Yang Guo: I'm invincible in the opening battle against Aunt Guo!

At the foot of Mount Hua.

Li Mochou looked towards the Zhongnan Mountains in the west, then glanced back at the misty main peak of Mount Hua.

"Young Master Yang, let's part ways here."

Yang Guo cupped his hands in greeting, his smile bright and clear: "Take care, Daoist. The road to Zhongnan Mountain is long; I hope everything goes well for you."

Li Mochou gave him a deep look, as if trying to see through him, and finally said simply, "You too."

With that, she pulled on the reins, and with Hong Lingbo and the complex-looking Lu Wushuang, their figures gradually disappeared into the distance.

Yang Guo stood alone at the crossroads, watching the three women's backs as a slight smile played on his lips.

He'll go to the ancient tomb once he's resolved things at Mount Hua.

After all, what Zhen Zhibing and Zhao Zhijing did when they were watching TV back then was something he couldn't accept!

Now that we have the strength, this scene will naturally never happen again!

But now, the most important thing is to find our eccentric master, Huang Yaoshi.

When we arrived at Yuquan Town, a market town at the foot of Mount Hua, it was nearly dusk.

Because of its proximity to Mount Hua, the town is bustling with people from the martial arts world.

Yang Guo found an inn to settle his horse and strolled along the bluestone street, listening carefully to the latest rumors about people in the martial arts world.

As I turned the corner, a commotion suddenly broke out ahead.

"Young lady, this 'Snow Ginseng' was first set on by our 'Black Tiger Gang'! If you know what's good for you, get out of the way!"

Three burly men surrounded a young girl in a green dress. The leader, with a face full of scars, reached out to snatch a coarse cloth bundle from the girl's hand.

The young woman had her back to Yang Guo. She was slender and graceful, dressed in a pristine green robe, and possessed a gentle and refined air, exuding a scholarly elegance.

Her voice was calm, yet firm: "I paid a deposit for this item first. The shop owner can testify to that."

"Shopkeeper?" The burly man grinned maliciously, glancing at the trembling pharmacy owner beside him. "Do you think he dares to speak?"

The other two had already formed a pincer movement, their hands on the hilts of their knives, their auras deep and focused—they were both skilled fighters with considerable internal strength, far from ordinary thugs!

Yang Guo's eyes narrowed slightly as he realized that the three men's martial arts style was ruthless and they seemed to be江湖客 (jianghu people) who specialized in underworld business. He suspected that the "Black Tiger Gang" was no benevolent group either.

"You... my master is Huang..." the girl in green seemed about to argue, but one of them, already impatient, slapped her shoulder with a sharp gust of wind: "Stop talking nonsense!"

If that palm strike landed squarely, the girl's frail body would likely suffer serious injury.

In the blink of an eye—

A slender green figure darted into the battle like a ghost!

"Bang!"

Yang Guo, though arriving late, struck first, his left hand moving with what appeared to be a slow but actually swift motion, steadily blocking the fierce palm strike.

He sensed the opponent's insidious internal force, but his expression remained unchanged. Instead, he pointed his right hand like a sword and struck the "Zhangmen" acupoint on the attacker's ribs with lightning speed!

"Ugh!" the man screamed, as if struck by lightning, and staggered backward.

"Who goes there?!" The burly man was both shocked and furious, and drew his knife to strike! The blade flashed fiercely, aiming straight for Yang Guo's head.

Yang Guo slightly shifted his body, narrowly avoiding the blade, and with a mysterious turn of his footwork, pulled the girl over.

At the same time, another big man attacked him. He blocked the attack with his left hand and then lifted his right hand upwards.

His intention was to scare the other person away, but because he was too close to the girl, his palm accidentally touched a soft and elastic bump.

It has a soft, warm feel and an amazing curve.

The girl in the green dress let out a soft "Ah!" and her face instantly turned bright red. She quickly took two steps back and glared at Yang Guo with a mixture of shame and anger.

But he was focused on fighting his enemy, and that move just now seemed to have been unintentional. He stopped immediately without lingering.

The burly man's knife skills were fierce, and the other two had already surrounded him. Their moves were insidious, targeting the lower body's vital points. Their teamwork was excellent, clearly showing that they were skilled fighters who were used to working together.

