Prologue — The First Person
In the main hall of the White Ming Cult, the atmosphere always exudes a mysterious and eerie aura. This place should have been solemn and stately. However, under the meticulous arrangement of a highly skilled person, the rows of candles cast their flickering lights on the "cult leader's throne" high above. The interweaving of light and shadow inadvertently creates an illusion that the cult leader sitting on the throne seems to be emanating a ghostly aura, sending shivers down people's spines.
"Yun'er, look! What new thing have I brought for you!" The cult leader sat on the throne, with a gentle smile on the face, and waved to the little girl standing beside. This little girl was named Huangfu Yun. At this moment, she walked slowly towards the throne like an old ox taking slow steps. When she got close, she obediently let the cult leader take her little hand.
"What new thing has the cult leader brought for Yun'er?" Huangfu Yun said in a flat tone, with no trace of excitement on her face. At an age when she should have been innocent and carefree, she seemed to have experienced a great deal of vicissitudes and lost the liveliness and curiosity that children of her age should have.
"You little girl, at such a young age, you love to act like an old-timer," the cult leader looked at her and said teasingly with a smile. However, only Huangfu Yun herself knew that she didn't love to act like an old-timer. There had always been a simple and pure dream in her heart, which was to do what one should do at a certain age. According to her perception, girls of her age should stay in their boudoirs and learn needlework and embroidery, rather than constantly dealing with the scheming in the demonic cult all day long. Just yesterday, when she was doing her hair in front of the mirror, she unexpectedly found a silver hair among her tresses. After thinking about it for a long time, she finally determined that it wasn't white hair from birth but the result of excessive worry in this environment full of treachery.
"Look, that's the good thing I brought back for you." The cult leader pointed excitedly at the bottom of the jade steps, eager to see Huangfu Yun's reaction. A young man in white was kneeling there in a sorry state. His clothes were in disarray and his face was scarred, looking extremely down and out. In fact, Huangfu Yun had already noticed the young man as soon as she entered the hall. However, she knew very well that in this demonic cult, turning a blind eye and a deaf ear was the best way to stay alive.
"Master, who is he?" She played along with the cult master and asked curiously.
"Some self - overestimating righteous people broke into the White Ming Cult and attempted to assassinate the cult leader. Such an act is undoubtedly a dead end. However, the cult leader is in an extremely benevolent mood and bestows upon him the status of a Heavenly Slave in the cult. Yun'er, you don't have a Heavenly Slave under your command yet, do you?" The cult leader said casually, as if deciding a person's fate was just like a child's play.
"Yun'er is still young and doesn't need it yet." Huangfu Yun replied softly, trying to reject the cult leader's arrangement. She knew in her heart that these so - called Heavenly Slaves were just a kind of enslavement tool of the Demon Cult. Once one accepted it, they would be caught in endless troubles.
The cult leader smiled mysteriously and said, "Yun'er lost her parents at a young age, and there was no one to teach her many things. But you will face some things sooner or later. I think this young man is quite good - looking and has a decent build. You can just take him and use him." To Huangfu Yun, the words "take him and use him" were like a heavy shackle. Based on her own thinking and understanding, she determined that she was only ten years old this year. There were still many things that didn't require the use of a heavenly slave, and she didn't have to accept such an arrangement reluctantly.
"Bring the rings!" At the cult leader's order, a cultist stepped forward, holding a long box in both hands and presenting it to Huangfu Yun. Inside the box, there was a red silk lining, on which two golden rings were placed side by side and interlocked. There were snake patterns engraved on the rings, and special bells were tied to them. In the White Ming Cult, one could often hear the tinkling sound made by the Tiannu as they walked. The sound was clear and pleasant. However, once it was one's turn to be accompanied by this sound, it was by no means an easy thing.
Huangfu Yun was forced to take the shining double rings. A forced bright smile appeared on his face as he said, "Thank you, the cult leader, for bestowing the rings."
"What was given to you is the snake-shaped ring, which suits the style of the Huangfu family. There is only one pair in the cult. Now put it on for him." There was a barely perceptible malice hidden in the cult leader's smile, just like a sharp needle hidden in cotton or a knife hidden behind a smile.
"Yes," Huangfu Yun said with a smile on her childish face, showing absolute cooperation. She slowly walked onto the jade steps and leaned over to look at the young man in white who was forced to kneel on the ground. Although the young man was covered in blood and his face was a bit dirty, his outstanding and handsome appearance could still not be concealed. He was probably the young master of some highly respected orthodox sect. He had recklessly broken into the Cult of Spiritual Improvement in order to gain fame, but he never expected to end up in such a situation.
Huangfu Yun tilted her head to size up the young man's figure. She noticed that the young man's shoulder blades weren't pierced, and his hands were only tied with a thick rope, with deep bloodstains on his wrists. This indicated that the man had struggled for a long time, and it also implied that the thick rope would break soon. Although the young man seemed to have had his acupoints sealed, his legs on the ground twitched from time to time. As long as she got close to him, he might use 70% of his foot strength. With her young age and delicate body, she would either die or be seriously injured. Looking at the venomous look in the young man's eyes as he glared at her, it was as if he wanted to devour her and end up in a situation where both jade and stones would be shattered. She knew clearly that the young man was full of hostility towards her, and the interested look in the cult leader's eyes from behind also made her feel extremely uncomfortable. She was like being caught between tigers and wolves. There was the threat of the young man in front and the cult leader's attitude of watching the show behind. She was struggling to survive in this precarious situation. She was just a child, yet she had to face such a complicated and dangerous situation.
Suddenly, she plopped down on the jade steps. "What's your name?" she asked innocently, trying to break the tense and oppressive atmosphere. The young man just stared at her without responding. She played with the snake-shaped bracelet, pretending not to notice the young man's murderous intent. With the corners of her mouth curled up in a childlike smile, she said, "My name is Huangfu Yun. From today on, I'll be your master." As she spoke, she flipped her hand and casually fastened the snake-shaped bracelet onto her wrist.
The young man was stunned. He originally thought that the snake rings would be tied to his feet, becoming a lifelong disgrace for him. He never expected that Huangfu Yun would do such a thing.
Huangfu Yun shook her wrist, and the tinkling sound echoed throughout the hall. "This snake-shaped bracelet is so beautiful. How could I let you have it all to yourself? One for you and one for me. That's fair. From now on, based on this, you'll only have me as your master. If others call you, you can just ignore them." Finally, she took action and fastened the other snake-shaped bracelet onto the young man's left ankle.
The young man remained motionless and still stared at her. Then, Huangfu Yun bowed to the cult leader on the throne and said, "Thank you, cult leader, for bestowing the servant upon me. Yun'er will take her leave." With his hands behind his back, he walked a few steps, then turned around and scolded, "Why don't you follow me quickly?" After saying that, he walked out of the door without looking back.
The young boy pursed his lips and staggered to catch up with the small figure. He saw Huangfu Yun walking slowly like a snail, with a hunched back and hands behind her back, looking exactly like a spineless old woman. People from the Demon Cult all found it strange. How could there be such a stupid child who tied the symbol of the Heavenly Slave to her own wrist? Listening more closely, the young boy heard her shaking her head and muttering, "..."Han Shan asked Shi De, 'In the world, people slander me, bully me, insult me, laugh at me, despise me, belittle me, hate me, and deceive me. How should I deal with them?' Shi De replied, 'Just endure him, yield to him, let him be, avoid him, tolerate him, respect him, and don't pay attention to him. Wait a few more years and see what becomes of him... I endure, I endure, I endure some more... Enduring is so good...'"
Prologue - The Second Person
One night, after taking a bath in the hot spring, Huangfu Yun walked back to her own courtyard under the moonlight. On the way, she rarely had a touch of sentiment and wanted to recite a poem facing the bright moon. However, just as she was immersed in this poetic atmosphere, a glistening sword blade silently appeared at her neck and accidentally sliced off a tuft of her slightly damp long hair.
"Pardon me, miss." A man's voice came from behind her. The voice seemed to have been deliberately altered, but it was definitely a man's. The night breeze blew, and Huangfu Yun smelled a special sulfurous odor on the man behind her, which was actually the same as the one on her own body. In an instant, a glint of murderous intent flashed in her downcast eyes, but it was quickly hidden by her.
"Did you follow me all the way from Tianbi Cliff, young master?" She also lowered her voice and changed her tone as she asked. She knew very well that there were not many Central Plains people who could reach Tianbi Cliff. Moreover, since the other party could follow her without being detected, they must be highly skilled in martial arts.
"Forgive my rudeness, miss." There was a hint of apology in the man's voice, which also confirmed that he had indeed come down from Tianbi Cliff. Huangfu Yun felt annoyed inwardly. She had just taken a bath in the hot spring on Tianbi Cliff. Wouldn't this mean he had seen her for free? But she knew well that she couldn't act rashly at this moment and had to swallow her anger.
She took a deep breath and tried to broaden her mind. She understood that a wise man adapts himself to circumstances. The other person's martial arts skills were definitely better than hers, and the movements were definitely faster than hers. She thought that even if she carried four swords on her back, she definitely couldn't defeat a master who could climb up Tianbi Cliff. Moreover, she was fourteen years old this year. But due to excessive mental strain, her development should be two or three years later than ordinary people. It didn't really matter if she was seen. There is a knife above the character "endure". She told herself that this knife wasn't that big and she could endure it.
Thinking of this, she looked up at the sky, imagining the sword hanging above her head that could fall at any moment, and kept whispering "endure" to herself in her heart.
"Miss, don't misunderstand. On my way up to Tianbi Cliff... I was poisoned by the poisonous smoke. My eyesight is poor and I didn't see anything." The man seemed to sense Huangfu Yun's concern and quickly explained.
"I believe completely!" Huangfu Yun said forcefully. She knew in her heart that whether she believed it or not, she could only choose to believe at this moment. She continued to ask, "Sir, you followed me down the mountain all the way with the sound of my bell. Is it..." She clasped her hands behind her back and didn't dare to make any big movements, for fear of causing misunderstandings from the other party and being killed innocently.
"All I ask is that the young lady escort me out of Tianlin," the man said sincerely.
