“That’s the mountain.” As the first stars appeared, a person with a round waist in emerald clothes pointed at the mist-shrouded Haoyun Mountain and laughed gleefully, clapping hands in praise. “Truly—what a difficult place to attack—” Another person asked coldly, “Difficult to attack?”

The emerald-clothed person hummed in agreement. “The water mist is too heavy, poisoned powders and fires won’t work well.” That person said, “Can’t poisoned water be used either?” Another person interjected indifferently, “Its effectiveness would be diluted by the water mist, though some poisoned powders become toxic when mixed with water—that could be tried.”

The emerald-clothed person laughed heartily. “No need. Facing the various jianghu heroes of Shanfeng Hall, how could we be so petty? Su’er, bring those two up. We’ll enter grandly through the front gate.” With a wave of her hand, the white-clothed person who had spoken earlier lifted with one hand—Yu Furen and Jiang Wenbo had their acupoints sealed, mouths stuffed with large pieces of torn cloth, hands bound behind their backs and tied together in a string, and she simply hauled them over with that one lift. Jiang Wenbo’s face was full of shame, while Yu Furen’s eyes were vacant, somewhat dazed and confused. The white-clothed woman pushed the two, and they walked together toward Haoyun Mountain.

Behind these few people, dozens of white-clothed women stood in formation waiting. Behind these dozens of masked white-clothed women, there were dozens more in bright red clothes wearing half-masks. These red-clothed women had their curves fully displayed by their fitted red garments, and the visible half of their faces all showed incomparably beautiful features, completely different from the white-clothed women. Behind the white and red-clothed women, several horse carriages followed slowly, their curtains drawn low, concealing whoever sat within.

A mighty procession moved through the forest, yet only the sound of carriage wheels could be heard. Occasionally night crows took flight in alarm, but were immediately shot down by hidden weapons. Along the way, several groups of people hid in mountain hollows without following the main group up the mountain. Everything proceeded in silence.

Shanfeng Hall had sparse lights at night, its main gate tightly closed. The large black expanse of buildings gave no indication of how many people resided within. The white-clothed person stepped forward and said in a low voice, “East Princess.”

The emerald-clothed person giggled and waved her hand. “Release the snakes!” This emerald-clothed person was naturally Fengliu Shop’s “East Princess” Fu Cui, and the white-clothed person was Bai Suche. Upon hearing Fu Cui’s command to “release the snakes,” Bai Suche swept her sleeve, producing a layer of pale white smoke. As soon as the smoke emerged, the sound of “hissing” suddenly arose from the last two carriages. Immediately, hundreds and thousands of poisonous snakes slowly crawled out from the carriages—some with pointed heads and brown spots, some with black bodies and silver rings, others with strange colors and brilliant patterns, among which were mixed some small thin snakes of such terrifying emerald green. As the snakes poured out, a red-clothed woman stepped forward, holding a thin reed pipe. With a wave of her hand, she threw out many black pills. The large group of poisonous snakes went directly toward where the pills had fallen. She walked while throwing, softly blowing her reed pipe. Gradually, a massive number of venomous snakes completely surrounded Shanfeng Hall. Ten thousand lights flickered, nine coils wound round, dots of snake eyes trembled in the deep night—the scene was momentarily terrifying.

Fu Cui shook her sleeve. “Su’er!” Bai Suche, gripping the rope that bound Jiang Wenbo and Yu Furen, strode toward Shanfeng Hall’s entrance. As the main gate approached, she extended her plain shoe and kicked the door. With a “crack,” the door bolt snapped, and both great doors burst open with a thunderous sound.

Fu Cui followed her through the doorway. Everyone focused their gaze and saw two people rush out from within Shanfeng Hall. Seeing enemies suddenly appear at the gate, the two were startled. Their long swords came out from their waists simultaneously. One of them gave a long whistle as a warning, stepped back two paces, and held his sword ready.

