"You say that Zhuge Yuanhong severed Dan Chen's right arm with a single sword strike, and severely injured a Xiantian Golden Core master from the Xueying Cult?" The Blind Sword Saint did not mention Teng Qingshan, instead focusing intently on 'Zhuge Yuanhong'.

"Yes," Gu Yong nodded.

The Blind Sword Saint snorted softly: "This Zhuge Yuanhong is slightly younger than you. Ever since you were young, Zhuge Yuanhong has always held a slight edge over you. You are an Island Master, and he is a Sect Master. Yet you are the Island Master of Qinghu Island! You are seventh on the Tian Bang (Heavenly Ranking), but Zhuge Yuanhong is sixth. Years have passed... the power of Zhuge Yuanhong's single sword has reached such a level. Clearly, his progress has been immense. By my estimation, he is not far from reaching 'unity of divine essence with heaven and earth, boundless true essence.' Once he achieves 'unity of divine essence with heaven and earth, boundless true essence,' Zhuge Yuanhong will be a Void Realm master! Gu Yong, the gap between you and him is not only failing to narrow, it is actually widening."

Gu Yong lowered his head, not daring to utter a sound.

"A single sword strike with such power. Zhuge Yuanhong should rank second or third on the Tian Bang," the Blind Sword Saint sighed quietly. "Also, this time, did you notice anything peculiar about Wu Hou? In my judgment, he should have broken through that final barrier and reached the Void Realm."

In the eyes of the Blind Sword Saint... The Void Realm was the power capable of deciding the fate of the world! And Xiantian experts were merely the reserve forces for the Void Realm. The more Xiantian experts a sect possessed, the higher the probability of a Void Realm master emerging.

"Although Wu Hou's strength is terrifying, he has not yet reached the stage where he can borrow the power of heaven and earth," Gu Yong stated.

"This Wu Hou..."

The Blind Sword Saint shook his head. "Though I haven't seen him, based on the intelligence I've gathered, he should have reached his final limit thirty years ago. With his talent... he ought to have attained the Void Realm by now." Although his eyes were blind, the Blind Sword Saint seemed to perceive Gu Yong's expression. "Yong'er, do you have anything more to say?"

Gu Yong nodded. "Yes, I wish to abdicate! To let Junior Brother or Senior Brother take over as Island Master."

"Abdicating is fine."

The Blind Sword Saint nodded. "Within these few days, pick an auspicious day. You step down, and let... your junior brother Tie Fan succeed as Island Master. His temperament, tempered by the responsibilities of an Island Master, will benefit his cultivation."

"Yes." Gu Yong immediately felt uneasy. "Ancestor Master, what about Teng Qingshan..."

"Teng Qingshan must, of course, be dealt with. However, that is a minor matter," the Blind Sword Saint said indifferently. "This time, we lost twelve Enforcement Elders, and Dan Chen lost an arm. Qinghu Island has suffered too great a loss... Yong'er, after you abdicate, you will become a ferryman on Qinghu Lake. You will work as a ferryman during the day and cultivate on my Sword Blade Mountain at night."

"Ferryman..." Gu Yong started, stunned.

"Hmph." The Blind Sword Saint let out a low snort, and the entire surrounding world seemed to rumble faintly. "Yong'er, when you hadn't yet become Island Master, you possessed valor and dominance, but not like this now... You have been blinded by power. The position of Island Master is illusory! To reach the Void Realm, to utilize the power of heaven and earth—that is true strength."

Recalling the years he had experienced, Gu Yong's heart trembled.

For so many years, he had focused only on how to make Qinghu Island stronger, how to destroy sects like Tie Yi Men and Gui Yuan Sect. His state of mind had completely changed... Meanwhile, Zhuge Yuanhong of Gui Yuan Sect rarely showed himself. Originally, their strengths were comparable, with little difference. But now... the gap had grown considerable.

Gu Yong felt a surge of after-fear.

If he continued like this for a few more decades, Zhuge Yuanhong might be able to kill him with a single move.

"Yes, after abdicating, Yong'er will willingly serve as a ferryman." Gu Yong bowed respectfully, already prepared to fashion a human-skin mask, wear it, and then work as a ferryman.

"Mhm," the Blind Sword Saint murmured coolly. "Being a ferryman, letting you transition from the lofty position of Island Master to the lowest rung... perhaps you will experience much. I know your nature; you will certainly resort to disguise. When the day comes that you can shed that pretense and serve as a ferryman with your true face, perhaps then you will have hope of catching up to Zhuge Yuanhong. Hope, perhaps, of one day reaching the Void Realm!"

"Yes," Gu Yong replied.

To serve as a ferryman with his true face—that was harder for Gu Yong to bear than death itself.

"Go now. Your junior brother Tie Fan will handle the matter of Teng Qingshan," the Blind Sword Saint stated plainly.

Immediately, Gu Yong withdrew.

On November 12th, the Island Master of Qinghu Island, 'Gu Yong', abdicated. 'Tie Fan', a Xiantian Golden Core expert barely fifty-one years old, succeeded him as the new Island Master of Qinghu Island. And from that afternoon onward, Gu Yong concealed his identity, donned a human-skin mask, and began his life as the most ordinary, common ferryman on Qinghu Lake!

Jiangning Commandery City, Gui Yuan Sect.

Inside Zhuge Yuanhong's study.

Zhuge Yuanhong, clad in white robes with bare feet, held a paintbrush, applying strokes to the paper mounted on an easel. His expression was serene, his eyes silently fixed on the painting before him. Occasionally, his brush dipped into ink, his entire spirit seemingly immersed in this artwork. It depicted a 'Solitary Traveler in the Snow.'

Across an endless expanse of snow lay scattered footprints and numerous corpses. In the distance, only a single solitary figure was moving forward.

