foot of Mount Tai. The sun was shining brightly and he felt a little thirsty. He thought about finding a hotel to rest for a while before leaving. Mount Tai is the first of the Five Sacred Mountains and has many scenic spots and historical sites. Wu Qingyang has been here several times. Thinking back, there is a hotel here that brews very delicious wine. The owner is a retired Jianghu man and has some friendship with him. Why not go and bother him and talk about the old times? So he urged his horse forward.

Soon, he saw the wine sign. It was still the same as before. The hotel was neither big nor small, and it was inconspicuous. Wu Qingyang knew the owner very well. His real name was Shi Huaiyu. He joined the escort agency at the age of sixteen, starting as an ordinary porter and working his way up to deputy chief escort. Later, he started his own escort agency. Because of his proficiency in martial arts and good relationships, he made a lot of money. When the escort agency was at its peak, he sold it all and made a large sum of money. He lived in anonymity and lived a carefree life. When he was old, he returned to his hometown, which was at the foot of Mount Tai, and opened a hotel to enjoy his old age. At that time, a trip of escort that Shi Huaiyu was protecting was taken away by a strong man. Wu Qingyang happened to be a guest in the mountain village and mediated between the two families and reached an agreement. Shi Huaiyu not only did not lose but gained something. He was very grateful to Wu Qingyang, and later he lived in seclusion in the mountains and did not break off contact. Today, Wu Qingyang passed by and remembered this person and went to visit him. Soon they arrived at the hotel, where the waiter entertained them attentively. Wu Qingyang asked, "How is the old shopkeeper?" The waiter knew that he was a familiar customer, so he bowed and replied, "Two years ago, the old shopkeeper stopped taking care of the business. He was obsessed with brewing wine and often went around looking for spring water." Wu Qingyang nodded, "First, some side dishes and two pots of wine." The waiter agreed and went down to prepare. A man walked out of the store. He had thick eyebrows, a green shirt and a small hat, and a loyal face. Seeing Wu Qingyang, he bowed and saluted, "Uncle Wu, my nephew is polite." Wu Qingyang recognized him. It was Shi Huaiyu's eldest son, Shi Lianjiang. Wu Qingyang nodded: "Good boy, I haven't seen you achieve anything in several years." Shi Lianjiang laughed: "Uncle, you are joking. What kind of future can you achieve by running such a small shop?" Wu Qingyang pointed out: "Ordinary life is also a kind of blessing. It is not easy to be a high-ranking official with a lot of salary and a lot of people around you. The higher you stand, the harder you fall." Shi Lianjiang nodded: "I understand what you said, uncle. Serving the emperor is like serving a tiger. No matter how high the official position is, it cannot withstand a word from the emperor. I don't even want to live like that." Wu Qingyang asked: "Then what is your ideal life like?" Shi Lianjiang smiled: "Just like uncle, a single swordsman, traveling north and south, eliminating evil and punishing traitors, helping the poor and the needy." Wu Qingyang shook his head: "The world is very complicated, and the forces of all parties are intertwined. If you don't handle it properly, you will inevitably get into trouble. At that time, although the world is big, there will be no place for you to stand."

Every young person has a dream in his heart, and it is completely understandable that Shi Lianjiang thinks so. Wu Qingyang knew that the world of martial arts was dangerous, and Shi Lianjiang had mediocre martial arts skills, only a passion, and it would be extremely dangerous to rashly step into the world of martial arts, so he tried to persuade him. The topic soon turned to Shi Huaiyu. It turned out that Shi Huaiyu was obsessed with brewing wine, which required a lot of spring water. He often went to various places to collect it, and he was still outside at this time. Wu Qingyang was just passing by, so it didn't matter if he didn't see him. Shi Lianjiang asked the waiter to take out the fine wine brewed by Shi Huaiyu for Wu Qingyang to taste. The fragrance came out, and Wu Qingyang was refreshed. He said it was a good wine, and it was even more memorable after tasting it. Shi Lianjiang smiled and said, "My father values the fine wine he brews very much and does not allow it to be sold. If it were not for you, I would not dare to take it out." Wu Qingyang nodded and said, "Such fine wine is indeed rare. I have traveled all over the country for so many years and tasted fine wines from all over the country. I have even drunk the imperial wine that was tribute to the palace. None of them can compare to the wine brewed by your father." Shi Lianjiang was quite confident: "Uncle, you don't know, my father really put a lot of thought into these wines." While they were chatting, a scholar suddenly walked in from outside. After entering the door, he couldn't wait to shout, "Shopkeeper, please serve the wine." Wu Qingyang didn't care. The waiter brought the wine. After smelling it, the scholar shook his head and said, "It's not this kind. Go and change it." The waiter said in embarrassment, "That kind of wine is for our family use and cannot be sold." The scholar smiled and said, "Are you afraid that I don't have money? Go and get it." He took out a gold leaf and put it on the table. The waiter looked at Shi Lianjiang. Shi Lianjiang's family was not short of money at all. He shook his head slightly. The waiter apologized and said, "Please forgive me, I didn't mean to raise the price. The old shopkeeper said that I really can't sell it." The scholar frowned and said, "How can this be? Other customers can eat it, but I can't." This was said to Wu Qingyang. Shi Lianjiang stepped forward and said, "Sir, you don't know, this wine is brewed by my father and never sold. This guest is an old friend of my father. We are close friends, not just passing merchants." The scholar nodded slightly and said, "Well, you can bring out good wine that can be sold and prepare some side dishes." Shi Lianjiang asked the waiter to take out the twenty-year-old daughter's red wine. After tasting it, the scholar sighed, "Although it is an aged fine wine, it is still a little inferior. I have to make do with it." Seeing that the scholar was reasonable, Wu Qingyang couldn't help but pay attention to him. This person had a slightly pale complexion, a medium build, ordinary clothes, and a somewhat thin figure. There was nothing surprising about him.

Chapter 147: Rare Wine

Since Shi Huaiyu was not there, Wu Qingyang did not plan to stay any longer. Shi Lianjiang naturally tried to keep him, insisting that Wu Qingyang wait for his father to come back. Wu Qingyang had something on his mind, so of course he could not stay for long. Just as he was about to leave, he heard the waiter shouting, "The old shopkeeper is back." Wu Qingyang glanced over and saw a team of carts parked at the door. The carts were full of large jars. An old man was arranging people to unload the carts and move the large jars into the store. It was Shi Huaiyu. Shi Lianjiang stepped forward to greet him, and Shi Huaiyu scolded him, "Didn't I tell you not to sell my wine? Why didn't you listen?" It turned out that Shi Huaiyu had already smelled the aroma of the wine. Shi Lianjiang smiled and said, "Uncle Wu is here, so I can't entertain him with ordinary wine." Shi Huaiyu showed joy on his face, "Is Brother Wu really here?" Shi Lianjiang nodded, "He's in the store." Shi Huaiyu stepped in and saw Wu Qingyang with a smile on his face. He saluted with his fists, "What fragrant wind blew Brother Wu here." Wu Qingyang returned the greeting, "My dear brother, I'm sorry." After the greetings, Shi Huaiyu sat down and asked, "Brother Wu, what's the matter with you?" Wu Qingyang smiled and said, "I went to Penglai to meet a friend. I passed by here and came to visit." Shi Huaiyu nodded, and Wu Qingyang praised, "The wine brewed by my dear brother is really extraordinary and can be called the best." Shi Huaiyu shook his head, "This kind of wine is nothing. It's rare for Brother Wu to come, so I'll take out the best wine." When Wu Qingyang heard that there was even better wine, he immediately became excited. Shi Huaiyu went to the back to get the wine, and after a while he came out with a porcelain jar. Shi Lianjiang came over and asked, "Dad, can I have a taste?" Shi Huaiyu immediately refused, "No share for you." Wu Qingyang felt amused. Shi Huaiyu was really a strange person. He didn't even let his own son drink. So he said, "As the saying goes, good things should be kept in the family. It's really unreasonable for my dear brother to have good wine but not give it to his son." Shi Huaiyu then agreed, "For Brother Wu's sake, let the kid have a taste. It's not that I'm stingy, I just think this silly boy doesn't deserve my wine." Shi Lianjiang smiled happily, "Thank you, Uncle Wu." The wine jar was opened, and the aroma wafted out. Wu Qingyang immediately felt that the wine was unusual. Shi Huaiyu explained, "This wine is cold in nature, and it has been soaked at the bottom of the well for a long time. Ordinary people can't afford it." Wu Qingyang then understood that Shi Lianjiang's internal strength was not good enough to resist, and it was not that Shi Huaiyu was stingy.

Shi Lianjiang took out two jade cups and poured the wine into them, which turned light blue. Shi Huaiyu said, "Brother Wu knows my ability well. I can drink three cups at most. One cup is enough for that silly boy. Brother Wu, please enjoy." Wu Qingyang took a sip from the cup and felt a chill rushing into his lungs. His hair stood up and he felt cool all over. He praised, "Good wine." He drank the cup in one gulp. Shi Lianjiang understood after drinking one cup and smiled bitterly, "No wonder you didn't let me drink. I wouldn't have missed it if you had told me earlier." Shi Huaiyu only drank three cups and changed to another kind of wine. Wu Qingyang drank more than ten cups without changing his expression. Shi Huaiyu praised: "Brother Wu, your cultivation is improving day by day. I admire you." Wu Qingyang shook his head: "Stop here. Drinking any more will do no good." At this time, the scholar who was drinking alone suddenly muttered to himself: "The priceless Hanbing wine actually fell into the hands of ordinary people. What a pity, what a pity." Wu Qingyang's heart moved, and he asked Shi Huaiyu: "Is this wine called Hanbing wine?" Shi Huaiyu nodded: "I found it by chance in ancient books. How did this person know it?" Wu Qingyang felt that this scholar was not simple, and invited him: "Since you know Since you are an expert in the art of drinking, would you mind sharing a few cups with me?" The scholar immediately agreed, "I'm afraid you won't be able to part with the good wine." Shi Huaiyu had been in the martial arts world for many years and had accumulated a lot of gold and silver. Making wine was just his personal hobby and he didn't take it seriously. He immediately said, "As long as you can drink, there will be plenty of ice wine." The scholar was overjoyed. He approached and took a seat, eager to pour the wine. Wu Qingyang was secretly surprised. The scholar poured the wine casually, and the wine didn't even sway in the cup. It seemed that this man had very deep internal strength. Before the scholar could speak, he drank the wine in the cup first, and praised, "Wonderful, really wonderful." He drank ten cups in a row before stopping to savor the taste. Shi Huaiyu was also an expert. He knew that this person's inner strength was far better than his own, so he asked, "How much do you know about Ice Wine?" The scholar was confident, "Ice Wine requires nine kinds of rare medicines and nine kinds of spring water. It is time-consuming and laborious. It will take at least three years to make it." Shi Huaiyu nodded, "It took five years to make this wine." The scholar smiled and said, "Ice Wine is troublesome, but Fiery Wine is even more troublesome." Wu Qingyang was stunned, "And Fiery Wine?" Shi Huaiyu explained, "Yes, Fiery Wine requires three kinds of medicinal materials, but these three are extremely rare. I have not been able to gather them all, so it's delayed."

The scholar took a short break and started drinking again. He had drunk thirty cups and still had no intention of stopping. Wu Qingyang was shocked. This man's internal strength was far better than his own. Shi Huaiyu also felt strange. Wu Qingyang was already a top-notch master, but this scholar was so much ahead. Who was he? The scholar drank thirty-six cups before he stopped. He nodded and said, "Today I am lucky to taste the ice wine. It is not polite not to return the favor. Take this as a payment." He casually took out a book. The cover had turned yellow, and it was obviously very old. Wu Qingyang glanced at it and saw the two words on it were "Jiu Jing". Shi Huaiyu was surprised and asked, "Is this the Wine Classic that has been lost for hundreds of years?" The scholar smiled and nodded, "I originally planned to brew good wine myself, but it was too much effort. Anyway, I have already memorized the contents of the wine, so I will give it to you." Shi Huaiyu was overjoyed and thanked him repeatedly. The scholar shook his head and said, "This Wine Classic is today's wine money. You and I owe each other nothing." Wu Qingyang became interested in this person. This person did not have the shadow of a Jianghu person, so where did his martial arts come from? Such a deep inner strength is extremely rare. It should not be an unknown person. It seems that this person is a strange person living in seclusion in the mountains. Although the scholar had a deep inner strength, he did not dare to drink anymore. Wu Qingyang asked, "What is the most rare wine in the Wine Classic?" The scholar smiled and said, "It is none other than Ice Wine and Fiery Wine. In fact, it is Ice Wine and Fiery Wine put together." Wu Qingyang was puzzled and asked, "Ice wine is cold and Fiery wine is hot. Wouldn't they be ruined if they were put together?" The scholar shook his head and said, "Ice wine and Fiery wine are extremely complicated to make. After the wine is made, you need to use a rhino horn cup. Put the two wines together, the icy one will get icier and the hot one will get hotter. It is said that this recipe was passed down by an immortal. Mortals who drink this wine have a chance to become immortals. However, this is a bit unreliable. Mortals simply cannot resist the two kinds of cold and hot. The strength of the wine, once you drink it, your internal organs will be severely damaged, and even gods can't save you. "Shi Huaiyu asked: "Is there no one who can drink the ice and fire wine?" The scholar smiled and said: "Since there is such a wine, there are naturally people who can drink it. The method of making ice and fire wine was passed down by a strange man in the Tang Dynasty, Qiu Ran Ke. This strange man carried ice and fire wine wherever he went. As for who can drink it in later generations, it is unclear." Hearing this, Wu Qingyang already understood that only those who have reached the pinnacle of internal and external skills can enjoy this ice and fire wine. This scholar, who has such a deep internal skill, dare not try it. I am afraid that no one in the world today has this blessing.

Wu Qingyang tentatively mentioned the masters in the martial arts world today. Generally speaking, people who practice martial arts will care about these things. But this scholar was obviously indifferent, as if he was an outsider. After having fun, he left immediately and drifted away. Shi Huaiyu asked: "Brother Wu, where does this person come from?" Wu Qingyang shook his head: "I can't guess, he should be a hermit who lives in seclusion. What is certain is that this person's internal skills are extremely profound, not inferior to the monk Shenmu." Shi Huaiyu was very happy to get the "Wine Classic". This book contains the wine brewing method that has been lost for many years. With this book, there is an inexhaustible source of wealth for future generations. Wu Qingyang was going to Penglai and could not stay for long, because the two had a deep friendship. Shi Huaiyu filled a large gourd with ice wine. Wu Qingyang did not refuse and said goodbye immediately, saying that he would come back when he came back. After seeing Wu Qingyang off, Shi Huaiyu immediately studied the "Wine Classic" and started to brew various fine wines. Wu Qingyang quickly arrived at Penglai. The people from Yinxian Palace had not left yet, and the mirage had not appeared. The monk Shenmu found that the wind was very strong at the seaside, and suddenly had an idea to use a big kite here. When the mirage appeared, he would fly in to see what was inside. The people in Yinxian Palace were moved by this idea, and they worked together to play at the seaside every day. There was no need to worry about falling when flying on the sea. These people were skilled in martial arts, and it was nothing to fall into the sea, so everyone had fun. When Wu Qingyang arrived, everyone was having fun. The monk Shenmu led the sword boy brothers to play in the air. When he saw Wu Qingyang, he immediately waved his hands and shouted: "See how powerful I am?" Wu Qingyang secretly admired this senior's internal strength. Not only could he see himself clearly from such a distance, but he could also transmit his voice. He raised his breath and transmitted his voice: "Senior, you are flying with the wind, the scenery is extreme." The monk Shenmu was very happy, circling left and right, playing tricks, and the big kite turned several somersaults in succession. As the beauties of the Hidden Fairy Palace were cheering, they suddenly saw the Divine Eyed Monk suddenly break away from the kite and fall straight down. Wu Qingyang was shocked and had no time to think of a solution. The Divine Eyed Monk had already fallen quickly. The Suyun Palace Master laughed and said, "Here we go again, wasting a kite in vain."

It turned out that the monk Shenmu often played this trick, falling into the sea to scare others, and lost a kite every time he played it. Today, when he saw Wu Qingyang, he naturally wanted to show off. When Wu Qingyang saw the monk Shenmu fall into the sea, he finally understood and felt funny. The monk Shenmu rode through the waves and soon jumped onto the shore. Wu Qingyang stepped forward to salute him. The monk Shenmu asked, "Are you scared?" Wu Qingyang nodded, "I was really surprised." The monk Shenmu was very proud. When he saw the big gourd Wu Qingyang brought, he asked, "Why do you carry a gourd for no reason? You don't need such a big gourd to quench your thirst. It's so cumbersome." Wu Qingyang explained, "This is good wine brewed by a friend." The monk Shenmu immediately became interested: "Is it delicious? Give it to me to taste." Wu Qingyang certainly couldn't refuse, so he handed over the gourd and reminded him, "This wine is icy when you drink it. You can only drink slowly. Don't drink too much." The monk Shenmu didn't care. He took the gourd, tilted his head back and took a big sip. His mouth was full of coldness, but he knew he couldn't swallow it in a hurry. He gathered his true energy and slowly drank the wine. He nodded and praised, "Good wine, it's all mine." Wu Qingyang was extremely generous and didn't care about these worldly things at all. What's more, Shi Huaiyu was a close friend of his, so if he wanted to drink, he could just go to him. Therefore, he readily agreed: "Since the senior likes it, Wu will give it to him with both hands." The monk Shenmu immediately called the sword boy brothers down, gathered everyone together, and played with the gourd and said: "I will treat everyone to a drink. I guarantee that you have never drunk before." After getting along for a long time, the people in Yinxian Palace knew the temper of the monk Shenmu. Whatever he thought of was what he meant, so everyone went along with him. The monk Shenmu was very proud, as if he was the leader of the group. He first introduced Wu Qingyang. The Lord of Suyun Palace did not recognize him, and the sword boy brothers introduced him to him before he understood. Everyone sat together. The wine boy liked to drink the most. Of course he was happy to hear that there was good wine, but there was only one gourd of wine for so many people. It would be a pity if he could not drink it. Therefore, he took the initiative to express his attitude: "I am the best at drinking. I will go first." The crane boy smiled and said, "If you come first, there will be no share for us." Wu Qingyang shook his head: "This wine is extraordinary. No one in the world can drink it in one gulp."

Wu Qingyang is a famous swordsman in the world today, so his words are naturally weighty. The monk Shenmu ordered people to prepare some dishes, and everyone sat together. The city that never sleeps is rich enough to rival a country, so the utensils are naturally very exquisite. The wine glasses are all made of jade. The wine boy holds a gourd and pours a glass for each person, estimating how much wine is left. After tasting it, the Suyun Palace Master was surprised and said, "Hanbing wine, who can find the brewing method?" Wu Qingyang's heart moved. From the tone of the Suyun Palace Master, it is obvious that he knows something about it. Then he asked, "It takes a lot of trouble to brew this wine. A friend of Wu found the brewing method in ancient books. It took countless efforts and five years to complete it. Where did the Palace Master know Hanbing wine?" The Suyun Palace Master smiled and said, "My ancestors passed down a book called "Wine Classics". I read it in my spare time and learned a thing or two." Wu Qingyang already understood that the scholar he met in Shi Huaiyu's hotel had some connection with the Yinxian Palace. Everyone tasted it one by one. Such wine is indeed rare, but it's a pity that no one can drink too much. After drinking three cups, the wine boy praised: "It is indeed a good wine, but it seems to be a little lacking. It tastes better after being soaked in ice water." Wu Qingyang nodded: "This wine has been soaked in the well, and I forgot to mention it just now." The monk Shenmu immediately took out the ice ruler: "What's the big deal? I have an ice ruler. Just soak it." So he put the ice ruler in a wine jar, and the wine poured out was indeed more delicious. The wine boy usually drinks in large bowls, but now he tastes it carefully. The sword boy asked: "Aren't you afraid that the wine will run out?" The wine boy smiled: "No one can drink too much of this kind of wine. I want to taste it carefully. Good wine is like good tea. If you drink it in one gulp, it will be ruined. You have to experience it slowly." The monk Shenmu agreed: "People have worked hard for five years. It's really not appropriate for you to swallow it in one gulp." Although Yinxian Palace has the "Wine Sutra", it has been secluded in the mountains and has no chance to brew. Besides, everything is decided by women, so things like brewing are certainly not taken to heart. Therefore, Palace Master Suyun had never drunk ice wine. She regretted it today after tasting it. If she had known that ice wine was so delicious, she would have brewed some herself.

Wu Qingyang mentioned the scholar he met on the road intentionally or unintentionally. The Lord of Suyun Palace had already guessed that this person must be Master Lingjiu, so she didn't point it out and answered vaguely. Wu Qingyang knew that he couldn't get the answer. When the monk Shenmu heard about the ice and fire wine, he immediately ordered Wu Qingyang: "Go and get some ice and fire wine for me to taste." Wu Qingyang smiled bitterly and said: "Senior, you are too impatient. The materials needed for fire wine are extremely difficult to find. They are not yet gathered. Even if you make ice and fire wine, you may not be able to drink it." The monk Shenmu asked: "Why can't I drink it?" Wu Qingyang had to explain: "Senior has superb internal skills, which is more than enough to deal with ice wine, and fire wine is no problem, but after the two wines are mixed, the cold and hot attack, senior may not be able to bear it." The monk Shenmu thought carefully and thought that Wu Qingyang's words did make sense. He nodded and said: "Even if what you said makes sense, I really can't drink ice and fire wine. When the fire wine is brewed, you must give me a gourd." Wu Qingyang nodded in agreement. The sword boy asked, "Can the city lord drink the ice and fire wine?" Wu Qingyang hesitated for a moment and shook his head: "It's hard to say." The monk Shenmu laughed, "That guy is simply not a human being. Maybe he can drink it. Humph, even if he can drink it, I won't give it to him." The Lord of Suyun Palace asked, "What do you mean by this, senior?" The monk Shenmu explained, "The good things in the world can't be taken by him alone. The most beautiful jade butterfly is his wife, the most majestic fire dragon is his good brother, the largest castle is his home, and he can also make the best food in the world. He has the best hidden weapon in the world, the lightning shuttle, and the dragon scale sword. All the treasures that others dream of have run into his hands. What else is there to be dissatisfied about? Ice and fire wine is the best wine. I can't let him drink it if I can't drink it." The sword boy laughed, "Senior is wrong. The city lord doesn't know about the ice and fire wine at all." The monk Shenmu frowned and said, "So you all have to remember that no one can tell him about this. If he drinks the ice and fire wine, I will settle the score with you."

Chapter 148 Young Master

Wu Qingyang came from afar mainly to see the sword-controlling technique. When Suyun Palace Master heard about it, she readily agreed. The Nie family had been in hiding for many years, and now they are back in the arena, so they should learn about the martial arts of contemporary masters. Wu Qingyang is famous and has rich experience in facing enemies. The younger generation is certainly not his opponent. It was still Suyun Palace Master who took action, and the two of them had a sword fight on the beach. After tasting the ice wine, everyone was in high spirits. It happened that the weather was good. That night, the wind was calm and the sea was smooth as a mirror. The moonlight was reflected on the water. From time to time, fish jumped out of the water, tired birds returned to their nests, and the sky was full of stars. The world was lonely, and the sea and sky were vast. Wu Qingyang stood opposite Suyun Palace Master. As a swordsman, his life has been integrated with the sword. When facing a strong opponent, the most important thing is to be one with the sword. Although Wu Qingyang was motionless, he was no longer a flesh-and-blood person, but a sharp sword. Of course, the Suyun Palace Master felt the change in Wu Qingyang. This opponent was no less powerful than Jiang Feiluan. With a crisp sound, the two drew their swords at the same time. The two cold lights instantly touched each other, making a pleasant sound. The monk Shenmu praised: "Little Wu's sword is good. I underestimated you before." Hearing this title, Wu Qingyang was amused. He had been in the martial arts world for many years and was respected wherever he went. Even in the city that never sleeps, he was a guest of honor. But in the mouth of the monk Shenmu, he became Little Wu. It's no wonder that the monk Shenmu played the game of the martial arts world and didn't respect anyone very much. When he saw a master like Master Baekje, he called him an old monk. When masters fight, the most taboo is distraction. Wu Qingyang is experienced and of course understands the truth, so he concentrates on fighting with the Suyun Palace Master. The sword-controlling technique was displayed with a beautiful posture. Under the moonlight, the Suyun Palace Master's sleeves fluttered, and she was at ease. The two swords came and went without a trace of fireworks. Wu Qingyang was full of admiration. The swordsmanship of the Tang Dynasty was indeed unique and graceful, similar to the murals in the temple, and it was in line with the "Sword Awakening Chapter". It seemed that this trip would definitely be fruitful. The Suyun Palace Master was also amazed by Wu Qingyang's swordsmanship. There were indeed hidden dragons and crouching tigers in the martial arts world. This Qingyang swordsman and Jiang Feiluan, who duelled in the swordfight at West Lake, were not easy to deal with. It seemed that he had to find a way to revive the family's swordsmanship in the future.

This sword fight was purely for learning, not a fight of life and death, so the two men strived for perfection in their swordplay, without a trace of murderous intent. The four Jiantong brothers always thought that Wu Qingyang's swordsmanship was average, until many masters learned martial arts after the battle of the Never-Sleeping City and realized that Wu Qingyang's swordsmanship was very profound, slightly inferior to the number one swordsman, Baoding Taoist, and on par with Jiang Feiluan, so they carefully observed and verified what they had learned. The monk Shenmu proudly instructed the beautiful woman from the Hidden Fairy Palace on their swordsmanship, teasing the Jiantong brothers from time to time, enjoying it. The bright moon gradually rose, and the swordsmanship of the Suyun Palace Master unfolded, her figure flew, her feet never touched the ground, as if a fairy from the Moon Palace had come to earth. Wu Qingyang's long sword came and went in a flash, like a dragon that could only be seen from the head but not the tail. Under the moonlight, the cold light flashed, and the sword shadows were like mountains. The monk Shenmu felt that something was missing, so he ordered the beauties to pick up the instruments to cheer him up. The soft music sounded, and the two people fighting each other unconsciously matched the rhythm. Such a competition was indeed rare. The sword-controlling technique was varied, and Wu Qingyang was knowledgeable and had endless moves, and they fought to their heart's content. The cultivation levels of the two men were similar, and the more they fought, the more excited they became. Wu Qingyang's long sword broke through the air, and it actually made a hissing sound. Monk Shenmu explained, "This is the characteristic of the internal energy being full and manifesting itself externally. It seems that Xiao Wu can practice sword energy." The sword boy asked, "Does a sword learner have to practice sword energy?" Monk Shenmu shook his head, "It doesn't matter. Sword energy is an extension of internal energy. When the time is right, it can certainly hurt the enemy, and it can also be used to sense the changes around you. Because it is invisible and traceless, it gives people a sense of mystery. There are pros and cons to sword energy hurting the enemy. As long as the opponent has true energy to protect himself, it will be difficult to work. If you are like Xiao Wu who has full internal energy, the sword energy will naturally manifest itself externally, which is the right way. But many people are eager for success. Jiang Feiluan is not practical enough and blindly pursues sword energy. That's why I can see so many flaws." The sword boy seemed to have realized something. Because Chang Xiao made rapid progress, the sword boy brothers were indeed a little anxious. Monk Shenmu's words just hit the nail on the head. The two sides were evenly matched in the duel. When the music ended, they stepped back and smiled at each other.

Although it was not a formal duel, the two knew what was going on. If they were both men, they could have discussed the pros and cons in detail, but there were differences between men and women. Fortunately, there was a great expert like Monk Shenmu. After returning to his seat, Monk Shenmu smiled and said, "Xiao Wu's problem is that he is rigid and can't let go of his hands and feet. If he puts his mind aside completely, his swordsmanship will be different." Wu Qingyang nodded, "I understand the truth, but I can't do it no matter how hard I try." Monk Shenmu nodded; "You are bound by the tangible swordsmanship. The step from tangible to intangible is extremely critical. You still need to accumulate more. Sooner or later, it will come naturally." Wu Qingyang kept it in mind. Palace Master Suyun praised Wu Qingyang's swordsmanship. Wu Qingyang was very modest and said sincerely: "The swordsmanship of our generation is limited to fighting, and there is no beauty to it. Sword-wielding skills can not only be used for fighting, but also incorporate graceful dance moves, showing the luxurious and graceful style of the Tang Dynasty." Palace Master Suyun asked: "Didn't it say that the swordsmanship of the number one swordsman, Taoist Zuixia, was magnificent, like an immortal?" Wu Qingyang nodded: "That's right, Taoist Zuixia has reached the invisible realm, and he can draw his sword at will. That kind of free and easy attitude is reflected in his swordsmanship, which is naturally pleasing to the eye. It's a pity that no one has reached this realm yet." Palace Master Suyun was quite sorry. It was indeed a pity that he could not experience Taoist Zuixia's swordsmanship. Monk Shenmu interrupted and said, "The man you fought with in West Lake is the brother of Taoist Zuixia. Although he got the sword control secrets left by Taoist Zuixia, his swordsmanship is still no match for Taoist Zuixia." Palace Master Suyun asked, "How is Taoist Baoding's swordsmanship?" Monk Shenmu smiled and said, "This man's swordsmanship is not good-looking, simple and practical, and he never cares whether his posture is good-looking or not." Palace Master Suyun immediately thought of Chang Xiao's martial arts. Such a master is indeed difficult to deal with. After learning the sword control technique, Wu Qingyang immediately said goodbye. The boys and girls gathered together, and there was no need for him to get involved. Monk Shenmu specifically reminded him that Chang Xiao must not know about the ice and fire wine. Wu Qingyang thought to himself: If you don't let me tell you, you will tell it yourself in a short time.

Wu Qingyang's guess was not wrong. The monk Shenmu could not hide things. He said whatever he thought of without any scruples. As long as he saw Chang Xiao, he would tell him about the Ice and Fiery Wine. After leaving Penglai, Wu Qingyang took the Taishan Road to meet Shi Huaiyu. Shi Huaiyu had carefully prepared fine wine and delicious food to entertain them. The two drank happily and talked about the past. When they were half drunk, Shi Huaiyu asked: "Brother Wu is well-informed. I have something to ask you. Can you tell me?" Wu Qingyang shook his head: "Why are you so polite, brother? Just ask if you have anything to say." Shi Huaiyu said solemnly: "It's not that I'm polite, this matter concerns the face of the famous and upright sects." Wu Qingyang frowned: "What is it?" Shi Huaiyu said solemnly: "Recently, news came that a mysterious swordsman appeared in the world. He used the sword in his hand to meet all kinds of masters, and no one from the four famous sects could defeat him." Wu Qingyang was stunned: "Is there such a thing?" Shi Huaiyu was quite surprised: "Brother Wu didn't know about such a big thing?" Wu Qingyang nodded: "I really don't know, what do you know, brother ?” Shi Huaiyu said, “I don’t know the details. I only heard that this man is very young, with superb swordsmanship, and has a unique skill called Angry Dragon Slash, which all masters cannot defeat.” Wu Qingyang nodded slightly, “Who has been defeated by Angry Dragon Slash?” Shi Huaiyu smiled, “My information is not accurate, it’s just a rumor, don’t take it seriously, Brother Wu. It is said that Lingmu Zhenren of Shangqing Palace was defeated first, and invited three sect leaders to Shangqing Palace together. The details of the fight are unknown to outsiders, but the result is that the four famous sects acknowledged that this young man’s Angry Dragon Slash was sharp and superb, and was in no way inferior to the Seven Lieyang Styles of the Red Spirit God back then.” Wu Qingyang was moved when he heard this. This incident really shocked the world. Shi Huaiyu went on, "This man intended to challenge the number one swordsman, Taoist Baoding, but Taoist Baoding was traveling everywhere and could not be found for a while. Later, this man wanted to challenge in the City That Never Sleeps, but not only was the city lord not there, even the sword boy brothers had gone out to play. This man searched everywhere for him, but his whereabouts were unknown." Wu Qingyang pondered and said, "Although the four famous families are very proud, they are the orthodox martial arts families after all, and what they say should be credible. It seems that this young man is indeed extraordinary, and I want to investigate in detail." Upon learning this, he no longer had the appetite to eat or drink, and immediately said goodbye and left.

The Red Spirit God is a master as famous as Duan Qingxiao. The fact that Lingmu Zhenren compares the Angry Dragon Slash with the Seven Styles of the Fiery Sun is enough to prove that this young man is extraordinary. After leaving Mount Tai, Wu Qingyang immediately contacted the Beggars' Sect and contacted Lu Wenjun again. He learned that this young man called himself Pu Yunlong, who was about 20 years old and full of vigor. The fight with Lingmu Zhenren was completely true, and the evaluation of the four sect leaders was also true. In addition to these, there is the latest news. This Pu Yunlong learned that Chang Xiao was not in the Never-Sleeping City and that the Taoist Baoding was nowhere to be seen, so he went to Tongtian Fort to challenge him. Jiang Feiluan had already been defeated by the Angry Dragon Slash. Wu Qingyang knew that Jiang Feiluan's swordsmanship was very high and had surpassed the four famous sects. Even he was defeated by the Angry Dragon Slash, and he was afraid that he could not resist it. In order to learn more details, Wu Qingyang rushed to Tongtian Fort and prepared to ask Jiang Feiluan about Pu Yunlong's martial arts. Jiang Feiluan was thinking hard at this time. Pu Yunlong was so young, how could he perform such a profound swordsmanship? When the Angry Dragon Slash came out, he had almost no power to fight back, and he was afraid that even the Taoist Baoding would find it difficult to resist. At this time, Wu Qingyang arrived. Although they didn't have much friendship, they were fellow martial artists after all, and they had studied martial arts together. Therefore, Jiang Feiluan personally greeted him and said with a smile: "Brother Wu, you must be here for Pu Yunlong's matter. Please come in." Wu Qingyang originally thought that Jiang Feiluan would be unhappy, but now seeing that he looked normal, he knew that Jiang Feiluan's cultivation was far from what it used to be, and he no longer cared about his reputation. After the greetings, they came to the hall and sat down. The banquet was set up. Wu Qingyang said, "To be honest with you, Lord of the Castle, I came here this time to learn about Pu Yunlong's situation and what is so magical about the Angry Dragon Slash." Jiang Feiluan nodded, "I was also wondering, how could Pu Yunlong, who is so young, perform such a sophisticated swordsmanship? His internal strength is unique and his skills are sophisticated, like a veteran in the martial arts world. The Angry Dragon Slash is a stroke of genius, and there is no clue to follow." Wu Qingyang also felt strange that such a person suddenly appeared out of nowhere and shocked the martial arts world. Jiang Feiluan asked, "Brother Wu is well-informed, how much do you know about this person?"

Since Qi Shizhen handed over the information network to Lu Wenjun, Jiang Feiluan was not as well-informed as before, so he asked Wu Qingyang. Hearing this, Wu Qingyang smiled bitterly and said, "This Pu Yunlong seems to have fallen from the sky. No one knows his origins." Jiang Feiluan was a little disappointed: "This person is so mysterious." Wu Qingyang asked, "Can the fortress master measure Pu Yunlong's martial arts?" Jiang Feiluan nodded: "Jiang can't resist the Angry Dragon Slash, I'm afraid that Taoist Baoding will also find it difficult to resist." Wu Qingyang was secretly surprised: "Could it be that Pu Yunlong has surpassed the number one swordsman? This is too incredible." Jiang Feiluan smiled: "That can't be said. In terms of cultivation, Pu Yunlong is so young that it is impossible for him to surpass many masters. The key is the Angry Dragon Slash. This sword technique is like the finishing touch. Without this move, Pu Yunlong can't defeat a master like Lingmu at all." Wu Qingyang already understood that Pu Yunlong's martial arts were not that high, and the key was the Angry Dragon Slash. So he asked, "Do you think Chang Xiao can take the Angry Dragon Slash?" Because Wu Qingyang and Chang Xiao had a brotherly relationship, they called each other by their first names. Most people called Chang Xiao the city lord. Jiang Feiluan pondered for a moment and shook his head: "If the city lord takes the initiative, Pu Yunlong will have no chance to use his sword, but it will be hard to say after the Angry Dragon Slash is performed." Wu Qingyang was surprised and said, "The Angry Dragon Slash is so difficult to deal with." Jiang Feiluan sighed lightly: "Jiang has been studying martial arts for most of his life, and has never seen such a sword technique. At that moment, I was almost unable to control myself." Wu Qingyang learned the details and said goodbye immediately, first tracking down Pu Yunlong. The Beggars' Sect and Lu Wenjun joined forces and soon found out that after Pu Yunlong came to the Never-Sleeping City and came to nothing, he had already rushed north to Penglai, with the purpose of finding the sword boy brothers to learn about Chang Xiao's whereabouts. Wu Qingyang wanted to see the Angry Dragon Slash, so he rushed to Penglai without stopping. The Jiantong brothers were not easy to deal with, and they would probably fight with Pu Yunlong. With the martial arts of these four brothers, Pu Yunlong could use the Angry Dragon Slash. When passing by Mount Tai, he took some fine wine from Shi Huaiyu and told him the news he had received. The news showed that Pu Yunlong was not in a hurry to travel. He would visit local monuments and taste fine wine and food wherever he went, so Wu Qingyang was not in a hurry to travel. At this time, the monk Shenmu and the Lord of Suyun Palace were still playing in Penglai and didn't care about other things at all. Everyone in the Yinxian Palace was extraordinary, and the Lord of Suyun Palace was a first-class master. With the addition of the Jiantong brothers and the monk Shenmu, there was really nothing to worry about.

The mirage is indeed worth looking forward to. The monk Shenmu insisted on waiting. The people in Yinxian Palace also wanted to broaden their horizons. Anyway, there are many fun things to do at the seaside. The Jiantong brothers naturally have to accompany the beautiful women they like. Anyway, they have plenty of money and try their best to meet all the requirements of these beauties. People often go boating on the sea, fishing and playing in the water, using the sea breeze to play in the sky, drinking wine and singing, and enjoying themselves. The Lord of Suyun Palace has been in the mountains for many years. It is rare to have such an experience, so he opens his arms and enjoys life. In Yinxian Palace, Chang Xiao once said that people can only live wonderfully if they live for themselves. This sentence deeply touched the Lord of Suyun Palace. For many years, he has been carrying the burden of the family and worrying about everything. In addition to practicing martial arts and swordsmanship, he handles family affairs and supervises the younger generation. It is rare to have a moment of leisure. When can he put everything aside and live as he pleases? Wu Qingyang mentioned Master Lingjiu. This senior of the family has given up everything and is free to the world. He should follow suit. Looking back, every day of my life was lived for others, and I never had a day that truly belonged to me. Now that the family feud has been resolved, the younger generations can enjoy their youth to their heart's content. I am not young anymore, and I have to plan for myself, and I can't always carry the burden of the family. With this idea, Suyun Palace Master naturally does not restrict the younger generations very much. I feel a little regretful in my heart that the family feud was resolved too late, and I can no longer find my lost youth. This is what Suyun Palace Master thinks deep in her heart, and she has never told anyone. One day, Shenmu Bhikkhu led the young people to play on the sea. Suyun Palace Master sat alone on Penglai Pavilion to enjoy the sea view, but she was thinking about her future. When she was in a trance, she suddenly felt something unusual. She looked around and found a young man not far below staring at her, his eyes fixed and motionless. Although Suyun Palace Master has three daughters in their fifties, she has superb internal skills and is well maintained. She looks only about thirty years old, graceful and charming, and shows mature temptation everywhere, which is completely different from those younger generations. When she found someone peeping at her, Palace Master Suyun was half angry and half happy. She was angry because the person was unreasonable, and she was happy because although she was not young, she could still attract the attention of young people.

Chapter 149 Love at First Sight

This young man was dressed in ordinary clothes, but his muscles were strong. Even though the weather was cool, he opened his clothes, exposing one arm and most of his chest. He had a handsome face, bronze skin, and a knife slanted at his waist. Generally speaking, if there is no bad intention, if you are caught peeping at a beauty, you will often apologize or leave with an excuse. If it were a lecher, he would approach her and try every means to please her. But this young man did not show any expression. He knew that the Suyun Palace Master had noticed it, but he still did not move and stared at her infatuatedly. The Suyun Palace Master did not want to pay attention to this silly boy and turned sideways. Unexpectedly, the young man turned to the other side and continued to stare. The Suyun Palace Master changed direction, and the young man followed her. The Suyun Palace Master simply turned around and faced the sea. The young man below could not see the Suyun Palace Master's face and shouted: "Even if you are a fairy, it's okay to let me see you. Why are you so shy?" The Suyun Palace Master was amused. Where did such a silly boy come from? Seeing that Palace Master Suyun did not speak, the young man continued to shout: "Fairy, please turn around. I will kowtow to you." After saying that, he really kowtowed. Since ancient times, it has been said that a man's knees are made of gold. This young man actually knelt down to worship her. Palace Master Suyun could not help laughing and said: "Where did the fairy come from?" The young man jumped up and said: "So you are not a fairy, great, I want to marry you as my wife." Palace Master Suyun was amused and scolded with a stern face: "Where did this lunatic come from? How dare you be so unreasonable." The young man said seriously: "I like you and I will marry you as my wife. What's unreasonable? Wait, I'll come up soon." He quickly went upstairs in two steps. The Suyun Palace Master didn't want to get entangled with this person, so she used her sword-controlling skills to lightly jump to the top of Penglai Pavilion. The young man came upstairs and couldn't find the beauty. He scratched his head and said, "It turned out to be a fairy, and I scared her away." The Suyun Palace Master thought that the young man would leave after a while because he couldn't find anyone. Unexpectedly, the young man refused to leave, muttering, "I'll go downstairs again, maybe the fairy will come back." He turned around and went downstairs to continue waiting downstairs. The Suyun Palace Master ignored her and left, leaving the young man waiting there foolishly.

After playing enough, Monk Shenmu led a group of young men and women back laughing. Palace Master Suyun did not mention the encounter with the young man, and everyone gathered together to talk and laugh. For two consecutive days, he did not go to Penglai Pavilion, and completely forgot about the young man. Wu Qingyang rushed to Penglai Pavilion, and Monk Shenmu invited the young men and women to go together. Palace Master Suyun thought that the silly boy had left long ago before he could wait for her, so he did not take it to heart. After the meeting, Monk Shenmu said, "What's the matter with Xiao Wu rushing here so quickly? Did you take a fancy to a beautiful woman and come to propose marriage?" Wu Qingyang smiled and said, "Senior, don't joke. This time you come to Penglai again, of course, you have serious things to do." Monk Shenmu disagreed: "What serious things can there be at this time?" Wu Qingyang told the story of Pu Yunlong, and Monk Shenmu smiled and said, "What's the big deal? How much ability can a young man have? The four famous families have made a lot of progress. If it were in the past, they would have secretly eliminated this kid." Wu Qingyang knew that under the influence of Chang Xiao, the style of the four famous families had indeed changed a lot. Hearing that Jiang Feiluan couldn't resist the Angry Dragon Slash, the Lord of Suyun Palace wanted to see it. After he proposed it, the monk Shenmu shook his head and said, "I'll go first. I don't care about the Angry Dragon Slash. I'll knock him down a few times first." The wine boy couldn't forget the ice wine, and came over and asked, "Didn't the owner of the manor bring any good things this time?" Wu Qingyang was stunned, and the crane boy smiled and said, "The ice wine that the owner brought last time hooked the wine bug in his stomach." Wu Qingyang understood and nodded, "I brought some wine. No one can drink much ice wine, so it's hard to enjoy it. I specially selected two kinds of fine wine to bring." The wine boy was overjoyed and immediately went downstairs to find Wu Qingyang's mount. He found two large gourds and was overjoyed. He took them down and ran upstairs. The monk Shenmu didn't take Pu Yunlong's matter to heart, and immediately asked people to prepare the dishes for everyone to have a good time. The dishes were quickly served, and the wine boy poured wine for everyone, estimating how much wine was left in the gourd at any time. The wine brewed by Shi Huaiyu was indeed extraordinary, with a fragrant aroma that lingered for a long time. Everyone cheered and drank happily.

After three rounds of drinking, Wu Qingyang also put aside Pu Yunlong's matter and told everyone about his experience in the martial arts world. Although Shenmu Bhikkhu was a senior, he was mostly in meditation in Mount Emei and his experience was not as good as Wu Qingyang. The beauties in Yinxian Palace were very interested in these things and asked questions from time to time. Wu Qingyang was knowledgeable and answered them casually. When they were in high spirits, someone downstairs shouted: "Good wine, I want to drink it too." Shenmu Bhikkhu frowned: "Where did this fool come from?" Suyun Palace Master heard that the voice was the young man who entangled with her the day before, and he didn't expect that he hadn't left yet. Sure enough, the young man soon appeared downstairs. When he saw Suyun Palace Master, he laughed and said: "I've finally waited for you. This time I won't go up. Fairy, don't leave, let me see it one more time." Everyone else felt puzzled. Shenmu Bhikkhu asked: "Who among you recognizes this silly boy?" Everyone shook their heads together. Suyun Palace Master had to tell what happened the day before, and the people in Yinxian Palace couldn't help but smile. Wu Qingyang noticed the knife the young man was wearing and blurted out, "He is Pu Yunlong." The sword boy asked, "How does the owner know that he is Pu Yunlong?" Wu Qingyang was quite confident: "The owner of Jiangbao once mentioned that the knife used by Pu Yunlong has a special shape and the handle has the shape of a skull, so I determined that this person is Pu Yunlong." The sword boy stood up and said, "I will go to meet him." The monk Shenmu said, "How can you take your turn when I am here? No one moves, I will go to tease him first." Before he finished speaking, he disappeared. Wu Qingyang praised, "Such light skills are beyond the reach of Wu." The owner of Suyun Palace knew that the monk Shenmu was a Buddhist master and would not break the precepts and kill. Because the young man was talking nonsense, it was inconvenient for him to go downstairs. Wu Qingyang and his younger generations wanted to see the Angry Dragon Slash, so they went downstairs together. The wine boy was still holding the wine gourd, fearing that he would drink less.

Monk Shenmu was not polite to anyone. After going downstairs, he pointed and said, "Silly boy, are you Pu Yunlong?" The young man didn't listen at all. All his attention was focused on the Palace Master Suyun upstairs. Seeing that the other party didn't answer, Monk Shenmu was angry. He stepped forward and grabbed the young man's ear and twisted it. The young man came to his senses in pain and shouted, "Where did you come from, wild girl? Why are you twisting me?" Monk Shenmu put his hands on his waist and questioned, "Who told you to ignore me?" The young man asked back, "I don't know you, why should I care about you?" Monk Shenmu was famous for being unreasonable. He immediately retorted, "You don't know me, but I know you." The young man shook his head, "You are talking nonsense, I have never seen you." Monk Shenmu was complacent, "Your name is Pu Yunlong, right?" The young man was stunned and scratched his head, "How did you know?" Monk Shenmu smiled and said, "Not only do I know your name is Pu Yunlong, I also know what you are doing here?" Obviously The young man was Pu Yunlong. As he had just entered the martial arts world and had little experience, he did not understand the reason and of course did not believe what Monk Shenmu said. He shook his head and said, "I don't believe it." Monk Shenmu was confident: "You came here to find people from the City That Never Sleeps so that you can challenge the City Lord." Pu Yunlong laughed and said, "That's not right. I came here to wait for the fairy." Monk Shenmu was a little surprised and asked, "Don't you want to challenge?" Pu Yunlong scratched his head: "It seems so. I forgot about it when I saw the fairy. Go away quickly, let me take a few more glances." Monk Shenmu naturally knew that the fairy Pu Yunlong was talking about was the Lord of Suyun Palace. He was puzzled that this silly boy had completely different ideas from the people in the martial arts world. At this time, Wu Qingyang, Jian Tong and the beauties from Yinxian Palace came closer. The monk Shenmu pointed and said, "Silly boy, so many fairies came at once, are you stunned this time?" Unexpectedly, Pu Yunlong was still staring at Palace Master Suyun above, and shook his head and said, "The one above is the fairy." Wu Qingyang felt strange when he said this. The people in Yinxian Palace, from Nie Jiuniang on the bottom, are all beauties, young, beautiful and full of energy. After all, Palace Master Suyun is old.

The monk Shenmu thought the silly boy in front of him was quite interesting, and deliberately teased him, asking: "What if the fairy up there comes down?" Pu Yunlong said without hesitation: "She will also be a fairy when she comes down." Everyone didn't understand why Pu Yunlong was so obsessed with Suyun Palace Master. Wu Qingyang wanted to see the Angry Dragon Slash, but Pu Yunlong's whole mind was on Suyun Palace Master. The monk Shenmu laughed and said: "Silly boy, the person up there is not a fairy, but a flesh-and-blood person like you." Pu Yunlong was shocked: "Really? Don't lie to me." The monk Shenmu curled his lips: "If you don't believe it, forget it." Pu Yunlong was overjoyed, jumped up and shouted: "I want to marry her as my wife." He turned around and went upstairs. Suyun Palace Master was a little embarrassed and still avoided it. Pu Yunlong went upstairs but couldn't find anyone. He was very disappointed and came down to complain to the monk Shenmu: "You lied to me, the fairy left again." The monk Shenmu laughed and said, "Who told you to eat swan meat? You don't even look in the mirror. You want to get a wife with this character." Pu Yunlong defended himself: "What's wrong with me? What's wrong with getting a wife?" To be fair, Pu Yunlong has a handsome appearance and strong muscles. No matter how good his martial arts are, he can already be among the masters with the Angry Dragon Slash and be regarded as a first-class talent. There is nothing wrong with liking the Suyun Palace Master, but everyone knows that the Suyun Palace Master already has three daughters, who are at least 30 years older than Pu Yunlong, and it is unlikely that the two will get together. But Pu Yunlong's attitude is very firm. He completely put the challenge behind his mind and waited for the Suyun Palace Master to appear. Everyone has seen that Pu Yunlong has reached the level of obsession with the Suyun Palace Master. Wu Qingyang didn't expect things to change like this. Pu Yunlong was trapped by love, and his martial arts must have been discounted, so he had to leave temporarily. Monk Shenmu did not want to discourage Pu Yunlong, so he invited everyone to go play on the sea. Pu Yunlong still stayed in Penglai Pavilion waiting, his mind full of Palace Master Suyun, and he put everything else aside.

Palace Master Suyun met with everyone and felt embarrassed that she had encountered such a thing at her age. Monk Shenmu laughed and said, "That fool is determined, and ten oxen can't pull him back." Palace Master Suyun shook his head and said, "Pu Yunlong is young and inexperienced. It won't be long before he falls in love with someone else." Qin Tong, however, put forward another view, "I don't think so. Although Pu Yunlong is not experienced, he is not a fool. His eyes are very firm. Lingmu, as the head of Shangqing Palace, must have unique skills. Jiang Feiluan's swordsmanship is also extraordinary. It is impossible for him to lose to a fool." Jian Tong also agreed, "It is impossible to defeat these two masters with just the Angry Dragon Slash." Monk Shenmu thought about it and nodded, "That's right, but we are not talking about martial arts, but the infatuation of men. Love." Among the four brothers, Jiantong has the strongest martial arts, but Hetong is the most knowledgeable. He immediately put forward his own point of view: "I don't think Pu Yunlong will easily change his feelings. If he doesn't know martial arts, he will soon give up after realizing the gap and bury this feeling in his heart. But Pu Yunlong is a superb martial artist, and his Angry Dragon Slash is a unique skill in the world. Once such a person falls in love, he will never give up easily." The monk Shenmu waved his hand: "Just drive him away." Yingtao suddenly interrupted: "That silly boy likes my mother, so let my mother marry him." Everyone was stunned when this was said. It turned out that the Hidden Immortal Palace has always been run by women, and they always have a condescending attitude when getting married. Palace Master Suyun was the first to rebuke, "What nonsense are you talking about?" With the monk Shenmu by her side, Yingtao had no scruples and retorted, "What did I do wrong?" Palace Master Suyun blushed and wanted to teach her daughter a lesson, but the monk Shenmu stopped her and said, "Yingtao's words reminded me that this young man is quite good. Since he is so devoted to her, it would be a good thing for you to marry him." Palace Master Suyun was quite embarrassed. The monk Shenmu was far superior to her in martial arts and had a respected status, so it was not easy to offend him. There was no other way, so she stamped her feet and said, "Senior, you are so rude, I am leaving." She tried to leave, but the monk Shenmu had already blocked her way and said with a grin, "No one can escape from my palm at this distance."

It is not an exaggeration to say that. The lightness skill of the monk Shenmu is unrivaled in the world. The Lord of Suyun Palace tried several times but failed, so he had to sit aside in silence. The monk Shenmu smiled and said, "I am doing this for your own good. Why are you running? Pu Yunlong is actually quite good. He is young and promising, and his martial arts are not bad." The Lord of Suyun Palace frowned and said, "Senior, please don't talk nonsense. My daughter is married." The monk Shenmu disagreed, "What's the big deal about age? The emperor chooses beauties when they are sixteen or seventeen years old, and those high-ranking officials take concubines as young as possible, but they are all old men. Why can men be picky about women but not women?" Hearing this, the Lord of Suyun Palace was moved, and Chang Xiao's words came to his mind again: People can only live wonderfully if they live for themselves. What are your concerns? The age gap doesn't matter. The main thing is that you are afraid of being laughed at by the younger generation and being ridiculed by the people in the world. Walk your own way, what does it have to do with what others say? Thinking of this, his attitude changed a little. Nie Jiuniang said solemnly: "Don't worry too much, mother. What the senior said is right. For many years, men have been superior to women. Now we are going to reverse it." The wine boy came over to help: "That's right, Jiuniang says one thing and I will never say two. Ask me to beat a dog and I will never scold a chicken?" Palace Master Suyun could not help but smile. The Divine Eyed Monk struck while the iron was hot: "I think that silly boy is pretty good. You can marry him. If he is obedient, keep him. If he is disobedient, kick him away. Don't even give him a letter of divorce. Let him cry by himself." Encouraged by everyone, Palace Master Suyun made up her mind and decided to handle the matter herself.

Pu Yunlong was still waiting near Penglai Pavilion, his mind full of Palace Master Suyun. He couldn't figure out why. It's not like he had never seen young and beautiful women before, but none of them could compare to Palace Master Suyun. Because Palace Master Suyun came and went without a trace, he could only wait here. He was in a daze every day with random thoughts. Seeing that another day had passed and the fairy still hadn't appeared, Pu Yunlong picked up a jar of wine and drank it. Normally, he could drink a lot, but now he couldn't concentrate and soon felt dizzy. Pu Yunlong lay down, hoping that the fairy would appear in his dream. In the hazy sky, a crane flew in, and sitting on it was the fairy he had been thinking about day and night. Pu Yunlong was overjoyed, and didn't care about anything else. He got up and kowtowed. The fairy came close, gently jumped off the crane, and said softly: "We were destined to meet in our previous lives. Come with me to the heavenly palace." Pu Yunlong took Pu Yunlong's hand and jumped onto the crane. Pu Yunlong was overjoyed holding the fairy's hand. The fairy was weak and leaned towards him gently. Pu Yunlong opened his arms and embraced her, excited to the extreme. In the middle of the night, Suyun Palace Master came to find Pu Yunlong alone and found that Pu Yunlong was drunk in a pavilion, hugging a pillar tightly and mumbling something. Suyun Palace Master was amused and gently picked up the remaining half jar of wine and poured it all over Pu Yunlong's head. Pu Yunlong was dreaming, but suddenly he felt cold all over. He opened his eyes and saw that he was not hugging a fairy, but a pillar. He was so angry that he jumped up and shouted: "Who dares to tease me?" Suyun Palace Master snorted softly. Pu Yunlong turned his head and was stunned, his mouth wide open and unable to speak. Palace Master Suyun said, "I was the one who woke you up. If you don't agree, take out your knife." Pu Yunlong pinched his thigh hard, grimacing in pain. To make sure it was not a dream, he immediately kowtowed and said, "The fairy is really here. Don't leave in a hurry." Palace Master Suyun frowned and ordered, "Follow me." She walked away gracefully, and Pu Yunlong followed closely behind.

Chapter 150: Mysterious Ancient Cave

The moonlight was gentle, the breeze was blowing, the lights were flickering, and the Penglai Pavilion was covered with silver gauze, which made it look more ancient and solemn. The scenery was beautiful, but Pu Yunlong's heart was even more beautiful. Although his clothes were wet and smelled of alcohol, and the sea breeze made him feel cold, his heart was hot. The Suyun Palace Master walked forward and led Pu Yunlong to a courtyard. She pushed open a door and ordered: "Go in and take a bath and change clothes. Come to see me after you wash." Without saying a word, she went straight into another door. Pu Yunlong did not dare to ask more questions and went in honestly. The room had been prepared with fragrant soup and brand new clothes were placed next to it. Pu Yunlong was originally fearless, but at this time he was as cautious as a child who first entered the school to see his teacher. He took off his clothes gently. The water temperature was neither cold nor hot, and it was very comfortable. Pu Yunlong scrubbed carefully, trying not to make any noise, for fear of disturbing the fairy next door. After washing carefully, Pu Yunlong put on new clothes, took his knife, and tidied himself in front of the mirror for a long time before coming to the next door. Before he knocked, the door was already opened, but there was no one behind the door. The fairy was sitting in the middle of the room. Pu Yunlong believed that the Suyun Palace Master was a fairy, so he naturally didn't find it strange. He walked in slowly, bent down, and looked straight ahead. Palace Master Suyun ordered: "Raise your head." Pu Yunlong obeyed of course. Palace Master Suyun looked at him and nodded slightly: "That's more proper. What's your name? Where are you from?" Pu Yunlong answered honestly: "Pu Yunlong, my ancestral home is outside the Great Wall." Palace Master Suyun shouted: "Nonsense." Pu Yunlong shuddered and knelt on the ground to plead guilty: "Fairy, please forgive me. My name is not Pu Yunlong. My real name is Long Yunpu." Palace Master Suyun certainly didn't know the truth. She just wanted to establish her authority. She didn't expect to find out the truth all of a sudden. She said calmly: "You are so brave that you dare to lie to me." Long Yunpu kowtowed and pleaded guilty again and again. Palace Master Suyun's expression softened a little: "Considering that it is your first offense, I will forgive you for now. Get up and talk." Long Yunpu felt relieved, wiped the sweat off his forehead and stood up. Palace Master Suyun asked coldly: "Why do you hide your real name?" Long Yunpu no longer dared to hide it: "According to the teachings of our ancestors, only those who have passed the Ten Thousand Blades Hall are eligible to enter the Central Plains, and you cannot use the surname Long without the permission of the clan leader. Although I passed the Ten Thousand Blades Hall, I did not get the permission of the clan leader, so I reversed my real name." Palace Master Suyun was moved. Is the Long family the old enemy of the Nie family?

Chang Xiao had resolved the feud between the two families, and the people of Yinxian Palace were able to regain their freedom, and Palace Master Suyun did not take it to heart. However, Long Yunpu in front of him turned out to be from the Long family, which aroused his anger and he shouted, "Kneel down." Long Yunpu thought he had said something wrong again, and quickly apologized. Seeing Long Yunpu's terrified look, Palace Master Suyun softened her heart and said softly, "Get up." Long Yunpu felt like a spring breeze and was extremely happy. Palace Master Suyun asked, "So the Angry Dragon Slash is the unique skill passed down by your ancestors?" Long Yunpu nodded and said, "The secret book of Angry Dragon Slash has been kept by the clan leader. You can only practice it after passing the Ten Thousand Swords Hall." Palace Master Suyun thought for a while and said, "To tell you the truth, I'm not a fairy, but I'm not an ordinary woman either. I won't be anyone's wife." Long Yunpu lowered her head and said, "I dare not have any wishful thinking. I'll be satisfied as long as I can follow her around." Palace Master Suyun nodded and said, "Since you are so devoted, I will accept you as my follower. From now on, you must obey my orders and work hard without complaint." Long Yunpu promised readily, "I will never dare to complain." Palace Master Suyun ordered, "Don't call me a fairy in the future, so as not to be laughed at. I'll call you Grass Snake and you call me Palace Master." Long Yunpu nodded and agreed, "From now on I will be Grass Snake." Palace Master Suyun named Long Yunpu Grass Snake to belittle the Long family. Long Yunpu was already obsessed and couldn't care about much. It was a great honor for him to be with the beauty. Palace Master Suyun inspected Long Yunpu's martial arts and found that Long Yunpu's swordsmanship was extremely skilled, like a master who had been tempered for thousands of times. After asking, she learned that the ancestors of the Long family established the Wandao Hall to specifically inspect the martial arts of the younger generation. The Wandao Hall is all-encompassing and extremely complex. If you can pass the Wandao Hall, you can calmly face all kinds of masters. In addition, the internal skills of the Long family are also extremely clever, not inferior to those of the Nie family. As for the Angry Dragon Slash, it cannot be performed under such circumstances, and we will talk about it later. Confirming that Long Yunpu is devoted to her, Palace Master Suyun is relieved and takes him to meet with the monk Shenmu and his people.

Long Yunpu's sword skills and internal strength are both first-rate, but her lightness skills are much inferior. She can't keep up with the Palace Master Suyun, so she can't avoid being criticized. After the meeting, everyone laughed and joked. The Palace Master Suyun complained that the new follower's lightness skills were not good. The monk Shenmu immediately stepped forward and said, "I like this young man. I'll teach him a few tricks." Long Yunpu was of course not convinced, but after getting to know her, he realized that this girl's lightness skills were really amazing, far beyond his ability. So he humbly asked for advice and gained some results. The younger generation of the Yinxian Palace naturally wanted to congratulate, and everyone was having a good time. The Palace Master Suyun warned these younger generations that the rule of the Nie family is that the capable are superior, and no one can match the martial arts of this follower, and others cannot order him around at will. The Jiantong brothers certainly understood that if they were not trapped by love, such a master would not be willing to be inferior to others. However, Long Yunpu only had the Palace Master Suyun in his eyes, and what others said was useless. The way things turned out was beyond most people's expectations. It was hard to understand why a young master gave up a bright future and willingly threw himself under the spell of a woman. Palace Master Suyun was also unsure. Long Yunpu was a top-notch martial artist, but he was just trapped by love. He might leave her when he came to his senses. In addition, the Long family would probably not tolerate Long Yunpu's reckless behavior. If they intervened, it was hard to say what Long Yunpu's attitude would be. Although Long Yunpu was obedient, Palace Master Suyun did not ask about the situation of the Long family. The ancestors set the rules that things must be done openly and honestly. It was not fair to use Long Yunpu's infatuation to understand the inside story of the Long family. Long Yunpu was very satisfied. All his thoughts were on Palace Master Suyun, which made Nie Jiuniang and her sisters envious. Such an infatuated man was rare. The group continued to stay in Penglai, playing in different ways every day, but the mirage did not appear. The monk Shenmu insisted on not leaving, and others also wanted to see it. Anyway, there was nothing to do, so the group enjoyed themselves and put everything behind them.

Lingmu Zhenren and Jiang Feiluan were both famous masters. Their defeats were of course a sensation in the martial arts world. Many people were looking for the source of the Angry Dragon Slash. At this time, shocking news suddenly came out that there was an ancient cave hidden in the Black Dragon Pond of Mount Tai, which contained countless treasures. In addition, there were sword techniques left by predecessors on the stone walls of the cave. The Angry Dragon Slash came from here. Someone had already explored it. The entrance to the cave was hidden under the water. There was a huge rotary knife gate blocking it, and no one could get in. Soon the news spread, and many people rushed to Mount Tai. Wu Qingyang was surprised to learn about this. Since there was a rotary knife gate blocking it, how did the Angry Dragon Slash come out? After investigation, it was learned that the rotary knife gate would pause every time the water was dry, and people with good water skills could pass through the knife gate and enter the ancient cave. However, it was difficult to determine the duration of each pause, and if you didn't get out in time, you would die inside. Because the four famous families and Jiang Feiluan all admitted that the Angry Dragon Slash was powerful, many people in the martial arts world were moved and rushed to Mount Tai, all wanting to get the treasures and magical martial arts in the ancient cave. After verification, Wu Qingyang confirmed that the news was true. There were many famous masters among those who went to Mount Tai to search for treasure. Some of these people were for treasure, and some for martial arts. It was hard to say what would happen when greed came together. Therefore, when Wu Qingyang came to Mount Tai again, he settled in Shi Huaiyu's hotel. Shi Huaiyu was of course aware of this matter and understood Wu Qingyang's intention. He arranged for Wu Qingyang to live in a courtyard in the mountains, handed the hotel to his son, and lingered with his old friend. When Wu Qingyang asked for details, Shi Huaiyu sighed: "Since ancient times, I don't know how many people have been ruined by greed. From the incident to now, dozens of people have died because of treasures." Wu Qingyang was quite emotional: "It's not worth dying for this invisible and intangible treasure." Shi Huaiyu shook his head: "The treasure is not groundless. Now it can be confirmed that there are indeed a batch of treasures hidden in the ancient cave, and there are indeed martial arts maps on the stone wall." Wu Qingyang frowned: "Is this true?" If there is indeed a treasure in the ancient cave, things will be difficult to handle.

Shi Huaiyu was also an old hand in the world, so of course he wouldn't talk nonsense. He explained, "Many people have tried to find ways to enter the ancient cave these days, but most of them died under the rotating knife gate. Several people also entered the ancient cave, but only one person survived, and that person was the second brother of the Jiang brothers from Taihu." The Jiang brothers from Taihu belonged to the Green Forest Sect. They had average martial arts skills, but were very good at swimming and valued friendship. Wu Qingyang had heard a little about this and nodded, "The Jiang brothers can be considered good men. They won't cheat." Shi Huaiyu went on to say, "The biggest reason why the second brother Jiang was successful was not because he was good at swimming, but because he was not greedy and knew when to stop. According to him, there were indeed boxes of treasures in the ancient cave, and the martial arts diagrams on the stone walls were extremely profound and could not be understood at all. The most dangerous thing was that the cave was extremely stuffy and breathing was difficult. With his skills, he could only hold out for one pillar at most. The time for the incense. Apart from the kung fu in the water, they could only stay in the cave for a while. Because time was tight and there was no time to look more, Jiang Laoer packed a few treasures and came out. Others saw the treasures and maps, greedy, reluctant to leave, and suffocated to death in the cave. "Wu Qingyang was very interested in the martial arts maps in the cave and asked, "What's so mysterious about the martial arts maps on the stone wall?" Shi Huaiyu smiled and said, "Jiang Laoer's two moves are not as good as mine, what can he see? According to him, he glanced at it hastily at that time. The stone wall was full of graphics, including swordsmanship, knife skills, and meridian diagrams for practicing internal skills. He only remembered a few simple postures. According to experts, it seems to be the long-lost Hua Tuo Five Animals Play. "Hearing this, Wu Qingyang frowned immediately. This matter is much more serious than imagined. If there are indeed treasures and magical martial arts in the ancient cave, it will inevitably cause a bloody fight, and who knows how many people will die. Wu Qingyang was worldly-wise. Considering the two possibilities of this matter, he put forward his own point of view: "If the appearance of the ancient cave is indeed an accident, there is room for maneuver. The only worry is that this matter is a conspiracy under human manipulation." Shi Huaiyu was shocked: "Impossible? Who has such great magical powers?" Wu Qingyang said solemnly: "I have contacted Zi Yungu, the leader of the Beggars' Sect, and Lu Wenjun, who took over Qi Shizhen's business. Neither of them has found out the source of the news."

Beggars' sect disciples are all over the world, and Lu Wenjun's spies are everywhere, so it should be impossible not to find out. Although Shi Huaiyu admitted that Wu Qingyang's suspicion was reasonable, he still refused to agree, explaining: "Brother Wu's concerns are naturally reasonable, but it is still hard to believe that this matter is a trap set by someone with ulterior motives. It is impossible for people who enter the ancient cave to spread it everywhere, so it is entirely possible that the exact source cannot be found. Besides, who can set up this trap with such a big hand? First of all, this person must have huge wealth and huge manpower and material resources, and a martial arts map that has been lost for many years. Even if he has these, how can he sink the huge and heavy rotary knife gate into the Black Dragon Pond without anyone knowing? According to experts, the design of this rotary knife gate is extremely clever, and no one in the world today can crack it. If you have such a powerful strength, you can completely control the world of martial arts, so why set up this trap?" Wu Qingyang nodded: "I can't be sure, but I just feel that there are signs of human manipulation in this matter." Shi Huaiyu Shaking his head: "Brother Wu, you are worrying too much. The appearance of the ancient cave is purely accidental." Wu Qingyang still had some doubts and put forward his own reasons: "Consider it from another angle. What is this cave used for? If it is a place where martial arts masters practice in seclusion, why are there so many treasures? If it is a place where predecessors hid treasures, why are there martial arts diagrams?" Shi Huaiyu smiled and said, "This is not difficult to explain. The martial arts diagrams and treasures in the ancient cave are not necessarily from the same era. It doesn't matter which came first or later." Wu Qingyang has a sharp mind and immediately thought of the key point: "If we want to verify the truth of this matter, we must first understand when and where the treasures brought out by Jiang Laoer came from, and we must find Pu Yunlong to ask about the origin of the Angry Dragon Slash." Shi Huaiyu smiled and said, "Brother Wu is famous for his chivalry. Jiang Laoer will definitely give him face. It will not be difficult to find Pu Yunlong. I'm just afraid that I can't get the truth." Wu Qingyang certainly understood that the Angry Dragon Slash was Pu Yunlong's biggest secret, and it was not easy to find out. Shi Huaiyu warned: "Brother Wu, if you want to find out the truth, you'd better start quickly. Someone is already preparing to drain the water from the Black Dragon Pond." Wu Qingyang was shocked. If the Black Dragon Pond dried up, it would be much easier to enter the cave. He thought about it and was relieved: "Since the rotary knife gate is cleverly designed, the water in the Black Dragon Pond must be connected to the water veins and cannot be drained." Shi Huaiyu nodded: "Brother Wu is still thoughtful. Such a clever design cannot be cracked by such a stupid method." Wu Qingyang stood up: "Without further delay, I will go to find Jiang Laoer right away."

