"Young Master Tang, Senior Xue Xianzi is suffering from poison. If there were a miraculous antidote that could cure all toxins, perhaps it could also cure the Medicine Person's poison," someone in the crowd said softly. Tang Lici suddenly looked up—the speaker, with delicate features and peach-colored robes, was none other than Yu Konghou. In that instant, Tang Lici understood why Yu Konghou had sent Xue Xianzi back to Good Cloud Mountain. Aside from exchanging him for Zhong Chunji, this had been his meticulously calculated scheme all along.
Seeing Tang Lici remain silent, Yu Konghou smiled faintly. "Ten Thousand Apertures House holds the world's rarest treasures and possesses immeasurable wealth. Surely you could purchase some kind of antidote? Had Young Master Tang considered this, perhaps Senior Xue Xianzi's poisoning would have been cured long ago." His words made Zhang Hemo and others privately agree—was it possible that Ten Thousand Apertures House had never collected any universal antidote? Even if not, surely they had treasures like thousand-year-old lingzhi, ten-thousand-year-old fleeceflower root, or heavenly snow lotuses? Had Tang Lici truly forgotten this and not brought them out to save a life? Or was he simply unwilling to part with such priceless treasures to spare Xue Xianzi? Many in the crowd now regarded Tang Lici with disdain.
Tang Lici lowered his gaze slightly, his voice calm as he replied, "This... was indeed an oversight on my part in the midst of haste." He helped Xue Xianzi slowly rise. "But even if Ten Thousand Apertures House were to deliver medicine by swift horse now, I fear it would still be too late..." Yu Konghou sighed softly. "Does Young Master Tang not still possess the Shaolin Great Restoration Pill? Such a rare medicinal treasure—why not let Senior Xue Xianzi try it?" A flash of killing intent flickered through Tang Lici's eyes before he smiled faintly, reaching into his robes and withdrawing a pale-yellow pill wrapped in silk. "This is a medicine for internal injuries. I doubt it would have any effect on poison."
"Young Master Tang, let us try it first before deciding," Wenxiu Shitai couldn't help but interject. "Look at how contorted Xue Xianzi's expression is—he is in unbearable agony. If we do not act now, it may be a lifelong regret!" Zhang Hemo and the others nodded repeatedly. Xue Xianzi's poisoning had already taken hold, driving him to madness. If they did not act now, even if he were saved later, his mind might be irreparably damaged.
Tang Lici swept his gaze over the crowd before casually handing the Great Restoration Pill to Yu Konghou, saying calmly, "You do it." Yu Konghou smiled radiantly. "You truly are... so reasonable." With a flick of his wrist, he slipped the pill into Xue Xianzi's mouth. Tang Lici watched coldly—between Yu Konghou's fingers, along with the Great Restoration Pill, was another red pill, though those behind them could not see it.
Once the pills were swallowed, Tang Lici continued supporting Xue Xianzi, pressing a hand to his back to aid the medicine's circulation. His Internal Force was vast, and Xue Xianzi himself had a strong foundation. The Great Restoration Pill's effects quickly spread, carrying another peculiar medicinal force throughout his body. Moments later, the pain on Xue Xianzi's face gradually eased, and his expression slowly grew peaceful.Yu Konghou retreated into the crowd with delicate, almost feminine steps. Everyone marveled at the efficacy of the Great Restoration Pill, clicking their tongues in amazement. Those like Zhang Hemo loudly praised Peach Girl for her cleverness and thoughtfulness, implying that Tang Lici, despite possessing life-saving medicine, had somehow failed to realize it—which was rather questionable. Though Cheng Yunpao and the others were skeptical, having witnessed the Great Restoration Pill’s effects firsthand, they had no choice but to believe. Yet the idea that Tang Lici had deliberately withheld the medicine was utterly unthinkable.
Xue Xianzi’s expression gradually stabilized, though he remained unconscious. Tang Lici assisted him in circulating his energy before withdrawing his hands after a while. “He won’t wake up anytime soon. Take him back to his room to rest.” Qi Xing, standing nearby, hurriedly lifted Xue Xianzi and carried him to his quarters. Tang Lici turned around, meeting the gazes of the crowd—some shocked, some doubtful. Who had been the one killing indiscriminately these past few days? Tang Lici was so intelligent, and he had carried life-saving medicine—had he truly not considered using it? In just a few moments, Yu Konghou’s subtle words had shaken Good Cloud Mountain’s confidence in Tang Lici.
This was the true purpose of returning Xue Xianzi. Tang Lici smiled faintly, sweeping his gaze over the crowd before flicking his sleeves and stepping away without a word of explanation.
He neither expressed remorse nor bid farewell—simply departed with unhurried grace.
