Fu Yanyang never imagined he would encounter his “colleagues” in such a manner within Xiaoyao Valley.

The Yulin Guard—imperial palace guards who answered only to the Emperor. Their appearance here—could it be that His Majesty himself had also rushed over?

Whether Shen Yao had come or not, he couldn’t possibly be leading the charge at the forefront. Fu Yanyang recognized the leading commandant and immediately said, “Commandant Huang, what a coincidence that you’ve also arrived here…”

The newcomer gave him no opportunity for pleasantries. The commandant surnamed Huang waved his hand and declared, “His Majesty commands that all within the valley are rebellious conspirators. All who are seen shall be killed without question!”

As soon as the words fell, the front row of Yulin Guards arranged their formation, raising bows and crossbows. Without another word, they pulled the triggers. Flying arrows came at them like shooting stars across the sky!

At that moment, a sound like rumbling thunder suddenly arose. The stream shot straight up from the ground into the sky. Countless water droplets condensed into chains, like a swarm of water serpents roaring as they fiercely lunged upward, instantly scattering the rain of arrows!

Fu Yanyang turned back in disbelief—Ye Qi’s hands were empty, yet with a sudden wave, he seemed to be gripping an enormous yet invisible water whip. From the entire jade belt stream, he lifted and surged it toward the Yulin Guard, waves rolling like a dragon surging across the firmament.

A quarter-hour earlier, Changling was using the Nanhua Golden Needles to clear the remaining poison from Changsheng. Just as she saw the blood drops from his pinky finger change from dark to bright red, before she could breathe a sigh of relief, she suddenly felt the earth shake and mountains quake. Jiagu couldn’t help but widen his eyes, “What’s that commotion outside?”

Jiaye remained completely unmoved. He withdrew his hands into his sleeves and closed his eyes, “Concentrate your mind and transfer power to continue the eldest young master’s qi!”

Changling also knew this was a critical moment. No matter what happened outside, they couldn’t interrupt. With quick hands and sharp eyes, she removed the golden needles. She and Jiagu positioned themselves on the left and right sides, pushing their palms forward, continuously injecting yin and yang true qi into Changsheng’s body.

When Zhou Qin reached the stone door, Old Man Shu rushed forward one step ahead. He and Qu Yunzhen had already guessed somewhat from hearing such a tremendous commotion. Seeing Zhou Qin’s expression as if she’d seen a ghost, they quickly pulled her aside a few steps to ask, “Did someone open the mountain gate?”

“Yes… I saw a team of soldiers enter. They seem to be Yulin Guards…” Zhou Qin said breathlessly, “Yes, Yulin Guards. Right now the young marquis and Second Young Master Fu are blocking them outside. I don’t know if they can hold them back…”

Qu Yunzhen knew nothing of outside affairs and could only say incredulously, “Aren’t the Yulin Guards the forbidden army of the imperial city? How could they come to Xiaoyao Valley?”

Zhou Qin said in confusion, “I don’t know either…”

She didn’t know, but Shujuan, having spent so many years in Jinling, naturally understood the political situation clearly, “From Jinling to Yuzhou, it would take at least ten days. It seems His Majesty had always intended to move against the martial arts conference…”

Qu Yunzhen’s entire body trembled, “What do you mean? He knows the eldest young master is here?”

“Whether he knows or not is hard to say, but…” Shujuan raised his eyes to look ahead, “After people kill their way in, we’ll know.”

Another water wave sent a group of incoming soldiers tumbling head over heels.

Hearing the sounds of various weapons clashing echoing throughout the valley, one could imagine that the Yulin Guard had already surrounded the entire Xiaoyao Valley.

The danger of the current situation could no longer be salvaged by momentary clever schemes.

To preserve Yue Changsheng’s life, there was only one method.

Guard the mountain gate to the death.