The Jiang brothers had left Mount Tai after making some gains, because they only got a few treasures and did not pay much attention. Wu Qingyang rushed to Taihu Lake. The Jiang brothers had been doing business in Taihu Lake for many years and had quite some influence, so it was easy to find them. Wu Qingyang was a first-class swordsman today, and he seemed unattainable to the Jiang brothers. They were very happy to hear the news and came to greet him together. After meeting, he was humble and courteous. Wu Qingyang never put on airs and was very friendly. After the greetings, they boarded the ship, and the Jiang brothers set up a banquet to entertain them. Wu Qingyang explained his purpose. The Jiang brothers had already guessed it. Jiang Laoer was still frightened when he mentioned the ancient cave and heaved a long sigh: "I am lucky to have saved my life. I will never go to that damn place again." Wu Qingyang asked: "What was the situation in the cave?" Jiang Laoer remembered it clearly and sighed: "It was a life-and-death experience. Fortunately, I am a good swimmer and can breathe in the water, otherwise I would have lost ten lives. The most terrifying thing is the rotary knife gate. From a distance, it doesn't seem to be rotating very fast. As long as you are a good swimmer, you can pass through the gap. But when you get closer, you find that there is a rotating undercurrent around the rotary knife gate. The power is extremely strong. Once you are trapped in it, you will be unable to control yourself and your body will automatically be sent to the edge of the knife." Wu Qingyang wondered: "Can't you retreat if you can't get in?" Jiang Laoer smiled bitterly: "Once you are trapped in the vortex, it will be difficult to get out. Fortunately, I carry an eyebrow with me The thorns were strong enough, and I had some experience, so I was able to get through. "Wu Qingyang nodded: "So that's how it is." Jiang Laoer continued: "The danger in the water can be seen and touched, but the danger after getting out of the water is invisible and even more severe. Generally speaking, the first thing to do after getting out of the water is to breathe, but the cave is extremely stuffy and there is no air to breathe. If you exhale the remaining air, you will die immediately. Fortunately, I was careful and didn't rush to breathe, so I was safe." What Wu Qingyang wanted to know most was the martial arts diagram in the cave, and asked: "Are there any words on the stone wall besides the diagram?" Jiang Laoer nodded: "There are words, but they are very different from the words today, and I can hardly recognize them. I can't understand those diagrams either. After I came out, I drew a few pictures based on my memory. The owner of the manor is a great expert and he will know it at a glance." Wu Qingyang was happy. He finally gained something. With his experience, he should be able to see some clues.

Chapter 151: Traveling Back and Forth

Jiang Laoer took out several pictures. Although Wu Qingyang was knowledgeable, he couldn't figure out what they were. The postures in these pictures had never been seen before. Jiang Laoer explained, "Because many people are paying attention to the Angry Dragon Slash, I mainly looked at the sword manual for a while. Time was tight, so I just took a few things and left." Wu Qingyang nodded and asked, "Have you asked an expert to look at those things?" Jiang Laoer smiled and said, "No need to find anyone else, my fourth brother is an expert." Jiang Laosi stepped forward and said, "From the materials and workmanship to the withdrawal, it is completely certain that these things are from the royal family of the Tang Dynasty. Each of them is worth more than ten thousand taels." Wu Qingyang couldn't find any flaws in the whole thing and was about to say goodbye. He asked, "Can I take these pictures away?" Jiang Laoer smiled and said, "The owner of the manor is too polite. What's the point of us brothers keeping these pictures?" After thanking him, Wu Qingyang immediately said goodbye and rushed to Tongtian Castle with the pictures. Jiang Feiluan had seen the Angry Dragon Slash, so if the sword technique in the picture was indeed the Angry Dragon Slash, he should be able to tell. The story of the Taishan treasure caused a sensation, and Jiang Feiluan naturally knew about it, but she didn't take it to heart. Such things are mostly false and less real. No matter how much treasure there is, it is meaningless to her. No matter how profound the secret book is, she can't surpass Chang Xiao. Wu Qingyang's visit surprised Jiang Feiluan. What is the purpose of this Qingyang swordsman's travels? After the meeting, Wu Qingyang explained his purpose. Jiang Feiluan smiled and said, "Brother Wu has always been free and easy. Why are you so uncharacteristic this time? Do you also believe in such a low-level deception as the treasure magic?" Wu Qingyang shook his head: "The fort lord doesn't know that the Taishan treasure incident this time has a significant impact. Many people are involved in it. Dozens of people have died now. If it is allowed to develop, who knows how many people will die." Jiang Feiluan nodded: "So Brother Wu is chivalrous again. What do you think? Are there really treasures and martial arts maps in the ancient cave?" Wu Qingyang sighed lightly: "Now it can be confirmed that there are a batch of valuable treasures and martial arts maps hidden in the ancient cave." Jiang Feiluan frowned, then smiled and said, "That's nothing. Giving me all the treasures will only bring trouble. Those martial arts maps are of no use to me." Wu Qingyang agreed with Jiang Feiluan's free and easy attitude. There is no invincible martial arts in the world. Chang Xiao's foundation is just the most ordinary Liuhe swordsmanship, but now he is above all other masters and can call the wind and rain.

Jiang Feiluan perked up when he mentioned the Angry Dragon Slash. Wu Qingyang told him about his meeting with the Jiang brothers and took out the drawings. Jiang Feiluan looked at it carefully and put forward his own opinion after a long pause: "These sword techniques are not the Angry Dragon Slash, but they have a certain origin with the Angry Dragon Slash." Wu Qingyang was very surprised. Could it be that the Angry Dragon Slash really came from this ancient cave? Jiang Feiluan smiled and said, "It's the easiest to figure this out. Isn't it clear to find Pu Yunlong and ask him?" Wu Qingyang shook his head: "It's not that easy. Why did Pu Yunlong reveal his biggest secret?" Jiang Feiluan nodded: "That's right. Brother Wu can show these drawings to Pu Yunlong. I believe you can gain something." Wu Qingyang suddenly woke up: "Why didn't I think of it." Because Pu Yunlong was obsessed with Suyun Palace Master, he should still be in Penglai at this time. Wu Qingyang immediately said goodbye and left Tongtian Castle to rush to Penglai. This period of time was the happiest time in Long Yunpu's life. After becoming the follower of Suyun Palace Master, he could often contact Suyun Palace Master and became more obsessed with her. I don't understand in my heart, the younger generations of the Hidden Fairy Palace are all beautiful and radiant, but they have no attraction to me. No matter how you look at it, Palace Master Suyun is the most beautiful, no one can compare to her, let alone seeing her, hearing her voice will make me excited. After contacting Long Yunpu, I already know that Palace Master Suyun has three daughters, who are at least in their fifties. These do not affect Long Yunpu's infatuation. Deep in his heart, Long Yunpu has no possessive desire at all. Palace Master Suyun is a fairy who is high above, and I am an ordinary mortal. It is a blessing to be able to follow her. Although trapped by love, Long Yunpu is a master who has practiced hard for many years. Except for Palace Master Suyun, he doesn't care about anyone, even Nie Jiuniang and Yingtao can't order him around. Shenmu Bhikkhu orders everyone around, and now that Long Yunpu is disobedient, of course he has to find a way to teach him a lesson.

Palace Master Suyun had no way to deal with this senior master. Monk Shenmu knew that the biggest reason why Long Yunpu was not convinced was the Angry Dragon Slash. He believed that this was a sword technique that was unparalleled in the world, and even the famous Lord of the Never-Sleeping City might not be able to handle it. Therefore, Monk Shenmu decided to learn how powerful the Angry Dragon Slash was. If he could crack the Angry Dragon Slash, Long Yunpu would have nothing to rely on and would have to bow down obediently. The Angry Dragon Slash was a unique skill in the world, and everyone wanted to see it. Monk Shenmu had already reached the realm of perfection, and there would be no danger, so everyone urged him to do it. Others' words were useless, so he could only ask Palace Master Suyun. After consideration, Palace Master Suyun agreed, and in his heart he also wanted to see the unique skills of the Long family. Long Yunpu bowed his head and agreed to Suyun Palace Master's request. The group went out to sea by boat. The red sun was rising and the refreshing sea breeze was blowing. Long Yunpu and Shenmu Bhikkhu stood opposite each other at the bow of the boat. Suyun Palace Master and the younger generation of Yinxian Palace and Jiantong brothers watched from the side. At the beginning, Long Yunpu did not take Shenmu Bhikkhu seriously. After Suyun Palace Master's warning, he realized that Shenmu Bhikkhu was already a master over a hundred years old, with superb internal skills. Except for the Angry Dragon Slash, the rest of his martial arts were useless. This fight was destined to not be delayed. It all depended on whether Shenmu Bhikkhu could catch the Angry Dragon Slash. Long Yunpu was humble in front of Suyun Palace Master, but he was proud and heroic in front of others. He stood upright at the bow, holding the handle of the knife with his hand. He and the knife had merged into one. Everyone present was an expert. Based on this point, it was certain that Long Yunpu was indeed a well-deserved master. The monk Shenmu certainly understood that Lingmu and Jiang Feiluan were not ordinary people. They were defeated by Nulongzhan one after another, which showed that their swordsmanship was extraordinary. The two of them stood still for a long time. There was silence all around, only the wind blowing the clothes rustling. This was another kind of competition. The martial arts of the Long family had never been passed on to outsiders. Since they could compete with the ancestors of the Nie family, they must have their own unique features. After arduous training, Long Yunpu's concentration was naturally extraordinary. He did not lose the upper hand in the confrontation with the monk Shenmu for a long time.

After waiting for a long time, Long Yunpu had already felt the power of Shenmu Bhikkhu. Facing this person was like facing an unreachable mountain. If he didn't seize the opportunity, he might even run out of energy to draw his sword. Therefore, he gathered all his energy and showed his sword. A flash of cold light flashed, and it was as gorgeous as a rainbow under the sunlight. As the sword unfolded, Long Yunpu changed completely. Under the colorful light, he looked like a god. The beauties in the Hidden Fairy Palace looked down on Long Yunpu, but at this moment they felt the extraordinaryness of this young man. Shenmu Bhikkhu naturally focused his attention. Long Yunpu's sword unfolded, shining with brilliance, and there was a thrilling magic that made people's souls drift and difficult to control. Although Shenmu Bhikkhu felt the power of the opponent's sword, he was able to keep his mind clear. He knew in his heart that it was thanks to the ice ruler. If it weren't for this treasure, it would be difficult for him to stay awake. Long Yunpu stepped forward and swung his sword. The sword light leaped and crashed into Shenmu Bhikkhu like a raging wave. Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the monk Shenmu spun his body skillfully, and passed through like a sea swallow flying through the waves, unscathed. Long Yunpu was stunned when he saw that the Angry Dragon Slash was ineffective. The monk Shenmu raised his thumb and praised: "What a good swordsmanship, no wonder Jiang Feiluan couldn't resist it." Long Yunpu always believed that the Angry Dragon Slash was invincible, and this time he failed. It was really unexpected. The Lord of Suyun Palace sighed in his heart. Such swordsmanship was indeed ingenious. Long Yunpu was only twenty years old and he was so good. What about his ancestors? After holding it in for a long time, Long Yunpu asked: "How did you get away?" If it was in other occasions, the monk Shenmu would definitely brag about it. Now seeing that Long Yunpu had suffered a great blow, he couldn't bear to lie and told the truth: "The Angry Dragon Slash is indeed powerful. The biggest reason why I was not affected is the Ice Ruler. This treasure can keep my mind clear when I put it in my arms. Of course, my lightness and body skills are also first-class." Long Yunpu nodded slightly: "I see."

After the competition, everyone sat together again, and the topic of discussion was of course the Angry Dragon Slash. Long Yunpu finally understood that the Angry Dragon Slash was not the best swordsmanship in the world, and he was inevitably depressed. Because the sword boy brothers often mentioned Chang Xiao, Long Yunpu asked, "What would happen if the Lord of the City of No Night faced the Angry Dragon Slash?" Before others could say anything, the monk Shenmu said first, "If you face Chang Xiao, you have no chance to use your sword. If he waits for you to use the Angry Dragon Slash before attacking, you will have no chance of survival." Long Yunpu was shocked. If he had not believed it before the competition, he would not have believed it now. He murmured, "How is it possible?" The monk Shenmu laughed and said, "You are only twenty years old and you want to surpass that guy. It's too naive. I am more than a hundred years old and I can't beat him. In fact, it is amazing that you can use such a swordsmanship." Even so, Long Yunpu was still a little dejected. Palace Master Suyun had fought with Chang Xiao before, so he knew that Monk Shenmu was not exaggerating. He comforted him, "The Lord of the Never-Night City is the most powerful man in the world today, and no one can compare to him. The Angry Dragon Slash is indeed a rare and unique skill, but you are only twenty years old after all. If you continue to work hard, you still have a chance." What others said was useless, but what Palace Master Suyun said touched Long Yunpu's heart, and his expression eased greatly. Monk Shenmu returned to his old ways and began to brag about his martial arts. There was really no one here who could compare, so everyone just listened. Palace Master Suyun felt a little strange. The Angry Dragon Slash was indeed unpredictable. Although Long Yunpu's skills were not good enough and he did not show his essence, it could be seen that once he exerted his full strength, it would definitely be a shocking blow, and Monk Shenmu might not be able to escape. However, the Angry Dragon Slash was somewhat different from Long Yunpu's own swordsmanship, and it did not seem to be from the same source. After a change of mind, he was relieved. The Angry Dragon Slash was a unique skill that Long's ancestor obtained by cleverly understanding the secrets of heaven. It was not surprising that it was different from the original swordsmanship. As they chatted, the monk Shenmu frowned and said, "Why do I feel that the Angry Dragon Slash looks familiar? I seem to have seen it somewhere." Long Yunpu frowned and said, "Impossible, I am the only one in this generation of my family who has obtained the Angry Dragon Slash. My ancestors who practiced martial arts for at least ten generations have never entered the Central Plains. It is impossible for you to have seen it."

Because the old feud between the two families has been settled and the original secret can be made public, Long Yunpu has no scruples. It turns out that the rule of the Long family is that the civil is respected and the martial is despised. The family affairs of all sizes have always been decided by the civil ones. The martial artists are in a much lower position and are subject to many restrictions. The monk Shenmu originally had no basis, but just felt that the style of the Angry Dragon Slash was somewhat familiar. Since Long Yunpu insisted so much, he didn't mention it. Originally, Long Yunpu had always wanted to challenge Chang Xiao, but now that he knew the gap, he gave up. Anyway, he was satisfied to be by the side of the Suyun Palace Master. The Jiantong brothers unanimously agreed that the strength of the Angry Dragon Slash was not the sharp sword force, but the dazzling magic power. It was difficult to stay clear-headed at that moment. In this way, it was not surprising that Jiang Feiluan lost. After this competition, everyone looked at Long Yunpu differently. This young man was indeed not simple. When Wu Qingyang arrived, the group was still having fun. When they met, the monk Shenmu smiled and said, "Xiao Wu is really thoughtful. He sent so much wine when he knew we had run out of wine." It turned out that Wu Qingyang knew the temper of the monk Shenmu. He would definitely be upset if he didn't bring good wine. After everyone made fun of him and sat down, Wu Qingyang explained his purpose. The monk Shenmu snorted, "It's what he deserves. There is no such thing as a free meal in the world. Treasures or magical powers are not as important as life. These fools are willing to die. It has nothing to do with others." Wu Qingyang nodded, "What the senior said is very true, but there are too many fools in the world who can't see the key." This time it was mainly for the Angry Dragon Slash, of course it was related to Long Yunpu. When Long Yunpu heard about this, he was quite surprised. The Angry Dragon Slash was passed down from the family. How could it appear in the ancient cave? But after seeing the pictures, he couldn't help but be stunned. Although these pictures were a little distorted, it can be seen that they were the starting gestures of the Angry Dragon Slash. Wu Qingyang was also surprised. Palace Master Suyun speculated: "Perhaps that ancient cave is the place where the ancestor of the Long family passed away. Didn't those treasures come from the royal family of the Tang Dynasty? The timing is just right." Wu Qingyang nodded: "It's possible." Because of the long time, Long Yunpu didn't know the situation of his ancestors. At present, it seems that there is only one explanation. Monk Shenmu was the most open-minded and shouted: "Don't worry about him, we can play freely. What does it have to do with us if they are willing to die?" Everyone nodded together.

Wu Qingyang heard that the monk Shenmu easily avoided the wrathful dragon slash, so of course he had to ask in detail. The monk Shenmu made some comments and boasted, but it was more false than real. It was only after the palace master Suyun explained that he roughly understood. Because he was worried that the matter of the Taishan treasure would expand further, Wu Qingyang left Penglai and returned to Taishan. Before leaving, the monk Shenmu also reminded him about the good wine. Wu Qingyang agreed. Even Chang Xiao couldn't do anything about this senior, let alone himself? Leaving Penglai and taking the Taishan Road, he heard an astonishing news halfway. The treasure in the ancient cave of the Black Dragon Pond in Taishan and the martial arts map in the cave disappeared overnight, and the rotary knife gate was destroyed. Wu Qingyang was skeptical about this news. Who has such means? You know, there are at least more than a thousand people near the Black Dragon Pond. Even if this person has the ability to break through the rotary knife gate, how can he transport the treasure in the ancient cave under the eyes of so many people? With a lot of questions in mind, Wu Qingyang rushed to Mount Tai and asked Shi Huaiyu as soon as he saw him: "Has the treasure really been taken away?" Shi Huaiyu nodded: "There are only empty boxes left in the ancient cave, and the map on the stone wall is completely destroyed. It is obvious that it has been copied." Wu Qingyang asked for details, and Shi Huaiyu told him what happened. It turned out that the rotary knife gate was destroyed by a rare weapon. From various signs, there were about six or seven people who entered the ancient cave. They were very good at martial arts and could hold their breath for more than half an hour. These people wrapped the treasures in the ancient cave in a package, copied the map on the stone wall, and left quietly without alarming the people guarding near the Black Dragon Pool. After hearing what happened, Wu Qingyang couldn't help but frown and asked his question: "What kind of weapon can destroy the huge and heavy rotary knife gate?" Shi Huaiyu smiled and said, "Of course it must be a sharp weapon that can cut through metal." Wu Qingyang shook his head: "Even a sharp weapon that can cut through metal can't destroy the huge and heavy rotary knife gate, let alone in the water? In today's world, the sharpest weapon is the Ganlu Sword, but the number one swordsman, Baoding Taoist, doesn't have the ability to destroy the rotary knife gate." After hearing what Wu Qingyang said, Shi Huaiyu also felt strange: "In this case, who is the person who did this?" Wu Qingyang pondered for a moment and said: "The treasure in the Black Dragon Pond Ancient Cave suddenly appeared and disappeared. There must be a lot of things in it. At least it has led to a mysterious, powerful, and unknown force."

Chapter 152: A sudden rise

Shi Huaiyu can be considered an old man in the martial arts world. Of course, he understood the meaning of Wu Qingyang's words and nodded repeatedly: "Yes, the person who took the treasure has great magical powers, which are far beyond our ability to measure. I have a question in my mind. Does the current leader of the martial arts world, the Lord of the Never-Night City, have this ability? Brother Wu has an extraordinary relationship with the Lord of the Never-Night City, so you should know it." Wu Qingyang shook his head and smiled: "Chang Xiao certainly has this ability. Although the Dragon Scale Sword is not as sharp as the Ganlu Sword, his swordsmanship has reached the pinnacle, and the power is so strong that ordinary people can't imagine it. He does control a group of masters in his hands, and it is easy for him to do this. He is the only one in the martial arts world who has this ability. It's just that he doesn't need to do such a thing. Treasures or magical powers are meaningless to him. So I said that the person who did this came from an unknown force. Judging from all aspects of the signs, this force is extraordinary." Shi Huaiyu suggested: "It's easy to find out the truth. Just join forces with the Beggar Gang and Lu Wenjun to find out everything." Wu Qingyang shook his head: The person who destroyed the rotary knife gate must be a master of outstanding martial arts, at least on par with masters like Shenmu Bhikkhu and Wumu Zhenjun. Neither the Beggars' Sect nor Lu Wenjun have this ability. "Shi Huaiyu smiled and said, "As long as the Lord of the Never-Night City comes forward, everything will be solved." Wu Qingyang smiled bitterly, "The difficulty lies here. Recently, Chang Xiao suddenly disappeared, and his six wives are nowhere to be seen." Shi Huaiyu said, "Brother Wu, don't worry too much. There has never been a truly peaceful day in the world. As the saying goes, there are always capable people in every generation. Leading the trend for decades." Wu Qingyang nodded: "That's right, people in the martial arts world have to face unknown storms at any time, so I don't need to worry about it." Shi Huaiyu changed the subject: "Since I got the "Wine Classic", I have made many efforts and have brewed Fiery Wine. Brother Wu, do you want to try it?" Wu Qingyang smiled and said, "I said that my dear brother didn't treat me with ice wine today. It turns out that the Fiery Wine is ready. I must try it." Shi Huaiyu personally went to the back to take out a small jar and carefully poured it into the jade cup. The color of the wine was dark red. Wu Qingyang raised the cup to drink, and Shi Huaiyu reminded him: "Brother Wu, be careful, the Fiery Wine is extremely overbearing. You don't feel anything when you put it in your mouth, but once it enters your stomach, it's like a burning fire. I just drank a small sip and I felt I couldn't bear it." Wu Qingyang nodded, and after raising his true energy, he drank slowly.

As Shi Huaiyu said, it was slightly hot when it entered the mouth, and it felt quite comfortable. Once it entered the stomach, the alcohol took effect, and the internal organs seemed to burn. If Shi Huaiyu hadn't reminded me, I would have suffered a loss if I hadn't rashly swallowed a big mouthful. After carefully drinking the wine in the glass, Wu Qingyang nodded and praised: "It is indeed a good wine, but the alcohol is too overbearing. I can only drink three cups at most." Shi Huaiyu asked: "Since the Fiery Wine can't satisfy me, how about taking out the Ice Wine to help me?" Wu Qingyang hurriedly shook his head: "Absolutely not, after drinking the Fiery Wine, the blood vessels in the whole body are opened. If I drink the Ice Wine at this time, the meridians will inevitably go backwards, and I can't bear it." Shi Huaiyu understood. The two drank and talked, and the gatekeeper suddenly came in to report that a friend from the underworld had visited and asked to see Wu Qingyang. Shi Huaiyu was puzzled and wondered, "Few people know about my courtyard. Brother Wu has only been here for two or three hours. Who could have found this place?" Wu Qingyang had guessed a little and smiled, "Please sit down for a while, brother. I'm going to go out to greet him." He stood up and walked out. Shi Huaiyu was puzzled: Qingyang Swordsman is a top figure in the world today. Who is worthy of his personal greeting? Soon Wu Qingyang walked in hand in hand with another person. This guest had a strong back and strong bones, but his feet were very light and his feet did not stick to the dust. He had a majestic look between his eyebrows, like a tyrant who ruled the world, but his attitude was very kind. Wu Qingyang did not mention the guest's name, but only said that he was a friend in the world. Shi Huaiyu was an old man in the world, and since Wu Qingyang did not say it, he did not ask. After sitting down, Wu Qingyang picked up the Liehuo wine and poured it for the guest, but did not remind him. Shi Huaiyu was embarrassed to speak. He saw the guest raised his cup and drank it all, then frowned. Shi Huaiyu thought: Liehuo wine is very strong, this time he is at a disadvantage. Unexpectedly, the guest was calm and praised: "Good wine, I didn't expect that the best wine can be brewed here." Wu Qingyang smiled and said: "This wine has been lost for many years, and it took a lot of twists and turns to brew it. It is a coincidence that my brother met at the right time." The guest nodded and said: "Rare, rare."

Wu Qingyang said that he could only drink three cups, but this guest drank six cups without changing his expression. Shi Huaiyu was surprised. Could it be that this guest was also like the guest who gave him the "Wine Classic", and his internal strength was far better than Wu Qingyang? Because the Fiery Wine was too strong, Shi Huaiyu always used a small jar to hold it. Not long after, the jar was empty. The guest asked, "This wine tastes good. Do you have any more?" Shi Huaiyu was secretly surprised. Although the jar was small, it was still about 30 cups. Wu Qingyang drank three cups, but this guest actually drank more than 20 cups. According to this, this guest was more skilled than Wu Qingyang and the master who gave him the "Wine Classic". Wu Qingyang smiled and replied: "This wine is called Fiery Wine. If you want to drink it, of course we have more. But there is also a kind of Ice Wine, which is the opposite of Fiery Wine. I wonder if you are interested in trying it?" The guest showed his joy: "There is also Ice Wine, which can't be missed." Wu Qingyang asked Shi Huaiyu to get the Ice Wine. Shi Huaiyu was full of doubts. Wu Qingyang just said that after drinking Fiery Wine, the blood vessels would be dilated and ice wine must not be drunk. Why did it change now? After getting the Ice Wine, Wu Qingyang filled a cup and smiled: "Ice Wine is completely opposite to Fiery Wine. My brother drank a lot of Fiery Wine. You should be careful when drinking Ice Wine." The guest was quite confident: "It's okay." After drinking a cup, the guest let out a long sigh: "Good wine, but the alcohol is not as strong as Fiery Wine. You need to drink more to complement each other." Wu Qingyang and Shi Huaiyu couldn't drink anymore. The guest poured himself and drank dozens of cups before stopping. Shi Huaiyu couldn't help but ask, "Your internal strength is so profound, obviously you are an expert among experts, can you tell me your name?" The guest smiled and said, "If you can't guess my identity at this time, I can't be considered an old man." Shi Huaiyu was a little confused, Wu Qingyang reminded him, "There are only a handful of top masters in the world today, and there is only one who can call me a brother." Shi Huaiyu immediately realized and hurriedly stood up and saluted, "So it turns out to be the Lord of the Never-Sleeping City. I am short-sighted, please forgive me." The guest returned the salute, "We are all friends in the world, there is no need to talk about etiquette."

This guest was naturally Chang Xiao. Shi Huaiyu had only heard of him before, but today he finally experienced how powerful the Lord of the Never-Sleeping City was. He had only heard that the Lord of the Never-Sleeping City had the highest swordsmanship, but he had never expected that his inner strength was also unfathomable. No wonder the Never-Sleeping City was so prosperous and dominated the world. After three rounds of drinking, Wu Qingyang mentioned the Ice and Fiery Wine. Chang Xiao pondered for a moment and said, "I'm afraid I can't drink Ice Wine and Fiery Wine together at the moment. It seems that the strange man of the Tang Dynasty, the Bearded Guest, is really amazing." Wu Qingyang asked, "You can't drink it now, can you drink it in the future?" Chang Xiao smiled and said, "Of course you can, but it's a little troublesome. You need to carry two kinds of wine with you and use them often to quench your thirst. After you are fully adapted, you can mix them together in about half a year. These two kinds of wine are very beneficial for practicing internal skills, but you must do what you can and don't be greedy." Wu Qingyang raised his thumb and said, "My dear brother, you are worthy of being the leader of the martial arts world today." Shi Huaiyu praised, "The city lord is really unfathomable." The three chatted for a while and Wu Qingyang asked, "My dear brother, is your visit to Mount Tai related to the treasure?" Chang Xiao nodded, "Yes, the treasure in the ancient cave was actually arranged by me." When these words came out, Wu Qingyang and Shi Huaiyu were both surprised. They didn't expect that the treasure was indeed a man-made conspiracy, and the person who arranged it was the lord of the city that never sleeps in front of them. Wu Qingyang asked, "Brother, why did you set up this trap?" Chang Xiao explained, "It was mainly to test the masters in the world today and see how many people would be blinded by greed and target the four famous families. The result was quite satisfactory. Although some people from the four famous families were involved, the four heads and the backbones of the families were not tempted." Wu Qingyang understood then and asked, "What's the matter with the Angry Dragon Slash? Pu Yunlong's swordsmanship is obviously inherited from his ancestors, how could it appear in the ancient cave?" Chang Xiao smiled slightly, "Pu Yunlong is just a pseudonym. His real name is Long Yunpu, and he is from the Long family outside the Great Wall. The Long family does have a magical swordsmanship, but it has long been lost. The Angry Dragon Slash is actually my swordsmanship." Wu Qingyang was quite surprised. He didn't expect the truth of the matter to be like this.

Chang Xiao detailed his arrangement. Because Long Jingtian sent the ancestral painting to the Never-Sleeping City, in return, Chang Xiao gave Long Jingtian his original creation of the Angry Dragon Slash. Long Jingtian was the patriarch of the Long family, so he passed the Angry Dragon Slash to Long Yunpu as if it was a martial art passed down from his ancestors. As for Long Yunpu himself, he was indeed completely unaware of it. Because the Angry Dragon Slash was a sword technique created by Chang Xiao himself, it naturally had the veins of Chang Xiao's martial arts. Outsiders could not see it, but the monk Shenmu felt familiar with it. This was the reason. Things are simple once they are explained openly. Wu Qingyang asked, "Since you set up this trap, why did you end it so hastily?" Chang Xiao shook his head, "Brother Wu, you misunderstood. I was not the one who took the treasure." Wu Qingyang was stunned, "Could it be that an unknown force really appeared?" Chang Xiao nodded, "That's why I put down what I was doing and rushed here." Obviously, the person who knows the most about this matter in the world today is Chang Xiao. Wu Qingyang certainly had to ask about the whole story. Chang Xiao narrated what happened, "Originally, I set up this trap to test the people in the world, but I didn't expect it to lead to a master who has been hiding for many years. This person first found Taoist Baoding to duel with swords, and after winning, he won the Ganlu Sword. Then he led several masters to break through the rotary knife gate, took away the treasure in the ancient cave, and copied the map on the stone wall." Wu Qingyang was extremely shocked to hear the news. Although Taoist Baoding's cultivation was not as good as Chang Xiao, he was also a top master today. He was only slightly inferior to Bhikkhu Shenmu and Wu Mu Zhenjun. Who could win the Ganlu Sword from him? Therefore, he raised his own question: "Since this person can defeat Taoist Baoding, his cultivation must be very high. Why would he go to such great lengths for the treasure?" Chang Xiao nodded: "I don't quite understand this either. That's why I launched a comprehensive investigation and will report back in the near future. Because these people left some clues in the ancient cave, I want to investigate carefully, so I set the contact point at Mount Tai. I only came here a while after I learned that Brother Wu was coming." After explaining the cause and effect clearly, Wu Qingyang finally put his worries to rest and smiled: "If I had known that my dear brother was manipulating me from behind, I wouldn't have had to travel back and forth."

The Never-Sleeping City is the most powerful force in the martial arts world today, and Chang Xiao is a veritable leader in the martial arts world. Many people have tried every means to curry favor with him. Now that he has come to his home, he certainly cannot miss it. Shi Huaiyu's words revealed his intention to make friends with him. Chang Xiao certainly understood, but he never expressed his opinion. Wu Qingyang smiled and said to Chang Xiao: "There is only one cold ice and fire wine in the world. My dear brother, please take care of it in the future." Shi Huaiyu certainly understood what Wu Qingyang meant, and immediately expressed his opinion: "As long as the city lord likes it, I am willing to offer all the brewed wine." Chang Xiao certainly would not accept anything for nothing, and nodded and said: "Cold ice and fire wine is indeed rare. Since you drink it, you must give something in return." Shi Huaiyu was very happy. Chang Xiao's status was respected, and his words were as good as gold. He would never make empty promises. Chang Xiao stayed here that night. At noon the next day, someone sent a message. Wu Qingyang really wanted to know the situation of the mysterious master, but he could not ask casually. This was the rule of the martial arts world. Chang Xiao had no scruples. After issuing the order, he discussed with Wu Qingyang. Wu Qingyang asked, "What did you find out?" Chang Xiao answered without reservation, "It has been found out that this group of people came from Wuliang Mountain in Yunnan. There is a mysterious palace hidden in the mountain. There are very few Han people in the area. Most of them are Zhuang, Miao and other ethnic groups. Their customs are different from those in the Central Plains." Wu Qingyang praised, "You found out their whereabouts in such a short time. You are really capable, brother." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "It is not a big deal to just find out their lair. We already know that their leader calls himself Danyangzi. He is about a hundred years old and has great martial arts skills. He is respected as Danyang Immortal by the locals. The palace he lives in is called Jile Palace. From the side, we know that this Danyang The son used various means to gather many young and beautiful women. He should be improving his inner strength by using the method of Yin-Yang to replenish Yang. "Wu Qingyang frowned and said, "Such evil magic as Yin-Yang to replenish Yang has not disappeared." Chang Xiao shook his head: "The essence of Yin-Yang replenishment is not an evil magic. Xuanmen originally had the method of combining the two. The ancients focused on self-cultivation, and they could naturally practice it when they reached a certain level. Later people were eager to achieve success, and they tried rashly without a solid foundation. They often lost their nature because of lust, and it was too late to turn back. "Wu Qingyang asked: "Then what is the foundation of this Dan Yangzi?" Chang Xiao shook his head: "The greed has not been eliminated, at least one foot has entered the devil's way."

Soon someone delivered a package, and after opening it, it turned out to be the famous Dragon Scale Sword. Since Duan Qingxiao retired, Chang Xiao had put down the Dragon Scale Sword. This time he picked up the sword again, which was enough to show that this opponent was not simple. Wu Qingyang asked Chang Xiao about his plan, and Chang Xiao smiled and said, "I plan to go to the Paradise Palace and meet this Dan Yangzi." Wu Qingyang was very relieved about Chang Xiao's cultivation, but he had some doubts in his heart, and asked, "Is Dan Yangzi really worthy of the Dragon Scale Sword?" Chang Xiao nodded, "According to my inference, Dan Yangzi's method of taking Yin to replenish Yang came from the orthodox Xuanmen, otherwise Dan Yangzi would have been consumed by lust and lost all his martial arts. If Dan Yangzi has been practicing with this method, his skills must be incredibly powerful." Wu Qingyang knew that Chang Xiao was a steady person, so he nodded and said, "It's better to be prepared. My dear brother, take the dragon scale sword with you, and your trip to the Paradise Palace will be smooth." Chang Xiao put on the sword and prepared to leave. Shi Huaiyu prepared two gourds of wine, one large and one small, for him. They were naturally ice wine and fire wine. Chang Xiao thanked him and accepted them. He went out of the door and whistled. A red shadow appeared in the distance and came close in the blink of an eye. It was the world's number one divine horse. Chang Xiao jumped onto the horse's back and clasped his fists in salute. The fire dragon horse neighed, kicked its four hooves, and soon disappeared without a trace. Shi Huaiyu exclaimed, "I've heard that the Fire Dragon Colt is revered as the best horse in the world. Today I see that it is indeed a divine horse, worthy of the title." Wu Qingyang sighed, "Chang Xiao, the Dragon Scale Sword, the Fire Dragon Colt, and the most beautiful Jade Butterfly, are completely mythical to ordinary people." Shi Huaiyu agreed, and then remembered something and asked, "Brother Wu, you have been traveling for a long time, and the mystery is about to be revealed. Why don't you go to the Paradise Palace with the City Lord? With your friendship, the City Lord will definitely not refuse." Wu Qingyang smiled bitterly and said, "I How can I catch up with him? The Fire Dragon Colt is unique, running like the wind, no other horse can catch up with it. Even if I can catch up with him, so what? That Danyangzi was able to win the Ganlu Sword from the Taoist Baoding, so you can imagine how high his swordsmanship is. What use will my two tricks be? "Shi Huaiyu nodded and asked, "Brother Wu, what do you think of the city lord's trip to the Paradise Palace?" Wu Qingyang was quite confident: "Chang Xiao has reached the peak in all aspects, and can be said to be impeccable. Danyangzi is greedy, so he will definitely be defeated by the Dragon Scale Sword."

Chapter 153: Danyang Immortal

After leaving Mount Tai, the Fire Dragon Colt galloped to its heart's content and soon arrived in Yunnan. After all, one person's strength is limited. Chang Xiao had arranged some people to go to Yunnan to prepare in advance. Because there are not many Han people here, it is easy to expose your whereabouts. Chang Xiao changed his clothes and pretended to be a salt merchant. He first traveled between the villages for a few days. This was mainly to understand the status of the Paradise Palace in the minds of the locals. The roads here are rugged and the climate is humid. Chang Xiao's internal and external skills have reached perfection and are not affected at all. As for the Fire Dragon Colt, he was even more proud. The horses here are much shorter than those in the Central Plains. The Fire Dragon Colt felt like a tiger entering a flock of sheep when he arrived here, and was quite excited. After understanding it, Chang Xiao was a little surprised. He originally thought that the Paradise Palace was a filthy place and must be despised by the locals. Unexpectedly, the Paradise Palace was actually a sacred place in the hearts of the locals. If a young woman was selected by the Paradise Palace, the whole village would celebrate. Seeing this, Chang Xiao was very puzzled. Don't the people here know what the Paradise Palace does? After a careful understanding, I realized that the locals had different customs from the people in the Central Plains. There was no prejudice against family status. As long as the man and woman liked each other, they could live together. The men in the Paradise Palace were handsome and had all kinds of magical powers. The local women were proud to be selected by the Paradise Palace. In addition, every time the Paradise Palace selected a woman, it would give the woman's family a large sum of money. After joining the Paradise Palace, they could go home at any time, so the locals would celebrate. Seeing this, Chang Xiao's thoughts changed. It turned out that the Paradise Palace did not use force and robbery. Since those women were all voluntary, the situation was different. A few days later, they arrived near Wuliang Mountain. The Paradise Palace was located on a high peak, not far from the top of the peak. The road was extremely difficult to walk. In some places, there was no road at all. The two sides were connected by thick ropes, and they could only pass through the baskets hung on the ropes. These naturally did not bother Chang Xiao. When he was preparing to pack, he suddenly found the bat coat. Chang Xiao's heart moved. Since Danyangzi was respected as the Danyang Great Immortal, why didn't he take the bat coat and let Danyangzi know that there are people beyond people and there are heavens beyond heavens? After making up his mind, he put on the bat costume and felt funny in his heart. How could he be as playful as the monk Shenmu?

Because of the electric shuttle, climbing and wading are like walking on flat ground. Chang Xiao climbed the mountain all the way, very quickly. After approaching the Paradise Palace, he looked carefully and found that the scale of the Paradise Palace was not large. There were only more than ten houses along the mountain. Although the decoration was gorgeous, it was far inferior to the City that Never Sleeps. Chang Xiao quickly came to the top of the peak, estimated the distance downward, measured the wind speed, and flew down as soon as the wind direction changed, so that the people of the Paradise Palace could open their eyes. At this time, there was laughter and joy in the Paradise Palace. It was certainly worth being happy to get so many treasures. Handsome men and beautiful women dressed up each other, teased and sang happily. At noon, a girl accidentally looked up and saw a huge red bat. When she got closer, she saw clearly that it was a person. The girl screamed, and everyone ran outside to see, stunned. There was such a person and such a thing in the world. Someone immediately reported to Dan Yangzi, who was also surprised. He had never heard of people flying in the sky since ancient times. After thinking about it, he immediately realized that the visitor was not good, and told the people around him to be prepared. Chang Xiao showed off intentionally, hovering over the Paradise Palace for a long time before landing and calmly putting away his bat coat. There were many curious eyes around, but no one approached. At this time, the sound of the golden bell was heard, and the people from the Paradise Palace immediately retreated. After a while, two teams of beauties came out to greet him, and three people came out to greet him. In the middle was an old man with silver beard and silver hair, on the left was a beautiful woman, and on the right was a scholar in a green shirt. The old man was burly, with a ruddy complexion and sparkling eyes. He was obviously the owner of this place. The old man clasped his fists and said, "Your distinguished guest actually descended from the sky. This is truly an ancient and modern wonder." Chang Xiao returned the greeting, "The Great Immortal Danyang is naturally a miraculous being. My little trick is just a trifle. I am sorry to show off my skills in front of an expert." The old man laughed and said, "The people here are short-sighted. The word 'Great Immortal' is just a joke. Please don't laugh at me, distinguished guest." Chang Xiao shook his head slightly, "You are indeed unworthy of the title of 'Great Immortal', because you are not Danyangzi at all." The old man was stunned and argued, "Why do you think that I am not Danyangzi?" Chang Xiao smiled and said, "Your skills are not bad, but it is not enough to win the Ganlu Sword and break through the Rotating Wheel Blade Gate." The old man nodded, "Yes, I am just a servant. The master is waiting inside. Please come in." Chang Xiao stood there motionless, staring at the scholar in green clothes beside the old man and smiled, "Danyangzi is right in front of me."

Danyangzi is not only an expert in martial arts, but also an extraordinary strategy. He intended to test the visitor's depth, but now that Chang Xiao has revealed his true identity, there is no need to hide it any longer, so he readily admitted: "My dear guest, you have good eyesight. I am Danyangzi." For Chang Xiao, it was easy to recognize Danyangzi. Danyangzi also realized that this uninvited guest was no trivial matter, so he became more cautious. He asked inquiringly: "What is the purpose of your distinguished guest coming to the Paradise Palace with so much trouble?" Chang Xiao went straight to the point: "Of course it is for the Ganlu Sword." Danyangzi frowned: "I won the Ganlu Sword, fair and square." Chang Xiao said calmly: "If you can win the Ganlu Sword from others, I can win it from you as well." Danyangzi shook his head: "Although you are very capable, it is not easy for you to defeat me. Even if you can defeat me, it is useless. You use a knife, not a sword. I will not use the Ganlu Sword as a bet." Chang Xiao's face sank: "What if I take it by force?" Danyangzi disagreed: "First of all, you may not be able to defeat me. If you really defeat me, you would not do such an unreasonable thing as snatching the sword." Others did not understand, but Chang Xiao knew it very well. Of course, he would not act recklessly when he reached this level of cultivation. So he smiled and said, "The reputation of the Danyang Immortal is well-deserved, and he is indeed amazing." Danyangzi smiled and said, "Your honored guest is the dragon that travels through the nine heavens and four seas, please come in." Chang Xiao walked in with his head held high. Most people in the Paradise Palace felt indignant that the Danyang Immortal, who was usually worshipped as a god, was actually at a disadvantage. The beautiful woman snorted and said, "The host respects the guest, and the guest should also respect himself." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "If there is no connection, I would certainly not act rashly on my first visit. Now that you have taken my things, I am already polite by not asking for punishment." The beautiful woman argued, "Who took your things?" Danyangzi had already seen the depth of this guest, and stopped the woman and invited Chang Xiao to stay inside. Chang Xiao walked in with his head held high. It turned out that the Paradise Palace was also built using caves in the mountains. There were not many houses outside, but the scale inside was not small. The spacious place could accommodate hundreds of people, but it was still much inferior to the City That Never Sleeps.

A banquet was set up in the hall, and Chang Xiao sat down on the guest seat. Dan Yangzi waved his hand, and four girls came forward to serve him. Chang Xiao went straight to the point: "I asked around in the surrounding villages, and it turns out that the girls who came to the Paradise Palace were all willing, and the Paradise Palace has a good reputation." Dan Yangzi asked: "What is your intention in investigating the Paradise Palace?" Chang Xiao smiled and said: "Didn't I just say that you took my things?" Dan Yangzi was confused: "People from the Paradise Palace rarely go out and will never steal. How could they take your things?" Chang Xiao simply said: "The treasures and martial arts maps in the ancient cave of the Black Dragon Pond in Mount Tai are all mine." Dan Yangzi certainly didn't believe it, and smiled: "So your Excellency coveted "He coveted the treasure, but we got there first, so he came to the Paradise Palace. If you want a piece of the pie, you can just say it, no need to beat around the bush." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "Although it's a little hard to believe, the fact is the fact, the treasures are indeed mine." Dan Yangzi frowned, "Your Excellency, it's wrong to say that again." Seeing that Dan Yangzi didn't believe it, Chang Xiao changed the subject, "I know that the great immortal has extraordinary cultivation. Since we have met, we must always exchange ideas. Let's put the treasure aside first." Dan Yangzi had long understood that the visitor was not kind, and he had made preparations. He stood up and said, "Since this battle is unavoidable, let's talk about it after the fight." After giving the order, someone soon brought the Ganlu sword and the Bagua Taoist robe. Dan Yangzi has always been polite. After carrying the sword and putting on the Taoist robe, he seemed to have changed into a different person. His expression was elegant, and his eyes shot out cold light, as if the immortal from Pengdao had come to the world. Chang Xiao stood opposite Dan Yangzi without being humble or arrogant, and the two masters started an invisible confrontation. Chang Xiao felt that Dan Yangzi's internal energy was extremely abundant, and his previous inference was correct. Dan Yangzi felt that the opponent in front of him was not like a flesh-and-blood person, but like a towering mountain that had been there since ancient times. After a long confrontation, Dan Yangzi shook his shoulder and the Ganlu sword jumped out of its sheath. Taoist Baoding had used this trick before, but unfortunately Chang Xiao seized the opportunity to attack and was defeated before he could fight back. Dan Yangzi had lived in the mountains for a long time and didn't know about this, so it was inevitable that he would suffer a loss. Seeing the Ganlu sword falling, Dan Yangzi just stretched out his hand to catch it, but suddenly felt a chill on his face, and he quickly dodged sideways in shock. Chang Xiao's sword had already been unsheathed, and of course he would not put it back easily. In a flash, he had already cut into the inner circle.

Although Dan Yangzi was polite, he had a high opinion of himself. He saw that Chang Xiao was not easy to deal with, but he did not expect this move. He miscalculated and had no chance to fight back. Finally, he had a solid foundation and used a rare martial arts skill. He finally jumped out of the circle at the critical moment, but the Ganlu sword had already fallen into Chang Xiao's hands. The two still stood opposite each other, but Dan Yangzi's expression changed a lot. He blurted out: "You are the Lord of the Never-Sleeping City." Chang Xiao smiled and nodded: "It's rare that you still know me." Dan Yangzi sighed: "There are people beyond people, and there are heavens beyond heavens." Chang Xiao shook his head: "You just miscalculated for a moment, let's compete again." With a wave of his hand, the Ganlu sword drew a beautiful arc and fell into the scabbard behind Dan Yangzi. Dan Yangzi praised: "You have entered the realm of unity of man and nature, which is rare." Chang Xiao shook his head slightly: "It's not that mysterious. The footwork you just displayed is also a rare skill." Dan Yangzi couldn't tell what he felt in his heart, and sighed: "That is the most wonderful mirage step of Quanzhen Sect, but it's still not as fast as your sword." Chang Xiao was still not satisfied, and suggested: "This time you draw the sword first, let's compete again." Dan Yangzi shook his head: "The first blow is strong, the second is weak, and the third is exhausted. I am already at a disadvantage after a miscalculation. If I fight again, I will only be humiliated." Chang Xiao was of course unwilling: "Your inner strength is so deep that I have never seen it before. If it ends like this, my trip will be in vain." Dan Yangzi smiled and said: "Don't worry, Lord, I am not willing to end like this. The Paradise Palace will certainly not admit defeat easily." Chang Xiao nodded, and it seemed that Dan Yangzi's posture seemed to be relying on something. The two returned to their seats. Although the dishes were exquisite, they were far inferior to the craftsmanship of the two elders of Crystal. Chang Xiao was very casual about food and was never picky, but he had the best wine with him, so he naturally didn't need to drink the wine here. Dan Yangzi was a little surprised and asked, "Does the city lord carry a wine gourd wherever he goes?" Chang Xiao smiled and said, "I didn't have this habit before. Recently, someone brewed the best wine and gave it to me, so I carried it with me." Dan Yangzi became interested and said, "What kind of wine is worthy of the city lord's attention?" Chang Xiao explained, "The long-lost Ice and Fiery Wine." Dan Yangzi frowned and said, "Such a strange name, how come I have never heard of it?" At this time, someone behind the screen said, in a soft and pleasant voice, "Ice and Fiery Wine was passed down from the strange man Qiu Ranke in the Tang Dynasty. Because of its overbearing power, later generations were not lucky enough to enjoy it, and it has been lost for hundreds of years." Dan Yangzi smiled and said, "My virtuous sister is still knowledgeable and talented. Since the master is here, why don't you come out for a while?"

Amid the sound of rings and pendants, a beautiful woman in Taoist attire came out from behind a screen. She moved gracefully, with a dignified and beautiful face. She bowed slightly to Chang Xiao: "I'm the one making the move." Chang Xiao stood up and returned the greeting: "Not bad, the fairy is full of internal energy, but she doesn't show any of it on the outside. This is extremely rare." Danyangzi introduced: "This is the city lord of Never Sleep, who is famous in the world." The woman smiled and said: "You are indeed a rare talent, worthy of your reputation. My name is Yuzhenzi, and I have lived in seclusion in the mountains for many years. I have heard of the city lord's name for a long time, but I have never had the chance to meet him. Today I finally fulfilled my wish." Chang Xiao said a few humble words, and after Yuzhenzi and Danyangzi sat together, he asked: "Did the city lord feel that I was behind the screen?" Chang Xiao shook his head slightly: "I felt it when the fairy entered the hall from the back hall." Yuzhenzi was skeptical. He was good at light swordsmanship, and his actions were silent, so the other party could not detect it. Chang Xiao didn't take it seriously. The Yu Zhenzi in front of him must be a partner who practiced dual cultivation with Dan Yangzi. That is to say, the two people's martial arts realms are very close, and their minds are connected. If they join forces, their power will definitely double. It seems that this is what Dan Yangzi relies on. Yu Zhenzi asked: "Did the city lord really get the ice and fire wine?" Chang Xiao nodded: "It was just a coincidence." Yu Zhenzi asked again: "The city lord said that the treasure in the ancient cave of Black Dragon Pond in Mount Tai has an owner. Is this true?" Chang Xiao smiled and replied: "Yes, the treasure in the ancient cave is mine." Yu Zhenzi then asked: "If the city lord is right, I don't understand. The city lord designed such a mystery of treasure magic for no reason, causing countless people to fight for it crazily, and even kill each other. What is the purpose?" The treasure has been taken out, so Chang Xiao has no need to hide it. He frankly stated his intention: "The treasure magic is a touchstone. The purpose is to test whether the masters are greedy."

At first, Danyangzi didn't believe Chang Xiao's words, but after the fight, his mind changed. A martial arts master of this level didn't need to lie. Yuzhenzi had heard about the status of the Never-Sleeping City in the martial arts world, and Changxiao was fully capable of arranging the rotary knife gate and treasures. Changxiao's statement was also tenable, but his side also had some truth, so he argued: "Even if the treasures in the ancient cave belonged to the city lord, if they were kept in the Never-Sleeping City, naturally no one would be tempted. But the city lord put these treasures in the ancient cave and let people from all sides fight for them, so these treasures are already ownerless." Changxiao nodded readily: "You can say that." Danyangzi was a little surprised. Wasn't Changxiao's purpose of coming here for the treasure? How could he admit Yuzhenzi's words? Yu Zhenzi didn't understand either, and frowned and said, "Since the city lord admits that the treasure is ownerless, why did you run all the way to the Paradise Palace?" Chang Xiao smiled and said, "You two misunderstood. I didn't come here to get the treasure back. Those treasures are of no meaning to me. The real purpose of this trip is to meet the master who can defeat Taoist Baoding." Dan Yangzi and Yu Zhenzi looked at each other, and then they understood Chang Xiao's intention. Chang Xiao asked, "Where did you get your martial arts from?" Dan Yangzi did not hide it: "It is a book called Dan Yang Zhenjing left by Master Ma, the leader of the Seven Sons of Quanzhen." Chang Xiao nodded: "I see, then the Zhenjing must have recorded the method of practicing dual cultivation?" Yu Zhenzi explained: "The harmony of yin and yang is the righteous way of heaven and earth. Yin alone cannot grow, and yang alone cannot grow." Chang Xiao smiled slightly: "I understand the truth. If the foundation is solid and the seven emotions and six desires are abandoned, you can certainly enter the Tao." Dan Yangzi was a little surprised: "I didn't expect the city lord to understand this." Chang Xiao disagreed: "The harmony of yin and yang is the righteous way of heaven and earth. The predecessor left this method with good intentions. It's just that later generations are eager for success and don't care about the foundation. When they try rashly, they lose their nature because of lust and fall into the devil's way. In addition, all dynasties have used the teachings of Confucius and Mencius to restrain the people. Men and women are not allowed to touch each other. This method is regarded as heresy, which led to its decline."

Chapter 154 God's Smile

After a conversation, Danyangzi and Yuzhenzi changed their views on Chang Xiao, and the topic soon turned to the Ganlu Sword. Yuzhenzi said, "Brother Daoist has made it very clear that only capable people can own a magic weapon. Taoist Baoding's swordsmanship is not good enough, and he is willing to hand over the sword. Even if the city lord takes it back, Taoist Baoding will not accept it." Chang Xiao certainly understood the reason, and turned to Danyangzi and asked, "How was your fight with Taoist Baoding?" Danyangzi sighed lightly, "Taoist Baoding's swordsmanship is indeed superb, but the most rare thing is the swordsman's character. The Ganlu Sword is unparalleled in the world. If you use this sword to fight me, I have no chance of winning. After Taoist Baoding changed to an ordinary long sword, we fought hard for three hours. Taoist Baoding was defeated by the unique skill of Guanshan Feidu in the Danyang Sutra. Only then did he stop and hand over the Ganlu Sword. We made a three-year agreement, and we will compete again at that time. The ownership of the Ganlu Sword will not be known until three years later. "Chang Xiao nodded: "I see." Yu Zhenzi said: "I have heard that the city lord is invincible and has been invincible for a long time. Today I see that his reputation is well-deserved. There is no doubt that Brother Danyang and I cannot win. If the city lord is willing to learn from each other, we can fight together." Of course, Chang Xiao had no reason to refuse: "I couldn't ask for it. The Danyang True Scripture is the true teaching of the Xuanmen, and the joint cultivation has been hidden for many years. This opportunity is really rare." Although only one move was made, Danyangzi was already wary of Chang Xiao's swordsmanship. This person's swordsmanship was so fast that it was incredible. Even if the two of them joined forces, they could not be careless. After some preparation, the three left the Paradise Palace and soon arrived at the top of the peak. Although the climate was humid, because the mountain was high and steep, there was still a strong wind blowing in the face. The three stood opposite each other, and their clothes were blown by the mountain wind. Danyangzi knew that Chang Xiao's sword was incredibly fast, so he couldn't be careless, so he first showed his Ganlu sword. Yuzhenzi used a pair of short swords, which shone brightly in the sunlight and caught people's eyes. Obviously, they were not ordinary items. With a light shout, Danyangzi and Yuzhenzi separated their bodies to the left and right, and their swords drew a beautiful arc. Changxiao had already seen that the two men's swords had sealed all directions, and their moves were extremely exquisite. It seemed that the Danyang Sutra was indeed extraordinary. The opponent's sword was extremely sharp, so he couldn't be careless. Changxiao turned around and the Dragon Scale Sword was already unsheathed.

With the dazzling silver light, Danyangzi and Yuzhenzi both felt their wrists tremble and their knuckles numb. They were secretly surprised. They didn't expect that the inner strength of the Lord of the Never-Night City was so profound. The joint cultivation naturally had its own unique features. Danyangzi shouted, and the light of the two swords increased greatly, and the sword energy shot out. Chang Xiao praised, and his feet did not stop, his body rotated endlessly, and the sword light shot out from all directions, and the three masters were mixed together. After years of training, Chang Xiao's swordsmanship has become perfect. He attacked more than defended when fighting one against two. Danyangzi and Yuzhenzi were of course unwilling to give up, but they were not as fast as the other party. The Dragon Scale Sword was omnipresent, so they dared not let go and attack. In a blink of an eye, both sides had already made two hundred moves, and Danyangzi and Yuzhenzi did not gain any advantage. Of course, this would not work. Yuzhenzi made up his mind to change his strategy. With a shout, Danyangzi took back the Ganlu Sword and connected it with Yuzhenzi's sword, forming two halos, one large and one small. This way, Chang Xiao couldn't get into the inner circle and separate the two. At the beginning, Chang Xiao used his speed to prevent the other party from joining forces, but now he had to face the powerful offensive after the two joined forces. Dan Yangzi and Yu Zhenzi practiced martial arts together, and their martial arts skills were comparable. After joining forces, their power doubled, and the swords were invincible. Chang Xiao had been in the martial arts world for many years and had never given in. Of course, he would not retreat at this time. The dragon scale sword, with the power of splitting mountains and breaking tripods, roared and crashed into the halo formed by the other party's swords. There was a loud noise when it came into contact, and the valley roared continuously. After the contact, Dan Yangzi and Yu Zhenzi did not retreat but advanced, and the sword light was like a swimming dragon, interweaving left and right, and went straight to Chang Xiao's ribs. After the contact, Chang Xiao felt that the opponent's sword had a suction force, and his powerful strength was like a mud cow entering the sea, without a trace. This move was really unexpected. The sword force was old, and the opponent had already cut in from both sides. Although it was just a martial arts exchange, the sword had no eyes, and the danger still existed. There was no time to think at this time. Chang Xiao did not move, but moved back several feet. The dragon scale sword jumped up, and the sword light went up all the way, and then it fell like lightning. It was the original skill of Angry Dragon Slash. This move was the essence of Chang Xiao's martial arts. Long Yunpu was young, but he defeated masters like Lingmu Zhenren and Jiang Feiluan with just this move. The sharpness of this sword technique can be imagined. Now in Chang Xiao's hands, the power is naturally more powerful. The sword has not fallen yet, but the energy has arrived first. Danyangzi and Yuzhenzi both felt the biting cold, and their minds were connected. The swords were put together to block the Angry Dragon Slash.

This was a collision of strength. Both sides went all out. The collision of swords and knives made a loud noise that shook the earth. Chang Xiao was actually thrown out a few feet away. Danyangzi and Yuzhenzi were not at ease either. Although they barely caught Chang Xiao's full-strength attack, they both felt their blood boiling and had difficulty breathing. Chang Xiao praised: "The Danyang True Scripture is really amazing. It actually blocked the Angry Dragon Slash." Danyangzi forced a smile: "The City Lord's Angry Dragon Slash is really shocking and moves the gods and ghosts." Yuzhenzi adjusted his internal breath and winked at Danyangzi. Danyangzi understood and stabbed the Ganlu sword diagonally, shouting loudly: "Flying over the mountains and rivers." Chang Xiao already knew that the Taoist Baoding was defeated by this move, so he had to be more careful. The Ganlu sword shone brightly, emitting colorful light, like a magnificent rainbow. Then Yu Zhenzi shouted in a delicate voice: "Iron Chain Across the River." The sword in his left hand flew out, and his body jumped up, merging with Dan Yangzi's sword light, covering Chang Xiao. This is the most wonderful swordsmanship in the "Dan Yang Zhen Jing". The two of them joined forces and complemented each other without any flaws. Obviously, this is the biggest reliance of the Paradise Palace. If Chang Xiao was not too powerful, Dan Yangzi would never use this unique skill. Chang Xiao was frustrated when he used the Angry Dragon Slash. The opponent suddenly showed this unique skill. It was difficult to deal with it for a while, and his whole body was covered by the sword light. Dan Yangzi didn't want to kill him, but the sword was already formed, and he couldn't control it. He saw that the martial arts leader who dominated the world was about to die under the Ganlu sword. In an instant, Chang Xiao's feet suddenly staggered a few steps, like a drunkard. Dan Yangzi was a little surprised. Could it be that Chang Xiao could still fight back with such a unique skill? At this time, he was already helpless, and no matter what the opponent did, he couldn't change it. At the moment of contact, Danyangzi saw a strange smile on Chang Xiao's face, which contained endless meanings, like a statue in a temple. It was definitely not a human smile, but a smile of God. Danyangzi couldn't help but laugh along, and then he felt floating, his soul left his body, and everything ended in the smile. Yuzhenzi believed that Chang Xiao would definitely die, and no one in the world could resist this move, but it turned out to be the opposite of what he wanted.

There was silence all around, the three of them still stood facing each other, Dan Yangzi smiled, but Chang Xiao's eyes showed regret. Yu Zhenzi didn't understand why, the mountain wind blew, Dan Yangzi suddenly fell to the ground, Yu Zhenzi was shocked, went forward to see, and saw that Dan Yangzi had been dead for a long time. Yu Zhenzi had been practicing Taoism for many years and no longer cared about life and death. Seeing Danyangzi's expression, he understood that Danyangzi passed away in a state of detachment, so he turned around and asked, "What kind of swordsmanship did the city lord use?" Chang Xiao let out a long sigh and chanted, "The wind curtain moves at sunset, and broken shadows dance in the setting sun." Yu Zhenzi was not sad about Danyangzi's death, but rather envious. He said with emotion, "Brother Danyang is so lucky to be able to leave his body under such circumstances." Chang Xiao certainly understood what Yu Zhenzi meant, but his regret was beyond words, "I didn't expect such a change to happen during this trip to Yunnan. I really didn't expect that the martial arts recorded in the Danyang True Scripture were so profound. I couldn't even win with the Angry Dragon Slash, and I couldn't control the swordsmanship I recently learned. What a pity." Yu Zhenzi was very calm and said, "It's rare for a cultivator to have such an ending. The city lord doesn't have to feel guilty. "After thinking for a moment, Chang Xiao put forward his own idea: "Brother Danyang has passed away, and it is difficult for the fairy to continue her practice. Can you ask Taoist Baoding to come here and practice the "Danyang Sutra" with the fairy?" Yu Zhenzi shook his head: "The city lord appreciates the good intention. The conditions for dual cultivation are extremely harsh. Even if Taoist Baoding's martial arts are better than Brother Danyang's, it is impossible." Chang Xiao explained: "Fairy doesn't know that Taoist Baoding is a disciple of Huashan, and is also a branch of Quanzhen Sect. The internal skills should be the same." Yu Zhenzi was still a little hesitant and asked: "Taoist Baoding's swordsmanship is not bad, how about his concentration?" Chang Xiao knew Taoist Baoding very well, and patted his chest to guarantee: "Taoist Baoding is obsessed with swordsmanship, and he doesn't care about the world. He has a solid foundation. Brother Danyang can't win without flying over the mountains and rivers." Yu Zhenzi pondered for a moment and nodded: "Since the city lord thinks it is feasible, let Taoist Baoding come to the Paradise Palace to try it."

Chang Xiao descended from the sky using a bat coat. Everyone in the Paradise Palace knew that he was not a good person, and everyone was very concerned about the competition. After waiting for the competition to end, Yu Zhenzi came out and announced that Danyang the Great Immortal had passed away. Everyone was extremely shocked. Yu Zhenzi arranged for everyone to pay their respects to Danyangzi's remains. After seeing it, everyone agreed with this statement. That expression could not be fake. Yu Zhenzi ordered that Danyangzi's body be enshrined. The matter of Baoding Taoist had not been determined yet, and it would be discussed later. Chang Xiao did not enter the Paradise Palace again. He left alone with the Ganlu Sword and went directly to Zhongyuan to discuss with Baoding Taoist. Baoding Taoist was defeated by Danyangzi and lost the Ganlu Sword. He had found a place to practice in seclusion and prepare for the battle three years later. His residence was extremely secret. Chang Xiao had a powerful force in his hands. After issuing the order, he quickly found the valley where Baoding Taoist lived in seclusion. Baoding Taoist was thinking hard about the method of crossing the mountain pass, which was indeed a difficult problem. Huashan Sect was passed down from Hao Datong, the last of the Seven Masters of Quanzhen Sect, and Taoist Baoding was not the head of the sect, so he had not learned some exquisite martial arts. Guanshan Feidu was a unique skill created by Ma Yu, the leader of the Seven Masters of Quanzhen Sect, so there was a fundamental gap. No matter how hard Taoist Baoding tried, he could not make any progress. After a period of exploration, Taoist Baoding realized that his chances of cracking Guanshan Feidu were slim. Although there was no hope, he still had to prepare carefully. In the sword duel three years later, he had to do his best regardless of the outcome. One day, he was meditating by the stream and heard the noisy sound of magpies. Taoist Baoding was moved. How could he not notice someone entering the valley? He soon realized that the person who came was Chang Xiao, so there was nothing strange about it. The two sat cross-legged opposite each other, and Taoist Baoding smiled and said, "The city lord must have come here for the Ganlu Sword." Chang Xiao sighed lightly, "You can say that." Then he handed over a package. Taoist Baoding frowned, "Why did the city lord take the Ganlu Sword back?" There was a complaint in his words. Chang Xiao certainly understood what Taoist Baoding meant, and smiled bitterly, "Things changed too quickly, beyond my expectation." Taoist Baoding asked for details, and Chang Xiao recounted his trip to the Paradise Palace in detail. Upon learning that Dan Yangzi had passed away, Taoist Baoding was extremely sad and sighed. Chang Xiao expressed his difficulties, and Taoist Baoding nodded, "It's not the city lord's fault."

Taoist Baoding sighed repeatedly after losing his most ideal opponent. Chang Xiao expressed his opinion. Taoist Baoding shook his head and said, "The path of dual cultivation is extremely difficult. Even people of the same sect and age and with similar cultivation levels will find it difficult to succeed. It will be even more difficult to start halfway." Chang Xiao shook his head and said, "Everything depends on human effort. Since the Danyang Sutra records this method, it must be because this method needs to be passed down. If even a person with the cultivation level of the Taoist priest cannot do it, then the Danyang Sutra would have been lost long ago." Taoist Baoding thought for a moment. He felt that Chang Xiao's words made sense. He was also from the Quanzhen Sect, so of course he valued the Danyang Sutra. Now that the opportunity was before him, it was hard to say no, so the Taoist Baoding said, "Since that's the case, I'll leave right away. As a disciple of the Quanzhen Sect, I'm very lucky to have the opportunity to see the Danyang Sutra." Chang Xiao nodded, "Whether it was intentional or not, Danyangzi's death is a great loss to the martial arts world after all, and I have to take responsibility. Taoist, leave immediately, I'll go to the Paradise Palace to make arrangements first." The Taoist Baoding already understood that Chang Xiao was ready to help. Such an opportunity was too rare. With the help of such a master, studying the Danyang Sutra would definitely be twice as effective with half the effort. The Fire Dragon Horse was unique in the world, so the Taoist Baoding naturally couldn't catch up. Chang Xiao went first, and the Taoist Baoding packed up, carried the Ganlu Sword and went to Yunnan. It was naturally easy for the Taoist Baoding to travel through mountains and rivers. Although he regretted the death of Danyangzi, he was still grateful to Chang Xiao, and admired Chang Xiao's swordsmanship even more. He had experienced the power of crossing the mountain and flying over the mountains. At that time, Danyangzi used an ordinary long sword, and after changing to the Ganlu Sword, the power would naturally be more powerful. When used in conjunction with Yu Zhenzi's Iron Chain Across the River, the power is doubled, and it is absolutely beyond the ability of flesh and blood to withstand. However, Chang Xiao is not only safe and sound under such a unique skill, but can also fight back at the critical moment. It is really incredible. What kind of swordsmanship is this? Is Chang Xiao a human or a god?

Taoist Baoding was thinking about this problem all the way. Before he knew it, he had arrived at the foot of Wuliang Mountain. Chang Xiao had told him the way, and Taoist Baoding carried his sword and walked along. Although the road was rugged, it was normal for a master who cultivated both inside and outside. The Paradise Palace soon came into view. Chang Xiao's visit was unexpected, and the people of Paradise Palace were not prepared. Taoist Baoding was different. Handsome men and beautiful women lined up on both sides. The old man and the beautiful woman who had greeted Chang Xiao stood at the door in gorgeous clothes. Taoist Baoding stepped forward and saluted. The old man returned the salute and said, "Master, please come in." He entered the hall first. The beautiful woman smiled and said, "The master has ordered that you please enter the Refining Heart Hall first." Taoist Baoding already understood that this was a test for himself. If his foundation was not stable, he would inevitably make a fool of himself. People who practice Taoism do not care about life and death, so of course they don't care about various tests. Therefore, Taoist Baoding readily agreed and followed the beautiful woman to a stone gate. The beautiful woman opened the stone door, and the Taoist priest Baoding straightened his clothes and walked in with his head held high. The stone door then closed. It was pitch black all around. The Taoist priest Baoding walked forward slowly. Candlelight appeared on the wall. He saw a cushion in front of him, so he walked over and sat cross-legged. Strange shadows suddenly appeared on all sides, and several ugly ghosts with strange shapes danced and approached. The Taoist priest Baoding closed his eyes and rested, not moved at all. The ghosts kept screaming, waving skull sticks, spitting fire from their mouths, fighting each other, which was extremely terrifying. The Taoist priest Baoding acted as if nothing had happened, sitting upright, like a wooden sculpture. The ghosts made a fuss for a long time, and seeing that the Taoist priest Baoding was indifferent, they retreated. After a while, several iron boxes appeared under the light, full of gold and silver treasures. Old people, children, young men and women held up the treasures and smiled. The Taoist priest Baoding remained motionless, not interested in these external things at all. After the treasure disappeared, silence returned to the surroundings. A moment later, the sound of stringed instruments came to the ears, and several girls in light gauze were dancing gracefully. Obviously, this was the key to testing one's concentration.

Chapter 155 Causes and consequences

Taoists are also flesh and blood, and have seven emotions and six desires. It is really difficult to jump out of this circle. The girls danced to the music, their delicate bodies looming, which was particularly provocative. Not long after, several handsome young men appeared and danced with the girls, with lingering affection. The music was lingering, and the young men and women could not suppress their lust in their hearts. They hugged each other, panting and groaning, and there was no end to the charming and lingering. Taoist Baoding turned a deaf ear to it and sat on the cushion as steady as a mountain. As the music changed, these men and women undressed and had fun. Some girls came to Taoist Baoding and flirted with him, doing their best to tease him. Taoist Baoding not only did not react at all, but even his breathing stopped, as if he had no life. After an unknown amount of time, the music ended and the crowd dispersed. Silence returned to the surroundings. The stone door slowly opened, and the beautiful woman said softly, "The Taoist has a deep foundation. The master invites you." Taoist Baoding stood up and walked out, with no change from when he entered. The beautiful woman led Taoist Baoding to the hall. Yu Zhenzi sat on the main seat, and Chang Xiao sat on the guest seat. Yu Zhenzi pointed to the seat in front of him and said, "Fellow Taoist, please sit here." Taoist Baoding did not refuse and sat next to Yu Zhenzi. Chang Xiao smiled and said, "I told you that Taoist Baoding has a solid foundation, but you still don't believe it. Why do you have to do some kind of test? It's a waste of time." Yu Zhenzi nodded and said, "The city lord is right. Taoist Baoding is as calm as water and has mastered the essence of Xuanmen." Chang Xiao sighed lightly, "The Danyang Sutra is indeed profound. It has flying over mountains and crossing rivers, and iron chains across rivers. I have never seen such unique skills since I debuted in the martial arts world." Taoist Baoding asked, "How did the city lord win?" Yu Zhenzi also wanted to know the answer. Chang Xiao explained, "It was a sword technique that has been lost for many years. I got it by accident. At present, I only have a glimpse of it." Yu Zhenzi was extremely shocked: "It is so difficult to have a glimpse of it. What should I do after I have mastered it?" Chang Xiao sighed lightly, "If you can go one step further and send and receive according to your heart, Taoist Danyang will not die." Taoist Baoding praised, "The city lord's cultivation is improving day by day. It is difficult for us to reach that level." Chang Xiao shook his head, "To be honest, I would rather not have obtained this sword technique."