“Truly disciples of a famous sect—facing danger without fear, still maintaining composure.” Fu Cui praised with clicking sounds. “I wonder if Master Shao is currently bathing? If this slave girl barges in now, wouldn’t that be improper?” She twisted her fat waist and took tiny mincing steps, walking forward two paces. The two Sword Society disciples were disgusted by the sight and couldn’t help saying, “Old demon woman! Don’t be so arrogant! Is our Central Plains Sword Society a place for your wild ranting?”

Fu Cui gave a cold laugh. “Oh—it’s not that I’m being rude, but you two are speaking rudely—then you can’t blame me for getting angry.” She shook her sleeve, and the sleeve wind cut like a blade directly toward their necks. The two disciples raised their swords to block, but with a “crack,” both swords broke. The two men retreated eight steps, both wildly spitting fresh blood and collapsing weakly to the ground. That these two didn’t die from her single strike surprised Fu Cui considerably. “Good skill!”

Bai Suche advanced carrying the prisoners, not even glancing at Fu Cui’s sleeve attack that had wounded the men. After several steps forward, chaotic sounds arose from within Shanfeng Hall. Shao Yanping led several people rushing out. His clothes and hat were disheveled, his hair messy—he’d clearly just climbed out of bed. Behind him were four people: Pu Kuisheng, Shangguan Fei, Cheng Yunpao, and Dong Hubi.

Fu Cui calculated mentally—excluding Tang Lici and his servant, these four could be considered the Central Plains Sword Society’s absolute main force. She immediately laughed heartily. “Su’er, where’s that little Chi Yun nemesis of yours?” Bai Suche drew her broken-ring blade, pressing it against Jiang Wenbo’s neck, saying indifferently, “If he wants to lurk nearby waiting to cause trouble, I’ll immediately chop off Master Jiang’s head.”

Fu Cui clapped and laughed loudly. “Masked old man, we two will take on the Central Plains Sword Society’s five great masters. After we eliminate them one by one, tomorrow the jianghu will say the Central Plains Sword Society deceives the world and steals fame—everyone boasting and claiming to be ranked among jianghu’s great masters is nothing but sitting in a well looking at the sky while entertaining themselves. How ridiculous!” Following her wild laughter, a person swiftly leaped from a carriage. Black cloth covered his face, that covering and black hat identical to Liu Yan’s. Tall with broad shoulders, scars everywhere, gripping a black, sharp-edged long sword in his hand. Upon landing, a chilling murderous aura immediately assaulted everyone.

Shao Yanping’s eyes jumped. Though this person wore a cloth hat covering his head and face was unclear, he was extremely familiar with this person—how could he not recognize him? “Yu Qifeng? You’re actually not dead…” That person said nothing, but someone like Cheng Yunpao who had associated with him for a long time naturally recognized him at a glance—this person was indeed Yu Qifeng.

Following Yu Qifeng, another person leaped from a carriage and stood quietly beside Yu Qifeng. This person also wore a black hat covering his head and black cloth masking his face, but everyone couldn’t tell who it was.

Without waiting for that person to position himself, Yu Qifeng thrust his sword forward swiftly. The wind from his attack was directed precisely at Cheng Yunpao! Fu Cui dropped a long whip from her sleeve, grasped it in her hand, and with cackling laughter, lashed toward Shao Yanping’s head. Shao Yanping drew his sword to block, the long blade creating a ball of white light as it danced. The black-clothed man drew a curved blade and silently slashed toward Shangguan Fei’s waist. In an instant, both sides were locked in battle, fighting with no clear advantage.

Bai Suche held the two prisoners firmly, standing quietly to one side. Among the red-clothed women, one gracefully approached and stood beside her, laughing softly, “Hehe, I’m going to find your husband. Are you jealous?” Bai Suche said indifferently, “Why would I be jealous?” That person didn’t answer, covering her face and laughing lightly as she left.

