Li Muzhan frowned, studying the man for a moment, and realized that this Feng Zui was indeed ferociously brave, like an adamantine golem, giving the three beautiful women quite a time. It took him nearly half an hour before he was satisfied and finally ceased his exertions, at which point the three women immediately fell into a deep sleep, utterly drained yet replete with satisfaction, each one exquisitely beautiful.

Feng Zui, meanwhile, dressed himself and sat cross-legged on a low couch nearby. In the blink of an eye, the muscles on his body began to slowly writhe, as if several snakes were slithering beneath his skin.

Li Muzhan scrutinized him with a furrowed brow, recognizing this as an extremely profound martial art—a method of controlling the body’s musculature, a true technique of body refinement.

He let out a sigh. It seemed he was not the only intelligent person in this world; at the very least, this Feng Zui was sharp, having grasped the subtle utility of the Divine Sword Forging Art and transforming it into a body-tempering method.

This body-refining art originated from the Divine Sword Forging Art, but to devise it, one first needed to understand the general principles of body tempering, and then integrate the principles of the Forging Art.

Given how far Feng Zui had advanced in this practice, it was clear he had reached the level of refining flesh and sinew, strengthening his internal organs and deepening his inner force far beyond the capacity of ordinary men.

While observing him on the periphery, Li Muzhan shifted his attention to the maiden named Yuyao. However, this Yuyao was truly profound and unfathomable. Her mind was utterly pure, containing nothing but the game of Go; she harbored not a single stray thought. Such pristine mental clarity was a rarity in this world, something even the most venerated high monks could not achieve.

Li Muzhan, relying on his powerful spirit, could achieve such a state, yet he did not choose to. Instead, his focus was divided, his thoughts a tangle, flashing past like lightning and sparks.

Yi Xiaoru and Xiuxiu were growing somewhat impatient, occasionally glancing at the chessboard, then at Li Muzhan and the maiden Yuyao. Seeing their focused expressions, they could only wait with bated breath.

After about half an shichen (an hour), Li Muzhan finally looked up and smiled, "Maiden Yuyao, you have lost!"

Yuyao lifted her head, gently rubbed her brow, and nodded with resignation, "Young Master’s skill at the board surpasses mine; Yuyao admires it!"

Li Muzhan chuckled, "Maiden Yuyao is unwell. I know a little about medicine; perhaps I could examine you?"

As he spoke, he reached out, his hand instantly closing around Yuyao’s delicate, pale wrist. He lightly placed three fingers upon it, his eyelids drooping slightly, remaining perfectly still.

Yuyao felt a sudden chill in her heart. His movement appeared leisurely and slow, yet it was terrifyingly fast. In that single instant, she experienced a moment of disorientation and failed to react; by the time she did, her wrist was already grasped.

She nearly broke out in a cold sweat. If such skill were turned against her with malice, she would have no power to resist!

Li Muzhan did not use his inner force to probe; he merely listened to the pulse, then nodded. "A mere fleeting ailment, perhaps a consequence of a past injury."

He instantly discerned that Yuyao had suffered an internal injury previously that had not fully healed, which was why she appeared somewhat frail, delicate, and exquisitely lovely in her weakness.

"That is correct," Yuyao sighed softly. "I sustained a slight injury before."

"Why were you injured?" Li Muzhan asked with an easy smile.

Maiden Yuyao showed a hint of shame, "Young Master knows that Yuyao is of humble standing. Although I sell my performance skills and not my body, sometimes guests insist... Yuyao resists to the death, and thus I receive my due. I am accustomed to it, it is nothing major; a period of good rest will suffice."

—

Li Muzhan frowned. "Who was it?"

Maiden Yuyao shook her head. "I am but a lowly woman; how would I know the whereabouts of those noble sirs? Thank you for your concern, Young Master."

She could sense the anger and care emanating from Li Muzhan.

