"Junior Sister He, how many people are there?" Zhang Qiaoyi turned and asked. He Ruoshui pursed her lips and frowned, musing for a moment before saying, "Quite a few. Otherwise, I wouldn't have noticed..."

Li Muzhan surveyed the area with his Eye of the Void. In the woods at the foot of the mountain, a li away, over twenty people were concealed, some sitting cross-legged on the ground, others standing with narrowed eyes.

These two dozen or so figures held knives or wore swords, but all were clad in tight-fitting green attire that blended seamlessly with the forest. If one didn't look closely, they would be easily missed.

They were scattered about lazily, seemingly undisciplined, yet Li Muzhan could sense their latent qi; every single one of them had blood on their hands.

Li Muzhan looked up and called out loudly, "Senior Sister Zhang, perhaps I should scout ahead."

Zhang Qiaoyi looked over at him, then shook her head. "No need. We'll have to fight sooner or later."

Li Muzhan stroked his small mustache. "How about we try taking another route?"

"How would we change course?" Zhang Qiaoyi inquired.

Li Muzhan pointed westward. "We go down from here, loop north, and crossing this path should let us bypass them, yes?"

Xu Xiaorou shot him a look and huffed, "Why should we avoid them? I refuse to believe we can't just smash our way through!"

"Senior Sister Xu, the three senior sisters alone could certainly charge through. But with the three of us as burdens, we'd have to divide our attention, which might not work," Li Muzhan said with a smile.

Lin Ping sounded displeased. "Senior Brother Li, I am hardly a burden!"

As he spoke, he glanced toward Zhao Yishan.

Zhao Yishan looked embarrassed, offering a wry, apologetic smile.

Xu Xiaorou considered the situation, then turned to Zhang Qiaoyi. "Senior Sister Zhang, what should we do?"

Zhang Qiaoyi turned to He Ruoshui. "Junior Sister He, what is your opinion?"

Junior Sister He possessed an exceptionally keen intuition regarding danger, a strange innate talent unrelated to martial prowess, something others envied but could never learn.

He Ruoshui frowned in thought. "If you ask me, we should listen to Junior Brother Li. Let's change course!"

Lin Ping spoke up. "Senior Sister Zhang, I have an idea!"

"Oh? Junior Brother Lin, tell us what you propose!" Zhang Qiaoyi revealed a smile.

Lin Ping said, "Let Senior Brother Li and Young Master Zhao stay behind, while the four of us charge through. If anyone tries to stop us, we'll kill them all clean... We haven't even seen the enemy, and we're already scattering in fear. To let that happen would surely damage the prestige of our Star Lake Villa!"

Xu Xiaorou shot him a fierce glare.

Li Muzhan shook his head with a bitter smile; Lin Ping’s words were tantamount to slapping faces and were utterly inappropriate.

......................................................, Zhang Qiaoyi shook her head. "Junior Brother Lin, while we disciples of Star Lake Villa must uphold our sect's honor, we cannot afford to be arrogant. Caution ensures a long voyage!"

"Senior Sister Zhang’s instruction is correct." Lin Ping bowed apologetically, though his expression clearly showed his dissent.

He was the young master of a prominent family, surrounded by deference since childhood, used to having his word be final. Even his own father rarely spoke to him with such reprimand.

Ultimately, Zhang Qiaoyi agreed with Li Muzhan's suggestion to change routes. They veered west, descending the slope into a dense, lush pine forest—a thick, trackless expanse.

Li Muzhan took the lead, swinging his blade to carve a path. Xu Xiaorou stayed close beside him, constantly glancing around to guard against ambush.

Li Muzhan wore the Azure Water Saber at his waist but used another long saber in his hand. It was sharp, exceptionally durable, and capable of chopping through wood without damage.

He was reluctant to use the Azure Water Saber; it was overkill to use such a fine weapon—capable of slicing through iron like mud—merely for clearing undergrowth, as it would inevitably incur wear.

