Northwest Maoyang Peak.
The entire mountain was covered with icicles, snow white and pristine, under a clear blue sky without a trace of floating clouds.
Martial world legends said Biluo Palace had moved south, but no one knew when it had actually ended up in the northwest. Even this news that it was in the northwest only became known by chance a year after it had moved to Maoyang Peak. As for exactly where on Maoyang Peak Biluo Palace was located, many in the martial world had inquired and investigated, but no one had ever found it.
From the distant snowfields came the sound of hoofbeats—a group of several people slowly approaching the base of Maoyang Peak. From here on, the ice and snow grew thicker and the climate became bone-piercingly cold. Unless one was a first-rate master, it would be extremely difficult to proceed. Several horses stopped at the foot of Maoyang Peak as the riders dismounted and looked up at the peak.
“What the hell kind of place is this! Can people really live in such a place? Yellow-haired girl, are you sure you’re not lying?” Chi Yun exhaled white breath from his mouth and nose. Despite his martial arts skills, he also felt the bone-piercing cold. “Even if an immortal lived here, if he didn’t freeze to death, he’d starve to death.” Zhong Chunji laughed lightly. “Once you’re used to living here, everything becomes fine. From here we can only go on foot—let the horses return on their own.” She untied the reins, and the white horse, trembling from cold, immediately whinnied and galloped back the way they came. Everyone released their horses. As the herd departed, Shen Langhun said indifferently, “No way back now.” Without horses, if their appeal failed, leaving comfortably from this frozen wasteland wouldn’t be easy. Tang Lici still wore plain cloth, looking nothing like the dashing and elegant Chi Yun beside him, and smiled. “Please lead the way, Miss Zhong.”
Zhong Chunji leaped up, ascending straight up the ice peak. Shen Langhun supported Xiao Qilan, whose chest bones had just been mended, and both rose smoothly, following behind Zhong Chunji. Though Xiao Qilan couldn’t move, the 140-150 pound man seemed weightless in Shen Langhun’s hands. Chi Yun silently praised this and leaped up to follow. Tang Lici climbed after them. The frozen peaks, strong cold winds seemed to have little effect on them.
Maoyang Peak was several hundred zhang high. Zhong Chunji’s ascent took them up about a hundred zhang. Chi Yun followed behind her, finally unable to bear it. “Yellow-haired little girl, I have no patience to climb mountains with you. Even turtles don’t come to this ghostly place—where exactly is Biluo Palace?” Zhong Chunji leaped up another two zhang. “Almost there.” Chi Yun said coldly, “So Biluo Palace is neither up nor down, just stuck in the middle of this ice mountain? Damn it, there’s not even a flat piece of ground here, not even a blade of grass grows—where could there be a palace…” Before finishing his sentence, his eyes suddenly brightened. He saw a patch of seven-colored mysterious light. Blinking his eyes, he could see clearly it was a piece of crystal-clear ice stone, smooth and round, flashing seven-colored light in the sunlight. Tang Lici stopped. “Really quite high.” Zhong Chunji was surprised. “Young Master Tang knows the entrance is here?” Shen Langhun said, “This ice is so smooth, it must be frequently rubbed by people. Could it be the mechanism for the entrance?” Chi Yun reached out to touch the ice stone—indeed it was smooth to the touch. He suddenly pushed hard, and the ice actually moved lightly aside, revealing a seven-colored brilliant tunnel. “Did Wanyu Yuedan hollow out the entire mountain? Can people really live inside ice blocks?”
