(Part One)
Listening intently, Huo Xiaodi’s expression softened as he said, “It’s not Xiao Shao who has come.”
Zhan Rifei asked, “How do you know that?”
Huo Xiaodi replied, “Xiao Shao’s subordinates are all from the Imperial Guard of the Xiangyang Prince’s residence. The horses of the Xiangyang Prince’s residence are all well-trained military steeds, and their galloping rhythm is always distinct. You can hear the sound of the hooves; although strong, it lacks the unique rhythm of military horses charging. Therefore, it’s clear that the ones coming are not from the Xiangyang Prince’s residence.”
—At this moment, the young man in the yellow robe finally displayed the extraordinary skills of Linglong Villa, reminiscent of the saying “a small building listening to the language of flowers all night,” along with his keen judgment. Zhan Rifei’s eyes revealed a look of appreciation.
Huo Xiaodi pondered further, “But why have the night travelers several miles away suddenly gone silent? Have they vanished?”
Zhan Rifei replied, “Perhaps they haven’t vanished; they might have simply stopped moving, which is why we can’t hear them.”
Huo Xiaodi’s eyes brightened. “Exactly!” But then he quickly furrowed his brows. “Hmm, why are they retreating now? This is strange.”
Zhan Rifei glanced at him and smiled, “Do you wish for both groups to arrive at the same time?”
Huo Xiaodi shrugged nonchalantly, “As long as they’re not Xiao Shao or people from the Xiangyang Prince’s residence, it doesn’t matter who they are.” He seemed to harbor a mix of defiance and fear towards the person he referred to as Xiao Shao, Shao Jizu.
Zhan Rifei’s gaze suddenly turned distant. He murmured, “Perhaps this time, we were both wrong.”
As he spoke, the sound of hooves on the mountain path grew increasingly closer.
Chang Hongbi’s face turned pale. He glanced at Zhan Rifei, then at Huo Xiaodi, his lips moved, but he didn’t know what to say.
—Neither of the two in front of him showed any signs of panic. The only movement from Zhan Rifei was that he slowly donned his black cloak. This black cloak instantly concealed the wounds left by the lingering thoughts of love and covered his back.
Huo Xiaodi said, “You protect Chang Hongbi and leave first amidst the chaos; I’ll deal with them.”
His dark, glossy eyes deeply scrutinized Zhan Rifei once more. “Don’t get any bad ideas about using this opportunity to sneak away with Chang Hongbi. Otherwise, I will catch up to you sooner or later!”
A faint smile appeared at the corner of Zhan Rifei’s mouth. “I was just wondering; not long ago, you wanted to kill me. Why do you suddenly trust me now?”
As soon as he finished speaking, the rapid sound of hooves reached the temple gate.
With a loud bang, the dilapidated temple door, long overdue for repairs, was sent flying by a powerful strike. The dust that erupted into the air danced like ghosts under the torch held by the riders outside.
As the dust rose, Huo Xiaodi was already outside the door.
—Since a battle was inevitable, the space outside the temple was certainly more spacious and flexible than inside. The training at Linglong Villa was indeed exceptional. Even though Huo Xiaodi had little experience in the martial world, he understood the importance of maneuverability, which was always beneficial for the lightness of Linglong Villa’s skills.
The flying temple door, however, carried a fierce wind and shot straight into the temple, with Chang Hongbi being the first to bear the brunt! The massive door flew in like a bolt of lightning, startling the frail Chang Hongbi, who froze in place, his feet seemingly nailed to the ground, unable to move an inch!
In that instant, Chang Hongbi felt the fierce wind from the dust cutting across his face like a knife. The immense and heavy force pressed down on him, making it hard for him to breathe.
At that moment, a hand, swift as lightning, struck the flying door panel. Using the force of that strike, another hand followed with a push, sending Chang Hongbi’s small body flying several steps, crashing to the ground!
With a loud thud, Chang Hongbi felt as if his internal organs had been turned upside down. Then, with a clatter, a long sword fell right in front of him.
Chang Hongbi instinctively recoiled. The chill from the long sword made him shiver involuntarily. But upon seeing the sword, his breath suddenly caught in his throat—this was Zhan Rifei’s sword!
Looking up, he saw Zhan Rifei swaying unsteadily, finally unable to hold back a mouthful of blood, which he spat out. The blood already had a faint black hue.
He had just experienced the effects of “First Meeting as Old Friends” and had forcibly resisted the incoming door panel. He hadn’t anticipated that the internal strength of the person who struck the door would be so formidable. With a single shock, he could no longer hold onto the long sword in his hand, which flew away.
In his severely injured state, he had been forcibly reversing his internal energy to counteract the toxicity of “First Meeting as Old Friends.” However, now, with this overwhelming external force shaking him, his internal energy scattered, and he could no longer suppress the poison. Stars danced before his eyes, his legs weakened, and he knelt on the ground, struggling several times but unable to rise.
Chang Hongbi rushed to his side, seeing the blood he had spat out shimmering with a black glow, clearly indicating the resurgence of “First Meeting as Old Friends.” In a moment of panic, he didn’t know what to do. He wanted to shout but dared not.
(Part Two)
Outside the temple gate, the light of the mountain moon had dimmed, as if it could not bear to witness the impending events. The air suddenly filled with the scent of blood and the aura of impending death.
Huo Xiaodi stood with his hands casually clasped behind his back, facing twelve individuals. Twelve riders on swift horses.
All were mounted on black steeds, each marked with a brand of a cloud with wings spread wide. The riders wore tight-fitting garments of deep purple and remained silent, the only sound coming from the torches in their hands, crackling softly.
Their faces bore no expression, resembling stone statues.
Except for one among them.
A short yet imposing figure.
This short but commanding person sat atop the central horse. Though small in stature, he held his chest out, allowing others to see him while obscuring his diminutive size.
The hilt of the long sword at his side was adorned with pearls, and the murderous aura emanating from him, akin to that of a mountain, complemented his square face, exuding an unmatched dominance and pressure.
Huo Xiaodi smiled—a smile of recognition. When he smiled, his two adorable rabbit teeth were revealed once more.
—The familiar face was none other than Jiao Chaogui, the master of Xingyun Manor, known in the martial world as “Silver Rising Cloud.”
Huo Xiaodi’s words revealed his surprise and admiration.
“Master Jiao, you’ve arrived so quickly!”
—It was only recently that Jiao Chaogui had returned from a setback at the inn on Xiaolang Mountain, having lost Mu Xiuquan and Ge Yunfei.
To have gathered his men and tracked them down so swiftly was indeed an impressive feat.
Huo Xiaodi’s gaze then fell upon a strange figure behind Jiao Chaogui.
This peculiar figure seemed to share a mount with Jiao Chaogui but possessed a pair of flat, fierce eyes.
—“I wonder who this friend of Master Jiao is? He looks quite unfamiliar.”
Jiao Chaogui’s face, brimming with arrogance, suddenly broke into a cold smile, revealing a hint of pride.
He tilted his head slightly, and the figure behind him became visible.
Huo Xiaodi’s smile instantly vanished.
