Huang Rong from The Return of the Condor Heroes: Brother Jing, let's get a divorce.

Wang Jian bent down even lower.

"Master Yang, you are too kind to me. My son is unruly and has offended you. I have already thrown him into the dungeon to await his fate."

He paused, his voice lowering.

"Leng Feng, as a servant of the royal palace, failed to distinguish right from wrong and arbitrarily mobilized his personal guards to besiege the sect leader. He deserved to die."

Wang Jian waved his hand.

Two armored soldiers behind him carried out a wooden box and opened the lid.

It contained more than a dozen human heads, the bloodstains of which were not yet dry.

The one at the very top is Scarface Liu, the leader of the Fierce Tiger Gang.

"The Tiger Gang, a group of river pirates, used the name of the Prince's Mansion to set up roadblocks at the Ye Ferry to extort money and harm the people. After investigating the matter, Wang has beheaded them all in accordance with military law. These heads are Wang's way of giving back to Master Yang."

Yang Guo stood on the gunwale, looking down at the contents of the box.

He killed the river pirates.

The bloody hole that the One-Finger Divine Skill had pierced through Liu's brow was still there. Now, Wang Jian had cut off his head and stuffed it into a box, which was now being treated as "military law enforcement."

He cleaned up the mess with a single stroke, completely distancing himself from the dirty dealings between the Prince's Mansion and the Fierce Tiger Gang, and even did Yang Guo a favor in the process.

This old man has a methodical approach to everything he does.

Yang Guo turned his gaze away from the wooden box and looked at Wang Jian.

"General Wang is strict in his military discipline, which I admire."

His tone softened.

"Since it was all a misunderstanding, it's good that it's been cleared up. I'm in a hurry to get to Xiangyang, so I won't keep you for tea, General."

Wang Jian sensed the relief in those words, and the anxiety that had gripped him all night finally subsided.

What he feared most was that Yang Guo would reveal the truth to Guo Jing.

The situation in Xiangyang is extremely tense. The Mongol cavalry is pressing on the northern front, and Lü Wenhuan is desperately holding the line, while Guo Jing and his wife are trying to win over the hearts and minds of the martial arts world. If news were to spread at this critical juncture that the Tongguan garrison had intercepted and killed the leader of the Quanzhen Sect, Lü Wenhuan would lose his official position before he could even issue a statement.

Wang Jian took out a document from his bosom, stamped with the official seal of the Tongguan Military Prefecture, and presented it with both hands.

"Master, the journey to Xiangyang is long. This is a travel pass issued by me, Wang, which will allow you to pass through all the checkpoints along the way. I have also prepared two boxes of gold ingots, ten bolts of Shu brocade, and three bottles of military-made wound medicine, all on the stern ship. These are just small gifts to comfort you."

Two armored soldiers carried the travel permit and several large boxes onto the passenger ship and placed them steadily on the deck.

Yang Guo took the travel permit, flipped it open, and glanced at it.

The military dispatch used a formal document format, bearing the official seal of the Tongguan garrison commander and the joint signature of his deputy. This document was so powerful that all garrison checkpoints in the Guanzhong region had to grant passage; it was ten times more effective than a mere informal dispatch.

"General Wang is very kind."

Yang Guo carefully folded the guide and put it into his bosom.

"Upon arriving in Xiangyang, I will convey the General's greetings to Uncle Guo and Chief Huang."

These words, though spoken casually, carried more weight in Wang Jian's ears than anything else.

When Yang Guo mentioned Guo Jing and Huang Rong, his tone was friendly and natural. He called Guo Jing "Uncle Guo" and Huang Rong "Chief Huang." The former was a term of address for an elder, while the latter carried a formal respect.

By establishing these two titles, it was as if they were telling Wang Jian: I've accepted what you gave me, and this matter ends here; no one will bring it up again.

Wang Jian's back visibly relaxed.

"Thank you, Master Yang! I, Wang, am at Tongguan, ready to await your arrival at any time!"

Wang Jian clasped his hands in a military salute and returned to the speedboat.

Then, at a command, the three fast boats turned around, and the hundred riders on the shore also reined in their horses and retreated northward along the route they had come from.

