"What is it, Junior Sister? Have you been injured?" Yin Zhaojiang asked with immediate concern.

Li Muzhan smiled faintly, "Has the young lady's injury not yet healed?"

Yi Xiaoru gave a slight nod, "I cannot perform the secret arts right now; Senior Sister still needs to take action."

Yin Zhaojiang shook his head with a bitter smile, "Senior Sister Zhu said she is powerless to help... Alas, it seems this time we return empty-handed again!"

Yi Xiaoru glanced sideways at him. Yin Zhaojiang offered a helpless, wry smile, "We shouldn't have ignored Junior Sister's advice, but now that it's come to this, if Junior Sister doesn't act soon, the Divine Sword Sect will truly escape!"

Yi Xiaoru shook her head, "I truly have no way."

Li Muzhan asked, "Miss Yi, were those three fellows from last time from the Divine Sword Sect?"

"Yes." Yi Xiaoru nodded, "This is an internal matter for our sect, sir; it would be best if you did not interfere."

Yin Zhaojiang quickly chimed in in agreement, "Yes, yes, Brother He should definitely stand aside. Every member of the Divine Sword Sect is venomous; if Brother He were to be..." If something untoward happened, we would never forgive ourselves!"

Li Muzhan smiled, "Young Master Yin, I have long admired your reputation. Now that I finally meet you, how about we exchange a few moves? Let this country bumpkin open his eyes!"

"Brother He wants to fight me?" Yin Zhaojiang was taken aback, seeming unable to believe it, then laughed, "I don't think that's necessary..."

Li Muzhan smiled, "Does Young Master Yin look down on me?"

Yin Zhaojiang thought so but couldn't voice it; he shook his head helplessly, "Brother He is thinking too much!"

Li Muzhan smiled, "Since that is the case, what harm is there in exchanging a few moves? Winning or losing is secondary; it's just to witness Young Master Yin's masterful techniques! I, too, have long admired the martial arts of the Myriad Saints Sect; how could I miss such a fine opportunity!"

Yin Zhaojiang looked toward Yi Xiaoru, "Junior Sister, what do you think...?"

Yi Xiaoru snorted, "As you wish!"

Yin Zhaojiang nodded helplessly, "Since Brother He insists on a friendly spar, your enthusiasm is too kind to refuse. Then let us exchange a few simple moves!"

Li Muzhan chuckled heartily, "Excellent, then let us compare palm techniques!"

"Good!" Yin Zhaojiang readily agreed.

The two gracefully moved out of the covered walkway... arriving at an open space beside the lake. Li Muzhan assumed a stance and smiled, "Young Master Yin, be careful; I am a few years older, after all!"

Yin Zhaojiang stood with one hand behind his back, closing his folding fan with the other. He extended his hand and smiled, "Brother He, please, I will give this my full attention. Brother He must also be careful; martial cultivation is not determined by age."

"Very well, watch this!" Li Muzhan laughed loudly and suddenly struck out a palm, instantly reaching Yin Zhaojiang's chest with lightning speed.

Since losing that initial encounter, Yin Zhaojiang dared not underestimate any expert again; he became cautious. Although he sensed Li Muzhan wasn't using full power, he dared not meet the blow head-on. He turned his palm into a blade, slicing toward Li Muzhan's wrist.

Li Muzhan changed his move, striking at Yin Zhaojiang's wrist again. Their changes in movement were so swift they blurred the onlookers' vision. After more than twenty exchanges, their palms had not touched even once.

Yi Xiaoru stood on the covered walkway, leaning on the railing to observe them. Seeing their practiced hands and exquisite techniques, she nodded lightly, then shook her head again.

She truly couldn't fathom how Li Muzhan had trained. Could the palm techniques of the Purple Silken Palace be this powerful? This didn't seem like a supreme art of the Purple Silken Palace; it bore a faint resemblance to the style of the Dragon Mountain Sect.

However, the martial arts of the Dragon Mountain Sect were vast and varied, with thirty-six arts, each perfected, yet utterly distinct from one another. Without a special method, one could not cultivate more than one style successfully.

