Li Muzhan’s chest throbbed with agonizing pain. A faint, sweet fragrance entered his nostrils, and immediately, a surging darkness swept over his entire mind, plunging him into unconsciousness in the blink of an eye.
When he awoke, he did not rush to open his eyes. His Void Eye looked down, revealing that he was in a pitch-black mountain cave where he could not see his own fingers.
A light, fresh moisture drifted intermittently to his face—it was carried by a small river not far ahead, and within that moisture, there was a faint, subtle perfume.
He was lying on a patch of dry grass. Beside him sat a woman cross-legged, her figure graceful and slender. Even in the darkness, he could clearly see that this woman was Jin Qiaoqiao.
Li Muzhan was somewhat surprised; he hadn't expected her to be the one who saved him. He had assumed it was people from Star Lake Villa. It seemed Star Lake Villa had acted in concert with her. Truly, he had a great capacity for surviving misfortune!
He gave a wry smile inwardly, yet felt a surge of relief that his life had been salvaged after all. He silently checked his injuries: luckily, the thrown knife had missed his heart.
At the critical moment, he had shifted slightly, allowing the flying knife to graze past his chest. Had he not moved an inch, the blade would have pierced his heart directly, and he would have already reincarnated.
Although they both used throwing knives, his, while lethal, lacked the refinement of the old man's. The old man wielded his knives as easily as his own fingers, with absolute freedom and no hindrance.
His own knives were fast and ruthless, designed for a decisive strike—two entirely different approaches.
Given the tempering from his Indestructible Diamond Divine Skill, as long as he wasn't killed instantly, or if his vital meridians and head remained intact, he could always heal himself.
He used his Void Eye to survey the surroundings; he was in a cave carved into the mountainside.
Above was a sheer cliff face, and below, an unfathomable gorge. The mountain wall was as straight as if sliced by a blade. The cave was situated halfway up. Outside, dense green vines covered the entrance, making the cave very difficult for outsiders to discover.
There was no one within a five-mile radius—only Jin Qiaoqiao. She was sitting cross-legged, regulating her breath, which was even and deep, indicating profound internal cultivation.
Though curious how she had managed to save him, he did not awaken immediately. Instead, he began to enter meditation, slipping into the Gazing at Heaven, Man, and Divine Illumination Chart to start recovering his body.
When he returned from the Chart, he felt a faint itching sensation on his left chest, making him desperate to scratch it, but he forcefully restrained the urge. This was the healing process; he dared not move rashly.
He felt thirsty. He moved slightly, then opened his eyes to take in his surroundings, which were still shrouded in darkness, though he could vaguely discern shapes.
“You’re awake?” Jin Qiaoqiao opened her bright, round eyes and exclaimed in surprise.
Li Muzhan sighed and managed a bitter smile, “Miss Qiaoqiao, you saved me, didn't you?”
Jin Qiaoqiao came to his side, chuckling lightly, “You truly have nine lives. By just a sliver, just a tiny bit, your little life would have been forfeit!”
Li Muzhan sighed, “Thank you, Miss Qiaoqiao, for this life-saving grace. I have no way to repay you!”
“Stop, stop! You don't need to thank me. If you must thank anyone, thank Sister Su!” Jin Qiaoqiao waved her hands quickly.
Li Muzhan started, then hurriedly asked, “Su Yunyun?”
“Yes, Sister Su asked me to save you!” Jin Qiaoqiao nodded.
Li Muzhan frowned. He pushed himself up with his arm, but a sharp pain shot through his chest, and his vision swam, making him feel as if he were about to faint again.
He let out a muffled groan and lay back down. Jin Qiaoqiao stepped forward, gently placing her right hand on the back of his hand, slowly helping him sit up. She smiled, “You mustn't move around. For that wound to heal properly, it will take at least a month.”
Li Muzhan frowned, thinking hard, utterly perplexed. Why would Su Yunyun ask Jin Qiaoqiao to save him? Could she have guessed his true identity?
This was a matter of grave importance. If she had guessed who he really was, then Canghai Mountain would be in peril. If the Three Smiles Hall tracked him down to Canghai Mountain, it would spell utter disaster.
“You’re injured too?” Li Muzhan suddenly asked.
Jin Qiaoqiao smiled sheepishly, “I didn’t expect that old fellow to be so strong. He landed a palm strike on me; I sustained some internal injuries, but they are almost healed.”
