Sword from the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 166 Master's Doting on His Junior Brother, Saintly Extreme

Thunder rumbled incessantly, and the rain intensified.

Rain dripped incessantly from the willow branches in front of the Sichuan Gang headquarters, as if a heartbroken person were burying their head and weeping.

The sorrow is hard to express, and the dark clouds add to the oppressive feeling of being unable to dispel it.

Emperor Ding and You Niaojuan were already on tenterhooks, staring intently at the white-robed youth not far away. He extinguished the flames, sheathed his longsword, and hid the wisps of fire deep within the scabbard.

As the saying goes, there's always someone better than you. When you travel around, you'll always encounter someone more skilled than yourself.

The things they experienced along the way were things that ordinary martial artists could never do.

Whether they win or lose, how can it shake their resolve?

At this moment, in a daze, he even felt a sense of shattering of his Dao heart.

Since their last battle with this old demon of the Daoist sect, the group has never stopped practicing their skills. They have also studied and exchanged ideas with people like the Coffin Breaker, Zuo Youxian, and Xi Ying to improve their demonic arts.

In addition, while those true demons were practicing their skills, they were also channeling their own true energy into their bodies.

Such a speed of training is extraordinary.
Before fighting the old demon again, I had already thought highly of him, but I never expected that I would still underestimate him, and the result of the battle was so indescribable.

How can it be? !
Emperor Ding and You Niaojuan never took their eyes off Zhou Yi for even a moment.

Meanwhile, Jin Huanzhen's alluring expression turned to worry. She didn't look at Zhou Yi; her eyes were only on the image of the monk.

The renowned master of the Coffin Palace is experiencing yet another critical moment in his life that he will find difficult to overcome.

Its difficulty is comparable to the moment when one learns of the master's intentions.

That sense of defeat and despair, as if all efforts and expectations were just illusions, impossible to overcome no matter what one did, could only lead to a loss of fighting spirit or a transformation into another kind of madness in despair.

Old Zhou sighed as he thought about his painstaking research into the True Demon's Thoughts and the great efforts he and his four senior brothers and sisters had made.

But then suddenly this person appeared.

His mind was in disarray, and he committed a major taboo in martial arts by completely abandoning the practice of stillness. He was busy with power struggles and womanizing, showing no sign of being obsessed with martial arts.

This distracted and unfocused person easily broke through his extremely refined True Demonic Fiend Technique.

This sword strike nearly extinguished all his hope.

True demonic fantasies are nothing but "pipe dreams" in his presence.

This is a profound sorrow, enough to cause a person to collapse in a short period of time.

Tiele Flying Eagle Qu Ao was just when his confidence was destroyed by the Martial Venerable and his spirit declined so much that he could never return to his peak. Old Zhou sighed that his experience and sacrifices were even greater than Qu Ao's.

Moreover, Zhou Yi's methods were extremely cruel. Compared to him, Wu Zun's attacks on Qu Ao could only be described as "gentle as water".

Just as Zhou Laotan's state of mind was about to shatter like a mirror being struck by a heavy hammer, he felt an impulse. Even if he had no chance of winning today, he should still seek a quick victory. He would disregard everything, summon all the true demons, and fight this person to the death!
The urge grew stronger and stronger, and I was about to lose control.

But the moment his gaze fell on Zhou Yi again, the ghostly fire in his eyes, which was about to be extinguished, suddenly flickered.

Looking at Zhou Yi's face, Old Zhou sighed and remembered something.

Why did they turn to the Taoist scriptures and thus break free from the martial arts restrictions of the Barehanded Sect?
It was because of the old demon's rumors about Hongbao.

This guy is undoubtedly responsible for my current good fortune.

What began with him shall end with him?
Wasn't Master Xiang the same way back then?

He accepted me as his disciple, giving me hope, but then left me with many obstacles, cutting off my path and shattering my hopes.

It was as if no matter how much effort she put in, it was insignificant compared to them.

In the blink of an eye, a multitude of thoughts arose in Old Zhou's mind.

He took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and immediately opened them again.

