He Fengxia had the weakest Qinggong; one of her small hands was held by Li Yujiao, the other by Wang Xiaoyao, allowing her to glide forward with barely any effort, her feet seemingly never touching the ground as the scenery rushed past in a blur.

Li Yujiao glanced at her shyly and chuckled, "Sister He, what are you so bashful about?" "I’m not bashful," He Fengxia quickly shook her head.

Li Yujiao burst out laughing, "Have you two seriously never held hands before?" "Little Sister Li!" He Fengxia was mortified, her face flushing crimson.

Li Yujiao tittered, looking from He Fengxia to Wang Xiaoyao, whose handsome face also turned red, making him profoundly uncomfortable under her gaze.

"I thought you were sharp, but you’re quite the blockhead!" Li Yujiao shook her head.

Wang Xiaoyao quickly interjected, "A gentleman upholds propriety; how could I possibly take liberties with my junior sister?" Li Yujiao smiled faintly, shaking her head, "You truly are a wooden man!" "Little Sister Li!" He Fengxia retorted with a shy, delicate reproach.

"Alright, alright, you can’t stand a word against you, truly..." Li Yujiao sighed with emotion, shaking her head repeatedly.

He Fengxia flushed deeply, deciding to cast caution aside, and pouted playfully, "Doesn't Little Sister Li have a sweetheart?"

"Me?" Li Yujiao tilted her head in thought, then shook it, "All the scoundrels in this world are cut from the same cloth; I wouldn't waste a glance on them!" He Fengxia pressed, "What about Master Zhanran?" "Senior Brother Zhanran?" Li Yujiao paused, then smiled, "Senior Brother Zhanran is certainly different. Where else could one find someone like him?"

"Doesn't Little Sister Li like Master Zhanran?" He Fengxia asked with curiosity.

Wang Xiaoyao also looked over, his face full of wonder.

Li Yujiao shot her a look, "Senior Brother Zhanran is a renunciant; he doesn't involve himself in romantic attachments. What nonsense are you imagining?" "So we misunderstood!" He Fengxia nodded.

Li Yujiao huffed, "I view Senior Brother Zhanran as an elder brother!" Wang Xiaoyao quickly changed the subject, "Miss Li, aren't you worried at all about Master Zhanran and the others?" "Worried about what?" Li Yujiao asked.

"About them being surrounded?" Wang Xiaoyao inquired.

Li Yujiao smiled thinly, "Trying to surround Senior Brother Zhanran? With just those people from the Changbai Sword Sect?"

"Master Zhanran said they have over twenty experts," Wang Xiaoyao noted.

Li Yujiao snorted, "Even if twenty more showed up, they wouldn't trap Senior Brother Zhanran. He’s far too cunning. Don't worry; they’ll catch up soon enough."

"That's a relief…" Wang Xiaoyao let out a breath.

Since Miss Li was acquainted with Master Zhanran, it was clear there was no need for concern, even if she wasn't outwardly worried.

………………………………………………………………

Both of them possessed supreme Qinggong. Wang Xiaoyao, known as Xiaoyaozi, had Qinggong renowned throughout the world, and Li Yujiao’s 'Treading Snow Without a Trace' skill was equally exceptional.

The two began to spar lightly, running faster and faster, appearing to ride the wind rather than run on foot. But this was agonizing for He Fengxia; the biting cold wind felt like blades slicing her face.

She endured it, determined to see whose Qinggong was superior—her Senior Brother’s or Little Sister Li’s.

The scenery rushed backward, dissolving into a dazzling streak of light, impossible to discern clearly.

Her body soon turned numb with cold. She circulated her internal energy for protection, but it offered little aid—the speed was too great, and the icy wind seeped in through every pore.

Soon, the palms of both her hands softened, and surging neigong flowed inward, dispelling the chill. Two distinct streams of internal energy circulated through the respective halves of her body.

She could sense that her Senior Brother’s internal energy was slightly weaker, lacking the density and purity of the other.

"Heh heh, you are quite quick," a clear, hearty laugh suddenly rang out. The three turned to look—without them noticing, Li Muzhan and Wen Yinyue had appeared beside them, stepping lightly on air.

Wang Xiaoyao felt a chill run down his spine. To think he prided himself on supreme Qinggong, yet he hadn't known they approached. If they had been enemies, he wouldn't have escaped an ambush.

Li Muzhan, positioned near Wang Xiaoyao, smiled, "Slow down a bit, don't let Miss He freeze."

The two exchanged a glance and eased their pace—this contest ended without a clear victor.

"Senior Brother Zhanran, did you drive them off?" Li Yujiao turned to ask.

Li Muzhan nodded, "Mmm."

"So fast! They are truly incompetent!" Li Yujiao huffed, shaking her head, "The people of the Changbai Sword Sect are good for nothing!" Li Muzhan chuckled, "It’s not that the Changbai Sect members lacked ability; your elder brother played a trick and caught them off guard."

"Oh, is that so…" Li Yujiao nodded.

Wen Yinyue frowned, "Our people should be arriving soon." Li Muzhan smiled, "Let’s check the town ahead; they should be close by then."

The five rushed on for a while, and sure enough, a small town appeared ahead. The first light of dawn was just breaking, and the town’s roosters began to crow.

Wen Yinyue quickly circled the area and returned, leading the group to a courtyard gate. She knocked five times in a distinct rhythm, and a middle-aged woman opened the door.

Dressed in a simple, elegant printed cloth top, she possessed a delicate beauty with traces of past allure. She was startled to see the five, "Yinyue?" Wen Yinyue nodded, "Martial Aunt Bai."

"Quickly, come inside," Martial Aunt Bai glanced swiftly around the surroundings before stepping aside to let them pass.

