Liu Biyun’s cheeks flushed, but her bright, clear eyes met Li Muchan’s gaze, and she smiled sweetly, “Esteemed young sir, why don't we settle this honorably with a proper match?”
Li Muchan shook his head and chuckled wryly, “How can it be honorable now? Must he place his drawn sword against my neck before it counts as fair play?”
Liu Biyun replied, “My senior brother will certainly not be careless this time. If you win, Young Master, the Gui He Miao Jing will be handed over immediately, without question.”
Li Muchan glanced around at the hushed crowd, where no one dared to speak. They had witnessed him defeat Wang Hanyang in two swift moves, and none of them possessed that ability. To speak now meant inviting trouble, potentially drawing the wrath of the humiliated Wang Hanyang. Fan Yi started to open his mouth, but Fan He quickly pressed his pressure point, silencing him.
Li Muchan drew his gaze back, shook his head, and smiled, “What an intimidating Dragon Mountain Sect. Very well, let us have another bout. Young Hero Wang, please draw your sword!”
Wang Hanyang’s eyes blazed like fire, yet he did not refuse. He slowly drew his blade, sneering, “Boy, you won't get away with it this time!”
Li Muchan merely smiled, a hint of contempt in his heart. Such arrogance, yet unable to accept defeat—a person so full of self-importance that it clouded their wisdom could never achieve greatness.
Wang Hanyang roared, “Take my sword!”
A flash of light ignited the air, and the sword intent emanating from the tip made Li Muchan’s hairs stand on end. This thrust was blindingly fast, no slower than his first strike. Li Muchan inwardly offered a quiet compliment.
He lightly sidestepped, flicked out a finger, and tapped the very tip of the blade precisely. Cling... The sound was clear and melodious, lingering in the air.
Wang Hanyang’s movement froze. He felt a strange force traveling through the sword, like an electric current, causing half his body to go instantly numb and lose control.
Li Muchan raised his right arm, holding his long sword horizontally, the tip aimed at Wang Hanyang, and drawled lazily, “Young Hero Wang. You have lost again!”
Wang Hanyang’s face was crimson, as if rouged, and he stared blankly at Li Muchan in utter disbelief.
Li Muchan sheathed his sword, bowed to Liu Biyun, and smiled faintly, “Miss Liu. The manual, please!”
Liu Biyun looked at Wang Hanyang, biting her delicate pink lower lip, and tossed the bundle to Li Muchan. “Your swordsmanship is exceptional, Young Master. May I ask your esteemed name?”
Li Muchan caught the bundle, beginning to untie it as he shook his head and smiled, “Just an obscure nobody. My lowly name is hardly worth polluting your pure ears with!”
Liu Biyun gnawed on her lip and glared at him, blinking her bright eyes twice. “Are you afraid of retribution from our Dragon Mountain Sect, Young Master?”
Li Muchan smiled but said nothing. He untied the outer cloth, opened the wooden box, retrieved the manual, but did not place it back. Setting the box and bundle down, he casually flipped open the silk booklet.
Liu Biyun glanced at the stunned Wang Hanyang, her elegant brows furrowing in some concern.
Li Muchan didn't read so much as he flipped the pages rapidly. In the blink of an eye, he had scanned all thirty-odd sheets. He shook his head, closed the booklet, returned it to the wooden box, retied the bundle, and handed it back to Liu Biyun.
Liu Biyun looked at him with puzzled, bright eyes. Li Muchan laughed, “This manual is indeed exquisite. However, a gentleman does not covet what belongs to another. I shall return it to you.”
“This…” Liu Biyun frowned.
Wang Hanyang said sternly, “Junior Sister, accept it!”
Liu Biyun turned to look at him. “Senior Brother Wang?”
Wang Hanyang stared intently at Li Muchan. He said gravely, “State your name, unless you are afraid now?”
Li Muchan smiled, “Your Dragon Mountain Sect is too tyrannical. If I gave you my name, wouldn’t I be inviting death? I do not fear you, but I fear the entire membership of the Dragon Mountain Sect.”