An atmosphere of stark killing intent emanated from the painting.

Abruptly, he paused his brushstroke!

Zhuge Yuanhong tossed the brush aside and actually laughed, yet the smile looked profoundly sorrowful.

"Father!" a cry rang out.

Zhuge Yuanhong turned to see the person entering—it was his son, 'Zhuge Yun'.

"Father, Senior Brother Qingshan isn't dead! He's not dead!!!" Zhuge Yun spoke rapidly.

Zhuge Yuanhong's eyes lit up.

These past few days, Zhuge Yuanhong's mood had been grim. His daughter's death and Teng Qingshan's uncertain fate had weighed heavily on his heart. But as a Sect Master, he could not allow this distress to be too apparent. He could only swallow all these feelings.

"How do you know?" Zhuge Yuanhong asked.

"Here." Zhuge Yun handed over a rolled-up confidential letter. "I just ran into Second Martial Uncle, and he told me the news, asking me to deliver this letter to you. It's not really a secret, though... It's the bounty notice released by Qinghu Island. With this notice out, it at least confirms that Senior Brother Qingshan is still alive."

Zhuge Yuanhong glanced at it and felt a wave of relief wash over him, a rare smile appearing on his face.

"Not dead, good, that is good," Zhuge Yuanhong exclaimed. "Qinghu Island is certainly willing to spend heavily for this. Once this bounty notice spreads, perhaps the vast majority of people under heaven will want to kill Qingshan. However... with Qingshan's disguise arts, Qinghu Island will find it very difficult to capture him."

"It's wonderful news that Qingshan is alive," Zhuge Yuanhong praised.

"Yes, if Sister is aware in the afterlife, she will be happy too," Zhuge Yun sighed softly.

Hearing this, Zhuge Yuanhong regained his composure. "Let's go, accompany me to see Qingshan's parents. They have been extremely worried about Qingshan these past few days..."

"Yes, Big Auntie is sick with worry," Zhuge Yun nodded. "Now that we know Qingshan is alive, Big Auntie's health should improve."

Immediately, Zhuge Yuanhong took his son to visit the couple Teng Yongfan and his wife. Because of the two cauldrons of 'Spirit of the North Sea,' Zhuge Yuanhong felt even greater gratitude and guilt toward Teng Qingshan. Now that Teng Qingshan was absent... naturally, Zhuge Yuanhong directed all his efforts to compensate Teng Qingshan's parents.

Moreover... Zhuge Yun and Qingyu would likely be getting married soon. They would become in-laws in the future. Zhuge Yuanhong's care for Teng Qingshan's parents was therefore entirely natural.

Wucheng, Xuyang Commandery.

The caravan's pace was not fast, but Teng Qingshan was not in a hurry. He knew... if he traveled a thousand li a day, rushing so desperately alone, he would surely attract attention from many quarters. If Qinghu Island had outposts stationed everywhere and received word of his location, they might find him!

That would be too dangerous!

But now, although the speed was slow, the advantage lay in safety.

This group of merchants had now entered Wucheng.

"All this jostling has made my back and waist sore," Old Zhang smacked his lips. "We're finally in Wucheng. Qin Wei, once we get inside the city, we have to have a good rest."

"No problem, but we need to drink less alcohol," Teng Qingshan chuckled. "The last time you drank with me, you couldn't even ride a horse when we traveled. You could only lie in the cargo cart, completely drunk and raving. Several of us had to expend considerable effort just to take care of you, you drunkard."

"We were having fun drinking that day," Old Zhang chuckled slyly. "Besides, Qin Wei, your tolerance for alcohol is incredible. We matched glass for glass, and you drank just as much as me. I got drunk, but you seemed completely unaffected."

"Old Zhang, your tolerance is just average, miles behind Qin Wei," a bald, sallow-faced man chimed in with a laugh.

"Jia Tuzhi, are you saying your tolerance is better than mine?" Old Zhang glared.

"I'm not arguing with you madman," the bald man chuckled.

Teng Qingshan found the company of these merchants quite pleasant these past few days. These merchants endured hardships on the road and constantly faced threats from bandits; it was indeed a tough life. Don't let the extravagant lives of wealthy merchants fool you into admiration. Wealthy merchants usually rose from humble beginnings, or they inherited the fruits of their ancestors' hard labor.

"We'll part ways here, everyone! We gather at the West City Gate in one hour. If you're late, we won't wait!" a shout went up.

"Roger that!"

"Brothers, let's go for a drink."

"Let's go, Third Brother treats!"

The merchants and guards began dispersing in their respective groups. Teng Qingshan walked with Old Zhang's group of six men.

"Look!" 'Heizi', standing next to Old Zhang, suddenly called out. "Up ahead, so many people are gathered over there, what are they doing?"

"Hey, there are quite a few people. Let's go take a look," Jia Tuzhi's eyes also brightened.

When venturing out into the world, it was best to follow the crowds.

Teng Qingshan, curious, moved closer with the others. To maintain his disguise as a 'merchant,' he needed to self-hypnotize that he was a merchant. His actions needed to mirror those of the merchants; standing out would draw unwanted notice.

"One thousand taels of gold?"

"One hundred thousand taels of gold? Brother, read that out loud for me. I only know one thousand taels of gold; one hundred thousand taels of gold..."

As Teng Qingshan and his companions approached, they saw a throng of people shouting noisily.

"Damn it, if I kill this Teng Qingshan, won't my descendants be prosperous for generations?" an excited voice carried from the center of the crowd, which was packed tight.

Teng Qingshan frowned upon hearing the name 'Teng Qingshan.'

He immediately squeezed forward with the other merchants, intending to reach the innermost part of the throng.