“People can indeed live inside ice blocks,” Zhong Chunji laughed. “But they don’t live inside ice blocks. Follow me.” She led the way into the tunnel. Though mysterious, the tunnel was unguarded. After everyone entered, she closed the sealing ice stone and proceeded forward. The ice-snow tunnel wasn’t long, and the exit at the other end was actually on the other side of the snow peak. Everyone looked down at the swirling wind and clouds beneath their feet. Even Shen Langhun felt somewhat alarmed—if they fell from here, they would certainly be smashed to pieces. In the strong cold wind, a rope swayed back and forth, one end tied to a large ice block at the exit of the ice-snow tunnel, the rope extending into thick cloud vapor. Just now when looking up from the other side of the ice peak, they hadn’t seen any clouds, but on this side it was densely clouded, as if this was where the peak gathered clouds. Zhong Chunji leaped onto the rope and walked into the clouds. Everyone was stunned. Chi Yun, unwilling to admit defeat, rushed behind Zhong Chunji. Several people filed onto the rope one by one. Relying on their excellent lightness skills, though heart-stopping, they passed through without danger. Passing through the clouds, after walking only twenty to thirty zhang, they suddenly felt sunlight on their cheeks. Their vision opened up—the other end of the rope was actually tied to another cliff. This cliff was completely different from the snow peak opposite—trees were green and lush, the soil fertile. A gray squirrel seeing everyone stepping across on the rope wasn’t afraid, tilting its head to watch with its small eyes spinning around.
“Xiaoqiu! Is Xiaoqiu there?” Zhong Chunji stepped onto the cliff and called out loudly.
From the green woods, a girl in azure clothes ran out with a smile. “Oh my! I thought once little Chun started wandering the martial world, you’d never come back. I think of you every day… Ah!” She suddenly saw so many people and was stunned. “You all…” While she hesitated, two figures flashed from the woods—one standing to the left of the group, one to the right, forming a pincer attack formation. The person on the right asked, “Miss Zhong, what’s going on?” Zhong Chunji’s face showed embarrassment. “I… these are Young Master Tang from Wanqiao Studio and his group, wanting to meet the Palace Master.” Tang Lici smiled and bowed. Shen Langhun also nodded in greeting.
The person on the right frowned. “This—”
“Please sit in the guest hall first,” the person on the left said slowly. “The Palace Master is writing in his study. Please wait a moment.”
It was known throughout the world that Wanyu Yuedan’s eyes weren’t good, so saying he was writing was clearly nonsense. Chi Yun’s mouth moved as if to speak, but he held back and remained silent, his face showing displeasure. Zhong Chunji looked apologetically at everyone. “Left Guardian, Young Master Tang isn’t a bad person. May I see the Palace Master?”
“The Palace Master said that recently, no matter who comes, just say he’s writing,” the person on the left said quietly.
“But—” Zhong Chunji couldn’t help saying, “In all my previous visits, I’ve never seen him writing. He… he can’t see ink and brush, what… what is he writing…”
“The Palace Master says he’s writing,” the person on the left still said quietly.
Zhong Chunji’s gaze involuntarily fell on Tang Lici. She had visited Biluo Palace many times and had never received such treatment—she felt extremely wronged. Chi Yun looked coolly at Tang Lici, gloating inwardly. Shen Langhun supported Xiao Qilan, who moved his lips weakly as if about to speak. Tang Lici raised his sleeve to block him and smiled slightly. “Whether Palace Master Wanyu is writing or painting, Tang must see him today.” When he said this, Zhong Chunji was greatly shocked. Did he mean to force his way in?
This statement was unexpected to both guardians. The left one frowned. “This palace respects you as a guest—does Young Master Tang want to fight with us?” Tang Lici brushed his sleeves. “I’ll make a bet with you—are you willing, Left Guardian?” The Left Guardian asked, “What bet?” Tang Lici said gently, “If you win, I’ll give you five thousand taels of gold. If I win, you do something for me.” The Left Guardian frowned. “Bet on what?” Tang Lici stepped forward, his body like floating catkins instantly reaching the Left Guardian’s face, their cheeks so close they were almost breathing on each other. His right arm lifted lightly and skillfully blocked the Left Guardian’s defensive palm strike. “I bet with you—he says he’s writing just to distinguish who is truly troublesome for Wanyu Yuedan. Those who retreat in the face of difficulty, he needn’t see.” The Left Guardian leaned back and retreated quickly, drawing his long sword. His calm expression remained undisturbed as his sword thrust like wind toward Tang Lici’s shoulder. Tang Lici stood still without moving. Chi Yun struck with One Ring Crossing Moon—clang—as blade met sword. Tang Lici said gently, “I bet that as long as you die, he’ll definitely come out to see guests.”
