Li Muzhan chuckled. "Young Hero Huang, I’m only helping out because we’ve met. Otherwise, they would have simply taken it from you, and you’d have been powerless, wouldn't you?"

"That’s true enough…" Huang Zongqi nodded faintly.

Li Muzhan continued, "Don't worry, I can’t be bothered to kill them."

Huang Zongqi frowned at him. Li Muzhan suddenly leaped over to one of the corpses, gave it a light tap, and the body instantly sprang upright, startling everyone.

The middle-aged man surnamed Li jumped to his feet, his eyes wide and confused when he landed, finally looking toward the man in the green shirt: "Senior Brother You, what… what happened to you all?"

"Junior Brother Li, you certainly slept soundly!" the man in the green shirt said irritably.

The middle-aged man surnamed Li frowned, thinking back, then turned and glared at Li Muzhan. Li Muzhan just smiled. "The Broken Peak Palm, it can sever a person's connection to life, but it can result in death or survival—life and death hang on a single thought. Young Hero Huang, are you reassured now?"

"You…" Huang Zongqi was utterly dumbfounded.

Li Muzhan laughed. "Lin Hai Pavilion is, after all, a great sect under heaven. How could I push things so far? Consider our debt settled. If you press the matter further, I won't be so polite!... Young Hero Huang, have you made up your mind?"

Huang Zongqi glanced at the green-shirted man staring intently at him, as well as the other hidden swords, then slowly looked away and nodded to Li Muzhan. "Then I must trouble you."

"You owe me this favor, mind you. It will need repaying in the future!" Li Muzhan said with a smile.

Huang Zongqi nodded slowly. "I shall repay you handsomely!... Senior Brother You, Junior Brother Li, please forgive my offense!"

The green-shirted man sneered. "Little Huang, you have some nerve, colluding with an outsider to plot against your own martial brothers!"

"Senior Brother You, I was truly forced into it. If it were you in my place, you would do the same, wouldn't you?" Huang Zongqi sighed helplessly, cupping his hands. "I ask for your forgiveness for any offense given. I will certainly apologize properly later!"

"Hmph, I’d like to see what you can accomplish!" the green-shirted man scoffed coldly.

The middle-aged man surnamed Li looked between the green-shirted man and Huang Zongqi, utterly bewildered. "Senior Brother You, what is going on?"

"Junior Brother Li, Little Huang is planning to join forces with this fellow to imprison us," the green-shirted man said, pointing at Li Muzhan.

"Him—?" The middle-aged man surnamed Li erupted in anger. "Imprison us? What incredible audacity!"

Li Muzhan smiled. "Great Hero You, you exaggerate. Imprisonment this or that—let's just be friends. We can spar and exchange insights on martial arts over the next few days. It will benefit us all!"

"Bah!" The middle-aged man surnamed Li spat disdainfully.

Li Muzhan frowned at him, shook his head, and said, "Forget it. Young Hero Huang, you should leave. I'll reason with them."

"Very well." Huang Zongqi cupped his hands. "Senior Brother You, Junior Brother Li, I shall return to the Pavilion first. We will meet again."

"Kid, I hope you make it back safely," the green-shirted man sneered.

Huang Zongqi smiled faintly. "Thank you for your kind words, Senior Brother You. Farewell."

With that, he nodded to Li Muzhan and gracefully drifted away.

The green-shirted man and the others remained still. However, the middle-aged man surnamed Li was clearly unconvinced. He stepped forward instantly behind Huang Zongqi, a flash of sword light intending to strike.

Li Muzhan moved. "Ugh…" The middle-aged man surnamed Li grunted and stumbled backward, clutching his right wrist. His long sword had already clattered to the ground.

Li Muzhan returned his sword to its sheath and smiled.

Seeing that display of swordsmanship, everyone’s expression shifted slightly. Earlier, when he fought them all alone, he had held the upper hand, but nothing had shocked them as much as this single strike.

Junior Brother Li’s swordsmanship was exquisite, inferior to none of them, yet he couldn't even manage a single exchange. Such a vast gulf shook them.

Li Muzhan swept his gaze over the green-shirted man and smiled broadly. "Great Hero You, you want everyone to rush me at once, but I can only be in one place at a time. Is that right?"

The green-shirted man slowly nodded. "Precisely. Do you have a way to counter that?"

Li Muzhan shook his head. "I don't really have a way. I truly cannot handle all ten of you alone. However, I will certainly catch one, and then kill him."

"How dare you—!" the green-shirted man roared indignantly.

Li Muzhan smiled. "Great Hero You, why don't you try? Though Lin Hai Pavilion is mighty, I, a lone individual, am not afraid. Otherwise, I wouldn't have done something like this, would I?... Besides, you wouldn't dare speak of today's events, forcing you to swallow the loss in silence!"

