Zhong Chunji exclaimed in shock, "Mutual destruction?" Liu Yan replied indifferently, "Exactly. If he can't obtain what he desires, he destroys it—utterly and completely, reducing it to ashes before he is satisfied. That's Tang Lici's nature." Without waiting for Zhong Chunji's questions, he continued, "Then, by sheer luck, we survived and stumbled upon a rare opportunity that brought us to the Central Plains. We lost everything, not a single copper coin to our names. To survive, one of our four went out to perform for money—his name was Fang Zhou."
Zhong Chunji was taken aback. "Three Sounds Fang Zhou? So the unparalleled prodigy of Zhou Dilou was actually your brother." Liu Yan murmured, "He was also Tang Lici's brother, though he never told anyone. I take pride in having a brother like Fang Zhou, but as for him... I don’t know what he truly thought." Zhong Chunji said, "So you weren’t originally from the Central Plains—no wonder I’d never heard of you before. But... why wouldn’t he admit Fang Zhou was his brother?"
"Fang Zhou was proud and unyielding. Though he performed at Zhou Dilou, he despised it. But the four of us had no foothold in the Central Plains, no skills to rely on. Fang Zhou was skilled with the guzheng, so Tang Lici forced him to perform." Liu Yan explained. "Fang Zhou would rather starve than accept charity, but he cared for his brothers. So when Tang Lici forced him, he went. The other brother and I, unwilling to let Fang Zhou suffer for us, left in secret. Half a year later, when I returned to Zhou Dilou, I discovered Tang Lici had forced Fang Zhou to cultivate the Rebirth Scroll —intending for Fang Zhou to trade his life in exchange for power, all to fuel Tang Lici’s own rise to supremacy..."
Zhong Chunji paled. "That... how could such a thing be possible?"
Liu Yan said, "I’m not lying to you. There’s no point in that."
Zhong Chunji’s face turned ashen. "Then... what happened after?"
Liu Yan whispered, "After that, Fang Zhou died, and Tang Lici gained unparalleled martial prowess. The reason I refuse to see him is because he is an ungrateful, treacherous, and ruthless villain—ambitious and unscrupulous."
Zhong Chunji’s heart pounded violently. Hearing Tang Lici’s story, she found it impossible to dismiss entirely, yet she couldn’t bring herself to fully believe it either. "But..."
"But in front of all of you, he remains refined and eloquent, doesn’t he?" Liu Yan said. "Do you know why he opposes the Dissolute Shop? Why he investigates the Ape-Demon Nine Hearts Pill? None of this had anything to do with him. His purpose in pursuing these matters is solely to build his own reputation and prestige—to control the Martial Arts World’s affairs and make himself the center of attention once more." His voice turned hoarse. "This is the blood that runs in his veins. This is who he is. You’ve spent enough time with him—haven’t you noticed his crooked methods, his tendency toward underhanded schemes? If he were truly a modest and virtuous gentleman, how could he devise a plan to use the Azure Fall Palace’s strength to force a decisive battle at Green Peak Cliff? You must realize—if his scheme had failed, it would have cost the lives of every innocent person in the Azure Fall Palace! He gambles with others’ lives to feed his own ambition!"No! No! Lici could never be such a person! Zhong Chunji's mind was in turmoil. The man before her spoke with such certainty, and recalling Tang Lici's usual methods, it did seem plausible. A chill rose from the depths of her heart—could he truly be a cruel and vicious hypocrite... "If you understand him so well, why didn’t you stop him?"
"He is my brother, raised together since childhood. Though he has changed and done unforgivable things, I still cannot face him..." Liu Yan murmured softly. "Now he is targeting the Dissolute Shop. Once he defeats them, he will turn against Wan Yu Yuedan, because once the Dissolute Shop falls, the Azure Fall Palace will be the only obstacle left in his path to dominate the Martial Arts World." He slowly raised his head, his peculiar willow-leaf eyes glancing at Zhong Chunji. "The story is finished. Will you help me?"
