They were only twenty-six, yet they surged in like a tide, instantly surrounding Li Muzhan and his companions. Two rushed to Huang Zongqi's side, felt for a pulse, then rose with grim faces, shaking their heads at the crowd.

Everyone understood Huang Zongqi was dead, and they glared with chilling intensity at Li Muzhan and his group.

Liu Biyun's bright eyes swept around, her gaze moving slowly, tracing each person like the tip of a longsword.

Mo Jiye sighed internally but maintained a composed demeanor. He stood up, cupped his fists, and asked, "Are you disciples of the Linhai Pavilion?"

"You are Mo Jiye?!" a young man with a round face and medium build said in a deep voice. His sharp eyes swept over the five of them before settling on Mo Jiye's face: "The Four Prodigies of Dragon Mountain Sect, did you kill Junior Brother Huang?!"

Mo Jiye shook his head. "May I ask this senior brother's name first...?"

"He Juming, just an unknown nobody!" the youth stated grimly.

Mo Jiye inwardly smiled; that last phrase betrayed his ambition and frustration at being considered a mere nobody.

"So it is Young Hero He, a pleasure to meet you," Mo Jiye replied, bowing slightly. He spoke with gravity, "Gentlemen, you might not believe it, but we did not kill Young Hero Huang."

"Hmph, what Four Prodigies of Dragon Mountain Sect—dare to do it but not own up to it? Bah!" a youth with a sharp, melon-shaped face sneered contemptuously from behind, spitting out his dismissal.

Mo Jiye remained unperturbed. Xie Jianfeng opened his eyes in anger. "Shut up! ... You spout nonsense without knowing the facts! Is this the caliber of your Linhai Pavilion!?"

Li Muzhan sat quietly, observing the spectacle. If Yin Zhaojiang hadn't made a move against Liu Biyun earlier, he wouldn't have rushed to intervene.

The melon-faced youth scoffed, "Our Linhai Pavilion doesn't need commentary from Dragon Mountain Sect disciples! ... If you know what's good for you, slit your own throats!"

"With just you lot?" Xie Jianfeng retorted dismissively. "What good is being numerous!"

"Junior Brother Xie, quiet!" Mo Jiye frowned and commanded.

Xie Jianfeng glared at the opposition, huffed, but said no more.

Mo Jiye cupped his hands and smiled, "Young Hero He, I implore you to examine Young Hero Huang's injuries closely; it will be obvious who struck the fatal blow!"

He Juming frowned. Seeing Mo Jiye's unwavering expression, he guessed that they truly hadn't killed Huang Zongqi. His eyes darted around, and he stated gravely, "Junior Brother Huang's death is inseparably linked to your Dragon Mountain Sect. Everyone, kill them to avenge Junior Brother Huang!"

"Kill!" the melon-faced youth roared and started to charge forward.

"Stop!" Cui Shaoqing suddenly shouted, shaking his head. "Interesting. The Myriad Sages Sect clearly killed the man, yet you insist on taking revenge on us!"

"Myriad Sages Sect?!" The melon-faced youth paused, halting his momentum. "Did the Myriad Sages Sect really kill Junior Brother Huang?"

"Can't you see for yourself!?" Xie Jianfeng rolled his eyes coldly, glancing sideways at He Juming. "Your talk of avenging Huang Zongqi is a pretense; killing us is the real goal!"

"Nonsense, you Xie! We couldn't care less for such schemes!" the melon-faced youth shouted back, striding purposefully to Huang Zongqi's corpse. He bent down to examine it.

He Juming frowned and asked deeply, "Junior Brother Zhao, what is it?"

"Damn it, it's the Heart-Scorching Palm!" the melon-faced youth cursed hatefully.

"It truly is the Myriad Sages Sect..." The twenty-odd Linhai Pavilion disciples murmured in low tones, their faces grim. This Myriad Sages Sect was growing more audacious, daring to kill disciples of the Linhai Pavilion!