Bai Suche observed the battle situation. That black-clothed man was continuously retreating under the combined attack of Shangguan Fei and Dong Hubi. She immediately called out loudly, “I order you to surrender quickly, otherwise I’ll kill one after another—I’ll immediately execute these two!” Before Shao Yanping could answer, Bai Suche raised her brow, and her blade fell. With a muffled grunt, Jiang Wenbo’s head dropped to the ground, blood splashing three feet, his body falling with a thud.

Cheng Yunpao was slightly shaken. Regarding the ambush at Snow Mountain, he had also suspected Jiang Wenbo—after all, no one but Jiang Wenbo knew his whereabouts that day. But seeing him suddenly killed, his heart was also shocked—a weak woman who killed without blinking, Fengliu Shop was truly despicable and cruel to the extreme!

For a moment, the sounds of battle cries continued unceasing. Those red and white-clothed women of Fengliu Shop didn’t participate in combat but formed ranks in groups, completely surrounding Shanfeng Hall. Water mist drifted, snake eyes on the ground appeared and disappeared. Someone in a carriage lightly lifted a curtain—a black arrowhead waited quietly behind the curtain.

Inside Shanfeng Hall, in the guest room.

Tang Lici still reclined on the bed, shoulders draped with a lotus-colored outer garment, holding that scroll of “Three Character Classic” and reading carefully under the lamp. The intense battle cries from several courtyards away seemed to have no connection to him whatsoever. Fengfeng slept holding his left arm, still sucking on Tang Lici’s left little finger, drool flowing down his entire sleeve. The atmosphere in the room was tranquil and peaceful, as if in another world.

A figure flickered, the lamplight in the room swayed slightly. Tang Lici turned a page of his book. That person said indifferently, “The well water is indeed poisoned.” Tang Lici didn’t look at him, smiling slightly, “Have you discovered who poisoned it?” The person entering was Shen Langhun. “Fu Cui attacked the front gate, and someone poisoned the back courtyard well. Their technique was clean and efficient—they left no traces whatsoever.”

Tang Lici said, “She’s implementing a siege strategy. Without poisoning, how could one day and night have any effect… However, you and I prepared in advance. For you to be so cautious yet still unable to discover who did the poisoning is somewhat unexpected.” Shen Langhun said, “No one approached the well opening. The poisoning must have used another method.”

Tang Lici set down his book. “Since they’ve surrounded Shanfeng Hall and cut off our water source, Fengliu Shop’s plan is to catch all of the Sword Society in one net, leaving not a single survivor.” His rosy lips curved slightly. “This kind of strategy doesn’t seem like the handiwork of martial artists—it’s more like military tactics. Could Fengliu Shop have recruited some strategic military talent?” Shen Langhun frowned. “Military tactics?”

Tang Lici’s curved lips slowly rose. “If it’s military tactics, the commotion at the gate is a feint attack—they’ll withdraw soon.” As he said this, the battle sounds at the gate suddenly stopped. Then Shao Yanping gave a great shout: “Where are you fleeing!” The sounds of clashing weapons gradually grew distant—clearly everyone was fighting while moving farther away, leaving Shanfeng Hall’s perimeter.

Shen Langhun showed his teeth in a smile. “That old fox Shao Yanping is really putting effort into his act.” Tang Lici smiled. “Isn’t acting his hobby? For this scene of hastily meeting the enemy, he’s made full preparations—how could he not put in effort?” As the two chatted and laughed, light footsteps could be heard in the outer corridor. Someone was crossing courtyards and entering gardens, approaching gracefully while calling softly everywhere: “Little Chi Yun? Little Chi Yun darling, where are you?”

That voice was soft and seductive. Shen Langhun felt his chest surge with hot blood upon hearing it. He immediately concentrated his qi and composed himself, saying with changed expression, “Such powerful charm techniques!” Tang Lici was unperturbed. From the tall tree came someone’s thunderous angry shout: “What old demon woman is playing tricks here?” Immediately a white flash—a throwing knife streaked down through the air.