—That was not a human shadow!
Behind Jiao Chaogui perched a massive black eagle.
The eagle’s head was unusually large, accentuating its eyes, which gleamed with a wild, ferocious, and eerie light, making the imposing bird appear particularly menacing.
Huo Xiaodi’s heart suddenly cleared. It became evident that Jiao Chaogui’s ability to locate them so quickly was linked to this mysterious bird.
—No wonder he had felt the night birds taking flight earlier; even with his skill of “a small building listening to the language of flowers all night,” he had been unable to hear any movement from night travelers within several miles!
—The startled flight of the night birds was likely due to this ferocious black eagle circling above. Its feathers, blending with the dark clouds of the night, rendered it invisible against the moonlight.
Huo Xiaodi remarked, “So Master Jiao not only came prepared but also intends to rely on sheer numbers.”
Jiao Chaogui replied, “Anyone who offends Xingyun Manor will not have a good ending. Moreover, the treasures of Xingyun Manor must be returned to their rightful owner!”
Huo Xiaodi questioned, “It’s quite strange; how did the items from Hanshui Palace suddenly become the possessions of Xingyun Manor? Is Master Jiao not afraid that Hanshui Palace will come looking for them?”
A sharp glint appeared in Jiao Chaogui’s eyes, as fierce as a blade. His dominance was unmistakable at that moment. He spoke slowly, “By the time Hanshui Palace comes looking for them, it will already be too late. Now, tell me, where are the treasures of Xingyun Manor?”
Huo Xiaodi chuckled, “I haven’t seen the treasures of Xingyun Manor; however, I did see something from Hanshui Palace.”
He fixed his gaze on Jiao Chaogui’s eyes, his tone dripping with sarcasm. “Are you referring to Chang Hongbi from Hanshui Palace?”
As soon as the name “Chang Hongbi” left his lips, Jiao Chaogui’s expression changed.
“Indeed, where is he?”
Huo Xiaodi blinked, as if contemplating for a long time, then raised his head, revealing his two adorable rabbit teeth, and leisurely said, “I—won’t—tell—you!”
Jiao Chaogui’s face turned ashen.
—It had been a long time since anyone had dared to be so audacious in front of him!
He spoke slowly, “It’s too late for regrets now!”
—He spoke deliberately. As the master of Xingyun Manor, he took responsibility for every word he uttered.
Then, he slowly raised his hand and waved it.
In an instant, the riders who had been galloping for a long time vanished, leaving only the torches they had held, which were now quickly thrust into the side of the saddles.
The riders dismounted and took up strange positions, surrounding Huo Xiaodi.
Eleven people.
All eleven wore deep purple garments, each embroidered with a golden-winged cloud on the front.
Huo Xiaodi’s eyes reflected the flickering flames of the torches, mirroring his excitement and tension. He recognized the newcomers—the Flying Cloud Riders of Xingyun Manor!
A sense of vigilance enveloped Huo Xiaodi. His eyes were fixed on the swords held by the eleven riders.
The swords were broad as knives, yet varied in length. The shortest was only two feet long, while the longest reached six feet.
These peculiar long swords must have unique techniques to match. The killing intent emanating from the swords grew heavier, making it seem as if anything caught within their circle could not move an inch.
Under the night wind, each member of the Flying Cloud Riders had their hair tousled by the breeze, yet their eyes glimmered with a wolf-like ferocity, unblinking as they stared at the encircled figure.
They were waiting for one person.
Waiting for that person’s command.
The wind howled, and the night birds had fallen silent. The previous restlessness in the air began to settle. Within this silence lay an unknown crisis and danger. Even Huo Xiaodi could not fathom what kind of techniques would emerge from those eleven swords of varying lengths.
Finally, Jiao Chaogui spoke.
—His decision was directed at Huo Xiaodi. He had heard that there were still two people inside the temple behind the young man in the yellow robe. However, one of them had no martial skills, and the other was lacking in strength, seemingly gravely injured. Thus, the only one left for him to deal with was this reckless young man before him.
His voice turned dark and heavy.
“Leave no survivors.”
Suddenly, all sounds ceased. The world was filled with a chilling, murderous intent.
Eleven beams of sword light intertwined to form a dense net, like a silken thread, stabbing toward Huo Xiaodi. The bright light dimmed the glow of the crescent moon above.
The swift sword light wove a curtain of light around Huo Xiaodi. Within this curtain, an indescribable madness surged, something no one in the world could contain!
The “Yin Yang Hound” in Huo Xiaodi’s hand let out a piercing howl as if it were a startled beast or a demon just released from hell.
Without a moment’s thought, he leaped to evade the endless sword light. With a push off the ground, he shot toward the eleven riders, striking out with eleven swords in one breath.
His “Startling Swan Glance” technique became fluid, and it seemed he was about to soar into the sky.
But in mid-air, someone was waiting for him.
No, it was two people!
As the eagle swooped down rapidly, just as it neared Huo Xiaodi, it suddenly soared back into the sky, hiding behind its large black wings was Jiao Chaogui’s “Flowing Cloud Quick Palm.”
The fierce wind cut like a knife, swift as a dream, crashing down upon him.
—Jiao Chaogui’s “Flowing Cloud Quick Palm”!
Yet, no matter how fast this palm was, it could not surpass the supreme lightness of Linglong Villa’s skills! Huo Xiaodi suddenly sensed danger, his body moved instinctively, and he floated down like a feather. Though he moved as lightly as a swan, he was still faster than the speed of the Flowing Cloud Palm!
However, the purpose of that palm was ultimately achieved: Huo Xiaodi could only land back in the center of the chaotic web of light!
The shock in his heart was beyond words.
—Could it be that Jiao Chaogui could see through his ghostly movements and anticipate his moves, gaining the upper hand?
But the shock in Jiao Chaogui’s heart far exceeded his own!
—With the swiftness and strength of his Flowing Cloud Palm, combined with decades of martial arts mastery, and having the advantage of height and preparation, he still missed, unable to match the speed of the young man from Linglong Villa.
Once again trapped in the web of sword light, Huo Xiaodi realized he seemed to have no way out.
—Each Flying Cloud Rider stood in a cleverly calculated position, their movements unexpectedly swift, perfectly sealing off every possible escape route!
—Their long and short swords intertwined like the flowing waters of a river, never ceasing. Although his “Yin Yang Hound” was a legendary weapon, paired with the lightness of “Startling Swan Glance,” it seemed utterly incapable of clashing with the enemy’s weapons.
—Even if they did clash, it would only result in a momentary severing of one sword, while the remaining swords would already be closing in, piercing him.
Amidst the flashing sword lights, Huo Xiaodi’s incredible movements of “Startling Swan Glance” were now fully revealed! The lightning-like sword light could not harm him in the slightest. However, his strikes were completely sealed off. Within the opponent’s web of sword light, Huo Xiaodi finally understood the purpose of the eleven swords of varying lengths. It was not merely about speed but also about the unique techniques that countered the lightness of the Huo family’s “Startling Swan Glance.”