Yang Guo used only the martial arts of Peach Blossom Island to deal with the situation. He used the "Orchid Finger Flicking Hand" and the "Falling Flower Divine Sword Palm" with ease, moving freely among the three attackers. It seemed dangerous, but in fact, he was in complete control.

After several moves, he spotted an opening and, with a series of precise taps of his fingertips, brushed across the three men's dantian.

"Clang!" The steel knife fell to the ground.

"What kind of sorcery are you using?!" The burly man touched his dantian, staring in horror at the young man in the blue robe before him.

The three of them were well-known in the underworld, yet they were defeated by this young man with his bare hands and with ease.

And his martial arts skills were also crippled.

Yang Guo stood with his hands behind his back and said calmly, "Get lost. If I see you oppressing the people again, it won't just be your martial arts that get destroyed."

His tone was calm, yet it sent chills down the spines of the three of them.

They had intended to leave behind some harsh words, but after exchanging a glance, they picked up their knives, scrambled into the crowd, and disappeared.

The crisis is over.

Yang Guo then turned around and looked at the girl in green.

She had straightened her clothes, her face still flushed, but she had regained her composure and gave a graceful bow: "Thank you for your help, young master."

Only then did Yang Guo see her face clearly—she was about sixteen or seventeen years old, with a beautiful and refined appearance, delicate eyebrows and eyes, and a gentle and graceful temperament, yet she also possessed a hidden resilience that was soft on the outside but strong on the inside.

What's most special are his eyes, clear and bright, radiating intelligence and a scholarly air.

"You're too kind, young lady." Yang Guo returned the greeting, his gaze sweeping over the package in her hand, but his heart was drawn to the yellow words the girl hadn't yet uttered.

Huang Yaoshi was his target.

What if the girl in front of him is related to him?

Otherwise, he wouldn't be the kind of person who meddles in other people's business.

"These people don't seem to be ordinary thugs. Why did the young lady get into a conflict with them?"

The girl sighed softly, "My elders at home need a certain ingredient, 'Snow Ginseng,' for their medicine, and I searched all over town before finally managing to order it from this shop. I never imagined these people would try to steal it..."

She paused, then looked at Yang Guo, her eyes filled with gratitude and curiosity. "Young Master, your martial arts are superb. Was the technique you just used from Peach Blossom Island? What is your connection with Peach Blossom Island?"

She actually recognized the martial arts style at a glance?

Yang Guo's heart stirred slightly, but he didn't show it on his face: "I am Yang Guo, and I do have some connection with Peach Blossom Island. You have a good eye, young lady."

"So it's Young Master Yang." The young woman smiled slightly, like a spring flower in full bloom. "My surname is Cheng, and my given name is Ying. My master... also has some old ties with Peach Blossom Island."

Cheng Ying! Yang Guo's mind flashed to Cheng Ying, the gentle and intelligent disciple whom Huang Yaoshi had taken in during his later years, who was proficient in music and divination!

No wonder she has such a unique aura.

So she was one of the women he had connections with!

His mind raced, but his face betrayed just the right amount of surprise: "Miss Cheng, could you perhaps be... a disciple of the Eastern Heretic, Huang Yaoshi?"

A flicker of surprise crossed Cheng Ying's eyes, followed by understanding: "Since Young Master Yang is familiar with Peach Blossom Island's martial arts, it's not surprising that he knows my master's name. May I ask who your master is...?"

She asked the question tactfully, clearly still having doubts about Yang Guo's background.

Just as Yang Guo was about to reply, Cheng Ying seemed to remember something and exclaimed softly, "Oh dear, I was so busy talking that I almost missed the important matter."

She looked at the package in her hand. "My master and a senior are on the mountain. They told me to go down the mountain to buy some food, especially roast chicken from 'Zui Xian Lou'... I have to hurry."

Huang Yaoshi is on the mountain!

Yang Guo was certain, which saved him the trouble of searching.

He immediately laughed and said, "What a coincidence. I am here on the orders of Chief Huang of Peach Blossom Island to visit Senior Huang Yaoshi at Mount Hua and report some important matters."

Cheng Ying paused, turned to look at him, and her doubt lessened slightly: "Young Master Yang, were you sent by Senior Sister Huang?"

"Indeed." Yang Guo nodded. "Would Miss Cheng be so kind as to introduce us? Besides...?"

