Author’s Note: I’m jumping back and forth between “Whose Mr. Yu” and “Thousand Tribulations Eyebrow” here, having a split personality…

In the dense forest, a group of brown-clad masked men were moving forward with heads down. They had been tracking Tang Lici’s carriage for a long time. Above them in the treetops, several disciples of Mount Song Sect pressed their hands on their sword hilts, also tracking Tang Lici’s carriage.

Clearly, there were quite a few people who had come to hunt Tang Lici. Though they didn’t know each other’s names, they were all comrades in purpose.

Not far ahead, at a mountain path turn that Tang Lici’s carriage must pass through, a magnificent carriage adorned with white jade bells and topped with a plain bamboo parasol blocked the middle of the mountain road.

This large carriage was pulled by four horses, single-shaft with double wheels. White gauze fluttered around the carriage, making it impossible to see who sat inside. The four white horses were extraordinarily spirited, their harnesses gleaming with treasure light, inlaid with gems of various colors. Their manes flew in the wind, and each horse wore a thin gold plate at the center of its forehead, engraved with elaborate patterns—very magnificent.

Who was this person in the carriage?

Both the Mount Song Sect disciples and the brown-clad masked men were astonished, but the newcomer was clearly friend, not foe, having blocked Tang Lici’s path.

Behind the carriage were eight more fine horses, identical to the white horses pulling the carriage—also wearing forehead gold and gem-studded harnesses, like divine steeds. Eight white-clad riders sat on horseback, coldly watching Tang Lici’s group.

The Mount Song Sect disciples couldn’t help but sneer inwardly—Tang Lici finally had his day coming!

This Young Master Tang, wealthy enough to rival nations, had always been someone who flaunted his riches in others’ faces, always positioning himself above everyone else. Now that he had fallen into misfortune, finally someone else was putting on airs before him.

Truly gratifying!

Tang Lici’s voice came from within the carriage, “Who comes here?”

A cold voice from within that carriage replied, “Venerable Treasure Vase from Jade Flute Mountain, specially come to pay respects.”

The Mount Song Sect disciples looked at each other in confusion. “Venerable Treasure Vase from Jade Flute Mountain”? They had never heard of him—which heroic figure was this? The brown-clad men buried underground were servants of the Sun family from Hidden Earth Mouse sect. Several blood relatives of the Sun family had been harmed by the Nine Heart Pills, and they harbored bone-deep hatred for Tang Lici. Knowing their sect was weak, they didn’t wish to participate in the Bodhi Valley battle, but they had come to Funiu Mountain to kill Tang Lici.

The Sun family might not be able to kill Tang Lici alone, but they knew that along this route, there were thousands who wanted to kill Tang Lici.

They only needed to add one strike to this encirclement of thousands, and it would be enough to comfort their family members’ spirits in heaven.

Seeing the magnificently imposing Venerable Treasure Vase ahead, both Mount Song Sect and the Sun family felt awe. Though they didn’t know who this person was, they all restrained their impulse to attack immediately.

Venerable Treasure Vase’s voice sounded neither old nor young. That enormous carriage contained more than one person. Following Venerable Treasure Vase’s words, another person in the carriage said coldly, “Return my disciple’s life!”

Mount Song Sect and the Sun family rejoiced inwardly. They saw the carriage curtains flutter lightly, and suddenly a swarm of buzzing poisonous insects flew out. Accompanying the sky full of venomous insects, gray-green poisonous fog spread around the carriage, instantly engulfing the mountain path and forest, swallowing even Tang Lici’s two carriages. The Mount Song Sect disciples hiding in the treetops found the gray-green poisonous fog made them dizzy and caused severe eye pain with unstoppable tears. Greatly alarmed, they hurriedly retreated. The Sun family, ambushed on the ground, nearly all fainted when the poisonous fog arrived.

“Retreat!” The Mount Song Sect disciples gasped in shock. They didn’t know this previously unheard-of “Venerable Treasure Vase from Jade Flute Mountain” who looked so noble and imposing, yet struck with poisonous insects and fog—clearly not from the righteous path. With their sect leader Zhang Hemo absent and most capable fighters gone to Bodhi Valley, the remaining members dared not enter the fog and immediately withdrew three li.

