Sword from the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 90 A Snowy Autumn in the Martial World: A Visit to the Abbot of Wuzhuang Temple!
At the Yangxing Society residence, Ji Yinong, who had been in a secret discussion with Elder Yun for a long time, left the secret room with complicated feelings.

He really couldn't keep up with Elder Yun's unconventional thinking.

In terms of vision and knowledge, I dare not compare myself to Elder Yin Gui.

However, he had painstakingly built his business in Nanyang over the years, and had countless dealings with Yang Zhen, both openly and secretly.

Ji Yinong absolutely refused to believe that Yang Zhen was one of the Evil Emperor's men.
The third day after the Lion King of the Sea Sand Gang was pruned by the Emperor.

The remaining seven major forces in the county town all arrived at the headquarters of the Nanyang Gang, so there was no need to mention the name of the Tuanjiang Sect anymore.

In just three days, the seven major forces, acting in unison, divided up the Tuanjiang faction.

Thousands of gang members changed their allegiance, some joined other factions, some were purged for offending people in the past, and some sold off the Tuanjiang faction's property, absconded with gold and silver, and fled into the Jianghu.

The destruction of the Tuanjiang faction brought joy to some and sorrow to others in the county town, but it did not trigger major chaos.

It is like a slightly larger wave in a chaotic world, crashing against the shore with great force, only to disappear into the sand and gravel in an instant, leaving only a wet patch.

This mark will also fade over time.
"The big dragon head!"

In the main hall of the Nanyang Gang headquarters, beneath a plaque inscribed with the gilded characters "Loyalty, Filial Piety, Integrity, and Righteousness," Ji Yinong set down his teacup and stepped forward.

He pointed his spear in the direction of Blackstone Mortuary:
"Three days have passed, and all of you gentlemen are waiting for news on how to deal with these people. Does the boss have any plans?"

"To be honest, I've been sleeping like a log these past few days, and I haven't been able to get my usual restful sleep."

He sighed and complained, drawing everyone's attention to Yang Zhen.

Upon hearing this, the leaders of the four factions—Jingshan Sect, Zhenyang Gang, Chaoshui Gang, and Gray-Clad Gang—put their teacups aside.

Ji Yinong's words resonated with many.

Yang Zhen remained silent, while Old Master Lü Chong spoke in a deep voice:

"If our seven sects join forces, even if they are very capable, they will find it difficult to resist. Therefore, it is easy to drive them away, and we can annihilate them in one fell swoop without leaving any trace of trouble. I'm afraid no sect leader would dare to make such a guarantee."

"Brother Lü, how could we not know this principle?"

Ren Zhi, the leader of the Jingshan Sect, spread his hands and smiled bitterly: "That's precisely why we need the Grand Master to devise a plan to resolve this matter before we can feel at ease."

“Brother Ren, please calm down,” Yang Zhen finally spoke after a long silence. “We must be wary of these demonic sect experts, but even more so of the ambitious Zhu Can.”

"If the situation becomes chaotic, Zhu Can's tens of thousands of troops can sail down the turbulent river and arrive in a matter of days."

"Champion City is far less prosperous than Nanyang, and Zhu Can has been eyeing it for more than just a day."

"For Nanyang, the dangers of war and calamity are even greater than those of the demonic sects."

"Master Luo of the Tuanjiang Sect has had a smooth life these past few years, but he has been ruined by wine and women and has forgotten the dangers of the martial world. You gentlemen should take this as a warning."

Ji Yinong pressed on, his brows furrowed: "Does the big boss intend to be completely blind to the Black Stone Mortuary?"

The attention of all those in leadership positions is once again focused.

Yang Zhen's answer will affect the weight of the term "big leader" in everyone's mind.

At critical moments, someone needs to make decisions. Throwing out other questions to divert attention from the current problem is not an answer in front of those in leadership positions.

Yang Zhen glanced at Ji Yinong, then remained silent.

The surrounding sect leaders were displeased, but dared not force him due to his imposing presence.

Just when they thought Yang Zhen was helpless,

The elderly man, whose face was as sharp as a knife, sat upright in the main seat and slowly stroked his beard, saying in a deep voice, "I, Yang, will take action myself."

Ok?
While everyone was astonished, Ji Yinong was secretly overjoyed, thinking that Yang Zhen was about to die.

Even though his skills were unparalleled in Nanyang, he had absolutely no chance of dealing with the eight old demons.

Elder Yun fled without a fight, only to reveal the secret of the Yin Empress. What right does Yang Zhen have to directly enter the Demon Cave?
After this moment of ecstasy, he suddenly remembered Elder Yun's words.

If Yang Zhen is indeed under the command of the Evil Emperor, then there will be no danger whatsoever.

By putting on such a show for other factions, the status of the Nanyang Gang and the prestige of Yang Zhen himself will be elevated to an unimaginable level.

Previously, I complained that Elder Yun's thinking was unconventional.

Ji Yinong suddenly realized that he had unknowingly followed this unconventional train of thought.

"No!" Old Master Lü Chong urgently dissuaded, "We must not enter the Demon Cave. The Great Boss must not risk his life."

"Eh~!"

Seeing the misunderstanding, Yang Zhen waved his hand and said, "How could I abandon the safety of Nanyang and force my way in? I don't have that kind of courage either, but I am confident that I can keep them in check."