He glanced at the rather heavy package that Cheng Ying was carrying on her slender arms and offered his opinion.

"It's inconvenient for you to carry so many things up the mountain alone. If you trust me, I'll go with you and help you out."

Cheng Ying hesitated for a moment.

She was perceptive and felt that Yang Guo's appearance was somewhat coincidental.

However, his martial arts style was indeed that of Peach Blossom Island, and he seemed to know about the affairs of the island from his words.

And his help just now didn't seem fake... The master was indeed waiting for the roast chicken, so it's good that he helped.

"Then... I'll have to trouble you, Young Master Yang." She smiled slightly. "Please follow me."

The two first went to "Zui Xian Lou" to pick up the four plump roast chickens they had reserved, which smelled delicious.

When passing by the market, Yang Guo saw that there were peppercorns, dogwood, coarse salt and other items for sale. On a whim, he bought some as well.

Cheng Ying asked curiously, "Young Master Yang, why did you buy all this...?"

"It has its own ingenious use." Yang Guo smiled mysteriously, "Perhaps it will allow your master to taste something different."

Seeing his bright smile and clear eyes, Cheng Ying couldn't help but smile as well.

The stone steps wind their way up the mountain.

Mount Hua is precipitous and boasts magnificent scenery.

Yang Guo took the initiative to carry most of the items, making his steps easier.

Cheng Ying followed beside her, initially a little reserved.

But Yang Guo was witty and knowledgeable.

The story progressed from legends of Mount Hua to anecdotes of the martial arts world, occasionally interspersed with a few adapted modern jokes, which amused Cheng Ying, who covered her mouth and chuckled, gradually creating a harmonious atmosphere.

"What skills did Miss Cheng mainly study under Senior Huang?" Yang Guo asked casually.

"My master is very learned, while I am dull-witted and have only learned a little about music and esoteric arts, and my martial arts are only superficial," Cheng Ying said modestly, but when she mentioned music, her eyes unconsciously shone.

"Music?" Yang Guo raised an eyebrow, unfastening the jade flute from his waist. "Coincidentally, I also have some knowledge of flute playing."

As he spoke, he casually played a few clear and melodious notes, which was the opening melody of "The Song of the Rising Tide of the Blue Sea". Although he did not infuse it with internal energy, the rhythm was already extraordinary.

Cheng Ying's eyes lit up: "This is... the Rising Tide of the Blue Sea?" She was an expert in this field and immediately recognized the clue.

"Miss Cheng is indeed an expert." Yang Guo put away his jade flute, blinked, and said, "If there is an opportunity in the future, I will definitely seek your guidance."

He spoke with a hint of a joke, his clear eyes fixed on Cheng Ying's cherry-like lips.

When Cheng Ying met his gaze, her heart skipped a beat, her face flushed slightly, and she looked away, saying softly, "Young Master Yang is joking... Your flute skills are already superior to mine."

The mountain road winds and turns, and the clouds gradually paint the sky.

As they talked, the distance between them unconsciously closed.

Yang Guo's occasional witty remarks would make Cheng Ying blush and chuckle. She was gentle in nature, but not shy all the time. Sometimes she would retort softly, her words full of wit and sharpness.

They stopped to rest at a platform halfway up the mountain.

A mountain wind blew, stirring Cheng Ying's green dress and hair as she gazed at the sea of ​​clouds.

Yang Guo leaned against a rock, watching her back, and suddenly said, "Miss Cheng."

"Hmm?" Cheng Ying turned around.

"Just now in town..." Yang Guo touched his nose, a rare hint of embarrassment on his face, "In the heat of the moment, I inadvertently offended you, young lady. I am truly sorry. I had no intention of doing so."

He brought up the awkward touch himself, his attitude sincere and open.

Cheng Ying's cheeks flushed red; she hadn't expected him to expose her secret so directly.

She lowered her eyes, her fingers unconsciously twisting the sash of her dress, her voice barely audible.

"...I know Young Master Yang didn't mean it. There's no need to bring it up again."

Even so, that moment of touch and heart palpitation is deeply etched into my memory.

Seeing her shyness, Yang Guo said nothing more, only smiled slightly and handed her the water bag: "Have a drink of water, the road ahead is still long."

Cheng Ying took it, and their fingertips touched unintentionally, causing her to tremble again.