The snow-white blades danced, carving a path of blood. Fang Pingzhai wielded his flying blades for protection, charging fiercely from east to west toward Jiaoyu Town. Wherever he passed, blood splattered, tents caught fire, and the Demon Soul Death Warriors under Gui Mudan’s command were powerless to resist, retreating step by step. The inch-long white blades whirled ever more fiercely, like a storm of countless snowflakes and falling petals, ravaging all in their path. At their peak, Fang Pingzhai’s yellow robes were nearly invisible—only the rolling blizzard of blade light could be seen. Around him, men fell wounded, fires erupted, and agonized screams filled the air.
He had no intention of breaking through only to retreat. His steps never faltered as he pressed onward toward Jiaoyu Town.
Beauty Abode—today, it was the stage where Gui Mudan stirred the winds of chaos, a scheme targeting Liu Yan, and also a knot in Fang Pingzhai’s heart. Ten years ago, he had set a wine trap here, offering poisoned cups to Plum Blossom Numerology and Raging Orchid No Trace. That poisoned wine felled Plum Blossom Numerology, but not Raging Orchid No Trace…
Fang Pingzhai’s thoughts drifted slightly. That day, after Third Brother was poisoned, he had struck Fang Pingzhai with a palm strike. Fang Pingzhai’s martial arts were far inferior, and he was left severely wounded, on the brink of death—until Seventh Brother intervened to save him. Later, Seventh Brother used the antidote for that poisoned wine to strike a deal with Third Brother: kill Second Brother… Everything had changed so suddenly. From brotherly affection to fratricide, in an instant, their lives no longer mattered. Killing became as casual as slaughtering chickens, without a shred of hesitation… Those bonds of the past had vanished like the wind, illusory, leaving not a trace behind.
Whose fault was it all? His…?
If he had known the outcome, would he still have chosen those two cups of poisoned wine?
Hypotheticals would never have answers.
A faint clang snapped Fang Pingzhai’s attention. Then came a rapid series of clang-clang-clang , like windchimes caught in a gale, as over a dozen of the swirling white blades around him clattered to the ground. He flicked his sleeve and sheathed his blades, only to see the Demon Soul Death Warriors parting around him. A figure in black robes stood leaning against a large tree—beyond which, across the river, lay Jiaoyu Town.
The black-robed man’s garment was embroidered with peonies, his face grotesque, yet his entire body exuded a strange fragrance. Seeing Fang Pingzhai charging through the formation, he curled his lips in mockery. “Sixth Brother, you’ve got quite the nerve.”
Fang Pingzhai fanned himself with his red fan and laughed heartily. “I’ve always had nerve—is this the first time you’re learning of it, Eldest Brother? If I lacked nerve, how would I have dared invite you all to drink ten years ago? How would I have dared poison the wine to kill? A pity my poison wasn’t ruthless enough—it killed no one, only needlessly claimed Second Brother’s life.” Under the vast sky and bright clouds, his plump face was all smiles as he spoke, as casually as if discussing the weather.
“Your little schemes are no secret to me or Seventh Brother,” Gui Mudan said coolly, his voice icy. “Let’s speak plainly. You want to kill Zhu Yan. Ten years ago, that poisoned wine failed to kill him, and ten years later, you’ll still fail. Even if you’ve mastered Liu Yan’s Sound Assassination Technique, you may not truly be able to kill Zhu Yan.” His tone was frigid. “Seventh Brother saved your life. I’ve never wronged you. Even now, though you’ve wounded my men, I haven’t struck at you. If you want Zhu Yan dead, both Seventh Brother and I can help you—as long as—”“As long as I abandon my pitiful and wretched master and join you?” Fang Pingzhai flicked his red fan. “Does Fang Pingzhai truly hold such value?” Gui Mudan raised a hand toward the sky. “Do you know why I set the trap at Beauty Abode? I laid an inescapable net, summoned sects from the Martial Arts World—I intend to use Liu Yan’s head to command the authority of the realm and invite my sixth brother to share a drink.” He enunciated each word, “I assure you, this cup will not be poisoned.”
Fang Pingzhai’s fan stilled, pausing briefly. “You wish to discuss heroes over wine?” Gui Mudan replied coldly, “No, I wish to discuss the world with you. The world—not merely the Martial Arts World…” He laughed sharply, his expression fierce. “Today, I capture Liu Yan alive and hold the Martial Arts World in my grasp. In time, when I contend for the realm, what can even the true Son of Heaven do to me? With this vast land and countless armies, sixth brother—will you share it with me?”
