Yu Konghou activated the mechanism, sinking Piapling Mei Garden underground. This was not because he had any backup plan as the Central Plains Sword Society and others had speculated. He had transmitted his martial arts to Kuanglan Wuxing, relying on Zhu Yan’s formidable true qi of “Demons Spitting Pearl Breath” to burst forth in fury and save his own life. But suddenly he felt his own true essence continuously flowing into Zhu Yan’s body without cease, which greatly shocked him. However, Yu Konghou was such a formidable figure that after his initial shock, he raised his left hand and shattered his own right shoulder with one palm strike, breaking the “Long Hatred That This Body Is Not My Own” technique he was transmitting. Though his right shoulder was severely injured and his true power greatly diminished, he did not lose all his martial arts as Tang Lici had calculated.

Now Yu Konghou finally understood Tang Lici’s complete scheme—from Miss Hong luring him away from the Central Plains Sword Society, to Ren Qingchou holding him up for a day and night, to Kuanglan Wuxing fighting him to mutual destruction, and finally to the person in blue setting that great fire—ultimately forcing him to join hands with Zhu Yan for mutual aid and self-rescue, using the tenth level technique of “Long Hatred That This Body Is Not My Own,” wasting his trump card.

Tang Lici never showed himself from beginning to end, yet schemed to nearly kill him in the sea of fire and almost completely waste his martial arts.

At this time, Gui Mudan and Chai Xijin had already left Piapling Mei Garden. They took Zhong Chunji toward the capital. The struggle between the true and false princess concerned the Central Plains Sword Society’s “aid” and “provisions.” If Zhong Chunji could succeed in this matter, not only would the siege of the Central Plains Sword Society be immediately resolved, but Chai Xijin could also use this false princess Zhong Chunji to grasp an entire chain of connections related to this—Zhao Zongjing, Zhao Zongying, and so forth.

Therefore, Piapling Mei Garden was now strong on the outside but weak within. To prevent Tang Lici from suddenly breaking in, Yu Konghou had no choice but to activate the mechanism and sink Piapling Mei Garden underground.

If such a favor were not repaid, he would not be Yu Konghou.

Kuanglan Wuxing had already been severely injured and near death, then was bitten by his venomous snake. He should have died long ago, but was saved by his power transmission at the moment of death. Yu Konghou hated this person just as much, but Zhu Yan’s martial prowess was shocking. This time he had suffered such a great loss—if he simply killed him with one blade, wouldn’t that be letting him off too easily? But this person had already been afflicted with Tang Lici and Little Red’s “Guided String Life-Taking,” deeply afflicted and seemingly beyond salvation. Yu Konghou imprisoned Zhu Yan for several days and summoned someone over.

This person had two long eyebrows and a dignified countenance—it was Master Miaohe.

“Wang Lingqiu.” Yu Konghou wore purple robes, completely different from his former beautiful and charming appearance as “Miss Tao.” The current “One Peach Three Colors” had an upright bearing with no feminine air, appearing as a handsome man. Though his face bore scars from breaking his cultivation that day, they were not obvious. He was nearly a head taller than Miaohe. Though his martial arts were greatly diminished, he still stood firm and slightly lowered his head, looking down at the white-browed monk. “Can ‘Bee Mother Congealing Frost’ really not be planted on Zhu Yan’s body?”

Wang Lingqiu pressed his palms together. He still wore monk’s robes, with kind eyebrows and gentle eyes, speaking in a mild tone. “‘Bee Mother Congealing Frost’ is a brain-training technique, while ‘Guided String Life-Taking’ is a body-controlling technique. These two are difficult to match. Even if we plant ‘Bee Mother Congealing Frost’ on him, if Tang Lici activates ‘Guided String Life-Taking,’ Zhu Yan would likely die from brain explosion.”

Yu Konghou blinked. “Since that’s the case, he’s already useless. But his martial power…” Yu Konghou smiled ambiguously. “‘Demons Spitting Pearl Breath’ has such a great reputation. Do you think it’s possible—to have him transmit this unique martial art to me?” He chuckled softly. “Since he could take away most of my internal power, wouldn’t it be reasonable for me to want a bit more back?”

“That’s not difficult either.” Wang Lingqiu said. “Wait for me to skin and bone him, refine him into a human pill. Young Master Yu can swallow it with blood and obtain this person’s martial power.”