Over fifty Yulin Guards had poured into the valley. Fu Yanyang used his sword to counter the enemy and could barely protect himself. But watching Ye Qi endlessly whip out water waves, he couldn’t help asking, “Shifu, how long do we have to hold on like this?”

Ye Qi’s gaze turned toward the setting sun in the sky.

Jiaye had said that if all went smoothly, it could end before dark.

“See the sun?” Ye Qi said, “We fight until we can’t see it anymore.”

Fu Yanyang was shocked, “You mean fight until we’re dead?”

“No.” Ye Qi’s long sleeves rose as he backhanded a palm wind, sweeping away the dozen or so soldiers who had just gotten past them. They all fell into the water, splashing pearls and jade throughout the valley.

Word by word, with chilling killing intent, he said, “Even if we must die, we wait until after the sun sets.”

In that instant, Fu Yanyang’s heart trembled, shocked by the young marquis’s full display of presence.

Not just him—the soldiers stuck firmly at the mountain gate entrance all felt their bones chill and hair stand on end.

Everyone knew that the young marquis of the He family was a sickly invalid who could die at any moment. Over these years, countless famous physicians had been consulted, all frankly stating he wouldn’t live many more years. If he didn’t attend court for a while, even the Emperor would send people to inquire whether Marquis He had already passed away. If the rumors were true… then who was this person before them with such towering presence, fighting wildly yet standing undefeated?

Nearly half of the soldiers who had surged into the valley had died or been injured. The rest showed more or less signs of retreat.

Commandant Huang at the front was also an expert. Though he knew he was no match for Marquis He, seeing how the Water Control Divine Technique had grown weaker wave after wave, and the marquis’s completely bloodless face, he deduced the opponent’s power definitely couldn’t last long.

He took a step forward, raising his blade and roaring, “Kill!”

That was the first time in Ye Qi’s life that he confronted killing with pure martial force, staking his life to gamble on a victory whose outcome was unknown.

Many years ago, when he was still just a child, he had heard of “a thousand troops and ten thousand horses in crimson robes, Muling’s rainbow howling across the sky,” and his heart had yearned—if only heaven would grant him a healthy body, he would certainly go into battle to kill enemies, riding eight hundred li to the sound of war drums.

Until that year outside Taixing City when corpses piled into mountains, when one rider left in a trail of dust never to return, only then did he deeply understand that fleeting life could not be told, that swords had always been merciless, always cruel, that human lives had always been like grass.

Later, he cherished life so much, doing everything possible for those two words “peace,” winning one more chance at survival for those who successively stepped onto the road of no return, to continue the faith of those who had once sustained his life.

Now, he finally had to admit that heaven truly had not treated him poorly.

Among all living beings, his heart worried for her. Time flew like a shuttle, she returned draped in sunset glow. Through many vicissitudes, today’s setting sun was especially beautiful.

His remaining strength no longer had the power to activate the Myriad Flowers technique. Ye Qi summoned the Infinite Whip. His white robes were dyed completely crimson—it had long been impossible to tell whose blood it was. Zhou Qin also fearlessly joined the battle circle. The three of them spontaneously formed three points, and just like that, with an incredible force, they forcibly blocked the aggressive Yulin Guard.

The setting sun hung between the mountain gates, shrouding everything in a hazy rose color.

Ye Qi increasingly couldn’t bear the pain radiating from his bone marrow. His body’s reactions began to slow. In a moment of distraction, he still couldn’t avoid the hidden weapon—an arrow solidly embedded in his shoulder.

“Shifu!” “Young Marquis!”

Fu Yanyang and Zhou Qin called out in unison, fighting desperately to rush in his direction.

He only stepped back slightly, standing right there in the center of the water, gazing at the horizon. The people and scenery around him seemed to begin blurring. Only that place where the sun hung obliquely, dreamlike and illusory, was extraordinarily gentle and tranquil.

The setting sun’s infinite beauty, only it was near dusk.