Li Muzhan sighed, “I’ve troubled you.”
Jin Qiaoqiao said, “It was also your good fortune. I was holding you, planning to jump down, when I unexpectedly spotted a cave halfway down the cliff and managed to leap right into it.”
Li Muzhan chuckled, “Truly, when heaven closes a path, it opens a way!”
He immediately reconstructed the scene in his mind: Jin Qiaoqiao, despite her strong martial arts, could not defeat that old man. She fled while carrying him, eventually ending up here.
Without his Void Eye, and perhaps unfamiliar with the terrain, she must have ended up at the edge of the cliff. With no other choice, she had to fight the old man.
Her martial arts were inferior to the old man's, leading to her defeat. With death the only option, she leaped with him in her arms, only to discover this cave, whereupon she dove in.
Leaping into a cave from mid-air was certainly no easy feat; she must have suffered injury upon injury.
Thinking of this, Li Muzhan sighed, feeling the weight of this debt of gratitude was immense, and repayment seemed unlikely. He could only shake his head with a wry smile.
“Why are you shaking your head?” Jin Qiaoqiao asked.
Li Muzhan said, “Qiaoqiao, did Su Yunyun say anything?”
“Sister Su didn’t say anything at all, only told me to look after you, to stop you from doing anything reckless or seeking death, and to lend a hand when the critical moment arrived,” Jin Qiaoqiao shook her head.
Li Muzhan understood. Su Yunyun had indeed guessed his identity and knew what he was planning. To think she had given such an instruction warmed his heart slightly.
Li Muzhan sighed, “Is your injury serious?”
“It’s nothing serious, won’t kill me,” Jin Qiaoqiao laughed.
Li Muzhan said, “I’ve implicated you, causing you to fall into such a state, it’s truly…”
Jin Qiaoqiao smiled, “Mr. Jiang, you mustn’t say that. Sister Su gave the order, how could I disobey? If something truly happened to you, I wouldn't have the face to return to see Sister Su!”
Li Muzhan asked, “Is Su Yunyun's status in Jade Cold Palace very high?”
Jin Qiaoqiao paused, then chuckled, “You don’t know, Sir?”
Li Muzhan shook his head, “I associated with her, but never asked about her background. I only knew she was from Jade Cold Palace, but judging by her conduct, she didn't seem like an ordinary disciple.”
Jin Qiaoqiao considered for a moment, “You didn't know? Sister Su is the Young Palace Mistress.”
“Hm—?” Li Muzhan raised an eyebrow, smiled, then shook his head and sighed, “So she’s the Young Palace Mistress. No wonder…”
He had guessed Su Yunyun’s identity earlier, and now it was confirmed. Su Yunyun was indeed the Young Palace Mistress. Looking at it this way, perhaps his destined connection with her had run its course.
Li Muzhan asked, “The Palace Mistress cannot marry?”
“No, the Palace Mistress cannot marry,” Jin Qiaoqiao nodded.
“Why can’t she marry?” Li Muzhan inquired.
Jin Qiaoqiao explained, “Men are no good; they cannot be trusted. If the Palace Mistress were to marry, she would be influenced by her husband and lose her acumen.”
Li Muzhan chuckled twice, then broke into a violent coughing fit. Jin Qiaoqiao quickly sent a surge of internal energy to gently stabilize his breathing.
Li Muzhan managed to calm his coughing, shook his head, and laughed, “Truly formidable! Whose reasoning is that?”
“It’s what our Founder of the Palace decreed,” Jin Qiaoqiao smiled.
Li Muzhan shook his head, “Miss Qiaoqiao, what do you think?”
Jin Qiaoqiao smiled, “I think the Founder’s words have merit. Men truly cannot be trusted!”
Li Muzhan managed a bitter smile, “Miss Qiaoqiao, isn't condemning all men with one stroke a bit too extreme?”
Jin Qiaoqiao looked at him with a playful smile, “I’ve seen plenty of men at Tan Chun Tower. I understand their nature the best, which only makes me feel the Founder’s words are correct—men are no good!”
Li Muzhan touched his nose and shook his head in silence.
Jin Qiaoqiao watched him with a faint smile, “Sir, are you unconvinced?”
Li Muzhan sighed, “Miss Qiaoqiao has seen too many vile aspects of men; anything I say would be useless.”
Jin Qiaoqiao smiled faintly, “Qiaoqiao knows there are a few good men in the world, but the chances of meeting them are exceedingly slim. It’s better not to hold out hope!”