He Juming strode forward in a few steps and squatted down to touch the wound. He slowly stood up, his face so grim it seemed water might drip from it. "This Heart-Scorching Palm technique is cultivated to perfection; what formidable skill!"

Mo Jiye sighed. "It's Yin Zhaojiang!"

"Yin Zhaojiang!" the crowd exclaimed in unison.

Yin Zhaojiang, the foremost disciple of the Myriad Sages Sect, was known throughout the world, his fame even eclipsing that of the Four Prodigies of Dragon Mountain Sect.

He Juming frowned and inquired, "Is it truly Yin Zhaojiang?"

Mo Jiye shook his head and sighed. "This Yin Zhaojiang is truly extraordinary. He killed Young Hero Huang, seized the manual, and didn't flee; he waited here for us to deliver ourselves to him!"

"He got the manual?!" He Juming asked gravely.

Mo Jiye nodded and sighed. "The manual falling into the hands of the Myriad Sages Sect spells endless trouble!... It was already difficult for us to scare him off; trying to reclaim the manual now is beyond our means!"

"The four of you couldn't even handle him?" He Juming asked skeptically.

Mo Jiye sighed. "The four of us combined couldn't stop him! ... To be frank, you are fortunate. If you had arrived earlier, Yin Zhaojiang would have slaughtered all of you!"

The melon-faced youth curled his lip in disdain. "Boasting wildly! How old is he? How strong can he possibly be!"

Mo Jiye replied, "Why would I trumpet his glory?... Look at Young Hero Huang's injuries, and you'll know. He couldn't withstand a single move!"

Everyone looked over. He Juming nodded bitterly. "Junior Brother Huang was indeed killed in one move!"

"Yin Zhaojiang—!" The melon-faced youth snarled angrily. "If I don't kill you, I swear I'm not human!"

Mo Jiye stated, "Young Hero Zhao, in my view, you won't be able to kill Yin Zhaojiang."

"Nonsense!" the melon-faced youth roared in fury. "It's all your fault! Your Dragon Mountain Sect is incompetent; this incident occurred because of you, leading to Junior Brother Huang's death!"

Mo Jiye frowned and remained silent. Xie Jianfeng couldn't help but snort angrily. "You, Xie, stop shifting blame! I'd like to ask, why did that traitor specifically come here? He was obviously heading for you lot. Is he one of yours?!"

The melon-faced youth bellowed, "Bullshit! You Xie, we conduct ourselves honorably; how could such a traitor be one of ours!?"

"Then that's strange!" Xie Jianfeng curled his lip and said sarcastically, "If he's not yours, why would he seek refuge with you?"

He Juming interjected, "He realized that only our Linhai Pavilion is worthy..."

"Heh, you're too arrogant. With just your Linhai Pavilion, can you withstand our Dragon Mountain Sect?" Xie Jianfeng sneered, rolling his eyes. "He truly is one of your Linhai Pavilion disciples, hiding on the mountain for ten years. I admit, I'm somewhat impressed by his patience!"

"You Xie, stop spitting slander!" the melon-faced youth grunted.

Xie Jianfeng sneered, "You know the truth in your own hearts!"

"Enough, Junior Brother Zhao!" He Juming waved his hand dismissively. "Words are in the mouths of others; let him say what he pleases!"

"He's too infuriating!" the melon-faced youth grumbled. "Senior Brother He, teach them a lesson!"

Without waiting for He Juming to respond, he charged toward Xie Jianfeng with his sword drawn.

He Juming raised his hand, opened his mouth to speak, but Xie Jianfeng stepped forward, twisted his body, and struck out with his palm, engaging him in a brawl.

He Juming frowned and closed his mouth. Mo Jiye shook his head repeatedly. Liu Biyun moved to his side and whispered, "Senior Brother Mo, you shouldn't have fought!"

Mo Jiye shook his head. "How could they let this opportunity slip by?"

