The dim tunnel grew shorter section by section, the darkness creeping closer with each step. Yu Konghou remained indifferent, but Yu Qifeng and Qingxuzi secretly gathered their Inner Energy, their vigilance at its peak. They had already experienced Tang Lici's formidable martial prowess firsthand. Though his appearance was delicate and his demeanor refined, the ferocity and ruthlessness of his techniques were unmatched. A single careless misstep could mean death under his strikes.
Suddenly, Yu Konghou let out a soft "Hmm," followed by, "Something's wrong!" Yu Qifeng asked in a low voice, "What is it?" Yu Konghou flicked his sleeve slightly. "Six oil lamps were extinguished—it's Sixth Brother."
A laugh echoed from the depths of the dark tunnel. "Oh? So Seventh Brother and I share a telepathic bond? I never told you that extinguishing six lamps meant I was coming. How did you guess it was me?" Yu Konghou smiled sweetly. "Sixth Brother has always loved playing the clever one. How could I not know? Weren’t you wandering the rivers and lakes with your master? What good news brings you back to Wangting Manor?"
Emerging from the tunnel with a leisurely sway of his fan was a man in yellow robes, a red fan in hand, his cheeks flushed—Fang Pingzhai. "I never have good news, only misfortunes. I heard you’ve enlisted Third Brother to kill for you. Where is he now?" Yu Konghou’s smile deepened. "Your desire to kill Third Brother truly never fades. Forgive me for dampening your spirits, Sixth Brother, but while you might slaughter half the martial world, killing Third Brother is beyond you." Fang Pingzhai flicked his red fan. "Ah, no need to pour cold water on me. I know my limits. I’m not here to kill anyone—just to ask if he’s here." Yu Konghou giggled. "If you can’t kill him, what’s the point of asking?"
"You drove him to madness, yet instead of killing you, he let himself be ensnared—it must be for Xue Tao’s sake," Fang Pingzhai replied, equally amused. "The two of you have been at each other’s throats over her for over a decade. I’ve watched this drama for years, and I’m numb to it now. If he’s here, I’d like to invite him out for a chat. Though I’d like to kill him, poisoning him and ruining ten years of his life was hardly honorable. I’ve come to sincerely apologize to Third Brother."
"Honor? An apology? What do you take Third Brother for? Whether you poisoned him, how you ruined him, even whether you’re Sixth Brother or Seventh or Eighth—he couldn’t care less," Yu Konghou drawled. "In this world, aside from Xue Tao and those stronger than him, no one else matters. If you try to talk to him, he’ll treat you like wind and rain—your words won’t even register." Fang Pingzhai sighed. "I despise that kind of personality more than I despise rats. But if I’ve done wrong, I’ll apologize. It’s about my integrity, not about seeking Third Brother’s forgiveness—whether he forgives me or not, I don’t care. What matters is my own character."
"Sixth Brother, you—" Yu Konghou shook his head. "The more you cling to honor, the more it shackles you. You have talent, you have ability—you possess what Elder Brother and I lack. Yet you squander it, content to play the fool. Honor? A clown? Is that really you? Have you ever truly asked yourself, Fang Pingzhai of the Layered Petal Grandeur, do you really want to live your life in obscurity?"Fang Pingzhai tilted his head as he looked at Yu Konghou, whose waist-length black hair and peach-colored robes made him resemble a stunning young maiden. "I just want to say—you look far more beautiful than most young and pretty girls dressed like this. Is Third Brother here? If he is, say so. If not, just say no. Though I may be dashingly handsome, I have no interest in beauties."
"He's not," Yu Konghou turned away. "He left with Xue Tao." Fang Pingzhai's eyes widened as if he had heard some bizarre, unprecedented news. "What?" Yu Konghou replied indifferently, "He left with Xue Tao." Fang Pingzhai stared at him in astonishment. "And you just let him go?" Yu Konghou lifted his head, his tone growing even colder. "Indeed." Fang Pingzhai muttered, "You must have misunderstood something..." He tapped his head with the red fan. "Since he's not here, I'll take my leave. Many thanks for saving my life, Sixth Brother."
Yu Qifeng and Qingxuzi listened to the conversation between Fang Pingzhai and Yu Konghou. Fang Pingzhai, being an old acquaintance of Yu Qifeng, greeted him with a grin, but Yu Qifeng acted as if he hadn't seen him. The former Sword King, now a fallen noble, was no longer what he once was. Fang Pingzhai glanced at Qingxuzi a few times but failed to recognize him, so he waved his fan and prepared to leave.