Huo Xiaodi’s heart sank suddenly. He recognized that the sword formation of the Flying Cloud Riders was specifically designed to counter the Huo family’s “Startling Swan Glance”!
His thoughts stirred.
—Though the Flying Cloud Riders were renowned in the martial world, they had always fought individually. He had never heard of them practicing such a sword formation.
—The creator of this formation must have spent an extraordinary amount of time mastering it and had likely witnessed the “Yin Yang Hound” in action, understanding the curse attached to the sword. Only then could they seal off all possible avenues of attack from the “Yin Yang Hound” with such peculiar long swords and techniques.
As this thought crossed his mind, an involuntary chill ran down his spine!
—“This ‘Yin Yang Hound’ is a sacred artifact enshrined in the ancestral hall. For decades, it has never left the hall except during the marriage of the Huo family’s eldest daughter, let alone been shown to others. Even I do not know its magical properties; how could anyone outside the family possibly understand its secrets?”
At that moment, the words of Zhan Rifei from their first meeting echoed in his ears: “The covert struggle between Linglong Villa and Xingyun Manor, Brother Huo, you must understand better than I.” His doubts swirled like dark clouds, obscuring everything.
—Although Hanshui Palace was located in a remote area, its actions were ruthless, and its martial prowess was unmatched; no one dared to challenge its might. Yet Xingyun Manor dared to claim the precious Chang Hongbi from Hanshui Palace as its own. How had they managed to steal Chang Hongbi from the heavily guarded Hanshui Palace without a scratch?
—The Tang Clan of Shu had always been a force to be reckoned with. Upon learning that Chang Hongbi had fallen into the hands of Xingyun Manor, had they truly dispatched three assassins from the “Wunying Hall” to deal with Ge Yunfei, the third master of Xingyun Manor?
—The reputation of the Huo family from Linglong Villa was well-known, and their power was unmatched, save for the Ding family of Feihua Island in Songjiang. For nearly a century, they had formed alliances or absorbed many prestigious sects through the marriage of the Huo family’s eldest daughter. The rise of Xingyun Manor was only a matter of decades; how could they possibly contend with the Huo family in secret?
—Was there a hidden secret behind Xingyun Manor, a greater ambition, and an unknown backing?
As his thoughts diverged, his movements slowed involuntarily. At that critical moment, a sharp sound pierced the air, and a short sword had already drawn blood from his right arm. In the midst of this, a child’s startled cry rang out.
With a successful strike, the faces of the eleven riders remained expressionless. Only their eyes glinted with a wolf-like ferocity, growing more rampant with the splatter of blood.
Amidst the sword light, Huo Xiaodi glanced sideways and saw Chang Hongbi’s pale face and concerned eyes at the temple entrance. The startled cry had indeed come from this child.
A stirring in his heart: “This child truly cares for me.”
But then his heart sank again: “Why is he still here? Where is Zhan Rifei?”
—Just now, he had been fully engaged in battling the Flying Cloud Riders of Xingyun Manor, and the skill of “a small building listening to the language of flowers all night” had rendered him deaf to everything around him except for his enemies. Now, hearing Chang Hongbi’s call, he realized that the two people inside the temple had not escaped amidst the chaos!
—What had happened to Zhan Rifei?
(Part Three)
Thinking of him, Huo Xiaodi’s mind became even more chaotic. This distraction caused his sword momentum to wane.
Yet the murderous intent of his opponents showed no signs of diminishing!
This intricate and frenzied sword formation employed an unchanging strategy to counter every possible move, whether closing in or striking from a distance, meticulously sealing off every step Huo Xiaodi could take, whether forward or backward.
The only escape route for Huo Xiaodi was upward. However, above him awaited an even more formidable enemy—one who was calm and poised, waiting for the right moment to strike.
Jiao Chaogui’s short figure stood on a branch of a tall, ancient tree, calmly observing every movement of the sword formation below. His silhouette swayed gently with the branches, resembling a massive owl resting under the moonlight.
His peculiar black eagle perched beside him, and whenever Huo Xiaodi attempted to use his ghostly movements to leap into the air, the eagle would swoop down, flanking him alongside Jiao Chaogui.
—This animal’s instincts could predict his moves; no matter how fast Huo Xiaodi was, he could not outpace the creature’s natural abilities!
After fending off another attack, the pain in Huo Xiaodi’s right arm surged, making it nearly impossible for him to lift his sword, and he felt increasingly burdened.
Inside the temple, Chang Hongbi’s eyes revealed a hint of fear.
He gritted his teeth, the action-filled with determination.
The labored breathing of Zhan Rifei behind him was now clearly audible. This young man in black, fully aware of the peril Huo Xiaodi faced outside, could not rise to his feet. His hand trembled as he tried to grasp the sword that had fallen to the ground, but he could not extend it.
—The poison from “First Meeting as Old Friends” had not yet completely receded from his body, leaving him with no strength to move.
After a moment of struggle, Huo Xiaodi was forced to switch his sword to his left hand, desperately defending himself against the relentless attacks!
Suddenly, Chang Hongbi dashed to the corner of the room and picked up the fallen long sword.
He drew the sword.
With a clear sound, the blade was unsheathed.
The cold sword gleamed under the moonlight, reflecting a chilling light like a strange eye coldly observing everything.
The blade mirrored Chang Hongbi’s pale face and the despair etched upon it, flickering like a mocking light from heaven.
With gritted teeth, Chang Hongbi raised the long sword in his hand.
In a flash, blood splattered!
The blood burst forth like a brilliant firework, scattering before him.
Amidst the dancing blood, this lonely young heart was lost in thought for whom?
Blood flowed continuously from his thin, scarred arm, and within it, a faint green hue shimmered!
Chang Hongbi rushed to Zhan Rifei’s side, lifting his arm to bring the wound to his lips.
In an instant, blood dripped onto Zhan Rifei’s cracked lips. Within the greenish blood flowed a burning passion.
Chang Hongbi lowered his voice, commanding, “Drink it!”
In a daze, Zhan Rifei sensed something was amiss, murmuring, “You… you can’t—”
But no one could hear what he was saying.
Chang Hongbi grew anxious, feeling that with every drop of blood he lost, he lost a portion of his strength. Seeing Zhan Rifei’s lips tremble, with half of his blood already spilling from his pallid mouth, he could not afford to wait any longer! He raised his uninjured hand, grasped Zhan Rifei’s jaw, and forced him to open his mouth, allowing his frail body’s blood to flow into Zhan Rifei’s mouth.
Zhan Rifei finally slowly opened his eyes, tasting the metallic tang of blood, a sweetness in his throat that made him shudder. He looked up to see Chang Hongbi’s freckled face and those cold yet urgent eyes.
For a moment, those eyes seemed familiar, as if he had seen them somewhere before.
Blood continued to flow from Chang Hongbi’s arm.
In that instant, he understood everything.
—This frail boy had cut his arm to feed him his blood.
He had always been extremely wary of anyone attempting to cut open his arm to drink his blood. Yet now, he was the one who had cut his arm to save him.
—Why was he doing this?
