“Song Tongming!” The howling wind tore at the carriage canopy, threatening to shred it apart as snow blocks flew endlessly into the carriage. Zhu Kang crawled to the front seat and roared against the gale, “Are you rushing to your death?”

A blizzard had risen in the deep night, making road conditions treacherous. The carriage jolted violently along the way, the ground already frozen solid. Song Tongming sat in the front seat driving, but seemed to completely disregard the harsh weather, charging forward as if storming enemy lines. Zhu Kang was beside himself with fury, yet all he could hear was this madman’s incessant maniacal laughter, truly seeming insane. When Zhu Kang’s persuasion proved useless, he turned to look for Fu Yuanying, only to see flames dancing within the carriage – Feicheng Guai was wielding his sword to chop firewood while Suanpan Guai tended to the charcoal brazier. A roaring fire had erupted inside the carriage canopy, threatening to burn the entire vehicle to ashes at any moment.

Zhu Kang roared angrily, “No playing with fire!” Suanpan Guai grinned and said, “Mud pig kang resistant resistant long replace through muddy fart!”

Zhu Kang shouted, “Speak proper language!” The official language, or “public speech,” was the vernacular spoken by the most common people throughout the realm. That Suanpan Guai spoke with a regional accent like an ancient from a previous dynasty, though no one knew which dialect it was. He laughed and said, “You year but dead corpse before year moment fierce what!” As he spoke, the carriage jolted and red sparks flew from the brazier, threatening to catch fire at any moment. Zhu Kang cried out in anguish and said in panic, “Master Fu, I want to ride in the other carriage! I don’t want to share a carriage with them!” Song Tongming roared, “Bastard! You want to go flirt with the girl again, don’t you? I’ll kill you!” As he spoke, he yanked the reins even harder, making the carriage careen even more wildly and bouncing everyone up.

Fu Yuanying could only smile bitterly and shake his head.

That night, Su Ying’s attempt to wield the “Benevolent Sword” failed, and she finally collapsed, coughing up blood, but this forced Qiong Fang to emerge. To lift the burden from her lover’s heart, she insisted on finding Ning Bufan. After great difficulty learning of his whereabouts, she invited Juan’er to accompany her to Guizhou. The Qiong family, knowing this son-in-law was important, naturally dared not obstruct her, only dispatching the personal attendants “Three Staff Heroes” to accompany them south. These three men were nephews of Kongtong Sect Leader Xing Xuanbao who had served the Qiong family since their youth, always efficient in their duties. With them providing protection, the sect master could feel much more at ease.

With Qiong Fang leading the expedition, matters naturally became easier to arrange. Besides summoning the Two Freaks for assistance, Fu Yuanying also requested the elderly ministers of Purple Cloud Pavilion to personally invite the greatest master of the northern desert, Zhe’er Dan, to join them. This formidable fighter had been caught off guard by the black-clad man, so upon hearing that Qiong Fang intended to deal with this person, he immediately agreed with righteous indignation. When word spread, Zhu Kang heard that Juan’er was going to Guizhou and volunteered to come along. Song Tongming, deeply afraid his romantic rival would gain the advantage, fought his way out after a great battle with his father. With so many masters gathered together, the carriage was full of enemies, which led to constant quarreling.

Dark clouds pressed overhead like a black canopy, snow fluttered on the road, obscuring the path from view. Song Tongming’s carriage moved erratically – now fast, now slow, charging left and right – making all passengers cry out in misery. Yet just ten feet away, another carriage moved smoothly and steadily, displaying great composure, with all its passengers sleeping soundly. Fu Yuanying lifted the carriage curtain to look at the driver, whose eyes blazed like two bright lanterns in the raging snow – it was Zhe’er Dan himself. Without him personally driving, this carriage could never have been so stable. Fu Yuanying smiled slightly and waved a greeting to him, while Zhe’er Dan nodded slightly in acknowledgment.

This southern expedition consisted of twelve people in total. The strongest in martial arts was Zhe’er Dan, while the most experienced was Fu Yuanying. These two each led a carriage – Zhe’er Dan and his disciple, Qiong Fang, Juan’er, and the Three Staff Heroes rode together in one carriage. Fu Yuanying, the Two Freaks, Zhu Kang, Song Tongming, and the local guide rode in another. Everyone traveled with utmost haste, starting along the Grand Canal, passing through Tong, Cang, Linqing, Jining and other prefectures, then transferring to Yangtze River fast boats and swift horses, never stopping to rest. They arrived in Guiyang on the evening of the twenty-first, scheduled to reach the great White Water Falls early the next morning. All were martial arts masters who could endure such hardship, but no one had expected the southern regions to have such heavy snow with such abnormal weather, as if Heaven itself was unwilling to let them find Ning Bufan and was deliberately making things difficult.

Fu Yuanying gazed at the cold, gloomy sky and thought, “These past few years, celestial phenomena have been strange, and even the imperial calendar has become unreliable. This winter’s heavy snow and bitter cold, followed by increasingly sparse spring rains – I expect there will be drought again.” He summoned the guide and took out a map to examine their plans for the next morning. They would race against time, first searching along the main falls of the White Water River. According to the note Ning Bufan had left behind, the great main falls of White Water River must be significant. If they found nothing upstream, they would check downstream; if nothing on the left bank, they would look at the right bank. If they still found nothing, on the second and third days they would split up to search places like Duopo Pond, Spiral Beach, Dripping Water Pool, Hanging Water Falls, Star Gorge Falls, and others. Even if they couldn’t personally witness Ning Bufan, at the very least they had to find places where he had once stayed, so they could track him in the future.

After another hour, the wind and snow had stopped, and it was Fu Yuanying’s turn to drive. In the darkness, there seemed to be no residences, shops, or taverns in sight – the scenery was rather desolate. The others, exhausted from the night, were all sleeping soundly. Watching Zhu Kang and Song Tongming prop their feet on each other, occasionally kicking in their dreams, it was clear there was hatred in their hearts. The guide, sandwiched between the foul-smelling Huashan Two Freaks, slept soundly nonetheless – like entering a fish market, one stops noticing the smell after a while.

Fu Yuanying was not only skilled in martial arts but also very efficient in handling affairs. All the major and minor logistics on the road were managed by him personally. Before departure, he had even issued documents in the name of the Imperial Uncle to civil and military officials everywhere, making their journey smooth and unobstructed. He was indeed the most reliable minister Qiong Fang could depend upon. Smiling as he watched everyone, his thoughts turned to Su Ying, and he couldn’t help but sigh.

Zhe’er Dan had been defeated, Song Tongming had been defeated, Chi Chuanzi had been defeated – these men had either broken wrists or suffered bruises, their injuries far more severe than Su Ying’s.

But now these men had all recovered, each one full of vigor as if nothing had happened. Only the young master of Huashan, only he had collapsed and still could not recover his spirit.

If he hadn’t pointed it out, perhaps Qiong Fang would never have known that her seemingly confident lover who appeared to care about nothing was actually so melancholy inside. That reputation as the world’s greatest, the legend of the Three-Reaching Sword – all of it relied on his protection. Now, after the battle at the Imperial Medical Academy, the tremendous burden on his shoulders had finally collapsed, crushing him in complete defeat from which he could never rise again.

Fu Yuanying silently prayed, “Senior Brother Ning, please return! This is your own disciple!”

When daylight broke, they could already hear the deafening sound of waterfall thunder. Fu Yuanying woke the guide, who yawned while continuously beating his back and rubbing his waist, apparently having slept in an awkward position that strained his muscles. Fu Yuanying asked, “Are we almost there?” The man examined the terrain and said, “We’re currently traveling upstream of the White Water River – we’ll reach the top of the falls shortly.” Fu Yuanying asked, “Are there any markets nearby?” The guide nodded, “Downstream at Rhinoceros Pool there’s a small town, probably with some fishing family taverns.” Fu Yuanying’s heart leaped with joy, guessing that Ning Bufan was most likely staying in town, and unconsciously urged the horses faster, wanting to arrive earlier.

As the two men spoke, Zhu Kang had already awakened. Seeing Song Tongming’s stinking foot resting on his body, he immediately screamed. Song Tongming half-opened his slanted eyes and barked, “Pretty boy! Never smelled stinky feet before?” The two began pushing and shoving each other, fighting over the blanket while quarreling again. Fu Yuanying smiled bitterly, thinking, “These two live treasures also came along – I wonder what Senior Brother Ning will think when he sees them.”

After traveling another half li, the mountain path became even more treacherous. With the snow just beginning to melt, the ground became even more slippery, so Fu Yuanying stopped the carriage and had everyone walk.

The two large carriages stopped by the mountain. Zhu Kang, who always loved cleanliness, immediately fetched spring water to wash his face and rinse his mouth upon getting out. Song Tongming, being an uncouth fellow, brazenly unbuttoned his pants by a banyan tree to fertilize it. Looking at the Huashan Two Freaks, both rolled out of the carriage with crooked mouths and slanted eyes, most likely having slept with twisted necks.

Qiong Fang and Juan’er, both natural beauties, remained quite lovely despite a poor night’s sleep. Fu Yuanying saw them holding hands as they got out and approached with a smile, asking, “Did you sleep well?” After asking twice, he suddenly saw Juan’er making a bitter face as she removed silk cloth from her ears, pointing toward Zhe’er Dan’s disciple. Fu Yuanying laughed heartily – Zhe’er Dan had traveled light on this journey, bringing only one disciple as translator. Who would have thought this man could speak and understand Chinese but no one knew what language he spoke in his sleep.

Mountain springs gurgled as Juan’er held silk handkerchiefs and stood shoulder to shoulder with Qiong Fang to wash up. Qiong Fang splashed cold water on her face and felt her spirits revive. She gazed into the distance at the mountain ranges, seeing peaks shooting straight toward heaven all around, shrouded in clouds and mist, creating an extremely lonely and lofty feeling. She nodded and said, “Without coming to Guizhou, one truly wouldn’t know how strange the world could be – this really opened my eyes.”

Feicheng Guai, Suanpan Guai, and Song Tongming took turns relieving themselves and urinating, returning one by one with wet hands. Feicheng Guai let out a tremendous yawn and said sheepishly, “That little rascal nephew of ours is most peculiar – of all the places he could have gone, he had to drill into these poor, remote wilderness areas, forcing us old folks to travel such long distances. It’s truly inexplicable.” Suanpan Guai didn’t even wipe his hands, eating his steamed bun with wet fingers. Hearing the thunderous sound of water, he asked in bewilderment, “Feng’er, is this rushing water sound the great White Water Falls?”

Fu Yuanying was also visiting for the first time, so how could he answer? The guide coughed and explained, “Gentlemen may not know – the terrain around White Water River is extremely steep, said to be formed by lava. The locals call it ‘no mountain without caves, no cave without wonders, all water becomes waterfalls.’ Some are dangerously beautiful like Spiral Beach, some vast like Duopo Pond, some torrential like Star Gorge Falls – you’ve all probably heard their names before.” Everyone listlessly just grunted a few times, perfunctorily responding, “Thunder-like reputation indeed – the water sound is truly very loud.”

After everyone finished chatting and washing up, they headed toward the main falls. Walking just a few li, beside the waterfall where wind was strong and water swift, countless water droplets began falling from the sky. The guide had come prepared and ordered everyone to take out rain cloaks, one for each person. Though they had rain gear, the further forward they walked, the larger the raindrops became. Later, dark clouds filled the sky and it actually began to hail with freezing rain. Feicheng Guai cursed, “Yesterday it snowed, today it’s raining – will tomorrow bring great drought? Damn your ancestors!”

Everyone had internal energy to protect themselves, so they didn’t take mere rainwater seriously. After walking less than half an hour more, amid the tremendous sound of rushing water, they had already arrived beside the White Water River.

The waterfall was divided into upper and lower sections. It was morning with bright daylight. Everyone stood on the left bank at the top of the falls, looking down from the cliff edge. They could see the White Water River flowing endlessly downward with extremely rapid currents. When the river water reached the cliff’s edge, it immediately plunged into a bottomless abyss, as if Heaven had opened a mouth to swallow that endless flowing water into hell.

The rapids rushed torrentially, magnificent and precipitous – the danger lay in the word “perilous,” the wonder in the word “difficult.” Juan’er felt her legs go weak and asked anxiously, “This river water is so frightening – would it freeze in winter?” Though this was a distinguished guest asking, the guide couldn’t help but smile, “Miss, you have quite an imagination. The Southwest rarely sees snow – for waterfalls to freeze would be extremely difficult.”

Qiong Fang brought out a Western telescope to look at the water surface. In the misty vapors, angry waves surged on the river – there were neither boats nor fishermen to be seen, nor tourists or residences. After examining it repeatedly, she handed the telescope to Fu Yuanying and shook her head, “Nothing but overwhelming flood water.”

Fu Yuanying took it and looked through the scope. Before his eyes rolled angry torrents impossible for fishing or angling, naturally uninhabited by common folk – everything in sight was desolate.

Feicheng Guai suddenly had a strange idea and picked up a large stone, hurling it forcefully down toward the waterfall. With a tremendous splash, that stone was struck by the rapids and immediately rolled down toward the bottom of the falls, disappearing without a trace in an instant. Suanpan Guai saw this and felt envious, laughing, “Wonderful! Senior Brother, that move was really impressive – let me try it too.” So saying, he hoisted up another huge stone, wanting to follow suit.

The guide hurriedly rushed forward to dissuade him, “Sir, you absolutely must not do this!” Suanpan Guai set down the huge stone with a thunderous crash, nearly crushing the guide’s foot, and said sheepishly, “He can do it but I can’t? Are you bullying me for being thin? Think I have a long face…”

He then picked up the large stone and viciously hurled it down, indeed creating an impressive commotion. The two old freaks, lacking proper behavior, took turns lifting stones to throw. Suddenly someone behind them called out, “How dare you! This is sacred ground ahead – stop immediately! Don’t throw anymore!”

Everyone heard this voice was young and tender, yet the tone was quite stern. Finding this most strange, they turned to look and saw a child with a thin frame, holding a walking stick in his right hand and resting his left hand on another child’s shoulder, limping forward step by step. He appeared to be fourteen or fifteen years old, his eyes dim and lightless – a little blind boy. Suanpan Guai laughed, “What sacred ground? Blind eyes speak blind words – little child, you’re not learning properly…”

He babbled nonsensically, but the youth paid him no attention. Several children took chickens, ducks, fish, and meat from bamboo baskets, then brought out incense sticks and paper money, immediately kneeling on the ground to worship toward the great water.

Suanpan Guai was completely puzzled and couldn’t help laughing, “What are you doing? Worshipping your mother’s ancestors?” A child nearby angrily said, “Dead old man! Watch your mouth! We’re worshipping the Water God Master!” Everyone exclaimed in unison, “Water God?” The blind youth sighed deeply, tears rolling down his face. The other children faced the water and sang in unison:

“Worship the Water God, seek grace and virtue, when the Water God rages, great drought comes, every household eats next year’s grain.”

“Sacrifice to the Water God to atone for sins, when the Water God weeps, great rains fall, flooding into the homes of immoral people.”

Everyone listening to these children’s songs found them pure and innocent in voice, yet extremely strange and superstitious in meaning, and couldn’t help frowning.

In recent years, the weather had been abnormally cold, with dry summers and extremely harsh winters, often bringing snow throughout the nation, even in southern regions like Guangyue. With the four seasons out of order and harvests ruined, many common people had built Dragon King shrines to worship water gods. Similar folk songs had also circulated in the capital, impossible to prohibit completely, and many in the court had heard them.

Seeing everyone’s puzzled expressions, the guide explained, “Gentlemen may not know – our Guizhou region has always worshipped the Dragon King. Legend says the Water God Dragon King sits enthroned within the waterfall, and must never be mocked. Therefore, when coming to the riverside, one must never engage in disrespectful games.”

Suanpan Guai laughed heartily, “Game with your mother’s big head! If I can’t throw stones, surely I can piss, you bastard…” This man was naturally obstinate – the more the children scolded him, the more defiant he became. He immediately unbuckled his belt and began urinating by the riverbank. Everyone seeing his vulgarity shook their heads, while nearby Qiong Fang and Juan’er blushed with embarrassment, walking away to admire the scenery.