"How do you want me to help?" she whispered. "I... I..." Liu Yan gave a strange smile. "You wish for both Wan Yu Yuedan and him to stay by your side, never to part, don’t you?" She shuddered in shock—this man had seen right through her petty, selfish thoughts. "You—" Liu Yan's voice was low and hoarse. "I will teach you a way. If you insert a silver needle into this spot on Tang Lici’s back, he will lose all his martial prowess. And if you make him drink this vial of medicine..." He produced a pale green, delicately painted bottle from within his wide black robe. "He will lose his memory, but his intellect will remain intact. With Tang Lici’s current reputation, if he loses his martial skills and memory, Wan Yu Yuedan will surely take him under his protection. And if you stay at the Azure Fall Palace, you can be with both of them forever, never to part."
"You’re teaching me to harm others!" Zhong Chunji’s expression darkened. "What kind of person do you take Zhong Chunji for?" Liu Yan replied quietly, "A woman who desires but dares not love. If you refuse to help me, what will you do when Tang Lici and Wan Yu Yuedan draw swords against each other, fighting to the death for supremacy?" Zhong Chunji bit her lip and said nothing. Yuedan was determined to rule the Martial Arts World, and Lici... he was ambitious for fame and fortune. Could he truly have no desire for dominance? Could he truly never raise his sword against Yuedan? She... she didn’t know.
Liu Yan fixed his gaze on her, then suddenly released his grip. The vial of medicine plummeted toward the ground. Zhong Chunji’s mind went blank for an instant, and by the time she regained her senses, she had already caught the vial in her hand. Liu Yan turned and left, vanishing into the forest like a black specter, soundless and formless.
Lingzhou, Xiuyu Peony Pavilion.
Xiuyu Peony Pavilion was a renowned teahouse, famous not only for its exquisite teas but also for its peonies, celebrated throughout the land. During the peony blooming season, visitors would travel from afar just to admire the flowers. The pavilion had specially prepared numerous elegant rooms for guests to enjoy tea while appreciating the blossoms.
Room Three, Xiuyu Peony Pavilion.
"Our forces suffered a crushing defeat at Green Peak Cliff. We lost many men, and two of our top generals, Plum Blossom Numerology and Raging Orchid No Trace, inexplicably fell into the hands of the Azure Fall Palace. Before the battle, who claimed that the Revered Master alone was enough to secure Green Peak Cliff, that Xiao Hong need not be on the battlefield? And what mishap caused String Plucking Soul Snatching to fail? Dong Princess, don’t you think there’s something suspicious here? Was someone deliberately obstructing us, or was it sheer incompetence that led to our disastrous defeat?" Inside the room, Hong Guniang sat in a chair, her brows slightly furrowed as she faced the peonies. Though her voice was not loud, her words were sharp and unyielding.In a room adorned with numerous exquisite peonies, a plump figure clad in green, bedecked with pearls and jade, held a plate of braised chicken and was gnawing on a chicken foot. Upon hearing the words, this person lazily raised their head and cooed in a saccharine voice, "Haha, who knows if this is someone holding a grudge against the Revered Master, deliberately trying to harm him, or if it's someone biting the hand that feeds them, dreaming of being a hero with divided loyalties? What do you think, Su'er?" This emerald-clad individual, who resembled a sow, was none other than the "Dong Princess" of the Dissolute Shop, Fu Cui. Of course, "Fu Cui" was merely an alias; their true name remained a mystery to the world, likely until the day they mastered their divine technique and reverted to their male form.