Zhan Rifei stammered, “You— you—”
He suddenly began to cough, but despite his coughing, he struggled to sit up, wanting to apply pressure to Chang Hongbi’s arm to stop the bleeding.
But Chang Hongbi broke free from his grasp, whispering, “Save him!”
Zhan Rifei followed his gaze and saw Huo Xiaodi in a perilous situation, struggling to defend himself.
Chang Hongbi urged again, “Save him!”
Zhan Rifei remained silent, seemingly deep in thought.
In Chang Hongbi’s eyes, besides sadness, pain, and anger, there was now a glimmer of despair: “Why aren’t you saving him?”
A complex expression crossed Zhan Rifei’s face. He softly replied, “I just need to gather my energy.” He pointed to the long-standing offering incense on the altar and quietly said, “Please help me retrieve that bundle of offering incense.”
Huo Xiaodi was on the verge of giving up.
His opponents around him remained calm, maintaining their original rhythm.
The “Yin Yang Hound” in his hand had become unbearably heavy, and his movements had grown sluggish.
At that moment, a soft voice suddenly whispered in his ear, “I’ll count to three, and you will use your ‘Startling Swan Glance’ to fly upward.”
That voice was none other than Zhan Rifei’s!
Huo Xiaodi felt a surge of energy and, without hesitation, leaped into the air at Zhan Rifei’s command.
—Had he forgotten about Jiao Chaogui in the tree above and his mysterious black eagle?
As he soared upward, he felt a rush of wind sweep past his ears.
At the same time, the eleven torches around him suddenly extinguished, plunging the surroundings into darkness.
The silence was shattered by a shriek from the black eagle. The massive bird did not swoop down but flew erratically into the sky like a headless fly!
Anyone transitioning from light to dark would be momentarily blinded. The eleven Flying Cloud Riders were also caught off guard by this sudden change, their movements slowing. By the time they realized their mistake, it was too late.
—Huo Xiaodi’s figure had already escaped the sword formation.
—Another dazzling beam of sword light shot up from beneath the moonlight!
The sudden turn of events caught even Jiao Chaogui off guard. He looked up to find his beloved eagle, only to see it spiraling madly in the night sky. Upon closer inspection, he realized that a stick of offering incense was lodged in the eagle’s bulging eye. Turning back, he saw that the eleven extinguished torches were also neatly pierced with the same offering incense.
Under the moonlight, the sword light of the Flying Cloud Riders was no longer visible; no matter how bright their swords shone, they could not outshine the cold sword light of one black-clad figure.
—The sword light was dazzling.
Wherever it went, the Flying Cloud Riders fell to the ground.
Jiao Chaogui let out a furious roar, unleashing his “Flowing Cloud Palm” from the high tree, launching a series of attacks toward the black-clad figure.
But before he could reach him, a flash of sword light illuminated his pale face.
Jiao Chaogui’s mind exploded; for a moment, it felt as if he had seen a ghost: “You—! It’s you—!”
Zhan Rifei replied slowly, “Indeed, it is I.”
Jiao Chaogui stepped back in fear, then advanced again, gritting his teeth, “So it’s you!”
Without another word, he unleashed his “Flowing Cloud Palm” with even greater ferocity.
Zhan Rifei coldly watched, his steadfast gaze reflecting the cold light of the “Zhan Lu” sword, remaining perfectly still.
At that moment, Jiao Chaogui suddenly heard a strange sound he had never encountered before.
Then he felt a sharp pain in his chest; looking down, he saw no blood, but a black sword tip piercing through him.
—His face twisted in disbelief!
The black sword tip seemed to be attached to a dark demon, making him feel as if his heart had been hollowed out. Even death seemed to hesitate for a moment.
He could still see Huo Xiaodi turning to him, grabbing his collar, and shouting, “Where did this sword formation come from?”
Jiao Chaogui looked at him, a strange and cruel smile appearing in his eyes. “No matter what you want to know, it no longer matters! Because even your Huo family’s ‘Linglong Eye’ cannot see my secret!”
He insisted on finishing this sentence before he would fall.
(Part Four)
The mountain path stretched out beneath the pounding hooves.
As the horses galloped, the rain-soaked road splashed up mud beneath their iron hooves. Huo Xiaodi was covered in so many mud splatters that he could hardly count them.
The black steeds of the Flying Cloud Riders from Xingyun Manor were indeed exceptional horses, galloping smoothly even on the rugged mountain trails.
However, Huo Xiaodi’s heart could not find peace. Countless questions tangled in his mind, making it feel heavy.
—The ghostly sword formation of the Flying Cloud Riders, Jiao Chaogui’s venomous smile and cryptic words before his death, and even the thoughts of Chang Hongbi and Zhan Rifei beside him eluded his understanding.
—Outside that dilapidated temple, when he had pulled the “Yin Yang Hound” from Jiao Chaogui, he had asked Zhan Rifei, “Does Jiao Chaogui know you?” Zhan Rifei had simply replied, “Yes,” and then fell silent, as if he did not wish to discuss the matter further.
The sky had turned a dull gray. After galloping for half the night, fatigue, hunger, and the pain in his right arm coiled around him like a venomous snake.
Yet Zhan Rifei refused to allow even a brief stop.
Huo Xiaodi still remembered Zhan Rifei’s half-smiling face: “Brother Huo can certainly take Chang Hongbi and go alone. If you insist on traveling with me, then you must follow my arrangements.”
It seemed as if heaven itself conspired with Zhan Rifei’s words, for along the way, he had not seen a single decent household.
Having traveled this far, even Huo Xiaodi had lost his way. His only hope was that they were moving further away from Xiangyang and closer to the capital.
As the road curved, a small teahouse finally appeared on one side. From the broken window, the aroma of scallion-fried rice wafted out. To Huo Xiaodi, it smelled more enticing than the delicacies at Linglong Villa. He suddenly remembered that it was breakfast time.
With a cheer, Huo Xiaodi urged his horse toward the teahouse. Zhan Rifei could not stop him; Huo Xiaodi was already in the courtyard, and then he leaped into the teahouse.
Inside the teahouse, there was only a young waiter and an old man hunched over, seemingly surprised to have customers so early.
As soon as Huo Xiaodi sat down, he ordered a mountain of dishes and a large pot of tea, causing the waiter’s eyes to widen in disbelief. Not only were there many dishes he had never heard of, but he could hardly imagine how this young man in yellow could fit so much food into his stomach!
Then he saw two more people walk in and sit beside the young man. One of them was a child.
As soon as Zhan Rifei entered, Huo Xiaodi acted first, disregarding manners, and quickly stuffed a bun into his mouth, mumbling, “You can’t blame me. The more I think, the hungrier I get. Besides, so much has happened these past few days.”
Zhan Rifei looked at him, shaking his head helplessly, and pretended to be angry as he gritted his teeth, “I’m just afraid you won’t starve to death!”
As he said this, a smile unexpectedly appeared in his eyes.
Huo Xiaodi was taken aback. Only then did he notice that under the rising sun, Zhan Rifei’s face was so handsome and his smile so warm.
Caught off guard, a piece of bun lodged in his throat, and he nearly choked.
