Cheng Yunpao gazed coldly at Wan Yu Yuedan, who continued slowly, "He is a man of deep emotions—so he seeks to save the martial world... because his old friends wished for him to be a good man. The reason is just that simple." Cheng Yunpao replied indifferently, "You seem to know him well?"
Wan Yu Yuedan turned slowly toward the cliff from which the flute music drifted. "He and I... are like mirrors to each other, reflecting one another clearly." Cheng Yunpao said icily, "Is the purpose of your words tonight to convince me that Tang Lici is a noble and righteous man, so that our Sword Association might view him in a new light?" Wan Yu Yuedan smiled. "Sometimes, people act or speak without purpose. When thoughts arise in the heart, and the right person and place are present, the words flow naturally." Cheng Yunpao scoffed but remained silent.
Suddenly, the mountain wind grew fiercer, its howl drowning out the flute's melody. The two men heard only the wild, unbridled roar of the gale, accompanied by the snapping of dead branches and leaves below the cliff. After listening for a moment, Wan Yu Yuedan spoke, "Tonight is a night of wind and fury. The high peaks are unpredictable—call him back." With that, he turned and walked into the forest. Though his vision was unclear, his familiarity with the path made his steps as sure as any sighted person's.
This gentle young palace master, though lacking an imposing presence and martial prowess, never faltered in conversation—a rare talent indeed. Cheng Yunpao stepped forward to the cliff's edge. The mountain wind swept past him, stifling his breath and sending a chill through him. This was no ordinary wind; an ordinary man might have been swept into the sky. His internal injuries had only just healed, and his Inner Energy had not yet fully recovered. Standing at the precipice, he felt unsteady. Looking down, he saw Tang Lici rise from the withered tree—but not to return. Instead, he climbed to its highest point, standing directly in the wind's path, his feet poised above the abyss. His gaze fixed on the unfathomable sea of clouds and glaciers below. The dead tree groaned beneath him, ready to snap at any moment. His silver hair streamed wildly, his robes nearly tearing in the gale. Suddenly, he closed his eyes, raised the broken flute in his hand, and turned lightly, as if dancing.
A streak of Sword Qi flashed through the wind and mist, aimed straight at the withered tree beneath Tang Lici. Hearing the sound, Tang Lici swung his flute to block it. A metallic clang rang out—his weapon was but half a copper flute. The force of the strike shattered the tree beneath him, sending it tumbling into the abyss. He leaped gracefully, landing atop the cliff with a smile at his attacker. "You're awake?"
"Weren't you going to jump? I cut your foothold—why didn't you leap?" Cheng Yunpao said coldly. "Why come back up?" Tang Lici replied, "How could I dare? My life was saved by Brother Cheng. To jump would be to spurn your kindness. Our bodies and hair are gifts from our parents—they must not be harmed." His robes were slightly torn by the wind, his hair disheveled. The icy gusts from the snow-capped peaks flushed his cheeks, lending his delicate features a fleeting, striking allure.“What is there to see in the dead of night on a hundred-zhang cliff?” Cheng Yunpao turned around with his hands behind his back. “Or are you reflecting on how to clean up the chaos you’ve stirred in the martial world?” Tang Lici smiled faintly. “In the dead of night, atop a hundred-zhang cliff, with fierce winds howling—what better scenery and timing could there be? Even if you haven’t seen it, surely you’ve smelled it?” Cheng Yunpao paused slightly. “Smelled?” Tang Lici flicked his sleeve. “The fragrance in the wind—osmanthus, orchids, roses, jasmine—all mingling together, quite lively indeed.”
“Fragrance?” Cheng Yunpao suddenly realized. “Could it be—” Tang Lici slowly moved his left hand behind his back. “Whoever severely injured you is likely the same person now ascending the mountain.” Cheng Yunpao’s eyes snapped open as he stepped onto a boulder at the cliff’s edge, peering downward. “A veiled Black Pipa, a white-clad woman of a thousand flowers.” Tang Lici sighed softly. “As expected, it’s him…”
Below the cliff, clouds of mist swirled, and a chilling aura rose. Apart from the faint, ethereal fragrance drifting from the mountainside, nothing else was visible.