Bai Suche, dressed in tight-fitting attire with a saber at her waist, rested her hand on the hilt and spoke coolly, "The defeat at Green Peak Cliff was entirely my fault. I never anticipated Tang Lici and Wan Yu Yuedan would be so cunning and difficult to handle, nor did I expect someone to secretly tamper with Plum Blossom Numerology and Raging Orchid No Trace, sealing several of their extraordinary meridians with silver needles, leading to an unanticipated retreat without battle." Hong Guniang trembled violently. "You... Are you accusing me of plotting against the Revered Master, deliberately sealing Plum Blossom Numerology and Raging Orchid No Trace to ensure his crushing defeat at Green Peak Cliff? That's utter nonsense!" Bai Suche replied, "Xiao Hong has been utterly devoted and deeply affectionate toward the Revered Master. I merely stated that someone tampered with those two, not that it was you." Hong Guniang's breathing steadied slightly, but her hand gripped the teacup on the table so tightly it trembled uncontrollably. "But the silver needle meridian-sealing technique is my specialty! Even if you don’t think it, others might! There might be a traitor in the Dissolute Shop!"
Dong Princess leisurely nibbled on the chicken foot, making loud chewing noises. "Though silver needle meridian-sealing is your specialty, it’s not like no one else can do it. For instance, I can manage it passably myself. As for a traitor—well, it’s entirely possible. So, how about this—attendants!" With a shout, bits of chewed chicken bone sprayed from their mouth, causing Hong Guniang to frown and lean away. "Invite the guests admiring the peonies next door for tea." Someone outside acknowledged the order, and within moments, Jiang Laoyuanwai and his newly acquired concubine, who had been admiring the flowers next door, were bewilderedly ushered in.
"Might I ask... what business this... lady has with us?" Jiang Laoyuanwai paled at the sight of Dong Princess Fu Cui, nearly retching. Dong Princess pointed their plump fingers at the two. "One each. Whoever hesitates to act proves they’re the traitor. Fair, isn’t it? The Dissolute Shop dabbles in murder, arson, rape, and pillage—killing a couple of nobodies is nothing!" As soon as the words left their mouth, Jiang Laoyuanwai’s face turned from white to green, and he collapsed into his concubine’s arms, fainting dead away. The concubine’s eyes rolled back, though she hadn’t yet passed out. Bai Suche’s sleeve flicked, and with a faint zhi sound, two corpses hit the floor, blood splattering across the room. She remarked impassively, "Killing is nothing. Do you have a fresher method?"Dong Princess clapped her hands and laughed heartily, "Hahahaha, Suche is indeed Suche, still as ruthless as ever." Hong Guniang said coldly, "So, does that make me the traitor?" Dong Princess wiped her greasy fingers on Hong Guniang's face, "How could that be? Xiao Hong's loyalty to the Revered Master is as eternal as the heavens and earth, unshaken even if the seas run dry and rocks crumble. If I don't trust you, who else can I trust?" He let out a few dry chuckles, "The Dissolute Shop is a den of snakes and dragons, with many potential spies. I’ve long warned the Revered Master not to recruit indiscriminately, but alas, he wouldn’t listen."
"You? You think you can dictate to the Revered Master?" Hong Guniang's trembling wrist steadied slightly as she gripped it with her other hand. "As for the matter of Green Peak Cliff, I swear I won’t rest until Tang Lici and Wan Yu Yuedan are dead! How infuriating!" She flicked her sleeve. "Starting tomorrow, I will thoroughly investigate who the traitor in the Dissolute Shop is!" Dong Princess took a bite of chicken, "But I think you’d be better suited to deal with Wan Yu Yuedan. Leave the internal affairs to Suche, or me, or Xi Meiren. What do you say?" Hong Guniang paused, "Wan Yu Yuedan?" Dong Princess spread his hands, "Think about it—two men with no martial skills, one as weak as a kitten, the other blind as a bat, yet both are walking traps, untouchable like hedgehogs. Wouldn’t it be amusing to pit them against each other? Haha! If I suggest this to the Revered Master, he’d surely be delighted. You know him better than I do, don’t you, Xiao Hong?" He swallowed another piece of chicken whole, "Besides, you’d have the upper hand." Hong Guniang’s eyes gleamed, "Oh?" Dong Princess grinned, "You can see. He can’t."