Zhan Rifei watched him with a smile, saying, “It seems that while you won’t starve to death, you can still choke. I must tell Zhao Zhi’er this secret the next time I see her.”
Now even Chang Hongbi was laughing.
Huo Xiaodi felt his face inexplicably heat up. He shook his head, made a face, and vowed to think of nothing but the food in front of him. However, it seemed that heaven was determined to play tricks on him—just then, he suddenly heard a strange drumbeat.
“Dong—dong—”
A slow, heavy drumbeat echoed, sounding erratic. At first, it seemed to come from the edge of the woods, then suddenly shifted to the west side of the mountain path. Soon, the drumbeat resonated all around.
Huo Xiaodi looked at the food on the table and sighed.
“They’re here. Another group of troublemakers.”
Though he pretended to be unconcerned, his heart began to race.
—After Zhan Rifei’s battle against Hanshui Palace yesterday, he had heard this strange drumbeat multiple times. He had thought he had escaped its clutches.
Stealing a glance at Zhan Rifei, he saw that the young man in black remained calm as if he had heard nothing.
A strange fragrance suddenly wafted in.
With a crash, the teacup in Chang Hongbi’s hand fell to the ground, shattering. Then, Huo Xiaodi felt someone tugging at his sleeve. Looking down, he saw Chang Hongbi trembling in fear, hiding behind him, his teeth chattering.
He had never seen Chang Hongbi so frightened—this child’s face was filled with terror as if he had fallen into a nightmare from which he could never awaken.
Who was coming?
Huo Xiaodi could not guess.
Suddenly, with a loud bang, the door was flung open. The rising sun flooded the teahouse, illuminating every corner.
Two young women in white entered, carrying large flower baskets, scattering a peculiar flower as they walked into the courtyard. The strange fragrance emanated from the flowers in their baskets.
Huo Xiaodi felt intoxicated by the scent, and upon closer inspection, the unusual petals appeared to be made of ice.
A large carriage had quietly stopped outside the courtyard. Four elegantly dressed women, their long skirts trailing, approached gracefully, holding translucent jade swords.
The waiter and the old man in the teahouse were left dumbfounded.
Huo Xiaodi’s curiosity peaked.
It was not Shao Jizu; so who could it be?
He did not have to ponder for long.
He soon saw two familiar figures unexpectedly appear in the courtyard.
—These two were indeed acquaintances! Huo Xiaodi suddenly felt that he had been fortunate in making friends lately. The newcomers were even more troublesome than the last. He hoped this time would be an exception, but quickly realized he was daydreaming.
The newcomers were two figures in green.
One was a tall man who appeared very amiable but had eyes like a dead man. This made him look as if he were wearing a mask.
The other was a woman. She seemed to always keep her head down, yet her delicate beauty could attract anyone’s gaze.
The moment Huo Xiaodi saw her, he felt an inexplicable dislike. Few people in this world could annoy him to such an extent.
—In the sunlight, the collar of her green attire was embroidered with a small crescent moon.
—The newcomers were naturally the Sun and Moon Envoys of Hanshui Palace.
The green-clad woman, the Moon Envoy, gazed at Zhan Rifei with glowing eyes and a soft voice that sent shivers down one’s spine, “Young Master Zhan, we meet again.”
Zhan Rifei’s voice remained calm, “What brings the Moon Envoy here?”
Huo Xiaodi felt Chang Hongbi’s hand gripping his tightly, suddenly turning cold. He then realized that the small boy’s terrified eyes were not fixed on the man and woman but were staring intently at the carriage.
—What kind of secret was hidden in that carriage?
He heard the Moon Envoy say, “For someone as clever as you, how can you feign ignorance? My arrival is natural for the people beside you.”
Her flirtatious gaze shifted, and she smiled, “Besides that, Grandmother also wishes to meet the one who can withstand ‘Longing’ and ‘Thousand-Jin Dragon Strangle.’”
As soon as her words fell, four towering Kunlun slaves, bare-chested and with thick beards and blue eyes, stepped forward, carrying a large Hu bed from the carriage.
On the Hu bed reclined an elderly woman with white hair and a chicken-like face, dressed in a luxurious robe and holding a purple dragon-headed cane. Despite her indescribable ugliness, the old woman exuded a sense of kindness and warmth.
Suddenly, Huo Xiaodi gasped.
The old woman’s eyes were completely blank. A deep emptiness.
This kindly-looking old woman was blind!
As he shifted his gaze, he noticed that the flower girls surrounding her and the jade sword-wielding women, along with the Sun and Moon Envoys, had all bowed down.
Huo Xiaodi sighed again.
—No one would believe that this kind-looking blind woman was the formidable leader of Hanshui Palace, Granny Hanshui.
Yet there were indeed too many unbelievable things in this world.
The noble and approachable old woman sat on the Hu bed, her blind eyes still “looking” in the direction of the teahouse. After a long while, she slowly said, “It has been many years since I have walked the martial world; I no longer recognize the heroes and talents of this generation.”
Little did she know that her lament was directed at no one in particular.
Zhan Rifei’s hand gripping his sword had begun to show faint veins.
Granny Hanshui then changed the subject: “Chang Hongbi, you have made me search for you in vain. Now that you are here, why don’t you come to my side?”
As soon as the name “Chang Hongbi” was mentioned, the frail boy’s face turned ashen. Then, without any warning, to everyone’s surprise, a brilliant flash of blade light shot up, momentarily blinding Huo Xiaodi! Almost simultaneously, he felt Zhan Rifei suddenly draw his sword.
—Why did he draw his sword?
Quickly, Huo Xiaodi caught a whiff of blood.
A white silk handkerchief gently wiped across the edge of the round blade before being tossed to the ground.
The Sun Envoy’s body seemed to remain perfectly still. No one could tell that the lightning-fast strike had come from his peculiar round blade.
The only difference was the bloodstain on his chest.
—“You’ve still managed to injure me!”
For the first time, anger tinged Zhan Rifei’s voice: “I only regret that I was a step too slow.”
Huo Xiaodi then saw the waiter and the old man in the kitchen had been decapitated in that instant. He could not help but shout angrily, “These two had no martial skills and had done you no wrong. As the head of the Four Envoys of Hanshui Palace, how can you kill the innocent so wantonly?!”
The Sun Envoy raised his head high, seemingly disdainful of Huo Xiaodi’s words.
Beside him, the Moon Envoy giggled, “Why don’t you ask your companion?”
Huo Xiaodi turned to look at Zhan Rifei, only to see a hint of sadness in his eyes. He heard him slowly say, “Because Granny’s words just now have revealed Chang Hongbi’s true identity, you intend to silence him.”
—“I should have thought of this earlier; how could the cunning Hanshui Palace allow its secrets to be known to outsiders?”
—“I was simply a step too late!”
A fierce expression suddenly appeared on the Sun Envoy’s kind face: “Anyone who knows Chang Hongbi’s secret must die!”
He then turned his gaze to the dazed Chang Hongbi sitting in the teahouse, slowly saying, “Aren’t you going to come out yourself?”