Li Muzhan snorted coldly, "Bullying a weak woman—they certainly bring honor to the male sex!"

"Indeed!" Xiuxiu huffed angrily.

Yuyao's status immediately resonated with Xiuxiu. A shared plight, she thought to herself. She was lucky to have encountered the Young Master; had it not been for him, her fate would have been far more miserable than Yuyao's!

She glanced at Li Muzhan, her expression filled with sympathy. Li Muzhan quickly waved his hand. "Maiden Yuyao, from what I see, you have accumulated some wealth. Why not purchase your own freedom?"

Maiden Yuyao sighed, shaking her head. "Young Master overestimates Yuyao. Where would I find the silver to buy my freedom?"

Li Muzhan’s brow twitched, and he smiled. "I find Maiden Yuyao to be excellent in both talent and beauty; how could you be without funds?"

Maiden Yuyao laughed and shook her head, a touch of self-mockery in her smile. "Everyone knows I sell my art, not my body, and they dislike that... Men are always impatient; they cannot tolerate that constraint!"

Li Muzhan smiled. "Very well then. How much silver does Maiden Yuyao need to purchase her freedom?"

"Ten thousand taels," Maiden Yuyao sighed, a bitter smile on her face. "I could not earn that in a lifetime of working here; I am destined to die within these walls!"

"Xiuxiu!" Li Muzhan raised a hand.

Xiuxiu nodded excitedly, without hesitation pulling out a thick stack of silver notes from her bodice and thrusting them into Maiden Yuyao's hand. "Maiden Yuyao, take these!"

Maiden Yuyao froze, staring in astonishment at the stack of silver notes before her.

"Ten thousand taels! Go buy your freedom!" Xiuxiu exclaimed excitedly.

Maiden Yuyao hastily waved her hands. "I cannot accept this!"

Xiuxiu frowned. "Why can't you accept it?! With these ten thousand taels, you won't have to stay here anymore! Just find a man and marry him!"

Maiden Yuyao shook her head with a sad smile. "Once Yuyao has set foot in Yiran Tower, how could I marry again? I appreciate the Young Master's good intentions, but Yuyao cannot accept!"

Xiuxiu frowned, puzzled. "You don't want to buy your freedom?"

Maiden Yuyao sighed with weary resignation. "Yuyao is utterly alone. Even if I were freed, where would I go? I would just be a rootless duckweed adrift on a sea of suffering!"

Xiuxiu urged, "If it is that difficult, then come follow the Young Master! He is an exceptionally good man. I was also a woman suffering in the Hundred Flowers Boat. It was the Young Master who rescued me, and now I live happily, free and unrestrained!"

Maiden Yuyao paused, examining Xiuxiu closely.

Xiuxiu laughed proudly, stood up, and turned a circle. "You wouldn't recognize me, would you? I'm in disguise."

At this, Maiden Yuyao finally understood, a look of dawning realization crossing her face, and she chuckled softly, "I never would have thought..."

She had never imagined that a woman would accompany her man to Yiran Tower; it struck her as highly unusual.

—

Li Muzhan spoke gently. "Xiuxiu, since Maiden Yuyao does not wish to buy her freedom, there is no need to force her."

Xiuxiu quickly pleaded, "Young Master, I feel Maiden Yuyao is so pitiful, and she was beaten like that too! Please, buy her freedom for her?"

As she spoke, Xiuxiu glanced at Yi Xiaoru. "Miss Yi, you wouldn't object, would you?"

Yi Xiaoru replied coolly, "I naturally would not object."

Li Muzhan looked back at Maiden Yuyao and smiled. "Maiden Yuyao truly does not wish to leave Yiran Tower? Though I am not some great figure, I possess a small courtyard and modest wealth. I can certainly afford to keep both of you."

"Thank you for your kindness, Young Master. Yuyao's fate is thin; it is better to remain here." Maiden Yuyao gently shook her head.

