Afterwards, the two of them drank half of the wine jar from the Hall of Sharp Virtue’s kitchen. By the time the sky began to lighten, the breakfast cook staggered into the kitchen. The two exchanged a smile, and Shen Langhun, supporting Tang Lici by the elbow, vanished in a flash. The cook blinked at the mess on the table and the significantly depleted wine, standing dumbfounded for a long moment. “This… this… Master Shao! Master Shao…!” He turned and ran outside, shouting along the way, “Someone stole the wine! Someone stole the wine!” Members of the Central Plains Sword Association were always disciplined by nature—naturally, no one would ever enter the kitchen, let alone steal wine in the middle of the night.
Shen Langhun and Tang Lici returned to their rooms, laughing heartily. Chi Yun was already up, while Feng Feng lay sprawled on the table, wailing loudly. Seeing Tang Lici return, Feng Feng’s tears turned to laughter, and he waved his little hands, babbling, “Wah… wah…!” Tang Lici picked him up. Though reeking of alcohol, Feng Feng showed no fear, clinging tightly to him and gnawing at his robe with his tiny, newly sprouted teeth.
“What’s wrong?” Tang Lici smiled. “What did he do to upset you this time?”
Chi Yun glared at him coldly. “Your injuries aren’t healed, yet you dare to drink?” Tang Lici replied softly, “If I can’t drink, what’s the point of living?” Chi Yun snapped, “Is drinking the only reason you’re alive?” Tang Lici chuckled. “Drinking, eating meat, fruits, and vegetables—these are life’s great affairs.” Chi Yun turned pale with anger. “Shao Yanping is looking for you. Last night, the Huo Family’s Thirty-Six Fist Techniques was wiped out—another deed of the white-clad women from the Dissolute Shop.” Tang Lici walked further inside. “After I wash up and change clothes, I’ll go.”
In the front hall, Shao Yanping, Jiang Wenbo, Pu Kui Sheng, Shangguan Fei, and others had gathered. A bloodied corpse lay on the floor, and anger was evident on their faces. “The Huo Family’s Thirty-Six Fist Techniques is among the finest in the fist arts, though their recent successors have lacked talent. The Dissolute Shop slaughtered the entire family—no one knows why,” Shangguan Fei declared loudly. “We must quickly locate their stronghold and destroy it in one strike. That’s the only solution.”
“Even if you find their stronghold, do you really think your nine useless arrows—which can’t even hit a rat or a cat—can destroy them?” A thin, elderly man among them remarked coolly. “Without knowing the enemy’s strength, rash action will only lead to capture.” Shangguan Fei was furious, but the speaker was the Central Plains Sword Association’s most senior elder, the longest-serving elder—“Sword Humility” Dong Hubi—an elder one could not afford to offend. He had no choice but to swallow his anger. Shao Yanping laughed, smoothing things over. “Haha, the matter of destroying the Dissolute Shop must be carefully considered. Both of you make excellent points.”
“Finding the Dissolute Shop’s hideout isn’t actually that difficult.” A gentle voice came from outside the door. Everyone turned to see Tang Lici in a pale pink robe, walking in leisurely, looking much better than the day before. Shao Yanping, with his sharp eyes, immediately noticed the new shoes on his feet and found it even more peculiar—this man wore ordinary clothes, yet his shoes were ten times more expensive than his robes. What was the reasoning behind that? “Young Master Tang, do you have a brilliant plan?”"A clever method... I certainly don't possess one," Tang Lici smiled faintly. "But I have a clumsy approach." Jiang Wenbo responded, "I'd like to hear the details." Tang Lici slowly walked to the table in the center of the hall. With a flick of his finger, an object slipped into his palm. Despite being surrounded by numerous experts, no one could clearly see his movement. He used the object to draw a small dot on the table. "This is Good Cloud Mountain."
After he drew the dot, Jiang Wenbo finally recognized it as a short piece of ink stick, soft and fine in texture, allowing it to write smoothly on the polished table surface. He silently admitted his embarrassment—Tang Lici's speed was astonishing, truly befitting someone who had once defeated the master of Dissolute Shop. Tang Lici continued, "Recently destroyed factions include the Huo family last night, the Qing family stronghold, and the Twin Bridges Manor. The martial arts masters killed numbered two: 'Azure Flood Divine Sword' Shang Yunqi and 'Wind-Chasing Mad Stag' Ximen Ben." He marked a dot east of Good Cloud Mountain. "The Huo family is here." Then he placed another dot to the south. "The Qing family stronghold is here, Twin Bridges Manor here... Shang Yunqi lived in Cloud Abyss Ridge, merely fifty li from Good Cloud Mountain. Ximen Ben didn't live nearby, but he was traveling from the north and died just ten li from Good Cloud Mountain. At his pace, had he died half an hour later, he would have already reached Good Cloud Mountain."