As he turned, a shoe suddenly emerged from the darkness ahead—white cloud-patterned shoes with pale blue embroidery. Fang Pingzhai coughed, nearly choking on his breath. Yu Konghou turned back, and from the darkness before Fang Pingzhai, a figure stepped forward leisurely—silver-gray hair, elegant and refined features—it was Tang Lici.
Shen Langhun was nowhere to be seen, having vanished to who-knows-where. Yu Konghou's gaze shifted from Fang Pingzhai to Tang Lici. "Sixth Brother, are you helping him or me?" Fang Pingzhai waved his red fan. "I'm just passing through. Carry on, carry on... Don't let me spoil the fun." He sidestepped past Tang Lici, swaying as he walked forward. Suddenly, a flash of light illuminated the passage—flames flickered. Yu Konghou and Tang Lici both looked up to see Fang Pingzhai's smile freeze on his face—a long halberd pressed against his chest, forcing him to retreat step by step. The blade, once coated with oil to prevent rust, now blazed fiercely under the wielder's intense Inner Energy, flames dancing along its edge. The wielder's wild, unkempt hair and terrifying aura made him a fearsome sight.
Zhu Yan!
Both Tang Lici and Yu Konghou were taken aback. Logically, having taken Xue Tao, he should have fled far away—why would he suddenly return? Yu Konghou's expression darkened first. "What have you done to her?"
Fang Pingzhai swiftly dodged away from Zhu Yan's blade. Though he wanted to kill Zhu Yan, he stood no chance now—even two Fang Pingzhais might not withstand a single strike from Zhu Yan, let alone one without a twin brother.
Zhu Yan ignored Yu Konghou's question. With a fierce sweep of his halberd, a shrill howl tore through the air as the weapon lunged toward Yu Konghou's chest like a thunderbolt, his eyes wild and deranged. Tang Lici dodged aside, while Yu Konghou moved like lightning, gripping the halberd's shaft tightly. "What have you done to her?" he demanded sharply.Zhu Yan still did not respond. The flames on the halberd slowly licked at Yu Konghou's sleeve as Zhu Yan channeled his full True Power, thrusting forward with immense force. Yu Konghou gripped tightly in resistance, their eyes locked as if a raging fire had ignited between them. Without another word, the two erupted into a storm of movement—halberd strikes shaking heaven and earth, the surrounding walls crumbling incessantly. Though Yu Konghou fought barehanded, the sheer force of his fists and palms was no less formidable than Zhu Yan's, each strike a lethal killing blow!
Yu Qifeng and Qingxuzi simultaneously turned their gazes toward Tang Lici. If Tang Lici joined the fray now, Yu Konghou would undoubtedly be at a disadvantage. Tang Lici flashed them a grin and raised his palm, clearly intending to intervene. Yu Qifeng swung his black sword, while Qingxuzi formed a Tai Chi stance with his palms—both stepping forward to block Tang Lici. Fang Pingzhai flicked his red fan repeatedly. Were he to enter the battle, whichever side he joined would surely triumph, yet he showed no intention of taking part. Instead, he spoke up, "Third Brother, it was my fault for offering you that poisoned wine back then, leading you to this state. I offer my apologies here." He bowed toward Zhu Yan and Yu Konghou's battlefield and leisurely prepared to leave.
"Sixth Brother, you owe me a drink. Do you think you can just walk away like this?" a voice hissed ominously. Fang Pingzhai halted mid-step, his face twisting into a bitter smile. Today was truly not his day—every time he tried to leave, someone blocked his path. At the sound of the newcomer, Zhu Yan and Yu Konghou abruptly disengaged, leaping to opposite sides. Yu Konghou exhaled sharply. "Eldest Brother!"
The figure emerging from the darkness, dragging something behind him, wore black robes embroidered with peonies, his visage grotesque and terrifying—it was Gui Mudan. With this, four of the Seven Cloud Traveling Guests had gathered. Aside from Plum Blossom Numerology, all surviving members were now present. Fang Pingzhai slowly retreated as Gui Mudan advanced, dragging behind him the carcass of a dead goat—whether snatched from the mountains or stolen from Chengfeng Town, no one knew.
