Green Peak Cliff.
The Sky-spanning Rope snapped!
Chi Yun and Shen Langhun abruptly paled, yet the mist rising from Azure Fall Palace began to disperse at this moment. With a sudden whoosh, flames erupted atop Orchid Robe Pavilion, illuminating a small area. There, an unmarked wooden plaque had appeared unnoticed, from which hung a small vial—its color and design unmistakably matching the "Ape-Demon Nine Heart Pill" Tang Lici had seized from Yu Family Sword Manor!
Chaos instantly erupted among the masked figures scattered throughout Azure Fall Palace. The white-clad women shouted commands repeatedly, but they couldn’t stop the masked crowd from surging toward Orchid Robe Pavilion. Just as some were about to leap up, a voice from among them bellowed, “Wait! This must be a trap! Stay calm! Wan Yu Yuedan, show yourself! What is the meaning of this?”
Amid the rustling mountain wind, a clear, melodious voice spoke unhurriedly, “As you can see, this is indeed the Ape-Demon Nine Heart Pill.” The speaker, however, was not Wan Yu Yuedan but Zhong Chunji. “I am Zhong Chunji, disciple of Xue Xianzi and a friend of Azure Fall Palace. You have all been poisoned by the Ape-Demon Nine Heart Pill—gaining strength at the cost of your lives. Is it truly worth it? And if you survive only to remain enslaved for life, how could you bear such indignity? Azure Fall Palace has no enmity with the martial world, nor any grudge against you. With the Sky-spanning Rope severed, your master can no longer set foot on Green Peak Cliff. Since there is no conflict between us, why not cease hostilities and negotiate peacefully?” Her voice was pleasant, her reasoning sound and methodical, and as she was not from Azure Fall Palace, the masked figures exchanged glances and gradually quieted down.
“Who is this wretched wench, hiding in the shadows to bewitch minds?” The veiled white-clad women, however, began to berate her. As the mist cleared, groups of them were already surrounded by green-robed figures—Azure Fall Palace’s hidden forces. Though no blows had been struck, it was clear these young women were no match for the palace’s elite. After a few futile shouts, they fell silent as the situation turned against them.
Under the vast night sky, bathed in bright moonlight, Zhong Chunji continued, “We possess hundreds of Ape-Demon Nine Heart Pills, which can alleviate your urgent crisis. After taking them, you will be free from repercussions for two years. Whether you choose to befriend or oppose us, each of you will receive a pill without any conditions. Please remain calm—someone will distribute them shortly.”
As she finished speaking, two young maidservants of Azure Fall Palace stepped forward gracefully. One carried a large jug of water, while the other held a dozen snow-white porcelain bowls. Both girls were visibly nervous, facing so many strange figures for the first time.
“Please line up to receive your dose,” Zhong Chunji instructed. “Though the Sky-spanning Rope is severed, Azure Fall Palace has its own means of descent—there is no need for panic. However, have you truly considered this? Rather than remaining enslaved to your master for life because of the Ape-Demon Nine Heart Pill, wouldn’t it be better to use these two years to urge him to research and refine an antidote? If the pill could enhance strength without deadly poison, wouldn’t that be the best of both worlds?”The masked figures rushed ahead of the two maidservants, but not knowing where the antidote was, they dared not openly snatch it. The two maidservants looked tense, yet their skills were extraordinary—a bowl of clear water and a single pill. Despite the masked figures watching closely, none could discern where the pill was hidden on their persons. They had no choice but to restrain themselves and wait in line. Many among them secretly thought: The Azure Fall Palace deliberately withheld the method to descend the mountain, not only to bestow the Ape-Demon Nine Heart Pill as a favor but also as a veiled threat—carrot and stick. As long as we cooperate with them to deal with the Revered Master and "persuade" him to concoct the antidote... But such calculations, no matter how shrewd, would find the master of the Dissolute Shop no easy target to "persuade" into making a non-toxic version of the Ape-Demon Nine Heart Pill. That said, without the antidote, their lives would be forfeit. Even if they survived, they'd remain pawns in others' schemes, making life hardly worth living. Might as well take the gamble...