Li Muzhan smiled and shook his head, “If she were to marry, would she have to step down as Palace Mistress?”
“Yes,” Jin Qiaoqiao nodded. “If the Palace Mistress marries, she must step down and can no longer serve as Palace Mistress; that is the rule.”
Li Muzhan remained silent, pondering. His relationship with Su Yunyun was even more impossible to reveal, as it would implicate her, causing him further unease.
Jin Qiaoqiao observed him with a smiling gaze. After thinking it over, she curbed her curiosity. She was genuinely intrigued: Sister Su had always been aloof with men. For her to seek her help for a man’s sake was an anomaly, like the sun rising in the west, considering how proud the Young Palace Mistress was.
She vaguely suspected that this Mr. Jiang was more than just a friend; their relationship must be profound. Otherwise, given the Young Palace Mistress’s pride, she would never casually ask someone for a favor.
Previously, she had assumed this Mr. Jiang was older and unremarkable, meaning he shouldn't fit the category she was currently suspecting. But while carrying him all the way in escape, she sensed that Mr. Jiang was quite young, and his current appearance was likely due to disguise techniques; he was actually a young man.
If that was the case, her guess was almost certainly correct: this Mr. Jiang was the Young Palace Mistress’s beloved!
Upon this realization, she was shocked yet also somewhat thrilled. She truly hadn't expected the fairy-like Young Palace Mistress to be moved by worldly desire!
If it weren't for his severe injuries, she would have insisted on uncovering his true face while he was unconscious, just to see what was so extraordinary about the Young Palace Mistress’s sweetheart.
“Sir, is your injury no longer serious?” Jin Qiaoqiao asked.
She desperately wanted to ask Li Muzhan about his relationship with the Young Palace Mistress but forcefully restrained herself, knowing that even if she asked, he wouldn’t tell her. For the sake of the Young Palace Mistress’s position, he would likely deny everything.
Li Muzhan nodded, “After a period of recuperation, it will be fine. What about you, Qiaoqiao?”
Their relationship had suddenly deepened. She had saved his life, so Li Muzhan no longer stood on ceremony.
Jin Qiaoqiao replied, “I’ll be fine after meditating a while longer; nothing major. It’s a good thing there’s a small river here, otherwise we’d starve to death... Are you hungry?”
Li Muzhan shook his head, “I’m not hungry yet. Is there a way to get out of here?”
Jin Qiaoqiao sighed, “We can only use Qinggong [lightness skill] to get out, and then slowly climb to the top of the cliff. The bottom of the cliff is terribly deep; we can’t go down.”
Li Muzhan nodded, “As long as there’s food, that’s good. Let’s focus on healing first. Qiaoqiao, once you’ve recovered, leave first.”
“Okay, I’ll go back and send word first,” Jin Qiaoqiao nodded.
She hesitated for a moment and asked, “Sir, did you kill Young Master Lin?”
Li Muzhan nodded, “Yes. When I left the city, Young Master Lin brought men to block the road, insisting on killing me. I had no choice but to kill him!”
Jin Qiaoqiao managed a wry smile, “Sir, you’ve just kicked a hornet’s nest!”
Li Muzhan retorted, “Should I just wait to be killed?”
“Sigh… that’s true. Young Master Lin brought this on himself; he can’t blame anyone else!” Jin Qiaoqiao slowly nodded. Although she had expected Lin Ping to cause trouble, she hadn't anticipated it happening so quickly.
She was merely curious about what astonishing skills this Mr. Jiang possessed that allowed him to kill Young Master Lin. Young Master Lin was a capable fighter; he wasn't someone just anyone could kill, and he had two guards with him, both peerless martial artists, far surpassing ordinary experts.
Li Muzhan sighed and shook his head, “Let’s focus on healing. I don’t know when they will stop searching.”
“It won’t be long. Once they can’t find you, they won’t keep searching indefinitely,” Jin Qiaoqiao smiled, “Young Master Lin was the Young Altar Master. Altar Master Lin will go mad, Sir, you must be careful.”
Li Muzhan replied, “I won’t step foot in White Cloud City again, and then they naturally won’t be able to find me.”
Jin Qiaoqiao shook her head, “I’m afraid he’ll send people to pursue and kill you relentlessly.”
Li Muzhan smiled, “No need to worry about that; we’ll see what they’re capable of!”
