Li Muzhan smiled, “Miss Zhu, surely it isn’t a problem?”
The elegant middle-aged woman frowned. “Mr. He, why must you wade into these murky waters?”
She glanced at Li Muzhan with confusion, yet tinged with unexpected gratitude. She truly hadn’t anticipated that Li Muzhan wouldn’t flee, but would instead return.
A crisis reveals a person’s true heart. It seemed Mr. He held genuine affection for her junior sister, and the two would indeed make a suitable pair.
Li Muzhan laughed, “I’m simply someone who enjoys excitement; wherever the action is, I must be there. How could I miss out? … Perhaps I should handle this instead!”
“Good,” the elegant middle-aged woman nodded and smiled. “Mister, be careful. The people from the Divine Sword Sect are rather sinister!”
“Right, I understand.” Li Muzhan nodded with a smile, turning toward Sun Chenghhe.
Sun Chenghhe spoke, but Li Muzhan paid him no mind. He, however, simply grinned, showing no signs of anger, and politely smiled, “May I ask your esteemed name, sir?”
Li Muzhan smiled, “A man of the wilderness, hardly worth mentioning.”
“Hmm—?” Sun Chenghhe frowned. “Whether a man of the wilderness or a man of means, everyone has a name. Why are you so reluctant, hiding yourself? Are you afraid of future retribution?”
Li Muzhan shook his head, chuckling softly, “Hardly worth mentioning.”
Sun Chenghhe grew impatient. “If you won’t even give your name, why bother stepping into this mess? Senior Sister Zhu was absolutely right!”
Yi Xiaoru sneered, “Sun, you truly are dense. It makes one wonder how someone so thick could reach this level!”
“What do you mean?!” Sun Chenghhe was momentarily stunned.
Yi Xiaoru shot him a sidelong glance. “This is Mr. He Zudao. Do you understand now?!”
“He Zudao?!” Sun Chenghhe laughed dismissively and shook his head. “What a strange name! No wonder you confused me!”
Li Muzhan smiled gently. “It’s not the name that’s strange; it’s simply that you are too slow-witted!”
“Whether I’m slow-witted is for me to know, no need for you to say it.” Sun Chenghhe maintained his grin, but Li Muzhan could sense him gritting his teeth beneath the surface—it seemed this had struck a nerve.
Li Muzhan continued, “Young Master Sun, I hear you are descended from a prestigious lineage?”
“I am who I am, and my father is my father. Why bring that up!” Sun Chenghhe frowned. “He! Are you truly determined to join this fray?!”
Li Muzhan laughed. “They are my friends. I wish to take them away. If you clear a path, we can all go our separate ways without interference. Wouldn't that be wonderful!?”
“Hah, you dream sweetly!” Sun Chenghhe shook his head. “He! You are courting death. Don’t blame anyone else!… Come on!”
Two middle-aged men stepped forward, their expressions solemn.
“Kill him!” Sun Chenghhe waved his hand casually, instantly feeling quite satisfied with the dashing, imposing air of the gesture.
“Yes!” the two middle-aged men responded in deep tones. They slowly approached Li Muzhan.
————
Li Muzhan drew his sword, shaking his head. “You still have time to retreat!”
“Attack!” Sun Chenghhe said coldly. “Cut him down for me!”
Li Muzhan’s few words had deeply agitated his anger, which he had been suppressing, and now it finally erupted. A moment later, he felt a slight alarm—his self-control was still lacking!
Li Muzhan smiled faintly. “If that is the case, then do not blame me for being merciless!”
“Hmph!” The three men in azure robes let out cold sneers and suddenly formed a triangle, surrounding him.
Li Muzhan said, “Miss Zhu, please step back. Let me handle this!”
The elegant middle-aged woman drifted back two steps, eager to witness Mr. He’s true skill. Yi Xiaoru had claimed his martial arts were formidable, so he should not be overwhelmed.
She didn't retreat too far, ready to lend aid if needed.