The crowd stared blankly at his retreating figure, momentarily at a loss for words.
Tang Lici returned to his room, picking up his brush to continue the calligraphy he had been working on earlier, his expression utterly composed. What was meant to come would come—whether today or tomorrow made no difference.
At dawn the next day, before the first light of morning, a carriage slowly made its way up Good Cloud Mountain.
Midway up the path, Cheng Yunpao stood with his sword drawn, blocking the way. The surroundings were pitch-black, the stars long vanished, the first glimmers of dawn yet to rise.
The carriage driver wore white Daoist robes, exuding an immortal’s grace, with three long wisps of beard—none other than Qingxuzi. He typically dressed in black, his face veiled, but now he revealed his true appearance. Though few in the martial world would recognize him, he carried the bearing of a senior Daoist master. Inside the carriage behind him were two bound figures—one was Liu Yan, the other Fang Pingzhai.
Liu Yan stared at Fang Pingzhai in silence. His acupoints had been sealed, rendering him unable to speak even if he wished to. Fang Pingzhai, however, was only pretending to be immobilized, sitting leisurely in the carriage with a serene expression.
After a long stretch of quiet, Fang Pingzhai sighed. “Master, I’m not used to such silence.” Liu Yan regarded him coolly, his gaze neither angry nor affectionate. “Do you hate me?” Fang Pingzhai murmured to himself. “For that ruthless, murderous strike.” A sharp glint flashed through Liu Yan’s eyes, but there was no hatred. He had seen the restraint in Fang Pingzhai’s attack—though the wound was severe, mercy had been shown. And Tang Lici’s men would arrive on schedule—A Shui should be able to escape safely."In the future, I may do many things that wrong my master, the common people, and the entire Martial Arts World. Fang Pingzhai offers his apologies in advance." Fang Pingzhai continued rambling, "Master, you once said I was someone who craved attention—and you were right. I always believed that even if I weren’t one of the Seven Cloud Traveling Guests, even if I weren’t a descendant of the Chai family, I could still rise above the rest. But now I understand what it truly takes for a man to stand at the pinnacle, to hold the world in his grasp..."
Liu Yan hadn’t been paying attention, but these words stirred something in him. He had once been just one step away from ruling the world. He, too, had once killed and burned without restraint. What did it take to hold the world? Even after paying the price he had, it still wasn’t enough. Lost in thought, he missed most of Fang Pingzhai’s speech, catching only the end: "...In short, though I don’t seek forgiveness, I hope Master can understand my plight."
But what good would understanding do? The man before him had already resolved to walk a path of bloodshed, one that neither friendship nor conscience could deter. Even if his plight were understood, could it ever be condoned?
No. To condone Fang Pingzhai’s bloody path would only deepen the pain between those on opposing sides. Liu Yan didn’t know whether A Shui was alive or dead, and his heart grew cold. Though the early summer air was stifling, a chill seeped from his core to his limbs, leaving his fingers numb as if frozen.
Why had Fang Pingzhai allied with the Dissolute Shop? He claimed to be a descendant of the Chai family—could he mean Chai Rong’s lineage? If so, his ambition was the throne... Liu Yan had no interest in imperial struggles, but if Fang Pingzhai sought the throne through the Dissolute Shop, he would inevitably turn against Tang Lici. And Liu Yan himself—
He was the perfect weapon to use against Tang Lici.
The thought filled him with despair. Had he starved himself to death days earlier, A Shui wouldn’t be gravely injured, Fang Pingzhai might still be hesitating over his path to power, and no one could threaten Tang Lici. Just days ago, he had believed staying alive was the right choice—that his existence could comfort a few people who mattered to him: Yu Tuan’er, A Shui, Tang Lici... But now he realized the truly correct choice would have been to die long ago. A useless burden, he only ever dragged others down.
So what if Yu Tuan’er would grieve? She was still so young—she’d mourn for a while, then forget. Liu Yan sat silently in the carriage. That little girl... He smiled faintly. Wouldn’t it be better if she weren’t with him? What future could a naive, romantic girl have with a worthless monster like him?
Qingxuzi drove the carriage up Good Cloud Mountain. Before reaching the midpoint, a figure stood blocking the path, sword in hand.
Pale mist drifted, and a mountain breeze whispered.
Cheng Yunpao stood with his sword planted on the ground, his expression indifferent, as if he had been waiting there for a long time.
Qingxuzi reined in the horse, halting the carriage. "I am Qingxuzi, a Taoist of Wudang, here to visit Young Master Tang. Please step aside." Inside the carriage, Liu Yan perked up slightly at the sound of an obstacle. Fang Pingzhai glanced over and chuckled softly. "It’s Cheng Yunpao."