Li Muzhan's palm technique held a shadow of the Dragon Mountain Sect's martial arts, yet it was not theirs. Yi Xiaoru recalled that his beloved was one of the Four Heroes of the Dragon Mountain Sect, which provided some clarity, yet a wave of unease immediately followed.

Li Muzhan smiled, "Young Master Yin truly lives up to his fame!"

"I hadn't expected Brother He's palm techniques to be so exquisite; I am impressed!" Yin Zhaojiang praised.

He was genuinely impressed. His own technique was the Myriad Phenomena Palm, forged from the essence of all palm schools under heaven—a marvel of subtlety, perhaps one of the absolute peak palm arts of the Myriad Saints Sect. While he might not rank among the absolute strongest in sheer force, he believed few could match his technique's finesse. Yet, this Brother He managed to fend him off, countering every move without falling behind—it was truly astonishing.

Even those who had witnessed the Myriad Phenomena Palm found it hard to memorize. It contained three hundred and sixty forms. Without his innate gift for total recall, he could never have mastered it. Furthermore, those three hundred and sixty forms could evolve into seven hundred and twenty, or even one thousand four hundred. Certain combinations could spawn infinite subtle techniques.

Li Muzhan’s exquisite palm work spurred him to put forth his full effort, achieving an exceptional performance, naturally birthing some refined moves, resulting in a feeling of exhilarating release.

Li Muzhan laughed, "Young Master Yin, what is this palm technique? It is truly formidable!"

"The Myriad Phenomena Palm!" Yin Zhaojiang praised. "May I ask Brother He what palm technique you use?"

Li Muzhan smiled mysteriously and shook his head, "Mine? It is the Silk Entangling Palm!"

"A fine Silk Entangling Palm!" Yin Zhaojiang chuckled, "Brother He, be careful, receive this palm strike!"

Li Muzhan smiled, "Please!"

Yin Zhaojiang's technique shifted abruptly—a sound like a fierce tiger descending a mountain, suddenly turning utterly rigid and tyrannical... his right palm shot straight towards Li Muzhan.

Li Muzhan smiled and casually sent out a light, floating palm strike.

Bang! Their palms met. Yin Zhaojiang hissed, retreating a full four steps in one breath.

"Eh?" Yin Zhaojiang looked over, astonished.

Li Muzhan smiled pleasantly, "Young Master Yin, I thank you for going easy on me!"

Yin Zhaojiang's expression shifted slightly, and he frowned, "Brother He possesses astonishing palm force; I am deeply impressed!"

"Shall we try again?" Li Muzhan asked.

"Come!" Yin Zhaojiang was unconvinced and attacked once more.

Bang! Their palms met. Li Muzhan stood firm, rooted to the spot. Yin Zhaojiang hissed again, retreating another four steps, his face flushing momentarily before returning to normal.

"Enough!" Yi Xiaoru sharply called out.

Li Muzhan laughed, "Young Master Yin... I finally didn't eat all these years for nothing!"

"Brother He's palm strength is astonishing; I am full of admiration!" Yin Zhaojiang cupped his hands, shaking his head helplessly, "No wonder you could save Junior Sister Yi!"

Yi Xiaoru said coldly, "Yin, you should go back now!"

Yin Zhaojiang asked with resignation, "Junior Sister truly won't make a move?"

Yi Xiaoru replied, "I am injured; even if I wanted to fight, I have no means!"

"Fine, fine, then forget it!" Yin Zhaojiang, despite his proud nature, had been enduring the situation with a smile, but was finally provoked. He flung his sleeve heavily and turned to leave.

Li Muzhan watched him storm away, shaking his head and chuckling, "When has Young Master Yin ever suffered such indignity!"

"He can't stand to lose!" Yi Xiaoru scrutinized him, "Where did you learn that palm technique?"

Li Muzhan laughed, "Just picked it up randomly."

What he had displayed was the Lotus Heart Palm. Its power was indeed overwhelming. Few practitioners in the Dragon Mountain Sect had mastered it, and most who had were elderly hermits. Since few had ever seen the Lotus Heart Palm, Li Muzhan felt safe in employing it.

