Dong Wanyi said coldly, "I am not your sister-in-law, and we are not familiar with each other. Don't crowd around; go attend to your own business!"

"Hee hee, Sister-in-law has such a good temper, why get angry?" Young Master He the Fifth remained smiling, turning to Li Muzhan: "It seems I've hit a sore spot with Sister-in-law!"

Li Muzhan frowned, turning his head: "Wanyi, this little brat has a sharp tongue, he deserves a lesson!"

Dong Wanyi shook her head: "Let's go."

She hurried, wanting to leave quickly, but Young Master He the Fifth blocked the way: "Sister-in-law, why flee? Are you feeling guilty?"

He glared at Li Muzhan and sneered, "Your Third Brother hasn't been dead that long, and Sister-in-law is already so impatient to find someone else?"

Li Muzhan could no longer tolerate it and chuckled lightly: "You are Young Master He the Fifth?"

"You know and still ask!" Young Master He the Fifth pouted: "You don't even know me; your experience is clearly limited. You should just scram, toad dreaming of eating swan meat!"

Li Muzhan shook his head: "Is your He family full of such creatures?"

"Good lad, you've got some nerve!" Young Master He the Fifth cried out strangely: "To dare speak of our He family like that, you truly have some courage. Uncle He the Ninth, teach him a lesson!"

"Yes, Young Master Fifth!" a middle-aged man responded in a deep voice, stepping in front of Li Muzhan and reaching out a hand as large as a cattail fan to strike at Li Muzhan.

Li Muzhan slapped him away with one palm, shook his hand, and looked calmly at Young Master He the Fifth.

Young Master He the Fifth's eyes widened, seemingly not having processed it, staring blankly at Li Muzhan, the smile frozen on his face. He hadn't expected things to turn out this way.

Li Muzhan smiled at him: "Come at me together!"

Young Master He the Fifth instantly reacted, gritting his teeth and sneering: "No wonder you had the gall to seduce Sister-in-law; turns out you have some skill. Everyone attack at once, life or death is irrelevant!"

"Yes!" The remaining five middle-aged men shouted in unison and lunged at Li Muzhan, their movements coordinated perfectly. Their long swords were drawn from their waists, each stabbing from a different angle, sealing off any space for Li Muzhan to evade.

Li Muzhan couldn't be bothered to entangle with them. He pushed out a palm, and the shadow of a massive hand appeared in the void, growing larger the farther it was from Li Muzhan, instantly pouncing on the five men.

"Bang!" With a muffled thud, the five men were sent flying backward, landing in the woods lining the small path, falling silent.

"You... you..." Young Master He the Fifth's face changed, pointing at Li Muzhan, unable to speak. He had expected Li Muzhan to have some skill—otherwise, he wouldn't dare approach Dong Wanyi—but he hadn't anticipated him being so formidable. The Dong family had latched onto a powerful connection this time!

Li Muzhan was using the Giant Spirit Fist obtained from the Divine Fist Sect; its power was indeed immense. With his profound cultivation and excellent comprehension, the Giant Spirit Fist in his hands was even more formidable than in the hands of the Divine Fist Sect disciples.

Li Muzhan smiled gently: "Young Master He the Fifth, trouble comes from the mouth. Be careful, be careful!"

Having said that, he turned and smiled at Dong Wanyi: "Let's go."

Dong Wanyi was exceedingly pleased. She had been suppressing a smile, always speaking sarcastically whenever she met him, and she couldn't beat him, so she could only hide. Today, he finally taught that brat a lesson!

The three quickly moved away from them. Chunhua said excitedly, "That was so satisfying!"

Li Muzhan smiled. Dong Wanyi asked, "Are they not seriously injured?"

Li Muzhan shook his head: "Just minor cuts; they'll be fine after a short rest. It serves to teach him a lesson, preventing him from becoming endlessly presumptuous."

"That's what he deserved!" Chunhua nodded vigorously with excitement.

