The mountains of Jiangnan roll in verdant waves. By the shores of the East Sea and the banks of the Worm Moon River stands a mountain named Good Cloud. Though not towering—merely a few dozen zhang high—this modest peak is perpetually shrouded in mist, rarely revealing its true face. The excessive dampness coats its rocks and soil in thick moss, making them treacherously slippery. Despite its low height, the mountain is exceedingly difficult to climb. The air is so saturated with moisture that ordinary people struggle to breathe, rendering it a forbidden land.
Sword Inquiry Pavilion.
Amid the ethereal clouds atop Good Cloud Mountain, a simple wooden pavilion can faintly be seen. Built from trees felled on the summit and similarly covered in moss, the pavilion contains only a few wooden benches—nothing more.
Inside the pavilion stands a figure clad in black, his back turned. The mist swirls around him, his jet-black hair lightly dusted with dew, as if frosted. Another figure, dressed in white with loose hair and a sword in hand, is a monk—none other than Puzhu Shangshi."According to your account, Yu Qifeng's residence concealed drugs and assassins, which indeed connects to the Ape-Demon Nine Heart Pill incident," the black-clad man said coldly. "But did you personally witness Tang Lici retrieve the drugs from the coffin? Even if he did, how can you be certain it was the Ape-Demon Nine Heart Pill and not something else? Could it not be Tang Lici framing Yu Qifeng? The odds are fifty-fifty. With your esteemed composure, you should not have acted so rashly. Now that Yu Qifeng is dead and the Yu Family Sword Manor destroyed, with no living witness, how will you explain this to Shaolin? How will you justify it to the Central Plains Sword Association?"
Puzhu Shangshi's eyes were slightly closed. "The incident was sudden. I indeed did not see Tang Lici open the grave to retrieve the drugs, nor do I know if the substance was the legendary poison. But Xiao Qilan, Chi Yun, and Shen Langhun simultaneously attacked the Sword King. I stopped one but could not stop the other two, while your honorable junior also intervened to obstruct me. The situation was chaotic. By then, the Sword King had already been struck by Shen Langhun's hidden weapon, his fate unknown."
The black-clad man was none other than Cheng Yunpao, senior disciple of Gu Xitan. "My junior is reckless and impulsive, too trusting of others. I have already confined him to the Azure Cloud Mountain Sword Prison to reflect on his mistakes. He is young and ignorant, but as a senior, you should not have joined him in folly." He looked up at the clouds. "The Sword King has enjoyed an illustrious reputation for decades, a pillar of the Central Plains Martial Arts World. How could a few reckless actions topple him? Even if you harbored doubts, you should have sought evidence steadily and let the Central Plains Sword Association handle it. Now that Yu Qifeng has died suddenly, his relatives, friends, and disciples are numerous. His death has sown countless enemies. Yu Qifeng was once the Sword King of the Association. Without proof of his drug trafficking, his death will not be taken lightly by the Central Plains Sword Association—otherwise, how could such a prestigious organization save face? Tang Lici, cunning and sly, has retreated to the Azure Fall Palace on Cat Sprout Peak. Out of respect for the palace's contributions to the martial world, the Central Plains Sword Association cannot apprehend him. But you and my foolish junior will not escape trouble."
Puzhu Shangshi replied calmly, "You confined Gu Xitan to the Azure Cloud Mountain Sword Prison early on, foreseeing this outcome. Yunpao's conduct is as sharp as a sword, and his insight is equally keen."
Cheng Yunpao scoffed. "It would be best if you remained at the Sword Inquiry Pavilion in the coming days. At least those who come here are not lowly scum, and old acquaintances make for easier conversation."
Puzhu Shangshi said indifferently, "If I am guilty, I will accept punishment."
Cheng Yunpao retorted coldly, "If you are truly guilty, then punishment is deserved. But I fear you are not guilty—only mistaken. To accept punishment then would be an unjust death."
Puzhu Shangshi picked up a cup of clear tea from the bench and took a sip. "In my life, I have done what should be done and killed those who deserved to die. If I am guilty, I will atone in hell."