“Azure Fall Palace is under attack,” Cheng Yunpao said coolly. “You—dragging disaster to their doorstep, defiling this sanctuary of peace. Tonight, blood will surely flow like a river.” Tang Lici flicked his sleeves and turned abruptly. “I aim to eradicate the scourge of the Ape-Demon Nine Heart Pill. Is this not the best method?” Cheng Yunpao’s expression turned mocking. “Hah! Using Azure Fall Palace’s name to oppose the Central Plains Sword Association, luring Dissolute Shop into the open, then leaving markers to lead them straight to the palace—sacrificing Wan Yu Yuedan’s entire sect to confront the master of the Ape-Demon Nine Heart Pill here. But Tang Lici, where was your conscience when you borrowed Wan Yu Yuedan’s strength? Did he even know your true intentions? Even if you win this battle, how will you face the souls sacrificed tonight?”
“Wan Yu Yuedan also hopes this victory will allow Azure Fall Palace to reign supreme in the Central Plains, ending their exile and suffering. One willing to strike, the other willing to endure. After years of preparation, does the palace not have the strength for this battle?” Tang Lici stood with his back to Cheng Yunpao. “After decades in the martial world, how can you still not understand? To achieve glory, success, fame, justice—sacrifices are inevitable. When you save lives and vanquish evil, have you never been wounded or indebted to others?” Cheng Yunpao sneered. “Injuries in the line of duty are expected. But you sacrifice others, not yourself. Should I praise you for your brilliance?”
“And how do you know their sacrifice leaves me unmoved?” Tang Lici murmured. “Before condemning others, have you prepared a better plan?” Cheng Yunpao faltered. Tang Lici stepped slowly to his side, his tattered robes fluttering violently in the mountain wind, tearing further. “Without a better plan, your accusations are empty words… absurd.” His hand gave Cheng Yunpao a light push from behind as he whispered, “…ridiculous.” Caught off guard, Cheng Yunpao was shoved off the cliff. He barely managed to steady himself on a rocky ledge after a frantic exertion of qi. When he looked up, Tang Lici was already gone. Shock and fury warred within him—was this retaliation for his earlier sword strike that felled a tree? Or a response to his accusations? Even if there was a ledge below, how could Tang Lici be certain he’d land safely and not plummet into the abyss?Tang Lici, a man as venomous as a serpent, his toxicity suffusing the air, his poison seeping into the marrow. Not only was Cheng Yunpao unable to comprehend him, but even he himself might not truly understand the genuine intent behind that gentle push. Was it hatred for an enemy of opposing stances? Retaliation for verbal accusations? A display of authority through slight punishment? Or simply dissatisfaction with Cheng Yunpao? In his ruthless pursuit of justice in the martial world and the eradication of the scourge of forbidden drugs, was it truly his belief that good begets good and evil begets evil, that fairness and righteousness must triumph over wickedness and selfishness, that humanity must attain freedom and peace? Or was it merely a pursuit of a promise made to a friend, chasing the shadow of past camaraderie, willing to stain Cat Sprout Peak with blood to fill the void in his own heart, with no regard for fairness or righteousness?
No one but Tang Lici could answer these questions. But even if it were Tang Lici, could he truly answer them all?
"Reporting to the Palace Master, Gazing at the Moon Platform has relayed that thirty-six unidentified women in white are ascending Cat Sprout Peak. Our palace has abandoned the Crystal Cavern, and the ice barrier at its entrance was shattered by Cheng Yunpao. By this calculation, they will find the passage and storm our palace within an hour." The urgent news from Tie Jing did not sound particularly urgent. Wan Yu Yuedan, who had just returned from the Cliff Cloud Summit, relaxed the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes slightly upon hearing it. "Enemies approach. Sound the drums. Those who lack the ability should retreat via the ice path. The rest will stay and defend." He spoke softly, "Relay my orders. Today's battle, as I said before, is for the justice of the martial world, for Azure Fall Palace's return to the Central Plains, and to leave a viable path for future generations. For these three causes, everyone must give their all."