From ahead in the poisonous fog came loud buzzing sounds, accompanied by horse hooves, clashing swords, and shouting voices of men and women. Tang Lici and Venerable Treasure Vase’s group had engaged in battle. Horse hooves thundered continuously, as if those eight fine horses had charged up to surround Tang Lici’s group in swift assault. After a long time, the sounds still hadn’t stopped. Mount Song Sect neither dared join the battle easily nor were willing to just retreat, still hoping for a chance to strike. After waiting a long time, the poisonous fog in the forest gradually dispersed. They saw Tang Lici’s two carriages had been hacked to pieces by swords, with wooden boards scattered and broken. Many clanging sounds of metal came from long knives or swords embedded in carriage walls colliding with saddles and horse hooves. Tang Lici’s group was nowhere to be seen. Strangely, Venerable Treasure Vase from Jade Flute Mountain’s group was also gone. Poisonous insects still buzzed in the forest, and though there were many weapons on the ground, there were no bloodstains.

Not only were there no bloodstains on the ground, but though Tang Lici’s carriages were hacked to pieces, the four horses pulling them were completely unharmed. They trotted through the forest dragging the shattered carriages, obviously frightened.

But though the four horses were frightened, they weren’t poisoned.

The Mount Song Sect disciples looked at each other, their hearts filled with suspicion and uncertainty.

What exactly had happened?

The Sun family members ambushed in the mountains soon awakened leisurely, each sneezing several times. Though their eyes were red, swollen, and teary, the poisonous fog in the forest didn’t seem life-threatening. Together with the Mount Song Sect disciples who had entered the forest, they restrained the frightened horses and examined the carriages. All of Tang Lici’s belongings were still in the carriages—various jewelry, gold and silver notes, women’s and children’s spare clothes, and even several sharp weapons.

What was this about?

The Sun family head was very confused. Could it be that Venerable Treasure Vase from Jade Flute Mountain was so formidable that he had captured Tang Lici’s entire group without bloodshed?

Being from a famous sect, the Mount Song Sect disciples circled the forest several times with furrowed brows. To say there were no traces of fighting—weapons littered the ground, many hacked and broken, and quite a few trees were snapped at the waist, as if affected by violent palm winds. But to say there were traces of fighting—with so many swords, hidden weapons, and poisonous insects deployed, how could there not be a single trace of blood? It couldn’t be ruled out that some senior masters could cause severe internal injuries without external wounds, but…

But that was Tang Lici.

Who exactly was Venerable Treasure Vase from Jade Flute Mountain?

Mount Song Sect was also very confused.

The next morning.

A’Shui awakened from unconsciousness, feeling gentle swaying beneath her. The carriage continued moving very smoothly, as if the ordeal she had encountered before losing consciousness was just a dream. Opening her eyes, she saw Fengfeng sitting beside her, and Liu Yan also sitting beside her.

Besides Liu Yan, there was also a young man she had never seen before in the large carriage. This person wore light blue clothes, had fair skin, and clear, bright eyes—looking like a young scholar.

“This is Young Master Mo Ziru from Huijing Mountain,” Liu Yan said.

A’Shui heard his dejected tone, his mood obviously very poor. She coughed softly and quietly asked, “Tang…”

Liu Yan was silent for a long while, then said quietly, “He went to Shaolin Temple.”

A’Shui asked hoarsely, “Jade… Jade Flute Mountain… Venerable Treasure Vase… Young Master Tang…”

Liu Yan said quietly, “What Jade Flute Mountain Venerable Treasure Vase? He deceived you again.” He took a deep breath. “He deceived you again, he deceived me again… He abandoned us and went to Shaolin Temple alone.”

He said, “He wanted to go to Shaolin Temple, and we… are all burdens.”

He said, “He never planned to take us along.”

He said, “He deceived the world again.”

A’Shui suddenly understood.

How could Young Master Tang, who calculated everything flawlessly, truly drag two dilapidated carriages through roads full of ambushes in such a displaced manner? Strange bees and poisonous fog in Funiu Mountain, Venerable Treasure Vase beneath Jade Flute Mountain. When century-old owls become wood spirits, laughter rises from green fire nests. The sudden military confrontation was merely a sleight of hand.

He had extricated himself from these burdens to attend his appointment at Shaolin.

And they… they still had to be grateful, thankful for finding life again after displacement.

“What about Miss Se Lin?” A’Shui asked.

Liu Yan said calmly, “He said… today someone would escort her home.” He gazed at the tightly closed carriage window, his gaze seeming to pierce through the curtain to see the vast rivers and mountains. “I never understood whether he ever loved her.”

A’Shui closed her eyes. She didn’t speak, but thought… she felt there was something.

Perhaps not enough to be called love, perhaps not much, perhaps appreciation, perhaps fondness, perhaps something else.

