The following morning, Li Muzhan rose, washed, and practiced the Canghai Nine Swords for a time. Wang Shuangfeng knocked and entered, joining him in the martial practice.

She wore a jade-green silk blouse, her hair elegantly coiled high, presenting a picture of heroic spirit. The morning air was fresh and cool, seemingly carrying a sweet fragrance, and the bright sunlight illuminated the small courtyard where the two practiced their swordsmanship beside the east and west flowerbeds.

While practicing, Wang Shuangfeng asked, "Martial Uncle, what shall we do today?"

Li Muzhan, clad in loose training robes, moved with effortless grace, his swordplay resembling the Tai Chi sword techniques of later generations. He smiled faintly. "We'll go down the mountain to sightsee... This place is full of exotic charm; it truly is wonderful. I like it here!"

Wang Shuangfeng chuckled. "Martial Uncle, we came here for the competition, not a holiday!"

Li Muzhan gave a slight smile. "The outcome of this match is already decided; it's merely a formality now."

Wang Shuangfeng's smile vanished, and she fell silent.

She had met Li Yujiao; her cultivation was like an ocean, far surpassing her Martial Uncle's. The chances of her uncle winning the duel were minuscule.

She let out a long breath, and her sword movements suddenly accelerated, flashes of cold light shimmering with palpable killing intent.

She thought of the Ancestress's expectations. The Nine Revolutions Marrow Cleansing Scripture was the foundation of their family. Without the foundation, the revitalization of the Wang family was just a fantasy.

A mere Gongsun lineage, while possessing the Nine Revolutions Marrow Cleansing Scripture, had to rely on their family for favor, watching the Wang family's expressions. Now, they dared to challenge them openly. The very thought brought a wave of sorrow.

If they failed to obtain the Nine Revolutions Marrow Cleansing Scripture this time, the Ancestress would likely despair, perhaps unable to endure any longer, and collapse soon after. Then the Wang family would truly be finished!

Thinking of this felt like a massive stone pressing on her chest, making it hard to breathe. These matters concerned the fate of her entire clan and constantly revolved in her mind. Though young, her concerns were heavy. She practiced relentlessly only for the Ancestress, to prevent the Wang family from declining.

It was only as a last resort, when there was no other way, that the Ancestress, with her rigid nature, would ask others—specifically, people from the Canghai Sword Sect—to fight on behalf of the Wang family.

From the looks of it, Li Yujiao, the chief disciple of Holy Snow Peak, possessed profound cultivation. Although her Martial Uncle was formidable, he was no match. The result of this bout was predetermined; disappointment was inevitable once more.

Her face turned pale; she bit her tempting cherry lips, and her sword light grew faster, radiating an expanding chill.

Li Muzhan possessed the insight to feel her melancholy and resentment. He let out a long sigh. "Feng'er, try to look on the bright side! Heaven’s will cannot be defied. Perhaps it is simply not yet the time for your Wang family to prosper."

Wang Shuangfeng shook her head. "The Ancestress..."

Though committed to her family's revival, she worried more for the Ancestress's health. From childhood, she had nestled beneath the Ancestress’s knees; their bond was deeper than that with her own parents.

Li Muzhan said no more, merely shaking his head.

Just then, another knock sounded outside. Jiang Lanzhi and Wang Tingyan entered. Jiang Lanzhi called out, "Senior Martial Brother, Junior Martial Sister Wang, shall we go down the mountain?"

Li Muzhan laughed. "Good, let's set off and find something to eat down below."

"Couldn't be better!" Jiang Lanzhi smiled, while Wang Tingyan shot him a look, still worried that Li Muzhan and Jiang Lanzhi were gossiping about her.

Wang Shuangfeng also managed to collect her thoughts and greeted them with a cheerful smile.

For the next few days, Li Muzhan accompanied the two young women, indulging in food, drink, and entertainment. He witnessed the prosperity of the Iron Cavalry Tribes and the vibrancy of the small town, which rivaled the scenery of the southernmost reaches of the Central Plains. Moreover, the town offered everything, and the presence of Central Plains scholars lent it a strong exotic charm that Li Muzhan greatly enjoyed.

Wang Shuangfeng managed to suppress the anxiety in her heart and relaxed, joining Li Muzhan in his explorations.

That evening, Li Muzhan and the others returned to the mountain, back to his small courtyard. The four of them sat around the stone table, sipping tea and chatting idly.

Jiang Lanzhi glanced toward the east courtyard and murmured, "Senior Martial Brother, there has been no movement over there. Could you have been mistaken?"

Li Muzhan smiled. "Don't rush. It should happen within the next few days. Is someone still watching her?"

Jiang Lanzhi shook her head. "No. After I reported it to the Sect Master, she didn't say anything either."

Li Muzhan chuckled. "It's just that you don't know. Rest assured, everything is well within your Sect Master's grasp. She won't be able to cause any major trouble."

Jiang Lanzhi nodded slowly, lost in thought.

Wang Tingyan stared at the pair, tilted her head, and huffed, "What are you two talking about? What is going on?"

Jiang Lanzhi smiled. "Nothing."

"Senior Martial Sister Jiang!" Wang Tingyan grew anxious, grabbing her arm and shaking her vigorously.

Jiang Lanzhi looked helplessly at Li Muzhan, who nodded with a smile. "Go ahead and tell her. Junior Martial Sister Wang, try not to confront the other one."

Jiang Lanzhi smiled. "Alright, Junior Martial Sister Wang, I’ll tell you. Stop shaking me!"

Wang Tingyan finally released her grip and huffed, "Hurry up and speak!"

