Xu Qi An immediately looked toward Li Miaozhen, noticing she wasn’t surprised.
“Just some rogue cultivators. Shouldn’t be too difficult for Tiandihuì to handle, right?” he frowned.
Daoist Bailian explained with a rather helpless tone, “Those wandering jianghu cultivators are the most troublesome. We don’t want to cause unnecessary bloodshed, but ignoring them might lead to retaliation.
“Their large numbers and unscrupulous methods pose a significant threat to our ordinary disciples. Yet, slaughtering living beings is a major taboo…”
“Even if your lives are threatened?” Xu Qi An asked in surprise.
Bailian shook her head and said softly, “The Earth Sect cultivates merit, not the Way of the heart.”
Her meaning was that the concept of a clear conscience didn’t apply to the Earth Sect. Any act of killing would diminish their merit… Understanding it from this perspective, killing truly evil people wouldn’t be an issue, as eliminating evil promotes good. But those wandering jianghu cultivators couldn’t all be evil… Xu Qi An gained some insight.
Chu Yuanzhen smiled, “I’ll go help as well.”
Heng Yuan put his palms together, “Amitabha, this monk will also go and discuss some Buddhist principles with them.”
Heng Yuan was a warrior monk without the burn marks of full ordination on his head. Theoretically, he wasn’t bound by the precepts and could eat meat, drink alcohol, kill, and even consort with courtesans.
However, Heng Yuan was an exception, always holding himself to the standards of a “meditative monk.”
Daoist Jinlian said, “We don’t need you to drive away those brutes, but rather to make them realize the difficulty and withdraw, so they don’t cause trouble when the lotus seeds mature.”
Daoist Bailian continued, “Actually, Heilin deliberately spread the news to attract these jianghu wanderers, intending to use them as vanguards. These past few days, they’ve fully served their role as exploratory cannon fodder.
“There are also skilled individuals among the rogue cultivators, not to be underestimated. If we can’t resolve this hidden danger in advance, this force will give us a severe headache during tomorrow’s decisive battle.”
As she spoke, Bailian kept glancing at Li Miaozhen and Xu Qi An, now understanding Daoist Jinlian’s plan.
Hearing this, Li Miaozhen nodded confidently, “I have some reputation in the jianghu, with many friends. Even those who don’t know me personally would be willing to give me a face. Leave it to me.”
Xu Qi An was about to follow Li Miaozhen and the others, when Daoist Jinlian suddenly called out to him, “Young Master Xu, stay back a moment. This old Daoist has something to discuss with you.”
His heart stirred, knowing the reason. He stopped, watching his four Tiandihuì companions leave.
After their silhouettes disappeared, Daoist Jinlian beckoned, and the Ground Tablet fragment automatically flew out of Xu Qi An’s pocket, landing in the old Daoist’s palm.
He held the Ground Tablet fragment, smiling without a word.
Seeing this, Bailian tactfully said, “I’ll go outside to observe the battle.”
By the Cold Pool, only Daoist Jinlian and Xu Qi An remained. The old Daoist bit his fingertip, using fresh blood to draw a spell on the mirror surface of the Ground Tablet fragment.
Xu Qi An stood on tiptoe trying to peek, but Daoist Jinlian blocked his view. “The Ground Tablet fragment is our Earth Sect’s supreme treasure. Since you’re unwilling to join our sect, this old Daoist can only follow the principle of ‘the Way is not transmitted to the unworthy.'”
Daoist, you don’t have any internet spirit at all. What’s the internet spirit? It’s freeloading! No, it’s sharing… Xu Qi An grumbled inwardly.
Daoist Jinlian flicked his finger, making a “ding” sound as it struck the mirror surface. The bloody spell suddenly lit up, then sank into the Ground Tablet fragment.
Xu Qi An’s mind “boomed” as if struck by lightning, followed by intense pain—pain from his very soul.
He clutched his head, his face twitching violently. The agony lasted for more than ten seconds before subsiding.
“A treasure that recognizes its master becomes a part of the owner. Forcibly severing the connection is like cutting off an arm…” Daoist Jinlian put away the third Ground Tablet fragment and smiled:
“If you continued carrying it, Heilin would still be able to sense it. So, I’ll keep it safe for now and return it to you once this matter is settled.”
