Li Muzhan left Sacred Snow Peak with the two women, heading east toward the Wang family estate in Penglai. The journey was long, requiring a full month of travel.
Once outside Sacred Snow Peak, Li Muzhan became taciturn, remaining silent for long stretches, appearing perpetually distracted. Although he made no errors and kept pace with the women, they were dissatisfied, finding him as dull as a block of wood.
Wang Shuangfeng respected Li Muzhan deeply. When he remained silent, she offered no complaint, content to follow along. Furthermore, her own nature inclined toward quietude, so days passing without conversation between them was not unusual.
Li Yujiao, however, could not abide it. Though she appeared cool and distant, she could not tolerate such silence. She conversed ceaselessly with Wang Shuangfeng and often approached Li Muzhan to prompt him into speaking.
Li Muzhan responded with noncommittal grunts and vague affirmations, entirely perfunctory, which greatly annoyed her. Eventually, she simply ignored him, returning to whisper secrets with Wang Shuangfeng.
In just two days, the two women had forged a strong bond, sharing everything. Li Muzhan privately marveled, unable to decipher the nature of women.
But his mind was elsewhere, entirely immersed in the Nine Revolutions Marrow Cleansing Scripture.
Although the Scripture was notoriously difficult to practice, offering no clear entry point, he refused to give up. If he could truly master it, his inner force would be sufficient to place him among the absolute top masters.
While he might not claim the title of Number One Under Heaven, he would no longer suffer abuse. If he couldn't win, he could always flee; deep inner force meant superior lightness skill, translating to swift escape.
Moreover, he had a nagging feeling that his Indestructible Vajra Divine Art had stalled, possibly due to incorrect training methods; mere manipulation of internal energy seemed insufficient now.
However, if he could successfully integrate this new technique, the Indestructible Vajra Divine Art was certain to advance another level. Deep inner force would naturally accelerate its progress—that was an absolute certainty.
Alas, the Nine Revolutions Marrow Cleansing Scripture was genuinely profound, imbued with the deepest esoteric principles of Buddhism. To achieve true Emptiness was currently beyond his attained level.
At this moment, he felt a prick of frustration—his meditative concentration was not deep enough to reach the state where all things become void. Otherwise, mastering this technique would be effortless.
Yet, countless Buddhist disciples existed in the world, those who cultivated the School of Emptiness generally eschewed martial arts entirely. If all is empty, why bother with a mere physical shell? Once martial arts are pursued, one falls into the School of Being, which is strictly forbidden.
Since he belonged to the School of Being, attempting to penetrate the School of Emptiness felt like crossing an impassable chasm—trying to step into two rivers simultaneously.
He remained persistent. The potential of the Nine Revolutions Marrow Cleansing Scripture was too immense, comparable to the Heaven-Gazing Divine Illumination Scripture. How could he abandon such a tempting delicacy once it was within reach?
Though he was a high monk with an elevated state of mind, he could not simply cast it aside. With even a sliver of possibility, he had to strive for it, driven by his ambition to become the world's foremost expert.
Throughout the journey, he pondered relentlessly. While he could manage four tasks simultaneously, all four minds were consumed by analyzing the Nine Revolutions Marrow Cleansing Scripture, leaving him absentminded.
One morning, Li Muzhan awoke from his meditation to find himself in an inn room. He had no recollection of arriving or checking in; he felt like a man recovering from a heavy intoxication.
He shook his head, a faint smile touching his lips, and withdrew his focus from the Scripture. These past few days, he had been completely absorbed, almost possessed, by the Nine Revolutions Marrow Cleansing Scripture, unable to break free.
Now, it seemed, he had made no progress whatsoever. Cultivating the Scripture appeared utterly impossible. He wondered what intentions the high monk who founded it originally possessed.
His thoughts sharpened like a sword, instantly severing the distracting threads of concern. He ceased thinking about the Scripture, and his entire being felt suddenly light, as if escaping a mire.
Just then, footsteps approached, followed by a knock on the door.
Li Muzhan closed his eyes, instantly perceiving the scene outside. Furthermore, his inner eye spun through the void, revealing the layout of the entire inn.
“Feng’er, Miss Li, please come in,” Li Muzhan called out loudly.
The door pushed open, and the two women entered together. Over these past few days, their bond had deepened until they seemed like extensions of one another, inseparable. Li Muzhan clicked his tongue in wonder.