Liu Biyun frowned, glanced at the combatants, and chastised softly, "Since the fight has started, let's be decisive and finish it quickly, to avoid complications later!"

Mo Jiye turned to look at Li Muzhan and asked in a low voice, "Brother Li, are you alright?"

"He's injured; we shouldn't disturb him," Liu Biyun frowned, shaking her head, whispering, "Senior Brother Mo, are you alright?"

Mo Jiye watched Xie Jianfeng and smiled, shaking his head. "We can still hold our own. I'll engage Junior Brother Cui, and you protect Brother Li!"

Liu Biyun nodded and whispered, "Mm, make it quick!"

Their voices were suppressed so low that others couldn't hear them, not even Cui Shaoqing, who understood Mo Jiye's signals through their tacit understanding.

Xie Jianfeng was like a child under Yin Zhaojiang's pressure, but he was far superior to the melon-faced youth—it was like the disparity between Yin Zhaojiang and himself; the gap was too wide.

Xie Jianfeng shook his head. "Linhai Pavilion disciples are nothing more than this!"

He knocked aside the opponent's sword and followed up with a palm strike, hitting the melon-faced youth squarely in the chest. With a dull bang like a drum strike, the youth flew backward, spewing a streak of blood mid-air.

He Juming quickly floated forward to catch him. "Junior Brother Zhao?! Senior Brother Zhao?!"

The melon-faced youth wiped the blood from his lips and said fiercely, "Senior Brother He, deal with him for me!"

He Juming checked his injury, secretly relieved. He looked up and shouted, "All you junior brothers, the Four Prodigies of Dragon Mountain Sect live up to their name! One-on-one, they are not our match. Let's attack together—injure them, but do not kill!"

"Kill!" the crowd roared in agreement.

Just as they were about to charge, Mo Jiye shouted, "Fight!"

The three formed a triangle, piercing the crowd like a wedge. Immediately, roars, screams, and groans erupted. The three of them were like wolves among sheep, taking down half the group in moments.

Li Muzhan kept his eyes closed, opening his Void Eyes, watching with admiration. The title 'Four Prodigies of Dragon Mountain Sect' was well-earned; their skills were indeed impressive, far surpassing the Linhai Pavilion disciples.

He Juming saw the situation turning sour and said gravely, "Head over there!"

He led the charge towards Li Muzhan. Liu Biyun's jade face darkened. As He Juming approached, the tip of her sword shot out like a cold star.

Clang... He Juming swung his sword to parry but was forced a step back, looking at Liu Biyun with surprise. A tremendous force traveled up his blade, threatening to wrench it from his grasp.

Liu Biyun narrowed her bright eyes, silent, staring fixedly at him.

The disciples behind him tried to rush forward together but were entangled by Mo Jiye's trio. Their sword lights formed a cage, trapping them.

Liu Biyun's eyes held a chilling coldness.

He Juming smiled, "Miss Liu, is it?"

Liu Biyun replied coldly, "Step forward, and you die!"

He Juming's gaze bypassed Liu Biyun and landed on Li Muzhan. He smiled, "May I ask who this young hero is...?"

"You don't need to know," Liu Biyun stated flatly.

He Juming smiled. "It seems he is very important to Miss Liu."

Liu Biyun kept a cold face and offered no comment.

He Juming edged forward one step. Liu Biyun raised her sword again and turned her head. "Senior Brother Mo, Young Master He won't stop until he sees the coffin!"

Mo Jiye responded, "If they insist on being obtuse, we can only kill!"

He Juming smiled, shaking his head. "Miss Liu, Young Hero Mo, I know you won't deliver the killing blow."

Mo Jiye stated gravely, "Young Hero He, this person is our savior. It's fine if you fight us, but if you try to plot against him, we will have to kill!"

He Juming glanced at Mo Jiye, then at Liu Biyun, and smiled, "Who exactly is this person?"