Old Zhou and Zhou Yi looked at each other, superimposing him on a figure in their minds that was majestic and had a unique and unusual appearance.

Looking at Zhou Yi was like looking at a master.

In an instant, the demonic flames manifested in his eyes danced intensely, a fierce fighting spirit that even his spiritual essence merged into the primordial energy manifested within his eye sockets.

"Old Sigh"

Jin Huan was afraid he would act impulsively, so she quickly focused her voice and gently soothed him while scanning the surroundings.

You Niaojuan and Emperor Ding also performed the same actions.

The Ba Meng and Chuan Gang have a large number of people, which they are not afraid of. However, they are no longer confident in dealing with this strange Taoist old demon. If they were to fight, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Zhou Yi also sensed the unusual behavior of Old Zhou.

Could this guy be so enraged that he's going to fight to the bitter end?

"Sect leaders, shall we continue fighting?"

Zhou Yi didn't want to settle things with Jie Hui; if a fight broke out, things would get chaotic on the Sichuan side. So he softened his tone.

This can be considered a step forward.

Old Zhou sighed and met his gaze again, then flicked his robe and snorted.

He pulled his hand back, which was his way of responding.

He then asked, "What kind of swordsmanship is this? How come it is similar to the sword energy of the Dao Ancestor's lineage in my Holy Sect? Could it be that the Celestial Master is also a member of my Holy Sect?"

Old Zhou sighed and looked at Zhou Yi, who replied, "This is the Daoist sword energy, upright and magnificent, incomparable to the crooked path that promotes the practice of sexual cultivation."

Whenever sword energy is mentioned, Jin Huanzhen and the others think of Zuo Youxian.

No wonder this guy hasn't come out of his coffin yet; he's quite insightful.

"There are very few people in the world who can break my Demonic Palm. In terms of swordsmanship alone, I acknowledge you as the strongest in this world."

Everyone around, whether from Sichuan or from other places, was shocked.

Master Yi Jian Fu Cailin has always been the strongest swordsman. His Yi Jian technique is so wonderful and unparalleled that it is an insurmountable peak for swordsmen in the world.

Moreover, he was one of the three great masters of his time, over ninety years old, and his skills were exceptional.

It's hard to imagine that the owner of the coffin palace would say such a thing.

The Celestial Master's swordsmanship has surpassed that of the Master of Yi Sword?!

If it were just some ordinary person from the martial arts world casually saying something, that would be one thing, but who is this person?

The sect leader of the number one power in the Demonic Sect, although he was defeated by the Celestial Master's terrifying fiery sword light in that move just now.

But his demonic palm strike was also earth-shattering.

Of those present, who could face it?

Therefore, the significance of what Elder Zhou said was greatly enhanced.

This is enough to excite the martial arts community in the Central Plains. For a long time, swordsmen have been overshadowed by Goguryeo, simply because there is no one in the Nine Provinces who can use a sword better than Master Yi Jian.

Thinking of the astonishing sword light he had just witnessed, and the words of the martial arts master, Elder Zhou.

In an instant, everyone automatically placed the Celestial Master in the same category as Fu Cailin.

In the hearts of the martial arts community in the Central Plains, there was a sense of triumph.

The title of the best swordsman should be reclaimed from Goguryeo.

The martial arts practitioners of Sichuan and Chongqing laughed.

The Celestial Master's swordsmanship must surely spread from Sichuan and Chongqing. Who says there are no masters in Sichuan and Chongqing?!

Ignoring the chaotic stares around him, Old Zhou turned to look at the stunned Fan Zhuo: "I, the sect leader, will give the Celestial Master some face, but if Chief Fan dares to deceive me, I will definitely take further action."

Fan Zhuo realized what was happening and immediately replied, "Sect Leader, please rest assured that the matter of the Evil Emperor Temple has nothing to do with my Sichuan Gang."

Chief Fan spoke in a gentle and amicable tone. Although he had lost to Old Man Zhou, he had witnessed the other party's methods and felt even more strongly that the Coffin Palace was not to be trifled with.

Fortunately, a Taoist master was present this time.

Otherwise, I'm afraid I'll have to go into the coffin.