"Small problem!" Huangfu Yun responded very readily. She knew that there were no hidden arrows in this forest at all. Anyone could come and go freely, and every path led outside the forest. Presumably the person behind her was really temporarily blinded in eyesight because of inhaling the poisonous smoke, so he needed her help. She also consoled him, "Young master, there's no need to worry. The poisonous smoke on Tianbi Cliff will disperse once it meets the sunlight. Your eyesight will recover after daybreak."
"...... Well, thank you, girl." the man said gratefully.
"Then shall I start walking?" Huangfu Yun asked tentatively. She wanted to confirm whether the man would really follow behind her.
"Please," the man replied.
The sword was slowly retracted. Huangfu Yun didn't even turn her head and stepped forward. She was extremely cautious, pricking up her ears to listen carefully, but she just couldn't hear the sound of footsteps following behind.
"My lord?" she called out softly.
"I'm here." The man's voice came from behind.
Huangfu Yun was extremely shocked. Clearly the person was right behind her, yet she couldn't hear any footsteps. Didn't this prove that the person had extraordinary martial arts skills? Now she only hoped that the person's moral character was as high as his martial arts skills and that he wouldn't kill her after using her.
Under no circumstances should he go back. People from the Central Plains pay great attention to face. They came to the White Ming Cult under the banner of "eliminating the cult leader". Now that he's returning dejectedly, who knows if he'll take it out on her by killing her?
"Is the young lady a celestial slave?" the man suddenly asked.
Oh no! Huangfu Yun realized the gravity of the problem. She quickly shook the bell in her hand and replied, "My lord, you've made a mistake. This is just an ordinary bell. Among the Tiannu people, men wear bells on their feet and women on their hands, but I only have one, which is a bracelet I bought from the Central Plains." She knew very well that the people in the Central Plains looked down on the Tiannu people. Some Tiannu people who fled back to the Central Plains ended up in a miserable state. She didn't want to endure such pain.
The person behind didn't make a sound, which made Huangfu Yun even more nervous. After a while, the man seemed to realize that this path indeed led outside Tianlin, and then said, "Miss, you are so kind. You really led me out of the forest."
Huangfu Yun curled her lips and replied, "This young woman not only has a kind heart, but also always loves peace and advocates a peaceful life. There has never been a death on my hands, and I never stand in anyone's way." She said this to let the man understand her attitude. She didn't want to cause trouble and wouldn't lead him to the cult leader. All she wanted now was to send this man away quickly and treat tonight as a ridiculous dream that left no trace.
"So, there's a peace-loving person like you in the White Ming Cult. It's a pity you were born into such a place," the man sighed.
"Alas, I think so too," Huangfu Yun shook her head and sighed, saying, "If I were born into an ordinary family, I wouldn't have encountered such a life-and-death situation in the middle of the night. I hope the young master is honest and upright, and doesn't let me lose my life at that time." She deliberately emphasized the words "honest and upright", hoping that the man could keep his promise.
"Of course. I will surely remember the great kindness the girl showed me tonight," the man imitated her by emphasizing his tone as he replied.
"No, no. It's just a small favor. I was just taking a stroll on the way. It's nothing, nothing at all," Huangfu Yun quickly said modestly. In her heart, she prayed that the man wouldn't remember her, lest it bring her trouble in the future.
Whether the person behind was stunned by her humble response or amazed that there was such a weak person in the White Lotus Sect, in any case, he didn't continue the conversation.
Huangfu Yun maintained the posture of taking a walk all the time, not daring to walk too fast or too slowly. The night wind blew straight at her, making her unbound long hair flutter in the wind. She didn't expect anything to happen tonight and was dressed very casually. Her young boy's attire in a loose robe was neat and tidy, and she could take it off and go to bed directly after returning to the courtyard. Who would have thought that such a thing would happen. She couldn't help sighing: Man proposes, but God disposes.
"Someone's ahead." Suddenly, the man from the Central Plains spoke, his voice extremely low this time.
Huangfu Yun reacted very quickly and immediately stopped. She said, "Young master, turn around." Then, she also turned around with her hands behind her back. Sure enough, she saw a young man with his back to her about five paces away.
Her almond-shaped eyes widened slightly, and she was secretly startled in her heart. This young man from the Central Plains was wearing a white robe. He had a handsome and slender figure and was quite tall. Judging from his posture, he was definitely not over twenty. To be a master at such a young age, such people were mostly geniuses, and geniuses were often very excitable. If she deceived him, even if he had poor eyesight, he could kill her within one move!
Fortunately, fortunately! She secretly rejoiced that she was not fond of causing trouble or overthinking things, and that she hadn't deceived the other party. Only then was she able to keep her life tonight.
"Who's there?" the patrolling cultist shouted.
"Who else could it be?" Huangfu Yun said unhappily without turning around, pretending to admire the moon. She would go to the hot spring several times at night every month and return to her garden at the fourth watch. There was no one on the way, and she was already used to going there and back without makeup. Who would have thought that today she had to escort this person from the Central Plains out of the forest and was forced to run into someone else. This bloody example made her vigilant. In the future, she must never let down her guard again. From now on, unless she was at home, she couldn't take off her "protective makeup".
"Is it the protector?" the cultist asked hesitantly. This voice, this figure, and this appearance of a little old woman standing with hands behind her back clearly indicated that it was the weakest little protector in the White Ming Cult.
"As long as you understand. You've had a tough night on patrol," Huangfu Yun said calmly.
"Protector of the Dharma, he..." The cultist still wanted to inquire about the people from the Central Plains.
"He is the heavenly servant of this Dharma protector. Don't you recognize him?" Huangfu Yun quickly interrupted him and explained.
"Yes, yes." The cultist remembered that the Dharma protector had taken in a young celestial servant four years ago, and since then the two had been inseparable, so he didn't ask any more questions.
Huangfu Yun waved his hand and said, "Get out of here. Don't disturb this protector from enjoying the moon."
"Yes," the religious follower responded and then turned around and left.
Huangfu Yun let out a silent sigh. A thin layer of sweat broke out on her freshly washed body again. Dammit, but she still had to endure it. Not wanting to look at the Central Plains man any longer, she spun around and turned her back to him, saying, "Sir, you can leave now."
She pricked up her ears and listened. When she heard that the young man from the Central Plains had turned around, she smiled and said, "My lord, we just met tonight, but I never thought we could cooperate so well." She asked him to turn around and he did. The two of them worked together seamlessly and were extremely in sync.
"The young lady treats others sincerely. Naturally, I trust her." the man replied. This flattery hit the mark, and Huangfu Yun deserved it. In fact, she had to show the utmost sincerity to resolve the greatest crisis in her life.
Moreover, she asked him to turn his back, which meant not letting him see her face. She knew very well that once her face was recognized, who knew what kind of troubles might arise in the future.
The two walked on for a while. Finally, she reached the edge of the forest and said, "Dawn is breaking. Your eyesight will soon return, my lord. I've led you out of the Heavenly Forest. Please go."
The man didn't respond immediately.
"Your Excellency?" Huangfu Yun called out again.
"Is the young lady a protector of the White Ming Cult?" the man finally asked.
Chapter 1: The Ingenious Maneuvering of the Protectors of the White Ming Cult
In a mysterious martial arts world, the forces from all sides are intricate. As an organization regarded as an evil sect by the orthodox martial arts in the Central Plains, the fates of the people within the White Ming Cult are also full of twists and turns.
There was a woman who served as a protector of the White Ming Cult. Although she was in this sect that seemed like a "morass", she considered herself to be untainted by the filth around her. One day, she met a young gentleman. Facing this gentleman, she quickly defended herself, saying that although she was a protector, she had high moral integrity. She stated firmly and righteously that if the gentleman repaid kindness with enmity, it would damage the image of the righteous path in the Central Plains.
After hearing this, the young gentleman showed a smile. He quickly explained that he meant no harm and just wanted to ask the young lady's name. He mentioned that he knew there were left and right guardians in the White Ming Cult and specified that the left guardian had the surname Huangfu. After hearing this, the woman calmly lied that she was the right guardian, Che Yanyan. The gentleman repeated the name "Che Yanyan" as if he wanted to engrave it deeply in his heart. Seeing this, the woman immediately felt nervous and began to sweat profusely. She silently prayed in her heart not to let him remember it, but then she thought that anyway, what he remembered was not her real self, so she simply let it be.
However, the young master seemed to have noticed something amiss. He pointed out that he remembered Che Yanyan was sixteen years old this year, but the girl's voice didn't seem to match this age. The woman reacted extremely quickly and sighed as she explained that it was because the cult leader forced her to practice evil martial arts, which made her appearance and voice seem like those of a child, and she had no other choice. The young master then mentioned the rumor that Miss Che was a great beauty, and the woman showed a look of inferiority, saying that in order to satisfy her vanity, she deliberately had people spread the rumor that she had the beauty of Daji. After hearing this, the young master suddenly understood and apologized for his rudeness.
The young woman was eager to get rid of the young master, so she urged him to leave quickly. However, the young master insisted on repaying the kindness and asked if the young woman had a handkerchief or something similar. The young woman was almost shocked to the ground. She knew well that in the Central Plains culture, a handkerchief was equivalent to a token of love. She couldn't help but wonder whether the young master wanted to repay the kindness or to propose love. She quickly replied, asking the young master to find her when she had the chance to go to the Central Plains in the future. The young master agreed.
The woman thought the matter was over, but unexpectedly, the young master proposed that although the martial arts circles in the Central Plains claim to be on the right path, there may still be villains pretending to be Miss Che. In order to repay the kindness to the right person, he wanted to see the young lady's appearance at dawn. The woman narrowed her eyes and secretly thought about countermeasures in her heart. At this time, there was a glimmer of light in the sky. She made a prompt decision, turned around to face the young master, hung her little face down and didn't dare to look up directly. She took out a spotless white handkerchief from her waist and handed it to the young master, saying that he could recognize her by this thing in the future. After the young master took the handkerchief, he immediately stuffed a jade pendant to the woman and told her that when she was in trouble in the future, as long as she took the jade pendant to various sects, someone would lead her to see him.