"in addition."

He gazed northward: "On the day Master Luo died, I, Yang, sent three branch leaders with my personal letter to the Eastern Capital."

"The Black Stone Mortuary has been exposed. If the experts of the Demonic Sect leave on their own, that would be a win-win situation. Otherwise, someone else will deal with them."

Dongdu?

Although everyone was puzzled, a glimmer of hope flashed through their minds.

The more I looked at the big boss, the more confident I felt he was.

Ren Zhi of the Jingshan faction was still uneasy:
"The Grand Leader has always been based in Nanyang. I have never heard of you having any dealings with the major powers in Dongdu. Moreover, to offend these demonic figures, you would probably need a life-or-death friendship."

It's normal that you don't know.

Yang Zhen pointed to the painting "The Heavenly King Who Receives the Pagoda" hanging on the wall: "This is the work of my old friend Zhan Ziqian. He also painted the "Lotus Sutra Transformation" and gave it to the Fourth Patriarch of Zen. Through Brother Zhan's connections, I got to know the outstanding figure among the Fourth Patriarch of Zen."

Judging from his expression, the sect leaders, though unaware of his identity, guessed that he was someone of immense importance.

Ji Yinong asked, "Who is it?"

Yang Zhen said in a deep voice, "One of the four great holy monks of our time, Master Daoxin."

“You may be unfamiliar with his name, and it is rarely heard of in the martial arts world, but the masters of Buddhism, Taoism and Demonism all know it well.”

"This Master Daoxin is probably no better than Ning Sanren."

"The Four Great Monks were already at odds with the Demonic Sect, and with my slight influence, if Master Daoxin were to come to Nanyang, the members of the Demonic Sect in the Black Stone Mortuary would likely disperse."

Upon hearing this, members of the Chaoshui Gang, Zhenyang Gang, and Gray-Clad Gang all stood up and bowed.
"It turns out the big boss had planned this all along; we were just overthinking it."

The matter of Blackstone Mortuary was extremely complicated. After Yang Zhen explained the situation, the leaders were very convinced.

I never expected him to have such a trump card.

Although Daoxin may not be as good as Ning Sanren, he dares to put his name on par with the number one person in the Daoist sect, so he must be no ordinary person.

Nanyang really needs Yang Dalongtou to stay stable!

The group discussed the city's defenses for a while before dispersing half an hour later.

When the leaders of the Nanyang Gang emerged, their steps were noticeably lighter.

It seems the matter has been resolved.

As soon as they left, Yang Zhen frowned again.

"But is there anything else wrong?" asked Old Master Lü.

Yang Zhen shook his head: "I always felt that the people from the demonic sect in the Black Stone Mortuary were somewhat unusual. I've looked into that place; it's not some kind of hidden place for demonic activities."

"The sudden gathering of these people strongly suggests they are practicing evil arts."

"But I'm more afraid that someone is manipulating things behind the scenes, and their target is Nanyang. They appeared not long ago, and we lost one of our forces, causing widespread panic."

Lü Chong had already guessed: "Actually, Master Daoxin might not come, right?"

Yang Zhen turned to look at him: "Brother Lü is a wise man. I don't have that much influence over him. It's just a friendship based on a painting, or perhaps a chance encounter. I'm only giving it a try because of the old grudge between Buddha and demon."

"In these chaotic times, not everyone can be trusted. I am in this position now, and many people are envious of Nanyang County."

"However, no one worthy of entrusting their affairs has been found."

As Old Master Lü looked at the increasingly thick white hair of the dragon head, he couldn't help but sigh softly.

He reached out and patted Yang Zhen on the back: "Big Boss, you've done enough."

The two walked all the way to the depths of the mansion.

Fan Naitang rushed out from inside, his face ashen: "Brother Su's condition is very bad."

Yang Zhen and Lü Zhong quickened their pace and went straight into a quiet room.

Upon entering the hospital, a pungent, fishy smell wafted over. There, on the bed lay a large man with his chest exposed, revealing black, centipede-like veins on his skin.

He gritted his teeth, but still couldn't help letting out a painful howl.

Yang Zhen clenched his fists tightly when he saw the pool of black blood on the ground.

The person in bed was none other than Su Yun, the fourth-ranking figure in the Nanyang Gang, who wielded the sword in his right hand. That night, he had arranged for someone to follow the Tuanjiang Sect to investigate the Black Stone Mortuary, and he was seriously injured while saving his brothers in the gang.

The two physicians, each holding a silver needle, gathered their inner strength and inserted another needle around Yang Zhen's Tanzhong acupoint. They wiped the sweat from their foreheads and gave up their positions to Yang Zhen.

"Brother Su!"

Yang Zhen bent down to the edge of the bed to check his injuries.

Upon hearing his voice, Su Yun opened his bloodshot eyes and gritted his teeth, saying, "Just seeing the Great Dragon Head once... I'm already satisfied."

"Big Boss, let's get started."

"Give your brother a quick death!"

Yang Zhen scolded, "Hang in there, don't say anything discouraging."

"Brother Lü, please lend a hand."

"it is good!"

Two experts from the county, one in front and one behind, pressed their palms and injected true energy into the Ren and Du meridians.

Su Yun's body contains a malevolent poison, extremely evil.