"Spare me the lies," Cheng Yunpao said coolly. "Qingxuzi, leave the people in the carriage behind and depart. The Central Plains Sword Association does not welcome villains from the Dissolute Shop."
Qingxuzi gave him a cold look. "I am a senior of Wudang. Do you dare raise your sword against me?""What about the elder from Wudang?" Cheng Yunpao said coldly. "What if I fight you?"
"This place is very close to the Hall of Sharp Virtue. Once a fight breaks out, people will notice quickly," Qingxuzi replied indifferently. "When the crowd arrives and sees you fighting me—an elder from Wudang escorting the traitor Liu Yan up the mountain—while you obstruct my path, won’t they suspect that you are the spy from the Dissolute Shop?"
"Hah!" Cheng Yunpao let out a cold laugh. "Is that so? How would we know who the real spy is without testing it?" He raised his sword, and with a sharp sound, the tempered steel blade flashed under the sunlight, its glare blinding. Qingxuzi leaped into the air just as the sound of slicing wind echoed. Sword light flickered—Cheng Yunpao had already unleashed two strikes, one thrust and one sweep, in the instant his blade left its sheath. Only then did the scabbard clatter to the ground.
Qingxuzi gathered energy in his palms, engaging Cheng Yunpao with Wudang’s Tai Chi Fist. His goal was not victory but delay—if he could draw the crowd from Good Cloud Mountain to witness the fight, he could not only force Tang Lici to retreat but also drag Cheng Yunpao into the mess, killing two birds with one stone.
With a loud crash, Qingxuzi’s fists and feet avoided Cheng Yunpao entirely, instead striking boulders and trees. The illusory force of Tai Chi manifested in reality—rocks shattered, trees snapped, creating a cacophony of noise. His intentions were clear. Cheng Yunpao seethed with anger. He absolutely could not let these three ascend the mountain today. If they succeeded, they would frame Tang Lici, and with Hong Guniang yet to return, Yu Konghou would seize control of Good Cloud Mountain! Resolved to end this quickly, his sword howled through the air, each strike aimed to kill.
A flash of white—a figure darted lightly between the two combatants. Cheng Yunpao’s sword swept past, Qingxuzi’s palm struck out, yet the newcomer dodged effortlessly. With his left hand, he intercepted the palm strike; with his right, he flicked the sword. A crisp clang resounded—Cheng Yunpao was forced back three steps, while Qingxuzi abruptly retreated. "Tang Lici!"
The newcomer, clad in white robes and cloud-patterned shoes, his gray hair fluttering slightly, was none other than Tang Lici. With a flick of his sleeve, he spoke calmly, "Go back." Cheng Yunpao bristled with fury. "We can’t let this man ascend the mountain today! Liu Yan is in that carriage!" Tang Lici nodded. "I know." Cheng Yunpao roared, "If you know, then you understand that with two days left, if you let Liu Yan go up now, you won’t be able to hold—" Tang Lici smiled faintly. "Leave this to me. You go back." Cheng Yunpao froze. "You?" Tang Lici said gently, "Let me handle it. I’ll do better than you. Go back." Cheng Yunpao hesitated. "We could join forces—"
"Go back! Any longer, and people will arrive." Tang Lici smiled at Qingxuzi. "You can’t team up with me to kill a Wudang elder, and I don’t need your help." Cheng Yunpao glared at Qingxuzi, unwilling to leave. He leaped toward the carriage and yanked open the curtain—only for an object to shoot out at his chest! Swinging his sword, he knocked down the hidden weapon—a snow-white flying blade. Inside the carriage, someone chuckled cheerfully: Fang Pingzhai.
Seeing that the crowd from Good Cloud Mountain would soon be alerted and realizing Fang Pingzhai was no pushover—unlikely to be subdued quickly—Cheng Yunpao had no choice but to withdraw. Fang Pingzhai stepped out of the carriage, leaning against the door as he sighed at Tang Lici. "Young Master Tang, long time no see."Tang Lici stood alone facing Qingxuzi and Fang Pingzhai, a faint smile on his lips. "Thanks to you." Fang Pingzhai held four petal-like flying blades between his fingers. "Coming down the mountain alone—do you intend to kill me and Qingxuzi, or perhaps Liu Yan?" Tang Lici's red lips curved slightly, neither joyful nor smiling. "Perhaps—I'll kill anyone I meet. Or perhaps—I won't kill anyone at all and have come to join you instead?" Fang Pingzhai laughed heartily. "Young Master Tang jests." Qingxuzi remained fully alert; he had witnessed Tang Lici's ability to kill while chatting and laughing. Not the slightest relaxation could be afforded against this man.
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