"That does sound intriguing," Bai Suche nodded slightly. "The Revered Master would likely agree." Hong Guniang traced the intricate patterns on the sandalwood table beside her with slender fingers. "Dealing with Wan Yu Yuedan requires careful planning. He’s clever and resourceful—one misstep, and we might capsize in a ditch... Still, Dong Princess’s idea isn’t without merit..." Dong Princess laughed loudly, "With you in charge, I’m sure you’ll find a brilliant way."
"The little girl has left, probably heading to the next town to lie in wait," Shen Langhun remarked indifferently as he finished roasting the Slippery Scale Colored Fin. "This fish—will you eat it, or shall I?" A hand emerged from the boat’s canopy. Shen Langhun held the skewered fish steady. "Pay up if you want it."
"Ha!" A light chuckle came from inside the canopy. "Speaking of the Vermilion Dew Tower’s master, do you know what treasure he covets above all else?" Shen Langhun replied coolly, "A piece of jewelry—the Spring Mountain Beauty Hairpin." Tang Lici said, "Correct. The Spring Mountain Beauty Hairpin, though a woman’s ornament, is adorned with eight Azure Cloud Pearls. Your master needs these pearls to cultivate the tenth level of the Azure Cloud Hibernating Moon Style." Shen Langhun asked, "What does that have to do with this fish?" Tang Lici replied, "You want your wife’s remains. He wants the Spring Mountain Beauty Hairpin. As long as both have something the other desires, there’s room for negotiation, isn’t there?" A flash of intensity crossed Shen Langhun’s eyes. "You know where the hairpin is?" Tang Lici said, "Ah..." Shen Langhun tossed the fish into the canopy. "Where is the hairpin?"From inside the boat's canopy came the sound of Tang Lici savoring delicacies. "Mmm, truly a delicacy of the mortal world. The hairpin? Did I say I would tell you?" Shen Langhun replied indifferently, "Cut the nonsense! Where is the hairpin?"
Tang Lici's voice drifted from the canopy, "The Spring Mountain Beauty Hairpin—I truly don’t know its current whereabouts, but the last place it was seen was on the hair of a woman at the Vermillion Black Tortoise Stage in the south."
Shen Langhun asked quietly, "Who?"
Tang Lici smiled. "She said her name was Xifang Tao, a rare beauty unlike any I’ve ever seen in my life."
Shen Langhun chuckled lowly. "For you to call someone a beauty, she must be extraordinary. Were you close with this lady?"
Tang Lici replied, "We shared a goblet of pearl’s worth of fate—hardly what you’d call closeness. Back then, I saw the Spring Mountain Beauty Hairpin in her hair, but now I don’t know where she is. Still, I’ll keep an eye out for you in the future."
"A goblet of pearl’s worth of fate? So it was the Flower Boat Gathering at the Vermillion Black Tortoise Stage?" Shen Langhun said slowly. "I’ve heard that Jiangnan holds an annual Flower Appraisal Festival. Every year, on Chang’e’s birthday, the brothels of Jiangnan each select their most esteemed courtesan to compete. The Vermillion Black Tortoise Stage invites renowned scholars, nobility, and dignitaries to judge. The winner gains a fortune, and those who wish to meet the Flower Queen may do so for the price of a goblet of pearl. So you’re an old hand at flower appraisals—my apologies for underestimating you."
Tang Lici said, "Not at all. But when I paid a goblet of pearl to meet Xifang Tao, it wasn’t because she was beautiful. Rather, it was strange to see a woman from a brothel wearing a priceless jewel in her hair. The whole thing felt... unusual."
Shen Langhun gave a faint "Oh?"
