Haoyun Mountain.

Dense fog shrouded the mountain, and here lay the Central Plains Sword Assembly that commanded the respect of all sword practitioners under heaven. Though the mountain was not high, it was famous for having immortals – within Haoyun Mountain, a courtyard of azure bricks and dark tiles was the world-renowned “Shanfeng Hall” of the Sword Assembly.

The dark tiles on Shanfeng Hall’s roof were all made from broken sword scabbards, and each broken sword carried a tale worth singing and weeping over. Two carriages slowly ascended to the entrance of Shanfeng Hall, where two people came out to greet them – one in purple robes carrying a sword, the other in gray robes and empty-handed. Yu Furen was the first to descend from the carriage, cupping his fists to both, “Master Shao, Hero Meng.”

The purple-robed sword bearer was Shao Yanping, and the gray-robed one was “Gentleman Meng” Meng Qinglei.

Shao Yanping watched the carriage with great interest. Last time at Qingshan Cliff’s Biluo Palace, he had been silently outmaneuvered by Wanyu Yuedan and Tang Lici, mistaking Bi Lianyi for Tang Lici. This time he absolutely had to see clearly what this legendary Young Master Tang actually looked like.

The carriage swayed slightly, and Shao Yanping’s heart stirred. When superior masters moved, they wouldn’t even disturb falling leaves – how could the carriage be swaying? Before this doubt could be resolved, he saw someone descend from the carriage, wearing light gray clothing and gray cloth shoes with delicate needle embroidery of cloud patterns. The cloud shoes were exquisitely elegant, while the clothing was quite simple and plain. This person had a full head of lustrous silver hair, and when he turned around, his features were as beautiful as a painting – truly a graceful gentleman of this turbid world. Shao Yanping looked the newcomer up and down, marveling inwardly. Silver hair was unprecedented, but that was nothing… The scar on this person’s left eyebrow was definitely not naturally broken, but a blade wound. And though he had never seen that blade, it was quite famous. This scar bore two slight curves, like twin plum petals – it was from the “Imperial Plum Master’s” blade “Imperial Plum.”

The “Imperial Plum Master” was already a legend from thirty years ago. Rumored to be cold as ice and snow, under his blade he killed all evil with a single strike. He appeared in the martial world only a few times, saving several highly respected martial world elders. Thirty years ago, at a Central Plains Sword Assembly gathering, he defeated all heroes with one blade, his reputation transcending the world, making him the foremost martial artist of that time. However, times had changed, and this person had long disappeared from the martial world. Among today’s martial artists, few probably knew of the “Imperial Plum Master.” The “Imperial Plum” blade scar appearing on Tang Lici’s left eyebrow made Shao Yanping’s heart leap with extreme joy – this showed this person was truly among the rarest of the rare, an incomparable treasure once in ten thousand generations. There was no one in the world more peculiar than Tang Lici. As Tang Lici descended from the carriage, the other three people also got down and walked slowly forward. One of them carried a baby, creating a strange sight that drew attention.

“Young Master Tang.” Meng Qinglei said cheerfully, “Long time no see, have you been well?” He had met Tang Lici once at the National Uncle’s mansion in the capital and had a good impression of him. He also knew the one carrying the baby was Chi Yun.

Tang Lici’s eyes moved slightly, glancing at Meng Qinglei and smiling faintly, “I have been well.” He walked very calmly, not using his inner qi, so Shao Yanping and Meng Qinglei couldn’t discern his skill level. He nodded slightly to Shao Yanping, “I have long admired Hero Shao.”

“Not at all, not at all. It is Young Master Tang whom I have long admired,” Shao Yanping laughed heartily, then sighed, “Everyone in the Assembly has been eagerly awaiting Young Master Tang’s grand arrival. Yesterday the Romantic Shop led troops to annihilate the Changfeng Sect. Though we arrived a step too late and managed to save dozens of wounded, we couldn’t prevent the sect’s complete destruction. We don’t know how they offended the Romantic Shop. Young Master Tang’s wisdom is exceptional – you’re just the person to solve our doubts.”

“Then… won’t you invite me for tea?” Tang Lici flicked his sleeve and smiled gently, “And let me see what the world-famous Shanfeng Hall actually looks like.”