Ye Qi gathered the last wisps of internal breath in his body strand by strand to his dantian. Mist rose all around his body. He knew he had reached his limit. Since it was so, why not pour out all his strength for one final strike? Even if he couldn’t completely defeat them, at least let Shen Yao know that before dark, with just this group of wine sacks and rice bags, there was absolutely no possibility of breaking through!

However, before he could unleash his desperate killing move, suddenly a fierce gust of wind swept past him, sweeping aside the large wave of soldiers who had just gathered and charged. The figure that passed without a trace circled in the upper air for only an instant before laying flat all the Yulin Guards still standing in the vicinity.

Changling landed at his side. Without thinking, she grasped his palm, and a warm current flowed into his four limbs and hundred bones. Ye Qi’s lungs and viscera had originally been churning with blood, as if the belly full of bloody qi could spray from his throat at any moment. But with just this light grip, his vision that had already blurred into a mass instantly regained some clarity.

“My elder brother is fine now.” She gazed at him once, withdrew her hand, and stepped forward to stand before him. “Promise me, you must also live well for me.”

Ye Qi stared at her profile, from the curve of her ear to her cheek and the upward arc of her eyelashes—all so beautiful they pleased the heart and delighted the eye.

“Alright.” He promised.

Changling turned her head, her eyes slightly red, “As long as you can avoid death, you’re not allowed to break your word.”

“Alright.” He sincerely nodded.

Changling looked at the new wave of Yulin Guards surging forward, not turning her head as she said, “Second Young Master Fu, Little Qin, take the young marquis back to treat his injuries.”

Ye Qi didn’t demur. He only reached out to snap off the arrow shaft from his shoulder, casually tossing it aside, then turned around, without hesitation handing the battlefield over to her.

Where the war god stood, how could there be any reason for it to be breached?

At this moment, the setting sun gathered its last brilliance, quietly lowering its head. The final trace of red clouds became dark.

Supported by his two young disciples, Ye Qi made it all the way to the stone cave entrance. Unable to continue, his feet went soft and he collapsed sitting on the ground.

“What do we do? The young marquis seems seriously injured… We need to quickly have the great-grandmasters treat his injuries…”

Even with their poor eyesight, they could see that right now the young marquis had reached the end of his strength. Ye Qi propped one hand on the ground, barely keeping his head from falling forward. He struggled to lift his head to look at Sect Leader Xue still hanging unconscious from the tree, took a few gasping breaths, and said, “You two take Sect Leader Xue down and remove the silver needles from his body…”

Now even Fu Yanyang panicked, “Shifu, at a time like this, who has time to worry about him…”

“The court’s army is still outside contending with the martial artists of Xiaoyao Valley, so the forces that have penetrated the valley are still limited. Before long, when they can’t break through, they’ll naturally throw everything at us. No matter how divinely powerful Changling is, she can’t endlessly fight against thousands and thousands of troops to the end…” Ye Qi’s voice was very soft, because being slightly louder would stab his chest cavity with pain. “But those who can open the mountain gate must be limited in number. Once the vanguard dies, if we can close the gate one step faster, even if they deploy more people, we can still buy a moment to catch our breath.”

Hearing this, Fu Yanyang already understood—only Sect Leader Xue could close the gate.

“I understand.” He cut the hanging rope with one sword stroke and went to remove the silver needles from Sect Leader Xue’s body. “Little Qin, leave this to me. You quickly take the young marquis…”

“Young Master!”

Suddenly hearing a cry of alarm, the three turned their heads to see Seventh Uncle running over from the lakeside direction, soaking wet.

Ye Qi was stunned for a moment, then saw a large group of figures appear behind Seventh Uncle—all experts from the He Family Army in the same drowned rat style.