Cheng Yunpao sneered. "You would make a fine partner for Tang Lici. That man acts with utter arrogance, and if you cared nothing for the Central Plains' righteous path, you could kill as you see fit, offering no explanation to the world! Unfortunately, you hail from Shaolin and walk the righteous path. No matter how lax you are with the rules, you cannot ignore reputation and influence—a regret for you."
Puzhu Shangshi replied serenely, "To use oneself as a mirror, guiding others toward goodness, is also an act of virtue—and a form of cultivation.""What a delightful mood you two are in, enjoying tea at the Sword Inquiry Pavilion." Suddenly, a burst of laughter rang out as a man in white robes drifted gracefully into the pavilion from outside. Clad in white with a violet sword at his waist, he appeared to be in his forties. Though middle-aged, he still carried an air of elegance—undoubtedly a dashing youth in his younger days. This was Shao Yanping, the fourth-ranked master of the Central Plains Sword Association, known as the "Wind Lotus Hand." "When one is at the Sword Inquiry Pavilion, how can one not inquire about swords? A little sparring between you two would be a blessing for Shao Yanping. Haha!"
The Central Plains Sword Association ranked its members by swordsmanship. Last year, Shi Tinghe defeated Yu Qifeng to claim the title of Sword King. However, the rankings were calculated based on notable battles each year and evaluations by the Association's elders, so Yu Qifeng remained first, Cheng Yunpao second, and Puzhu Shangshi seventh. Shao Yanping held the nineteenth spot. After Shi Tinghe defeated Yu Qifeng, he rose to third, though his position was widely disputed. After his death, no one even mentioned it. Every year, the elders of the Central Plains Sword Association would convene at a prearranged location for the Sword Association, a grand event in the Martial Arts World. To be ranked in the Sword Association was a lifelong honor for any swordsman. The Sword Inquiry Pavilion on Good Cloud Mountain was a private meeting place for the Association. Any swordsman who entered the pavilion was expected to draw their sword in welcome, and anyone could step forward to challenge them.
Cheng Yunpao's expression darkened. "Excuse me," he said coldly, then flashed out of the pavilion and vanished into the trees without so much as a glance at Shao Yanping. Puzhu Shangshi remained expressionless, and Shao Yanping didn’t take offense. He waved his sleeve and sighed. "Still as arrogant as ever. I wonder how many people in this world can even catch his eye? With such lofty standards, no wonder he’s past thirty and still unmarried. Any woman whose swordsmanship doesn’t rank in the top ten of the Sword Association probably looks like a sow to him." Puzhu Shangshi ignored his ramblings and said calmly, "Farewell," preparing to leave as well.
"Wait! Puzhu Shangshi," Shao Yanping called out cheerfully. "Have you heard that the Sword Association elders have decided to apprehend Tang Lici and his group?" Puzhu Shangshi paused mid-step. "Oh?" Shao Yanping continued, "The Sword Association has dispatched men to Cat Sprout Peak to speak with Wan Yu Yuedan and demand he hand them over. If all goes smoothly, the Sword Association will convene a Martial Arts World assembly in three months to publicly deal with them." Puzhu Shangshi replied indifferently, "I respect the Sword Association’s decisions." Shao Yanping added, "The acting abbot of Shaolin’s Grand View Temple has sent a letter requesting your return to explain the details of the Sword Manor incident. The Sword Association will collaborate with Shaolin to thoroughly investigate the Yu Family Sword Manor—and, of course, Tang Lici as well. In short, the truth of what happened at the Sword Manor must be brought to light." Puzhu Shangshi hesitated for a moment, then walked away without another word or glance back. Shao Yanping sighed again. "A gloomy monk with a temper—just as unpleasant as ever." He pulled out a small golden abacus from his sleeve and flicked a few beads, his handsome face betraying a mix of calculation and resignation. Though only the nineteenth-ranked swordsman in the Association, he was its manager, responsible for coordinating personnel to carry out the elders' resolutions. It was a thankless task, and Shao Yanping wasn’t particularly enthusiastic about it. Yet, there was no one else suited for the role, so he had no choice but to shoulder the burden.