The two used their inner energy to slowly dissolve the evil poison, alleviating Su Yun's pain.

After an incense stick had burned, even Yang Zhen was sweating.

They temporarily withdrew their inner energy, and Su Yun's complexion improved considerably.

However, no one in the room showed any joy, simply because this situation had been repeated many times.

After waiting for an hour
Everyone's expression changed again; as expected, Lü Zhong's true energy had no effect.

"What kind of vicious palm technique is this?!"

Fan Naitang and Meng Degong were so anxious that their faces turned pale. "Brother Su has protective true qi in his body. Normally, even if he is seriously injured by a palm strike, as long as it is not fatal, he can always recover after dissipating the opponent's energy."

"I have never heard of any palm technique that is so bizarre, as if it has taken root in a person's body."

Grandpa Lü shook his head; he had already done his best.

An old doctor said, "Master Su cultivates the Tanzhong acupoint as a vital point. This palm strike landed right there, and the poisonous energy seeped into the acupoint like a bone-deep sore. This person's methods are truly unpredictable. He actually absorbed Master Su's true energy and transformed it into poisonous energy, which is why it cannot be completely eliminated."

"The true energy of others cannot be dispelled, nor can Master Su himself dispel it. Moreover, he cannot cripple his martial arts, otherwise the poison will break through his acupoints and he will die immediately."

Yang Zhen asked anxiously, "Is there a solution?"

"While injecting true qi to clear the remaining poison from the Ren and Du meridians, preventing it from spreading to the heart meridian, we will prolong Master Su's life."

The old doctor added, "We should also seek out experts from both Buddhism and Taoism; perhaps they can resolve the root of the evil influence in the acupoint."

Yang Zhen frowned deeply: "Is there any other method?"

"Yes, the one who tied the knot must untie it."

In other words, we need to find that old demon.

Yang Zhen's expression was somber, and he did not reply.

Knowing his predicament, the old doctor turned to look at the burly man on the bed: "How long Master Su can hold on depends on himself."

"If one is determined to die, it will not last more than ten days."

Upon hearing this, Su Yun, wielding his right sword, showed a hint of relief.

Suddenly, the sound of a large dragon head rang in my ears.

“Brother Su, we started from humble beginnings and have been together for over twenty years, through thick and thin. What haven’t we been through? Now, I need you to do something.”

"I will not hesitate to die for it," Su Yun said through gritted teeth.

"Okay, hold your breath for me, and I'll save you."

Yang Zhen's eyes narrowed: "Show me your backbone, don't let your older brother look down on you."

Su Yun was stunned for a moment, then coughed and laughed: "A little bit of poison, it's nothing."

Fan Naitang and Meng Degong stepped forward together, their eyes blazing with menacing intensity.

"Big Boss, what should we do?!"

Yang Zhen said, "I will write another letter, and the two of you will go to the Eastern Capital together to deliver this letter."

Lu Zhong looked at the two of them and said, "Don't worry, I'm here."

"I will send a master of the Tiankui Inner Martial Arts here, which will be enough to prolong Brother Su's life."

Fan Naitang and Meng Degong immediately accepted the order.

The two of them were Yang Zhen's right-hand men; if they appeared together, it would represent the attitude of the Nanyang Gang.

This is no longer the "friendship formed upon first meeting" mentioned earlier.

The identity of the leader of Nanyang and the location of Nanyang are enough to move many powerful forces.

……

The fifteenth day after the Lion King of the Sea Sand Gang was pruned by the Emperor.

The Cao Family Pharmacy's branch in the west of the city is located in a quiet room.

Zhou Yi casually flipped through the ledger: "Has there been any trouble in business lately?"

Cao Chengxian laughed and said, "Compared to the time before, it's a completely different story."

"From the mountain lords and medicine masters upstream of Nanyang, to the escort agencies and caravans responsible for transporting goods, as well as the shops of all sizes in the city, there are no problems with the connections between all parties. I am already preparing to continue to expand the shops to the Zhenyang and Keyang areas."

"The major businesses in the city now belong to the Nanyang Gang, and they are more disciplined than the Tuanjiang Gang."

"I had previously taken over several shops that the Tuanjiang Sect members had sold off at low prices before fleeing. I originally planned to give some to the Nanyang Gang, but when they saw that I had the shop deeds, they asked the government to stamp them and put the shops on the table."

"It's just that the Jingshan Sect and Yangxing Society took over two of our families, but it's not a big deal."

Zhou Yi frowned. What did he mean by "harmless"?

This Celestial Master's money!
"Jingshan Sect, Yangxing Society"

Hearing Zhou Yi mutter to himself, Cao Chengxian had a bad feeling.

I'm just telling the truth. If either of your families suffers a major setback, it's your own fault.

The Tuanjiang massacre is still vivid in my mind.

"You seem to have raised the price of this medicine by a few cents compared to before."

"That's right, this is healthy competition."

Cao Chengxian said:

"Previously, we were kept in check by the Tuanjiang Sect. Now, as long as we follow the rules of the Nanyang Gang, we are much freer. The mountain lord and the medicine master were severely suppressed by the Tuanjiang Sect before, and even high-quality medicines of good age were sold at rock-bottom prices. Now, the difference between good and bad will naturally be made."