“Bang, bang, bang, bang…” The three struck out with palms like lightning, hitting Li Muzhan’s body instantly—several blows landed on his front and back. In one breath, over a dozen strikes landed.
Li Muzhan neither dodged nor resisted, appearing as if frozen. The elegant middle-aged woman cried out, “Mr. He!”
Li Muzhan smiled, completely unaffected. He looked calmly at the three. “Sirs, bring out your real abilities. There’s no need to just tickle me.”
The three faces darkened. They exchanged a look, gave a sharp shout, and slowly pushed out a single palm. The movement was slow but heavy, and surrounding onlookers felt a crushing pressure descend, as if a mountain was bearing down, making breathing momentarily difficult.
Yi Xiaoru slowly moved past Elder Hua, approaching the elegant middle-aged woman. Elder Hua watched the confrontation, and realizing she intended to intervene, he was too late to stop her, so he merely closed his mouth and slowly moved closer as well.
“Chi!” A flash of sword light sliced through the air, gone in an instant like a spark of lightning. The movements of the three azure-robed men suddenly halted, and then they slowly crumpled to the ground.
Li Muzhan smiled faintly. “The martial arts of the Divine Sword Sect are nothing more than this!”
“You…” Sun Chenghhe’s eyes widened. Staring blankly at the three men bleeding from their chests, he suddenly looked up and roared in fury, “Come on! All of you, attack me!”
“Yes!” The remaining ten men shouted in unison and rushed toward Li Muzhan.
Li Muzhan shook his head and sighed. “Why the needless trouble!”
His long sword left its sheath, and his figure surged forward, actively meeting the ten. His sword transformed into streaks of electric light, flickering, and with every flicker, one man would fall.
In the blink of an eye, Li Muzhan returned to Yi Xiaoru’s side and smiled. “Young Master Sun, please depart!”
“You… you…” Sun Chenghhe watched Li Muzhan, dumbfounded, as if he had encountered a ghost.
The elegant middle-aged woman regarded Li Muzhan with astonishment, while Elder Hua frowned in contemplation.
————
Li Muzhan smiled. “Does Young Master Sun wish to stay?… Miss Yi, should we perhaps kill him too?”
“No need to kill him!” The elegant middle-aged woman shook her head and laughed. “He is no threat. Let him go!”
Li Muzhan nodded. “Young Master Sun, shouldn't you thank Miss Zhu?”
Sun Chenghhe’s face flushed with anger as he glared at Li Muzhan. “He! I will certainly settle this score with you!”
Li Muzhan smiled. “Then I shall wait!”
“Very well, Senior Sister Zhu, Junior Sister Yi, we shall converse another day!” Sun Chenghhe shot Li Muzhan one last angry glance, then offered a smile to the two women.
His smile was remarkably natural and warm, like that of an old friend.
“Get lost!” The elegant middle-aged woman snorted.
Sun Chenghhe glanced at the fallen men in azure robes, gritted his teeth hard, turned, and left, vanishing instantly.
“Thud!” A muffled sound echoed, and Elder Hua collapsed, unconscious.
The elegant middle-aged woman hurried over to support him, checking his wrist and nostrils, before shaking her head. “Elder Hua’s injuries are severe. We will have to stay for a while!”
Li Muzhan said, “Come to my place!”
“Is your place more concealed?” the elegant middle-aged woman asked.
Li Muzhan laughed. “Yes, so concealed that even you wouldn’t find it.”
“That is true enough,” Yi Xiaoru confirmed.
“Then it’s settled. We impose upon you!” The elegant middle-aged woman nodded crisply, without hesitation, and without reservation, she lifted Elder Hua.
Yi Xiaoru said, “Senior Sister, wait a moment. I’ll arrange for a carriage!”
“Good!” the elegant middle-aged woman agreed.
Li Muzhan and Yi Xiaoru walked out together. Yi Xiaoru beckoned, and a chestnut vendor nearby scurried over, looking at her cautiously.
“Bring a horse carriage,” Yi Xiaoru ordered succinctly.
The chestnut vendor was a simple, honest-looking young man. He nodded quickly and ran off.