A carrier pigeon fluttered down and landed atop the Sword Inquiry Pavilion. Shao Yanping raised his hand, and the bird settled into his palm. Unrolling the slip of paper tied to its leg, he suddenly gasped. "Yanmen was wiped out overnight... Could it be—?"On the fifth day of the fifth month, Yanmen was annihilated. Forty-eight dead, all corpses covered in purple spots—clear signs of poisoning.
On the sixth day of the fifth month, the Xiao family of Qifeng was wiped out. Twenty-two dead, all hanged from the beams, their bodies also marked with purple spots.
On the seventh day of the fifth month, Azure Cloud Mountain was attacked. A woman in white infiltrated and poisoned three swordsmen of the mountain's sword sect, while two others were injured and remain delirious to this day. Gu Xitan, fortunately, was unharmed as he happened to be imprisoned at the time.
On the eighth day of the fifth month, Chi Yun was ambushed at Yuehu Mountain. A woman in white stormed the stronghold, poisoning several, but luckily Xue Xianzi was inexplicably present at Yuehu Mountain and repelled the woman, leaving no casualties.
On the ninth day of the fifth month, an assassin appeared at the residence of the Imperial Father-in-Law. A woman in white broke in at night, killing one servant but leaving Tang Weiqian unharmed.
This rapid succession of events was clearly premeditated. The recurring appearance of the "woman in white" had sent shockwaves through the Martial Arts World, signaling the rise of a new faction—one that was unmistakably targeting Tang Lici and his allies.
Was this the legendary organization "Dissolute Shop," known for concocting the Ape-Demon Nine Hearts Pill? Why were all the assailants women in white? Could the master of Dissolute Shop be a woman? Panic spread through the Martial Arts World, with many fearing for their safety. Rumors ran rampant: some claimed Tang Lici's killing of Yu Qifeng had provoked such widespread retaliation, branding him a heinous criminal; others argued that since Yu Qifeng's death had triggered such a fierce response from a mysterious faction, he must have been a member of Dissolute Shop, making Tang Lici's act a righteous purge of evil. Still others warned that with the Central Plains Sword Association and major sects remaining inactive despite the escalating violence, heroes of the realm must unite to investigate Yu Qifeng's death and punish Dissolute Shop for its murders and poisonings.
Few dared to travel alone in the Martial Arts World these days, and the sight of a woman in white sent shivers down their spines, as if encountering a ghost. In just a few days, several more bloody incidents occurred, with martial artists indiscriminately targeting innocent young women in white, adding fuel to the cycle of vengeance.
At Orchid Robe Pavilion on Cat Sprout Peak, Wan Yu Yuedan and Tang Lici sat drinking across from each other.
Both were famed for their ability to drink a thousand cups without getting drunk. In truth, Wan Yu Yuedan had never been intoxicated, while Tang Lici had only succumbed twice—both times after exceeding a thousand cups. Thus, for them, drinking was as casual as sipping tea, except they were downing strong liquor.
They were drinking "Azure Blood," a wine as precious as gold. A single sip would intoxicate most, and its flavor was unappreciable to non-connoisseurs. Yet the two treated it like tea, chatting idly between cups. By morning, they had finished an entire jar of Azure Blood, worth five hundred taels of gold.
"Dissolute Shop's show of force has done you a great favor," Wan Yu Yuedan remarked, his delicate features unchanged by the alcohol, his voice as soft and composed as ever, as if untouched by the drink. "With the situation shifting, what are your plans?"
Tang Lici, whose complexion was already fair, now bore a rosy flush from the wine, like peach blossoms tinged with intoxication or flawless jade glowing with warmth—a striking sight. "I'm here drinking," he replied. "Originally, Dissolute Shop's best strategy was to wait for the Central Plains Sword Association and your Azure Fall Palace to weaken each other before swooping in for the spoils. But since they've acted so swiftly, it suggests they have reasons they can no longer wait.""That poison was sold two years ago and is about to take effect. If Dissolute Shop were to vanish and the drug supply were cut off, those who took it would die suddenly, infecting others in turn. The drug-selling would be immediately confirmed, putting Dissolute Shop in a very unfavorable position." Wan Yu Yuedan said with a smile. "Since they can't disappear, they must continue selling the drug. So boosting their momentum and striking first is indeed one of the better strategies."
Tang Lici took a comfortable sip of "Azure Blood." "Quite the impressive momentum, worthy of praise."