Tie Jing accepted the orders and withdrew. Wan Yu Yuedan sat quietly in his room, surrounded by utter silence, as if nothing existed in any direction, as if everything had already died.
With a creak, the door slowly opened, and someone entered without closing it. "Are there attackers coming up from below the cliff?" The voice was cold and aloof, laced with killing intent—it was unmistakably Cheng Yunpao's. Wan Yu Yuedan stood up, walked to the table, and slowly poured a cup of tea. Smiling, he said, "Cheng Daxia is an honored guest. Please have some tea." Cheng Yunpao replied indifferently, "Oh, so you already know about the attackers below the mountain?" Wan Yu Yuedan answered, "I do." Cheng Yunpao took the cup of hot tea and drank it in one gulp. "What are your plans?" Wan Yu Yuedan continued to smile. "To fight until death." Cheng Yunpao glanced at him and slammed the teacup back onto the table with a sharp "crack." "What's wrong with living in seclusion, untouched by the dust of the martial world? Young men with boundless ambition, reaching for power and dominance—do the rivers of blood spilled on the path to supremacy mean nothing to you?"
"Azure Fall Palace's roots lie in the Central Plains," Wan Yu Yuedan paused, then spoke softly. "Cheng Daxia, I must return to Luoshui." Cheng Yunpao's brows twitched. Wan Yu Yuedan cut him off, "Falling leaves return to their roots. Azure Fall Palace has no intention of surpassing any sect, but we need the prestige of this battle to return to Luoshui." He took a step forward, his back to Cheng Yunpao. "We—must return to Luoshui."Cheng Yunpao's furrowed brows gradually smoothed as he coldly regarded Wan Yu Yuedan. "The price of going home is a path of blood." Wan Yu Yuedan turned around, a gentle smile appearing on his fair and refined face. "The path I walk has always been the same." Cheng Yunpao reached out, grabbed the teapot on the table, and took a large gulp of hot tea directly from the spout. "Hah! Impractical fantasies, ruthless and iron-willed youths—it’s because the martial world is filled with passionate souls like you that it’s always so tumultuous." Wan Yu Yuedan smiled faintly. "I wouldn’t dare claim such praise. But Cheng Daxia, could you now tell me who injured you? Who in this world possesses such formidable ability to wound you so gravely?"
"A veiled Black Pipa, a thousand-flowered maiden in white." Cheng Yunpao's hand tightened around his sword hilt. As he uttered these ten words, his palm seemed to burn with heat, just like the stiffness, tension, and excitement he felt when he first drew his sword against a formidable enemy at the age of fourteen. "A black-clad figure, face veiled in black gauze and head covered in black cloth, cradled a Black Pipa painted with a crimson plum beneath the moon. Behind them followed thirty-six white-veiled women, blocking my path." Wan Yu Yuedan let out a soft exclamation, as if in admiration or lament. "What a grand display. And then?" Cheng Yunpao flicked his sleeve and turned his back. "And then, it was the two young Taoists from Wudang—Shaoxuan and Shaoqi—who ambushed me from behind. Those two claimed to have encountered the murderous fiend Wei Beiyin in the frozen wastelands of the far north and had come to Sword Inquiry Pavilion to summon me here. In truth, they were luring me into a trap." Wan Yu Yuedan's clear, black-and-white eyes lifted slightly, as if in naive surprise. "Oh?" Cheng Yunpao sneered. "I repelled the two ignorant youths, but the women in white moved to encircle me. The moment they restrained me, the black-clad figure plucked the strings. I never imagined anyone in this world could master such a Sound Assassination Technique. With a single note—" Wan Yu Yuedan interrupted. "I understand." Cheng Yunpao fell silent, unwilling to elaborate further on his crushing defeat. "After that, I was forced up Cat Sprout Peak. When I awoke, I was already here."