Emperor Ding and You Niaojuan were surprised by Zhou Laotan's reaction, but they didn't say anything.

After glancing at the white-clad figure with wary eyes, they left with Zhou Laotan and his men, filled with deep doubt.

The large number of martial arts practitioners who were watching the show outside the headquarters quickly dodged.

The true demons clear the way, and the living avoid the coffins.

The Coffin Palace's retreat depends on who they retreated for; what power in Sichuan and Chongqing dares to provoke them?

Moreover, to onlookers, they only saw that Elder Zhou's astonishing Demonic Palm was broken, and they had no idea of ​​the turbulent emotions churning within the hearts of the four Evil Sect Masters.

As the people in the coffin palace walked away, a commotion arose all around.

Those who relied on the Sichuanese and Bameng groups spoke loudly in teahouses and taverns.

The Duzunbao faction, however, was somewhat uneasy.

Those who were initially more optimistic about Duzunbao suddenly changed their tune.

This prestige was like a fire lit on a parched grassland, quickly spreading from the Sichuan Gang headquarters towards Chengdu, and then throughout the surrounding counties.

Meanwhile, within the Sichuan gang, leaders of the Ba Alliance, such as Feng Zhenchuan and Mou Xun, were all glad they had made that decision.

The members of the four major clans present regarded Zhou Yi as one of their own, and were naturally very proud of him.

Fan Zhuo stepped forward, clasped his hands in thanks.

Zhou Yi saw through his intention and stopped him in time.

Back at Duzun Fort, Steward Zheng gave Xie Wenlong a look.

It seems to be saying, "Am I wrong? Do you believe me now?"
What does "seeing is believing" mean?

Looking at Chief Fan's relaxed expression, which had changed from his initial worry, Xie Wenlong felt uneasy and even a little envious.

How does the Grand Commander take care of the forces below him?
His words were straightforward, and he took immediate action.

Moreover, he alone is more effective than a group of people.

The people at the coffin palace really gave us face.

Think about the attitude of the Coffin Palace to Duzun Fortress. The holy land of martial arts can't scare them at all.

Xie Wenlong sighed inwardly, taking to heart everything his wife and Steward Zheng had said.

Dad, you're so confused.

At this moment, Zheng Zong gave Zhou Yi a wink.

Xie Wenlong nodded, and the two walked over together.

They arrived a little later. Zhou Yi turned his back and, under Feng Zhen's guidance, made contact with the Western Turks first.

As Zhou Yi slowly approached, Lian Rou, Luo Dushe, and the more than twenty experts who had come with them all became tense and on guard.

"This is Princess Lianrou of the Western Turks, and this is Luodushe, the commander-in-chief under the command of the Tongyab Khan."

Feng Zhen gave a rather nonchalant introduction.

The others listened from the sidelines. Fan Zhuo was a little curious, as he had previously heard Zhou Yi mention some kind of deal with the Western Turks.

Now listen carefully to what kind of deal it is.

If the Sichuanese can help, we must lend a hand.

"Grand Commander," Luo Dushe greeted first.

He smiled, but his deep-set eyes were filled with vigilance.

The person before me not only ruins the Khan's plans, but is also a huge threat.

Princess Lianrou, standing to the side, wore a bright smile, her eyes like two jars of strong liquor, full of astonishing attraction and captivating the imagination.

The Persian beauty said sweetly, "I have long heard of the Grand Commander's fame but have never met him. Now that I have witnessed the Grand Commander's magnificent display of power, I am truly captivated. Would I have the honor of sharing a drink with the Grand Commander?"

Her breasts were slightly raised, revealing her vibrant and alluring curves, making one feel that wild blood must flow through this captivating body.

However, in the eyes of Lian Rou and Luo Dushe.

Zhou Yi seemed oblivious to romance.

The charm of the Turkic princess couldn't even cause him to change his expression in the slightest.

Many people noticed Zhou Yi's reaction; his slightly indifferent face made him seem quite different from the rumored "romantic and charming" persona.

Zhou Yi seemed not to have heard Princess Lianrou's words:
When will the two of you return to the northern desert?