Xu Qi An watched forlornly as Daoist Jinlian tucked the Ground Tablet fragment into his robe, like a cabbage he’d raised for eighteen years being stolen by a pig. He anxiously said:
“Daoist, you must keep it safe and return it to me afterward, alright?”
Daoist Jinlian chuckled, “It seems you feel a strong sense of belonging to Tiandihuì.”
Xu Qi An shook his head, his expression serious, “No, it’s because the Ground Tablet fragment contains my marriage fund.”
And it’s marriage fund times ten…
…
Outside the Yuezhi Manor.
In the area reduced to ruins by artillery fire, dozens of jianghu heroes were facing off against Tiandihuì disciples.
A brief skirmish had just occurred here, with injuries on both sides, but no fatalities.
“You little Daoists, get out of our way quick. We’re after the treasure and don’t want to take lives.”
“That’s right, if you dare block us again, don’t blame us for getting rough.”
Dozens of jianghu figures spread out, brandishing their weapons and hurling threats.
Facing them, the Tiandihuì disciples held flying swords, jade rulers, bronze awls, cloth rolls, and other magical instruments, not retreating a step.
A young maiden raised her sword and scolded, “Pah! You shameless lot, coveting our Tiandihuì’s supreme treasure. Trying to take it by force? Dream on!”
“Hmph!”
With a cold snort, a fat, muscular man charged out, wielding two dark iron hammers.
The pretty young woman in Daoist robes showed no fear, lightly tossing her flying sword. A sharp whistling sound rang out.
“Clang!”
Sparks flew as the fat man effortlessly deflected the flying sword, grinning viciously as he swung both hammers heavily toward the girl.
But he couldn’t bring them down. A pair of porcelain-white hands blocked the iron hammers—a woman’s hands, well-proportioned and delicate. Strangely, these hands stopped the hammers without any fluctuation of energy or the sound of metal clashing.
Blocking such a powerful strike with mere flesh and blood?
Witnessing this, both the Tiandihuì disciples and the jianghu heroes on the other side found it inconceivable.
The one who intervened was a beautiful young woman with deep blue eyes and tanned skin.
The features of someone from the Southern Borderlands were unmistakable.
The fat, muscular man’s expression changed. His rich combat experience allowed him to make the correct judgment without thinking. He quickly abandoned his dark iron hammers and swiftly retreated.
“Are all you Central Plains men such weaklings, using such light toys?” Lina tossed the two hammers back and forth in her hands, like a little girl playing with dolls.
On the other side, the jianghu crowd stared dumbfounded, unable to control the shock on their faces. Forget about combat prowess, just this display of strength alone overwhelmed them all.
“Southern Borderlands Gu Clan, Strength Gu branch?” someone muttered with furrowed brows, not entirely certain.
Lina’s azure pupils swept over the crowd. She grinned, showing her little fangs, and said, “You Central Plains people have a saying: ‘To receive without giving is not polite.'”
Except for a few skilled experts, the jianghu crowd tensed, quietly gripping their weapons.
“Crack…”
Lina stepped on the ground tile, cracking it, and shot toward the crowd like a crossbow bolt.
In an instant, people were sent flying, accompanied by screams. She knocked down a man with one punch, displaying immense strength. Yet her movements were agile, and her martial arts exquisite.
After more than a dozen exchanges, no one could match her.
So strong… The Tiandihuì disciples’ eyes lit up, greatly encouraged.
Previously, they had focused their attention on Li Miaozhen, Xu Qi An, and Chu Yuanzhen, overlooking this foreign girl, thinking she was just an extra. They hadn’t expected her to be so powerful.
It wasn’t until a man wielding a bronze staff stepped forward that Lina’s onslaught was barely contained.
The dozens of people formed an encirclement with the bronze staff wielder as the core. Adding to this, there were a few experts in hidden weapons among the crowd, occasionally throwing projectiles from tricky angles.
With multiple tactics combined, they finally regained some advantage.
Taking advantage of several companions entangling the foreign girl, the man with the bronze staff let out a roar. He spun, swinging his staff, producing a piercing sound as it cut through the air.
Lina raised her hand, once again using her palm to block the weapon. She lifted her foot and kicked straight out, sending the man flying, bleeding profusely.
“Lina, that’s enough.”
Li Miaozhen emerged from behind the disciples, calling out to stop the fight.