After the matter of the Paradise Palace was settled, Chang Xiao said goodbye and left, and returned to Wuyi Mountain. After all this running around, Chang Xiao developed some resistance to the swordsmanship of the ancestors of the Long family. What if he had mastered it? Danyangzi and Yuzhenzi were both masters, and they couldn't resist their combined skills. What should he do? At this time, a sense of fear surged in his heart, mainly for the loneliness that penetrated deep into his bones. In view of this, Chang Xiao spent most of his time with his six wives, and only went to the inner cave to study swordsmanship when he was really bored. The six beauties naturally wanted it, and Yu Hudie understood Chang Xiao's worries and tried to comfort him in various ways. Chang Xiao made up his mind to put aside all his worries and accompany his wife and good brother Huo Longju at ease. Because Baoding Taoist passed the test, Yuzhenzi took out the "Danyang Sutra", and Baoding Taoist studied it with great concentration and made rapid progress. With the help of Yuzhenzi, he began to promote each other through joint cultivation. Wu Qingyang has been waiting for news in Mount Tai, but Chang Xiao did not show up. He only sent someone to deliver a letter to explain the whole story. Wu Qingyang can fully understand Chang Xiao's feelings. No one can help with this matter. The treasure matter has come to an end. Wu Qingyang left Mount Tai and returned to Qingyun Villa. Not many people were alarmed by this matter, and even fewer people knew the inside story, so there were various rumors in the world. Shenmu Bhikkhu didn't care about these things at all. He enjoyed himself in Penglai and waited for the mirage to appear. The beauties in Yinxian Palace were also carefree and enjoyed their lives. Suyun Palace Master didn't expect that someone would be so infatuated with her at this age. After a period of contact, Long Yunpu's obsession with Suyun Palace Master increased day by day, and he regarded the younger generations of Yinxian Palace as dust. As long as Suyun Palace Master said a word, Long Yunpu would go through fire and water without hesitation, and the dignity of a man had long been thrown behind his head. Even so, Long Yunpu was not born out of thin air after all. He had to give an explanation to his family members after making such a big decision. At that time, Long Jingtian, the patriarch of the Long family, was an official in Shandong. Long Yunpu asked for leave from Suyun Palace Master to visit him and make things clear. Suyun Palace Master also wanted to know the attitude of the Long family, so she did not stop him.

Penglai is not far from Jiaozhou. Long Yunpu was thinking of the beauty, so he galloped and soon entered Jiaozhou City. Long Jingtian was a fifth-rank prefect. In the capital, a fifth-rank official was not worth mentioning at all. Here, he was in power and was simply a local emperor. Long Jingtian was well-read and knowledgeable. He was originally a hermit living in the mountains. He was very indifferent to official career. If it were not for the clear government, he would not have entered the officialdom. Although he became a prefect, he was also dedicated to benefiting the people, accumulating merits, and creating a blessed land for future generations. The people here benefited a lot and praised the benevolence of the prefect. Originally, Long Jingtian had made great achievements in politics and could have been promoted long ago, but he was thinking of the people and stayed in Jiaozhou. After Long Yunpu entered the city, he found that the roads in the city were wide, the houses were neat, the roads were clean, and everything was in order. The common people who came and went were all friendly and courteous to each other. The merchants were also in harmony. It was obvious that the government here was clean and the people were safe. Although it was not as prosperous as the capital, it was also a prosperous and peaceful place. Long Yunpu was of course convinced of the ability of the patriarch Long Jingtian. He was more than capable of governing a place, and it was no problem for him to become a general or a prime minister. When he thought of meeting Long Jingtian, Long Yunpu's heart was inevitably beating. The rule of the Long family was that the civil was respected and the military was humble. As the patriarch, Long Jingtian was the one who had the final say. Long Yunpu had never contradicted him since he was a child. Now that he was willing to throw himself under the pomegranate skirt, the dignity of the family was swept away. How should he speak? After hesitating for a long time, he finally made up his mind. For the sake of Palace Master Suyun, no matter how the patriarch punished him, he had to take it. Long Jingtian attached great importance to clothing and speech and behavior, so Long Yunpu first stayed in the inn, bought brand new clothes, carefully dressed up, dressed neatly, prepared name tags, and then went to the government office to wait. The government office here is different from other places. It is quiet all the time. Officials at all levels do their job conscientiously, and the people live and work in peace and contentment. There are very few lawsuits, so the government office is extremely quiet. Long Yunpu handed over his name card, and the yamen runner read it and explained that the prefect had ordered that no matter how free he was in the morning, he should not deal with family affairs. He asked Long Yunpu to come after noon, so Long Yunpu had to go back to the inn first.

After finally getting through the afternoon, Long Yunpu came to the government office again. The yamen runners then passed his name card in. Soon someone passed on a message, asking Long Yunpu to meet him in the back hall. Because it was a family matter, he couldn't go through the main gate. Long Yunpu followed a yamen runner into the government office through the corner gate. Because it was quiet, Long Yunpu didn't dare to make a noise. He followed him silently, passing through two courtyards and coming to the study. Long Jingtian was wearing a green robe and a small hat, sitting upright with an ancient book in his hands, his expression focused. The yamen runners whispered back, and Long Jingtian nodded slightly. The yamen runners came out and gestured for Long Yunpu to come in. Long Yunpu bowed his head and walked in, prostrating himself on the ground: "Second uncle, I, your nephew, Yunpu, am polite." Long Jingtian put down the book in his hand, looked at him for a moment, and then said: "Get up." Long Yunpu stood up respectfully, and stood by his side with his hands hanging down. There was an invisible majesty in Long Jingtian's tone, and he asked, "Why did you take so long to come?" Long Yunpu hurriedly explained, "My second uncle is in charge of a place and is busy with affairs. I dare not disturb him casually." Long Jingtian nodded slightly, "That's fine. What have you gained by wandering the world alone?" Long Yunpu carefully replied, "Relying on the swordsmanship left by my ancestors, my nephew defeated Lingmu Zhenren, the head of Shangqing Palace, and Jiang Feiluan, the lord of Tongtian Fort, and made a name for himself." Long Jingtian obviously didn't take these seriously and didn't comment, "As the old saying goes, reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles. You have been traveling around the world, gaining experience, and dealing with all kinds of people is also a kind of tempering. But you must remember the teachings of your ancestors and stand firmly on your feet." Long Yunpu agreed again and again, "My nephew has taken note." Long Jingtian's expression eased a little, "You came here this time It's not just about paying respects, right?" Long Yunpu knew that he couldn't hide his thoughts, so he mustered up the courage to say, "Uncle, I've met a girl I like, please make the decision, uncle." Long Jingtian smiled slightly, "Your father has already written to me to ask me to help you find one, but I didn't expect you to have a target. According to the teachings of our ancestors, choosing a wife doesn't depend on family background or appearance, but on talent. Which girl did you choose?" Long Yunpu never lied in front of his elders, and he told the story honestly, "Uncle, it sounds a bit strange. I've been away from home for a long time, and I've traveled around for a long time, but no beauty could move me. I met a girl in Penglai some time ago, and somehow, I was completely fascinated and couldn't extricate myself." Long Jingtian smiled and said, "Marriage is destined by heaven, and it's beyond human control. Since you love her, just marry her."

The Palace Master Suyun is already in her fifties and has three daughters. This is absolutely unacceptable to the Long family, but it is useless to hide the truth. Therefore, Long Yunpu told the truth: "Uncle, you don't know that this woman is well-versed in classics and history, but she has been married and has three daughters." Long Jingtian frowned, then let it go: "As long as she has real talent and knowledge and has been married, we can consider it. How old is this woman?" Long Yunpu hesitated for a moment and finally told the truth: "Fifty-four years old." As soon as he said this, Long Jingtian slammed the table and stood up, shouting: "Nonsense." Long Yunpu quickly knelt down to apologize, and Long Jingtian pointed at him and asked: "How could you do such a ridiculous thing?" Long Yunpu bowed his head and said nothing. Long Jingtian tried his best to scold her. Although he was angry, he did not lose his composure. Long Yunpu didn't dare to say anything. After Long Jingtian scolded him, he reluctantly said, "Uncle, calm down. Anger is bad for your health." Long Jingtian sneered, "You know that anger is bad for your health. If your father knew about this, he would be so angry that he would die." Long Yunpu kowtowed and said, "Uncle, I know that this is ridiculous. I am really helpless." Long Jingtian calmed down his anger and shook his head repeatedly, "What a shame! How could I be so bewildered as to give you the sword manual?" Long Yunpu lowered his head and said nothing. The uncle and nephew were speechless. After a long silence, Long Jingtian let out a long sigh: "You must not let your father know about this. If you insist on marrying this woman, there is only one way, that is to take her as a concubine after the wedding." Long Yunpu explained: "Uncle, this woman is a man of both civil and military talents. Even if my nephew marries her in a formal way, she will not agree." Long Jingtian felt strange: "What's going on? Does she still look down on you?" Long Yunpu recounted the whole story. When he heard that the owner of Suyun Palace was surnamed Nie and came from Yinxian Palace, Long Jingtian's face changed drastically and he murmured: "How could this be?"

Long Yunpu was unaware of the dispute between the two families, but Long Jingtian knew it clearly. Considering the cause and effect, Long Jingtian understood it a little. The reason why the Nie family had been buried in the mountains for many years was a joke of the Long family's ancestors. It seems that Long Yunpu's obsession with the Suyun Palace Master was arranged by God to settle the old accounts through the hands of the younger generation. Long Yunpu was angry to resolve the old feud between the two families on behalf of the ancestors. Once he figured it out, Long Jingtian was no longer angry. After thinking for a long time, he ordered: "Since you are obsessed with that woman, your second uncle can't ask about it. From today on, you will publicly use the surname Long and make your own decisions." Long Yunpu couldn't believe his ears and was speechless. Long Jingtian coughed, and Long Yunpu recovered and asked: "Is what the second uncle said true?" Long Jingtian smiled and said: "When has the second uncle ever lied?" Long Yunpu was overjoyed and kowtowed. Long Jingtian warned: "Don't tell your father about this for the time being, I will make the decision." Although Long Yunpu's father is the eldest, Long Jingtian is the head of the family. As long as he agrees, no one can stop him. Long Yunpu was extremely happy. Although Long Jingtian agreed to this matter, he had to protect the Long family after all. He warned: "From now on, you will walk your own way. Don't involve the family when you encounter any difficulties." Long Yunpu nodded and agreed: "My nephew will remember it." Long Jingtian knew that this nephew would inevitably suffer grievances in the future, and sighed: "Again, marriage is determined by heaven, and it is difficult for human power. You should take care of yourself." Long Yunpu was overjoyed. Before coming, he thought that it would be a blessing if his second uncle did not expel him from the family. Unexpectedly, Long Jingtian actually expressed his approval. People are refreshed when they are happy. Long Yunpu has no burden and began to vividly tell about his various experiences in the world. When Long Jingtian heard that Long Yunpu actually wanted to challenge the Never-Night City, he felt amused and warned him, "Yunpu, the Lord of Never-Night City is the most extraordinary person in the world. You are definitely not his opponent. Don't act rashly." Long Yunpu was a little confused: "Isn't the Angry Dragon Slash the most invincible sword technique in the world?" Long Jingtian nodded, "That's right, but you are not skilled enough. The fact that you defeated the headmaster of Shangqing Palace when you just started out shows the power of the Angry Dragon Slash. But you are still a long way from defeating the Lord of Never-Night City. Don't be arrogant." Long Yunpu nodded, "My nephew, remember this. At that time, I didn't know how high the sky was and how deep the earth was. Now I understand that there are people beyond people and there are heavens beyond heavens. Let alone others, that Divine Eyes Monk can easily resolve the Angry Dragon Slash. Everyone in the Hidden Fairy Palace is not easy to mess with. The four sword boys in Never-Night City are not easy to deal with either. The Lord of Never-Night City doesn't dare to think about it." Long Jingtian nodded, "The boy is teachable."

When Long Yunpu came, he was full of worries, but when he left, he felt relieved. The heavy stone that weighed on his heart was removed, and he felt indescribably happy. He couldn't figure out why his second uncle was so out of character. In any case, he didn't have to worry about the family anymore, and he could serve Palace Master Suyun wholeheartedly. Penglai Pavilion soon came into view, and Long Yunpu's heart was filled with warmth when he thought of Palace Master Suyun. After the meeting, Palace Master Suyun couldn't help but question him. Long Yunpu didn't say that Long Jingtian was the prefect of Jiaozhou, and Palace Master Suyun didn't ask in detail. The key was the attitude of the Long family. After hearing what happened, Palace Master Suyun also felt strange. How could the Long family tolerate what Long Yunpu did? Although he didn't know the reason, Long Yunpu, this follower, would be devoted to him from now on. Therefore, Palace Master Suyun was extremely happy, and Long Yunpu was intoxicated by the smile of Palace Master Suyun. Palace Master Suyun casually slapped him and shouted, "Why are you laughing so much? Go get me some warm water. I want to take a bath." Long Yunpu agreed and went down to prepare. Shenmu monk smiled and said, "It's great to have such a follower. He can beat you up and order you around. I'll get one to play with later." The sword boy came over and said, "Senior, your Qinggong is outstanding. No one can keep up with you." Shenmu monk imitated Palace Master Suyun and slapped him down. The sword boy was not like Long Yunpu. He fell down and dodged easily. The monk Shenmu praised, "Not bad, you have improved." The sword boy had a smug look on his face: "How can I not learn from you if I follow you?" The monk Shenmu frowned, "Is it not good to follow me?" The sword boy smiled, "Of course there are advantages, but there are also many disadvantages." The monk Shenmu said, "Tell me what's wrong." The sword boy stood far away and began to speak, "Following you, we will not have a chance to enjoy any delicious food or fun things. We can only have our share after you have eaten and played enough." The monk Shenmu was quite smug, "I am the oldest and have the highest martial arts skills, so of course you dare not snatch from me." The crane boy interrupted, "It's not that we dare not snatch, but we can't snatch. You are so quick that the things are gone before we can react." The monk Shenmu laughed, "Who can you blame for your lack of skills?" The sword boy was of course not convinced, "I have never seen any martial arts senior snatch candy and cakes from the juniors." The monk Shenmu showed a gloating expression, "You deserve to meet me."

Chapter 156: Mutual Love

Without any worries, Long Yunpu was naturally happy and served Suyun Palace Master wholeheartedly. Seeing Nie Jiuniang flirting with a group of juniors and the sword boy brothers, Suyun Palace Master's long-dormant spring heart began to ripple again, but it was not easy to show it in front of many juniors. If Long Yunpu had not appeared, Suyun Palace Master would never have thought of these. This young man was strong and energetic, with a handsome face and good martial arts. The most important thing is that he is deeply in love with her and obeys her in everything. As a woman, it is a blessing to get such favor. Shenmu Bhikkhu only wants to play, and everyone is happy together, and he doesn't care about other things. After hesitating for a long time, Suyun Palace Master finally made up his mind to accept Long Yunpu completely. First of all, opportunities must be created. Shenmu Bhikkhu often leads a group of young people to play on the sea. Suyun Palace Master finds an excuse to avoid and takes Long Yunpu to a secret courtyard. Long Yunpu never asks questions and follows him. Palace Master Suyun ordered, "Go boil some water." Long Yunpu obediently boiled the water. After the water was boiled, Palace Master Suyun took a bath without closing the door. Her white and tender arms and hands were exposed. Long Yunpu looked at her with anger, but he didn't dare to be presumptuous. Palace Master Suyun asked, "Am I pretty?" Long Yunpu lowered his head deeply and said, "Pretty." Palace Master Suyun chuckled, "What do you like about me?" Long Yunpu scratched his head, "I don't know, I like everything about me." Although Palace Master Suyun was in her fifties, she still had a good figure because of her superb internal skills and good maintenance. Compared with a young girl, she had a mature charm. Her soft breasts and pink legs were extremely tempting in the rippling water. Although Long Yunpu gritted his teeth to restrain himself, his eyes could not help but look. Palace Master Suyun turned around and said softly, "Grass Snake, wipe my back." Long Yunpu looked at the white and tender skin and was almost at a loss. He reluctantly picked up the silk scarf and tremblingly stepped forward. Palace Master Suyun chuckled and said, "A martial artist can't even hold a silk scarf." Long Yunpu blushed and reluctantly replied, "Palace Master is so beautiful that even a god would be tempted by her." Palace Master Suyun casually slapped her and scolded, "You look so honest on the outside, but you are so cunning." Long Yunpu didn't feel any pain at all, and his eyes were almost spitting fire. It turned out that when Palace Master Suyun waved her hand, her breasts jumped out of the water, and water drops fell. Long Yunpu was so hot-blooded that he couldn't bear it.

The Suyun Palace Master deliberately whetted her appetite. Although she was already in love, she refused to give in easily and scolded, "Go out, don't come in without my permission." Long Yunpu went out in response and stole a glance at the Suyun Palace Master's body. When he went out, he felt hot all over. He walked to the well in three or two steps and picked up a bucket of cold water to pour over his head. When he calmed down, he couldn't help but wave his hand and slap himself. He blamed himself for being useless. The beauty he loved was naked in front of him, why didn't he have the courage? He poured three buckets of water in succession by the well, and finally felt more comfortable. He sat by the well with his head down. There was a sound of water in the room. The Suyun Palace Master came out of the bath. The doors and windows were not closed. Under the sunlight, her beautiful body was clearly visible, well-proportioned, full, and curvy. Long Yunpu bit his lips tightly and didn't even know that he was bleeding. The Suyun Palace Master wiped and put on a sand shirt. There was no difference from being naked, but it was a little vague and more tempting. Long Yunpu simply plunged his head into the cold water, forbidding himself from thinking about anything else. But Palace Master Suyun refused to let him go, and ordered: "You are sweating all over, come in and wash." Long Yunpu entered the room in a daze, and Palace Master Suyun casually pulled off Long Yunpu's coat. Because he had practiced martial arts since he was a child, Long Yunpu's muscles and bones were extremely strong. Under the touch of Palace Master Suyun's delicate jade hands, Long Yunpu couldn't help but tremble. Palace Master Suyun looked at the small tent in Long Yunpu's lower body and asked knowingly: "Why is your body so hot? Are you sick?" Long Yunpu was afraid of making a fool of himself, so he jumped into the water. Palace Master Suyun came over and asked: "Don't you mind using my leftover water?" Long Yunpu blushed and replied: "The Palace Master is a celestial being, there is absolutely no reason for me to mind." Palace Master Suyun picked up the silk scarf, and her jade arms were as white as jade. Long Yunpu didn't dare to think too much and plunged into the water. Palace Master Suyun smiled and said, "Let's see how long you can hold it in." Of course, Long Yunpu couldn't stay in the water all the time. Once he emerged, he would have to face the flaming body. This torture was really unbearable. Palace Master Suyun suddenly raised her voice and said, "Stand up." Long Yunpu stood up without thinking. Palace Master Suyun wiped him carefully. This young man was indeed good. After making up her mind, Palace Master Suyun said seriously, "Seeing that you are so infatuated, this palace master will fulfill your wish." Long Yunpu couldn't believe his ears.

After some teasing, the desire in the heart of Suyun Palace Master could no longer be suppressed. She leaned lazily towards Long Yunpu and said in a soft voice: "I'm tired, carry me to the bed to rest." Long Yunpu gently picked up the beauty he had been thinking about day and night and came to the bed. Suyun Palace Master hugged Long Yunpu tightly, and the two rolled on the bed and made love. Long Yunpu tasted the pleasure of men and women for the first time, as if in a dream. The lust buried in the heart of Suyun Palace Master burst out. The two had endless pleasures, but it was always Suyun Palace Master who took the initiative. On the one hand, Long Yunpu had no experience, and on the other hand, he was afraid of angering the other party, so he let Suyun Palace Master do whatever he wanted and tried his best to satisfy Suyun Palace Master. After making love for a long time, the two finally relaxed and snuggled together, with crystal sweat all over their bodies. Suyun Palace Master pinched Long Yunpu's arm: "Why don't you go boil water?" Long Yunpu agreed and got up, his mind was in a mess, was he dreaming? It was unexpected that the second uncle agreed to his choice, and it was even more incredible that Palace Master Suyun actually accepted him. After a while, the water was boiled, and the two took a bath together. After sleeping in the same bed, the attitudes of the two people changed slightly. Long Yunpu became more careful, looking forward to the day when Palace Master Suyun would be happy to accept him again. On the other hand, Palace Master Suyun's attitude became more and more arrogant. Through close contact, he could feel that Long Yunpu was really devoted to him, so he had the capital to be arrogant. After the warmth, Palace Master Suyun set new rules, and of course Long Yunpu agreed to all of them. After tidying up their clothes, the two had a meal together. After a nap, Palace Master Suyun regained her spirits and felt a little unsatisfied, so she simply made love for the second time. With experience, the two cooperated more tacitly, fully enjoying the love between men and women, and did not stop until dusk. Bhikkhu Shenmu led a group of young men and women back from the sea. When they were having dinner together, they noticed the changes in Suyun Palace Master and asked, "Why are you different today?" Suyun Palace Master smiled and said, "Nothing is different, I just changed my clothes." Bhikkhu Shenmu shook his head and said, "Don't try to hide it from me. You look a little different. You seem to be ten years younger." Qin Tong saw the clue and joked, "The Palace Master is indeed in a much better spirit, and the follower has also changed a lot." Bhikkhu Shenmu really didn't understand the things between men and women, but the others had already understood it. It was not easy to say it out loud, so they raised their glasses to celebrate. Bhikkhu Shenmu couldn't figure it out, and he was too lazy to bother, so he didn't mention it.

From today on, Palace Master Suyun treated Long Yunpu more harshly and bossed him around. Long Yunpu not only had no complaints, but also felt very happy. Although the mirage did not appear for a long time, Monk Shenmu refused to give up and played with it in different ways every day. Two guests came one day. It is not quite appropriate to call them guests, because the people who came were the leader of the Nie family, Palace Master Haoyue and the old ancestor. Palace Master Haoyue has always been strict, while the old ancestor is very caring towards the younger generation. Seeing a group of younger generations being so unrestrained, Palace Master Haoyue's face immediately became stern, and Palace Master Suyun, as the leader, was certainly to blame. Palace Master Haoyue first called Palace Master Suyun to the quiet room and reprimanded her with a stern face: "Those juniors are so unruly, why don't you restrain them? Do you let them do whatever they want?" Palace Master Suyun lowered her head and said nothing. Palace Master Haoyue continued: "The juniors are ignorant. It is secondary for you, as an elder, to not restrain them. Why are you so unruly yourself? What's wrong with that follower?" Palace Master Suyun blushed and didn't know how to respond. Long Yunpu was most concerned about Palace Master Suyun and had been paying close attention to her. Seeing Palace Master Haoyue's harsh rebuke from the window, he was furious. He broke the door and rushed in, shouting, "I just like her. What's it to you?" Palace Master Haoyue's face sank, "Get out." Long Yunpu was submissive to Palace Master Suyun, but it was different for others. He raised his eyebrows and retorted, "What ability do you have to dare to rebuke me?" Palace Master Haoyue sneered, "Are you challenging me?" Long Yunpu didn't care, "Challenge me, who's afraid of who." Palace Master Suyun knew that Palace Master Haoyue was an expert in swordsmanship. Once they fought, Long Yunpu would be in danger. So he frowned and shouted, "Don't talk nonsense, get out." Long Yunpu turned and went out, saying angrily, "You are lucky." Palace Master Haoyue thought highly of herself. How could she bear such humiliation? She said coldly, "Since you challenge me, this palace master will fulfill your wish." Palace Master Suyun wanted to persuade her, but Palace Master Haoyue had made up her mind. There was no other way, so they had to ask the monk Shenmu to come forward. Unexpectedly, the monk Shenmu liked to watch the fun the most. Instead of stopping it, he fanned the flames. The duel between the Lord of Haoyue Palace and Long Yunpu actually became a reality. The Lord of Suyun Palace secretly complained in his heart. The Lord of Haoyue Palace was the leader of the family. Any mistake would affect the entire family. And if Long Yunpu lost, he would either die or be injured. It was a pity.

The Lord of Haoyue Palace was indeed angry. He did not expect these juniors to be so willful and reckless. He had made up his mind to establish his authority and took action against Long Yunpu. The people of Yinxian Palace believed that Long Yunpu was in danger, but the monk Shenmu had a different view. The power of the Angry Dragon Slash should not be underestimated. The main reason why he could take it was because of the Ice Ruler. If the Lord of Haoyue Palace took the initiative to attack, Long Yunpu would be in danger. However, the Lord of Haoyue Palace was arrogant and would definitely not take the initiative to attack. Once the Angry Dragon Slash was performed, the outcome would be difficult to predict. The Lord of Haoyue Palace had not heard about Long Yunpu. He was convinced that this young man had no chance of winning, so he turned a deaf ear to other people's warnings. Long Yunpu was full of hostility towards the Lord of Haoyue Palace. This person dared to rebuke the supreme fairy in his mind, which was absolutely intolerable. The reason why the monk Shenmu had promoted this competition was not entirely out of prank. The problem with the Lord of the Haoyue Palace was that she was arrogant. This was a kind of arrogance that she had developed since she became the head of the family. This arrogance was an obstacle to her own cultivation, so she suffered a loss at the hands of Long Yunpu. The Angry Dragon Slash was a sword technique created by Chang Xiao, which incorporated many factors. There was even a shadow of the Fire Poison Sect's mind-controlling technique in the sword technique, so Lingmu Zhenren and Jiang Feiluan suffered a loss. The two sides stood opposite each other. Long Yunpu was extremely hateful, staring at the opponent in front of him fiercely, gritting his teeth. The Lord of the Haoyue Palace said coldly: "You make your move." Long Yunpu knew his own weight. If he wanted to win, he could only rely on the Angry Dragon Slash, so he put aside all distractions and performed it wholeheartedly. The flashing of the sword transformed into a brilliant and dazzling brilliance. The Lord of the Haoyue Palace felt as if an illusion appeared in front of her eyes, and her eyes were dazzled and she was almost unable to control herself. In a flash, Long Yunpu's sword had already arrived. Fortunately, the master of Haoyue Palace had a solid foundation. At the critical moment, he drew both swords at the same time. The right sword missed, and the left sword hit Long Yunpu's sword, and the sword's momentum was one foot higher. As the sword flashed, the black hair of the master of Haoyue Palace was swept by the blade, and more than ten strands of hair fell off and slowly fell to the ground. The master of Haoyue Palace froze on the spot, unable to speak for a long time. Long Yunpu nodded and said, "You can avoid this move, your swordsmanship is not bad." The master of Haoyue Palace knew that his opponent was only a 20-year-old youth, and he had been immersed in swordsmanship for most of his life. No matter how unwilling he was, he had already lost this duel. The monk Shenmu jumped out and shouted, "The fight is over, why are you still standing here?" He stepped forward and grabbed Long Yunpu's belt and threw it casually. Long Yunpu flew out a few feet away like a kite with a broken string, and had no power to fight back at all. The master of Haoyue Palace sighed, it seems that his cultivation is still not good enough, and he is much inferior to the monk Shenmu.

Palace Master Suyun first sent Longyunpu away, and Monk Shenmu had a banquet set up for the younger generations to gather together. Palace Master Suyun and Monk Shenmu accompanied Palace Master Haoyue and the old ancestor. Holding up the wine glass, Palace Master Haoyue sighed repeatedly. This time, she made a fool of herself in front of so many younger generations. How can she lead the family in the future? Monk Shenmu didn't care at all, and pointed and said, "I say, Haoyue, your problem is that you are arrogant and care too much about winning or losing." The old ancestor persuaded, "The waves behind push the waves ahead, and each generation is stronger than the previous one. Why should sister bear a grudge?" Palace Master Haoyue remained silent. Palace Master Suyun explained, "This Long Yunpu is the descendant of the Long family, who have been confronting our family for hundreds of years. The sword technique he uses is passed down from our ancestors and is specifically aimed at us." Palace Master Haoyue was stunned: "Are you serious?" The old ancestor was also unaware of this matter. The monk Shenmu smiled and said, "It can't be wrong. The current head of Shangqing Palace and the master of Tongtian Fort were defeated by Nulong Zhan one after another. This is a well-known fact." Hearing this, Palace Master Haoyue's tense strings eased. If this is true, it is reasonable for him to lose. Palace Master Suyun recounted the process of meeting Long Yunpu. Palace Master Haoyue also felt strange. Why was Long Yunpu so infatuated with Palace Master Suyun at such a young age? Then he learned that the Long family did not stop Long Yunpu from doing what he did, and he felt very strange. The monk Shenmu smiled and said, "They are much more open-minded than you. If the two of them are willing to be together, no one has the right to ask. Elders cannot always keep the younger generation in a cage. When their wings are hard, they should fly out to find their own happiness."

The Lord of the Haoyue Palace was not unreasonable, he was just worried about the future of the family, so he raised his concerns. The monk Shenmu smiled and said, "Since ancient times, there have been no unchanging rules. People change, and rules also change. These younger generations have left the mountains and experienced all kinds of things in the world, and they have gained something. If they continue to stay in the mountains, no matter how the elders urge them, they will practice day and night. As long as they are not willing, their progress will be very limited. Don't think that they are just playing every day. These children have influenced each other unconsciously, and their martial arts have improved a lot. Besides, the martial arts passed down by your ancestors were also accumulated in the martial arts world." The Lord of the Haoyue Palace seemed to have something. Enlightened, the monk Shenmu struck while the iron was hot: "Your problem is that you can't let go, you can't let go of the family in your mind. In fact, the family belongs to everyone, everyone has a share, and only by working together can we achieve something." The Lord of the Haoyue Palace nodded: "It seems that my point of view is wrong. We should fully explore everyone's potential and gather these forces together." The ancestor expressed his opinion: "Since we have left the mountains, this old rule should be changed." The Lord of the Haoyue Palace is obsessed with the swordsmanship performed by Long Yunpu. This young man is only twenty years old, but he can defeat martial arts masters one after another, which shows how powerful the Angry Dragon Slash is. What will the Angry Dragon Slash look like after being tempered? Monk Shenmu smiled and said, "Don't worry about that. That silly boy has completely fallen in love with Suyun. He can't be driven away and can be ordered around at will." The Palace Master of Haoyue smiled bitterly and shook his head, "Love is indeed hard to understand." In order to strengthen the Palace Master of Haoyue's confidence, Monk Shenmu specially called the young people over and asked the sword boys to fight with the beauties of Yinxian Palace. The Palace Master of Haoyue found that the swordsmanship of these younger generations was very different from before. The moves were cleverly changed, which was fundamentally different from the previous rote memorization. Monk Shenmu was right. These young people competed with each other, learned from each other's strengths and made great progress.

Chapter 157: Difficult Ancient Books

After much consideration, Palace Master Haoyue made a decision to give the younger generation some freedom and no longer ask about the affairs of Palace Master Long Yunpu and Palace Master Suyun. The Long family allowed the younger generation to fall at the feet of the fifty-something Palace Master Suyun, and it would be too petty if she stopped them. Although she let go, Palace Master Haoyue still told the younger generations to remember the glory of their ancestors and never forget it. Monk Shenmu asked the two why they came out of the mountain, and Palace Master Haoyue said, "We sisters are going to meet the city lord in the Never-Sleeping City. We came here first to supervise the younger generation." Monk Shenmu shook his head, "That guy Chang Xiao is enjoying himself with his six wives. He is not in the Never-Sleeping City." Palace Master Haoyue was stunned, "How can the dignified Lord of the Never-Sleeping City leave the Never-Sleeping City so easily?" Monk Shenmu smiled and said, "That guy is very free and easy. He doesn't care about anything." Jian Tong interrupted, "Recently, news came from the Never-Sleeping City that the city lord seems to have suffered some kind of blow. His will is a little depressed, and he will not return to the Never-Sleeping City in the short term." Palace Master Haoyue wondered, "With his abilities, can he still suffer setbacks?" Monk Shenmu understood a little, and put forward his own opinion, "In my opinion, this guy has made some kind of breakthrough and has completely reached the top. Although he can look down on all the mountains, he also feels lonely as the only one in the world." Palace Master Haoyue was quite surprised : "If we go one step further, what kind of martial arts will it be?" Monk Shenmu shook his head: "It's hard to say yet. I also want to know what he has realized, but he doesn't want to see anyone, and no one can find him." Palace Master Haoyue was quite disappointed. Monk Shenmu asked: "Why are you sisters looking for him?" Palace Master Haoyue said: "The younger generations have left Yinxian Palace, and I am going to transfer the important things to Haoyue Palace. I accidentally found a jade box that had been sealed for a long time. There was a silk book inside. The pictures on it were very strange, and the text was also very unusual. I couldn't understand a single word. Our family has lived in the mountains for a long time and has seldom interacted with the outside world. Therefore, we want to find a capable person through the Lord of the City That Never Sleeps to decipher this ancient book." Monk Shenmu immediately became interested: "Let me see." Palace Master Haoyue took out a jade box, one foot square. After opening it, there was a thin silk book inside. There were five words on the cover, and Monk Shenmu didn't recognize any of them. After opening it, there were some strange graphics inside, and there were more or less some text annotations below the graphics, all in ancient seal script. The monk Shenmu smiled bitterly and shook his head: "I can't understand it either." The young people came over and whispered to each other for a long time, but no one recognized it, so they had to give up.

Long Yunpu had been nearby. He did not dare to go in without the permission of Palace Master Suyun, so he rested outside. Seeing the people inside passing a book around, he was curious and looked out the window. At this time, the monk Shenmu said, "Although this book was written by a Tang Dynasty person, the characters used are extremely rare. I am afraid that no one in the world today can recognize it." Palace Master Haoyue said, "That's why I thought of looking for the Lord of the City of Never-Night and looking for strange people in his name. Maybe I can figure out what is in the book." The monk Shenmu shook his head, "This guy is discouraged and hid himself. No one can find him. Even if he shows up, he may not be able to find a strange person who can recognize this kind of characters." Jian Tong smiled and said, "It's not that I can't find him, but I dare not disturb him." Palace Master Suyun nodded, "With the current achievements of the city master, no one dares to offend him." Palace Master Haoyue frowned and said, "Is there no one who can interpret this book?" At this time, Long Yunpu outside the window said, "What's so rare about a broken book." Palace Master Suyun turned around and reprimanded, "Who told you to talk too much? Get out of the way." Long Yunpu immediately shut up and stepped aside. Others did not pay much attention to Long Yunpu's words, but the old ancestor took it to heart and asked, "Do you recognize the words in the book?" No one answered for a long while, and the sword boy smiled and said, "Except for Palace Master Suyun, other people's words are useless." The old ancestor turned to Palace Master Suyun and said, "Call him in, I have something to ask him." Palace Master Suyun then said, "Come in." Long Yunpu walked in quietly, his eyes fixed on Palace Master Suyun. The old ancestor asked, "Good boy, can you understand this book?" Long Yunpu did not answer, and the Suyun Palace Master scolded him, "The old ancestor asked you a question, didn't you hear it?" Long Yunpu then said, "I don't recognize it either." The Suyun Palace Master rebuked, "If you don't recognize it, why are you talking so much?" He raised his hand to hit him, but the old ancestor stopped him and said, "Let him finish his words." Long Yunpu muttered, "I don't recognize it, but it's enough if someone else recognizes it." The old ancestor asked, "Who can recognize the words in the book?" Long Yunpu looked at the Suyun Palace Master's face and reluctantly said, "My second uncle is well-versed in ancient and modern times, has read thousands of books, and can recognize all the words."

The second uncle mentioned by Long Yunpu is naturally Long Jingtian. The Long family values literary talent, and outsiders hardly know that there are people practicing martial arts in this family. Over the years, Long Jingtian has collected many books, and he is indeed well-read. In Long Yunpu's impression, there is nothing in the world that his second uncle doesn't know. The master of Haoyue Palace was moved. Long Yunpu's infatuation and the tolerance of the Long family seemed to indicate that the conflict between the two families was expected to be completely resolved. He made a decision quickly in his mind and immediately stated: "Since you said that someone knows this kind of text, then invite the person." Long Yunpu shook his head: "My second uncle will not rush for a book." The old ancestor said: "Anyway, we don't recognize it, so let him take the book to his second uncle." The master of Haoyue Palace nodded in approval, and the master of Suyun Palace ordered: "You have three days to come back." Long Yunpu agreed, put away the ancient book and went out. Before leaving, he turned his head and looked at the master of Suyun Palace affectionately. The master of Suyun Palace frowned: "Go and come back quickly, what are you looking at." Long Yunpu agreed and disappeared in an instant. The old ancestor smiled and said, "Suyun is so lucky to meet such a passionate man." The Palace Master Suyun blushed and said, "What's so good about it? He is like a shadow that you can't get rid of wherever you go." The old ancestor was an experienced person and teased, "Girl, be content. How many beauties have had such an opportunity since ancient times?" The monk Shenmu nodded and said, "Even beauties like Xi Shi and Yang Yuhuan have to be dominated by men. Except for Wu Zetian, who can let such an outstanding young man revolve around her all day long?" With the younger generation present, Palace Master Suyun was embarrassed to answer and tried to change the subject, "Is there really anyone in the Long family who can recognize the words in the book?" The old ancestor smiled and said, "It doesn't matter if they can't recognize it. This trip has already yielded a lot. I originally wanted to see the ideal husbands that the little girls found, but I didn't expect that you, the elder, would get there first." The Palace Master Suyun blushed and frowned, "Grandma, don't make fun of me." The monk Shenmu interrupted at the right time, "What's there to be shy about? It's your ability to make Long Yunpu fall in love with you. It's useless for others to be jealous."

After leaving Penglai, Long Yunpu rushed to Jiaozhou overnight. The two places were not far apart, and they arrived in one day and night. This time, he learned his lesson and did not deal with household affairs before noon. After resting for a long time, he came to the government office after noon. Although the gatekeeper knew that Long Yunpu was a relative of the prefect, he did not have the slightest intention of currying favor with him. Long Jingtian was very strict with himself, and he would only suffer if he engaged in these crooked ways. Entering the government office, Long Jingtian was still in the study. Long Yunpu bowed when he entered the door, and Long Jingtian nodded slightly: "Get up." It was impossible to give up his seat. The Long family had an order of seniority. Long Jingtian was not only an elder but also the patriarch. No matter how outstanding Long Yunpu was, he had no right to sit down. After greeting, Long Jingtian asked: "What's the matter with coming here so quickly?" Long Yunpu told the story of the ancient book, and Long Jingtian was shocked: "What ancient book? Bring it to me." Long Yunpu felt strange, what was so strange about a book. He didn't know that for a noble man like Long Jingtian, gold, silver and treasures were not in his eyes, but books were the greatest treasures, and ancient books were the most precious treasures. Long Yunpu took out the jade box and immediately determined: "This jade box was made by a craftsman in the Tang Dynasty court." Long Yunpu always worshipped his second uncle as a god, and he didn't find it strange at all. After opening the jade box and seeing the five words on the cover, Long Jingtian was shocked: "The Taiyi Hun Tian Xiang, this book actually exists." He carefully took the ancient book and was overjoyed to see that it was intact. Long Yunpu had never seen his second uncle lose his composure, and he was quite curious. What's so good about a book? Long Jingtian held the ancient book and couldn't bear to put it down, asking: "Will the owner of this book be willing to sell it?" Long Yunpu shook his head slightly. The owner of Suyun Palace only asked him to show the book to his second uncle, but his second uncle meant to buy the book, and he couldn't make the decision. He had to tell the truth: "No one could understand it, so they asked me to show it to my second uncle. I didn't say I would sell it to him." Of course, Long Jingtian didn't give up: "Go back and ask, my second uncle is willing to pay a high price for this book." Long Yunpu agreed. It was easy to go back, but the ancient book couldn't be left here. Long Jingtian couldn't let it go, and was reluctant to hand it to Long Yunpu. He immediately sent Long Yunpu away and told him: "The ancient book will be kept by my second uncle first, you go and come back quickly." Long Yunpu felt embarrassed. If he left the ancient book here, he would definitely be punished when he returned, so he refused to leave. Long Jingtian didn't understand the reason, but he couldn't let go of this ancient book. After thinking for a long time, he made a decision: "My second uncle will go to Penglai with you."

Hearing this, Long Yunpu felt like the sun was rising in the west. From childhood to adulthood, his second uncle had always been calm and steady. Why did he go against his usual behavior this time and leave the government office to Penglai for a book? Long Jingtian valued the book very much and was reluctant to give it to Long Yunpu. He put it in his arms solemnly, explained the affairs in the government office and hurriedly left Jiaozhou. The travel of scholars is naturally not comparable to that of martial artists. Long Yunpu was worried that there was not enough time, but Long Jingtian was willing to go all out for the ancient book, and finally arrived in Penglai on the third day. Long Jingtian had never been so busy before. After getting off the horse, he hurried to rest. Long Yunpu came to see the Suyun Palace Master first. The Haoyue Palace Master was urging the younger generations to practice. It is not good to urge too much, but too much indulgence will not have any good results. Seeing that Long Yunpu was still in a bad mood, Suyun Palace Master asked, "Does your uncle recognize the words in the book?" Long Yunpu nodded, "Yes." Suyun Palace Master then asked, "What kind of book is this?" Long Yunpu shook his head, "My uncle didn't tell me, so I didn't dare to ask." Suyun Palace Master frowned and said, "Why are you so stupid? Isn't this a waste of time? Give the book back." Long Yunpu stammered, "The book is with my uncle." Suyun Palace Master changed color and said, "You are so brave, come here." As soon as Long Yunpu approached, Suyun Palace Master's jade palm had already hit him. After the crisp sound, Long Yunpu's cheeks immediately turned red. Although he punished, Suyun Palace Master was sensible and did not use his internal force. After all, he still had a place for Long Yunpu in his heart. After being beaten, Long Yunpu laughed: "I haven't been beaten for several days, and I feel uncomfortable all over. Palace Master, give me two more hits." Palace Master Suyun slapped him with her backhand, and Long Yunpu nodded repeatedly: "It's still comfortable this way." Palace Master Suyun also laughed, and Long Yunpu explained that his second uncle Long Jingtian couldn't bear to part with the ancient book and had rushed to Penglai. Palace Master Suyun realized that she had wronged Long Yunpu, stretched out her jade hand to touch Long Yunpu's face, and said softly; "I wronged you, come to my room tonight." Long Yunpu was extremely happy and thanked him repeatedly.

When the Lord of Haoyue heard about this, he also wanted to meet Long Jingtian. Since this person knew the characters in the ancient books, he must be well-versed in the classics. At this time, the hatred between the families had been resolved, and it would be beneficial for both parties to have some contact. Long Yunpu followed Lord Suyun wholeheartedly and could be driven at will. Long Jingtian was different, so Lord Haoyue arranged for Nie Jiuniang to invite Long Jingtian to Penglai Pavilion for a while. The old ancestor specifically told Lord Suyun that Long Jingtian was an elder of the Long family, and she should not scold Long Yunpu in front of him. Lord Suyun certainly knew the limit and agreed. Long Jingtian arrived as scheduled, and Lord Haoyue greeted him. After a few greetings, he let Long Jingtian go to Penglai Pavilion. There were four seats in total, and Long Jingtian, Lord Haoyue, the old ancestor and the monk Shenmu, four elders, sat down in turn. Lord Suyun was a little shy and avoided it on the pretext of something. The monk Shenmu was impatient and asked first: "Do you really recognize the words in the book?" Long Jingtian smiled and said, "This kind of words is the dragon seal created by Yuan Tiangang, a strange man in the Tang Dynasty. For many years, only the descendants of the Yuan family could recognize it. Later, the Yuan family declined, and no one mentioned this kind of words." The Lord of Haoyue asked, "What do the figures in the book mean?" Long Jingtian explained, "This is a chess manual. Those figures are actually the ancient manuals recorded by Yuan Tiangang." Although the monk Shenmu was active and liked to play chess, he asked, "Since it is a chess manual, why can't I understand it?" Long Jingtian smiled and said, "These ancient manuals were very precious at the time. Yuan Tiangang planned to leave them to future generations, but he was afraid that someone would covet them and bring disaster, so he used the original dragon seal to record the chess manual. Even if others got it, it would be useless." After saying this, everyone understood. The Lord of Haoyue originally thought that the ancient book recorded magical martial arts, but when he learned that it was actually a chess manual, he didn't care. Long Jingtian was proficient in music, chess, calligraphy and painting, and loved hand talk, also known as Go. Of course, he couldn't miss this ancient book, so he immediately offered to buy it. The Lord of Haoyue Palace smiled and said, "Sir, if you need it, please keep it. We can't understand it anyway." Long Jingtian was very happy, but he couldn't agree. Both families pay attention to the way of being a human being, and they must not accept things from others for nothing, let alone such a precious ancient book?

Long Jingtian explained his reasons, and Shenmu Bhikkhu laughed and said, "What's the value of one book? You gave Long Yunpu, such a good child, to Yinxian Palace, so it's worth ten books." Although there was a joke, there was also some truth in it. After weighing the pros and cons, Long Jingtian couldn't bear to part with the book after all, so he nodded in approval. The Lord of Haoyue Palace ordered people to set up a wine reception, and Shenmu Bhikkhu insisted on playing chess with Long Jingtian, so Long Jingtian naturally accompanied him. Shenmu Bhikkhu couldn't sit still at all, and he was impatient to think. He was upset after only playing forty or so moves, and stood up and shook his head: "I don't want to play anymore, it's too boring and boring." After getting the ancient book, Long Jingtian was worried about the official business of the government office, so he ate and drank hastily and stood up to say goodbye. Long Yunpu naturally wanted to see him off, and Long Jingtian gave him some instructions and set off immediately. The Lord of Suyun Palace has not shown up. Long Jingtian is Long Yunpu's second uncle, but he is not as old as himself. It is not easy to address him when they meet, so it is better not to meet. The matter of the ancient book was resolved, and the Lord of Haoyue Palace was ready to leave. Most of the beauties in Yinxian Palace were brought up by the old ancestor, and they all wanted the old ancestor to stay. The Lord of Haoyue Palace thought that it would be good to leave someone to supervise them, so he returned to Haoyue Palace alone. The old ancestor also liked these young people, so he stayed in Penglai to enjoy his life. Although the family affairs were not mentioned during this meeting, both parties understood that the hatred in the past had disappeared, and the two families could interact with each other and help each other in the future. It was naturally thanks to Chang Xiao that the two families reconciled. If he had not gone to Yinxian Palace alone, there would be no later events, so the Lord of Haoyue Palace was very grateful to Chang Xiao. There is also a secret here. The Angry Dragon Slash is not the sword technique of the Long family. So far, the only people who know this secret are Long Jingtian and Chang Xiao, and Yu Zhenzi of the Paradise Palace. These three people will not disclose this secret. Although the two families have already resolved their grievances, this secret is still not convenient to disclose. Sometimes not knowing the truth can play a good role, and knowing it is not good.

Chapter 158: Chess Forest Champion

Long Jingtian was extremely happy to get the unique ancient score. He rushed back to Jiaozhou without feeling tired at all. As the saying goes, people are refreshed when they are happy. When he returned to the government office, he immediately dealt with official business and studied the chess score. This chess score not only records the game, but also explains the chess theory from various angles through the game. Long Jingtian's chess skills are very good. After getting this ancient score, his chess skills have been greatly improved. He has won every game against local celebrities. Coincidentally, something happened to him. It turned out that the Goryeo Kingdom sent an envoy to pay tribute. There were three masters who studied Go in the envoy. They said they were asking for advice from the great country, but in fact they meant to challenge. If no one in China could win, then they would not have the face to accept the tribute from Goryeo. At that time, a special chess academy was set up in the court, headed by two national masters, named Cheng Lanruo and Liang Siyuan. These two people have superb chess skills and are recognized by all parties. Since the challenge came from Goryeo, of course they could not retreat. Go originally originated from China. Once they lost to Goryeo, the court would lose face. The two national masters accepted the challenge, and the prime minister Zheng Dongling was more cautious. He asked Cheng Lanruo and Liang Siyuan to lower their status and pretend that the master had traveled far away and had not returned, and the two disciples accepted the challenge. The Koreans believed it and played chess immediately. Everything went well at the beginning. The two masters of the Korean chess were not strong enough and gave up one after another. Unexpectedly, the third master was much stronger than his companions and defeated Cheng Lanruo and Liang Siyuan, two national masters, successively, which shocked the court. Thanks to the prime minister's backdoor, there was still room for maneuver. On the one hand, he retained the Korean envoys, and on the other hand, he sent people to summon chess masters from all over the country to Beijing. Someone recommended Long Jingtian, and the court issued an edict ordering Long Jingtian to come to Beijing as soon as possible. On the surface, it was a game of chess, but in fact it was related to the prestige of the court and the honor and disgrace of the country, so Long Jingtian was summoned to Beijing. Of course, Long Jingtian was not the only one summoned to Beijing. More than ten chess masters arrived one after another. They were tested by Cheng Lanruo and Liang Siyuan respectively, and Prime Minister Zheng Dongling personally asked about it. These people were well-known in the local area, but in fact they were not as good as the two national masters, and they were eliminated one after another. Prime Minister Zheng Dongling was quite anxious. The Korean delegation could not stay in the capital for a long time. If no one could win, the news would spread, and not only Korea, but other neighboring countries would also laugh at China for having no one, and the consequences would be unpredictable.

After Long Jingtian arrived in Beijing, he first went to the Prime Minister's Mansion to wait for an audience. Zheng Dongling summoned him immediately and was quite disappointed to see Long Jingtian. Cheng Lanruo and Liang Siyuan were both old men in their sixties, while Long Jingtian was less than fifty years old. In addition, he was well maintained and looked only in his thirties. Such a person is obviously not as good as the two national masters. Even if his chess skills are better than the two national masters, it is difficult for him to be the master of the two national masters. Since he came, he had to give it a try. Cheng Lanruo came for the assessment and was shocked after the game. Long Jingtian's chess path was unheard of and unseen, and it was extremely wonderful. Liang Siyuan rushed over immediately after hearing about this. After a game, Liang Siyuan admitted that he was not as good as him and became his apprentice on the spot. Cheng Lanruo also had this intention. Prime Minister Zheng Dongling expressed his concerns. The age difference between the three was obvious at a glance. He was afraid that the Koreans would not believe that he was a master. Cheng Lanruo said that there was no order of learning, and the one who achieved it was the master. Zheng Dongling immediately decided to arrange for Long Jingtian to formally accept the two national masters as apprentices and prepare for a formal game with the Koreans. Because this game was on behalf of the Celestial Empire, Zheng Dongling made the decision to let Long Jingtian dress up carefully, and his clothes must be gorgeous, to reflect the bearing of a great country. Long Jingtian was originally handsome, and he dressed up carefully to meet the ceremony again, changing into his official uniform, wearing a silk scarf and crane cloak, gently shaking a feather fan, with an elegant look, like Zhuge Liang reborn. Zheng Dongling felt his eyes light up and exclaimed: "Good, this is the only way to show the prosperity of my China." Sure enough, the Korean chess player was shocked to see Long Jingtian, and was shocked by his beauty. Long Jingtian's manners were elegant, his voice was clear, and he was calm and composed. He had already gained the upper hand before the game. Sitting and playing chess, the Korean chess player did his best, and Long Jingtian responded easily with a very relaxed attitude. Both sides said that they would win two out of three games, and the first game ended quickly, and the Korean chess player resigned in the middle game. In the second game, the Korean chess player changed his strategy and made moves very slowly, thinking for half an hour for one move. Obviously, this was another competition to see how strong Long Jingtian's concentration was. Long Jingtian was very relaxed, making moves very quickly, sometimes sipping tea, sometimes appreciating the scenery outside the window, and later simply picking up a book to read. Although his attitude was leisurely, his moves were aggressive, strangling everywhere, making the situation extremely chaotic, and deliberately making his opponent waste his energy.

The two played chess, and a palace maid passed the chess record outside. Cheng Lanruo and Liang Siyuan, two national players, shook their heads after reading it. It was difficult to judge the gains and losses in such a chaotic situation. Although Zheng Dongling was not good at this, he could see that Long Jingtian had an obvious advantage. Even if the Korean chess player won this game, he would not have much energy to play the third game. Long Jingtian was knowledgeable and talented. He actually used military tactics in the game. In the second game, he deliberately lost to his opponent. He didn't use his brain at all, just muddied the water and consumed his opponent's energy, so the third game was a sure win. The Korean chess player obviously fell into the trap and used all his thoughts, racking his brains, and seeking victory. This game of chess lasted until midnight and finally saw the result. The Korean chess player won. Long Jingtian was extremely relaxed, while the Korean chess player seemed to have a serious illness and was sweating all over. Obviously, he was no longer able to play the third game. Long Jingtian was very generous and suggested that the Korean chess player take a day off. The Korean chess player was quite grateful. Zheng Dongling felt it was strange. The conditions were set by the opponent. They were about to win, so why let the opponent rest? Wouldn't all the previous efforts be wasted? He asked Long Jingtian, who smiled and said, "Just as Lord Zheng expected, I did use Sun Bin's Art of War. In the first game, I tried to win quickly and put all my energy into it. The opponent was not well prepared, which was using my superior strength to defeat the enemy. In the second game, I didn't need to put in any effort at all. I set up traps everywhere to trick the opponent into putting all his energy into it, which was using my inferior strength to defeat the enemy. In the remaining third game, the opponent was already at the end of his strength, and victory was inevitable." Zheng Dongling nodded, "I understand the truth, but why did you let the opponent rest for a day? Once the opponent has recovered, If we don't come, wouldn't it be a waste of such a brilliant plan? "Long Jingtian was confident: "Mr. Zheng, don't worry too much. Today, the opponent is almost exhausted. Let alone one day, it will take three days to recover. Just be generous and let the Koreans be convinced." Zheng Dongling raised his thumb and said: "Xianqi is indeed a great talent. This time, he has made great contributions to our country. "Long Jingtian's attitude was very indifferent: "It's just a chess game. I dare not take credit." Zheng Dongling has investigated Long Jingtian's resume in detail and knows that this person has lofty ambitions and does not care about the temple, so he will not promote him. Although he is sure to win, the chess game is not over yet, so he can't sit back and relax. After a day of rest and restarting the game, as Long Jingtian expected, the Korean chess players were exhausted and made frequent mistakes. Facing a first-class master, one mistake is enough to lose, so Long Jingtian won easily.

After this contest, the Koreans were convinced and left the capital to return home. Zheng Dongling asked Long Jingtian if he should be promoted at least two levels for his great achievements. However, Long Jingtian's attitude was very clear. He only wanted to stay in Jiaozhou to benefit the people. Zheng Dongling couldn't force him, so he reported to the emperor and gave Long Jingtian an imperial plaque with four golden characters: Yilin Champion. He was also awarded a champion crown, a gold ingot, and a jade ruyi as a reward. Long Jingtian took the reward and returned to Jiaozhou government office. Soon this matter spread all over the country, and it was rumored everywhere that the prefect of Jiaozhou was the best in the world in chess. Because of the word "champion" on the imperial plaque, many people were dissatisfied and rushed to Jiaozhou to play chess with Long Jingtian. Long Jingtian accepted everyone, but the rules remained unchanged. He had to deal with official business before noon and could only play chess in the afternoon. The game was limited to two hours a day. If the game was not finished, it could be closed and continued the next day. At that time, Go was already widely spread, and many people studied it. Some people even made it their profession. There were competitions in many places, some of which were held by the government and some by private individuals. As long as you won the championship, you would gain something more or less. Cheng Lanruo and Liang Siyuan, two national masters, became famous for their repeated victories. The court specially set up a chess academy and official positions. As long as you entered the chess academy, you could get a lot of benefits. Therefore, the style of playing chess was quite popular in various places, and there were outstanding masters in every place. Because of the tight time, some people did not have time to rush to the capital. These people were worried about Long Jingtian's title of chess champion, so they all wanted to play against Long Jingtian in Jiaozhou. As long as they won, they could become famous in one fell swoop. Although many people came, Long Jingtian had his own principles and could not delay official business, so he only received one person a day. When Cheng Lanruo and Liang Siyuan became famous, they also met with wise men from all sides. The two were willing to worship Long Jingtian as their teacher. Those who had been defeated by the two national masters naturally knew the depth. However, chess learners all wanted to see Long Jingtian's brilliant moves, so Jiaozhou gathered chess players from all over. In order to discourage mediocre players, Long Jingtian arranged for people to record the chess records of his games with Korean chess players and send them to these chess players, so as not to be disturbed by some mediocre people. This trick really worked, and many people were discouraged after reading the chess records.

Because most of the people who came were targeting Long Jingtian, the inns in Jiaozhou City took the opportunity to prepare a special chess room for everyone to study, and chessboards and chess pieces were naturally indispensable. Chess players from all over the country gathered together to discuss the chess game every day, because only one person could play against Long Jingtian every day. These people spontaneously competed to see the survival of the fittest, so as not to waste everyone's time. For a time, the streets and alleys of Jiaozhou were talking about Go. Such an atmosphere is very good for improving chess skills. Cheng Lanruo, who worked in the Beijing Chess Academy, took a leave of absence and made a special trip to Jiaozhou to discuss chess skills and exchange experiences with masters from all sides. As soon as this national player arrived, he naturally became the focus. Chess players from all walks of life reached a consensus, and Cheng Lanruo decided who would play against Long Jingtian. Since they became master and apprentice, Long Jingtian naturally could not treat them unfairly. He arranged for Cheng Lanruo to watch the game every day and discuss the gains and losses together after the game. The changes in Go are extremely complicated. People who learn Go first look at their talent. If they are not talented enough, they can't become masters no matter how hard they try. The level of chess skills is not closely related to age, so the two national players were willing to worship Long Jingtian as their teacher. After practice, Long Jingtian's understanding of ancient books has deepened, and his chess skills have become more mysterious, and it is very easy to deal with chess players from all sides. One day, a strange old man came to Jiaozhou City. He was thin, with a gray beard, and his eyes were smart. He looked like a monkey and rode a thin donkey. This person is not strange. What is strange is that there are four words written on his clothes: Chinese Chess King. Obviously, this is deliberately competing with Long Jingtian's title of chess champion. At the beginning, everyone laughed at this old guy for not knowing his own strength, but the old man didn't care. After settling down, he didn't rush to play chess with others, but looked at the chess score first. Others praised Long Jingtian's chess skills, but this old man didn't think so. He put forward his own point of view. Since the Koreans didn't know their own strength, they should make drastic changes to let them know how powerful they are. It's not right to lose a game. Some people also agree with this statement. The old man went around the chess rooms in the city for four or five days and finally started playing chess against others. He won several games in a row and his chess moves were ever-changing, which impressed chess players from all sides.

When Cheng Lanruo heard about this, he first found the chess records of the old man playing against others. After reading them, he was secretly surprised. The old man's chess moves were strange and changeable, and extremely profound. Therefore, the chess records were sent to Long Jingtian, and Long Jingtian decided to play against the old man after reading them. When the news spread, chess players from all walks of life talked about it and wanted to know the result. In a sense, the winner is the number one in the chess world today. Because Long Jingtian set a rule that he could only play chess for two hours a day, the old man made a bold statement that as long as Long Jingtian did not delay, he would win within two hours. Long Jingtian did not care at all, and winning or losing did not matter. This game was very important, and Cheng Lanruo arranged for people to pass the chess records outside at any time so that all chess players could see the changes in the chess game in the fastest time. The game started smoothly, and the old man was not known by name, and he was full of confidence. Chess players from all walks of life gathered in the chess room, waiting to appreciate the exquisite moves of the two masters. At the beginning of the game, the old man did not guess who would go first, and let Long Jingtian go first. Long Jingtian did not give in, and made his move casually. The old man responded calmly. The two made their moves very quickly, and the chess situation became chaotic after half an hour. Not to mention that the people in the chess room could not understand, even Cheng Lanruo, a national player, was confused. At the beginning, the old man was full of confidence, as if he had a sure win, but in the middle of the game, his brows began to twist, while Long Jingtian did not change at all, and his expression was extremely relaxed. The black and white pieces were stuck together, and the old man picked up a white piece and thought hard for a long time and could not put it down. If he had not made big promises in advance, it would be fine, and it would not be a big deal to delay for two or three days, but he had said so much, and there was no room for maneuver. In desperation, he had to reluctantly make his move, leaving a flaw. Long Jingtian was merciless, seizing the opponent's loopholes and chasing hard, gradually expanding the small victory. After two hours, the advantage was already very obvious. The old man did not admit defeat and prepared to fight again the next day. After leaving the government office, all the chess players believed that the old man would lose, but the old man disagreed and still looked very confident. Cheng Lanruo asked Long Jingtian for advice, but Long Jingtian could not guess what other means the other party had to turn defeat into victory.

After finally getting through a day, the chess game continued and all the chess players gathered in the chess room again. The old man made the first move, and Long Jingtian played steadily and established his advantage. Seeing that the old man's chess situation was irreversible, he did not expect that the old man would suddenly make a surprise move, completely abandon the corners he had been operating for a long time, and ignite the war in the middle of the abdomen, which immediately made the situation tense. With an obvious advantage, Long Jingtian did not want to make a big change with the opponent. The old man seized this point and provoked him frequently, which seemed unreasonable but had a miraculous effect. Long Jingtian's advantage gradually narrowed, and he found that the signs were not right, so he turned defense into offense, abandoned the middle of the abdomen, and started from the corners. First, the old man took away more than ten pieces of Long Jingtian, and Long Jingtian immediately fought back and took away one of the opponent's corners. The old man continued to provoke, and Long Jingtian made another brilliant move, throwing several pieces in the opponent's hinterland, strangling him comprehensively. Seeing that the situation was over, the old man had no choice but to surrender. Cheng Lanruo, who was watching the game, exclaimed, "What a fight, so exciting." The old man lost the game and scratched his head. Long Jingtian felt amused and comforted him, "The old gentleman's chess skills are indeed superb. This reverse dragon move was superb." The old man said angrily, "Are you praising me or insulting me? No matter how good I am at chess, I lost to you. Aren't you better?" Long Jingtian smiled and said, "One game victory or defeat doesn't prove anything. If you are not convinced, you can come again tomorrow." The old man immediately smiled and said, "It's a deal. I will definitely beat you tomorrow." He got up and left immediately. Cheng Lanruo discussed the gains and losses with Long Jingtian, and Long Jingtian explained: "This old man's chess style is extremely brilliant, and it can be said that they are different from what I have learned. The main reason for losing the game is that I was impatient, unclear, and failed to grasp the opportunity. In fact, when he used the reverse dragon today, he had already gained the upper hand. He was happy for a while and his head was hot, so he didn't see my flaws, which allowed me to get through the difficult time." Although Cheng Lanruo was a national player, he couldn't understand this game of chess. He exclaimed: "This old man is really amazing. I didn't expect there is such a master in the mountains." Long Jingtian smiled and said: "I have found his weakness. He is destined to be unable to raise his head in the future."

Chapter 159: Wonderful Game

Although he had boasted before, everyone admired the old man's chess skills. They all agreed that the chess record of this game was much more exciting than the chess record of Long Jingtian's game with the Koreans, and it could be called a classic. The old man was unwilling to fail, and made careful preparations to fight Long Jingtian again. Long Jingtian was not in a hurry, but the old man went to the government office early to wait. The second game started, and the old man dared not be arrogant. Both sides guessed the first move, but Long Jingtian went first. The old man was embarrassed to argue. Long Jingtian smiled and said, "I went first the day before yesterday, and it's your turn today." The old man shook his head and said, "Since you guessed first, you should abide by the rules." Long Jingtian smiled and nodded, and cast the chess piece. This time the old man had a good memory and was very cautious in his move. Long Jingtian was confident that since he had the first move, he could not give the other party a chance. Therefore, he took the lead everywhere and did not let the other party slow down. After the first game, Long Jingtian had already understood the temper of this old man. He liked to play chess with the wind. If he was in adversity, he would be upset and could not play at his best level. In view of this, Long Jingtian's chess position was quite tough, and he would fight for every inch of land. As expected, the old man's chess became more and more unsuccessful, and it was difficult to take care of both the beginning and the end, which was not as exciting as the first game. In the middle game, the old man was confused and shook his head and said, "The defeat is certain." Cheng Lanruo thought that this game should be more exciting than the previous one, but he didn't expect it to be calm and a little disappointed. Although the old man admitted defeat, he was unwilling to ask, "Do you dare to play blind chess with me?" You must know that Go has 19 lines, and there is no repeated game in the ages. Playing blind chess requires remembering the position of each piece firmly. Once you make a mistake, you lose. Long Jingtian did not hesitate: "Okay, this time the old man goes first." The old man was overjoyed. Since it was a blind game, neither of them could look at the chessboard, and Cheng Lanruo laid out the chess record. The old man was very excited and quickly laid out the four corners of the chessboard. Long Jingtian concentrated his strength in the middle. The old man was obviously good at this chess move and almost didn't think about it, but Long Jingtian was still not in a hurry. Cheng Lanruo was in charge of setting up the chess pieces and was also surprised by the old man's strong chess skills. Long Jingtian seemed to have no worries and responded very calmly.

In the middle stage, the old man took the initiative, with a smug look on his face. At this time, Long Jingtian suddenly provoked a dispute, abandoned the chess piece that could be saved with one more move, and moved to another place to fight for the big field. The old man was overjoyed and made three moves in a row, ready to eat this chess piece. After Long Jingtian got a big advantage elsewhere, he suddenly turned back and used a clever trick to fight with the opponent. The old man didn't expect this move. He had already used three moves for this chess piece. If he lost this robbery, he would have to admit defeat. He had no choice but to accept the robbery. After Long Jingtian opened the robbery with the opponent, he was aggressive and had the momentum to win in one fell swoop. The old man racked his brains to keep this robbery. Unexpectedly, Long Jingtian was real and fake, and at the critical moment, he opened robbery in two other places, and the three robberies were linked together. Cheng Lanruo, who was arranging the chess pieces, was amazed. Such a move was really incredible. After a long struggle, the three robberies finally had a result. The old man saved two robberies. Although Long Jingtian only won one robbery, he took advantage of the opportunity to rob and took the absolute initiative. The old man's chess path was completely destroyed by these three robberies. He had no choice but to admit defeat. He had to admit that Long Jingtian was one step ahead. He burned the clothes with the words "Chinese Chess King" on the spot and said goodbye. Long Jingtian didn't take this matter to heart and continued to be the prefect. Unexpectedly, the old man returned to Jiaozhou two days later. This time he didn't come alone. He brought a fragrant car. Through the gauze curtain, it can be vaguely seen that there is a woman in the car. Because the old man's chess skills are very high, naturally some people care and try every means to inquire about the old man's intentions. This time the old man didn't brag, but only said that the younger generation in the family wanted to learn Long Jingtian's chess skills. Cheng Lanruo told Long Jingtian about the matter. Long Jingtian smiled and said, "The visitor has bad intentions. This old man thinks highly of himself. Once he becomes humble, it means that the visitor's chess skills are better than his." Cheng Lanruo was quite surprised. The old man's chess skills were already very good. How much more advanced would the person he brought be? Long Jingtian didn't care. He asked Cheng Lanruo to discuss the game with the old man. Cheng Lanruo found the old man and decided to play chess the next afternoon. The woman who came with the old man did not show up. From what he said, he learned that the woman was the old man's granddaughter.

There are always stronger players among the strong. The appearance of the old man has discouraged many chess players who want to challenge Long Jingtian. Such a profound chess skill was defeated in front of Long Jingtian. There is no need for him to show his ugliness. However, he is still very interested in the upcoming game. First of all, he pays attention to the exquisite chess skills, and then sees if anyone can defeat Long Jingtian. No matter how others pay attention, Long Jingtian's rules remain unchanged. He must sit in the lobby before noon regardless of whether he is free or not. The woman who came with the old man lives in seclusion and does not meet outsiders. According to the old man, she is studying chess records. Long Jingtian has profound chess skills and needs to make some preparations. In everyone's expectation, noon finally passed, and the old man took his granddaughter into the government office. The woman wore a veil and a cloak, and outsiders could not see the true face of Mount Lu. Long Jingtian is still the same, with a feather fan and a scarf, and he is calm and composed. After meeting, the old man only said that the woman was his granddaughter and did not sign up, and Long Jingtian did not ask much. The woman took off her veil and untied her cloak, and Cheng Lanruo felt her eyes light up. This woman had snow-white skin, picturesque eyebrows and eyes, a slender waist, and eyes full of wisdom. Long Jingtian praised: "The bones are frozen, the tender green onions are dipped in snow, the girl deserves the beauty of the country." The woman smiled and said: "With a feather fan and a scarf, and a heroic appearance, you are a true celebrity." A true celebrity is naturally romantic, and the woman's words are teasing. Long Jingtian was free and easy, and he responded casually: "Carrying wine and buying flowers is a young thing, but now it is not the mood to return to the old days." The woman shook her head and said: "Sir, you are very talented and your art is the best in the world. As the saying goes, a bright moon will cool down thousands of mountains. How can you be the same as an ordinary person?" With just a few simple words, Long Jingtian already understood that this woman was quite knowledgeable. After the greetings, it was natural to play chess. Long Jingtian was mentally prepared that this opponent was extraordinary. At the beginning, the two of them played in a proper manner, but with the woman's move, the chess game immediately changed. Long Jingtian, contrary to his usual behavior, did not respond at all and threw a lone piece into the opponent's camp. This kind of situation at the beginning of the game is extremely rare. The woman obviously did not expect that she would throw a lone piece and the opponent would not respond. If she gave in and defended, she would be at a disadvantage, so she focused on the big game. Long Jingtian set up ambushes everywhere in the opponent's camp, and Cheng Lanruo, who was watching the game, was shocked. For more than 20 consecutive moves, both sides went their own way. Such a game is really rare.