Lian Rou suppressed her smile: "Grand Commander, please don't misunderstand. My godfather doesn't want to get involved in the war in the Central Plains. He just wants to keep most of the grasslands and valleys peaceful."

"This is not what I know."

Lian Rou said, "We have no hostility towards the Grand Commander, and we are even grateful to you for killing the Five Arrows Guards."

The Western Turkic Khaganate reached its zenith during the reigns of Ishmael and Dato Khan, controlling vast areas of the Western Regions. At that time, the Tiele tribes, including the Xueyantuo, Qibi, Uyghur, and Pugu, all submitted to the Western Turkic Khaganate.

When Chuluo Khan arrived, a major conflict broke out between the two sides.

Even at this point, Tong Yabghu faced a major threat from the eastern Khaganate, Jieli Khan, but conflicts between the two sides continued.

Zhou Yi's killing of the Five Arrow Guards was tantamount to crippling one of the Tiele King's hands, which naturally pleased the Western Turks.

Therefore, Lianrou's words sounded very sincere.

Knowing full well that both the Ba Meng and the Chuan Gang were Zhou Yi's people, no matter how powerful she was in the Western Regions, she only spoke well of them at this moment.

"I did kill the Five Arrows Guard."

Zhou Yi said calmly, "They went to Jiujiang again and wiped out the Iron Cavalry Society. Qu Ao's son and his eldest disciple all died there. Do you know why?"

Lian Rou's heart tightened, and she replied, "The Tiele King is an enemy of the Grand Commander."

“That’s just one of the reasons.”

"He took pleasure in the chaos of the Sui Dynasty, fueled the flames, coveted the Central Plains, and treated the people of our Nine Provinces as livestock. He colluded with the notorious bandit Ma Ji in the northern deserts to rape and plunder in the south. Therefore, I killed all his men."

"When I get to the northern desert, he, the culprit, will also die."

“The Tiele tribes associated with me will repay a debt of one million gold coins to me.”

The smile that Zhou Yi had on his lips looked rather wicked to Lian Rou and Luo Dushe.

His words, from their perspective, sounded even more evil.

Then, their hearts skipped a beat.

"What you did in Bashu was similar to what the Tiele King did. Moreover, Tong Yehu's men attacked me in Jiangdu. Once I've settled accounts with the Tiele King, it will be your turn to settle those scores."

Anger flashed in Luo Dushe's eyes.

Do they think the Western Regions are part of the Sichuanese? That's incredibly arrogant!

Before Lian Rou could speak, Luo Dushe interrupted, "Grand Commander, what you're saying might be a misunderstanding. The Tiele King cannot be killed casually. If he hadn't ventured into the Central Plains, the Martial Venerable wouldn't have allowed you to enter the northern desert to kill the Tiele King."

"You dare to interfere in the affairs of the Central Plains, thinking no one will dare to intervene?"

"Remember my words, even the Martial Venerable cannot protect the Tiele King, and..."

Zhou Yi stared at him intently: "He can't protect your Western Turkic leader, the Yabghu."

"You, you—!"

Luo Dushe could no longer maintain his composure.

Zhou Yi was unfazed by his anger: "This time it's the Sichuan Gang, so give Chief Fan some face and do a favor for the Ba Alliance, I won't make things difficult for you."

"Go back and tell Tong Yabghu to take stock of his belongings so I can settle accounts with him."

Luo Dushe was a relative of Tong Yehu and a military commander; he had never suffered such humiliation before.

He was about to retort angrily.

But when a cold gaze, as if looking at a corpse, flew towards him, he felt a chill in his spirit, as if he would turn into a corpse the moment he uttered another word.

Feeling timid, he swallowed hard, his face hardening as he dared not speak.

Lian Rou glanced around and saw that the members of the Ba Meng Chuan Gang had unfriendly expressions.

"Great Commander, let's return to our camp and explain things to the Khan before we clear up the misunderstanding."

A wise man doesn't fight a losing battle. She gave Luo Du a wink and hurriedly left.

Even the twenty-odd Western Turkic experts seemed somewhat flustered.

They originally supported the Li family, but they came to watch the Sichuan gang's performance because they were confident in their status and felt they had nothing to fear.