"You are unworthy to know!" Mo Jiye said grimly.

He had held some reservations about He Juming earlier, but having witnessed his despicable tactics, respect vanished, and his tone grew less courteous.

"Hehe, interesting!" He Juming laughed, and the smile vanished as he suddenly lunged at Liu Biyun. His sword light transformed into a streak of cold starlight, astonishingly fast.

Liu Biyun snorted in anger, a cold killing intent rising within her. Her sword light formed an arc—Clang... Liu Biyun's sword was blocked, followed by a torrential storm of furious attacks from her.

He Juming was forced to retreat step by step. Liu Biyun's internal energy far surpassed his. While her swordsmanship lacked his refinement, her speed compensated for the lack of intricacy.

Liu Biyun's anger fueled her killing intent. He Juming's character was mediocre, but his swordsmanship showed true lineage. He retreated step by step, barely managing to hold on.

"Junior Brother Cui, Junior Brother Xie!" Mo Jiye said gravely.

The two nodded, and with perfect synergy, they exerted force again. Screams rang out, and three more disciples fell. Mo Jiye shot toward Liu Biyun's flank, shouting loudly, "Junior Sister Liu, let me!"

Liu Biyun retreated to stand before Li Muzhan, holding her sword horizontally, scanning their surroundings. Mo Jiye's sword light forced He Juming back, leaving him breathless.

"You, He, you are seeking your own demise; don't blame us!" Mo Jiye shook his head and sighed. As his words fell, his left palm strangely pierced through the sword light and struck He Juming's chest.

Thump! He Juming was sent flying backward, landing heavily with a thud.

"Senior Brother He!" The melon-faced youth rushed to help He Juming up. Blood gurgled from He Juming's mouth. The youth hurriedly pressed a medicinal pill to his lips, but the blood washed it away.

"Senior Brother He!" the melon-faced youth cried out in distress.

"Here! Over here!" Hurried footsteps approached. Mo Jiye looked up, his face changing drastically. Over thirty Linhai Pavilion disciples were pouring out of the woods.

The melon-faced youth shrieked, "Hurry and save Senior Brother He!"

Two middle-aged men floated forward. They touched a few pressure points on He Juming's chest, then helped him sit up, placing him cross-legged with their palms pressed against his heart, channeling inner force.

Another middle-aged man checked He Juming's pulse. After a moment, he nodded. "His life is saved!"

"Junior Brother Cui, Junior Brother Xie, return!" Mo Jiye said gravely, floating back to Li Muzhan's side.

Cui Shaoqing and Xie Jianfeng also quickly retreated, forming a quadrilateral formation with Liu Biyun to guard Li Muzhan.

Footsteps sounded again; another dozen Linhai Pavilion disciples rushed in.

Mo Jiye realized inwardly that someone must have sent a signal—a secret signal of the Linhai Pavilion, executed without anyone noticing. He lamented that his actions were too slow; he hadn't managed to finish it swiftly!

"Junior Brother Zhao, what's going on?!" a burly middle-aged man said deeply.

His physique was rugged and imposing, like a giant bear, nearly half a head taller than others. The longsword at his waist looked remarkably small, like an embroidered needle.

The melon-faced youth yelled, "Senior Brother Jiang, avenge Senior Brother He!"

"Is Junior Brother He dead?" the imposing man asked solemnly.

The middle-aged man monitoring He Juming's pulse shook his head. "Senior Brother Jiang, he won't die."

The burly man nodded. "Good, he's not dead!... The Four Prodigies of Dragon Mountain Sect are all here. A pleasure to meet you!"

Mo Jiye managed a bitter smile. "Great Hero Jiang, we meet again!"

He sighed inwardly. This Jiang Guiliu was a formidable figure, an outstanding disciple of the Linhai Pavilion, whose martial arts surpassed his own. This was troublesome.

"Little Mo, you intended to strike a fatal blow!" Jiang Guiliu said gravely.