"Are you suggesting—Dissolute Shop's massacres aren't random killings but specifically targeting Good Cloud Mountain?" Cheng Yunpao asked coldly. "What's your evidence?" Tang Lici replied gently, "The evidence... is that these factions or martial artists were all within a hundred-li radius of Good Cloud Mountain. For martial artists, a hundred li is just a day's journey." Cheng Yunpao pressed, "What does a day's journey matter?" Tang Lici answered, "A day's journey... is the time Dissolute Shop has allotted to destroy the Hall of Sharp Virtue at Good Cloud Mountain." He spoke slowly. "To conquer Good Cloud Mountain, they must first eliminate its supporting forces, cutting off reinforcements. When Dissolute Shop launches its attack, Good Cloud Mountain will be isolated for a full day. If Dissolute Shop truly possesses overwhelming strength and the Hall of Sharp Virtue falls, the balance of power in the Martial Arts World will be decided."
The group exchanged uneasy glances, a chill creeping up their spines. Jiang Wenbo said, "So that's it. Dissolute Shop's elaborate scheme is aimed at our Sword Association." Shangguan Fei sneered, "I refuse to believe Dissolute Shop has the power to do anything to our Sword Association!" Shao Yanping, however, remarked, "If Dissolute Shop targets only our Sword Association, a third party will benefit." Tang Lici smiled warmly. "If Dissolute Shop isn't confident about forcing Azure Fall Palace out of the game, they wouldn't dare recklessly attack Good Cloud Mountain. If they truly come for us, they must have a countermeasure against Azure Fall Palace. Otherwise, after suffering heavy losses in battle, Azure Fall Palace would strike first. Why would they trap themselves?" Cheng Yunpao said coldly, "Forcing Azure Fall Palace out is no easy feat." Tang Lici slowly connected the dots on the table into a circle. "That depends on how Wan Yu Yuedan calculates his move in this game—whether he chooses to evade... or not.""To avoid or not to avoid?" Cheng Yunpao asked lightly. "What do you mean?" Tang Lici's gaze flickered slightly as he reached for a cup of tea on the table—Shao Yanping's tea—yet he picked it up with ease. "To avoid... means Azure Fall Palace has ambitions to stand independently as a ruler. Wan Yu Yuedan would first let the Central Plains Sword Association perish, then destroy Dissolute Shop... He would cooperate with Dissolute Shop, tacitly allowing them to attack Good Cloud Mountain while quietly awaiting the outcome of the battle between the two sides." Shao Yanping nodded. "But if Wan Yu Yuedan calculates this way, there are risks involved." Tang Lici smiled faintly. "Every gamble carries risks. To make such a choice, Wan Yu Yuedan must confirm two things: first, that Dissolute Shop will surely defeat the Central Plains Sword Association in battle; second, that Azure Fall Palace has the strength to crush Dissolute Shop in one strike." The others pondered this and nodded in agreement. If the Sword Association won this battle, Azure Fall Palace's tacit approval would make them an enemy of the Sword Association, which would greatly hinder Wan Yu Yuedan's path to supremacy.
"And if he doesn't avoid it?" Shao Yanping listened intently to Tang Lici's words, growing increasingly intrigued by this man. "If he doesn't avoid it, wouldn't he have to confront Dissolute Shop first? Wan Yu Yuedan has always pursued complete success—I doubt he'd be willing to make such a sacrifice." Tang Lici picked up his tea and set it down gently. "If he doesn't avoid it, he must believe there is tacit understanding between the Sword Association and himself... As things stand now, there isn't." His gaze swept lightly over Shao Yanping's face, and Shao Yanping couldn't help but feel a twinge of shame. As the Sword Association's strategist, he had failed to grasp the crux of this situation. "Young Master Tang means... if the Sword Association can make Wan Yu Yuedan aware that we've grasped the key to this situation and are willing to fight together, perhaps..." Tang Lici gave him a faint smile. "Perhaps? How so?" Shao Yanping replied, "Perhaps he would restrain Dissolute Shop for a time." Tang Lici raised a hand and wiped away a stroke on the table's diagram. "If I were Wan Yu Yuedan, I would never make such a sacrifice based on a 'perhaps.'" Shao Yanping's throat felt dry. "Then—" Tang Lici erased the drawing, turned, and looked out the window. "Unless the Central Plains Sword Association strikes first before Dissolute Shop can act, disrupting their strategy of befriending distant enemies to attack nearby ones, I would never be willing to sacrifice anything to restrain Dissolute Shop's strength."