Dong Wanyi also breathed a sigh of relief. It was good that no one was killed. If someone had truly died, the He family would never have let it go. Fortunately, the Dong family now had people from the Abyss Pavilion backing them, so they weren't afraid of the He family.

Li Muzhan asked, "Has the He family not toned down their behavior lately?"

Chunhua pursed her lips and snorted, "Not at all! They still talk about how you only entered the outer sect, which is far inferior to the inner sect!"

Li Muzhan shook his head and smiled.

Chunhua asked, "Young Master, can you beat that He family brat?"

Li Muzhan nodded: "Yes, I was accepted as a direct disciple by the Pavilion Master."

"Ah—?" Chunhua was surprised, and Dong Wanyi also eagerly pressed for details. Li Muzhan then recounted the entire sequence of events, causing both women's eyes to gleam with excitement.

Chunhua grumbled that he hadn't replied to her letters, or they could have held their heads high long ago and thoroughly irritated the He family.

Li Muzhan smiled wryly. He had been meditating in the Abyss, and after emerging, he immediately went into seclusion. He hadn't had time for these matters, but now he could finally attend to them.

This explanation was also for Dong Wanyi. Thinking about it, his previous neglect had indeed been too much.

Dong Wanyi laughed: "It's not comfortable in the Abyss Pavilion; the competition is fierce. One must focus on serious matters. Being distracted and delaying practice—that is the real sin!"

Li Muzhan secretly marveled at Dong Wanyi's gentle understanding; what man wouldn't admire a woman like this!

Chunhua declared, "Miss, we should go and give the He family a good bullying!"

Dong Wanyi shook her head: "If we did that, what would be the difference between us and the He family? Chunhua, don't tell Eldest Young Master about this news."

"Alright," Chunhua nodded reluctantly. "But Eldest Young Master will find out sooner or later."

Li Muzhan smiled: "Eldest Young Master is worried about the Mu family; he has no appetite for bothering the He family."

Dong Wanyi frowned: "The Mu family is very formidable, and their methods are tyrannical; they are even more detestable than the He family."

Li Muzhan said, "I will find a way. Don't worry."

He returned to the city with Dong Wanyi and Chunhua, left Dong Manor that very night, and returned the next day. Two days later, a piece of news spread rapidly through the martial world: the famous Flower Plucker had been murdered in a brothel; the killer was Li Canghai, known as Li Canghai of White Mountain.

People were intensely curious about this suddenly appearing Li Canghai, but his whereabouts were unpredictable, and no one knew where he hailed from.

The Flower Plucker was a notorious rake with unparalleled lightness skill, almost unmatched. Furthermore, he was cunning and treacherous; even when people set traps for him, he often detected them in advance.

People realized this man might possess astonishing intuition, able to sense danger beforehand, which was why he repeatedly escaped peril and survived. If not for this ability, given the wicked deeds he committed, he would have been killed hundreds or thousands of times over, yet he remained free, untouchable by anyone.

It was unfortunate that such a master, whom countless people and even renowned sects couldn't handle, was taken down by an unknown rookie. Li Canghai, Li Canghai of White Mountain—who was this deity? They had never heard of him before. If he were truly formidable, shouldn't his name have been renowned throughout the world long ago?

Some suspected that this Li Canghai was merely lucky, accidentally encountering the Flower Plucker, or perhaps the Flower Plucker was injured, and Li Canghai took advantage of the situation.

While people were debating this, three days later, Li Canghai gained further renown, killing the Sword Wielder of Misty Smoke, a local powerhouse who had dominated Misty Smoke City for over a decade.

The Sword Wielder of Misty Smoke was famous for his swordplay being supremely gentle and yielding, like a spring breeze or fine drizzle, yet possessing infinite power, killing opponents without them realizing it, establishing his dominance over the region. His background was mysterious; he was rumored to be the disciple of an extraordinary hermit, belonging to no sect or faction, yet he secured his position ruling the city through sheer skill—a model for countless youths.