Seventh Uncle rushed forward, “Young Master, forgive me for coming late. As soon as the court’s army arrived, I had Tao Feng deploy people nearby. Just after jumping off the cliff…”

“Stop the nonsense.” Ye Qi weakly raised his finger, pointing toward the mountain gate. “Changling is there resisting the Yulin Guard. Go quickly to provide support…”

Seventh Uncle gave the order, “Did you hear? Speed to the Jiulian Mountain direction for rescue!”

Over a hundred black-clad experts obeyed the command and left. Only then did Ye Qi’s tightly gripped heart relax slightly. Before he could speak, he saw Seventh Uncle with tears streaming like rain, “Young Master, you—you’re covered in blood…”

He closed his eyes, “It’s all superficial wounds. I won’t die yet.”

Having just sat quietly for a moment, he had quietly circulated a small circulation of true qi, finally temporarily pulling back that foot that had stepped toward the coffin. But Seventh Uncle only needed to check his pulse once before suddenly losing composure, “Young Master, we can’t delay any longer. You must take medicine and circulate power…”

“Don’t worry, I can hold on a bit longer.” Ye Qi reopened his eyes, seeming to have gathered back a little strength. Borrowing Seventh Uncle’s arm, he stood back up. “Little Qin, you stay here to help Little Fu. There’s no need to negotiate much with Sect Leader Xue—if he refuses once, chop off one finger.” Taking two breaths, he turned to Seventh Uncle, “Seventh Uncle, you accompany me inside. My shifu and shishu are all inside. Without their assistance, everything is for nothing.”

On the path from the stone cave entrance to the stone chamber, he quickly thought through all of today’s sudden events. In his mind, he had already worked out a method for everyone to escape unscathed. He couldn’t wait to tell Seventh Uncle his thoughts.

Seventh Uncle wiped his tears with his sleeve, “Good, good, we’ll do as Young Master says.”

Seeing Seventh Uncle’s utterly heartbroken appearance, he couldn’t help but tug at the corners of his mouth.

Actually, his internal force was almost completely exhausted. Even if he took the Purple Gold Pill now, he might not be able to survive.

Perhaps in just a few hours, perhaps the next moment, he would bid farewell to the mortal world.

He shouldn’t have troubled Shifu and Shishu to expend their effort on him at such a critical juncture.

But he had promised Changling.

Having promised, he shouldn’t break his word.

However, just as they walked to the stone chamber entrance, they heard Luo Zhou’s crying voice from inside, “Eldest Young Master—”

Ye Qi’s heart trembled. Disregarding the severe pain, he quickened his pace into the room. He saw the Three Heroes of Maoshan kneeling on the ground weeping bitterly. Jiagu sat at a loss on the bed. Jiaye was circulating power for Changsheng but hadn’t moved to assist.

“What’s going on?” Ye Qi almost rushed to the bedside. “Didn’t you say he was already saved…”

“He was fine originally. The yin and yang true qi entered his body. He was about to wake up, which is why Changling went out to help you…” Jiagu murmured, “But somehow Young Master Yue’s true qi throughout his body suddenly reversed course. He vomited blood endlessly and has stopped breathing…”

Ye Qi reached out to check Changsheng’s breathing. His entire body couldn’t help but shudder. Looking at Jiaye silently transmitting true qi to Changsheng, he summoned his courage again to touch Changsheng’s neck pulse and immediately said, “That’s not right. There’s still a heartbeat. My elder brother-in-law’s heart is still beating…”

Hearing this, Jiagu was shocked and also reached out to feel Changsheng’s heart. “It is still beating, then how could…”

“The eldest young master has lain still for ten years. Many places in his extraordinary meridians and eight vessels are blocked. Even if the yin and yang qi were successfully sent into his body and could restore his life temporarily, if he himself cannot regulate it and his qi and blood are blocked, it’s still futile.” Having said this, Jiaye had already withdrawn his hands. His entire head and face were covered in cold sweat, showing that from expelling qi to transferring qi, he had exhausted all his ability. “This old monk has tried many methods but truly cannot clear the blockages. I fear the eldest young master today cannot pass…”

Ye Qi interrupted Jiaye’s words and asked, “Right now, if we solve the obstruction in the meridians, can the eldest young master be saved?”

