The Prodigal Disciple of Mount Hua: Seizing All Opportunities

It's warm inside.

This is an abandoned house. Although the furnishings are simple, there is not much dust, indicating that it has been cleaned.

A charcoal fire burned in the center, dispelling the dampness that filled the room.

Chen Qianyang collapsed to the ground, breathing in the warm air.

The cold poison within his body seemed to be slightly suppressed by the warmth, restoring a sliver of clarity to his body.

The Nine Yin Manual truly lives up to its reputation as a top-tier internal skill; after several cycles of breathing exercises, the cold poison in my body eased considerably.

He barely opened his eyes, and the first thing he saw was a pair of small, swaying boots.

Moving the gaze upwards, one sees a bright green dress and a mischievous little face.

"Oh, old Taoist priest, we meet again."

Qu Feiyan squatted down in front of him, resting her chin on her hands, her large eyes full of mockery. "Tsk tsk tsk, look at your pathetic state. Where is your former glory?"

Chen Qianyang forced a smile, wanting to speak, but found his throat too dry to make a sound.

"Alright, stop pretending."

Qu Feiyan snorted, took out a porcelain bottle from her bosom, poured out a pill and stuffed it into his mouth, "This is my 'Rejuvenation Pill' from my divine sect. Although it can't cure the disease instantly, it can at least keep your heart meridian intact."

The pill melted instantly upon entering his mouth, and a warm current flowed down his throat. Chen Qianyang felt a warmth in his chest, and the suffocating sensation was finally relieved somewhat.

He struggled to sit up, his eyes scanning his surroundings.

In the shadows of the corner sat an old man wearing a straw hat.

Qu Yang.

"Thank you," Chen Qianyang said in a hoarse voice.

Qu Yang raised his head, a complex expression on his face: "Daoist, there's no need to be so polite. You helped me out at the teahouse that day; I'm just returning the favor today."

"Hehe, Grandpa's right. We members of the Demonic Sect are very particular about clearly distinguishing between gratitude and resentment." Qu Feiyan chuckled and leaned closer, waving three fingers in front of Chen Qianyang's eyes. "However, one thing at a time. The other day you said I owed you four things. Today I saved your life, and this life-saving grace is greater than the heavens. It should at least offset two of them, right? No, it should offset them all!"

Chen Qianyang looked at this shrewd and calculating young girl. Normally, he would have argued with her, but at this moment he was too weak and could only nod with a wry smile.

"Okay... whatever you say."

"That's more like it." Qu Feiyan clapped her hands in satisfaction and stood up.

Footsteps sounded behind me.

Qu Feiyan and Qu Yang's expressions both turned serious at the same time.

That relaxed and casual atmosphere vanished instantly.

Qu Yang straightened up.

Qu Feiyan also stopped smiling and stood respectfully with her hands at her sides.

The grandfather and grandson stepped aside, one on each side, and bowed deeply to the beaded curtain hanging in the inner room.

"Greetings, Holy Maiden."

Chen Qianyang's heart skipped a beat.

Holy Maiden?

Could it be Ren Yingying?

The beaded curtain rustled softly.

A slender, delicate hand lifted the curtain.

Then, a woman dressed in a dark green shirt and wearing a veiled hat slowly walked out.

She walked slowly, lightly and gracefully.

Although their faces were obscured, the aloofness emanating from their very bones gave the simple dwelling a sense of incongruity.

She walked up to Chen Qianyang and stopped.

Even through the thin veil, Chen Qianyang could feel a gaze upon him.

"This Taoist priest."

The woman's voice was clear and cool, with a faint smile, "It's been a long time. How have you been?"

Chen Qianyang was startled.

Long time no see?

She discovered her true identity!

Chen Qianyang subconsciously touched his face.

The disguise technique of "Crimson Face Transformation" still exists.

Even Yue Lingshan, who spent every day with Ren Yingying, and the cunning Zuo Lengchan couldn't see through her...

"What? Are you surprised, Taoist priest?"

Ren Yingying seemed to see through his thoughts, chuckled softly, and slowly raised her hand to remove the veil from her head.

The light gauze slipped off.

She revealed a stunningly beautiful face.

Her eyebrows were like distant mountains, her eyes like autumn water, her skin as white as snow, and her beauty as lovely as a flower.

Even in the dim candlelight, her beauty still possessed a breathtaking power.

But at this moment, her beautiful eyes gleamed with wisdom and cunning.