"If no one can withstand the Sound Assassination Technique, then only a deaf martial arts master could contend with this black-veiled foe," Wan Yu Yuedan mused. "Unfortunately..." Cheng Yunpao scoffed. "Unfortunately, Azure Fall Palace has no such deaf martial arts masters. In fact, I’ve never heard of such a figure existing anywhere in the martial world." Wan Yu Yuedan smiled faintly. "Since there are no deaf martial arts masters, then only a peerless expert unaffected by sound assassination could resist..." Cheng Yunpao slowly turned around. "To be unaffected by sound assassination, one must either lack Internal Force entirely, thus avoiding self-inflicted harm from internal vibrations, or... be equally proficient in the Sound Assassination Technique, immune to its sonic disruptions." Wan Yu Yuedan's smile grew even gentler. "Since someone could effortlessly heal wounds inflicted by sound assassination, perhaps they could just as effortlessly resist the technique itself." A glint flashed in Cheng Yunpao's eyes as he said coldly, "It seems you’ve already begun deploying your forces in your mind. No wonder you can sit here drinking tea even as the enemy approaches the gates." Wan Yu Yuedan sighed softly. "Cheng Daxia, your injuries are not yet healed. Please rest and recuperate here. Tonight’s battle will not require your intervention."At this moment, a melodious bell tolled from above the mountain cliffs. The clear, resonant sound echoed across the peaks, its lingering chimes ethereal and gentle, like sacred music from the heavens. After the bell faded, silence returned, with no sign of movement from Azure Fall Palace—as if even Chi Yun and Shen Langhun had completely vanished. Cheng Yunpao stood with his hands behind his back, facing the open door. The wind howled through the entrance, lifting the curtains and rattling the beaded strands. In past battlefields where blades clashed and blood spilled, Cheng Yunpao’s sword and righteousness were never absent. But tonight, for the first time, he was not the protagonist. For the first time, he questioned whether this battle was worth his intervention.
In his years of wandering the martial world, right and wrong had always been clear—his blade fell upon the wicked, upholding justice. Yet tonight, one side was a mysterious organization with unproven crimes, while the other sought to dominate as the future rulers of Azure Fall Palace. There was no pure righteousness, no simple outcome. Resisting the masked attackers and eliminating hidden threats was certainly noble—but was the side he might aid truly deserving of his sword? Would they become the martial world’s future rulers—or its hidden calamity? And amidst the chaos, there was also Tang Lici, whose methods were ruthless and motives inscrutable…
For the first time in his life, Cheng Yunpao gripped his sword, uncertain whether to draw it. Perhaps mutual destruction—or even a threefold defeat—would be the best outcome for the martial world. But what of the innocent lives caught in the crossfire? Could he abandon them? Yet to save them, he must draw his sword—but on what grounds? For what cause?
Facing the storm of withered leaves and rolling stones outside the open door, Cheng Yunpao pressed his hand to his hilt, lost in thought.
At Cat Sprout Peak, before the crystal cavern, a faint fragrance lingered as dozens of white-robed women stood in formation. Slowly climbing from the base of the peak were figures of varying heights and attire, all wearing identical masks—their numbers far exceeding the women, roughly two hundred in total. Soon, the masked figures passed through the crystal cavern and crossed the Sky-Spanning Rope, arriving at Green Peak Cliff, now merely a hundred paces from Orchid Robe Pavilion.
“So these are the things sneaking into someone’s courtyard in the dead of night—all identical, a swarm of shameless little worms.” A voice drifted down from above, cool and languid, as if its owner had been perched in the tree for some time.
“Why worms?” Another voice came from a different tree on Green Peak Cliff, tone indifferent. “Why not rats?”
“Because things that crawl all over the ground, varying in color and length, can only be worms,” the first speaker replied coldly. “Rats move faster.”
“I see,” the second voice mused. “Then will you kill the worms, or shall I?”
“I only kill people. Worms are your specialty,” the first retorted. “Five coppers per worm—payment after the deed.”
“Five coppers isn’t bad. Then those stunning beauties behind them—they’re yours.”
“I have no interest in beauties.”
“Even better.”
As their banter ceased, the masked figures had all crossed the Sky-Spanning Rope. The white-robed women stepped onto the rope cautiously, their movements betraying surprise that no one had attacked them mid-crossing."Lovely ladies, sneaking into someone else's courtyard in the dead of night might lead to unexpected surprises." A figure descended gracefully from the opposite tree, clad in elegant white robes with a blade slung over his shoulder—it was Chi Yun. "Care to share why you've come up the mountain at this hour?"