Wan Yu Yuedan smiled. "You staying at Azure Fall Palace to drink, creating a standoff between me and the Central Plains Sword Association—seemingly leading to a prolonged stalemate—was meant to force Dissolute Shop to reveal itself early, forming a three-way balance."
"They must have reckoned that with so many people controlled by the Ape-Demon Nine Hearts Pill in recent years, their own strength is considerable. Even if I forced their hand, they wouldn't simply retreat. Since they're already accused of being a poison-selling sect, they might as well make a grand show of it and open for business openly. That’s also a clever trick for good business." Tang Lici smiled. "With their arrogance, they naturally wouldn’t care whether this move benefits Tang Lici."
Wan Yu Yuedan raised his cup with a smile, his gaze lingering on the wine. "Let’s not talk of the martial world. The weather is lovely today. It’s a pity there’s no pond on Cat Sprout Peak, or there would surely be many dragonflies."
"Dragonflies?" Tang Lici poured another cup for himself and Wan Yu Yuedan. "At such a high mountain peak, there wouldn’t be any dragonflies."
"True. I like dragonflies." Wan Yu Yuedan sighed softly. "Can you sing? On such a fine day, it’s a shame no one is singing."
"Haha," Tang Lici raised an eyebrow with a smile. "Sing?"
" In heaven and on earth, wine reigns supreme, neither sweet nor bitter, its flavor divine. One cup can shift the hues of sorrow’s hill, three drafts revive spring in a frigid vale. Laughter in joy, wrath in ire, upon waking, no memory of why. Once there was Tao Yuanming, who understood: ‘Forgive the drunken man.’ " Wan Yu Yuedan sang softly to his cup, his expression radiant.
"Ah," Tang Lici clapped three times. "A song of drunkenness, yet without a hint of intoxication—your face full of smiles. Truly, there’s no sincerity in your singing, just empty words." His tone was gentle, his smile lingering, though he wasn’t joking.
"In twenty-three years, I’ve never been drunk. I don’t know what it feels like," Wan Yu Yuedan sighed. "Have you been drunk?" His gentle eyes rested on Tang Lici. "You seem drunk, yet you can’t truly be. Doesn’t that tire you?"
"And what of one who seems sober yet can’t get drunk at all—wouldn’t that be even more exhausting?" Tang Lici’s lips curved slightly, his cheeks flushed with wine, his lips an unusually vivid red, as if stained with blood. "I’ve been drunk."
"What does it feel like?" Wan Yu Yuedan asked. "Is it pleasant?"
"What does it feel like... If you’re willing to keep drinking with me like this, in three days, you’ll know what drunkenness is..." Tang Lici’s lips moved lightly as he spoke, his eyelids slightly lowered, as though whispering softly into someone’s ear. Though he wasn’t actually leaning close, any woman who saw him like this would surely feel her heart race. Yet Wan Yu Yuedan could see nothing at all."It sounds tempting, but unfortunately, I don't have the time..." Wan Yu Yuedan said. "With the rise of Dissolute Shop in the martial world, since even the Yanmen Xiao family was exterminated and they've dared to target the Imperial Father-in-law's residence, it's only a matter of time before they come for me." He picked up the wine jug, which held only one last sip. Opening the lid, Wan Yu Yuedan drank it down in one gulp and smiled faintly. "The only question is who will arrive first and who will come later?"
"You lend me your strength for the sake of 'fame, profit, and righteousness.' Will you regret it when the time comes?" Tang Lici raised his cup in a toast to the air, leaning slightly forward as he whispered in Wan Yu Yuedan's ear, "If blood stains the mountain's front, will your heart ache?"
Wan Yu Yuedan's expression remained unchanged as he replied softly, "What do you think?"
"I'd say... your greatest strength is your decisiveness—never dragging your feet. Your greatest weakness is the tenderness hidden in your bones. No matter how indifferent you appear on the surface, your heart always aches, always suffers..." Tang Lici reclined in his chair, gazing comfortably at the sky. "Sometimes, you might even hate yourself... isn't that right?"