On the surface, the woman pretended to carefully put away the jade pendant, but secretly she wondered whether the martial arts world in the Central Plains was really as united as the young master had said. She said with a smile that she hoped her life would be smooth all the way and that she wouldn't need this jade pendant. The young master then pointed out that there was not even an embroidered pattern on the woman's handkerchief. The woman had a sudden inspiration and said with emotion that she was physically in one place but her heart was elsewhere. The White Ming Cult was doing evil, and this plain handkerchief was like a pure land in her heart. Only by seeing it could she calm her heart. After hearing this, the young master was touched by her words.
The young master seemed to be particularly interested in the name "Che Yanyan" and kept muttering it. The woman reminded the young master that dawn was approaching, and only then did the young master take his leave. The woman noticed that the hem of the young master's white robe and the laces of his boots were wet. Instantly, she couldn't contain her anger and suspected that he had been very close to the hot spring at that time and seen something he shouldn't have. She couldn't help but call the young master back and mentioned that the contrast between black and white symbolized their respective stances. The young master responded skillfully, saying that the woman's preference for wearing black clothes was just a personal choice and had nothing to do with good or evil. The woman then questioned how the young master knew that the handkerchief had no embroidery. The young master explained that he had felt the handkerchief with his fingers and found it smooth without any patterns. The woman said that it would be difficult for them to meet again after this parting. The young master told the woman to take care of herself and that if she was in trouble, she must come to the Central Plains to find him.
The woman watched the back of the young master as he walked away, her mind filled with a multitude of thoughts. She suspected that the young master was either truly blind or an extremely clever expert. At this moment, she would rather believe that the young master was blind than admit the embarrassment of sharing the same room with him in the hot spring pool without even noticing.
After the young master had walked far away, she heard someone who came to meet him call out the character "Xian", but before the person could finish speaking, they were stopped. She had no intention of eavesdropping either. She stood there for a while and then turned back. Finding that everyone had left, she immediately let out a sigh of relief and thought that it was a blessing from heaven that she had managed to get through this great disaster today. Without hesitation, she threw the jade pendant on the ground and buried it with sand, thinking that she would just let go of all the grudges and hatred. After this farewell today, they would hardly ever see each other again.
She secretly congratulated herself on the wise decision of usually using plain white handkerchiefs, believing that this had avoided leaving any clues for tracking. She decided to start using flowery handkerchiefs from tomorrow on, and also planned to let the real Che Yanyan use plain ones instead, so as to better frame her. She thought that in the future, whether the Central Plains person repaid Che Yanyan or promised to marry her would have nothing to do with herself, and she might as well just accept this small loss.
Just as she stood there lost in thought with her arms crossed over her chest, Tian Nu, whom she had taken in four years ago, appeared behind her. She didn't even ask where Tian Nu had been hiding, but simply smiled and said they should go back. Tian Nu told her that the young master was an upright gentleman and wouldn't hurt people without reason. The woman mused to herself that if the young master made a move, whether Tian Nu would still hide and not show up. However, she didn't want to know the result, for she well knew that in this martial - arts world, even the closest people couldn't be blindly trusted or relied on. Relying on oneself was the way to survive. So she strolled forward leisurely, with Tian Nu following behind. The Tian Nu bells on them rang alternately, and the tinkling sound seemed to play their unique martial - arts movement.
Chapter 2: The Hurdles Tiannu Encountered When Entering Tianhezhuang
There was a woman named Wang Yun, who had unique views on her own name. She thought that although a name carried the kindness of parents, it might not necessarily be suitable for the children, and she was a typical example. She considered herself not smart enough, lacking in imposing manner, having insufficient talent for martial arts, and being timid. Moreover, she was born into the White Ming Cult, which was reviled by everyone. However, so far, her life had been relatively peaceful. There were occasional small ripples, and even a few big waves at times, but she had managed to get through them safely by luck. She was twenty years old this year. She felt that it was already quite lucky for her to have survived until now with her natural endowments. As long as she didn't be so bored as to venture deep into the Central Plains martial arts world, which was like an enemy camp, she should be able to continue living a stable life.
On this day, Wang Yun and her Tiannu (slave of the celestial realm) He Zai stepped into the territory of the Central Plains martial arts world. The prosperity of the Central Plains martial arts world made Wang Yun feel curious, but at the same time, the reactions of the people here also surprised her a bit. She saw that the people around were looking at them with strange looks, so she asked He Zai if they were looking at him. He Zai told her that the people were looking at both of them. Wang Yun was not very satisfied with this answer and continued to stroll idly in the enemy - camp street with her hands behind her back. The Tiannu bells on them echoed each other, making a pleasant tinkling sound, but the people of the Central Plains were so tactless that they all stared at them fiercely.
Wang Yun guessed whether it was because they were Tiannu that they were treated like this. He Zai praised her for being smart. Wang Yun then tentatively asked if all people in the Central Plains knew that the bell and the snake mark were symbols of Tiannu. He Zai once again praised her for being extremely smart. Wang Yun was naturally timid and couldn't stand those looks, so she walked behind He Zai and asked him to walk in front. Although He Zai's face twitched, he still strode forward to block those hostile looks for her.
While sighing, Wang Yun said that she knew there were tigers on the mountain but still wanted to head for it. She told He Zai that he must keep himself alive, and also said that she wanted to live a long life and die a natural death. When there was danger, He Zai should stand in front of her. After hearing this, He Zai didn't want to correct her words anymore and simply stopped talking.
As the two of them walked along, they came to a large manor in mourning. The plaque on the manor read "Tianhe Manor". White lanterns were hanging on both sides of the gate, and there was a constant stream of martial artists coming to pay their respects. When these people saw Wang Yun and He Zai, they all stopped in their tracks and stared at them in surprise and disgust. Some martial artists even grabbed the hilts of their swords. As soon as the servants in mourning clothes saw them, they rushed into the manor in a hurry and shouted that the Heavenly Slaves had come.
Wang Yun stroked the snake mark on his cheek and looked at his bright red men's clothing and long hair adorned with hair ornaments typical of Central Plains women. He thought that he had tried his best to adapt to the local customs, so the people in Tianhezhuang should not easily resort to violence. At this time, a young man rushed out from Tianhezhuang. He was stunned at first, then quickly regained his composure. He stepped forward, clasped his fists in salute and politely asked what important matter had brought them here. Wang Yun looked at He Zai. Seeing that he kept silent, Wang Yun had no choice but to return the salute and said that they were passing by and had heard of the passing of the old owner of Tianhezhuang, so they had come especially to pay their respects.
After hearing this, He Ronghua's expression softened. However, a person from the martial arts world beside him disdainfully said that allowing Tian Nu to come in and pay respects would disgrace the old estate owner. He Ronghua looked embarrassed. After hesitating for a moment, he regretfully stated that it was not convenient at the moment. Wang Yun didn't care and prepared to take his leave.
Just then, He Zai spoke up. He mentioned that it was rumored in the martial arts world that the late Old Master He promised before his death that after his passing, he would compile his sixty years of martial arts experience, right or wrong, into the "Book of Grandmasters" and place it in the "Yun Family Manor" for anyone to read, in order to prevent the younger generations from making the same mistakes. With such a broad - minded attitude, the late Old Master He in the afterlife would surely not mind Tian Nu coming to pay homage. After hearing this, He Ronghua suddenly looked up, deeply moved by He Zai's words. She immediately decided to have people make preparations to warmly receive these two friends. The martial artist Gu Shaode was displeased. He Ronghua then explained that the Idle Cloud Prince was about to arrive. If they made him think that the Tianhe Manor was too narrow - minded and he recorded it in his book, she would have no face to face her late father. After hearing this, Gu Shaode's face changed, and he then proposed that based on their identities, they shouldn't enter through the main gate.
A special visit
Hearing that Wang Yun and He Zai intended to enter the manor, He Ronghua was slightly startled. She subconsciously glanced at He Zai, then lowered her voice and said hesitantly, "Two friends, this..." There seemed to be some concerns in her words.
Wang Yun, however, remained calm and composed. With a faint smile, she replied, "It doesn't matter. Whether it's the main gate or the side gate, they're all gates. It's up to the young master to choose whichever is more convenient." In her opinion, there was no real difference in the ways to enter the manor.
So, she and He Zai walked around the half-open main gate and headed towards the unremarkable small side door under the gazes of everyone. This small side door is rarely visited on normal days. Perhaps only she and He Zai have passed through here so far. It seems like this is a special passage that has opened up a unique journey.
"Please," said He Ronghua, who had been waiting behind the door, in a gentle and soft tone. Wang Yun politely returned the greeting, while secretly glancing at He Zai beside her. He Zai understood what she meant and walked up to her in tandem. Then the two of them followed He Ronghua into the hall.
With each step, Wang Yun could feel the looks of extreme vigilance from those around her. The gazes of the crowd were like real sharp blades, firmly fixed on them. She didn't dare to slack off in the slightest. Her steps were steady and unceasing as she closely followed He Zai, fearing that if she accidentally got left behind, she would be suddenly attacked by others. After all, she wasn't that strange cat with nine lives and had to be extremely careful to keep herself alive.
She tilted her head and carefully sized up the back of He Ronghua. Judging from his posture, he was clearly a young talent from a well - known and decent family. There was no trace of evil in his eyes. However, compared with He Zai, his figure was a bit thinner and not as tall and strong. Nevertheless, there was an air of grandeur in his steps, showing the demeanor of a manor lord. However, there was one thing that really puzzled Wang Yun - He Ronghua's fingers were trembling slightly, which made people can't help but suspect that he might have some congenital hidden illness.
Encounter in the mourning hall
The gentle drizzle started to fall quietly after Wang Yun stepped into the mourning hall, as if Heaven was adding a touch of sorrow to this solemn atmosphere. She piously picked up incense and paid homage. Then, she played with the jade flute she carried close to her body and quietly waited for He Zai, who was inside to pay his last respects to the deceased, to come out.
Just then, a low but clear voice came: "Evil woman!" Wang Yun remained calm, as if these insults were just passing wind and she turned a deaf ear to them. She still maintained a smile and silently repeated "Always stay safe" in her heart.