Suanpan Guai had just urinated when getting out of the carriage, so this was clearly intentional provocation. He laughed heartily and shouted, “Where is the Dragon King? Show yourself for this old man to see! Your grandfather is here to bring you tea!” Just as he was relieving himself comfortably, suddenly a black shadow leaped forward. With a loud thud, Suanpan Guai felt sharp pain in his jaw and his body flipped backward – caught off guard, he had actually been punched.

Everyone hurriedly turned to look and saw it was the little blind boy who had struck. How could a mere blind youth manage to distinguish position by sound and strike by voice recognition? Everyone was greatly surprised, all thinking with alarm, “This child knows martial arts.” Looking carefully at the youth’s appearance, they saw his eyes were dim and lightless, but when he moved, his eyelids were still tightly squinted, suggesting these eyes weren’t completely blind but could barely make out some blurry scenery.

Having succeeded with his sneak attack, while Suanpan Guai, being a Huashan elder, was naturally shocked and furious. He shouted and reached out to grab, having already seized the little blind boy. Everyone feared he might kill the child and hurriedly advised, “Be gentle!” Suanpan Guai cursed, “I’m going to settle accounts with him! He punched me once, I’ll break one of his arm to teach him…” Before the word “proper” could emerge, the little blind boy followed the momentum and fell into Suanpan Guai’s embrace. His body form rotated, waist strength, leg strength, and arm strength working together – with a crisp crack, Suanpan Guai screamed miserably, his right shoulder immediately dislocated as he crouched down in pain.

The little blind boy smiled slightly and said coolly, “Horse-face old man, still want to settle accounts?” Suanpan Guai, having underestimated his enemy and suffered a dislocated arm, was naturally furious beyond measure. His left hand drew out his golden abacus as he roared, “Screw your grandma! Sneak attack ambush…” The little blind boy, hearing his endless cursing, used sound to determine position and flew out with a direct kick. Song Tongming, fearing he might suffer a loss, quickly entered the fray, forcing the little blind boy back a step while Feicheng Guai hurried over to reset Suanpan Guai’s arm.

The little blind boy smiled, “Quite a crowd here – who’s next?” Song Tongming laughed heartily and was about to step forward, but Zhu Kang had already moved first, saying coolly, “No need for Brother Tongming to act – let me handle this one.” Without waiting for Song Tongming’s consent, he approached the little blind boy and smiled, “Little friend, at such a young age you’re already acting like a local bully – aren’t you afraid the authorities will arrest you?”

Hearing the words “authorities,” the little blind boy’s mouth corners turned up as he pointed his thumb downward toward the ground and spat. Zhu Kang was shocked, “What’s that supposed to mean?” The little blind boy laughed, “Nothing much. If you’re scared, feel free to go report to the officials.” Zhu Kang snorted, thinking, “Showing no respect for royal law – if I don’t teach him a lesson, how will things be in the future?” In all his travels, he had never heard such arrogant words. Without another word, his left fist made a feint while his right palm struck directly toward the blind youth’s face. Juan’er hurriedly called out, “A sighted person shouldn’t fight a blind one – don’t hurt him!” Fu Yuanying, suspecting the child’s identity was unusual, immediately stopped Juan’er and said quietly, “Don’t panic – let me first observe this child’s martial arts style.”

The blind youth squinted his half-blind eyes, planted his feet without moving, and turned his ear to listen for enemy sounds. When the palm wind approached, he suddenly gave a sharp shout, stamped his foot and struck out with a straight punch directly toward Zhu Kang’s right palm. Seeing the youth’s fist strength was considerable, Zhu Kang was secretly alarmed. His palm formed a claw, reaching toward the youth’s fist, intending to use the “circling energy” of spear-shaking techniques to control his opponent.

The moment his fingers touched the opponent’s fist, the blind youth smiled and said, “You’ve exposed your position.” In an instant, a black shadow flew skyward, left foot planted, right leg spinning like a whirlwind – with a loud bang, Zhu Kang was kicked hard. Seeing how quickly this blind boy changed moves, the renowned Zhu Iron Spear of Hebei was actually kicked before landing even one technique. After taking the kick, Zhu Kang quickly retreated three steps and expelled the stale air from his chest to avoid internal injury.

Earlier when the blind youth had punched Suanpan Guai once, everyone was merely surprised by the youth’s quick reflexes. But when he executed his ground-stamping and whirlwind kick, all the masters present recognized the skill and discussed it among themselves. Song Tongming asked quietly, “This blind child is quite sinister – whose disciple is he?” Fu Yuanying carefully considered this little blind boy’s body technique. Though it appeared dangerous and unpredictable, it actually contained no evil qi. Especially when he had allowed Zhu Kang to touch his fist before using a strange technique to overcome his opponent – this was clearly a set of superior boxing and kicking techniques. After pondering, he said, “He’s using internal family boxing methods, but the techniques are novel – I’ve never seen anything like it before.” Zhe’er Dan, with his extensive jianghu experience, also whispered with his disciple, speculating about the youth’s martial lineage.

Zhu Kang was both shocked and furious. He was twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, a disciple of a prominent family – how could he be driven back by some unknown blind boy in the southwestern wilderness? He couldn’t afford to lose face like this. Drawing a foot-long iron rod from his bosom, with a swish he extended the rod body, instantly creating a staff over ten feet long. He exhaled forcefully, the staff tip trembling with several whooshing sounds, having revealed his family’s hereditary skill. He declared solemnly, “Zhu Iron Spear of Hebei respectfully receives your excellency’s superior techniques.”

Never mind that his opponent was blind – given Zhu Kang’s jianghu status, this battle absolutely should not have escalated to weapons. Qiong Fang secretly shook her head, about to dissuade him, when the blind youth suddenly smiled slightly and asked the children beside him, “Where is the sacred ground?”

As he spoke, a child reached out to guide the blind boy as he turned around. Everyone looked in that direction and saw the youth facing northeast toward the heart of the river, where there was a barren rock. The large stone was about twenty feet square, constantly bearing the impact of torrential waves. Everyone hurriedly looked more carefully – they could see the White Water River falling from a small waterfall, then rushing toward the main falls. The slope was so steep and the water so violently collapsing that the stone was sometimes completely submerged by raging waves, sometimes revealed – how could it possibly support a person standing on it? Looking around, it was naturally bare and empty of all things, yet somehow he called it sacred ground?

Just as they were puzzled, the blind youth had already prostrated himself on the ground, respectfully kowtowing and saying with palms together, “Water God Master above, only because small people are oppressing me, your disciple has no choice but to resist. If there should be any killing or wounding shortly, please forgive me.” Everyone seeing him so seriously kowtowing and speaking were all dumbfounded, not knowing what mystery he was creating. Zhu Kang coughed and said, “Little brother, if you’re afraid, just say so…”

Before his words were finished, the blind youth rose on his own and picked up his walking stick. He asked the youth beside him quietly, “What weapon is he using?” The youths answered in unison, “A long, long wrought iron staff!”

The blind youth pulled in his chest and straightened his back, facing Zhu Kang, “Sir, you’ve waited long enough. Come, let’s exchange a few moves.” His speech was calm and showed great maturity. Zhu Kang spun his staff with whooshing sounds, his techniques quite sophisticated, and called out, “I’ll first attack your lower body, then strike your left and right sides – do you understand?” The youth, hearing Zhu Kang’s protective intent, couldn’t help laughing, “Thank you for your kind consideration, but sir had better worry about yourself instead.” As he spoke, two fingers formed sword finger techniques, his walking stick drawing circles, opening and closing grandly, rotating continuously. Looking at the stick tip trembling slightly, it was actually the opening stance of a superior sword technique.

This youth’s methods were most marvelous – his walking stick rotated continuously as if no matter how Zhu Kang attacked with his spear, it would always encounter his weapon. Fu Yuanying thought silently, “First spread the net, then control the opponent. This mental formula is…” Before the two could begin fighting, he quickly leaped into the arena, separating Zhu Kang from the youth, and loudly recited, “Huashan sword techniques hide heavenly secrets,” half-chanting, half-singing. The first line was “Huashan sword techniques hide heavenly secrets,” the second line “three front, five back, turn both sides” – this was Huashan’s introductory sword technique mental formula. The Huashan Two Freaks were inwardly alarmed, both knowing Fu Yuanying suspected this child’s martial lineage.

Everyone held their breath to listen, but heard the youth laugh coldly, “Hide what secrets? If you want to fight, then fight – if not, then step aside!”

Saying this, his right stick swung lightly with a low whistle, his wrist adding force, instantly spinning up and down, trembling continuously. In the dazzling confusion, that walking stick actually changed seventeen or eighteen positions, displaying extremely fantastic abilities. Seeing such techniques, everyone was greatly shocked. Song Tongming exclaimed, “What kind of martial arts is this?” Juan’er murmured, “This… this looks like sword techniques…”

Fu Yuanying, seeing these methods, was also stunned. The blind youth, seeing him standing motionless, immediately circled around. His footwork was light and agile as his body rolled toward the ground, intending to use low-level techniques to get close to his enemy. Fu Yuanying was secretly horrified – earlier the youth had spread his net defensively to control his opponent afterward, but now he was using lightning-fast techniques to attack first. All his martial arts completely compensated for his lack of vision. Wanting to clearly observe the youth’s martial arts, he didn’t stop him but quietly watched, ready to enter at any moment to save someone.

Zhu Kang had now abandoned any underestimation, his iron staff striking downward to block the opponent’s advance. The youth, hearing clearly, immediately rolled his body like a donkey, feet flipping and climbing onto the iron staff, then his entire body sat down, using his full body weight to neutralize Zhu Kang’s weapon. With a “hey” sound, his walking stick produced seven flying shadows directly toward Zhu Kang.

Everyone was shocked and alarmed – no one had expected victory and defeat to come so quickly. Just as Zhu Kang was about to leap away to avoid the opponent’s strange attacking technique, at this moment a figure flew down into the arena. A large hand reached out, already grasping the youth’s back garment, and with one effort lifted him up single-handedly. Everyone looked quickly at the face – the newcomer had a mighty countenance and tall stature – it was the “Greatest Master of the Northern Desert” entering the fray!

The blind youth, caught in his grasp, was also greatly shocked, asking in panic, “Who are you? Why didn’t I hear your footsteps?” Zhe’er Dan smiled coldly, his palm strength and internal energy penetrating the youth’s meridians, forcing him unable to move, and asked two words:

“Kun… lun?”

The little blind boy, his feet off the ground and caught in Zhe’er Dan’s hand, continued cursing incessantly, angrily shouting, “Let me go! Let me go!”

Zhe’er Dan smiled slightly but didn’t bully him, steadily setting him down on the ground. The blind boy crouched gasping, then suddenly bounced up and rolled straight backward, shouting loudly, “Trouble’s coming! Everyone run quickly!” Several children cried out loudly and fled instantly, leaving not one behind. The incense, candles, fish, and meat scattered on the ground, left uncollected.

Zhe’er Dan’s speech was unclear and indistinct, leaving others unable to comprehend, but this man was steady and decisive – when he spoke, he was always accurate. These two words must have deep significance. Song Tongming asked his disciple, “What is your master saying? What does he want to bind?” That disciple was also completely bewildered, only shaking his head – apparently even Mongolian didn’t have these two words.

Fu Yuanying had been observing the youth’s martial arts and now approached Zhe’er Dan. The two put their heads together in quiet discussion. Though Fu Yuanying had never formally studied Mongolian, the Mongols had ruled China for over ninety years, and many scholars of that time were still proficient in the language. Fu Yuanying, being somewhat older, had naturally picked up some through exposure and could handle basic daily conversation.

After a long while, Fu Yuanying and Zhe’er Dan finished their discussion. Everyone gathered around with detailed questions, all wanting to explore the child’s origins. Zhu Kang, his shock just settling, asked Fu Yuanying, “What was that technique just now? Does it relate to your Huashan school?”

Feicheng Guai rushed to answer, “No, definitely not. This swordwork relies purely on wrist strength and is vastly different from our Huashan martial arts.”

Years ago, the Two Freaks had poor comprehension and failed at sword training, so their sect master had crafted a pair of unusual weapons for them, hoping to compensate for their lack of agility with weapon advantages. Even so, they were still required to train their minds, not their strength. That youth’s purely wrist-driven sharp sword techniques were definitely not Huashan’s authentic mental methods.

Juan’er, remembering the “Kun Lun” phrase, hurriedly asked, “What did Master Zhe’er Dan mean when he shouted just now? Did Master Fu find out?”

Fu Yuanying nodded, “He said Kunlun.”

Everyone was shocked and alarmed, discussing among themselves. “Kunlun sword brings blood to vast oceans, driving a thousand li straight to the Yellow River” – this most ruthlessly vicious sword technique from the previous dynasty had long been lost, and the entire Kunlun sect had vanished like smoke. Who would have thought it would reappear in the jianghu through this youth’s hands? Zhu Kang asked in shock, “You’re saying he’s from Kunlun Mountain?”

Fu Yuanying said, “The Sword God sect’s disciples use direct central palace attacks – theirs is the sword of hatred, the way of anger. They practice only killing moves, no empty techniques, exactly opposite to our Huashan swordwork. That child’s sword techniques follow unconventional paths, bearing some resemblance to Kunlun sect members.”

Feicheng Guai murmured, “But Zhuo Lingzhao died long ago, and that child is only ten-odd years old – how could he possibly be a Kunlun sect member?”

How could Fu Yuanying know? He naturally shrugged and shook his head. The others were full of doubts when they heard Suanpan Guai shouting loudly, “What Sword God, fart god – they’re all defeated by our Nephew Ning anyway! Never mind them! Let’s handle our own business first! Next time we meet that little demon, I’ll definitely knock out his front teeth!”

This journey was undertaken for Ning Bufan’s sake, so everyone stopped overthinking. They each examined the terrain – the waterfall’s peak was completely uninhabited, obvious at a glance. Qiong Fang took up her telescope and desperately searched both banks. With cold wind and freezing water, the guide had long retreated into the carriage. Everyone had stood beside the waterfall for a full hour. Though they had trained internal energy and rarely caught cold, the constant assault of frigid air was certainly harmful rather than beneficial. Seeing this place was indeed uninhabited, they immediately sounded retreat, planning to search downstream the next day.

This return journey yielded no further information whatsoever. Everyone split into multiple groups, but found no traces upstream, nor any shadows downstream. Questioning the locals, they heard many rural strange tales – even learning where ghosts haunted and where evil houses stood – but seeing these with their own eyes proved completely irrelevant. The “World’s Greatest” remained as elusive as a yellow crane. Fu Yuanying, thinking of the blind child he had seen that day, suspected there must be something strange about it all, so spent these days searching everywhere to get clear answers.

But being unfamiliar with the area, after several consecutive days, not only could they not find Ning Bufan, but the blind youth had also vanished without trace. This day at noon, Fu Yuanying, left with no choice and guessing his senior brother was not in Guiyang, led the officials to pack up, planning to transfer to Zunyi for investigation.

Unable to find Ning Bufan, they decided to make the best of a bad situation. Everyone rarely had a day of leisure, so each seized the opportunity to enter the city for sightseeing. Qiong Fang, grateful that the northern desert grandmaster had traveled south as escort, planned to host a noon banquet for Zhe’er Dan and his disciple to express her gratitude.

When the young sect master went out, the “Kongtong Three Staff Heroes” dutifully maintained their guard, naturally following like shadows. Juan’er, not wanting to sit alone in empty rooms, also accompanied them. As soon as the Nine Flowers female sect leader stepped out the front door, the two young masters of Fuyuan followed behind. The Huashan Two Freaks, seeing these three young people going out, knew there would be fun to be found, so they also arrived at the first sign of activity. For a moment, with Zhe’er Dan and his disciple walking ahead, and men, women, old and young lined up behind, they formed a great procession of eleven people.