Wan Yu Yuedan smiled. "Your greatest flaw is your ruthless arrogance—you never take others seriously. Your greatest virtue... is that no matter how malicious you are, the things you do are never truly evil. The strangest thing is that despite being someone who could live more freely and joyfully than anyone else, you insist on meddling in affairs that have nothing to do with you, bringing yourself nothing but trouble."
"Me? I act for the sake of martial justice and peace under heaven. If I involve myself in matters unrelated to me, it's a blessing for the common people." Tang Lici chuckled lightly. "I'm not like you—I don't grieve for anyone."
"Someday, someone will make you understand the taste of sorrow..." Wan Yu Yuedan said. "Just as someday, I'll know the taste of drunkenness... By the way, I heard you've been carrying an infant since you reappeared in the martial world. Where is that child now? Why don't I see you holding him?"
"Feng Feng?" Tang Lici still smiled faintly. "What's the meaning behind this question? Trying to find my weakness? Cat Sprout Peak is too cold—I left him in someone else's care."
"You're deeply attached to that child. Whose is it?" Wan Yu Yuedan asked. As dusk approached, though he couldn't see the fading light, he felt the mountain breeze growing cooler.
"A woman's child," Tang Lici replied. The flush of wine on his peach-blossom cheeks had faded slightly, but his eyes still seemed hazy.
"Oh?" Wan Yu Yuedan gave a faint smile and asked no further.
Just then, Tie Jing approached slowly. "Reporting to the Palace Master, someone is storming the mountain."
Even as he spoke, the distant sounds of battle echoed from the main peak of Cat Sprout Peak opposite them. Wan Yu Yuedan frowned slightly. "Who is in the Crystal Grotto?" The Crystal Grotto was the icy passage leading to Azure Fall Palace.
"Following the Palace Master's orders, all of our palace has abandoned the defense of the Crystal Grotto. Currently inside are Chi Yun and Shen Langhun," Tie Jing said calmly. "But the one storming the mountain is Cheng Yunpao."Tang Lici and Wan Yu Yuedan exchanged a glance, both surprised. The Central Plains Sword Association had actually sent Cheng Yunpao to the Azure Fall Palace to demand someone—this was truly unexpected. Cheng Yunpao possessed unparalleled martial skills and an arrogant demeanor, to the point where even Yu Qifeng might not be in his eyes. How could he possibly take orders from the Sword Association? Just then, Tie Jing continued, "Cheng Yunpao, severely injured, barged into the Crystal Cavern. Chi Yun and Shen Langhun were guarding the cavern and blocked his path. Cheng Yunpao charged through with his sword, and the three of them fought. I’m afraid the outcome will be decided any moment now."
He spoke without changing his expression, but Wan Yu Yuedan and Tang Lici were both startled. Wan Yu Yuedan stood up. "Cheng Yunpao is severely injured? He wasn’t here on behalf of the Sword Association? Who wounded him?" Tang Lici said, "If he barged into the Azure Fall Palace while injured, it must be for something urgent." As they spoke, the faint sounds of clashing blades from the opposite peak ceased. Then, two figures flashed by—Chi Yun and Shen Langhun swiftly arrived before Tang Lici, carrying someone between them. The person in Shen Langhun’s grasp was none other than Cheng Yunpao.
"What kind of injuries does he have?" Wan Yu Yuedan, unable to see Cheng Yunpao’s wounds, asked aloud. "He has one external wound, just a minor flesh injury. The real problem is his internal injuries," Chi Yun said coldly. "Despite his severe injuries, this man fought his way all the way from the Crystal Cavern. If he hadn’t exhausted himself at the cliff’s edge, Shen Langhun and I might not have been able to stop him without resorting to lethal force. With skills like his, it’s unbelievable that someone could inflict such grave injuries on him." Shen Langhun pressed his fingers against Cheng Yunpao’s pulse point. Cheng Yunpao had already collapsed from exhaustion and offered no resistance. Calmly, Shen Langhun remarked, "The injury is peculiar. It seems an external force triggered his own Internal Force to backlash, causing a deviation in his Inner Energy that ravaged his meridians. The damage is severe."
