"What's going on?" Shao Yanping grabbed the Jian Hui disciple who reported the news. The man's face was deathly pale. "I don't know... When I left, Young Hero Yu was just restless and agitated..." A soft, melodious voice chimed in from the side, "Just now, Young Hero Yu insisted on finding Young Master Tang. Master Pu Zhu and I happened to be passing by outside when, for no reason, he mistook Master Pu Zhu for Young Master Tang and demanded a life-or-death duel to avenge his father's death." The speaker was none other than the stunningly beautiful Xifang Tao, clad in peach-colored robes.
Shao Yanping found the situation both laughable and exasperating. Pu Zhu and Tang Lici looked nothing alike—Yu Furen's eyesight must be failing him, a clear sign of his madness. "Nephew Yu, your father didn't die in that explosion. Since he's still alive, there's no need to blame Young Master Tang anymore. The man before you is the eminent monk Puzhu Shangshi from Shaolin Temple. He bears no resemblance to Young Master Tang. Look closely—he isn't Tang Lici." Shao Yanping was well aware that Yu Furen was Yu Qifeng's son. Ever since Yu Furen joined the Sword Association, he had secretly investigated the young man's background. Yu Furen's rapid rise within the Sword Association was precisely why Shao Yanping had assigned him to invite Tang Lici—to observe his reaction. That was how he had witnessed the deadly sword strike that night.
Despite Shao Yanping's lengthy explanation, Yu Furen seemed not to hear a word. The Azure Jade sword gleamed, its tip trembling as it hovered near several major acupoints on Pu Zhu's chest. The erratic movement made it impossible for Pu Zhu to predict where the strike would land. Though young, Yu Furen's swordsmanship was formidable. Pu Zhu watched coldly, his calm gaze laced with lethal intent, as if ready to deliver a devastating counterstrike the moment Yu Furen missed. Sensing the tension, Shao Yanping grew uneasy. This confrontation was unlikely to end peacefully. "Nephew Yu—" Before he could finish, Yu Furen thrust the Azure Jade sword toward Pu Zhu's chest.
This move, Plum Blossom Guiding the Way, was one Shao Yanping had seen Yu Furen use before. The strike appeared aimed at the chest but was actually a feint—the blade would sweep upward before making contact. If it landed, the tip would pierce the throat and exit through the skull, a brutally vicious technique rare even in Yu Furen's repertoire. Using it at the outset showed just how deeply he wanted to kill the so-called "Tang Lici." Pu Zhu pressed his palms together as if to catch the blade between them. But as the sword's tip flashed with a green glint, it suddenly arced upward toward the throat. Pu Zhu raised his palms slightly, still aligning them with the blade's path. Shao Yanping silently praised the move—the positioning of Pu Zhu's hands covered all possible angles of Yu Furen's strike, revealing he had already deciphered the technique's weakness. Forced to withdraw, Yu Furen retracted his sword with a swift motion, then launched a second strike, the blade's wind whistling toward Pu Zhu's neck.Shao Yanping watched a few moves from the side and immediately realized Pu Zhu was more than a match, with no risk to his life. Yu Furen's frenzied attacks barely harmed Pu Zhu, but Yu himself, having neither rested nor eaten for two days and nights, was already breathless after just twenty or thirty moves in such a deranged state. Continuing would only severely damage himself. Shao Yanping could only fret helplessly—once these two started fighting, anyone who intervened would face simultaneous attacks from both masters. Who in this world could withstand a full-force joint strike from Pu Zhu and Yu Furen? Xifang Tao, also watching, kept her eyes fixed on Pu Zhu, her beautiful face grave and not the least bit relaxed.
Sword light flashed as dark robes fluttered. The two fought inside the house, yet despite Yu Furen wielding a longsword and the intensity of their battle, not a single table or chair was damaged. Their swift, orderly movements and reversals produced little sound. More and more spectators gathered, and though they knew these two should never have fought, they couldn't help but cheer. Shao Yanping inwardly applauded while also lamenting, utterly at a loss for how to stop them.