“Haha, Young Master Tang shows such refined interest. This way please.” Shao Yanping led the way, walking into the entrance. Shanfeng Hall was located in a place of dense fog, with white mist constantly drifting in through doors and windows like a fairyland, though the heavy moisture made breathing feel stifling and oppressive. The interior decoration was quite luxurious, with exotic flowers and plants gently dripping water in the dense fog, their colors vivid, and the halls were neat and clean. Upon entering the guest hall, they saw over ten people of different appearances and attire seated scattered throughout. Seeing several people enter, some watched coldly while others stood to welcome them. Among them, one person with a particularly strange expression wore black clothes and carried a black sword – this was “Frost Sword Desolate Cold” Cheng Yunpao.

Tang Lici looked at each person in turn. Most people’s gazes were not on him, but looked at Shen Langhun with some surprise or disdain – to the orthodox martial world, assassins from Zhulu Tower were blood-soaked evil guests after all. Shen Langhun remained expressionless, standing indifferently behind Tang Lici. Tang Lici flicked his sleeve and stepped into the guest hall, slightly clasping his hands behind his back and turning his body sideways in quite an arrogant posture, though his words were very gentle, “Tang Lici pays respects to all the senior masters. I have long admired everyone’s noble character and bright integrity, your sword techniques and martial arts. Meeting you all today is truly an honor.”

His posture was very subtle – taking a superior stance while speaking humble and peaceful words, yet not appearing false in the slightest. Everyone who heard felt surprised but not angry, vaguely feeling their status had been elevated. After all, receiving Tang Lici’s compliments was vastly different from receiving others’ flattery. Cheng Yunpao slowly asked, “Coming to the Assembly, what will you accomplish?”

“Find the true mastermind behind the Romantic Shop, their patterns of attack, their newly established strongholds, and… Liu Yan’s whereabouts.” Tang Lici’s lips curved slightly upward, “Liu Yan is the Romantic Shop’s apparent master, but I believe the real mastermind is someone else. Moreover, another group of red-robed servants from the Romantic Shop has yet to appear. All these mysteries must await future resolution. To eliminate the Romantic Shop menace, we must rely on the Assembly’s strength.”

“Haha, the Assembly must also rely on Young Master Tang’s strength. Let me introduce Young Master Tang – this is…” Shao Yanping’s gaze never left the blade scar on Tang Lici’s left eyebrow as he pointed to someone beside Cheng Yunpao, “‘Cloud Sea Eastern Ridge’…”

“‘Cloud Sea Eastern Ridge’ Master Jiang.” Tang Lici smiled, his gaze turning to another person, “This is ‘Nine Turns Divine Arrow’ Shangguan Fei.” Jiang Wenbo and Shangguan Fei were slightly startled – both had been in retirement for many years. How could Tang Lici recognize them? They saw his gaze flowing over everyone seated, addressing each with respectful titles, occasionally adding a word or two of praise that made everyone feel he had deep understanding of their life achievements and wasn’t just offering casual flattery. Shao Yanping laughed heartily, “The banquet has already been prepared in the hall. Since you’ve all traveled far and we’ve met like old friends, please fill your stomachs first before we continue talking. This way please, this way please.”

Tang Lici smiled slightly and gestured invitingly. Everyone rose cheerfully and went to the banquet together.

Chi Yun watched coolly from the side. Meng Qinglei laughed heartily and pulled him along, asking female servants in Shanfeng Hall to help look after Fengfeng, then headed together to Liufang Hall. Shen Langhun’s figure swayed slightly and disappeared before Shao Yanping could open his mouth to greet him. Yu Furen hadn’t expected Shen Langhun to leave so suddenly and showed surprise on his face as he followed behind Meng Qinglei into the banquet.

At the banquet, Chi Yun held his chopsticks and ate heartily, carrying himself proudly and ignoring everyone around him. Shao Yanping enthusiastically urged wine upon him, and he accepted all offers. Though everyone present was a senior, and even the youngest, Cheng Yunpao, was more than ten years older than him, he didn’t put anyone in his eyes. The “Sky Cloud” reputation was well-known, and everyone knew this was his nature, so no one blamed him. Everyone’s concern was mostly focused on Tang Lici.