Immediately afterwards, another voice rang out: "Shameless!" Wang Yun didn't bother to take such insults to heart, so she turned her back on the person. Unexpectedly, that person followed her like a shadow and walked around to her front again.
Wang Yun slowly raised his head, the corners of his mouth curving slightly, a surprised and delighted look appearing on his face. He said, "So it's Young Hero Gu. I was just worried that I wouldn't have a chance to talk to you."
Gu Shaode was taken aback. He forced the insulting words back down his throat and asked in confusion, "... Do you have something to talk to me about?"
Wang Yun's eyes lit up, and she said with admiration all over her face, "Yes. I've heard that those who came to pay their respects to the old manor lord are all well - known people in the Central Plains. Earlier, when I looked around, you, young master, were the only one who hadn't reached the age of thirty. You're young, handsome, and walk with a brisk pace. I dare to guess that you became famous at a young age and are now a well - known figure."
Hearing this, Gu Shaode was first stunned, then covered his mouth and coughed. He said somewhat embarrassedly, "Miss, you're overpraising me. Gu Shaode only occupies a few pages in the Rangers' Record. It's nothing, really nothing..." Seeing Wang Yun looking puzzled, he asked in surprise, "Miss, don't you know Yunjiazhuang?"
Wang Yun shook his head with a smile and said, "This is my first time coming to the Central Plains. Is Yunjiazhuang very famous?"
Gu Shaode sized her up carefully and asked, "Miss, aren't you a Tiannu who came from the Central Plains?"
Wang Yun still shook his head with a smile and said, "This is my first time coming to the Central Plains."
Gu Shaode understood and his tone became even gentler. He knew that most of the Heavenly Slaves of the Demon Cult were the past shames from the Central Plains, but there were also a small number of local poor residents who, due to the hardships of life, were willing to join the cult as slaves. It seemed that Wang Yun was a poor person suffering from life. Gu Shaode immediately cast aside his previous contempt and began to explain, "Yun Family Manor specializes in recording all kinds of events in the martial arts world. It stands in a neutral position, and all the sects and families respect it. The Leisure Cloud Young Master of Yun Family Manor is very knowledgeable. He took on the title of young master at the age of thirteen, and it's only been a little over a decade since then. All the sects and families have a good relationship with him and trust him very much. Tell me, isn't he amazing?"
Wang Yun said very cooperatively, "Amazing, amazing..." But in his heart, he was thinking whether He Zai had been looking at the remains for too long.
Gu Shaode continued, "However, to be honest, Young Master Xianyun has outstanding temperament, noble virtues, and is as pure as a clear spring. He is an unparalleled talent. But it's a pity that he was born in the martial arts world. It's simply a waste of his lofty radiance..."
Wang Yun echoed with a sigh, "Yes, such a talent is rare in both heaven and on earth, truly rare." However, in his heart, he was secretly thinking that a person as noble and unsullied as this would soon head to the Western Paradise. Amitabha.
Gu Shaode became more and more excited as he spoke, "He is a well - recognized handsome man in the martial arts world. He is so elegant and refined that he can be regarded as the only flawless jade in the world. Whether old or young in the Central Plains martial arts circle, there is an illusion that he is a celestial being from the ninth heaven who has specifically descended to the mortal world, making the martial arts world in this era have a celestial idle cloud worthy of aftertaste."
Wang Yun almost couldn't help clapping his hands in approval. He silently complained in his heart, wondering where this young upstart in the martial arts world came from. It was so obvious that he idolized someone. Was he really that naive, or did the carefree Cloud Prince possess some kind of bewitching magic?
The arrival of the Leisurely Cloud Gentleman
Just as Gu Shaode was about to describe Gongsun Yun's eyebrows and eyes in more detail, there was suddenly a commotion at the main gate. Gu Shaode turned around and, filled with surprise and joy, shouted, "Here comes Young Master Xianyun!" Then he rushed out of the hall and loudly proclaimed, "Open all the main gates to welcome the young master into the manor!"
The servants in the manor immediately sprang into action. They pushed open the main entrance, and all the middle doors in the hall were also wide open. This was clearly a first - class arrangement for welcoming a distinguished guest.
Wang Yun stood in the corner of the hall and looked outside. A sigh welled up in his heart. How much the small side door beside the main gate resembled a dog hole! He had entered through the dog - hole, while others were welcomed in grand style, as if an emperor were arriving... Tianhezhuang really was discriminatory, showing favoritism.
She didn't look closely anymore. She turned around, took a cup of tea from the maid's tray and drank it. She thought that a good listener also needed to moisten their throat when giving timely responses.
There was a great hullabaloo all the way behind. It seemed that all the people from the martial arts world in the manor had gathered. Wang Yun couldn't help but wonder whether they had come to pay their respects or to wait for the Leisure Cloud Young Master of Yunjiazhuang.
They only heard someone say, "Lord Leisure Cloud, after you."
Another gentle and cool voice replied, "We are all family. Brother Shaode, you don't have to be so polite." This voice was much more pleasant than He Zai's. Wang Yun always regarded beautiful people and things as venomous snakes and fierce beasts, but he still took the perspective of admiring them from afar. So he looked back and saw that apart from Gu Shaode, there was a handsome young man in a white robe entering the hall.
Wang Yun was stunned. Was this the carefree and peerless young master Xianyun, regarded as flawless as a beautiful jade?
Gongsun Yun originally casually glanced at Wang Yun, then quickly shifted his gaze back and fixed it on the Tiannu Ring on her wrist. There was a momentary pause, which Wang Yun noticed, but she remained calm and bowed politely.
Gongsun Yun stared at her intently and slowly returned the courtesy.
Gu Shaode whispered, "She is a Heavenly Slave."
Gongsun Yun murmured, "So it's the Heavenly Servant..." Then he stepped forward, picked up incense sticks and offered a sacrifice.
Wang Yun glanced outside the hall again and asked Gu Shaode, "Young Hero Gu, those so - called chivalrous heroes outside who are surrounding that young man are..." They looked more like a pack of dogs fighting over a bone! If she wasn't mistaken, that young man came here with Young Master Xianyun, right?
Gu Shaode explained, "That's the Fifth Young Master. He ranks fifth among the Digital Young Masters and is an assistant to the Leisure Cloud Young Master in writing history."
Wang Yun suddenly realized and said, "So that's how it is." Thinking to herself, it's really a brilliant idea. Next time she's in trouble, she'll consider doing the same, throwing He Zai into the crowd and then fleeing like the Carefree Cloud Gentleman. After all, "working in perfect harmony" has always been used to describe her and He Zai.
Discussion about the Huangfu family
Gu Shaode saw that Gongsun Yun had finished offering incense, and stepped forward again, saying, "The young lord is going to see the late lord's remains with a Tiannu. He'll come out soon."
Hearing this, Gongsun Yun's pupils flashed with a strange light. Keeping his expression calm, he said, "The old estate owner is truly respected for his virtue. Even Tian Nu has come to pay condolences." He looked at Wang Yun and bowed, saying, "I'm Gongsun Yun."
Wang Yun returned the courtesy and said, "I'm Wang Yun, a young woman." She silently complained in her heart that the people in the Central Plains had so many etiquettes. She suspected that at least half of the people's lives in the Central Plains were spent on polite reciprocation among each other.
Gongsun Yun slowly repeated her name: "Wang Yun?"
Wang Yun explained, "My lord is like a wandering cloud and a carefree crane, while this little girl is just a cloud floating over the water." For some reason, when Gongsun Yun called her name, she felt a little creepy and also thought the name sounded a bit familiar.
Gongsun Yun stared at her intently for a while before saying calmly, "So it's the waves on the river. It's a nice name." After saying that, he casually asked, "I wonder under which master Miss Wang serves?"
Wang Yun replied smoothly and laughed, saying, "I work under the Huangfu family, but I only do some minor odd jobs."
"Ah, the family of Pope Bai Ming..." Gong Sun Yun slowly walked around her in a circle. When he walked behind her, his eyes fell directly on her bundled black hair. He lowered his eyes, making it impossible to read his expression. "Sure enough, there are no weak soldiers under a strong general. Miss Wang, you dared to return to the Central Plains with your companions. Your courage really impresses this idle cloud."
He Ronghua came from the back hall, followed by He Zai. He Ronghua said, "Over the past decade or so, the Huangfu family has been on the decline in the White Ming Cult. Xianyun, has Jiguge recorded anything about the Huangfu family?"
Gongsun Yun replied in a clear voice, "Since the Huangfu family passed on the matter to the three - year - old Huangfu girl seventeen years ago, there has been no further news." Then he added meaningfully, "Even to this day, not even the Yunjiazhuang knows what she looks like, where she is, what her preferences are. Moreover, they can't even find out how many trusted subordinates she has."
He Ronghua gave a cold snort and said, "It sounds quite mysterious. In the White Ming Cult, the left and right protectors of each generation are candidates for the next cult leader. In this generation, the left protector is Huangfu, and the right protector is Che Yanyan. The latter likes to take in heavenly slaves and has provoked us several times. It seems that the next cult leader will most likely be her... Miss Wang, since you're in the Huangfu family, what's the left protector's state of mind?"
Seeing He Zai come to guard beside him, Wang Yun then said, "Young Master, asking like this... Alas, how should I answer? After all, I'm a servant of the Huangfu family." She pretended to be struggling. Noticing that Gongsun Yun's cold gaze had been fixed on her, she sighed and said, "Actually, there's nothing to hide. The Huangfu family is not mysterious; it has truly declined. Miss Huangfu is extremely lacking in intelligence and is simply unqualified for the position of the left protector, let alone the position of the cult leader. I think that in another two years, the position of the left protector will change hands. Young Master Xianyun doesn't need to keep the Huangfu family in mind any longer."
Gongsun Yun neither affirmed nor denied. His handsome and cold eyes were always fixed on her face.
Wang Yun pretended not to see and said to He Zai, "We can't keep staying here and bothering the young villa master."
He Zai nodded and said, "It's time to go."
Wang Yun caught another glimpse of He Ronghua's fingers trembling violently. He was certain in his heart that this must be a hidden illness!
He Ronghua said, "Are you leaving so soon?" Then she summoned a maidservant. "Brother He and Miss Wang, you haven't even had a cup of tea. Leaving in such a hurry makes me, the host, seem negligent."