Wang Shuangfeng wore a green robe, Li Yujiao a white one. They were like two fresh blossoms unfurling, their radiance momentarily dazzling Li Muzhan.
Since acquiring the Nine Revolutions Marrow Cleansing Scripture, Wang Shuangfeng’s demeanor had shifted dramatically; she was much more cheerful, the traces of gloom utterly dispelled, returning to the vivacity of youth.
Li Muzhan smiled. “Shall we go out to eat?”
Wang Shuangfeng shook her head. “Martial Uncle, we already ordered. They’ll bring it up shortly. We won’t go out to avoid drawing attention in a crowd and disturbing your rest.”
Li Muzhan chuckled. “You two have worked hard these past few days. Did you notice anything unusual?”
Seeing this, the women knew he had awakened from his deep absorption and were greatly relieved. Wang Shuangfeng smiled. “Martial Uncle, rest assured, nothing out of the ordinary. No one has noticed us.”
Li Muzhan nodded. “That’s good. It seems we left the Peak just in time.”
The annual martial competition between the Wang family and Sacred Snow Peak was no secret; it certainly wouldn't escape notice. And regarding the Nine Revolutions Marrow Cleansing Scripture, many would surely covet it.
“Worrying needlessly!” Li Yujiao pouted dismissively. “No one at Sacred Snow Peak would leak secrets. Who would even know?”
Li Muzhan smiled and shook his head. “Miss Li, do not underestimate the world. There are plenty of cunning strategists and intricate thinkers roaming about. This is not Sacred Snow Peak!”
“Hmph, are all the disciples at Sacred Snow Peak simpletons?” Li Yujiao frowned.
Li Muzhan smiled. “The disciples of Sacred Snow Peak possess pure hearts and are quite endearing, but the environment is not complex enough; they haven't deeply experienced the treachery of men’s hearts.”
Li Yujiao pursed her lips. “Hmph, there are plenty of horse bandits out on the great plains, and we frequently go out to subdue them!”
“That is different,” Li Muzhan corrected, shaking his head.
Wang Shuangfeng smiled slightly. “Martial Uncle, you keep calling her ‘Miss Li,’ it sounds too distant. Why not just call her Yujiao, how about that?”
“No way!” Li Yujiao interjected quickly, glaring at Wang Shuangfeng. “Feng’er, don't come up with bad ideas!”
Li Muzhan laughed. “Then I shall call you Junior Sister… You both have worked hard on this journey. The climate at Sacred Snow Peak is truly a blessed haven!”
Li Yujiao immediately brightened and nodded.
Li Muzhan smiled inwardly. At that moment, someone knocked outside. A server carrying a red wooden box entered, bowing low. “Young Master, this is your breakfast. Please enjoy.”
He then opened the box, and a rich aroma immediately filled the room. It had three layers: two plates of vegetarian dishes on top, two plates of meat below, a soup beneath that, and several steamed buns at the very bottom.
Li Muzhan smiled and nodded, thanking the server.
The server bowed respectfully and withdrew. Li Muzhan smiled. “It’s time to eat, let’s begin!”
He reached for the chopsticks handed to him by Wang Shuangfeng, then paused abruptly, his expression shifting slightly. He tapped the chopsticks extended by Li Yujiao: “Wait a moment!”
Li Yujiao was just about to spear a meatball when Li Muzhan’s tap struck her. Her hand trembled as if shocked by electricity, a tingling sensation shooting straight to her heart.
“What is it?” Li Yujiao looked up.
Li Muzhan shook his head. “These dishes are not right. Let’s not eat them.”
“Is it poisoned?” Li Yujiao frowned, setting down her chopsticks. She pulled a silver hairpin from her hair and inserted it into a bowl; the color did not change.
Li Yujiao looked up at Li Muzhan, saying coolly, “Senior Brother Li, you are too cautious.”
Li Muzhan shook his head. “It is better not to eat.”
Li Yujiao smiled dismissively. “If it were poisoned, wouldn’t my silver hairpin change color?”
Li Muzhan frowned, staring intently at the dishes for a few moments. “Test them one by one.”
“Fine!” Li Yujiao glanced at him, then finally nodded, dipping the pin into the four bowls sequentially. Upon testing the last dish, there was still no change.
Li Yujiao laughed. “See? You are indeed too cautious. Once bitten by a snake, you fear a well for ten years. Were you poisoned before?”
Li Muzhan said, “The poisons used by the Gongsun family are impossible to guard against completely; one must be careful!”