"Although the art of disguise in this world is wonderful, capable of changing appearances, altering voices, and even mimicking body postures," Ren Yingying said calmly, "there are some things that cannot be changed."

She stepped forward, leaned slightly forward, and stared directly into Chen Qianyang's eyes with her bright, clear eyes.

"For example... a person's eyes."

"For example... the magnificence of that sword strike."

"That day at sea in Fuzhou, you defeated the enemy with a single sword strike, your sword energy soaring through the air. Today on the long street of Hengyang, it was that same sword that killed the Taibao of Songshan."

Ren Yingying's lips curled slightly, a smile that wasn't quite a smile. "The Dugu Nine Swords are unparalleled in the world. Such swordsmanship, such spirit—besides Chen Qianyang of Mount Hua, who dared to burn the Evil-Slaying Sword Manual in front of all the heroes of the world, who else in the martial world could possess such skill?"

Looking at the stunningly beautiful face so close to him, and smelling the faint fragrance emanating from her, Chen Qianyang smiled bitterly to himself.

This Ren Yingying is indeed incredibly intelligent.

This woman's meticulousness and keen observation are simply outrageous.

Now that I've been exposed, there's no point in pretending anymore.

Before anyone knew it, Qu Yang and Qu Feiyan had also left.

Only two people remained in the humble room.

Chen Qianyang simply stopped pretending, and his eyes regained their clarity and sharpness.

He struggled to lean against the wall, cupped his hands in a respectful gesture, and said, "Holy Maiden, your insight is truly remarkable; I admire you greatly. I am deeply grateful for your rescue today. May I ask what brings you here, Holy Maiden?"

It's rather strange that Ren Yingying suddenly appeared in Hengyang City.

Does the Sun Moon Cult also want to get involved?

"I wouldn't call it giving advice."

Ren Yingying straightened up, regaining her aloof demeanor. "I just want to make a deal with Young Master Chen."

"A deal?" Chen Qianyang raised an eyebrow.

"good."

Ren Yingying turned around: "Young Master Chen is currently afflicted by the Frost Qi, and his meridians are damaged. Moreover, after today, the Songshan Sect will definitely hunt you down throughout the city, and Zuo Lengchan will surely search every inch of the land to find you. In your current state, as soon as you show your face, you will surely die."

"so?"

"If I'm not mistaken, you'll need to leave town and change your appearance!"

"What are the conditions?" Chen Qianyang asked.

There's no such thing as a free lunch, especially when it comes to making a deal with the Holy Maiden of the Demonic Cult.

He had already been thinking of changing his identity if he failed in his attack, but if what Ren Yingying said was true, then leaving the city would probably not be easy.

After all, the Songshan Sect had clearly established connections with the authorities, and there would inevitably be checks on their way out of the city.

The most crucial thing is that his disguise potion and other items are still hidden in the tavern.

Someone needs to retrieve it.

But now, if I show my face, I'm doomed.

Ren Yingying chuckled softly, "Could it be that this humble woman has taken a liking to you, Young Hero Chen, and wishes to forge a good relationship?"

"Huh?" Chen Qianyang was taken aback.

"Alright, alright, I'm not teasing you anymore." Ren Yingying pursed her lips. "You just need to remember what happened today. If I encounter any trouble in the future, don't hesitate to help me."

"Of course, but it must not violate the code of chivalry..."

Chen Qianyang understood that Ren Yingying must want him to help her rescue Ren Woxing from the Plum Manor water dungeon.

"Is Young Hero Chen also limited by the distinction between good and evil?"

"Right is right, and evil is evil," Chen Qianyang said firmly.

Ren Yingying's face darkened slightly: "If that's how you put it, then is Zuo Lengchan righteous or evil?"

"The distinction between right and wrong does not lie in one's position, but in what one has done. Zuo Lengchan's many unjust acts naturally make him evil."

"Young Master Chen is indeed straightforward," Ren Yingying said with a smile. "That's good then. Young Master Chen can rest here for a while. Tomorrow I will send someone to escort you out of the city. As for the things you stored at Huiyan Tower, I will also have someone retrieve them."

"Thank you very much, Holy Maiden. But I have another question."

"Go ahead and ask."

"Was the black wooden token left by Linghu Chong that day left by the Holy Maiden?"

"Hehe, Young Master Chen is so clever, he must already have the answer."

Sure enough, Chen Qianyang's heart stirred slightly; it seemed that Ren Yingying's purpose in coming here was not simple.

The purpose of framing Linghu Chong was to muddy the waters and cause internal strife within the Five Mountains.

But what good does this do her?

.......