Wang Yun flattered, "The young master's willingness to let us in to offer incense shows that he has the magnanimity to tolerate others. A person like this will inherit his father's position in the future, and the late master in the afterlife will surely be gratified." Watching the maid bring over the tea, Gu Shaode took the tray nearby, and He Ronghua took a cup from it and then handed it to He Zai.
He Zai first handed a cup to Wang Yun and then took one for himself.
Gongsun Yun said, "It's inconvenient for Tiannu to move around in the Central Plains. Miss Wang, you must be careful. If you encounter difficulties, you must find someone to solve them."
Wang Yun said, "Of course, of course." Then he sipped the tea carefully, thinking that the tea from the Central Plains was really good. He must take some away in bulk if he had the chance.
He Zai and Gu Shaode also drained their drinks in one gulp. After Gongsun Yun and the others finished drinking, he then said to He Ronghua, "I've written an account of the old estate owner's life all night. Later, please ask the young estate owner to put it in the coffin."
He Ronghua said with a face full of gratitude, "Xianyun, thank you very much."
Setbacks after being poisoned
Wang Yun was just about to give He Zai a signal to prepare to leave when suddenly, his vision blurred and his abdomen was immediately seized by intense cramps.
Gongsun Yun was the first to notice that her face changed greatly and her eyes suddenly showed a strange look. He quickly reached out his hand to support her collapsing body.
Unexpectedly, He Zaikuai took a quick step and swiftly supported her waist, letting her fall into his arms.
"Girl!" He Zai exclaimed in surprise.
Damn it! Wang Yun cursed inwardly. She knew that the more delicious a drink was, the more likely something would go wrong! A foul and fishy smell welled up in her throat. Without any hesitation, Wang Yun opened her mouth and spat blood at He Zai's face to vent her hatred.
"What?" Outside the door, the man's shocked cry roused Wang Yun from her unconscious state.
"Just let the girl stay with me. The young master doesn't need to send anyone to take care of us." This was He Zai's voice.
Wang Yun struggled for a long time and finally had the strength to half-open his eyes. All he could see was a strange bed and a strange room. The door was half-closed, and the night outside could be seen. There were two men's figures outside.
One is... What's going on? And the other one... Is it Concubine He of the Noble Grace Rank who has a hidden illness?
He Ronghua asked in a bit of panic, "Are you two a couple?"
He Zai replied, "No."
He Ronghua said again, "Since it's not the case, it's always inappropriate for a single man and a single woman to stay in the same room..."
He Zai said seriously, "It would be even more inappropriate to let someone take care of the young lady. The young lady was poisoned in your manor. Unless the young master of the manor can find the culprit, He Zai doesn't dare to let anyone approach the young lady casually."
He Ronghua gritted her teeth and said, "Impossible!" There could never be such a despicable person in Tianhezhuang who would poison others. Such a shameless act was by no means what the righteous path would do
He Zai retorted, "It's a fact that the young lady was poisoned. The young master of the manor also invited a doctor to examine her. The poison was found in the tea. Or does the young master think that your manor is incapable of such a thing and that the young lady and I deliberately set up this false situation?"
He Ronghua quickly said, "No, that's not what I mean..." Her voice was obviously weak and even carried a hint of flattery.
He Zai said, "I hope the young master of the manor can find the culprit soon." After saying that, He Zai didn't say any more and directly closed the door.
He came to the bedside, met Wang Yun's feeble gaze, and said, "The young lady was poisoned and has been unconscious for several hours. It's already nightfall." He frowned.
Wang Yun said weakly, "I know." She was so weak all over that she barely managed to turn over and get up.
He Zai gently steadied her body and said, "Fortunately, the fifth young master of the Yun Family Manor was there at that time. He is well - versed in medical principles and diagnosed that the young lady was poisoned. I had already fed the young lady the medicinal soup before. She has to rest for a few more days."
Wang Yun glanced at him. Enduring the discomfort in his body, he moved to the table and sat down, then blew out the candle flame in one breath.
Chapter 1: Mysterious Nighttime Puzzles and Jianghu Rumors
On a night that seemed ordinary yet concealed hidden mysteries, the lights inside the house suddenly went out, and it instantly plunged into complete darkness. In the darkness, a woman's voice rang out. She said, "He Zai, go to bed." These simple words were like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, causing a gasp outside the door. Apparently, this instruction greatly surprised those outside the door.
"Yes, miss," He Zai replied. However, his body remained completely still. The woman closed her eyes and quietly waited. After a while, she finally heard the annoyed footsteps gradually fading away. Presumably, the owner of these footsteps had many speculations and grievances about the scene inside the house.
At this time, a doctor told the young woman, "Miss, you haven't injured your internal organs, but you still need to rest for a few days. It's best not to circulate your qi these days." The young woman didn't open her eyes. She just held the jade flute in her hand and stroked it back and forth. Her breathing was a bit unsteady and her lips were slightly pale. It was obvious that what she had just experienced had taken a great toll on her energy.
"Miss?" He Zai called out. The woman asked thoughtfully, "He Zai, how many years have you been with me?" He Zai replied respectfully, "Neither more nor less, exactly ten years." "It's been ten years... You tell me, have I ever been poisoned in these ten years?" the woman then asked. He Zai complimented, "Miss, you are extremely intelligent and have never been framed by those with ulterior motives." However, the woman shook her head and said, "Wrong. It's just that I've been lucky." She slowly opened her eyes and firmly locked onto He Zai's wild eyes in the darkness, then said, "He Zai, I have something to ask you. Come here."
He Zai never defied such orders. He walked silently up to the woman. He Zai had long hair and a powerful build with broad shoulders and a thick waist. He looked strong and imposing, as if he could knock someone down with a single punch at any time. On closer inspection, he was quite handsome, but he no longer had the delicate beauty he had ten years ago, which often made the woman feel regretful in the dead of night when she woke up from her dreams.
Speaking of beauty, the woman thought of Gongsun Yun again. She asked, "What do you think of Gongsun Yun's appearance?" A flash of surprise passed across He Zai's eyes. The woman sighed and said, "Who on earth spread the rumor that he is an unparalleled handsome man?" In her opinion, Gongsun Yun was only of above-average looks. His temperament was truly outstanding, with a hint of coldness and an elegant and noble air in his every gesture. However, there was always a sense of aloofness when he talked to people, and as for his appearance... Unless she was blind, all the rumors in the martial arts world about his peerless charm and being like an immortal from the ninth heaven were sheer nonsense. He was good-looking, but he couldn't be called the most handsome man, which disappointed her greatly and further proved that rumors couldn't be fully trusted.
"Did the young lady just want to ask me about Gongsun Yun's good looks?" He Zai felt that the topic seemed to be going off on a tangent. The young woman raised her eyebrows, looked at him, and said meaningfully, "What else should I ask you then?" He Zai averted his gaze and replied in a low voice, "When I left the Central Plains ten years ago, Gongsun Yun already had the reputation of being a gentleman. In Yun Family Manor, there was the gentleman in terms of literature and the master in terms of martial arts, and they jointly managed the manor. However, Master Fu passed away several years ago, and the title of the master has been vacant for a long time. Gongsun Yun is well - versed in both literature and martial arts, and everyone regards him as the only master of Yun Family Manor. It can be said that he is the most successful figure of this generation."
The woman said with a half-smile, "In this case, there's a world of difference between you and him. Ten years ago, you were at least a young hero, but now you're a lowly Heavenly Slave that anyone can trample on." He Zai said calmly, "The young lady is right." The woman continued, "Famous figures are always deified. This shows that there haven't been any good talents in the Central Plains martial arts world in the past twenty years, which is why Gongsun Yun has emerged. It's not hard to imagine that if the Central Plains can't produce any more talents, forty years later, Gongsun Yun will be described as a figure who has ascended to immortality." She found this possibility extremely ridiculous.
Knowing full well that the young woman was exaggerating, He Zai still went along with her and said, "It's indeed possible. Among the young heroes back then, seven or eight out of ten either ended up like me or, though smart in childhood, made no further progress as they grew up. Miss, although you're fine now, it's best not to tax your mind too much. Let me carry you back to bed." The young woman pursed her lips and remained silent for a long time. It wasn't until the sound of the watchman's clapper came from afar that she softly murmured an assent.
He Zai carefully picked up the woman and returned to the bed. The woman closed her eyes and let He Zai cover her with a thin quilt. "Miss," He Zai's voice was low, almost whispering in her ear. "Hm?" the woman responded. He Zai said, "The body in the coffin is not the old estate owner." The woman still didn't open her eyes. He Zai continued, "Someone swapped the old estate owner's body. The face was made up." "Really?" the woman replied indifferently. He Zai asked again, "Have you guessed what exactly happened, miss?" The woman joked, "It's so vague. If I could guess, I'd have ascended to immortality earlier than Gongsun Yun."
He Zai fell silent and stopped asking questions. He walked around the stool and sat by the bed, closing his eyes to rest. Just when he thought the woman had fallen asleep, the woman said, "He Zai, it's not that I don't think about you, but look at me. How old am I this year? I already have quite a few gray hairs. People, without that wisdom but insisting on wracking their brains, will end up like me. Please have pity on me. I still want to keep my black hair for a few more years." "…It's my fault that I made the young lady worry and exert herself," He Zai said guiltily. The woman said, "It's just right. Someone has poisoned me. I have to recuperate for a few days. You can figure out what exactly is going on in Tianhezhuang." For some reason, He Zai always felt that the words "just right" carried a special meaning.
He responded and said softly, "Let's talk about these things tomorrow. Girl, go to rest earlier." The two of them had been together for ten years and were almost inseparable. In the first few years, they didn't notice it, but in the past two years, they increasingly felt that there was a difference in strength between men and women. After the woman was poisoned, although she was immediately treated, it had ultimately damaged her foundation, so she needed more rest.
