Li Muzhan narrowed his eyes slightly, making no move, as Zhou Yao and the other immediately engaged their opponents. Both men possessed exceptionally high martial arts skills, gaining the upper hand within moments, on the verge of dispatching their adversaries quickly.

Jiang YuHan waved his hand, and two more figures lunged forward, attacking Zhou and Yao in a two-on-one struggle, barely holding them in check. "Yan'er, YuHan, he..." The beautiful middle-aged woman had removed her snow fur cloak, revealing an apricot-yellow silk gown.

She patted Jiang Yuyan's small hand, shaking her head with a sigh. "Mother, it's nothing serious," Jiang Yuyan managed a strained smile.

Her heart sank relentlessly. She recalled Li Muzhan's words, secretly asking herself if the master had spoken the truth: was human nature truly so despicable that kinship turned as thin as paper in the face of profit?

Her delicate face was pale. The words spoken moments ago repeated in her mind as she analyzed her elder brother's gaze, expression, and speech, trying to discern if he truly intended to kill her.

……………… Li Muzhan’s gentle voice suddenly reached her ears: "Yuyan." Jiang Yuyan quickly leaned forward and lifted the rear curtain of the carriage, looking back: "Master?" Li Muzhan sat astride the Red Shadow and beckoned. Jiang Yuyan floated over to him, looking up at his face with an expression of confusion.

Li Muzhan lowered his voice: "Your elder brother, alas... there is a problem!" "Master noticed?" Jiang Yuyan’s delicate features shifted slightly.

Li Muzhan nodded, glanced across to the opposition, and his gaze met Jiang YuHan's—it was sinister and sharp, like a hungry wolf sighting its prey. Li Muzhan withdrew his gaze: "His killing intent cannot be concealed.

You must have sensed it too, right?" Jiang Yuyan slowly nodded, sighing: "Master, does my brother truly intend to kill me?... Li Muzhan nodded: "No mistake." "What should I do?" Jiang Yuyan bit her full lips, confusion shining in her eyes.

Li Muzhan looked at her gently: "Yuyan, how about I kill him?" "Kill him?" Jiang Yuyan frowned, hesitating. Li Muzhan chuckled: "If you don't kill him today, and I weren't here, you wouldn't escape his assassins.

By now, your bones would likely be cold." Jiang Yuyan hesitated: "But he is, after all, my elder brother..." Furthermore, perhaps we misunderstood him; maybe he just wants to capture me and bring me back." Li Muzhan shook his head repeatedly: "The current situation means going back is jumping into a fiery pit. If he insists on pushing you into that pit, is that sibling affection?" "But..." Jiang Yuyan still hesitated.

Li Muzhan waved his hand: "Enough, leave it to me. Go back and protect your mother well." "Master, you mean...?" Jiang Yuyan frowned, staring at Li Muzhan.

Li Muzhan smiled: "I will handle things. Rest assured." He waved, signaling her to return.

Jiang Yuyan’s heart tightened. Li Muzhan waved again, and Jiang Yuyan, with no other choice, slowly returned to the carriage.

………………………… Heavy snow fell ceaselessly. Zhou Dashan and Yao Sitong were each fighting four opponents, caught in a bitter struggle.

The snowflakes, upon reaching their vicinity, were instantly shredded, transforming into finer, smaller flakes. Both men were masters of martial arts, but these four were no ordinary fighters; they were Jiang YuHan’s personal bodyguards.

Zhou Dashan and Yao Sitong were among the top experts in the Nanjiang family, yet now they were stuck in a mire, unable to break free or disengage. As they fought, they kept glancing toward Li Muzhan's position, fearing that Li Muzhan might also be surrounded; that would mean utter annihilation, a tragic outcome.

The Nanjiang family was brutally harsh towards traitors; death would be a mercy. "Tch!

Tch! Tch!

Tch!" Amidst four soft whistles, four dark gleams flashed around Zhou Dashan. Four men in black flew backward, landing in the roadside snowdrifts, their fate unknown.

Zhou Dashan was suddenly freed. He roared, leaped onto the carriage, and swung the whip: "Go...!" The four fine steeds, white as the snow they merged with, seemed to sense the chilling murderous aura and bolted.

"Hmph!" Two figures shot forward, blocking the carriage, their swords aimed to slice the foremost two white horses. "Bang!" A muffled sound followed as the bowstring in Li Muzhan’s hand vibrated violently.

Two dark gleams flashed, and the men attacking the horses flew backward, landing in the snowdrifts. Li Muzhan’s right hand blurred into a shadow, and with a series of 'thumps,' dark gleams erupted.

Each gleam carried away a life. In the blink of an eye, all the masters before and behind him were gone, fallen into the snowdrifts along the roadside, their survival uncertain.