Wang Hanyang scoffed coldly, “Boy, you think too highly of yourself!”
Li Muchan shook his head, “One can glimpse the leopard through a tube. Based on your character, Young Hero Wang, I can infer the style of your Dragon Mountain Sect. Better forget it.”
“Boy, do you think I can’t find out just because you won't tell me?” Wang Hanyang said dismissively.
Li Muchan replied, “Farewell! Miss Liu, until we meet again!”
Liu Biyun quickly interjected, “If it’s inconvenient to give your name, perhaps just your surname?”
Li Muchan smiled, nodded, and said, “My surname is Li.”
Saying this, he clasped his hands in a bow and turned to leave. The crowd automatically parted to let him pass, watching him drift away in silence.
Wang Hanyang glared intensely at his retreating back. Once Li Muchan vanished from sight, he turned and glared at the surrounding onlookers, who in turn looked toward Fan Yi and Fan He.
Wang Hanyang strode purposefully to Fan He and demanded gravely, “Who was that?”
Fan He shook his head with a helpless, wry smile. “Young Hero Wang, we only encountered him by chance on the road. He claimed his name was Li Guanhai of Qingmei.”
“Li Guanhai of Qingmei…” Wang Hanyang knitted his brow tightly, then turned to Liu Biyun. “Junior Sister, have you heard of him?”
Liu Biyun shook her head. “Senior Brother Wang, let’s just forget it. Let’s attend to our main business first, shall we?”
“...A fine Li Guanhai!” Wang Hanyang sneered coldly, nodding. “Junior Sister speaks sense. Let us handle our business first!”
Liu Biyun said, “Senior Brother Wang, let’s go.”
She turned and walked away, her figure swaying gracefully like a willow branch. Wang Hanyang shot a glare at Fan He, turned, and followed her, disappearing from view in moments.
Everyone present let out a collective sigh of relief, slowly returning their gazes and shaking their heads.
“Good heavens, they’re finally gone!” someone exhaled deeply.
Fan Yi started to speak, then tugged hard on Fan He’s sleeve, pointing to his own mouth. Fan He impatiently released his pressure point and grumbled, “You brat, always stirring up trouble for me!”
“Great-Uncle, you shouldn’t have told him!” Fan Yi protested.
Fan He glared at him. “If I hadn’t told him? We’d be the unlucky ones!”
“Is he going to kill us?” Fan Yi pouted.
Fan He sighed and shook his head. “You truly don’t know how treacherous the world is. For the Dragon Mountain Sect, killing someone is no different than crushing an ant.”
“Can’t they be held accountable for anything?!” Fan Yi said indignantly.
Fan He replied, “Foolish boy, they are the law and they are heaven. If you cross them, you’re courting death!”
“What if Brother Li is discovered by them…” Fan Yi worried aloud.
Fan He waved his hand. “We misjudged him. That Young Master Li is a powerful figure. I could tell he wasn’t afraid of the Dragon Mountain Sect. He’s likely a disciple from some great sect himself!”
“Is that so…” Fan Yi relaxed a little and nodded.
Inside the Hall of Morning Radiance, the light was bright. Qin Yeqiu, clad in a purple gown, sat quietly in a chair reading. Suddenly, she looked up, expressing surprise. “Wuji, so soon?”
Li Muchan stood at the entrance of the great hall, his green robes flowing, a smile gracing his face.
“Senior Sister, I didn’t go to the Dragon Mountain Sect,” Li Muchan said, slowly approaching her. He took a seat in the chair opposite Qin Yeqiu.
Qin Yeqiu placed her book down. “What happened?”
Li Muchan replied, “I ran into disciples from the Dragon Mountain Sect halfway there. They were headed for our Purple Garment Palace, so I returned ahead of them.”
“Disciples from the Dragon Mountain Sect are coming?” Qin Yeqiu frowned.
Li Muchan nodded. “Likely to demand an accounting.”
Qin Yeqiu furrowed her brow in thought. “It seems there might still be room for negotiation.”
Li Muchan sighed. “It’s a bit risky. These two are not easy characters. I intend to intercept them midway.”