Both sides engaged in fierce combat immediately ceased.
Lina casually tossed aside the bronze staff and strode back to Li Miaozhen’s side on her long, powerful legs.
“You… you’re the Flying Swallow Heroine?!” One of the jianghu figures recognized Li Miaozhen.
Flying Swallow Heroine? Everyone scrutinized Li Miaozhen, their expressions changing slightly.
The Heavenly Sect’s Holy Maiden swept her gaze over the group of jianghu brutes and asked, “Who’s the leader here?”
She understood the jianghu well. In situations requiring unity, jianghu figures would elect someone with the most prestige or reputation as a temporary leader.
Sometimes, reputation and prestige were even more important than strength. Strength could make people wary and fearful, but only prestige could truly convince them.
The muscular man, clutching his abdomen, staggered forward and cupped his fists in greeting, “Liu Hu from Nanhuai County, Jian Province. Miss, are you the Flying Swallow Heroine?”
Just a group of weak rogue cultivators, I can handle this without Xu Qi An’s intervention… Li Miaozhen nodded slightly and said coolly:
“Everyone, the Nine-Colored Lotus Seeds are the Earth Sect’s supreme treasure. Now, with powerful enemies surrounding us, your strength is insufficient to compete for them. Rashly getting involved only leads to death. Why not give me a face and withdraw? Don’t meddle in this matter.”
This… Liu Hu’s expression flickered. He had heard of the Flying Swallow Heroine’s reputation, and it was more than just hearsay—it was thunderous.
This Heavenly Sect Holy Maiden had made her debut last year, traveling the jianghu, upholding justice, and had gained considerable prestige with countless friends in the martial world.
If I offend her, she need only say the word, and I might be hunted down by those who owe her favors… Although the lotus seeds are tempting, the Flying Swallow Heroine has a point. We came here on a whim for an opportunity, and if the opportunity hasn’t arrived, we shouldn’t force it… Liu Hu began to have second thoughts.
The other jianghu figures were similarly wary, not daring to offend Li Miaozhen.
They might not fear the local authorities or even the imperial court, but they dared not cross the Flying Swallow Heroine with her extensive connections in the jianghu.
As expected of the Flying Swallow Heroine, this level of influence is comparable to some highly respected elders… Daoist Bailian, observing from afar, nodded slightly.
It seemed that even without Xu Qi An’s intervention, Li Miaozhen would be enough.
She then thought about how the Heavenly Sect’s successive generations of holy children traveled the jianghu, always lightly touching and moving on like a feather passing over water. This generation’s Holy Maiden, Li Miaozhen, seemed different from her predecessors.
Mingling and mingling, she had become a renowned heroine of her generation…
Li Miaozhen smiled and cupped her hands, saying, “Miaozhen thank you all in advance. When we meet again in the jianghu, we’ll be friends. If you need any help, feel free to ask. Miaozhen will do her utmost to assist.”
The crowd was still reluctant, but having received the Flying Swallow Heroine’s verbal promise, their resistance diminished somewhat.
“The Flying Swallow Heroine certainly throws her weight around.”
A mellow voice rang out. Its owner was a middle-aged swordsman with a fine beard, handsome features, and an impressive bearing, holding a black-sheathed green sword.
Behind him were more than a dozen blue-robed swordsmen, including Young Master Liu and his master.
“It’s the Ink Pavilion!”
“It’s Pavilion Master Yang Cuixue.”
The rogue cultivators who had been swallowing their pride and compromising with reality a moment ago now seemed to have found their backbone, actively gathering around him.
Even among the numerous sects in Jian Province, the Ink Pavilion ranked among the top.
Li Miaozhen narrowed her eyes, appraising the bearded swordsman, “The Nine Curves Sword Technique, Red River Ink Pavilion?”
The Ink Pavilion was a sect that had stood firm in Jian Province for a hundred years, with a profound heritage. Legend had it that the founding master attained enlightenment by the Red River, observing its nine bends and comprehending a supreme sword technique.
He then established the Ink Pavilion on the banks of the Red River.
Notably, Yang Cuixue was a seasoned fourth-grade expert with profound swordsmanship. His most well-known feat was single-handedly fighting two fourth-grade experts to a draw after battling for a day and a night.
“Pleased to meet you!”
