"Cough, cough..."
In the Heavenly Cloud Inn, within the Celestial Room No. 1, someone coughed weakly, their breath labored and chest congested, clearly exhausted.
One person leaned against the doorway, gazing silently at the sky. Another held a pot of hot water, about to enter, and upon seeing this, remarked coolly, "What are you doing?" The one by the door replied indifferently, "Worrying!" The other said, "Heh, the envoy from the Central Plains Sword Association is coming soon to escort him to take charge and combat the spreading poison disaster caused by the Dissolute Shop. Worrying won’t help in this situation." The one by the door retorted coldly, "Everyone in the martial world expects him to lead, yet he’s been burned, poisoned, and now has lost all his martial skills and is delirious. How can the world rely on him? When the Sword Association’s envoy arrives, even if they hang him, they won’t believe the person inside is truly Tang Lici."
Speaking of Tang Lici, the one leaning against the door was naturally "Heavenly Cloud" Chi Yun, while the other was Shen Langhun, whom Tang Lici had bought at a high price.
Just as they were talking, the innkeeper hurried upstairs with someone, smiling apologetically at Chi Yun. "Master Chi, this guest insisted on coming up, claiming to be your friend."
Chi Yun waved his hand, and the innkeeper retreated. The person he had brought stood there, cupping his hands in greeting to Chi Yun and Shen Langhun. Chi Yun sized up the newcomer: dressed in plain green robes with a sword at his waist, his attire simple yet dignified, his features handsome, and his demeanor steady—truly a refined swordsman. "And who might you be?"
The man in green smiled faintly. "My surname is Yu—'Azure Crown Literary Sword' Yu Furen." Chi Yun frowned. This "Azure Crown Literary Sword" was unheard of—was he a newcomer to the martial world? "Are you the envoy from the Central Plains Sword Association, here to escort Tang to Good Cloud Mountain?" The man in green nodded, his eyes shifting between their faces. "Forgive my boldness, but where might Young Master Tang be?"
This "Azure Crown Literary Sword" Yu Furen had sharp eyes, immediately recognizing that neither of them was Tang Lici. Shen Langhun lifted the water pot and said coolly, "Follow me." Chi Yun cut in, "Wait!" He blocked Yu Furen with his hand and said coldly, "How can we trust you’re truly from the Sword Association based on just your word and some self-proclaimed title? Where’s your proof?"
Yu Furen flicked his sleeve lightly. "What kind of proof does Master Chi require?" Hearing him address him as "Master Chi," Chi Yun was momentarily taken aback. "Demonstrate the ninth-level traditional swordplay technique of the Central Plains Sword Association—'One Phoenix Soaring Nine Heavens'—and I’ll believe you’re their envoy."
"Given your caution, has something happened to Young Master Tang? Is he injured or unable to receive guests, hence the reluctance to let strangers near?" Yu Furen asked with a smile.
Chi Yun was startled again. "You—" Shen Langhun interjected calmly, "No need. The sword on his back is the eleventh sword of the Central Plains Sword Association—'Azure Jade.' Besides, 'One Phoenix Soaring Nine Heavens' is a technique known by at least eight hundred, if not a thousand, people in the martial world. It’s meaningless." He pushed open the door. "Yu Furen, come in."The premier room of the Western Wall Inn was exquisitely adorned, with rosewood furniture, a tea table and a horizontal qin, and a bed draped in luxurious curtains. As Yu Furen stepped inside, he sighed inwardly—the wealthy remained wealthy wherever they went, just as the poor remained poor. The impoverished could never fathom how the rich lived their lives, nor could they understand why those who possessed mountains of gold and silver, free from worries of food and clothing, still lived in perpetual dissatisfaction and gloom.
On the purple-curtained bed sat a figure with silver hair cascading over their shoulders, eyes closed and motionless.
On the same bed, a child not yet a year old was crawling with great effort, occasionally tumbling and rolling before resuming their determined journey.
The silver-haired man's face was soft and smooth, not pale, but tinged with a faint yellowish hue, as if his complexion had once been healthier but now lacked vitality. His features were as refined as a painting, embodying the legendary elegance of a noble young master.