Huo Xiaodi shouted, “We also know Chang Hongbi’s secret; does that mean we must die too?”
The Sun Envoy did not deny it.
Huo Xiaodi sneered, “If you want to take Chang Hongbi, you must first kill me!”
Upon hearing this, the already terrified Chang Hongbi suddenly trembled, his eyes brightening. This gifted child stood tall for the first time.
Before his words had faded, Huo Xiaodi was already at the Hu bed. —His movements were even faster than his words!
In the sunlight, the black radiance of his “Yin Yang Hound” flickered like black lightning.
The towering Kunlun slaves remained unblinking as if they had not even flinched. The blind old woman’s smile on the Hu bed remained as warm as ever.
Even Zhan Rifei did not see how the old blind woman on the stool made her move. He only caught a glimpse of a flickering black lightning bolt, and suddenly, a figure shot up into the air.
Without even a sound, Huo Xiaodi’s body became like a kite with a broken string, jolted back into the teahouse, blood gushing from his mouth before he even hit the ground.
The fresh morning breeze stirred the golden threads of the old woman’s splendid robe, causing it to shimmer in the sunlight. The elderly woman in the ornate robe remained leisurely leaning against the stool as if she had never moved at all.
Zhan Rifei rushed to Huo Xiaodi’s side, gripping his left hand tightly, forcing his internal energy to flow continuously into Huo Xiaodi’s body. Chang Hongbi lunged forward as well, grasping Huo Xiaodi’s hand, but he could not utter a single word.
For some reason, Huo Xiaodi shook off their hands. Coughing, he struggled to sit up.
—Even with his left leg injured, he still wanted to rise.
—Perhaps the blood of a noble family flowing through him gave him a pride unmatched by others.
The old woman’s voice sounded much calmer than her words: “If you were not a descendant of the Huo family, you would be a corpse by now.”
This proud young man in a yellow shirt surprisingly did not retort. Perhaps only he understood the true meaning behind Granny Hanshui’s words: once a person dies, they naturally lose their name. Perhaps only he knew how terrifying Granny Hanshui’s martial arts were.
—The speed at which this old woman struck was beyond the comprehension of mortals. If it were not for his lightness of body, “A Glimpse of the Swallow,” and the internal energy of “Listening to the Flowers in the Night,” which allowed him to adapt quickly, he would have suffered far worse than just an injured left leg.
At this moment, no one could believe that the amiable old woman on the stool was blind; no one dared to treat her as a blind person anymore!
Granny Hanshui continued, “But even if you are the heir of the Huo family from Linglong Villa, you should not possess the ‘Yin-Yang Hound.’ How could the ‘Yin-Yang Hound’ be in your hands?”
Huo Xiaodi struggled, curling his lip, and said, “Since I am a descendant of the Huo family, why can’t the ‘Yin-Yang Hound’ be in my possession?”
Granny Hanshui replied, “The ‘Yin-Yang Hound’ is the Huo family’s treasured heirloom. Without it, the Linglong Eye of the eldest daughter of the Huo family cannot be opened. Therefore, this weapon has never left Linglong Villa!”
Huo Xiaodi sneered, “You seem to know quite a bit about our Linglong Villa.”
Granny Hanshui smiled and said, “But there is one thing I do not know.”
Huo Xiaodi asked, “What is it?”
Granny Hanshui casually remarked, “Hasn’t your Huo family’s Linglong Eye already seen that you would die at my hands today?”
(Part Five)
Suddenly, a cane appeared in front of Huo Xiaodi! He did not see how the old woman on the stool made her move; the dragon-headed cane shot straight to Huo Xiaodi’s heart.
The stool was still in the courtyard, and Granny Hanshui had not even gotten off it. No cane could stretch longer than the distance from the courtyard to the room. Could it be that Granny Hanshui’s strike was faster than the human eye could perceive?
Yet, when the cane reached Huo Xiaodi’s heart, it did not pierce him!
With a “ding,” the cane struck something, and in a flash, a long sword had blocked it at Huo Xiaodi’s heart.
—It was Zhan Rifei’s long sword.
The fierce momentum of the cane vanished in an instant upon meeting the sword, and Zhan Rifei’s sword was deflected by the cane’s shadow.
Only then did Huo Xiaodi realize he was drenched in cold sweat. If it were not for Zhan Rifei’s timely intervention, that strike would have pierced through his chest.
A strange expression suddenly surged in the dry whites of Granny Hanshui’s eyes.
“Hmm?” she exclaimed, “Zhangyue, is this the person you mentioned?”
Zhangyue bowed and said, “Granny, you are correct; it is indeed him.”
Granny Hanshui asked, “Who exactly is he, to be faster than my cane?”
Zhangyue replied, “I fear that while he may not be faster than Granny’s cane, he can predict the direction of your strike, allowing him to narrowly block your ‘Ghostly Move.’”
Granny Hanshui murmured, “Anticipating the enemy’s moves, heh, anticipating the enemy’s moves, indeed extraordinary.”
Then she fell silent, slowly raising her hand.
Suddenly, a shadow of a cane appeared in front of Chang Hongbi. By the time he sensed the object approaching, his body involuntarily flew backward.
In the haze, it seemed another sword light shot up. This sword light was icy blue. Then, as the cane shadow retracted, he fell to the ground.
Before he fell, he only had time to see a dazzling silver light rushing toward him, and his chest was suddenly overwhelmed by an unprecedented, incomparable pressure and impact, as if the surrounding mountains were all pressing down on him. In front of him, a familiar figure obscured his view, the icy sword light seeming to resist this endless force.
Suddenly, he heard Huo Xiaodi’s terrified scream: “No—!”
Chang Hongbi felt a sweetness in his throat, and stars exploded in his vision. The fall from the sky left him dizzy, and it took a long time for him to regain his senses. Just as he was about to rise, his legs gave way, and he collapsed onto someone.
His heart sank inexplicably. A heavy premonition momentarily left him breathless. Turning over the person’s face, Chang Hongbi’s hand trembled—this person was indeed Zhan Rifei!
His disheveled hair clung to his pale face, cold sweat streaming down. His jaw was clenched, and his eyes were tightly shut, as if resisting something.
Chang Hongbi hurriedly grasped his arm, trying to lift him. Huo Xiaodi crawled over as well, anxiously asking, “Are you okay? Are you okay?”
Granny Hanshui’s words were cold, yet each word was clear.
“I didn’t expect you to be seriously injured and still able to withstand my palm strike. You are the first person in thirty years to endure it. At such a young age, to possess such skill is already remarkable. No wonder even Zhangyue and Zhangri would fall at your hands. With your abilities and intelligence, you are certainly not an unknown figure in the martial world. It’s just a pity, a pity!”
Zhan Rifei gritted his teeth, unable to speak.
A metallic taste of blood surged in his throat.
At that moment, Chang Hongbi suddenly felt Zhan Rifei’s body tremble slightly in his embrace. Then, a mouthful of blood spurted out, splattering his chest with crimson.
In that crimson,
Chang Hongbi suddenly felt dizzy, his mind going blank. He thought he had seen it wrong, so he blinked hard.