The sounds of horses' hooves and oars gradually faded into the distance.

Only passenger boats remained, circling in the current on the river.

Lu Wushuang had been unable to contain herself for a long time.

As soon as Wang Jian's boat sailed away, she rushed over and lifted the lid of the chest. Two neat layers of gold ingots were stacked, each bearing the official silver stamp. At the bottom were square blocks of Shu brocade, their rich color and smooth texture indicating they were genuine tribute goods.

"Husband! There's so much gold!"

Lu Wushuang picked up a gold ingot, weighed it in her hand, and smiled until her eyes crinkled.

"General Wang is quite generous."

Yang Guo walked to the box, picked up a gold ingot, flipped it over, and looked at the inscription on the bottom.

The reign title "Chunyou" was used to cast pure gold, worth one and a half taels. The two boxes together contained at least three hundred taels of gold.

"He's not being extravagant; he's risking his life."

Yang Guo threw the gold ingot back into the box and closed the lid.

"He can blame the cold sealing incident on the unauthorized use of the imperial court, but he knows very well who pocketed the tolls collected by the Tiger Gang, who have been occupying the ferry crossing under the banner of the Prince's Mansion for so many years. If Uncle Guo finds out about this, his days in Tongguan will be over."

Lu Wushuang hugged the Shu brocade and rubbed her face against it, muttering, "Who cares how much money it costs to buy a life? As long as the money is in our hands, it's good money. Husband, when we get to Xiangyang, I want to buy a good knife. The willow-leaf knife is too light; it's not powerful enough to cut people."

Yang Guo chuckled and patted her head.

"Okay, you can choose when we get there."

As he spoke, he glanced at the stern of the boat out of the corner of his eye.

Cheng Ying stood about seven or eight steps away from them.

She watched the entire process from beginning to end without uttering a single word. Her hands were clasped in front of her, and her right thumb repeatedly pressed against the web of her left hand—a small gesture she made when nervous.

Yang Guo observed these details but remained outwardly calm.

He knew exactly what Cheng Ying was thinking at that moment.

This woman had been waiting for a chance to turn the tables from beginning to end. She only had two trump cards: her identity as a disciple of Peach Blossom Island and her backing by Huang Rong. She had previously swallowed her pride and accepted the title of "master" not because she was truly convinced, but because she was still hoping to get Huang Rong's support when she got to Xiangyang.

But she had just witnessed the Tongguan garrison commander—a high-ranking official with considerable military power—leading a hundred elite cavalrymen to chase them out of the city and onto the river, where he finally bowed and apologized. He even voluntarily cut off the heads of the river pirates and sent them to them.

This scene had a far greater impact on Cheng Ying than pressing her acupoints in the cabin.

Whether someone is highly skilled in martial arts is one thing; whether they can make the person in charge of the troops bow down and admit defeat is another.

Cheng Ying grew up on Peach Blossom Island. Although Huang Yaoshi was a renowned figure, Peach Blossom Island's influence was always limited to the martial arts world. She had never seen a martial arts figure inspire such fear in military leaders.

Yang Guo walked over and handed the travel permit to Cheng Ying.

"Miss Cheng, please keep this. You'll be able to retrieve it when you pass through checkpoints along the way. Also, move the gold into the cabin; don't leave it out in the open."

Cheng Ying stepped forward and took the guide with both hands.

Yang Guo handed it over slowly and deliberately, pausing for a moment as his fingers passed through her palm, his fingertips scraping across the lines of her hand.

Cheng Ying's hand trembled slightly, and she gripped the travel permit tighter.

"What? You're not happy seeing Wang Jian apologize to me?"

Yang Guo's voice was very low, just enough for the two of them to hear.

Cheng Ying shook her head, very quickly.

"No. The sect leader is thorough in his dealings, and Wang Jian should act accordingly."

She unconsciously changed her wording. She called him Yang Guo at the inn, but now she calls him Sect Leader.

This is not respect, it is fear.

Yang Guo did not let her go.

"What do you call me in private?"

Cheng Ying's Adam's apple bobbed.

