At Haoyun Mountain, in Shanfeng Hall.
“Young Master Tang, a letter has arrived from Biluo Palace.” Shao Yanping held a letter and gently knocked on Tang Lici’s door. A few days ago, A’Shui and her son had already departed for Luoyang. Shao Yanping had dispatched several female disciples from the Sword Association to escort them, and all was currently well. After A’Shui left, Tang Lici had rested quietly for seven or eight days, and his injuries were no longer a concern. Upon hearing that their master was severely wounded, Wanqiao Study had continuously sent various miraculous healing medicines and all manner of strange, priceless protective and evil-warding treasures to Shanfeng Hall. Although Wanqiao Study wasn’t a martial sect, their impressive display somewhat made Shao Yanping unable to hold his head high. But compared to Wanqiao Study’s earnest concern, the National Uncle’s mansion remained utterly silent, as if Tang Lici weren’t the National Uncle’s adopted son at all.
“A letter?” Tang Lici reclined on his bed, wearing white silk robes adorned with pearls. Though the weather was still somewhat hot, the season was gradually entering autumn. His collar and sleeve edges were trimmed with soft, fine white sable fur, accented with bright pearls, making him appear even more refined and elegant. The bed, bedding, and even tables, chairs, and serving dishes had all been replaced with new ones. He now reclined on a pear wood veneer bed decorated with auspicious beasts and floral patterns, embracing a snow-white, flawless, light yet warm silk quilt. The table was a small octagonal inlaid-shell table painted with birds and flowers, upon which sat a purple sandalwood triple-jade ruyi scepter, and the wine vessel was a rhinoceros horn pear-shaped pot with pixiu patterns. Though Tang Lici’s expression and manner of speaking were no different from when the room lacked these things, every time Shao Yanping entered this room, he felt invisible pressure—the dragon bed, brocade couch, fine clothes, and jade food of an emperor were probably no more than this.
“A letter from Biluo Palace. I haven’t read the contents yet.” Shao Yanping handed Tang Lici a letter that had just arrived by swift horse. “This letter surely wasn’t written by Wanyu Yuedan, haha.”
Tang Lici set down the copy of the “Three Character Classic” he had been reading and slowly opened the letter. The handwriting was elegant and neat, but he read extremely slowly. Shao Yanping had already read it two or three times by leaning over, yet Tang Lici still hadn’t finished. After quite a while, Tang Lici folded up the letter and smiled slightly. “Miss Hong’s whereabouts were unknown during the Battle of Haoyun Mountain—it turns out she was at Biluo Palace.”
Shao Yanping frowned deeply. “She’s asking Wanyu Yuedan to save Liu Yan, claiming there’s another conspiracy within the Romantic Shop. But this woman appears gentle yet has a cunning nature. Of ten things she says, perhaps only one or two can be believed. Is Wanyu Yuedan really going to help her save someone?”
Tang Lici said, “Even without Miss Hong coming to seek help, Wanyu Yuedan would still be looking for Liu Yan’s whereabouts. Who in the martial world isn’t searching for Liu Yan’s whereabouts now? Only by finding Liu Yan can we find the antidote to the Scarlet Ghost Nine Hearts Pill, and only with the antidote can lives be saved.” He straightened and got out of bed. “Miss Hong seeking out Biluo Palace, besides hoping to get news of Liu Yan, I think she mostly has another purpose. Wanyu Yuedan sent me this letter to remind me that new changes have appeared in the situation.”
“Another purpose? What purpose? To assassinate Wanyu Yuedan?” Shao Yanping shrugged. “Just with her—a delicate little girl who doesn’t know martial arts…”
Tang Lici glanced at him sideways. “Perhaps, that’s exactly it.”
Shao Yanping sighed. “Really? If you had refuted me saying it was absolutely impossible, I’d feel more at ease.”
Tang Lici took out a variegated crystal basin from the purple sandalwood cabinet behind him. The basin contained several cleaned fruits of strange shapes and colors that Shao Yanping had never seen before. He placed the fruit plate on the table. “These are fruits from distant foreign lands. Though their taste is nothing special, they have health-preserving effects. Please try some.”
Shao Yanping reached for one and took a bite—the taste was quite sweet and fragrant. “Do you really think that Miss Hong would assassinate Wanyu Yuedan?”