“Yes, the Gongsun family’s poisons are truly formidable!” Wang Shuangfeng chimed in support.
“How did they know we were here?!” Li Yujiao shook her head, unconcerned. “You can relax now, Senior Brother. Let’s eat!”
Li Muzhan still shook his head, stating flatly, “Test the steamed bun again!”
Li Yujiao grew impatient. “Hmph, you are truly… Fine, fine!”
Helplessly, she casually poked the bun and withdrew the pin, holding it up to Li Muzhan. “Look! Is there anything… Huh!?”
Her expression changed abruptly. Her eyes widened, staring fixedly at the silver hairpin. A section of the pin had turned black—pitch black, as if scorched by fire.
“This… This… Someone really poisoned it?!” She looked at Li Muzhan in disbelief.
Li Muzhan nodded slowly. “It appears so.”
Li Yujiao gasped and sprang up. Li Muzhan quickly said, “Hold on!”
Li Yujiao slowly turned to face him. Li Muzhan asked gently, “Junior Sister, what are you doing?”
“I’m going to find that server and catch the poisoner!” Li Yujiao declared, her voice tight with suppressed fury. She had never imagined they were genuinely targeted by poison.
If Zhanran hadn't insisted this time, they would have fallen for a major trap! … Though her own cultivation made her immune to a hundred poisons, if Sister Wang and Zhanran were poisoned, she would be useless!
Li Muzhan shook his head. “No need to go. You won’t catch them. Sit down.”
“Then shall we play along?” Li Yujiao pondered for a moment.
Li Muzhan nodded approvingly. Her ability to quickly adjust her state of mind and quell her anger was remarkable.
Wang Shuangfeng shook her head. “It’s useless. It must be the Gongsun family. Their poisons are strange and varied; they would never miss a detail!”
Li Muzhan said, “Never mind. Let’s leave.”
Li Yujiao pointed at the wooden box. “Senior Brother, only the buns are poisoned. We should eat these dishes to avoid hunger on the road.”
Li Muzhan chuckled and glanced at Wang Shuangfeng.
Wang Shuangfeng frowned, thinking for a moment. “Martial Uncle, are you saying all the dishes are poisoned?”
Li Muzhan nodded in approval.
Li Yujiao wiped the silver hairpin with a cloth, restoring its luster, and then dipped it into a bun—no change. She then tested a dish, and it instantly blackened.
She tested this several times. The result was clear: testing only the buns or only the dishes yielded no reaction, but if they were tested together, the pin blackened dramatically. Clearly, consuming any single item was safe, but mixing them created a lethal poison. She had never heard of such a method of administering toxins.
“A fine Gongsun Clan indeed!” Li Yujiao hissed resentfully, sticking the hairpin back into her hair.
“Let’s go,” Li Muzhan said.
The two women followed him out of the inn. They were immediately swallowed by the bustle—the inn was full of arriving and departing people, the clatter of hooves, and shouts of vendors; it was a scene brimming with life.
People in the inn were starting their day early to avoid the congestion getting out of the city. It was a grand, prosperous city, though Li Muzhan could not recall its name.
Walking east along the main street from the inn, Li Muzhan sighed. “Junior Sisters, Feng’er, the Gongsun family is tracking us. The days ahead will not be peaceful. Be cautious.”
“Martial Uncle, what should we do?” Wang Shuangfeng asked.
Li Muzhan considered it and shook his head. “We can only meet force with force and water with earth. We must press on; we cannot afford to entertain their games.”
“The Gongsun family has some nerve!” Li Yujiao huffed.
Li Muzhan shook his head. “Though the Gongsun family is inferior to Sacred Snow Peak, their strength should not be underestimated. They must possess substantial power. When you return, tell Sect Leader Li to be wary of them.”
“What waves can a loach stir up?” Li Yujiao smiled faintly, deeply arrogant. “Sacred Snow Peak fears no poison. Let them use whatever tricks they have!”
Li Muzhan smiled and said no more.
As they spent more days together, Li Yujiao slowly revealed her true colors—she was not the aloof, transcendent immortal maiden, but rather a typical young girl: spoiled, proud, and prone to sulking.
He slowed his pace, strolling leisurely. The sun was high now, shining brightly, and the street was already thronged with people, wonderfully lively.
The three walked amidst the crowd like nimble fish, moving with fluid grace.