Although he did not employ internal energy (Neili), his physical strength was astonishing. His blade whistled as it cut, carving arcs of silver light. The light shifted between hard and yielding, displaying varied forms, effortlessly slicing through the obstructing trees.

Xu Xiaorou watched from the side and laughed. "Junior Brother Li, you truly possess remarkable strength!"

She had perceived his astonishing divine strength and then praised, "You’ve really grasped the essence of the Setting Sun Twin Blades!"

Li Muzhan continued to swing his blade and chuckled, "I still hope for Senior Sister's guidance!"

"Hmm, try striking me with a blow!" Xu Xiaorou suggested.

The two of them walked at the front, He Ruoshui followed closely, then Lin Ping and Zhao Yishan. Zhang Qiaoyi brought up the rear, maintaining a distance of about two zhang between each person.

Li Muzhan suddenly brought his blade down. Xu Xiaorou moved her sword, transforming the strike into points of starlight. Blade met sword with a crisp sound, and Li Muzhan smoothly diverted the momentum to sever a small tree, venting the strange force in his blow.

Xu Xiaorou laughed. "Not bad! The way you use your strength is starting to have some flavor!"

Li Muzhan shook his head. "This set of saber techniques is far more demanding than my Azure Water Saber. I struggle with some of the exquisite variations. What gives?"

Xu Xiaorou explained, "That's because you lack internal energy. Some of the finer points require coordination with Neili."

"Ah, I see now!" Li Muzhan exclaimed in sudden realization.

Xu Xiaorou assured him, "Don't rush. Once we reach the lake, you’ll be able to cultivate internal energy quickly enough."

"Senior Sister Xu, tell me about the lake," Li Muzhan requested.

"Gladly." Xu Xiaorou nodded with a sweet smile. "Our Star Lake Villa rarely concerns itself with external affairs; we are quite reclusive. However, we don't forbid disciples from leaving the lake—they are perfectly free."

"The Lake Lord is a woman, isn't she?" Li Muzhan asked while wielding his blade.

Xu Xiaorou nodded. "Yes, and a young and beautiful woman at that."

Li Muzhan chuckled softly.

Xu Xiaorou gave him a sideways glance. "Junior Brother Li, do you look down on women?"

Li Muzhan quickly shook his head. Xu Xiaorou huffed, "Though the Lake Lord is young, she possesses great wisdom; she is a rare genius seen once in a hundred years!"

Her eyes sparkled as she gazed northward, a look of profound admiration on her face.

......................................................, they followed the pine forest all the way to the base of the mountain. The group let out a breath of relief, then stepped onto the main road, heading north. The road was flat and wide, and the hooves of the ten horses sounded lighter.

After only a few steps, Zhao Yishan turned pale, breaking out in a cold sweat, complaining of chest pain. He Ruoshui checked his pulse and found nothing serious, suggesting it was perhaps the jarring motion of riding.

So, the group slowed their pace, proceeding slowly on horseback. Fortunately, they were not far from Xuling City; they would arrive by evening and disperse from there.

The sun began to sink slowly to the west, lengthening their shadows considerably.

Zhang Qiaoyi and He Ruoshui rode at the front, followed by Zhao Yishan and Lin Ping. Li Muzhan lagged behind, with Xu Xiaorou keeping pace with him at the very rear.

The two chatted as they rode, discussing matters of Star Lake Villa.

Xu Xiaorou recounted some amusing anecdotes and explained the structure of Star Lake Villa: over a hundred disciples divided into nine ranks. Above the Ninth Rank disciples were the Elders—six in total—and above them all was the Lake Lord. All major decisions were made jointly by the Lake Lord and the Elders.

The nine ranks of disciples differed only in treatment; their authority was equal, they were not subordinate to one another, and all were equal before the Lake Lord and the Elders, to whom alone they were accountable.

The martial arts of all disciples were personally taught by the Lake Lord.

He Ruoshui suddenly frowned, glanced backward, and whispered, "There is killing intent behind us!"