Just as the crowd swelled and the battle reached its peak, the wooden courtyard gate creaked open, and someone stepped in unhurriedly. Shao Yanping glanced over—the newcomer wore a green robe draped over his shoulders, silver hair slightly disheveled—it was none other than Tang Lici! Before Shao Yanping could even exclaim, Yu Furen's sword abruptly shifted direction, lunging toward Tang Lici, who had yet to grasp the situation. His body followed the blade, and in an instant, sword light coiled like snowflakes, radiating cold. This strike—it was the Sword Control Technique! Pu Zhu's expression changed. He spread his fingers, ready to grab the blade. The Sword Control Technique! This move was immensely powerful—if it didn't harm the enemy, it would harm the user. Yu Furen hadn't mastered it yet; unleashing it recklessly would have dire consequences! Just as Pu Zhu's fingers brushed forward, someone gently tugged at the back of his robe. Pu Zhu paused in surprise, his hand slowing. Yu Furen's sword shot forth like lightning, already sweeping past. Pu Zhu turned to see the one who had stopped him—Xifang Tao, her face filled with terror.
Tang Lici, green robe slipping slightly off his shoulders, held a white porcelain bowl in his right hand, its contents unknown. As he stepped inside, the sword light suddenly flashed before his face. The deafening hum of the blade reached his ears, followed by strands of hair severed by the cold edge grazing past. Caught off guard, he barely managed to turn halfway, just enough to glimpse Yu Furen. The crowd gasped in shock as a soft "thunk" sounded—blood splattered against the wall. The blade pierced through Tang Lici's chest, and with a staggering step, the Azure Jade sword emerged from his body, embedding three inches into the wall!
"Ah—" Shao Yanping's jaw dropped in utter shock, frozen on the spot. For a moment, silence reigned as everyone stared dumbfounded at Yu Furen and Tang Lici. Yu Furen's strike had actually landed... Though each spectator knew that even if they had been fully alert, they could never have dodged that sword, it was still hard to believe that someone of Tang Lici's martial skill and intellect had been run through so easily.Blood trickled down the wall as Tang Lici's cyan robe fluttered slightly over his shoulder, slipping halfway off. His right hand lifted slightly, yet the porcelain bowl he held remained steady, not a drop spilled. In the deathly silence, Yu Furen slowly raised his head, gazing dazedly at Tang Lici before gradually releasing his grip on the Azure Jade. The corners of Tang Lici's lips curved slightly—in Yu Furen's blurred vision, it seemed like a faint smile. Staggering back several steps, Yu Furen stared blankly at Tang Lici, now pinned against the wall by his own hand.
Blood swiftly soaked through Tang Lici's snow-white undergarments. Shao Yanping jolted awake with a shout, "Young... Young Master Tang—" The crowd surged forward, yet Tang Lici stood straight, needing no support. With a blade embedded in his chest, the slightest movement risked worsening the injury. Shao Yanping reached out but dared not touch him, only yelling, "Quick, quick—fetch a physician!" Yu Furen stumbled back, retreating from the crowd, unable to believe he had truly killed Tang Lici. Had... had everything just been a delusion in his frenzy? It couldn't be real...