The large group marched mightily through the streets. The northern desert grandmaster was devoutly Buddhist and bowed at every temple, while the Huashan Two Freaks, being unlearned, turned away at every shrine. One performed rituals when meeting monks, the other quarreled with everyone he saw. Following each other’s example like shadows, they finally forced the northern desert grandmaster to employ light-footed techniques, leading his disciple in frantic escape. When the front began moving, the others hurriedly chased after them. In an instant, eleven people were pursuing and clamoring through the main street, drawing sideways glances and laughter from the common people.

Finally having some entertainment, the Huashan Two Freaks naturally shouted desperately and chased with all their might. Everyone turned corner after corner, all rushing toward the street corner. The Two Freaks, not wanting to fall behind in their fun, rounded the bend when Suanpan Guai carelessly collided with someone. With a clattering sound, a basket overturned on the ground, and fresh fish were seen bouncing all over in a most pitiful state.

The fish vendor was a child, only thirteen or fourteen years old, desperately gathering fish on the ground. Suanpan Guai asked his senior brother, “What should one say when bumping into someone?” The youth looked up and shouted, “Sorry!” Suanpan Guai laughed heartily and waved his hand, “Fine, that’s exactly what I was waiting to hear – you’re forgiven.”

Just as the Huashan Two Freaks were about to leave, the youth’s face filled with anger as he shouted loudly, “Stop! You knock someone down and just walk away like this – where in the world is there such reasoning?” Feicheng Guai, seeing his fierce shouting, just said “Oh” and replied, “Little brother has quite a temper – so what do you want? Name your terms!”

The youth angrily said, “My fish can’t see light – after you knocked them around, they can’t be sold for proper prices! You have to buy them all!”

Feicheng Guai laughed, “Can’t see light? Are there such strange fish in the world? I think it’s your business that can’t see light!” Suanpan Guai yawned, “Senior Brother, I’m getting quite hungry – let’s hurry and catch up with the others. Don’t waste words with him.” The two old men were too lazy to bother and walked away directly. In desperation, the youth rushed forward and grabbed Feicheng Guai’s clothing, shouting, “You can’t leave! Unless you buy all these fish!”

A few days ago, Suanpan Guai had been beaten by a young child and lost face. Feicheng Guai had long intended to sweep through the Southwest to restore their reputation. When grabbed by the boy, he immediately sighed, “Little brother, of all people to provoke, why provoke me?” Though the Two Freaks were old, their martial foundation was actually quite solid. Especially their internal energy, cultivated through years of bitter training, showed first-class jianghu foundations. Feicheng Guai shook his head, waved his left hand and lightly hooked with his right foot, already throwing the fish-selling youth to the ground.

The youth fell with groans and whimpers but didn’t give up. Instantly pursing his lips to whistle, amid the mixed footsteps on the street side, about ten children came running out.

Feicheng Guai laughed, “Good! How are there even disciples and granddisciples?” Seeing several children peeping and not daring to approach, the youth shouted loudly, “These two old men are not good people! Quickly go report to the Elder and ask him to come teach these two bastards a lesson!”

Hearing this, the children immediately ran away quickly. Since the other side had made an appointment, the Huashan Two Freaks couldn’t very well leave either. They laughed heartily, “Quickly bring your people! Grandfather will teach you a lesson.” They brazenly waited on the spot – what sect master or elder could there be? At most some obscure, poor, weak sect from the Southwest like the Triple River Gang or Sand Dock – even if ten or twenty people came, they wouldn’t be concerned.

Just as they were yawning, Zhu Kang had already returned. Seeing a child rolling on the ground, apparently beaten by the Two Freaks, he frowned and said, “Seniors, you absolutely should not, absolutely must not strike common people. Huashan sect rules have always strictly forbidden private fighting – for you two to act this way violates the duty of martial artists.” He nagged through a long speech, crouching down to help the youth and examine his injuries.

Just as he was looking, unexpectedly his vision went black as a fist viciously struck forward. First, he was too close; second, he never expected such ungrateful betrayal. In a flash, the fist was already an inch from his face. In panic, Zhu Kang hastily used the Iron Bridge technique and barely managed to dodge, protecting his eye socket from blackening. But his heart filled with great anger. Seeing the youth still cursing with bared fangs and claws in a fierce manner, he couldn’t help rewarding him with a kick, angrily saying, “Boy, have you lost your mind? You dare to hit Zhu Iron Spear? Watch this young master beat you to death!”

Just as he was angrily scolding and about to strike, a shout came from behind: “Adult hitting a child! Have you no shame? Release my brother!” Everyone turned to look and saw a sturdy youth running over. He appeared to be twelve or thirteen years old with a completely childish face – apparently this was the “Elder.” The Huashan Two Freaks had heard the fish-selling youth’s urgent cries, expecting this elder to be some mighty adult, but who knew it was still a child – they couldn’t help feeling somewhat surprised.

Before Zhu Kang could speak in defense, the “Elder” was already flying at him with a kick, shouting, “I’ll hit you shameless thing!” This kick aimed at the lower body with quite vicious methods. Zhu Kang, being a disciple of a prominent family, greatly detested such low-class tricks. His hands formed a circle, turning the youth’s flying foot in a full rotation and throwing him straight to the ground.

The “Elder” couldn’t move – this fall was quite heavy and not easily endured. Just as Zhu Kang was about to speak, he suddenly saw the fallen young elder’s right leg sweep back toward Zhu Kang. Zhu Kang’s heart trembled: “This rural youth’s technique changes are also quite fast.” With his internal energy protecting him, this kick couldn’t hurt him, so he simply concentrated force in his knee and rebounded the youth back.

The youth’s face showed complete amazement, as if he hadn’t expected such martial arts to exist in the world. His body rolled back, but in an instant his right foot found leverage, his body bounced up, and his shoulder struck toward Zhu Kang’s chest. With a muffled sound, though the youth had struck Zhu Kang, Fuyuan’s four families’ superior internal energy protection rebounded and bounced him back.

After two consecutive losses, the youth had no strength left to stand. He lay on the ground gasping continuously, angrily saying, “Someone! Go get the sect master! Give him a good beating.” The children shouted loudly and instantly ran away, leaving not one behind.

By this time, countless people had gathered to watch on the main street. Juan’er, Qiong Fang, Zhe’er Dan and others had all returned. Juan’er and Qiong Fang, seeing Zhu Kang fighting someone in the street, came to ask about the reason. Feicheng Guai added insult to injury, saying, “Zhu Kang, you’re at least a disciple of a famous family – what proper behavior is this, humiliating and beating a fisherman’s youth? If your Grandmother Zhu hears about this, she’ll probably be heartbroken again.” Zhu Kang was furious: “If not for you two old troublemakers stirring up problems, would I have gotten involved? And you’re actually blaming me!” Suanpan Guai sighed, “Crude and violent, hitting children will inevitably lead to hitting wives, hitting wives will inevitably lead to hitting one’s mother – your Zhu family’s old and young won’t live long.” Saying this, he kept winking at Juan’er, indicating she must never marry such a person.

Zhu Kang was so angry he jumped up and down, about to turn and hit someone, when suddenly he heard gongs and drums behind him. About ten children sang cheerfully: “Worship the Water God, seek grace and virtue, when the Water God rages and brings no rain, every household eats next year’s grain. Sacrifice to the Water God to atone for sins, when the Water God weeps, great rains fall, flooding into the homes of immoral people.” When the singing stopped, the children bounced and jumped as they parted along the street. Amid slow, heavy footsteps mixed with the sound of a walking stick, someone asked quietly, “Who hit my brothers?” That voice was low and deep, sounding rather sorrowful at first hearing. Everyone turned to look and saw this person was also a youth, his eyes dim and lightless – it was the little blind boy they had encountered by the waterfall that day!

Qiong Fang hurriedly pulled Juan’er close and whispered, “Quickly go get Master Fu and tell him we’ve found the person.”

Juan’er’s light-footed techniques were superb – her front foot had barely left when Zhu Kang was already stepping forward. He and this blind boy had unresolved old grudges, and now new hatred was added. He immediately sneered coldly, “Good boy, we really are destined to meet – today let’s fight to our hearts’ content.” The little blind boy recognized Zhu Kang’s voice and, remembering Zhe’er Dan’s lightning-fast methods, immediately smiled coldly, “Are you going to fight one-on-one, or rush at me all together? Make it clear first.”

Zhu Kang was so angry he laughed instead. His left foot kicked sideways, picking up a bamboo pole for drying clothes from the street side, grasping it with both hands and declaring loudly, “Come at me! If I have anyone help me today, Zhu Iron Spear of Hebei will kneel and kowtow to you.” The little blind boy smiled slightly, “You have guts – I like you.” Taking the walking stick from his companion’s hands, his left hand formed two fingers while his right foot suddenly kicked at the ground, stirring up a large amount of dirt and sand that shot directly at Zhu Kang. Zhu Kang’s vision was blocked and he retreated repeatedly, angrily saying, “Good boy, using such despicable tricks…”

The little blind boy laughed, “A sighted person fighting a blind one, and with superior numbers too – who’s really being despicable?” As he spoke, he pressed forward, his left hand taking out a lime packet from his bosom and hurling it viciously at Zhu Kang. Zhu Kang dodged frantically with panicked cries, desperately trying to evade.

Qiong Fang, knowing this person’s swordwork was quite accomplished, feared Zhu Kang might lose and quickly signaled to the Kongtong Three Staff Heroes. The three responded with whooshing sounds, joining forces as they rushed forward, their staffs working in coordinated up-and-down movements – it was indeed a formidable formation. The blind little sect master couldn’t determine their length and nearly got hit. The young elder shouted, “Sect Master, be careful! These people all use staffs!” The little blind boy kept retreating while loudly asking, “How long are the staffs?” The children were too young to judge accurately and couldn’t answer for a moment. Suddenly someone said, “These pole-staffs have no blades or edges, pointed at the front, about seven feet long, roughly a bit taller than you.”

Everyone turned to look and saw a man slowly emerging from the alley. This person smiled while stroking his beard, with a refined appearance – it was Fu Yuanying.

The little blind boy was unwilling to accept this favor and immediately shouted, “Shut up! Can’t I listen for myself? Who asked you to curry favor!” He roared angrily, his body like a stiff corpse, falling backward with his staff. For a moment he lay straight on the ground, leaving everyone surprised and uncertain, not knowing what mystery this contained.

Zhu Kang shouted, “This child’s martial arts are tough – don’t let him fool you!”

The Three Staff Heroes exchanged glances, their pole-staffs pointing downward. Though they only lightly swept over, those three wooden staffs moved like spirit snakes, winding and advancing as if alive. Seeing that Kongtong, called one of the Four Heroes and Four Powers, indeed had some talent and didn’t earn their reputation in vain, everyone watching secretly praised them in their hearts.

Eight staffs came from three directions and would soon entangle the youth, but he remained calm and actually closed his eyes. Everyone knew this child’s eyes didn’t work well – though not completely blind, they weren’t very useful – but they didn’t know what he intended by closing his eyes now.

When the staffs were about to reach him, the child’s body suddenly spun and rolled sideways, his body actually pressing down on the pole-staffs – exactly the technique he had used against Zhu Kang that day. The Three Staff Heroes were inwardly alarmed, not expecting him to use “donkey rolling” techniques for defense. The three heroes immediately changed their techniques, one lifting his staff in mid-air to strike heavily downward. Just then, the blind youth opened his eyes and shouted, “Hit!”

He was seen jumping up, his walking stick thrusting toward the enemy’s eyes. This change of technique came from behind but arrived first, both fast and urgent, actually calculating the enemy’s weakness perfectly. Fu Yuanying nodded slightly, thinking, “What formidable intuition.” He had been observing the battle situation from the side, already calculating the youth’s steps. Seeing him charge forward, he immediately stepped forward, lightly waving his hand and bending his middle finger joint. With a light sound, the youth’s chest and abdomen pressure points were controlled, his internal energy stopped, and he was firmly held in place.

This technique displayed the profound Huashan secret of “calm mind and clear calculation,” as if the youth had voluntarily thrown his body against Fu Yuanying’s finger. The observers greatly admired this – if his opponent hadn’t been a youth, they would have loudly cheered.

The blind youth had no strength in his hands and feet, but his mouth could still shout. He screamed shrilly, “Scoundrels and cheats! You said it would be one-on-one, then came with many against few! Not real men! Let me go! Let me go!” Watching the youth throw this tantrum, he reverted to his scoundrel appearance, squealing like a slaughtered pig. Though everyone found it amusing, thinking of his boxing and kicking skills, they again felt secret respect, guessing this youth’s master must have significant origins – if not the “World’s Greatest,” then it should be the “Kunlun Sword God.”

Fu Yuanying was also full of speculation. He asked, “Good child, we meet again. Can you tell uncle who your master is?” The child kept struggling and panted, “First let me go, then I’ll tell you.” Fu Yuanying’s martial foundation was deep and solid, so he naturally wasn’t afraid of the child escaping. He loosened his hand, and the child gasped, “Fine… I’ll tell you our master is…” Suddenly he shouted loudly, “Your ancestor!” His hands spun downward in a turn and flip, immediately grasping Fu Yuanying’s pulse point – it was extremely sophisticated grappling technique.

Everyone was greatly shocked. Just now Fu Yuanying had infused true qi into the child’s meridians – logically he should have been completely weak and unable to move for a long time. No one had expected that in just a moment, this child had already broken through the barrier and struck again. Fu Yuanying allowed his opponent’s strength to act, carefully experiencing it, only feeling this force was different from Huashan’s refinement, unlike Kunlun’s fierceness, and different from Shaolin’s orthodox major methods. Compared to various sects’ “purity,” “dominance,” and “righteousness,” it was not entirely the same.

Fu Yuanying was secretly puzzled, pondering and thinking, “This child’s internal energy is warm but not weak, restrained yet concealing power – no wonder he could instantly recover strength. But this mental method has never appeared in the world – could Senior Brother Ning have created new martial arts again?”

The little blind boy controlled Fu Yuanying’s wrist and could break the wrist bone at any time, yet seeing this “Master Yufeng” close his eyes in contemplation as if completely unconcerned, the blind youth shouted loudly and was about to strike. Fu Yuanying remained calm in danger, his knees sinking down, his right hand dropping low to neutralize the youth’s fierce strength. In a moment, his left hand reached out and instead pressed on the child’s shoulder, heavily pressing his body downward and controlling him once again.

The youth’s face showed complete amazement, already knowing his opponent’s martial arts were far superior and absolutely not something he could contend with. He couldn’t help but laugh dryly, “Very impressive indeed.”

He sighed and said, “Fine, fine, I’ll tell you who my master is – quickly let me go, I surrender to you…” Fu Yuanying nodded and smiled, slightly relaxing his grip. Suddenly the child’s calf kicked backward toward Fu Yuanying’s lower body. Fu Yuanying was already prepared, his left foot sealing the child’s toes and borrowing force to kick back downward. The child lost his center of gravity and immediately fell face-first.

Fighting to this point, the blind youth was filled with terror, knowing he was absolutely no match for this person. He bit his lower lip and suddenly burst into loud tears. Dozens of children all hung their heads dejectedly, also sobbing with whimpers and wails. Seeing this youth who had been so imposing earlier now crying like a small child, everyone couldn’t help but find it amusing.

Fu Yuanying crouched down and smiled, “Child, why are you crying?” The youth sobbed, “Since I’ve lost to you, I don’t want to live anymore. Go ahead and kill me.” Fu Yuanying laughed, “Little brother, if losing meant death, everyone here would be dead.” Though these words were harsh, they were undoubtedly true – in the martial world, there’s always a higher mountain beyond the mountain. Who hasn’t encountered stronger enemies? The strongest person here was Zhe’er Dan, and even he had been defeated twice – what about the others?

The child sniffled, “I’m different from you mediocre people – I’m a disciple of the Water God and absolutely cannot lose.”

These words were exactly like Su Ying’s feelings. Qiong Fang couldn’t help but gasp, and Fu Yuanying also saw the crucial point. He helped the child up, “Child, I’m your master’s friend. I have business with him – please tell me where he is, all right?”

Everyone widened their eyes, all waiting for the child to speak, but the youth shook his head completely and cried, “You’re lying! My master said he has no friends!” Fu Yuanying frowned and shook his head, about to ask again when Juan’er, seeing the child’s face full of grief and indignation, quickly pushed Fu Yuanying aside and said quietly, “Let me ask.” Fu Yuanying had no other ideas and could only instruct, “Be careful – this wild child can hurt people at any time.”