Mo Jiye retorted, "Great Hero Jiang, your words are misplaced. If I truly intended to kill, they wouldn't have waited for you to arrive!"

"That is true," Jiang Guiliu nodded. "Their martial arts are too inferior... What exactly happened?"

Mo Jiye explained, "Young Hero He saw that the four of us were injured and tried to take advantage of the situation. How could we simply lie down and wait to die? We could only fight back."

Jiang Guiliu turned to the melon-faced youth and asked, "What are you protecting?"

Mo Jiye replied, "Our savior."

Jiang Guiliu stated gravely, "Leave this person, and the rest of you may go!"

Mo Jiye's expression changed. "Great Hero Jiang, do you truly intend to make things difficult for us?"

Jiang Guiliu smiled. "What, are you planning to fight again?"

Mo Jiye said grimly, "It is uncertain who will win; let's settle this with our hands!"

"Good, worthy of being called disciples of Dragon Mountain Sect—bold! Attack!" Jiang Guiliu waved his hand, and the crowd surged forward, a vast expanse of sword light enveloping them.

Clang, clang, clang, clang... Amidst continuous, clear ringing sounds, the four joined forces to block the surrounding siege, protecting Li Muzhan in the center.

Li Muzhan slowly opened his eyes and sighed. He had initially intended to watch the fun, unconcerned with their fate, but now that it had come to this, he couldn't ignore it.

Liu Biyun had been constantly watching Li Muzhan. As soon as she saw his eyes open, she quickly asked, "Big Brother Li, are you alright now?"

Li Muzhan shook his head. "I'm fine... What is happening?"

Liu Biyun swung her sword while smiling, "It's good that Big Brother Li is awake. Senior Brother Mo, let's go!"

"Good!" Mo Jiye said grimly. The four simultaneously intensified their sword light, pushing back the crowd's siege, and began moving west on foot.

They moved, spoke, and fought simultaneously. The attackers, despite their fierce assaults, could not stop their movement and were forced to move west along with them.

Jiang Guiliu's face darkened, and he commanded sternly, "Thirteenth generation disciples, step back! Twelfth generation disciples, advance!"

The crowd shifted—some retreating, others advancing—and twelve middle-aged men moved into the inner circle, besieging Mo Jiye and his three companions.

These twelve men had deeper cultivation and more exquisite swordsmanship. Mo Jiye and his group immediately faced immense pressure.

Li Muzhan frowned and sighed. "The disciples of Linhai Pavilion truly have made a name for themselves!"

He could see that Mo Jiye and his group were at their limit. They had used secret arts earlier and hadn't recovered before entering combat; now, they were finally breaking.

He bent down, picked up a few small stones from the ground, crushed them into fragments with a light squeeze, and then flicked them out with his fingers.

With a series of soft whistles—Chi, chi, chi, chi—Linhai Pavilion disciples froze, their vital points struck. In moments, over twenty of them were immobilized.

Li Muzhan did not stop his movements. Small pebbles flew out from his sleeves, falling into the crowd, hitting their mark unfailingly. In the blink of an eye, ten more men were struck.

Jiang Guiliu stared grimly at Li Muzhan, but Li Muzhan's hand remained hidden in his sleeve; all Jiang Guiliu could see were the stones flying out, unable to discern how he achieved it.

Jiang Guiliu shouted sternly, "What powerful hidden weapons! Everyone, don't hold back, attack—"

Before his words finished, a streak of light shot towards him. He quickly blocked with his sword held horizontally before his throat—Ding... Amidst the continuous, lingering chime, he slid back a full two zhang.

He looked down; his face changed dramatically. A stone the size of a soybean was embedded in his sword.

He was stunned by this earth-shattering level of power. He turned to look at Li Muzhan, who smiled faintly. "Everyone should disperse. Go back to what you were doing. What do you say, Great Hero Jiang?"

PS: I created a poll; if you have time, please cast a vote.