Unexpectedly, he fell to a mere novice who had just emerged onto the scene, slain by Li Canghai, who even documented his crimes: the abduction of virtuous women and forcing them into prostitution.

This time, people had no doubts left about Li Canghai. Killing the Flower Plucker might have been luck; killing the Sword Wielder of Misty Smoke twice was no longer luck—it was ability.

Fortunately, the martial world is vast and full of wonders. There are always a few cases each year of masters rising like comets—silent until they strike, astonishing everyone—this is the best way to become famous.

Three days later, another martial arts powerhouse fell victim to Li Canghai's blade. This time, people were less shocked but acknowledged Li Canghai's established status.

Li Canghai was heading southeast, towards a martial sect—the Clear River Sword Sect. People couldn't help but wonder if Li Canghai intended to challenge the Clear River Sword Sect. That would truly be overestimating his capabilities; the strength of the Clear River Sword Sect was beyond the imagination of ordinary people, unfathomable.

As Li Muzhan's cultivation surged, his comprehension of the Void-Breaking Sword Intent deepened, and he wielded the instant movement technique with greater ease. He made a round trip every day: accompanying Dong Wanyi out for leisure, showing off in East Yang City during the day, and returning to the other location at night, continuing his journey southeastward.

He did this partly to divert attention and minimize his perceived connection to the Dong family, and partly to gauge the strength of the Clear River Sword Sect.

As he traveled, he eliminated evil deeds. Once he activated the Mind-Reading Skill, few could resist it; hypocrites could not escape his piercing gaze. Although his current cultivation wasn't unrivaled across the world, he had few equals. Any opponents he might face would be those ancient, monstrous figures, rarely seen walking the secular world, unless they were eccentric masters merely indulging in worldly affairs.

He possessed the Heavenly Secret Art; if such a character truly appeared, he would sense it in advance and choose to avoid them.

He killed ten people in one go, and the name Li Canghai echoed across half the land, vaguely establishing him as a preeminent young master. Soon, people started secretly targeting him. Those with guilty consciences or seeking revenge banded together to ambush him, but he effortlessly neutralized their plots, arriving unscathed at the Clear River Sword Sect.

The Clear River Sword Sect was situated on a small island in the sea, a location difficult for ordinary people to find. It was said to be shrouded in a perpetual mist, impossible to reach without guidance from a Clear River Sword Sect disciple.

White Stone City lay by the coast, extraordinarily prosperous. White Stone City offered many unique goods supplied to the entire world, and the stream of merchants kept it bustling and packed. However, White Stone City had a complex populace, comprising all sorts of people, yet the public order was excellent because this territory belonged to the Clear River Sword Sect and was governed by them.

No matter how powerful a martial artist, they dared not clash head-on with the Clear River Sword Sect, let alone the ordinary merchants who practiced no martial arts. This was precisely why so many merchants came to White Stone City: as long as they were within its boundaries, travelers' safety was guaranteed, and robbery, let alone murder, was unthinkable. If any trouble occurred, they didn't need to worry; the Clear River Sword Sect would provide an explanation. Thus, merchants flowed in like ants, making White Stone City exceptionally prosperous.

When Li Muzhan entered White Stone City and observed this situation, he shook his head in contemplation. East Yang City was considered quite good and lively, but compared to White Stone City, the difference felt like that between a metropolis and a small country town.

Walking from the east end of White Stone City to the west would take three days and still not cover the distance, while the north-south span was slightly shorter, about a day's travel.

Li Muzhan strolled leisurely here, admiring the prosperity of White Stone City and praising the Clear River Sword Sect; to manage such prosperity, the sect was truly extraordinary.

The poor study, the rich train in martial arts; becoming a master is impossible without money. Insufficient sustenance for martial practitioners damages the body, and practicing martial arts also requires medicine to regulate the physique, complementing each other. Guarding such a cash cow, the wealth of the Clear River Sword Sect was evident. With money came abundant resources, making their disciples like tigers with wings. (To be continued)