Juan’er nodded slightly to show she understood. This young lady was good at dealing with children and simpletons. She immediately helped the youth up, patted his back, and said gently, “Little friend, don’t be sad anymore. Losing is just losing – listen to big sister sing a song.”

The youth, hearing Juan’er’s soft and charming voice, smiled and said, “Miss, you have a very pleasant voice.” Juan’er, hearing his tone become gentle, smiled and said, “Thank you.” The child seemed lost in pleasant thoughts and suddenly reached out to touch Juan’er’s powdered cheek.

Before Juan’er could get angry, Song Tongming was already filled with hatred and fury, roaring, “Smooth-talking little demon!” Zhu Kang was also indignant, shouting, “Where did this lecher little ghost come from – he really deserves a spanking!” The two young masters rushed over to kick the youth. He hurriedly tried to escape but was held down by the Three Staff Heroes, and for a moment they all rolled into a pile.

Amid the fighting and clamoring, local constables had already arrived upon hearing the news. All the small children were frightened and hid in the alley. The constable pointed at the blind youth and angrily shouted, “It’s you little devils again! I told you not to cause trouble! Are you treating my words like wind past your ears?”

Fu Yuanying stepped forward, identified himself, and asked, “Where exactly do these children come from? Where are their parents?” Seeing this was an important figure from Beijing, the constable naturally dared not be disrespectful and hurriedly said, “If they had parents, could they cause such trouble? They’re all orphans, mostly from the Northwest.”

Everyone exclaimed, “Northwest?” The constable nodded, “These years the fighting in the Northwest has been fierce. Many common people have been displaced and fled to Guizhou. They can’t afford to raise children and can only send their sons and daughters to wealthy households as servants. But there are too many of them, the wealthy families can’t control these children, and they can’t endure the hardship, so one by one they escaped and became little ruffians in our city.”

Feicheng Guai cursed, “You constable are quite useless – with obvious scoundrels causing trouble, why don’t you arrest them?” The constable’s face reddened, “These children are very capable – our county magistrate ordered that they must not be beaten.”

Feicheng Guai said resentfully, “Can’t ‘beat them’ or can’t ‘beat them’? Be clear about it.”

The constable, hearing his deliberate sarcasm, naturally turned from red to purple and hurriedly said, “The official is joking. Though this little blind boy is difficult to deal with, if we really set up an inescapable net, he couldn’t escape either. The truth is, the county magistrate can’t bear to arrest them because of these children’s fish-catching skills.” Suanpan Guai smiled lecherously, “Are they catching the Water Maiden from the Dragon Palace?”

The constable coughed, “The official thinks too far. This blind child can dive deep into underground river channels and catch previously unseen fish from cave bottoms. These fish never see daylight and die when exposed to light. They live year-round in deep underwater caves below the waterfall, have delicious taste and rare varieties, each worth dozens of taels of silver – they’re local delicacies. Ordinary people want to catch them but can’t find where to look.” He pointed at the blind youth again, “The deep water is pitch black with underground currents – if not for this child’s weak vision, half-blindness, and exceptional hearing, ordinary people wouldn’t dare enter.”

Everyone understood – apparently this wild child had exquisite fish-catching skills. Relying on the delicious fish meat and the county magistrate’s greed, he had secured safety from the yamen. No wonder he gathered crowds to cause trouble daily with such fearless confidence.

Fu Yuanying was not discouraged at all and immediately crouched down to ask again, “Little brother, are you from the Northwest?” The youth said coldly, “Northwest your big head. Go drink the northwest wind.” Juan’er, fearing Fu Yuanying might get angry, quickly sang a little tune and took the youth’s hands, patting them while saying sweetly, “When adults ask questions, little friends should answer.”

The blind boy had originally looked imposing, but being held in her embrace and touching her soft, tender body, his whole body went numb with pleasure as he laughed, “I’ll answer, I’ll answer. But miss has to give me a kiss.” Before his words were finished, wind sounds and footsteps whooshed over as Song Tongming and Zhu Kang’s two big feet came kicking together. Just as they were about to fight again, Qiong Fang stopped everyone and gestured for Juan’er to release the child, smiling, “Let me try.”

Everyone knew her methods were formidable, so they each stepped back a few paces. Qiong Fang’s big eyes turned, then suddenly she bowed and cupped her hands, saying, “Young hero, I am Qiong Fang of Hebei, greeting you here.” The youth, listening to the wind to determine position, confirmed that the woman before him was bowing to him. The visitor was refined and courteous, even addressing him as “young hero” – how could he respond with a scoundrel’s attitude? He immediately stood up, straightened his clothes, resumed his sect master’s bearing, and cupped his hands, “Greetings, I am Little White Dragon of Guizhou.”

In just a few words, Qiong Fang had already extracted the other party’s background, greatly amazing everyone. Qiong Fang smiled slightly at Juan’er and Fu Yuanying, whispering, “Young men care most about self-respect – scolding him, beating him, or spoiling him are all useless. It’s better to treat him with courtesy to achieve results more easily.” She put away her smile and cupped her fists, “So it’s Young Hero White Dragon – your reputation thunders in my ears, I’ve truly admired you for long.”

Little White Dragon coughed and cupped his hands again, “What instructions does the lady hero have?” Hearing her voice was quite like a young lady’s, he addressed her as lady hero.

Qiong Fang said seriously, “To tell the truth, I’ve traveled the jianghu for decades and have never seen such skills as yours, young hero. I’m truly envious in my heart. I wonder about your martial lineage and background – could you enlighten me a bit?”

The youth’s face broke into a smile. He raised his hand and suddenly shouted, “Brothers, who is our master?” With just a slight gesture, the “Elder” was heard beating gongs and drums as the fish-selling youth jumped out, directing a large group of children to sing in unison: “A true hero in the waves, Water God’s disciple called a hero, White Water River is our home, everyone calls me Little White Dragon!” Qiong Fang and Juan’er giggled, the two sisters looked at each other and said in unison, “What a grand scene – you really went to great lengths.”

Little White Dragon put his hands behind his back and smiled slightly, quite pleased with himself. Qiong Fang smiled and asked again, “So you’re a disciple of the Water God – no wonder your martial arts are so formidable.” Little White Dragon said lightly, “Well said, well said.” Qiong Fang pointed at Fu Yuanying, “This uncle is the junior brother of the world’s greatest master. That you could exchange several moves with him is already a sensation in the Central Plains. Your master would surely be happy if he saw this.”

Hearing these words, the youth’s expression dimmed as he lowered his head and said tearfully, “Unfortunately… unfortunately he can no longer see it.”

Everyone was surprised to hear this. Feicheng Guai said in bewilderment, “Can no longer see? Is your master also blind?”

The youth, hearing Feicheng Guai’s mockery, immediately reddened around the eyes and said angrily, “No one is born blind. When I got to the rock, my eyes could still barely see!” Hearing the word “rock,” Qiong Fang thought of that large stone island called sacred ground and couldn’t help feeling alarmed, hurriedly asking, “Rock? What rock?”

The youth’s blind white eyeballs were tinged with red as he held back tears and said, “My eyes have been bad since childhood – everything looked blurry and indistinct. The older I got, the less clearly I could see things. Gradually it became hazy and I couldn’t see anything, just sitting around stupidly all day… Mom and Dad said they couldn’t afford to raise me, so they said they’d send me to the Water God Dragon King.” Everyone exclaimed, “Send you to the Dragon King?” The blind youth said, “That means putting me in a wooden barrel and letting the Water God Dragon King take me away.” Ten-odd children by the street heard this and one by one wiped their eyes, all starting to cry. Juan’er, thinking of her own orphaned background, couldn’t help shedding tears too.

The little blind boy continued quietly, “When Mom was covering the wooden barrel, she kept crying. I felt sad too and asked Mom if I could still see her in the future. She said no, because the fortune teller had looked at me and said I had great fortune and would definitely be picked up by the Dragon King. I didn’t believe it and just kept crying and making noise. She cried along with me. She forcefully closed the wooden barrel and said if I was lucky, there would definitely be good people who would fish me out and raise me… Then I was thrown into the water…”

The youth stared with his half-blind eyes and sighed blankly, “After going into the water, I just floated and floated, floated and floated… My luck wasn’t very good – probably all the rich people had died, because I floated for several days and no one fished me out. The Dragon King was nowhere to be seen either. I finished eating the rice balls Mom gave me and wanted to escape, but the barrel was sealed too tightly. Later the current got fast and I got anxious too, thinking Mom had probably lied to me. But hey… hehe… Mom really loved me and didn’t lie at all. I really was fished out by someone.” He turned toward the pond and shouted, “Brothers! Who fished your boss out?” All the small children cheered, “The Water God Dragon King!”

The little blind boy laughed heartily, “Master really was the Water God – only the Water God would live in such a place. It was a big rock. Hehe, water everywhere, all water, rumbling and thundering. Looking around, it was all water vapor. I was small then, only five or six years old. Everything in front of me was white and blurry like being covered with gauze, and with the thundering in my ears I couldn’t hear speech. I just cried every day. Master worried I’d cry myself sick, so he desperately caught fish for me to eat… Master was so good to me… Master… Master…” Saying this, he burst into tears. Qiong Fang leaned close to Fu Yuanying’s ear and whispered, “It seems to be that waterfall stone island.”

Everyone found it incredible that someone lived inside the waterfall. Juan’er stroked the child’s back and gently comforted, “What happened next? How did you leave your master?”

The youth wiped away his tears and said quietly, “I lived with Master on the rock with no sense of day or night. Master just taught me to practice martial arts, saying this would help pass the time. I just practiced and practiced. After a few months, the weather gradually got hot, and it rained every day at noon. One day it thundered and rained very, very hard. The water rumbled and rushed so fiercely it was terrifying…” The child spoke with animated gestures, raising his hands high and saying in panic, “The water kept rising and rising, rising sky-high. We couldn’t stay on the rock anymore. Master let me sit on his shoulders and said I would definitely drown, but he wanted to take a gamble…” Everyone asked in shock, “Gamble? How gamble?” Little Blind Dragon cried, “He… he put me back in the wooden barrel and just walked straight toward the shore like that…”

Everyone looked at each other in horror. That great waterfall was torrential and turbulent – even in winter the water’s force was still intimidating, as they had seen with their own eyes. To say one could walk through it during summer’s heavy rains was simply incredible. With such martial arts, no wonder the child would call his master the Water God.

The little blind boy held back his grief and said, “He carried me and walked, walked several hundred feet, then later… later he seemed to be running out of breath and forcefully threw me out…” Everyone hearing this all gasped, thinking that master’s strength had failed, and with such torrential currents, he must have been swept away by the water.

The child wept, “I was thrown out and rushed several times on the water before the barrel stopped. I crawled out of the barrel and felt around until I touched ground, thinking I’d probably reached shore. I kept calling for Master but no one answered. I cried and crawled, crawled and cried, not knowing how far I crawled. I smelled people eating something very fragrant. I was hungry, so I used the martial arts Master taught me to beat people – pow pow, chop chop – desperately grabbing food to eat. No one could catch me… Later the brothers saw my martial arts were formidable and all came to follow me, so I became a great hero…”

Qiong Fang felt great pity. She touched the child’s face and asked, “What happened next? Did you go back to look for your master?”

The child said sadly, “After I survived, I immediately took several children back to the waterfall to look for him, but everyone told me there was no one on that rock… I was anxious and desperately called for Master, but no one answered me… ” He shed tears and said quietly, “As time went on, seeing I really couldn’t find him, he could only be dead. I gave up hope. Every New Year and festival I come to pay respects to him… Master taught me martial arts and the formula – telling Little White Dragon to strive upward and fight to stay alive. I’ll never forget this kindness my whole life.” Qiong Fang slowly entered the youth’s inner world and could empathize deeply. She asked the youth quietly, “How long ago was this?”

A child nearby answered for the boss, shouting loudly, “Eight years ago!”

Qiong Fang was stunned for a long while and murmured again, “Eight years… What was your master’s name? Did he tell you?” The youth shook his head, “No. Besides teaching me martial arts, Master rarely spoke. At midnight I often heard him secretly crying.” Qiong Fang asked in shock, “Crying?” Little White Dragon shed tears and cried, “Master said he had no friends anymore, and no one in the world wanted him either. Only one wife was waiting for him to come home. If even she married someone else, then whether he lived or died… wouldn’t matter anymore.”

These bitter words struck straight into Qiong Fang’s heart. Inexplicably, her eyes filled with hot tears as she said sorrowfully, “Child, I want to find your master. Can you guide the way?” The youth wiped his tears and said, “It’s useless, useless. He’s already returned to the water and become a true Water God Dragon King… Please just let him rest in peace…” He waved his hand, and his brothers helped him up. Fu Yuanying and the others didn’t stop them, only watching as the group of children departed.

Everyone stood speechless. This southern journey was undertaken precisely for the “World’s Greatest Master.” Originally seeing the youth’s superior skills, they thought there might be some connection, but now regardless of whether that person was Ning Bufan or not, with ten thousand pounds of water pressure bearing down, the chances were probably grim. Everyone stood woodenly, thinking that if that black-clad man were to rampage through the jianghu again in the future with no one to stop him, they all felt helpless. After a long while, Zhu Kang asked the constable quietly, “Brother, having been in Guiyang long, have you ever heard of anyone falling from the waterfall into the water and still surviving?”

The constable shook his head, “Falling into the waterfall, half the chance is being smashed to death, half the chance is being pressed to the bottom by ten thousand pounds of water flow. Legend says in the past a man and woman committed suicide here for love, and their bodies could never be retrieved.” He spread his hands and continued, “Later during a year of drought with no rain, when the waterfall’s flow greatly slowed, people found the bodies pressed at the waterfall’s bottom, already rotted to white bones…”

Everyone was speechless. Suanpan Guai asked, “What should we do now? Should we go to Rhinoceros Pool to fish for the person?” Fu Yuanying and Feicheng Guai looked at each other, both hanging their heads dejectedly. They feared that person really was Ning Bufan – that would be a tragedy. Song Tongming, seeing morale was low, suddenly shouted loudly, “What’s all the fuss? If he’s alive we want to see the person, if he’s dead we want to see the corpse. At most we just can’t find the body – we won’t lose a piece of flesh! Let’s go to the great waterfall and get to the bottom of this!”

Everyone nodded in agreement – delaying a few more days wouldn’t hurt anything anyway. They immediately asked the constable to hire a cart and guide them, while Song Tongming went to buy large quantities of rope in case they needed to enter the pool to retrieve someone.

Everyone went upstream, visiting the great White Water Falls for the second time. Last time they had observed from the waterfall’s peak and found nothing, so this time they changed to investigating from below the waterfall. Perhaps looking up from the water pool might reveal some clues.

This White Water River was called the world’s most extraordinary water because the local soil was unusual – eroded by the river for ten thousand years, it meandered up and down throughout its course, also called an underground river. The official guide explained all the way. After traveling dozens of li, they first reached Spouting Water Pool, then continued upstream. By evening they finally saw a pool shaped like a horseshoe – without explanation, they knew this must be the famous Horseshoe Pool.

Everyone didn’t stop, passing through Three Dangerous Rapids in one go. Less than half a li later, they again heard rumbling water sounds in their ears. This time approaching from below the waterfall, the sound was even more amazing – like a thousand people beating drums or ten thousand horses galloping. Gradually they had to use effort to speak, otherwise they couldn’t be heard.

On the night of the twenty-fourth of the twelfth month, everyone passed through a large forest. Moonlight shone down, filling the mountain valley with radiance. Amid general admiration, a heavenly wonder appeared before everyone’s eyes.

Clouds and mist covered the mountains, the moon hung high. At the waterfall’s peak, jade light and silver bands seemed like divine beings had lowered a silver water bridge to guide everyone to the Pure Land. This was precisely the great White Water Falls, also the world’s greatest waterfall today. The great water surged turbulently, the rapids so swift and water spray so large they were truly world’s greatest. Under the bright crescent moon and brilliant starlight, everyone sincerely exclaimed, “No wonder Hero Ning chose this place for retirement – it truly is where immortals dwell.”