“Don’t be reckless!” Qin Yeqiu said quickly, her expression shifting slightly.
Li Muchan smiled. “Don’t worry, Senior Sister, I know what I’m doing. I won’t take their lives.”
Qin Yeqiu said, “They are true disciples of the Dragon Mountain Sect, unlike those from Myriad Layered Mountain. If anything serious happens, the Dragon Mountain Sect will absolutely not let it go!”
Li Muchan nodded. “The two are Wang Hanyang and Liu Biyun. Both around nineteen or twenty. Wang Hanyang is impetuous and narrow-minded—difficult to deal with. Liu Biyun is stronger. The key lies with Liu Biyun.”
“What do you plan to do?” Qin Yeqiu asked.
Li Muchan smiled. “I’ll deal with Wang Hanyang and ensure he can’t speak.”
“...Disciples of the Dragon Mountain Sect are hard to handle,” Qin Yeqiu cautioned.
Li Muchan smiled and nodded. “Yes, they possess a few skills. Don’t worry, Senior Sister. I concealed my identity and wore a mask. They won’t recognize me!”
Qin Yeqiu frowned and pondered for a long moment, then sighed, “Let’s hope so!”
Li Muchan said, “Senior Sister, I’m leaving now!”
“Be careful!” Qin Yeqiu called out.
Li Muchan waved his hand, turned, and left the hall in an instant, vanishing from Purple Cloud Mountain like a gust of wind. He then utilized the Flowing Light Electric Dash technique, traveling hundreds of miles in half a day.
In Qingmei Town, Li Muchan sat on the second floor of a tavern, his long sword resting horizontally on the table. He lazily held up a white porcelain wine cup, examining the contents. He first smelled it, then downed the contents in one gulp.
Outside the window was the bustling street. He opened the window, letting the noise and clamor pour in. He toyed with the cup, observing the passersby with an air of utter contentment.
“Eh!” A soft, surprised exclamation rang out. Though amidst the street noise, it carried clearly to everyone’s ears. However, people were busy with their own affairs and paid no mind to outsiders’ matters.
Li Muchan followed the sound with his gaze and immediately broke into a smile. A young man and woman stood near a small stall, conspicuously standing out from the surrounding crowd like cranes among chickens. It was Wang Hanyang and Liu Biyun.
Liu Biyun held a small, thumb-sized jade rabbit in her delicate hand. The rabbit seemed almost a part of her flawless, pearly white skin. Its eyes were dotted with red lacquer, suddenly bringing it to life—exquisitely charming. A joyful smile lit up her jade-like face, and her bright eyes sparkled.
Wang Hanyang, dressed in a sapphire blue robe, looked imposing and heroic, but at this moment, he was yawning, appearing bored. He scanned his surroundings, his gaze sweeping around, then suddenly looked up, spotting Li Muchan in the tavern window.
Their eyes met across the distance. Li Muchan offered a knowing smile, raised his wine cup in a toast, and slowly drank it dry.
Hearing the soft “Eh,” Liu Biyun turned her head. “Senior Brother Wang?”
“It really is a narrow road for enemies to cross!” Wang Hanyang grunted hatefully.
Liu Biyun followed his gaze upward and exclaimed in surprise, “Li Guanhai?!”
Li Muchan smiled, cupped his hand in salute, drank another cup, and laughed, “Miss Liu, we meet again! What a pleasant coincidence!”
Liu Biyun tilted her head up and smiled sweetly, “Young Master Li, what a surprise to find you here?”
Li Muchan laughed heartily, “Indeed, quite the coincidence. I insist you join me for a drink upstairs?”
“Hmph, he did that on purpose!” Wang Hanyang sneered coldly. “There’s no such thing as such a coincidence!”
Liu Biyun shook her head and smiled gently. “Thank you, Young Master Li, but we shouldn’t keep you from your leisure.”
Li Muchan nodded. “If that is the case, then never mind.”
Saying this, he turned away, no longer looking at them, then took another cup and drank it down, looking perfectly relaxed and at ease. He then picked up a piece of food with his chopsticks and began to chew slowly, a look of enjoyment on his face.