“Does Fang Pingzhai truly hold such value?” Fang Pingzhai stared at Gui Mudan. “I stand alone, without the legions of death warriors like you, eldest brother, nor the cunning versatility of seventh brother. What use am I to you?” Gui Mudan’s voice turned sinister. “Sixth brother, you are too modest. What kind of man you are—seventh brother and I know well. My wine awaits you atop Beauty Abode. Do not let that cup go to the dogs.” With a sweep of his arm, he commanded, “Make way!”
The surrounding Demon Soul Death Warriors slowly retreated, clearing a path. Fang Pingzhai sighed and shook his head. “I thought I had left the Martial Arts World far behind, yet here I am—like fallen leaves in a room full of red maples, unaware of the scenery while standing in the mountains! Pitiful, laughable!” Fan swaying, he strode away, his figure upright, still heading toward Jiaoyu Town.
Gui Mudan watched his retreating back with a dark expression, the desolate tent-laden wasteland utterly silent.
In the distance, Xue Xianzi, carrying Liu Yan, was rushing toward them when he suddenly saw the black-clad death warriors part to let Fang Pingzhai pass. Surprised, he remarked, “Oh—something’s amiss. It seems your disciple has turned from foe to friend, shaking hands in peace.” Liu Yan replied indifferently, “He wouldn’t.” Xue Xianzi said, “Such confidence. Yet you don’t seem to know your disciple well—I wonder where your faith comes from.” Seeing the situation was unfavorable, he took Liu Yan and hid in the dense forest for the time being.
The alternate route to Jiaoyu Town, bypassing He County, required circling two hills. A Shui and Yu Tuan’er walked slowly, with Yu Tuan’er having discarded her sword to pose as an ignorant passing girl. Chatting casually with A Shui, they made their way unhurriedly toward Jiaoyu Town. Along the road, many from the Martial Arts World rode past in haste, and indeed, few paid attention to the two women.
Before long, they entered Jiaoyu Town, where most common folk had taken shelter. Those lingering within and around the town were all from the Martial Arts World. At that moment, everyone was looking up at the rooftop of Beauty Abode, where a man in blue scholar’s robes—hands bound—hung suspended beneath the three golden characters of “Beauty Abode.” His face was unfamiliar, and no one recognized him. At the sight, Yu Tuan’er gasped softly and tugged A Shui’s sleeve. “The scholar surnamed Lin.” A Shui’s heart skipped a beat—this man hanging from the rooftop was none other than Huang Xian, the scholar who had shown kindness to Liu Yan and Yu Tuan’er. Though suspended midair, his expression remained composed, showing no struggle. A Shui felt a flicker of admiration. Taking Yu Tuan’er’s sleeve, she whispered, “Come with me.”Two women carrying children walked toward the back door of Beauty Abode. Various sects and factions glanced at them briefly but paid little attention. The entire Beauty Abode was guarded by Gui Mudan's Demon Soul Death Warriors. A Shui, holding Feng Feng, stepped naturally toward the back entrance and called out, "Uncle Li! Uncle Li!"
Someone inside responded, and A Shui raised her voice, "The harvest of jade-tip mushrooms was poor today. I even went to the neighboring county but couldn't find any." A sigh came from inside, "If there aren't any, there's nothing we can do. Lately, we've been getting some fierce and ruthless customers... Jade Lady, come on in. Help me sort the vegetables and fillet those fish." A Shui acknowledged and pulled Yu Tuan'er inside. The Demon Soul Death Warrior guarding the door saw that the two women were attractive and showed no signs of martial prowess, so he didn't stop them.
Yu Tuan'er was baffled. "You know someone here?" A Shui held her hand and led her to sit in the courtyard outside the kitchen. The ground was littered with various greens, basins of half-dead fish, and a pile of unwashed tripe, emitting a strange odor. Inside the kitchen, someone was cooking, and no one paid attention to who had entered. Rolling up her sleeves, A Shui began sorting vegetables without changing her expression, smiling slightly. "I figured in such a grand place as Beauty Abode, there must be someone surnamed Li." Yu Tuan'er was shocked. "You... you don't know anyone here? What are jade-tip mushrooms?" A Shui replied, "A rare type of white jade mushroom, very popular in Luoyang's restaurants. Since the proprietor here is from Luoyang, I guessed they might serve this dish. These mushrooms must be gathered daily from the mountains, and they're scarce—not always available. So I took a chance." Yu Tuan'er sighed. "You're really bold. What do we do now? Just sit here sorting vegetables and filleting fish?" A Shui, holding Feng Feng, found it inconvenient to work. After a brief pause, she said, "You hold Feng Feng and sit here to help. If anyone asks who you are, say you're Jade Lady's cousin. She couldn't come today, so you're filling in for her." Yu Tuan'er frowned. "And what about you?"
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