The woman let out a disdainful laugh and said, "He Zai, do you know why I always say I'm lucky to have survived until now?" He Zai didn't say a word. The woman could see through his thoughts without even opening her eyes. With a slight curl of her lips, she said, "I'm indeed lucky, but my good luck is based on my ideas and habits. The more delicious something is, the more likely there's a problem with it, so don't touch it; behind the more beautiful things, there must be toxins, so don't touch them; the more ecstatic the taste is, the more you should avoid it, lest you fall into a trap; the closer someone is to you, the more distance you should keep, otherwise, you're likely to die an unnatural death. I've always adhered to these ideas, which is why I've survived until now. Who would have thought I'd still fall into a trap..."
Meanwhile, He Ronghua said hatefully, "They slept in the same room!" He clenched his fists tightly. Although it was a cool night, he was burning with rage. Gongsun Yun leaned against the corridor pillar, with his clear eyes half - lowered, and didn't respond. "I didn't expect... I thought... But they're not husband and wife... Xianyun, what do you think of her..." He Ronghua said anxiously. "Which 'he'?" Gongsun Yun's voice sounded extremely cold in the moonless night.
During the day at Tianhezhuang when people were keeping mourning, people from the martial arts world came and went. However, when night fell, it was extremely cold and quiet, so cold and quiet that there was a bit of a chill in the air. Such a chill was somewhat similar to Gongsun Yun's temperament, always keeping people at arm's length. He Ronghua swallowed her anger and said through gritted teeth, "Naturally it's Wang Yun. What a disgrace for a girl to share a room with a grown - up man without any proper status!" Gongsun Yun still kept his head down and said absent - mindedly, "It's quite common for people in the martial arts world to live together without minding trivial matters. Ronghua, you don't have to take it too much to heart." "Are you saying that these two... they don't... don't..." He Ronghua asked persistently. "Probably not," Gongsun Yun's voice turned even colder.
"It's better to avoid suspicion in such matters," He Ronghua whispered. "I thought only one person would come. I didn't expect two... Who on earth poisoned them? Only Wang Yun was poisoned, but there were five or six cups at that time. Who could have predicted that she would definitely get the poisoned one? It shouldn't be an unknown Tiannu who got poisoned!" Gongsun Yun didn't answer him. "Have you figured it out, Xianyun?" He Ronghua relied on him very much.
Gongsun Yun broke off a twig and pretended to be playing with it. He asked, "Brother Five, will Miss Wang suffer any sequelae from the poison?" Gongsun Zhi replied, "This poison is very potent, but it can be quickly neutralized. When the person poisoned her, they must have known that I'm specialized in pharmacology and could save Miss Wang in time. Miss Wang has good physical constitution. She'll just need to rest for a few more days at most and there won't be any sequelae." Gongsun Yun applied a little force with both hands and the twig snapped immediately. "Ronghua, we've got the answer."
He Ronghua looked utterly blank. Finally, he said, "I only know it's definitely not Xian Yun, nor is it me." "Young Master, what does Xian Yun refer to?" Gongsun Zhi reminded him. He Ronghua was stunned, his eyes full of disbelief. "You mean... It's impossible! Even if he poisoned her, it was probably a conspiracy between two people..." He Ronghua said. Gongsun Yun's cold voice was like the sound of jade stones colliding. He said mercilessly, "Believe it or not. The closer the person is, the easier it is for them to take action. She has raised a tiger, and this tiger could bite her back at any time."
"Xianyun, should we give Miss Wang a hint?" Gongsun Zhi asked. "She'll know who poisoned her when she wakes up. We don't need to get involved." Gongsun Yun loosened his hands, and the broken twig fell onto the muddy ground. He stared at the ground for a moment with his head down. When he looked up again, his expression was quite natural. "Ronghua, you need to be mentally prepared. The snake mark on Tiannu's face is a special tattoo. The fifth brother has studied it, and this tattoo can't be removed. If you want to keep this person, the pressure Tianhezhuang will face in the future will surely be indescribable." "I know," He Ronghua replied, unusually calm. "Even if Tianhezhuang returns to its original state and is forced to withdraw from the martial arts world, I will definitely keep He Zai. It's just that Miss Wang Yun is a bit of a problem. What if she tries to stop He Zai or goes back to the Huangfu family for help... Xianyun, look, should we strike first..." Noticing that Gongsun Yun was glaring at him coldly, he said falteringly, "Well, what do you think then?" "If you want He Zai to stay, don't touch her," Gongsun Yun said pointedly.
He cast a sidelong glance, and his eyes landed on the guest room where Wang Yun and He Zai were staying tonight. An indescribable emotion flashed across his handsome eyes.
Chapter 2: Beautiful Women in the Martial Arts World and Emotional Entanglements
"Xianyun, my father will be having his birthday next month. Will you come?" Deng Haitang asked gently. "It's Uncle Deng's 60th birthday. Xianyun will definitely go to offer my congratulations. Even if I can't make it, Yunjiazhuang will send other young masters. Miss Haitang, please rest assured." Gongsun Yun's voice was overly polite but tinged with a hint of coldness.
Wang Yun was originally sitting against the corridor railing, enjoying the breeze. An old tree concealed her figure, but it couldn't block the conversation of the approaching people. Hearing the words "Begonia", she recalled that when Concubine He Rong came to see He Zai in the morning, she deliberately said in front of her that the number one beauty in the martial arts world was in Tianhe Manor. Her real name was Deng Haitang, and she was known as the Fairy of Begonia. At that time, upon hearing this celestial title, her expression faltered slightly, which Concubine He Rong took as a sign of her self - awareness. She touched her face. Although her true features were obscured by the gaudy makeup, she thought she was also charming and alluring. Did Concubine He Rong look down on her so much? Could it be that the number one beauty in the martial arts world was truly like a fairy?
Out of curiosity, the woman leaned forward slightly to look. There was a man and a woman in the yard. Although the man had his back to her, the familiar moon-white brocade robe made it easy for her to recognize him as Gongsun Yun. In her opinion, although Gongsun Yun had an excellent appearance, his elegant temperament and refined charm were such that even his back view was pleasing to the eye. As for the woman... Wang Yun blinked her eyes and had to admit that this was the most beautiful woman she had ever seen in her life. However... she thought that this beauty did not meet the standard of a fairy.
Sure enough, the rumors in the jianghu are often exaggerated. Since she was completely disillusioned with Gongsun Yun, the so - called "celestial maiden beyond the nine heavens", even the Fairy Haitang disappointed her a bit. She thought to herself, was it really fun to deify people like this? If she were ten years younger, she would definitely have suffered a great psychological setback and become a female devil out of self - abandonment.
She silently leaned against the corridor pillar again and closed her eyes to rest. With just that one glance earlier, she had sensed the air of estrangement around the two of them. From afar, they were like overlapping mountains, but upon closer inspection, one would find the distance between them was immeasurable. And it was Gongsun Yun who had drawn this gulf between them.
"Xianyun... You're already twenty-six this year... Don't you... Don't you want to..." Deng Haitang hesitated to speak. "Miss Deng," Gongsun Yun's voice remained polite. "It's not that I don't want to get married. It's just that in the Central Plains, I've met many girls, and none of them is the one I'm looking for." In other words, even the number one beauty in the martial arts world couldn't win his heart. This was clear enough. Wang Yun vaguely sensed the impatience hidden behind the politeness.
"Even I... Even I..." Deng Haitang was a bit anxious. "A beauty should be paired with a hero," Gongsun Yun said even more explicitly this time. "This hero is definitely not Xianyun." "Xianyun, you said that there isn't a single girl in the Central Plains that you want. Could the rumor be true? Do you really like Che Yanyan of the White Ming Cult? You've always been stingy with your smiles towards others, but you smiled at Che Yanyan..." Deng Haitang said.
Wang Yun almost rolled off the railing. She thought to herself, Gongsun Yun and that Che Yanyan who has a penchant for men? Really... What a perfect match! What a perfect match! After that, Wang Yun didn't bother to listen anymore and only thought about how to get away. She managed to keep her life only by being extremely careful, and the most essential thing in being careful was not to eavesdrop. If she didn't eavesdrop, she naturally wouldn't get involved with others and wouldn't be in this whirlpool. Where could she go now? Fly onto a high branch and directly jump out of the courtyard?
She simply focused her gaze on the tip of her nose, her nose on her mouth, and her mouth on her heart, turning a deaf ear to the surroundings. Gradually, even though there were voices of conversation, she no longer bothered to listen. Her eyes gently closed, unable to hide the exhaustion all over her body, and she quietly drifted into a light sleep.
When she was a child, she was afraid that one day she would be poisoned to death by the cult leader while being played with, so she took small amounts of poison every day. But she couldn't bear the pain after all, so she gave up trying to get used to these poisons. She had a slip - up in her otherwise meticulous plan, and this slip - up was entirely her own fault. She was always lazy in thinking that as long as He Hezai was by her side, no poison could harm her. Who would have thought that the one who poisoned her was actually the person closest to her..
Somehow, the voices in the conversation faded away, as if everyone had left. Normally, she should have felt relieved, but an inexplicable sense of alertness made her suddenly open her eyes. There was someone beside her! "Miss Wang, you're awake." The voice was calm and polite. Despite her ability, acquired through hard work, to remain composed even in the face of a great crisis, she kept her expression unchanged, merely taking a quiet deep breath as she looked at Gongsun Yun, who was leaning against the railing, most of his features hidden by the tree shadows. "… So it's Young Master Xianyun," she said softly.
First encounter with Young Master Leisurely Cloud
In this bustling martial arts world, there is a man as eye - catching as the bright moon and gentle breeze. His extraordinary temperament far outshines his appearance. In particular, his pair of eyes are extremely exquisitely shaped, like a work of art carefully carved by the heavens. However, the drawback is that his pupils lack that kind of deep mystery and the charm that can draw people in. Judging solely by his appearance, he can at most be regarded as an above - average good - looking man. It's really hard to imagine how he exudes such irresistible charm that makes everyone infatuated. Take the Begonia Fairy Deng Haitang and Che Yanyan for example. It's truly puzzling. What on earth did they see in him? Was it his talent in both literature and martial arts or his significant status in the martial arts world?