Liu Biyun withdrew her gaze and whispered, “Senior Brother Wang, this Li Guanhai is rather peculiar.”
“Hmph, he has quite the audacity!” Wang Hanyang coldly sneered. “I want to see what tricks he’s playing. Junior Sister, let’s go greet him!”
Liu Biyun frowned. “Perhaps we shouldn’t, Senior Brother. It’s better to avoid trouble when we’re here on important business!”
Wang Hanyang was unconcerned. “I say, Junior Sister, you are being overly cautious. You lack the spirit of our Dragon Mountain Sect—you’re embarrassing us!”
Liu Biyun shook her head gently. “I find this Li Guanhai very strange. It’s best not to provoke him. Let’s pretend we didn’t see him, Senior Brother Wang. Let’s hurry along.”
“Junior Sister, are we afraid of him!” Wang Hanyang waved his hand. “I’ve made up my mind; I must speak with him. If you’re afraid, Junior Sister, you can leave first!”
“Wang—Senior—Brother—!” Liu Biyun pouted her tender red lips, glaring at him with her bright eyes.
Wang Hanyang smiled broadly. “Alright, alright, I misspoke. We’ll go see him together then!”
“...Sigh. Fine!” Liu Biyun nodded reluctantly.
After having the stall owner wrap up the jade rabbit and paying the fee, Liu Biyun followed Wang Hanyang into the tavern, ascending to the second floor to stand before Li Muchan’s table.
Li Muchan put down his bamboo chopsticks and regarded the pair with a beaming smile. “What brings you two here? Have you come looking for me?”
“Looking for you?!” Wang Hanyang snorted with disdainful contempt.
Li Muchan smiled. “If you weren't looking for me, then why are you in Qingmei Town?” he called out toward the distance. “Old Chu, bring two plates of braised chicken for our guests to sample the local flavor.”
“Coming right up!” a voice responded from afar.
A plump middle-aged man brought over two plates of invitingly fragrant food. With his round figure and round face, he exuded an air of easy-going geniality as he nodded and smiled at Wang Hanyang and Liu Biyun before setting the plates down and leaving without saying an unnecessary word.
Li Muchan gestured to the opposite seats. “Please, sit. Since you are in Qingmei Town, let me, as the host, offer a small token of hospitality!”
“Is Young Master Li truly a native of Qingmei Town?” Liu Biyun asked curiously, sitting down gracefully.
Wang Hanyang sneered, glaring at Li Muchan, and sat beside Liu Biyun, his gaze fixed, seemingly wishing he could burn a hole through Li Muchan with his eyes.
Li Muchan laughed. “I’ve been away studying martial arts for a long time. I haven’t been back in ages. The town has changed so much since my return; things and people are different. Fortunately, this Drunken Immortal Tower hasn't changed much.” He then cast a look at Wang Hanyang and chuckled, “What, Young Hero Wang, are you still unconvinced and decided to follow me? A pity for you, I have no family to threaten, so your plan falls flat!”
“The one surnamed Li, you poison a gentleman’s heart with a villain’s thoughts! Following you—?” Wang Hanyang sneered, shaking his head dismissively. “I don’t have the leisure for such trifles!”
Li Muchan smiled. “Then why have you come to Qingmei Town?”
“Young Master Li, you are mistaken. We are here on business,” Liu Biyun explained.
Li Muchan frowned. “What business? This is a remote, impoverished corner of the world. Why would esteemed disciples of the Dragon Mountain Sect grace us with a visit?”
“It’s none of your concern what business we have!” Wang Hanyang sneered coldly.
Li Muchan smiled. “If you won’t say, then so be it. Why is Young Hero Wang so angry? If your skills are inferior, you ought to keep quiet and practice your martial arts until you’re better, instead of making such a face.”
Liu Biyun quickly intervened. “Senior Brother Wang is merely angry with himself... Young Master Li, we have come to visit the Purple Garment Palace. You must know of it, right?”