The chess score was quickly spread outside, and the chess players watching in the chess room were puzzled. They had never heard of such a game since ancient times. Soon the results of the two sides' operations became apparent. The woman occupied a large area of the real field, and all of Long Jingtian's pieces had no roots. According to normal understanding, Long Jingtian would definitely lose. But no one dared to be sure, because the opponent was the champion of the Yilin who was personally awarded by the emperor. Although she had a great advantage, the woman's moves became slower and slower, and Long Jingtian became more and more relaxed. Because of the woman's delay, two hours passed quickly, and the chess game was not over. It was temporarily closed and continued the next day. The old man and the woman left the government office, and Cheng Lanruo asked, "Why can't I understand today's game?" Long Jingtian smiled and said, "Tomorrow we will see the result." He went to rest. Cheng Lanruo pondered over the chessboard for a long time, but he couldn't understand it anyway, so he had to give up. Back at the inn, the old man naturally wanted to study the chess game with his granddaughter. After studying the chessboard for a long time, the girl was surprised and said, "I've been fooled." The old man was taken aback and asked hurriedly. The girl explained, "Although I occupied a lot of real estate, they were all divided. All the opponent's pieces were connected together, so I have no worries at all. I can oppress any piece at any time, but I can't fight back." The old man wondered, "You obviously have an advantage in real estate. What is there to worry about?" The girl pointed to the chessboard and said, "We will understand as we play this game." So the girl played Long Jingtian's chess against the old man. After more than ten moves, the old man realized that something was wrong. His own pieces were restrained, while the opponent's pieces were very agile and took the initiative. At this point, the old man slammed the table and exclaimed, "What a powerful Long Jingtian." The woman sighed, "I fell into my opponent's trap in this round. I'm doomed to fail. We have to start over tomorrow." The old man was unwilling to accept this: "You can't even beat him?" The woman smiled and said, "He's just one move better than me. If I lose, I lose." The old man shook his head, "No, this is the first time grandpa has fallen since he was born. I'm letting you come here to save face. If you lose to him too, grandpa will lose face." The woman smiled bitterly and said, "Long Jingtian is knowledgeable and talented, his style of chess is elegant and agile, and almost impeccable. What can my granddaughter do?" The old man insisted, "I don't care, you're going to beat him anyway." The woman had no way to deal with her grandfather's willfulness. After carefully studying the chess game, she realized that the opportunity had been lost. It was almost impossible to make up for it in the face of such a master.

The next afternoon, when they came to the government office, the woman asked to restart the game. Long Jingtian praised her, "The girl is really good." The woman blushed and said, "Sir, you are making fun of me." Cheng Lanruo felt puzzled. She was clearly in an advantageous position, so why did she willingly admit defeat? The old man kept a straight face and said nothing. The game started again, and the woman played black first. This time she was much more cautious. Long Jingtian's strategy also changed. He fought for every inch of land and seized the real ground. The two sides started a new round of fighting. In this game, the two sides were evenly matched. After two hours, Long Jingtian raised his thumb and said, "The girl's chess skills are really good." The old man thought his granddaughter had won, and he was very happy and shouted, "I finally let out a sigh of relief." The woman shook her head and said, "Grandpa, don't be happy. This game is at most a draw." The old man carefully counted the numbers and, as expected, the two sides were evenly matched and it was a draw. The old man was disappointed. Cheng Lanruo said, "It's rare to be able to draw." The old man glared and said, "We lost yesterday and we tied today. We still lost." The woman praised, "If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have had a chance. You are the well-deserved champion of the chess world." Long Jingtian said calmly, "It's just a game. Champion of the chess world is just a joke. Don't take it seriously." The old man didn't save face. He blushed and slapped down. The chessboard and the table were shattered immediately, and the flags were scattered all over the floor. Long Jingtian frowned, "The old man's martial arts are so superb." The old man gritted his teeth and said, "What's the use of being good at martial arts? You can't fight with me." The woman persuaded him, "Grandpa, don't be angry. The number one master in the martial arts world is no less than the champion of the chess world." The old man was indignant and sat aside sulking. Although Long Jingtian studied literature, he also had a certain understanding of the martial arts world. The recognized number one master in the martial arts world today is Chang Xiao, the lord of the Never-Sleeping City. This old man was obviously a little arrogant. Cheng Lanruo didn't know much about the martial arts world, and she was very impressed by the old man's martial arts. She exclaimed: "This kind of martial arts is really unparalleled in the world." Long Jingtian shook his head: "Not necessarily." Hearing this, the old man jumped up and jumped in front of Long Jingtian and asked: "How dare you underestimate my martial arts." Long Jingtian remained calm: "Although I am an outsider, I also know that the Lord of the Never-Sleeping City is the most recommended in the current martial arts world. Haven't you heard of him?" The old man curled his lips: "What do you know? How can a real master hang around in the martial arts world and associate with rats?" Long Jingtian smiled and said: "If I had never played chess with so many people, how could I have been named the top chess player? If you are unwilling to compete with masters from all walks of life, how can you call yourself the number one in the martial arts world?"

Since the first defeat, the old man has been holding back a fire in his heart, and he has not vented his anger. Now, after hearing what Long Jingtian said, he could no longer hold back. He jumped into the courtyard and struck out with one palm. With a loud bang, the rockery in the courtyard was shattered. Cheng Lanruo was stunned. The old man snorted in his nose: "Can such martial arts be worthy of being the first in the martial arts world?" Long Jingtian was still the same: "Again, the first in the martial arts world is not self-proclaimed, it needs recognition from all parties." The old man was furious and stamped his feet and said: "Wait, I will catch the Lord of the Never-Sleeping City and show it to you." He strode away angrily, and the woman hurriedly followed behind. Cheng Lanruo was shocked to see the backs of the two people. Long Jingtian acted as if nothing had happened. He ordered people to pack up and went inside to rest. To be on the safe side, a letter was sent to the Never-Sleeping City to let Chang Xiao prepare. But Chang Xiao was discouraged and was not in the Never-Sleeping City at all, so this letter would not work. The old man was angry, and hurriedly packed up and left Jiaozhou, rushing to the Never-Sleeping City. Because the colorful lights and fireworks in the Never-Sleeping City are considered a scenic spot in the south of the Yangtze River, many people have admired them. It is easy to find out the location of the Never-Sleeping City, so the old man went straight to the goal and rushed on. When he arrived at the Never-Sleeping City, he found out that Chang Xiao and his wife and daughter were not there. The old man was very disappointed. He had already fallen into a big trap by claiming to be the Chinese chess king. If he could not save his face in martial arts, how could he face Long Jingtian? But the real master was not there, and there was nothing he could do. The old man thought about it and came up with an idea. He could find other masters to fight, and it would not take long to alarm the Lord of the Never-Sleeping City. He found out that the recognized top master Shenmu Bhikkhu was playing in Penglai, so the old man took his granddaughter to Penglai. He thought to himself that as long as he defeated Shenmu Bhikkhu, Chang Xiao would definitely know. The old man and the young man returned to Shandong. Because Shenmu Bhikkhu and his group were mostly beautiful women, very eye-catching, and generous with their money, the old man easily found Shenmu Bhikkhu.

At this time, the monk Shenmu was leading a group of young people to play freely. It was natural for them to fly to the sky on a big kite. Although the old man had a high opinion of himself, he was also surprised to see such a scene. Such a fact was incredible. Although he had seen people, it was not easy to contact the monk Shenmu. This group of people did what they wanted. Sometimes they gathered together, sometimes they played separately, and their residences changed at any time. The old man waited for two days before he saw the monk Shenmu in Penglai Pavilion. The old and the young came to the bottom of Penglai Pavilion. The monk Shenmu on the top had sharp eyes. When he saw the two approaching, he smiled and said, "That little girl is really good." Everyone looked closely, but they couldn't see what she was. The woman was wearing a veil and their appearance could not be seen. The old and the young went up the stairs. The monk Shenmu was not polite and shouted, "Little old man, come here and let me see you." Hearing this address, the old man looked displeased. How could he be so rude when meeting for the first time? The monk Shenmu didn't care. The old man asked, "Which one is the monk Shenmu?" The monk Shenmu smiled and said, "So you are looking for me. What's the matter?" The old man didn't expect that the famous monk Shenmu of Emei would look like this. He shook his head and said, "Don't joke." The monk Shenmu glared and said, "Who is kidding you? The monk Shenmu is me." The old man still didn't believe it. The monk Shenmu waved his hand and said, "If you don't believe it, forget it." The old man wanted to save face, of course he couldn't give up easily, so he told his purpose: "I want to fight with the Lord of the Never-Sleeping City, but I didn't find the Lord of the Never-Sleeping City, so I came here." The monk Shenmu nodded and said, "It's been a long time since anyone challenged the Never-Sleeping City. I'll try your weight." The woman who came with the old man asked, "How old are you?" The monk Shenmu made a face and said, "I can't remember, anyway, more than a hundred." The woman was very surprised. The old man had a high level of martial arts, but he didn't pay attention. After careful observation, he found that the monk Shenmu's internal strength had reached a superb level. He knew that the person dressed as a little girl was the monk Shenmu.

Chapter 160: Hidden Hero of Pinghu

Since someone challenged him, Shenmu Bhikkhu was eager to make something happen, and happily prepared to fight with the old man. First, he asked his name. The old man shook his head and said, "I will tell you after you win." Shenmu Bhikkhu thought for a while, clapped his hands and shouted, "I don't care what your name is. From now on, I will call you Old Monkey." The figure of this old man is indeed a bit like a monkey. The people around him couldn't help laughing, and even the old man's granddaughter found it interesting. The ancestor asked someone to find the Lord of Suyun Palace to watch the competition. At this time, the Lord of Suyun Palace was with Long Yunpu. After learning about this, he immediately came to Penglai Pavilion. The old man was obviously very confident in this competition. Shenmu Bhikkhu naturally didn't care and asked, "Where is your weapon?" The old man took out a round thing the size of a palm. Although Shenmu Bhikkhu was knowledgeable, he didn't recognize it and asked, "What weapon is this?" The old man smiled and said, "You will understand it in a while." Shenmu Bhikkhu was impatient and didn't ask any more questions. He took out his short sword and stabbed it in the head. A cold light instantly approached the opponent. The old man was not in a hurry, and dodged the sword with a flicker of his body. The monk Shenmu was the best in the world in terms of Qinggong, and his speed was self-evident. The sword flashed, and in the blink of an eye, he stabbed out eighteen swords. The old man was very surprised. The monk Shenmu in front of him was indeed a real talent, not just a name. He shouted and shook his right hand. The round thing changed instantly. After shaking it open, it turned out to be a sharp sword, only one finger wide, shining with brilliant light. The Suyun Palace Master who was watching the battle was surprised and blurted out: "Panlong Sword." The old ancestor next to him asked: "Do you know where this sword came from?" The Suyun Palace Master nodded: "The opponent is from Danqiu Sheng's lineage." The old ancestor was surprised. The sword-controlling technique flourished in the Tang Dynasty. Nie Yinniang, the ancestor of the Nie family, was not the only descendant. Danqiu Sheng was also one of them, and he was the best among his peers. The Panlong Sword is very flexible and extremely difficult to control. At that time, only Danqiu Sheng was able to master it. Later, there were rumors that Dan Qiusheng entered the immortal way through swordsmanship and ascended to heaven. Unexpectedly, he passed down his swordsmanship. According to this, this old man is a top master who lives in seclusion in the mountains.

When the Panlong Sword was deployed, Monk Shenmu was immediately at a disadvantage. The old man followed the sword like a macaque, looking ahead and behind. Monk Shenmu was of course unwilling to admit defeat easily. The light of the short sword increased, and the sword energy shot out. The old man unfolded his sword skills, and his whole body was covered by the sword light. The two began to attack each other. The martial arts of Monk Shenmu were well known in the martial arts world. Today, he did not have the upper hand against this old man, which showed that the old man's swordsmanship was superb. As the successor of the sword control technique, Palace Master Suyun saw some of the tricks. The swordsmanship of this old man was obviously higher than that of the Nie family. The Panlong Sword was both hard and soft, and it was difficult to predict the reality. Monk Shenmu's sword energy did not work. Even so, it was not easy for the old man to win. Monk Shenmu had deep internal strength and fierce sword energy. He was not enough to win, but he was more than enough to protect himself. The two masters fought hard for a long time, but it was still difficult to decide. Shenmu Bhikkhu didn't care much about winning or losing, and was very playful, so he didn't care how hard he fought. Anyway, there was no result, so he just showed his real ability. So he shouted and transformed the Flying Fish Hand into a short sword and stabbed it out. The old man was determined to win, but his opponent was extremely difficult to deal with. Once the Flying Fish Hand was out, it was unstoppable and there was no way to avoid it or retreat. At the critical moment, the old man performed a move of a spirit ape offering fruit, and the Panlong Sword shook into a halo. Shenmu Bhikkhu's short sword touched the halo and made a loud noise. The Panlong Sword suddenly turned into countless silver snakes and rolled over. Shenmu Bhikkhu saw that he couldn't resist, so he drew an arc with his short sword, like a rainbow protecting his whole body. As the Panlong Sword fell, a sound of metal clashing like a storm rang out. At this moment, the two weapons touched countless times. With a loud bang, the two sides separated. Shenmu monk laughed and said, "The old monkey is quite skilled. I lost." Although the old man had the upper hand, he was very respectful of Shenmu monk's martial arts and praised, "The Emei master is really amazing." Shenmu monk didn't care whether he won or lost. He warned, "Although the old monkey is a little stronger than me, he is not qualified to challenge Chang Xiao." The old man's face changed immediately, "I still have many tricks that I haven't used yet." Shenmu monk laughed and said, "A glimpse of the whole picture can reveal the whole picture. If you don't believe me, go and try it. Don't regret it when you suffer a loss."

When the old man came, he was full of confidence, but he was not optimistic after the fight. He and the monk Shenmu were on par in terms of cultivation, and the Lord of the Never-night City was recognized by all parties as the leader of the martial arts world. It seemed that he was indeed a little arrogant before. The Lord of Suyun Palace invited the old man to take the table. The old man was in a bad mood and was about to leave. The Lord of Suyun Palace said, "We are of the same lineage as the old gentleman. It is a rare opportunity to meet each other. How can we miss it?" The old man was stunned: "We are of the same lineage, it is impossible." The Lord of Suyun Palace smiled: "The old gentleman's Panlong Sword was passed down from Danqiu Sheng of the Tang Dynasty, right?" The old man's face changed. Not to mention Danqiu Sheng's name, it was extremely rare for someone to recognize the Panlong Sword, so he agreed to stay. After taking the table, the monk Shenmu kept calling him an old monkey. The old man's granddaughter felt uncomfortable and said, "My grandfather called himself Pinghu Xiayin." The monk Shenmu didn't care about that: "Who told him not to sign up, so I call him an old monkey." Everyone knew the temper of the monk Shenmu, and no one could change what he had determined. Pinghu Xiayin didn't care and introduced: "This is my granddaughter Yuan Guihua." Shenmu Bhikkhu was more convinced: "So your surname is Yuan, and ape means monkey. I didn't call you wrong." Pinghu Xiayin quickly changed the subject. This Shenmu Bhikkhu was indeed difficult to deal with. Suyun Palace Master told the origin of Yinxian Palace, and Pinghu Xiayin realized that what he was most concerned about now was the martial arts of the Lord of the Never-night City. Suyun Palace Master said solemnly: "Although the old gentleman is very skilled in swordsmanship, he should be cautious when challenging the City Master." Pinghu Xiayin sighed lightly: "It seems that I can't get my face back." Suyun Palace Master asked the reason, and Pinghu Xiayin did not hide it and told in detail the process of his several games with Long Jingtian. These people had been playing in Penglai and didn't know these things. They were very happy to hear that Long Jingtian defeated the Korean chess player and won the title of the top scholar in the chess forest. Palace Master Suyun called Long Yunpu in to tell him about this. Long Yunpu was not surprised at all: "I have said it before, my second uncle is Zhuge Liang reborn. There is no word he does not recognize, and no thing he does not know. What is the big deal about playing chess?" Although it is a bit exaggerated, Long Jingtian's talent is indeed worthy of praise.

Monk Shenmu lost the duel and was not convinced. He was quite happy to hear that Pinghu Xiayin had been defeated by Long Jingtian. However, he was still not happy. He had to beat the opponent in some field. He thought about it and came up with an idea. He slammed the table and shouted, "Old monkey, I can fly to the sky. Can you?" Pinghu Xiayin shook his head and said, "I haven't tried it." Monk Shenmu was very proud: "Tomorrow I will let you see how powerful I am." Pinghu Xiayin was originally unconvinced and immediately said, "If you can do it, I can do it too." Monk Shenmu smiled and said, "Okay, let's compete again tomorrow." Yuan Guihua advised, "Grandpa, don't be angry." Monk Shenmu beat the drum: "Yes, if you lose again, I will lose all my face." Pinghu Xiayin was angry and slammed the table: "Let's compete. What's so strange about flying to the sky?" Monk Shenmu was overjoyed and immediately asked the sword boy brothers to prepare the kite. Pinghu Xiayin agreed to the competition on impulse, but when he calmed down and thought about it, he was really unsure. It was not that easy to fly a kite into the sky. It would be uncomfortable to fall down if there was a slight mistake. But the words had been spoken, and he could not retreat even if it was dangerous. Yuan Guihua was extremely worried and tried to persuade him, but Pinghu Xiayin had made up his mind and nine oxen could not pull him back. The next morning, the weather was good and the wind blew. Shenmu Bhikkhu called everyone to the boat and demonstrated proudly. Pinghu Xiayin remembered every detail and must not make a fool of himself this time. The Jiantong brothers flew into the blue sky one after another. Shenmu Bhikkhu kept challenging them. Pinghu Xiayin gritted his teeth and went all out. When the kite was lifted up by the wind, he realized that things were far more complicated than he had imagined. He was in the air and had no place to borrow strength. The wind was invisible and intangible. How could he control it? He barely flew for a while before falling down. Yuan Guihua was extremely worried, and the old ancestor asked, "How good is your grandfather in swimming?" Yuan Guihua came to his senses and said, "My grandfather calls himself Pinghu Xiayin, and he is proficient in swimming." The old ancestor persuaded him, "Then there is nothing to worry about." Sure enough, the old man swam back to the boat soon. Falling into the water by mistake is nothing, but humiliation is unbearable. So he continued to try, but failed several times and destroyed five or six kites. Shenmu Bhikkhu was naturally proud, and Pinghu Xiayin was unwilling to accept it, but the kite was gone.

The old ancestor was kind-hearted. While preparing the kite, he asked Jian Tong to quietly tell Pinghu Xia Yin the secret. Jin Tong also admired Pinghu Xia Yin's swordsmanship, so he told him the secret of controlling the kite and following the wind. Pinghu Xia Yin then realized that if no one reminded him, he would have destroyed many kites. With preparation, it was naturally much smoother. After mastering the secret, Pinghu Xia Yin continued to try and finally succeeded in flying into the blue sky. At the beginning, he was nervous, but after getting used to it and tasting the wonderful taste, he was reluctant to come down. That night, everyone gathered together, and Pinghu Xia Yin was delighted: "It turns out that flying in the sky is so interesting, much better than playing chess." Shenmu Bhikkhu smiled and said: "From now on, I can call you Flying Monkey." Pinghu Xia Yin didn't mind at all, and all his interest turned to the kite. During the meal, he discussed experience with Jian Tong and his brothers and prepared to continue tomorrow. After everything was ready, they waited for dawn, but the wind stopped unexpectedly. Pinghu Xia Yin was so anxious that he scratched his head, but there was nothing he could do. Yuan Guihua felt it was dangerous and wanted to stop him. The Palace Master Suyun persuaded him privately, "Guihua, it's a good thing that your grandfather is obsessed with kites. If he insists on challenging the Lord of the Never-Sleeping City, what will happen if he loses?" Yuan Guihua hesitated and said, "Is the Lord of the Never-Sleeping City really invincible?" The Palace Master Suyun was quite sure, "The Divine Eye Monk often goes to the Never-Sleeping City and knows the city lord's martial arts very well. According to her, the city lord's swordsmanship is impeccable and invincible. Recently, there is news that the city lord has made further progress. Your grandfather's chance of winning is very slim." Yuan Guihua sighed, "I'm just worried that grandpa will fail." The Palace Master Suyun smiled and said, "There is a bottomless sea below. Your grandfather is very good at swimming. What danger can there be?" Yuan Guihua thought about it carefully and felt that what the Palace Master Suyun said made sense, so he didn't stop him. Two days later, the sea breeze started again. Pinghu Xiayin finally got what he wanted. He was so excited that he couldn't avoid a quarrel with the Divine Eye Monk. A few days later, Pinghu Xiayin discovered that the monk Shenmu's swimming ability was far inferior to his own. Now he had something to brag about. The two of them had their own strengths and weaknesses and often argued with each other.

Since Gao Zhen committed suicide, the Fire God Palace has fallen into decline, and it is deserted. The once glorious palace has become a place for bats to live. One morning, two people came on the mountain road. They were Yin Tianlei and Qingting. After getting married, Yin Tianlei had traveled for a long time. Yin Tianlei missed the Fire God Palace, so they came here specially. Seeing the dilapidated scene, Yin Tianlei felt bad and told his wife about his growth experience and the kindness of his master. Qingting understood her husband's feelings. The two entered the Fire God Palace hand in hand. Yin Tianlei recalled the past and was filled with emotion. This time he came mainly to pay tribute to his teacher. As for Gao Zhen, there was no need. This person was not worthy of pity. Yin Tianlei brought incense, candles, and paper horses, and carefully cleaned the tablets of his master and Gao's ancestors, and burned incense solemnly. After the worship, the couple slowly left. Just as they walked out of the Fire God Palace, Yin Tianlei's heart suddenly passed through a shadow. This is the instinctive reaction of martial arts masters to danger. Several men in black suddenly appeared from all sides, watching the couple silently. Yin Tianlei shouted in a deep voice: "Who is it?" With a strange laugh, a young man in gorgeous clothes walked out slowly. Yin Tianlei blurted out: "Gao Yuan." The young man sneered and nodded: "It's rare that you still remember me." Yin Tianlei never thought that Gao Yuan would be so hostile to him, and questioned: "What do you want to do?" Gao Yuan said with a gloomy face: "Of course I want to kill you and Chang Xiao's daughter." Yin Tianlei was shocked and scolded: "Gao Yuan, don't you want to live?" Gao Yuan didn't care: "No matter how long Chang Xiao's hand is, he can't reach here." With a wave of his hand, several men in black approached. Yin Tianlei took out the lightning cone. Gao Yuan shouted: "This is the Fire God Palace. The weapons in your hands and the martial arts on your body were taught by my grandfather. You are using my grandfather's weapons and martial arts in the Fire God Palace to deal with me. How can you be worthy of my grandfather?" Yin Tianlei felt sad. Gao Zhen had already taken the wrong path. Gao Yuan didn't know how to reflect on himself and insisted on going on. How could the Gao family have such descendants? Qingting saw the danger and urged, "Tianlei, you must not show mercy to such people." Yin Tianlei immediately realized that he still had to protect his wife, so he gritted his teeth and prepared to take action. Gao Yuan did not approach, but shouted, and several men in black spread a large net and covered Yin Tianlei's head. Yin Tianlei's lightning cone struck out with great force, and the net broke immediately. A thick smoke rose up. Yin Tianlei immediately realized that the smoke was poisonous, and hurriedly retreated to the side. There was a sharp sound of breaking through the air in front of him. Yin Tianlei immediately realized that the other party had used poison needles. The situation was critical. Yin Tianlei did not think twice, and protected his whole body with the lightning cone, and the poison needles fell to the ground one after another.

Yin Tianlei's martial arts skills are very high, and he can be regarded as a master of the time. Gao Yuan was obviously prepared. After the poisonous smoke dissipated, Yin Tianlei's face changed drastically. It turned out that his wife Qingting had fallen into the hands of the other party. Gao Yuan sneered and said, "Put down your weapons and be tied up." Qingting shouted, "Tianlei, go away quickly, don't worry about me." Yin Tianlei valued affection the most. He knew that Gao Yuan had evil intentions but still couldn't abandon his wife. So he gritted his teeth and said, "Let her go, I will do whatever you want." Gao Yuan stabbed Qingting's left arm with a knife, and blood spurted out. Gao Yuan said viciously, "You are not qualified to negotiate with me." Yin Tianlei felt sorry for his wife and threw the electric cone on the ground: "If you have anything, come to me, don't hurt her." Several men in black came up and tied Yin Tianlei up. Gao Yuan laughed up to the sky and ordered people to take the couple into the Fire God Palace. Yin Tianlei didn't care about his own life or death, but he was worried about his wife. He asked Gao Yuan to let Qingting go several times. Gao Yuan gritted his teeth and said, "Chang Xiao is the great enemy of our Gao family. How can we let his daughter go?" Yin Tianlei warned, "Gao Yuan, if you hurt Qingting, the Gao family will suffer a catastrophe." Gao Yuan didn't care: "Even if Chang Xiao has all the power, he can't know. Today I want to avenge my father. Let you watch your wife being raped, and let your wife watch you being cut into pieces." Several men in black grinned and tore off Qingting's clothes, and raped her at will. Two men in black took a knife and slashed Yin Tianlei's body. The couple suffered the most cruel torture in the world and both died in the Fire God Palace. Gao Yuan knew the horror of the Never-Sleeping City. After doing this, he set fire to the bodies of the two, became invisible, and hid. There is no wall that is impenetrable. The news that Yin Tianlei and Qingting disappeared near the Fire God Palace quickly spread to the Never-Sleeping City and was transferred to Chang Xiao through special channels. Chang Xiao was furious. Someone dared to provoke the Never-Sleeping City at this time. He immediately sent people to investigate in detail. Soon he learned of the death of his daughter and Yin Tianlei. Chang Xiao rushed to the Fire God Palace and saw that only the charred bones of his beloved daughter and son-in-law were left. Chang Xiao was furious and issued an order to mobilize all forces to find the murderer at all costs. The Never-Sleeping City sent out scouts everywhere, and the whole martial arts world was shocked.

Chapter 161: Mobilizing the Army

When the news spread, all forces took action and launched an unprecedented large-scale manhunt. Everyone knew that Chang Xiao was determined to capture the murderer this time, and issued the most severe kill order. Anyone who dared to protect the murderer would be killed. For a while, the atmosphere in the martial arts world suddenly became tense. The Beggars' Sect, Lu Wenjun, Wanxiantang, the four famous families, and the green forest heroes of various mountains and villages, all gangs took action, and even the various escort agencies did not dare to neglect them. The black and white worlds took action together, and the number of people involved reached hundreds of thousands. This search method is so difficult that even an ant cannot escape. Soon, the news came back that Gao Yuan was responsible for this. Chang Xiao immediately ordered to quickly capture all men, women, old and young of the Gao family and bring them to the Fire God Palace, and to hunt down Gao Yuan and his followers with all their strength, as long as they were alive. At this time, the Nether Swordsman who lived in seclusion on the island got the news and decided to contribute. Eleven brothers rushed to the Central Plains to participate in the capture of Gao Yuan. Wu Qingyang also got the news and was extremely shocked. It was reasonable to hunt down Gao Yuan, but it was unreasonable to arrest all the Gao family members. One person should be responsible for his own actions, and his family should not be involved. If Chang Xiao really executed the Gao family, the prestige accumulated over the years would be gone. In view of the urgency of the situation, Wu Qingyang immediately set off to the Fire God Palace to persuade Chang Xiao. At this time, the Fire God Palace was full of white flags and banners. Although there were many people, they were all solemn. Chang Xiao sat alone in the middle, holding a glass of wine in his left hand and the world-famous dragon scale sword in his right hand. His face was gloomy, and many people around him did not speak. Wu Qingyang deliberately changed into plain clothes, because the two of them were close friends, there was no need for courtesy. Wu Qingyang walked straight over. Chang Xiao saw his old friend and breathed a sigh of relief: "Brother Wu is here, you're doing well." Of course Wu Qingyang couldn't say it directly, so he expressed his condolences first. Chang Xiao frowned: "Now what I'm thinking about is how to explain to the child's mother. Dragonfly is the little princess of the City That Never Sleeps. Her six wives all treat her as the apple of their eye. She has just gotten married and suffered such a tragedy. Once they find out, how can they bear it?" Wu Qingyang nodded: "My dear brother, you are very concerned. It's better to conceal such bad news for the time being." Chang Xiao gritted his teeth and said: "How can we hide this tragedy from our daughter and son-in-law? The hateful thief Gao Yuan is extremely cruel. He kills people and burns corpses. I swear I would not be a human being if I don't cut this thief into pieces." Wu Qingyang didn't expect the matter to be so serious, and he was speechless for a while.

The ancients had great respect for the dead. Both the Yin and Yang houses were inviolable. Once caught, grave robbers would surely die. Gao Yuan's killing and burning of corpses was extremely bad. No wonder Chang Xiao was so angry. After a long silence, Wu Qingyang asked, "I heard that you ordered the capture of all the old and young women and children of the Gao family. Is this true?" Hearing this, Chang Xiao immediately understood, "So Brother Wu came to plead for these people." Wu Qingyang hurriedly said, "That can't be said. I'm worried that you'll lose your composure in anger." Chang Xiao shook his head, "Brother Wu, don't say anything. This time it's not just the Gao family. Gao Yuan's followers, dozens of people, and everyone's nine clans are being hunted down." Wu Qingyang was shocked. He didn't expect this matter to involve so many people. According to this calculation, more than a thousand people might be implicated. He quickly persuaded, "Brother, don't be reckless." Chang Xiao's attitude was very firm, "This time I want to let the world know what will happen to those who offend the Never-Sleeping City." Wu Qingyang felt embarrassed. Chang Xiao's attitude was so firm that he was afraid he could do nothing. Chang Xiao sighed softly: "I understand what you mean, Brother Wu. Killing these people will make many people hate me to the core, but I can't care about that anymore. Brother Wu is a wise man, please judge for yourself. Have I ever done anything wrong to the Gao family?" Wu Qingyang was familiar with the past. To be fair, Chang Xiao did nothing wrong. It was all Gao Zhen's vanity that was at work. Chang Xiao said again: "Brother Wu should know that no matter how poor Yin Tianlei's martial arts skills are, he is more than enough to deal with Gao Yuan." Wu Qingyang nodded: "Brother is also wondering, how can Gao Yuan easily succeed with those two tricks?" Chang Xiao explained: "Three of Gao Yuan's followers have been captured. The situation at that time was that Gao Yuan first brought up Yin Tianlei's master, and then threatened my daughter. Yin Tianlei gave up resistance out of consideration for the righteousness between master and apprentice and the love between husband and wife." Wu Qingyang nodded: "So that's how it is. Gao Yuan is really despicable." Chang Xiao said bitterly: "From childhood to adulthood, I don't know how many people have told me that good will be rewarded with good, and evil will be punished with evil. Yin Tianlei is a loyal person. He has practiced martial arts for many years but has never fought with others. His requirements are not high. My daughter likes him because he has no ambition and abides by the law. But why would such a person die in the mountains?"

Wu Qingyang has a certain understanding of all the masters. Yin Tianlei is the most humble one among all the masters. If it were someone else, he would definitely fight back and would never risk his life. It is hard to believe that good deeds will be rewarded with good. Chang Xiao gritted his teeth and said, "At the beginning, I let Dingxiang and Yumianlang, the couple, go out of kindness, but it resulted in the death of my beloved wife and young son. At that time, I already doubted my attitude towards life. For the merits of Gao's ancestors and to preserve the martial arts of the Fire God Palace, although Gao Zhen always resented me, I did not pursue it. Until Gao Zhen committed suicide, I also came forward to protect his family and sent Gao Yuan to the old master Duan, but the result of doing so was the tragic death of my daughter and son-in-law. Such a painful lesson is enough to make me understand that good deeds are rewarded with good and evil deeds are punished with evil is just a lie." Wu Qingyang did not expect that this incident would cause Chang Xiao to change his mind. This person holds the most powerful force in the world. Once he abandons tradition, the consequences are difficult to predict. So he asked, "So what do you think now, brother?" Chang Xiao smiled coldly, "There is only one truth in this world, that is, the strong prey on the weak, and all truths can only be said by the strong. Those who follow me will prosper, and those who go against me will perish. If I don't take action, it's fine, but once I take action, I will never show mercy." Wu Qingyang couldn't help but shudder when he heard such words. Chang Xiao's words were full of murderous intent, and he had the momentum of a hegemon who dominated the world. Wu Qingyang immediately realized that the consequences of Gao Yuan's recklessness were far more serious than he had imagined. Chang Xiao had completely changed. The Chang Xiao who always thought about others was gone, and he was replaced by an iron-blooded and ruthless hegemon. From this point of view, this bloody killing was just the beginning, and his idea was completely wrong. Since Chang Xiao had made up his mind, it was difficult for him to persuade him. He wanted to leave, but Chang Xiao was in a bad mood and hoped that Wu Qingyang would stay and relieve his depression through talking. News came one after another that Gao Yuan and his gang were captured by the Nether Swordsman, and the families of those gang members were also being captured. Chang Xiao once again ordered to urge everyone to be taken to the Fire God Palace as soon as possible. Wu Qingyang had no choice but to sigh. During this meeting, Chang Xiao used a rhino horn cup, which means that Chang Xiao can already drink ice and fire wine, which means that Chang Xiao's internal strength has made a breakthrough. This person's martial arts has become so powerful that it is unimaginable. No one can tell what the future of the martial arts world will be like.

The Nether Swordsman was known for his swift actions, and soon Gao Yuan and his followers were taken to the Fire God Palace. After the meeting, Fang Zishou found that Chang Xiao had completely changed, and the murderous look in his eyes frightened even the Nether Swordsman, who had killed countless people, of the Netherworld. Chang Xiao ordered that they be interrogated separately, and must ask for all the details of the murder of Yin Tianlei and his wife. Soon, they sorted out the details, and learned that his daughter and Yin Tianlei died so miserably. Chang Xiao gritted his teeth and said that the blood debt must be paid with blood, and Gao Yuan and his followers must pay a hundred times and a thousand times the price for their actions. At this time, Gao Yuan had completely lost his prestige, and he was limp like a ball of mud. Chang Xiao said coldly: "Gao Yuan, everyone in the world knows that if you hit someone, you should defend yourself. Since you have the courage to kill my daughter and son-in-law, you should think about the consequences today. I want you to watch your relatives die tragically in front of you." After being captured, Gao Yuan wanted to commit suicide several times, but Fang Zishou took precautions in advance and failed. Now even if he wanted to die comfortably, it has become a luxury. Chang Xiao ordered people to prepare for the funeral, and he left the Fire God Palace and went to Wuyi Mountain to pick up his six wives. His mind was like a mess. What should he say to his wives? Can Princess Yueying bear such a blow? It is impossible to conceal it. As a mother, she has the right to know such a big thing. The closer she gets to Wuyi Mountain, the more hesitant she becomes. For the first time since she debuted in the martial arts world, Chang Xiao felt that it was difficult to take a step. Princess Yueying never thought that such a thing would happen. The Never-Sleeping City is in its heyday, and her son-in-law Yin Tianlei is a superb martial artist. There will be no danger. She is still thinking about arranging everything for her daughter and son-in-law. After Chang Xiao entered the cave, he felt heavy-hearted. Jade Butterfly was the first to see it and asked, "What happened?" Chang Xiao whispered the bad news to Jade Butterfly. Jade Butterfly was stunned for a while, and tears suddenly burst out. Dragonfly is the apple of Princess Yueying's eye and the apple of everyone's eye. Yin Tianlei has also helped her a lot and can be regarded as a close friend. Jade Butterfly was extremely sad when she heard that the two had died. Chang Xiao originally planned to let Yu Hudie tell Princess Yueying the bad news, but now Yu Hudie is so sad, he has to do this difficult task by himself. Princess Yueying and Hanmei sisters came to check when they heard the crying, and Chang Xiao had no choice but to tell the truth.

Since Princess Huaying passed away, Princess Yueying has been with her daughter Qingting. Qingting is her spiritual support. When she got married, Princess Yueying was reluctant to let her go and had cried several times behind her back. Now she heard that her daughter and son-in-law had met with misfortune, and she was so grief-stricken that she fainted. Chang Xiao rushed to rescue her. After a long while, Princess Yueying barely caught her breath, her eyes were dull, and her mind was blank. The Hanmei sisters also loved Qingting very much. They cried when they heard the bad news. Faced with such a scene, Chang Xiao was at a loss. This super strong man who roamed the world could not comfort his mother who had lost her beloved flesh and blood. It would be fine if Princess Yueying cried, but now she is more worried. Hanmei asked, "Has the murderer been caught?" Chang Xiao nodded, "All the murderers and their families have been captured." Hanmei gritted her teeth and said, "I want to take out the murderer's heart and liver with my own hands." Chang Xiao nodded. The most critical thing at the moment is Princess Yueying. Obviously, this mother can't stand such a blow and is in a state of disarray. Although Chang Xiao was a martial arts master, he had no good solution. He had to arrange for his six wives to leave Wuyi Mountain and rush to the Fire God Palace. Princess Yueying remained silent, and no matter how he persuaded her, it was useless. Chang Xiao first went to see a doctor for treatment. The doctor said that it was due to excessive grief and phlegm blocking the heart. He prescribed medicine, but Princess Yueying couldn't drink it at all. Seeing this, Chang Xiao understood that if Princess Yueying knew that her daughter and son-in-law's bodies were destroyed and only a pile of dry bones were left, she would never recover. So he issued an order to ask Fang Zishou to find a master craftsman to make statues of his daughter and Yin Tianlei, pretending to be corpses, so that Princess Yueying would not be able to bear the blow. Fang Zishou immediately started to work. Time was tight, and he found a master craftsman as quickly as possible to carefully make the statue. Wu Qingyang stayed in the Fire God Palace. He felt pity for so many innocent lives in front of him, and was even more worried about the future of the world. He was powerless and had to drown his sorrows in wine.

The statue was going smoothly. When it was about to be completed, a group of people came to the Fire God Palace. It turned out to be a group of boys and girls led by Shenmu Bhikkhu. After learning that Chang Xiao had issued a kill order, Shenmu Bhikkhu no longer had the heart to play and invited everyone to the Fire God Palace. The Jiantong brothers were of course concerned. The Lord of Suyun Palace also wanted to come to mourn. When Pinghu Xiayin heard about this, he decided to meet the Lord of the Never-Sleeping City, who was respected as the leader of the martial arts world, so he brought his granddaughter Yuan Guihua along. On the way, they learned that the murderer had been caught and the family members of the participants were also being escorted. The group changed into plain clothes. Shenmu Bhikkhu knew that this incident was too much of a blow to Chang Xiao, and something might happen, so he hurried on his way. When the group arrived, Chang Xiao had not returned yet, and only Wu Qingyang was taking care of everything. The monk Shenmu hurriedly asked for details. Wu Qingyang sighed and said, "Senior, Gao Yuan has caused too much trouble this time." The monk Shenmu frowned and said, "What's going on? Is Chang Xiao really going to execute so many people?" Wu Qingyang smiled bitterly and said, "These people are dead, and the terrible things are still to come." The monk Shenmu was shocked and said, "How can it be so serious?" Wu Qingyang described Chang Xiao's changes in detail. The monk Shenmu realized the seriousness of the situation and said in embarrassment, "This guy is anxious and no one can stop him." Knowing that Yin Tianlei and his wife were tortured to death, the Jiantong brothers were filled with anger and were ready to pay blood debts with blood. The killing order alarmed many people. All masters were ready to come to the Fire God Palace to mourn, and Wu Qingyang received them all. While they were busy, two figures came flying. The person in front was Duan Xiyun. Because of the long journey, it was too late to get the news. He traveled day and night and arrived at this time. At this time, the mourning hall had been arranged. Duan Xiyun walked into the mourning hall quickly. When he saw Yin Tianlei's name on the tablet, he screamed and fell to the ground. Duan Xiyun and Yin Tianlei transformed into two crystal elders to play in the Jianghu. They spent every day together and had a very deep relationship. How could they not be sad now that they were separated forever? Nie Sanniang was shocked and rushed to treat him. Fortunately, the monk Shenmu had experience and pressed several acupoints, and Duan Xiyun finally woke up.

After a long busy time, Duan Xiyun finally cried out: "Brother, we have been together for many years, and now we have to part forever. How can I not be heartbroken?" The past flashed in his mind, his true feelings were revealed, and his tears flowed like a spring. The people around him burst into tears. After crying for a long time, Duan Xiyun suddenly jumped up and shouted: "Where is the murderer? I want to take his heart and liver to sacrifice to my brother's spirit in heaven." Wu Qingyang persuaded: "The city lord has not arrived yet, don't do it for the time being. Tianlei and his wife died miserably. It was too easy for him to kill Gao Yuan with one knife." Duan Xiyun didn't know the details. After asking, his teeth clenched and he said angrily: "Blood debt must be repaid with blood. Even if the Gao family is crushed to ashes, it will not be able to eliminate the hatred in my heart." Wu Qingyang secretly groaned in his heart. Chang Xiao has completely changed. Duan Xiyun in front of him is also murderous. The power of hatred is really terrible. After settling down with great difficulty, Chang Xiao finally came with his six wives. Seeing Chang Xiao's gloomy eyes, everyone felt cold in their hearts. This martial arts leader had completely changed. When the monk Shenmu saw Princess Yueying's appearance, he hurried to help her. Princess Yueying burst into tears, and Chang Xiao finally felt better. Although Princess Yueying cried, she was still a little confused. When she saw Yingtao, she shouted, "Child, mother is here, come quickly." The monk Shenmu understood that Princess Yueying missed her daughter so much that she had hallucinations, so he discussed with the Lord of Suyun Palace and asked Yingtao to temporarily comfort Princess Yueying. The Lord of Suyun Palace gave a few instructions, and Yingtao approached Princess Yueying carefully. Princess Yueying picked up Yingtao and refused to let go, muttering, "Good child, don't be afraid, I'm not afraid of anything with my mother here." Chang Xiao hurriedly arranged the funeral. The perpetrators led by Gao Yuan knelt in front, and the families of these people were behind. The sky was overcast, the mountain wind was howling, and there was murderous aura everywhere. Gao Yuan never dreamed that his momentary pleasure would have such serious consequences. It was too late to regret now. His family had no chance of survival. The Fire God Palace and his family would suffer a devastating disaster.

Chapter 162: Blood Debt Repaid with Blood

This incident caused a sensation in the martial arts world, because Chang Xiao had helped many people before, and with the influence of the City That Never Sleeps, many people came to mourn. Everyone noticed the change in Chang Xiao. When Princess Huaying and her son were killed, although Chang Xiao was furious, he did not implicate other people. Now he has captured so many people at once, which shows the determination of this martial arts leader. Wu Qingyang is chivalrous and can't bear to see so many people die. He always wants to save one or two. Among the guests, the one who has the closest relationship with Chang Xiao is the Dragon King of the South China Sea. Wu Qingyang went to the Dragon King of the South China Sea to discuss. The old Dragon King pondered for a moment and shook his head: "I'm afraid I can't do anything about this matter. Princess Yueying grew up in the South China Sea. She is the apple of my old wife's eye. Dragonfly is even regarded as a jewel in the palm. Now Dragonfly has died tragically and Princess Yueying has become like this. I can't bear the blow. I fainted several times, and I didn't dare to let her come. If I plead for these people, my old wife will be the first one to not forgive me." Wu Qingyang understands the old Dragon King The old dragon king was quite sure: "Only Duan Qingxiao, no one else's words will work." Wu Qingyang said in embarrassment: "The old sect master didn't come, what should I do?" The old dragon king pondered: "The old sect master should come for such a big thing. If he can't come in time, you can ask the monk Shenmu to delay it." Wu Qingyang asked: "Is Master Baekje not okay?" The old dragon king shook his head: "Master Baekje is not in the Central Plains, even if he comes, he can't persuade him. Chang Xiao has changed, and his ideas are completely different from before." Wu Qingyang naturally knew that he could only ask the monk Shenmu to come forward. Although the monk Shenmu was playful, he also understood the priorities. He couldn't bear to see so many people die, so he promised to think of a way. Seeing Chang Xiao's expression, Duan Xiyun and the sword boy brothers gritting their teeth, Princess Yueying was confused, and the five ladies were heartbroken. The words of pleading could not be said anyway. Pinghu Xiayin understood from the moment he saw Chang Xiao that this man was too powerful. Although he had studied swordsmanship for most of his life, he had never killed anyone. If he fought against Chang Xiao, he would not be able to resist the murderous aura that soared into the sky. It seemed that what Shenmu Bhikkhu said was correct. This man was indeed a true leader in the martial arts world.

Wu Qingyang was anxious. If Duan Qingxiao hadn't come, so many people would have died here. From then on, many people would surely resent the Never-Sleeping City. The Never-Sleeping City was so powerful, and who knew how many people would have died. Just as he was getting anxious, he suddenly saw two figures flying over. From their movements, he could tell that their martial arts were extraordinary. Looking closely, he saw that the person in front was Duan Qingxiao, and the one behind was Wu Mu Zhenjun. Wu Qingyang hurriedly went to meet them. Duan Qingxiao was Wu Qingyang's father, so there was no need to be polite. He asked, "How did you create such a big mess?" Wu Qingyang sighed and recounted the whole story. Duan Qingxiao stomped his feet and said, "I've long seen that Gao Yuan has bad intentions. He accepted him reluctantly for Chang Xiao's sake, and didn't teach him the swordsmanship at all. I didn't expect that he would still cause such a big disaster." Wu Qingyang said, "The most important thing at the moment is how to dissuade Chang Xiao and let those people's families go." Duan Qingxiao understood the seriousness of the situation, nodded and agreed, "I'll do my best. I dare not say whether it can be accomplished or not." Wu Qingyang was stunned: "The old master's words are not effective?" Duan Qingxiao sighed lightly: "Since the decisive battle, I have completely put aside everything, and my swordsmanship has not made any progress. If Chang Xiao's martial arts have not improved, my words will definitely work. If his martial arts are further improved, my words may not work." Hearing this, Wu Qingyang's heart suddenly sank. Judging from the trip to the Paradise Palace and the ice and fire wine, Chang Xiao has made a breakthrough. It seems that Duan Qingxiao may not be able to persuade him. In any case, we have to give it a try. Duan Qingxiao and Wu Mu Zhenjun walked into the mourning hall. Chang Xiao saw Duan Qingxiao coming in and hurriedly got up to greet him. Duan Qingxiao comforted him a few words, and the two went outside hand in hand and sat down. Wu Qingyang sat with him, ready to find an opportunity to persuade him. Duan Qingxiao sighed, "Brother, you took care of the Gao family with good intentions, but you met with such a tragedy. I am sad to hear about it." Chang Xiao said bitterly, "The responsibility for this matter is entirely my own. If I had not taken care of Gao Zhen at the beginning and let him fend for himself, there would not have been any later events." Duan Qingxiao was quite emotional, "It is sad and lamentable that such a good intention was rewarded with such bad results." Wu Qingyang looked at Duan Qingxiao. Duan Qingxiao certainly understood, but he could not act too hastily. He first asked about martial arts. Chang Xiao did not hide the truth, "To be honest with the old master, it was originally very difficult to make progress. Some time ago, I happened to get an ancient painting and comprehended a fantastic sword technique."

Very few people knew about this, and Wu Qingyang was just guessing, but now it has finally been confirmed. Duan Qingxiao understood that it was too difficult for Chang Xiao to improve his martial arts. Although he said it lightly, the process must be quite tortuous, and the power of this sword technique must be beyond imagination. If it were in the past, Duan Qingxiao would definitely ask in detail and learn this fantastic sword technique. Now the situation is different, and the ideas are different, so Duan Qingxiao mentioned the current situation: "According to Gao Yuan's actions, it is not excessive to die ten times, but one person should be held responsible for his own actions, there is no need to implicate so many people, right?" Chang Xiao shook his head: "Old Sect Master, there is no need to say anything, I have made up my mind, I know many people are dissatisfied, but I have my reasons." Duan Qingxiao hurriedly asked, Chang Xiao sorted out his thoughts and said slowly: "What crime should a civilian be punished for killing a royal princess?" Duan Qingxiao answered without hesitation: "Lingchi death, extermination of the nine clans." Chang Xiao nodded: "That's right, my daughter was tortured and her body was burned, what should be done if it was a royal princess?" Duan Qingxiao was speechless, and Wu Qingyang had nothing to say. Chang Xiao continued: "The royal family can do this, why can't I? Is it because my strength is not as good as it?" The strength of the Never-Sleeping City is well known in the martial arts world. After the incident with Coral, everyone is more aware of the power of the Never-Sleeping City. Chang Xiao said bitterly: "Although I have a strong power, I have never changed my original intention, and I have never bullied the weak. It is because of my weakness that today's tragedy has occurred. In order to comfort my daughter and son-in-law and prevent similar things from happening again, I have to establish my authority." Duan Qingxiao and Wu Qingyang looked at each other. Chang Xiao's words were not without reason. If ordinary people offended the royal family, they would be exterminated. No one said it was wrong. Chang Xiao's martial arts were superb, and there were many masters in the Never-Sleeping City. His power was so strong that the imperial court could not compare. He had every reason to do so. The so-called golden branches and jade leaves were also flesh and blood, and there was no difference between them and ordinary people, except that they were born in the imperial family. The biggest reason for everyone's recognition was strength. The emperor was rich and could kill and give life at will. And Chang Xiao obviously had such power, and it was understandable that he implicated many people for revenge.

Duan Qingxiao had nothing to say. Wu Qingyang shook his head repeatedly. Chang Xiao said bitterly, "There are gods above our heads. Those who do good go to heaven, and those who do evil go to hell. Where are the so-called gods? Where are heaven and hell? I have been deceived by these illusory things for most of my life, and it's time to wake up. Which king in history has killed fewer people? Which famous general doesn't have blood on his hands? Aren't they still praised and worshipped by people? From now on, I will really live for myself. How others evaluate me is their business." Duan Qingxiao praised, "Brother, you are absolutely right. The world belongs to the strong. If I had understood this truth earlier, it would have been great." Wu Qingyang finally understood Chang Xiao's true thoughts, and there was nothing to say. Chang Xiao said proudly, "As long as no one defeats me, I will not change." The order was immediately issued, and the executioner began to execute the sentence. The sound of wailing rang out. Wu Qingyang really couldn't bear it, but Duan Qingxiao and Chang Xiao turned a deaf ear to it and drank opposite each other. As countless heads fell, Gao Yuan and his gang were tortured and died. The funeral officially began. After the burial, the monks and Taoists performed rituals to help the dead souls to rest in peace. The guests left one after another. Everyone else was easy to talk to, but Princess Yueying refused to admit the fact that her daughter had died. She stubbornly believed that Yingtao was her daughter. Chang Xiao had no choice but to discuss with Palace Master Suyun. If it weren't for the matter of Longyunpu, Palace Master Suyun would not be willing to give up her daughter. Now her thoughts have changed a little. Chang Xiao has done a great favor to the Nie family, and his daughter will not suffer if she stays with Princess Yueying, so she agreed. Duan Xiyun no longer had the heart to play, so Palace Master Suyun naturally cared about it and asked her daughter to take Duan Xiyun to Yinxian Palace to live for a while and slowly adjust her mood. Nie Sanniang took the order and said goodbye to everyone with Duan Xiyun and returned to Yinxian Palace. Monk Shenmu was still preparing to go to Penglai to wait for the mirage, and advised Chang Xiao to be more open-minded. Chang Xiao said, "The grandfather and grandson who came with you are somewhat peculiar. Now they are entangled in family affairs and cannot spare any effort. Please pay more attention to them." Monk Shenmu nodded and said, "That old monkey is not simple. I heard from girl Suyun that he is from the lineage of Danqiu Sheng. His swordsmanship is unique and he has defeated me." Chang Xiao pondered for a moment and said, "That old man is still too competitive and his swordsmanship is flawed. The person behind him is the real master."

Hearing this, Monk Shenmu was quite surprised. He had been with Pinghu Xiayin for many days but had not felt it. It was incredible that Chang Xiao could judge the old man's flaws and the master behind him in a short time. So he asked for details, and Chang Xiao explained: "Master Lingjiu mentioned to me that the descendants of the sword-controlling technique are subject to extremely strict constraints, and their behavior is slightly different from that of ordinary people, so I know the depth of this person. This old man is about seven years old, and people who practice this kind of swordsmanship must live a long life, so I infer that his master is still alive." Monk Shenmu raised his thumb and said: "Great, I have never been convinced by anyone since my master ascended to heaven, but this time I really admire you." After the funeral, various people said goodbye. For Princess Yueying, Chang Xiao temporarily returned to the Never-Sleeping City. The sword boy brothers knew that Chang Xiao was in a bad mood and prepared to go with him. Fang Zishou dissuaded him, saying that only the closest friends could ease Chang Xiao's mood at this time, and others could do nothing. Therefore, the sword boy brothers still went with Monk Shenmu and went to Penglai to relax together. Pinghu Xiayin has reached the level of obsession with flying, so of course he is unwilling to leave. After this incident, everyone understands that Chang Xiao's temperament has changed. The former enthusiastic and kind-hearted person has become an iron-blooded and ruthless overlord of the rivers and lakes. No one can tell what will happen in the rivers and lakes in the future. Chang Xiao returned to the Never-Sleeping City. He felt bad when he saw the appearance of Princess Yueying. His wife couldn't bear the blow and deceived herself. When will this situation be resolved? Although Yu Hudie is the closest person, she is not the most intimate friend. It is difficult to relieve the depression in her heart. She had to go to the mourning hall of Zuixia Taoist to drink alone and speak out her heart. Doing so is nothing but deceiving oneself. Zuixia Taoist has passed away for a long time. How can he relieve Chang Xiao's depression? Fortunately, there is still Huo Longju to accompany him. Only in front of Huo Longju can Chang Xiao put aside everything, become a flesh-and-blood person, and completely release everything that is suppressed in his heart. Huo Longju obviously understands Chang Xiao's feelings. His big agate eyes are full of understanding and comfort. Chang Xiao cried bitterly and finally felt better.

Monk Shenmu led a group of people to Penglai. When they saw the brutal killing in the Fire God Palace, everyone was in a bad mood. Long Yunpu had been following the Suyun Palace Master, and only now did he have the opportunity to express his own opinion: "The Lord of the Never-Sleeping City is so scary. When I saw him, I even lost the courage to draw my sword. It's a pity that I didn't challenge him." The sword boy explained: "The city lord was not like this before. He was very kind to others, and only when facing a strong enemy would he make people afraid. Now that his beloved daughter has died, his temperament has changed." Pinghu Xiayin had a similar feeling to Long Yunpu, and said to the Divine Eye Monk: "It's a pity that I didn't challenge him. Once we fought, I couldn't stand the murderous aura." The Divine Eye Monk sighed lightly: "Although that guy was stronger than me before, he was not much stronger. Only after this meeting did I realize that his cultivation has reached a terrifying level." Pinghu Xiayin asked: "How do you know if you haven't fought with him?" The Divine Eye Monk curled his lips: "It's all because of you, old monkey? Even though he has something on his mind, he saw through you as soon as you showed up." Pinghu Xiayin was shocked: "How is that possible?" The Divine Eye Monk explained: "Before leaving, he asked me to keep an eye on you, and also said that your shortcoming is that your anger is not calmed down. You keep Competitive. In addition, he also saw that your master is still alive, and there will be a chance to learn from him in the future." Pinghu Xiayin opened his mouth wide for a long time, and after a while he murmured: "Too terrible, too terrible." Yuan Guihua was also surprised: "No wonder he is respected as the leader of the martial arts world, he is really unfathomable." Shenmu Bhikkhu asked: "Old monkey, is your master still alive?" It was very impolite to ask such a question. After getting along for a long time, Pinghu Xiayin already knew Shenmu Bhikkhu's temper, and didn't take it to heart. He nodded and replied: "My master is indeed He has lived in seclusion in the mountains for eight years. I haven't visited him for eight years." Palace Master Suyun interrupted: "What is the material of Master's Panlong Sword?" Pinghu Xiayin nodded: "Only an expert can ask this question. My master's Panlong Sword is made of gold." Palace Master Suyun was delighted: "That's great. It is recorded in the ancestral precepts that those who use the golden Panlong Sword are at least half-immortal and can do everything." Long Yunpu scratched his head and said: "I don't think so. The city lord is too scary. No one can beat him." The sword boy brothers agreed.

Pinghu Xiayin worships his master as a god and of course refuses to admit that he is not as good as Chang Xiao. Palace Master Suyun also believes that Pinghu Xiayin's master can definitely defeat Chang Xiao. The group is divided into two opinions, each with their own reasons, and no one can convince anyone else, and the argument continues. Monk Shenmu shouted, "Stop it, can't we just let them fight each other later?" Palace Master Suyun sighed, "It's not that easy. The Lord of Nevernight City is busy with family affairs, and Princess Yueying won't be able to recover in the short term." Pinghu Xiayin nodded, "My master has ordered that I must not be summoned or disturbed." Monk Shenmu disagreed, "Everything depends on human effort. Go find your master right away and tell him that Chang Xiao is arrogant and thinks he is the best in the world." Pinghu Xiayin frowned and said, "How can I deceive my master? Besides, even if Chang Xiao claims to be the best, my master would never come out for such a reason." Monk Shenmu smiled, "Everyone who practices martial arts has this problem. As long as you exaggerate Chang Xiao's skills, your master will definitely be interested." Long Yunpu interrupted, "It would be easy if your master liked playing chess." Hearing this, Pinghu Xiayin's eyes lit up, "I got it. My chess skills were taught by my master. When he was passing on the art, my master kept telling me about it." "My chess skills are good enough to sweep across the Central Plains, so I call myself the chess king. Now that I have lost to Long Jingtian, my master's words have been discounted. In addition, my master also said that my swordsmanship has been perfected and I can completely dominate the martial arts world. Now the Lord of the Never-Night City is obviously ahead by a large margin, and my master's words have been wrong. These two things combined, my master will definitely come out of the mountain." The monk Shenmu was overjoyed: "Then what are you waiting for, go and invite your master." Pinghu Xiayin said in embarrassment: "Even if my master comes out of the mountain, the Lord of the Never-Night City is busy and may not have time to fight." The monk Shenmu has his own opinion: "Otherwise, the best way to resolve sadness and relieve emotions is to divert attention. Chang Xiao will definitely not let go of such a master in the world. Maybe he will feel better after the fight." The Lord of Suyun Palace nodded: "This makes sense." Pinghu Xiayin said: "That won't work. I still want to fly a few more times. I won't leave if I'm not satisfied with flying."

Chapter 163: Master and Disciple Shared Addiction

Monk Shenmu was playful and playful, and Pinghu Xiayin was no less so, otherwise they would not have traveled back and forth just to play chess. No matter what everyone said, Pinghu Xiayin refused to leave, and there was no other way, so everyone had to meet Pinghu Xiayin's request. Monk Shenmu wanted to see what level of swordsmanship Pinghu Xiayin's master had reached, and also wanted to know what would happen if this man fought with Chang Xiao. For these two reasons, he made a concession for the first time. Pinghu Xiayin was quite proud and played to his heart's content, and only left after he had enough fun. Yuan Guihua couldn't go, so he stayed in Penglai. Pinghu Xiayin's skinny donkey looked inconspicuous, but it ran fast and was good at walking in the mountains. Pinghu Xiayin left Penglai and soon entered the territory of Henan, heading straight for the outer mountains. True masters and hermits often live in seclusion in deep mountains and swamps, where few people go. Pinghu Xiayin's master was no exception. His residence was extremely secret, and no one except Pinghu Xiayin knew about it. When he left the mountain, his master said that he was not allowed to disturb him for less than ten years. Now that he had an excuse, he still had to make some preparations. Master liked to play chess, and Pinghu Xiayin specially sorted out the chess records of Long Jingtian's games with himself and his granddaughter Yuan Guihua. Seeing these, perhaps the master would not blame him. After entering the deep mountains, it was quiet all around. After eight years, the plants and trees had changed a lot. Pinghu Xiayin searched carefully and finally found the entrance. Master's cultivation was unfathomable, and he would be discovered as soon as he showed his head. He must not be reckless. Observing from the gap, the valley was still the same, with peach blossoms in full bloom and streams gurgling, but there was no sign of the master. Pinghu Xiayin settled the skinny donkey and quietly entered the valley. He had lived here since he was a child. After eight years, he revisited the old place and felt a warm feeling in his heart. Anyway, the master would definitely know, so there was no need to hide it. Pinghu Xiayin calculated that this time should be the time for the master to study the chess records, so he went directly to the chess room. Hearing a hearty laugh from afar, Pinghu Xiayin felt amused. His master was playing chess with his friends. This was the best. With outsiders present, he would not blame himself too much. When he came to the outside of the chess room, the two people playing the game came into view. A tall, thin and vigorous old man sat in the guest seat, and the master of Pinghu Xiayin, Tianlaizi, sat in the main seat. If Pinghu Xiayin's appearance was similar to that of an ape, then Tianlaizi was simply an ape wearing human clothes.

The chess game was at a critical moment. The two players were so focused on the chessboard that they had no time to notice the arrival of Pinghu Xiayin. Pinghu Xiayin was also a chess master. He could see at a glance that his master Tianlaizi had an advantage in the field, while his opponent was trying to make a big change to muddy the waters in order to win in the chaos. Pinghu Xiayin knew that his master Tianlaizi's chess moves were ethereal and agile, and his changes were natural, so he would definitely win. As expected, Tianlaizi took advantage of the victory and won a big victory. At the end of the chess game, the old man who played against Tianlaizi smiled bitterly and said, "What a great Panlong move. I admit defeat." Tianlaizi was quite proud: "Your chess is already very good, better than my apprentice." The old man turned around, and Pinghu Xiayin approached him to salute. The old man smiled and nodded: "I call myself the Thin Bamboo Hermit." Pinghu Xiayin was amused. This name was not wrong. He was indeed very thin. Tianlaizi frowned and scolded, "Who asked you to come back?" Pinghu Xiayin quickly apologized, "Disciple has not forgotten Master's instructions. I really had no choice." Tianlaizi nodded, "Tell me about it. If the reason is not sufficient, I will punish you." Pinghu Xiayin explained, "Master once said that my chess skills can dominate the Central Plains. I listened to Master's words and called myself the chess king. I didn't expect to meet a master and be defeated." Tianlaizi frowned, "How is it possible?" Pinghu Xiayin smiled bitterly and said, "Not only that, Master once said that my swordsmanship is invincible in the world, and I thought so too. Who knew that a master appeared in the Central Plains, who is recognized by all schools and sects as the leader of the martial arts world, called the Lord of the Never-Sleeping City, the martial arts master..." His martial arts skills are so strong that they are unbelievable." Tianlaizi asked, "Did you lose to him?" Pinghu Xiayin sighed, "My disciple is incompetent. We didn't fight." Tianlaizi said angrily, "How do you know that your martial arts skills are inferior to his without fighting?" Shouzhu Jushi smiled and said, "Why are you in such a hurry? Let your disciple finish what he is saying." Tianlaizi nodded slightly, "Go on." Pinghu Xiayin explained, "My disciple once fought against the famous Kunlun monk Shenmu. Relying on the swordsmanship of his master, he had a slight advantage. But Shenmu Biqiu asserted that my disciple's swordsmanship was not qualified to challenge the Lord of the Never-Sleeping City." Tianlaizi sneered, "What qualifications does Shenmu Biqiu have to comment on your swordsmanship?" Pinghu Xiayin didn't know how to answer, and Shouzhu Jushi advised, "Why are you so anxious?"

Tianlaizi was born with a monkey-like appearance and a similar temper. He kept silent after hearing what Shouzhu Jushi said. Pinghu Xiayin then continued, "Of course I would not believe the words of the monk Shenmu. Later, by chance, I met the Lord of the City That Never Sleeps. My feeling is that the Lord of the City That Never Sleeps is so domineering that he doesn't seem like a flesh-and-blood person at all. He seems like an evil spirit in a temple." Tianlaizi knew his disciple very well and it was impossible for him to make it up out of thin air. Scratching his head and thinking, he murmured, "How is it possible?" Shouzhu Jushi smiled and said, "You master and disciple The two seem to be made from the same mold. There are always talented people in every generation. What's so strange about that?" Tianlaizi still couldn't understand: "Who can reach such a level?" Pinghu Xiayin was naturally prepared and continued: "My disciple has learned about the life of the Lord of the Never-Night City. This person has never received any guidance from a master. The foundation of his martial arts is the ordinary Liuhe swordsmanship." Tianlaizi was even more puzzled. Shouzhu Jushi put forward his own opinion: "I have heard Master Baekje talk about this person. Your disciple is right. The Lord of the Never-Night City has a simple nature and is willing to eat. Hard work, today's achievements are entirely the result of personal efforts. Your disciple's swordsmanship may not be inferior, but it is mainly because he cannot withstand the murderous aura of the Lord of the Never-Night City. Although your disciple's swordsmanship is profound, he rarely fights with others, let alone kills anyone. Facing the experienced and murderous Lord of the Never-Night City, he is naturally at a disadvantage. "Tian Laizi shook his head: "The sword is the will of heaven, and heaven is merciful. Since the Lord of the Never-Night City has killed countless people, he must be abandoned by heaven. Facing the Panlong Sword, he should be the weak one. "Shouzhu Jushi smiled and said: "Heaven is merciful, this saying is true It is wrong, but you misunderstood it. In addition to humans, there are birds and beasts in this world, and all kinds of creatures. Humans are just one of them. In the eyes of God, there is no distinction between high and low. Didn't your ancestors also clearly order the descendants not to use swordsmanship to harm all kinds of creatures? "Tian Laizi nodded: "Of course I know, but I don't understand why the Lord of the Never-Sleeping City has no shadow in his heart after killing countless people." Shouzhu Jushi said calmly: "Will a tiger have a shadow in its heart when it kills a deer and a goat?" Tianlaizi seemed to understand: "I seem to understand a little bit."

Mr. Shouzhu was not very concerned about the martial arts competition, but was very interested in chess. He quickly changed the topic. Pinghu Xiayin presented the chess manual. Mr. Shouzhu pondered over it carefully, clapped his hands and exclaimed, "Good chess, really great." Tianlaizi also became interested: "Bring it here and let me see it." Mr. Shouzhu refused: "You and your apprentice continue to study the Lord of the City That Never Sleeps. I'll look at the chess manual first." If Mr. Shouzhu didn't care about the chess manual, Tianlaizi wouldn't care. But now that Mr. Shouzhu was so concerned about it, Tianlaizi couldn't sit still anymore. He reached out to grab it. Mr. Shouzhu held the chess manual in his right hand, and made a plum blossom shape with his left hand. He pointed at the air a few times, and Tianlaizi could hardly get close to him. Pinghu Xiayin praised, "Good move." Tianlaizi glared at him, "How dare you make fun of the master." He raised his hand to hit him, but Shouzhu Jushi laughed, "If you want to hit me, then hit me. Don't expect me to persuade you. If you want to take advantage of the opportunity to steal the chess record, no way." Tianlaizi really thought so, but was seen through by Shouzhu Jushi. He felt embarrassed and said sternly, "I can't help hitting you this time." Pinghu Xiayin hurriedly said, "Master, wait a minute, I have something else to tell you. That monk with divine eyes can actually fly into the sky with the help of the wind." Tianlaizi laughed, "Even if you don't want to be beaten, you don't need such a ridiculous reason. Flying into the sky, did you take the dream as real?" Pinghu Xiayin explained, "No, my brother... "Tianlaizi was exaggerating, but it was true. Monk Shenmu often rode a specially made big kite and flew to the sky with the help of the sea breeze. To be honest with you, I have learned the trick and successfully flew to the sky." Tianlaizi turned around and asked, "Shouzhugan, what do you think?" Shouzhu Lay Buddhist pondered for a moment and nodded, "It is possible. Everyone has the dream of flying. It is entirely possible to succeed with the help of strong wind. But it is extremely dangerous, and very few people dare to try it." Tianlaizi jumped up and said, "Why didn't you tell me about such a fun thing earlier? Take me to see it." Pinghu Xiayin didn't expect that Long Jingtian's chess skills and the martial arts of the Lord of the Never-Sleeping City did not impress the master, but the game had a miraculous effect. Shouzhu Lay Buddhist was most concerned about the chess game and stopped him, saying, "Wait, tell me where the person playing chess is first." Pinghu Xiayin smiled and said, "It is Long Jingtian, the current governor of Jiaozhou, who was personally named the champion of Yilin by the emperor."

Upon learning that his apprentice had flown to the sky on a kite, Tianlaizi could no longer sit still and was about to leave. Shouzhu Lay Buddhist was going to Jiaozhou to compete with Long Jingtian in chess. The three of them left the valley together. Tianlaizi was quite anxious and urged them to hurry up. Shouzhu Lay Buddhist took the road to Jiaozhou, and Pinghu Xiayin accompanied the master to Penglai. On the way, Pinghu Xiayin first told the master about the temper of the Shenmu monk to avoid unpleasantness. Tianlaizi didn't care. In fact, his temper was similar. Soon they arrived in Penglai and saw the kite in the air from a distance. Tianlaizi found that there was indeed someone under the kite. He was extremely excited and ran straight to the big ship, leaving Pinghu Xiayin far behind. The Shenmu monk was playing in the sky. The boat was headed by Suyun Palace Master and the old ancestor. Tianlaizi rushed onto the boat rashly and asked everyone he saw: "Where is the kite?" Suyun Palace Master felt strange and couldn't help laughing when he came out. Tianlaizi was just like a monkey. Tianlaizi asked, "What's so funny? Where is the kite?" Suyun Palace Master asked back, "Why did the old man come to the boat? You should tell your name when you visit a friend." Tianlaizi curled his lips and said, "What friend am I visiting? I'm here to find the kite. Give it to me." Suyun Palace Master had seen that this old man was not simple, and smiled and persuaded him, "Don't be impatient, old man. It's not that easy to fly a kite to the sky." Tianlaizi was anxious and urged, "Give me the kite quickly, nothing will happen." Suyun Palace Master saw that Tianlaizi was impatient, so she simply gave him a kite to let him suffer a little. Tianlaizi was very happy to get the kite, and immediately came to the bow of the boat, flew up into the sea breeze, but because he didn't know the trick, he fell down quickly. Tianlaizi's martial arts were naturally not comparable to Pinghu Xiayin's. Seeing the kite falling into the sea, Tianlaizi threw the kite on the sea, tapped his toes lightly, and waved his sleeves to generate a powerful thrust. With the help of the wind, he glided on the sea for a while, safely came to the side of the boat, and returned to the boat. Not a single spot on his clothes was wet, and Palace Master Suyun was shocked.

Pinghu Xiayin used a kite, and if he made a mistake, it would fall into the sea. The person in front of him was obviously more skilled. Pinghu Xiayin had already gained the upper hand in the fight with Shenmu Bhikkhu. What should this old man do? Tianlaizi was anxious and destroyed a kite. He felt a little embarrassed and scratched his head and said, "It turns out that it is not easy to fly into the sky. Tell me what to do so that I won't fall down." Suyun Palace Master shook his head: "I haven't tried it either. I can only wait for them to come down." Tianlaizi scratched his head and was very anxious. At this time, Pinghu Xiayin arrived and explained to Suyun Palace Master. Suyun Palace Master was amused. This Tianlaizi was really strange. Pinghu Xiayin knew that his master was anxious, so he wanted to give some pointers, but Tianlaizi glared at him and said, "You are so brave! Does my master still need you to teach you? You are asking for a fight." Pinghu Xiayin had to step back. Yuan Guihua came over to pay her respects. Tianlaizi nodded and said, "Good girl, you are much better than your grandfather." Palace Master Suyun ordered people to entertain the guests, but Tianlaizi's whole mind was on the kite. After waiting for a long time, no one came down from the kite. He could not bear it any longer, so he jumped to the bow and shouted, "Bhikkhu Shenmu, come down quickly." His voice was like a bronze bell, and it could be heard for miles. Monk Shenmu was having fun. Hearing this voice, he immediately realized that this person's internal strength was extremely superb, so he called the sword boy brothers to return. After a while, they landed lightly on the bow. Tianlaizi was extremely envious, and his eyes were almost spitting fire. Monk Shenmu clapped his hands and laughed, "Another old monkey has come. It's really interesting." Tianlaizi was eager to fly, and he didn't care. He couldn't wait to ask: "Tell me how to fly to the sky." The more anxious the other party was, the more calm Monk Shenmu was. He frowned and said: "Why should I tell you?" Tianlaizi was stunned. Monk Shenmu's words did make sense. Why should he help him? Pinghu Xiayin hurriedly tried to smooth things over. Monk Shenmu certainly couldn't miss the good opportunity and put forward his own conditions: "Give your master a kite, tell him the trick, it's all fine, but there are conditions." Tianlaizi immediately jumped over: "What conditions?" Monk Shenmu was proud: "I want you to fight with the guy in the city that never sleeps."