"Is his life in danger?" Wan Yu Yuedan asked. "Tie Jing, take him to the guest hall to rest and ask Uncle Wenren to treat him." Tie Jing acknowledged the order, but Shen Langhun interjected, "Wait. This kind of injury can’t be treated with ordinary medicine. Cheng Yunpao’s cultivation is profound—to realign his energy and save his life, the rescuer’s Internal Force must surpass his own. Does the Azure Fall Palace have any masters stronger than Cheng Yunpao?" Tie Jing hesitated. Wan Yu Yuedan pondered. "Well..." Cheng Yunpao held the second-highest position in the Sword Association. Finding someone with greater skill than him was exceedingly rare—even Yu Qifeng might not surpass him. The Azure Fall Palace had few elders, and most of its younger members had perished in the Blood Sacrifice Society’s battles. Locating someone stronger than Cheng Yunpao was likely impossible. "Even Bi Lianyi might not be able to match Cheng Yunpao," Shen Langhun remarked coolly, his gaze shifting to Tang Lici. "What do you think?"Tang Lici sat in the chair with a smile. "Naturally, I can save him." Upon hearing this, Wan Yu Yuedan's eyes crinkled slightly at the corners, his brows relaxing into a happy curve. "Then I'll trouble you with it." Chi Yun shot Tang Lici a sidelong glance. "You think your skills surpass his?" Tang Lici replied with refined elegance, "Of course." Chi Yun said coldly, "I truly can't see that level of ability in you." Tang Lici smiled faintly. "Concealing one's brilliance and maintaining inner restraint is the proper way of being. Someone as flamboyant and domineering as you is bound to be disliked everywhere." Chi Yun retorted icily, "I happen to enjoy being disliked." A faint smile tugged at Tie Jing's lips, though whether he found Tang Lici's claims of "concealing brilliance" and "inner restraint" amusing or simply thought their bickering tedious was unclear. Shen Langhun's expression remained indifferent as he lifted Cheng Yunpao and turned toward Tang Lici's room.
Half a day later, at midnight.
Cheng Yunpao exhaled heavily, his mind still dizzy as he slowly opened his eyes. The experiences of the past thirty years flashed through his mind. In all his years since entering the martial world, he had never suffered such a severe injury, nor had he ever suffered such a defeat. Given his temperament, he would have considered this a profound humiliation, yet unexpectedly, his mood was calm—as if he had been waiting for the day of his defeat for a long time.
The room was unlit, shrouded in darkness. Though starlight should have streamed in from outside, the heavy curtains blocked it, leaving only the faintest outlines of furniture visible. Where was this place? His memories were hazy. He only recalled that after sustaining his injuries, he had found himself in a frozen wasteland, forced to wield his sword and climb a snow-covered peak. He had stumbled into an ice cellar, where someone blocked his path. But who? His mind had been too muddled to tell, and he had no memory of what happened afterward. Taking a few deep breaths, he felt his chest ease slightly—his internal injuries seemed much improved. Who possessed such skill to heal his wounds? And where exactly was this place?
As his breathing steadied, his vision cleared slightly. The room was empty, save for a small Purple-gold incense burner on the table, its intricate patterns barely discernible in the dim light. Wisps of pale blue smoke curled upward, drifting through the faint slivers of light seeping through the curtains. He couldn’t identify the incense, but inhaling it brought no particular scent—only a sense of tranquility.
Slowly sitting up, he realized it was the middle of the night. After regulating his breathing for a while, Cheng Yunpao got out of bed, drew back the curtains, and opened the window. Outside, the sky was filled with stars and moonlight, the landscape lush with trees, while a cold mountain wind swept through. In the distance, a sea of clouds stretched endlessly—clearly, he was on a mountaintop. The crisp wind cleared his dizziness slightly, refreshing his mind. And as his thoughts sharpened, he caught the faintest, most delicate strains of music drifting from somewhere nearby.
The sound was neither a flute nor a pipe, neither blown nor played—what instrument could produce such an odd melody? The tune was melancholic, not the natural whisper of the wind. Cheng Yunpao followed the sound through the silent night. The music was desolate, devoid of joy, yet not sorrowful either—as if someone’s heart had been hollowed out, and the wind was echoing through its empty chambers. For some reason, he suddenly thought of his years of wandering the martial world, fighting for fame, justice, others, and himself. Behind the bloodshed and drifting, he had seemingly achieved great things, yet in the end, his hands were empty—he had grasped nothing.