Li Muchan paused, thinking for a moment, then shook his head. “Purple Garment Palace? I’ve heard the name, but I don’t know where it is. Very few people do.”
“Hmph, so mysterious!” Wang Hanyang pouted and sneered.
Liu Biyun frowned. “Young Master Li doesn’t know either?”
Li Muchan asked, “Why are you two going to the Purple Garment Palace? I heard they rarely send disciples out.”
“We have some matters to discuss with the Purple Garment Palace,” Liu Biyun replied.
Li Muchan pondered for a moment, then said, “I can try to inquire. But don’t hold out too much hope; very few people know the location of the Purple Garment Palace.”
“We don’t know it either,” Liu Biyun nodded lightly. “That’s why we must trouble Young Master Li.”
Li Muchan smiled and waved his hand. “No need to be so formal. Besides, I also wish to curry favor with the influential Dragon Mountain Sect.”
“Finally, you said one true thing, boy!” Wang Hanyang squinted at him and sneered coldly. “But you dream if you think this little effort will get you invited up to our ranks!”
Li Muchan frowned and said sternly, “Young Hero Wang, you had better keep your mouth shut.”
“What if I don’t?” Wang Hanyang sneered, looking at him askance. He was certain that with the backing of the Dragon Mountain Sect, no one could touch him, so he acted with impunity.
Li Muchan stated gravely, “It seems I must teach you another lesson. While the Dragon Mountain Sect is strong, it is not invincible, and not everyone is afraid of you!”
“It sounds like you’re not afraid of our Dragon Mountain Sect!” Wang Hanyang squinted at him dismissively. “What arrogance!”
Li Muchan glanced at Liu Biyun. “Miss Liu, I have no desire to stoop to his level. Tell him to shut up!”
Liu Biyun said helplessly, “Young Master Li, please be considerate of Senior Brother Wang. Senior Brother Wang means no ill will; he’s just feeling sensitive.”
Li Muchan frowned and his expression darkened. “The Dragon Mountain Sect truly is too high for me to aspire to. Wang, get out—!”
“Insolent!” Wang Hanyang roared. “You get out!”
Li Muchan laughed coldly. “It seems you’re still not convinced. Do you wish to exchange blows again? Come then, I’ll oblige you!”
“Young Master Li, Senior Brother Wang!” Liu Biyun quickly intervened.
Wang Hanyang waved her off impatiently. “Junior Sister, stay out of this. I must teach him a lesson today. Don’t think for a moment he truly defeated me!”
“Senior Brother Wang, we still need to find the Purple Garment Palace,” Liu Biyun reasoned.
Wang Hanyang retorted, “He definitely knows the location! I’ll beat it out of him!”
With that, the light of his sword flashed from his waist, the tip stabbing toward Li Muchan’s chest. Li Muchan threw out a punch. Cling... The long sword was knocked aside, and he shoved the table forward, slamming it into Wang Hanyang.
Wang Hanyang braced himself with his leg, planting his foot against the table’s edge, and stepped back a pace to steady himself. Li Muchan slapped the table with his right palm. Boom! Wang Hanyang flew backward, crashing down and shattering another table.
The people quickly cleared space. There were few diners at this hour. Only the two adjacent tables, seeing the fight break out, did not flee but instead moved aside to watch the spectacle.
Li Muchan sneered, “Young Hero Wang, want another round? I suggest you go back and train diligently for ten years before showing your face in public again!”
“Bastard!” Wang Hanyang roared in fury. He flipped over and lunged toward Li Muchan, his sword forming a rain of light that enveloped his target.
Li Muchan struck out with both palms simultaneously: the left palm was steady and heavy, the right palm light and ethereal—two completely different styles of palm work that felt strangely discordant.
Cling... A melodious, faint chime sounded as his left palm struck the sword blade, while his right palm slipped through the sword light and landed squarely on Wang Hanyang’s chest, sending him flying again.
Bang! Wang Hanyang shattered a second table.
“The Gui He Miao Jing!” Liu Biyun stared at Li Muchan in surprise.
Li Muchan smiled at Liu Biyun. “Miss Liu has sharp eyes. Correct, it is indeed the Turtle Crane Divine Palm!”