Tianlaizi came out of the mountain just for fun. Now that Shenmu Bhikkhu put forward the conditions, Tianlaizi did not hesitate: "I agree. A fight is nothing. Tell me quickly." Shenmu Bhikkhu knew that Tianlaizi would not regret it, so he started to tell him. Tianlaizi kept it in mind and immediately came to the bow. Shenmu Bhikkhu demonstrated it twice, and Tianlaizi shouted: "I learned it." He picked up the kite and tried it, but the expectation and reality did not go together, and he still did not succeed. Tianlaizi had no choice but to calm down and experience it himself. With the help of Jiantong and others, he finally flew into the air. This senior master experienced the wonderful taste and was extremely excited. He danced in the air, and the kite lost control and fell down. This time it flew high and was difficult to control. It fell into the sea and was extremely embarrassed. Shenmu Bhikkhu clapped his hands and laughed: "You learn so quickly. You have learned this trick." Tianlaizi then realized that Shenmu Bhikkhu often did such tricks to scare people. After many attempts, Tianlaizi finally mastered the trick and successfully flew into the blue sky. He was so happy that he couldn't express it in words. He kept cheering like a child. The Jiantong brothers found it funny. Shenmu Bhikkhu was ready to promote a duel between Tianlaizi and Chang Xiao, but Tianlaizi became addicted to flying after tasting the taste of flying. He refused to leave no matter what. His addiction was even greater than Pinghu Xiayin's. No one could persuade him. It was true that there must be a master for every disciple. At this time, Chang Xiao still stayed in the Never-Sleeping City. After experiencing such a big change, Chang Xiao had to keep his emotions stable and comfort his wife, and he had to pay close attention to the movements of people from all sides. He had executed so many people at once, and the views of the people in the martial arts world on the Never-Sleeping City must have changed a lot. Although he had his own reasons, many people did not agree. According to various sources, many people's attitudes towards the Never-Sleeping City had changed. Today, Chang Xiao no longer cares about other people's opinions. It is impossible to get the support of all the people in the martial arts world, just like the civil and military officials in the court each have their own secrets. No matter what she thought in her heart, as long as she didn't go against the City That Never Sleeps, it was enough. Princess Yueying remained the same, treating Cherry as her own daughter, caring for her in every possible way, and refusing to face reality no matter what others said.

Chapter 164: The Battle of Yilin

The thin bamboo hermit soon arrived in Jiaozhou, and the government office was naturally easy to find. The thin bamboo hermit was not in a hurry to meet Long Jingtian. He first observed the people's sentiments in Jiaozhou, and learned about Long Jingtian's character and the people's evaluation of the prefect from all aspects. After a few days, he had a rough outline in his mind. This Long Jingtian was very talented and was a first-class figure today. With a score in mind, the thin bamboo hermit turned his attention to the chess game. First, he looked at the chess in the chess room in the city, searched for all the chess records of Long Jingtian's games, and understood the changes in Long Jingtian's chess path. After he had a certain degree of confidence, he reported his name and waited to play against Long Jingtian. Long Jingtian's rules remained unchanged. Because Cheng Lanruo was there, many chess players were eliminated and were not qualified to play against Long Jingtian. The thin bamboo hermit naturally passed the test easily and was able to enter the government office two days later. Long Jingtian had a high opinion of the thin bamboo hermit. After looking at him, he determined that this person had a clear bone structure and deep eyes, and was a wise man. Shouzhu Layman also had a good impression of Long Jingtian. He was young, knowledgeable and talented, and was indeed a rare talent. The two played chess. After a few moves, Long Jingtian felt that the old man's chess moves were delicate and exquisite, leaving no flaws. Shouzhu Layman often played chess with Tianlaizi. Tianlaizi was impatient and made moves very quickly. Once the opponent took a long time to think, he would laugh at him. Therefore, Shouzhu Layman developed a habit of making moves quickly, and Long Jingtian responded calmly. After two hours, neither side made a mistake, and the situation was a draw. Cheng Lanruo admired Shouzhu Layman's chess moves very much. So far, Shouzhu Layman is the only chess player who is on par with Long Jingtian. At the end of the game, Mr. Shouzhu praised: "The prefect's chess skills are indeed superb. I admire you." Long Jingtian said calmly: "It's just a game, don't take it seriously." Mr. Shouzhu sighed lightly: "If the prefect put aside government affairs, I would have lost long ago." Long Jingtian shook his head: "Otherwise, both sides are focused during the game. Winning or losing is a reflection of one's chess ability." Mr. Shouzhu shook his head: "If you didn't become a prefect, but lived in seclusion in the mountains, your chess skills would definitely improve. But it is difficult for me to make progress. The prefect is still ahead." Cheng Lanruo found it strange. Most of the other chess players were resentful of Long Jingtian's title of chess champion. This old man was obviously on par with Long Jingtian, but he admitted that he was inferior to him. It was really puzzling.

Because Long Jingtian had to deal with official business, Shouzhu said goodbye and left the government office, and agreed to play again tomorrow. Back at the inn, Shouzhu thought about the chess game carefully, and felt that Long Jingtian seemed to have something on his mind, and was a little absent-minded during this game. As for the reason, it was unclear, and we could only wait until tomorrow. Long Jingtian handled his official business as usual. In the afternoon, Mr. Shouzhu came as agreed. After sitting opposite each other, Mr. Shouzhu said, "When studying the chess record yesterday, I felt that the prefect had some unsolvable problem. If not, I would not have been able to take advantage." Long Jingtian nodded, "The old gentleman is really smart. He can tell from the chessboard that I have something on my mind." Mr. Shouzhu smiled and said, "I am just guessing. If the prefect has not resolved his worry, we should not play chess today." Long Jingtian nodded, "Well, the old gentleman is definitely not an ordinary man. Let's go to the pavilion and talk." Because they didn't want to play chess anymore, Cheng Lanruo said goodbye and went to the chess room. Long Jingtian asked Mr. Shouzhu to go to the pavilion in the garden. Someone brought tea and they sat down opposite each other. Mr. Shouzhu said, "The prefect is knowledgeable and talented. There should be nothing that cannot be solved." Long Jingtian shook his head, "The old sir is wrong. If I were to live in seclusion in the mountains, there would be nothing to worry about. Now that I am an official, I must consider the court and the people." Mr. Shouzhu expressed his understanding, "Tell me what difficulties you have. Perhaps I can help." Long Jingtian smiled bitterly, "You can talk about it, but I don't need to help." Mr. Shouzhu heard from Long Jingtian's words that Long Jingtian thought he could not help, so he stated, "Although I live in seclusion, I have made many friends. Simple." Long Jingtian explained: "Long knows the old gentleman's ability and has no intention of despising him, but this matter is indeed difficult. Recently, a major event happened in Zhongtiao Mountain, which shocked the country and shocked the government and the public." Shouzhu asked: "What happened?" Long Jingtian sighed: "Now it has been found out that Gao Yuan, the heir of the Fire God Palace, used despicable means to avenge his father and killed the daughter and son-in-law of the Lord of the Never-Night City, Yin Tianlei. The Lord of the Never-Night City was furious and mobilized various forces to capture the murderer. All the people involved and their relatives were captured and executed. The total number is close to two thousand."

Mr. Shouzhu had heard of Chang Xiao, but he didn't know what happened recently, because Tianlaizi was impatient, Pinghu Xiayin didn't have time to tell the details. Now he was surprised to hear about it, and nodded: "It is indeed a hot potato." Long Jingtian continued: "Long has met the Lord of the Never-Sleeping City once. From the outside, this person is meticulous, calm and capable. He always plans before taking action. In addition, this person has a warm heart and is quite tolerant." Mr. Shouzhu was puzzled: "How can such a person kill innocent people?" Long Jingtian sighed: "According to Long's inference, the death of his daughter and son-in-law changed the Lord of the Never-Sleeping City's concept. Since the day he stepped into the world of martial arts, the Lord of the Never-Sleeping City has always been diligent and self-motivated, and has the purpose of promoting the younger generation. Although he has gone through many twists and turns, he still does not change his original intention. There are many people in the world of martial arts who have received his help, so he said As soon as he gave the order, countless people from the martial arts world would work for him. "Master Shouzhu nodded: "I know a little about this man's life, and what the prefect said is right." Long Jingtian was worried: "This man has already mastered the most powerful force in the martial arts world and has become a true leader in the martial arts world. I was quite fortunate. With him in the martial arts world, it would be impossible for people from the martial arts world to stir up trouble and become enemies of the court. I didn't expect such a thing to happen. Zhongtiao Mountain executed more than a thousand people at a time. The court could not sit idly by. The power of the Never-Sleeping City is so strong, and the city lord's martial arts are all-powerful. Who has the ability to solve it?" After hearing the reason, Master Shouzhu also felt embarrassed. He had no ability to solve this matter. No wonder Long Jingtian was embarrassed. After pondering for a moment, he asked, "What does the court mean?" Long Jingtian smiled bitterly, "Prime Minister Zheng has thrown this hot potato to King Wuling who is in charge of Jiangnan. I believe King Wuling is also in trouble." Shouzhu Hermit nodded, "Even thousands of troops cannot do anything to the City That Never Sleeps. Apart from anything else, the Nether Swordsman alone is enough to give people a headache. Since this matter has been handed over to King Wuling, why should the prefect spend more effort?" Long Jingtian said seriously, "If this matter is not handled well, the government and the people, even local officials, will lose confidence in the court and shake the foundation of the country." Shouzhu Hermit understood and sighed, "The prefect's heart of worrying about the country and the people can be seen by the sky. I believe that the matter will be resolved satisfactorily."

Although the two met for the first time, they already regarded each other as close friends, which is the so-called mutual appreciation. The thin bamboo hermit thought for a moment and said: "As far as I know, although the martial arts of the Lord of the Never-Night City are profound, he may not be invincible. If someone can defeat him, there will be room for maneuver." Long Jingtian shook his head: "Otherwise, the Lord of the Never-Night City got a mysterious picture. If he comprehends the martial arts in the picture, no one in the world can defeat him." The thin bamboo hermit was stunned: "What picture?" Long Jingtian could not reveal this secret, so he only described it roughly from the side. The thin bamboo hermit was quite surprised. According to this, Tianlaizi's chance of winning was not great. Long Jingtian smiled and said: "Old sir, don't worry too much. The current Prime Minister Zheng Gong is devoted to the country. The court and the people only follow his lead. As long as the court is not in chaos, the people will not suffer. King Wuling is both wise and brave, and he should be able to handle it properly." The thin bamboo hermit smiled and said: "In this case, why should the prefect be so worried?" The two smiled at each other, and all the things disappeared in an instant. When they played again, Long Jingtian's chess style changed drastically, and he became more aggressive and steady. Shouzhu felt extremely stressed and responded carefully. Under Long Jingtian's fierce attack, he finally failed to hold on. Although his moves were correct, he had already lost the game, so he had to resign and admit defeat. At the end of the chess game, Mr. Shouzhu praised: "The prefect's chess is really good, comparable to that of my monkey friend." Long Jingtian asked: "What monkey?" Mr. Shouzhu smiled and said: "It's not a monkey, it's a friend of mine. We often joke together. Because he looks like an ape, I call him monkey and he calls me thin bamboo pole." Long Jingtian also found it funny, and then asked: "According to this, the chess skills of the old gentleman's friend are more wonderful?" Mr. Shouzhu nodded: "In terms of chess strength, I don't think I am inferior to him, but he has a trick called Panlong Miaoshou. People only know about it as Wulong Waving Tail. In fact, it is just the simplest variation of Panlong Miaoshou." Long Jingtian was quite surprised: "What is the most profound trick of Panlong Miaoshou?" Mr. Shouzhu sighed lightly: "To be honest, although we have played against each other many times, I have never seen the most exquisite finishing touch of Panlong Miaoshou. I can only blame myself for my lack of chess strength."

Since receiving the ancient book from the Lord of Haoyue Palace, Long Jingtian's chess skills have greatly improved and he is invincible. Suddenly, he heard about Panlong Miaoshou and wanted to see it, so he asked quickly. Shouzhu Jushi smiled and said, "My friend looks like a monkey and has a similar temper. He likes to play and has a disciple who once played against the prefect." Long Jingtian immediately thought of the old man who claimed to be the chess king and nodded, "So that's it." Shouzhu Jushi explained, "Now he has come out of the mountain. Although he is addicted to playing, he will play against the prefect once he comes to his senses. In addition, he will also fight against the Lord of the Never-Sleeping City." Long Jingtian wanted to see the power of Panlong Miaoshou and asked, "How can I divert the attention of the old gentleman's friends?" Shouzhu Jushi pondered for a moment and smiled, "I got it." After speaking his mind, Long Jingtian couldn't help but smile and nodded in agreement. He immediately made arrangements and prepared to play against Tianlaizi. At this time, Tianlaizi was having fun and forgot everything. He refused to rest as long as there was wind. Monk Shenmu didn't want to accompany him, so he asked the sword boy brothers to inquire about Chang Xiao's recent situation and prepare to promote this competition. It was a calm day, and everyone gathered in Penglai Pavilion to drink and chat. Tianlaizi was absent-minded and waited for the wind to pick up so that he could fly up to the sky and continue playing. Monk Shenmu accidentally discovered that there were two people playing chess in the pavilion on the side of Penglai Pavilion. He immediately became interested and jumped up and ran over. Pinghu Xiayin also noticed it, but didn't take it to heart. It was normal for people to play chess. Not long after, Monk Shenmu came back, and Qintong asked, "Why don't you watch the game, senior? Is it because those two people are not very good at chess?" Monk Shenmu shook his head: "It's not that their chess skills are not good, but that they are too good. I can't understand it at all." Pinghu Xiayin's heart moved, and Long Yunpu watched carefully with his hands on the pergola, and smiled: "Isn't that my second uncle? The dignified top scholar in the chess world must be very powerful." Pinghu Xiayin glanced at him, was surprised, turned around and said: "Master, it is indeed Long Jingtian, and the opponent is your chess friend." Tianlaizi was stunned: "Thin Bamboo Pole, why is he here?" Hearing that two masters were playing chess, Tianlaizi could not sit still and flew to watch the game.

Obviously, the thin bamboo hermit wanted to tease Tianlaizi. Seeing that the plan was successful, the two players understood each other and ignored Tianlaizi. Tianlaizi didn't even look at anyone. He stared at the chessboard as soon as he entered the pavilion. Long Jingtian and the thin bamboo hermit had an agreement. In order to make Tianlaizi anxious, he had to win quickly. The thin bamboo hermit deliberately exposed the flaws, and Long Jingtian pursued and attacked relentlessly, gaining an absolute advantage. Tianlaizi was anxious, but there were rules for watching chess, and he could not speak casually. After waiting for the end of the game, Tianlaizi complained: "I say, thin bamboo pole, why are you so stupid and lose so badly." The thin bamboo hermit laughed: "What does winning or losing have to do with you? I am willing to lose, it is none of your business." Tianlaizi pointed to the chessboard: "When he entered, you ignored him, turned around and grabbed his corner, at least you can save five points." The thin bamboo hermit disagreed: "Don't make trouble, go play kite." Tianlaizi refused to leave: "You are my friend, and I am ashamed to lose to a young man." The thin bamboo hermit laughed: "It's not shameful to lose to the champion of the chess forest who was personally appointed by the emperor. You should leave quickly and don't disturb us playing chess." Tianlaizi just refused to leave and stayed to watch the chess. Long Jingtian was amused and continued to play chess with the thin bamboo hermit. This time, the thin bamboo hermit lost even more miserably. Tianlaizi was so anxious that he scratched his ears and cheeks, and he was itchy, but there was nothing he could do. After the game was over, Tianlaizi started to complain again. Shouzhujushi changed his face and said, "It's windy, go play with a kite." Tianlaizi shouted, "You can't, let me do it." Shouzhujushi refused of course: "Don't you want to play with a kite? Don't disturb us playing chess." Tianlaizi has this temper. If you ask him to play chess, he will put on airs and make things difficult for you. If you don't let him play chess, he will rush to play chess. Seeing that the plan was successful, Shouzhujushi grasped the timing and agreed to Tianlaizi's request. Tianlaizi was happy and couldn't wait to sit down. After guessing the first move, he urged Long Jingtian to make a move. Long Jingtian knew that this opponent was not trivial, so he carefully laid out his plan. Tianlaizi was a little anxious at the beginning, but after dozens of moves, he realized that Long Jingtian's chess skills were great, so he didn't dare to be careless anymore. He responded carefully, and the two chess masters started a wonderful game.

Long Jingtian's layout was steady, while Tianlaizi's chess moves were flexible and varied. In the middle game, the black and white pieces were entangled, and even a master like Shouzhu Jushi could not see the situation clearly. Pinghu Xiayin was of course concerned about the chess game, and came to watch it specially, cautiously, for fear of disturbing the thinking of the two players. Long Jingtian was very well prepared, and Tianlaizi was also confident. They met a match, and the chess game was varied and exciting. Soon it was the critical moment, Tianlaizi triumphantly cast a piece, and Shouzhu Jushi and Pinghu Xiayin did not understand it, but Long Jingtian frowned and thought hard for a long time. Tianlaizi was confident and thought he had a sure win. Long Jingtian considered for a long time and took out his own response. Tianlaizi's face changed and responded immediately. Long Jingtian continued to cast a piece, and the chess game entered the final stage. After a fierce fight, the gap between the two sides was very small, and in the end, Long Jingtian was half a point behind. Tianlaizi raised his thumb and said: "Excellent! It is rare to achieve such a good result under my Panlong Master." Long Jingtian smiled and said: "Your chess skills are indeed profound. Panlong Master is really hard to beat." Tianlaizi admired Long Jingtian's chess skills very much and praised him endlessly. However, Long Jingtian disagreed: "I heard that the most profound skill of Panlong Master is the finishing touch. It's a pity that I can't learn it today." Tianlaizi smiled and said: "From my master to now, it has been nearly a hundred years, and no one has been able to see the finishing touch of the dragon. "Long Jingtian was quite confident: "I believe it won't be long before I can break your moves. Then can I see the finishing touch?" Tianlaizi pondered for a moment and nodded: "If you can easily break my chess moves, the finishing touch will definitely appear." Long Jingtian nodded: "I'll be here again in three months, and we'll fight again." Tianlaizi agreed: "No problem, I also hope someone can break through Panlong's wonderful moves." Long Jingtian stood up and said goodbye, and did not go to see Long Yunpu, and left. Tianlaizi came back to his senses, turned around and saw that Shenmu Bhikkhu had led the Jiantong brothers to fly into the sky, and immediately jumped up and shouted: "Too late, too late." Ru ran away, and Pinghu Xiayin followed closely behind.

Chapter 165: Unique Martial Arts

Monk Shouzhu studied the chess game carefully and gained a lot. Tianlaizi and his apprentice flew up to the sky one after another, but Monk Shenmu came down and landed directly near the pavilion. Monk Shouzhu was immersed in the chess game and didn't pay attention. Monk Shenmu was not polite and called out, "Shouzhugan, I have something to ask you." Monk Shouzhu turned around and smiled, "This must be the famous Monk Shenmu?" Monk Shenmu was quite proud, "It's me. What do you think?" Monk Shouzhu asked, "What do you want to talk to me about?" Monk Shenmu got straight to the point, "I want the old monkey's master to fight the guy from the Never-Sleeping City. He has agreed. I know the guy from the Never-Sleeping City is very powerful, but I'm not sure about the old monkey's master, so I came to you to ask." Monk Shouzhu nodded, " So that's how it is. Tianlaizi's swordsmanship has reached the peak, enough to dominate the world. I originally thought that no one in the world could resist him, but Long Jingtian said that the Lord of Never Night City had a chance to win, so I think it's a draw. "Shenmu Bhikkhu asked: "Is the swordsmanship of the old monkey's master really that powerful?" Shouzhu Layman was quite sure: "When the Panlong Sword came out, ghosts cried and gods were shocked. Even if the Lord of Never Night City had superb swordsmanship, it would be difficult to win." Shenmu Bhikkhu nodded: "That's easy. It will be good to see them fight." Shouzhu Layman was also looking forward to it and decided to stay in Penglai to wait for news. Shenmu Bhikkhu has been paying attention to Chang Xiao. It is not so easy to promote this competition. In the past, Chang Xiao would not miss such a thing when he heard about it. Now the situation is different. First of all, Chang Xiao's trip to the Paradise Palace caused Danyangzi to die, which was a blow. Then the death of his daughter and son-in-law completely changed Chang Xiao's mind, and his martial arts also changed. Although it was difficult, Shenmu Bhikkhu never considered the consequences when doing things. He immediately wrote a letter to Chang Xiao, deliberately exaggerating Tianlaizi's swordsmanship. The letter reached the Never-Sleeping City. After reading it, Chang Xiao understood that this Tianlaizi had mastered the essence of Tang Dynasty swordsmanship and was a rare master. Because of Princess Yueying, Chang Xiao had already considered the little girl Yingtao as his daughter, and his five wives had also accepted her. The family was relatively peaceful. After reading the letter, Chang Xiao immediately decided to meet Tianlaizi, so he settled his wife and made a special trip to Penglai. The Fire Dragon Horse ran at lightning speed and soon arrived in Penglai. Chang Xiao warned himself that he must be more careful this time.

As soon as Chang Xiao arrived, he naturally became the focus. When Shouzhu Lay Buddhist saw Huolongju, he praised him highly, but when he saw Chang Xiao, he had nothing to say. Although this person was flesh and blood, he didn't look like a human no matter how he looked at it. Tianlaizi didn't care. If the opponent was not strong enough, it would be meaningless to fight. When they first met, Chang Xiao had already realized that Tianlaizi was extraordinary. This person had completely jumped out of the world and was truly detached from the world. Tianlaizi felt strange. Chang Xiao looked like he had a lot of worldly ties. How could he be a leader and become the leader of the martial arts world? Shenmu Bhikkhu regarded himself as the master, and Longyunpu didn't want to miss this competition. Everyone sat together. Shouzhu Lay Buddhist had never paid much attention to Suyun Palace Master, but only felt that something was unusual after this meeting. Palace Master Suyun was a little surprised. Master Shouzhu looked at her in a strange way. When asked, Master Shouzhu explained: "Palace Master is blessed by nature. From her appearance to her manners and even her voice, she is full of maternal love. She has a strong appeal to people who lack maternal love." Chang Xiao then understood why he felt a sense of familiarity when he first met Palace Master Suyun, and why Long Yunpu was obsessed with her. He couldn't help but look at Master Shouzhu with new eyes. This person is indeed extraordinary. Tianlaizi had already promised Monk Shenmu, so he was naturally concerned about his opponent in the duel and asked, "Is the foundation of your martial arts really the Liuhe Sword Technique?" Chang Xiao nodded, "Yes." Tianlaizi asked again, "How many people have you killed since you entered the martial arts world?" Chang Xiao smiled and shook his head, "I can't remember. There were thousands of people in the battle of the City That Never Sleeps alone." Tianlaizi was quite surprised, "Don't you have any guilt in your heart?" Chang Xiao was quite calm, "Everyone has to pay the price for their actions. When in the martial arts world, you must first recognize your position. If you don't overestimate your own abilities, you will inevitably suffer the consequences. A goat provoked a tiger and was killed. What is there to complain about? How can the tiger feel guilty?" Tianlaizi looked at Mr. Shouzhu and thought to himself: You got it right again. Chang Xiao said frankly: "To be honest, I have killed quite a few people, but every time it was others who provoked me first. I have never imposed my will on others." Nie Jiuniang interrupted: "We in the Hidden Immortal Palace have not offended you. Why are you tracking me? And making the whole family uneasy?" Chang Xiao smiled and said: "The trip to the Hidden Immortal Palace is purely for the purpose of learning martial arts. I believe you know what the consequences will be if I really provoked you." Nie Jiuniang was speechless. What Chang Xiao said was right. If Chang Xiao had deliberately provoked her, the Hidden Immortal Palace would probably have ceased to exist long ago.

Through observation, Chang Xiao also has his own opinion on Tianlaizi: "This senior obviously has never killed anyone. It is true that God has the virtue of loving life, but there is another saying that killing evil people is a good thought. In other words, getting rid of the most vicious criminals is also doing good, which shows that killing and doing good are not completely contradictory. If I encounter a robber who kills people like crazy, and I am unwilling to kill him and let him go, then if this robber commits a crime again, wouldn't it be that I am using the robber to kill people? This is not doing good but doing evil. Of course, if you have great wisdom and great supernatural powers, you can influence others. It would be best if the robber put down his butcher knife and sincerely repented, but I don't have this ability, so I can only kill this robber. "Tian Laizi sighed lightly: "I also understand this truth. In fact, there are only one person with great supernatural powers in ten thousand, which is too rare." Chang Xiao nodded: "I am just an ordinary person, and I can only behave according to my own standards. Although the paths taken by the senior and I are different, the realms we have reached are very similar." Tian Laizi has learned from the simple conversation that he has no advantage in this confrontation. This opponent is indeed powerful to a terrifying degree. Despite this, Tian Laizi does not lack confidence. In fact, the swordsmanship passed down from generation to generation has never been defeated, and this time is no exception. Monk Shenmu noticed the wine that Chang Xiao drank, jumped up and asked, "Where did you get your Ice and Fiery Wine?" Chang Xiao was a little surprised and replied casually, "What's wrong with it being given to me by a friend?" Monk Shenmu said hatefully, "It must be Xiao Wu. He is so disobedient. I will teach him a lesson later." Chang Xiao asked, "Why?" Monk Shenmu expressed his thoughts, and Chang Xiao couldn't help laughing and explained, "The Ice and Fiery Wine was not leaked by Brother Wu. We met by chance at Mount Tai. Brother Wu's friend treated him with Fiery Wine, so he gave me some." Monk Shenmu was still dissatisfied and muttered, "The best wine also belongs to you. How annoying." Tianlaizi had never heard of Ice and Fiery Wine. When asked, he smiled and said, "Thin Bamboo, you have nothing to brag about now, right? Your wine can't compare to ours." It turned out that in addition to playing chess, Thin Bamboo also had a hobby of mixing cocktails. He blended fine wines of different ages and qualities together to form a unique flavor, and often boasted that the wine he mixed was unparalleled in the world. Hearing this, he smiled bitterly and said, "The Ice and Fire Wine has been lost for many years. Who knew it would appear?"

After chatting, everyone was looking forward to the duel between the two masters. Tianlaizi was impatient. Seeing the full moon rising outside, he put down his wine glass and shouted, "If you want to fight, do it early. I have to fly a few more times tomorrow." He floated out. Chang Xiao smiled and said, "This senior is really impatient." Then he followed. The others chose a good position to watch. Because both sides were extremely skilled in martial arts, no one dared to get close. Tianlaizi saw Chang Xiao coming up, reached out and took out a golden pill, only the size of a walnut, and gave a light shout. He shook his hand and the golden pill unfolded. It turned out to be a golden sword, only one finger wide and extremely thin. Chang Xiao nodded: "So there really is such a sword technique in the world. It's worth the trip." Tianlaizi gathered himself and flew up. The golden sword drew a cold light and shot towards Chang Xiao's face like a swimming dragon. This kind of sword is hard and soft, and it is difficult to control freely. Those who can use it are all outstanding masters. Chang Xiao was naturally prepared. The dragon scale sword was unsheathed, and it was the first to arrive. In the blink of an eye, it had reached Tianlaizi's chest. Tianlaizi shouted "good", and his figure flew up diagonally like catkins, and the golden sword shook open, and the golden snake danced wildly in an instant. Since the opponent's swordsmanship was amazing, Chang Xiao didn't need to be polite. The precious sword shot out a dazzling light, like mercury leaking out of the ground, penetrating every hole. The two of them attacked quickly and skillfully. The spectators only saw countless golden lights and a ball of silver light colliding fiercely, and couldn't see where the two were. Because Tianlaizi was impatient, his sword moves became faster and faster. Naturally, Chang Xiao was unwilling to be outdone and attacked with attack. In less than half an hour, Tianlaizi shouted loudly: "A flying light, pouring down half a lake of bright moon." He jumped up, and the golden sword light turned into a long rainbow and fell down. The sword energy was crisscrossed, the light was dazzling, and the sword tip broke through the air, and it even made a muffled thunder sound. Obviously, this attack must be earth-shattering and indestructible. Chang Xiao's response was beyond everyone's expectation. He just heard Chang Xiao chanting: "Green sleeves are cold, the morning breeze blows thousands of miles across the mountains." Before he finished speaking, his sword technique changed, and in full view of everyone, the Dragon Scale Sword suddenly disappeared. Tianlaizi felt as if a breeze blew past, and his powerful offensive collapsed in an instant under the breeze. The two of them retreated, and Tianlaizi asked: "What kind of sword technique is this?" Chang Xiao smiled: "This is not a sword technique, but a sword technique."

As soon as these words were spoken, not only Tian Laizi, but all the people watching the fight found it incredible that Chang Xiao actually used the dragon scale sword to perform swordsmanship, and the power was so astonishing. Tianlaizi then asked, "Where did you get the Quanzhen Sect's unique skills?" Chang Xiao was a little surprised. He didn't expect that the other party actually knew the swordsmanship he was performing. There was no need to hide this matter, so he answered readily, "I once practiced martial arts with a Quanzhen Sect master, and I learned this move from his swordsmanship." Tianlaizi praised, "It's amazing, but your sword move left a gap, it seems that there is another move hidden." Chang Xiao nodded, "Yes, this move can be used against the enemy alone, or in conjunction with others. That gap is left for another move. The stream is long, the bridge is broken, and the sun is setting as the boat returns." Tianlaizi thought for a moment and sighed, "If this set of swordsmanship is used up, I have no choice but to admit defeat." Chang Xiao smiled and explained, "At present, the people of Quanzhen Sect have not yet realized this level." Tianlaizi was of course unwilling to give up, and asked, "If faced with this set of swordsmanship, do you have any way to crack it?" Chang Xiao shook his head, "I can't crack it. At most, we will perish together." Tianlaizi was surprised, "How will you fight back?" Chang Xiao smiled but did not answer. Tianlaizi sighed softly: "It seems that it is impossible to hide my skills today. I didn't expect that the swordsmanship that has been buried for many years would have a chance to reappear in the world." Chang Xiao knew that the swordsmanship that the other party was about to display must be extraordinary, and he was a little hesitant. Both sides displayed powerful martial arts at the same time, and neither could stop. Danyangzi died in such a situation. Tianlaizi's swordsmanship was even more advanced, and the result of the duel was likely to be a loss for both sides. At this time, an old friend flashed in his mind, that is, Zuixia Taoist, the number one swordsman in the world. So far, Chang Xiao still believes that this master is a real warrior. When Chang Xiao thought of this, he was no longer worried. As long as he could appreciate the amazing martial arts, victory or defeat didn't matter? Life or death didn't matter?

The two masters were not in a hurry to attack this time, standing there quietly, like a rock. The spectators were concentrating, afraid of missing the details, such an opportunity was too rare. The bright moon moved slowly, and the two masters in confrontation did not move at all, as if they were integrated with the earth. In everyone's impression, Chang Xiao was the most patient, and Tianlaizi should be the first to attack. Unexpectedly, the first person to attack this time was Chang Xiao. It was clear under the moonlight. Chang Xiao smiled in the moonlight, stretched his body gently, and looked quite lazy. Tianlaizi's expression was also very abnormal, as if he had just woken up from a deep sleep. Following Chang Xiao's movements, Tianlaizi chanted loudly: "A thousand mountains in the afternoon, an arrow in the window shade." Golden light shot out, as dazzling as a meteor. Obviously, the two sides were far away, but they were at the same place in an instant. A thunderous sound broke out in the flat ground, sparks flew, and the light was brilliant. No one could see where the two people fighting were. Such martial arts were unheard of and unseen, and all the spectators were shocked. The light faded, and there was no trace of the two sides. Everyone felt strange and looked around. The monk Shenmu raised his hand and pointed: "They fought up there." Everyone looked up and saw a golden light and a silver light shuttled back and forth in the air, like a meteor. The Lord of Suyun Palace was surprised and said: "Tianlaizi's swordsmanship has surpassed our family's sword-controlling skills. It's not surprising that he can move freely. What kind of martial arts can the Lord of the Never-Night City have to compete with him? It's impossible to stay so long with the electric shuttle." Everyone felt strange. Tianlaizi used his top swordsmanship, but he couldn't do anything to his opponent. What was even more surprising was that Chang Xiao could actually stay in the air, and the swordsmanship he showed above couldn't be used at all. The sword-controlling skills can only stay for a short time, and the time cannot last, so Tianlaizi had to put away the sword and let it fall. Chang Xiao then landed on the ground. Tianlaizi asked, "What martial arts are you using?" Chang Xiao smiled and said, "It's not martial arts, it's just a piece of clothing." Tianlaizi was very surprised. Chang Xiao shook his arms, and wings suddenly appeared behind him, like a bat. Tianlaizi was extremely surprised.

When the monk Shenmu saw the bat coat, he immediately became interested and shouted, "What kind of clothes are so interesting? Come and show me." Chang Xiao slapped his forehead and said, "I can't afford to offend this senior. I'm leaving." The lightning shuttle shot out, and his figure jumped up, unfolded the bat coat in the air, and disappeared into the night in an instant. The monk Shenmu knew that he couldn't catch up, and said angrily, "I will catch you sooner or later." Everyone wanted to know the result of this battle. Chang Xiao left and could only ask Tianlaizi. Tianlaizi sighed lightly, "This Lord of the Never-Sleeping City is really worthy of his reputation. He actually saw my sword momentum, seized the upper hand, and suppressed me everywhere. It's also a pity that if both of us use our moves completely, there will be only one result." The sword boy asked, "What result?" The thin bamboo hermit smiled and said, "Both sides will be injured, even the immortal martial arts will be useless." The sword boy nodded, and was very envious of Tianlaizi's swordsmanship. Tianlaizi sighed: "I lost this battle." Pinghu Xiayin was puzzled: "It was obviously a tie, why did the master admit defeat?" Tianlaizi shook his head: "My swordsmanship has been passed down in an orderly manner. After being tempered by the ancestors of the past generations, I have been favored by the predecessors, which is equivalent to getting a treasure. The Lord of the Never-Night City relies entirely on his own accumulation, down-to-earth, and bit by bit of effort. From this perspective, I lost." Shenmu Bhikkhu didn't care about winning or losing, and his mind turned to the bat coat. This coat is much more interesting than a kite, and he must find a way to get it. Discussing countermeasures with everyone, Jiantong said: "If the city lord doesn't want to show up, no one can find it, and we can make it ourselves." Shenmu Bhikkhu shook his head: "How do you know that the bat coat is different from the kite, and it is more difficult to control. It is impossible to succeed without the ghost swordsman's fleeting body movement." Jiantong smiled and said: "We brothers have learned it." Shenmu Bhikkhu reprimanded: "Your two tricks are not good at all, only if you find that guy." Everyone looked at each other, it was too difficult to change Chang Xiao's mind.

Chapter 166: Making Use of Corrupt Officials

After seeing the bat coat, Monk Shenmu became less interested in kites. He was thinking about how to get the bat coat and the glimpse of light. This body technique was passed down from the Nether Swordsman. The four sword brothers only learned 20% to 30% and were unable to control the bat coat. In addition, there is the sword control technique. Chang Xiao used the electric shuttle and the bat coat to achieve surprisingly good results. Tianlaizi advised that it was too difficult to integrate these unique skills into one body, but Monk Shenmu was unwilling to give up and would not listen to anyone. So everyone took a rest and flew into the sky with kites after dawn. Seeing others having fun, Monk Shenmu felt itchy and flew into the sky with everyone, temporarily putting the bat coat aside. Master Shouzhu was still thinking about Long Jingtian. Could this man crack Panlong Miaoshou? Tianlaizi also had a high opinion of Long Jingtian. If Panlong Miaoshou was really cracked, then his proud swordsmanship and chess skills would be discounted. After meeting Chang Xiao, Shouzhu Jushi has determined that this person's martial arts are the culmination of all schools, and he has reached the peak of excellence. In addition, this person also controls a powerful force, and the status of the Never-Sleeping City in the martial arts world is indestructible. From all aspects, it is almost impossible to defeat this person. It should be a good thing for such a person to appear in the martial arts world. If the swordsmanship passed down by Tianlaizi has never been able to compete, it can only mean that the later generations are not as good as the previous ones. Long Jingtian's chess skills are also worthy of praise. It would be best if he could crack Panlong Miaoshou. Only with breakthroughs can there be progress. This competition also touched Long Yunpu a lot. Compared with Chang Xiao, what are these two tricks worth? I used to think that Chang Xiao was not much better than Lingmu Zhenren and Jiang Feiluan. Now I understand that this Never-Sleeping City Lord is already a dragon in the sky, and I am at most a grass snake. Once Tianlaizi started playing, he completely forgot about other things. He called on the monk Shenmu, the four brothers Jiantong, and his apprentice Pinghu Xiayin to form a formation and play with the seabirds. After all, there was a vast blue sea below, so there was no danger if they made a mistake. The group played freely and happily.

Since the emperor authorized him, Wei Heyang has taken charge of the power of Jiangnan. After many efforts, he finally stabilized the situation. Seeing that the military morale was stable and the people lived and worked in peace, Wei Heyang was very happy. Suddenly, he received news that Chang Xiao had executed more than a thousand people in Zhongtiao Mountain. The court issued an order that King Wuling would handle it with full authority. Wei Heyang was in a dilemma. It was obviously not possible not to investigate such a big thing, but the strength of the Never-Sleeping City was too strong. In such a short time, countless people were mobilized to find out the truth, catch the murderer, and capture all the implicated people. From these things, we can see the power of the Never-Sleeping City, and the court did not have this ability. In any case, we must first figure out what happened, so Wei Heyang first wrote to Wu Qingyang to ask. Wu Qingyang certainly knew everything, and he personally rushed to Wuling Mountain to tell Wei Heyang everything that happened. After listening to the story, Wei Heyang was silent for a long time. Chang Xiao had his own reasons for doing this, but the imperial edict had been issued, and he had to give an explanation to the court. Wu Qingyang saw his disciple's worries and said, "The court threw this hot potato to you, but you can also throw it to others. There is a trick. If you choose an honest official, this matter will be troublesome. You must find an old fox who has been in the officialdom for a long time to handle it, and it will be fine." Wei Heyang was puzzled: "Why don't I understand what Master said?" Wu Qingyang smiled and said, "What's so difficult to understand? If you send an honest official to investigate, he will definitely report everything that happened. Once the truth is known to the world, it will not end well." Wei Heyang suddenly realized: "So that's how it is." Wu Qingyang said: "Officials have their own rules. Smooth officials are very clear about the pros and cons, and know what to say and what not to say." Wei Heyang nodded and asked: "I understand, but where can we find the right person at this moment?" Wu Qingyang slapped his thigh: "Honest officials are hard to find, corrupt officials are everywhere, you only need to send people to investigate the daily lives of these officials and everything will be clear." Wei Heyang suddenly woke up: "When I followed my master to travel the world, I learned a thing or two, and this time it just happened to be useful."

It was easy to deal with it if there was a solution. Wei Heyang immediately sent people to investigate and quickly selected the candidates. As Wu Qingyang expected, corrupt officials had their own methods. They saw the situation clearly and dealt with it. The report stated that the two bandits had a large-scale fight to compete for territory, with heavy casualties. The government sent troops to suppress it and wiped it out in one fell swoop. More than a hundred pieces of evidence were listed later, as well as the names of soldiers who died in the suppression of bandits and the list of meritorious generals. Seeing this report, Wei Heyang laughed dumbly: "If I didn't know in advance, I would believe it. These corrupt officials really have a way." Wu Qingyang explained: "Officials are mixed, and those in power should use people according to their talents. Corrupt officials will never be killed." Wei Heyang nodded in approval, considered it, and ordered people to revise and polish the report, stamp it with the seal of King Wuling, and submit it to the court. Prime Minister Zheng Dongling is a smart man. This matter is best solved in this way, so he asked the emperor to issue an order to commend the soldiers and generals and make it a reality. Wu Qingyang helped his apprentice deal with the matter and was ready to leave, but Wei Heyang tried to stop him. It turned out that Wei Heyang had never given up the idea of flying and wanted to ask his master for help. Wu Qingyang pondered for a moment and put forward his own opinion. In order to avoid danger, he should follow the example of the monk Shenmu, go to the seaside, and fly with the help of the sea breeze. Even if he fell into the water, there would be no danger. Wei Heyang was overjoyed and prepared to go to Penglai immediately. Wu Qingyang considered that Wei Heyang had a special status, and the monk Shenmu had always been disrespectful and outspoken, which was not appropriate for the attendants around him. Therefore, it was suggested that Wei Heyang should not go to Penglai and choose another place. Wei Heyang agreed and asked the master for help. Wu Qingyang naturally could not refuse, so he accompanied his apprentice. Now that Wei Heyang holds great power, he has a lot of things to deal with. He needs countless people to follow him when he travels, and he also needs to notify the government offices everywhere, and there are urgent documents to be delivered at any time. Things are complicated, and it took several days to prepare before leaving. To be on the safe side, Wei Heyang sent people to go ahead and arrange everything to avoid unnecessary trouble. Surrounded by carriages and horses, the group arrived at the seaside and camped. Wei Heyang couldn't wait, but Wu Qingyang stopped him and arranged for people to make careful preparations. He tried it first and confirmed that it was correct before letting his apprentice fly.

After failing several times, Wei Heyang finally got what he wanted, and he was extremely happy. This feeling was really wonderful. Although there was no danger, Wu Qingyang still couldn't relax until Wei Heyang fully mastered the essentials before leaving with confidence. Wei Heyang held the power of Jiangnan. It was okay to relax occasionally, but it would not work for a long time, so he returned to Wuling Mountain Palace after playing for a few days. Wu Qingyang took the road to the north and came to Mount Tai to find Shi Huaiyu because of the wine. Old friends are naturally affectionate when they meet. Shi Huaiyu has heard about the Fire God Palace. Wu Qingyang is well-informed and naturally wants to ask about it. Wu Qingyang is very clear about the process, and there is no need to hide it. He tells it in detail. Shi Huaiyu is quite emotional. It is really sad that Gao Yuan's one thought caused so many people to die. When drinking, Wu Qingyang thought of the monk Shenmu. If this senior knew that Chang Xiao got the ice and fire wine, he would definitely blame himself. This master is the most difficult person today and must not be offended. Therefore, he prepared some good wine and made a special trip to Penglai to avoid getting into trouble in the future. At this time, Shenmu Bhikkhu was competing with Tianlaizi and Pinghu Xiayin, relying on his good light skills and mastery of flying skills to suppress the two men everywhere. Of course, Tianlaizi did not admit defeat. This time, he was at a disadvantage in the competition. Although he won the chess game, Long Jingtian said that he had the ability to crack Panlong's trick. Things that the predecessors of previous generations had never encountered were caught up by himself. This time, he could not lose no matter what. When Wu Qingyang arrived, the two sides were competing to see who could fly higher. Shenmu Bhikkhu had already gained the upper hand. Pinghu Xiayin was anxious and eager to win. The kite lost control and fell into the sea. Tianlaizi gritted his teeth and persisted, trying every means to surpass the opponent. Wu Qingyang saw that there were a few more newcomers and naturally asked about them. After the introduction of Suyun Palace Master, Wu Qingyang was quite surprised. It turned out that there was such a master hidden in the mountains and fields, and he even fought to a draw with Chang Xiao. Mr. Shouzhu came over to pay his respects. Wu Qingyang regarded himself as a junior. Mr. Shouzhu had a unique vision and told Wu Qingyang to ask Tianlaizi for advice, which would surely be beneficial to him.

After a fight, the monk Shenmu gained the upper hand and was naturally very happy. When he came down and saw Wu Qingyang, his face immediately frowned: "I was looking for you. Did you give Chang Xiao the Ice and Fiery Wine?" Wu Qingyang hurriedly explained: "Senior, you are overthinking. The Ice and Fiery Wine was not brewed by Wu, but by a friend. Because I met the city lord by chance, my friend took out the Fiery Wine to entertain me, and that's when we talked about the Ice and Fiery Wine." Monk Shenmu was always unreasonable: "I don't care, it was you who leaked the news anyway." Wu Qingyang smiled and said: "In today's world, only one person can enjoy this Ice and Fiery Wine. It is destined by heaven that the city lord gets the Ice and Fiery Wine, and it cannot be stopped by human power." Although Monk Shenmu agreed with Wu Qingyang's words, he refused to give up. Wu Qingyang knew Monk Shenmu's temper, and blindly obeying was not a good idea, so he took out the wine gourd and said: "Since senior is unwilling to forgive me, then these fine wines will have to be left to me alone." Monk Shenmu glared: "You wish." His figure shook, and in the blink of an eye he grabbed the wine gourd. The swordsmanship that Tianlaizi practices is extremely demanding, and he is absolutely forbidden to touch alcohol or women. However, Shouzhu Jushi is an expert in mixing and tasting wines, and he was full of praise after tasting them. Tianlaizi asked, "Thin Bamboo, how does it compare to your wine?" Thin Bamboo Lay Buddhist smiled and said, "Wine is indeed top-grade. If it is properly blended, it will definitely taste great." Wu Qingyang asked, "How does it compare to Ice and Fiery Wine?" Thin Bamboo Lay Buddhist shook his head and said, "Ice and Fiery Wine is very strong and has no taste. People who have drunk this kind of wine will feel like drinking water when drinking other wines. The two wines are not comparable." Hearing this, Monk Shenmu became happy and said, "It turns out that if you are used to drinking Ice and Fiery Wine, you can't drink other wines. Now that guy is out of luck. Not bad. You can mix wine, right? Mix it for us." Thin Bamboo Lay Buddhist smiled and said, "Mixed wine is not that simple. Although it is not as troublesome as brewing wine, it is not an easy task." Monk Shenmu asked, "How troublesome is it?" Thin Bamboo Lay Buddhist explained, "It requires many kinds of wine, and it is not easy to collect them." The wine boy smiled and said, "We have plenty of money. We can spend money on whatever we need." Thin Bamboo Lay Buddhist nodded and said, "That's easy."

At that moment, a list was drawn up, divided into five years, ten years, fifteen years, twenty years, twenty-five years, thirty years, and more than fifty years. There were more than ten kinds of wines listed. Shouzhu Layman knew about the fine wines produced in various places, and these wines could be bought nearby. The wine boy was the most concerned and experienced, so it was most appropriate for him to buy the wine. He took the list and went to purchase happily. Shenmu Monk was looking forward to it, but Tianlaizi wanted to continue flying. Shouzhu Layman took care of his old friend and suggested: "Purchasing these wines is not a one-day job, and mixing wine is also a waste of time. You might as well have fun. It's not too late to drink after the wine is ready." Shenmu Monk thought for a moment and nodded: "Okay, you have to keep an eye on Xiao Wu and don't let him drink secretly." Wu Qingyang smiled and said, "Is it okay for me to fly to the sky with my senior?" Shenmu Monk was satisfied and asked everyone to prepare the kite. As Shouzhu Layman said, it was not easy to purchase so many wines. The wine boy ran around for most of the day and couldn't get them together, so he had to return first. The thin bamboo layman was not picky. There were many ways to mix wine, and not all of these wines could be used. He immediately started to mix wine, mainly the fine wine brought by Wu Qingyang. At dusk, the monk Shenmu came down from playing to find wine to drink. The thin bamboo layman took out three kinds of mixed wine. The monk Shenmu picked up the wine glass and drank it all. He frowned and said, "It's very ordinary." The thin bamboo layman explained, "This kind of wine needs to be tasted carefully. You naturally won't feel it if you drink it in one gulp." The monk Shenmu nodded, picked up the second cup, took a small sip, and swallowed it without rushing to taste it. After a while, he showed a happy expression: "It's really good, it's hard for you." The wine boy was busy for most of the day, but he still hadn't had a sip. He was anxious and came over and said, "Give me a glass to try." The monk Shenmu tasted the taste and immediately refused: "No, I haven't had enough." The wine boy had no choice but to endure it. Fortunately, Master Shouzhu took out some wine again. The wine boy took it first, tasted it carefully, and praised: "It's really delicious." The two drank the wine, and the others were jealous. Master Shouzhu's martial arts skills were very high, and he mixed the wine very quickly. Everyone finally tasted the wine. Wu Qingyang praised: "I didn't expect that mixing wine is so complicated. It's a pity to drink so many good wines in the past." Tianlaizi suggested: "Since your friend knows how to make wine and Shouzhu knows how to mix wine, why not let them work together?" Wu Qingyang nodded: "Good idea, mutual communication is good for both parties, and we can also taste the best wine."

The idea was good, but Master Shouzhu refused. It was not that he did not want to cooperate with Shi Huaiyu, but he was thinking about the chess game. Long Jingtian was a mysterious person, and it was entirely possible that he could crack Panlong's trick. He could not miss this game anyway. Fortunately, these wines could last for a while, and everyone waited patiently. Long Jingtian kept his word and would definitely come when the time came. Everyone waited patiently. Some people waited to watch the chess game, but most people were waiting to taste the wine. Long Jingtian arrived as scheduled, and everyone greeted him together. Long Jingtian was surprised. The monk Shenmu spoke quickly and said first: "We are not waiting for you, but waiting to drink." Although Long Jingtian was smart, he did not understand the meaning of the words. Master Shouzhu explained, and Long Jingtian could not help but smile. These people were indeed quite interesting. Master Shouzhu specially left the wine for Long Jingtian. After tasting it, Long Jingtian praised it. He did not expect Master Shouzhu to have this trick. Tianlaizi ignored the wine, but was very concerned about the chess game and arranged it immediately. The game between top masters was incomprehensible to others. The only spectators were Shouzhu Jushi, Pinghu Xiayin, and Yuan Guihua. After returning, Long Jingtian carefully studied the various changes of Panlong Miaoshou. This time he was indeed fully confident, but he was not sure whether he could crack the finishing touch. This game was played with caution from the beginning. Tianlaizi also knew that his opponent was very skilled in chess and did not dare to be careless. The two men made their moves very quickly, and the three spectators could not understand the changes in their chess moves at all. In the middle game, the situation became very complicated, and the chess positions of both sides were intertwined. Long Jingtian first released the winning hand, and opened robberies one after another, which further complicated the game. Tianlaizi responded carefully, and there were more than ten rounds in a row, and several robberies had no results. Such a complicated situation requires calmness, but Tianlaizi is impatient and can't stand it, so he has to make some concessions and want to solve this series of robberies as soon as possible. Unexpectedly, Long Jingtian seized the opportunity and started to rob everywhere. Tianlaizi became more and more upset and made a key move. The chess game immediately changed. Long Jingtian, who was obviously in an advantageous position, suddenly fell into a passive position. The Shouzhu hermit who was watching the game immediately understood that this was the essence of Panlong's wonderful move, the finishing touch. Although Long Jingtian made a lot of efforts, he finally failed to crack it.

Chapter 167: The Human Heart is Hard to Predict

At the end of the game, Long Jingtian was thinking, and the thin bamboo hermit praised: "What a great move, it's amazing." Pinghu Xiayin nodded: "The situation was reversed with a move, this move is really amazing." Tianlaizi smiled bitterly: "I am helpless too. After these robberies, my overall situation has fallen into a passive position. If I don't come up with a surprise attack, I can only admit defeat." Long Jingtian pondered for a long time and smiled: "So that's it." Tianlaizi asked: "What do you mean, sir?" Long Jingtian was confident: "Panlong's trick is indeed exquisite, but I have already touched the veins of it." Tianlaizi was quite surprised: "If you can crack Panlong's trick, sir, you are the best in the chess world today." When the game started again, Tianlaizi was more careful, trying to avoid complicating the situation, and Long Jingtian's layout was also very rigorous. The camps of both sides soon became clear. Long Jingtian paid a great price to build a copper wall and iron wall, and then ignited wars everywhere and entangled with his opponent. Tianlaizi started to take advantage and was feeling complacent. When Long Jingtian launched an offensive, he realized something was wrong. The chess pieces that seemed to have no loopholes were actually opened up by the opponent, and attacked from both inside and outside. The opponent's iron wall also played a big role, and he was unable to launch an attack. In the middle stage of the game, Long Jingtian's advantage was already obvious. Tianlaizi tried many times, but could not find the opponent's loopholes, and he could not perform the finishing touch. With the fierce offensive, Long Jingtian established a strong position on the other side. Tianlaizi realized that the situation was over and surrendered. The three spectators were stunned. Long Jingtian's chess moves were incredible. He completely suppressed Tianlaizi's chess position. The strange thing was that Tianlaizi did not use the finishing touch to save the situation. The thin bamboo hermit asked, "Why don't you use the finishing touch this time?" Tianlaizi smiled bitterly and said, "Do you think I don't want to use it? There is no chance to use it at all." The thin bamboo hermit gave Long Jingtian a thumbs-up and said, "Sir, you are really smart. The layout of this iron bucket kingdom is really amazing." Long Jingtian finally resolved the Panlong trick and was very happy. Through playing against Tianlaizi, his chess skills have improved. I am afraid he has become the best in this field. Everyone came to congratulate him. Long Yunpu has always regarded his second uncle as a god, and victory is inevitable, but he is a little afraid and dare not come without permission.

The monk Shenmu didn't care about the chess game, and was thinking about asking the monk Shouzhu to mix wine for him. Long Jingtian gave Chang Xiao the ancient painting handed down by his family. He knew that Tianlaizi would compete with Chang Xiao during the last game, so he came to ask about the result. Tianlaizi sighed: "Speaking of which, this Lord of the Never-Sleeping City is really amazing. His martial arts level is beyond my imagination. Although there is no winner, in a sense, I still lost." Long Jingtian asked about the process and understood that neither side had made the final blow. However, it is still difficult to say the result. Tianlaizi's opinion may not be comprehensive. We have to listen to Chang Xiao's opinion before we can draw a conclusion. If Chang Xiao fully comprehends the swordsmanship handed down by the ancestors of the Long family, it is entirely possible to defeat Tianlaizi. Wu Qingyang has a high opinion of Long Jingtian. This person is introverted, knowledgeable and talented. The most rare thing is that he is indifferent to fame and fortune. He belongs to the class of masters and hermits. The first thing to do is to ask Tianlaizi for advice on swordsmanship. This person's cultivation has reached the pinnacle of swordsmanship, and he must not miss it. Tianlaizi's lineage has strict rules and cannot be leaked casually, but with the good words of Shouzhu Lay, Wu Qingyang and Chang Xiao have a deep friendship, so he made an exception and gave some advice. Wu Qingyang's own swordsmanship is extraordinary. After Tianlaizi's guidance, he has gained a lot. He is very happy in his heart. It is fortunate to have such a harvest on this trip. Shenmu Monk is thinking about the fine wine and instigates Shouzhu Lay. Because he helped Wu Qingyang, Wu Qingyang immediately accompanied Shouzhu Lay to Mount Tai to communicate with Shi Huaiyu and create the best wine. After the two left, Tianlaizi continued to compete with Shenmu Monk. This time he suffered too many setbacks when he went out of the mountain, and he must find a way to gain the upper hand in a certain field. Shenmu Monk was of course unwilling. In the competition with the master and apprentice, although Tianlaizi worked hard, it was not easy to gain the upper hand. At this time, everyone recognized that Long Jingtian was indeed a contemporary genius, and Long Yunpu's words were not exaggerated. After some twists and turns, everyone had gotten rid of the sadness of the Fire God Palace and put their minds on playing again.

Others can forget, but Chang Xiao can't. The sadness that hurts to the bone can't be easily put aside. Although he felt a little relieved after the duel with Tianlaizi, he couldn't feel better when facing Princess Yueying. At least Yingtao, the little girl, was well-behaved and sensible, and Princess Yueying was in a much better mood. Yu Hudie understood Chang Xiao's mood and tried to comfort him. Chang Xiao recalled his rough experience. The most comfortable time was not the time when he became the master of the Never-Sleeping City and returned to the world as the master of the Never-Sleeping City, but the time when he became the master of the Blood Shadow Banner and hibernated in the world. The fundamental reason was that he was invisible at that time, and no one knew where he was and what he did. After returning to the world, everything was on the surface. Humans always have an inexplicable fear of invisible and intangible things, but once they are in front of them, they are not scary. In view of this, Chang Xiao came up with a new idea and brewed a brand new plan in his mind. Now the Never-Sleeping City is the strongest, but there are still people who dare to challenge it. This shows that if you want to sit back and relax, it is not enough to rely on strong strength. In order to avenge his daughter and son-in-law, he mobilized all his strength, and most of the people in the martial arts world participated in it, but how many of these people really helped? Not to mention the sects that had conflicts with him, even those who had received his favors might not really help. Which martial artist is willing to be inferior to others? How many people are not jealous of the Never-Sleeping City, which dominates the martial arts world? Now that the Never-Sleeping City is strong, there is naturally no need to worry, but there is nothing unchanging in the world. What goes up must decline. Once the Never-Sleeping City declines, no one can tell what these people in the martial arts world will do. From his debut in the martial arts world to today, Chang Xiao has experienced many ups and downs. His previous goals have been achieved, but he has not gained real happiness. Instead, he has taken on new burdens. It seems that he should reflect on the true meaning of the martial arts world in all aspects.

After Danyangzi passed away, Baoding Taoist was able to enter the Paradise Palace and get in touch with the profound martial arts recorded in the Danyang Sutra. With the help of Yuzhenzi, his martial arts and swordsmanship made great progress. The main reason was that Baoding Taoist had a solid foundation and a solid basis. The martial arts he learned were from the same school as the Danyang Sutra, so he quickly understood the essence of Guanshan Feidu. Yuzhenzi was also surprised by the speed of Baoding Taoist's progress. According to this, it would not take long for Baoding Taoist to surpass Danyangzi, and he might not be able to do so. Guanshan Feidu and Tiesuo Hengjiang are the most powerful martial arts recorded in the Danyang Sutra. The two practiced them every day. Baoding Taoist deeply realized the power of Guanshan Feidu and Tiesuo Hengjiang together, and a question came to his mind: how did Chang Xiao break it? Under such a powerful sword, it was already difficult to retreat unscathed, but Chang Xiao was able to fight back and take Danyangzi's life at the critical moment. What kind of martial arts could be so powerful? Asked Yu Zhenzi, Yu Zhenzi shook his head: "I can't explain it either. At that time, our swords were already formed and we had no time to care about other things. Judging from the expression of Brother Danyang, that martial arts must have seized the destiny of heaven and earth and invaded the mysteries of the sun and the moon." Baoding Taoist then asked: "Did the city lord say anything after we separated?" Yu Zhenzi smiled bitterly: "The Lord of the Never-Night City did say something at that time, and I still don't understand it until now." Baoding Taoist felt disappointed. If Yu Zhenzi didn't understand, he might not understand it either. Anyway, he had to ask. Yu Zhenzi said: "I remember it very clearly. At that time, I asked him what martial arts he performed, and he only said one sentence: The wind curtain moves at sunset, and the broken shadows dance in the setting sun." Baoding Taoist carefully savored the meaning of the words. On the surface, this sentence describes a beautiful scene. At dusk, the afterglow of the setting sun shines through the bamboo curtains, the breeze blows the bamboo curtains, and the shadows of the sun sway, forming a wonderful scene. Although the artistic conception is very high, what does it have to do with martial arts? After thinking for a long time and still not finding the answer, Yu Zhenzi persuaded: "It doesn't matter if you don't understand." Taoist Baoding shook his head: "Otherwise, I feel that this sentence has something to do with flying over the mountains and crossing the river with iron chains." Yu Zhenzi frowned: "How is it possible?"

It turned out that Taoist Baoding had already felt that there were other changes hidden in the moves of Guanshan Feidu and Tiesuo Hengjiang, which were somewhat related to the words left by Chang Xiao. After thinking for several days without any results, someone sent a letter. Taoist Baoding opened it and immediately understood. He called Yu Zhenzi and took out a piece of paper with only two lines of words on it. On the left was: The stream is far away, and the broken bridge is setting sun and the boat is returning. On the right was: Green sleeves are cold, and the morning breeze blows thousands of miles across the mountains. Yu Zhenzi didn't understand what it meant. Taoist Baoding smiled and said, "This is the good intention of the Lord of the Never-Sleeping City. Although Guanshan Feidu and Tiesuo Hengjiang are the last unique skills recorded in the Danyang True Scripture, the changes in them are not over yet." Yu Zhenzi always thought that he had completely understood the Danyang True Scripture, and he found it unbelievable to hear such words. Taoist Baoding explained, "I have been studying the words left by the city lord in order to understand the key. I didn't expect the city lord to be so generous. The extension of Guanshan Feidu is the creek across the water, and the broken bridge is setting sun as the boat returns." Yu Zhenzi understood a little: "According to this, the extension of Tiezhaojiangjiang is Cuishoutiantianchi, Xiaofengqianshanguan." Taoist Baoding nodded: "Guanshan Feidu was originally an offensive, and Tiezhaojiangjiang is a defensive. If it is extended, the offense and defense should be interchangeable. That is the essence of Danyang Zhenjing." Yu Zhenzi thought for a moment and was surprised: "If that is the case, how amazing would the power be?" Taoist Baoding was quite emotional: "If it were not for the city lord's guidance, I would not be able to do it in another ten years I can't figure it out, this kind of mind is really rare." Yu Zhenzi was very happy after figuring it out, and then wondered: "What does the Lord of the Never-Night City mean? What good will it do him if we practice this unique skill? Is he capable of cracking it and deliberately doing a favor?" Baoding Taoist shook his head: "Daoyou, don't make random guesses. No matter what the Lord of the Never-Night City's motives are, we should appreciate it." Yu Zhenzi agreed: "I am too suspicious." The two immediately started to study the changes in the sword's momentum carefully. The more they studied, the more Yu Zhenzi admired Chang Xiao. He had been immersed in swordsmanship for so many years but had not understood it, but Chang Xiao, as a swordsman, could find the key to it after only seeing it once. Such martial arts skills are really terrible.

Obviously, Chang Xiao had other intentions in breaking the mystery. Although Baoding Taoist knew about it, he did not tell Yu Zhenzi, but just studied swordsmanship. Because the Paradise Palace is located in the southwest border, the changes in the Fire God Palace have not been reported here. Although Chang Xiao mentioned it in the letter, Baoding Taoist was not very clear. In any case, Chang Xiao was so generous, he must give something back. Therefore, he studied swordsmanship as much as possible, and Yu Zhenzi was also immersed in the endless changes of swordsmanship. After hard work, the two finally realized the changes in the swordsmanship and were extremely happy. Baoding Taoist proposed to go to the Central Plains. Yu Zhenzi understood that the letter sent by Chang Xiao was definitely not just a piece of paper. Anyway, he had already realized the changes in it, so there was no need to stop it, so he readily agreed. Baoding Taoist changed into the Bagua fairy clothes, with the Ganlu sword on his back, and he had a Taoist style. After leaving the Paradise Palace alone, after this training, the number one swordsman made a breakthrough and truly entered the ranks of the top masters. He was full of gratitude to Chang Xiao. Without this person's assistance, he would not have been able to reach such a state. However, Taoist Baoding himself did not expect that his thoughts would change quickly. He had just entered the Central Plains when he heard about the Fire God Palace. In order to avenge his daughter, Chang Xiao executed more than a thousand people at a time. As a cultivator, he obviously could not accept this. Of course, Qingting died miserably, and it was a pity that a master like Yin Tianlei was killed, but executing Gao Yuan and his accomplices was enough, and other people should not be implicated. Thinking of this, his good impression of Chang Xiao decreased a lot, and he was not very concerned about what Chang Xiao said in the letter. He should have gone to the Never-Sleeping City to thank him first, but he changed his mind temporarily and went back to Huashan to meet the head of the sect, Chixia Zhenren. It is well known in the world that Taoist Baoding won the championship at the Ganlu Conference and became the number one swordsman today. His swordsmanship has surpassed that of the head of Huashan, Chixia Zhenren. Therefore, when Taoist Baoding returned to Huashan, his fellow disciples valued him very much. Although Taoist Baoding had achieved great success, he never forgot his roots and was very polite to his fellow disciples, without any airs of being the best swordsman.

Taoist Chixia gave him a warm reception. He said that Taoist Baoding had brought a lot of glory to Huashan and should be treated preferentially. Taoist Baoding was still the same as always, and Taoist Chixia praised him repeatedly. After sitting down, Taoist Baoding asked about the developments in the martial arts world. Taoist Chixia sighed and said, "Gao Yuan is a child who is ignorant and has caused a big disaster. Now many people are dissatisfied with the City That Never Sleeps, but they are unable to do anything to Chang Xiao, so no one dares to act rashly." Taoist Baoding nodded and said, "This is expected. It is difficult to convince others to execute so many people at once." Taoist Chixia frowned and said, "This is the difficulty. If it were another gang, the four masters would have issued a martial arts notice and united heroes from all sides to eliminate it in one fell swoop. However, the City That Never Sleeps is full of masters, Chang Xiao is a top martial artist, Ziyun Gu, the leader of the Beggar Gang with the largest number of people in the martial arts world, Qi Shizhen, who is well-informed, and Later, Lu Wenjun, Nanhai Yannanlou, Tongtianbao Lord Jiang Feiluan, Wanqi Song of Wanxiantang, Duan Xiyun of Shendaomen, all these important people in the martial arts world have been strongly supported by Chang Xiao. Once something happens in the Never-Sleeping City, they will definitely help with all their strength. Who can deal with such a huge force? "Taoist Baoding asked: "Do we have to eradicate the Never-Sleeping City?" True Man Chixia was quite sure: "How can such a cold-blooded and ruthless person be free in the martial arts world? Of course, it is not easy to eradicate the Never-Sleeping City. The Nether Swordsman alone is enough to give people a headache. "Although Taoist Baoding has some opinions about Chang Xiao, he has never thought of eradicating the Never-Sleeping City. To be fair, Chang Xiao's actions are worthy of being the first swordsman of the contemporary era. True Man Chixia's attitude is very firm. It is better to say that it is for his own vanity than to eliminate harm for the martial arts world. Chang Xiao's martial arts are too strong, and the Never-Sleeping City is too powerful, so the ability of others cannot be shown. In view of the power of the Never-Sleeping City, Taoist Baoding tried to persuade him. True Man Chixia sighed, "It is impossible to deal with the Never-Sleeping City at present. We must wait patiently for the opportunity." Taoist Baoding knew that he could not change the head of the sect and sighed in his heart. Chang Xiao's good temper was gone. Once a conflict broke out, the number of deaths would probably far exceed that of the Fire God Palace. Chang Xiao's power was not only in martial arts, but also in strategy. If he had not handled it properly, every storm would have cost him his life. Now this man's martial arts has reached the peak, and the power of the Never-Sleeping City is enough to sweep the world. It is difficult to predict the consequences of going against him at this time. No matter how Taoist Baoding persuaded him, True Man Chixia had made up his mind, so Taoist Baoding had to give up.

Chapter 168: Dilemma

This time, Taoist Baoding returned to the Central Plains for Chang Xiao's entrustment. Now that he has changed his mind, there is no need to mention it. As for the matter of the Paradise Palace, it is hard to say. With the help of Chang Xiao, he has realized the martial arts in the Danyang Sutra. This matter cannot be known to True Man Chixia. First of all, there is the help of Chang Xiao. In addition, True Man Chixia is the head of Huashan and has a high status in the martial arts world. If he knows that his martial arts and swordsmanship are far better than his, he will inevitably feel uncomfortable and cause trouble. Originally, I thought that eradicating the Never-Sleeping City was just an idea, but I didn't expect that True Man Chixia's next words had already been put into action. True Man Chixia said happily, "Recently, there was news that a strange man appeared in the martial arts world, calling himself Tianlaizi. His martial arts and swordsmanship are top-notch, and the result of his contest with Chang Xiao was evenly matched." Taoist Baoding was quite surprised: "Who has such magical powers?" True Man Chixia smiled and said, "There are hidden dragons and crouching tigers in the mountains and fields. It is certainly not worth making a fuss about such a strange man. I have discussed with the three sect leaders that we can use this person to deal with Chang Xiao. As long as Chang Xiao falls, the Never-Sleeping City will immediately collapse." Taoist Baoding was very cautious and warned: "Chang Xiao is a man with deep inner thoughts. No one knows his true background. According to Chang Xiao's past behavior, he would not go all out in a fight with such a strange man, and the apparent evenly matched opponent may not be credible. "Chixia Zhenren shook his head: "After a thorough investigation, Tianlaizi's swordsmanship is superb. His disciple Pinghu Xiayin has the upper hand in the battle with Shenmu Biqiu. If his disciple is like this, you can imagine what his master is like." Baoding Taoist nodded slightly, still a little doubtful in his heart. Chang Xiao is unfathomable. The fact that he can point out the essence of the swordsmanship in the Danyang Sutra is enough to prove this person's cultivation. Chixia Zhenren said his plan: "You came back at the right time. Tianlaizi is obsessed with flying and has been staying in Penglai. You can go and find out the details." Baoding Taoist agreed: "That's fine." In his heart, he also wanted to learn the swordsmanship of this strange man. Chixia Zhenren did not hide his plan. First, he raised Tianlaizi's reputation and regarded him as the best master in the world, which was a disguised way to belittle Chang Xiao. Then they used various channels to vilify the City That Never Sleeps. After the massacre at the Fire God Palace, many people were dissatisfied with the City That Never Sleeps, and this was the perfect time to add fuel to the flames.