The two stood by the doorway. Yi Xiaoru asked, “What were you doing just now?”
Li Muzhan laughed. “What was I doing?… Watching the spectacle.”
“Hmph, I sensed a killing aura all over you. You must have done something, haven’t you?” Yi Xiaoru said flatly.
Li Muzhan shook his head, laughing softly. “You worry too much. I was standing aside watching the show; the skills of these Divine Sword Sect fellows are quite astonishing.”
“Hmph, the Divine Sword Sect’s cultivation method is too wicked. Are you envious?!” Yi Xiaoru said coldly. “I saw you constantly coveting the Divine Sword Sect’s techniques!”
Li Muzhan admitted, “I do wish to see them. Though I won’t cultivate them, it would still be beneficial.”
“You had better stop thinking about it. Once you look, you’ll inevitably want to practice, and then you’ll stray onto the evil path!” Yi Xiaoru frowned and sighed. “At that point, we truly will become enemies!”
Li Muzhan laughed. “Don’t worry. I won’t practice them.”
“How can a martial artist resist such temptation, especially when you are a man!” Yi Xiaoru shook her head.
————
As the two were speaking, a carriage slowly approached and stopped at the main gate. Yi Xiaoru floated inside the gate and soon emerged with the elegant middle-aged woman. They lifted Elder Hua into the carriage and entered together.
The four were not crowded in the carriage. The carriage looked ordinary, but inside it was spacious and practical. Following Li Muzhan’s directions, they soon arrived at the riverbank.
Li Muzhan called out, leading the three into his residence.
Hearing the footsteps and the closing door, Xiuxiu quickly rushed out. Seeing Li Muzhan, a smile bloomed on her face, but it faded when she saw Yi Xiaoru and the elegant middle-aged woman.
Li Muzhan smiled. “Xiuxiu, this is Senior Sister Zhu. This injured person is Elder Hua. Senior Sister Zhu and her party will be staying for a while.”
“Yes, Young Master,” Xiuxiu replied obediently, then smiled at the two women. “Seniors, please don't be polite. If you need anything, just tell me.”
“We inconvenience you,” the elegant middle-aged woman said with a smile, glancing at Yi Xiaoru.
Yi Xiaoru shot her a look, then glared at Li Muzhan. Li Muzhan directly led them to the living quarters and settled Elder Hua.
Li Muzhan sat by the couch, felt Elder Hua’s pulse, and revealed a relaxed smile. “It’s fortunate. He took the spirit medicine; his life is safe.”
The elegant middle-aged woman sighed. “His life is saved, but recovering his martial arts will take some time!”
Li Muzhan laughed. “It’s good that his life was saved. The situation must have been brutal; it seems your Myriad Saints Sect didn't lose any personnel.”
He had actually gone to look earlier. The scene in Pine Wave Valley was chaotic, trees flying everywhere; the fight had been earth-shattering and incredibly savage, with the stench of blood heavy in the air.
“I don’t know,” the elegant middle-aged woman replied, shaking her head.
“Cough, cough…” Elder Hua suddenly coughed violently. Yi Xiaoru quickly provided a spittoon. After spitting up several mouthfuls of blood, Elder Hua regained consciousness.
“Elder Hua, how are you?” the elegant middle-aged woman asked softly.
Elder Hua nodded weakly. “Alas… I’ve clung onto this old life once more!”
He slowly turned his head toward Li Muzhan and painfully cupped his fists. “Many thanks to Mr. He!”
Li Muzhan quickly smiled. “Elder Hua, no need for formalities. It was merely a small effort. Please focus on healing first, and deal with other matters after you recover.”
“No, we must leave quickly!” Elder Hua shook his head.
Li Muzhan smiled. “Elder Hua, there is no need to rush. This place is very secluded; they won’t find you here!”
“Our place was secluded too, and yet they found us!?” Elder Hua shook his head, urging, “Quickly, let’s go, let’s go! If we don't leave now, they’ll return, and then we truly won’t be able to!”