"In this way, farmers who go up the mountain to collect and plant medicinal herbs can also earn more copper coins, which explains why the Nanyang gang has a good reputation among the villagers."

He then flattered, "Of course, this is all thanks to the Celestial Master's silent contributions. If the Tuanjiang Sect hadn't fallen, the herbalist's family wouldn't have been able to earn those extra few bushels of rice each month."

Zhou Yi couldn't help but laugh; these nice words were very pleasing to the ear.

He then instructed him:

“Your profits are already very high. I’ll give you some recipes for external bath medicines, body lotions, and internal medicines so you can do more business with martial arts practitioners.”

"These have all been verified and are effective, so you don't need to worry about others causing you trouble."

Zhou Yi only wanted to give ordinary external training methods, such as prescriptions for Iron Shirt or Crouching Tiger Kung Fu.

This kind of thing is recorded in the Taiping Danjing given by my master, and now there is also Taiping Huogang. We can use the basic things to realize them and make them circulate.

Cao Chengxian felt the trust from the Celestial Master.

He didn't refuse, but simply got up to refill the tea.

This was another way of getting along with the Celestial Masters that he learned after gaining some understanding of them in Nanyang.

"Keep a low profile for now. Once I've fully established myself, your business can go far."

"Yes!"

Cao Chengxian responded with a word of agreement, and from these simple words, he could already read a grand blueprint that could expand infinitely.

Zhou Yi thought of the herb-gathering farmers he occasionally encountered on and off Wolonggang Mountain, along the riverbanks and streams.

He whispered another instruction:
"If there are individual herbalists who are not mountain lords, as long as the herbs are fine, they won't be shortchanged by customers who try to drive down the price."

"Chengxian understands."

Cao Chengxian cupped his hands in greeting and saw Zhou Yi out.

The old man was right; dealing with people like that really makes me sleep soundly.

With the pharmacy business running smoothly, Zhou Yi gained an extra source of income.

The temple no longer needs to sit idly by and live off its savings.

When you have no money, you feel uneasy when you sleep. This made him feel much more at ease.

Without using medicine, the disciples' external skills progress will not be affected.

Following Zhang Cheng, Feng Si also mastered the Qi five days ago, and Zhou Yi temporarily assigned him to the caravan associated with Cao's Pharmacy.

They even seized a small wine shop business from the Tuanjiang faction.

The Taoist temple has also developed into a small business in Nanyang.

First came Ding the Great Philanthropist, then came Luo the Great Philanthropist.

The saying goes that the more virtuous people Zhou Tianshi points out, the better.
He was in a good mood, eating and drinking along the way, and also packed several fat ducks, intending to bring them back to the Taoist temple before sunset.

After checking the sky, Zhou Yi decided to take a stroll through Meiwu Lane.

He was about to ask about recent news when he unexpectedly saw Bu Tianzhi and Chen Laomou sitting uneasily as soon as he arrived.

"Master, you've come at the perfect time! I was just about to send someone out to look for you."

Old Chen spoke urgently: "Something big is about to happen in Nanyang!"

"What's going on?" Zhou Yi slipped into the teahouse.

"To make a long story short, Yang Zhen just led his men out of the city and headed straight for the Black Stone Mortuary in the southwest!"

"I've heard that Su Yun, a master of the Nanyang Sect, is in critical condition. Yang Zhen's trip there is probably to avenge his brothers in the gang. The Tiankui Sect and the Nanyang Gang are currently gathering and will be at the city gate soon."

Zhou Yi took a breath: "Yang Zhen."

"Come on, let's go take a look."

Bu Tianzhi was startled: "Isn't watching a play supposed to bring bad luck?"

“Yang Zhen is not that fool Luo Changshou. Since he dares to go, he must be confident. In addition, he is a master himself. If he makes a move, he will definitely be able to distract us. We will watch from a distance, and once he makes a move, we will return to the city immediately.”

"..."

The three of them had just reached the western city wall when they encountered people from the Tiankui Sect and the Nanyang Gang.

Strangely, they simply waited on the city wall and did not join Yang Zhen.

"Go ahead."

Chen Laomou and Bu Tianzhi stopped and took the duck from Zhou Yi's hands.

The situation was very different from what they had imagined.

If the three of them act together, it will surely attract attention.

After thinking for a moment, Zhou Yi slowed down and blended into the crowd.
……

"Drive~!"

"Drive~!"

In the southwestern suburbs, in the pine forest in front of the Black Stone Mortuary, an old man with a long beard, carrying a long sword, rode his horse slowly.

The setting sun, like ochre, spread its radiance across the thousand pines, as if molten gold had been cast into armor, dazzling and eye-catching.

A southerly wind blew through the gaps, and the pine forest rustled with a clear, mournful sound. As the pine trees swayed in the breeze, the old man's steps gradually slowed.

Until it was twenty feet away from the mortuary.

Martial arts masters can occasionally unleash their power in battle, fusing their true energy and spirit to an extremely profound state.

At such a moment, no opponent dares to underestimate them.

"BOOM!!!"

Several loud rumbling sounds were heard outside the mortuary, and a sharp blade of energy swept past, causing seven or eight gnarled pine trees to fall one after another.

The branches crackled and popped, creating a chaotic mess!
This attack was enough to alarm everyone in the mortuary.