Zhong Chunji was shocked and dismayed. Chi Yun gripped his silver blade, looking coldly at the Left Guardian. “You didn’t use full strength.” The Left Guardian remained silent. After a while, he suddenly sheathed his long sword. “It seems you won’t give up until you achieve your goal. Killing me isn’t impossible for you.” He glanced at Chi Yun. “But you also didn’t use full strength.” Chi Yun rolled his eyes. “You were polite, so naturally I was polite too. It’s just that if you fight so politely, Wanyu Yuedan hiding in his study writing is in great danger—there might be guests less polite than me charging into his study to see him at any moment.” The Left Guardian was quiet for a moment, then actually smiled faintly. “The Palace Master really is writing, but perhaps the people he’s been waiting for are exactly you…” Both guardians civilly sheathed their weapons and cleared the way. Zhong Chunji was both surprised and delighted. “What’s going on?” The Left Guardian said, “The Palace Master instructed that anyone coming up the mountain should be told he’s writing. If visitors retreat in the face of difficulty, let them go; if someone refuses to leave and is willing to wait, let them wait; and if visitors truly have urgent business that cannot be stopped, then invite them to Lanyi Pavilion.”
Lanyi Pavilion was Biluo Palace’s study. Zhong Chunji was both happy and puzzled. “Young Master Tang, I’ll lead the way.” She led the way into the woods. Tang Lici glanced at the Left Guardian and smiled as he left. After the group departed, the Left Guardian closed his eyes and stood still. The Right Guardian said indifferently, “How was it?” The Left Guardian said, “Nothing special.” The Right Guardian said, “He has killing intent.” The Left Guardian didn’t answer. The Right Guardian said, “If you hadn’t withdrawn in time, do you think he would really have ordered your death?” The Left Guardian still didn’t answer. After a long while, he slowly said, “I think killing one person to demand one meeting wouldn’t mean anything to him. The calamity the Palace Master has tried hard to avoid might be brought by this very person.” The Right Guardian said indifferently, “But the Palace Master wants us to protect ourselves first.” The Left Guardian grunted agreement and said nothing more.
Lanyi Pavilion.
Lanyi Pavilion—dressed in blue, cranes dancing in the sky, shores of clouds.
Lanyi Pavilion sat at the top of the mountain where Biluo Palace was located. This mountaintop was in the whirlwind area between ice peaks, with a different climate from elsewhere—a branch peak a hundred zhang above Maoyang Peak, extremely difficult to climb from below, accessible only through the ice-snow tunnel and rope crossing. The mountaintop had circular hot springs bubbling up, warm and humid, while ten zhang below the mountaintop was still ice and snow.
Though it was a warm region, the mountain peak above was still cold.
Outside Lanyi Pavilion were white clouds. Misty water vapor entered and exited through windows. Wind never ceased, carrying ice-cold air from high above and the opposite ice peaks, blowing fiercely.
This was absolutely unsuitable as a study, yet it served as one.
Tang Lici finally met Wanyu Yuedan, that legendary gentle youth who had defeated the Blood Sacrifice Society and led Biluo Palace to withdraw from the world again.
Wanyu Yuedan also heard Tang Lici enter. This person recently famous in the martial world, the mastermind who killed Shi Tinghe and Yu Qifeng and blew up the Yu family sword manor, the villain connected to the Crimson Ghost Nine-Heart Pills, was the master of Wanqiao Studio and the sworn son of the current National Uncle.
“Miss Zhong, Young Master Tang and I have matters to discuss.” Wanyu Yuedan had obviously received news from the palace and knew who had come. His gentle and elegant face still carried spring-like warmth, and the fine lines at his eyes were still stretched in a way that brought peace to one’s heart.
Zhong Chunji quietly led Chi Yun and the others out, leaving only Tang Lici.
The blue-clothed youth standing diagonally across from Tang Lici behind the desk had refined and gentle features. His distinct black and white eyes were quite attractive. His way of gazing and smiling at people was like bathing in spring breeze—just like the light blue shirt he wore, like the fine weather of a gently warming March day.