But now, there is someone who doesn't take them seriously and even calls for the Khan's execution.

Those martial arts enthusiasts who were watching the show not only felt more approval upon hearing this, but also cheered.

Some people were unaware of the Tiele affairs, but now they have learned more.

They naturally had no goodwill towards these hostile foreign tribes.

Princess Lianrou and Luodushe were both important figures in the Western Turkic Khaganate, so their hasty retreat was quite a rare occurrence.

Watching the group's retreating figures, Fan Zhuo clicked his tongue in amazement.

So that's what kind of business it is.

Xie Wenlong's facial muscles twitched slightly. He withdrew his gaze and looked at the old butler beside him.

From Zheng Zong's expression and eyes, it seemed he was saying:

“Young Master, am I wrong? This man is ruthless towards his enemies and holds grudges very much.”

Xie Wenlong understood immediately.

The rain intensified, and the surrounding crowd gradually dispersed. Xie Wenlong seized the opportunity and approached: "Grand Commander."

This was the second time the two sides had met. Zhou Yi glanced at Zheng Zong, then gave Xie Wenlong a slight smile.

The young master felt flattered.

It's not that Zhou Yi's attitude was particularly good, but when they first met, Xie Wenlong could sense a distance that was hard to bridge.

This time, however, there was an element of goodwill.

"Young Master, did Master Jie send you to deliver a message?"

"No."

Xie Wenlong glanced at Fan Zhuo and Feng Zhen, and said without holding back, "I came here myself to see if we needed any help."

Zhou Yi glanced at him:
"How is the situation at your castle?"

"Many experts have come to spy on us, but fortunately, there are many helpers from martial arts holy lands in the fortress. However, this is not a long-term solution."

Xie Wenlong then gave a more detailed account of the fight.

Based on this, Zhou Yi concluded that outsiders almost universally believed the Evil Emperor's Relic was in Duzun Fortress.

It seems that many people have sensed the relics.

Zhou Yi then asked who the experts were in the fortress, and Xie Wenlong's answer differed slightly from Hou Xibai's.

The four great monks are all here.

"Besides the holy monks, there was also an old monk whom I was not very familiar with. He rarely spoke and was never seen going out. When the Venerable Master of the Brahma Temple came to the fortress, she was accompanied by an old nun."

Xie Wenlong said, "My father had contact with this senior, but he didn't tell me the details."

Jie Hui held absolute authority in Duzun Fortress, where his word was law.

Judging from Xie Wenlong's expression, it was clear that he hadn't asked.

Each generation of Cihang Jingzhai has only one or two disciples who enter the world, and they represent the highest level of Jingzhai in that era.

Other disciples mostly cultivate in seclusion within the temple or handle internal affairs, and rarely make large-scale appearances in the martial arts world.

In addition, its location in the Zhongnan Mountains gives it a sense of mystery.

Zhou Yi thought for a moment, and perhaps this old nun was an elder of Fan Qinghui, like someone like Bi Shouxuan.

What secret was shown to Jie Hui?
"Has the lord said whose side he's supporting?"

Xie Wenlong shook his head: "He didn't say."

Once inside the five-story building, there was no one else around.

Zhou Yi asked bluntly, "What are your plans, Young Master?"

Xie Wenlong was stunned for a moment, and the image of his father's stern face appeared in his mind. Zheng Zong nudged him from behind with his elbow.

Xie Wenlong took a breath: "From my perspective, it is natural to support the Grand Commander. Firstly, the Grand Commander is a benevolent and virtuous ruler, and secondly, both Chief Fan and Alliance Leader Feng have already supported the Grand Commander, which is beneficial to the stability of Sichuan and Chongqing."

"Having witnessed the Grand Commander's methods regarding the coffin palace and the Western Regions of the northern desert, I am deeply impressed."

"Unfortunately, my father will not listen to me."

He gave a self-deprecating laugh and said, "My actions this time have gone against his will, which is already unfilial."

“Wrong,” Zhou Yi interrupted him.

"Where is the mistake?"