"What your true faces look like holds no interest for us. If you are willing to cooperate with us and 'persuade' your master to prepare the antidote to relieve everyone's suffering, please come to the Orchid Robe Pavilion for further discussion afterward. If you have no intention to cooperate, once we inform you of the method to descend the mountain, you may leave on your own. The Azure Fall Palace does not stir up conflicts in the martial world and has no intention of making things difficult," Zhong Chunji said. "As for the thirty-six sisters dressed in white, please also stay for further discussion. That is all." She never showed herself, and these words were clearly not her own idea—if not taught by Tang Lici, then surely instructed by Wan Yu Yuedan.
"Heh heh heh, so tonight's battle was calculated in advance by someone. Wan Yu Yuedan doesn't show himself, yet the Azure Fall Palace remains 'aloof from worldly affairs,' sending Young girl Zhong out to speak. Not a single word or fart from the Azure Fall Palace, yet they win this battle and conveniently earn great favor, recruiting many helpers." The one sneering was Chi Yun, who had been ordered by Tang Lici to guard the cliff edge, though Tang hadn't revealed the full plan to him. "Damn white-haired fox, I bet this trick of currying favor is definitely that fox's handiwork!"Shen Langhun wiped away the bloodstains at the corner of his mouth caused by the sonic vibrations and said indifferently, "Hmph, if this were all his plan, he would have surely used the pills and escape route to force everyone to obey his commands. To let such an opportunity slip so easily—Wan Yu Yuedan must be involved." Chi Yun sheathed Moon Crossing Ring. "An old fox paired with a young one, no wonder Dissolute Shop suffered such a crushing defeat tonight. But judging by the way that 'Revered Master' severed the Sky Rope—ruthless and merciless—he clearly had no intention of letting those who ascended the mountain tonight survive. Though we didn't lose, we didn't fully win either. These people were all his pawns to discard." Shen Langhun gazed at the opposite mountain peak and said slowly, "Azure Fall Palace may have achieved a great victory tonight, regaining fame in the Martial Arts World and forging favorable connections, gaining the capital to claim kingship. But the true outcome isn't here..." Chi Yun snorted. "That white-haired fox claims to be the strongest in the world—why should I worry about him?" Shen Langhun also snorted. "If you weren't worried, you wouldn't be spouting so much nonsense." Chi Yun suddenly leaned in close to inspect him. Shen Langhun asked coolly, "What are you doing?" Chi Yun glared. "You're starting to sound more and more like me. I’m finding you more agreeable by the day." Shen Langhun paused. "Isn't your betrothed still in the woods? Why not go reminisce?" Chi Yun turned toward the forest and spat. "If I don’t kill Bai Suche tonight, I’ll renounce my surname!" With that, he strode away.
In Wan Yu Yuedan’s room.
Cheng Yunpao listened quietly to the commotion outside before taking a deep breath. "So this is what the so-called path to kingship looks like..." Wan Yu Yuedan still held the shattered porcelain shards of the teacup between his fingers. The sharp edges had cut into his skin, drawing blood, but he seemed oblivious to the pain. He sighed softly. "Even doing my best, this is all I could manage. The situation was beyond my control. Who knows when the day will come when blades are drawn, and I’ll have to sacrifice those I never wished to." Cheng Yunpao drained his cup. "Yet you insist on becoming king." Wan Yu Yuedan replied, "Mm... But the path to kingship isn’t necessarily singular in this world." Cheng Yunpao set down his cup and suddenly said, "Perhaps one day, you’ll usher in an era unprecedented in the martial world." Wan Yu Yuedan smiled gently, his eyes softening with clarity, as if recalling something. "Maybe... But truthfully... I look forward more to someone taking up my burden." Cheng Yunpao studied him for a long moment. "You’re truly not suited to be king." How could the heart of a king coexist with the desire to retreat? Wan Yu Yuedan sought to rule not through ambition, but courage.
Are you truly not suited to be king? Wan Yu Yuedan didn’t answer, his eyes closing slightly as if recalling something that rendered him silent.
Outside, masked figures huddled in small groups, murmuring among themselves. Suddenly, one of them broke away without a word and sprinted toward Orchid Robe Pavilion. Two young women had finished distributing the pills and were softly explaining how to descend Azure Fall Palace via the ice path. Once the instructions were given, some hesitated where they stood, while most retreated into the passage. Still, sixty or seventy people deliberated before slowly entering Orchid Robe Pavilion.