Taoist Baoding left Huashan and thought about it on the way. He didn't want to be an enemy of Chang Xiao from the bottom of his heart. First of all, this person's martial arts is indeed outstanding. He is the only one in the past hundred years who has entered the ranks of top masters with only the six-combination swordsmanship without the guidance of a famous teacher. Secondly, Chang Xiao is enthusiastic about helping others and has a broad mind. If it weren't for him to help him out this time, he would never have been able to comprehend the essence of the swordsmanship contained in the Danyang Sutra. Another point is that Chang Xiao is a man of deep scheming. So far, no one knows how much power he controls and what level of martial arts he has reached. It is too dangerous to be an enemy of such a person. Although he has such an idea, he has no ability to stop the four famous families and can only go with the flow. Seeing that he had arrived in Penglai, Taoist Baoding sorted out his thoughts and prepared to meet with Monk Shenmu and his party. The first swordsman who is famous in the world is respected wherever he goes, but Monk Shenmu is an exception. This senior doesn't care about anyone. Taoist Baoding was naturally prepared and went straight to Penglai Pavilion. He just happened to meet Wu Qingyang who came back with the latest wine prepared by Master Shouzhu for everyone to taste. Everyone sat together and chatted and tasted the wine. Wu Qingyang and the Jiantong brothers were acquaintances, but the people from Yinxian Palace were new to each other. Pinghu Xiayin, Yuan Guihua and his grandson, and Tianlaizi rarely traveled around the world, so naturally they had never met. Pinghu Xiayin had heard of Taoist Baoding and treated the number one swordsman with great courtesy. Taoist Baoding said frankly that he came here to ask Tianlaizi for advice on swordsmanship. Tianlaizi's attitude was a little vague, and Pinghu Xiayin felt strange. It was a good thing that the number one swordsman came to ask for advice. When asked privately, Tianlaizi explained: "This Taoist Baoding is not sincere. As a swordsman who has integrated his life into the sword, he will reveal the slightest selfishness in his heart. This person's swordsmanship is indeed amazing, but his heart is not very clean." Pinghu Xiayin was quite surprised: "Why didn't I see it?" Tianlaizi smiled and said: "His realm has surpassed you, so naturally you can't see it." Pinghu Xiayin had learned about it before and knew that Taoist Baoding was slightly inferior to the two predecessors, Monk Shenmu and Master Wumu, and should not be as good as himself. When he raised his doubts to his master, Tianlaizi shook his head: "Perhaps this Taoist Baoding has been hiding his shortcomings. Another possibility is that he has made a breakthrough recently." It is very simple to determine these two possibilities. Just ask Monk Shenmu. Pinghu Xiayin asked immediately, and Monk Shenmu was quite sure that Taoist Baoding could not have been hiding his shortcomings before.

Now it is certain that Taoist Baoding has made a breakthrough in the near future. It is not easy for Tianlaizi to ask about it when they first meet. Wu Qingyang is the ideal candidate. Wu Qingyang did not feel the change in Taoist Baoding. He noticed it after hearing what Tianlaizi said and found an opportunity to ask. Taoist Baoding did not speak directly, but talked about other things. Wu Qingyang was wondering what this number one swordsman was hiding. Without being able to be honest, Tianlaizi's attitude would naturally not change. Taoist Baoding knew it very well, but for the sake of Huashan, he could not tell it all. Pinghu Xiayin did not care about the affairs of the martial arts world. Since Taoist Baoding came to ask for advice, it was not easy to refuse. Therefore, he urged Tianlaizi to have a contest with Taoist Baoding. Although Tianlaizi was a little hesitant, he still agreed. This sword contest was obviously not as exciting as the contest between Chang Xiao and Tianlaizi, but Taoist Baoding's swordsmanship was indeed very high, so everyone was still very interested. Tianlaizi often warned Pinghu Xiayin that he must never underestimate his opponent, and Pinghu Xiayin never forgot it. But this time, Tianlaizi, as a master, did not respect Baoding Taoist very much, and had a completely condescending attitude. Baoding Taoist did not mind, because the other party's swordsmanship was indeed higher than his own, and it did not matter if he regarded himself as a junior. Tianlaizi did not win the duel this time, and his Panlong magic was also resolved by Long Jingtian, so he was really uncomfortable. Now Baoding Taoist is hiding. Just use it to vent his anger. Having made up his mind, Tianlaizi took out the golden pill without hesitation, shouted, and a golden light shot at Baoding Taoist. Baoding Taoist's swordsmanship has taken a big step forward, far from the past. He moved his sword and the Ganlu sword drew a rainbow, forming a sword curtain in front of him. Tianlaizi's golden sword hit the sword curtain with a loud noise, but Baoding Taoist did not move at all. Tianlaizi praised: "Good foundation." The golden sword shook, and several golden snakes covered his head. Baoding Taoist certainly did not want to take a defensive position. Facing such a master, he could not defend himself at all. However, Tianlaizi's body was like a monkey, erratic and agile, and it was difficult for him to determine the position of his opponent and to launch a sharp sword move. Tianlaizi deliberately made Baoding Taoist suffer a little, and attacked everywhere. At the beginning, Baoding Taoist could not see the position of his opponent and it was difficult to launch a move. Later, Tianlaizi took the lead and Baoding Taoist was unable to fight back.

It was inevitable that Tianlaizi would lead in swordsmanship, but most of the spectators did not expect such a scene to occur in this sword duel. The famous number one swordsman was so passive that he had no power to fight back under Tianlaizi's attack. Of course, Baoding Taoist was unwilling to give up. Relying on the Ganlu Sword, which was the best weapon in the world, he forcibly launched Guanshan Feidu. Tianlaizi had completely taken the initiative. Baoding Taoist attacked with his sword, leaving a gap in defense. Tianlaizi did not hesitate. The golden sword shot out a dazzling light and cut into the inner circle at once. Baoding Taoist's sword momentum did not stop. Guanshan Feidu, which was originally a strong attack, suddenly turned around and became a defensive move. The sword light condensed into a line and collided with Tianlaizi's golden sword. With a loud bang, Tianlaizi flew back. Although Baoding Taoist resisted this sword, he knew in his heart that if he had not received Chang Xiao's guidance, he would have been defeated by this sword. Tianlaizi nodded slightly: "You are worthy of being the number one swordsman for being able to block this sword." Before he finished speaking, he suddenly jumped up, and the sword light turned into a long rainbow, which was the unique skill he had used on Chang Xiao: a streak of flying light, pouring down half of the lake's bright moon. Of course, Baoding Taoist couldn't fight like Chang Xiao. Facing such a fierce attack, he had to use his last trick, so he used the swordsmanship he had recently learned without thinking. The swords of both sides collided, and Baoding Taoist felt as if he was struck by lightning, his internal organs were burning, and he sighed in his heart: My life is over. After a while, there was no movement. Baoding Taoist felt that he was safe and sound. He looked up and saw that Tianlaizi had returned to his seat. He felt really bad. Wu Qingyang came over to smooth things over and pulled Baoding Taoist to drink with everyone. Taoist Baoding came to Tianlaizi and said sincerely: "Senior, you are an excellent swordsman. I admit that you are inferior to me." Tianlaizi disagreed: "The Ganlu sword is unparalleled in the world. Do you think you are worthy of it?" Taoist Baoding was stunned. This sentence was difficult to answer. Wu Qingyang interrupted and said: "Although Taoist Baoding is not as good as you, you are recognized by heroes from all sides as the number one swordsman. Of course you are worthy of it." Tianlaizi shook his head: "In terms of swordsmanship, this person is indeed worthy of being the number one swordsman. But I'm not talking about swordsmanship, but the spirit of a swordsman." Wu Qingyang was stunned and didn't understand the meaning of the words.

In fact, the only person who understood this sentence besides Pinghu Xiayin was Monk Shenmu. Although Wu Qingyang was a master of swordsmanship, he failed to understand the meaning. Taoist Baoding understood the meaning of Tianlaizi's words. He did have selfish motives when he came to Penglai this time. He made progress under Chang Xiao's guidance, but he did not intend to be grateful and wanted to find a way to deal with the Never-Sleeping City. If he asked himself, he was indeed unworthy of the Ganlu Sword and the title of the first swordsman. Tianlaizi was a hermit and would not intervene in the disputes in the martial arts world. Taoist Baoding made a decision after considering for a long time and expressed his difficulties. Tianlaizi cherished talents and agreed to a private meeting. Arriving at a secluded place, Taoist Baoding expressed his difficulties. Tianlaizi shook his head repeatedly: "Even if the Lord of the Never-Night City is the number one devil, he has never done you any wrong. How can you repay kindness with enmity?" Taoist Baoding argued: "Exterminating demons and defending the way of righteousness is the duty of martial artists. Personal grudges are nothing compared to the justice of the martial arts world." Tianlaizi sneered: "What is the justice of the martial arts world you speak of? When it comes to killing, which martial artist doesn't have blood on his hands? Why only target the Lord of the Never-Night City? There were many martial artists who participated in the battle of the Never-Night City. Revenge is the emperor's business. What does it have to do with others?" Taoist Baoding was speechless. In fact, he also participated in that battle, and countless people were killed and wounded by the sword. This reason doesn't make sense, and there is a second one. Taoist Baoding brought up the matter of the Fire God Palace: "Martial artists must avoid using martial arts to bully others and hurt innocent people. The Lord of the City That Never Sleeps executed more than a thousand people in one fell swoop to avenge his personal grudge, which is a big taboo for martial artists." Tianlaizi smiled: "If your reasons are sufficient, why don't you issue a martial arts post and mobilize all forces to eradicate the City That Never Sleeps? Even if you don't want to mobilize a large number of troops, you can also issue a letter of challenge to an open challenge. This is the first swordsman who is upright." Taoist Baoding frowned and said: "The Lord of the City That Never Sleeps has superb swordsmanship, and there are many masters in the City That Never Sleeps. Acting rashly will not only fail to achieve the goal but will also bring about fatal disasters." Tianlaizi sighed lightly: "After all, the four famous families target the City That Never Sleeps for fame and fortune. The so-called righteousness of the rivers and lakes is nothing but self-deception. If the Lord of the City That Never Sleeps is really unforgivable, why are there so many masters working for him? Don't these people know right from wrong?" Taoist Baoding was speechless.

To be fair, Taoist Baoding had no intention of dealing with the Never-Sleeping City, but as a disciple of Huashan, disobeying the order of the headmaster was treason and was unacceptable in the martial arts world. Tianlaizi understood the difficulties of Taoist Baoding and simply told the truth: "In terms of martial arts, my cultivation level is very close to that of the Lord of Never-Sleeping City. If we fight, both of us will suffer. The four famous families naturally hope to see such a result. But no matter what the reason, the two of us will not risk our lives. If you really want to get rid of the Lord of Never-Sleeping City, there is another way, which is the swordsmanship you displayed today. Of course, you have no chance alone. If the two of you join forces and use up the swordsmanship, it is entirely possible to succeed. However, the Lord of Never-Sleeping City said that if he faces a perfect swordsmanship, he still has the ability to counterattack and cause a situation where both sides perish." Taoist Baoding certainly knew the power of the swordsmanship, but without Chang Xiao's assistance, he could not understand the essence of the swordsmanship. If he used this swordsmanship to deal with Chang Xiao, no matter how he whitewashed it, he could not get rid of the suspicion of repaying kindness with enmity. After learning the reason, Tianlaizi smiled and said, "Didn't you say that you can put aside personal grudges for the sake of the righteousness of the martial arts world? At present, it seems that there is only one way to get rid of the Lord of the Never-Sleeping City. It's up to you to choose." Without saying anything more, he left. Taoist Baoding pondered for a long time and found it difficult to make a decision. The head of the sect meant to gradually weaken the power of the Never-Sleeping City and find an opportunity to get rid of Chang Xiao. Now that he and Yuzhenzi have joined forces, there is a chance to succeed. Doing so is certainly worthy of the master, but it is not worthy of his conscience. After careful consideration, he finally decided that he could die for the sake of the master. If he and Chang Xiao died together, there would be nothing to say. If he was lucky enough not to die, he would commit suicide to thank Chang Xiao for his kindness. Death can completely end everything.

With the decision, Taoist Baoding left Penglai and rushed to Jile Palace to discuss the matter with Yuzhenzi. Wu Qingyang asked Tianlaizi the reason, but Tianlaizi did not tell him directly, and gave another explanation: Taoist Baoding had achieved great success in swordsmanship, and wanted to compete with Chang Xiao, and he could not let go of Chang Xiao's kindness in his heart. This is understandable. Wu Qingyang's question was: although Taoist Baoding had made progress in swordsmanship, it was obviously a bit overconfident to compete with Chang Xiao. Tianlaizi explained that Taoist Baoding's swordsmanship required two people to work together, and if the swordsmanship was unleashed, it was entirely possible to win. Wu Qingyang smiled it off. First of all, Taoist Baoding would not repay kindness with enmity, and secondly, even if the swordsmanship was used up, it might not be successful. Tianlaizi did not talk much, and rested on his own, ready to continue flying and playing. Bhikkhu Shenmu felt the change in Taoist Baoding, and although he was surprised, he did not take it seriously. After a period of getting along, Tianlaizi's view of Wu Qingyang changed. At first, he thought that the swordsmanship of this Qingyang swordsman was not good enough and had not made much progress. After getting along with each other, they found that Wu Qingyang was open-minded, chivalrous and tender-hearted. He would never reveal his swordsmanship unless it was necessary. Such a person was a worthy swordsman. Therefore, Tianlaizi decided to share his experience in swordsmanship with Wu Qingyang. Wu Qingyang was naturally happy. With the guidance of this master, his swordsmanship could be greatly improved. Pinghu Xiayin did not understand what his master meant. The predecessors strictly ordered that the swordsmanship of this sect must not be leaked. Tianlaizi's explanation was very simple. He did not reveal a single move, but just exchanged his experience with Wu Qingyang. The Jiantong brothers were quite surprised to learn that Baoding Taoist was going to compete with Chang Xiao. This number one swordsman could not do such a thing. But soon the news came that Baoding Taoist officially issued a letter of challenge to the Never-Sleeping City and wanted to compete with Chang Xiao. However, this competition was not one-on-one. Baoding Taoist joined forces with another master to fight against the Dragon Scale Sword. The news quickly spread throughout the world, and people from all walks of life talked about it.

Chapter 169: The Sword Changes

The turn of events was completely beyond Chang Xiao's expectations, and his original plan was completely ruined. He had kindly helped Taoist Baoding to find the way out of the maze, hoping that he could do a little favor, but Taoist Baoding not only refused to help, but also used the swordsmanship he had learned to deal with him. What on earth was this number one swordsman thinking? The Danyang Sutra is the unique skill of Quanzhen Sect. The swordsmanship and cultivation methods recorded in it are extremely profound. If he really can't resist it, he will be shooting himself in the foot. Despite this, Chang Xiao did not regret what he did, but felt a little sorry. Taoist Baoding had gone through many twists and turns and finally became the number one swordsman recognized by all parties. Once he fought with all his strength, only God knew whether he would live or die. This matter must be related to the four famous families. In fact, Chang Xiao had already discovered that many people had privately vilified the Never-Sleeping City. Today, Chang Xiao no longer takes these things to heart. No matter what he does, he can't get the sincerity of the people in the world. The fundamental reason is that the Never-Sleeping City is too popular, which has attracted many people's jealousy. When Chang Xiao just got the news, his first reaction was to start a bloodbath. But then he thought, what's the point of doing this? Everyone is afraid of me, how can I live like that? After careful consideration, Chang Xiao made a decision to accept the challenge of Taoist Baoding. The location of the competition was set at Yuntai Peak of Huashan Mountain. Taoist Baoding was a disciple of Huashan, and Chang Xiao didn't want this number one swordsman to have any psychological burden. This competition caused a sensation in the martial arts world, so naturally there must be witnesses. The heads of the four famous families must be present, and there is also the senior Wu Mu Zhenjun of Shangqing Palace. The witnesses invited by Chang Xiao are naturally Tianlaizi and Pinghu Xiayin. Wu Qingyang is an old friend, so naturally he can't be missing. As for the monk Shenmu, it's up to you, come if you want. Before the competition, Chang Xiao finished his wine, so he went to Shi Huaiyu of Taishan to get some. Shouzhu Jushi was working with Shi Huaiyu to mix drinks. Hearing about the competition, he also wanted to watch it, so Chang Xiao naturally welcomed him. The thin bamboo hermit felt that this decisive battle was of great importance, and specifically suggested that it would be best to meet Long Jingtian before the decisive battle. Although this person was a scholar, he was well versed in astronomy and geography, and his knowledge was superior to others. Chang Xiao had a very good impression of Long Jingtian, and immediately took the route to Jiaozhou.

In addition to handling official business, Long Jingtian has been studying Panlong Miaoshou these days, and has gained some experience. At dusk one day, Long Jingtian played the zither in the courtyard. The sound of the zither was melodious and ethereal, which was quite ancient. When he was in high spirits, the sound of the zither suddenly changed. Cheng Lanruo, who was listening to the zither next to him, felt his heart beating wildly and his soul was absent. Long Jingtian stopped playing the zither and told people to put away the zither and prepare to welcome guests. Cheng Lanruo didn't understand why, and Long Jingtian smiled and said, "The sound of the zither has changed, when there are guests coming, the murderous aura is so heavy and overbearing, the visitor must be a hero in the world." Cheng Lanruo nodded, but she was doubtful in her heart. The ancient masters and scholars did say that they could know good and bad luck by the sound of the zither, but no one had seen it, it was just a rumor. This prefect's chess skills are the best in the world, and his attainments in playing the zither would not be so profound, right? If so, wouldn't he be a god? Thinking wildly in his mind, Long Jingtian had changed his clothes and went out to greet him, and soon led a guest in. Cheng Lanruo was shocked. This prefect was indeed unfathomable. This guest was naturally Chang Xiao. Long Jingtian asked someone to serve tea. He sat opposite Chang Xiao in the pavilion, and Cheng Lanruo stood aside. Chang Xiao was the first to congratulate: "I heard that you successfully cracked Panlong's trick, and your chess skills have reached a higher level. You are unique in the world. Congratulations." Long Jingtian said modestly: "Games are not worthy of being in a high-class hall." After the greetings, Long Jingtian asked: "How did the city lord have time to come to Jiaozhou?" Chang Xiao smiled: "There will be a decisive battle soon. Mr. Shouzhu suggested that I ask you about the good and bad luck." Long Jingtian nodded and asked someone to bring money. Using money to rehearse the gossip has been around since ancient times. Long Jingtian is well versed in this, but he rarely shows it, even Cheng Lanruo doesn't know. Rehearsing the gossip needs to be solemn. Long Jingtian burned incense again, prayed to heaven and earth, and then rehearsed the money. After a moment, he said, "The city lord is fighting one against two in this decisive battle, and the two are evenly matched." Chang Xiao nodded and praised, "Sir, you are really smart." Long Jingtian continued, "From the hexagram, one of the three people must die." Chang Xiao's heart moved. If the three people died, they would die together. Would it be him who died? When asked, Long Jingtian smiled and said, "The secret cannot be revealed. Doesn't the city lord have confidence in himself?" Chang Xiao was a little disappointed. Long Jingtian gave his own opinion, "If the city lord fully understands the swordsmanship in the picture, Long can assert that no one in the world can hurt the city lord." Chang Xiao already understood that he was not in any danger.

Cheng Lanruo had never expected that this prefect was not only an amazing chess player, but also a master at playing the zither and was proficient in gossip. He was simply a living god. Long Jingtian sighed softly, "Even if the city lord wins, he probably won't be happy. The martial arts inherited by the two opponents are quite rare. Once one of them is injured, it will be difficult to continue." Chang Xiao was surprised. What the thin bamboo hermit said was right. This Long Jingtian was indeed a contemporary wonder. The matter of the decisive battle was already clear. Chang Xiao changed the subject and took out a large gourd: "This is the fine wine carefully prepared by Shouzhu Jushi. Let me pass it on to you, sir." Long Jingtian smiled: "Thank you, City Lord. In this case, why don't we drink a few cups together?" Chang Xiao smiled bitterly: "After drinking the ice and fire wine, no matter what wine I drink, it will taste bad." Long Jingtian was well-read and naturally knew about the ice and fire wine. He nodded and praised: "The city lord can drink the ice and fire wine, so he can travel all over the world and enjoy the world." Chang Xiao admired Long Jingtian's talent and shook his head and said: "Sir is the immortal who travels the world, and I am just a warrior." The two smiled at each other, and a feeling of knowing each other surged in their hearts. Long Jingtian hosted a banquet, and Chang Xiao readily agreed. The two talked for a long time, from personal experience to the general situation of the world and the pattern of the rivers and lakes. Long Jingtian had a better understanding of Chang Xiao. The experience of this martial arts leader was indeed rough, and he deserved his achievements today. Chang Xiao also realized that Long Jingtian was knowledgeable and talented, and regretted not getting to know him earlier. If he had fallen in love with him at the first meeting, things would have been different. The two talked for a long time, and before they knew it, a night had passed. Long Jingtian had to go to the court to handle official business, and Chang Xiao immediately said goodbye. Long Jingtian personally saw him off. Seeing the Fire Dragon Horse, he praised it repeatedly. Chang Xiao clasped his fists and said goodbye, saying, "Sir, if you need anything, just ask. As long as it is something in the world, I can do it." Long Jingtian returned the greeting, "If the city lord has anything, just come. Long will do his best." The two said goodbye to each other, and Chang Xiao jumped on the Fire Dragon Horse and flew away. Long Jingtian looked at Chang Xiao's back for a long time, and from the bottom of his heart, he had already regarded Chang Xiao as a close friend.

After leaving Jiaozhou, Chang Xiao felt much better. He did not expect that this trip would yield such a great harvest. He made a friend like Long Jingtian. In the future, he could find him to relieve any worries. When he thought of the decisive battle at Mount Hua, Chang Xiao felt heavy again. He did not expect that Taoist Baoding would make such a choice. Now he was in a situation where he had no way out, so he had to fight. When he came to Mount Hua, many people had come here to inquire about the news. Of course, only a few people could go to Yuntai Peak to watch the battle. These people were waiting for the news. No matter which side won, it would be a big event that would make a sensation in the martial arts world. Mount Hua is steep and the road is extremely difficult to travel. It was certainly easy for Chang Xiao. All the way up, the first thing that caught his eye was a few large kites. No need to ask, it must be Monk Shenmu who took this opportunity to show off. As expected, Monk Shenmu liked to show off. Of course, such an opportunity could not be missed. He rushed to Mount Hua with Tianlaizi and Pinghu Xiayin and flew with the help of the mountain wind. After a period of adaptation, Master Tianlaizi and his apprentice had completely mastered the skills and could fly over the valley. Shouzhu Jushi was with Wu Qingyang. When he saw Chang Xiao coming over to greet him, Chang Xiao praised Long Jingtian's talent after the greetings, but did not mention the fortune-telling. Wu Qingyang expressed his doubts: "Why did Daoist Baoding challenge you?" Chang Xiao smiled calmly: "It should be the intention of the four famous families. These famous and upright families have always had opinions about me. No matter what I do, they will never recognize me." Wu Qingyang shook his head and said: "It can't be that simple. A few days ago, Daoist Baoding came to Penglai to ask Tianlaizi for swordsmanship. Senior Tianlaizi asserted that Daoist Baoding has made great progress in swordsmanship. Is this the reason?" Chang Xiao was quite helpless and sighed: "There are some twists and turns here. I will talk to Brother Wu in detail after the fight." Wu Qingyang did not ask any more questions. Judging from Chang Xiao's attitude, he was quite confident in this competition. The other party was already in place. Daoist Baoding and Yuzhenzi arrived early. The four famous families were headed by Wu Mu Zhenjun, and there was another master, Duan Qingxiao. This senior really wanted to see how advanced Chang Xiao's swordsmanship had reached, so he made a special trip to watch the fight. Naturally, Master Wu Mu was more than happy to see him.

Chang Xiao and Duan Qingxiao had quite some friendship, so they naturally exchanged pleasantries when they met. Duan Qingxiao found that Chang Xiao had gotten rid of the shadow of the Fire God Palace, so he was naturally happy and didn't mention the sad things. He first asked about the reason for the martial arts competition. It was difficult for Chang Xiao to explain, and he couldn't guess what Taoist Baoding was thinking at the moment. Although Yu Zhenzi thanked Chang Xiao for his guidance, he couldn't forget that Dan Yangzi had passed away, so he agreed to Taoist Baoding. But he didn't want to take Chang Xiao's life in his heart. How could a Taoist practitioner repay kindness with hatred? Taoist Baoding didn't think so, and he was determined to die together. Chang Xiao found that Taoist Baoding looked a little abnormal, and he was sure that Taoist Baoding must have had a hard time making this decision. He couldn't ask in public, so he had to prepare for the martial arts competition. The two sides were about to fight, and the monk Shenmu called Tianlaizi down to watch the battle. The three of them were extremely skilled in martial arts, and they landed on the top of the peak one after another, and the spectators were amazed. Taoist Baoding solemnly showed the Ganlu sword. Chang Xiao sighed in his heart. He didn't expect that his kind suggestion would actually lead to this competition. If Taoist Baoding hadn't appreciated the essence of swordsmanship, there would be no competition. The matter is done. It's too late to say anything now. Taoist Baoding knew how fast Chang Xiao would draw his sword, so he took the initiative and drew his sword first. There is no need to waste time when masters fight. Yu Zhenzi and Taoist Baoding cooperated and launched a very fierce attack. Chang Xiao had learned the unique skills of the Paradise Palace, so he was naturally prepared. The dragon scale sword emitted a dazzling silver light, which mixed with the opponent's sword light. Soon, the figures of the three were covered by silver light, and the speed of the moves was amazing. The people watching the battle were all masters of the time. They had seen clearly that the two sides were evenly matched and neither had an advantage. If it was a one-on-one battle, Chang Xiao could easily win. No matter how dissatisfied he was in his heart, he could not deny the fact that Chang Xiao's martial arts had indeed reached the peak, and no one in the world could match him. Taoist Baoding knew something about Chang Xiao's martial arts. This man had superb swordsmanship and his sword energy was extremely abundant. If they continued to fight, they would not be able to gain the upper hand. If they could not seize the opportunity to deliver a fatal blow, they would have no chance when Chang Xiao took control of the situation. Therefore, he launched the Guanshan Feidu first, and Yu Zhenzi performed the Tie Suo Hengjiang to cooperate with him. The moves were continuous and there was no gap. Everyone watching the fight saw that this move was extraordinary and stared at it intently.

Danyangzi had used it before, but he lost his life under Chang Xiao's counterattack. This time, Yuzhenzi was extra careful and must not repeat the same mistake. Baoding Taoist made full preparations. Before the old man could change his moves suddenly, the Ganlu sword shot out a strange light, which merged with Yuzhenzi's sword light to form a light shield that trapped Chang Xiao. Both of them used their full strength, and the swords broke through the air with a sharp whistling sound. Obviously, Baoding Taoist meant to fight quickly and decisively. Under the powerful sword force, Chang Xiao showed a confident smile on his face and shouted loudly: "The long river drinks the horse, and the shadows play in Zhongzhou." The dragon scale sword drew a straight arc, and Chang Xiao's figure disappeared in front of everyone. No matter how Chang Xiao responded, Baoding Taoist could not stop the sword force. In this round of contact, both sides used their full strength, and life and death were decided immediately, without any room for maneuver. Everyone could see clearly that Chang Xiao's moves were too simple. Anyone who learned martial arts would recognize them. They were the most common force splitting Huashan. However, such a simple move actually had a miraculous effect, and it forcibly knocked open the sword curtain formed by Baoding Taoist and Yu Zhenzi. With a loud bang, sparks scattered, and the two sides suddenly separated. Chang Xiao did not change at all. Baoding Taoist smiled and said slowly: "I am satisfied to see such a fantastic sword technique." He reached out to take down the Ganlu sword, examined it carefully, and let out a long breath: "It's a pity that I failed the unparalleled sword in the world." He waved his hand and threw the sword, then leaned back and fell straight to the ground, staring at the sky. Chang Xiao caught the Ganlu sword, walked forward slowly, and felt quite heavy. He stared at Baoding Taoist and said slowly: "I understand the difficulties of the immortal." Baoding Taoist slowly closed his eyes. Everyone watching the battle felt heavy-hearted. The death of Baoding Taoist was really a great loss to the martial arts world. After a long silence, Yu Zhenzi came forward and proposed to take the body of Taoist Baoding back to the Paradise Palace. True Man Chixia refused, and Chang Xiao said sternly: "Fellow Daoist Baoding's challenge this time was not out of his own heart, but entirely for the sake of his sect, or more precisely, for the selfishness of the sect leader. Now that he has sacrificed his life for the sake of his sect, what sect rules should be used to restrict him?" His words were simple and straightforward, and True Man Chixia was speechless.

Yu Zhenzi was in a depressed mood and left Huashan with the remains of Taoist Baoding. Chang Xiao sighed to the sky: "The unique skills of the Danyang Sutra were destroyed in my hands. What a pity." Chixia Zhenren was shocked. The Danyang Sutra was the treasure of Quanzhen Sect. Why didn't Taoist Baoding mention it? It was too late to say anything now. Everyone had seen Yu Zhenzi's swordsmanship, which was not comparable to the four famous families. Now because of the death of Taoist Baoding, there was a gap, and it was unlikely to get this sutra. Chang Xiao was in a very complicated mood holding the Ganlu Sword. Tianlaizi came to comfort him and said: "This fellow Taoist Baoding cannot get rid of the shackles. Once he is freed, it will be a good end. Before the competition, I knew that the Ganlu Sword was about to change hands." Chang Xiao's heart moved and asked: "What do you mean by this, senior?" Tianlaizi smiled: "The Ganlu Sword is the best weapon in the world. Only a true swordsman can be its master." The implication is that there is already a candidate. Everyone present wanted to know who the new owner of the Ganlu Sword was, so they listened attentively. Tianlaizi pointed at Wu Qingyang and said, "Only this Qingyang swordsman is the most suitable candidate." Everyone was a little surprised when he said this, and Chang Xiao also found it incredible. It is true that Wu Qingyang's swordsmanship is very advanced, but it is obviously not enough to be the number one swordsman. Tianlaizi explained, "The city lord became famous for his swordsmanship, and he doesn't know much about swordsmen. The most important thing for a true swordsman is to be sincere and upright, and to uphold the righteousness of heaven and earth, so that he can be integrated with the sword and bring swordsmanship to the extreme." Tianlaizi is a hermit who has been immersed in swordsmanship all his life, so his words are certainly credible. Chang Xiao immediately came to Wu Qingyang and handed him the Ganlu Sword with both hands: "Brother Wu, we have known each other for many years, but it was pointed out by others. I am ashamed." Wu Qingyang shook his head: "Brother, don't blame yourself. Let alone others, even I don't believe it." Tianlaizi said solemnly: "Based on the noble spirit you have cultivated in your heart for many years, the Ganlu Sword belongs to you."

Chapter 170: Mirage

Although Tianlaizi has lived in seclusion for a long time, everyone knows that this master's swordsmanship is unparalleled in the world, and his words are naturally weighty. Wu Qingyang is known for his good popularity in the world, and the Ganlu Sword has always been a treasured item of the Wu family. No one has any objection to the Ganlu Sword falling into Wu Qingyang's hands. Wu Qingyang himself did not expect that things would develop to this point. Although he felt that his own cultivation was a little insufficient, he could not say no anyway, even if it was to fulfill his father's wish. Shenmu Bhikkhu has never thought about life and death. He is still thinking about Chang Xiao's bat coat in his heart. After the matter is settled, he immediately rushed forward and shouted: "Take out your bat coat and let me see it." Chang Xiao's most headache is this person. Now he is in a bad mood and has no time to argue with her. He jumps up and Shenmu Bhikkhu rushes ahead, but Chang Xiao uses the electric light shuttle to change direction and flies down from the towering Yuntai Peak. The bat coat unfolds and disappears silently in the clouds. Duan Qingxiao and Wu Mu Zhenjun looked at each other in shock. They didn't expect Chang Xiao to master such a superb flying skill. Seeing such a scene, the heads of the four famous families understood that the Lord of the Never-Sleeping City was impeccable and no one could do anything about it. Shenmu Bhikkhu was naturally dissatisfied. Compared with the bat coat, the kite seemed much slower. Of course, he was not happy to be compared with others. Tianlaizi didn't care about these. Kites have their own advantages. He took Pinghu Xiayin and flew up with the wind. The master and apprentice flew down the mountain easily. Wu Qingyang said to Shenmu Bhikkhu: "Since the senior doesn't like kites, can I borrow it?" Shenmu Bhikkhu was about to nod, but changed his face immediately: "You want to fly down easily and let me walk, no way." After that, he jumped up and flew down the mountain with the wind. Because Baoding Taoist passed away, everyone was in a bad mood and left Huashan silently. Wu Qingyang had something on his mind. Chang Xiao had not explained some things clearly before the duel. He was going to stay for a while, but was interrupted by the monk Shenmu and left early. He left Huashan and prepared to go to the city that never sleeps. Before he had gone far, someone sent him a letter, saying that Chang Xiao invited him to Poyang Lake for a while. This was exactly what he wanted, so he set off immediately.

Although the exact location was not specified, it was not difficult to find it. From a distance, a fiery red shadow appeared and disappeared in the water. It was the world-famous Fire Dragon Horse. Chang Xiao must be nearby. Sure enough, Chang Xiao was drinking alone in a small pavilion by the lake. When they met, Wu Qingyang spoke first: "My dear brother, your martial arts are the best of heaven and earth. I am far behind you." Chang Xiao shook his head and sighed: "Two masters have died under the Dragon Scale Sword in succession. If the unique skills in the Danyang Sutra cannot be passed on, I will be guilty." Wu Qingyang persuaded: "My dear brother, don't blame yourself. Danyangzi and fellow Daoist Baoding both died in fair competitions. No one can be blamed." Chang Xiao nodded, but he still couldn't let it go. Wu Qingyang asked, "Before the duel, my dear brother said that there were some twists and turns in the matter of Daoist Baoding's letter of challenge. Can you tell me now?" Chang Xiao nodded, "The last record of Daoist Baoding's Danyang Sutra contains subtle changes in the unique skills of flying across the mountains and crossing the river with iron chains. I wrote to you to help you find the way. In addition to helping you, I also wanted to ask Daoist Baoding for help. Let him be the middleman. I will talk to the four famous families to talk about all the grievances and make a conclusion to avoid future troubles." Wu Qingyang was quite surprised. Chang Xiao's martial arts reached the pinnacle, and the Never-Sleeping City was powerful. It was rare for him to put aside his past grudges with the four famous families at this time. But things must have changed, otherwise Daoist Baoding would not have issued a letter of challenge. He frowned and said, "My dear brother, you are trying to make compromises. Why doesn't Fellow Daoist Baoding want to help?" Chang Xiao smiled bitterly and said, "The four famous families have a deep prejudice against me and have been plotting to get rid of me. Fellow Daoist Baoding's words obviously have no effect. I believe that it was not his intention to issue a letter of challenge. Compared with his master, my small favors are naturally nothing." Wu Qingyang nodded: "Fellow Daoist Baoding issued the letter of challenge entirely for his master. It seems that he had already made up his mind to die before the fight." Chang Xiao was quite helpless: "If I hadn't written to Fellow Daoist Baoding, nothing would have happened. Why is it that every time I give in, there is no good result?" Wu Qingyang had no answer.

Of course, Chang Xiao invited Wu Qingyang here not just to talk about these things. The topic about Taoist Baoding was too heavy. Chang Xiao took out a package from his arms: "Although Brother Wu has obtained the Ganlu Sword, I'm afraid many people will not accept his claim to be the number one swordsman. I'll do my best to help you." Wu Qingyang took the package and opened it. Inside was a thin book. Chang Xiao explained: "Every time I spar with a master, I will record the characteristics of his martial arts. This book is about swordsmanship. I believe it will be helpful to Brother Wu." Wu Qingyang put it away solemnly and sighed: "My dear brother is really a man of heart. His achievements today are entirely the result of his hard work." Chang Xiao smiled bitterly: "No matter how hard I try, I can't win the recognition of the four famous families." Wu Qingyang comforted: "My dear brother, don't be obsessed. This is the way of the world. As long as you are worse than them, you will be a thorn in their eyes. If you are not as good as them, they will step on you. It's not easy to change this situation." Chang Xiao sighed lightly: "My original intention was to resolve the conflict and then fade out of the world, but the four The big famous families refused to give up. I never understood why they resented me so much. "Wu Qingyang is an old man in the martial arts world. Of course he understood and explained, "The four famous families have been famous in the martial arts world for many years and have always been high above. As soon as my brother appeared, they fell down. As my brother's martial arts improved day by day, he met masters from all walks of life and surpassed the four famous families in all aspects. Naturally, these people were unwilling to accept it. These contradictions are easy to resolve. The most important thing is that my brother vigorously supported the newcomers, which led to the great improvement of the martial arts of Zhong Yuan, Zhong Hai brothers, Duan Xiyun, Qi Shizhen, Nanhai Yan Nanlou, Tongtian Fort Master Jiang Feiluan, Jiantong brothers and so on, surpassing the four famous families. This is the main reason why the four famous families resented my brother. "Chang Xiao shook his head repeatedly: "What's wrong with supporting the newcomers? The purpose of martial arts should be to carry forward and develop, and each generation will be stronger than the previous one. If you stick to the old and stick to the old, you will gradually die out. "Wu Qingyang sighed lightly: "This is the weakness of human nature. It is not only in the martial arts world, but also in the court, and even more so for ordinary people. No one can change it. "

Although the truth was clear, Chang Xiao was still in a heavy mood. He was afraid that no one could untie this knot. In any case, it was a good thing for Wu Qingyang to get the Ganlu Sword. The two changed the topic and talked about martial arts, which made them feel much more relaxed. After parting, Wu Qingyang rushed back to Wuling Mountain Villa. The old owner was very happy to learn about this. He did not expect that after several years, the Ganlu Sword would return to Wuling Mountain Villa in the most glorious form. Originally, he wanted to celebrate with great fanfare, but Wu Qingyang knew his weight and did not want to be too ostentatious, so he closed himself off to study swordsmanship. Chang Xiao returned to the Never-Sleeping City and found that Princess Yueying had basically recovered, but she just couldn't leave Cherry. After the incident with Taoist Baoding, Chang Xiao's view of the world changed. He was ready to take a break, so he decided to recuperate in the illusion of Wuyi Mountain. Princess Yueying didn't want to stay in the Never-Sleeping City, so everyone set off together, and Cherry naturally followed. Entering the Magic Cave, Cherry was overjoyed to see the magnificent illusion, which was simply a paradise on earth. Chang Xiao made careful adjustments after settling down. The scenery had changed a lot from before, and he tried his best to make his wife forget her sorrow. Yu Hudie knew that Chang Xiao felt even more depressed, but he just didn't show it, so she tried every means to relieve it. Chang Xiao was the top swordsman of the day. The best way to divert his attention and ease his emotions was of course swordsmanship. After two moves, Chang Xiao had already felt that the swordsmanship passed down by the ancestors of the Long family was extremely powerful. It was not something that could be possessed by humans, and no flesh and blood could resist it. After learning about this, Yu Hudie urged Chang Xiao to strive for perfection and fully master this swordsmanship. After considering for a long time, Chang Xiao finally agreed and calmed down to carefully study the various changes in this swordsmanship. The idea of the Hanmei sisters was to relieve emotions through sexual intercourse between men and women, and this idea was obviously selfish. The five beauties agreed that as long as Chang Xiao was free, they would accompany him so that he would not have time to think. Princess Yueying was completely focused on Cherry and didn't care about anything else. Therefore, apart from studying swordsmanship, Chang Xiao spent time with his five wives. After a period of time, he was finally able to put aside all his worries and truly relax his body and mind.

After leaving Huashan, Monk Shenmu was not in a hurry to travel, but he suddenly received a letter from the Lord of Suyun Palace, saying that a mirage had appeared in Penglai. He must not miss it. It finally appeared after waiting for so long. Tianlaizi was more anxious than Monk Shenmu. It would not matter if he had not learned to fly. Now he could fly into the mirage on a big kite. Such an experience could be regarded as unprecedented. Monk Shenmu had the same idea and rushed to Penglai as fast as possible. Sure enough, the mirage did appear, and colorful clouds appeared in the mist, and there were pavilions and towers in the clouds. Monk Shenmu wanted to fly to the sky immediately, but the sea was calm and he could not fly. Monk Shenmu was very anxious. He saw that his wish had been fulfilled, but the weather was not good. Sometimes the mirage only appears for a few hours, sometimes for several days. This time it has lasted for two days. It is hard to say when it will disappear. Shenmu Bhikkhu kept trying, but unfortunately he failed. He kept complaining that if he got the bat coat, he would not have to work so hard. The next morning, the wind blew, and Shenmu Bhikkhu was overjoyed. The local old man said that the mirage would soon disappear when the sea breeze blew. Shenmu Bhikkhu seized the opportunity and flew with Tianlaizi, his master and apprentice, and Jiantong brothers, flying straight to the mirage. Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, a group of people flew into the mirage in a human shape like wild geese. Shenmu Bhikkhu was in the front, looking for the beautiful scenery without blinking his eyes, for fear of missing it. But the mirage seemed to be deliberately teasing this group of people. After flying a long distance, the mirage did not change at all, and it was still the same as watching it at the seaside. Shenmu Bhikkhu refused to give up, and the others also thought that such an experience was too rare and worth it no matter how much it cost. Therefore, the group went straight forward, insisting on looking for the legendary fairyland. God will not let down those who work hard. Under the unremitting pursuit, a wonder appeared in front of everyone, a magnificent palace, green mountains and waters covered by colorful clouds, and exquisite pavilions. The people inside were refreshed and contented. Shenmu monk was extremely excited and rushed to the beautiful scenery. Suddenly, he found that there were two immortals standing side by side on the high mountain. They looked quite leisurely. From the looks of their faces, they were Chang Xiao, the Lord of the Never-Sleeping City, and Yu Hudie. Next to them was Huo Longju. This was a big shock. Shenmu monk screamed loudly, and the kite lost control and fell down. Others also saw it, and their reactions were the same as Shenmu monk, and they fell into the sea one after another.

Because the monk Shenmu and his group flew too far, the Lord of Suyun ordered people to sail a boat to meet them, and the group boarded the boat one after another. The Lord of Suyun asked first: "What did you see?" The monk Shenmu turned around and asked Tianlaizi: "What did you see?" Tianlaizi scratched his head and said: "Let's listen to others. I think I saw it wrong." Pinghu Xiayin refused to say anything, so the Lord of Suyun asked the brothers Jiantong again, and the four of them looked at each other. Nie Jiuniang and the wine boy had a very close relationship. She stepped forward and scolded him, "Don't keep me in suspense. Tell me now. If you don't, I'll show you how I can deal with you." The wine boy quickly smiled and said, "Don't be angry, Jiuniang. I can't stop talking. I don't know what others saw. I saw palaces and pavilions, beautiful mountains and rivers, and immortals traveling among them. The scenery is magnificent and colorful, and it is definitely not in the human world." Nie Jiuniang stepped forward and twisted the wine boy's ear: "Tell the truth quickly, what are you hiding?" The wine boy begged for mercy again and again, and finally told the truth: "I saw the city lord and the jade butterfly standing side by side on the mountain in the fairyland, and the fire dragon colt was next to them." As soon as these words came out, everyone was stunned, and there was silence for a moment. The first to break the loneliness was Long Yunpu: "I know, the city lord and the jade butterfly are both immortals who have descended from heaven, and the fire dragon colt is a celestial horse, so it can appear in the fairyland." Although this explanation is reasonable, it is really unbelievable. Suyun Palace Master asked others again, and the answers they got were the same. Everyone saw the same scene. The old ancestor said: "The fairyland is hazy, could you have seen it wrong?" The monk Shenmu shook his head: "Impossible, that guy looks very special, it is impossible to be wrong." The sword boy said: "Jade Butterfly is the most beautiful woman in the world, I will never forget it in my life, how could I make a mistake?" The piano boy nodded in agreement: "The Fire Dragon Colt is the most famous colt in the world, there is no mistake." The seven people were very sure, and the Lord of Suyun Palace was puzzled. This matter was difficult to explain with common sense. After discussing for a long time, no one could explain it clearly. It happened that the thin bamboo hermit came. It turned out that after leaving Huashan, this expert went to Taishan to get some fine wine, which delayed the journey and arrived at this time. Seeing his old friend Tianlaizi, he immediately shouted: "Thin Bamboo Pole, we have encountered a strange thing, come and explain it to us." The thin bamboo hermit smiled and said: "There are many things that we don’t understand. Being confused has its advantages. It may not be a good thing to figure out everything."

Jokes aside, when hearing that everyone saw Chang Xiao and Yu Hudie in the fairyland, Shouzhu Jushi couldn't explain it. Mirages are different from dreams. Many people see their relatives in past lives in dreams. This is easy to understand. What you think about during the day, you will dream at night. But mirages are fairylands in the ethereal world. Even if seven people are in a dream, it is impossible to see the same scene. This is really incredible. Among the people, only Long Yunpu is the most relaxed. The main reason is that he is simple-minded. He doesn't bother anymore when he has the answer in his mind. Shenmu Bhikkhu suggested that everyone go to the Never-Sleeping City to ask Chang Xiao what he was doing at that moment. Everyone wanted to find out. First of all, they inquired and learned that Chang Xiao and his six wives, as well as Cherry, had left the Never-Sleeping City, and Huolongju was not there either. Everyone discussed for a long time without any results. In fact, everyone knew that even if they saw Chang Xiao, they might not find the answer. Although they saw the mirage, everyone was not satisfied. Instead, they had more questions. It was obviously not realistic to wait for the next time. While they were discussing the next move, news suddenly came that Duan Xiyun and Nie Sanniang had a new son and were heading to Penglai. Palace Master Suyun was very happy and immediately arranged a place for them to stay. It was a great joy for her daughter to have a son. Everyone put aside other things for the time being. Monk Shenmu was thinking about Duan Xiyun's cooking skills. Although they had tasted the best wine, the dishes were obviously much inferior. It would be best if Duan Xiyun could cook a few dishes, which would be perfect. Although the idea was good, it was not easy to achieve. Duan Xiyun was extremely sad after Yin Tianlei's death. Although he had avenged his great hatred, he was still in a heavy mood. It was obviously unreasonable to ask him to cook at this time. Nie Sanniang's cooking skills were not bad, but she had a child to take care of, so she probably couldn't spare any time. Despite this, Monk Shenmu still didn't give up the idea and thought of a solution. Duan Xiyun hadn't arrived yet, but Nie Sanniang's letter arrived first, telling everyone not to mention Yin Tianlei's affairs, so as not to evoke Duan Xiyun's sad memories. Everyone already understood that Duan Xiyun was still immersed in sorrow. If it weren't for the child, she wouldn't have come here to meet everyone.

Chapter 171: The Wanderer Returns Home

The next morning, Duan Xiyun and his wife brought their child to Penglai. The sisters of Yinxian Palace gathered around to see the child, laughing and joking. Duan Xiyun was in a bad mood. After greeting the Suyun Palace Master, he went to the side to drink alone. The wine brought by Shouzhu Jushi tasted excellent, which lifted Duan Xiyun's spirits. Shenmu Bhikkhu took the opportunity to come up to him and said indirectly: "The wine is top-notch, but the food is a little worse." Duan Xiyun certainly understood the meaning of the words and remained silent. The Jiantong brothers are old acquaintances, so there is no need to be polite. This is the first time they meet the ancestor, so they naturally have to pay their respects. In addition, Tianlaizi and Pinghu Xiayin, Shouzhu Jushi, Yuan Guihua and Long Yunpu are all meeting for the first time, so they cannot be ignored. Everyone understands Duan Xiyun's mood, and they all express comfort and advice. Long Yunpu was somewhat unconvinced, and muttered: "What's the joy of life, what's the pain of death? The great revenge has been taken, why do you have to be sad?" The Lord of Suyun Palace rebuked: "What are you talking about, get out of the way." Long Yunpu stepped back in response. Duan Xiyun was originally very free and easy, but he couldn't give up Yin Tianlei's deep affection. Hearing Long Yunpu's words, his heart moved. Chang Xiao killed more than a thousand people for revenge, which was enough to comfort the spirits of the dead in heaven. He was immersed in grief and couldn't extricate himself, which was a great harm to his relatives and friends around him. Thinking of this, he bowed deeply, apologized to everyone, and then took two large jars of wine and drank it. Others wanted to persuade, but the thin bamboo hermit stopped him. Duan Xiyun's meaning was very clear, and he wanted to get rid of the sad mood by getting drunk. Everyone understood it. The ancestor took the child and smiled happily. If it was a girl, she could be surnamed Nie and become a member of the Hidden Fairy Palace. Boys would take their father's surname, which was agreed upon when they got married. The old ancestor told Nie Sanniang that she must make persistent efforts to continue the supply of cigarettes for the Yinxian Palace, and the sisters made fun of her. Nie Sanniang was most concerned about her husband, and the monk Shouzhu persuaded her: "I carry a hangover-relieving and cooling powder with me, so I'll be fine." Nie Sanniang was relieved. It would be best if her husband could get rid of his grief and return to normal life. Duan Xiyun drank a lot of strong liquor and fell into a deep sleep. The monk Shouzhu was experienced and told everyone not to disturb him. The monk Shenmu was happy. If Duan Xiyun returned to normal, he could taste delicious food. Pinghu Xiayin was very happy to learn that Duan Xiyun was the famous Shuijing Erlao. If he could taste the craftsmanship of Shuijing Erlao, it would be worth the trip. Tianlaizi didn't care. He couldn't eat meat and didn't have this blessing.

Duan Xiyun slept all night and woke up with a splitting headache the next day. Shouzhu Lay Buddhist took out a hangover-relieving cool powder and put it under Duan Xiyun's nose. Duan Xiyun took a deep breath and a cool feeling quickly spread throughout his body. He was no longer drunk and was refreshed. He stood up to thank him. Shouzhu Lay Buddhist smiled and shook his head: "It's just a small effort, I can't thank you enough." After waking up from the alcohol, Duan Xiyun's condition was much better. He came to the front to meet everyone. Everyone was naming their children. As a father, he had the most say. Duan Xiyun thought without hesitation: "Don't bother, just call him Duan Tianlei." Nie Sanniang was overjoyed. This name meant that Duan Xiyun had gotten rid of his grief and returned to normal. Shenmu Bhikkhu clapped his hands and shouted: "Let's celebrate well. You two should cook some good dishes." Nie Sanniang was happy and agreed. Duan Xiyun hadn't cooked for a long time, so he nodded and agreed. Shenmu Bhikkhu was very happy. The Jiantong brothers knew that Duan Xiyun's cooking skills were superb, and they were ready to have a big meal. The ancestors had never tasted Duan Xiyun's cooking skills, and they felt that they had come to the right place this time. Because there was gold and silver, the materials were quickly prepared. Duan Xiyun first made Yin Tianlei's specialty dishes to express his thoughts to his deceased friend. These dishes were not for everyone to eat. Then the couple worked together to cook. Because of their superb martial arts, it didn't take long for exquisite dishes to be served. The happiest one was of course the Shenmu monk, who grabbed his favorite food first and enjoyed it. Finally, he couldn't eat meat, otherwise everyone could only watch her eat alone. Duan Xiyun hadn't cooked for a long time. This time, it was out of control. The dishes were endless and varied, and everyone praised them. Tianlaizi also felt that these dishes were different, and the two crystal elders were well-deserved. Everyone tasted the best wine and food, talked and laughed, and Longyunpu was anxious. The owner of Suyun Palace didn't let him sit with everyone, and watched everyone enjoy the delicious food and drooled. He Tong was kind-hearted and told him to find some food under the kitchen. Long Yunpu immediately ran out and peeked outside the kitchen. Duan Xiyun knew that it was the words of this young man that had awakened him. So he took special care of him. Long Yunpu was overjoyed and ate heartily, shouting, "The wine is good, the food is even better, and the emperor is not as happy as me." He danced with joy while holding the wine jar.

Seeing Long Yunpu's appearance, Duan Xiyun was quite emotional. He hadn't been as happy as Long Yunpu for a long time. The main reason was that he had too many things in his heart and couldn't let go. He had to change his mind in the future. Seeing the changes in her husband, Nie Sanniang was very happy and used all her skills. Anyway, there were many people and there was room for her to display. This banquet was very happy. Duan Xiyun thought of his father. He had left the Shendao Gate for a long time and had not considered his father's feelings for several years. Now that he had a son, he should go home to see him. Everyone expressed their support for this idea. Shenmu Bhikkhu immediately put forward the condition that at least two more banquets would allow the couple to leave. The old ancestor was reluctant to leave the child. Duan Xiyun agreed to stay with everyone for three days before leaving. After eating and drinking, flying is naturally the best way to pass the time. Everyone prepared separately, and Duan Xiyun also joined in. The weather was good and the wind was just right. The group flew in the air with the sea breeze. Duan Xiyun found that flying can relax the body and mind and relieve emotions very well, so he played to his heart's content. During the evening gathering, Jian Tong mentioned that he saw Chang Xiao and Yu Hudie in the mirage. Duan Xiyun was shocked. This fact was incredible. After a while, Duan Xiyun learned that Pinghu Xiayin had fought with Shenmu Bhikkhu and had the upper hand. Tianlaizi had even fought with Chang Xiao to a draw. Shouzhu Jushi's martial arts were also unfathomable. Even Long Yunpu, the rookie, was not simple. He had defeated Lingmu Zhenren and Tongtian Fortress Master Jiang Feiluan. People who practice martial arts naturally cannot easily miss masters. Duan Xiyun communicated with these people. Shouzhu Jushi had a high opinion of Duan Xiyun, thinking that this person's swordsmanship was superb. Although he was not as good as Chang Xiao, he could still stand on his own. Because Tianlaizi and his apprentice were proficient in swordsmanship, which was very different from swordsmanship, Shouzhu Jushi was proficient in nourishing qi and was not good at swordsmanship. Duan Xiyun's gains were mostly in internal strength. Three days later, Duan Xiyun was ready to go home. Palace Master Suyun prepared a gift. Duan Xiyun said goodbye to everyone and returned to Shendaomen with his wife and children to visit his father.

Duan Qingxiao returned to the martial arts world, and after fighting with Chang Xiao for many times, he retired from the martial arts world and handed over the rolling pearl knife to his disciple Zhong Wanshan. Because of the fame of the Never-Sleeping City, the Divine Sword Sect has not made any progress. Zhong Wanshan is old and is working hard to cultivate the younger generation to lay the foundation for the future of the Divine Sword Sect. Duan Xinyi missed his son very much, but Duan Xiyun had his own ideas. As a father, he couldn't force him. He could only hide his longing in his heart. Every night when it was quiet, he would go to Duan Xiyun's residence to drink, hoping that his son would come back soon. Duan Xiyun only realized this feeling after becoming a father, and then he wanted to go home to visit. Now Duan Xiyun's martial arts skills have surpassed the four famous families and his uncle Zhong Wanshan, but he has no interest in the position of the leader. There are many fun things in the martial arts world. Once he becomes the leader of the Divine Sword Sect, he will have many more concerns. Duan Xinyi was overjoyed to learn that his son had returned, because it was the first time for his daughter-in-law to visit, so he couldn't be careless. Duan Xinyi asked people to clean the house and halls and hang lanterns and decorations. Duan Xiyun brought his wife in to greet him. Duan Xinyi supported him with both hands. After years of waiting, his son finally came home. He was so happy that he couldn't help crying. Duan Xiyun also felt sad and apologized, "Dad, I am unfilial. I have troubled you to worry about me." Duan Xinyi sighed, "I am glad you are back." Because Nie Sanniang was present, Duan Xinyi had to maintain her status and comforted her with kind words. Seeing the child, Duan Xinyi smiled from ear to ear, which is the case for most elderly people. Duan Xinyi was very excited about the family reunion. He arranged a banquet and sent someone to invite Zhong Wanshan. Duan Xiyun's identity was quite special. First of all, he was the only descendant of the old master Duan Qingxiao, and he had been the master of the Divine Sword Sect. As the current master, Zhong Wanshan certainly attached great importance to him and put down his work and rushed over. Duan Xiyun met his uncle, and Zhong Wanshan was quite emotional. In his heart, Zhong Wanshan did not want to be the master of the Divine Sword Sect. Since Chang Xiao debuted in the martial arts world, almost all the limelight has been taken up by him, and it is difficult for him to make a difference. The old sect master Duan Qingxiao was a great man in the martial arts world and created a great situation for the Divine Sword Sect. Now that it was his turn, he had to face the huge mountain of the Never-Sleeping City, and he had no ability to surpass it. The best candidate to take on this responsibility was of course Duan Xiyun. Although he had this intention, Duan Xiyun had been playing around in the martial arts world as one of the two elders of the Crystal Sect and had not returned home for several years, so naturally there was no solution for this matter. During this meeting, Zhong Wanshan had already made up his mind to find a way to hand over this responsibility to Duan Xiyun, and retire from the martial arts world himself to live a carefree life for a few years.

The happiest person in this meeting was of course Duan Xinyi. Her son had grown up to be a martial arts master, and they had offspring, which was a great joy for the Divine Sword Sect. Zhong Wanshan observed his expression and guessed that Duan Xiyun would not leave soon. He began to think about how to get Duan Xiyun to agree to be the leader of the sect. Originally, Duan Xiyun just wanted to stay at home for a few days, but seeing his father's look, he really couldn't bear to bring it up. That night, Zhong Wanshan talked to Duan Xiyun alone. Duan Xiyun had already sensed Zhong Wanshan's intentions and made up his mind that he would not agree to anything. After sitting down, Zhong Wanshan first asked about Duan Xiyun's experience. He was very happy to learn that Duan Xiyun had made friends with many masters and his wife Nie Sanniang's family was also a martial arts family. Soon they got to the point, Duan Xiyun explained: "Uncle-master, I once served as the leader of a sect, but because I was young and hot-tempered, I suffered a great loss and became a laughing stock in the martial arts world. Later, I traveled around the world and witnessed the martial arts of various masters, especially the Lord of the City That Never Sleeps. In comparison, my two skills are really not up to par." Zhong Wanshan of course understood what Duan Xiyun meant, and comforted him: "My dear nephew, it is an indisputable fact that the City That Never Sleeps is the leader, but think about it carefully, many sects in the martial arts world have been around for more than a hundred years. How many sect leaders in history have achieved the glory of the Lord of the City That Never Sleeps?" Duan Xiyun pondered for a moment and shook his head : "Not even one." Zhong Wanshan nodded: "That's right, for the Divine Sword Sect, what is needed is not the best master in the world." Duan Xiyun sighed lightly: "I understand what Uncle Master means, but after several years of traveling, I have adapted to a free-spirited life and don't want to be constrained." Zhong Wanshan frowned: "That's not right, as a man, you have to take responsibility. Where did your body come from? Why did your father cultivate you so hard? Is it for you to hang out in the rivers and lakes and enjoy everything?" Duan Xiyun was speechless immediately. He had never thought about this question carefully. Zhong Wanshan struck while the iron was hot: "Now that you have descendants, what is your hope? Do you want your son to be a rootless prodigal like you when he grows up?" Duan Xiyun realized his responsibility at this time. He used to think about himself and never thought about other things.

Duan Xinyi also knew the content of the discussion, and she hoped that her son would take over the Divine Sword Sect. Zhong Wanshan's words deeply touched Duan Xiyun. His previous thoughts were too simple. One should not only care about his own happiness, but also plan for the long term. Put yourself in his shoes and think about it. Why did the master uncle take the position of the sect leader? It was nothing more than to repay his grandfather for passing on his skills. What did he do for the Divine Sword Sect as an orthodox successor? Nothing but trouble. Now that he is fully grown, what reason is there for the master uncle to continue to bear this heavy responsibility? Zhong Wanshan saw that Duan Xiyun was thinking, and continued to comfort him: "Your father has always been in poor health, and your uncle can only barely maintain the situation. If you are unwilling to take on the responsibility, the Divine Sword Sect will inevitably decline. At that time, can you still enjoy yourself? Besides, becoming the leader of the sect does not necessarily mean losing freedom. After becoming the owner of Wuling Mountain Villa, Qingyang Swordsman still wanders around like before. He is at home for at most two or three months a year, and his life is still comfortable." Duan Xiyun thought for a long time and finally made a decision: "Well, my nephew insisted on his own way, and I am ashamed of my uncle and my father. From today on, I will return to the Divine Sword Sect." Zhong Wanshan was overjoyed and immediately told Duan Xinyi the good news. Duan Xinyi was so excited that she didn't sleep. She discussed with Zhong Wanshan and prepared to hold a handover ceremony and spread the news to the world. Duan Xiyun told his wife about his decision. Nie Sanniang was very reasonable. After all, wandering around the world is not a common way. For the future of the children, it is better to have roots. On the other hand, if there is something wrong with the family, I have to contribute. After the matter was settled, Zhong Wanshan arranged for people to send out a martial arts invitation, inviting all sects to come and watch the ceremony. Nie Sanniang wrote a letter to invite her mother and sisters to come and join in the fun. Because of Duan Qingxiao, the Divine Sword Sect was still not underestimated in the martial arts world. After receiving the martial arts invitation, all masters prepared gifts and were ready to come to congratulate. After receiving the letter, Palace Master Suyun was a little surprised. Why didn't Duan Xiyun mention such a big thing before leaving?

Upon learning about this, Monk Shenmu was the first to jump out. He thought to himself that if he went to join in the fun, Duan Xiyun would definitely treat him with good things, and then he could taste delicious food again. This proposal was responded to by everyone. Tianlaizi didn't care, but Pinghu Xiayin couldn't forget Duan Xiyun's craftsmanship, so they decided to go together to join in the fun. The group set off happily. On the way, they learned that Chang Xiao, the lord of the Never-Sleeping City, was hiding in the rivers and lakes and would probably not show up. In addition, Wu Qingyang was practicing swordsmanship in seclusion, and the old owner of Wuling Villa represented him. From this, it can be concluded that the most eye-catching person at this gathering was Monk Shenmu. Because the old master Duan Qingxiao is still alive, this gathering is very likely to occur, so the heads of various sects have set off. Monk Shenmu has dealt with Duan Qingxiao and believes that it is unlikely that Duan Qingxiao will come for the change of the master, but it is very likely that he will come for Duan Xiyun's son, which is the hope of the Divine Sword Sect. Because there was plenty of time, the group was not in a hurry to travel. The old ancestor and the Lord of Suyun asked the young men and women to go shopping everywhere and prepare various gifts to let the people of the Divine Sword Sect see that the family of the Sect Master's wife was large and powerful, not only proficient in swordsmanship but also rich. This was for the sake of Nie Sanniang's status. At this time, the news that Wu Qingyang got the Ganlu Sword had spread throughout the world. As Chang Xiao expected, some people were dissatisfied and thought that Wu Qingyang was not worthy of the title of the first swordsman. Tianlaizi had a unique vision and determined that Wu Qingyang had the potential to become the first swordsman of the contemporary era. Shenmu Bhikkhu didn't care. No matter what Wu Qingyang's identity was, he had to listen to him. In fact, so far, only Chang Xiao was the most disobedient. If there was a chance, he must find trouble with him to let him know how powerful he was. The group went shopping all the way, and soon there were two more large carts behind them. The things on the carts were varied, including food, clothing, and accessories, from screens and bed curtains to rings and earrings, as well as various silks and satins, just like moving.

Chapter 172: Successors

Duan Xiyun has served as the leader of the Divine Sword Sect once. He didn't plan to be extravagant this time, but Duan Xinyi and Zhong Wanshan insisted that there were many guests coming this time, so they must not be careless. Duan Xiyun today is completely different from before. He was full of vigor and energy at the beginning. Now he is deep and introverted, with pearls hidden in his belly. In recent years, Duan Xiyun has spent most of his time playing with Yin Tianlei in the form of the two crystal elders. He doesn't have many real friends, but for Duan Qingxiao's face, many people still come, and the scene is very lively. But the real excitement is still to come. When the monk Shenmu arrived, the scene immediately became several times more lively. First of all, this martial arts senior has a respected status, and the Emei Sect is well-known in the world. In addition, the leader of the Beggar Gang, Ziyungu, is a disciple of the monk Shenmu. Naturally, he has to listen to the master's words, so the monk Shenmu is very important. But this senior likes to joke, is humorous, and is easy to get along with. No one is afraid of him. As soon as the monk Shenmu arrived, the people from Yinxian Palace also arrived. These beauties were very eye-catching. Generally speaking, there were not many women at martial arts gatherings, but this time was different. The momentum of the women's army had overwhelmed the masters from all sides. The monk Shenmu was of course the protagonist. The owner of Suyun Palace was graceful and elegant. The beauties of Yinxian Palace were all charming and varied. In comparison, the heads of various sects were much inferior. The person in charge of reception was also an old acquaintance, that is, Wanqi Song, the old master of Wanxian Hall. This time, he put down his work for the sake of his master and came to help. Since intervening in the salt business, Wanxian Hall has been making a lot of money and reaping a lot of rewards. Wanqi Song is an old man in the arena, and he is also very popular in the officialdom. There is a trick here. Everyone can make money, but you can't be too greedy. If you eat alone, you will be plotted against sooner or later. Therefore, Wanqi Song never spared money and took care of officials at all levels, from royal relatives to county officials, so Wanxian Hall was smooth sailing. Of course, Wanqi Song is not a good man. If soft tactics don't work, he will use hard tactics. Corrupt officials can never be fed. When necessary, he can use deterrence. Various people came one after another. Duan Xiyun noticed that the leader of the South China Sea, Yan Nanlou, had changed a lot. When they exchanged martial arts in the Never-Sleeping City, Yan Nanlou was the weakest one. Now Yan Nanlou is full of essence, calm and composed, and has the demeanor of a great man. Duan Xiyun deeply realized the truth of sailing against the current. If he doesn't work hard, he will be surpassed sooner or later.

There were only the Jiantong brothers on the Never-Sleeping City side. Duan Xiyun understood Chang Xiao's difficulties. When he reached the peak in all aspects, he was hit so hard. His depressed mood was completely understandable. When Wu Qingyang took over Wuling Villa, the monk Shenmu had made a lot of trouble. This time, with these young men and women making random suggestions, the scene was chaotic. Fortunately, Wanqi Song had experienced many storms and was worldly-wise, and handled it very appropriately. The ceremony was extremely simple. Zhong Wanshan formally handed over the rolling pearl knife to Duan Xiyun. The disciples paid homage to the new master, followed by gongs, drums, firecrackers, and a big banquet. Wanqi Song arranged the guests in an orderly manner, and those who had conflicts were placed separately. The scene was very lively. The main purpose of the monk Shenmu was to taste the food. Duan Xiyun had to entertain the guests and couldn't get away, so he went to find Nie Sanniang. On such a day, Nie Sanniang naturally couldn't spoil everyone's fun, so she made delicious dishes to entertain everyone. There are many masters among the guests. Pinghu Xiayin has always believed that the master's insistence that only Wu Qingyang is worthy of the Ganlu Sword is a bit arbitrary, because the master has been living in seclusion in the mountains and rarely comes into contact with martial arts masters. Now that masters from all walks of life have gathered, will the master change his original intention? When asked, Tianlaizi smiled and said, "Master can't be wrong. The reason is very subtle. You will understand it in the future." Pinghu Xiayin had to not mention it. Most of the guests attended the ceremony and left after the banquet. Shenmu Bhikkhu certainly refused to give up and stayed with a large group of people. Although Duan Xiyun took on the burden of the Divine Sword Sect, he felt a little regretful in his heart. Yin Tianlei passed away and he became the master of the Divine Sword Sect. The days of being free and unrestrained in the rivers and lakes in the past could never be found again. After settling Shenmu Bhikkhu and his party, he sat alone in the quiet room, facing the rolling pearl knife and thinking, recalling his own experience, and making plans for the future. When he was lost in thought, a breeze blew by, and a fallen leaf floated in from the open window. Duan Xiyun picked up the fallen leaf and thought to himself: Fallen leaves return to their roots, and my roots are in the Divine Sword Sect. Turning around, a person appeared in front of him. It was the sword master who dominated the world, his grandfather Duan Qingxiao.

In Duan Xiyun's memory, the impression of his grandfather only stayed on the surface, and there was no family affection to speak of. He had only had contact with him a few times since he was a child. In his mind, Duan Qingxiao was a senior in the martial arts world and the famous master of the Divine Sword Sect, but he was not a competent grandfather. No matter what he thought in his heart, the person in front of him was his closest flesh and blood after all, so Duan Xiyun knelt down to salute, and Duan Qingxiao nodded and smiled: "Good boy, you have become too independent and don't take your grandfather seriously." Duan Xiyun hurriedly said: "Grandson dare not." Duan Qingxiao supported him with both hands: "What are you talking about? If you are so timid, grandpa's trip this time will be in vain." Duan Xiyun did not hear the meaning of the words, Duan Qingxiao explained: "If you don't have the desire to surpass grandpa, you are not worthy of the Rolling Jewel Knife." The grandfather and grandson sat down, and Duan Qingxiao sighed lightly: "Many people have asked me why I passed the Rolling Jewel Knife to Chen Hongren. This person is not outstanding in any aspect." Duan Xiyun also There is this question. Since grandfather has brought up this matter, there will naturally be a follow-up. Duan Qingxiao let out a long sigh: "Among the many disciples of the Divine Sword Sect at that time, only Chen Hongren had the greatest ambition. He would do anything to get the Rolling Jewel Knife. Grandpa believed that it was impossible for these disciples to surpass him in swordsmanship. If the Divine Sword Sect wants to develop, it needs Chen Hongren's ambition." Duan Xiyun then understood his grandfather's true thoughts. Duan Qingxiao was quite emotional: "Judging from the subsequent results, the original decision was still wrong. Grandpa did not expect that Chen Hongren was so selfish and short-sighted. After getting the Rolling Jewel Knife, he was completely satisfied and actually left the sect." Duan Xiyun completely understood his grandfather's feelings. Duan Qingxiao certainly didn't come here for old matters, so he changed the subject: "The past is the past. Grandpa is here this time mainly for the future of the Divine Blade Sect. We can't make the same mistake again." Duan Xiyun nodded: "Grandson will do his best." Duan Qingxiao shook his head: "It's not that easy to gain a foothold in the world of martial arts. You have seen Chang Xiao's example. So what if his swordsmanship has reached the peak? So what if he has an extremely powerful force? His daughter and son-in-law were still harmed by others. Even executing more than a thousand people cannot bring the dead back alive." Duan Xiyun felt a dull pain in his heart when he mentioned this matter. Yin Tianlei was his closest friend and he could not forget about him no matter what.