Jiang Lanzhi said, "Senior Martial Brother thinks that the Junior Sister Zuo we rescued has an issue, and we need to be careful... You are too simple-hearted, so he didn't tell you right away; otherwise, it would make things awkward when you meet her." "What's wrong with Junior Sister Zuo?" Wang Tingyan's eyes widened, and she shook her head. "She's so pitiful, lost her father, all alone... Is she a bad person?"

Jiang Lanzhi replied, "If Senior Martial Brother is suspicious, it’s better to be cautious. Junior Martial Sister, you should stop meeting with Junior Sister Zuo, understood?"

"Mm..." Wang Tingyan nodded distractedly, slipping into confusion.

Li Muzhan gave Jiang Lanzhi a look. Jiang Lanzhi sighed; he was right. It truly was unnecessary to burden Junior Martial Sister Wang with this, only causing her distress.

Jiang Lanzhi asked, "Senior Martial Brother, I see nothing amiss. Does she really have a problem?"

Li Muzhan scrutinized her for a moment, then suddenly laughed. "Junior Martial Sister Jiang, did someone prompt you to ask that?"

"N-no," Jiang Lanzhi hastily shook her head, her eyes drifting away, avoiding his gaze.

Li Muzhan burst into laughter, shaking his head. "Could it be that Li Yujiao asked you to inquire?"

"Se-nior—Brother!" Jiang Lanzhi pouted, glaring at him playfully.

Li Muzhan laughed. "Alright, I'll pretend to be confused!"

One night, halfway through the fortnight, a full moon hung in the sky, bathing everything in silver radiance. The white snow of Holy Snow Peak turned a deep blue, appearing faintly visible, almost as clear as daylight.

It was late, and Holy Snow Peak was utterly silent, save for the incessant howling of the cold wind, which whipped the pale snow into shapes resembling flowing clouds.

In the valley, everyone had retired, except for a few disciples standing atop the buildings, overlooking the entire area.

Suddenly, they all collapsed, silently.

A silver flower appeared in the sky, soundless—easy to miss if one wasn't paying close attention.

Movement stirred at the mouth of the valley. A dozen figures, cloaked in white capes that blended perfectly with the snow, were difficult to spot even upon close inspection.

But once they stepped onto the green grass within the valley, they instantly revealed their attire. They abruptly cast off their capes, exposing forest-green uniforms that merged seamlessly with the verdant growth. Again, they were nearly invisible unless scrutinized closely.

The dozen figures entered, securing positions at the valley entrance. They glanced around, saw no guards, and were momentarily astonished, then understood: for years, no one had dared threaten Holy Snow Peak in the slightest. They had grown complacent and neglected to post guards, relying only on the few watching from above.

Now that the few upstairs had been incapacitated by poison, Holy Snow Peak was left defenseless. Heaven helps us! they thought, laughing internally.

They secured the valley mouth. If any Holy Snow Peak disciples realized what was happening, as long as the entrance wasn't sealed, reinforcements would flood in continuously!

Subsequently, groups upon groups poured in, their steps completely silent, cushioned by thick soles. In moments, nearly a hundred people had appeared.

Suddenly, a long, piercing cry shot toward the heavens, echoing throughout the entire valley. A gentle, soft voice slowly followed: "Holy Snow Peak disciples, awaken! Form squads of nine to engage the enemy; leave no survivors!"

Her voice was gentle, but her command was cold and merciless. A burly man shouted, "Not good! Old Madam Li is awake! Everyone, hurry inside!"

With the tranquility broken, they discarded all pretense of stealth. Hundreds of men surged in together, their footsteps shaking the very ground.

Streams of women poured out from the eastern and western building clusters, all clad in white, form-fitting uniforms, brimming with spirit. They formed squads of nine, spreading out along the two sides of the lake, blocking the path to the Southern Dipper Hall.

Arranged in groups of nine, taking a nine-pointed star formation reminiscent of snowflakes, the two hundred or so women completely covered the ground on both sides of the lake. Viewed from above, it looked as if patches of snow had been scattered across the earth.

A broad-nosed, wide-mouthed brute threw his head back and roared with laughter. "Hahahaha... You emerge now? Too late! Brothers, repay old grudges, settle scores! Kill without restraint!"

"Kill—!"

The men simultaneously drew their blades and swords, pointed them towards the sky, and then charged toward the two flanks, rushing the women. Every eye shone with avarice.

A big man stood with his hands on his hips, shouting loudly, "Brothers! Defeat Holy Snow Peak, and those who achieve great merit today may claim a Holy Snow Peak disciple to take home as a wife!"

The crowd’s eyes turned bloodshot, and they shouted excitedly, "Make her a wife!"

Every man on the vast steppes regarded the women of Holy Snow Peak as celestial beings; most revered them and dared not harbor any impure thoughts. But these men were different; their minds held only desire.

The more than two hundred female disciples grew cold as frost at these words, their faces set in icy smiles, their intent to kill surging within them.

With a continuous series of metallic clangs—"Ding, ding, ding, ding..."—the two groups collided, immediately meeting a flash of blades and swords, sending sparks flying in every direction.

Wang Shuangfeng had already arrived at Li Muzhan's courtyard. The two stood on the rooftop, overlooking the scene in the valley.

Wang Shuangfeng frowned and whispered, "Martial Uncle, should we offer them some assistance?"

Li Muzhan shook his head, smiling faintly. "No rush. I imagine Sect Master Li already had preparations in place. This is likely a calculated move—to lure the wolf into the house and then shut the door!"

Wang Shuangfeng understood instantly and stopped pressing him.