Zhu Chuyun urged, "Hurry up and speak!"

Cheng Lian continued, "These past two days, a disciple from the Zishang Palace has caused a massive stir across the martial world. He single-handedly killed the Eighteen Bandits of Xue Lianshan, the Seven Heroes of Black Dragon Mountain, and the Fire Riders of Hengduan Mountain. In just one day, he covered a hundred li, and every step of that hundred li was paved with blood, a trail of slaughter that has thrown the north into panic!"

Zhu Chuyun tilted her head and laughed, "The Zishang Palace produced such a character? Junior Sister Yi, isn't the Zishang Palace considered a rather minor sect?"

Yi Xiaoru nodded lightly, "Mmm, the Zishang Palace has decent strength, but they have too few people, only a little over a hundred disciples."

"Unexpected, truly unexpected," Zhu Chuyun shook her head. "Senior Sister Cheng, who is this person?"

Cheng Lian replied, "Li Wuji of the Zishang Palace."

"Li Wuji..." Zhu Chuyun pondered for a moment, then shook her head, "I don't think I've heard of him! How old is he?"

"Only around twenty," Cheng Lian said. "Truly a hero emerging from youth. His martial prowess is rumored to be no less than Yin Zhaojiang's; he has risen suddenly, and no one can obscure his brilliance!"

"He is that formidable?" Zhu Chuyun tilted her head and smiled, "Can he match Junior Brother Yin?"

"They should be about the same," Cheng Lian mused. "If Junior Brother Yin were to challenge the Eighteen Bandits of Xue Lianshan, it might prove somewhat taxing."

"Then this Li Wuji was not injured?" Zhu Chuyun asked.

Cheng Lian shook her head. "He retreated completely whole, without the slightest scratch!" He then proceeded to take on the remaining dens of bandits, killing over two hundred people in total—a veritable killing star!"

Zhu Chuyun exclaimed with admiration, "How invigorating! Over two hundred people killed over a hundred li—those scoundrels deserved to die long ago, but no one cleaned them up. Finally, a true figure has emerged!"

Yi Xiaoru frowned and said gravely, "Junior Brother Yin intended to go. Later, he feared drawing trouble from the powers behind Xue Lianshan, so he dared not act."

Zhu Chuyun pursed her lips and shook her head. "Fear the wolf in front and the tiger behind. In my opinion, Junior Brother Yin's perspective is a bit too narrow!"

Cheng Lian glanced at her, feeling a touch of curiosity. Previously, she had always spoken of Junior Brother Yin in glowing terms. Was it because of this He Zudao?

She glanced at Li Muzhan and noticed his expression was calm, perhaps too calm.

She smiled and asked, "What does Mr. He think of this Li Wuji?"

Li Muzhan smiled and shook his head. "I am not truly a martial artist, so I don't understand these matters well. However, killing so many people in one go... could there be some hidden circumstances?"

"Mmm, perhaps those bandits provoked the Zishang Palace!" Zhu Chuyun quickly nodded. "Now I remember! Aren't the male disciples of the Zishang Palace generally mediocre? How could such a powerful figure suddenly emerge!"

"There are always geniuses," Cheng Lian replied with a gentle smile.

—

While they were deep in discussion, Yi Xiaoru quickly glanced at Li Muzhan but said nothing more. She continued this until after breakfast, when she and Li Muzhan went out to stroll around the mountain scenery.

Since Li Muzhan's complexion had improved, keeping him confined indoors for meditation and breathing exercises would likely have bored him. Gao Jingxuan had instructed Yi Xiaoru to accompany him for a walk.

After they left, Cheng Lian turned and frowned, "Master, what is the deal with this Mr. He?"

Gao Jingxuan, seated in his position, slowly said, "He saved your junior sister, and he saved me. He is our Hidden Sect's benefactor."

"A benefactor?" Cheng Lian swiftly gathered the bowls and chopsticks, frowning. "Then what about Junior Sister Yi losing her maidenhood? What happened there?"

Zhu Chuyun helped gather the dishes, pursing her lips and chuckling, "It was the two of them!"

"They aren't even married yet!" Cheng Lian’s face darkened, and she let out an displeased snort.

"Little Yun, tell Little Lian about it," Gao Jingxuan instructed.

Zhu Chuyun promptly recounted the entire sequence of events, concluding with a smile, "Senior Sister Cheng, in my view, Mr. He is excellent in every way, save for his age. He is a scholar, gentle and refined, his cultivation is profound, and I see that he is deeply devoted to Junior Sister Yi—he would never mistreat her!"

"Mmm..." Cheng Lian pondered, then addressed Gao Jingxuan, "Master, you intend to keep him here, don't you?"

Gao Jingxuan nodded slowly. "Mmm."

"Master?" Zhu Chuyun looked at Gao Jingxuan in surprise. "Didn't you say you wouldn't agree to them?"

Gao Jingxuan replied irritably, "Things have already come to this point; what choice do I have but to agree!"

Cheng Lian remarked, "I find his gaze honest and his nature decent. However, I don't know his temperament—is he perhaps too short-tempered?"