Yi Xiaoru frowned, speaking somewhat irritably, "Your cultivation is deeper than his, but..."

She shook her head. Since Li Muzhan didn't wish to reveal it, she wouldn't press. Ordinary palm techniques simply couldn't counter the Myriad Phenomena Palm!

Li Muzhan laughed, "Why not pursue the Divine Sword Sect?"

Yi Xiaoru said, "I warned them against acting rashly and alerting the enemy. The Divine Sword Sect has operated for so long; they wouldn't give up easily. It would have been better to let them walk into a trap. But they insisted on speed and rushed in, only to find the place empty!"

Li Muzhan stroked his chin, musing with a smile, "I don't think your plan was very good. Since they have left, they won't return."

Yi Xiaoru disagreed, "They aren't just one or two people; they must have connections. How could they cut ties so easily? People nearby will help find them!"

Li Muzhan smiled, "You should have a secret tracking art, right?"

Yi Xiaoru replied, "Those three are dead; I have no way to proceed!"

Li Muzhan tilted his head to observe her, realizing inwardly that her secret art relied on sensing a person's vital essence. Yi Xiaoru glared, "What are you looking at? I truly am powerless!"

Li Muzhan asked, "What about your Senior Sister?"

"Senior Sister's secret art is different from mine." Yi Xiaoru shook her head, "She could help, but the cost would be too great. Besides, she is also angry about their previous actions."

Li Muzhan realized with a smile, "She's taking up the slight on your behalf, isn't she?"

"Exactly!" Yi Xiaoru nodded slightly, frowning, "If we don't make an example of them, they'll think we Hidden Sect members are easy to bully."

Li Muzhan smiled, "It seems your standing within the Myriad Saints Sect isn't very good?"

Yi Xiaoru shot him a look, "What do you want to know?"

Li Muzhan smiled, "I want to see the cultivation method of the Divine Sword Sect."

"Hmm?!" Yi Xiaoru's expression shifted slightly.

Li Muzhan continued, "The Divine Sword Sect managed to withstand the pursuit of the Myriad Saints Sect, which is impressive. Their cultivation method must have unique merits!"

"You want to learn the Divine Sword Sect's method?!" Yi Xiaoru said coldly.

Li Muzhan smiled, "I only wish to reference it; I won't cultivate it."

Yi Xiaoru frowned, "You must know, the Divine Sword Sect's method harms others for self-benefit—it's detestable. Even though we are part of the Myriad Saints Sect, we disdain such practices!"

Li Muzhan smiled, "Rest assured, I will not practice it."

Yi Xiaoru gave a cold laugh and shook her head, "Once men get hold of such a method, who can resist?"

Li Muzhan countered, "Then I will seek out the Divine Sword Sect myself!"

"You can find them?" Yi Xiaoru eyed him with disdain.

Li Muzhan smiled mysteriously, "If I find them, what will you do?"

"What do you want?" Yi Xiaoru asked.

Li Muzhan pondered for a moment, "Make my current identity real! I like the person He Zudao is!"

"...Fine." Yi Xiaoru pondered for a moment, then slowly nodded.

Li Muzhan said, "Follow me!"

The two lightly left the grand residence. Li Muzhan walked casually, strolling along the main street, heading continuously west until he stopped before a wine house.

"Here..." Yi Xiaoru frowned. The wine house had three stories, towering high from the bottom up, with banners fluttering in the wind bearing the characters "Deng He Lou" (Ascending Crane Tower).

Li Muzhan smiled, "Let's go in and rest, and grab something to eat first."

Yi Xiaoru glared at him but said no more. After they entered the wine house, Li Muzhan went straight to the third floor and requested a private room.

Yi Xiaoru suppressed her curiosity. Knowing Li Muzhan as she did, she knew he wouldn't act without reason.

After sitting down, Li Muzhan ordered a few dishes from the waiter. Once the waiter withdrew, he pointed toward the western wall. Yi Xiaoru instantly understood his meaning, her bright eyes blinking. Li Muzhan nodded in return.

Yi Xiaoru immediately grasped it: the people from the Divine Sword Sect were in the private rooms to the west!