Duan Qingxiao thought of the friendship between Duan Xiyun and Yin Tianlei, and blamed himself: "Grandpa shouldn't have mentioned this sad thing. After such a long period of training, your cultivation has made great progress. Grandpa is not only talking about martial arts. To become a real master, martial arts alone is far from enough. I believe you can understand the truth." Duan Xiyun nodded. He had a deep understanding of this truth. After a conversation, Duan Qingxiao revealed his bottom line: "Child, after Grandpa retired from the world, he did not completely give up the power in his hands." Hearing this, Duan Xiyun's heart was lifted. At the beginning, the power controlled by his grandfather was comparable to that of the Never-Sleeping City. He fought openly and secretly many times and never lost the upper hand. With the retirement of his grandfather, this power was gradually forgotten. Unexpectedly, his grandfather still controlled this power. Duan Qingxiao took out a red jade token with a knife carved on it from his arms. Duan Qingxiao explained: "This is the token. Whoever controls it controls the power. Grandpa came here today to give you this jade token." Duan Xiyun stared at the token in front of him for a long time and couldn't speak. The value of this token was too great. Whoever possessed it would have everything. After a long silence, Duan Xiyun made a decision and said: "This token does not belong to me." Duan Qingxiao smiled: "Good boy, it's a piece of material. In fact, this token has no meaning. Grandpa just wants to see if you can be the leader of the Divine Sword Sect." Duan Xiyun was stunned and didn't understand what his grandfather meant. Duan Qingxiao explained: "Grandpa does control a group of masters. These masters have public identities. Although they live and work in peace and contentment at ordinary times, they will restore their identities as people of the rivers and lakes when something happens. They don't recognize the token, but only recognize your grandfather." Duan Xiyun couldn't tell what he felt in his heart. He didn't understand what his grandfather wanted to do. Duan Qingxiao continued: "After retiring from the martial arts world, grandpa did not give up this power completely just in case. Grandpa arranged these people to pay attention to Chang Xiao's every move and the whereabouts of several top masters, and get some inside information that is difficult for outsiders to know." Duan Xiyun, as the leader of the Divine Sword Sect, of course he was concerned about the developments in the martial arts world, so he asked for details. Duan Qingxiao introduced: "Chang Xiao obtained a strange painting, which contained a fantastic swordsmanship. Chang Xiao went through a lot of trouble and finally comprehended this swordsmanship." Duan Xiyun had heard a little about this matter, of course not as clear as Duan Qingxiao. Only then did he understand it, and sighed in his heart: I'm afraid I won't have a chance to surpass Chang Xiao.

Even the well-known Duan Qingxiao had to admit Chang Xiao's experience. This person's growth process was like a myth. Duan Qingxiao knew Chang Xiao's whereabouts very well and pointed out several people. The first one was Lingjiu Shangren from the Nie family. This person had superb swordsmanship and profound internal strength. He was a very popular swordsman who was comparable to the monk Shenmu. Duan Xiyun was quite surprised that his wife was from the Nie family, and his grandfather knew everything about things he didn't know. In addition, Duan Qingxiao mentioned the Paradise Palace. It was this time that Chang Xiao used that kind of fantastic swordsmanship for the first time, and took Danyangzi's life under the sword force exerted by Danyangzi and Yuzhenzi. Then he mentioned Pinghu Xiayin and Tianlaizi's master and apprentice. Duan Xiyun had heard that Tianlaizi had fought with Chang Xiao and it was a draw. Duan Qingxiao had a different opinion: "Don't be confused by superficial phenomena. Chang Xiao didn't use his full strength in that fight, and Tianlaizi didn't use all his sword power. A draw was Tianlaizi's opinion, and only Chang Xiao knew the real result. When Taoist Baoding challenged and fought on Huashan, grandpa saw clearly that Chang Xiao's swordsmanship had broken free from the shackles of the world and reached a state of being invisible and effortless." Duan Xiyun was of course aware of the fact that Taoist Baoding had passed away, and the changing of hands of the Ganlu sword was a major event that shocked the martial arts world. Regarding Chang Xiao's swordsmanship, various people have different opinions. Duan Qingxiao is of course the most qualified to speak. Duan Xiyun has a question buried in his heart, but he has never had the chance to ask it. This time he finally has the chance, so he asked it in person: "When grandpa and Chang Xiao fought, it should have been a draw. After a long time, Chang Xiao has made great progress. Is grandpa's swordsmanship not as good as Chang Xiao's?" Duan Qingxiao was quite sure of the answer to this question: "Yes, grandpa completely gave up the swordsmanship after retiring from the world. There are gains and losses. Grandpa's life is much happier than Chang Xiao. First of all, studying swordsmanship is a hard job. It is even more difficult for Chang Xiao to make further progress with his cultivation. Coupled with the blow from the Fire God Palace, he can't compare to grandpa's happiness at all."

As the head of a school, of course he must understand the masters of the world. Duan Xiyun mentioned that Nanhai Yannanlou had made rapid progress. Duan Qingxiao smiled and said, "That was Chang Xiao's advice. There is one thing you don't know. After the Huashan competition, Chang Xiao met with Wu Qingyang privately and handed a book to him. Wu Qingyang went into seclusion immediately after returning home. I believe this book is related to swordsmanship. When Wu Qingyang comes out of seclusion, his swordsmanship will definitely change a lot. You can't look at it with the same eyes as before." Duan Xiyun nodded: "Qingyang swordsman is famous and calm. Few people in the world know the depth of his swordsmanship. My grandson has never looked down on him." Duan Qingxiao was very happy to hear such an answer. It is indeed worth celebrating that there is a successor. After talking for a long time, Duan Qingxiao took out a silk book and smiled, "Chang Xiao gave Wu Qingyang a book, and grandpa will give you one too." Duan Xiyun was overjoyed and took it quickly. This book must be a sword manual. When you open it, it is completely different. There is not a single word in the book from beginning to end, only twelve small paintings. The brushwork is vigorous and the artistic conception is lofty. It is obviously the work of a famous artist. But what does this have to do with knife skills? Duan Qingxiao said solemnly: "This time, grandpa is not teaching you sword skills, but sword intent. After Chang Xiao won in the Paradise Palace, he said: The wind curtain moves at sunset, and broken shadows dance in the setting sun. This sentence is the sword intent. The sword skills are integrated into nature and reach the state of unity between man and nature. During the Huashan competition, Chang Xiao also chanted before displaying his unique skills: The long river drinks the horse, and the shadow plays in the Central Plains. The meaning of these two sentences is the same. When the sword skills reach this level, it is easy to do whatever you want." Duan Xiyun couldn't understand such words, but Duan Qingxiao knew it clearly, and explained: "Don't be impatient, and integrate the Juechen Sword Manual with these pictures. If you can understand the mystery, the future of the world will be you and Wu Qingyang's world." Duan Xiyun was stunned: "The Never-Sleeping City dominates the world, and Chang Xiao's sword skills have reached the pinnacle. How can others have a chance?"

Since the death of Taoist Zuixia, the only person who knows Chang Xiao best in the martial arts world is Duan Qingxiao. Hearing Duan Xiyun's question, Duan Qingxiao smiled and explained: "Chang Xiao has been hit by the Fire God Palace and has become disheartened. It won't be long before he fades out of the martial arts world." Of course, there is a basis for saying this. Duan Xiyun completely trusts his grandfather's words. Duan Qingxiao didn't want to alarm others this time, so he took the time to give instructions. The twelve paintings were all taken from Tang poetry, and it was not easy to integrate them with the swordsmanship. Time was tight, so Duan Qingxiao could only give a rough idea, mainly letting Duan Xiyun understand it himself. The grandfather and grandson studied for most of the night. Duan Qingxiao saw that it was getting late, so he stood up and said, "In addition to giving you some advice, I also want to do something else, which is to see your son, the bloodline of the Duan family." Duan Xiyun had no reason to refuse, and immediately went to the back to find Nie Sanniang. After being busy for several days, Nie Sanniang felt tired and had fallen asleep. Duan Xiyun quietly picked up her son. After all, Nie Sanniang was an expert in martial arts. Although she was asleep, she also felt someone coming. Seeing that it was her husband, she casually asked, "Where are you taking the child so late?" Duan Xiyun whispered, "My grandfather is here and wants to see the child." Nie Sanniang had heard that Duan Qingxiao, the old leader of the Divine Blade Sect, was a well-known and powerful figure in the martial arts world, and was a top-notch expert. She wanted to get up and pay her a visit, but Duan Xiyun stopped her, saying that her grandfather didn't want to alarm others this time, and they would naturally have a chance to meet in the future, so Nie Sanniang didn't insist. Duan Xiyun came to the front with the child in his arms. Duan Qingxiao saw that the child was full of smiles, so he took him over to look at him carefully and asked, "Have you named him?" Duan Xiyun nodded and said, "Yes, in memory of my good friend, I will name him Duan Tianlei." Duan Qingxiao praised, "It's loud enough. He will definitely make a name for himself in the martial arts world in the future." He took out a jade bottle from his arms and gave it to Duan Xiyun, saying, "There are thirty-six pills in it. When the child is one year old, give him one pill every month. When he grows up, he can practice internal skills with half the effort." Duan Xiyun kept in mind that his grandfather had met a hermit master, and these pills must be extremely precious. Duan Qingxiao exhorted, "To gain a foothold in the martial arts world, martial arts alone are far from enough. You have to teach him in many ways and don't let your child follow your old path." Duan Xiyun agreed. Seeing that the sky was about to brighten, Duan Qingxiao left quietly.

Chapter 173: Change of Principle with the Wind

After his grandfather left, Duan Xiyun sent the child back and couldn't wait to study the picture album that his grandfather gave him. He had no clue and had to put it away first. When most of the guests left, the monk Shenmu had no scruples and started to shout and yell. The women's army of Yinxian Palace also had a variety of tricks. The people of Shendao Sect fully experienced how difficult these people were. But there was nothing to say about the hard work. These people all had unique skills and none of them were easy to mess with. Even Long Yunpu, the follower who was casually ordered by the Lord of Suyun Palace, was a top-notch master. Being in the rivers and lakes, of course, martial arts are respected, so everyone works hard and there is nothing to say. Tianlaizi and Pinghu Xiayin didn't care much about food, they just wanted to use the big kite to fully appreciate the beautiful mountains and rivers. Seeing that Shenmu monk was in high spirits, the two masters and apprentices were ready to leave. Shenmu monk was straightforward and immediately said: "You two hurry up and leave Guihua behind." Everyone didn't understand what he meant. Long Yunpu smiled and said: "Of course, no one has ever been her opponent. These two seniors are superb swordsmen and have surpassed her. Naturally, they are not happy." Shenmu monk nodded: "What this silly boy said is absolutely right. Who made them better than me." Yuan Guihua originally wanted to go with her grandfather, but Tianlaizi liked to be free. With Yuan Guihua following him, he couldn't do whatever he wanted, so he decided to let Yuan Guihua stay. Pinghu Xiayin naturally cared about his granddaughter, but there was nothing to worry about. There was no mediocre person in this group, and there would be no accidents. After the agreement, Tianlaizi left with his apprentice. Shouzhu Jushi was going to Mount Tai to find Shi Huaiyu to cooperate in cocktail making, and he was also going to Jiaozhou to find Long Jingtian to study chess. The three of them left together. After the three of them left, Shenmu Monk became more carefree and enjoyed himself. Although he was a distinguished guest, he could not disturb others endlessly. Under the urging of Suyun Palace Master, Shenmu Monk finally expressed his intention to leave. Of course, Duan Xiyun and his wife had to cook a sumptuous banquet before leaving. Duan Xiyun naturally could not refuse, and Shenmu Monk was satisfied, so he led the group to leave the Shendao Gate. The Jiantong brothers and the beauties of Yinxian Palace were secretly glad that with this senior around, they really enjoyed a lot of blessings, ate the best delicacies, and drank the best wines.

After seeing off the guests, Duan Xiyun studied these pictures. His grandfather had told him that these pictures should be read together with the Juechen Sword Manual, and he should also read Tang poetry and fully understand the artistic conception in the poems. Therefore, Duan Xiyun studied hard. If he could not take this step, he would not be worthy of being the master of the Divine Sword Sect. These things are easy to say but difficult to do. For the future, Duan Xiyun put all his energy into it, but the progress he made was extremely limited. Haste makes waste. Duan Xiyun was patient and put other things aside. Coincidentally, while Duan Xiyun was studying the pictures, Wu Qingyang was also in a daze at several pictures. The thin booklet given by Chang Xiao had some discussions at the front, which was easy to understand, and the pictures at the back. Wu Qingyang and Duan Xiyun could not understand it. Duan Xiyun had his grandfather's guidance. Wu Qingyang was an old man after all. Although he could not see the way for the time being, he could be sure that these pictures were closely related to martial arts. Although the two were not in the same place, their situations were very similar. After the Taoist priest Baoding passed away, Jiang Feiluan, the master of Tongtian Fort, was quite regretful. Later, he learned that the Ganlu Sword fell into the hands of Wu Qingyang. He felt quite dissatisfied and thought that Wu Qingyang was not worthy of the sword. Chang Xiao did this obviously for the sake of the old friendship. Although he was a little dissatisfied, Chang Xiao helped him to forge a weapon that could resist the Ganlu Sword, so it was not easy to argue. However, he made up his mind to compete with Wu Qingyang sooner or later and take the title of the first swordsman. At this time, the pattern of the rivers and lakes did not change much. The Beggars' Sect joined forces with Lu Wenjun's side. Under the painstaking management of Ziyun Gu, their strength increased a lot and they have become the largest gang in the rivers and lakes. Of course, the help of Elder Jinchan is indispensable to today's achievements. The four famous families are deeply rooted and are still the representatives of the famous and upright. The South China Sea Fleet worked together with Lu Wenjun, and under the support of Chang Xiao, their business was quite prosperous. The biggest change was in Wanxian Hall. Wanqi Song became related to the royal family because of Shanhu, and was able to get involved in the salt business. With a lot of money rolling in, Wanxian Hall has undergone a fundamental change and has become a force between the government and the underworld. The most powerful force is of course the Never-Sleeping City. Chang Xiao's martial arts have been recognized by everyone, and no one can compete with him.

Unfortunately, Chang Xiao, the top martial arts master, was not happy. A series of blows made this martial arts leader very depressed. If it weren't for the Jade Butterfly and the Fire Dragon Horse, he really didn't know how to spend his days. After a period of time, Chang Xiao's mood finally eased a lot, but something happened again. Duan Kui, a drug dealer living in West Lake, was seriously ill and was on the verge of death. When Chang Xiao was down and out, Duan Kui generously lent a hand. Not only did he take Chang Xiao in, but he also swore to be his brother. Later, he bought the Dragon Scale Sword for Chang Xiao. He can be said to be Chang Xiao's greatest benefactor, and the two had a very deep relationship. No matter what Chang Xiao encountered, he would go to West Lake every year to visit his sworn brother. Duan Kui was a free-spirited person, and he was very particular about food, clothing, housing and transportation. Because he was pampered, he was quite fat. When he was old, his body became weak, and he fell ill immediately after being stimulated by the cold wind. Although his family had millions of dollars and tried many ways, he could not save the situation. He gradually became seriously ill and confused. Duan Kui's eldest son inherited his father's business and was out doing business. He was not around. The second son was cowardly by nature and had no idea. The Duan family was the richest in the area. Many people in the family were jealous. With Duan Kui around, no one dared to act recklessly. Now that Duan Kui was ill, these people had evil ideas. They publicly recommended three elders from the family and led more than a hundred young men in the family to find a reason to change the one thousand taels written when Duan Kui donated money to repair the family temple to seven thousand taels. They also found witnesses to testify that Duan Kui was talking about gold at the time. To be on the safe side, they also found officials, promised benefits, and prepared to make a fortune. So many people came together to make trouble. Duan Kui's second son was timid and afraid of trouble. He had already hidden away in fear. The women of the Duan family were afraid of making a fool of themselves and did not dare to step forward. In the midst of the chaos, a loud horse neighing sound was heard outside. Duan Kui's wife said happily: "That's good. Everything will be easy once the second uncle arrives." The person who came was Chang Xiao. Because he lived in seclusion in the Magic Cave, he was depressed. When he got the news, it was already too late. He rushed day and night. Thanks to the Fire Dragon Horse, he arrived in time. Duan's wife immediately asked her family to let her son go to greet him. When Duan Kui's second son heard that Chang Xiao had come, he immediately became determined and rushed to the door regardless of everything. When he saw Chang Xiao, he bowed his head and cried.

Chang Xiao knew that Duan Kui was seriously ill, so he hurried over. He didn't expect that the Duan family would take the opportunity to cause trouble. He got off his horse and supported him, asking, "How is your father?" Duan Kui's second son was so anxious that he couldn't speak. The family members next to him said anxiously, "Second Master, you came at the right time. A group of scoundrels were making trouble at home and robbing gold and silver." Chang Xiao said angrily, "Who is so bold?" He walked in angrily with his head held high. At this time, a group of scoundrels and officials were making a fortune happily, fighting for each other, and a good courtyard was made of smoke and miasma by these people. Chang Xiao was furious. His original intention was to teach these scoundrels a lesson. When he walked to the second gate, he thought that he couldn't stay here all the time. Once he left, these scoundrels would still come to make trouble. If he killed these people, the Duan family would not be able to live here. I believe that the eldest brother Duan Kui didn't want to see this scene. It is best to deal with these scoundrels through the government. At this time, a person flashed in his mind and he had an idea in his mind. The scoundrels and the officials were acting recklessly, but suddenly they were a little scared when they saw Chang Xiao. Chang Xiao's face turned green and he shouted, "Get out." His voice was like a bronze bell, making these people's eardrums buzz. The scoundrels were scared from the bottom of their hearts, and they dared not delay any longer, and rushed out. A family member said, "Second Master, they took away a lot of gold and silver, and also damaged a lot of furniture." Chang Xiao sneered, "In a few days, they will return the things and kowtow to apologize. These things are not urgent, take me to see my eldest brother." The family member took the order and hurriedly led Chang Xiao to the bedside. Duan Kui had been unconscious for a long time. As soon as Chang Xiao entered the door, he suddenly opened his eyes and said, "Brother, my eldest brother has been waiting for you." Chang Xiao stepped forward and held Duan Kui's hand. He felt sour in his heart and comforted him, "Don't worry, my eldest brother will take care of everything at home. No matter what, you should get well first." Duan Kui smiled. He sighed, "Brother, my elder brother's life span has come to an end. He can't make it through this level." Chang Xiao's martial arts skills have reached the pinnacle. He can see that his elder brother Duan Kui is already exhausted and powerless. There is no other way, so he can only persuade him kindly. Duan Kui slowly said, "Brother, my elder brother has a prosperous life with many children and grandchildren. He is content. When he was doing business in his early years, he handled countless medicinal materials, and he never adulterated them. He can be considered to be worthy of his conscience." At the beginning, Chang Xiao used to sell medicinal materials with Duan Kui. He knew that Duan Kui was the most trustworthy in business, so he gained the trust of various medicine shops and accumulated a huge family business. Duan Kui continued, "The proudest thing in my elder brother's life is to get a good brother." Chang Xiao was quite emotional: "If it weren't for my elder brother's righteousness, how could I live?" Duan Kui forced a smile: "Brother, you are being polite. We have the most important feelings. I felt that I was compatible with you the first time I saw you." Chang Xiao watched his sworn brother become terminally ill and was helpless.

No one can resist birth, old age, sickness and death. No matter how powerful Chang Xiao is, he can't fight against heaven. Duan Kui had a moment of light, spoke his heart out and passed away peacefully. Chang Xiao felt very upset and cried loudly. The whole Duan family mourned together. Chang Xiao made the decision and asked his family to prepare for the funeral, choose a cemetery for the coffin, build a high mourning shed, and invite monks to pray for the dead soul. He sent a letter privately to arrange everything for the future of the Duan family. Although those scoundrels were frightened, they finally got the benefits. Seeing that the Duan family did not pursue the matter, they secretly rejoiced and regretted that they were not quick enough and could not take more. The funeral was quite grand, and Chang Xiao was certainly not afraid of spending money. Duan Kui was the richest man in the area, so naturally he had to deal with the government. Every time the Duan family donated money to build bridges and roads, they were the first to do so. The local prefect wrote the plaque himself and was about to have the yamen runners deliver it. Suddenly, the clerk ran in in a hurry. The prefect reprimanded him, "Why are you in such a hurry? How can a scholar lose his manners?" The clerk saluted and said, "Sir, the carriage of King Wuling has just entered the city." The prefect immediately changed color, "King Wuling, that's half of Jiangnan, go and greet him." At this time, he didn't care about losing his manners. He hurriedly changed into his official uniform and summoned the yamen runners to greet him. Obviously, it was Chang Xiao's idea to let Wei Heyang come. He was the most ideal person to put pressure on the government. Wei Heyang already understood Chang Xiao's intention, so he was so pretentious. The prefect led a group of followers to greet him in a hurry and paid homage. Wei Heyang comforted him, saying, "An old friend of mine passed away, so I came here to pay my respects, not for official business." The prefect breathed a sigh of relief and asked carefully, "What is the name of this old friend of yours?" Wei Heyang answered according to Chang Xiao's meaning, "It's Mr. Duan Kui, the richest man here. When I was in trouble, I was helped by Mr. Duan Kui. Later, he donated a large sum of money to support the military." The prefect was worried. No wonder the Duan family was so rich. It turned out that King Wuling was backing them up. It was thanks to him that he didn't offend the Duan family. Wei Heyang's face changed as he thought about it. "Before I came here, I heard that a group of rogues took advantage of the funeral to make trouble at the Duan family. How did you become a prefect?" The prefect was shocked. King Wuling held the power of life and death, and he wanted his head with just one word. He immediately knelt down and pleaded guilty: "I really didn't know. Please forgive me, Your Majesty." Wei Heyang asked with a stern face: "Do you still need me to deal with such a matter?" The prefect immediately understood that this was a way to give himself a way out, and immediately said: "I will deal with it right away."

If it were a commoner, such a small matter would be delayed for at least ten days and a half months, and it might not be dealt with even if enough money was made. Now that King Wuling has spoken, the prefect has issued a death order, and all the rioters must be arrested. Take this opportunity to please King Wuling. This is the rule of the officialdom, and everyone knows it well. The prefect invited Wei Heyang to the government office, served him carefully, and issued an official document. The officers went to arrest people like wolves and tigers. At this time, they could not show favoritism, and soon arrested all the people and brought them to the government office. Wei Heyang asked the prefect to deal with it immediately, and he was listening in the court. The prefect was very happy, and this was a good opportunity to show off. When the court was raised, the prefect's face turned green, and he put on a posture of being the master of the people. Those who came to the court were at least 20 boards, and the gold and silver were confiscated, and the accomplices were interrogated. The officials who participated in the matter were doubled. The prefect was anxious, and the executioners did not dare to perfunctory, and worked particularly hard. For a while, the wailing in the hall was endless. At this point, these people were dumbfounded and it was too late to regret. They had to hand over the gold and silver they had obtained and compensate for all losses. With the presence of King Wuling, the prefect acted vigorously and dealt with it in half a day. He asked Wei Heyang for instructions. Wei Heyang comforted him a few words, and the prefect quickly humbled himself and said that it was natural to do things for the people. Wei Heyang ordered these people to go to the Duan family to apologize and repair the damaged furniture. These people were hit with a wrench. Not to mention working, they had difficulty walking and complained bitterly. How could the words of King Wuling not count? In order to show that he enforced the law strictly, the prefect asked the yamen runners to put shackles on these people and go to the Duan family immediately. These people complained bitterly and walked with barely support. Needless to say, this was a hardship. This incident immediately caused a sensation in the whole city. The people knew that the Duan family had contacts with the high and mighty King Wuling, and they were extremely envious. Someone cleverly sent a letter to Duan's family. Duan's wife was puzzled. How could her husband have had any contact with King Wuling? The matter was before her eyes. She had no choice but to believe it. The government first sent people to return the confiscated gold and silver together with the fines. These officials were usually very powerful, but at this time they were extremely humble. They just wanted the Duan family to say a few good words for them. Duan Kui's second son came out to receive them. He had never experienced such a thing before and was quite at a loss.

Duan's wife guessed that this matter was probably related to Chang Xiao, but she was not sure. Chang Xiao was a man of the underworld, how could he have any contact with the royal relatives who were respected in the government? Those rogues barely walked to the Duan's house, and they were all covered in dust and dirt, and they could only beg for mercy. Chang Xiao severely reprimanded them, and the Duan family applauded, thinking that the official had recognized the right brother. After sending these rogues away, Chang Xiao took care of the funeral. Because King Wuling was coming, the prefect sent people to assist with all their efforts. Everything was ready and money was saved. Common people had to kneel down when they saw the seventh-rank magistrate. King Wuling came to mourn, and the Duan family felt at a loss. It was still Chang Xiao who made the decision and put on a big show, so that the local people and officials would see it and not provoke it in the future. Wei Heyang owed Chang Xiao a big favor, so of course he had to help with such a small matter. At that time, he put on the airs of a prince, and hundreds of entourages and guards went to the Duan family to mourn, and the prefect naturally followed. The funeral was very grand. Wei Heyang delivered a eulogy and gave the Duan family precious treasures, jade, and brocade. The funeral was successfully completed. Chang Xiao and Wei Heyang talked in the garden of Duan's house. The Duan family was surprised to find that the second master had no respect for the high and mighty King Wuling. On the contrary, the King Wuling was somewhat humble to the second master. Chang Xiao thanked him in person: "Thank you for your help this time." Wei Heyang smiled and said: "Don't make fun of me, the city lord. It doesn't matter if I, the King Wuling, show off in front of others. But if I show off in front of the city lord, my friends in the world will laugh at me." Chang Xiao nodded slightly: "This Duan Yuanwai saved my life. We have a brotherly relationship. The Dragon Scale Sword was given by my eldest brother." Wei Heyang fully understood that the people in the world clearly distinguish between gratitude and resentment, and it is completely reasonable to do so. Wei Heyang holds the military and political power in Jiangnan, so he cannot stay for long. He leaves immediately after finishing his work. Chang Xiao is also preparing to leave. The Duan family is stunned, as if in a dream. Who is this brother of Yuanwai? He has all-powerful hands and eyes, and can do anything.

Chapter 174 Father and Son Reunited

Wei Heyang felt a little comforted after he set off. It was always a good thing to be able to help Chang Xiao. It was no wonder that Chang Xiao was in a bad mood during this meeting. The incident at the Fire God Palace was still lingering, and the challenge of Baoding Taoist was defeated. Now his sworn brother has passed away. No one would be in a good mood. This trip brought many people to show off, which naturally attracted attention. Wherever he went, there would inevitably be people watching the excitement. Wei Heyang didn't care. It was understandable that the people wanted to watch. A town store appeared in front of him. Wei Heyang ordered people to rest in the town. The soldiers who opened the way entered the town for a patrol and soon came back to report that the town was empty, with only a few elderly people with inconvenient legs and feet. Wei Heyang felt strange and asked someone to inquire. Soon he learned that a strange team passed by here and stationed in the forest outside the town. People in the town went to watch the excitement. Wei Heyang didn't take it seriously at first, but the sergeant reported that this group of people was very grand and used the king's carriage. Wei Heyang's heart moved. After the death of Prince Lian, he was the only one in Jiangnan who was crowned as a king. If the princes and dukes from the capital came to Jiangnan, he should know. The soldiers carefully inquired and got the news that the dress of this group of people was completely different from that of the Central Plains. Most of the people accompanying them were from Tianzhu, and the host was the Tianzhu royal family. Wei Heyang was relieved immediately. The Tianzhu royal family could use the king's carriage after obtaining permission from the court. Originally, he didn't pay much attention to it, but the soldiers said that this group of people was quite strange. They didn't live in houses, but set up several large tents to live in. Just the mounts were unusual. In addition to horses, there were tall camels and long-nosed elephants that were rare in the Central Plains. In addition, the Tianzhu beauties were gorgeously decorated, with soft waists and exotic customs. There were even snake charmers accompanying them. Hearing this, Wei Heyang became interested. No wonder everyone in the town went to watch the excitement. Such an experience might not be encountered in a lifetime. He immediately ordered people to settle down in this town, and sent someone to deliver the name card after settling down. Soon a reply came, and the other party invited Wei Heyang to the tent for a while. Wei Heyang readily agreed and led several followers to the appointment. Of course, as the King of Wuling of the imperial court, he could not appear shabby, so he prepared a heavy meeting gift, which were all rare treasures among the people.

Halfway through the journey, the other party sent someone to greet them. Wei Heyang was amazed at the appearance of the two men. The two men were tall and dark-skinned, completely different from the people in the Central Plains. There was also a Han Chinese accompanying them, who was very polite. Wei Heyang asked, "What is your master's name?" The man replied, "The master is the Moon Wheel King canonized by the Tianzhu royal family." Wei Heyang's heart moved. This name sounded familiar, as if he had heard it somewhere. After walking a few steps, he suddenly remembered that his master Wu Qingyang mentioned that the Lord of the Never-Sleeping City, Chang Xiao, had an only son who was canonized as the Moon Wheel King by the Tianzhu royal family since he was a child. Could it be him? So he asked, "Where is the Moon Wheel King going?" The man replied, "The Moon Wheel King is going to visit his relatives and is going to Julong Mountain." Wei Heyang was stunned. Julong Mountain should be the Never-Sleeping City. He suddenly remembered that the predecessor of the Never-Sleeping City was Julong Villa. Because the Never-Sleeping City was so famous, many people forgot Julong Villa. Now it is certain that this Moon King is the only son of Chang Xiao, the Lord of the Never-Sleeping City. I didn't expect that I would meet his son after just meeting Chang Xiao. It can be regarded as a coincidence. It is said that the Moon King followed Master Baikong, the junior brother of the famous monk Master Baiji, to practice. Almost no one knows the exact news. This time he must have left his master. Just as I was thinking, a tall tent appeared in front of me. It was quite gorgeous, and the music was melodious, but it was not the instrument of the Central Plains. The Moon King came out to welcome the guests, and four Indian beauties were in front. Wei Heyang had been to the Never-Sleeping City. Chang Xiao's wife Princess Yueying was an Indian princess, so he didn't think anything of it, but the followers behind him felt that it was eye-opening. The Moon King's skin was bronze, which was the result of following Master Baikong's ascetic practice, wind and sun, and running around. Wei Heyang looked carefully and saw that the Moon King was not very burly, and his eyebrows and eyes did not look like Chang Xiao, and he was very close to the Indians. When they met, King Yuelun used the etiquette of the Central Plains even though he was from the royal family of Tianzhu. He clasped his fists and said, "I have heard that King Wuling of the Central Plains is a brave and invincible warrior. Today I see that he is indeed a hero." Wei Heyang said modestly, "No, there are many hidden talents in the Central Plains. I am just luckier. Your father is the unparalleled hero." King Yuelun was stunned, "Brother, you actually know my father." Wei Heyang smiled, "I was still hanging out with your father in the West Lake yesterday." King Yuelun nodded, "I see."

Because King Yuelun had been practicing with Master Baikong, he didn't know much about the Central Plains. It was a rare opportunity to meet an old friend, so of course he had to treat him warmly. When he arrived at the tent, the banquet had been set up, but there were no tables and chairs, only a few tables, and a thick carpet on the ground. Wei Heyang and King Yuelun sat cross-legged. King Yuelun said, "Since your father knows my father, there is no need to be polite. I wonder how your father and I address each other?" Wei Heyang said, "My master and your father call each other brothers." King Yuelun nodded and said, "Although my father has many friends, not many of them call him brother. Your master must be a first-class master in the martial arts world. Why don't you and I call each other brothers?" Wei Heyang certainly agreed and asked first, "I heard that your father arranged for you to practice with Master Baikong. Now that you are using the king's chariot, you must have completed your apprenticeship." King Yuelun smiled and said, "It's a long story. I followed my master to Nalanda Temple in India to participate in the debate conference. I met King Kumara and mentioned my grandfather. It turns out that we are from the same family. King Kumara's father and my grandfather are brothers. He invited me to return to my homeland at that time, but of course I refused. By comparison, it is better to go back to the Central Plains. The days are more colorful. King Jiuma Luo gave me a royal carriage, a number of beautiful attendants, and various treasures. I didn't want to accept it at first, but Master deliberately arranged for me to make peace with the Central Plains court and insisted that I accept it, so I had to obey. "Wei Heyang nodded: "Master Baikong is full of compassion, and he did this entirely for the people of the two countries." King Yuelun smiled bitterly and said: "With so many more people, there will be a lot of troubles, and we can no longer be as comfortable as before." Wei Heyang explained: "My dear brother, you don't know how to appreciate your blessings. Such a life is what countless people dream of." King Yuelun shook his head: "Like my father, galloping around the world is what I want to live the most." Wei Heyang sighed lightly: "Your father also has troubles, especially recently, there have been many changes, and he is very depressed." King Yuelun was quite surprised: "What else in the world can make my father upset?"

It is not surprising to have such doubts. The Never-Sleeping City is in its heyday, and Chang Xiao's swordsmanship is the best in the world. There really shouldn't be any worries. But things are unpredictable. Wei Heyang thought about it again and again and revealed the truth. When he heard that his sister Qingting was killed, King Yuelun was furious. He casually slapped down with his palm, and a palm-shaped hole suddenly appeared on the three-inch thick wooden board of the table, but the wine pot and wine cup on the table did not shake at all. Wei Heyang was secretly surprised. It was really true that a tiger father would have a dog son. The inner strength of this King Yuelun was so superb that he could be called a contemporary master. Wei Heyang hurriedly narrated the rest of the story. King Yuelun barely suppressed his anger. His father executed more than a thousand people at once to avenge his sister, and this breath was considered to be vented. Thinking of being separated from his sister forever, he felt extremely sad. Thinking of his mother, he couldn't help but worry. Wei Heyang said, "Don't worry, my dear brother. Princess Yueying has recognized a daughter. Now there should be nothing to worry about." King Yuelun was in a bad mood and was going to visit his mother in the Never-Sleeping City. Wei Heyang told him that Chang Xiao had left the Never-Sleeping City with his family and no one knew where they were. King Yuelun knew his father's temper, so he sighed and remained silent. Wei Heyang suggested, "Don't worry, my dear brother. Your father is well-informed. As long as the carriage enters the Never-Sleeping City, your father will definitely know." King Yuelun nodded. After all, Wei Heyang was the dignified King Wuling and could not be rude, so he ordered singing and dancing to liven up the atmosphere. Wei Heyang already knew that King Yuelun was carrying a letter from the King of Tianzhu, Kumarajiva. This was a top priority, so he arranged for someone to report it to the court immediately and handle it properly. Although King Yuelun entertained him warmly, he was in a very depressed mood. Wei Heyang certainly understood and tried every means to comfort him. After the banquet, King Yuelun ordered a return gift, giving Wei Heyang ten camels, four beautiful women from Tianzhu, and some treasures. Wei Heyang declined, but King Yuelun said that this was King Jiuma's intention, so Wei Heyang had to accept it. King Yuelun was in a hurry to rush to the Never-Sleeping City, and immediately set off after seeing Wei Heyang off. Wei Heyang accepted King Yuelun's gifts, which were much more valuable than his own gifts. As a great country, he certainly couldn't be stingy, so he began to think about it on the road. First, he ordered people to prepare special products from the Central Plains and rare treasures, and also sent someone to inform Lu Wenjun to select eight stunning beauties to give to King Yuelun. After returning to Wuling Mountain, Princess Rose regretted not going with him after learning what happened.

King Yuelun and his entourage came to the Never-Sleeping City. The people accompanying him were all amazed at the scale. They did not expect that King Yuelun's home in the Central Plains was more magnificent than the imperial palace in Tianzhu. No wonder he refused to stay in Tianzhu. King Yuelun was Chang Xiao's only son, and he could be regarded as the young master of the Never-Sleeping City. The people who stayed behind quickly sent the message. After handling the funeral of his elder brother Duan Kui, Chang Xiao returned to the Magic Cave. He was even more depressed. It would be more difficult for him to pass his days without his elder brother. He finally felt better after receiving this news. This was the only good news in recent times. Princess Yueying was eager to return to the Never-Sleeping City when she learned that her son had returned. Chang Xiao naturally obeyed and left the Magic Cave with his six wives and Cherry, taking the Never-Sleeping City. Cherry had been away from her mother for a long time and missed her very much. She made a request to Chang Xiao, and Chang Xiao naturally agreed and sent a message to invite Palace Master Suyun to the Never-Sleeping City for a while. Monk Shenmu had no purpose at first, and he went wherever he wanted. After receiving the letter, he immediately decided to go to the Never-Sleeping City for some fun. The Jiantong brothers hadn't seen Chang Xiao for a while, so they took the route to the Never-Sleeping City. Because Princess Yueying was anxious, Chang Xiao and his party returned to the Never-Sleeping City quickly. When Princess Yueying saw her son, the grievances in her heart burst out instantly, and the mother and son hugged each other and cried bitterly. Chang Xiao knew that his wife was upset and that venting would ease a lot. The mother and son talked about intimate things all night and met everyone at dawn the next day. The people who followed King Yuelun were surprised to see Chang Xiao and his party. Chang Xiao was majestic and unattainable, and Yu Hudie was extremely beautiful, not like a mortal in the world at all. Chang Xiao asked about his son's experience, and Master Baikong's painstaking efforts were completely understandable. The family reunited, and King Yuelun found that the wine his father drank was quite strange. Chang Xiao explained that this kind of wine was overbearing and others could not drink it. King Yuelun knew that his father's words were not wrong, so he didn't ask any more questions. At the banquet, King Yuelun ordered people to sing and dance to liven up the atmosphere. Princess Yueying was moved by the songs and dances of her homeland and the music she had not heard for a long time. Cherry was very excited when she saw the tall camels and elephants. King Yuelun saw that Cherry was thinking of his poor sister and felt sad. He gave Cherry many rare things. Cherry was very happy and jumped up and down, clapping and cheering.

Soon, Monk Shenmu and his group arrived. Yingtao could not wait to tell her mother about her gains. Palace Master Suyun was very pleased that her daughter was well taken care of. The Jiantong brothers came to see him. Chang Xiao comforted them and told them to seize the opportunity and not to neglect their martial arts. Monk Shenmu was just playing for fun. He originally planned to settle accounts with Chang Xiao and settle the matter of the bat coat. After seeing the camel and the elephant, he changed his mind and thought of new ways to play. In the evening, the city that never sleeps lit up lanterns and fireworks went up into the sky, and it became lively again. The people from India had never seen such a scene and were stunned. Monk Shenmu rolled his eyes and had an idea. These people had never seen the world. If they saw him flying in the sky, they would definitely think of him as a god. It must be very interesting. After making up his mind, he began to prepare. The kites in the city that never sleeps were naturally ready. Monk Shenmu made a good call and did not allow others to compete with him. He deliberately played a trick on the Indians. As expected, when the Indians saw Monk Shenmu flying in the sky, they all knelt down and worshipped him. Monk Shenmu was extremely happy. King Yuelun was also surprised to see this scene. Jiantong told him privately that Monk Shenmu's flying with a kite was just a trick, and Changxiao's bat coat was a unique wonder in the world. Although King Yuelun knew that his father had great magical powers, he did not expect this. He thought: If my father went to India, he would definitely be regarded as a god. At first, he thought that only people with both internal and external skills could fly on a kite. Later, he learned that the Jiantong brothers had mastered this skill. King Yuelun's mind was immediately active. If he learned to fly, his future life would definitely be colorful. After making the request, Changxiao naturally did not object. He originally planned to guide his son himself, but Monk Shenmu still hated the bat coat and insisted on being the one to instruct him. He also asked King Yuelun to become his apprentice. Changxiao had no choice but to give in. Monk Shenmu was satisfied and pointed to King Yuelun. The monk Shenmu was impatient and was always scolding people, so it was difficult for King Yuelun to grasp the key points. He consulted his father privately before he gradually mastered the technique and successfully flew to the sky.

Everyone had a lively party. A few days later, someone sent gifts. It was Wuling King Wei Heyang who expressed condolences on behalf of the court. King Yuelun was shouldering the mission of King Jiuma, so he naturally could not be careless. He accepted the gifts and contacted the people in the court. After a long period of silence, the city that never sleeps finally came alive. During the day, everyone enjoyed the fun of flying. At night, lanterns and fireworks continued. The Indians who followed King Yuelun were like in a dream. Such days were happier than heaven. It would be best to live here forever. King Yuelun gradually mastered the skills of flying and appreciated the fun of flying. The sadness in his heart was diluted a lot. However, he always wanted to see his father's bat clothes and made a request. Chang Xiao knew the temper of the monk Shenmu very well. Once she knew it, she would definitely be entangled, so he asked his son to wait for a while. Sooner or later, there would be a chance. Of course, the reunion of father and son cannot just be about playing. Chang Xiao examined his son's martial arts. The foundation of King Yuelun is Yujiashu, which is different from the martial arts of the Central Plains. Chang Xiao carefully instructed his son according to his characteristics and arranged for his son to communicate with the brothers Jiantong and the people of Yinxian Palace through martial arts competitions. King Yuelun gained a lot. According to the tradition of the Central Plains, Chang Xiao should pass on the Never-Sleeping City and the Dragon Scale Sword to his only son, but Chang Xiao had other ideas. His son's martial arts could not reach his level and he had no ability to control the Never-Sleeping City. Instead of staying in the Central Plains reluctantly, it would be better to settle down on the island, like his father-in-law, King Riguan, without any constraints, and enjoy life to the fullest. King Yuelun agreed with this view very much. As long as you are constrained, you can't be really happy anywhere. His father went through so many twists and turns to achieve today's achievements, but his life was not happy and he lost many precious things. Chang Xiao had already started planning this matter, but he didn't mention it to others. Only now did he make it clear to his family. Yu Hudie was the first to agree. After experiencing countless storms, there was nothing to miss about the rivers and lakes. Princess Yueying asked to build a palace in the style of her hometown, and Chang Xiao agreed. The Hanmei sisters didn't care, as long as they prepared a big ship, it would be convenient to go anywhere they wanted. King Yuelun felt that his father's decision was not as simple as it seemed, and there must be something hidden behind it.

Chapter 175: Abandoning Taoism and Entering the Devil

Long Yunpu's mind was all on the Suyun Palace Master. He seldom thought about anything else. He was the same wherever he went. He didn't care about people like Chang Xiao. Shenmu Bhikkhu knew Long Yunpu's mind and tried to test him to see how this guy would react when he saw the most beautiful woman in the world. Long Yunpu had the opportunity to see Yu Hudie when the Fire God Palace held a funeral, but at that time everyone was immersed in grief and had no time to think about other things. Now that things have changed, Shenmu Bhikkhu specially found Yu Hudie and asked her to dress up carefully so that Long Yunpu could see a real beauty. Yu Hudie naturally agreed. Although she was not young anymore, she still maintained her former style and there was not a single wrinkle on her face. The City That Never Sleeps naturally had exquisite costumes. After dressing up, Yu Hudie was radiant and attracted everyone's attention as soon as she appeared. Yuelun Wang sighed, "Let alone the Central Plains, she would be the most beautiful woman in Tianzhu." Shenmu Bhikkhu had been paying attention to Long Yunpu. He saw that the young man had his eyes wide open, not blinking, and his mouth was wide open, standing there motionless. The monk Shenmu jumped over and slapped Long Yunpu in the face. Long Yunpu didn't care at all and didn't feel any pain. He still stared at Jade Butterfly. Palace Master Suyun sighed inwardly. Jade Butterfly was indeed the most beautiful woman in the world. No wonder she could make so many people fall in love with her. Even she felt her heart pounding and wished she could turn into a man and hold her in her arms. The monk Shenmu grabbed Long Yunpu's ear. Long Yunpu came to his senses and frowned, "Don't make trouble. Let me take a few more glances." The monk Shenmu asked proudly, "What do you think? Such a beauty can be regarded as a fairy, right?" Long Yunpu nodded repeatedly, "She must be a fairy. I bet that Chang'e is not as pretty as her." Palace Master Suyun didn't want to lose this follower in her heart, so she immediately asked, "How about compared to me?" Long Yunpu thought for a moment and replied, "Prettier than you." Palace Master Suyun's face sank, but he couldn't get angry in front of everyone. Long Yunpu saw that Palace Master Suyun was angry, and hurriedly explained: "She is a swan and I am a toad. I dare not even have any delusions. I will be content as long as I can see her a few more times." Palace Master Suyun twisted Long Yunpu's arm hard: "You mean to say that I am also a toad to like you, right?" Long Yunpu was panicked and incoherent. In fact, no matter how he explained at this time, it was useless. Palace Master Suyun turned away, and Long Yunpu hurriedly followed her. It can be imagined that this young man was bound to suffer, and the monk Shenmu gloated over his misfortune and applauded.

Speaking of fairies, Jian Tong remembered something and immediately said, "City Lord, we saw a wonder in the mirage of Penglai." Chang Xiao had such an experience before and smiled, "That is the legendary fairyland. I have also experienced it before." Jian Tong continued, "The fairyland is indeed magical, but there is something even more incredible." Chang Xiao was stunned, "What is it?" Jian Tong pointed at the jade butterfly, "We saw the city lord, Madame Butterfly, and the fire dragon colt in the mirage fairyland." Chang Xiao shook his head, "How is that possible? You must have seen it wrong." Jian Tong explained, "I'm not the only one who saw it." Qin Tong echoed, "Yes, I saw it too." The monk Shenmu came out Chang Xiao still didn't believe it. The monk Shenmu curled his lips and said, "Believe it or not, do you think we are idle and make up lies to you?" The sword boy said, "There were two seniors, Tianlaizi and Pinghu Xiayin, at that time. Their words can't be false." Chang Xiao thought for a moment and smiled bitterly, "Such a thing is difficult to explain, even if what you saw is true. Remember not to spread it. If people in the world know about it, they will inevitably suspect that the City of Never Sleeps is raising its own value in this way." The wine boy didn't care, "The City of Never Sleeps doesn't need to raise its own value at all." Hearing this, Chang Xiao didn't think much of it, but Yu Hudie was very happy. If this was true, then she and Chang Xiao could be together for generations. The Hanmei sisters congratulated him one after another. Chang Xiao made a decision in his heart and looked for an ideal island on the sea near Penglai to settle his family. No one understood Chang Xiao's intention of operating the island. It is said that no one can threaten the City of Never Sleeps now. Chang Xiao's thoughts naturally could not be made clear. Shenmu Bhikkhu used all kinds of tricks. After teasing Long Yunpu, he wanted Chang Xiao to roast corn for him. Everyone was full of expectations. In fact, the only person who could make Chang Xiao change his mind was Shenmu Bhikkhu. Originally, Chang Xiao did not intend to do it, but Princess Yueying insisted. His son, King Yuelun, had not tasted it yet. Chang Xiao knew in his heart that he cared too little about his son, so he agreed. Shenmu Bhikkhu was very happy. He took Yingtao's hand and muttered to the side, preparing to have a big meal. King Yuelun thought his mother was worrying too much. He had eaten all kinds of delicious food in the palace of King Jiuma of Tianzhu. What was so delicious about the simple roasted corn? Anyway, his mother had good intentions. After tasting it, King Yuelun understood why everyone wanted to taste the corn roasted by his father. The taste was indeed extraordinary, with endless aftertaste and a lingering fragrance. It was a top-notch delicacy.

With the delicious food, the monk Shenmu was still not satisfied. He was thinking about the fine wine prepared by the thin bamboo layman. Chang Xiao had already known about this and arranged for someone to go to Shi Huaiyu on Mount Tai to get the fine wine. Only then did the Moon King understand that the fine wine in the Central Plains was far from comparable to that in India, and there were also many kinds of delicious food. He was more determined to stay in the Central Plains. After experiencing the changes in the Fire God Palace, everyone was really happy this time. Long Yunpu was beaten up by the Suyun Palace Master and was extremely embarrassed. At least in the Never-Sleeping City, the Suyun Palace Master restrained himself, otherwise this level would be difficult. Chang Xiao certainly knew Long Yunpu and had a very good impression of this young man. For a goal, he put aside everything. This simple life was already out of reach for him. At present, Chang Xiao was considering another thing. Can Wu Qingyang really understand the meaning of those pictures? If he can't take this step, he can't get the recognition of the world and become the first swordsman. It is said that Tianlaizi would not make a mistake in choosing a person. In fact, after the death of Taoist Baoding, there was no one else who could be worthy of the Ganlu Sword except Wu Qingyang. It was expected that Duan Xiyun would take over as the leader of the Divine Sword Sect. It was not normal to always wander in the rivers and lakes. These two people are very likely to become the leaders of the rivers and lakes in the future. Everyone was enjoying the delicious food, but Chang Xiao was thinking about his future and the changes in the rivers and lakes. His son had made certain achievements in martial arts and was recognized by the court. There was nothing to worry about. Princess Yueying's mood gradually improved. With the company of Cherry and King Yuelun, I believe she will recover soon. King Jiumolu of Tianzhu gave King Yuelun many beauties. Three of them were pregnant along the way. As long as the child was born, Princess Yueying would divert her attention and forget the tragedy of the Fire God Palace. It would be easy to deal with the family affairs. Chang Xiao was quite familiar with the masters in the current rivers and lakes. There were only a handful of them who were important enough, and only a few could influence the pattern of the rivers and lakes. The first was Qi Shizhen. This person cultivated both inside and outside. He had been in the rivers and lakes for many years and had considerable power. The Golden Toad Elder of the Beggars' Sect is very popular, and the Beggars' Sect is the largest gang in the world, so this person cannot be ignored. In addition, the old fox Wanqi Song should not be underestimated. Wanxiantang has accumulated countless gold and silver, made friends with the government, and has almost everything under the sun. The fleet of the South China Sea has taken root in the Central Plains, and Yan Nanlou's swordsmanship is improving day by day, and he can completely stand on his own. The four famous families have a solid foundation, Wu Qingyang has friendships with all parties, and Duan Xiyun is the descendant of Duan Qingxiao, so I believe there will be no trouble.

In any case, Chang Xiao is already over sixty years old. Although it is not obvious from his appearance, his state of mind is very different from before, and he began to worry about gains and losses. Many people regard this Lord of the Never-Sleeping City as an omnipotent god, and few people think of the hardships behind success. It is difficult to start a business, and it is even more difficult to maintain a business. Not to mention development, it is not easy to maintain the current situation. No matter how high your martial arts skills are, life is always limited. No one wants everything they have worked hard to build to collapse after they leave the world. The pattern of the rivers and lakes will not change. Extreme masters will not take fame and fortune to heart. Of course, it is not wrong to think so. However, things are unpredictable, and Chang Xiao still missed it. No one is perfect. If everything is under control, there will be no tragedy in the Fire God Palace. This time, the person Chang Xiao missed was Yu Zhenzi. No matter how high her cultivation is, women are women, and their thoughts are different from men. Dan Yangzi's death has already hit Yu Zhenzi hard, although there was no way out for both parties at that time. Later, Chang Xiao arranged for Taoist Baoding to go to the Paradise Palace, and Yu Zhenzi's anger subsided, and she even felt a little grateful. After getting along with Taoist Baoding, Yu Zhenzi learned that Chang Xiao had the most powerful power, and he could call the wind and rain in the world and was omnipotent. Later, Taoist Baoding issued a challenge letter, and Yu Zhenzi believed that after the last confrontation, Chang Xiao could completely control the situation and would not be in danger. However, Taoist Baoding still passed away, and Yu Zhenzi could not help but resent it. If Chang Xiao was just a martial arts master, such a result would be understandable. However, Chang Xiao had a powerful force and could completely control everything and save Taoist Baoding. Now that the Ganlu sword has changed hands, the Paradise Palace has suffered a heavy blow, and all of this was caused by Chang Xiao. Returning to the Paradise Palace, seeing many disciples, Yu Zhenzi was extremely depressed, and his resentment towards Chang Xiao became even deeper. After settling the body of Taoist Baoding, Yu Zhenzi pondered and prepared for revenge. It was not easy to deal with Chang Xiao, because this person had too high martial arts skills and possessed a powerful force. After much consideration, there is only one way to go, which is to modify the method of dual cultivation recorded in the "Danyang Zhenjing" and use the method of absorbing yin to replenish yang to greatly improve the power.

The practice of double cultivation is the orthodox internal cultivation method of Xuanmen. The key is to keep the mind clear. Once you indulge in lust, you will fall into the devil. Yu Zhenzi is desperate for revenge. Of course, he cannot go from Taoism to devil and destroy years of hard work. He immediately called Bai Tou Weng and Zui Hua Niang to discuss. These two people are the two who were responsible for receiving Chang Xiao when he first arrived at the Paradise Palace. They have high martial arts skills. Dan Yangzi and Bao Ding Taoist passed away one after another. The two were also very sad. They bowed and sat down at the door, sighing. Yu Zhenzi said, "The Taoist Baoding has passed away, and the Paradise Palace exists in name only. What are your plans?" The White-headed Old Man gritted his teeth and said, "It was all caused by the Lord of the Never-Sleeping City. If he hadn't set up the treasure trap, how could the Immortal Danyang ascend to heaven?" Zuihua Niang echoed, "That's right. If he hadn't come to the Paradise Palace to provoke, how could what happened later happen?" Yu Zhenzi sighed softly, "Originally, the Taoist Baoding had a good relationship with him, but I didn't expect him to be so ruthless. The Paradise Palace is completely finished." The White-headed Old Man said, "Fairy, this matter can't end like this." Zuihua Niang nodded in agreement, "That's right. We have to find a way to take revenge and vent our anger." Yu Zhenzi shook her head, "No : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : Yu Zhenzi asked the two to demonstrate it themselves, and after they had fully mastered it, they could carry out their revenge plan.

Bai Tou Weng and Zui Hua Niang were originally partners in the same practice. They were naked when practicing internal skills and were very familiar with each other. This time, the complementary yin and yang was naturally familiar, so things went very smoothly. Yu Zhenzi gave careful instructions. After the two had fully mastered it, they had sex with the young men and women in the Paradise Palace. For a while, the Paradise Palace was full of obscene sounds and words, and it had undergone a fundamental change compared to the past. Although this road was dangerous, the gains were also great. It didn't take long for Bai Tou Weng and Zui Hua Niang to improve their internal skills by a large amount. However, the price they paid was also great. The two people's minds had undergone a fundamental change, and they completely went against the right path of cultivation. Yu Zhenzi was very wary of Chang Xiao's martial arts. It would not be a matter of a day or a night to defeat this person. Although the internal skills of the two people had improved a lot, it was not enough to win. After making some arrangements, he took a large amount of gold, silver and jewelry with the two people and left the Paradise Palace and entered the Central Plains, searching for young men and women, and trying every means to improve their skills. At the beginning, Bai Tou Weng and Zui Hua Niang still had some concerns. After practicing for many years, they were not used to the rebellion. Later, they realized the pleasure of sex between men and women, and they simply threw everything aside and enjoyed themselves in time. It didn't matter whether they went to heaven or hell after death, they had enjoyed themselves in the present. After entering the Central Plains, the two became more and more unbridled. After all, they had plenty of money and could get whatever they wanted. At that time, the government allowed the sale of maids and slaves. The two took out a large sum of money to select suitable young people, on the one hand to improve their skills, and on the other hand to fully enjoy the fun. Soon, there were more young people around them, and they gathered together every few days for sex. Bai Tou Weng's skills improved day by day, his face was rosy like a baby, and Zui Hua Niang was also radiant. In order to get revenge, Yu Zhenzi didn't care about shame and fanned the flames behind the scenes. As long as he could defeat Chang Xiao and avenge the Paradise Palace, he would do anything.

This group of people possessed countless gold and silver treasures, and their reckless behavior certainly attracted attention. Soon, the strong men of the Green Forest Dao took notice of them. Yu Zhenzi's swordsmanship was comparable to that of the Taoist priest Baoding, and they were both top masters. The martial arts of Bai Tou Weng and Zui Hua Niang were also above the four famous families, so naturally, these strong men would not get away with anything. After all, Yu Zhenzi had practiced Taoism for many years and was unwilling to kill. After punishing these strong men, he let them go. The news spread quickly, and all forces began to pay attention to this group of people. Lu Wenjun arranged for someone to investigate, and after exchanging information with the Beggars' Sect, he concluded that there was a master hidden in this group of people, and it was hard to guess what their intention was. The leader of the Beggars' Sect, Zi Yun Gu, meant to ask Qi Shizhen to go and investigate and find out the truth. Lu Wenjun understood that Qi Shizhen's martial arts had made a big step forward with the help of Chang Xiao, and he was already a contemporary master, and he could handle it completely, so he took his trust and asked him to help. With the help of Master Baikong, Qi Shizhen finally achieved perfection in his Tiangang Qi after hard practice. He changed completely, becoming calm and peaceful, without the desire to win. He lived in seclusion in a place with beautiful mountains and rivers, and rarely left. After receiving Lu Wenjun's letter, he considered again and again and finally decided to go out of the mountains. As the saying goes, a full bottle does not move, but a half-full bottle does not shake. After Qi Shizhen became a real master, he was quite restrained. He dressed very ordinary, rode a strong donkey, and held a book in his hand, like an old scholar. Lu Wenjun sent people to deliver news at any time. Qi Shizhen calculated and prepared to wait for the group in Chengdu. It was difficult to travel by land, so Qi Shizhen entered Sichuan by water, just in time to enjoy the beautiful scenery on both sides of the river. Passing through the Three Gorges, the scenery here is picturesque, especially the beautiful and colorful Twelve Peaks of Wushan. Qi Shizhen sighed at the ingenuity of God and was completely intoxicated by the beautiful scenery.

Chapter 176: Fighting Openly and Secretly

Although the power in his hands was handed over to Lu Wenjun, Qi Shizhen's influence in the martial arts world cannot be underestimated. After the Tiangang Qi was fully developed, his martial arts reached a new level and he was already a veritable contemporary master. After practicing in seclusion for a long time, Qi Shizhen knew what had happened recently after he came out of the mountain. He was quite emotional. Even though the Never-Sleeping City was so powerful, there were still people who provoked it, causing more than a thousand people to return to the underworld. It was sad and lamentable. Yin Tianlei, such a loyal person, was actually tortured. Why was God so unfair? This incident changed the atmosphere of the martial arts world. Most people in the martial arts world felt that good people were bullied. Gao Zhen had always held a grudge against Chang Xiao. If Chang Xiao had stood by and watched when Gao Zhen was at the end of his rope, there would be no later events. If Yin Tianlei did not regard the righteousness of master and apprentice and the love between husband and wife as more important than his life, he would not have been killed. How could Gao Yuan kill him with those two moves? The impact of this incident is far more than it seems. Although I understand the truth, what can I do? Chang Xiao's martial arts are not high enough? Is the power not big enough? Is Yin Tianlei not a good person? But what did they get in return? I have no ability to solve these problems, so it is useless to think too much. I began to think about the purpose of this trip. According to intelligence, this group of people is not simple, and the one hiding behind is definitely not an ordinary master. I have to be careful to deal with it. Yu Zhenzi didn't want to make a fuss, so she took the road to Sichuan. Because the road is difficult to travel, it is not easy for news here to spread to the Central Plains. Bai Tou Weng and Zui Hua Niang have been completely obsessed with lust. They have been seeking pleasure endlessly. Their skills have increased rapidly, and their temperaments are also very different from before. There is no wall that is impenetrable, and what this group of people did was still known. Although it is despised by others, no one asks. They spent a lot of money to buy maids and servants, and they can do whatever they want. Even the government has no right to ask. Yu Zhenzi has been hiding behind the scenes, letting Bai Tou Weng and Zui Hua Niang come forward. After entering Chengdu, they booked an inn and had fun every day. Yu Zhenzi only cares about the progress of the two people's skills and doesn't care about anything else. Judging from the current situation, it won't take long to achieve the goal. At that time, the three of them will join forces to get rid of Chang Xiao and avenge Ji Le Palace.

Qi Shizhen has been in the underworld for most of his life, so he is very measured in his actions. He made careful preparations and prepared to face the other party head-on. Lu Wenjun trained a group of beauties, and this time they were just in use. Qi Shizhen asked Lu Wenjun to send four beauties to follow him in gorgeous clothes. They lived in a large manor outside Chengdu and went around every day. The local people were shocked by the beauties and gathered around to watch, which soon attracted the attention of the white-headed old man. If it were in the past, the white-headed old man would not care about beauty at all, but now his temperament has changed, and he can do anything for beauty. He immediately went to Qi Shizhen to negotiate. Qi Shizhen judged through observation that the white-headed old man's internal strength was beyond his imagination. He must have used evil methods such as Yin-Yang supplementation, and he must be more careful. The white-headed old man couldn't wait to explain his intentions, but Qi Shizhen of course refused. The white-headed old man raised the price again and again, and Qi Shizhen was full of pomp and circumstance, leaving no room for negotiation. The white-headed old man pondered for a long time, gritted his teeth and left. Qi Shizhen concluded that this person would definitely come to steal secretly. So he gave the order and made preparations. That night, Qi Shizhen was drinking in the pavilion in the garden, and four beauties were singing and dancing, making others envious. As expected, the white-headed old man failed to take the woman openly, so he came to steal her secretly. Qi Shizhen made full preparations and kept close watch on a tall building. At nearly three o'clock in the morning, a figure appeared, moving very quickly, like a faint smoke passing by. Qi Shizhen was surprised, and this person's skill was really amazing. If it were in the past, the white-headed old man could have fully realized that Qi Shizhen was not an ordinary person. Now he was obsessed with beauty, his mind was affected, and he was determined to get the beauty. After entering the manor, he looked around, identified the direction and moved quickly, and found that four beauties were drinking in the small building. They were all a little drunk, their eyes were blurred, their faces were full of spring, and they looked even more beautiful under the lights. The white-headed old man was so excited that he could not control himself. He looked around and found nothing unusual. He flew in and tapped his fingers lightly, and the four beauties immediately lost consciousness. The old man spread his arms, held the four beauties in his arms, and turned to walk away. Qi Shizhen was watching all this closely. Seeing that the old man was still moving fast even with four people in his arms, he became more cautious and immediately sent a signal. His men understood and released several big dogs.

The old man was holding a beautiful woman in his arms, and he was extremely happy, his mind was floating. When several big dogs came to him, the old man did not notice it, and he kept walking. When he took a wrong step, he kicked out with his toes, and several big dogs died silently. Qi Shizhen gritted his teeth and said to himself: "What a thief, he is really amazing." It is completely understandable that he looked down on the old man. Since ancient times, the Chinese have always adhered to the principle that lust is the root of all evil, and filial piety is the first of all virtues. The old man has the word "lust", which makes him a few points lower than the robbers who kill and rob, and the thieves who cut the road. Qi Shizhen's deployment is certainly not so simple. If he lets the old man easily kidnap four beauties, his life in the world will be in vain. The old man walked forward with great interest and jumped onto the wall. When he jumped, he suddenly felt that there seemed to be something under his feet. He thought to himself, how could there be an ambush in such a place? No matter what, since he met him, he had to find a way to get out. The white-headed old man stamped his feet on the wall and jumped up lightly. In the night, he could vaguely see a large net coming from all directions. The white-headed old man was shocked. He was in mid-air and had no place to get support. No matter how high his skills were, he couldn't use them. If he was caught, he would never get rid of the crime of breaking into a house at night and abducting a beautiful woman. There was no worry about his life. Once the news spread, the Paradise Palace would be despised by the people in the martial arts world. How could he have the face to challenge Chang Xiao? If the white-headed old man put down the beautiful woman at this time, it would be easy to get away. Unfortunately, lust was the top priority and he couldn't bear to do it. At the moment when the white-headed old man hesitated, the big net had closed without a single gap. The white-headed old man used a rare martial arts skill, and his body rotated in mid-air, using inertia to avoid the big net. At this time, someone praised loudly: "What a good kung fu, but it's a pity that you don't learn it well." A figure quickly approached and hit the white-headed old man with two palms one after another. If the opponent's palms were whizzing, the white-headed old man would not be worried, because such palm power could not hurt him at all. But the opponent's palms were silent and seemed to be understated. In the blink of an eye, they were already in front of him. The white-headed old man was shocked. He never expected that there was a first-class master hidden in such a place.

Qi Shizhen grasped the timing just right. The old white-headed old man had already exhausted his old strength and had not yet regained his new strength. He was still holding a beautiful woman in his arms and had no power to resist. Although the beauty was attractive, it was not as important as his life. The white-headed old man knew that if he let the opponent hit his back with both palms, his life would be ruined. He had no choice but to give up the beauty and grit his teeth to resist. Qi Shizhen was determined to get rid of the white-headed old man. He gathered 100% of his strength in his palms. The white-headed old man hastily parried and hit back. When the palms of the two men came into contact, there was a muffled sound, and the body of the white-headed old man flew out like a kite with a broken string. Qi Shizhen retreated several steps, felt the blood surging, and secretly called it a fluke. Fortunately, he had made preparations in advance. If he had a real fight, he would have been injured internally. At this time, more than a dozen men in black came out nearby, and Qi Shizhen ordered: "The old thief has internal injuries and can't run far. Chase him quickly and make sure to get rid of him." Everyone obeyed and chased him immediately. Qi Shizhen settled the four beauties and returned to the small building to wait for news. Half an hour later, someone reported that there was no trace of the white-headed old man anywhere, not even a trace of blood. Qi Shizhen was shocked. The old thief's skill was amazing. If he hit him with all his strength, even a boulder would be crushed. But the white-headed old man not only escaped but also did not spit blood, which showed how deep his skill was. Since the white-headed old man escaped, he might come back. Qi Shizhen immediately issued an order, and everyone turned from light to darkness and closely monitored the other party's every move. Qi Shizhen has been running the manor for many years, and his subordinates are mostly smart and capable people. They acted vigorously and quickly withdrew from the manor without leaving a trace. Although the white-headed old man escaped, it was not easy. Qi Shizhen's Tiangang Qi had been practiced to the ninth level. Once the strength exploded, it was like a tidal wave. The white-headed old man escaped from the manor using the unique skill of the "Danyang Zhenjing" and knew that he could not hold on for long. Therefore, he avoided the main road and went to the dense forest in the mountains to meditate and regulate his breath. Qi Shizhen's people searched along the road and found nothing. After regulating his breath for two hours, the white-headed old man barely suppressed his blood and qi. He could not stay in a dangerous place for long. After making sure that there was no one nearby, the white-headed old man hurried back.

Zuihua Niang would have sex with Bai Tou Weng in the second half of the night every day, and the yin and yang complemented each other. Today, Bai Tou Weng did not come back, and she felt quite strange. When it was dawn, she saw Bai Tou Weng coming back panting. Zuihua Niang asked; "Why did you not come back all night?" Bai Tou Weng shook his head: "I can't say, someone plotted against me." Zuihua Niang was quite surprised. The Paradise Palace was located in a remote mountain area and had nothing to do with the Central Plains martial arts world. Who would plot against Bai Tou Weng? Besides, Bai Tou Weng's internal strength was extremely deep, who could plot against him? The facts were in front of her, and she couldn't help but believe it. Zuihua Niang stretched out her hand to feel the pulse and found that there was indeed something wrong with Bai Tou Weng's internal breath. He should have suffered internal injuries. Without further ado, the two immediately started to heal their wounds. The internal strength mental method contained in the "Danyang Zhenjing" was quite magical. No matter who was injured, both men and women could use the complementary yin and yang to heal their wounds and recover quickly. The two went to the quiet room to practice, and half a day later, Bai Tou Weng had recovered as before. Only then did they talk about the situation, gritting their teeth and preparing for revenge. Zuihua Niang persuaded: "In my opinion, this matter is not so simple, we should report it to the fairy." Bai Tou Weng nodded: "This time, using a beautiful woman to lure me into the game and setting up a strict ambush is not something that one or two people can do. It should be a force in the rivers and lakes. We can't take it lightly." After discussion, the two reported to Yu Zhenzi. Yu Zhenzi also felt strange when he learned about this. The Paradise Palace had no dealings with the various forces in the Central Plains. Who was deliberately planning to deal with Bai Tou Weng? After weighing the pros and cons, Yu Zhenzi decided to investigate it himself. There were many inconveniences during the day. Yu Zhenzi first helped Bai Tou Weng recover his vitality and waited until the evening to act. Qi Shizhen was an old man in the rivers and lakes. When Yu Zhenzi brought Bai Tou Weng to investigate, the manor was empty. Qi Shizhen hid in the dark and observed, and found that Bai Tou Weng respected Yu Zhenzi very much. Obviously, this woman's martial arts must be far better than Bai Tou Weng. In other words, this woman is a top master. Judging from her behavior, she should be a member of the Xuan Sect. Qi Shizhen was quite surprised. The Xuan Sect had strict rules. How could they allow their disciples to do such lewd things? Yu Zhenzi had appeared in Huashan, but Qi Shizhen was practicing in seclusion and did not attend the battle, so he could not recognize her. He made up his mind that Chang Xiao must know this woman.

Qi Shizhen has been in contact with Chang Xiao for many years and has a deep understanding of Chang Xiao's temper. There is nothing that he doesn't know about the top masters in the martial arts world. When you are in the martial arts world, the most important thing is to judge the situation. Qi Shizhen knows that if the white-headed old man is not obsessed with sex, he will not have a chance to sneak attack. Now that the woman's martial arts is still better than the white-headed old man, he must not act rashly. Yu Zhenzi and the white-headed old man walked around and found nothing. Yu Zhenzi sighed: "We have lived in the mountains for a long time and have no experience in the martial arts world. The other party obviously expected us to come and has left." The white-headed old man nodded: "Fairy, what you said makes sense. We are buried in the mountains. It is inevitable that we will suffer when we meet old martial arts masters." Yu Zhenzi pondered and said: "Will the other party guess our intentions?" The white-headed old man persuaded: "Fairy, you worry too much. Only the three of us know about this matter. Others can't guess it." Yu Zhenzi nodded. The manor was empty and nothing could be found. The two left immediately. As Bai Tou Weng said, Qi Shizhen had no way to guess Yu Zhenzi's intentions. The sudden departure of the Xuanmen Zhengzong from the right path must have very special reasons, which are difficult for others to predict. Anyway, there was finally a harvest. Qi Shizhen told Lu Wenjun about the process of this trip and asked about the movements of the Never-Sleeping City. Lu Wenjun sent back the news that Chang Xiao had prepared a large amount of gold and silver treasures and recruited many craftsmen, as if preparing for a big project. Qi Shizhen felt that Bai Tou Weng and his party must have secrets unknown to outsiders, and Yu Zhenzi's plot must be not simple. Qi Shizhen obviously could not deal with a master like Yu Zhenzi, so Qi Shizhen arranged for people to closely monitor the group, and left Chengdu himself to discuss the matter with Chang Xiao in the Never-Sleeping City. Lu Wenjun's information was very accurate. Chang Xiao was operating an island, building a palace, and borrowed ten large ships from Yan Nanlou in the South China Sea. Today's Yan Nanlou is very different from before. With the great assistance of Chang Xiao, his swordsmanship has improved rapidly and has become one of the contemporary masters. Now that Chang Xiao has something to do, of course he will do his best to help, and the project is progressing very smoothly. The island chosen by Chang Xiao is on the sea of Penglai, with a radius of dozens of miles. The project is entirely in the charge of Yan Nanlou. People from the South China Sea have lived on the island for a long time, so they are very good at doing the work.