Jiaye was stunned, as if he hadn’t expected him to ask this, “That’s natural… Only this ancient rare condition, combined with the eldest young master being unconscious, this old monk for the moment cannot…”

Before hearing the end, Ye Qi pulled out a longevity lock from around his neck, quickly opened the lock, and extracted a tiny silk handkerchief wrapped in a ball.

Seventh Uncle saw at a glance what he intended and immediately pressed down on Ye Qi’s right wrist, “Young Master, you mustn’t—”

Ye Qi’s left hand swiftly took the pill from the handkerchief. Without blinking an eye, he stuffed it into Changsheng’s mouth.

“Young Master!” Seventh Uncle was too heartbroken. Disregarding propriety, he pushed forward to hold Changsheng’s jaw, trying to make the pill fall out—but the Purple Gold Pill dissolved upon entering the mouth and had already slid entirely down the throat. How could it be vomited back out?

“Seventh Uncle, step back.” Ye Qi pushed Seventh Uncle backward, turned his head to the bewildered people in the room, and said, “This pill is… is my He family’s hereditary heart-protecting pill. It has always had the effect of bringing the dead back to life. I don’t know if it can save the eldest young master’s life… Shishu, please check again to see if he’s improved?”

Jiaye circulated power again. In just a moment, Changsheng’s face actually recovered a little color. Jiaye’s eyes brightened, “This medicine is indeed effective… This time as the true qi circulates, several blocked meridians all show signs of dispersal…”

Ye Qi’s brows relaxed slightly. The Three Heroes of Maoshan also showed expressions of disbelief and joy. Only Jiagu looked blankly at his blood-soaked young disciple, “Little Ye, are you…”

“Shifu, after taking this medicine, the eldest young master’s blood vessels and acupoints will all flow with qi following the medicine. He needs to sit quietly and circulate power to supplement it, but he can’t circulate power himself now. You still need to continue helping him raise his qi.” Ye Qi saw Jiagu staring fixedly at him and waved his hand to urge, “Don’t just stand there. Look how exhausted Shishu is. If you don’t help, the eldest young master might really die from exploding qi and blood.”

Jiagu looked at this young disciple of his, thinking how he had wandered the ends of the earth his whole life just to find one thread of survival. He couldn’t help but feel grief welling from within.

Suddenly, he very much wanted to do something more for Ye Qi, even if just to bandage some of the still-bleeding wounds. But at this moment, he knew what he should do.

Jiagu sat cross-legged again, both hands working together, wholeheartedly circulating power to heal Changsheng’s injuries.

Seeing the broken hair at Changsheng’s nose once again stirred by his breathing, the corners of Ye Qi’s mouth finally recovered that trace of composure and smile as usual. He silently fastened the longevity lock back. Originally intending to take it off and return it to Changsheng, after hesitating, he still treasured it and placed it back inside his collar.

Walking out of the stone chamber, he glanced at Seventh Uncle whose tears had long since streamed down, and smiled faintly, “What’s there to cry about? I only did something I should have done… I’m very happy, truly.”

How could Seventh Uncle stop? He cried until even his beard was trembling. Seeing him so distressed, Ye Qi walked closer a step and gently embraced him, “I’m sorry, Seventh Uncle. I know how much you all sacrificed for that pill. Please forgive my presumptuous decision.”

“How would this old one dare blame Young Master?” Seventh Uncle quickly shook his head. “It’s just, it’s just…”

“I know.” Ye Qi said lightly, “You need not say it. I know everything.”

In this life, how fortunate to have so many people tirelessly working for that one thread of survival?

“But truly, please stop crying. I was originally celebrating… celebrating that she’s not here.” Ye Qi said slowly, “If you keep crying like this, she’ll discover it.”