Zhu Chuyun laughed. "That is nothing to worry about. I have spent a considerable amount of time with him; his temper is mild, his disposition open, and his conduct steady and generous—a hundred times better than Junior Brother Yin!"

"What is his level of cultivation?" Cheng Lian inquired.

Gao Jingxuan stated, "None of us can match him. His cultivation is deep, his internal energy pure, and his inner cultivation method is peculiar; it likely doesn't belong to other sects... Rest assured, Little Ru has discretion. She has already investigated his background; there are no issues."

Cheng Lian nodded slowly. "That is good. I sense this Mr. He is not simple."

Zhu Chuyun nodded in admiration. "Indeed, very much so! Master's injury has been untreatable for so many years; I was about to despair. He cured it instantly, though it cost him some vitality, which he is currently replenishing these past few days."

Cheng Lian smiled, sizing up Gao Jingxuan. "No wonder! I thought Master's complexion looked so good because you had taken more elixirs."

"I stopped taking that stuff; the toxicity was too severe," Gao Jingxuan chuckled.

Cheng Lian smiled brightly. "Congratulations, Master! With such a powerful ally, we can finally catch our breath!"

"Yes," Gao Jingxuan nodded. "You all have suffered greatly over these years!"

"Master speaks too kindly!" Cheng Lian shook her head, smiling. "I will investigate further into who this Mr. He truly is, lest Junior Sister Yi be misled."

Gao Jingxuan nodded gently. "It is good for you to check again. I haven't given a final answer yet; dangling the bait a bit longer might see if he agrees."

"That will depend on his feelings for Junior Sister Yi," Cheng Lian replied with a smile.

—

Li Muzhan and Yi Xiaoru walked leisurely, taking in the surrounding scenery, soon stopping before a cliff edge, gazing down at the vast expanse of mountains. Yi Xiaoru suddenly turned and asked, "That Li Wuji—is that you?"

Li Muzhan smiled faintly and slowly nodded. "It is."

"It's really you—?" Yi Xiaoru looked him up and down in disbelief. "You are clearly here; how could you be killing people over there? Do you possess the mythical art of duplication?"

Li Muzhan smiled. "It is a type of secret technique."

"Oh..." Yi Xiaoru slowly nodded, asking no more. Once secrets and esoteric arts were involved, it was difficult to speak of them to others.

Li Muzhan paused in thought. "Actually, there is nothing mysterious about it. I possess a secret technique that allows me to traverse a thousand li in an instant."

"There is such a secret technique?" Yi Xiaoru frowned, staring at him, certain he was joking.

Li Muzhan laughed. "It's nothing much. It stems from my comprehension of the Void, similar to the Daoist art of 'Shrinking the Ground to an Inch.'"

"Shrinking the Ground to an Inch is merely a legend!" Yi Xiaoru snorted.

Li Muzhan shook his head, suddenly drawing her slender waist into his embrace. She felt a flash before her eyes, as if light and shadow swept past, twisting into a blur. She could not clearly discern what it was.

Her vision stabilized. Then, she clearly saw her surroundings. She turned to look around—they were at the foot of the mountain. In the span of a single breath, they had gone from the summit to the base.

This distance of several thousand meters would normally take a quarter of an hour even using superlative lightness skill, yet it had transpired in the blink of an eye. It was utterly inconceivable.

Li Muzhan smiled. "How was that?"

"You... you...?" Yi Xiaoru stared at him.

Li Muzhan laughed. "It is true that I obtained a secret manual, but it wasn't a martial arts manual, rather a Daoist esoteric method that requires cultivation from childhood. Later, I joined the Zishang Palace and practiced their martial arts, which is how I achieved this level."

"There really is Shrinking the Ground to an Inch..." Yi Xiaoru shook her head. This completely overturned her established understanding. In her original world, pure Daoist magic was treated as jest; how could there be qi flowing between heaven and earth?"

"This isn't such a huge deal, is it?" Li Muzhan smiled. "Perhaps I had a fortuitous encounter, which is why I succeeded. Regardless, I have mastered it."

Yi Xiaoru slowly collected her thoughts. "Did you use this technique to go north? Xue Lianshan is at least ten thousand li from here. How long did it take you?"

Li Muzhan chuckled. "Actually, it didn't take long—one night was sufficient!"

"Alas..." Yi Xiaoru sighed, not knowing what to say.

Li Muzhan smiled. "This way, my identity won't be exposed either, right? I suspect your Senior Sister Cheng will still investigate me!"

"Mmm!" Yi Xiaoru nodded. "Senior Sister Cheng is cautious and thorough; she would never easily trust anyone."

"Let us hope she finds nothing," Li Muzhan said with a smile.

"Don't worry!" Yi Xiaoru gave him a sidelong look. Having deceived both her senior sister and master for his sake, she felt a pang of guilt.

Li Muzhan patted her delicate shoulder. "We mean no harm; it is nothing."

—

In the following days, the name Li Wuji of the Zishang Palace spread throughout the world. He continued his spree of slaughter, challenging and defeating more than a dozen more bandit lairs. Now, those great robbers and brigands fled at the mere mention of his name, daring not to engage him.

The last time they had banded together to ambush Li Wuji, they were routed, scattered, and barely escaped annihilation.