The carriage had sped a hundred meters when Yao Sitong stared blankly around, looking at Li Muzhan in disbelief. These dozens of experts had been wiped out in the time it took to draw a breath.

These were not common folk or immobile targets; they were masters, yet not a single one evaded the attack. Such archery was truly awe-inspiring and terrifying!

"Mr. Yao, let's go," Li Muzhan said with a slight smile.

"Good, good." Yao Sitong quickly agreed, soaring past the stunned Jiang YuHan, catching up to the carriage in an instant, and leaping onto the driver’s rail. The snow grew heavier, falling like swan feathers.

In the time that had passed, Jiang YuHan’s head and shoulders were dusted with snow. He stared dumbly at Li Muzhan, as if gazing upon a monster, his expression one of utter disbelief.

Li Muzhan gently patted the Red Shadow. The steed, perfectly attuned to his will, slowed to a halt before Jiang YuHan, glancing down at him with considerable disdain.

Jiang YuHan glanced at the Red Shadow, privately enraged. This beast was too odious, daring to look down upon him!

……”……………… Li Muzhan looked down from his elevated position and stated flatly: "Young Master Jiang, you intended to kill Yuyan, didn't you?" "Who are you?" Jiang YuHan snapped back to his senses, frowning. He was deeply unaccustomed to looking up at people; others always looked up to him.

He let out a soft snort: "This is a private matter of our Nanjiang family. Monk, you had best mind your own business and not invite trouble upon yourself." Li Muzhan put away his bow and arrow, shaking his head: "Yuyan never believed that her respected elder brother would genuinely wish to kill her.

She simply cannot fathom it." Jiang YuHan sneered: "Monk, stop spreading malicious rumors and trying to sow discord between siblings. Do you harbor ill intentions?...

Do not bring shame upon the monastic life!" Li Muzhan laughed, nodding: "You indeed possess the bearing of a formidable figure. Yuyan seems sharp, yet you've led her around in circles.

It's not entirely unfair!" Jiang YuHan said coolly: "How can an outsider know the affairs of my Nanjiang family... As the saying goes, even an honest official cannot settle family disputes.

Monk, you are better off focusing on your sutras and avoiding worldly matters!" He glanced around. All the guards were motionless in the snowdrifts, unable to rise, implying their doom was sealed.

He remained outwardly composed, unwilling to provoke Li Muzhan into killing him as well. Faced with such ghost-like, unpredictable archery, he knew he stood no chance.

Li Muzhan replied: "Yuyan is my kin now; how could I not concern myself? You wish to kill her, so how could I stand idly by and allow her to remain in danger?" Jiang YuHan scoffed: "She is my sister; how could I kill her!...

It is you, Monk, who is the enigma. What is your true origin, and what are your intentions in taking my sister to the capital?" Li Muzhan stared at his jade-like face...

and sighed internally. Were it not for his ability to read minds, he would truly have been deceived by this man’s righteous indignation and air of integrity, which seemed to emanate from his very bones, lending an air of sincerity.

This man's psychology was twisted; he redefined worldly justice to fit his own ideals. As long as it served his vision, any act became righteous, and anything—even lives—could be sacrificed, hence his unwavering upright demeanor, untarnished even while committing misdeeds.

Such a person, coupled with outstanding talent, was indeed a true formidable figure of his generation. It was Jiang Yuyan's misfortune to have such a brother.

Without him, her body would long be cold, her delicate soul vanished. "Alas..." Li Muzhan shook his head.

"Saying more is useless." He flashed forward to Jiang YuHan, gave him a light push, sending him flying, and instantly flashed back to the Red Shadow’s back. The Red Shadow whinnied softly and shot forward like an arrow, covering a hundred meters in a moment.

"Bang!" Jiang YuHan landed on the official road like a sack of rags, kicking his legs twice before falling still, his life extinguished. The heavy snow fell continuously, soon burying him...

……………… Li Muzhan caught up to the carriage. Jiang Yuyan lifted the curtain, stepped down, and leaped onto the Red Shadow’s back, settling in front of Li Muzhan.

She was instantly enveloped in warmth and fragrance. The subtle perfume reached his nose, but Li Muzhan remained composed.

Yao Sitong and Zhou Dashan exchanged startled glances, quickly turning their heads away, not daring to look too closely, surprised by the intimacy between the young lady and the Master. Their imaginations ran wild, tinged with profound emotion.

Had they witnessed this earlier, they would have been furious. But having seen Li Muzhan’s archery, they now felt only a faint sense of regret.

Master Mingkong was such a supreme master with limitless potential; to become his woman would indeed be the best outcome. Yet, they had watched Jiang Yuyan grow up since childhood; though she was their mistress, they regarded her as a cherished jewel, much like a father.