“You remain indifferent and watch your father lead Duzun Fortress into the abyss; that is truly unfilial.”

Zhou Yi asked, "Why would those experts go looking for trouble with your family?"

"Because of the Evil Emperor's Relic, but we did not obtain this from the Evil Emperor's Temple."

"It doesn't matter. You went to the Evil Emperor's Temple and asked people from the Holy Land of Martial Arts for help. Everyone is convinced that you obtained the relic."

Xie Wenlong knew this was true: "Does the Grand Commander have a solution?"

"Simple."

Zhou Yi suggested, "Change Duzun Fort to Duzun Temple, let the fort master become a disciple of the Holy Monk, and the young fort master become a disciple of Kong. Establish an altar and let Buddhist masters move in. The crisis will be resolved on its own, and there will be no need to worry about the Holy Monk leaving."

Xie Wenlong gave a bitter smile: "I'm already married. If I were to become a monk, wouldn't that leave Yuhua to live a life of widowhood? How could that be possible?"

Zheng Zong, who was standing nearby, couldn't help but interject: "Grand Commander, is there another better solution?"

Xie Wenlong also turned his gaze over.

Zhou Yi tapped the tea table lightly and said slowly, "If you are unwilling to enter the Buddhist order, even if the holy monks help you when they leave and tell others that they took the relics with them, no one will believe it."

“If you are unwilling to make this sacrifice, then you will have no choice but to hand over the relics.”

"Otherwise, Duzun Fort will never be peaceful."

"To put it bluntly, you might all die."

Xie Wenlong held his breath, somewhat confused: "Grand Commander, we don't have any relics."

Zhou Yi gently shook his head:

"You need to understand one thing: when everyone believes that Duzun Fort has relics, you'd better actually have them."

Xie Wenlong didn't quite understand.

Butler Zheng, who was quite experienced, showed a hint of surprise in his eyes:
"Grand Commander, what are your orders?"

Zhou Yi didn't respond immediately, waiting for Xie Wenlong to realize what was going on before asking:

"Young Master, are you willing to be a filial son?"

"Of all virtues, filial piety is the most important. As children, we should repay our parents' kindness and return to our roots. How can we not be filial?"

"really?"

"really."

After Xie Wenlong finished answering, Zheng Zong, who was standing to the side, said, "Grand Commander, please rest assured, my young master is very filial!"

……

With the crisis resolved, the Sichuanese gang held a banquet at noon.

Xie Wenlong drank quite a bit of wine at the banquet, and even though he suppressed his internal energy, he still showed signs of drunkenness.

After dinner, Zhou Yi returned to his residence.

Shi Qingxuan followed him the whole way, and when no one was around, she said, "Could those disciples of the Evil Emperor see through your secrets?"

"It shouldn't be noticeable."

She smiled and said, "The wicked will always be punished by the wicked; that's absolutely true."

"Am I a bad person too?"

"Ah."

Shi Qingxuan smiled lightly: "Princess Lianrou is so beautiful, everyone says she is a bewitching Persian cat, but you spoke harshly to her. She must think you are a bad person."

"I told you long ago that I am a heartless person. No matter how beautiful or alluring she is, what does it have to do with me? Now you believe me, right?"

Zhou Yi adopted an aloof expression, as if all beauties were nothing more than painted skeletons.

Shi Qingxuan knew he was joking, but his attitude toward the Western Turkic princess was indeed unexpected.

Thinking about what he said to the Turks, such courage is not something everyone can possess.

Suddenly, she remembered something else:

"There are still five days until the alliance meeting of the three families of Bashu. If things settle down here, will you leave immediately?"

"Yes."

Zhou Yi nodded: "I will have to travel back and forth between the north and south, and I'm afraid I'll be busy for a long time."

"what's your plan?"

Shi Qingxuan gazed at the rain-streaked sky in the distance, letting her disappointment settle into the clouds, thus regaining her ethereal and refined气质 (qi zhi - a kind of refined and elegant demeanor).

"With the peace of Sichuan and Chongqing restored, I will return to my secluded cottage in the woods. With your help, I can finally find peace again."