“The situation of Biluo Palace and the Sword Association joining forces to surround the Romantic Shop is already very clear. If Liu Yan is truly found, could Biluo Palace and the Sword Association really spare his life?” Tang Lici smiled. “Taking it a step further, even if I had no intention to kill, if the whole world believes such a person cannot be allowed to live—once this situation forms, Liu Yan has absolutely no chance of survival. So to save Liu Yan, one must first break this encircling momentum, then throw the world into chaos with everyone in danger—then Liu Yan would have opportunities and gaps to survive. For this thread of hope for him, Miss Hong choosing to kill Wanyu Yuedan is quite reasonable. But what kind of person is Wanyu Yuedan? He must also be very clear about the key points. Miss Hong is extremely cunning—how she’ll act, I truly can’t guess.”
Shao Yanping chewed the fruit and said indistinctly, “Then regarding the Romantic Shop internal strife mentioned in the letter, how credible is it?”
Tang Lici said, “Completely.”
Shao Yanping was startled. Tang Lici, in his white fur-trimmed sleeves, leaning slightly against the gold-inlaid figure and floral cabinet, appeared simultaneously lazy, beautiful, and full of smiling charm. “Master Shao, have you met Wanyu Yuedan in person?”
Shao Yanping said, “Naturally.”
Tang Lici smiled gently. “Then would you lie in front of Wanyu Yuedan?”
Shao Yanping said, “No.”
Tang Lici’s sleeve fluttered slightly, the bone-washing silver bracelet swaying between his snow-white sleeves, making his robes appear even whiter. “Then that’s it. Miss Hong is supremely intelligent—in this matter, she absolutely wouldn’t do worse than you.”
Shao Yanping was unconcerned and laughed heartily. “That’s true too. Regarding the mastermind behind the Romantic Shop mentioned in that letter, does Young Master Tang have any ideas?”
Tang Lici’s lips curved slightly. “I…” He hesitated, coughed lightly, “It’s too early to speak of this matter—it would only confuse people. Wild speculation would only make the Sword Association panic. Better not to discuss it.”
Shao Yanping nodded repeatedly. “After finally defeating the Romantic Shop, if we suggested the mastermind isn’t dead, probably no one could accept it. It’s enough that you and I know.”
Tang Lici nodded. As Shao Yanping turned to leave, he suddenly said, “Oh, Miss Tao gave me a brocade pouch, saying she obtained it from the abbot of White Horse Temple and asked me to give it to you.”
Tang Lici’s brow furrowed slightly, then raised. “A brocade pouch?”
Shao Yanping took out a small peach-colored pouch embroidered with twin lotus flowers from his chest, his face showing a trace of mischievous smile. “I thought this young lady was interested in Puzhu, but it turns out she’s also interested in you—haha…” He placed the pouch on the table. “I’ll leave first—take your time looking.”
White Horse Temple in Luoyang… Tang Lici opened the brocade pouch. Inside was not a single word, but a bundle of black hair. When smelled, it had no scent at all. What an intriguing gift indeed. His eyelids lowered slightly, his thoughts flowing. He discarded the pouch on the table and swept out with his sleeves.
Mist filled the air, and Shanfeng Hall’s scenery was like that of immortals. One person walked slowly with level shoulders, gradually passing outside Tang Lici’s room. Two Sword Association disciples passed in the corridor and both bowed upon seeing him. “Master Puzhu.”
Puzhu nodded slightly and strode past like a dragon walking and tiger stepping. The Sword Association disciples praised, “The Master is indeed as rumored—though he doesn’t shave his head or take vows, he’s truly an upright Buddhist monk. Seeing him always makes me feel like I’m seeing a living arhat.”
The other nodded repeatedly. “Young Master Tang is gentle and refined with outstanding intelligence and strategy. Master Puzhu has superior martial arts and studies Buddhist dharma deeply. Master Cheng, Elder Dong, and others are all experts among experts. The Sword Association’s current strength is unprecedented!”
“Master Shao.” After delivering the letter to Tang Lici, Shao Yanping strolled around his own garden with hands behind his back, enjoying rare leisure. He hadn’t even taken two deep breaths when Puzhu pushed through the door. Hearing his unchanging steady tone, Shao Yanping felt the urge to sigh. He turned with a smile. “Master Puzhu, one doesn’t visit the Three Treasures Hall without cause—what important matter has occurred?”