The others fell into silent contemplation. Cheng Yunpao exhaled slowly. "How do we disrupt their plan?" Tang Lici did not answer immediately, his eyes fixed in the distance as he smiled faintly. "For Azure Fall Palace to restrain Dissolute Shop and delay their attack, the Sword Association's preemptive strike must be victorious—there is no room for retreat..." He paused slightly, not looking at Cheng Yunpao. "Disrupting their plan... doesn't necessarily require the Sword Association to go to great lengths. Once their backup plan is exposed, the player behind the scenes will naturally change tactics. It's not difficult." Pu Kui Sheng, who had been listening intently, suddenly spoke. "All the Sword Association needs to do is intercept their next surprise attack. Then Dissolute Shop will know their scheme has been uncovered—they will either strike immediately or change tactics." Tang Lici nodded. "There are still two martial arts sects near Good Cloud Mountain. The Sword Association can send scouts to assess the situation.""Heh, not bad, kid." Shangguan Fei looked Tang Lici up and down. "A bit eccentric, but not stupid. Though if I recall correctly, when you entered earlier, you claimed it wouldn't be hard to locate the Dissolute Shop's hideout. If you can guess their headquarters just by deduction, I'll truly admire you." Tang Lici slowly picked up Shangguan Fei's teacup, lifting the lid slightly to peer inside. "Since the Dissolute Shop intends to annihilate the Hall of Sharp Virtue at Good Cloud Mountain within a day and night, their base must naturally be very close to Good Cloud Mountain..." The group tensed slightly, and Jiang Wenbo exclaimed, "It's nearby?" Tang Lici set down the cup. "Near Good Cloud Mountain, where are there lakes or streams that could provide fresh water?" Shao Yanping replied, "There are nine locations: Cloud Leisure Valley, Goose Return Mountain, Twin Riders' Riverbank, Unseen Dragon Well, Starlit Platform, Pu Mountain, Abyss Mountain, Windbreak Forest, and Immortal Chess Waterfall." Tang Lici smiled faintly. "Then it's Windbreak Forest." The group exchanged glances, and Shangguan Fei blurted, "How can you be sure it's Windbreak Forest?" Tang Lici smiled at him. "As the elder said—just a guess." But Shao Yanping added, "Recently, there have indeed been mysterious figures coming and going in Windbreak Forest. Though few in number, their martial skills are extraordinary. Once, my junior Yu Furen trailed one to the forest's edge but lost them. I've been investigating this matter." Pu Kui Sheng snorted heavily. "This old man wouldn't mind paying Windbreak Forest a visit."
"I think we should investigate this thoroughly," Shao Yanping mused. "Tonight..." His gaze shifted to Tang Lici. Originally intending to assign personnel, he reconsidered and decided it wiser to ask first. "Young Master Tang, what are your plans for tonight?" Tang Lici placed the piece of dense ink he'd been holding onto the table and smiled. "Master Shao's strategic prowess far surpasses mine. If you command tonight's reconnaissance, Tang Lici will gladly take the lead." Shao Yanping was slightly startled—such a grand compliment placed squarely on his head. "Well... tonight, we can just send Junior Yu and Mr. Jiang. No need to trouble everyone else." Tang Lici nodded. "Young Master Yu is exceptionally skilled and alert—truly the best choice." After a brief pause, he added, "My injuries haven't fully healed, so I'll retire to my room. If anyone has matters to discuss, please come to my quarters." Cheng Yunpao watched him coldly, lips parting as if to speak, but ultimately said nothing. Shao Yanping's thoughts churned, though he merely grinned at Tang Lici. The others all urged him to rest well, and Tang Lici departed with unhurried, composed steps.
"This piece of refined ink must be worth quite a bit," Shao Yanping remarked, eyeing the discarded ink on the table with a sigh. "This lord is truly extravagant." Pu Kui Sheng grunted. "However much money he has is his own business. The wealthier someone is, the harder they are to please." Shangguan Fei, however, said, "I quite like this kid. Compared to 'White Hair' or 'Heavenly Eye,' he's much sharper and slicker—at least he knows to respect his elders and betters." Shao Yanping couldn't help but laugh. "Hah! Respecting elders and betters? He does it so smoothly it strokes your ego, yet you know full well he looks down on you from the bottom of his heart. Really makes you wonder what that feels like." Cheng Yunpao, usually icy, gave the faintest twitch of his lips—almost a smile. Shao Yanping was astonished: This man could actually smile? Now that was like a crow laying eggs in an anthill."I need to discuss tonight's matter briefly with Nephew Yu," Jiang Wenbo said with a cupped-hand salute before taking his leave. "I'll go ahead first."
The others remained in the hall, continuing their detailed discussion of various miscellaneous matters.
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