Li Muzhan nodded and smiled. "If that is your wish, then so be it. Everyone has their own thoughts; I will not insist."

"Young—Master—!" Xiuxiu whined reproachfully.

Li Muzhan waved his hand. "You! You insist on forcing your own ideas onto others. Behave yourself!"

Xiuxiu looked at him helplessly, then at Yuyao, her face a mask of confusion. She truly could not comprehend why someone would pass up a chance to escape degradation when presented with it so clearly, choosing instead to abandon it.

Did she fear losing face, leading her to refuse freedom? Xiuxiu pondered, but still could not grasp it.

Li Muzhan turned back to Yuyao. "Maiden Yuyao, perhaps you should go back and rest for a while. I brought these ladies here simply to broaden their horizons, lest they continue to speculate endlessly."

"This..." Maiden Yuyao looked at Li Muzhan with some bewilderment.

Li Muzhan waved his hand and smiled. "We will only stay a short while longer before leaving; we will not require Maiden Yuyao's company. I will write a prescription. Maiden Yuyao can take one dose and see how it affects you."

He walked over to the table. Xiuxiu quickly stepped forward to grind the ink, and it was ready in moments. Li Muzhan picked up the brush; it moved like a swimming dragon and a crawling snake, and he quickly finished writing a prescription, which he handed to Yuyao. "Take one dose first. If it is effective, take two or three more; three doses should suffice."

"Yes, thank you, Young Master!" Maiden Yuyao took the prescription, performed a deep bow with a rustle of her robes, and gracefully departed, leaving behind a faint trail of fragrance.

"Hmph!" Xiuxiu was deeply displeased. She was angry at Yuyao's lack of spirit, furious that such a golden opportunity had been thrown away so carelessly. What a fool!

Li Muzhan glanced at Xiuxiu and shook his head with an amused smile. This was truly a simple girl, wanting to buy concubines for him, yet not feeling a shred of jealousy?!

"Big Brother, what is the matter with this Maiden Yuyao?" Yi Xiaoru asked quietly.

She also found the situation strange. She hadn't noticed anything unusual about Maiden Yuyao, but she had sensed an anomaly in Li Muzhan. Knowing his depth, she understood he must have discerned something.

—

Li Muzhan sighed and shook his head. "It seems Xiuxiu was right to come here. There are indeed disciples of the Divine Sword Sect here, as well as your subordinates... How many were captured?"

"Five in total," Yi Xiaoru replied.

Li Muzhan nodded. "All men, I presume?"

"All women," Yi Xiaoru's face flushed, her delicate eyebrows knit with anger and worry.

Li Muzhan frowned. "All women?"

"Yes," Yi Xiaoru nodded softly, looking at him. "Is it possible that they..."

Li Muzhan pondered. "If they are all women, then it is a bit troublesome. You know the general character of the Divine Sword Sect!"

"Hmph! If they truly dared to do such a thing, I will never forgive them!" Yi Xiaoru huffed.

Li Muzhan shook his head and sighed. "Little Ru, your current strength is still too weak; you cannot do anything to them!"

"Big Brother, you increased my inner force; is that not enough?" Yi Xiaoru frowned.

Li Muzhan smiled and shook his head. "To become a top master, I cannot help you directly; I can only save you some effort."

Yi Xiaoru grit her teeth. "Divine Sword Sect! If they truly dare to act recklessly, I must destroy them!"

She felt vexed by her own lack of diligence. Since marrying Li Muzhan, she had been immersed in happiness, her thoughts constantly revolving around him, unintentionally letting her martial arts skills stagnate. Even when practicing with her senior sisters and master, her heart was not in the training; it was always with Li Muzhan.

Li Muzhan said gently, "I don't think they will dare to act rashly. Rest assured."

"I hope so." A shadow fell over Yi Xiaoru's heart, and she slumped slightly.

Li Muzhan said, "Describe their appearances to me."