"Then, just as I asked for her name, the flower boat suddenly sank," Tang Lici said with a smile. "A masked man rushed aboard, shattered the boat’s keel with a single palm strike, and carried Xifang Tao away."
Shen Langhun was taken aback. "How could such a thing happen?"
Tang Lici chuckled. "Afterward, I gave the madam five thousand taels of silver to repair the boat. She was terribly apologetic, thinking I’d suffered a great loss."
Shen Langhun said dryly, "Hah! You were just repairing your pride. Who was the one who took the beauty?"
Tang Lici shook his head. "The man’s martial arts were peerless. He likely assumed I had ulterior motives for meeting Xifang Tao and acted the hero. But..." He gave a soft laugh. "Though his face was covered, he was wearing monk’s shoes."
Shen Langhun made a sound of surprise. "A monk?"
Tang Lici smiled. "A famed monk and a famed courtesan—what could be a more timeless tale? Why dig deeper and trouble such a fine pair?"
Shen Langhun scoffed. "So the trail of the Spring Mountain Beauty Hairpin ends here?"
Tang Lici said, "If I hear anything in the future, I’ll let you know."
The two sat quietly on the boat for a long while. Eventually, Shen Langhun hooked a two-foot-long carp, scaled and gutted it, chopped it into pieces, and set up a clay pot on the bow to make soup. The sweet fragrance of fish filled the small boat. Tang Lici gently stroked Feng Feng’s head, his gaze piercing through the canopy into the distance. If he wasn’t mistaken, that monk was..."Ten miles ahead is Xiuyu Town. Shall we stop there?" Shen Langhun asked as he added salt to the earthen pot. Tang Lici replied, "No, let's go another twenty miles and stay in Jiufeng Town." Just as he spoke, a small boat was seen moving upstream on the Mu River. A figure stood at the bow, swiftly coming into view. The person, dressed in purple and wearing a sword, called out from a distance, "Princess Fu Cui of the Dissolute Shop respectfully invites Young Master Tang and Master Shen to the Xiuyu Peony Pavilion. At moonrise tonight, we shall admire the wondrous sight of the Silver Moon Peony in full bloom."
The man was young, with handsome features, though his expression was cold, his eyes filled with a chilling resentment. Tang Lici, peering from under the boat's canopy, recognized him as Cao Wufang. Shen Langhun remained motionless, still holding the fishing rod, paying no attention. Tang Lici smiled from within the canopy, "Tang Lici will arrive on time." Cao Wufang glared at the boat, then turned it around and swiftly departed.
"So our movements have been under their surveillance all along," Shen Langhun remarked indifferently. "Seems your 'Golden Cicada Sheds its Shell' plan has failed." Tang Lici slowly stepped out from under the canopy. "Hmm... that trick was only meant for the Central Plains Sword Association. Behind the great osmanthus tree in Jiufeng Town, there's a lavishly decorated house. Tonight, take Feng Feng there to rest." Shen Langhun replied coolly, "Going to the hero's meeting alone tonight?" Tang Lici's gaze drifted slightly. "Perhaps I just don’t want to share the spectacle of the Silver Moon Peony blooming with you?" Shen Langhun scoffed. "Go ahead. Your brother is waiting for you, and I’ll take care of your child." Tang Lici smiled faintly. "That’s not my brother, nor my child." Shen Langhun ignored him, putting away the fishing rod. He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. The sky darkened to a deep blue, yet no stars appeared. "You know what? I often wonder—someone like you, smart, wealthy, charming, powerful, cunning, even... somewhat unscrupulous—how can you have nothing?"
"Oh?" Tang Lici smiled. "How so?" Shen Langhun said, "You have no brothers, no children, no wife, no parents, right? Maybe... not even friends." Tang Lici listened, his deep eyes fixed on Shen Langhun's face, thoughtful and faintly amused. After a long pause, he nodded slightly before lifting his chin. "True." Shen Langhun chuckled. That lift of the chin was a gesture of unmistakable pride.
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