The rain gradually stopped. Everyone walked to the back of Beautiful Lady Residence to observe the fire. In the dark night, fierce flames blazed, the fire almost burning half the mountain valley. The tents, trees, and even abandoned weapons that had been below were all burned beyond recognition. Master Wenxiu and Great Master Dacheng looked at each other in shock – this was definitely not the temperature an ordinary fire could reach. How exactly had Tang Lici set this fire?
Cheng Yunpao frowned deeply, quietly asking Tang Lici how he could arrive so timely. Tang Lici gazed at the great fire, his eyes flowing with brilliance, smiling lightly.
He had come down from Haoyun Mountain, rushing all the way toward Jiaoyu Town, when he encountered Gui Mudan’s Demon Soul Death Warriors. He early on captured a death warrior, changed into black clothes, and hid among Gui Mudan’s forces. He naturally saw Fang Pingzhai’s great disturbance in the death warrior formation. And when Xue Xianzi brought Liu Yan sneaking down from behind the forest, capturing two death warriors, changing clothes and crawling into a tent, he also saw this with his own eyes. When Xue Xianzi left Liu Yan carrying the human skin and letter, and was intercepted by Gui Mudan’s three people and surrendered, he was standing not far away. Afterward, when Gui Mudan ordered Lady Hongchan to bring dogs to search for Liu Yan, he followed Yu Qifeng, waiting for a chance to rescue. Tang Lici’s martial arts were naturally above Yu Qifeng’s, but to defeat Yu Qifeng in a brief moment was also not easy. In an instant sneak attack, he only seized that letter from Yu Qifeng’s hands, unable to rescue the person. Yu Qifeng didn’t draw his sword to counterattack, but grabbed Xue Xianzi and quickly dove into a cellar. Tang Lici weighed the importance and abandoned Xue Xianzi, turning back to pursue Lady Hongchan. However, when Lady Hongchan brought dogs to find the tent where Liu Yan was located, five people lay inside, but Liu Yan had already vanished without a trace, his whereabouts unknown.
When Cheng Yunpao heard him speak to this point, he couldn’t help asking why Xue Xianzi would assist such a demon as Liu Yan. Tang Lici’s expression was gentle. “Senior Xue Xianzi found Liu Yan’s whereabouts and should have wanted to bring him here to hand over to you all for disposal, but encountering Romantic Shop’s large army blocking, I think he would rather let Liu Yan escape than fall into Romantic Shop’s hands, so he substituted himself.” Cheng Yunpao showed solemn respect, saying slowly, “Xue Xianzi truly deserves to be Xue Xianzi. How can we let him fall into demon claws? Where exactly did Yu Qifeng take him?”
Tang Lici walked to the edge of the slope holding his white umbrella, rainwater beading on his silver hair. “Romantic Shop is skilled at setting ambushes. Rather than rushing into the cellar to rescue, better to beat the grass and startle the snake. With the fire burning so fiercely, I think they’ve already taken Xue Xianzi away.”
“Who set this fire?” Master Wenxiu gazed at the sea of flames. “Did you set it?” Tang Lici bowed to Master Wenxiu, smiling slightly. “Precisely so.” Master Wenxiu showed a suspicious expression. “How did you set it?” Tang Lici gazed at the mountain valley, his eyes dark, without compassionate expression. “Gui Mudan has been camped here for some time, relying on this being a valley depression, surrounded by dense forests, not easily discovered. They stored grain and fodder in the tents. Earlier someone charged through the tent formation, disrupting the battle and destroying many tents, exposing oil barrels, wine barrels and such. I waited until dark and heavy rain to splash cooking oil and strong liquor on the ground. Because the ground was full of water and the night was deep, and those Demon Soul Death Warriors had mostly gone to the forest to surround you all, no one discovered it.”
“Then what?” Master Wenxiu asked. “How did you ignite the fire?” Tang Lici smiled slightly and took something from his bosom – a small stone resembling silver-gray color. With a flip of his wrist, he drew Xiao Taohong and thinly shaved off a layer of the mineral, then threw it on the ground. There was a “bang” sound, and a ball of white firelight suddenly rose with slight explosion sounds. Everyone dodged in shock, horrified to see that small stone piece burning violently in a puddle on the ground, instantly burning the rocks on the ground until they changed color!
“What is… what is this thing?” Master Wenxiu had never seen anything that could ignite upon contact with water. Everyone looked at each other, their gazes at Tang Lici becoming increasingly shocked. They saw him smile and say, “When I told everyone to charge out, I shot a piece of mineral toward the valley bottom with my back turned. When the mineral hit the ground it rubbed violently, igniting upon contact with water and lighting the cooking oil – nothing more.” Master Wenxiu smiled bitterly. “So Gui Mudan saw the position being burned and thought you had ambush troops at the valley bottom, departing hastily.” Tang Lici nodded, his expression very indifferent. He naturally wouldn’t feel proud about setting fire, but in the eyes of this group who had been trapped before Beautiful Lady Residence, Tang Lici already possessed supernatural abilities, his prestige far surpassing the absent Xifang Tao.