Li Muzhan smiled, "Martial Aunt Bai, how many people have arrived?"

Martial Aunt Bai replied, "Twenty. Since it was rushed, I could only summon twenty. Is that enough?"

Li Muzhan smiled, "It should be sufficient. If we can hold out for one day, they won't dare pursue us further."

………………………………”………………………………

As they spoke, the group walked inside. Several women were practicing martial arts in the courtyard, and smoke drifted lazily from the East Wing—they had already begun preparing meals.

Hearing the footsteps, those women came out of the rooms and gathered around the newcomers.

Wang Xiaoyao surveyed them; they were all women, mostly middle-aged, and all possessed fine features. It was said that no disciples of the Canghai Sword Sect were ugly, a trait linked to their sect's cultivation methods.

Their appearances varied greatly, as did their dress—some wore fine silk and brocade, others simple cloth and hairpin. Their temperaments differed too: some were noble and dignified, others gentle and modest like those from humble homes.

It was clear they came from diverse backgrounds; some might be housewives from common families, others mistresses of wealthy estates.

A middle-aged woman with refined eyebrows and phoenix eyes stepped forward, examining Wen Yinyue, "Yinyue, it’s wonderful to finally see you! The Sect Master was very worried about you all!" She wore rich brocade, and her pearl necklace emitted a soft luster, making her appear bathed in a gentle radiance, her demeanor dignified and elegant, carrying an air of gentle authority.

Wen Yinyue asked, "Martial Aunt Lu, when did you arrive?" The middle-aged woman smiled, "We set out as soon as we received the Sect Master's carrier pigeon message, but since there weren't many disciples nearby, this is all we could gather. We’ve been worried it wouldn't be enough."

She turned to Li Muzhan and smiled, "You must be Nephew-Disciple Zhanran? The Sect Master ordered you to kill to your heart's content; don't hold back." Li Muzhan smiled, "Greetings, Martial Aunt Lu. With Master’s words, I am greatly reassured." "Come inside and sit down quickly; we have guests," Martial Aunt Bai chimed in.

Li Muzhan smiled, "Martial Aunt Bai, perhaps I should pay my respects to all the Martial Uncles and Aunts first. This is the first time this disciple has met so many of you."

Martial Aunt Lu laughed heartily, "That is true. 'The Twin Sword Monk' Zhanran is famous! Even though we are not in the martial world, we have all heard of Nephew-Disciple Zhanran!" She introduced them one by one: "We are all wayward children who married and left the mountain; we only return once a year, so it’s rare to meet Nephew-Disciple Zhanran. Come, this is Martial Aunt Xiao Xiaoxiao, who married a scholar and manages the household—and this is Martial Aunt Zhao Ya, who is a landlord's wife; the lands around here belong to her family..." She introduced them sequentially, and Li Muzhan paid his respects, feeling a quiet astonishment. These Martial Aunts truly came from all walks of life, encompassing every trade.

Some were wives of scholars, some were landlords’ wives, some were female shopkeepers, others were officials' wives—their statuses were vastly different, forming an immense network.

When the Sect Master sent the carrier pigeon message, they immediately broke away from their established lives, returning to their identity as disciples of the Canghai Sword Sect, forming a force not to be underestimated.

He gained a tangible understanding of the Canghai Mountain sect's influence once more—a long-established, prestigious sect was indeed formidable, with deep roots and secrets difficult to fathom.

And this was only a fraction of their available personnel.

……………………………… After paying respects to all the Martial Uncles and Aunts, the group didn't return to their rooms but instead brought chairs out into the courtyard, surrounding Li Muzhan, Wen Yinyue, and the other three.

A faint fragrance wafted around them. The women were eager to tease Li Muzhan, insisting he recount the entire episode. Li Muzhan was helpless against the persistence of these Martial Aunts and complied with their request.

Though he recounted the events lightly, the women listened with palpable tension, frequently interjecting with questions.

When he finished, the women burst into applause, their delighted laughter echoing endlessly.

Martial Aunt Lu, elegant and gracious, nodded with a gentle smile, "Excellent! Our Canghai Mountain has capable successors; this is joyous indeed. That Changbai Sword Sect truly deserves a lesson; Nephew-Disciple Zhanran’s actions are deeply satisfying!" The women nodded in agreement. The feud between the Changbai Sword Sect and the Canghai Sword Sect was old, but because Changbai was more powerful, Canghai had long been suppressed, leaving the disciples harboring resentment.

This time, Li Muzhan striking first and injuring the arrogant Nie Wangqiu had let out a significant breath of frustration—the women were delighted and full of praise.

Li Muzhan smiled, "Martial Uncles and Aunts, we don't need to fight them head-on; our sole objective is to escape safely."

Looking at their faces, each rooted in their own lives, he truly couldn't bear to send them into battle; any loss could ruin an entire family.

Martial Aunt Lu nodded, "That works. Our mission this time is purely to escort you back to the mountain." The food was soon served; it was delicious. The five had been subsisting on dry rations all this way and hadn't tasted a hot meal.

After eating, the large group set off. By noon, Li Muzhan noticed a contingent of people following behind them—experts from the Changbai Sword Sect.

However, upon seeing the impressive presence of Li Muzhan's party, they dared not act rashly, trailing them covertly until Li Muzhan crossed into Canghai Mountain territory.

No matter how arrogant the Changbai experts were, they wouldn't dare enter Canghai Mountain's domain; regardless of their numbers, they would surely never return. The pursuers were forced to retreat.

Li Muzhan and his group returned safely to Canghai Mountain. He breathed a silent sigh of relief, pleased that he didn't have to resort to his Martial Aunts and Uncles taking action.