Now, that cherished jewel had been claimed by another, leaving them with an empty feeling. Zhu'er, peeking through the gap in the carriage curtain, widened her almond eyes and quickly reached out to tug the middle-aged woman’s sleeve, urging her to look.

The middle-aged woman glanced over, her expression shifting, and immediately slapped Zhu'er’s small hand, pulling the curtain down. "Madam...!" Zhu'er rubbed her small hand, unwilling to relent.

The middle-aged woman shot her a look: "Stop looking around recklessly, or you’ll get 'long eyes'!" "Hehe, what's the big deal about that." Zhu'er pouted, unconcerned, her curiosity scratching at her like a cat. The middle-aged woman shook her head: "Stay put, and don't upset Yan'er; can't you see she's unhappy!" "Oh..." Zhu'er nodded reluctantly.

Amidst the swirling snow, the carriage continued forward. An invisible barrier seemed to surround Li Muzhan; the heavy snow slid off when it reached his vicinity, never touching him.

Jiang Yuyan, accustomed to this, murmured in a low voice: "Master, my brother...?" "He is dead," Li Muzhan stated plainly. "Ah—?!" Jiang Yuyan whipped her head around; their lips nearly touched, their faces inches apart, their breaths audible.

Jiang Yuyan’s delicate face flushed crimson. She had been too anxious before, leaping onto the horse without thinking, and only now remembered her mother, Uncle Zhou, Uncle Yao, and that little girl Zhu'er had all witnessed it.

Li Muzhan’s expression did not change, as if he could not smell the orchid-like fragrance of her breath or see her delicate, flawless, hibiscus-like features. He spoke gently: "I tested him again.

His heart is indeed that of a wolf; keeping him alive was a great danger. It was better to remove him early." "My brother is really dead..." Jiang Yuyan turned back, the blush spreading all the way to her earlobes.

Zhou Dashan and Yao Sitong kept their heads forward, driving the carriage; she let out a quiet sigh of relief. Li Muzhan said: "Indeed.

Showing mercy to such a person would be no different from suicide... If nothing unexpected occurs, your second brother is also likely dead." "What happened to my second brother?" Jiang Yuyan frowned, looking ahead.

A flicker of romantic fancy was quickly suppressed by the news of Jiang YuHan’s death, and a trace of sorrow arose in her heart. Li Muzhan shook his head: "Your elder brother set a venomous trap.

Your second brother is likely poisoned to death by now..." If this were not the case, I would not have been forced to take his life." "This..." Jiang Yuyan hesitated. Li Muzhan smiled: "The truth will be known in time." Seeing his certainty, Jiang Yuyan couldn't help but believe him.

The Master possessed supernatural abilities and might indeed know the truth. Her heart felt as if a stone were pressing down on it, her chest stuffed with cotton wool, suffocating and oppressive.

She felt utterly dejected and inexplicably sorrowful. The entire world seemed to have turned gray instantly, stripped of color, everything feeling unreal.

What was real, and what was false? Her brother had protected and doted on her since childhood; was it all feigned affection?

Was it all for the position of family head? In this life, was power so important that one could discard emotion and abandon everything for it?

……”………………………… "Master, I wish to become a nun!" she suddenly turned and said. Li Muzhan raised an eyebrow: "Become a nun?" "Yes." Jiang Yuyan slowly nodded, her expression resolute.

Li Muzhan nodded: "Good. We will discuss it again in a few days." "I want to become a nun now!" Jiang Yuyan insisted.

Li Muzhan smiled and shook his head: "Becoming a nun is not a matter of fleeting sentiment; it requires deep contemplation. One must truly sever worldly ties to take the vows.

Otherwise, you will surely regret it later. Furthermore, under the current Edict Against Monastic Retirement, returning to secular life is impossible..." Jiang Yuyan fell silent and said no more.

Her heart was icy cold, yet leaning against Li Muzhan, she felt an inexplicable sense of security and warmth. Having lacked fatherly affection since childhood, she was intensely attached to this feeling, unwilling to leave, so she chose to feign ignorance and stay.

Li Muzhan let her be. The Red Shadow trotted, following the carriage.

After about two hours, the group entered a town and found an inn to rest. Zhou Dashan busied himself caring for the four white horses, while Yao Sitong went out to gather intelligence.

Li Muzhan returned to his room, sat down quietly, formed his hands into seals, creating a sphere of finger shadows. Merging eighteen hand seals into one was no easy feat; there was no shortcut beyond profound mastery and tireless practice, seizing every moment to train diligently.

He dared not practice any other techniques. The Snow Fragrance Powder was exceedingly potent, and he feared unknown reactions.