At this moment, a Miss Wang pretended to be innocent and ignorant. Deliberately covering her yawn, she asked in a somewhat dazed tone, "Did I fall asleep just now?" Gongsun Yun, the Gentleman of Leisure Cloud, softly replied, "You slept for a while, probably starting from the moment I rejected Miss Deng." Miss Wang was secretly shocked. This Gongsun Yun was truly highly skilled. He could even detect the slightest change in her breathing. She looked into Gongsun Yun's eyes for a moment and then slowly explained, "Gentleman of Leisure Cloud, I didn't mean to eavesdrop on your conversation just now." She thought it better to make it clear lest Gongsun Yun hold a grudge against her.
Gongsun Yun glanced at her, gave a soft snort, and said indifferently, "I know Miss Wang didn't mean to eavesdrop. Otherwise, she wouldn't have fallen asleep halfway through. Stretch out your hand. I'll feel your pulse." Seeing that Miss Wang was a bit stunned, the corners of his mouth twitched slightly as if about to turn up, but he quickly concealed it and explained, "Although it's my fifth younger brother, Gongsun Zhi, who is an expert in pharmacology, as a martial artist, I also know a thing or two."
Miss Wang thought for a moment. Anyway, Gongsun Yun wouldn't hold her pulse point to harm her life, so she generously stretched out her right hand. Gongsun Yun asked, "Is your left hand inconvenient?" Miss Wang replied calmly, "I have a Tiannu Ring on my left hand. I'm afraid Young Master Xianyun might not like it if he saw it." Gongsun Yun neither affirmed nor denied. He gently touched the pulse point on her right hand and at the same time asked, "A woman's Tiannu Bells are supposed to be on both hands. Why does Miss Wang have only one ring?" Miss Wang sighed helplessly, "Alas, it was done by Protector Huangfu. If she wanted to fasten ten, I could only accept my fate. How dare I ask why?"
Conversation during pulse-taking
Gongsun Yun then asked again, "Who sent the medicine to you this morning?" Miss Wang replied with a smile, "The medicine was decocted by He Zai himself. Young Master Xianyun need not worry that someone will try to poison me again." Miss Wang considered herself quite patient, but this Gongsun Yun, who was as ethereal as a celestial being from the ninth heaven, had been feeling her pulse for an unreasonably long time.
Finally, Gongsun Yun let go of his hand and said, "Miss Wang is not seriously ill. I remember that our fifth brother prescribed five doses of medicine, three for detoxification and two for toning up the body. Judging from the time, Miss Wang only has the last two doses left." Miss Wang was extremely surprised. She never expected that Gongsun Yun knew exactly what medicine Gongsun Zhi had prescribed. She was just a humble Tiannu. Why did he pay so much attention to her? Thinking carefully, it was Gongsun Yun who first noticed that she was poisoned yesterday. If he hadn't been keeping an eye on her all the time, he would never have noticed something was wrong with her at first sight. Miss Wang pondered in her heart but really couldn't figure out what about her had caught his attention. At this time, she caught a glimpse of Gongsun Yun taking out a sweat handkerchief to wipe his hands. The handkerchief was spotlessly white, without any patterns or embroidered words. So, this celestial - like figure actually had a cleanliness fetish! Miss Wang couldn't help feeling a bit depressed. Her skin was honey - colored, not dirty at all. Why did he dislike her so much?
A hint of mild surprise appeared on Gongsun Yun's clear, elegant and handsome face. He asked, "Miss Wang, you're staring at my handkerchief... Do you also need one?" Miss Wang quickly waved her hand and said, "No, no. I have my own." As she spoke, she took out her own colorful handkerchief. She changes the pattern every year. Last year, there were mandarin ducks embroidered on it, and this year, chrysanthemums. She always tries to make it different every year. She noticed that Gongsun Yun was staring at her handkerchief, and immediately felt puzzled in her heart. Was there something wrong with it?
Notice something strange
Just then, Miss Wang suddenly had an epiphany. When talking to Deng Haitang just now, Gongsun Yun was polite and aloof, always referring to himself as "Xianyun", but now he was directly using "I" to speak. Any abnormality was definitely not a good thing, and this obvious abnormality was clearly directed at her. Alarm bells rang in Miss Wang's heart. She immediately jumped off the railing, bowed with a smile and said, "Young Master Xianyun, I won't express my gratitude for your great kindness in words. I'll always remember your and Young Master V's care for me. When I return to the White Ming Cult one day, I'll never forget it."
Gongsun Yun asked, "Without the master's consent, Tiannu are not allowed to leave the White Ming Cult without permission. Miss Wang, can you really go back?" Miss Wang blinked and replied with a smile, "Who said I didn't get the master's consent? Of course, it was only after Protector Huangfu gave his permission that I could come out!" It can never hurt to be polite. She bowed again courteously.
Gift of Qianqing Dan
Just as Miss Wang stepped out from under the tree's shadow, she heard Gongsun Yun shout, "Miss Wang." She pursed her lips and turned back with a smile. Then she saw Gongsun Yun slowly emerge from under the tree's shadow. In the moonlight, his robe fluttered like floating clouds, swaying with the wind, showing boundless elegance. Miss Wang was momentarily stunned by the sight. Unconsciously, sentences from "Ode to the Goddess of the Luo River" came to her mind: "Her form was as graceful as a startled swan and as supple as a swimming dragon. She shone like autumn chrysanthemums and was as lush as spring pines." She had read this ode during her idle moments as a young girl. At that time, she thought that such a fairy - like charm could only be possessed by beauties from the Central Plains, so she had paid special attention to Deng Haitang, the most beautiful woman in the martial arts world. Unfortunately, although Deng Haitang was beautiful, she was not like the Goddess of the Luo River in Miss Wang's heart. Unexpectedly, she saw such charm in Gongsun Yun. If He Zai knew about this, he would surely laugh at her for using inappropriate words again. After all, the Goddess of the Luo River was a fairy. How could she be used to describe this man?
"Miss Wang?" Gongsun Yun's voice pulled her back from her thoughts. She looked up at the high - hanging scorching sun and then blinked hard. Gongsun Yun in front of her returned to his original appearance. She guessed that perhaps she had just recovered from the poison injury and couldn't bear the strong sunlight for a moment, so she had blurred vision.
Gongsun Yun took out a small brocade box from his bosom and asked, "Miss Wang, have you guessed who the poisoner is?" Miss Wang replied, "I'm so stupid. I always thought that all the heroes in the martial arts world were upright. I never expected that someone would resort to underhanded means and poison others secretly. As for the suspect... Alas, since I'm still on the land of the Central Plains, it's better not to pursue this matter." She deliberately or inadvertently shifted the blame to the righteous sects in the Central Plains, trying to clear herself of any suspicion.
Gongsun Yun didn't mind either and followed her words, saying, "Since that's the case, it's better to be more careful. This is the Qianqing Pill, which can counteract a thousand types of poisons. Miss Wang, you can keep it with you. You'll surely need it one day." Miss Wang was a little surprised inside. She thought that people from the Central Plains were so polite and even gave such a precious medicine.
Gongsun Yun then explained, "If you unfortunately get poisoned again, perhaps the poisoner will leave you some leeway, but it's inevitable that the poison will harm your body. If you show signs of poisoning in the future, take this thing immediately. Even if it can't detoxify you, it will first protect your internal organs from being damaged by the toxins." Miss Wang naturally understood his implication and knew that the poisoner was right beside her. She also finally understood why the number one beauty was in love with him. This man cared so much about the people around him and had achieved a certain status in the martial arts world. He was like a patriarch, albeit a patriarch with a cleanliness fetish.
The brocade box was still waiting for her. Miss Wang hesitated for a moment and said with a smile, "I, a little girl, appreciate your kindness, Young Master Xianyun. If you need help someday, please feel free to tell me." She knew very well in her heart that the clan leader would never need help from a little slave girl. Moreover, she was about to disappear from the martial arts world. It would be extremely difficult to find her again.
Just as she was about to take the brocade box with both hands, she found that Gongsun Yunqing was holding the box with a bit of force. Miss Wang knew something was amiss and didn't look up at him. After a while, Gongsun Yun said, "Actually, this is just mutual help. I once asked a little girl for help before." Miss Wang thought that she didn't need to know about his past.
Gongsun Yun then said, "For her, it was just a small matter, but I've always kept it in mind. Over the past few years, I've been waiting for her to come to me with the jade pendant. Unfortunately, she never showed up. She's been in such an environment and managed to survive until now without having to ask others for help. I really don't know whether to say she's too smart or she's just good at adapting to survive." Miss Wang looked up, smiling broadly, and said, "So the young master has such a past. No wonder you've paid special attention to me, a nobody. Please rest assured, young master. From now on, whenever I see someone in need of help, I'll do my best to carry on your kindness."
Hearing this, Gongsun Yun gave her a long, deep look and finally loosened his grip on the brocade box.
Che Yanyan came to visit
At this moment, someone softly called out, "Xianyun." Miss Wang looked in the direction of the voice. It was none other than Gongsun Zhi, the fifth young master of Yunjiazhuang. Gongsun Zhi also spotted her. First, he bowed to her and gave her an extra look full of good impressions. Then he said to Gongsun Yun, "Che Yanyan from the White Ming Cult has come to offer incense. In my opinion, offering incense is just a pretext; causing trouble is her real intention."
Gongsun Yun slightly furrowed his sword-shaped eyebrows and said to Miss Wang, "Miss Wang, the left and right protectors of your sect have always been at odds with each other. You'd better stay here and don't go to the front hall." Miss Wang replied respectfully, "Of course, of course." After watching them leave, she let out a long sigh. She knew that He Ronghua, the master of the manor, must be in the front hall dealing with Che Yanyan, and He Zai was also there. She thought to herself, should she just ignore He Zai and run away first? If she had known this would happen, she shouldn't have allowed He Zai to come to Tianhe Manor and should have just fled the martial arts world directly. She couldn't help but sigh, "I said that He Zai would eventually become my fatal weakness." Now she was like a caged bird. No matter how she flew, she couldn't escape the control of the cult leader.