Then, his body suddenly stiffened. It felt as if he had been frozen solid in an instant.
The only remaining sign of life was his eyes, now wide open, filled with an indescribable disbelief.
—In that crimson, there was a faint layer of black!
He suddenly seemed to realize something and raised his hand to lift his black cloak.
But even he seemed to know that this action was utterly unnecessary.
—On Zhan Rifei’s back, the three green marks of “A Familiar Face” left behind were even darker and more glaring than what he had seen yesterday, as if embedded in his skin, now resembling three mocking eyes, coldly staring at him.
Chang Hongbi collapsed, unable to speak for a long time.
The horror on his face appeared somewhat terrifying.
“Your ‘A Familiar Face’—it hasn’t been—resolved?”
Slowly, he managed to utter this sentence, then suddenly erupted like a madman: “I don’t believe it!”
His voice, at that moment, became indescribably hoarse and cracked.
“Is it possible that even my blood cannot resolve the ‘A Familiar Face’ on you? I do not believe it!”
Zhan Rifei slightly opened his eyes and saw Chang Hongbi’s twisted face. At that moment, he understood that this child had learned the truth.
Finally able to speak, he forced out, “You once cut your wrist and bled to save me. Whether it can resolve the poison or not, what does it matter?”
He did not dare to look at Huo Xiaodi’s expression—could Huo Xiaodi’s expression be any better? He had remained silent; was it because he could no longer speak?
Chang Hongbi’s eyes, however, suddenly became as lifeless as a corpse. In an instant, the heart of this naturally gifted youth seemed to turn as transparent as crystal.
—“It’s not that my blood cannot resolve the ‘A Familiar Face,’ but that the medicinal properties in my blood have already faded, haven’t they?”
He looked at Zhan Rifei, his voice hoarse: “You already knew, didn’t you?!”
Zhan Rifei finally sighed. Huo Xiaodi, who was beside him, had already spoken for him.
“Because you haven’t drunk the ‘Bihuo San Sheng Water’ in a long time.”
“You were originally mute, but gradually you could speak.”
“The fragrance of the medicine on you has also become fainter day by day.”
Chang Hongbi seemed not to hear Huo Xiaodi’s words, still staring at Zhan Rifei, his voice hoarse: “Since you already knew, why didn’t you say anything? Were you afraid I would be heartbroken and disappointed? I hate you! I hate you!”
Perhaps in this child’s young heart, there was a faint hope that he was still a useful person. But now, this cruel fate had mercilessly stripped away even that single hope he held dear.
Huo Xiaodi glared at Zhan Rifei and said, “You clearly know you are no match for that witch, so why don’t you leave? Why do you still block her palm strike? Why do you always think of others? When will you think of yourself?”
Zhan Rifei forced a smile and said, “Because your favor seems to be something I cannot owe.”
At that moment, he surprisingly still had the mood to joke. But as soon as he finished speaking, his vision darkened, and he fainted.
Chang Hongbi no longer spoke; his eyes looked at him, yet it seemed as if he did not see him at all. This frail and lonely boy seemed to transform into an adult in an instant.
Outside the courtyard, Granny Hanshui had lost her patience. Yet her tone remained very cordial: “Zhangyue, kill these two and take Chang Hongbi away.”
Her tone was still very calm, and her ugly face showed no expression. However, her words were the command of the Mistress of Hanshui Palace.
Zhangyue hesitated for a moment but still replied, “Yes.”
Granny Hanshui’s eyes, filled with white, seemed to see through everything: “Have you softened your heart?”
Zhangyue glanced at the two fallen figures and said, “Granny, I was thinking—”
Granny Hanshui interrupted, “You have taken a liking to that boy; he must be quite handsome, right?”
Her tone remained amiable, but Zhangyue was so frightened that she immediately knelt on the ground: “I dare not.”
Granny Hanshui said, “Knowing you dare not is good.”
—Her voice revealed no trace of severity; why was Zhangyue so frightened that she did not dare to say another word?
Granny Hanshui’s kind smile appeared very satisfied: “So what are you waiting for?”
(Part Six)
Zhangyue still could not move. Suddenly, a child’s voice rang out from the teahouse: “Stop!”
It was Chang Hongbi’s voice, firm and resolute.
Chang Hongbi stood at the entrance of the teahouse, holding a brilliantly shining short knife, its tip pressed tightly against his side.
Granny Hanshui’s expression changed.
—How could she know about Chang Hongbi’s move if she couldn’t see?
Chang Hongbi slowly said, “Granny, I beg you to spare them. If you let them go, I will return with you.”
His voice trembled slightly under Granny Hanshui’s intense “gaze.”
Granny Hanshui’s calm tone now sent chills down one’s spine.
—“What if I refuse?”
Chang Hongbi replied, “If I move my finger, the death point this short knife is aimed at will draw even a drop of blood, and it will be beyond remedy. If you insist on killing them, then I will die with them. You will not have Chang Hongbi.”
Granny Hanshui asked, “Are you threatening me?”
Chang Hongbi said, “I was raised by you; how could I dare to threaten you? I only ask for your mercy.”
Granny Hanshui countered, “How do you know about your death point?”
Chang Hongbi replied, “Did you forget what Master Su said three months ago? Master Su predicted that I would die on my fifteenth birthday. Whether I can be reborn after death depends on you, Granny.”
A hint of bitter laughter crossed his face: “Master Su was wrong this time. He predicted I would die at fifteen, but he didn’t know that my fifteenth birthday is still a few months away.”
Granny Hanshui said, “Although Su Yizhou calculated your death point accurately, he likely made more than one mistake. At the very least, he did not foresee what would happen to someone who was bought off to deceive the Hanshui Palace.”
Chang Hongbi was not surprised at all: “You must have found Master Su, and you probably spared his life?”
Granny Hanshui replied, “If he wants to die, it’s too easy. Although he is now begging for mercy, wishing for me to grant him death immediately, once a person dies, how can they know what price they will pay for their mistakes?”
As she spoke these words with such calmness, Huo Xiaodi suddenly shivered.
Granny Hanshui continued, “Did you leave the palace because you listened to Su Yizhou?”
Chang Hongbi said, “When a person knows that no matter how much they endure humiliation to survive, they still cannot live long, why not take a look at the outside world they have rarely seen before they die? Only now do I realize that every word Master Su said was a trick to get me to leave the Hanshui Palace?”
He looked at Granny Hanshui, speaking each word deliberately: “Although his scheme deceived me, at least I now know that it was Xingyun Villa that bought off Su Yizhou.”
Granny Hanshui asked, “How do you know this?”
Chang Hongbi replied, “Because shortly after I arrived at the foot of the mountain, I found Ge Yunfei from Xingyun Villa waiting for me there. If he didn’t know I was leaving the Hanshui Palace, how could he be there to wait for me? At that time, only Master Su knew I was leaving.”
“So, the Bewitching Spell was also passed on to you by someone named Su?”
Chang Hongbi said slowly, “While Granny was in seclusion, the Four Guardians of the Sun and Moon protected the palace, and everyone else thought of me as just a child, so the ambush was indeed quite smooth.”