————
Yi Xiaoru said, “Elder Hua, don’t worry. Even we couldn't track you here!… Elder Hua, did we suffer any losses?”
“None,” Elder Hua shook his head. “Old Chu saw the situation was bad and retreated quickly. Fortunately, he left early; only Zhao Jiang was injured. Zhao Yuanming personally led an ambush—all the top masters of the Divine Sword Sect were present. We managed to see the danger early; otherwise…”
Yi Xiaoru said, “That’s good, then we can stay here peacefully and won’t rush back.”
“This place…” Elder Hua remained uneasy.
Li Muzhan smiled. “It is very dangerous for you to leave now, Elder Hua. It’s better to hide here for a while. Rest assured, no one knows about this place!”
“That’s right…” Yi Xiaoru quickly nodded in agreement.
Elder Hua looked at Yi Xiaoru, then at the elegant middle-aged woman, and finally nodded helplessly. He painstakingly sat cross-legged and began meditating to regulate his breathing.
The three withdrew. The elegant middle-aged woman remarked, “I never imagined they would be so audacious!”
Yi Xiaoru sighed softly. “It seems they are very confident, Senior Sister Zhu. The Divine Sword Sect must have grown stronger; dealing with them will be even harder now!”
“After this incident, Sect Master Tang will intervene personally,” the elegant middle-aged woman stated.
Yi Xiaoru sneered. “One can only hope!”
Li Muzhan led the two women to the rear garden to rest and chat for a while.
It was then that Li Muzhan learned the elegant middle-aged woman was named Zhu Chuyun, the third disciple of the Hidden Sect. She was thirty years old and had once been a prominent figure in the sect before being strictly ordered by her master to gradually fade from the limelight. Her cultivation, however, was exceptionally high.
Li Muzhan smiled. He could gauge Zhu Chuyun’s depth and confirmed she was indeed formidable, comparable to Sun Chenghhe; she had merely been concealing her strength earlier.
Li Muzhan accompanied them chatting for half the day until they parted after dinner. Li Muzhan returned behind his own room and vanished in a flash.
He reappeared in another room. Sun Chenghhe sat cross-legged on the couch, deeply engrossed in his practice. He hadn't sensed Li Muzhan’s arrival at all, remaining focused on his training.
Li Muzhan dared to appear so brazenly within the grounds of the Divine Sword Sect because he knew Zhao Yuanming was personally leading the ambush against Elder Chu and the others.
Since the fighting had been so savage and Elder Chu’s side had been steadily pushed back, Zhao Yuanming and his group would certainly not let the matter drop; they would pursue relentlessly until they were eliminated, lest they leave behind future trouble.
Sun Chenghhe possessed profound cultivation, though still significantly below Li Muzhan’s. Moreover, he was skilled in concealment and breath-holding techniques, yet Sun Chenghhe hadn’t noticed anything amiss.
Li Muzhan shook his head, concluding that Sun Chenghhe’s innate talent was indeed lacking; his perception was insufficiently sharp, which had little to do with martial arts technique and more to do with one’s fundamental sensibility.
Li Muzhan sat patiently in the outer room, quietly waiting for Sun Chenghhe to make a move. An hour later, Sun Chenghhe slowly awoke.
Li Muzhan admired his resilience; it seemed he compensated for his lack of innate acuity through diligent effort.
Sun Chenghhe pulled a secret manual from under his pillow, read it for a while, then carefully returned it before getting off the couch and leaving the room to eat dinner.
Li Muzhan reappeared in a flash, retrieving the manual from under the pillow. The four characters, “Sword Forging Divine Art,” sprang into view.
Li Muzhan smiled. He hadn't expected that after all his elaborate planning and scheming, the acquisition would come about so unexpectedly—truly, man’s calculations are no match for heaven’s design.
At first glance, the title suggested it was a method for forging swords, something for a blacksmith. Had Li Muzhan not heard Yi Xiaoru mention it, he might have overlooked it; this manual was actually a marvelous method for strengthening the physical body, possessing an immense allure for men.