Following the music to the edge of the woods, he reached a cliff. The sound rose from below. Cheng Yunpao stepped to the edge and looked down. On a rocky outcrop halfway down the cliff, barren of vegetation, a withered, stunted pine lay fallen. A man sat upon the trunk as if it were a stool, holding half a broken flute in his left hand while his right index finger lightly pressed the holes. The fierce mountain wind rushed through the flute, producing sound. As his finger moved over the holes, the broken flute emitted a continuous, hollow melody—like the wind itself.
That man was Tang Lici.
Why was it him?What is he doing sitting in this howling wind, in a place where he could fall at any moment? Isn't this the man who indiscriminately pursues the secrets of the Ape-Demon Nine Heart Pill, claiming to stop killing with killing, proclaiming himself the savior of the world? What is he doing sitting beneath a cliff in the dead of night? Pondering the affairs of the world? Cheng Yunpao wore a mocking expression. Could a man full of desires and ambition really imitate the reclusive sages of the mountains, chanting poetry and admiring the moon? As he was about to speak, someone behind him suddenly let out a soft sigh. "Shh... don't speak." The voice was gentle and youthful—a young man who had apparently been sitting on the cliff for some time. The mountain wind was fierce, and his breath was faint, so Cheng Yunpao, weakened by his injuries, hadn’t noticed him. Turning his head, Cheng Yunpao saw a young man in pale blue robes standing under a tree about ten paces away, leaning against the trunk with his face tilted upward, eyes closed as if listening intently.
"Who are you?" Cheng Yunpao scrutinized the blue-clad youth. At such a young age, with such an appearance, perched atop a snowy peak—could this person be—? The youth in pale blue robes replied, "My surname is Wan Yu, given name Yuedan." Cheng Yunpao's pupils contracted slightly. "This is Azure Fall Palace. Did you save me?" Wan Yu Yuedan shook his head. "The one who saved you is below the cliff." Cheng Yunpao let out a faint "Oh." "As I thought..." Wan Yu Yuedan raised a finger to his lips. "Shh... silence..." Cheng Yunpao frowned and listened carefully.
Amid the roaring mountain winds, the intermittent sound of a flute from the rocky ledge below the cliff persisted, entwined with the fierce, knife-like howls of the wind yet still discernible. After listening for a while, Cheng Yunpao said coldly, "What are we listening for?" Wan Yu Yuedan, eyes still closed, replied softly, "He is a very lonely person..." Cheng Yunpao scoffed. "Who in the Martial Arts World isn’t lonely?" Wan Yu Yuedan smiled faintly and shook his head. "He is a very lonely person, but if you listen to his flute, he himself doesn’t realize it... He doesn’t understand his own loneliness, which is why his flute sounds like this." Cheng Yunpao said, "Is that so?" Wan Yu Yuedan asked, "Does Cheng Daxia disagree?" Cheng Yunpao replied indifferently, "An arrogant, selfish man with ruthless methods and boundless ambition naturally wouldn’t understand what loneliness is." Wan Yu Yuedan opened his eyes. "Arrogant, selfish, ruthless, and ambitious... Cheng Daxia believes that Tang Lici’s rise in the Martial Arts World and his pursuit of the Ape-Demon Nine Heart Pill stem from personal ambition—to build his own reputation and status, to seize control of the martial world’s affairs, and to satisfy his own desires, rather than truly acting for the sake of the people. To this end, Tang Lici resorts to any means, caring not whether innocents are wrongfully killed, making no explanation to the Martial Arts World before taking lives, stirring chaos and spreading fear. Is that the meaning behind those twelve words?" Cheng Yunpao said coldly, "More or less.""But in my view, his involvement in the martial world isn't solely for gaining power or achieving fame and status," Wan Yu Yuedan said slowly. "Of course... he is a man full of desires—fame, righteousness, authority, status, wealth—he seeks to firmly grasp each one, and with Tang Lici's capabilities, he can indeed grasp them all. But... his strongest desire isn't the pursuit of these things." His eyes were wide open, shimmering brilliantly under the moonlight, strikingly beautiful. "...It's the pursuit of love."
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