Feicheng Guai frowned, “Everyone stop admiring the scenery first. How should we look for the person now? We need to think of a method.” Song Tongming pointed at Zhu Kang, “Take this boy to the waterfall peak and throw him into Rhinoceros Pool with a splash. See where he floats – maybe we’ll find the person.”

The constable hurriedly said, “Sir, please don’t joke. This waterfall is extremely dangerous. If one were to fall, nine times out of ten they’d be smashed to death. Even if not smashed to death, they’d be pressed to the bottom by the waterfall’s great water and couldn’t surface for ten thousand years – that would be terrible.”

Feicheng Guai’s face was iron-gray as he pointed at the deep black pool water and asked the constable, “What about this Rhinoceros Pool? We can at least go swimming, right?” The constable chuckled twice and dissuaded, “There’s no faster way to die. Sir thinks this pool water looks peaceful and calm with its blue-green color, right? Wait until you jump into the water – dozens of hidden currents and whirlpools will swirl around you, and you’ll be crying and laughing at the same time. Then the Dragon Palace will have another prince consort – won’t you be impressive.”

Seeing that Rhinoceros Pool concealed countless torrents, everyone was horrified and each stepped back several paces. The constable looked toward Fu Yuanying, “I think you gentlemen shouldn’t force it. Just take the winding path up the mountain and look once from the waterfall bottom and once from the waterfall top. If the deceased sees your sincerity, he’ll be satisfied.”

Though these words were unpleasant to hear, they were undoubtedly true. Everyone could only sigh and climb up along the waterfall. The path was narrow and slippery, the water flow urgent, with water spray constantly splashing from the side. Though they wore rain cloaks, they were still soaked through. Qiong Fang, Juan’er, Fu Yuanying and others carefully observed every place they passed. Though that mysterious figure had probably long since died, they still hoped to find some clues – even a carved character or a mark couldn’t be missed.

Everyone possessed light-footed techniques. When dawn’s light was just shining down, they had already climbed to the mountain peak, returning to where they had observed the waterfall that day. Under the thunderous waterfall with flying spray, everyone was already soaked through. But besides the laborious climbing that left them drenched like drowned chickens, they gained nothing else. Zhu Kang sighed sadly, “Looks like we came for nothing again.”

After this long expedition and visiting this place twice, only to return empty-handed again, Qiong Fang thought of Su Ying still lying on his sickbed and couldn’t help feeling vexed. She sat by the riverbank, casually picking up stones and continuously throwing them into the waterfall’s rapids. Juan’er came over to persuade, “Everyone’s about to descend the cliff – let’s go too.” Qiong Fang had been traveling for days and now couldn’t hide her exhausted appearance. In her mental and physical fatigue, she grasped Juan’er’s hand and was about to slowly stand up.

Just then, her hand was wet and slippery and she didn’t grasp Juan’er’s wrist firmly. Her body slid downward and her left leg actually soaked into the White Water River. Juan’er looked at her with pity and sighed softly, “Come up quickly, you’re tired.”

Qiong Fang sighed and was about to lift her foot when suddenly her wet, slippery body tumbled downward, already swept down by the waves. Seeing this great river rushing eastward with incomparably powerful wave force, Qiong Fang had barely entered the water waist-deep when she was immediately swept into the river by the waves. Juan’er was greatly alarmed and hurriedly reached out to pull her, but was several inches short. She was about to plunge into the water to rescue her when Zhu Kang caught sight of this and rushed over in panic, shouting, “Don’t act rashly! You’ll just waste another life!”

Everyone was about to descend the cliff when they were shocked to see an additional woman in the rolling waves of White Water River, desperately struggling as her body rushed toward the waterfall edge, in danger of dying horribly at any moment. Song Tongming was greatly alarmed and immediately threw out a rope, shouting, “Grab it!” He channeled his internal energy’s “Divine Blade Force,” making the rope head fly ten zhang and instantly land beside Qiong Fang. In the critical situation, though Qiong Fang grasped the rope, she wasn’t good at swimming. With rolling waves and hidden currents pulling at her, she sank into the water again.

Song Tongming desperately pulled, trying to drag Qiong Fang up, but the water force was too great. Though Song Tongming was divinely brave, his feet slid toward the water. The Three Staff Heroes all pounced on the rope and pressed down desperately, barely managing to hold on.

Fu Yuanying was extremely alarmed – if the young lady met with misfortune, how could he explain to the Imperial Uncle? Disregarding everything, he was about to jump into the river water when someone leaped into the water first – it was Zhe’er Dan.

Zhe’er Dan tumbled in the water, swimming along the rope. With several arm strokes using the divine power of “Great Black Heaven Fist,” he used the current’s force to his advantage. Qiong Fang was about ten-odd zhang from shore, and he caught up in the blink of an eye. He roared loudly, hefted Qiong Fang onto his shoulder, allowing her to break the water surface and breathe. Then he wound the rope around her slender waist, wrapping it several times.

Zhe’er Dan’s left arm tightly held Qiong Fang while his right arm pulled the rope, hoping to go upstream. Everyone on shore desperately pulled the rope, also adding force, but while going downstream is easy, wanting to go upstream even an inch – even the northern desert grandmaster couldn’t move a fraction. In moments the current rushed over. Zhe’er Dan repeatedly used the invisible qi force of “Great Black Heaven Fist,” but how could mortal strength contend with Heaven’s divine wonder? Several times using fist force to paddle upstream, he could only barely hold his body steady – wanting to advance even an inch was absolutely impossible.

In less than the time for a cup of tea, Zhe’er Dan’s strength was exhausted and he could no longer exert force. With rolling waves and rushing torrents, in the blink of an eye both were swept down toward the waterfall. Zhu Kang, Juan’er, and Fu Yuanying cried out in alarm together. Six arms added force simultaneously, joining Song Tongming and the Three Staff Heroes who were already there. Everyone worked together pulling the rope, finally stopping the downward momentum.

The two were constantly in mortal danger. Fu Yuanying frantically shouted, “Everyone listen to my command – pull together!” He counted aloud, and at the count of three, everyone instantly exerted force together. “Divine Blade Force” plus Fu Yuanying’s decades of internal power, combined with the Kongtong Three Staff Heroes, Zhu Kang, Zhe’er Dan’s disciple, the Huashan Two Freaks and others – their combined strength equaled ten thousand pounds. Though the great water was turbulent, the two people in the water could still move slowly inch by inch. Fu Yuanying was greatly pleased and with one command, everyone pulled with all their might. Suddenly they heard a sharp crack – the rope had actually gotten stuck.

Fu Yuanying was greatly alarmed and hurriedly looked down to see the rope had unfortunately gotten tangled in the rocky chaos. If they rashly pulled, the rope might be under too much stress and tear on the spot. Song Tongming hurriedly stopped everyone and took another rope from the cart. Fortunately he had the foresight – this time they had prepared more than ten bundles of rope, totaling several hundred feet in length. He hurriedly knotted the ropes and shouted, “Zhe’er Dan! I’m coming down to help – you must hold on!”

Zhu Kang, seeing he was about to enter the water again, hurriedly stopped him in alarm, “One person goes down, one person fewer – don’t take any more risks!”

The great water kept rushing, the rope gradually tearing, the hemp fibers instantly splitting into a dozen strands – it was about to break. Everyone dared not pull anymore, watching helplessly as the rope frayed. Song Tongming took up rope and hurriedly threw it again. By this time Zhe’er Dan was already over thirty zhang from shore. With torrential water and fierce wind, and the great distance between the two sides, several throws of the rope had no accuracy at all. Everyone understood in their hearts – once the rope broke, even if Zhe’er Dan’s internal power were ten times deeper, he would still fall down the waterfall, and both people in the river would die.

Fu Yuanying pondered heavily, knowing rescue from the water was impossible. The only plan now was to fly across through mid-air, perhaps able to pull people from above the waterfall.

He called over the Mongolian disciple and whispered instructions, then tied the rope to a tree. The disciple shouted in Mongolian, “Master! The rope is about to break. In a moment, jump outward from the waterfall with the current. Mr. Fu will respond from mid-air.”

Zhe’er Dan heard that mid-air swing rescue was extremely dangerous – if his own hands were even half an inch short, or if Fu Yuanying couldn’t support his weight, it would mean certain death. But at this moment of life and death, he could only trust to fate. He immediately shouted loudly, “Sa yin! Sa yin!”

Qiong Fang was also in mortal danger at this time. Though held in Zhe’er Dan’s arms, she had still swallowed a belly full of water and was already half-conscious. Hearing Zhe’er Dan’s loud shouting, she became alert again. Looking down at her feet was a ten-thousand-zhang giant waterfall, looking up at countless white smoke and water vapor shrouding her vision amid the thunderous water sounds – truly like a hellish scene.

Qiong Fang’s life hung by a thread and her heart panicked. In an instant she thought of her grandfather. If she died, grandfather would have to hold her funeral. Poor old man – having lost his son in his early years, if he were to be lonely and bitter in his old age, how could he bear such a blow? Thinking of the frightening part, Qiong Fang just held tightly to Zhe’er Dan.

Tears streamed down her face like rain. When her cherry mouth opened, it was immediately submerged by water spray, her five features all soaked in water. Qiong Fang cried out in her heart, “Ying, Ying, I’m dying for you today – will you remember me in the future?” Thinking that Su Ying was young and handsome, and in the future would probably form new romantic attachments under his disciples’ entreaties, she struggled even more desperately and shouted loudly, “I don’t want to die! I don’t want to die!”

Suddenly she heard quiet speaking by her ear, as if comforting her not to be afraid. Qiong Fang looked up blankly and saw this northern desert grandmaster, though struggling intensely, showed not a trace of fear on his face. Qiong Fang cried out loudly, “Save me! You must save me!” Just as she was thinking, loud alarmed cries came from the shore. Qiong Fang turned to look and saw Fu Yuanying grasping a rope, about to risk swinging across. If he made one mistake, he too would die for her sake.

“Young Sect Master!” Amid loud crying, suddenly a man was seen swinging through mid-air – it was Fu Yuanying. He shouted, “Jump over here! Grab my hand!” Zhe’er Dan remained calm in crisis. His left hand held Qiong Fang, his right hand pulled the rope. With one effort his body broke through the water and rose three feet above the waterfall, but his hand grasped at empty air and didn’t catch Fu Yuanying. Instantly both feet hung suspended outside the waterfall, great water submerging their heads and faces. The two hung in mid-air bearing ten thousand pounds of water force in extreme agony, supported only by the rope. Fu Yuanying, struck by the waterfall, also nearly got swept in, his life in great danger.

Fu Yuanying was a man with wife and children – if he died miserably now, his family would become orphans and widows. Zhe’er Dan’s death would be even more senseless. But though his life hung by a thread, he never let go of himself. Qiong Fang murmured blankly, “They also have people they care about in their hearts, yet one by one they risk their lives gambling with death. Why aren’t they afraid to die… Why? Is it because of grandfather’s power and influence?” She looked at these loyal and brave faces and suddenly awakened in her heart: “They’re not afraid to die because they know what they’re living for. So they… as long as they die for the right cause, they have no fear whatsoever…”

Life and death in an instant – it was a situation she had never encountered in her life. Yet Qiong Fang was shocked with sudden realization. She murmured to herself, “Everyone isn’t afraid to die, everyone knows what they’re living for… What about me? What am I living for? Is it for grandfather, for Ying… Am I living in this world entirely for you all?”

Only when reaching death’s door did she suddenly awaken that she was an empty shell. Everyone knew what to live for and what to die for – only she didn’t know.

For twenty-four years she had lived entirely for others – living for Purple Cloud Pavilion, and now about to die for her lover. Was this the life she wanted? She gazed at the towering waves, a terrible thought rising in her heart: “If one day grandfather dies of illness and my lover dies of illness, what will you do afterward? Die together with them?”

She didn’t know… Every single thing she had done in this lifetime was for others. Without them, she herself became an empty shell.

Practicing martial arts, studying – everything in this lifetime was for others. Even her bold and willful nature was all performed for others to see. She desperately struggled, racking her brains to think of one thing she truly wanted to do from her heart – something unrelated to others, unrelated to Purple Cloud Pavilion, something she genuinely wanted to do… Yet her mind was completely blank, unable to recall anything.

Practicing martial arts was for grandfather, studying was for Purple Cloud Pavilion. Meeting, falling in love, and uniting with Ying – all of it had been arranged long ago. No wonder… no wonder she didn’t know what she wanted to do… It turned out all the paths in this lifetime had been arranged for her…

“Quick! Quick, reach your hand over!” Fu Yuanying swung back to the cliff and once again desperately lunged out. With a tremendous splash of towering water spraying across his face, Qiong Fang also awakened. Before her eyes was an urgent man flying through mid-air – it was Master Fu. Seeing him taking such risks, his body too close to the waterfall with water already rushing over him. Zhe’er Dan released the rope with his right hand and risked his life leaping across the waterfall. Fu Yuanying hurriedly reached for Qiong Fang, his body swaying as he followed Zhe’er Dan’s forceful leap. Amid the spray across his face, he too flew out.

The three met in mid-air, ten thousand zhang high in the sky, seemingly having escaped danger. Everyone on shore was overjoyed and cheered loudly. Qiong Fang smiled slightly, about to embrace Fu Yuanying tightly, when suddenly her waist ached as a great force pulled her back. Zhe’er Dan cried in alarm, “Rope!” Only then did Fu Yuanying realize Qiong Fang still had rope tied around her waist, the other end on shore. Seeing Qiong Fang being pulled back toward the waterfall, he hurriedly shouted, “Song Tongming! Hold the rope!” Everyone urgently pulled, but this made matters worse. The rope was already about to snap – with great water washing and shore pulling, the two forces contended until with a tearing sound, the rope had broken.

Before the great waterfall, Qiong Fang had no power to resist and was instantly swept down into hell by the waves.

It was over. The most precious young lady who absolutely could not die, absolutely should not die, had actually died… Fu Yuanying’s heart stopped beating as he thought of the four words “suicide in atonement.” Just then Zhe’er Dan risked his life gambling – he released Fu Yuanying, spun in mid-air and fell downward, reaching directly for Qiong Fang’s feet. Seeing Zhe’er Dan head-down and feet-up, Fu Yuanying held the rope with one hand and desperately grasped Zhe’er Dan’s ankle with the other, hoping to create a miracle.

Two great masters working together – the northern desert grandmaster’s right hand stretched to its limit, reaching with all his strength for the young lady’s ankle.

Hey! He caught it! He grasped the leather boot and held onto Qiong Fang.

The beautiful young lady who always wore men’s leather boots – her shoe size was always loose, always an inch too big.

That fatal inch. The leather boot slipped off, its owner lost her support and fell down the waterfall.

Everyone on the cliff collapsed to the ground and cried out in unison, “Young Sect Master!”

What does it feel like to be struck by the great waterfall water?

Qiong Fang had always been exceptionally clever, but under heaven and earth’s great transformation, she was now as humble as an ant. She groaned muffled, first being heavily pounded dozens of times on her back, then ten thousand pounds of weight pressing on her shoulders, so stifling she couldn’t even speak. The masculine leather boots had been torn off, the great water rushed over, her scholar’s headband had also come loose. Violent icy water poured into her eyes, ears, and nose, leaving her completely unable to move. She couldn’t even cry for help, just closing her eyes tightly and falling straight into the hellish depths of the waterfall.

Her mind no longer thought of grandfather, no longer thought of her lover. Her heart’s final thought was only of herself.

About to die… were there any regrets… anything she wanted to do but hadn’t done yet?

There was… after growing up, she had never worn women’s clothing… even she herself had never seen how beautiful she was…

“Don’t die!” The raging torrents pressed her nearly to suffocation, yet Qiong Fang began desperately struggling. Her hands flailed wildly, her mouth filled with icy water. At the moment of death, suddenly her hand tightened as if grabbed by something, and she was swept by a current into the waterfall.

Qiong Fang was thoroughly alarmed but couldn’t open her eyes. Violent water rushed past, her body spun in mid-air, and she crashed into the water curtain like this.