"Hmm?" Zhang Qiaoyi started, then asked, "How could that be?"

He Ruoshui thought for a moment. "I feel like it's them coming after us!"

"The same group?" Zhang Qiaoyi asked.

He Ruoshui nodded slowly. "Based on my feeling—it should be that group!"

"These fellows are intent on crossing us!" Zhang Qiaoyi frowned and snorted.

As they spoke, they slowly reined in their horses, bringing them to a stop. Zhang Qiaoyi glanced at Zhao Yishan, frowned in thought, and said, "Have Young Master Zhao go ahead with the two junior brothers. We'll stay back and hold them off."

"Agreed," He Ruoshui nodded.

Lin Ping quickly interjected, "Senior Sister Zhang, Senior Sister He, I should stay. More people always helps!"

Zhao Yishan also insisted, "Two esteemed ladies, how could I leave alone? I must advance and retreat with you all!"

Zhang Qiaoyi shook her head. "Young Master Zhao, it’s best if you go now. If we can’t hold them off, you can escape."

"Absolutely not, absolutely not," Zhao Yishan kept shaking his head, his expression resolute.

Li Muzhan and Xu Xiaorou rode up closer. Zhang Qiaoyi addressed Li Muzhan. "Junior Brother Li, take Young Master Zhao and Junior Brother Lin and leave!"

Li Muzhan asked, "They’ve caught up?"

"Yes," Zhang Qiaoyi confirmed with a nod.

Li Muzhan stroked his mustache, frowning. "Logically speaking, they shouldn't have..."

"Never mind that now; you all go first!" Zhang Qiaoyi waved them off.

......................................................

"Lady Zhang, under no circumstances will this humble scholar abandon you to save myself!" Zhao Yishan declared proudly.

He Ruoshui suddenly cried out, "It's too late!"

The sound of hooves could be faintly heard, growing rapidly louder. In just a few blinks, a rolling green cloud appeared on the road in the distance, closing the gap in an instant.

The three women stood shoulder-to-shoulder, shielding the three men behind them.

Zhang Qiaoyi drew her sword, narrowing her eyes as she watched the oncoming green-clad figures. She said calmly, "Junior Brother Li, take them and go!"

Li Muzhan acknowledged her with a sound and turned. "Young Master Zhao, Junior Brother Lin, we are a liability here, let’s go!"

Zhao Yishan shook his head, his sword-like brows rising. "If I leave, I will never have peace in this life!"

Li Muzhan smiled, then looked at Lin Ping. Lin Ping said in a deep voice, "Senior Brother Li, my martial arts are inferior, but I can still lend some help. You and Young Master Zhao should go!"

Li Muzhan shook his head, saying no more.

"Hee-yawww..." Twenty-odd horses stopped, rearing up and letting out long whinnies.

Thick yellow dust rolled in on the wind, enveloping the six of them—Zhang Qiaoyi's group—and immediately afterwards, a loud shout rang out: "Charge!"

The twenty-odd men leaped up, a dozen vaulting over them to land behind Li Muzhan’s group, forming a perfect encirclement.

Li Muzhan called out, "Junior Brother Lin!"

He drew the Azure Water Saber and his other long saber. Lin Ping, his handsome face grim, nodded and stepped forward to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with him, slowly drawing his long sword.

The three women faced south, Li Muzhan and Lin Ping faced north, with Zhao Yishan between them.

"Kill!" A burly man on horseback waved his hand.

The twenty-odd figures simultaneously brandished their blades and swords, the flashing steel an intense glare.

Li Muzhan swung both sabers—the Azure Water Saber in his left hand, the long saber in his right—one hard and one soft, employing the Setting Sun Twin Blades to weave a dense, flexible curtain of saber light.

Lin Ping swept his sword into a spinning vortex, his sword light acting as a shield.

Li Muzhan glanced swiftly at Zhao Yishan, then abruptly retreated. The Azure Water Saber transformed into a streak of white silk, hurtling toward Zhao Yishan with incredible speed.