"I am Yu Furen of the Central Plains Sword Association," Yu Furen greeted with a cupped-hand salute. "Some days ago, Young Master Tang sent Bi Lianyi of Azure Fall Palace as an external avatar to investigate the remnants of the Dissolute Shop. May I ask what the findings were? Have I disturbed your peace?"
Chi Yun, following behind him, parted his lips to speak—intending to say that Tang Lici had suffered a severe shock, lost all his martial skills, and was now incoherent, unable to speak—but before he could utter a word, Tang Lici's eyes suddenly opened. "Young Hero Yu, your journey must have been arduous. How fares the martial world these days?"
At this, Chi Yun and Shen Langhun exchanged bewildered glances. Ever since Tang Lici emerged from Bodhi Valley, he had been either dazed, delirious, or refusing to speak, abstaining from food and water—utterly unreasonable. Yet now, with Yu Furen arriving bearing an invitation from the Central Plains Sword Association, he had suddenly regained his senses?
"The Dissolute Shop launched another night raid on two sects," Yu Furen reported. "Sixty-eight dead, one hundred and forty-four wounded. Yesterday, they clashed directly with the Sword Association, resulting in casualties on both sides. The Association captured three masked members of the Dissolute Shop, and upon unmasking them, discovered they were disciples of major sects—a deeply troubling revelation. As long as the poison of the Ape-Demon Nine Heart Pill remains unresolved, the martial world will never know peace. Yet witnessing the agony of those afflicted, the Sword Association finds it unbearable to condemn them, though their crimes are unforgivable." He saluted again. "Young Master Tang, with your unparalleled intellect, formidable martial prowess, and mastery of the Sound Assassination Technique, you are the Dissolute Shop's greatest foe. The elders of the Sword Association have deliberated and wish to invite you to lead the charge, joining forces with the Sword Association and Azure Fall Palace to rid the martial world of this scourge."
Tang Lici's eyes flickered slightly, his expression unreadable. "In that case... Chi Yun, prepare the carriage. We depart immediately."
Depart? Chi Yun stared at him. In his current state, how could he possibly travel? "You—"
"Prepare the carriage," Tang Lici said, closing his eyes and speaking no further.
Yu Furen's gaze shifted to Shen Langhun. "Might I ask about Young Master Tang's condition...?"
Shen Langhun replied coolly, "He is injured and has yet to fully recover."
"I see," Yu Furen said, though his tone suggested he was far from convinced. Tang Lici, a martial arts master capable of defeating the leader of the Dissolute Shop at Cat Sprout Peak—how could he have sustained such severe injuries in just a few days? There had been no reports of him facing any formidable enemies. Moreover, judging by the weakness in his voice, his injuries were grave indeed."It's nothing serious." Tang Lici slowly sat up from the bed. "Have there been any recent rumors about the whereabouts of Liu Yan, the master of Dissolute Shop?"
"Liu Yan?" Yu Furen replied. "The martial world still doesn't know that the master of Dissolute Shop is named Liu Yan. Young Master Tang must have gained much from your visit to the former site of Dissolute Shop."
"Cough, cough..." Tang Lici opened his eyes again. "Dissolute Shop hides many secrets—too many to grasp in a short time. Until the situation becomes clearer, let's not dwell on it. What of Azure Fall Palace's movements?" After closing his eyes briefly, a faint glimmer returned to his gaze, unlike the lifeless emptiness from before.
"Palace Master Wan Yu is preoccupied with relocating the palace. It's unlikely he can spare any attention for Dissolute Shop at the moment," Yu Furen said. "Right now, the martial world is in a state of panic. Major sects have ordered their disciples back to their mountains, all adopting defensive strategies. Dissolute Shop, wielding the power of poison, has become a scourge in the martial world. No one knows when or where they might strike next, or which sect they'll target."
"Is Puzhu Shangshi one of the Sword Association... cough... the Sword Association?" Tang Lici asked softly. "Any recent news of him?"
"Puzhu Shangshi?" Yu Furen seemed surprised. "Indeed, Puzhu Shangshi is part of the Sword Association. Recently, he went to assist with the fire disaster at Pingtan Mountain and has just returned to Shaolin Temple."