"Clang!!"

The sixty-pound crescent-shaped longsword was embedded four inches into the ground and stood upright beside Yang Zhen. He took a huge wine gourd from the tip of the sword.

At this moment, he took a big gulp, and his true energy surged, turning his face blood red!
"I am Yang Zhen, the head of Nanyang."

"Please come out and meet that friend who is skilled in using deadly poisons."

This long howl reverberated through the pine forest, carrying with it the surging intent of a blade.

A flash appeared on the firewall of the mortuary, and eight figures suddenly appeared, each staring at the long-bearded old man wielding a crescent-shaped sword.

It seems to be influenced by Yang Zhen's bold and unrestrained spirit.

At first, none of the eight people made a move.

"This is a critical moment, there's no time to deal with him, go and get rid of him quickly."

Yu Niaojuan's hoarse voice came through.

Yang Zhen was different from Naluo Changshou. Firstly, he commanded tens of thousands of troops, and secondly, he was qualified to speak with them.

Old Zhou's gaze sharpened, and he leaped down from the firewall.

"What's your plan, Yang Dalongtou?"

Old Zhou stopped a zhang away from Yang Zhen. There was no contempt in his eyes. Instead, he looked at the huge crescent-shaped longsword.

Yang Zhen said, "My friend's martial arts are superb, and his poisonous aura is unparalleled in the world. I, Yang, am also helpless against it."

“An old brother is suffering from the poison and his life is in danger. I would like to trouble you to provide a solution.”

At this moment, in terms of sheer momentum and fighting spirit, Yang Zhen was still superior to Zhou Laotan. Zhou Laotan smiled sinisterly: "Breaking into my estate, aren't you just asking for trouble?"

Yang Zhen had no time for arguing: "Friend, do you have a solution?"

Old Zhou sighed and glared at him angrily: "What right do you have to speak to me like that?"

Yang Zhen said, "For the sake of my brother's life, I have no choice but to swallow my pride and ask some friends for help."

"what kind of friends?"

"The Four Great Monks of the Eastern Capital".

A gust of southerly wind swept by, causing not only Old Zhou to frown, but also You Niaojuan to furrow his brow.

After a moment of silence, Old Zhou sighed, "I've injured many people, where are you injured, brother?"

"The root of evil in the Tanzhong acupoint is difficult to remove."

"Then there's no hope, unless you have the ability to invite my master here."

Old Zhou sighed, his voice low and his face full of arrogance: "You should have heard of the Four Great Classical Novels, right?"

"This is the highest secret of the Heavenly Demon, mysterious and profound, revealing the true wonders. It is the ultimate interpretation of martial arts. Once you enter the Tanzhong point, you enter the cycle of life and death."

"Your brother has already crossed the Bridge of Helplessness, why struggle? Go and invite a fortune teller to help him recover from his misfortune."

Yang Zhen's sword strike faltered.

Old Zhou sighed and smiled smugly. The despair and anger of this big boss became the fuel for the fire of pleasure in his heart, so much so that his whole body released a fierce aura.

It's not a perfect masterpiece, but it's already enough to shake the world.

With this thought in mind, Old Zhou sighed, all he could think about was continuing his research; the battle with Yang Zhen was utterly meaningless.

Uncovering the secrets of martial arts at their ultimate level is so wonderful it drives people mad.

Hahaha~!

Old Zhou laughed wildly, his demonic voice causing the pine needles to tremble: "Go back. Don't let the people of Nanyang City bother this place. I have no interest in your Nanyang City whatsoever."

"You'd better not bring that bald monk here to cause trouble, otherwise you'll ruin my plans and I'll hold you accountable."

"..."

Yang Zhen knew very well that Old Zhou was not lying.

This old monster of the Demonic Sect practiced martial arts to the point of madness; his genuine pride and arrogance in martial arts were impossible to fake.

Yang Zhen gazed at Zhou Laotan's retreating figure, a sense of guilt towards his brother rising in his heart.

He was carrying too many things on his back, so he couldn't risk his life to make that fatal strike.

If you're not confident you can kill someone, you're bound to die yourself.

Yang Zhen tilted his head back and fiercely gulped down the wine, drinking more than half of the wine in the huge wine pot.

With a low shout, he tossed the gourd into the air, drew his crescent-shaped longsword, and unleashed a torrent of violent sword energy, slashing out a shower of wine!
Yang Zhen, holding the knife, had completely lost the wine-red color from his face.

With a tug on the reins, his back to the setting sun, he left a desolate and lonely figure in front of the lifeless mortuary.

"He's quite an interesting person."

A cold, clear female voice came from the firewall, emanating from a slender figure carrying a fiery red longsword.

The woman in palace attire stared at her face, her expression filled with envy and jealousy.

Yu Niaojuan sneered, letting out a harsh, hoarse voice: "The suffering of the weak, who struggle and taste helplessness, is not necessarily interesting."

The words of the Demonic Sect Master struck the man wearing a bamboo hat and carrying a sword like a silver needle piercing his heart, causing him to involuntarily raise his head.

I watched the old figure gradually disappear into the pine forest.

"Keep going, keep going!" Old Zhou sighed and laughed, "I can already see the signs of success!"

A dark glint shone in his eyes as he exchanged a subtle glance with the emperor over there.