"The one surnamed Li, you are asking for death!" the green-shirted man said coldly.

Li Muzhan nodded and laughed. "Great Hero You, you speak correctly. In truth, I've been looking to die. I find existence utterly meaningless—fighting for trivial gains, scheming against each other, utterly devoid of human feeling. This world shouldn't exist at all!"

The green-shirted man stared intently at Li Muzhan, trying to gauge if he was lying. Li Muzhan looked at him with genuine sincerity, every word sounding like the truth from his heart.

The green-shirted man felt a chill. This seemed to be a coldly rational madman—calm in his demeanor, yet capable of any insane act.

One who fears no death naturally fears no Lin Hai Pavilion. He is capable of killing, and judging by his earlier restraint, he seemed to have been holding back.

Li Muzhan smiled faintly. "I don't wish to kill many or create much sin. But if you force my hand, you can't blame me. Killing, in that case, isn't creating sin."

"What do you intend to do?!" the green-shirted man asked coldly.

Li Muzhan smiled. "I haven't yet had the honor of asking Great Hero You's esteemed name!"

"You, Jing, Nian!" the green-shirted man stated coldly, each syllable spat out through clenched teeth.

Li Muzhan nodded. "Great Hero You, I am merely helping a friend with a small matter. Why not let me have my way, and we can get along peacefully for a few days?"

"There's nothing peaceful about getting along!" You Jingnian said heavily.

Li Muzhan smiled. "We can spar in swordsmanship. My sword skills are passable, aren't they?"

"Fine swordplay, I admire it!" You Jingnian grunted.

Li Muzhan shook his head. "That’s not sincere. You’re still unconvinced, aren't you?"

You Jingnian was silent for a moment, then nodded. "Yes!"

Li Muzhan laughed. "I knew it! Great Hero You hasn't shown his ultimate skills yet! Hurry, let me witness them properly!"

"You really want to see my ultimate skills?" You Jingnian asked slowly.

Li Muzhan nodded. "Naturally!"

"Senior Brother You!" the others groaned in unison, their faces grim.

You Jingnian waved them off. "My mind is made up. I want to test my true abilities against him, so he won't look down on our Lin Hai Pavilion!"

"Senior Brother You, no!" the middle-aged man surnamed Li stated gravely, ignoring the injury to his wrist, waving his hand frantically. "It’s not worth dying here!"

"Yes, yes!" the others nodded hurriedly.

Li Muzhan laughed. "I know. Great Hero You plans to use a move that means mutual destruction, correct?... Forget it. We have no previous grievances and no recent enmity. Why resort to that?... If you fail to kill me, won't that implicate them?"

"What do you mean by that?" You Jingnian asked heavily.

Li Muzhan smiled faintly. "If I truly unleash my killing intent, I can't guarantee I won't kill them!... If all else fails, I'll simply storm into Lin Hai Pavilion and explain the whole affair clearly!"

"You—!" You Jingnian's expression wavered.

If Li Muzhan truly exposed the matter to Lin Hai Pavilion, they would all suffer terribly—not only expelled and crippled but losing all reputation. All their years of effort would vanish into smoke. It would be worse than death!

"Fine, fine, the one surnamed Li, you are formidable!" You Jingnian's face darkened to the point of dripping water, his teeth grinding, wishing he could tear Li Muzhan to pieces.

Li Muzhan shook his head and smiled. "Let's just spar a bit in swordsmanship. Lin Hai Pavilion's sword arts are marvelous, but unfortunately, your practice lacks true mastery. Come on, Great Hero You, let's have a go!"

Without waiting for You Jingnian’s reply, he swiftly moved forward and thrust his sword. You Jingnian took a deep breath; his body seemed to expand slightly before his sword light shot out like lightning. The two clashed, a series of "ding, ding, ding, ding" ringing out.

Li Muzhan's swordsmanship was no longer fiercely sharp; instead, it was slow, adopting a purely defensive stance. Seeing this, You Jingnian made no courtesies, his sword light surging as he sought to breach Li Muzhan's defense.

Li Muzhan’s sword moves were very slow, deliberate, and relaxed—less like fighting and more like he was enjoying a personal sword dance, exuding effortless contentment.

You Jingnian was filled with pent-up rage, yearning to kill Li Muzhan with his own hands. Every sword stroke was meant to kill; he was a master among the hidden swords, his style filled with killing intent. But against Li Muzhan, it was like ice meeting fire—once caught within Li Muzhan’s sword aura, the killing force melted away, losing all its power.

"Oh?" As they were engaged, a faint sound suddenly came from the woods.

"Who is it!" Both charged into the woods. Li Muzhan glanced over, still maintaining his slow defensive posture, unafraid they might use the chance to flee, knowing they wouldn't run.

