Wandering Swordsman |

Every time Liu Xiaorong saw Murong Qing working so hard, she couldn't help but feel a pang of heartache. "Qing'er, you're working too hard. You need to rest more," she had advised many times, but Murong Qing always shook her head. "Master, I'm not afraid of being tired. I want to become stronger."

Even the family head, Murong Liang, personally tried to persuade his granddaughter to slow down, but the result was the opposite.

Seeing this, Murong Liang had no choice but to spend a fortune to invite masters from various sects to provide guidance, hoping to help Murong Qing improve her strength through more advanced martial arts. These masters were all amazed by Murong Qing's rapid progress, her hard work, and her remarkable comprehension ability, which even made them feel inferior.

That night, as usual, Murong Qing stayed alone in the training ground until late. The silvery moonlight shone on her, illuminating her heroic figure. As she wielded her long sword, gusts of cold wind swept through the air, as if tearing through the darkness.

Just then, a servant from the Murong family rushed over with a message: "Seventh Miss, the head of the family has something to tell you and asks you to go to the study."

Upon hearing this news, Murong Qing was slightly taken aback, then sheathed her sword and followed the servants to Murong Liang's study. Along the way, her mind was filled with questions, wondering what important matter her grandfather wanted to discuss with her.

Pushing open the door to the study, Murong Qing saw Murong Liang sitting at his desk, holding a letter in his hand.

Upon seeing his granddaughter enter, he sighed softly, gestured for the servants to leave, and then asked Murong Qing to sit down.

"Qing'er," Murong Liang's voice sounded somewhat heavy, "I've contacted countless intelligence agencies, even the Beggars' Sect headquarters, but there's still no news about Shen Mo."

Upon hearing this, Murong Qing's face turned deathly pale, as if she had been struck a heavy blow to the heart. "What? Even the Beggars' Sect headquarters has no news of him?" she asked in a low voice, her voice trembling slightly.

"Yes," Murong Liang nodded, "The Beggars' Sect claims to have intelligence all over the world, but they haven't found any clues about Shen Mo either."

Upon hearing this, Murong Qing felt a wave of darkness wash over her, and her hope seemed to vanish. But she quickly regained her composure, a resolute glint in her eyes. "Grandpa, I understand."

However, little did Murong Qing and Murong Liang know that the Beggars' Sect's influence did not extend to the distant Tianjian Territory.

Murong Liang felt a pang of pain in his heart as he watched his granddaughter's expression change. "Qing'er, you must understand that sometimes not all separations are bad. Perhaps, he has his own path to walk."

However, Murong Qing didn't respond, only silently nodding. She knew her grandfather was trying to comfort her, but deep down she had different thoughts. Since others couldn't find Shen Mo, she would find him herself!

After leaving the study, Murong Qing did not immediately return to her room to rest, but instead went to the training ground again.

The moonlight shone even brighter, and all around was silent except for the sound of her longsword cutting through the air. She repeated those familiar moves over and over again, each strike imbued with all her strength and determination.

"I must become stronger, and then find him myself!" she vowed silently in her heart. Although the road ahead was full of uncertainties, Murong Qing firmly believed that as long as she became strong enough, there would be no difficulty she could not overcome.

In the days that followed, Murong Qing worked even harder than before.

Whether day or night, she practiced and honed her skills relentlessly. Her figure could often be seen in the training grounds, the library, or even the family's secret chambers. Every swing of her sword, every step she took, embodied her unwavering pursuit of the future.

As time went by, Murong Qing's martial arts skills improved dramatically, and she was able to easily defeat Liu Xiaorong. However, deep within her heart, an invisible force always drove her to continue becoming stronger. That was—to find Shen Mo, no matter the cost.

......

At the Sword Tomb on Tianzhu Peak of Simian Mountain, as dawn breaks, sunlight filters through the dappled leaves and falls onto the training ground.

He Yun and Zhao Xue were practicing their martial arts here, their figures intertwining in the sunlight to create a beautiful picture.

Zhao Xue wielded a longsword, her swordsmanship sharp and agile, each swing carrying a chilling aura. He Yun countered with palm techniques, his movements fluid and graceful, each move brimming with power.

"Ah Xue, your swordsmanship has improved a lot." He Yun smiled slightly, his eyes full of approval.

Zhao Xue sheathed her sword, a smug smile on her face. "Brother Yun, this is all thanks to you, my good master."

On the other side, Yang Muran helped He Yun's mother, Pei, manage the household affairs. Although she was also skilled in martial arts, she preferred to spend her time on family matters and taking care of He Yun.

In the kitchen, pots and pans clattered together, and the air was filled with the aroma of food.

As Yang Muruan skillfully chopped vegetables, she chatted with Pei Shi, and bursts of laughter occasionally drifted through the air.

Despite their different lifestyles, He Yun deliberately divided his time equally, spending half of it with Zhao Xue practicing martial arts and the other half helping Yang Muruan with household chores. Sometimes the three of them would even go out together, enjoying precious family time.

Leisure time flies by, and it's noon.

After lunch, Luo Wangchen, who had been in the Sword Tomb for nearly five months, still had no news of Shen Mo, so he prepared to leave the Sword Tomb and return to Mengzhou to continue running the martial arts school.

As he was about to leave, Ouyang Song led several swordsmen to see him off.

"Seventh Brother, the journey to Mengzhou is long, take care on your journey." Ouyang Song stepped forward, cupped his hands in farewell.

Luo Wangchen nodded, a hint of gratitude flashing in his eyes. "Brother, thank you for helping me gather information about Shen Mo these past few months."

Ouyang Song waved his hand and said, "Seventh Brother, Shen Mo, since he is your disciple, he is naturally also our disciple. It's just a pity that we still haven't heard from him."

At this moment, the other swordsmen also stepped forward to bid farewell to Luo Wangchen. Hong Youquan patted Luo Wangchen on the shoulder, his tone firm yet gentle, "Seventh brother, after you return to Mengzhou, remember to keep in touch by letter."

Wan Yingqiu chuckled softly, "Seventh Brother, if you encounter any difficulties, don't forget us. Sword Tomb will always be your strongest support."

......

As Luo Wangchen's figure gradually disappeared into the distance, Ouyang Song and several other swordsmen stood at the door, reluctant to leave for a long time.

A gentle breeze brought a touch of coolness, as if adding to the melancholy of this parting.

Then, Ouyang Song turned to He Yun and said, "Yun'er, after the Martial Alliance is established, you, Zhao Xue, and Yang Muruan will come to Nanjing with me."

He Yun was slightly taken aback, perhaps wondering why his master would make such an arrangement.

Seeing He Yun's state, Ouyang Song waved his hand and said, "I know what you want to say. Actually, I've already thought about it. If you go alone, your two wives will definitely come along. So I might as well bring you all with me, so you can look after each other."

After hearing this, He Yun looked at Ouyang Song gratefully, "Master, thank you for thinking of us so much."

Ouyang Song patted He Yun on the shoulder and teased her earnestly, "Yun'er, if you really want to thank your master, then hurry up and let him hold his grandson."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xue and Yang Muruan, who were not far away, blushed slightly and turned their heads away. Their eyes showed both shyness and anticipation.

Hearing Ouyang Song say this, He Yun scratched his head and smiled awkwardly, "Master, I am still young, there is no rush for children." Then He Yun immediately changed the subject to other matters.