Yu Konghou was stunned, unable to determine whether this fake monk truly had such ability or was playing the fool. After a slight pause, he narrowed his eyes. “There’s really such a method?”

Wang Lingqiu said, “Absolutely true.”

“Then tomorrow…” Yu Konghou said lightly, “go capture Bi Lianyi from the Central Plains Sword Society and refine her into a human pill.”

Wang Lingqiu pondered for a moment. “Bi Lianyi from Biluo Palace has considerable martial arts. I’m afraid…”

Yu Konghou smiled slightly. “The ‘Summoning Lamp Order’ has such a great reputation, with extensive family learning. Can’t you even catch a servant of Wanyu Yuedan?” He tilted his head, looking at Wang Lingqiu with an ambiguous smile. “Where is Master Dashi?”

Wang Lingqiu shook his head. “That day when Ghost Master killed people, I left the meditation room first. I never saw Dashi before or after—he disappeared during this, which is very strange.” This old monk had kind eyebrows and gentle eyes, speaking very sincerely, but Yu Konghou didn’t believe a single word. He still smiled. “Is that so? Perhaps this monk had exceptionally good luck and wasn’t in the meditation room at the time.”

Wang Lingqiu continued shaking his head. “This I don’t know.”

“Tomorrow you and Susu will take twenty female attendants to capture Bi Lianyi.” Yu Konghou narrowed his eyes. “I want to see with my own eyes what this human pill looks like. If it truly has miraculous effects, wouldn’t the many masters of the Central Plains Sword Society be pills for transmitting power, one by one?” He looked at Wang Lingqiu and chuckled. “Wouldn’t the most beautiful human pill be Tang Lici? Whoever could eat a human pill refined from Young Master Tang, wouldn’t they achieve immortality?”

Wang Lingqiu smiled slightly, appearing very benevolent. “Young Master Tang is skilled in battle and strategy. If Master can capture him alive, I shall refine him for Master.”

Yu Konghou laughed heartily. “You speak very well. Rest assured, even if I discover one day that Dashi was hidden away by you, I’ll still spare your life!”

Wang Lingqiu shook his head repeatedly. “I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare.”

Yu Konghou dismissed him, his smile immediately vanishing—this fake monk was deeply scheming and could not be kept long. But this person had gratitude toward Chai Xijin, and Fengliu Shop was deeply connected to his “Summoning Lamp Order” poison arts, so he couldn’t move against him now. This person claimed to have “human pill” arts. Yu Konghou had practiced martial arts for many years and had never heard of such horrifying methods. Nine times out of ten, Wang Lingqiu had fabricated this bargaining chip to save his life.

But… what if it were real?

Being able to swallow a human pill refined from Tang Lici with blood—just thinking about it was extremely satisfying.

Piapling Mei Garden sinking into Qihun Mountain greatly exceeded Miss Hong’s expectations. All the various methods previously devised were now useless. Yet everyone in the martial world knew that Tang Lici was the master of Fengliu Shop, Liu Yan possessed the antidote to the Nine Heart Pills, and Tang Lici had broken into Shaolin to rescue Puzhu, killing several high monks of Shaolin Temple. Such a great villain—even if Piapling Mei Garden sank into the mountain, how could they let it rest?

Miss Hong was caught in a dilemma. She had to devise a method that could break the deadlock.

The strange change in Piapling Mei Garden was certainly related to “Miss Tao’s” death. Yu Konghou had failed to grasp the power of the Central Plains Sword Society and was ultimately completely driven out by Tang Lici. He returned to Piapling Mei Garden, and Piapling Mei Garden immediately sank into the mountain. What did this indicate?

It indicated that Yu Konghou feared something—he must have been severely injured.

But she couldn’t estimate Kuanglan Wuxing’s condition.

If there were only Yu Konghou, she would dare to lead people in a direct assault. But if Kuanglan Wuxing was still there, then truly no one in the Central Plains Sword Society could match him. Though the Sword Society was full of talent, capable people’s hearts were gradually scattering. If the Nine Heart Pills remained without antidote, even those daring to take action against Kuanglan Wuxing would become fewer and fewer.

And Piapling Mei Garden, sunk underground, was obviously easy to defend but difficult to attack.

Yet she had no choice but to attack.