Blackstone Mortuary was once again shrouded in an eerie atmosphere.

……

"The highest secret of the Heavenly Demon is profound and mysterious, revealing the ultimate wonder."

Yang Zhen sighed.

It turns out these are martial arts techniques from the Four Great Classical Novels; these people must be studying the Heavenly Demon Strategy.

He had long heard of the mysteries of the Four Great Classical Novels.

But this was my first time having contact with it.

This experience was unforgettable, making him realize the pain of losing a brother.

Yang Zhen felt dejected, thinking about what Old Zhou had said.

Only this old demon's master can save him. The old demon's exact age is unknown, but he is probably older than himself.

His master
How can we meet?

There was still a glimmer of hope in my heart, but now it has been almost completely extinguished.

Just then, Yang Zhen saw a young man on the roadside looking at him.

Aside from his handsome appearance, this young man was unremarkable and left no other impression.

Yang Zhen ignored the looks the young people were giving him.

In his life, there were too many such fleeting passersby.

If everyone stopped there, even a hundred years wouldn't be enough.

Zhou Yi gazed at Yang Dalong's tall and upright back, his crescent-shaped longsword, and his flowing beard.

Having just heard the deafening sound echoing across the fields, I already knew what he was up to.

This cautious tycoon has taken such a risky step.

His brother did it to save someone.

Judging from his current state, it seems there's no hope for him.

Zhou Yi saw that the slightly bowed back straighten up again as they approached Nanyang City.

They avoided the mortuary and headed back to Wolonggang in another direction.

Back at Wuzhuang Temple, Zhou Yi remembered something.

"Senior brother, didn't you say there were ducks?"

"where?"

The two young Taoist disciples were curious and greedy.

Zhou Yi scratched his head in frustration: "The cooked duck has flown away."

In Meiwu Lane, Nanyang, Chen Laomou and Bu Tianzhi drank and ate duck together.

Bu Tianzhi, his mouth greasy, said, "You know what, Master Zhou has a good eye for these. These ducks taste pretty good and are quite plump."

“This guy is calculating in everything,” Chen Laomou laughed. “It’s not easy to get a little advantage from him. This time, we’ve won.”

"I've wasted a lot of time because of him."

Bu Tianzhi said, "I'm going back to Jiangdu. Please say goodbye for me next time we meet."

"Ah."

"in addition."

Bu Tianzhi looked at Chen Laomou and suddenly raised his wine glass.

The two of them drank a glass.

"Old Chen, your keen eye has truly amazed me this time. Our gang has gained another way to survive."

Bu Tianzhi said, "Just for this merit, even though you have no children, I will bury you myself after you die, find the best coffin, and have the most skilled monk chant sutras."

"Why don't you just go find Master Zhou?"

Old Chen laughed: "Isn't it wonderful that the Celestial Master is burning talismans for me?"

"Your wishful thinking, hahaha!"

The two drank, ate duck, and chatted. The Baling Gang and the Haisha Gang suffered great misfortunes one after another, while the Kun Gang was in a great position in Nanyang.

Naturally, this brings joy.

It's just a pity for that duck in Wolonggang; the farther it flies, the more delicious it seems.
Thirty days after the Lion King of the Sea Sand Gang was pruned by the Emperor.

It's another time of sunset and moonrise.

A somber mood descended upon the inner courtyard of the Nanyang Gang as two figures emerged from Su Yun's heavily injured room.

One of them, naturally, is Yang Zhen.

The other person was a handsome young man with a refined appearance and rosy lips.

Yang Zhen dared not be careless in the slightest when facing this person:
"Young Master Qin, even you can't remove the poisonous aura?"

The young master's voice was extremely ethereal:

"I have done my utmost, but unfortunately our sect's secret techniques are not effective against poisonous evil. This person's martial arts are even more insidious and evil. He builds acupoints as acupuncture points and uses the method of nourishing the spirit within the acupoints to the extreme, but he also uses others as a medium to absorb essence, energy and spirit, turning them into the source of evil poison."

"Our school has a long history, but we have never heard of this method before."

"I just used my inner energy to seal his meridians, but inner energy will eventually run out."

The young master originally intended to inquire further about the person who used the evil arts.

Seeing the old man beside him with a look of sorrow and despair, he stopped speaking and shook his head slightly.

Yang Zhen left the quiet room and came to a courtyard.

He shook his head, looking at the two huge crape myrtle trees on either side, their branches full of white crape myrtle blossoms about to wither away in this typhoony autumn.

"These two flowering trees, the one on the left was planted by Meng Degong, and the one on the right was planted by Su Yun."

"One of them wields a sword with his left hand, and the other with his right. More than twenty years ago, when these two trees were planted, they compared themselves to the trees, saying that they would guard my door so that I would feel at ease when I see them and at peace when I rest."

At this moment, Yang Dalongtou felt despair and naturally felt a sense of melancholy and loneliness.

He stroked his long beard, gazing at the flowering tree, lost in thought.

Young Master Qin said, "No matter how beautiful the flowers and trees are, they will eventually succumb to the west wind. When everyone's time comes to an end, they will also scatter and fall like these petals."

"What Young Master Qin said is true."

Yang Zhenwang looked at a fallen petal, as if he had made a decision: "It was me who was too selfish, always thinking of keeping my brother here, but I made him suffer until now. Alas, I should have followed his wishes long ago."