“You…” Liu Biyun stared at him with wide, bright eyes.
Li Muchan slowly retracted his palms and said lightly, “Young Hero Wang, how does the flavor of the Turtle Crane Divine Palm suit you? How powerful was it?”
“Waaah!” Wang Hanyang struggled to stand, suddenly spitting out a stream of bloody saliva. He fiercely wiped the corner of his mouth, smearing the blood away carelessly, and sneered, “That’s all?”
Li Muchan shook his head. “Your skill is mediocre, but your mouth is stubborn! Again!”
“Young Master Li!” Liu Biyun instantly stepped in front of Wang Hanyang.
Li Muchan stopped, shaking his head. “Young Hero Wang, are you hiding behind a woman?”
Wang Hanyang angrily shoved Liu Biyun aside. “Junior Sister, move aside! I’ll handle this myself!”
Liu Biyun quickly urged, “Senior Brother Wang! We still have business with the Purple Garment Palace; don’t waste time arguing with him!”
Wang Hanyang glared at her. “I’m not that weak, I don’t need your help!”
Liu Biyun quickly insisted, “Senior Brother Wang, we need to find the Purple Garment Palace. Don’t get provoked by him!”
Wang Hanyang sneered coldly, “Junior Sister, am I useless?”
“Senior Brother Wang, you shouldn’t speak such things!” Liu Biyun quickly waved her hands dismissively.
Li Muchan smiled sweetly. “Young Hero Wang, knowing others is wisdom; knowing oneself is clarity. The fact that you recognize your own uselessness is a good sign; it means you can still be salvaged.”
“Shut up!” Liu Biyun snapped sharply, glaring angrily with her bright eyes.
Li Muchan smiled. “Miss Liu, I had no intention of provoking the Dragon Mountain Sect, but your esteemed Senior Brother Wang insisted on challenging me until it came to this!”
Liu Biyun glared at him with palpable resentment, her teeth biting her lower lip. “Young Master Li, please leave!”
Li Muchan’s eyebrow arched, and he smiled. “What, you intend to fight me?”
“That’s right,” Liu Biyun stated grimly. “I see that Young Master Li holds our Dragon Mountain Sect in disdain. I wish to request a few pointers from Young Master Li!”
Li Muchan laughed. “I truly don’t wish to fight Miss Liu.”
“I’ll fight on Senior Brother Wang’s behalf!” Liu Biyun huffed, turning to gently persuade Wang Hanyang. “Senior Brother Wang, I’ll fight for you; you should rest a bit.”
Li Muchan smiled and shook his head. “Young Hero Wang, are you really going to let a woman fight for you? If it were me, I would have already dashed my head against a wall in shame!”
“Junior Sister, I’ll do it myself!” Wang Hanyang’s face flushed crimson as he stated coldly, pushing Liu Biyun aside and stepping in front of Li Muchan.
“Young Master Li, you are truly detestable!” Liu Biyun glared at Li Muchan with vexed anger.
Li Muchan shook his head and laughed. “Miss Liu, from beginning to end, I was forced to act. It was your formidable Senior Brother Wang who initiated the provocation; I had no choice but to accept the challenge!”
Liu Biyun bit her lower lip between her teeth, glaring at him hatefully.
She understood perfectly; though it seemed Senior Brother Wang was always the aggressor, he was actually being led by the nose by this Young Master Li. Senior Brother Wang possessed a volatile, overbearing temper that could not tolerate insubordination, but this Young Master Li was no easy mark either. A clash between them was inevitable.
Wang Hanyang sneered, "You, surnamed Li, come on then!"
He slowly raised his long sword, gripping the hilt with both hands, the blade held vertically, perfectly aligned with his nose, his expression grave and his presence imposing.
As if a sudden gale swept across the open ground, his robes snapped loudly. Suddenly, he emitted a soft whistle, like a dragon’s cry mixed with a tiger’s roar. Within that resonant sound, he and his sword became one. He leaped toward Li Muzhan, bringing the sword down in a chopping strike aimed at the crown of his head.
