Blood River

At the foot of Nameless Mountain.

Mu Qingyang leaned against a tree, his body covered in over a dozen wounds. Clutching several still-bleeding injuries, he gritted his teeth and muttered, "Never thought I’d be in such a sorry state."

"Mu Qingyang of the Mu Family—compared to your predecessor, Mu Zi Zhe, you’re still far too young," said a masked man who landed before him. The man’s mask was peculiar, resembling a withered leaf.

"You know Mu Zi Zhe?" Mu Qingyang asked darkly.

The man nodded. "He nearly killed me once."

Mu Qingyang smirked. "I know who you are—Tang Lingluo, one of the Five Heroes of the Tang Clan."

"Indeed." The man adjusted his mask. "Though he didn’t succeed in killing me, he left a scar on my face that will never heal. So for the rest of my life, I’ll have to wear this mask."

Mu Qingyang quickly raised a hand. "Brother Tang, though I’m the current head of the Mu Family, I’m not aligned with that Mu Zi Zhe. I even played a part in his eventual demise—we’re on the same side. Don’t act rashly!"

"On the same side as the Dark River?" Tang Lingluo sneered, gripping a Vermilion Arrow in his hand. "How laughable."

"We have an agreement with Tang Linghuang and were invited to Tang Fort to discuss important matters!" Mu Qingyang said sternly. "Are you truly determined to kill me?"

"Forget that name." With a flick of his wrist, Tang Lingluo sent the Vermilion Arrow flying straight toward Mu Qingyang’s forehead.

Gritting his teeth, Mu Qingyang pushed off the ground, twisting his body in an impossible leap. The arrow whizzed beneath him, embedding itself into the tree trunk. As he landed, his right foot tapped lightly against the arrow before he sprang forward again. "Am I really going to die here?!" He flicked a Paper Butterfly from his sleeve and shouted, "Go, go! If any Dark River Disciples remain in Jin City, come to my aid!"

As his voice faded, the Paper Butterfly fluttered through the dense forest, its wings beating toward Jin City.

"More of the Mu Family’s crooked tricks," Tang Lingluo muttered, frowning slightly. He flicked his sleeve, sending a withered leaf slicing toward the butterfly. But the Paper Butterfly dodged like a living creature, spiraling in the air—only a corner of its left wing was clipped off. After a slight wobble, it continued its flight toward Jin City.

Tang Lingluo glanced at the butterfly, then at the fleeing Mu Qingyang. After a moment’s hesitation, he leaped forward in pursuit.

Inside the Quiet Contemplation Teahouse.

The Head of Mu House suddenly lifted his gaze and strode to the doorway, staring at the sky.

Su Muyu, standing nearby, frowned. "What is it?"

"Paper Butterfly Soul Guiding?" the Head of Mu House said gravely.

"Soul-Guiding Butterfly?" Su Muyu was stunned. "Doesn’t that mean the Mu Family’s head—"

"Yes. That is the Soul-Guiding Butterfly, exclusive to the Mu Family’s head," the Head of Mu House explained. "Once released, the Gates of the Underworld Open, Myriad Butterflies Follow!" With a sweep of his sleeves, over a dozen Paper Butterflies flew out, circling around him without any further command.Mu Yumo, watching from the side, was also quite surprised. "Mu Qingyang has used the Soul-Guiding Butterfly. It seems..."

"It seems there's good news—Mu Qingyang isn't dead yet. But there's also bad news..." Su Changhe raised an eyebrow slightly. "Mu Qingyang is about to die."

Su Muyu picked up his paper umbrella and prepared to leave. "Let them guide the way."

"Very well." The Head of Mu House waved his hand lightly, and all the Paper Butterflies flew out.

"Stay here and wait for my news." Su Muyu leaped into the air and followed them.

Outside Jin City, Mu Qingyang fled to the edge of a cliff. He looked down at the bottomless abyss below and smiled bitterly. "It seems Heaven truly wishes to end me."

At that moment, he suddenly heard the cry of a crane. Startled, he turned to see a Yellow Crane flying toward him from afar. The crane was enormous, like the immortal cranes depicted in New Year paintings carrying celestial beings. On the crane's back sat a man, though he didn’t look like an immortal. He was a handsome young man with his arms crossed, his brow exuding an air of arrogance. Guiding the crane to the edge of the cliff, the bird flapped its wings, hovering in the air without landing.

The man lowered his head slightly. "It seems you’ve been chased here by enemies."

Mu Qingyang was startled by the crane. "You... are you from Qingcheng Mountain?"

"Qingcheng Mountain?" The man chuckled. "Do I look like a Taoist priest to you? Ah Li, do I look like a priest?"

The Yellow Crane let out another sharp cry, circling near the cliff.

"Brother, saving a life is a greater virtue than building a seven-story pagoda," Mu Qingyang said, clasping his fists. "I possess many rare treasures I can offer in exchange."

"Not interested. Just tell me, who are your enemies?" the man asked.

Mu Qingyang hesitated briefly before answering truthfully, "The Tang Sect!"

"Given your martial prowess, I figured only the Tang Sect could corner you like this. You’re unlucky. I won’t ask your name or your origins. I’ll save you simply because the Tang Sect wants to kill me." The man shifted his foot slightly, and the crane turned around. "Get on."

Overjoyed, Mu Qingyang leaped onto the crane’s back.

"Let’s go, Ah Li," the man commanded, and the crane plunged downward.

Mu Qingyang exhaled in relief. "Thank you for saving me, brother!"

The man smiled. "Aren’t you curious why I chose to save you upon hearing 'Tang Sect'?"

Mu Qingyang shook his head. "No, no. If you don’t wish to say, I naturally shouldn’t ask. If I say one word too many and upset you, and you have this crane brother toss me off, wouldn’t I be shattered to pieces?"

The man nodded. "A smart man. My surname is Lei."

Mu Qingyang was taken aback. "Lei Family Fort."

"I came here on business but didn’t want to enter Jin City—lest the Tang Sect think I’m here for them. But I’ve always disliked them, so causing them trouble is fine by me. Since you’re their enemy, I’ll save you," the man replied.

Mu Qingyang gave a thumbs-up. "Then you’ve saved a lot, brother! If I survive, I’ll give them a world of trouble!"In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the Yellow Crane carried the two to another mountain forest. Mu Qingyang stepped off the crane's back and said, "May I ask your honorable name, brother? I must remember this kindness."

"My name is Lei Yunhe. You should have heard of me," the man replied with a flick of his sleeve. "A'Li, let's go."