After chatting for a while, Li Muzhan grew tired, so they both entered meditation to circulate their inner arts.
Li Muzhan entered the Gazing at Heaven, Man, and Divine Illumination Chart. His astral body manifested upon a lotus, basking in the essence of the sun and moon, nourishing his body—an indescribable comfort, endless wonder.
When he awoke, a full day had passed. Time flew by extraordinarily quickly when meditating in his astral form, much like soaking in a hot spring—one moment you close your eyes, the next, a day is gone.
Jin Qiaoqiao was already up, pacing inside the stone cave. When Li Muzhan awoke and sat up, though it was difficult, he felt somewhat stronger than before.
“Qiaoqiao, are you feeling better?” Li Muzhan asked.
Jin Qiaoqiao turned towards him, smiling radiantly, “Much better! The fish here are miraculous; they seem to increase internal energy. Try some!”
As she spoke, she handed him a string of fish. Li Muzhan took them and tasted them carefully. They were tender and fragrant, utterly devoid of any fishy smell—truly delicious.
After three fish, a warm current quickly rushed up from his stomach, spreading in fine threads throughout his body, warming him like a spring breeze, and his vigor soared.
Li Muzhan exclaimed, “Good fish!”
Jin Qiaoqiao smiled faintly, “Sir, eat a string first. Don't overeat until you’re stuffed. I’ll roast some more tomorrow.”
Li Muzhan laughed, “Why roast them? We can eat them raw.”
“That won't do,” Jin Qiaoqiao shook her head.
Li Muzhan looked around. A small river not far off passed directly through the cave and flowed into a narrow crevice below, murmuring softly.
Li Muzhan frowned. This didn't seem like a naturally formed cave.
“Qiaoqiao, is this the only cave here?” Li Muzhan asked, setting down the stick holding the fish.
Jin Qiaoqiao nodded, “Yes.”
Li Muzhan said no more. “Qiaoqiao, once your injury is healed, you should leave soon. Don't attract suspicion and get implicated.”
Jin Qiaoqiao smiled, “I know. I can leave tomorrow.”
The next day, Jin Qiaoqiao roasted over a dozen strings of fish and placed some water beside Li Muzhan, enough for him to last five or six days. After five or six days, he should be able to get up and walk without relying on them.
At Li Muzhan’s urging, Jin Qiaoqiao left the cave reluctantly, filled with worry. Li Muzhan observed her with his Void Eye, seeing her leave safely, and noted that no one was waiting for her above.
It seemed they believed he and Jin Qiaoqiao had jumped off the cliff to their deaths. The cliff below was unfathomably deep, and a faint mist of water rose from it, suggesting a major river. If they had fallen in, their bones would have been swept away by the current, making them impossible to find. Thus, they must have believed the story.
Once Jin Qiaoqiao had left safely, Li Muzhan relaxed and began circulating the Gazing at Heaven, Man, and Divine Illumination Scripture, staying in constant meditation to speed up his recovery.
In just three or four days, he could stand and walk. He approached the riverbank and saw the fish swimming within.
These fish were quite spiritual. Perhaps Jin Qiaoqiao had been too efficient in her hunting; the fish were sparse, occasionally just two or three. They were black, the same color as the stones beneath the spring water, making them very hard to spot. Only with Jin Qiaoqiao’s sharp eyesight could one catch them, or even see them. Their bodies were spindle-shaped, incredibly fast; they looked lazy, but moved like lightning.
Li Muzhan stood by the one-meter-wide river, watching the water gush out from a stone crack and flow into another gap below. He always felt there were traces of artificial construction here.
He stretched his arms. The injury on his chest no longer bothered him. The effect of the Gazing at Heaven, Man, and Divine Illumination Scripture was extraordinary, manifesting most clearly during such times.
He decided to explore this mountain cave. He went to the stone wall directly to the north and tapped it with his palm. He detected nothing unusual, but his intuition told him something was amiss in this direction.
He thought for a moment, drew his long sword, channeled his Blade Intent, and swung down fiercely. With a sharp ding, sparks flew, and the sword rebounded!
This strike, under normal circumstances, should have easily cleaved through stone, embedding itself two or three inches deep. Yet now, it had been repelled, leaving not even a scratch.
Li Muzhan was startled. He reached out and touched it, sensing the stone’s texture was incredibly hard, as if forged from iron. He hadn't noticed this before.