Her body struck the wet, slippery ground and slid flying outward. Suddenly her back suffered severe pain as she hit a stone wall and finally stopped.

Qiong Fang opened her eyes in panic. All around was pitch black, nothing visible. Thunderous rumbling echoed deafeningly on all sides. Before her was still that great water curtain separating her from the mortal world.

Finding herself in this strange and dangerous place, she was naturally terrified. She hurriedly took flint from her bosom and repeatedly tried to strike it, but her body was soaked and produced no sparks. She threw the flint away and relied on the cave’s dim light to barely examine her location.

It was a narrow cave, roughly dozens of feet long and only five or six feet wide, gloomy and damp, with a fishy stench inside.

Just then, the flint was picked up by someone. Tap, tap, tap – the flint struck continuously.

Was there a god in the waterfall? Really a Water God? Strange sounds emerged as if a curious water demon wanted to play with fire. Qiong Fang’s teeth immediately chattered as she murmured, “Master Ning? Is… is that you?”

No one answered, only vague footsteps. Though the waterfall’s sound was loud, it couldn’t mask those heavy, deliberate footfalls, each step trampling on Qiong Fang’s fear.

Qiong Fang grasped her iron fan with both hands, wanting to use martial arts against the enemy, but couldn’t recall a single technique. Fear filled her heart as she murmured, “Who… who exactly is inside?”

“Wo… wo… guo… huo…”

Qiong Fang’s face turned deathly pale as she said hoarsely, “What is ‘wo wo guo huo’? Who? Who are you?” The strange voice panted, “Wo… wo…” From the waterfall’s demon cave came terrifying mournful sounds, like a stammering demon using inhuman vocal tones to summon souls. The footsteps drew closer and closer. Qiong Fang forced down her screams, understanding that once she cried out, after that long, sharp sound she would burst into tears.

Shocked by the strange phenomenon, Qiong Fang became a helpless little girl. She murmured calls in her mouth – this feeling was like sleeping in a dark room as a child, her heart only fearing ghosts, wanting to cry but unable to make sound, wanting to flee but having no escape route…

A black shadow appeared before her, blocking her vision. She kept struggling and finally burst into tears: “Daddy! Save me!”

After screaming, she would definitely cry – indeed, she could no longer hold back her tears. Qiong Fang collapsed to the ground, crying loudly in the water curtain cave: “Daddy! Save Fang’er! Come protect Fang’er!”

Sorrow struck her heart as tears continuously fell. Before age ten, she too had once worn women’s clothing, nestling in daddy’s embrace as a spoiled good little girl. But now she had long forgotten what it meant to depend on someone… Daddy was already dead!

A hand fell upon her shoulder – this was a terrifying moment. By rights she should have fainted, but her heart was filled with grief and she no longer even knew fear. Qiong Fang bit her teeth hard and suddenly turned around. She wanted to know how she would die – whether bitten to death by a monster or hacked to death with a blade, she had to see the enemy’s face clearly.

Eh?

She slightly parted her cherry lips, staring blankly at the scene before her. In this moment, she actually didn’t scream.

Before her was a pair of phoenix eyes – the pupils very beautiful, very spirited, gentle as jade, just gazing at her like this.

The eyes were very gentle, not much like a wild beast, not much like something that would bite. In this dark and helpless moment, the pupils blinked as if telling her not to be afraid, followed by a pair of warm large hands touching her cheeks, comforting her.

That sensation was so gentle… just like daddy she had seen in childhood…

Inexplicably, Qiong Fang actually threw herself forward. She wanted to bury her face in the embrace of the eyes’ owner – it must be a broad, warm chest. She looked up bashfully, clearly seeing within her eyelids…

All hair… that person’s face was covered in hair…

“Hong long long, hong long long”

Thunder-like sounds reached her ears, pulling Qiong Fang back to the mortal world. Outside the cave was the great waterfall; inside must be a great water demon.

“Help! Help!” Qiong Fang screamed shrilly. In moments she first let out a scream, then desperately pushed away the monster. Her folding fan in hand pointed emptily, using the “Stab” technique, while her feet employed Nine Flowers movement skills to urgently retreat. She used all the martial techniques she knew, finally escaping to a corner of the cave. She huddled there shaking, unable to help crying again and shouting, “Help! Monster! Monster!”

That monster didn’t dare approach too closely, apparently also frightened by Qiong Fang. It made mumbling, clicking sounds, saying: “Wo… wo guo… si… shi shi…” Wo guo si shi shi? Qiong Fang kept crying. This strange thing’s tongue was paralyzed and couldn’t speak clearly, its pronunciation even more unclear than Zhe’er Dan’s. If not a water demon, what else could it be? She screamed loudly and regardless of everything flew forward to attack. Suddenly her foot stepped into emptiness and she fell out. The great water curtain washed down, pouring directly on her face. In her panic, she actually forgot she was in a dangerous place and fell into the waterfall again.

Just when she was about to die, a hand embraced her waist and gently, slowly carried her back. Qiong Fang glanced down in alarm and saw dead fish bones on the ground. Seeing this water demon drag her back, it must want to eat her. She was scared out of her wits and cried, “Don’t come over… don’t eat me… I don’t have much meat… very hard to chew… please don’t eat…”

The monster, hearing her sharp cries, seemed somewhat flustered. It made strange sounds from its throat and firmly grasped Qiong Fang. The purple-clad master cried and jumped, desperately struggling. The monster finally couldn’t hold her and released her with a push, saying hoarsely, “Bie… bie… don’t…”

Qiong Fang didn’t care what monster talk it was babbling, rolling and crawling while screaming shrilly to vent her heart’s terror. After a long while, she finally stopped screaming. In her panting, she heard the monster say, “Bie, bie… pa… afraid… bie… don’t be afraid…”

Qiong Fang made a sound of surprise, thinking, “This sounds like human speech!” She realized the other party seemed to be speaking and stopped screaming. After a long while, Qiong Fang wiped away cold sweat, her teeth chattering as she stammered, “You… you… want me not to… not be afraid… is that… is that right?”

One frightened, one mute – infecting each other, both became unclear speakers. The strange person, hearing her struggle through this speech, immediately let out a long sigh and nodded, as if greatly relieved. It said again, “Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid.”

Three consecutive “don’t be afraid”s – indeed, she wasn’t afraid anymore. She felt slightly reassured, thinking, “This thing can say ‘don’t be afraid’ – it probably isn’t a monster.”

She focused her gaze on the strange person before her, seeing its eyes were extremely gentle, thinking again, “This monster’s eyes are like a rabbit or horse – it should be vegetarian.” She patted her chest, about to speak, when the strange person spoke first, panting: “Yi, ni… you wei wei… why he ke…”

The monster approached step by step, waving its hands. Seeing it stutter with difficulty, a simple sentence spoken with such twisted complexity, interspersed with countless pants as if wanting to eat people. Qiong Fang became afraid again and suddenly remembered she still had a fire gun in her bosom. She hurriedly reached for it – fortunately this gun hadn’t been washed away. Greatly pleased, she immediately brandished it and shouted, “Back up! Get farther away! Otherwise I’ll shoot you dead!” The monster actually knew bullets were dangerous and retreated a few steps. Qiong Fang shouted, “Not far enough! Back more! Back! Back!” Seeing the monster was several zhang away from her, Qiong Fang felt somewhat safe. After panting for a while, she thought, “Now I have the upper hand.”

She steadied herself, restored her young sect master’s bearing, and sternly demanded, “Speak! Are you Ning Bufan?”

“Wo… wo guo pu… pu si… shi…” The monster made strange sounds from its throat, hands shaking continuously, not knowing what it wanted to do. Hearing “wo guo pu si shi,” Qiong Fang’s anger surged upward as she sternly said, “Don’t speak monster talk! Speak human language!” The strange person mumbled and garbled as if wanting to say something but couldn’t express it clearly. The cave filled with strange sounds and tones accompanying the thunderous water sounds, making Qiong Fang extremely irritated. She covered her ears and screamed, “Shut up! Don’t make any sounds!” The strange person, shouted at by her, hung his head and fell silent. The two faced each other. Qiong Fang was so scared she wanted to cry, but the situation was extremely dire and she truly couldn’t relax her vigilance. She gritted her teeth and said, “You… you’re not allowed to speak. Now I’ll ask questions and you just nod or shake your head.”

The strange person nodded repeatedly, “Ao hao… hao… good… good, good, good… okay!” Qiong Fang was about to silence him when unexpectedly this person’s throat produced the word “okay,” pronounced quite clearly. This person’s strangeness was truly inexplicable, no longer describable as incoherent speech or baby talk. She cleared her throat forcefully and said loudly, “Quiet!” The strange person hurriedly nodded, not daring to make another sound.

Qiong Fang, fearing infection by his stuttering, deliberately curled her tongue and spoke crisply, “I came to this place specifically for one person. This person’s surname is Ning, given name Bufan. Do you recognize him?” The strange person desperately nodded, “Wo… guo… wo ren… ren shen, e de ta… ta…” Generally speaking, those whose words are tasteless must have detestable faces. Hearing those strange sounds emerge from its throat, Qiong Fang felt hair all over her body and itching everywhere. She screamed, “Don’t speak! Only nod or shake your head!” Under the young sect master’s authority, the strange person hurriedly nodded to show understanding. Qiong Fang asked again, “Are you the great hero Ning?”

Hearing this, the strange person slowly shook his head. Seeing this, Qiong Fang felt bitter in her heart, secretly thinking, “Bad luck – nine deaths and one life, yet still a wasted trip.” Her heart cried out in anguish as she said, “Then who are you? Can you tell me?”

The strange person seemed to receive imperial pardon. It looked anxious, hands gesturing wildly, mouth making sounds as if wanting to give a long discourse. But in its urgency, its speech became even more muddled and unclear – for a moment it was all mumbling, clucking, crowing like roosters and barking like dogs. Qiong Fang greatly regretted not knowing when this monster talk would end. In great anger, she waved her hand forcefully, “Stop talking!” Her finger used too much force and accidentally pulled the trigger. Click – no light from the gun barrel. Terrible! The gunpowder was soaked and the bullet couldn’t fire. Qiong Fang’s heart cried out in misery, fearing the monster would notice. She hurriedly shouted randomly, “Get away! You roll back! Roll! Roll! Otherwise this lady will shoot you dead!”

The monster, repeatedly intimidated by her shouting, had to retreat all the way to the cave wall with nowhere left to retreat. Qiong Fang also moved to the other end of the cave. Exhausted and miserable, she immediately collapsed in dejection.

At this moment, there was no Su Ying’s gentle tone in her ears, no grandfather’s patient instructions, no earnest advice from Fu Yuanying and others. Now there was only the thunderous roar of the waterfall. Before her eyes was a pitch-black cave. Without Ning Bufan, there was only a water demon with strange speech. Thinking of her miserable situation, her heart grew sour and Qiong Fang’s tears fell like pearls as she finally quietly sobbed.

“Dui tui dui… pu bu zhu.” The monster made noise again. Qiong Fang wiped her tears and said angrily, “Don’t speak!”

“Wo guo ke ke…” The monster continued chattering incessantly, immediately enraging Qiong Fang. She rose abruptly and shouted, “Shut up!”

“Dui…” The monster swallowed saliva and murmured again, “Bu… zhuan…” This wasn’t monster talk. Qiong Fang gasped and heard the person across say, “Xia… xia…” He took a deep breath and finally, word by word, slowly and clearly articulated three words: “…scared you…”

Very low, very slow words – this voice was not only clear but also quite gentle. Heard amid the great waterfall, it was actually somewhat pleasant.

Qiong Fang was greatly surprised. She opened her eyes wide and said in panic, “You… you can speak now?” The strange person coughed, his throat much clearer. She heard him slow his tone and say, “I xu jiu… haven’t spoken for a long time. My speech is a bit… pu bu ling… not fluent…”

Qiong Fang broke into laughter through her tears, thinking, “This is a person. Not a monster.” She wiped away her tears and asked again, “You’re human, right?” The strange person nodded, “Dui dui wo dang… ran shi… of course I am…” Qiong Fang, hearing his severe stuttering and not waiting for him to finish, hurriedly said, “Since you’re human, why do you live in a water cave?” The strange person sighed deeply and pointed upward. Qiong Fang gasped, “You were originally on top of the waterfall?”

The strange person nodded and said quietly, “Hong bao… shui du piao liu… zhui pu bu jian gui jia lu…” (Flood torrents… water poison drift… fell waterfall not see return home road…)

Another passage of monster talk with not a single comprehensible word. Qiong Fang was about to scream when she suddenly heard the three words “return home road” and suddenly awakened, realizing he wasn’t stuttering but mixing classical and vernacular Chinese. Qiong Fang understood, “This monster can write essays – he’s saying the great rushing water swept him here so he can’t return home.” Hearing his word choice, though brief, was quite refined, she didn’t know what country’s monster this was and couldn’t help but laugh despite herself.

Qiong Fang’s fear gradually decreased while curiosity increased. Thinking of Little White Dragon, she said quietly, “People outside say there’s a Water God here – is that you?” Hearing this, the strange person was startled, blinked, but couldn’t answer. Qiong Fang feared he might suddenly go mad again and didn’t dare say more. She looked around and asked quietly, “Does this cave have… other exits?”

The strange person sighed deeply, reached out to touch the stone wall, and shook his head. Qiong Fang heard this sigh filled with endless desolation, thinking this cave must have no way out. Considering this place was like a heavenly prison with entry but no exit, that she in her prime years would have to keep this monster company forever, her heart also sank.

Wondering if after several years she too would become a monster eating raw meat and drinking blood, humming and hawing all day speaking that “wo guo bu si shi” monster talk?

Just as she was imagining the flavor of being a monster, she suddenly heard a wild cry and saw the strange person rush to her front, eyes staring fiercely at her body, mouth making low growling sounds as if somewhat excited. Qiong Fang became frightened and said in panic, “You… what’s wrong with you now?”

Suddenly hearing the strange person roar wildly and charge straight at Qiong Fang like a flying tiger, Qiong Fang’s soul flew away as she screamed, “Help! Help!” The strange person grabbed Qiong Fang and suddenly reached out, tearing away her waist sash, apparently intending to assault her. Qiong Fang urgently struggled, desperately pushing the strange person’s arms, her white teeth about to bite down. Just then the strange person suddenly released Qiong Fang, then knelt on the ground and burst into tears.

Others might be arrogant then humble, courteous then hostile, but this monster was first biting then crying, not knowing what mystery it was creating. Qiong Fang barely escaped its clutches, her shock just settling as she hurriedly retreated backward, left hand grasping her folding fan, right hand holding the fire gun, fully alert. But after guarding for a long time, the monster didn’t attack again. In the darkness it only kept weeping and sobbing as if experiencing mixed grief and joy.

Qiong Fang was bewildered, thinking, “What’s this about now? Can monsters go crazy too?”

“Heaven… I… finally can go home…”

In the darkness the monster knelt facing the sky, wailing loudly, hands raised high holding something. Qiong Fang could see clearly it was a rope – the very one untied from her waist. Qiong Fang was full of doubt, guessing the strange person’s intent, when she suddenly saw him stand up and walk to the water curtain. She saw him lean forward, right hand reaching out, already placing an arm into the great water.

The towering water fell from hundreds of zhang high, rushing and washing all the way down. Its tremendous force striking anything would topple and roll it away. Yet that arm was like iron-forged stone – with splashing water everywhere, it just lay horizontally in the waterfall, motionless.

Qiong Fang watched in stupor. She had personally experienced the great waterfall’s might – even with Zhe’er Dan’s profound internal energy, he couldn’t resist the water’s washing force. Who would have thought this person could use a single arm to resist heaven’s authority? Qiong Fang opened her cherry mouth wide, completely stunned. Just then the person breathed deeply, and suddenly his arms swung forward. Two gusts of strong wind flew past, brilliant light flashed in the cave, and the great waterfall was severed in an instant.

The thunderous water flow reconnected, but Qiong Fang’s small mouth couldn’t close for a long time. In that moment just now, the great waterfall seemed cut off by the strange person’s wind force. Witnessing this miracle, she could only gape speechlessly, letting screams pour from her throat.