Li Muzhan slowly closed his eyes. Wang Shuangfeng and Li Yujiao watched him, startled when he suddenly shut his eyes. Just as they were about to ask, a flash occurred, and he vanished.
They quickly turned, only to see Li Muzhan appear five zhang away, striking a middle-aged man and sending him flying, before instantly reappearing beside them.
The middle-aged man soared high, slamming heavily against a wall, spitting out a jet of blood before sliding down limply to the ground, motionless.
The crowd instantly screamed and scattered. Li Muzhan and the two women increased their speed, reaching the outskirts of the city in moments.
“Was that man from the Gongsun Clan?” Li Yujiao asked, frowning.
Li Muzhan nodded. Li Yujiao then asked, “I still don’t understand, how did you detect the poison in the food?”
Li Muzhan smiled. “Intuition.”
“Intuition?” Li Yujiao looked at him skeptically.
Li Muzhan did not stop walking. Once outside the city, unconcerned about alarming onlookers, he began utilizing his lightness skill, his feet seemingly floating, moving at incredible speed.
Li Yujiao and Wang Shuangfeng, both masters of lightness skill, followed closely behind him. The three of them, robes billowing, resembled celestial beings, attracting the gaze of everyone on the road.
Li Muzhan laughed. “I have wandered the martial world for so long that I’ve developed an intuition for danger, a feeling that warns me in advance. It is mysterious and hard to explain.”
“Is it due to your Buddhist teachings?” Li Yujiao thought for a moment and asked.
Li Muzhan nodded. “Yes. I cultivated meditative concentration for ten years; that effort wasn't wasted, was it?”
“So that’s it!” Li Yujiao understood. High Buddhist monks often possessed inexplicable powers, achieving certain mystical abilities. It seemed Zhanran was one of these.
In this era, Buddhism flourished, giving rise to many eminent monks, some of whom manifested world-shaking divine abilities, which only made the lay believers respect them more deeply.
In Li Muzhan’s view, these supernatural abilities were obstacles, but to the common followers and outsiders, they were the essence of Buddhist law, displaying the depth of cultivation.
He privately scoffed at this notion but could not change it; after all, cultivation to a certain peak inevitably brought forth such phenomena.
The three continued east along the official road at a brisk pace, avoiding towns altogether, resting only in the wilderness. At night, they would find a patch of woods, an abandoned temple, or perhaps a small pavilion.
As martial artists, they needed only to meditate and circulate their energy at night. Li Muzhan reverted to his absentminded state, beginning to ponder the Nine Revolutions Marrow Cleansing Scripture once more.
He truly could not give up. Whenever he had a moment, his mind gravitated toward the Scripture. Setting aside the practical goal of becoming the world’s greatest expert, purely from the perspective of a martial arts enthusiast, the desire to master it was an irresistible temptation.
Now, for him, any new martial art, especially a superior one, was a magnificent feast; the act of cultivation itself was the supreme enjoyment.
Seeing this, the two women inwardly rolled their eyes but accepted it, letting him be. Fortunately, even when distracted, he didn't walk into trees.
Li Muzhan kept turning over how to achieve the state of Emptiness, and if one reached Emptiness, how could one practice martial arts? It was a contradiction he needed to resolve.
Surely, a solution must exist; otherwise, the high monk who created the Nine Revolutions Marrow Cleansing Scripture would not have done so.
Alas, he had yet to find it. His thoughts raced like lightning, inspiration flowing like a spring, but he could never quite grasp the key to the solution, searching relentlessly.
After days of intense thought, he began to grasp a faint clue: to cultivate the Nine Revolutions Marrow Cleansing Scripture, one must first eliminate the intention to cultivate it, allowing it to flow automatically, treating it not as a martial art but as a diversion.
This was pure self-deception. Unless time could be turned back and he had never heard of the Scripture before, eradicating the original intention was impossible.
“Hmm—?” Li Muzhan suddenly stopped. The hollow look in his eyes flashed, suddenly brilliant and piercing. His gaze, almost substantial, swept over everything nearby, taking in the surroundings.
They were on a road cutting through a grove of pine trees. The midday sun shone brightly, instilling a sense of languor.
This stretch of road was quite secluded, with no one nearby except the three of them.
The two women were chatting softly when they sensed a shift. They turned toward Li Muzhan. Li Yujiao quickly asked, “Senior Brother, what is it?”
Li Muzhan frowned. “There’s an ambush ahead!”