They wouldn't flee for two reasons: one, they were constrained by the fear that he might actually go to Lin Hai Pavilion and expose the incident; and two, they harbored murderous intent and were constantly searching for an opening.

They were all Hidden Swords of Lin Hai Pavilion. Their arts of stealth and assassination far surpassed ordinary men, and they possessed great patience. Right now, they couldn't defeat Li Muzhan, but that didn't mean they couldn't in the future. Opportunities would arise; the key was seizing them—a swift, killing blow was their specialty.

"Ding, ding, ding, ding…" Dense sounds of metal clashing echoed in the woods. You Jingnian said gravely, "Go check it out!"

"Yes." Everyone answered. Except for the two injured men, the rest rushed into the woods, followed by a sharp feminine cry: "You are people from Lin Hai Pavilion!"

Li Muzhan frowned. He instantly recognized Liu Biyun's voice.

"Is that Miss Liu?" Li Muzhan called out loudly.

"Young Master Li?!" Liu Biyun responded.

Li Muzhan said gravely, "Great Hero You, Miss Liu is my friend. Show mercy!"

"Ding, ding, ding, ding…" The sound of metal clashing stopped abruptly the moment Li Muzhan finished speaking.

Li Muzhan shook his head with a wry smile and returned his sword to its sheath, standing still.

Several figures slowly emerged from the woods. Leading them was Liu Biyun, but a cold, flashing long sword was resting against her throat, held by a middle-aged man.

Behind Liu Biyun were three youths in sapphire blue robes, each with a long sword pressed against their throats, their eyes blazing with fierce anger, their expressions so grim they looked as if they could eat someone alive.

Li Muzhan sighed and smiled. "Miss Liu, we meet again!"

Liu Biyun replied, "Young Master Li, indeed we meet again!"

Li Muzhan smiled. "Has Miss Liu been well?"

"I am fine. This time, I was sent by my master to hunt down a traitor. I didn't expect to run into people from Lin Hai Pavilion... This is internal business for our Long Shan Sect. Does Lin Hai Pavilion truly intend to interfere?!" Liu Biyun spoke calmly, her eyes fixed on You Jingnian.

"Are you friends with Li Guanhai?" You Jingnian asked grimly.

Liu Biyun nodded. "Yes. Young Master Li saved my life!"

"Very good!" You Jingnian let out two dry chuckles and looked languidly at Li Muzhan. "Young Master Li, how do you suggest we handle this?"

Li Muzhan smiled. "Great Hero You intends to use them to threaten me?"

You Jingnian smiled and nodded. "Exactly. I intend to use them to threaten you!"

Li Muzhan sighed, shaking his head helplessly. "Is this all Lin Hai Pavilion is capable of?"

You Jingnian stated grimly, "We are disgraced disciples of Lin Hai Pavilion, not representative of the Pavilion itself, but of our own incompetence. Li Guanhai, will you move aside?"

Li Muzhan asked, "What if I refuse?"

"Then I apologize; we’ll just have to kill them," You Jingnian said coolly. "We wanted to kill people from Long Shan Sect anyway."

Li Muzhan countered, "If I let you pass, you'll release them?"

"Naturally!" You Jingnian nodded. "For your sake, we'll spare them this time. We'll hunt them down next time!"

Li Muzhan glanced at Liu Biyun, who quickly said, "Young Master Li!"

Li Muzhan waved his hand and sighed. "Forget it. Great Hero You, your luck is still holding. It’s just that Young Hero Huang had terrible luck. You may leave!"

"Straightforward!" You Jingnian laughed, looking relaxed. "Young Master Li, we will certainly remember this score, and we will collect it from you sooner or later!"

Li Muzhan smiled. "That’s fine; I’ll be waiting. I’d love to see the sword arts of Lin Hai Pavilion again!"

"Until we meet again!" You Jingnian stared deeply at him, then waved a hand. "Let's go!"

"Go!" the others shouted in unison, sheathing their swords and disappearing into the woods. Only Liu Biyun and her group remained, glaring with dark expressions.

This loss was utterly inexplicable. The moment they approached, they were surrounded. All ten of them possessed outstanding martial arts, especially exquisite swordsmanship, and they swarmed them; they couldn't block more than a few exchanges.

Li Muzhan beckoned. "Miss Liu, you finally caught up?"

"Alas…" Liu Biyun withdrew her gaze and shook her head. "Ten Hidden Swords moving in unison—what an impressive show of force. Was it meant for you, Young Master Li?"

Li Muzhan nodded. "Mmm. I fought them."

"Who won?" Liu Biyun asked.

Li Muzhan smiled. "With Miss Liu's discerning eye, can't you tell?"

"I just find it hard to believe. You managed to fight all ten of them?" Liu Biyun smiled, pursing her lips.

Li Muzhan nodded with a slight smile. "It was not difficult!"

