A man stands before the heavens, his sword emerges from the Emei Mountains.

Bamboo shoots adorn the ears, and the wind carries the lightness of the four hooves.

As dawn broke, a yellow horse galloped from the direction of Leiyin Temple to Yixiantian (a narrow gorge).

"Who goes there?"

The trees parted suddenly, and Su Mengqing and a female outer disciple leaped out.

The bodyguard on horseback, his face beaming with joy, landed quickly, and took a few steps. "Young Miss, this is a message from Chief Escort Meng."

"For me?"

"Yes, the chief镖头 (bodyguard/escort) sent two messages. One to the master in Guanzhou, and the other to the young lady."

"I've come to check on you; you should rest now."

"it is good."

The bodyguard sat by the roadside drinking water. Su Mengqing opened the book and soon her face lit up with joy. Over the years, her master had been searching for information about Bai Guishou of the Sky Eagle Sect, wanting to find Xie Xun and avenge his humiliation. Now, there was finally a clue.

Su Mengqing instructed her outer disciples to take the bodyguards to Guangfu Temple for rest, while she used her movement technique to head straight for Woyun Nunnery.

……

Chen Yu got up early and practiced a set of Baguazhang, refining his power-generating techniques. Just as he finished and was about to prepare breakfast, a voice suddenly came. "Junior brother."

With a creak, Su Mengqing pushed the door open and came in.

"I've never seen Junior Brother not practicing." Su Mengqing looked at Chen Yu wiping his sweat with a towel and joked, "In the past, guarding the mountain was a tough job, but now it's a leisurely one. At least I don't have to be forced to practice martial arts by Junior Brother."

"When my senior sister was in Guanzhou, she said that when she returned to the sect, she should practice martial arts diligently so that if she encountered a villain like the 'Flying Gorilla' in the future, she could kill him with a single sword strike."

Su Mengqing chuckled softly, "You have a good memory. You should be more careful with your words when you talk to your junior brother in the future."

"Hehe, is it Master who wants to see me?"

You guessed right.

"Does Senior Sister know what has happened?"

"Chief镖头 Meng sent a message from Chang'an, saying that Bai Guishou of the Sky Eagle Sect has appeared at Fenglingdu."

Chen Yu instantly recalled the world of "The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber". Bai Guishou appeared when Chang Yuchun took Zhang Wuji to Butterfly Valley in Anhui. He eventually died under Ding Minjun's sword. It was also in this series of events that Ji Xiaofu's birth of a daughter was revealed by Ding Minjun, and then a series of tragedies followed.

Now, Bai Guishou has appeared at Fenglingdu. So Zhang Sanfeng takes Zhang Wuji to Shaolin Temple, but that's a story for another time.

Thinking about it this way, Chen Yu became a little curious about how Ding Minjun knew about Ji Xiaofu giving birth to a daughter. Given the matter of reputation, Ji Xiaofu should have kept it extremely secret, considering her personality.

"Let's go, Master is probably sending us down the mountain to find Bai Guishou."

"It should be." Chen Yu's thoughts returned, and following Su Mengqing's words, the two headed straight for Woyun Nunnery.

……

Bright sunlight streamed into the square courtyard, a few withered leaves swirling in the late autumn breeze. Jingxuan, Ding Minjun, Ji Xiaofu, Bei Jinyi, and others had gathered inside the nunnery.

Chen Yu entered the nunnery, paid his respects to Miejue, and stood aside.

Extinction cut to the chase: "Yu'er, do you know why I summoned you here?"

"Reporting to Master, Senior Sister has already informed her."

"Um."

Seeing that Miejue nodded, Ding Minjun feared that Chen Yu would steal the credit again, so she said, "Master, I am willing to take my junior brothers and sisters down the mountain to find out the whereabouts of that villain Xie Xun."

"Master, I request permission," Su Mengqing said.

Ji Xiaofu also said, "This disciple requests permission to go down the mountain to share Master's burdens."

Chen Yu observed that Miejue remained calm and composed, making it difficult to guess her thoughts.

In truth, Miejue's heart was in turmoil. In the past, she wouldn't have needed to personally descend the mountain to deal with a mere Bai Guishou. But things were different now. First, she had just obtained the Heaven-Slaying Sword. If she could find Xie Xun, not only could she avenge her family, but she could also retrieve the martial arts manual from the Dragon-Slaying Saber. With the Nine Yin Manual, if she diligently cultivated it, how could she not lead the Emei Sect to become a leader among her peers? Moreover, she could cultivate Yu'er into a grandmaster. The military strategy manual could also be used to fight against the Tartars. Her two greatest lifelong ambitions were all entrusted to Bai Guishou, so this journey had to be absolutely foolproof.

However, given the current special circumstances, with the Five Poisons Sect, whose strength is unknown, lurking and plotting in the shadows, one must proceed with caution.

After thinking it over, Miejue said, "I am pleased that you all have such intentions. I will send Yu'er, Minjun, Xiaofu, Mengqing, Jinyi, and Mingxia to investigate. Also, inform Yang An to take several outer disciples down the mountain together."

"Yes, ma'am."

"Everyone, get ready. We'll set off this afternoon."