At this time, the Never-Sleeping City was quite lively. The concubines of King Yuelun gave birth to three babies, two sons and one daughter. Because the monk Shenmu and the people of Yinxian Palace did not leave, the Never-Sleeping City was not quiet for a moment after the birth of these three children. Led by the monk Shenmu, the women of Yinxian Palace were around the children all day long, making a lot of jokes. According to the rules of Tianzhu, a son should be selected to inherit the throne and accept the royal canonization. Chang Xiao did not pay much attention to this matter, and it was completely decided by Princess Yueying. Princess Yueying missed her homeland very much and wanted to take this opportunity to go back and see it. Chang Xiao could not leave, so he arranged for a capable person to escort her and brought a lot of special products from the Central Plains as gifts. Because of his daughter Qingting's matter, Chang Xiao specially arranged for someone to protect her secretly, and there must be no more mistakes. King Yuelun negotiated with the court on behalf of King Jiuma of Tianzhu. After the result was obtained, he needed to return to Tianzhu to explain. Princess Yueying set off with her son and left the two children in the Never-Sleeping City. Just after sending the mother and son away, news of Qi Shizhen came. Chang Xiao wondered what could happen at this time? Because of the divine eyes monk, Chang Xiao arranged for Qi Shizhen to meet Shi Huaiyu at Mount Tai. Shi Huaiyu naturally wanted it. Qi Shizhen was quite influential in the martial arts world. Although they had dealt with each other before, they had no friendship. There was no harm in taking this opportunity to get to know each other. Qi Shizhen took the water route and went down the river very fast. Chang Xiao naturally relied on the fire dragon horse. The two arrived at Mount Tai one after another. Shi Huaiyu warmly entertained them and took out various fine wines. Qi Shizhen praised him highly. He didn't expect that there were such talents in the martial arts world. Chang Xiao didn't have this blessing, so he could only drink ice and fire wine. After three rounds of wine, Chang Xiao asked Qi Shizhen's purpose. Shi Huaiyu avoided him with an excuse. This is the rule of the martial arts world. Qi Shizhen recounted what happened in detail, and Chang Xiao immediately concluded: "I have met the master you met before." Qi Shizhen hurriedly asked: "Who are they?" Chang Xiao explained: "From the appearance of the people you met, it must be Yu Zhenzi who fought with me in Huashan." Although Qi Shizhen had not been to Mount Tai to watch the fight, he had heard about it a little. He nodded and said: "So it was her. No wonder the old man with white hair is so humble." Chang Xiao frowned and said: "It's not surprising that they left the Paradise Palace. Why would they do such a promiscuous thing? How could the orthodox Xuanmen go astray?" Qi Shizhen also had this doubt, and this was the purpose of this trip.

Chapter 177: Stay Calm

After thinking about it, Chang Xiao came to a conclusion: "In my opinion, after Taoist Baoding passed away, Ji Le Palace lost its pillar. Yu Zhenzi was eager to improve her martial arts and did not hesitate to betray her way." Qi Shizhen shook his head and said, "No way, all Taoists know that there are no shortcuts on this road. The result of rushing for success is often going astray and losing all previous efforts. Yu Zhenzi must have known this." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "I dare to assert that Yu Zhenzi only arranged for Bai Tou Weng and Zui Hua Niang to complement each other's yin and yang, and she herself was not involved." Qi Shizhen agreed: "From my observation, That's true, but what good will it do Yu Zhenzi if Bai Tou Weng and Zui Hua Niang's skills are improved? "Chang Xiao nodded: "I don't know about this either. Martial arts are a matter of personal cultivation, and skills cannot be transferred." Qi Shizhen put forward his own opinion: "Is Yu Zhenzi going to deal with someone?" Chang Xiao pondered for a moment and shook his head: "Jile Palace has no connection with the Central Plains martial arts world, so there is no enemy. Yu Zhenzi's swordsmanship has reached the extreme level, who can't deal with it?" Qi Shizhen had an idea, is Yu Zhenzi going to deal with Chang Xiao? With Yu Zhenzi's swordsmanship, it doesn't take so much effort to deal with other people. After proposing this idea, Chang Xiao disagreed. Why did Yu Zhenzi deal with himself? Dan Yangzi died during the fight, and both sides had no way out at that time. Baoding Taoist publicly issued a challenge letter, and he used all his strength during the duel. What's there to complain about if his skills are not as good as others. What if he can't resist? Qi Shizhen certainly understood this idea, but Yu Zhenzi's abnormal behavior seemed to be the most reasonable explanation. After thinking for a long time, Chang Xiao smiled and said, "No matter what Yu Zhenzi's intentions are, I won't ask. If she really wants to deal with me, that's the best, so I won't be lonely." Qi Shizhen knew very well that after unremitting efforts, Chang Xiao had reached the peak. Even the Taoist Baoding and Yu Zhenzi were defeated together. Who else could threaten him? Talking about the power of Bai Tou Weng, Chang Xiao explained, "Taking Yin to replenish Yang can certainly improve the power, but the price paid is also very high. Although Bai Tou Weng's power has achieved a breakthrough, he has lost the psychological quality necessary for a martial arts master, and that's why you caught his flaw. If you had attacked decisively at that time, Bai Tou Weng would have no chance of survival." Hearing this, Qi Shizhen felt very sorry, "That old thief got a good deal."

Now that he had figured out Yu Zhenzi's background, Qi Shizhen was no longer worried. He changed the subject: "The city lord is vigorously developing the island. Is he planning to move?" Chang Xiao nodded: "The Never-Sleeping City has become the target of public criticism. I plan to move my family and the people who work hard to the island to echo the Nether Island. When the time is right, I will fade out of the world." This idea is completely understandable. Chang Xiao has already got everything. It is human nature to arrange a retreat after reaching the peak. Although Qi Shizhen understood, he felt a little sorry. The world would lose a lot of color without the Never-Sleeping City. Chang Xiao is a very opinionated person. Qi Shizhen knew that no one could persuade this martial arts leader, so he didn't mention it. The two drank and talked to their heart's content. Shi Huaiyu learned the tricks of mixing wine from the thin bamboo hermit. The fine wine he mixed has many variations. The distinguished guests came to the door and brought out many kinds of fine wines. Qi Shizhen felt that the trip was worthwhile. He dared not think about the ice and fire wine. No one else could enjoy that kind of wine. Seeing Qi Shizhen and Shi Huaiyu tasting different kinds of fine wines, Chang Xiao smiled bitterly and said, "When I first got the Ice and Fiery Wine, Monk Shenmu was unwilling to accept it. Later, I realized that after drinking the Ice and Fiery Wine, no other wine would taste good. If I had known this, I would not want it." Qi Shizhen nodded, "As the saying goes, there is gain and loss. While the city lord got the Ice and Fiery Wine, he lost the enjoyment of other fine wines. There is nothing perfect in the world. If I had to choose, I would rather choose the Ice and Fiery Wine. No matter how this wine tastes, I will be satisfied as long as I think that I am the only one in the world who can drink this wine." Chang Xiao smiled and said, "That's right. The Ice and Fiery Wine is extremely special. Only masters who have experienced a lot of hardships and hovered between being in and out of the world can adapt to it. There is really no one else in the world who has this opportunity except me." Since Chang Xiao intends to fade out of the world, Qi Shizhen naturally has to ask about the developments in the world. Chang Xiao’s point of view is that the future of the martial arts world will be dominated by Wu Qingyang and Duan Xiyun. Both of them have deep roots and rich experience, and they will rise rapidly once they make a breakthrough in martial arts.

Qi Shizhen was certainly no stranger to these two people. Wu Qingyang had a very good reputation in the martial arts world, and Duan Xiyun's swordsmanship was also recognized by all parties. However, if he wanted to surpass the four famous families, he had to work harder. During this meeting, Qi Shizhen felt that Chang Xiao had changed a lot compared to before. The high-spirited and vigorous leader of the Julong Gang, the murderous aura of the Blood Shadow Banner Master, and the proud and heroic spirit of the Never-Sleeping City Master were all gone. Instead, he was replaced by a kind of detachment and indifference, and perhaps a little boredom. It seemed that this martial arts leader really wanted to retire. Since Chang Xiao debuted in the martial arts world, he had few close friends, and many of his worries could not be resolved. No one knew his true thoughts. After the matter was done, Qi Shizhen said goodbye and left. Before leaving, he made a special agreement with Shi Huaiyu to buy fine wine at a very high price. Shi Huaiyu was naturally happy. After leaving Mount Tai, Qi Shizhen immediately informed Lu Wenjun to keep a close watch on Yu Zhenzi and his party and not to interfere. This party was highly skilled in martial arts and only Chang Xiao could deal with them. At the same time, he also informed him of the news that Shi Huaiyu had hidden first-class wine. Lu Wenjun was a man of both literary and martial arts. He joined the martial arts world for the feeling of freedom. Life is short, and you should enjoy it when you should. Why should you carry so many tangible and intangible burdens? Therefore, Lu Wenjun immediately sent someone to buy wine from Shi Huaiyu. Shi Huaiyu calculated that the wine he brewed and blended was limited after all. Except for the ice and fire wine, other wines were only enough for Lu Wenjun's needs except for the Never-Sleeping City and Wu Qingyang. Therefore, he decided not to provide wine to others. Of course, Shi Huaiyu's family property increased several times through wine. Chang Xiao never treated his friends badly, and Lu Wenjun was also very generous. After meeting Qi Shizhen, Chang Xiao still returned to the Never-Sleeping City. Princess Yueying took Cherry with her when she left. At this time, the Never-Sleeping City was completely dominated by a group of women led by Shenmu Bhikkhu. With the addition of Chang Xiao's five wives, it was extremely lively. In addition to the two children, the most eye-catching one was of course Jade Butterfly. Palace Master Suyun and a group of younger generations were extremely envious and wanted to know how Jade Butterfly stayed young. Jade Butterfly's answer was very simple, the state of mind. Only those who are truly happy from the heart can stay young. People who are frowning all day and have heavy worries are most likely to age. Palace Master Suyun deeply agreed that she should change her mind. Aging is more terrible for women than death.

The biggest beneficiary of the change in the Suyun Palace Master's thinking is of course Long Yunpu. In the past, Suyun Palace Master would beat her without any hesitation, and scolding her was commonplace. Now the situation is different. The Suyun Palace Master's attitude has changed a lot. Although sometimes she can't help but scold her, she is much lighter than before. From time to time, they whisper softly, and the time they spend together is much more than before. Long Yunpu is very happy, but he is not quite used to it. Sometimes he even asks the Suyun Palace Master to beat and scold him a few times before he is happy. Shenmu Bhikkhu has always been carefree, as long as he has fun. Nie Jiuniang and her sisters naturally want to pursue their own happiness. The beauties of Yinxian Palace have different ideas from ordinary people. They don't want to be good wives and mothers. It's great for everyone to get together and be happy. Brother Jiantong doesn't want to separate after spending a long time with these beauties. Such an atmosphere is rare. It's no secret that Chang Xiao runs the island. Everyone thinks it doesn't matter. As long as they don't separate, they will be happy wherever they go. Jade Butterfly accidentally revealed the Magic Cave, which whetted the appetite of Monk Shenmu. He must go to such a fun place to play. Jade Butterfly was not capable of leading people into the Magic Cave, so she could only wait for Chang Xiao to come back. Monk Shenmu was ready to force Chang Xiao to agree. Therefore, Chang Xiao was targeted by a group of women soldiers as soon as he came back. Monk Shenmu made a request aggressively. Chang Xiao shook his head: "The Magic Cave is where I practice martial arts, there is nothing fun." Monk Shenmu snorted: "Don't try to lie to me. Cherry said that there are many fun things in the cave, but I didn't take it to heart. Butterfly said it, and I knew that you had been hiding it from us." Chang Xiao immediately realized that it was Jade Butterfly who leaked the news. Jade Butterfly approached and said: "I accidentally said it." Facing the peerless beauty, Chang Xiao couldn't blame her. He was thinking in his mind whether he should lead these people into the Magic Cave. Monk Shenmu has always been resentful about the bat coat incident and this time he refused to give in no matter what. The Jiantong brothers and a group of young people including Nie Jiuniang also wanted to see it. After considering for a long time, Chang Xiao finally agreed, and Monk Shenmu was happy.

Chang Xiao had a lot of things to do. In order to avoid any more trouble, Monk Shenmu seized the opportunity and refused to let go. He was about to leave immediately. Chang Xiao was helpless with this senior, so he had to lead everyone to Wuyi Mountain. This group of people was of course eye-catching. There were old and young people, and many beautiful women. There were laughter and joy wherever they went. Because Monk Shenmu was anxious, there was no delay on the road, and they soon arrived at Wuyi Mountain. Climbing and wading naturally could not be difficult for these people. Chang Xiao knew that once the news of the Magic Cave was leaked, it would be difficult to practice quietly, but there was no way. Monk Shenmu was too difficult. After entering the cave, the first thing that appeared was of course the appearance of hell. The beauties were terrified, and the Lord of Suyun Palace also felt very uncomfortable. The old ancestor was very relaxed. Life and death were normal. There were only two people who were happy. One was Monk Shenmu and the other was Long Yunpu. These two people not only did not feel horrible but also very interesting. Chang Xiao also felt strange. Long Yunpu's thinking was indeed different from others. After seeing the illusions of the human world and heaven, as well as the wonders of the desert and the ocean, the monk Shenmu complained to Chang Xiao that such a fun place had been hidden from him. The group of beauties felt that the trip was worthwhile, and the Palace Master Suyun was also immersed in the beautiful scenery. She never thought that there would be such a fun place in the world. Yu Hudie and the Palace Master Suyun got along well, and privately told her that she and the four sisters Hanmei had fun with their husbands in various beautiful scenery and fully enjoyed the fun of life. The Palace Master Suyun blushed and her heart beat fast. If she and Long Yunpu enjoyed it here, it would be a paradise-like day. Seeing all this, Long Yunpu was stunned and believed that this was a fairyland. Chang Xiao and Yu Hudie were both gods, and only gods could create such a wonder. When designing Huanmo Dong, Chang Xiao was very thoughtful, with sufficient food and comfortable accommodation. Everyone settled down and enjoyed the wonders every day.

After suffering a loss, Bai Tou Weng became more restrained, and Yu Zhenzi also became more careful. Jianghu people have always regarded the practice of taking Yin to replenish Yang and taking Yang to replenish Yin as heresy. Bai Tou Weng was attacked by someone for this reason. Although he suffered a setback, Yu Zhenzi's desire for revenge did not stop. He just became more careful, did not stay in the town, and changed his itinerary at any time. Although the complementarity of Yin and Yang cost Bai Tou Weng and Zui Hua Niang a great price, the gains were also not small. The two made great progress in their skills in a very short time. Yu Zhenzi began to design a joint attack technique with the two. It took three people to deal with Chang Xiao. Bai Tou Weng and Zui Hua Niang had given it all up. Being able to fully appreciate the love between men and women was worth it in this life, and there was no regret even if they died. As for what happened after death, no one had seen it, so it was not worth it. Yu Zhenzi had already appreciated the most profound swordsmanship in the "Danyang Sutra". What he had to do now was to give full play to the advantages of Bai Tou Weng and Zui Hua Niang's skills and find a way to deliver a shocking blow. Lu Wenjun has been paying close attention to this group of people. He learned from various channels that Yu Zhenzi was practicing the art of joint attack. It was obvious that this was to deal with a martial arts master. Qi Shizhen immediately determined that Yu Zhenzi's target was Chang Xiao. It should be notified, but Chang Xiao has already made his attitude clear, so it is not easy for others to ask. Qi Shizhen knew that Yu Zhenzi was doomed to waste his efforts. The Taoist Baoding and Yu Zhenzi have already exerted their martial arts to the limit. No matter how hard Bai Tou Weng and Zui Hua Niang try, they can't surpass them. If they really fight with Chang Xiao, they will only seek death. The authorities are confused, and the bystanders are clear. Yu Zhenzi didn't think of these and was ready for revenge. After many drills, some progress has been made. Bai Tou Weng and Zui Hua Niang cooperate with each other and can completely resist Chang Xiao's knife. Of course, it is not so easy to defeat Chang Xiao. Yu Zhenzi carefully studied the two-element three-talent formation. Only by using the formation can the power of the three martial arts be doubled. If successful, it is entirely possible to get rid of Chang Xiao. This process was certainly not simple. With Yu Zhenzi's careful guidance, Bai Tou Weng and Zui Hua Niang's obedient and full cooperation, things went quite smoothly, and the three of them were full of confidence in their revenge.

Wu Qingyang and Duan Xiyun are both studying martial arts. Their cultivation levels are similar. Wu Qingyang is experienced, while Duan Xiyun has the help of his grandfather. They are both making breakthroughs and have realized the meaning of the picture. However, they still need to work a hundred times harder to fully master it. The death of Taoist Baoding did not change the minds of the four famous families. The four heads still regard the Never-Sleeping City as a thorn in their eyes and a thorn in their flesh. If they had enough strength, they would have taken action long ago. At this time, good news came. Chang Xiao vigorously managed the island and seemed to be moving, which meant fading from the world. After discussing, the four heads immediately began to make preparations, arranged capable disciples, mobilized close branches and factions, and prepared to restore their influence. People in the world value peace, and making enemies everywhere will not last long. Therefore, the four heads acted separately and made friends with various forces. It is human nature to change with the wind. Once Chang Xiao withdraws from the world, the pattern of the world will change greatly. The four famous families are deeply rooted, and it is best not to offend them, so all forces expressed friendship. Wu Qingyang got the Ganlu Sword, and Duan Xiyun became the leader of the Divine Sword Sect. The weight of these two people suddenly increased a lot, and the four famous families certainly had to find a way to win them over. Although both of them were in seclusion, they still had elders, so the four famous families tried to get in touch with Wu Qingyang's father, the old owner of the manor, and Duan Xinyi. At this time, the old owner was quite happy. His son got the Ganlu Sword, which meant that he became the first swordsman in the world. Of course, he was happy that his dream goal was realized by his son. At this time, the four famous families certainly couldn't refuse the goodwill, and they readily agreed. As for Duan Xinyi, he couldn't express his position readily. First of all, his martial arts were not good enough, and secondly, his son's wings were hard, so he couldn't easily make the decision. Although he didn't make a clear statement, he didn't refuse the good intentions of the four famous families. Wanqi Song was a famous old fox, of course he could see the heat, and took the initiative to contact the four famous families. Jiang Feiluan of Tongtianbao was determined to compete with Wu Qingyang, and needed support from all parties, and also showed a friendly attitude. The leader of the Beggars' Sect, Ziyun Gu, was quite knowledgeable. As long as the Beggars' Sect could survive and develop, it didn't matter if they allied with the four famous families. Yan Nanlou of the South Sea looked down on the four famous families, but there was no need to offend them. Under the insistence of the old Dragon King, they reached an agreement to coexist peacefully and assist each other. Before Chang Xiao withdrew, the pattern of the martial arts world had already undergone certain changes.

Chapter 178: Meeting a Monk

The monk Shenmu led the young men and women to enjoy themselves in the Magic Cave, claiming to be the happiest person in the world. However, there are two people who are as happy as the monk Shenmu, that is, Tianlaizi and Pinghu Xiayin. The two have very similar temperaments and like to play. After learning the flying skills, Tianlaizi decided to travel around the famous mountains in the world. It must be more interesting to enjoy the beautiful scenery from the sky with a big kite than from below. Pinghu Xiayin certainly agreed, and left his granddaughter Yuan Guihua and went with his master. The two of them followed their hearts and went wherever they wanted. When they arrived at a famous mountain, they first visited it, and then found an opportunity to fly up to the sky to play, enjoying the beautiful scenery that ordinary people could not imagine, and they were extremely free. Mount Tai is the first of the Five Sacred Mountains, so it is natural that they cannot let it go. After visiting the Northern Mountain Hengshan, the two masters and apprentices took the route of Mount Tai. With their profound martial arts, the two quickly visited various strange peaks and scenic spots, and prepared to fly up to the sky to play. Learning flying skills does not mean that you can fly whenever you want. A big kite needs a lot of wind to fly up to the sky. If there is no wind, it will not succeed. The master and the apprentice waited for several days, and finally waited for the strong wind. They immediately made full preparations and flew up to the sky on a big kite. It was indeed a different kind of beautiful scenery to look down from above. Tianlaizi was quite excited. The mountain wind was blowing, and he felt like a fairy flying in the sky. This feeling was wonderful. Pinghu Xiayin was quite fortunate. If he had not lost to Long Jingtian, there would not be what happened later. Compared with playing chess, flying was much more interesting. The two masters and apprentices played to their heart's content, starting from the early morning and not landing until the wind stopped at noon. After a rest, the mountain wind started again, and the two flew up to the sky again, playing around and enjoying themselves. There was light fog in the morning, and it was not very clear. In the afternoon, there was plenty of sunlight, and every blade of grass and every tree was clearly presented in front of him. Tianlaizi cheered frequently and praised himself for being smart and being able to come up with such a good idea. Pinghu Xiayin admired the beautiful scenery around and accidentally found that there seemed to be someone on the top of a lonely mountain. He was surprised. This mountain went straight into the clouds and there was no path at all. Who could climb to the top? After a careful look, he was indeed not mistaken. There were two people sitting opposite each other on the top of the peak, one in white and the other in black, which was quite eye-catching. Tianlaizi also noticed it and called his apprentice to come over to take a look.

As they got closer, it became clearer that they were two monks. Tianlaizi laughed out loud. It turned out that these two monks were quite interesting. The one in white had fair skin, a clear mind, and was spotless. The one in black had dark skin, shiny and translucent, with deep eyes, as if he could see through everything. Tianlaizi was one of the few masters in the world. Of course, he realized that these two monks were extraordinary. He asked Pinghu Xiayin to find the landing place and go down to meet the monks. The master and apprentice landed on the top of the peak one after another. The two monks did not react at all, just like the statues in the temple. Tianlaizi approached and looked carefully. The two monks were in good spirits and it was hard to tell how old they were. Tianlaizi called his disciple over and asked, "Do you recognize him?" Pinghu Xiayin shook his head, "I've never seen him." Tianlaizi scolded, "You're stupid. This monk in white has a strong air of worldly affairs. He should be a famous monk of our time. Even if you haven't seen him, you should have heard of him." Pinghu Xiayin scratched his head and said, "Of course the number one monk in the Central Plains is Master Baekje. I heard that this monk is over a hundred years old. He can't be that young, right?" Tianlaizi smiled and said, "Such a monk would certainly not be like an ordinary person. Isn't that monk Shenmu more than a hundred years old? He still looks like a little girl." Pinghu Xiayin nodded, "Master, teach me... It is absolutely right, it must be Master Baekje. "The conversation between the master and the apprentice finally got a response, and a soft voice came: "Two monkeys fell from the sky, and the three names of Tianlaizi are worthy of it." Tianlaizi was shocked and asked: "How do you know my name is Tianlaizi?" A soft voice sounded: "I am talking to you, why are you asking him?" Tianlaizi came to the black-robed monk: "Are you talking?" The black-robed monk did not move at all, without any change, and the soft voice continued: "He is teasing you, it is obviously me talking to you." Tianlaizi came to the white-robed monk again, and there was still nothing unusual. Pinghu Xiayin knew that his master's swordsmanship was extremely profound and his observation was meticulous, but he was actually restrained in front of these two monks, and he didn't even know who was talking. These two monks were really amazing.

Although Tianlaizi was impatient, he could tell the difference between the important and the unimportant. These two monks were detached from the world and their realm was higher than his. He humbly bowed and said, "Two monks, I am sorry to bother you unintentionally." With a burst of laughter, the white-robed monk's face finally changed: "You are not an ordinary person to be able to guess my identity." Tianlaizi hurriedly said, "My insignificant skills are not worthy of the eyes of the monks." Pinghu Xiayin asked, "Who is this black monk?" The black-robed monk nodded and smiled, "I call you monkeys, and you call me a black monk. It's really not a loss." Obviously, the black-robed monk is Master Baikong, the junior brother of Master Baekje. After the name was passed, Tianlaizi sat cross-legged on one side, and Pinghu Xiayin stood beside him. Master Baiji spoke first: "I heard that you had a fight with the Lord of the City That Never Sleeps, how was the result?" Tianlaizi replied: "It was a draw." Master Baikong laughed and said: "Otherwise, if it was the Lord of the City That Never Sleeps, he would definitely feel that it was I who was talking." Tianlaizi was surprised: "According to the monk, the Lord of the City That Never Sleeps has a higher level of cultivation than me?" Master Baikong laughed: "You can say that." Tianlaizi's face changed immediately. Master Baikong explained: "Buddhism does not tell lies. The Lord of the City That Never Sleeps' swordsmanship has completely jumped out of the world, but you have not gotten rid of your worldly desires." Tianlaizi felt very uncomfortable and his face naturally looked bad. , Master Baekje smiled and said, "He is so straightforward, which is rare." Tianlaizi muttered, "No matter what, I will not admit that he is worse than me." Master Baikong nodded, "The main reason why you are not as good as him is your desire to win. It is not easy to get through this level." Tianlaizi certainly did not admit defeat, and puffed his mouth in anger. Master Baekje explained, "Although the people of the Lord of the Never-Night City remain in the world, their souls have already floated to the sky. Didn't you see him appear in the mirage with your own eyes?" Tianlaizi was shocked. No one except the parties involved knew about this matter. Master Baekje actually said it in one sentence, which shows that this monk is extraordinary. He bowed his head and admitted his mistake: "Xiao Ke is arrogant and does not know the height of the world. Please forgive me." Master Baekje comforted him, "Strictly speaking, the Lord of the Never-Night City is no longer a worldly person. The most powerful martial artist in the world today is none other than you." Tianlaizi couldn't tell what he felt in his heart. In short, the monk in front of him was a top master and must not be missed. So he asked, "How did the Lord of the Never-Night City reach this level?"

Chang Xiao was noticed by Master Baekje soon after he entered the martial arts world. In fact, without Master Baekje's help, Chang Xiao would have found it difficult to gain a foothold in the martial arts world. This contemporary monk certainly has his own reasons for doing this, but no one knows it. Today, Tianlaizi raised a question, and Master Baekje finally told the reason: "The reason why I got to know Chang Xiao was to help the martial arts world and the victims. But when we met, I found that Chang Xiao was very unusual. Although he was passionate, he didn't seem like a flesh-and-blood person. He seemed like a ghost from hell." Tianlaizi found it incredible. If such words came from someone else, he would definitely sneer at them, but the person in front of him was a contemporary monk, and it was impossible for him to lie to him. Master Baekje smiled and said, "I know this statement is hard to convince people, but it is the fact. I don't understand what Chang Xiao has experienced. In short, there is a very terrible power hidden in this person's heart. If it erupts, countless lives will be killed." Pinghu Xiayin knew some things in the past. Master Baekje's special care for Chang Xiao was known to everyone in the martial arts world, but no one knew the reason. I didn't expect to have the opportunity to hear it with my own ears today, and I was very happy. Master Baekje explained: "My original intention of caring for Chang Xiao was to use the good side of his nature to suppress that terrible power. From the results, it can be seen that my efforts have achieved certain results." Chang Xiao's experience had long been spread by the martial arts world, and the opinions of all parties were mixed, but most people admitted that Chang Xiao did do a lot of good things. Master Baikong smiled and said, "Brother, you are too modest. It is a great merit for Chang Xiao to be able to suppress his inner demons." Master Baiji shook his head and said, "It is mainly up to him to suppress his inner demons. I don't have this magical power." Tianlaizi asked, "Master, does your revealing of this secret mean that Chang Xiao is about to retire from the martial arts world, or that his inner demons have been completely suppressed?" Master Baiji smiled and nodded, "Both statements are right. Chang Xiao has been in the martial arts world for many years, but has never been integrated into it. He seems like an outsider." Master Baikong sighed lightly, "After the Lord of the Never-Sleeping City retires, I'm afraid no one can hold up the sky." Pinghu Xiayin felt quite regretful. Once Chang Xiao retired, most of the masters in the Never-Sleeping City, the Hidden Immortal Palace, and the Netherworld Island would probably retire as well. Without these masters, what would the martial arts world be like?

Although it is said that the waves behind push the waves ahead, everyone knows that it is difficult for anyone to reach Chang Xiao's realm. Tianlaizi knew his own problems and wanted the two monks to give him some advice. Master Baikong smiled and said, "You can cultivate the Panlong Sword because you are straightforward by nature and have no distractions. Everyone has different endowments and cannot be forced." Tianlaizi nodded, "I understand." Pinghu Xiayin asked, "Do the two monks know Long Jingtian?" Master Baiji smiled and nodded, "Of course, this person has a brilliant mind and a lot of talents. He is a rare scholar." Pinghu Xiayin then asked, "As far as I know, Long Jingtian's descendant Long Yunpu's family swordsmanship is quite unique. Because of a thought of infatuation, he was with the people of Yinxian Palace. Why doesn't Long Jingtian have any martial arts? "Master Baikong did not answer but asked: "At the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, many heroes competed for the world. Who is the strongest person recognized by the world?" Pinghu Xiayin thought without hesitation; "Of course it is Zhuge Kongming." Master Baikong smiled: "Does Kongming know martial arts?" Pinghu Xiayin was stunned, then nodded: "I understand." Tianlaizi also values Long Jingtian very much. He broke the Panlong magic in a short time. This matter can reflect the extraordinaryness of this person. It is rare to meet two eminent monks. The master and the apprentice raised all the questions in their hearts. Such an opportunity is rare and must not be missed. At dusk, the mountain wind picked up. Master Baikong said, "You came here with the wind, so you should leave with the wind." Tianlaizi stood up and saluted, and prepared the kite with his apprentice. In the blink of an eye, the two monks disappeared. Tianlaizi sighed and said, "There are always people who are better than you, and there are always better than you." The two masters and apprentices flew down the peak with the wind and continued to travel around. They had gained a lot from this experience, and the most important thing was that they got accurate information about Chang Xiao.

The two masters and apprentices were originally in high spirits, but suddenly they got a message that the swordsman Qingyang had come out of retreat and held a sword-fighting competition at Wuling Villa, inviting sword masters from the world to compete. Tianlaizi thought that his vision was not wrong, so he decided to join in the fun, so the two masters and apprentices changed their itinerary and took the Wuling Villa. Wu Qingyang and Chang Xiao were quite close friends, and Pinghu Xiayin thought that Chang Xiao would definitely be there. Tianlaizi had a different opinion. This time it was a sword-fighting competition, and Chang Xiao used a knife, so there was no need for him to participate. There was another meaning. Wu Qingyang got the Ganlu sword, and after retreating, he made a breakthrough in swordsmanship. Only through the sword-fighting competition could he be recognized by all parties. If Chang Xiao was present, even if Wu Qingyang was recognized by all heroes, he would not get the respect he deserved. The reputation of the first swordsman was far less than that of the Lord of the Never-Sleeping City. Pinghu Xiayin agreed with his master's reason. The sword-fighting competition could improve Wu Qingyang's self-confidence, and Chang Xiao would be under great pressure if he was present. The Ganlu Sword has always been the focus of attention of heroes from all walks of life. The Sword Discussion Conference is naturally very important. Except for Shaolin, the four famous families all study swordsmanship, so of course they cannot miss this event. Jiang Feiluan, the master of Tongtian Fort, has always wanted to compete with Wu Qingyang. This conference is of course the best opportunity and must not be missed. The people of Yinxian Palace are good at swordsmanship. Shenmu Bhikkhu also uses a sword and likes to join in the fun. Maybe he will participate in the Sword Discussion Conference. Tianlaizi can guess Chang Xiao, but he can't guess Shenmu Bhikkhu. No one can figure out the mind of this master. Although the Sword Discussion Conference is lively, it is not fun. The people of Yinxian Palace are not currently thinking about swordsmanship. It is hard to say whether these people can participate. Since Wu Qingyang has come out of retreat, he must have made a breakthrough and is confident to face the world. This person pays the most attention to the word "stable" when doing things. Setting the venue at his own home can fully reflect his full confidence. Tianlaizi hopes from the bottom of his heart that Wu Qingyang will become the number one swordsman. This person eliminates evil and punishes traitors, helps the poor and the needy, is extremely self-disciplined, and has no moral character to say. In addition, this person is warm-hearted, generous and magnanimous, and is praised by all parties. Such a person becoming the first swordsman has a great influence on the atmosphere of the martial arts world. Master Baiji is right. Chang Xiao has never integrated into the martial arts world. Wu Qingyang is a thorough man of the martial arts world.

Wu Qingyang and Duan Xiyun had the same purpose of retreat, and the time was not far apart. Compared with Duan Xiyun, Wu Qingyang had more experience in the martial arts world. The Ganlu Sword was the best weapon in the martial arts world today, so it was naturally extraordinary. The rolling pearl knife in Duan Xiyun's hand was inferior, so Wu Qingyang realized the true meaning of the picture faster than Duan Xiyun, and his swordsmanship was even better. It was inevitable to hold a sword-discussing conference. Many people in the martial arts world thought that Wu Qingyang was not worthy of the Ganlu Sword, let alone the first swordsman. It was Chang Xiao who gave him the Ganlu Sword out of consideration for the old relationship. Wu Qingyang knew all these rumors clearly. The purpose of holding a sword-discussing conference was to gain recognition from all parties and become the first swordsman worthy of the name. Tianlaizi's inference was correct. Wu Qingyang did not want Chang Xiao to appear in the sword-discussing conference. First of all, he did not have full confidence in front of this person, and secondly, it was easy for people to misunderstand that he was relying on the power of the city that never sleeps. This time, the conference had to rely entirely on himself, and only in this way could everyone be convinced. The villa was busy and everyone was smiling. If Wu Qingyang becomes the number one swordsman, the status of Wuling Villa will be greatly improved. The happiest person is of course the old owner. It is true that he planted flowers with care but they did not bloom, but he planted willows by accident and they grew into rows. The successor that he cultivated with great effort was impatient and irritable. Not only did he lose his life, but he also let the Ganlu sword fall into the hands of others. Originally, it was thought that Wuling Villa would never recover from this. Unexpectedly, his son, who had completely different ideas from himself, rose to fame in one step. Not only did he get the Ganlu sword back, but he also made a breakthrough in swordsmanship. If he became the recognized number one swordsman in the world, he would die with peace of mind. It is of course a good thing to hold a sword contest. The old owner was busy running around. Although he was happy, he was also a little worried. The sword has two edges, and things have pros and cons. If his son can beat the others in this sword contest and be recognized by all parties, it will be perfect. But if he loses to someone else, then all this will be for others. The Ganlu sword and the title of the number one swordsman will be taken away by others. In comparison, Wu Qingyang was much more relaxed. The Ganlu Sword and the No. 1 Swordsman were both imaginary, and one's own cultivation was real. If one's own cultivation was insufficient, what was the use of holding the Ganlu Sword? On the other hand, if one's swordsmanship was indeed unrivaled in the world, the Ganlu Sword would sooner or later fall into one's hands. Based on this mentality, Wu Qingyang was quite relaxed.

Chapter 179: Lunjian Villa

Upon learning that Wu Qingyang was holding a sword-fighting contest, the group of monks Shenmu who were playing in the Magic Cave had their first disagreement. Some people advocated going to join in the fun, while others wanted to stay. Monk Shenmu couldn't make up his mind. Wu Qingyang was a good person, and he should go to support him, but the Magic Cave was so fun that he couldn't bear to leave. The ancestors of the Nie family studied swordsmanship, and the Lord of Suyun Palace naturally wanted to let the younger generations see the swordsmanship of contemporary people in the martial arts world. The young people had nothing to say, because playing was not a serious matter after all. Monk Shenmu was hesitant, and at this time, the leader of the Nie family, the Lord of Haoyue Palace, sent a message asking everyone in the family to go to Wuling Villa. In this way, Monk Shenmu didn't insist. If everyone went, it would be meaningless for him to stay in the Magic Cave. This time it was a sword-fighting contest, and Chang Xiao didn't plan to participate. He continued to plan the island's affairs, believing that Wu Qingyang was capable of gaining recognition from all parties. Lu Wenjun sent a message that Yu Zhenzi, Bai Tou Weng and Zui Hua Niang were practicing the art of joint attack. Chang Xiao laughed it off. Yu Zhenzi had practiced Taoism for many years, how could he think of using such a method? When masters compete, a tiny loophole can determine the outcome. Bai Tou Weng and Zui Hua Niang have changed their minds. They suffered a loss at the hands of Qi Shizhen and did not turn back. They would not stop until they lost their lives. After Shenmu Bhikkhu and his party left the Magic Cave, Chang Xiao and his five wives returned to the Never-Sleeping City and transported the important items to the island. Jade Butterfly asked what to do with the City That Never Sleeps. Chang Xiao pondered for a moment and replied, "After we leave, no one in the world will be able to rule the City That Never Sleeps. It is better to give it to Wei Heyang. He is a royal relative and has the support of the government." Jade Butterfly was reluctant: "Why do you have to give it away? Isn't it good for us to live on both sides?" Chang Xiao sighed lightly and said meaningfully, "I have decided to give up the world of martial arts completely. What do you still miss?" Jade Butterfly was a little confused and frowned, "Are we never going to the Central Plains in the future?" Chang Xiao smiled slightly, "The island is not our home either." Jade Butterfly didn't understand even more. Chang Xiao pointed with his hand, "It is only it that understands what I mean." Jade Butterfly turned around and saw that Chang Xiao was pointing at the Fire Dragon Colt. Jade Butterfly also imitated Chang Xiao and asked, "Fire Dragon Colt, where is our home?" The Fire Dragon Colt shook its head to the west and made a loud neigh, and Jade Butterfly seemed to understand something.

Wei Heyang was also alarmed by the sword contest. It was of course a great joy for the master to obtain the Ganlu sword, and as a disciple, he had to go to show his support. The purpose of this contest was for the people of Jianghu to exchange sword skills. Wei Heyang did not intend to put on airs as a prince, and only brought four followers with him, and rushed to Wuling Villa with light equipment and fast horses. Although Wu Qingyang was very confident, he did not intend to show off. The old owner was also worried that something unexpected would happen and he would lose face, so Wuling Villa did not decorate with lights and colors, but only made simple arrangements. Wu Qingyang valued this disciple very much, and met him immediately when he learned that Wei Heyang had arrived. After sitting down, Wei Heyang was the first to congratulate. Wu Qingyang shook his head and said, "A magic weapon chooses its master. It's hard to say who will own the Ganlu Sword yet." Wei Heyang smiled and said, "Master, why do you have to hide it from me? If you don't know the location of the sword-fighting competition, it won't be Wuling Villa." Wu Qingyang nodded and said, "That's right. I have learned a lot from my seclusion as a teacher. Compared with the past, it is an improvement and a liberation." Progress is easy to understand, but liberation is not so clear. Wei Heyang raised a question, and Wu Qingyang smiled slightly, "This is a sublimation of the spiritual realm. It's hard to explain it in words." Wei Heyang smiled bitterly, "Disciples are ordinary people and can't understand the realm of the master." Changing the subject, Wei Heyang mentioned Chang Xiao, "I heard that the Lord of the Never-Sleeping City is vigorously managing the island and preparing to Relocation, does it mean fading out of the arena?" Wu Qingyang pondered for a moment and replied: "Many people in the arena have this idea. I think that Chang Xiao is not just fading out of the arena this time. This person never drags his feet in doing things. I am afraid that the arena will lose this master forever." Wei Heyang was surprised: "Master, do you mean that the city lord will take refuge overseas and never enter the Central Plains again?" Wu Qingyang shook his head: "Chang Xiao, Jade Butterfly, and Fire Dragon Horse cannot be measured by common sense. Their appearance itself is a myth. As for their destination, it is naturally where they came from and where they go. "Wei Heyang shook his head again and again: "I don't understand, Master's words are getting harder and harder to understand." Wu Qingyang smiled and said: "Sooner or later you will understand that their appearance is a myth, and their disappearance must also be a myth."

After Wu Qingyang's retreat, his overall cultivation has made a big step forward. His words often contain hidden meanings, which Wei Heyang could not understand, so he had to give up. Talking about the sword-discussing conference, Wu Qingyang's meaning was very clear, and everything should be kept simple. Because Wei Heyang was the dignified King of Wuling, he naturally could not receive masters from all sides on behalf of his master. The old owner volunteered, and the old man was happy from the bottom of his heart, so Wu Qingyang naturally couldn't disobey. Guests arrived one after another, and more than ten people came from the three gates of Wudang, Huashan, and Shangqing Palace. Lingmu Zhenren mentioned that the senior Wumu Zhenjun of Shangqing Palace would also come, and Wu Qingyang was overjoyed. While they were greeting each other, there was suddenly chaos outside, and the noise was loud. Wu Qingyang smiled and said, "The monk Shenmu has arrived. This senior is very troublesome. Excuse me." When he came to the door, it was indeed the monk Shenmu, who was pointing and gesticulating there, and a group of young men and women joined in, and the scene was naturally lively. Wu Qingyang stepped forward and saluted: "Senior, I am sorry for not welcoming you from afar." Shenmu monk pouted and said: "In order to support you, we left the most fun place in the world. How can you thank me?" Wu Qingyang smiled and said: "I don't deserve such a great favor. Please go back." Shenmu monk snorted: "Little Wu, how did you learn bad things? You dare to argue with me, wait and see how I will deal with you." At this time, someone in the distance said: "A man who has been away for three days should be looked at with new eyes. It may not be so easy to deal with Qingyang swordsman." Shenmu monk knew the identity of the person without looking at him, and curled his lips: "Wu Mu Niubi, you are so stupid, You are trying to piss me off too, be careful or I will take care of you too." Wu Mu Zhenjun slowly approached and said with a smile: "You can't take care of anyone in this sword-fighting contest." Shenmu Monk was of course not convinced, Wu Mu Zhenjun explained: "If no one can beat you, you can do whatever you want, but if two people who are stronger than you also want to participate in the sword-fighting contest, you will naturally not be so powerful." Shenmu Monk asked: "Who dares to go against me?" Wu Mu Zhenjun smiled: "Pinghu Xiayin and Tianlaizi master and apprentice." Shenmu Monk gritted his teeth and said: "These two monkeys are here to disrupt the situation again, I will settle the score with them later." Wu Qingyang was overjoyed to know that these two masters were coming.

Jiang Feiluan arrived late. After the Taoist priest Baoding passed away, Jiang Feiluan thought that he was the number one swordsman. Now that Wu Qingyang had stolen the limelight, he was naturally unhappy. Although he had some thoughts in his mind, he was still very polite on the surface. He could not be rude in front of so many masters. Tianlaizi and Pinghu Xiayin were invited to the seat of honor by Wu Qingyang as soon as they arrived. Tianlaizi had once competed with Chang Xiao and did not lose. This alone was enough to make people respect him. Many masters gathered together, and Wu Qingyang was the protagonist. He first expressed his attitude. In addition to exchanging swordsmanship, this conference was mainly to ask everyone to be a witness and evaluate whether their swordsmanship was worthy of the Ganlu Sword. Everyone knew this. After the Taoist priest Baoding passed away, many people were not convinced that Chang Xiao gave the Ganlu Sword to Wu Qingyang. Wu Qingyang has been in the martial arts world for most of his life. He is experienced, smooth, and has a good reputation. If he did not get the Ganlu Sword, most people would give him some face. Nowadays, for the aura of the first swordsman, even friends of many years are likely to draw their swords against each other. This is the world of martial arts, there is nothing to complain about. Wu Qingyang was fully prepared. He took out the Ganlu sword and placed it in the hall. He did not regard himself as the owner of the sword, so that everyone was convinced. To be the first swordsman, you must rely on real skills, and there can be no falsehood. The sword discussion began with verbal discussions. There were many masters present, and everyone had their own opinions, so naturally there was no lack of debate. Everyone expressed their opinions. Tianlaizi's swordsmanship was the most profound. From the words, he understood the cultivation of the participants. He was convinced that Wu Qingyang was no longer the same as before and would definitely be recognized by all parties. Many people found that Wu Qingyang's opinions were often irrelevant and difficult to understand. Perhaps Wu Qingyang really made a breakthrough. Jiang Feiluan came here to compete with Wu Qingyang. Of course, he was not satisfied with verbal exchanges, because he had a prejudice in his heart and did not listen to Wu Qingyang's views on swordsmanship at all. Bhikkhu Shenmu noticed Wu Qingyang's change and praised him: "Little Wu is not bad, it seems we can compete on the sand table."

Hearing this, Jiang Feiluan's heart moved. She learned to use the sand table with the help of Taoist Baoding. If Monk Shenmu was not exaggerating and Wu Qingyang really made a breakthrough, she would have to be more careful. The sand table was of course ready. After taking it, Monk Shenmu rushed to sit in front of it and called out, "Come here, old monkey, come here too." True Lord Wumu came out in response, but Pinghu Xiayin was a little embarrassed. Tianlaizi said, "What's the big deal about a title? If you really turn yourself into a monkey, your swordsmanship will be considered successful." Many people didn't understand this sentence. Pinghu Xiayin agreed and came to the sand table. The three masters each occupied one side, and the remaining position was naturally left to Wu Qingyang. Monk Shenmu was of course the first one. He first drew a rice shape in the middle of the sand table. This was a very fierce move, using attack as defense, simple and fast. True Lord Wumu and Pinghu Xiayin naturally responded easily, and everyone's focus was on Wu Qingyang. Wu Qingyang drew a curved arc calmly, and Wu Mu Zhenjun praised: "What a good move." Pinghu Xiayin was also surprised. In such a short time, Wu Qingyang had improved so much. It was incredible. After the trial, Shenmu Bhikkhu began to attack frequently. Wu Qingyang was unambiguous and took his time to deal with him. Jiang Feiluan was secretly surprised. Shenmu Bhikkhu's moves were so exquisite that it was difficult for her to deal with him. If Wu Qingyang really reached such a level, she would be disappointed this time. Shenmu Bhikkhu made dozens of moves in a row, but he didn't stump Wu Qingyang. He was a little embarrassed, so he took out his unique skills and drew a plum blossom. Wu Qingyang frowned and thought hard. Wu Mu Zhenjun and Pinghu Xiayin looked at each other, stopped, and waited for Wu Qingyang to solve this problem. Wu Qingyang stared at the plum blossoms for a long time, but he had no idea what to do. He simply closed his eyes, and a picture flashed through his mind. He suddenly had an idea and stretched out his hand to draw a simple triangle. The monk Shenmu was stunned for a while, then nodded and said, "Xiao Wu, you're good." Wu Mu Zhenjun praised, "With this move alone, Qingyang swordsman is no longer the same as before." Pinghu Xiayin admired his master's vision even more at this time. Wu Qingyang was indeed a talent that could be cultivated. The sand table was removed, and the masters who watched understood that Wu Qingyang was indeed very different from before. With the recognition of these three masters, he was only one step away from becoming the number one swordsman.

In any case, it is impossible to get everyone's approval without a real competition. After a night's rest, everyone gathered together the next morning for a real confrontation. Because the ownership of the Ganlu Sword was undecided, Wu Qingyang used an ordinary long sword. Wu Mu Zhenjun first arranged for the masters of Shangqing Palace to come out. Wu Qingyang won five consecutive victories, which was very easy. Lingmu Zhenren saw that he was not Wu Qingyang's opponent and there was no need to make a fool of himself. He said that he would give up the competition for the Ganlu Sword. Then the masters of Wudang and Huashan came out and ended in failure. Wu Qingyang won more than ten masters in a row. Wei Heyang was very happy. He didn't expect that the master's swordsmanship had improved so much that he could be on par with the extreme masters like Shenmu Bhikkhu. The happiest person was of course the old owner. The dream goal was about to be realized. It was difficult for outsiders to understand that feeling. Because it was a sword-discussing conference, not a life-and-death fight, for the sake of fairness, there could be no round-robin battles. Everyone rested for a day and prepared for the final competition. On the morning of the third day, many masters gathered together again. At present, it seems that only Jiang Feiluan is capable of competing for the Ganlu Sword. Everyone waits and sees. After two days of observation, Jiang Feiluan has understood that Wu Qingyang has indeed made a breakthrough. He has no advantage and can only draw at most. Everyone present knows that Jiang Feiluan and Baoding Taoist have fought many times, and their swordsmanship is not much different. It is difficult to predict the outcome of this fight with Wu Qingyang. Wu Qingyang certainly understands that the outcome of this battle is related to his future and will also affect the pattern of the world. He must not be careless. Jiang Feiluan has made sufficient preparations. As long as he wins this battle, he can get the Ganlu Sword and become the recognized first swordsman in the world. He must go all out anyway. Compared with Jiang Feiluan's nervousness, Wu Qingyang seems much more relaxed. After the retreat, Wu Qingyang feels like he has been reborn. His previous concepts have completely changed. His thoughts have changed, his speech and behavior have changed a lot, and even his appearance has changed. There is a little more free and easy in his eyes. People who are familiar with Wu Qingyang noticed these changes and knew that this Qingyang swordsman is no longer the same as before. Jiang Feiluan certainly understood that no matter how much Wu Qingyang has improved, for the sake of the Ganlu sword and the reputation of the number one swordsman, she had to fight for it, so as not to regret it in the future.

In front of many masters, Wu Qingyang and Jiang Feiluan showed their swords. Although Jiang Feiluan was eager to win, he was very calm. This battle was of great significance to both sides and there could be no negligence. Wu Qingyang's expression was very calm. He casually drew his sword and the sword light shot towards the opponent like a meteor. Jiang Feiluan carefully parried, and the two swords made a pleasant sound when they touched, and more than ten sparks burst out. With a shout, Jiang Feiluan launched an offensive, the sword light flashed, the real and the fake, and the body movement was light and graceful. Seeing such swordsmanship, the three sect leaders were secretly surprised. They didn't expect Jiang Feiluan's swordsmanship to be so superb. It seems that the exchange with Taoist Baoding has a great influence on Jiang Feiluan. Jiang Feiluan was very careful in his moves, attacking like thunder and defending like mountains, with a hidden style of a master. But Wu Qingyang was different. There was no rules when he drew his sword, and he was understated and there was no trace to be found. In the blink of an eye, the two had exchanged dozens of moves. Wu Mu Zhenjun and Shenmu Bhikkhu had already understood that Wu Qingyang was superior and Jiang Feiluan had little chance of winning. Wu Qingyang knew that Jiang Feiluan had profound attainments in swordsmanship, and it would be difficult for him to defend if he did not understand the meaning of those pictures. Even so, it was not easy to win easily. When masters competed, the gap was often very small. If there was an overwhelming advantage, there was no need to fight with swords. The two of them each made a strange move, and the sword tip broke through the air with a hissing sound. After hundreds of moves, there was no flaw at all. Wu Qingyang knew that Jiang Feiluan's shortcoming was that he could not keep his composure. As long as he used his sword energy, he would be sure to seize the gap. If he continued to fight like this, it would be difficult to tell the winner. Unexpectedly, Jiang Feiluan's temperament had also changed. He did not seek merit, but only sought no mistakes, and was extremely calm. After thousands of moves, the situation was still the same as at the beginning. Everyone watching the battle knew that this sword fight would not end soon, and both sides would obviously compete in endurance. At this time, Wu Qingyang had realized that his idea was wrong. Jiang Feiluan was even stronger than he thought. Jiang Feiluan could not defeat him for a long time, so he changed his moves and used a fast sword. Wu Qingyang did not show any weakness and started to attack him. In an instant, the sound of metal and iron was loud. Jiang Feiluan's rapid attack was like a storm. Seeing Wu Qingyang cope with it easily, he admired that Qingyang swordsman was really amazing. The rapid attack failed, and the sword force suddenly changed. The long sword was slowly handed out. Wu Qingyang looked solemn. He followed suit, with the long sword straight, and slowly approached the opponent's long sword.

Chapter 180 Sunset Song

The two sides have been fighting for nearly two thousand moves. The sword force suddenly slowed down, obviously to launch a full-strength attack, and the outcome will soon be decided. Seeing the two long swords slowly approaching, the sword tips emitted a dazzling light when they touched, and with a loud bang, the two long swords broke into several pieces. It is obvious that the strength of the two sides is equal and it is difficult to tell who is better. After retreating, Jiang Feiluan praised: "Qingyang swordsman is well-known, I admire him." Wu Qingyang said from the bottom of his heart: "The master of the fortress is more skilled in swordsmanship than I expected." Jiang Feiluan suggested: "Since we have to determine who is the best swordsman today, you and I must have a winner, why not use the sword to decide the winner." Chang Xiao once forged a Rehmannia sword for Jiang Feiluan that could rival the Ganlu sword. This matter is known to everyone in the martial arts world. Jiang Feiluan's suggestion is obviously to ask Wu Qingyang to use the Ganlu sword. There must be a result when so many masters gather together. Wu Qingyang readily agreed. The two took their swords and prepared to fight again. The Ganlu sword is half a foot longer than the Dihuang sword, and an inch longer is an inch stronger. Wu Qingyang knows this well. This time he took the lead in drawing the sword, and the Ganlu sword drew a beautiful arc, and the light flashed like a rainbow. Jiang Feiluan was well prepared. The sword was slanted, forming a halo in front of him. When the two swords came into contact, a strange light shot out, and the two figures were soon shrouded in the sword light. This fight was more exciting than before. The swordsman could use his sword to the extreme. Because of the previous fight, both sides had no scruples this time, let go and attacked, and the moves were as fast as lightning. After a fierce fight, Jiang Feiluan felt that his sword was getting heavier and heavier, but his opponent was not tired at all. This is not a good sign, and he must find a way to change the situation. Although he understood it in his heart, it was difficult to do it. Wu Qingyang gradually took the initiative, and Jiang Feiluan's sword force gradually fell behind, and the performance of his swordsmanship was greatly discounted. Seeing that there was no hope of winning, Jiang Feiluan made a quick decision, jumped out of the circle, and readily admitted: "I lost." Everyone present was an expert. Although Jiang Feiluan lost, his swordsmanship was indeed commendable. Among the many masters present, Tianlaizi was the most skilled in swordsmanship, and everyone was waiting for this expert to give his opinion. Tianlaizi explained: "The master of Tongtian Castle did not lose in swordsmanship, but in his personality."

Many people don't understand such words. Tianlaizi smiled and said, "As a swordsman, you must first be sincere and upright. Qingyang swordsmen act uprightly, help the poor and the needy, and cultivate a righteous spirit over the years. Naturally, the power of swordsmanship will be doubled." Jiang Feiluan finally understood and nodded, "Senior's high opinion, Jiang's eyes have been opened." Everyone has understood that Wu Qingyang's chivalry is also a kind of practice. It seems that people who learn martial arts cannot just focus on practicing hard. The winner has been decided. Wu Qingyang has been recognized by everyone and officially owns the Ganlu Sword, becoming the number one swordsman. The old owner smiled and set up a feast to entertain the guests. Shi Huaiyu had already sent the fine wine, Wu Qingyang took it all out, and everyone got drunk together. Although Jiang Feiluan lost, he had nothing to complain about. He turned his mind to the fine wine and drank it happily. Wei Heyang congratulated his master, and Wu Qingyang reminded him: "Remember what Senior Tianlaizi said, obey the will of heaven and obey the people, do not seek to be famous for generations, as long as you have a clear conscience." Wei Heyang nodded to accept the advice. Shenmu Bhikkhu still had the same temper, pointing and saying: "Little Wu, don't get carried away, what Monkey Master said makes sense." Wu Qingyang was amused and nodded in agreement: "There are many hidden dragons and crouching tigers in the world, how dare Wu be presumptuous?" Shenmu Bhikkhu was satisfied and began to invite everyone to drink. Shi Huaiyu's wine was of the highest quality, and everyone praised it. When they were in high spirits, someone sent in a letter, not to Wu Qingyang, but to Jiantong. Wu Qingyang felt strange. After reading the letter, Jiantong immediately stood up and clasped his fists: "Everyone, I have something to do first." He called the three brothers to stand up, whispered to the Suyun Palace Master for a while, and left in a hurry. After the four brothers left, Palace Master Suyun could no longer sit still and led a group of younger generations to say goodbye. Monk Shenmu immediately lost interest in drinking. They had been together for a long time and had built up a deep relationship. Now that they were separated for no apparent reason, they had to ask for clarification. Palace Master Suyun did not hide anything and whispered to them. Monk Shenmu jumped up and said, "Let's go. We can't let this guy run away." Yuan Guihua had already merged with these people and was reluctant to separate. He said hello to his grandfather and left with everyone. Wu Qingyang immediately realized that Chang Xiao must have summoned the Jiantong brothers for something. Why was he so anxious?

As soon as the monk Shenmu left, the scene immediately became deserted. Wu Mu Zhenjun noticed that Tian Laizi's expression suddenly changed. He seemed to be concentrating on listening to something. After a moment, he nodded and seemed to be talking, but no sound was made. Seeing this scene, Wu Mu Zhenjun was moved and said, "Thousand Miles of Sound Transmission." Tian Laizi smiled and nodded: "Yes, my friend has called me, and I have to go first." He stood up and left with Pinghu Xiayin. Thousand Miles of Sound Transmission has been lost for many years. Many people think that this skill is fabricated. Unexpectedly, there are people who really use Thousand Miles of Sound Transmission to communicate. These people left one after another. Wu Qingyang was quite surprised. Seeing these people in such a hurry, something big must have happened. He immediately sent people to inquire and soon got the answer. Yu Zhenzi of the Paradise Palace challenged Chang Xiao, and the location of the duel was set in Kunlun Mountain. Wu Qingyang immediately understood that the road to Kunlun Mountain was long and time was tight, so these people were busy on the road and left in a hurry. Wei Heyang was quite surprised. Even if Chang Xiao's martial arts were the best in the world, it would not be a big deal if he could not see him. Why rush on the road? When asked, Wu Qingyang explained, "Didn't you hear what the monk Shenmu said? I'm afraid there will be no chance to see Chang Xiao after this competition." Wei Heyang was surprised: "Master, do you mean that Chang Xiao is ready to quit the arena completely?" Wu Qingyang nodded, "That should be the case. I can't miss the opportunity and will leave soon." Wei Heyang said, "Disciples can use the government's post station, change horses but not people, and arrive in the shortest time." Wu Qingyang smiled and said, "I believe we can reach Kunlun Mountain before those people." There was no need to publicize this matter. Wu Qingyang asked his father to entertain the guests, and he and his apprentice left Wuling Villa and rushed to Kunlun Mountain. He contacted Lu Wenjun on the road and learned the exact location and time of the competition. He traveled day and night. Lu Wenjun's spies and Beggar Gang disciples were all over the world. Wu Qingyang would ask about it wherever he went. He learned that Chang Xiao actually brought Jade Butterfly to the competition this time, and the two senior disciples of Master Baekje, Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai, had already arrived at Kunlun Mountain. Wu Qingyang became more and more certain that Chang Xiao would disappear completely after this competition.

At this time, the Never-Sleeping City was deserted, and all the people moved to the island. Princess Yueying and the Moon King went to Tianzhu and had not returned yet. Yu Zhenzi did issue a letter of challenge, and the location was set by Chang Xiao, so Yu Zhenzi naturally didn't care. Chang Xiao didn't inform anyone. Duan Kui had passed away, and Wu Qingyang was holding a sword-fighting competition, so there was no need to disturb him. He only left with Yu Hudie and Huo Longju. The news that Jian Tong received was sent by the Nether Swordsman. Fang Zishou had been paying attention to the island. Judging from the architecture, Chang Xiao was not going to live on the island. Later, when he learned that all the people in the Never-Sleeping City had moved out, Fang Zishou immediately concluded that Chang Xiao was ready to retire completely. Yu Zhenzi challenged, and Chang Xiao set the venue for the competition in Kunlun Mountain, and brought Yu Hudie with him. These were enough to show that Chang Xiao's retirement this time was unusual and he might disappear. Therefore, Fang Zishou summoned his brothers to Kunlun Mountain. He had to meet him anyway. He sent the letter when he learned that Jian Tong and his brothers were participating in the sword-fighting competition. The person who passed the news to Tianlaizi was Shouzhu Jushi. Of course, his news was not so well-informed. It was Long Jingtian who calculated through the Eight Diagrams that Chang Xiao would disappear from everyone's sight after this competition. Shouzhu Jushi then set out for Kunlun Mountain to see the swordsmanship that was called fantastic and extraordinary by Baoding Taoist. Because he had a deep friendship with Tianlaizi, he came to invite him. Although Chang Xiao did not alarm anyone, many masters rushed to Kunlun Mountain. Watching the battle was not the main purpose, but the key was to find out whether Chang Xiao really wanted to quit the martial arts world. Time was running out, and these masters hurried on their way. Shenmu Bhikkhu did not want Chang Xiao and Yu Hudie to quit the martial arts world from the bottom of his heart. Once these two people left, he felt that the whole martial arts world was meaningless. Therefore, he put away his playful heart and hurried on his way. Qi Shizhen did not take this matter to heart at first, but later learned that so many masters rushed to Kunlun Mountain day and night, and their purpose was certainly not just to watch the battle, so Qi Shizhen put down the things in his hands and rushed to see what was going on. These masters were scattered all over the place, and they chose different routes. They only gathered together when they arrived in Hotan. No one knew the details at the meeting. Qi Shizhen was quick-witted and put forward his own idea: "We got the news late. The Zhong brothers came the earliest. We should ask them." Shenmu Bhikkhu was quite anxious and immediately asked the young men to look for them separately. Soon, the brothers Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai arrived.

The two brothers were the disciples of Master Baekje. They never showed off their talents and seldom interacted with people from the underworld. However, no one looked down on them. First of all, Master Baekje was highly respected. Secondly, the two brothers had followed Chang Xiao for several years and their martial arts attainments were quite superb. When they met, Monk Shenmu couldn't wait to ask for details. Zhong Yuan explained, "The city lord once met with us brothers and told us some things." Monk Shenmu shook his head, "I'm not asking you these. I'm asking you where Chang Xiao is." Zhong Yuan shook his head, "I don't know either." Monk Shouzhu asked, "How was the duel going?" Zhong Hai sighed, "The city lord temporarily changed the location of the fight. We only know that it's in the depths of the desert." Monk Shenmu complained, "This guy is really heartless. Everyone came here so enthusiastically, but he hid himself." Wu Qingyang asked, "What did the city lord tell us?" Zhong Yuan replied, "It's nothing big. He just said that he would give the Never-Sleeping City to King Wuling and invite everyone to come." Don't worry about it. "Wu Qingyang was meticulous and immediately thought of the Nether Swordsman. Perhaps these people had contact with Chang Xiao. When asked, Zhong Yuan replied: "The Nether Swordsman did not see the city lord and has entered the desert to look for him. Strangely enough, the method these people used was incredible. They actually used bat-like clothes to fly in the sky. "Shenmu Bhikkhu jumped up immediately: "What are we waiting for? Let's go find it too. The kite flies higher than the bat clothes. We will definitely find it. "The people of Yinxian Palace took the kite wherever they went. Everyone took action immediately. The wind in the desert was not so suitable. Wu Qingyang was resourceful and arranged for people to gather dozens of horses together and use the speed of the galloping horses to bring the kites to the sky. After trying, this method was indeed feasible. Soon several large kites flew into the sky one after another. The leader was naturally Shenmu Bhikkhu, followed by Tianlaizi and his apprentice. The four brothers Jiantong and Wu Qingyang and his apprentice lined up on all sides, and the rest of the people rode horses below to guide each other. The desert is endless, and it is too difficult to find someone. Because the Fire Dragon Colt must be beside Chang Xiao, Wu Qingyang reminded everyone to pay attention. The Fire Dragon Colt is red all over and is easier to find. Zhong Yuan and Zhong Hai knew the approximate location and led everyone to search while walking. If they could not see Chang Xiao and Jade Butterfly from now on, it would be a regret for the rest of their lives.

The scenery in the desert is magnificent and colorful, but no one has the heart to appreciate the beautiful scenery. One is the invincible leader of the martial arts world, one is the world-recognized number one beauty, and there is also the unique king of ten thousand horses, Fire Dragon Colt. If it disappears, it will be the biggest loss of the martial arts world. When it comes to ambush, tracking and assassination, no one can compare with the Nether Swordsman. These killers are not like people at all. They seem to be a group of wolves with extremely sensitive senses hiding in the dark. Everyone carefully searched along the clues left by the Nether Swordsman and soon found a large group of wild horses. Fire Dragon Colt is the unique horse king. Countless wild horses must have gathered for Fire Dragon Colt. Everyone carefully searched. Shenmu Bhikkhu first discovered that there was a faint red shadow in the distant sand dunes, and hurriedly called everyone to come over. It is clear from top to bottom that thousands of wild horses gathered in a huge rock that was blown into strange shapes by the strong wind. A horse on the top of a huge rock raised its head and looked around. The lively horse was the king of ten thousand horses, Fire Dragon Colt. All the wild horses bowed their heads in front of this king, as if they were worshipping the king. In the sunlight, the Fire Dragon Colt was covered with a layer of golden light, which made it look more extraordinary and as if it was about to fly away with the wind. Everyone knew that the Fire Dragon Colt must know where Chang Xiao and the Jade Butterfly were, but no one wanted to disturb them. This was the Fire Dragon Colt's kingdom, and no one could invade it. The Suyun Palace Master and his party saw this scene from afar, and a group of beauties were extremely envious. Long Yunpu blurted out: "What a celestial horse, it is ten times more majestic than the emperor." The Suyun Palace Master rebuked: "Don't talk nonsense, the emperor's outing is more spectacular." Long Yunpu shook his head: "In terms of civil and military strategies, many people are better than the emperor, and the emperor is just lucky. What everyone worships is the power in the hands of the emperor, not the emperor himself. The Fire Dragon Colt is the strongest among the strong, and all the wild horses are sincerely submissive. How can the emperor compare?" The Suyun Palace Master did not expect that Long Yunpu, a young man, would say such a thing. Although he didn't say it, he had already agreed in his heart. Everyone looked carefully, and the monk Shenmu saw a strange big kite circling in the sky. After careful observation, he realized that it was the Nether Swordsmen who held hands and used bats to form a big kite floating in the wind.

Obviously, Chang Xiao and Yu Hudie must be nearby. Everyone looked carefully, but there was no trace of them. Even if Chang Xiao was a martial arts master, Yu Hudie didn't know anything about him. In addition, Yu Zhenzi, Bai Tou Weng, and Zui Hua Niang should also have a shadow. The vast desert was far away, but these people were nowhere to be found. Shou Zhu Jushi had a unique vision. Following the Nether Swordsman would not lead to any results. The key was still Huo Longju. Chang Xiao would not abandon this partner. Unknowingly, the sun had set in the west. Everyone was disappointed that Chang Xiao could not be found. Shou Zhu Jushi's attention was completely on Huo Longju. Huo Longju carefully examined the infinite scenery of the desert and the countless wild horses, and his eyes were full of relief and relief. With a loud horse, all the wild horses took action and ran wildly towards the setting sun. In an instant, the calm desert was filled with dust. The thin bamboo layman pointed to the west and reminded everyone: "This is the last chance, don't miss it." After saying that, he flew out on horseback, and everyone followed him. The divine-eyed monk in the sky and Wu Qingyang and others also approached in this direction. Thousands of horses were galloping, and yellow sand filled the sky. Even people with good eyesight could not find the figure of the fire dragon colt. As the red sun set, a strange scene suddenly appeared in the distance. At first, it was illusory, but gradually became clear, as if it was right in front of us and within reach. It was a magical world, with a blue sky, colorful auspicious clouds, towering green mountains, clear water, exotic flowers and plants everywhere, and colorful birds flying freely. On a verdant mountain, two people stood side by side and looked into the distance. It was the ever-night city lord Chang Xiao who was in charge of the world and the most beautiful woman, Jade Butterfly. The two people looked at the world that carried their countless pains and joys, and seemed to be a little reluctant, but the corners of their eyes and eyebrows revealed the joy after liberation. As the Fire Dragon Pony walked up the mountain, Chang Xiao and Jade Butterfly smiled. That smile was devoid of human emotion, and was detached from the world. As the red sun set in the west, the image gradually blurred and finally disappeared. Everyone gathered together. Although they had a lot to say, they didn't know where to start. Long Yunpu shouted, "I've said they were gods, but you didn't believe me. Now there's nothing to say." Suyun Palace Master raised her hand and wanted to hit them. When she brought her hand down, Chang Xiao's words flashed through her mind. People have to live for themselves to live a wonderful life. She thought about it and realized that life is short. Why don't you cherish the limited time? Her hand was raised high, but it fell into a gentle caress. Long Yunpu stared at her beloved. With happiness, she had everything.

Postscript: My Jianghu is the most exciting

Finally, it is finished. From conception to writing, from first draft to second draft, and finally uploading, several years of hard work finally paid off. Thank you for your attention. More than 800,000 words is not short, and it takes a lot of time to read it. When I started writing, it was just to relieve my worries. Later, I realized the joy of writing and gradually invested a lot of energy. After I came into contact with the Internet, I thought I could make a living by writing. After several setbacks, I realized that this idea was wrong. Today's society is very realistic. What matters is the click rate, and no one cares about the quality of the article. This is also good. Recognizing this can change the concept of writing, and future writing will be easier.

After all, reality is cruel. I have paid a lot for my creation, and now I can only go back to solve the problem of livelihood. My QQ number is 408040069. Friends who are willing to communicate can contact me. Although I am not online, I often browse it. So far, I have completed three works. "East Sea Conqueror" has only more than 200,000 words. Looking back, it seems that it needs to be revised and polished. "Tian Gang Dao" is basically completed, and there is little room for modification. This one will be considered after a while. The completion of the work means that the contract for the website has also been completed, so there is no pressure. I believe that future creations will be more exciting.

At present, fantasy works have occupied the mainstream. There is almost no place for martial arts. I believe that fantasy works are like Super Girls. They have no foundation, no connotation, and are sensational. They will be eliminated sooner or later. I believe that many people do not agree with this view. Different people have different opinions.

The spirit of martial arts has been passed down for thousands of years. Everyone has a martial arts world in their hearts. In terms of literary works, Jin Yong and Gu Long are of course successful, and the martial arts they show have been recognized by many people. Zhang Yimou insisted on making martial arts films after he became famous, and he also wanted to show the martial arts world in his heart. Ang Lee also had the same intention when he filmed Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. However, I appreciate Tsui Hark's works the most, although the recent Seven Swords and Shushan are much inferior, far inferior to the earlier Swordsman, Dragon Inn, etc. These are the martial arts worlds shown by others, whether they are wonderful or mediocre, they are all others'. My original intention of writing is to show the martial arts world in my heart. No matter what others think, there is an unshakable belief: my martial arts world is the most exciting.