The strange person put a finger to his lips, signaling silence. Qiong Fang ignored him and just kept screaming. Just then, calls came from outside the waterfall, the sound faint and indistinct: “Young miss… young miss… where are you?”

The sound continued, drifting from within the waterfall. The strange person stood before the waterfall and struck out with one palm. Pop! The waterfall curtain had a round hole blasted out by the palm wind. Though the hole lasted only an instant, Qiong Fang clearly saw outside the waterfall was a precipitous cliff with over ten people scattered searching – Fu Yuanying, Zhe’er Dan and other companions, all calling out loudly searching for her.

Qiong Fang was overjoyed and began shouting again, but this time her cries were definitely not miserable wails but joyful cheers. She danced with hands and feet like a little fairy, spinning in circles, her heart filled with infinite joy as she desperately called out, “Master Fu! Master Fu! I’m in the waterfall! Come save me quickly!”

After shouting for a long time, everyone was slow to respond as if they hadn’t heard her calls. Qiong Fang feared they would go far away and shouted herself hoarse, but being small with a weak voice, she couldn’t penetrate the deafening water sounds at all. The strange person gestured for her to stand in his embrace. Qiong Fang most feared this person touching her – if her jade arms were even slightly touched, she immediately screamed: “Go! Away! Scram! Move!” Using many terms to drive away the strange person, but he seemed not to understand human speech and completely ignored her. His hands reached out to pull the beauty into his arms, thumb pressing her ear holes, index and middle fingers pressing her eye sockets. Qiong Fang was scared out of her wits and shouted, “Don’t gouge out my eyeballs! Don’t! Don’t!”

The strange person let her scream in panic. Suddenly hearing him give a sharp shout, violent explosive sounds came from overhead. Those sound waves shook Qiong Fang’s five organs and six bowels all turning over, ear drums ringing, head splitting with pain. Fortunately that monster pressed down on her eye sockets, otherwise even her eyeballs would have been shaken out.

The cry was both fierce and deep, yet seemed extremely sharp, like thunder exploding overhead, endless and infinite. Qiong Fang’s entire skeleton felt like scattering and splitting, continuously screaming. Not knowing how long passed, she finally went completely limp and was about to foam at the mouth. The strange person, fearing she had suffered internal injury, finally stopped his whistling. He released Qiong Fang, letting her collapse to the ground.

Qiong Fang gasped continuously, face completely vacant, murmuring, “Fu… Fu Yuanying… if you don’t come over… I’m not done with you…” This strange person produced such earth-shaking noise – unless everyone had gone down the mountain for tea, they would definitely notice. Her eyes brimming with tears, heart urging incessantly, when suddenly answering whistles came from the opposite cliff. Companions had finally heard! Cursing hurriedly, they came to pay respects to the young miss.

Qiong Fang broke into laughter through tears. Among their group, only Zhe’er Dan could produce such magnificent whistling. But even with the northern desert grandmaster personally whistling, under the great waterfall’s thunderous cover, his whistle was quite weak – his power differed from the strange person’s by a huge margin. Qiong Fang realized this as she looked the monster up and down, thinking, “This person’s martial arts are much higher than Zhe’er Dan’s – he must be Ning Bufan, just not admitting it.”

Thinking of bringing back Ning Bufan, Qiong Fang’s heart began pounding, knowing Ying was saved. Looking at the strange person, he also appeared quite pleased as his hands pulled and wound up the rope. The rope had originally one end hanging from Qiong Fang’s waist, the other end hanging in water. Though broken into two sections, the rope length was still quite considerable. Qiong Fang was extremely curious and hurriedly said, “You… what do you want to use this rope for?”

The person didn’t answer, watching him hold the rope head and suddenly open his mouth to inhale, chest expanding as if about to dive underwater.

Qiong Fang stared blankly at this strange person – his single breath was extraordinarily long, seemingly endless without limit. She became curious and also imitated the strange person, looking up to take a long breath. She only inhaled until her chest hurt and lungs felt like bursting, while the strange person’s single breath still continued without cease. Though Qiong Fang had seen countless martial arts masters, she had never witnessed such a phenomenon. For a moment her heart was horrified: “Good heavens! This person must be a water demon, just disguised to look like Ning Bufan.”

While she was thinking wildly, the strange person had inhaled enough air. Suddenly with a whoosh sound, he stretched out his hand and flung the rope head along with a breath of true qi, shooting through the waterfall straight toward the cliff. Heavy waterfall pressure on the rope couldn’t bend it even half an inch, showing how amazing the true qi attached to the rope was.

The rope was like a flying dragon, following the strange person’s long exhalation, flying forward continuously. Not knowing how long passed, the rope settled and the other end seemed firmly grasped by someone. The strange person turned his ear to listen – amid the thunderous water sounds, answering whistles came from the opposite shore. He pulled the rope in response, then found a place in the cave to tie knots and bind it tightly. Qiong Fang, seeing the rope bridge already set up, couldn’t help gaping and asking, “You… you want to go out?”

The strange person laughed heartily, then stacked a huge rock on the rope knot to prevent loosening. Seeing his tremendous strength – a hundred-pound rock lifted as easily as mentioned, light as a feather – this scene was quite intimidating. Yet Qiong Fang had become numb to it. After several consecutive frights, she held this monster in awe and reverence. Even if she personally witnessed the strange person spread wings and fly away, she probably wouldn’t find it strange.

The strange man stood before the water curtain and looked back at Qiong Fang. Dawn light was just breaking, morning radiance shining through the water curtain. Qiong Fang was also examining the man before her – she saw he was about eight feet tall, and though his frame was large, he was extremely gaunt. Looking again, this person was barefoot with unkempt beard, his appearance extremely disheveled and ugly.

Seeing the strange man open his arms with a smile in his eyes as if to embrace her, Qiong Fang screamed once – the more she looked, the more she felt this person’s appearance was bizarre, and how could she dare step forward? But the man wasn’t anxious, still keeping his arms open waiting for her to come.

Qiong Fang hesitated for a long while, thinking, “Looking at this water demon’s appearance, nine times out of ten he wants to take me out. I suppose I must endure this.”

She silently recited “Amitabha” and tremblingly approached the strange man. When their hands touched, the strange man’s palms were rough and covered with hard calluses. Qiong Fang looked up at the man before her – his disheveled beard hung down to his chest, truly the epitome of unkempt filthiness. Qiong Fang couldn’t help being frightened again and screamed, “Help!”

Suddenly the strange man crouched down and seemed to smile at her. Qiong Fang covered her face, wishing she could take out her fire gun and blow his head to pieces.

“Don’t be afraid.”

The low, gentle voice soothed Qiong Fang. Weak daylight reflected on her face, and though she covered her face with both hands, she still secretly opened her eyes and peeked out through the gaps between her fingers.

Before her was a pair of eyes. Those pupils weren’t large but were very dark and bright. Despite the wild hair and disheveled beard, with these phoenix eyes, this person could calm the spirit and settle the soul, making one no longer afraid. Qiong Fang gently patted her chest, thinking, “This person isn’t too ugly – slightly better than the Huashan Two Freaks…”

Just as she was thinking, the strange man had already turned around and crouched on the ground himself. Qiong Fang asked in surprise, “You… what are you doing?”

The strange man patted his own back and said slowly, “Get on.”

Having to climb onto a monster’s back was worse than jumping headfirst into the waterfall to die. Qiong Fang’s face turned red as she shook her head, “No need for you to carry me – I can get across myself.” The strange man made a sound and pointed at the enormous water curtain, his eyes questioning. Qiong Fang spat – she had always been bold, and at this beginning she wouldn’t yield a step. Gritting her teeth, she retreated several steps, gave a great shout and leaped forcefully toward the waterfall.

The great water before her suddenly stopped – the strange man had used internal energy to let her truly fly through the water curtain. Qiong Fang sighed in relief and was about to grab the rope when suddenly her hands grasped empty air – she had actually leaped too far. For a moment having nothing to leverage, she began falling toward the waterfall bottom.

Just as she was about to scream, someone in mid-air flew toward her like a great bird, instantly embracing her and bringing her to the rope. Qiong Fang spun dizzily as the monster tossed her up, and in a moment she was sitting steadily on his back. Seeing the strange man hook her hips and legs with his hands, Qiong Fang’s face turned completely red. Fearing her body would press against his, she desperately leaned backward, causing the strange man to sway left and right. If not for his extraordinary martial arts, he would have long since fallen into the deep valley and been smashed to pulp. The strange man struggled to maintain balance and shouted loudly, “Miss! Please don’t move – I want to go home.”

Qiong Fang squinted and looked down, inevitably shuddering with alarm – she saw the two of them suspended in high air with misty water vapor below. The strange man stood on the rope with one foot while the other performed a golden rooster stance – truly heart-stopping. Looking up, she saw water vapor drifting, the opposite cliff hazy and indistinct. The two sides were separated by an unknown distance, and with strong mountain winds blowing, making the rope sway continuously. Qiong Fang knew the danger and could only reluctantly restrain herself, saying, “Fine, I won’t move.”

The wind grew stronger and stronger. The strange man took a deep breath and instructed, “Hold onto my neck – I need to spread my arms.” Qiong Fang’s legs straddled the man’s waist, her face already red past her ears. Thinking of having to embrace the strange man’s neck made her even more hesitant. It wasn’t that she was strictly observing feminine propriety, but the strange man before her was truly filthy. Looking at his wild, disheveled hair all knotted and tangled, harboring dirt and filth inside, probably housing leeches and strange insects – just looking made her want to vomit. How could she get even an inch closer?

At this moment the situation allowed no hesitation. Wind whistled in her ears, blowing her until she swayed precariously. Thinking of her life hanging by a thread, she finally closed her eyes tightly, gritted her teeth, and pressed her face forward against the man’s hair. Qiong Fang tightly closed her eyes, ready to vomit, thinking, “Endure a while! Endure a while!” Her jade arms desperately wrapped around the strange man’s neck as if wanting to strangle him to satisfaction.

The black hair immediately pricked her face – logically there should be hordes of fleas and ants crawling out, but after enduring for a long time, her cheeks felt no stinging or numbing sensation. Qiong Fang made a sound of surprise, suddenly realizing the man’s hair was very soft, nothing like the appearance of coarse black tangles.

Qiong Fang was greatly surprised and pressed her face closer. The black silk brushing her face felt like touching goose down. She stared in bewilderment, thinking, “Wet nurse once said if a man’s hair is silky soft, his ears will be soft too – nine times out of ten he’ll listen to women’s words.”

This journey to Guizhou was precisely to find Ning Bufan to deal with the black-clad man. Qiong Fang’s heart pounded as she thought, “If this person is willing to follow my commands, then when we encounter the black-clad man in the future, we need fear no more.”

Thinking of this, she tremblingly reached out and grabbed the man’s hair, randomly tugging at it. Indeed it felt quite soft in her hands. Her heart filled with great joy as she pulled even harder. The strange man remained silent, acting as if he were dead, while spreading his arms and taking empty steps in mid-air, stopping and going, hoping to walk steadily to the opposite shore.

This journey of thousands of li finally allowed her to drag back a peerless master. Qiong Fang’s heart filled with joy as she looked back at the great waterfall. At dawn with sunlight shining from the horizon, she saw herself emerging from the towering great water, water spray splashing like jade washing pearl curtains. Behind her the waterfall was less than ten feet away, like a white dragon pouring down, continuously striking toward her. Qiong Fang looked around in a daze, then gazed down to see a rainbow rising from the mountain valley, its radiance absolutely beautiful with seven-colored transformations, as if she were sitting on a rainbow bridge about to go to heaven.

At this moment danger lurked everywhere – behind was the world’s greatest waterfall, below was ten thousand ren of high sky, and she was lying on the back of a man-eating water demon. This was a terrifying moment, yet also a rare moment in life. Qiong Fang suddenly smiled slightly, her hands forming a circle around the strange man’s neck, then her body tilted as she pressed tightly against his back.

Except for being carried on daddy’s back as a child, in over ten years she had never lain on anyone’s back like this. Even with her most beloved lover, she had never so trustingly given herself over. But at this moment, she very much wanted to lie like this. She examined the strange scenery around her, corners of her mouth holding a smile, as if she had become a little girl again who didn’t need to think about anything or worry about anything – nothing could be more peaceful.

The strange man proceeded step by step, walking with increasing skill and faster steps. Now they could hear Song Tongming’s loud shouting. Qiong Fang awakened to find herself not far from the cliff, having already returned to the mortal world.

Companions on the opposite side shouted loudly, all preparing ropes and hooks, apparently fearing the strange man might make one careless move and cause her to fall. A slight blush rose on her face as she thought, “If word of me being carried on someone’s back today gets out, Ying will surely die of anger.” The distance between the two sides was still far with water vapor obscuring vision – companions could probably see human figures but couldn’t see she was being carried. Qiong Fang leaned close to the strange man’s ear and whispered, “Put me down – let me walk the remaining distance myself.”

This place was still over ten zhang from the cliff, roughly a hundred feet. The strange man seemed quite hesitant and said quietly, “Can you manage?” Qiong Fang put on a stern face and said solemnly, “Whether I can manage or not, put me down.”

Hearing her stern tone, the strange man gripped her hand and gently lifted, already holding her horizontally in his arms and turning her to face front. Qiong Fang laughed inwardly, “This person is truly obedient. In the future Purple Cloud Pavilion can travel the world without obstacles.” The strange man held Qiong Fang with both hands when suddenly his right hand reached out toward her feet. Qiong Fang was shocked and furious, shouting, “How dare you! Take away your dirty claws!” The strange man shook his head, “Walking the rope barefoot makes it easier to balance.” Saying this, he pulled off her silk stockings, exposing her crystal-clear, beautiful ankles and jade toes. Those silk stockings counted as undergarments and were the only feminine clothing on her entire body. She blushed and shouted, “Turn your head away! Don’t look!”

The strange man was on the line between life and death – how could he have the mind to look at bare feet? He exhaled and bent his knees, supporting Qiong Fang’s slender waist as he slowly lowered her, instructing, “Keep your body’s center line aligned with the rope, arms spread wide. Never look down.”

Qiong Fang spat – her light-body techniques were quite sophisticated, and years ago she had received Juan’er’s instruction in the graceful body techniques of Nine Flowers Mountain. She actually showed off deliberately, her body spinning in mid-air and instantly standing on the rope. But her footing was somewhat unsteady, so the strange man quickly reached over to steady her.

Now approaching the cliff, the fierce wind had greatly diminished. Qiong Fang could balance with both hands and stand steady. She raised her voice and shouted, “Master Fu! I’m back!”

As soon as her voice rang out, the cliff across was filled with shouts and cheers from Song Tongming and Zhu Kang, while the exclamations came from Fu Yuanying and the Three Staff Heroes. Each person had different responsibilities, so naturally their concerns differed. Fu Yuanying called loudly, “Miss, hold tight to the rope – I’m coming over to get you!”

Qiong Fang shouted back, “Don’t come over! This rope can’t bear so much weight.”

The strange man behind her said, “It can bear the weight – you should let your companions come receive you.” Qiong Fang snorted and walked forward on her own, covering five feet in one go. Being light and small-footed, she had great advantage walking this rope. She heard the strange man behind earnestly advising, “Walk slowly, don’t be hasty.” Qiong Fang, hearing his tone full of lecturing intent, was quite displeased and thought, “If I can’t subdue him at this moment, once we reach shore I won’t be able to command him either.” She turned to look behind and drew her folding fan from her waist. With a snap, it had already opened, displaying her pride: “Friend, do you know who you’re talking to?”

The fan opened to reveal three characters. The strange man cried out in shock, “Purple Cloud Pavilion?” Qiong Fang smiled slightly, thinking, “Excellent! He also knows of Purple Cloud Pavilion – that saves some effort in explanation.” Seeing her clothing was disheveled, she made slight adjustments. After all, being alone with a strange man in a mountain cave, if there were any signs of disorder in her inner or outer garments, Su Ying might vomit blood and die.