Yi Xiaoru’s spirits lifted. She still had Big Brother to rely on. She quickly recounted the appearances of the five women, while Li Muzhan listened and compared them with people he had already met.

After a short while, Li Muzhan nodded. "Alright, let's go. You wait for me outside!"

"Big Brother, what are you going to do?" Yi Xiaoru quickly asked.

Li Muzhan smiled. "Rescue them."

"You found them?" Yi Xiaoru asked suddenly, delighted.

Li Muzhan shook his head. "I'm going to look around. You all head back first. If I cannot rescue them, I will not press the matter."

Yi Xiaoru hurriedly said, "Then Big Brother, please be careful!"

"Mm." Li Muzhan patted her fragrant shoulder with a smile. Xiuxiu piped up, "Young Master, should we go back and buy Maiden Yuyao's freedom after all?"

Li Muzhan glared at her. Xiuxiu quickly relented. "Alright, alright, I won't mention it again!"

Li Muzhan waved his hand. Xiuxiu stamped her foot, then left with a look of resignation, Yi Xiaoru following close behind.

Li Muzhan sat alone in the room, watching them disappear. His figure instantly flashed and vanished from his spot, reappearing in another building.

—

This building was situated right next to the small courtyard belonging to Li Muzhan. On a couch in the room lay two women, while three others sat on chairs. All were motionless, like statues.

The surrounding courtyard and the main tower were brightly lit, but this small structure was plunged into darkness. When Li Muzhan suddenly appeared, the five women did not notice him.

Li Muzhan could see perfectly in the dark. He took in the five figures and spoke gently, "You are all subordinates of Miss Yi, correct? Miss Yi has entrusted me with rescuing you."

He examined the five women one by one. Only their eyes could move; the rest of their bodies were paralyzed. Li Muzhan smiled and clapped four times.

"Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!" Four dull sounds echoed. Four of the women's bodies trembled violently, then they let out a sigh of relief, slowly collapsing. The two on the couch fell flat, and the two on the chairs slumped against the backrests.

They all gasped deeply, greedily pulling in air as if they had been suffocating.

Of the five, Li Muzhan only released four. One remained completely still, only her eyes darting anxiously, urging Li Muzhan to quickly release her pressure points.

Li Muzhan smiled faintly, studying this woman, then shook his head. "The Divine Sword Sect has some skill. Are you also a disciple of the Divine Sword Sect?"

This woman was exquisitely beautiful, and in the darkness, her expression shifted dramatically, staring at Li Muzhan in disbelief. The other four women quickly sat up.

Because the room was dark, even with moonlight reflecting faintly on the window paper, the interior remained black. Since their acupoints were sealed, they could not see each other.

Li Muzhan lit a lantern, and the light instantly illuminated the five women.

In the lamplight, all five were strikingly beautiful, but the maiden whose acupoints remained sealed was particularly stunning, her beauty like a blooming flower—on the same level as Xiuxiu.

"The Divine Sword Sect has female disciples..." Li Muzhan smiled and shook his head.

"Thank you, Young Master!" The other four women stepped forward to salute him.

Li Muzhan waved his hand. "No need for formalities. I am He Zudao."

"Senior Brother He!" The four women immediately showed joy. As outer disciples of the Hidden Sect, they naturally knew of He Zudao, the Hidden Sect's son-in-law.

Li Muzhan spoke gently. "Are you all unharmed?"

One sharp, capable-looking maiden replied, "Senior Brother He, we are fine. Although they captured us, they have been completely respectful. They have a larger goal in mind, I knew it was to coerce Miss, wasn't it?"

Li Muzhan nodded. "They used the five of you to force Little Ru to attend the banquet, likely intending to force her into submission there."

"Insolent!" The four women stamped their feet in anger.

Li Muzhan waved his hand and smiled. "It's good that you are unharmed. Now, let's all slowly walk out."

"Will this work?" The four women looked concerned.