Since then, no one dared to confront him head-on. They would retreat three hundred li upon hearing the news—they could evade him if they couldn't fight him. This harbinger of death couldn't stay in one place forever.

Li Wuji’s fame was universal. Such mass slaughter was unprecedented. Although the martial world teemed with masters and righteous heroes, no one employed such methods, as it was tantamount to courting death.

Those major bandits were rarely solitary figures but represented a collective power. Even if one group was eliminated, others would rise to exact revenge, leading to endless trouble.

Even the strongest masters were not without parents or offspring. These major bandits often acted without restraint, disregarding established rules, and consequently endangered innocent bystanders.

The day Cheng Lian returned, Li Muzhan did not go to Yi Xiaoru's room. For the remaining days, he stayed in her quarters; they were practically inseparable.

Gao Jingxuan and the others simply turned a blind eye, acting as if they saw nothing.

One evening, Li Muzhan suddenly appeared in his small courtyard. The small dwelling in Jingzhou City had always been shrouded by a formation, making it impossible for others to locate.

Xiuxiu had remained in the courtyard, having stored a month's worth of provisions and grains. When Li Muzhan left previously, he had instructed her to enter seclusion there to cultivate.

However, after these few days, Li Muzhan felt uneasy and returned to check on her.

As the sun dipped low, the small courtyard was bathed in the afterglow, looking magnificent and beautiful. Xiuxiu was practicing her skills in the rear garden when she suddenly saw Li Muzhan appear, overjoyed. "Young Master!"

Clad in a white silk combat uniform, she looked heroic and spirited; her eyes were now shining, her countenance radiant.

Li Muzhan lightly extended a palm. "Take this strike!"

Xiuxiu swiftly shifted aside, planting her feet quickly to evade, then thrust her palm down. Li Muzhan flipped his hand, pushing back, forcing her to change her move again. Their palms blurred into a dazzling exchange of blows.

After nearly a hundred exchanges in one continuous flurry, Li Muzhan finally withdrew his hand, nodding. "Not bad, not bad. It seems you haven't slacked off in your training!"

Xiuxiu said proudly, "Of course not. But Young Master, you look thinner!"

Li Muzhan smiled and patted her delicate shoulder. "Has anyone tried to visit while I was gone?"

Xiuxiu replied, "It seemed like people were lingering outside, but they never managed to find their way in."

Li Muzhan nodded. "Ignore them."

Xiuxiu frowned and pondered. "Young Master, are they from the Linhai Pavilion? They won't give up searching for you. Should we devise a plan to lead them astray?"

Li Muzhan smiled. "I will think of a way... Your palm technique is decent, but it lacks the final refinement; it requires more tempering."

Xiuxiu asked, "How should I temper it?"

Li Muzhan contemplated for a moment. "You will go to a place where there are many experts. There, you can train and spar simultaneously, which will speed up your improvement."

"Young Master, you won't take me with you?" Xiuxiu asked, disappointed.

Li Muzhan smiled. "I have other matters to attend to. Once your martial arts improve, I will bring you back to my side!"

"Young Master thinks I am a burden..." Xiuxiu lowered her head.

Li Muzhan patted her shoulder. "You know the situation, so you must practice diligently and not be lazy!"

"Alright," Xiuxiu agreed reluctantly.

Li Muzhan instructed, "Take this and go to the Drunken Immortal Tower in Qingmei. Find the proprietor of the tavern, show him this, and then give him this letter."

"Alright," Xiuxiu listlessly accepted Li Muzhan's jade pendant and the letter.

Li Muzhan smiled. "Very well. Tonight, we will explore Jingzhou City!"

"Yes, Young Master!" Xiuxiu instantly became excited, leaping up. "I'll go change!"

While she went into her room, Li Muzhan vanished in a flicker, reappearing by the riverbank, pacing with his hands behind his back.

He had only walked a few steps when four elderly men suddenly blocked his path, watching him silently.

Li Muzhan smiled, taking in the four figures. They were all dressed in green robes, long swords at their waists, their gazes sharp as physical blades, stabbing directly toward his eyes.

Li Muzhan understood immediately upon seeing them: experts from the Linhai Pavilion had arrived.

He assessed the four men, then shook his head. "May I ask what business you four have with me?"

The leading elder had a square face and a short, stout build, looking plump like a merchant. He said coldly, "He Zudao, is it? Stop playing coy; you know why we are here."

Li Muzhan replied, "From the Linhai Pavilion?"

"Indeed!" the four men hummed in unison. The short, stout elder continued, "You killed our Linhai Pavilion disciples; you deserve death!"

Li Muzhan smiled. "If your Linhai Pavilion disciples tried to kill me, am I not allowed to kill them?"

"No need to say more; your death is certain!" the stout elder hummed coldly, violently waving his hand. "Form ranks! Attack!"

The four instantly surrounded him, then drew their swords to strike, offering no further explanation or room for negotiation—their sole objective was to kill him.

Li Muzhan shook his head and drew his own sword to meet the assault. "Clang, clang, clang, clang..." A series of sharp ringing sounds echoed continuously. (To be continued)