Tang Lici held chopsticks in his left hand, picking up dishes with slow, elegant movements, quite different from ordinary martial artists. Shao Yanping’s eyesight was extremely sharp – sitting right beside Tang Lici, he noticed over ten extremely fine wounds on his left hand, which were snake fang injuries. His heart was filled with wonder again – how had he been bitten by venomous snakes?

“May I ask about the scars on Young Master Tang’s hand – are they from silver ring snake bites?” A black-bearded elder across the table suddenly asked, “And the number of silver rings was thirteen, which is one of the most venomous types among silver ring snakes?” Chi Yun snorted upon hearing this. Tang Lici smiled slightly and raised his right hand, rolling up his sleeve. Everyone saw that both his hands were covered with spots and marks – all scars, with his right hand more severely injured than his left. They couldn’t help but change color in shock. Jiang Wenbo exclaimed, “What is this?”

“Young Master Tang was injured by so many thirteen-ring silver snakes, yet the wounds haven’t turned black, showing he already had anti-toxin resistance in his body.” The black-bearded elder said, “However, silver ring snakes don’t like to live in groups, so this clearly wasn’t an accident.” Tang Lici carefully examined the scars on both hands. After a while, he said, “In the Romantic Shop’s lair, there were a total of one hundred thirty-three mechanisms…” He spoke eloquently, describing the structure, layout, mechanisms, and directions of Piaolin Mei Garden clearly and thoroughly. Everyone listened intently, each gaining insights. Chi Yun watched coldly – Tang Lici spoke fluently with composed demeanor, showing not the slightest trace that this person was still going mad just yesterday. But the events that occurred in Bodhi Valley that day were vivid in his memory. Could he really overcome the shadow and return to normal so quickly?

Based on his understanding of Tang Lici, that white-haired fox surnamed Tang definitely couldn’t transcend it so easily – he simply wasn’t a transcendent person.

That day in Bodhi Valley…

The seventeenth grave, Fang Zhou’s tomb.

The white clay sealing the tomb was indeed as hard as legend claimed. Tang Lici was covered in fire burns, his hands dripping with blood, his power scattered. Digging with his bare hands, he simply couldn’t break through the iron-hard tomb soil. Shen Langhun helped, Chi Yun drew his blade to hack at it, but even with three people working together, it still took a full hour and a half to dig a hole in Fang Zhou’s grave.

In that hole was a coffin, but not an ice coffin.

It was a thin wooden coffin with cracked boards and inferior materials.

Sunlight entered the tomb, and a strange smell wafted out. Tang Lici stared intently at the thin wooden coffin in the grave – there was a burst opening on the coffin, as if someone had clawed through it with their hand. It was because of this large breach that sunlight could penetrate inside.

Everyone could see clearly that there was indeed a person in that coffin.

A person with disheveled hair… with a wound on the chest, indeed heartless. This person must be Fang Zhou…

Tang Lici stumbled to his feet and with a “pa” sound collapsed onto the broken tomb opening. Shen Langhun and Chi Yun looked at the corpse in the tomb, feeling a chill run up their spines. With an “ah” – a scream fierce as weeping blood, Tang Lici gripped the stone tablet tightly with both hands, shaking it violently and striking it with his head. Bang, twice… blood stained the tombstone. Chi Yun pulled him back with a gasp – the corpse in that tomb…

Fang Zhou in the tomb was a corpse that had been beheaded, with severed feet and arms, chopped by random swords into more than ten pieces.

Strange insects crawled over the putrid corpse in the tomb, and the rotting body emitted an extremely foul smell. Was this the result Tang Lici had traveled a thousand li to find, willingly suffering poison blades, snake bites, fire burns, and power scattering? Was this the original intention behind his three-year-ago gamble with his dear friend’s life, firmly believing human effort could restore everything? Was this the true meaning behind his burying Fang Zhou’s heart in his abdomen, enduring the pain of two hearts? No matter what, he had to save him – believing he could definitely save him – without hesitation or doubt – believing he could definitely reverse the past, believing he never failed, convinced that there were never the words “despair” in life! But – was everything actually just a dream he had three years ago? Was everything already determined when Fang Zhou died three years ago? Did nothing actually change? Was everything just his one-sided wishful thinking… was it just that he blindly committed all kinds of absurdities, just that he thought he had restored something when in fact everything had long been lost…

Could the dismembered, rotting Fang Zhou be revived?