"Our purpose is to destroy Azure Fall Palace!" a clear, ringing voice declared from among the masked women in white. "Anyone who dares shelter Tang Lici and his companions will face death—no exceptions!"
"Is that so?" Chi Yun replied coolly. "Then do you know why I've been sitting here, enduring the cold wind all night?" The masked woman remained silent as Chi Yun continued, his tone icy, "My purpose is to ensure that anyone who dares set foot in Azure Fall Palace spouting nonsense about killing—whether they're beauties or otherwise—will face death. No exceptions."
"Insolent brat!" another masked woman snapped from the group. "Sisters, kill him first! Then we'll raze Azure Fall Palace for our Revered Master!" Some shouted in agreement, while others nodded slightly. With a soft shing , all thirty-six drew their weapons. Chi Yun was taken aback—he had assumed these women were trained assassins from the same organization. Yet their weapons varied wildly: swords, sabers, flutes, zithers, silk ribbons, hidden weapons—even among blades, no two were alike. Clearly, they were not of the same lineage. Who could have gathered thirty-six young women of disparate backgrounds to commit such atrocities? The "Revered Master" they spoke of must be utterly depraved, beyond redemption!
"Brothers and sisters, tonight is our chance to demonstrate loyalty, reverence, and obedience to the Revered Master! Anyone who holds back tonight is disloyal! And what meaning does life hold for those disloyal to the Revered Master? Those who fail to defeat the enemy shall die—" The same clear-voiced woman from earlier rallied the group, her tone bright yet chillingly fixated on death. Just how little value did human life hold in her heart, shaped by this so-called "Revered Master"?
The masked figures murmured in agreement. As they did, dozens of silver glints flashed from the treetops, streaking into their ranks. Screams erupted as over a dozen staggered, clutching their chests. Someone gasped, "Shadow Shooting Needles!" The figure in the tree remained silent and motionless, blending into the rustling shadows as if dissolved into the wind—utterly untraceable.
Chi Yun twirled his silver blade with a smirk. "Come on, then!"
One white-clad woman charged forward with a saber, while another leveled a sword behind Chi Yun. A third retreated ten paces—likely a long-range fighter—and a fourth stood empty-handed to his right, radiating confidence in her skill. Tipping his head back in laughter, Chi Yun taunted, "Let’s see which ungrateful daughters you little brats really are—" His Moon Crossing Ring pointed at the saber-wielding woman. "You first. Watch that veil—"The woman brandished her blade and charged forward, the whistling wind of her saber cutting through the air, its gleaming edge reflecting her considerable skill. Chi Yun countered with a swift grappling maneuver, his fingers aimed directly at the white veil covering her face. The three women surrounding him sprang into action—one in the distance flicked her wrist, sending four flying darts streaking toward Chi Yun’s four major acupoints, while the swordswoman swept her blade in a chilling arc, the cold energy of her Yin-infused sword biting into the skin. The last, empty-handed woman unleashed a palm strike—Chi Yun abruptly turned to meet it. He paid no heed to the saber, sword, or even the hidden weapons, but this palm strike was a masterful combination of power, angle, timing, and technique. A soft snap echoed as their palms collided, sending a tremor through Chi Yun’s body. The white-clad woman also shuddered, staggering back. Seizing the moment, Chi Yun lunged forward again, snatching at her veil. His expression darkened as he exclaimed, “You—!”
The white-clad woman, still reeling from the force of his palm strike, stumbled back three steps, unprepared for Chi Yun’s lightning-fast follow-up. A chill brushed her face as the veil was torn away, and her expression flickered with alarm. Clutching the veil in his hand, Chi Yun’s fury flared. “You—you—!”
The woman revealed beneath was fair-skinned, with a delicate, pointed face, long and elegant brows, and an ethereal grace. Tall and slender, her waist was as fine as a willow branch—none other than Bai Suche, the “Moonlit Heavenly Robe” of the Bai family, daughter of Bai Yuming and Chi Yun’s betrothed! Recognizing her with that single exchange, Chi Yun felt his chest nearly burst with rage. “So it was you!”
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