Her right hand was behind her back, gently clenching her sleeve where Zhou Yi couldn't see.

She pursed her lips and smiled gently, "Once I return to Xiaogu to stay, the Grand Commander will have fulfilled his promise, and we will be even."

Zhou Yi looked into her eyes, and Shi Qingxuan didn't look away.

Those dark, jewel-like eyes held no trace of worldly concerns.

She is wise and insightful, sees through the ways of the world, and has profound and unique insights into human nature, the martial arts world, and the struggle between good and evil.

They are not bound by any sect or stance, and pursue absolute spiritual freedom.

This sense of detachment is indeed out of step with the hustle and bustle of the world.

Zhou Yi didn't notice any change in the girl's eyes. He was slightly disappointed, but quickly regained his composure and smiled at her with appreciation.

He then casually remarked:

"Once I have pacified the nine provinces, I hope that the world will be as peaceful as Sichuan and Chongqing, so that even if Miss Shi leaves Chengdu, she can find a secluded cottage in the woods."

Shi Qingxuan gave a soft "hmm," her hand clenching even tighter, causing a corner of her sleeve to stretch unintentionally.

With a major battle imminent, Zhou Yi seized a moment to meditate and practice his martial arts.

Shi Qingxuan returned to her room and thought about what had happened in the past few days.

She was someone who could endure loneliness very well, or rather, she never felt lonely. Being able to stay quietly in the valley and pursue what she liked was freedom and happiness.

But now, I suddenly feel depressed.

She sat by the window, resting her chin on her hand in thought, occasionally tilting her head back to peek through the gap in the window paper at the person meditating and listening to the rain under the eaves.

Many experiences I had never had before were gained while I was with him, and all within a short period of just over a month.

Shi Qingxuan had long seen through his attitude towards Bashu.

Having gained the support of the three major powers, it will be difficult for them to return.

Let alone coming to Sichuan, it would be difficult to find anyone anywhere in the Nine Provinces. They might just break through the void and go away one day.

Shi Qingxuan even thought that she should have given him the wine as soon as he arrived in Chengdu that day, so that he wouldn't have run into Fan Caiqi and the subsequent events would have been none of her business.

Thinking this way might bring relief, yet I can't bear to let go of this experience.

On Mount Emei, the whistling wind seems to still be audible in my ears.

After a moment of deep thought, I simply stopped thinking about anything.

She relaxed her delicate eyebrows, revealing a charming smile, and took out a Bagua mirror from between several layers of musical scores.

This is the tool a certain Taoist master uses for his livelihood.

It's a pity we haven't seen what he looks like when he's out of the game.
……

"Princess, you should go back and report to the Khan first."

In a courtyard west of Chengdu, Luo Dushe, with a gloomy face, was feeling the blade of a curved knife with the calluses on his fingers.

"what are you up to?"

Princess Lianrou realized: "To Duzun Fortress?"

"of course."

Luo Dushe sneered, "This arrogant man surnamed Zhou doesn't take us seriously at all. What does he think the Western Regions are?"

"Relying on his talent for martial arts, he is so arrogant."

Princess Lianrou shook her head: "This person's martial arts are superb, and he has some impressive skills. Let's go back to my godfather first and wait for him to make a decision before we make a final plan."

"Absolutely not."

Luo Dushe resolutely refused: "If it's just him alone, we're not afraid no matter how high his martial arts are. But if he really gets the world, that would be a real problem. This Sichuan region must not fall into his hands."

"There are many experts in Duzun Fortress, and they are his enemies."

"We should take advantage of them and find an opportunity to get rid of this arrogant fellow to prevent future troubles and quell the hatred in my heart."

Luo Dushe has made his decision; as the commander-in-chief, he wields more real power than Lian Rou.

"Alright, then be careful. In Duzun Fortress, observe more and fight less."

"Of course."

Luo Dushe grinned sinisterly: "When I call my men to attack together, that will be the crucial moment to take his life."

Princess Lianrou knew his temper; having suffered such a humiliation, he was determined to retaliate.

So he left most of the experts who came to Chengdu behind, and returned with only three people.