Should he cultivate martial arts, it might seize the opportunity to invade his system. Now, he could only practice the Heaven-Gazing Divine Illumination Sutra, and in his spare time, deduce the movements for the third layer of the Nine Revolutions Marrow Cleansing Scripture, preparing for its cultivation.

The first layer’s movements were the simplest; the second had become complex; the third was even more intricate, requiring far more time and energy to map out. He was only slightly short of mastering the second layer of the Nine Revolutions Marrow Cleansing Scripture and could have finished it soon, but due to the Snow Fragrance Powder, he dared not proceed, otherwise, these past few days would have been enough to complete it.

They rented a small courtyard. He occupied the eastern main room, while Jiang Yuyan and her mother were in the western room opposite.

The mother and daughter, along with Zhu'er, were gathered, talking. The middle-aged woman, named Feng Qianxi, saw Jiang Yuyan looking downcast and took her small hand, smiling: "Yan'er, we have finally escaped.

Why are you unhappy?" "Mother..." Jiang Yuyan managed a weak smile. She did not want to mention the killing of her brother, Jiang YuHan, fearing it would make her mother dislike Li Muzhan.

Feng Qianxi was the most tender-hearted of people and disliked violence and killing. Feng Qianxi patted her hand and smiled: "Yan'er, tell your mother whatever is troubling you.

Don't keep it bottled up inside until you fall ill." "It's nothing," Jiang Yuyan shook her head. Feng Qianxi smiled gently: "When did you and Master Mingkong become so familiar?" "Not long ago.

Why do you ask?" Jiang Yuyan inquired. Feng Qianxi chuckled: "I see you two are quite close; you certainly don't observe the separation between the sexes." Jiang Yuyan blushed and quickly said, "Mother, the Master is a monk!" "Monks can renounce their vows, you know..." Feng Qianxi pursed her lips and smiled.

Jiang Yuyan shook her head: "There is the Edict Against Monastic Retirement; he cannot return to secular life." "Ah... I almost forgot about that!" Feng Qianxi frowned, shaking her head with regret: "The current Emperor is wise, yes, but this Edict Against Monastic Retirement is certainly strange!" Jiang Yuyan quickly said: "Mother, don't dwell on it.

There is absolutely no romantic involvement between me and the Master... I regard him as an elder brother." "Is that so..." Feng Qianxi slowly nodded.

Zhu'er, beside them, pouted, thinking to herself: If he’s considered a brother, why is the young lady blushing? Beauty loves a hero.

It’s inevitable that the young lady would develop feelings for the great monk, given his formidable martial arts. However, the only flaw was that the great monk wasn't handsome enough...

If only he were a little more handsome, that would be perfect! As the three were talking, a cold laugh suddenly echoed from outside the courtyard.

"It's him!" Jiang Yuyan shot to her feet, her expression drastically changing. Feng Qianxi frowned: "That shadow is truly persistent.

He has tracked us down so quickly! Yan'er, ignore him!" Jiang Yuyan’s face flickered.

She hadn't expected her father to arrive so soon. She felt a mixture of hatred and awe toward this man.

"Mother, I'll go see. I need to make things clear to him." Jiang Yuyan gritted her teeth, patted Feng Qianxi's hand, turned, lifted the curtain to exit the west room, passed through the living area, lifted the final curtain, and stepped onto the stone steps.

The snow was still falling heavily, covering the courtyard in a thick layer. In the center of the courtyard stood three figures.

The middle one, a middle-aged man, was clad in a snow-white crane cloak. His face was fine and handsome, with a small, glossy black mustache beneath his lips; he exuded an air of elegance and nobility.

As his eyes opened and closed, cold lightning shot out, radiating a severe aura. Behind him stood two elderly men, cloaked in white capes and wearing raccoon fur hats.

Their features were ordinary, but their eyes were clear and bright, like those of an infant. Li Muzhan, in a simple gray monk's robe, stood quietly on the steps, frowning inwardly.

The Nanjiang family truly lived up to its reputation. These two were absolutely supreme masters; he was not their match.

"Kill him first!" The middle-aged man pointed at Li Muzhan. A chilling wind whistled, and three figures dissolved into a flurry of shadows, entangled together.

The snowflakes, upon touching the shadows, instantly vanished without a trace. Jiang Yuyan watched the shadow play tensely, biting her full, cherry lips.

Though the Master’s martial arts were powerful, these two elders represented the most formidable skills of the Jiang family, and no one had ever seen them in action, save for the Family Head himself who could command them. Now that she saw them fight, their martial arts were indeed astonishing.

Could the Master contend with them? She could only see a blur of shadows, unable to discern the specific movements.

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