This strike was akin to the 'Hua Shan Cleave' in swordsmanship. Li Muzhan drew both palms inward toward his chest. His left palm delivered a solid impact, his right palm swift and agile; almost simultaneously, both struck the blade, sandwiching the long sword from the left and right.
"Clang!" The sword was trapped between the two palms. Wang Hanyang’s eyes widened, staring at Li Muzhan in utter disbelief.
This sword technique was his secret inheritance—the unity of man and blade—generating a fierce, chilling aura potent enough to shatter the resolve and curdle the very blood of an opponent.
Li Muzhan offered him a slight smile, sidestepped, and surged forward. Amidst Liu Biyun’s cry of, "Stop!" his palms pressed firmly onto Wang Hanyang’s chest.
"Thump!" The two palms struck Wang Hanyang’s chest with solid force, sending him flying backward, spitting blood.
"Senior Brother Wang!" Liu Biyun floated upward gracefully, catching Wang Hanyang mid-air, and immediately pressed her palms against his chest to channel her internal energy and stem the injury.
The two landed softly. She gently laid Wang Hanyang onto a nearby table, keeping her palms pressed against his chest, circulating her Neili.
Li Muzhan smiled faintly, "For Miss Liu's sake, I won't kill him. Rest assured, it’s merely a minor injury!"
"A minor injury?!" Liu Biyun spun around, glaring at him angrily, "This is a minor injury?"
Li Muzhan chuckled, "There is no threat to his life, nor any risk of his cultivation being ruined. He just needs to rest for a while longer—surely that qualifies as a minor injury?"
"You..." Liu Biyun glared furiously but dared not release Wang Hanyang, who had now fallen unconscious, his face the color of pale gold.
Li Muzhan remarked, "With this shock, he will undoubtedly redouble his efforts in practice. It may not be a bad thing for him in the long run, don’t you agree, Miss Liu?"
"Nonsense!" Liu Biyun snapped back.
Li Muzhan continued, "Having suffered this setback, he now knows his true measure and won't be so arrogant. Surely that benefits him?"
"So you’re saying that by injuring Senior Brother Wang, he should actually thank you?!" Liu Biyun laughed in exasperation.
Li Muzhan nodded, then waved a dismissive hand, "Never mind, I don't crave his gratitude anyway... Miss Liu, would you like my assistance?"
"I dare not trouble you, sir!" Liu Biyun replied coldly.
Li Muzhan sighed with mock helplessness, "This Young Hero Wang, I never expected him to be so frail. Truly disappointing. Isn't Dragon Mountain Sect supposed to be formidable?"
Liu Biyun responded icily, "Young Master Li, let's trade a few moves then!"
Li Muzhan waved his hand and smiled, "Forget it. Your cultivation has deepened, but unfortunately, you are still no match for me. We can discuss it another day."
"Your words carry quite a weight," Liu Biyun sniffed, "Senior Brother Wang and I are merely the weakest among our peers. Our seniors and disciples at Dragon Mountain Sect are far superior to us. You shouldn't be so smug!"
Li Muzhan smiled, "In that case, I genuinely look forward to meeting them. I shall certainly pay a visit to Dragon Mountain Sect when the opportunity arises!"
"I hope you have the nerve!" Liu Biyun retorted with a huff.
Li Muzhan laughed, "Could it be that your Dragon Mountain Sect is a den of wolves and dragons—a place impossible to enter?"
"Precisely," Liu Biyun confirmed coldly.
"Hmm..." Wang Hanyang stirred and slowly regained consciousness.
Li Muzhan laughed, "Young Hero Wang, you’re awake? Can you still fight?"
"Young Master Li, please, you go ahead!" Liu Biyun frowned, glaring at him in annoyance.
Li Muzhan sighed dramatically, "Alright, alright, I'll leave then! Young Hero Wang, we shall meet again. Go back and practice diligently!"
"Pffft!" A spurt of blood erupted, and Wang Hanyang fell unconscious once more.
Li Muzhan let out two booming laughs, then vanished instantly from the second floor before Liu Biyun could react.