That voice giggled charmingly. “What are you doing hiding up in that tree? Sister has missed you terribly. Miss Bai doesn’t want you, but I do like you. I would pamper you, love you, and cherish you. Why are you being so fierce to me?” The thrown knife seemed to hit empty space and was dissolved into nothingness by her.

After concentrating, Shen Langhun strode out of the room. He saw outside the door a red-clothed woman wearing a half-mask, dancing with red silk, lightly catching Chi Yun’s throwing knife. Excellent skill! In Shen Langhun’s lifetime of countless battles, this red-clothed woman with charm techniques was the most skilled woman he’d ever encountered.

Chi Yun said coldly from the tree, “At such an old age still pretending to be young and beautiful—do you think your Chi old master can’t see your face full of wrinkles? If you want to find young men, go look on the streets outside. Stop coming to disgust your Chi old master!” The red-clothed woman shook her light silk, and Chi Yun’s moon-crossing ring fell to the ground. Both Shen Langhun and Chi Yun were shocked: that silver-plated steel blade instantly twisted and deformed, as if subjected to intense fire. Whether this woman’s internal power was extremely yang in nature, or the red silk was coated with deadly poison was unclear!

Outside Shanfeng Hall’s gate, seeing the sudden defeat, Fu Cui retreated. Shao Yanping and Dong Hubi swung their swords in pursuit. Cheng Yunpao and Yu Qifeng fought while moving farther away. Though Cheng Yunpao was slightly inferior, Yu Qifeng couldn’t finish him off in a short time either. Shangguan Fei and the black-clothed man fought with increasing distance between them. After arrows were shot, the two had nearly run out of sight. Pu Kuisheng pursed his lips and whistled—the snake formation on the ground stirred restlessly. The red-clothed woman holding the reed pipe stepped forward to meet him, and the two also battled toward the forest.

Shanfeng Hall gradually had no defenders. Facing over a hundred red and white-clothed women outside the gate, the two Sword Society disciples collapsed on the ground all lost color. Fengliu Shop had lured the tiger from the mountain—if they attacked now, the Sword Society would be like an empty city. Wouldn’t that mean complete defeat? Just as the two were terrified, someone in a carriage slowly lifted the door curtain and stepped down slowly.

This person’s footsteps were very casual, unlike martial artists who were vigilant with every step, fearing to reveal the slightest flaw. This person had walked ten steps and already exposed at least seventeen or eighteen openings. But as this person walked, the hundred or so people outside the gate were completely silent without a sound. Under the sparse stars and moon, this person’s skin was like white jade, eyebrow lines curved long and swept into the hairline. The shape of the brows and eyes was like a willow leaf. The features were absolutely beautiful but contained a gloomy, demonic aura—captivating, striking, coldly terrifying.

The two men lying motionless on the ground were horrified. Though they didn’t know who this person was, both couldn’t help but think: Could this person be Liu Yan?

This person was naturally Liu Yan. Today he wore no black veil mask, nor black covering hat. That elegant yet evil countenance was exposed. At first glance, one thought this person supremely handsome; at second glance, one felt that from this person’s eyes, everything in this world appeared dead. Though this was clearly the human world, he was looking at hell.

Liu Yan carried nothing, one person empty-handed, slowly walking into Shanfeng Hall. Though he said nothing, everyone knew that with his foot stepping inside the gate, within would be a massacre of extermination.

Besides killing, there was no other purpose.

Who could stop him?

No one could stop him.

For Fengliu Shop to leave Liu Yan alone was already sufficient, not to mention those several mysterious carriages outside the gate—who knew what other masters they might contain.

Two crisp “crack crack” sounds—the two men on the ground had their brains splattered, dying on the spot. Liu Yan walked toward the interior. From inside a room came a soft “meow”—a white-furred cat darted out. Liu Yan turned around and stepped on the white cat’s head. With a scream of agony, flesh and blood became a blur under his foot. Step by step leaving bloody prints, he slowly walked inward.