"After I go to Good Cloud Mountain, the Sword Association should borrow Puzhu Shangshi from Shaolin for a time. This master's martial skills are exceptional, and his hatred for evil is fierce. He would be a great asset against Dissolute Shop." Tang Lici smiled faintly, though his exhaustion from severe injuries made the expression appear gentle and frail.
Was the reason for specifically requesting Puzhu Shangshi truly that simple? Chi Yun glanced at Tang Lici. This white-haired fox had been acting erratic a few days ago—was it all an act? But as he looked, he noticed Tang Lici's right hand clenched into a trembling fist beneath the covers, gripping with such force that it startled him slightly. He—
"Chi Yun, go prepare the carriage," Shen Langhun said coolly. "Young Master Yu, once I gather our belongings, we'll set off immediately."
Yu Furen smiled. "The carriage is already prepared. The driver is one of our own, far more discreet than hiring from outside. Gather your things, and we'll depart." He led the way out, heading downstairs to summon the carriage.
"This man carries himself with extraordinary bearing. He must hold no ordinary position in the Sword Association. Shao Yanping sent him to invite us, which speaks volumes about his trust in him," Shen Langhun remarked coolly. "But why is his name unknown in the martial world? The reason behind it is truly puzzling." His gaze shifted to Tang Lici. "You..."
Tang Lici took a deep breath, and in an instant, his entire body trembled violently. He leaned forward, nearly collapsing onto the bedding. Both Chi Yun and Shen Langhun reached out to steady him, only to find his skin icy cold and drenched in sweat. His fists pressed against his temples, his body shaking uncontrollably.
"As I thought... your mind is in chaos. Forcing composure only worsens your mental turmoil," Shen Langhun said coldly. "Why pretend to be fine in front of outsiders? Right now, you're clearly powerless against Dissolute Shop. Even if you refuse to admit it, you can't deny that your so-called friend's poisonous schemes have succeeded at every turn, trapping you at every step. Since you've already lost, you should concede defeat. A true man knows when to accept loss and let go. Why stubbornly push yourself to bear this burden now?" He glared at Tang Lici. "Do you truly believe you can handle it?""Why can't I do it?" Tang Lici murmured softly. "If I can't do it, I'll surely go mad... Hahaha..." He laughed quietly. "If I go mad, I'll definitely harm even more people than him... After all, the whole world is full of dead people. I don't care who dies. Dead people dancing everywhere, dead people can dance, hahaha..." Chi Yun and Shen Langhun exchanged glances. With a soft "snap," Shen Langhun struck Tang Lici's head with his palm, channeling a small amount of True Power into him. Tang Lici shuddered slightly and suddenly grew quiet. Chi Yun said coldly, "Calm down!"
"I... I..." Tang Lici took another deep breath, his hands slowly lowering from his temples as his right hand pressed against his chest. "I..."
"If you can't steady your mind, no one can save you," Shen Langhun said. "And you certainly won't be able to bring anyone back."
Tang Lici's hand slowly fell onto the quilt. Feng Feng crawled over with effort and placed her small hand on his palm. He stared intently at her hand for a long while before giving a faint smile. "What... did I just say?"
"White-haired fox, with the state you're in now—half-mad and babbling—are you really fit to go to Good Cloud Mountain?" Chi Yun frowned deeply. "Don't lose your mind in front of those old bastards at the Sword Association. They already don't trust you. If you slip up, they'll devour you alive."
"I..." Tang Lici chuckled softly. "I think I'm better now than before. At least my thoughts are somewhat coherent when I focus on one thing... If I unknowingly do something wrong, you must remind me... I'll smooth things over."
"You—" Chi Yun's anger flared, but the words died on his lips as he sighed. "You're determined to go, aren't you? Even if you have to force yourself, pretending to be fine while teetering on the edge of madness?"
"Yes." Tang Lici closed his eyes, a faint smile lingering on his lips, though his expression was weary. "Cough... My head hurts terribly. For now... don't speak to me." He slowly rose from the bed, picked up a robe from the chair, draped it over his shoulders, lifted Feng Feng into his arms, and walked out step by step.
Chi Yun hastily grabbed their luggage from the cabinet and hurried after him. Shen Langhun sighed softly and followed as well.