But Tang Lici did see Se Lin—he had arranged a way out for her.

And herself?

She thought in confusion… Young Master Tang… never left any path for her.

He probably hated her.

Mo Ziru maintained a serious scholarly expression while actually looking with great interest at these young people’s faces.

Wasn’t this more interesting than reading storybooks?

Tang Lici had asked him to lead the old staff of Wanqiao Studio in pretending to be “Venerable Treasure Vase from Jade Flute Mountain” to stage his abduction. Plus these few who were heartbroken one moment and melancholy the next, their expressions constantly changing—truly interesting, truly interesting.

What a pity his good friend had parted ways with him this time to play elsewhere, otherwise sharing such curiosities would be one of life’s pleasures.

After the magnificent carriage descended Funiu Mountain, it immediately changed appearance, removing the white gauze and jade bells, becoming much more modest. Mo Ziru didn’t have the carriage travel far—after descending Funiu Mountain, they entered a small farmhouse courtyard at the mountain’s base.

Yu Tuan’er was driving the carriage. Being young, she was less affected by the poisonous fog and had awakened early, already chatting happily with Mo Ziru. Not knowing this handsome scholar was of the same generation as Xue Xianzi, she called him “Big Brother Mo” repeatedly. Mo Ziru, thick-skinned as a city wall, smiled and accepted the address.

Se Lin had already been escorted away by Tang Lici’s trusted subordinates from Wanqiao Studio on fast horses. They would take her to a secret place Tang Lici had arranged long ago. At the same time, he distributed the remaining wealth of Wanqiao Studio among everyone. After this journey, there would be no more Wanqiao Studio in the world—all employees under Wanqiao Studio’s trading houses could receive their share.

This farmhouse courtyard was purchased by Jiang Youyu, the chief steward of Wanqiao Studio and one of Tang Lici’s most important confidants in the capital. As the carriage slowly entered the courtyard, Yu Tuan’er curiously looked at the rows of vegetables in front and behind the courtyard—some unknown vegetables bearing small goose-yellow fruits that looked soft and lovely.

A’Shui got down from the carriage, holding Fengfeng’s hand, looking at the small house and vegetable garden before her.

Green mountains and clear waters, small house and vegetable garden.

The hour was still early. Mountain mist slowly flowed down along distant valleys like white misty springs. Five or six round little birds flew overhead, landing on nearby trees to hop about.

Mo Ziru stood with hands behind his back, looking at the slightly moss-covered tiles on the small house roof. “This is the courtyard of Jiang Youyu, chief steward of Wanqiao Studio. A’Yan, you’ll stay here. Jiang Youyu has arranged three hundred disciples for you.” Mo Ziru smiled. “Besides medicine, the Nine Heart Pills’ antidote also requires the golden needle brain-piercing technique. Your task is to teach these three hundred disciples how to perform golden needle brain-piercing in the shortest time possible.”

Liu Yan was stunned for a moment, then immediately agreed.

Yu Tuan’er immediately said, “What about me?”

Mo Ziru smiled. “If Tuan’er wishes to stay, that’s naturally possible.” He turned to look at A’Shui. “As for Miss A’Shui…”

A’Shui silently looked at Mo Ziru. This person… was the backup plan Young Master Tang had arranged… or one of them.

He truly calculated everything flawlessly.

She heard Mo Ziru say, “A’Li said… A’Li said nothing.” He handed over a wooden box. “This is for you.”

Liu Yan and Yu Tuan’er looked at the wooden box, both finding it strange. Tang Lici had arranged everything so thoroughly, yet for this woman he had always wanted to possess, he only gave a wooden box?

A’Shui took the wooden box. It was finely carved from boxwood with elegant patterns depicting landscapes—clearly valuable. She opened the box expressionlessly, and as expected… inside was… a box full of pearls and banknotes.

She, this insignificant maid, her cheap and embarrassing true feelings, were apparently worth this much gold and silver. Young Master Tang was truly… generous.

She thought… what’s hard to obtain is always precious. Young Master Tang never needed her to bind grass and hold rings, never needed her deep love and affection. He only wanted to prove that he could always be loved—whether you were willing or unwilling, clear-headed or confused, whether you knew propriety or not, he could always be loved.

She thought she should have admitted early on that her heart held pity, should have let Young Master Tang know early that she was deceiving herself and others. Then… they would have parted amicably long ago, forgetting each other in the martial world.

A’Shui took out one banknote from the wooden box, closed it, and returned it to Mo Ziru.