Tang Lici extended his right hand forward, and Shao Yanping hastily took the porcelain bowl. Inside was half a bowl of water, cradling a pale yellow, smooth-textured round pill the size of a walnut. Even before bringing it closer, a delicate fragrance wafted through the air. This pill had to be something crucial—otherwise, Tang Lici wouldn't have clung to it so firmly. A thought struck Shao Yanping: "Is this medicine for the wound?" Tang Lici's lips moved faintly as he shook his head. While the others stood helpless, he pressed several acupoints around his wound and, with a swift motion, yanked the Azure Jade out. A collective gasp rose as the sword came free, blood gushing forth. Shao Yanping hurriedly set the bowl aside to steady him. "What do we do? What do we do? Yu Furen, you've truly... truly gone too far..." Usually the one telling others "what to do," now he was the one asking. The crowd paled, exchanging uneasy glances. If Tang Lici died, how would the martial world's grand plans proceed? Liu Yan had been abducted by Shen Langhun, Fu Cui still lived, Hongchan Niangzi had escaped, and the antidote for the Ape-Demon Nine Hearts Pill remained out of reach. If the Dissolute Shop resurged, what then? Moreover, as the adopted son of the Imperial Father-in-Law, if the manor demanded answers, how would the Hall of Sharp Virtue explain?
"Seal the courtyard gates..." Tang Lici coughed twice, speaking softly. "Record the names... of everyone present..." Shao Yanping's muddled mind suddenly cleared. "Right, right—fetch paper and ink. Everyone must leave their name. Today's events must not leak. If word spreads, the traitor in the Hall of Sharp Virtue is among us." Immediately, someone brought writing materials, and amid the chaos, another directed the crowd to line up and register their names. The corners of Tang Lici's lips curled slightly. Yu Furen stared fixedly at him, his disordered mind still perceiving it as a faint, enigmatic smile. What was he smiling about? Was he truly smiling? Or... was it merely habit? As Yu Furen focused, his mind gradually cleared. He noticed Tang Lici, despite the chest wound, was pressing a hand to his abdomen. Why?
While the others recorded their names, Shao Yanping lifted Tang Lici and hurried toward his quarters. Pu Zhu's gaze fell on the porcelain bowl left on the ground. He picked it up and strode after them.Tang Lici's room remained quiet, with only the occasional sound of a baby's laughter. Shao Yanping burst in carrying someone, only to see a woman in a green robe reclining on the bed, with Feng Feng clinging to her, giggling uncontrollably. Suddenly, Shao Yanping entered with the blood-soaked Tang Lici in his arms. The woman gasped in shock, stumbling off the bed, while Feng Feng's smile turned to tears, and she began wailing loudly.
Shao Yanping, frantic with urgency, had no time to consider the others in the room. He hastily laid Tang Lici on the bed and tore open his robes, revealing the wound inflicted by Azure Jade. The blade was thin, leaving only a small puncture, but after the initial gush of blood, the bleeding had stopped. Shao Yanping applied medicine to the wound, his heart in turmoil—could such a severe injury truly be healed?
Puzhu Shangshi then entered the room, handing a white porcelain bowl to the woman in green. Xifang Tao stood at the doorway and said softly, "This bowl is called 'Wash Away Grime.' Any water poured into it becomes the purest, most flawless liquid in the world—perfect for brewing tea or wine, and equally ideal for taking medicine. The yellow pill inside resembles the Shaolin Great Restoration Pill, a remedy that strengthens the foundation of vitality. Please take it, miss, and do not waste Young Master Tang’s kindness."
That such an ordinary-looking white bowl and pill held such wonders was a testament to Xifang Tao’s extraordinary insight.
Hearing that it was the Shaolin Great Restoration Pill, Shao Yanping suddenly realized something. "Are there any more of these pills?" Xifang Tao shook her head slowly. "The Great Restoration Pill regulates qi and nourishes the body—it’s a slow-acting medicine, best for internal injuries. Young Master Tang’s chest wound is external and requires a superior external remedy."
The woman in green took the bowl, her eyes tinged with sorrow. "How... how could he be injured like this?" After the initial shock, she steadied herself, her voice now composed.
Shao Yanping gave a bitter smile. "It... it was all a misunderstanding. By the way, Puzhu Shangshi, Peach Girl, could you both help me keep an eye on Nephew Yu? His poison has just been cured, and after causing such a disaster, he must be feeling terrible. Please offer him some guidance."
Puzhu pressed his palms together in a respectful bow, then left with Xifang Tao at a measured pace.
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