This question was merely a joke.

And Tang Lici had paid almost everything he could pay for this joke.

“Ha… haha…” Tang Lici collapsed to the ground, supporting himself with one hand, silver hair trailing on the ground, whether crying or laughing unclear. After a long while, he said something that Chi Yun remembered vividly to this day – he said –

“I believe this definitely wasn’t cut by A’Yan… he, he definitely doesn’t know…”

Chi Yun’s words were always harsh, but he felt what he said then was fucking awful. He remembered saying: “If he didn’t cut it, who did? He knew you would come looking, deliberately chopped the person into mincemeat just to see you look like this now.” What Shen Langhun said then was also fucking awful to the extreme. He said, “Let go. Harboring illusions about such an enemy is asking for your own life. I believe your life, Tang Lici, is worth far more than Liu Yan’s.”

But Tang Lici murmured, “I believe it definitely wasn’t A’Yan who cut it. He definitely doesn’t know, he definitely doesn’t know, definitely doesn’t know… He wouldn’t bury Fang Zhou in this kind of coffin, he wouldn’t treat him this way, he wouldn’t, wouldn’t, wouldn’t… There must be other people… other people wanting to harm him, to harm me. I believe he definitely wouldn’t, he definitely doesn’t know… He wouldn’t treat me this way, he wouldn’t treat me this way…”

This was what happened in Bodhi Valley. Perhaps in his memory, many details had been lost – he was never someone who cared about details anyway. But Tang Lici’s appearance that day, he would never forget for the rest of his life.

Just how intense could a person’s emotions be… Some people went through life calm as ancient wells, unmoved by many things; some were sentimental, able to shed tears over many matters; and some people’s emotions were like icebergs and raging fires – when cold, colder than anyone, when heartless, more heartless than anyone, and when passionate, more passionate than anything, passionate enough to easily burn themselves to death.

Passionate, because he didn’t have, he lacked, so what little he had… he must grasp tightly, so he absolutely wouldn’t let go.

He remembered Tang Lici once saying, “I have very few friends.”

And he had said, “Don’t that Shen guy and I count as your friends?”

He had said, “No. You… don’t know what I’m thinking, do you?”

For Tang Lici, what exactly counted as a “friend”? Chi Yun buried his head in eating heartily at the banquet. He admitted he never knew what Tang Lici was thinking, but for Chi Yun, this never prevented him from thinking that white-haired fox surnamed Tang was a friend. People who drank and ate meat together, killed and robbed together – those were friends.

At the banquet, Tang Lici had just finished describing all the arrangements in the Romantic Shop. Naturally, he made no mention of Zhong Chunji’s deadly needle or Fang Zhou’s corpse. Jiang Wenbo said, “Someone in the Romantic Shop must have obtained the Fortress-Breaking Strange Guest’s mechanism techniques, or else the Fortress-Breaking Strange Guest is one of them. But twenty years ago I had three encounters with this person – he wasn’t an evil person. After so many years absent from the martial world, he’s probably either imprisoned or already dead.” The black-bearded elder was Snake Venerable Pu Kuisheng, who continued, “Being able to embed gunpowder in silver ring snake bellies and control venomous creatures shows considerable skill. In today’s martial world, perhaps only people with extraordinary medical and poison skills like ‘Black Jade King,’ ‘Bright Moon Gold Doctor,’ and ‘Yellow Grain Granny’ would have such ability.” Tang Lici raised his cup in toast and smiled gently, “Everyone’s extensive knowledge has greatly broadened my horizons.” With just one light compliment, both Jiang Wenbo and Pu Kuisheng felt their faces shine with honor. Seeing him about to drink, both hastily advised against it, “Young Master Tang has injuries – it’s better to drink less.” Pu Kuisheng reached out to stop him, a thread of finger force striking diagonally at Tang Lici’s wrist. Tang Lici’s fingers turned lightly, and Pu Kuisheng’s finger struck as if hitting empty space, startling him. Tang Lici raised the cup and drained it in one gulp, slowly setting it down with a slight smile.