"Hero Cheng, please stay and rest. I have urgent matters to attend to and must take my leave." Wan Yu Yuedan rose and smiled at Cheng Yunpao. "Hero Xiao is in the next room—I’d appreciate it if you could keep an eye on him." Cheng Yunpao nodded. Wan Yu Yuedan carefully straightened his robes and walked with composed elegance toward Orchid Robe Pavilion.He didn't let anyone lead the way or accompany him, walking with an air of calmness, slightly tinged with casual laziness.
Chi Yun strode into the woods, only to find them eerily empty—no sign of Bai Suche, nor the four white-clad women who had entered earlier. He froze in surprise. The grove only had a few dozen large trees—where could five living people hide? Yet the five women had indeed vanished.
Outside the woods, Plum Blossom Numerology and Raging Orchid No Trace still stood like two corpses by the cliff edge. Shen Langhun picked up two stones and casually tossed them, striking both men's acupoints with precision. Though experienced, he was utterly baffled by the situation—these were clearly two formidable fighters, so why couldn't they move? Was it because the pipa music had stopped? That explanation made no sense. If these two could only act under musical command, and the Dissolute Shop's "Revered Master" had intended them as sacrificial pawns, wouldn't that mean bringing two useless men to the Azure Fall Palace to die? If not, then why were they left here? As these thoughts crossed his mind, Chi Yun emerged from the woods, his face full of confusion. Shen Langhun immediately knew something had happened inside. He glanced at Chi Yun and gestured toward the two immobilized men. "What do you think?"
Unable to find Bai Suche, Chi Yun was in a foul mood. He shot a cold look at the two men. "Who knows? Maybe they suddenly went deaf and couldn't hear the kill order. Or maybe they were possessed. Or perhaps the mountain's too high, and standing by the cliff scared them stiff." Shen Langhun shook his head—this was too strange. He gazed at the opposite peak. "Can you still hear the pipa?" Chi Yun frowned. "Haven't heard that damned pipa since that white-fox bastard went up the mountain." Shen Langhun said calmly, "Though I can't hear the pipa, I faintly catch the sound of a flute." Chi Yun strained to listen, but the howling mountain winds drowned everything out. With peaks dozens of zhang apart and summits hundreds of zhang high, all he heard was wind. "What flute?" Shen Langhun half-closed his eyes. "Intermittent, like the whistling of wind through a flute's pipe." Chi Yun spat. "I hear nothing! If you can, you're full of it! We're hundreds of zhang away—you got magic ears or something?"
"Wuu—" A faint whistle cut through the air. Before Chi Yun could finish speaking, he whirled around, catching a glimpse of something flashing through the sea of clouds before plummeting downward, its sound vanishing instantly. "What was that?" Chi Yun exclaimed. Shen Langhun's eyes snapped open. "A broken flute!" Chi Yun instantly darted to the cliff edge. "What?" Shen Langhun said coldly, "Half of a broken flute. Judging by its weight, it must be the bronze flute he was holding." Chi Yun looked up at the snowy peak. "You mean—" Shen Langhun replied evenly, "Someone who could defeat me in one move—do you really think your young master can easily triumph over whoever's playing that pipa up there?" Chi Yun's expression darkened. "That madman plucking the pipa on the mountain—is he—" Shen Langhun's face remained blank. "The same madman who branded my face and threw my wife into the Yellow River!"The sea of clouds stretched endlessly, with stars shining brilliantly. The snow-capped mountains in the distance gleamed like jade dragons under the moonlight. Compared to the mountains, how could people, as insignificant as ants, pierce through the vast sea of clouds to discern the changes atop the peaks?
"I'm going down the mountain! Then I'll climb up from the other side!" Chi Yun's face was ashen with anger. He flung the hem of his robe fiercely and turned to leave. Shen Langhun said calmly, "Are you an idiot? He lured that person to sever the Sky Rope and ascend alone precisely to stop you from following. Even if you descend with these people via the ice path, I guarantee you won’t find your way back!" Chi Yun snapped, "How do you know I won’t?" Shen Langhun closed his eyes. "Because last night, I already walked the ice path once. The exit isn’t at the foot of Cat Sprout Peak." Chi Yun was taken aback. Shen Langhun continued indifferently, "He wants to go up alone—do you think he’d leave a path for you to follow? His scheme was meant to stop me from rushing up in a vengeful frenzy to my death. Though I am indeed eager for revenge, I’m more patient than he thinks." Chi Yun’s expression darkened. "So even if he dies tonight, it’s his own fault! It’s suicide!" Shen Langhun remained impassive. "Hah! You’re certain he’ll lose? I’m not so sure." Chi Yun sneered. "I just know this fox has a death wish. If he gets himself killed someday, don’t expect me to burn even half an incense stick or a scrap of paper money for him!"