"It is clear that I am old and in my twilight years, and I am no longer as decisive as I was in my youth."

"..."

At the entrance of the Nanyang Gang, Lü Zhong walked out with a helpless expression.

Ying Yu and Lü Wuxia had already parked the carriage at the door, ready to take Lü Chong back.

"Master, even the experts from Dongdu couldn't save Hall Master Su?"

Lu Chong shook his head: "Perhaps this evil poison is just as that old demon said, and no one in the world can cure it."

"The methods of the old monster of the Demonic Sect are terrifying."

Hearing his father speak so definitively, and his senior brother sighing deeply, Lü Wuxia felt somewhat unconvinced.

"I think that old monster is just bragging!"

Lu Chong glared at her: "What nonsense are you talking about? If he were bragging, could he have stumped so many people?"

"Senior brother, do you still remember the Ren family?"

"Of course I remember. Old Master Ren broke out of his coffin, a memory he will never forget."

Lu Wuxia said, "That old master Ren also fell for this old monster's tricks. He seemed to regain consciousness for a moment at the end. He is a living dead man, and his situation is even more bizarre than that of Hall Master Su."

"The old monster's methods are not invincible."

After she finished speaking, she suddenly exclaimed in surprise and reached out to shake Old Master Lü's arm:

"Father, maybe, maybe..."

"Perhaps there is someone who can save Master Su."

Lu Chong straightened his back: "Who?!"

Lü Wuxia said urgently:
"It's the one who calmed down Old Master Ren's strange behavior. Ren Jingfu has always been grateful and came to see Master Yi several times. Master Yi has said it many times. I think they were both affected by the evil energy, so aren't they the same?"

Ying Yu nodded: "Yes, Yi Daochang lives a secluded life in the city, and he is an extraordinary person who is hard to fathom."

A glint flashed in Lü Zhong's eyes. "You all come with me!"

He pulled the two men back into the heart of the Nanyang Gang's territory.

At this moment
Yang Zhencai had just finished his emotional remark and was about to speak with his brother and send him off on his final journey.

Unexpectedly, their conversation was interrupted by a series of hurried footsteps.

Upon closer inspection, the visitor turned out to be Lü Chong.

"Brother Lü, what's going on? Is there some trouble?"

Grandpa Lü waved his hand, "You guys explain."

Yang Zhen frowned, staring at Ying Yu and Lü Wuxia.

Facing the powerful leader of Nanyang, the two of them were not as comfortable as when they were by Lü Zhong's side.

But he still repeated, word by word, what he had just said to Lü Chong.

Yang Zhen had already given up hope, because this was someone even Young Master Qin couldn't save.

The old monster of the Demonic Sect once said, "The highest secret of the Heavenly Demon is profound and mysterious, revealing the true wonders."

No one in the world can understand this.

However, a faint glimmer of hope suddenly appeared in Yang Zhen's heart.

No one in this world can understand it, but what about the underworld?
Old Master Ren rose from the dead, exuding a fierce aura, with yin and yang banners, and a reclusive master.
Is there really any hope?!
"My two nephews, where is this Master Yi now?"

Ying Yu pointed to the west, and Lü Wuxia said:

"Wolong Mountain, Wuzhuang Temple".

For some reason, upon hearing those six words, Yang Zhen felt as if he were struck by lightning, as if a thunderbolt had struck his mind.

"Wolong Mountain, Wuzhuang Temple"

He repeated it aloud, took a long breath, and his mind was filled with endless thoughts.

A sharp glint flashed in Yang Zhen's eyes.

This thought finally coalesced into two words, which were uttered with a resounding utterance: "Prepare the horses!"

Lü Zhong grabbed Yang Zhen:
"Let them go. The two of them are acquainted with Master Yi, so it will be convenient for them to talk."

"These reclusive guests have strange tempers. Even if the head of the household goes to invite them personally, it shows sincerity, but the other party may not necessarily accept it. Besides, you don't even know where the temple is."

Yang Zhen nodded:

"I would like to trouble my two nephews to invite the abbot of Wuzhuang Temple on my behalf."

"Big Boss, let's go right now!"

Ying Yu and Lü Wuxia immediately ran outside, disregarding the fact that night had fallen, and rode their horses at full speed.

"Big Boss, although this person is extraordinary, you can't have too much hope for him."

Yang Zhen nodded and said to the handsome young man, "I'm sorry to have made you laugh, Young Master Qin."

Qin Chuan's voice was still ethereal: "This is only human nature. Nanyang is the place where the dragon rose, with beautiful mountains and rivers, and many extraordinary people."

"I am also very curious about this Crouching Dragon Master who can communicate with Yin and Yang."

At that moment, there was another noise in the quiet room, and Yang Zhen turned around and went inside.

Su Yun, who was wielding a sword in his right hand, regained consciousness again. Yang Zhen had decided to comfort him one last time.

……

As the moon rose above the willow branches, Ying Yu and Lü Wuxia arrived at Wolonggang, tied their horses down the mountain, and headed straight for Wuzhuang Temple.

As they approached Wuzhuang Temple, the two realized that the temple had changed drastically.

The once dilapidated Taoist temple is now quite exquisite.