Yang Cuixue nodded and said in a deep voice, “As they say, wealth stirs people’s hearts, let alone a treasure like the Nine-Colored Lotus. Isn’t the Flying Swallow Heroine being unreasonable by using her influence to pressure others?”
Li Miaozhen sneered, “I’ve heard that Pavilion Master Yang is upright and just, a man of principle. Indeed, you are one to talk about reason, but it’s all twisted logic. The Nine-Colored Lotus has always belonged to the Earth Sect. You lot are trying to take it by force, yet you speak so righteously.”
She had heard of Ink Pavilion Master Yang Cuixue’s reputation. Rumor had it that he was upright in his conduct and admired the spirit of chivalry, often gifting money to jianghu heroes with good reputations.
Because of this, people jokingly called him Yang the Generous.
“Huh, the Flying Swallow Heroine is the Heavenly Sect’s Holy Maiden, of course, she doesn’t understand the hardships of us, independent cultivators,” someone said sarcastically.
“If you’re afraid of death, why walk the jianghu? This old man’s cultivation and divine weapon were earned with his life.”
“That’s right, if we don’t try, how will we know who will come out on top in the end?”
With someone backing them, the rogue cultivators’ tone immediately hardened.
Yang Cuixue shook his head and said, “The Flying Swallow Heroine is the Heavenly Sect’s Holy Maiden, not lacking in cultivation techniques or renowned teachers. How could she understand the helplessness of independent cultivators? Some people are stuck at one level for decades without progress, wanting to seek guidance but unable to find a good teacher.
“Some lack a suitable magical weapon, using ordinary iron for ten years on end. Without risking their lives, how can they advance? How can they rise above others?
“I just feel that you can defeat them, even kill them, but you shouldn’t deprive them of their right to compete.”
Daoist Bailian’s delicate brows furrowed slightly, while the disciples behind Li Miaozhen became alert again, preparing for battle.
Li Miaozhen narrowed her eyes, somewhat annoyed. This man’s interference had stirred up the brutes present once again.
She couldn’t contain them anymore.
Li Miaozhen rested her hand on her sword hilt and said coolly, “Is Pavilion Master Yang here on behalf of the Martial Arts Alliance to muddy these waters?”
Her flying sword hummed and trembled, ready to strike.
The dozen or so blue-robed swordsmen all drew their swords.
Yang Cuixue raised his hand and pressed it on his sword hilt. Instantly, the sword energy Li Miaozhen had built up dissipated.
“The Flying Swallow Heroine is a disciple of the Dao sect, but her swordsmanship is still lacking,” Yang Cuixue said calmly.
Li Miaozhen might be able to intimidate ordinary jianghu rogue cultivators, but this Ink Pavilion Master’s energy was profound. Even among fourth-grade experts, he was considered strong… Chu Yuanzhen frowned slightly, no longer standing idly by.
He stepped forward, smiling, “I am Chu Yuanzhen.”
Yang Cuixue was startled for a moment, then respectfully cupped his fists, “The First Swordsman of the Capital, I’ve long admired your reputation.”
Chu Yuanzhen then said, “Would Pavilion Master be willing to give me face, to give the Human Sect face?”
Yang Cuixue shook his head, “I am but a mere warrior. The Human Sect is of the Dao school, what does it have to do with me or the folks here? As for Brother Chu… forgive my bluntness, but without any achievements, what face is there to give?”
…Chu Yuanzhen’s expression darkened.
Yang Cuixue continued, “I am a swordsman, and the way of the sword is direct. Whatever needs to be said, I’ll say it to your face. The Dao sects are aloof from the mundane world, inspiring fear but not respect. The Flying Swallow Heroine upholds justice, but that’s not enough for us to give up this opportunity before us. As for Brother Chu, there’s even less to say.”
Liu Hu nodded vigorously.
Li Miaozhen sneered, “After all that talk, why not just say that no one’s face is worth anything here? Let’s settle this with our skills.”
Yang Cuixue shook his head again, “Not quite. It’s not that there’s no one, just that you two aren’t enough. Those who serve the country, those who serve the people, those beloved by the common folk, they all count.”
“Interesting!”
At this moment, Xu Qi An emerged from behind the disciples, walking forward with a smile, and said, “I wonder if Pavilion Master Yang would give a face to someone like me?”