As they spoke, a faint rumbling echoed from the snowy peak once more. Something had shaken loose. Moments later, several boulders—each the size of half a house—tumbled down the slope, sending ice and snow cascading in their wake. Had they struck a person, the result would have been a bloody pulp! The busy crowd on Green Peak Cliff froze at the sight, but the white-robed women cheered, "The Revered Master has slain the enemy! The Revered Master is invincible!" Some drew their swords and clashed with the disciples of Azure Fall Palace.
As the boulders' roar faded, leaving only the skirmishing white-robed women, the crowd’s gaze remained fixed on the snowy summit. Their minds involuntarily conjured images of what monstrous foe Tang Lici might be battling up there. Who had triggered such earth-shaking destruction? And why had the lethal music of the single string ceased to sound?
As if answering their unspoken questions, after the boulders came an avalanche from Cat Sprout Peak. A blizzard of snowflakes obscured the traces left by the falling rocks, as though nothing had happened. Before the onlookers could catch their breath or look away, someone suddenly gasped, "Who’s that?"
Chi Yun narrowed his eyes. On the opposite mountainside, two dark figures moved slowly upward. Their pace suggested they either lacked martial skills or were severely weakened. Cat Sprout Peak had just experienced an avalanche—though not a catastrophic one—and the ice beneath their feet was treacherous. That they still insisted on climbing now proved their presence was no coincidence. Who were they? Unable to make out their features, Chi Yun asked, "Shen, can you see clearly?" Shen Langhun, whose senses far surpassed ordinary people, studied them intently before murmuring after a long pause, "They seem to be two women...""A woman?" Chi Yun was astonished. "How could it be a woman?" A woman who didn't know martial arts—what was she doing on Cat Sprout Peak, outside Azure Fall Palace? Shen Langhun frowned. "Most likely a woman from Dissolute Shop, but how could Dissolute Shop have someone who doesn’t know martial arts..." Chi Yun pondered. "Could it be that 'Hong Guniang' mentioned by the white-haired fox from Yu Family Sword Manor? But without martial arts, climbing such a snowy mountain in the dead of night is extremely dangerous. Could it be they’re even more desperate than us? Do they believe their Revered Master is in trouble?"
The situation atop the peak seemed bizarre beyond their wildest imaginations. Shen Langhun’s gaze swept toward Orchid Robe Pavilion, where Wan Yu Yuedan stood inside, raising a hand as if signaling something, not once glancing toward the mountaintop.
Of course, he couldn’t see it anyway.
Such composure—had Tang Lici assured him of something?
On the opposite snowy peak, the moving figures climbed upward at an excruciatingly slow pace. Though the details were unclear, the danger was palpable. What kind of allure did the person atop the peak possess, driving so many young women to risk their lives without hesitation?
Suddenly, the mountaintop trembled again, sending rocks tumbling down. A figure plummeted from the peak, and before anyone could react, another figure leaped after them. From the towering height of several hundred zhang, everyone saw clearly—the first had fallen, and the second had deliberately jumped.
But the snow-capped peak was frigid, the wind like knives. A fall from such a height meant certain death. The second figure diving through the air—what were they trying to achieve? Such an act was no different from suicide. In that instant, no one could make out who it was, and before any thoughts could form, both figures vanished into the sea of clouds.
"Revered Master!" The women in white cried out in shock. Then, from the base of the cliff, a figure flickered into view. A resounding boom echoed from the dark figures slowly moving on the opposite peak. Shen Langhun gasped, "Sky-Piercing Crossbow!" As he spoke, a silver arrow shot through the air, trailing a dark red rope behind it. The force of the arrow was such that it pierced through the fierce winds and dense clouds spanning dozens of zhang, unaffected, reaching straight for the base of Green Peak Cliff! A white figure flashed below the cliff, catching the rope and securing it to a rock. With a sharp shout, several white figures dashed along the rope toward the opposite mountain!
"Bai Suche!" Chi Yun roared. She had been hiding among the fractured rocks at the cliff’s base, waiting for this moment. The Sky-Piercing Crossbow’s strike was clearly premeditated—an escape route prepared in advance! Shen Langhun moved like lightning, grabbing him. "Wait! That rope is laced with the Hundred Poisons. A single touch is fatal—a hundred different toxins, incurable without the antidote from the poisoner!" But Chi Yun was faster. Moon Crossing Ring flashed silver—the poisoned rope was about to be severed!