"Since you've come to Wangting Manor in person, it would disgrace my title as leader of the Seven Cloud Traveling Guests, 'One Verse of Yin and Yang' Gui Mudan, if I let you leave now," Gui Mudan said with a sinister tone. "Now that everyone is here, why not lay things bare? Sixth Brother, tonight I intend to kill Tang Lici. If you assist me, I’ll consider the debt of that drink settled. But if you stand in my way… heh, that drink will truly go to the dogs. From then on, you’ll be cast out of the Seven Cloud Traveling Guests, and we will sever ties. Should we meet again in the martial world, I will show no mercy!" With that ultimatum, his figure blurred as he lunged toward the battle between Tang Lici, Yu Qifeng, and Qingxuzi. Yu Konghou, his killing intent palpable, glared at Zhu Yan—he already had some idea of what Zhu Yan had done to Xue Tao. A man of ruthless talent, his initial panic and grief had given way to cold composure. As Gui Mudan charged at Tang Lici, Yu Konghou assessed the fight. Tang Lici was superior to Yu Qifeng and Qingxuzi alone, but with Gui Mudan joining, the scales tipped slightly against him. If the battle dragged on conventionally, Tang Lici would inevitably lose after a thousand exchanges. But Tang Lici was never one to follow predictable patterns.Tang Lici's purpose was clear to him. After saving Shen Langhun, he didn't leave but instead ventured deeper, undoubtedly because he hadn't found that girl A Shui. If he had come in to search for someone, he might not be willing to engage in prolonged combat. Although those three were slightly superior to him, they couldn't stop him. If Tang Lici walked away unscathed today, such an opportunity where he willingly walked into a trap would be hard to come by again. Yu Konghou quickly calmed himself, observing Zhu Yan's every move and Tang Lici's shifting stance, ready to strike at any moment.
Fang Pingzhai sighed at Gui Mudan's words. The notion of brotherhood was something he had abandoned a decade ago, yet hearing this, it seemed Gui Mudan and Yu Konghou still held some genuine fraternal affection for him. Though his red fan swayed with effortless grace, his heart darkened. The days of unrestrained vigor were long behind him, and what he truly wanted now was something even he couldn't quite grasp.
The only thing he was certain of was killing Zhu Yan.
He glanced at the towering man standing beside him, halberd in hand. Before Zhu Yan joined the Seven Cloud Traveling Guests, he, along with the second, fourth, and fifth brothers, were known as the "Four Wanderers of Wind and Moon." Back then, they truly roamed the jianghu in carefree abandon, composing poetry and sharing wine. He was the fourth brother then, still young, and the martial world was never lonely. He would return home every six months to visit his mother in his hometown. As the fame of the "Four Wanderers of Wind and Moon" grew, they gradually took in the seventh brother and the eldest brother. The group expanded, growing livelier, and he had always reveled in it.
But the seventh brother brought along his beautiful cousin, Xue Tao—delicate, pure-hearted, and gentle. Few men could dislike such a woman. She attracted Zhu Yan, a man of unparalleled martial skill, cold and eccentric. Zhu Yan joined the Seven Cloud Traveling Guests, taking the third position, while Fang Pingzhai became the sixth brother. This change didn't bring him much displeasure, but deep down, he loathed Zhu Yan. From the very beginning, this arrogant, self-absorbed oddity gave him an ominous feeling.
The year the Seven Cloud Traveling Guests rose to fame, the seven of them agreed to visit his hometown, White Cloud Valley, to admire the flowers. After drinking, everyone fell asleep. Fang Pingzhai was easily intoxicated, so though he drank early, he also woke early. When he roused at midnight, he saw Zhu Yan standing outside the house, admiring the moon, his sword dripping with blood, his expression indifferent.
He asked him what had happened. Zhu Yan, who trained with an eight-foot-long sword and rarely unsheathed it lightly, had not only drawn his blade that night but let blood flow freely—an extraordinary occurrence. As he asked, Fang Pingzhai felt the taste of fear for the first time in his life.
Zhu Yan's reply was calm, but beneath that calmness simmered a trace of excitement. He said that while drinking and admiring the flowers, he had suddenly grasped a new sword technique. Fang Pingzhai didn't ask what kind of technique it was—only, "Which family?" Zhu Yan pointed his sword outside. He had slaughtered the entire family of seven from the neighboring Wu household, all because he had grasped a new sword technique.
From that night onward, he resolved to kill Zhu Yan.
OpenNovel