Seeing her head covering was lost and her hair disheveled, Qiong Fang took out a purple handkerchief from her bosom and tied her own topknot. Watching her stand in high air with flying hair, purple headband and purple shirt, sunlight reflecting and shining made her appear even more dazzling.

The strange man stared blankly, suddenly his whole body shook as he said in alarm, “You… you…” Qiong Fang felt somewhat strange and looked back at the strange man, seeing his face full of excitement as if dumbstruck, more as if amazed by her beauty. Qiong Fang had never considered herself a woman in her life – except before Su Ying, she never showed the slightest feminine weakness or beauty. But now seeing the strange man’s gaze, her heart suddenly felt secret joy. She raised her folding fan to cover her cherry mouth and said with a smile, “Don’t stand there in a daze – quickly cross to the other shore.”

The strange man gazed at Qiong Fang with confusion in his eyes, murmuring, “You… how do you… address Qiong… Qiong Wuchuan?”

Qiong Fang cast aside feminine softness and became the young sect master again. She snorted and said in a deep voice, “Don’t mention my grandfather’s name!”

The strange man was struck as if by thunder and immediately smiled bitterly. He hung his head dejectedly and murmured, “You are the Imperial Uncle’s granddaughter called Qiong Fang… right?” Qiong Fang asked strangely, “You recognize me?” The strange man covered his face with both hands as tears rolled down, saying sorrowfully, “What evening is this… what evening is this…”

At this moment positioned in high air, they could safely cross the cliff in just moments, yet the strange man seemed in unbearable pain, his body swaying continuously. Qiong Fang couldn’t help saying in alarm, “Hey! Stop this! Don’t you want to go home?”

Hearing the words “go home,” the strange man immediately awakened. He waved his hands and asked in a hoarse voice, “Tell me… now… what time is it now?” The strange man seemed to be stuttering again – these few sentences were spoken haltingly, quite incoherently. Qiong Fang thought, “This person really is a monster. Finally came out but now acting stupid again.” Seeing it was truly too high below, she spread both hands to balance herself, restrained her temper and said, “Today is the twenty-fourth of the twelfth month.”

The man panted, “Not the date… I’m asking you… what… what year is it…”

This question was too strange. Qiong Fang blinked, “What year?” She was stunned for a long while before answering, “The tenth year of Zhengtong.”

The strange man was speechless with amazement. After a long while, she heard him say hoarsely, “Zheng… tong? Then… what about Jing… tai…?”

Qiong Fang was puzzled, thinking, “Jingtai?” Her eyes turned and she immediately remembered, casually saying, “You mean the former dynasty’s emperor? He abdicated and died of illness ten years ago – don’t you know?”

Hearing this, the strange man couldn’t help opening his mouth wide and murmuring, “Ten years…” He laughed bitterly a few times as two lines of tears fell from his eyes. For a moment he looked down at his own hands, looked up at heaven, then suddenly covered his face, his body swaying continuously.

Qiong Fang saw the strange man’s whole body swaying precariously, ready to fall from the cliff at any moment. She was extremely alarmed and hurriedly said, “Steady yourself, don’t move rashly…” The word “move” had just left her lips when the strange man had already closed his eyes, lost his balance and instantly fell from the high sky.

Qiong Fang screamed at the top of her lungs, half her body going cold. She never expected this person with world-class divine skills would actually lose his footing and fall into the mountain valley. She hurriedly reached out to grab him, but her martial arts were limited – at ten thousand ren height, self-preservation was already insufficient, how could she reach out to save someone? Indeed, before she could grab his sleeve, her footsteps had already slipped and she nearly fell off the rope herself. Just as she was about to follow in his footsteps, someone suddenly grabbed her hand and said sternly, “Young Sect Master, steady yourself! Don’t act rashly!”

Qiong Fang awakened and focused her gaze to see Fu Yuanying before her. She panted continuously and screamed, “Master Fu! He fell down! He fell down!” Fu Yuanying, unwilling to create complications, struck a pressure point to restrain her, then carried Qiong Fang horizontally in his arms and quickly walked back toward the cliff shore.

The distance of over ten zhang was covered in moments. As soon as Qiong Fang stood on solid ground, everyone gathered around asking, “Who was that monkey? How could he live in the waterfall?” Qiong Fang screamed loudly, “Stop asking! Quickly release my pressure points! Quick! Quick!” Fu Yuanying dared not disobey and hurriedly used manipulation techniques. As soon as Qiong Fang gained freedom, she immediately jumped and shouted, “He fell down! Let’s quickly go fish him up!” Song Tongming said in amazement, “Fish up that big monkey? Who exactly is he?”

Qiong Fang herself didn’t know who that person was. In her urgency, she immediately wanted to find a path down the cliff. Everyone had searched for her all night and used tremendous effort to finally see her safely returned – how could they let her take risks? Fu Yuanying blocked her way and advised, “Young Sect Master, regardless of who that person is, you must steady yourself and recover your strength. In a while I’ll go to Rhinoceros Pool to look for him.”

Qiong Fang angrily pushed him away and said through gritted teeth, “No! Go look now!” Everyone was tired from the whole night and had finally seen Qiong Fang escape danger and return safely – they naturally wanted to rest. But seeing her so anxious, they had to follow one by one.

Qiong Fang’s heart was full of turmoil as she climbed down the mountain path. Juan’er was close to her and also hurriedly followed. The two beauties went one after the other as Juan’er caught up to ask, “Who exactly was that person? What did you encounter behind that waterfall?” Qiong Fang ignored her and didn’t answer, just urgently rushing downward. Reaching the pool edge, she opened her mouth and called loudly, “Great water demon! Are you still alive?”

Water spray splashed up to the sky as white dragon-like water columns poured into Rhinoceros Pool with whirlpools and hidden currents everywhere. Seeing such violent water flow, if one lost footing and fell, they would surely never see daylight again. Qiong Fang called a few more times, then suddenly sat down on the ground and cried in front of everyone.

Seeing Qiong Fang’s tears falling publicly, everyone was greatly shocked. This woman was willful, difficult, bold and reckless – when had she ever shown half a trace of feminine weakness? Fu Yuanying, fearing she might jump into the pool, hurriedly blocked her way and said quietly, “Young Sect Master, if you have any more danger, Fu can only follow you in death. Please don’t be willful.”

Song Tongming leaned over to ask Fu Yuanying, “Was that long-bearded man with strong martial arts really the great hero Ning himself?” Fu Yuanying shook his head, “That person was tall, probably over eight feet, a full head taller than my senior brother – definitely not him.”

Everyone discussed continuously, each guessing the person’s identity, when suddenly they heard children’s clamor from the shore. Everyone turned to look and saw a group of children, all wet and carrying poles and nets – the group of youths they had seen some days ago. Little White Dragon must be nearby.

In this vast human world, besides Qiong Fang alone, only Little White Dragon cared about the strange man’s life or death. Qiong Fang’s heart was agitated as she called loudly, “Little White Dragon! Come quickly! Come quickly!” The children had fought with the Two Freaks, Zhu Kang and others yesterday, and seeing these fierce demons nearby, they were hurriedly about to leave. Qiong Fang urgently rushed over shouting, “Little White Dragon! Little White Dragon! Come out and talk!”

A muffled cough came from the crowd as a youth walked out. Seeing his calm demeanor with eyes squinted to slits, it was indeed Little White Dragon!

Seeing him arrive, Qiong Fang hurriedly grabbed him and screamed, “Your master fell into the water! You can swim, can’t you? Quickly fish your master out!” Little White Dragon was half-believing, half-doubting as he frowned, “My master fell under the waterfall eight or nine years ago – how do you want me to fish him out?”

Qiong Fang shook him vigorously and said loudly, “He didn’t die! He was hiding in the water curtain cave behind the waterfall! I just saw him!” Little White Dragon was stunned with shock while children nearby discussed among themselves: “The legend of the water curtain cave is true!”

Just as Qiong Fang was about to say more, splash! Little White Dragon had grabbed the rope and leaped into the water. Several children, seeing their leader dive in, also swam into the pool to look for the person. Qiong Fang was both alarmed and delighted – she hadn’t expected this youth to be so loyal and righteous, acting immediately upon hearing. But since she wasn’t good at swimming, she could only sit anxiously on shore waiting.

Great water rushed torrentially as the angry waterfall poured down from the nine heavens. The pool water alone splashed up to a hundred zhang high, showing how turbulent the hidden currents were in Rhinoceros Pool with extremely rapid water flow. Though Little White Dragon couldn’t see, he dragged fish nets under the pool – if there were any foreign objects, they should be able to fish them out. But the hidden currents were dangerously rapid. Though several children were skilled swimmers, they couldn’t approach the waterfall. Several times they were swept by whirlpool currents and sank into the water – if not for ropes tied to their bodies, they would have long since drowned. Qiong Fang was extremely alarmed and hurriedly turned to Zhe’er Dan, screaming, “Great Master, I beg you, quickly go down and save them!”

Qiong Fang spoke without choosing her words – with her noble status, how could she easily say the word “beg”? Zhe’er Dan looked at Fu Yuanying, saw him nod slightly, then removed his upper garment, revealing his extremely sturdy torso. Seeing the fierce water flow, he dared not be negligent. He took up rope to bind around his waist and step by step walked toward the pool water.

Suddenly at this moment, everyone’s vision blurred as if the pool water had become somewhat clearer. Zhe’er Dan also showed surprise and retreated back to shore. Everyone stared speechlessly as they heard Qiong Fang jump up joyfully, “He’s still alive! I knew he must still be alive!”

Before her words finished, the pool water swayed again. Everyone could clearly see the whirlpools in the water seemed to receive some great force and suddenly slowed down. Though only for an instant, the change in water flow direction caused some change in the pool water’s color. Zhu Kang looked at Song Tongming and murmured, “Did you see that? What’s happening?” Song Tongming laughed dryly, “You ask me? Who can I ask? Should I go to a temple to draw fortune sticks?” The two went back and forth without understanding when the water surface splashed and Little White Dragon floated up. He brought several wet children to shore, his expression quite grave. Qiong Fang said anxiously, “Did you find anyone?”

Little White Dragon said quietly, “I don’t know. But there’s a strong current at the bottom that’s stirring up the whole pool.” The children, thinking of Water God legends, all became frightened and knelt on the ground in worship.

Suddenly Juan’er cried out, “Something’s floating up!” Everyone could clearly see some things indeed floating up from the pool’s depths. First was a small boat slowly surfacing, its hull long rotted, followed by much driftwood floating up, piece by piece ancient and decayed, looking quite frightening. Little White Dragon, hearing reports from his subordinates, appeared even more grave, only turning his ear to listen to the pool as if trying to detect some abnormality.

Suddenly an object floated up – looking at it face-down but with four limbs, it seemed to be a floating corpse. Qiong Fang was terrified and afraid, about to go into the water to drag it when Fu Yuanying quickly blocked her, saying quietly, “Don’t rush over there.” Qiong Fang’s heart burned with anxiety but could only helplessly watch that thing float to shore. Song Tongming, Zhu Kang and others stood close and fished the object up in two or three moves, all gathering around to observe. Qiong Fang urgently wanted to go over but was blocked by the Three Staff Heroes. Qiong Fang said urgently, “What are you doing? Move aside!” Song Tongming nearby grinned and laughed dryly, “This thing is very ugly – they’re doing this for your own good…” Qiong Fang had no mind to listen to his chatter and hurriedly pushed through the crowd to look closely. Suddenly seeing that person’s face clearly in her eyes, she let out a scream and nearly fainted.

On the ground was not a living person at all but an ancient corpse – the face flesh had long rotted to the bone, and the clothing was even more decayed. Feicheng Guai clicked his tongue in wonder, “This dead person is so robust – look how long this leg bone is…” Zhe’er Dan’s heart shuddered and he also came over to examine. He focused on examining that huge corpse and lifted up the person’s clothing. After a long while he couldn’t help gasping. His disciple walked over and the master and disciple spoke quietly for a few sentences, uttering two words that everyone strained to hear: “Sa Mo.”

Seeing everyone’s faces full of surprise, the Mongolian disciple explained, “This Sa Mo was Mongolia’s first villain. Ten years ago when great disaster struck the world, this person disappeared without trace. Though my master wanted to execute him righteously, we could never find him… Sigh, we searched everywhere to no avail, yet we see his white bones in this place.” Sa Mo was a villain full of evil – everyone had heard of his deeds. Seeing this corpse rotted to bone and pressed under ten thousand pounds of great water, apparently retribution was exact – this person must have suffered great torment before death.

Suanpan Guai had also heard of this person’s cruelty and immediately laughed, “So your master had a grudge with this thief! Good, let’s whip the corpse now. You hit him three times, I’ll strike five times – what do you say…” Before his words finished, his lean body floated into the air, actually lifted by a single hand.

Amid Qiong Fang’s screams, a man covered in water was seen climbing ashore himself. Looking at his disheveled hair and beard reaching his chest, his wet hair clinging and covering his entire face so even his features couldn’t be seen. Everyone was startled and all shouted, “Water ghost!”

Dozens of children looked up, each showing reverent and fearful expressions. Looking at this monster’s ragged clothing, bare chest and feet, he looked not like a Water God but rather like a water ghost. Among the crowd came a cheer – it was Qiong Fang. Little White Dragon hadn’t seen his master for many years but didn’t dare rashly recognize him, for a moment shouting, “Master! Is it you? I’m Little White Dragon!”

The strange man limped forward from the crowd as if he had injured himself in the fall. Everyone fearfully retreated backward. The strange man walked all the way to the corpse’s feet and suddenly fell to his knees in worship. His shoulders shook continuously as he wept quietly.

The observing crowd all showed surprise, not knowing what connection he had with Sa Mo. For a very long time, they only saw the strange man slowly lie down beside the corpse, lying shoulder to shoulder with it, no longer moving.

Song Tongming was puzzled and called out, “This friend, are you all right?” After calling several times with no response, this person’s appearance was too strange, yet no one dared approach and touch him. Feicheng Guai was alarmed, “Damn! Is this guy human or ghost?” Taking up a stone to throw at the strange man’s back – though hit, he still showed no awareness. Suanpan Guai cursed, “Whether living person or dead ghost, let the dead rest in peace – let’s bury them together.” Qiong Fang was furious beyond measure. Before she could speak, dozens of children took stones and threw them, forcing the Two Freaks to dodge left and right.

Little White Dragon couldn’t see and hearing everyone’s angry curses, rushed to Qiong Fang’s side and cried anxiously, “What’s wrong? What’s wrong with my master?” He reached out to push the strange man but saw no movement either. Little White Dragon lay on the strange man’s body and sobbed, “Master! Master! Little White Dragon has grown up – get up and talk to me! Your disciple hasn’t heard your voice for so long.”

The youth cried and shook the strange man, but he truly seemed dead. Qiong Fang was also at a loss. Fu Yuanying stepped forward to examine and check his pulse, saying, “This person’s pulse is unstable and his physical strength is weak. Let’s take him back and have a doctor examine him.”

Everyone whispered among themselves – first they couldn’t guess Sa Mo’s cause of death, and second they didn’t know the strange man’s identity and background, all discussing among themselves. Though Zhe’er Dan had a grudge with Sa Mo, he was unwilling to let the man’s corpse remain exposed in the wilderness, so he asked the accompanying constable to arrange for proper burial.

Qiong Fang had now calmed down. She instructed the Three Staff Heroes to carry the strange man and put him in the cart. Little White Dragon naturally wouldn’t agree and immediately blocked their way, saying loudly, “What are you doing? Where do you want to take my master?” Qiong Fang, recalling the strange man’s words, said gently, “Child, your master’s condition is serious. We need to take him to find a doctor to examine him.” Little White Dragon said through tears, “Little White Dragon also has money. I will support my master and let him eat and drink well.”

Qiong Fang stroked the child’s face and said warmly, “Child, you must trust me. When your master is completely well, I will definitely let him return here to recognize you, all right?”

Little White Dragon grabbed Qiong Fang’s hem and just kept sobbing. Qiong Fang sighed deeply and reached out to embrace him as comfort.

Looking sideways, she saw the strange man lying in the cart with his back to everyone. Seeing him speechless and motionless, not rising or moving, yet not knowing whether this person was dead or alive… dreaming or awake…