“I am Tang Lici.” Tang Lici stood by the door, looking directly at Wanyu Yuedan. He also smiled slightly. If someone were watching from the side, they would probably feel these two men’s smiles were hardly different. If not for Wanyu Yuedan still appearing somewhat more youthful while Tang Lici was slightly more refined, these two would be like a pair of brothers. But in each other’s eyes, what kind of person was the other, and what kind of existence?
“What are those two talking about?” Being pulled away from Lanyi Pavilion by Zhong Chunji, Chi Yun grinned. “Wanyu Yuedan looks like a little child—a soft kid who’d roll around on the ground crying if you punched him once.” Zhong Chunji’s face showed anger. “You… you never say anything good, always speaking harshly and viciously. What’s good about that?” Chi Yun spat. “I don’t stoop to your level!” Xiao Qilan, being supported slowly by Shen Langhun, suddenly said, “Since Wanyu Yuedan had already anticipated someone would come looking, there might be an ambush in Lanyi Pavilion.” Shen Langhun said indifferently, “If Tang Lici were sitting in the pavilion, there might be an ambush. With Wanyu Yuedan sitting in the pavilion, there won’t be an ambush.” Xiao Qilan sighed. “Even without an ambush, he must have already thought of reasons to refuse.”
“The white-haired fox has never failed to close a deal he wanted,” Chi Yun said coolly. “The stakes he offers probably exceed even Wanyu Yuedan’s imagination.” Zhong Chunji’s heart stirred. “What do you guess he’ll say to Yuedan?” Chi Yun said indifferently, “I guess… whatever Wanyu Yuedan values, he’ll talk about that with him.” Xiao Qilan couldn’t help asking, “What does Wanyu Yuedan value?” Zhong Chunji was stumped. After knowing each other for years, what exactly did Yuedan value? “He… values Biluo Palace, I suppose…” Chi Yun looked up at the sky. “Then probably the white-haired fox will talk about things like if Wanyu Yuedan wants to expel guests, he’ll blow up Biluo Palace…” Shen Langhun snorted. “Nonsense!” Chi Yun glared. “Do you know what he’s plotting?” Shen Langhun kept quiet. Xiao Qilan coughed several times. “The Crimson Ghost Nine-Heart Pills matter is serious. Even if Wanyu Yuedan doesn’t want to get involved in the martial world, this matter will eventually implicate Biluo Palace. Wanyu Yuedan is intelligent and should understand reason.” Zhong Chunji sighed softly. Yuedan had withdrawn from the world but hadn’t escaped the martial world. Was he someone content with a corner of peace? Why did he insist… insist on only caring for himself? Why couldn’t he work for the martial world like Tang Lici? Why couldn’t one feel any hot blood from him…
With a creak, unexpectedly, the door of Lanyi Pavilion opened and Tang Lici walked out. Zhong Chunji hadn’t expected their talk to be so quick and exclaimed, “How did it go?” Tang Lici’s hair had been slightly disheveled by the wind, his clothes fluttering loudly. He smiled. “Palace Master Wanyu has great talent and strategy, and naturally agreed that we can stay at Biluo Palace for as many days as we wish.” Zhong Chunji was dumbfounded. Chi Yun couldn’t help cursing, “Damn little brat putting on airs…” But Shen Langhun asked, “What are the conditions?” Tang Lici smiled gently. “This… just now he wrote three characters, and I agreed to tell him someone’s whereabouts.” Xiao Qilan couldn’t help asking, “What person?” Shen Langhun asked, “What characters?” Tang Lici pointed at Lanyi Pavilion. “The characters are in the pavilion. Palace Master Wanyu’s calligraphy is extremely beautiful.”
Everyone’s gaze involuntarily turned toward Lanyi Pavilion. Several sheets of white rice paper on the desk were blown down by the wind, rolling all over the floor. Wanyu Yuedan stood to one side—whether because he couldn’t see or didn’t care, he made no move to pick them up. As the white papers rustled and rolled, everyone saw ink dripping on the paper, with elegant and upright handwriting showing one character for “fame,” one for “profit,” and one for “righteousness.”
What did that mean?
Fame, profit, righteousness, and someone’s whereabouts—could these make Wanyu Yuedan wade into these muddy waters, lend Biluo Palace’s power, and give them a temporary sanctuary?