Just as Chen Yu and his group left Woyun Nunnery, another disciple came up the mountain to report that Su Baichuan from Changwei Escort Agency had come to visit.

Upon learning of Bai Guishou's whereabouts, the Emei Sect, relying on the escort agency, had Miejue personally receive him as a token of gratitude.

……

Chen Yu returned to the courtyard, packed his belongings, took some money, food pills, medicine pills, hemostatic powder, and clothing, packed the hidden weapon Iron Lotus Seed, and as usual carried lime mixed with cinnabar.

As the sun shone high in the sky, Chen Yu stepped out of his house and saw the little white ape squatting on the roof, clutching a persimmon in its hand, showing no awareness whatsoever of trespassing.

"You are free to come and go, just don't ruin the courtyard, or I will not forgive you."

Chen Yu tossed out a sentence, his figure disappearing through the sunlight as he opened the door and left the courtyard. After walking about a hundred steps, he saw Su Baichuan and Su Mengqing coming from the direction of Xijianping. He went forward to greet them, "Uncle Su, please come inside and sit down."

"Young hero, you are preoccupied with important matters, so I will not disturb you any longer. I have had a precious sword forged for you as a gift."

"How can this be allowed?"

"How could I not? If it weren't for you, Junior Brother, Father wouldn't have been able to retrieve the goods. Junior Brother, please take a look at the sword."

Without a word, Su Mengqing drew her sword. With a clang, the sword was drawn from its sheath, its light flowing like a clear stream.

The sword is exquisitely carved with flowing water patterns, elegant lines, and an eight-sided polished design, reminiscent of Han Dynasty swords. Its lines are strong and sharp. The hilt is made of finely carved bronze, while the hilt and scabbard are crafted from ebony, with a warm and smooth texture and a calm and steady grain.

"What a fine sword!" Chen Yu couldn't help but exclaim.

"Young hero, you have a good eye." Su Baichuan said succinctly, "This sword is made of iron ore, quenched with spring water, and forged through three fires and nine forgings. It is tough and sharp, combining strength and flexibility. Although it cannot compare to the Heaven-Slaying Divine Sword, it is still a formidable weapon."

Upon hearing Su Baichuan mention that the sword was forged in spring water, Chen Yu asked, "The Longquan Sword?"

"Young hero, you possess vast knowledge; this is indeed the Longquan sword. This precious sword is a gift for a hero; please do not refuse."

Su Mengqing said, "Junior brother, the only thing you lack is a precious sword. A true man who obtains a precious sword will fight against evil spirits and demons."

The original owner did not inherit his ancestors' forging skills, but based on common sense, Chen Yu knew that forging such a sharp weapon capable of cutting through metal was extremely difficult. Not only did it require countless hammerings and forgings, but the key issue was the scarcity of materials; Su Baichuan must have spent a great deal of effort.

"Junior brother, take the sword."

"It would be impolite to refuse." Chen Yu accepted the sword with both hands. "Thank you, Uncle Su and Senior Sister."

Chen Yu didn't offer any words of gratitude, but Su Baichuan nodded slightly, thinking to himself that he hadn't misjudged Chen Yu. With an open and honest heart, he moved without hindrance; his words and actions were always composed. His future was promising.

Su Mengqing would accompany Chen Yu down the mountain. Without wasting any time, she handed the Longquan sword to Chen Yu and left with Su Baichuan first.

Chen Yu returned to the courtyard, placed the steel sword he carried with him in the house, and then left again.

After traveling all the way, they arrived at Xijianping. Chen Yu saw Yang An and his three outer disciples who were already prepared, with Tang Zhihu among them.

The boy with sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes blinked, and Chen Yu smiled slightly.

At Shenshi (3-5 PM), Ding Minjun, Bei Jinyi, and others arrived at Xijianping.

The journey from Mount Emei to Fenglingdu was much faster by water than by land, so Chen Yu, Yang An, Ding Minjun, and the others headed straight for the dock.

……

Time flies, and two days have passed.

While Chen Yu was practicing the "Emei Nine Yang Skill", Miejue went into seclusion for a month and, based on the "Nine Palaces Dragon Stroll Step", "Four Symbols Palm" and Emei sword techniques, comprehended the "Four Symbols Sword Formation", a method of combined attack.

Since emerging from seclusion, she had already taught her swordsmanship to the inner disciples. Over the course of two days, Miejue went to the Sword Washing Ground, gathered the outer disciples, and personally taught them the way of sword formation combat.

The setting sun melts into gold, and twilight descends.

Extinction and Jingxuan climbed the mountain side by side.

"Jingxuan, when I go down the mountain, tell everyone that you are in seclusion."

"Master, what's going on?"

"The Five Poisons Sect will definitely not let this go. With Bai Guishou showing up, and who knows what the Demonic Sect and the Sky Eagle Sect will do? How can we feel at ease with Yu'er and the others?"

"I understand, disciple."

"Guard the mountain gate properly; do not be negligent."

"Yes, ma'am."

As night deepened, Miejue, carrying the Heaven-Slaying Sword wrapped in silk cloth on her back, drifted away from the back mountain.