Under the clear moonlight, one can see the stone pillars painted with blue-green colors, depicting the Great Immortal Maiden.

There are two stone sculptures at the entrance, depicting cranes with outstretched wings. Their feathers are clearly defined and lifelike, as if they are about to take flight.

As they approached, two young Taoist boys emerged from the temple.

A man and a woman, one on the left and one on the right, each carrying a lantern.

"Why are you two going up the mountain at night?"

The girl's voice was clear and crisp, and she had a slight smile on her face.

Ying Yu and Lü Wuxia exchanged a glance, feeling as if they had come to the wrong place.

Wuzhuang Temple was just a dilapidated little temple, but the place we've come to now looks like a Taoist temple.

"We've come looking for someone," Lü Wuxia said. "I wonder if Master Yi is here?"

Upon hearing the words "Master Yi," the boy said, "There is only Abbot Yi here."

"Yes, yes, we're here to see Master Yi."

Before Lü Wuxia could explain, footsteps sounded from inside, and a young man stepped out, placing his hand on the heads of the two children at the door and pushing them aside.

"Two great heroes, visiting so late at night, you wouldn't happen to be asking me to help you out of the dark, would you?"

Upon seeing an acquaintance, Zhou Yi couldn't help but joke, "But I won't be doing this job anytime soon."

Ying Yu said, "It was Yang Dalong who sent us to invite you."

Zhou Yi said "Oh," and replied, "It was Boss Yang who asked me to play the black card."

"Pah, pah, pah~" Lu Wuxia spat three times. "What unlucky words. The big boss asked you to save people, but it's just a trial. You don't need to feel burdened."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yi had already guessed the answer pretty accurately.

"Why isn't the big boss here himself?"

“My father said that it is not advisable for strangers to visit the mountain in the evening, but it is better to meet with familiar guests. Master Su is already on the verge of death, so he told us to come here as fast as we can.”

Ying Yu picked up where Lü Wuxia left off, explaining why he had suddenly invited him.

Zhou Yi paced back and forth in front of the temple.

“I don’t usually go down the mountain at night, but since you two friends have invited me, I will naturally go with you.”

"Thank you!"

Ying Yu and Lü Wuxia were overjoyed and expressed their gratitude in unison.

Zhou Yi gave instructions to the two young Taoist boys and then told Lao Dan before going down the mountain with them.

……

"Young Master Qin, thank you!"

Inside the quiet room, Yang Zhen, Fan Naitang, and Meng Degong expressed their gratitude together.

Grandpa Lü looked surprised.

He didn't know the background of this young master Qin, but the man's methods were truly astonishing.

The poisonous energy within Su Tang's body had been accumulating for so long that it had become uncontrollable.

Such demonic powers are truly terrifying.

If the human body could maintain this state indefinitely, how terrifying would its power be if it continued to be cultivated?

So
Even the combined skills of the Nanyang Gang's top fighters weren't enough.

Only this young master Qin's refined and pure true energy could suppress the poisonous aura.

If he hadn't made a move, Master Su would probably be dead.

However, this is a method that consumes a great deal of true energy, which the members of the Nanyang Gang are well aware of, and their respect for Young Master Qin is even greater.

"Big Dragon"

Su Yun, lying on the bed, said, "After I die, bury me under the flowering tree on the right, and stick my sword in there as a tombstone. The sword in my right hand will always remain in this courtyard."

Yang Zhen clenched his fist, sighed, and nodded.

Just then, a night breeze suddenly swept in!
Everyone heard hurried footsteps outside. Ying Yu and Lü Wuxia walked quickly ahead, while the manager of the Nanyang Gang led the way with a lantern.

"The big dragon head!"

"Master Yi from Wuzhuang Temple has arrived!"

Yang Zhen's expression changed, and he rushed out of the quiet room first, followed closely by the handsome and elegant Qin Gongzi.

The evening breeze grew stronger, and everyone's gaze passed through the courtyard outside the quiet room. The two managers of the Nanyang Gang stood on either side of the moon gate.

At this moment
The west wind howled at the moon, and the gradually withering crape myrtle flowers fell softly from the tips of the branches.

A single petal swirls gently, like a butterfly folding its wings, then several petals chase each other, like fragments of brocade drifting in the current, swept by the west wind, dancing across the sky.

Like a sudden autumn snow.

The crape myrtle in the courtyard has faded another year, and the moonlight shines on the empty steps on the night of the Autumn Equinox.

A snowfall in autumn falls on the Jianghu, covering Nanyang Garden year after year. Where can one find the figure of the tree planter from those days?

A man in a blue robe, a guest of the Crouching Dragon, emerged from the Moon Cave.

The flowering trees on the left and right, like children in the courtyard, are being teased by the west wind, calling out to greet them with a shower of blossoms.

this moment.
The young man who suddenly appeared in Yang Zhen's eyes was even more handsome than Young Master Qin.

This handsome and refined young master Qin made his first appearance in Nanyang.
Beneath her delicate brows, a pair of ethereal eyes pierced through the autumn snow in the courtyard, colliding with another gaze that shattered the moonlight.

A fleeting glimpse, then shattered by a shower of petals.
……

……

……

……

PS: ('-'*ゞThe leaves have burned out, and there's no time to break up the 10,000-word seventh night into chapters.)
(End of this chapter)