The dark red rope’s arrival sent an indescribable tremor through Green Peak Cliff. Many masked figures in Orchid Robe Pavilion shuddered, minds racing. As Moon Crossing Ring’s silver gleam threatened to cut off their lifeline, Wan Yu Yuedan flicked his sleeve. A crisp "ding" rang out—an object flew from his sleeve, intercepting Moon Crossing Ring mid-air. The silver ring veered off course, grazing the poisoned rope with a hum before circling back into Chi Yun’s hand.In the blink of an eye, the ropes were severed and then rescued. Wan Yu Yuedan, who possessed no martial skills, had unleashed some hidden weapon from his sleeve with astonishing power. Green Peak Cliff fell into sudden silence, broken only by his gentle voice, "Since your master has made arrangements to summon you back, Azure Fall Palace will not insist. The mountain winds are strong—take care." His words left everyone stunned. Those who had already stepped one foot out of Orchid Robe Pavilion hesitated for a moment before withdrawing it. Wan Yu Yuedan spoke no more, standing quietly in the pavilion as if patiently waiting for them all to leave.
"What a cunning little fox, so adept at winning hearts!" Chi Yun retrieved Moon Crossing Ring, his resentment simmering. "Hmph! I’m going down to see how those two are faring. Excuse me!" With a stomp of his foot and a surge of determination, he chose not to descend via Azure Fall Palace’s icy path. Instead, he leaped from the cliff’s edge, scaling the rocks and snow-covered slopes as he pursued his quarry downward.
Shen Langhun stood atop the cliff, watching Chi Yun’s white robes vanish into the sea of clouds. Was the one who had fallen truly his sworn enemy—the man who had murdered his wife and disfigured him? Could such deep-seated hatred dissipate like mist? Why, then, did the fury and agony in his heart remain, festering like an incurable wound that would haunt him for life?
"Revered Master… Revered Master…" Behind him, the white-robed women wailed in sorrow, their cries so mournful they tugged at the heartstrings. Then, from within Azure Fall Palace, a clear voice shouted, "Miss!" followed by the metallic clang of a sword—someone had attempted to take their own life but was stopped by the palace attendants. What was meant to be a battlefield drenched in blood had instead become a scene of lamentation and grief.
"Palace Master." A figure clad in green robes, adorned with a sword and exuding an air of distinction, stood beside Wan Yu Yuedan—none other than Bi Lianyi, the foremost figure under Azure Fall Palace. With a slight nod and a soft sigh from Wan Yu Yuedan, a flash of green swept through the scene. In moments, the white-robed women had all been struck at their acupoints. These women, innocent in their youth, were both pitiable and tragic—yet they were also the perpetrators of numerous massacres. Though many felt sympathy, they could not easily absolve them, especially since crucial information about Dissolute Shop still needed to be extracted from these very women.
"The matter here is settled. Brother Bi, I leave this to you." Wan Yu Yuedan's eyes were slightly closed. "I need to check on the two who just fell from the mountain." Bi Lianyi acknowledged the order, while Zhong Chunji rushed out from the Orchid Robe Pavilion, her face pale. "I... I..." Her speech now was entirely different from the confident tone she had earlier. Wan Yu Yuedan spoke gently, "Miss Zhong, please guide me." Zhong Chunji looked at Wan Yu Yuedan's face, still youthful yet composed and elegant, and suddenly felt a mix of comfort, warmth, and sorrow. "I..."
"Let's go." Wan Yu Yuedan reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Please lead the way."
Shen Langhun lifted his head and gazed at the snowy mountain opposite. He saw five women in white robes meet with two figures—one group continued climbing toward the summit while the other hurried down the mountain. From this, it seemed the placement of the "Hundred Poison Rope" on the "Response Heaven Crossbow" was not premeditated by the Dissolute Shop but a hasty countermeasure. These women were also pursuing the Revered Master, but what exactly had happened at the mountaintop to cause such a sudden turn of events? Deep down, he refused to believe those two had truly perished. Without a foolproof plan, they would never have leaped to their deaths—especially since one had jumped willingly. Though a fall from a cliff hundreds of feet high should be fatal, for those two, there was always a way to survive.
OpenNovel