Luo Dushe wasn't stupid either. As soon as Princess Lianrou left, he immediately led people to visit Duzun Fort.

At present, Duzun Fort is the safest place. With their support, we don't need to worry about the Zhou family coming to kill us.

Meanwhile, the mortuary in the north of the city was also mobilizing manpower, with its target being Duzun Fort.

On the firewall of the mortuary, You Niaojuan, looking towards the Sichuan gang, said in a hoarse, unpleasant voice, "This old monster might be strange."

Emperor Ding snorted: "It's not possible, it's certain."

"No matter how skilled he is with his sword, he cannot achieve this effect."

Jin Huan nodded, but was even more curious about something else. Zhou Laotan, who had been resting with his eyes closed, finally opened them.

After leaving the Sichuan gang, he vented his anger on a tributary of the Jinjiang River outside the city, unleashing one powerful palm strike after another.

Each palm strike was incredibly powerful.

"Old Tan, how could you hold back? I thought you would make a move against him."

"Of course I want to."

Old Zhou sighed through gritted teeth: "There is no one more despicable than this guy, but I have no way to deal with him."

"I feel both indignant and that it's not worth it."

Old Zhou sighed and glanced at his senior brothers and sisters:
"We've finally found our direction, working tirelessly day and night, dedicating ourselves wholeheartedly. How can we let temporary setbacks cause us to betray our hard work and ruin everything?!"

"If we fight today, I'm afraid it will be a fight to the death, and I will never have the chance to explore the ultimate martial arts again, nor will I ever see my master again. How can I be willing to accept that?"

"and."

Old Zhou squinted and said, "I suddenly realized that the sense of despair this guy gives me is almost the same as my master's."

"I've thought about it over and over, but I still can't understand how this so-called Taoist skill can so effectively suppress demonic forces."

"Or rather, it's simply impossible!"

He gave me a kind of illusion.

While Jin Huanzhen and You Niaojuan were pondering, Emperor Ding suddenly said, "You mean to say that he practiced the Dao Heart Demon Seed Technique?"

"Not bad!" Old Zhou's eyes flickered with a ghostly light.

Yu Niaojuan stared wide-eyed, clutching the one-legged bronze figure, and cried out sharply, "How...how is this possible!"

Jin Huan took a step closer, then realized what was happening: "Old man, sigh."

"You mean, he's actually our fellow disciple!"

Old Zhou sighed and nodded, her eyes widening, and then she said:
"Could it be that Master has taken in another junior disciple, who is the true successor, and thus dotes on him and imparts to him the essence of the Great Law?"

The more Jin Huanzhen talked, the more likely it seemed.

She thought about it carefully, and then spoke with a sorrowful voice:

"My four fellow disciples and I were chosen by our master to be taught the martial arts of the Holy Extreme Sect, but they were four evil arts and strange techniques passed down by the demonic sect. The Dao Heart Demon Seed Great Method was incomplete and there was no instruction whatsoever."

"It is clear that we are not the true successors, nor have we ever been candidates for the Holy Emperor."

“Even if we die in the fight, the Holy Emperor’s legacy will not be broken; he has already made arrangements.”

"Master, how heartless you are! Why do you treat your disciple so cruelly?"

Jin Huan's voice trembled, sounding quite pitiful.

The weary bird raised its head and let out a strange cry, which shook the raindrops and made them fall in all directions, like the cries of monkeys on both sides of the Three Gorges, a long, drawn-out wail.

Emperor Ding said, "We came to Bashu first, and we never had any response to the relics."

“Since he arrived, I have been experiencing frequent sensory disturbances.”

"It is clear that the relics are calling to him. How laughable that we fought over this back then, it was all meaningless."

"The Holy Emperor's Relic was also prepared for him."

"I'm afraid that after the void is shattered, it will be the master and disciple who meet again."

Old Zhou sighed, crossed his arms, and said with a stern face, "That's probably how it is, but now there's a variable."

"The people of Duzunbao dug out the relics, and they were then guarded by Buddhists. This is something that even Master probably couldn't have predicted."

"Since he favors it so much, this relic of the Holy Emperor must not fall into his hands."

……

(End of this chapter)