Just then, Zhang Qiaoyi looked over and called out, "Junior Brother Li!"

She was about to move to intercept Li Muzhan when Zhao Yishan ducked his neck, narrowly avoiding the torrent-like saber light. She let out an "Hmph," pausing her action.

That strike was too fast, too sudden. The fact that Zhao Yishan could evade it was certainly no accident.

......................................................

The sword light of the three women merged into one, like scattered stars, dense yet leaving no gaps, barely holding off the encirclement of a dozen attackers. Zhang Qiaoyi worried about the three men.

Li Muzhan stepped forward, unleashing another swath of saber light to engage his opponent, smiling faintly. "Young Master Zhao, just who in the world are you?"

Zhao Yishan neither moved nor dodged. As the saber light neared, he smiled faintly and extended his right hand, flicking his finger lightly... Ding... a crisp, lingering sound echoed.

The long saber was deflected. Li Muzhan stepped back one pace, surprised by the sheer power of Zhao Yishan's internal energy.

Lin Ping was struggling on the other side. His sword was fast, his light dense, but the dozen high-level martial artists pressed him so hard he could barely breathe. Crucially, they weren't trying to kill him—it was like cats playing with mice.

Li Muzhan attacked Zhao Yishan again with both blades.

Zhang Qiaoyi said in a deep voice, "Rou'er, Junior Sister He, I'll check on Li Muzhan!"

She swiftly retreated to Li Muzhan’s side. "Junior Brother Li, go help Junior Brother Lin; I will deal with him!"

Li Muzhan nodded. "Be careful, Senior Sister Zhang!"

Zhao Yishan suddenly called out, "My sword!"

A long sword was tossed in from outside, which he caught with an extended arm. With a slight shake, the blade hummed, writhing like a disturbed serpent.

He swept his left hand across his robes, held the sword gracefully in his right, possessing an air of refined elegance.

At this moment, he looked imposing, dashing, and ethereal, shedding his former delicate appearance as if he had transformed into someone new.

Zhang Qiaoyi instantly understood—he was indeed treacherous, aiming to ambush her.

She held her red lips tightly shut, saying no more, fixing her gaze on Zhao Yishan. She raised her sword, pointing it levelly at him, her eyes narrowed to slits. Her body suddenly moved, and another Zhang Qiaoyi materialized.

One Zhang Qiaoyi remained in place, the other stood before Zhao Yishan, her sword tip lunging forward.

Ding. Zhao Yishan did not move his body; he blocked with his sword, the tip grazing past the left cheek of the illusionary Zhang Qiaoyi.

"Good, worthy of being a disciple of Star Lake Villa!" Zhao Yishan smiled freely, twisted, and thrust his sword forth. The tip blossomed into the shape of a pear flower, his movement swift and elegant.

Zhang Qiaoyi met the attack with her sword, but she hadn't anticipated Zhao Yishan suddenly shifting position, bypassing her entirely to stab Li Muzhan in the back.

Li Muzhan sensed the danger and swung his saber to block.

Clang... Blade met sword; his saber light dimmed, threatening to fly from his grasp.

Zhang Qiaoyi’s sword light struck, entangling Zhao Yishan. Her sword light was dense as rain, denying him a clean escape. She realized that if Li Muzhan hadn't discerned the threat, they would have suffered a grave loss; this Zhao Yishan clearly harbored deep hatred for Li Muzhan and would rather ignore her to kill him.

As they fought, she grew increasingly astonished; this man’s martial skill surpassed her own. At such a young age, wielding such power, he could not be an obscure figure—he must be the scion of a renowned family.

She suddenly exclaimed, "You are a disciple of the North River Sword Sect!"

................................................

Zhao Yishan waved his sword elegantly, a faint smile on his face. "On what grounds do you make that claim?"

Zhang Qiaoyi frowned. "The North River Sword Sect bears us no malice, and Star Lake Villa has never meddled in your affairs; why this attack?!"