Confrontation in the hall
Miss Wang came outside the hall. When Gongsun Zhi saw her, he stepped back to her side. Miss Wang asked in a low voice, "Young Master V, why don't you go to help?" Gongsun Zhi replied, "It's no use for me to go. My martial arts skills are not as good as Xianyun's. I'll only get in the way." Miss Wang asked again, "May I ask, Young Master V, how do you usually handle such things? I mean, when someone comes to cause trouble, how do you deal with it?" Gongsun Zhi said, "Xianyun advocates not using weapons." Miss Wang looked regretful. She thought how great it would be if they could "kill gods when encountering gods and kill Buddhas when encountering Buddhas", but unfortunately, they were not willing to do so. She glanced at He Zai and saw that He Zai was standing at the back - hall door intentionally or unintentionally, guarding the mourning hall where the coffin was placed. She then stroked her jade flute and scanned the more than ten Heavenly Slaves in the hall. Che Yanyan liked to collect Heavenly Slaves, especially those with some foundation. She was very particular about ostentation. She always had Heavenly Slaves follow her when going out. Each Heavenly Slave was controlled by poison. It was as difficult as climbing to the sky to break free, and it was not even easy to die.
Che Yanyan was dressed in colorful clothes. When she saw Gongsun Yun appear from the crowd, she immediately catered to his preferences and politely bowed with clasped hands. She knew very well that this man paid great attention to etiquette. Gongsun Yun returned the greeting and said, "Protector Che, it's been a long time." With a glance, his eyes fixed on He Ronghua. He understood that some things couldn't be overstepped, and the master of Tianhe Manor must handle them personally.
He Ronghua's face turned ashen. He managed to say, "Protector Che has traveled thousands of miles to pay respects to my late father. I'd like to express my gratitude here first." However, Che Yanyan didn't take him seriously. She just smiled sweetly at Gongsun Yun and said, "Xianyun, I really wish I could say I came for you. Unfortunately, this time I'm here on the orders of the cult leader, specifically to present a gift."
He Ronghua said, "Your religion has never had any ties with our manor. I appreciate your cult leader's kindness." Che Yanyan let out a cold laugh and glanced at him. "Who says Tianhe Manor has no ties with us? Isn't the eldest young master of Tianhe Manor the Heavenly Slave of the White Ming Cult?" Hearing this, He Ronghua's face suddenly changed. He glanced at He Zai and gritted his teeth. "Protector Che is joking. My elder brother passed away due to illness ten years ago. You're slandering my elder brother in front of my father's spiritual tablet. Aren't you deliberately provoking me?"
Che Yanyan smiled and said, "Over the past decade or so, how many descendants of well - known families in the Central Plains have passed away suddenly due to illness?" As she spoke, she waved her delicate hand and pointed at the more than ten Heavenly Slaves she had brought. Each Heavenly Slave wore a mask, went barefoot, and had a Heavenly Slave bell tied to their ankle. "Do you want to make a bet and see how many of these dead people will come back to life after their masks are removed?" The expressions of all the people over thirty years old from various sects in the martial arts world present changed slightly.
Seeing this, Miss Wang outside the hall could only sigh. Just then, someone sighed with her. She glanced at Gongsun Zhi beside her and asked in a low voice, "Young Master V, why don't you go to help?" Gongsun Zhi explained, "It's no use for me to go. My martial arts skills are not as good as Xianyun's. I'll only get in the way."
Wang Yun appears
Che Yanyan swept her eyes across the crowd and was startled to fix her gaze on He Zai behind He Ronghua. She couldn't help blurting out, "The cult leader is truly wise. He even knows exactly where she has gone. Where else can she flee to in this lifetime?" Gongsun Yun, who was closest to her, heard every single word clearly.
Che Yanyan laughed proudly and said, "He Zai, where is your master?" He Zai kept silent. Che Yanyan didn't press further and directly shouted, "The cult leader is eternally wise and sage. He could even predict that Huangfu Yun is here. You two are always inseparable. By the cult leader's order, Huangfu himself is to send the generous gift to Tianhezhuang. Why don't you show up?"
After waiting for a long time and seeing no one coming, Che Yanyan was full of anger. "Huangfu Yun, how dare you refuse to accept the order?"
"Here I am!" A clear female voice rang out from outside the hall. Immediately afterwards, a red light flashed before everyone's eyes, and a young woman in a wide red robe entered with her hands behind her back. And the person who came was none other than Wang Yun, who also had a tattoo on her face.
He Ronghua and Gu Shaode both looked extremely shocked. "You..." Wang Yun walked to Gongsun Yun's side. After thinking about it and still feeling uneasy, he then pretended to be nonchalant and walked up to He Zai, smiling and saying, "Protector Che, you're a step behind me."
Doubts about traveling a thousand miles to the village
In the long and dusty journey in the martial arts world, a man traveled thousands of miles, braving numerous hardships and perils, and finally arrived at Tianhezhuang. Originally, he had high hopes of fulfilling his mission in his heart, but when he saw Che Yanyan, his brows instantly knitted tightly. With a questioning look on his face, he said to Che Yanyan, "I've come all the way to Tianhezhuang through so much hard work, but unexpectedly, you're a day late. Along the way, did you go to some leisurely place to have fun?" His words were full of suspicion and dissatisfaction.
Hearing this, Che Yanyan showed a completely bewildered expression on her face, with a look of confusion in her eyes. She said, "What on earth are you talking nonsense about? I really don't understand what you're saying."
The entanglement between merits and gifts
The newcomer ignored Che Yanyan's doubts and continued speaking on her own: "I'm not talking nonsense. The cult leader has always treated us equally. The orders he gave you were also given to me. He just loves to watch us compete with each other. This time, it's obvious that you lost. However, since we're far away from the cult leader now and I'm a generous person, I can give this credit to you." As she said this, she casually took the flat box from the hand of Tiannu beside Che Yanyan.
"I actually contributed to this gift, and I sent the relevant items to Tianhezhuang one step ahead of you. Now, take this flat box and go to see the cult leader." As she said this, she opened the flat box. However, when her gaze fell on the things inside the flat box, she instantly froze like a statue and didn't move a muscle.
Seeing her in this state, Che Yanyan slowly curled up the corners of her mouth, showing a meaningful smile.
Revelation of the secret of the flat box
Che Yanyan said coldly, "I was almost deceived by you, Huangfu. You should know that there's only one portion of the thing in the flat box. It was you who personally asked He Zai to bury it in the soil back then. Every move of yours can't escape the eyes of the cult leader." As soon as she finished speaking, she suddenly snatched the flat box and threw it into the air forcefully.
I saw the flat box flipping in the air, and the items inside scattered all over the ground. There were the teenager's clothes. Although the clothes were old, the logo of Tianhezhuang was clearly printed on them, as if telling the past stories; there was also a pair of boots. The worn - out marks on the boots witnessed the paths it had traveled in the martial world; there was a specially - made long sword. The sword body had rusted, but it was once the weapon of the eldest young master of the He family when he first gained his reputation, exuding a vicissitudinous atmosphere; in addition, there were items for tattoos, on which the logo of the Tiannu of the White Ming Cult was engraved, faintly emitting a mysterious light under the sunlight.
Seeing this scene, Wang Yun sighed helplessly, as if resigning himself to his fate, and said, "Alas, it seems that I can never outwit the cult leader after all. All right, I'll go back with you."
Mention of the rules of Yunjiazhuang
Che Yanyan waved her hand, signaling Tiannu to present a plain handkerchief. She took the handkerchief, carefully wiped her hands, and then slowly put on a pair of special gloves. Wang Yun watched these series of actions intently.
After that, Che Yanyan turned her gaze to Gongsun Yun. A charming and lovely smile bloomed on her face as she said, "Gongsun Yun, Yun Family Manor has always adhered to a neutral stance. It is only responsible for recording the history of the martial arts world and must not meddle in the disputes of the martial arts world at will. I remember there is such a rule in Yun Family Manor, right?"
Gongsun Yun's eyes, which were like bottomless black pools, still showed no trace of light. He said in a flat tone, "According to the rules, it is indeed so."
Che Yanyan said with a smile, "Wait until I finish dealing with the matters here, and then I'll catch up with you."
Gongsun Yun replied coldly, "What old times could I possibly have to talk about with Protector Che?"
Hearing these words, Che Yanyan's beautiful eyes flashed a glint of anger. She pursed her lips tightly and vented her anger on Wang Yun.
Issuance of the cult leader's orders
Che Yanyan pulled a straight face and said seriously, "The cult leader has given an order. Your celestial slave left the White Ming Cult without permission, and He Zai is the eldest son of the He family. He must be given three lashes on his father's coffin as a minor punishment. Huangfu, receive the order."
Wang Yun lowered his eyes and gently stroked the green jade flute in his hand, remaining silent.
Che Yanyan raised her voice and shouted, "Huangfu Yun!"
At this moment, He Ronghua simply couldn't bear it any longer and shouted loudly, "This is Tianhezhuang! How could we allow you, a woman from the Demon Cult, to act wildly here!"
Che Yanyan let out a cold laugh and said, "He Yuehua has joined the Demon Cult. Lord He, once he returns to Tianhe Manor, aren't you afraid that he'll take your place as the lord of the manor? Aren't you afraid that Tianhe Manor will be disgraced because of this?"
Hearing this, He Ronghua was about to hurl abuse, but suddenly noticed that most of the people in the martial arts world present were watching from the side. He gritted his teeth secretly and knew in his heart that having a Heavenly Slave in the family was already a lifelong disgrace. If someone came to his aid, it would be very disgraceful if word got out. Although his father was once highly respected, he had passed away, and that bit of goodwill might not necessarily work at a critical moment.
Wang Yun let out a long sigh and said feebly, "Protector Che, aren't you putting me in a difficult position? He Zai is my only celestial slave. If I were to whip his father's coffin, wouldn't that make him hate me for the rest of his life?"
Che Yanyan said firmly, "This is the cult leader's order. How dare you defy it?"
Situation analysis and dissuasion
Wang Yun still patiently analyzed, "Protector Che, if you do this, you'll be making an enemy of the martial arts world in the Central Plains. We've had peace for so long. There's no need to stir up trouble. Throughout the ages, the leaders of the White Ming Cult have always been selected from capable people among the left and right protectors. I think that in the future, the position of cult leader will surely be yours. But if you start a fight today, it'll still be you who has to clean up the mess later."