After a while, Master Wenxiu was first to lead her Emei disciples in taking leave and departing. Since Liu Yan had left a letter wanting to exchange summons for medicine, she would lead her disciples in devoted cultivation, and when the appointed date arrived, immediately proceed to Snow Eagle Residence atop Absolute Peak. Each sect gradually dispersed with feelings of gratitude toward Tang Lici. Cheng Yunpao finally had time to ask Tang Lici where exactly he had gone recently.
Tang Lici only said he had gone to Bianjing and suffered slight injuries, resting quietly for a period. He didn’t mention the matter of Huijing Mountain’s Bright Moon Tower at all. Cheng Yunpao didn’t ask further, his mood slightly calmed, letting out a long sigh. “It’s good that you’ve returned.” Tang Lici knew his words had deeper meaning. His eyes glanced slightly, Cheng Yunpao nodded slightly – the two understood without words. Dong Hubi snorted, patting Tang Lici’s shoulder. “Little Tang, we two aren’t fools, but we can’t guarantee the whole martial world isn’t full of fools. Why we two are here tonight – heaven knows, earth knows, you know, I know.” Tang Lici’s expression was very peaceful, smiling slightly. “Since we’ve escaped danger and everyone is tired, let’s quickly find a place to rest and eat.” The group briefly packed up and headed outside the mountain.
Liu Yan sat quietly in the tent in a daze until the tent flap was suddenly lifted and someone in yellow clothes with a red fan swaggered in. With a wave of the fan: “You’re indeed here, indeed dazing again, indeed with a face that looks like it wants to be crushed by the mountain rocks outside. Hmm… Master – you really run all over the place, making this disciple search to the ends of the earth but still hard to find! Fortunately I’m clever, feeling you couldn’t possibly run to the mountain peaks outside to seek death, and it turns out I was right.”
Liu Yan stared blankly at the red fan waving before his eyes. After a long while, he slightly opened his mouth but didn’t know what to say.
He had never trusted Fang Pingzhai.
Yet Fang Pingzhai had saved him several times.
“Aiya, Master, you needn’t have tears in your eyes. I know that I, your disciple, am loyal to ruler and country, respect teacher and value the Way, and am also clever and wise, rarely seen in the world, but these are things I was born with – you needn’t be grateful to the point of wanting to cry. I know in my heart that Master has a gentle heart and kind nature. Though you’re not good to me, but…” Fang Pingzhai waved his red fan, chattering at Liu Yan, when he suddenly froze, seeing Liu Yan’s eyes slightly red. He had been talking nonsense, but had almost really made Liu Yan cry, immediately crying “Aiya” again.
Neither spoke anymore. Liu Yan didn’t look at Fang Pingzhai. Fang Pingzhai circled around him several times, changing the topic. “Master, this place isn’t suitable for long stays. Shall we leave here first, then reminisce about old times?” Liu Yan nodded slightly. Fang Pingzhai carried him on his back, emerged from behind the tent, and dove into the dense forest.
“Where’s Tuan’er?” Liu Yan asked quietly. Fang Pingzhai said, “Oh! Don’t you first ask about your sweetheart who’s beautiful as a flower, gentle and considerate, unlucky for whoever sees her, and causes lovesickness when not seen – Miss A’Shui?” Liu Yan was silent. After a while he asked again, “Where’s Tuan’er?” Fang Pingzhai shook his head. “You really are like raising a daughter. My master aunt is very well, together with your sweetheart’s current rival and future stepmother. Most incredibly, they actually get along very well – my master aunt’s personality is really good. They’re outside Beautiful Lady Residence. Your sweetheart has quite courage, actually rescuing Young Master Lin from Romantic Shop’s hands. Currently they’re all with those Central Plains Sword Association people. I originally wanted to rush over to meet up, but since there are already many experts above, one more of me isn’t much, one less also isn’t much – going would be meaningless.”
Liu Yan fell silent again. Learning that Yu Tuan’er and A’Shui were safe, he didn’t want to say another word. A’Shui had rescued Lin Bu – he wasn’t surprised. She was that kind of woman. She could accomplish great things, but… but she just wasn’t happy. Fang Pingzhai carried him running out over ten li. Those earth dogs couldn’t possibly pursue anymore. Suddenly he asked again, “I only have one question – you and I, where exactly are we going?”