Zhao Yishan's sword movements were like blossoming flowers, dreamlike and illusory, yet he smiled and remained silent.

Zhang Qiaoyi declared, "Don't waste your breath; what use are these ragtag thugs!"

"Alas... you are lucky this time!" Zhao Yishan sighed, suddenly retracting his sword and stepping back one pace, smiling. "I hope you are as fortunate next time!"

Zhang Qiaoyi frowned. "Why, precisely?"

Zhao Yishan gave a slight smile. "You guess!" Go then!"

He sheathed his sword and floated away westward. As he left, he casually flicked a finger toward Li Muzhan, and in a blink, he was over ten zhang away.

Li Muzhan's expression shifted slightly. He quickly swung his saber, carving a curtain of light in front of his chest.

Ding... A sharp sound rang out, the long saber was knocked aside, and he staggered back four or five steps, letting out a long breath.

"Good! Good! Next time I will take your life!" Zhao Yishan laughed loudly, pursed his lips, and let out a long whistle.

The twenty-odd green-clad men retreated. The dozen who had been besieging Lin Ping and Li Muzhan withdrew to the sides, mounted their horses, and galloped away, the sound of hooves quickly fading into the distance.

Zhang Qiaoyi rushed forward. "Junior Brother Li, are you alright!"

Li Muzhan sheathed his saber, his movements slow and labored, then held out his left hand. His left hand was trembling slightly, and he forced a wry smile. "It was fortunate I was cautious!"

He deliberately adopted this demeanor, letting his trembling hands show weakness.

Zhang Qiaoyi said, "That is the North River Sword Sect's Way of Affectionate Finger Strike."

Lin Ping performed a flourish with his sword, his weapon sliding back into its sheath with a swish, a dashing move. "I've heard of the North River Sword Sect's Way of Affectionate Finger Strike; it’s said to be bizarre and impossible to defend against. Senior Brother Li, you truly had a close call!"

Xu Xiaorou shot him a glare and huffed, "That was because Junior Brother Li was clever!" But still, to block the Affectionate Finger Strike, you are quite formidable!"

Zhang Qiaoyi asked, "We owe our safety this time to Junior Brother Li’s quick thinking. How did you realize something was amiss with him?"

Li Muzhan stroked his mustache. "Our movements were discovered so quickly; I suspected we had an inside informant, so I tested him, and fortunately, I guessed correctly."

"So it was just a guess..." Lin Ping nodded in understanding.

Li Muzhan mused, "The Setting Sun Twin Blades are so cautious; there shouldn't have been any leaks."

"Indeed, we were too careless..." Zhang Qiaoyi shook her head.

He Ruoshui frowned in deep thought, finally sighing after a long moment. "It seems he used Dissolving Powder, then took an antidote. We were truly lucky this time."

If one took Dissolving Powder, even with the antidote, their martial arts would still be significantly diminished.

Zhang Qiaoyi nodded lightly. "It seems he must be between the Seventh and Eighth Rank..."

The group resumed their journey, galloping their horses. This time, without Zhao Yishan slowing them down, their speed increased dramatically. In just a few days, they arrived at a large city, Xiushui City.

After entering the city, they didn't linger, passing straight from the South Gate to the North Gate. Exiting the North Gate, they turned east, passed through a grove of trees, and before them lay a vast expanse of white lake.

As far as the eye could see, the waves shimmered, the water merging seamlessly with the sky.

A few small boats bobbed gently by the shore.

They left the ten horses in the woods. Zhang Qiaoyi said, "We're here, let's go."

She, along with two others, stepped into a small boat. Li Muzhan and Lin Ping followed them in, making the small vessel feel crowded. A faint, delicate fragrance drifted into his nostrils.

Li Muzhan looked around. It was vast wilderness—only forest and lake water; nothing else was visible. Looking down with his Eye of the Void, he couldn't discern any structures within a ten-li radius. Where was Star Lake Villa?