Granny Hanshui sneered, “So, is the outside world you were so eager to see as beautiful as you imagined?”
Chang Hongbi shook his head: “The villains in this world are far more dangerous and malicious than those in the Hanshui Palace.”
He looked up at Zhan Rifei and Huo Xiaodi, who were leaning against the ground, and added, “But there are also many more good people in this world than in the Hanshui Palace. Since you have spared the Sun and Moon Guardians, why not let them go?”
Zhangyue stepped forward with a giggle, saying, “Little brother, why are you joking around? Quickly listen and put down that knife.”
Chang Hongbi looked at her and said slowly, “If you take another step forward, I will stab it in. No matter how skilled you are, you cannot be faster than my finger. If I push just a little, there will be no more Chang Hongbi in this world. At that time, if Granny blames you, I cannot plead for you.”
His words were surprisingly clear and calm. Zhangyue felt as if she were nailed to the ground.
Granny Hanshui said, “For many years, no one has been able to threaten the Hanshui Palace. Not even those from the Hanshui Palace!”
Chang Hongbi smiled and said, “If I die now, Granny will have to exhaust all her energy to save me. The Sun and Moon Guardians, who are just recovering from serious injuries, cannot leave your side, so they cannot pursue the enemy. If you let them go, I won’t have to die right now, and you won’t have to exhaust your energy. Isn’t that a win-win situation?”
Granny Hanshui said darkly, “Even if you die, I can still find another Chang Hongbi!”
Chang Hongbi replied, “That’s natural. The name Chang Hongbi is merely a title, just a name for a child like me from generation to generation. With your abilities, Granny, and the Hanshui Palace’s century-old reputation, how could you not find another Chang Hongbi? But I know that you must drink my blood every four months to survive. It has been over three months since your last drink, hasn’t it? Since you have been in seclusion for so long, you must have cultivated the Luo Tian Great Method, so you no longer need to drink blood every four months to stay alive. If that’s the case, living to a hundred years old means you can wait another ten or eight years without issue. However, once the Tang Sect learns that Chang Hongbi has been destroyed, I wonder if they will have the same patience as you to wait ten or eight years. The entanglement between the Tang Sect and Xingyun Villa is something you are far more familiar with than I am as a child.”
He glanced at the blind old woman and continued slowly, “But even if you don’t say it, I understand in my heart that if Chang Hongbi were so easy to find, you wouldn’t have first sent the Sun and Moon Guardians from the Hanshui Palace and then come personally, lowering yourself to come to the Central Plains.”
Granny Hanshui asked, “Aren’t you afraid that I will temporarily spare them and send the Sun and Moon Guardians to pursue them?”
Chang Hongbi replied, “You are the first person in a hundred years in the Hanshui Palace, what a status! I have always regarded you as a deity. The hundreds of people in the Hanshui Palace all follow such a wise leader as you; how could you go back on your word? Moreover, the Sun and Moon Guardians are here, and they have all witnessed your promise.”
For some reason, the Sun and Moon Guardians began to tremble.
Huo Xiaodi then realized that this child’s meticulous thoughts and careful planning were truly chilling. It turned out that all along, he had been deceived!
A strange expression appeared in Granny Hanshui’s hollow eyes: “I have always underestimated you!”
Chang Hongbi said, “You flatter me. Having wandered in the Central Plains, I have been somewhat influenced by the cunning and scheming of the people here.”
Granny Hanshui said, “Do you know that the medicinal properties in your blood have faded? If you want to restore yourself to Chang Hongbi, you will have to endure the ‘Rebirth’ method. For these two people, do you not regret it at all?”
A fleeting glimmer of fear crossed Chang Hongbi’s eyes. He replied calmly, “Chang Hongbi was originally a dying person; what is there to fear about the ‘Rebirth’ method? If I can die with meaning, it would not be in vain for the true significance of the name Chang Hongbi.”
He looked at Granny Hanshui and smiled: “Whether or not to save Chang Hongbi is entirely up to you, Granny. But since there is neither the cold pool of the Hanshui Palace nor the Arhat bed, if you want to perform the ‘Rebirth’ method, you will have to exhaust your life’s energy. It will take at least ten days or half a month to recover your martial arts. I wonder if you are willing or not.”
After a long silence, Granny Hanshui finally said, “Alright, I agree!”
However, there was no change in Chang Hongbi’s expression.
“Have you thought it through? If you want to change your mind, it’s not too late now.”
Granny Hanshui coldly replied, “You don’t need to provoke me. The words of the Mistress of the Hanshui Palace have always been as solid as a mountain. Moreover, this is someone else’s matter, not the Hanshui Palace’s business. Why should I care?”
With a gentle wave of her hand, her four Kunlun servants lifted her stool and returned to the carriage.
The Sun and Moon Guardians had also reached the front of the carriage.
Chang Hongbi turned away, not daring to look at Huo Xiaodi’s face. He could imagine how terrible Huo Xiaodi’s expression must be at this moment.
Hesitating, the frail boy said, “Huo, Huo Xiaodi, I’m leaving!”
Huo Xiaodi murmured, “Why are you doing this? Why?”
—Though he spoke in a disjointed manner, did he truly not understand in his heart?
Chang Hongbi replied calmly, “Since my blood cannot save them, there are always other ways to save people. Just like in this world, the true harm does not come from poison.”
Huo Xiaodi said, “But you—”
Chang Hongbi looked down at the ground and said, “After thinking it over, I believe it’s better to return to the Hanshui Palace. The outside world is too complicated, and there is much I do not understand.”
Huo Xiaodi fell silent.
This moment of silence felt as long as a lifetime.
Finally, Chang Hongbi gritted his teeth and turned to walk toward the carriage waiting outside the courtyard. He walked slowly but resolutely.
Huo Xiaodi could not help but suddenly shout, “Chang Hongbi, don’t go—!”
Chang Hongbi’s footsteps halted. Hesitating, he turned back and said, “That day in the old temple, you asked me if I was Chang Hongbi. I told you then that I was not.”
Huo Xiaodi’s heart seemed to shatter, for at that moment, he saw a heartbreaking pride in the boy’s eyes.
Chang Hongbi’s gaze turned toward the distance: “At that time, you did not believe me. But you do not know that I did not deceive you. —I will never deceive you.”
He pointed at the people from the Hanshui Palace and said, “In their eyes, I am merely a tool for saving lives and healing wounds, just a Chang Hongbi. But my true name is not Chang Hongbi!”
He looked at Huo Xiaodi earnestly and said, “In fact, I have always wanted to tell you that my name is Ai Hu.”
He looked at him, a hint of desolation in his smile, and added, “You must remember my name is Ai Hu. I just want to be an ordinary person, no different from other children.”
Huo Xiaodi was left speechless. A mist filled his eyes.
The dimness in Chang Hongbi’s eyes suddenly sparkled.
For the first time, his voice was filled with boldness: “Huo Xiaodi, I’m leaving! We will meet again!”
His head lifted high for the first time, and his small frame appeared so proud.