Puzhu said calmly, “Nothing. It’s just that matters here are concluded, and I think I should bid farewell to the Sword Association and return to Shaolin Temple.”
Shao Yanping exclaimed, “I heard Shaolin is recently convening a great assembly to resolve the unsettled matter of the abbot position. Are you returning for this?”
Puzhu nodded. “Shaolin will soon convene a month-long assembly. All thirty-eight monks of the Da generation and Pu generation will participate in contests of martial arts and Buddhist principles. Each will display their strengths, and all temple monks will choose one person as abbot.”
Shao Yanping made a sound of surprise. “Wouldn’t that become a martial arts and debate competition? Whoever has the highest martial arts and most eloquent tongue becomes Shaolin’s abbot?”
Puzhu shook his head and said indifferently, “Martial contests and dharma debates are only to display everyone’s strengths. Victory or defeat isn’t important—all temple monks won’t judge by victory or defeat either.”
Shao Yanping said, “Shaolin Temple’s thinking is truly extraordinary and transcendent. I just wonder how many have your kind of awareness… Ah, forgive me, forgive me. Master’s spiritual platform is clear and bright—you surely won’t mind my thoughtless words. By the way, what about Miss Tao?” He asked, “Is she leaving with you?”
Puzhu was slightly startled. “She came from where she came and goes where she goes. I am a monk—I have no intention of deciding others’ comings and goings.”
Shao Yanping said, “Haha, that’s true too. If Shaolin Temple had Master Puzhu as abbot, it would be Shaolin’s fortune.”
Puzhu said indifferently, “Ha! As long as someone quietly cultivates and devoutly seeks Buddha, no matter who becomes the abbot, what difference does it make?” He said “Amitabha Buddha,” turned and left. His back was straight, his steps solemn—each step like a bell tolling, like a lotus blooming, Buddha dwelling in his heart.
Shaolin Temple was convening a great assembly to select an abbot. It seemed the recent focus of the martial world wouldn’t be on the Romantic Shop and Central Plains Sword Association, but on Shaolin Temple. The martial artists going to observe would surely number in the thousands. Shao Yanping’s thoughts turned to whether he could find an excuse to watch the excitement—having such great excitement yet being unable to see it would surely be a waste!
At this very moment, in Xifang Tao’s room, someone stepped through the door. She was about to go out when a hand crossed the door frame, blocking her inside. Xifang Tao stepped back, and that person stepped forward, still blocking the door with a sleeve—the sleeve cuff had snow-white fur, and the beautiful smile showed no trace that this person had been severely injured just over ten days ago. It was Tang Lici.
Xifang Tao’s bright eyes moved. “I wonder what brings Young Master Tang here so suddenly?”
Tang Lici said, “I came to thank Miss Tao for the gift of the brocade pouch.”
Xifang Tao smiled gracefully. “Young Master Tang is too polite. It was just a small effort—hardly worth mentioning.”
Tang Lici’s hand shot out like lightning, pinning her right hand against the wall. He pressed forward directly, his beautiful face suddenly drawing near. His eyes smiled, his face bloomed like peach blossoms—originally gentle and affectionate features, but seen so close up, they seemed somewhat demonic and terrifying. “Where are you hiding him?”
Xifang Tao was suddenly pinned against the wall by him, but she wasn’t shocked, fearful, or angry. She still smiled lightly. “What is Young Master Tang saying? Forgive me, but I don’t understand.”
Tang Lici’s red lips curved upward, but he wasn’t smiling—that slight curve seemed extremely eerie. “Puzhu isn’t here—only you and I remain. Continuing this performance would be rather second-rate.”
Xifang Tao smiled charmingly. “You truly act in unexpected ways. To be enemy or friend with Young Master Tang would make one’s life worthwhile either way. You ask me where I’m hiding that person—but I want to know what you think—whose hair was that bundle?”
She raised her head to meet Tang Lici’s gaze, her eyes flowing with infinite gentleness and charm.
Tang Lici slowly pulled down her pinned right hand along the wall. When a person’s right hand is raised and pressed behind them against a wall, being pushed downward, an ordinary person would be in agony, and further pulling would certainly dislocate the shoulder. But Xifang Tao’s expression remained composed, her face full of spring breeze, completely unconcerned—so her right hand was pulled straight down to her lower back. Tang Lici’s breath washed over her face, and the posture of pinning someone against the wall transformed into an embrace.