"Alright, alright, let's take your word for it," Liu Biyun smiled. "Young Master Li, allow me to introduce my Senior Brother Mo Jiye, Senior Brother Cui Shaoqing, and Senior Brother Xie Jianfeng!"

Li Muzhan cupped his hands and smiled. "A pleasure, a pleasure!... Miss Liu, are these three the Four Heroes of Long Shan Sect?"

"Young Master Li has heard of them?" Liu Biyun smiled and nodded. "Yes, the three Senior Brothers are indeed referred to as the Four Heroes."

"And who is the last one?" Li Muzhan inquired.

Liu Biyun looked slightly embarrassed. Cui Shaoqing, who had been expressionless until now, suddenly spoke: "Far away in the horizon, yet right before your eyes!"

The three had distinct appearances: Mo Jiye had a melon seed face and bright, shining eyes; Cui Shaoqing was ugly, his blank expression suggesting he couldn't smile; Xie Jianfeng had a face like jade and eyes like bright stars, handsome and dashing—a rare sight.

Standing together, they exuded unique auras that commanded respect.

When Cui Shaoqing spoke, Li Muzhan looked at Liu Biyun with surprise and chuckled, "Miss Liu, you are also one of the Four Heroes of Long Shan Sect?"

Liu Biyun pursed her lips and smiled, looking a little ashamed. "It’s embarrassing to say, Young Master Li will know immediately upon thinking about it. Because I am a woman, my senior brothers look out for me. They tolerate me; it’s not that my actual skill is that high!"

Cui Shaoqing said, "Junior Sister Liu, stop being so modest. Your skill is only higher than ours, not lower. Don't think we're all fools and don't know!"

Liu Biyun looked at Cui Shaoqing with surprise, then at the other two. Mo Jiye smiled. "Junior Sister Liu, Junior Brother Cui speaks the truth. We all know your skills are excellent."

Liu Biyun smiled shyly. "It’s just that everyone lets me have my way. I understand."

Li Muzhan laughed. "Miss Liu, please don't be so modest... You are here tracking down the one surnamed Zheng, aren't you?"

"Precisely," Liu Biyun nodded. "Young Master Li has heard of him too?"

Li Muzhan smiled and shook his head. "Not only have I heard of him, but I saw it with my own eyes!"

"Hmm—?" Liu Biyun looked at him in astonishment.

Li Muzhan laughed. "You arrived a step too late. The one surnamed Zheng was killed by people from Lin Hai Pavilion, and they took the manual and left!"

"Senior Brother Zheng was killed?!" Liu Biyun’s face shifted slightly.

Li Muzhan nodded. "You know the person—Huang Zongqi of Lin Hai Pavilion!"

"It was him?!" Liu Biyun frowned. "It turned out to be him!"

Li Muzhan said, "His martial arts were decent enough to watch. Your Senior Brother Zheng’s skills were rather ordinary!"

"Senior Brother Zheng’s martial arts were very strong!" Liu Biyun shook her head and sighed.

Li Muzhan shook his head. "He was killed by Huang Zongqi in a single sword strike. I didn't see any particular skill in him."

"Young Master Li, why did you get into a fight with them?" Liu Biyun asked.

Li Muzhan explained, "I intended to pursue Young Hero Huang, but they obstructed me, so a fight broke out."

"It seems Lin Hai Pavilion is intentionally doing this!" Liu Biyun scoffed lightly. "Lin Hai Pavilion has considerable nerve!"

Li Muzhan smiled. "I heard it was about your Long Shan Sect’s Thirty-Six Arts. Is the manual on that Zheng fellow really the Lotus Heart Palm from the Thirty-Six Arts?"

"...Mmm." Liu Biyun nodded slightly.

Li Muzhan inquired, "The Lotus Heart Palm is difficult to master, isn't it?"

"Almost no one has succeeded in practicing it," Liu Biyun sighed.

"Almost?" Li Muzhan smiled. "That means someone has succeeded?"

"...Someone has succeeded," Liu Biyun hesitated for a moment, then slowly nodded.

"Who?" Li Muzhan asked curiously.

Liu Biyun replied, "It was Ancestor Qiu. Ancestor Qiu spends nearly the entire year in seclusion, cultivating diligently."

"And how old is your Ancestor Qiu?" Li Muzhan asked.

Liu Biyun thought for a moment, then shook her head. "I don't know. Very few people know exactly how old Ancestor Qiu is."

Cui Shaoqing supplied, "At least three hundred years old!"

"Three hundred years…" Li Muzhan nodded. "No wonder. Over two centuries of arduous practice, and even the most formidable ultimate technique can be mastered."

Liu Biyun shook her head. "My master told me that the Lotus Heart Palm cannot be mastered through sheer hard work alone; it requires fortune and comprehension."