Li Muzhan said, "They are all quite busy and have no guards watching. Don't worry."

Li Muzhan had already subdued the guards. His movement technique was mysterious and completely impossible to guard against; ordinary disciples of the Divine Sword Sect stood no chance.

The sharp and capable maiden said, "What about Sister Fan!"

Li Muzhan spoke gently. "What is her condition?"

Someone then described Fan's appearance, and Li Muzhan instantly flashed away to another small courtyard. In a brightly lit room, he found another young woman, also immobilized by sealed acupoints. When he carried this maiden back to the group of four, they rushed forward, embracing her joyfully.

Li Muzhan flashed away again and soon returned, tossing a pile of clothes. He said gently, "Everyone change into these men's clothes and walk out brazenly. There is no need to sneak; you won't alert anyone from the Divine Sword Sect."

"Good." The five women quickly changed. The clothes fit them perfectly; Li Muzhan’s eyesight was sharp, and the discarded robes all matched their sizes.

Dressed as men, the five swaggered out of the small courtyard. Then, they adjusted their clothing, passed through Yiran Tower, and stepped out onto the main street.

Li Muzhan smiled. Using his Void Eye, he observed them leave and let out a breath of relief. However, he did not leave immediately. Instead, he sat down opposite the beautiful maiden whose acupoints he had not released, gave her a light pat, and instantly broke the seal on her points, smiling as he asked, "Are you truly a disciple of the Divine Sword Sect?"

"That's right!" The maiden snorted and turned her head away, flexing her wrist.

Her role as the captured maiden was a precaution, meant to foil anyone attempting a silent rescue, allowing her to potentially subdue the rescuer in an instant.

But she never expected that Li Muzhan possessed the Mind-Reading Art. Li Muzhan had used it to locate Yi Xiaoru’s subordinates, fearing he might misidentify someone, and by knowing their thoughts, he could recognize them naturally.

As a result, he instantly detected the difference in this maiden, and under Li Muzhan’s Mind-Reading Art, she had nowhere to hide.

Li Muzhan spoke gently. "The Divine Sword Sect has female disciples? Do you practice dual cultivation of yin and yang?"

He frowned and shook his head. "It seems the Divine Sword Forging Art wouldn't work for that... Who is Feng Zui?!"

He asked this sudden question while fixing his gaze on the maiden.

The maiden froze for a moment, a thought flashing through her mind. Li Muzhan instantly grasped the thought and learned Feng Zui's identity—he was indeed an elite who had been in secluded cultivation.

This Feng Zui was a once-in-a-century prodigy who had already mastered the Divine Sword Forging Art to its peak, even breaking free from its constraints to create new cultivation methods.

Feng Zui's martial arts were immensely profound, and he understood a secret art for concealing his aura, allowing him to hide from everyone. He was the Divine Sword Sect's secret weapon, capable of achieving victory through surprise at a critical moment.

Li Muzhan shook his head. "I think Feng Zui's martial arts are quite ordinary; how could he be that powerful?"

"Who are you?!" The maiden widened her bright eyes, staring at Li Muzhan with astonishment.

Li Muzhan smiled. "I am He Zudao of the Hidden Sect. Have you heard of me, girl?"

"You are that He Zudao?!" The maiden's bright eyes widened even further as she scrutinized him up and down. "You are that He Zudao?"

Li Muzhan chuckled. "I am indeed that He Zudao!"

"You... you..." The maiden suddenly showed anger, snorting, "What are you going to do with me?"

Li Muzhan smiled faintly. "If I capture you, will Feng Zui come?"

"Dream on!" The maiden sneered. "Senior Brother Feng would never fall for such a trick!"

Li Muzhan shook his head and smiled faintly. "We shall see. Let's test it out, shall we? An eye for an eye, after all."

"Senior Brother Feng will never forgive you!" the maiden sneered, feeling completely secure. (To be continued)