Outside the inn, two carriages stood waiting. Yu Furen was already beside one of them. Tang Lici boarded without hesitation, and Chi Yun quickly followed. Shen Langhun and Yu Furen entered the other carriage. The white horses raised their hooves, and the group set off eastward.
"Forgive my bluntness, but Young Master Tang's condition seems far from ordinary," Yu Furen remarked as he settled into the carriage, holding Azure Jade steady in his hands. His movements were composed, his demeanor unruffled. Though sharing the carriage with Shen Langhun, he revealed no openings. Shen Langhun sat quietly beside him, listening. After a long silence, he suddenly asked, "Were you once an assassin?"
Yu Furen smiled faintly. "Shen Langhun's discernment is indeed extraordinary." His words were an implicit admission. After a pause, he added, "An assassin's eyes can never tolerate even the slightest flaw.""Tang Lici is indeed severely injured, but not fatally," Shen Langhun said indifferently. "In this world, any wound that isn't life-threatening isn't truly a wound."
Yu Furen nodded. "Agreed. Though I'm quite curious—who could possibly injure the unparalleled Young Master Tang?"
Shen Langhun chuckled dryly. "Hah, isn't that remark of yours rather sarcastic?"
Yu Furen smiled. "How would I dare? I speak sincerely. If you don’t tell me today, I won’t be able to sleep."
"Heh. The Dissolute Shop's stronghold, Piaoling Mei Yuan, is riddled with traps. He was wounded by those mechanisms," Shen Langhun replied, closing his eyes. "But he also scouted all its locations. The depths of the Dissolute Shop are unfathomable—gathering talents far beyond expectations."
Yu Furen's gaze flickered. "What kind of mechanisms could harm him?"
"Million Ironclad Soldiers, the Flame Bridge, Flame Serpents, the Retaining Gate, and... friends," Shen Langhun answered.
"Friends? What kind of hidden weapon is that?"
"The most wounding kind, isn't it?" Shen Langhun said coolly.
Yu Furen sighed softly. "So Tang Lici is someone who cherishes his friends... To be honest, based on past rumors about Young Master Tang, he shouldn’t be so soft-hearted."
Shen Langhun asked, "And how do the rumors portray Tang Lici?"
"Naturally, as the wealthiest man outside the imperial palace—young, handsome, refined. Moreover, his martial prowess is peerless, his insight sharp, his schemes unmatched. He was able to act against Yu Qifeng before the martial world saw through his true nature, allied with Azure Fall Palace to crush the Dissolute Shop at Green Peak Cliff, and even sent their leader plummeting off the cliff. His efficiency is extraordinary, his skills transcendent. Though his methods may be slightly excessive, he remains a rare genius unseen in the martial world for a century."
"If he's such a genius, why do you think he wouldn’t cherish friends?" Shen Langhun asked mildly.
Yu Furen sighed. "For some reason, I’ve always believed Tang Lici should be a strategist surpassing even the rumors. Cherishing friends, bringing harm upon oneself, hindering efficiency, disrupting plans—these aren’t the actions of a wise man."
Shen Langhun chuckled lowly. "Hah, I once thought the same. Unfortunately... he isn’t that kind of person."
"How can he not be? If he isn’t, how will he navigate the current martial world?" Yu Furen murmured, his gaze slowly settling on the Azure Jade sword in his hand. The blade, forged of fine steel, gleamed faintly blue, yet in his grip, it was merely a plain three-foot sword with crude engravings—nothing remarkable.
Shen Langhun replied just as calmly, "If he truly were that kind of person, perhaps you and I would only be more disappointed, no?"
Yu Furen laughed. "Hah, perhaps. But once one becomes the leader of the Central Plains' righteous path, they cannot afford weaknesses. The Sword Association chose Tang Lici precisely because he bears no burdens—unlike Wan Yu Yuedan, who carries the lives of hundreds within his palace."
"Hah, I can’t say whether the Sword Association’s choice was right or wrong. But perhaps... Wan Yu Yuedan would have been more like the man they expected." Shen Langhun smiled faintly. "Or... Tang Lici might exceed their expectations. Who knows?"The carriage moved forward at a steady trot, the coachman flicking his whip to urge the horses on, soon disappearing into the verdant shadows of the green mountains.
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