She didn't turn around, but glanced at Lu Wushuang, who was fiddling with Shu brocade at the other end of the deck, and only after confirming that Lu Wushuang wasn't looking this way did she bring her mouth close to Yang Guo's direction, her voice barely audible.

"Owner."

A smile appeared on Yang Guo's face.

He raised his hand and patted Cheng Ying's cheek twice, the force was light, but it carried a sense of taming.

"That's right. It saves me the trouble of reminding you every time."

Cheng Ying didn't look up.

She held the road permit to her chest with both hands, her fingers leaving sweat stains on the paper.

"I'll teach you the exercises tonight. The residual yang energy in your body hasn't been properly regulated yet; delaying it will damage your foundation."

After saying this, Yang Guo turned and left.

He walked over to Lu Wushuang, reached out and pulled her out of the pile of Shu brocade, and the two chatted and laughed as they headed towards the bow of the boat.

Cheng Ying stood there alone.

She carried the travel permit and the box, then slowly bent down to move the gold ingots.

The gold ingots, each weighing five taels, were very heavy; she could only carry two at a time. She made seven or eight round trips from the deck to the cabin. Each trip passed by the place where Yang Guo and Lu Wushuang were staying.

Every time Lu Wushuang saw her carrying things, she would call out, "Cousin, let me help you," but Yang Guo would always stop her.

"Let her move around more; it'll help her recover from her internal injuries. Your cousin herself said that this little bit of work won't tire her out."

Lu Wushuang believed it.

Cheng Ying had no choice but to believe it.

After the final trip, she gathered the gold ingots and Shu brocade together in the cabin and covered them with an oilcloth. Only after doing this did she sit on a wooden stool, supporting herself on her knees with her hands, and rest for a long time.

She was thinking about something.

Could Huang Rong control Yang Guo?

Two days ago, she would have said yes without hesitation.

Senior Sister's wisdom and resourcefulness are renowned throughout the land, and her status as the leader of the Beggars' Sect is not just for show.

Once she arrives in Xiangyang, she can recount all the humiliations she has suffered these past days, and her senior sister will surely stand up for her.

But now she's not sure.

The relationship between Yang Guo and Guo Jing was much closer than she had imagined.

He addressed him as "Uncle Guo" without a trace of affectation; the intimacy came from his very being.

The fact that Huang Rong personally escorted him to Zhongnan Mountain shows that she also regarded him differently.

Cheng Ying is going to complain about someone whom Guo Jing regards as a nephew and who was personally helped to become the sect leader by Huang Rong?

What are you suing for? Suing him for forcing you?

But the truth is that she struck first.

She was the one who undressed in the woodshed, and she was also the one who coordinated the energy flow after the Qiankun Technique was activated.

When these issues are brought to the table, she can't argue her point.

Moreover, Yang Guo still held those details that she couldn't bring herself to talk about.

He only needs to casually mention a few words to Huang Rong, and Cheng Ying's reputation will be completely ruined.

She buried her face in her hands and sat there for a long time.

Outside the cabin, the river water lapped against the hull, making a rhythmic sound.

Lu Wushuang practiced her swordsmanship on the deck, the intermittent sound of her willow-leaf blade slicing through the air drifting in. Yang Guo stood beside her, instructing her on footwork and occasionally correcting the angle of her wrist.

The two people's laughter could be heard clearly through the partition wall.

Cheng Ying folded the travel permit and stuffed it into a hidden pocket close to her body.

Wang Jian's official seal was pressed deeply into the travel permit, the red ink seeping into the paper's texture. This was the most valuable item she had handled so far, more precious than two chests of gold.

She stared at the red seal for a while, then stood up, straightened her clothes, pushed open the cabin door, and went out.

The deck was brightly lit.

Lu Wushuang was squatting at the bow of the boat washing her sword, while Yang Guo leaned against the mast, looking at the distant river.

Cheng Ying stopped three steps behind Yang Guo.

She didn't speak or step forward; she just stood there quietly.

The wind blew from the river, causing her skirt to flutter backward.

She knew that the ship was a cage.

As long as Yang Guo doesn't let go, she'll never be able to escape in this lifetime.