Li Muzhan paused, then channeled his Blade Intent again, bringing the sword down. The speed wasn't fast, but the force was immense, heavier than a thousand pounds. The Blade Intent in this strike was more condensed, its power stronger.
Ding… More sparks flew, and the long sword bounced back even farther, nearly flying out of his hand. Luckily, Li Muzhan was prepared and had preemptively dispersed that immense recoil force.
Li Muzhan put down the long sword, contemplating. He realized brute force wouldn't work; there must be a trick. This further confirmed that the wall held a mechanism and wasn't ordinary stone.
He placed both hands on the wall, slightly closed his eyes, and infused internal energy. Then he opened his eyes, looking at the stone wall before him with a look of surprise.
Once the internal energy was infused, it could not advance an inch; it couldn't disperse at all. His spirit, which was supposed to ride the internal energy to scout the wall's composition, could not follow its will.
Li Muzhan then began to slowly trace the wall with his palms, eyes slightly closed, relying solely on the touch of his hands to feel every inch of the stone, sensing any subtle differences.
The stone wall was very wide. Li Muzhan meticulously explored it inch by inch, taking an entire day and night before he had completely felt every part of the stone surface.
Despite having felt every section, there was still nothing unusual, no mechanism discovered.
Li Muzhan was extremely curious, which only intensified his interest. This only proved the wall was extraordinary, holding some profound secret that he had failed to perceive. His intuition, coupled with the meticulous sight of his Void Eye, had never failed him before; hitting a wall here made him deeply unwilling to accept it.
He closed his eyes, recalling the condition of the stone wall he had touched. The entire layout of the wall flashed before his mind, as if branded there, incredibly clear.
Sometimes, the tactile sense of the palm was clearer than vision. He could see every contour of the wall, even every slight rise or dip, with absolute clarity.
After thinking for a while, a flash of inspiration struck him. He channeled energy into his palms and struck the wall above his head, then struck the position of his knee, then the left side, and finally the right side, delivering a resounding blow in four directions, with deeply concealed internal energy.
With a muffled rumble, the ground trembled. Li Muzhan quickly stepped back, looking up, only to see a circular opening appear right in front of him.
It was about half a person's height, requiring him to bend over and crawl to enter. Li Muzhan hesitated, smelled the air—it was fresh and carried moisture.
Li Muzhan closed his eyes, thought for a moment, and followed his intuition.
Then, he bent over and crawled in. The tunnel twisted and turned. After crawling about ten meters, his vision brightened. He slowed down and moved forward cautiously, arriving at a stone chamber.
This chamber was brightly and softly lit by several luminous pearls embedded in the ceiling, making the room glow.
On a stone couch in the center sat a middle-aged man with sharp, refined eyebrows, sitting with his eyes closed. His blue robe was threaded with silver lines that shimmered brilliantly.
Li Muzhan was startled at first glance, thinking it was a living person, an ultimate master who could evade his spiritual sense. Upon steadying his gaze, he realized the man had no remaining breath.
He stepped forward to examine closely. The person looked incredibly lifelike, the features fresh, the flesh and blood not yet withered, appearing no different than usual. He was extremely curious and cautiously extended his hand forward, touching the man’s hand.
The touch was icy cold, yet smooth and fine, like silk. Touching it didn't feel unpleasant; it even retained elasticity, indistinguishable from real skin.
Li Muzhan frowned, pondering. He didn't know who this person was. He must have been dead for quite some time, yet he remained lifelike with an incorruptible body—truly an anomaly.
Surveying the surroundings, seven luminous pearls hung from the ceiling, arranged in the pattern of the Big Dipper. There was also a stone table, upon which sat a small, dull black iron box. Beside the iron box was a jade wine cup. Opposite the stone table was a small pool, about the size of a water vat, its clear spring water smooth as a mirror.
Li Muzhan walked to the pool. His face was reflected on the water’s surface, still appearing as the middle-aged man.
He pondered for a moment, then approached the iron box. He stared at it cautiously for a while, closed his eyes briefly, and then slowly reached out his hand, opening the iron box.
He worried there might be a mechanism inside the iron box, but his intuition told him it was safe, devoid of such traps.
Upon opening it, the iron box contained only a thin, yellowed silk booklet, only a dozen or so pages, and nothing else—completely clean.
Li Muzhan did not rush to read the silk booklet. Instead, he examined the surroundings again. There was nothing else: just a stone couch and a stone table, no bedding, no daily necessities—it was exceedingly strange.
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