Azure Mountain Cliff.

The Sky-Crossing Rope was severed!

Chi Yun and Shen Langhun suddenly changed color, but the clouds and mist surging within Biluo Palace gradually dispersed at this moment. Atop the Blue Robes Pavilion, flames suddenly rose with a whooshing sound, illuminating the small area. On top of the pavilion, a wooden plaque had appeared at some unknown time, bearing no words but hanging a small bottle. Judging by its color and style, it was precisely the “Crimson Ghost Nine Heart Pills” that Tang Lici had seized from the Yu Family Sword Manor!

The masked figures scattered throughout Biluo Palace immediately erupted into tremendous chaos. The white-robed women repeatedly shouted orders to stop them, but couldn’t prevent the masked figures from surging toward the base of the Blue Robes Pavilion. Just as someone was about to leap up, one of the masked figures shouted, “Wait! There must be a trick! Stay calm! Wanyu Yuedan, come out! What is the meaning of this?”

In the rustling mountain wind, someone spoke clearly and slowly, “Just as everyone can see, these are the Crimson Ghost Nine Heart Pills.” The voice was pleasant to hear, but the speaker was not Wanyu Yuedan, but Zhong Chunji. “I am Zhong Chunji, disciple of Xue Xianzi and friend of Biluo Palace. Everyone has been poisoned by the Crimson Ghost Nine Heart Pills—your martial power has increased, but your lives are forfeit. How worthless is that? If you must live under others’ control for life to preserve your lives, how unwilling would that make you? Biluo Palace has no grudges with the martial world, so naturally we have no quarrels with everyone here. The Sky-Crossing Rope is severed, so your master can no longer set foot on Azure Mountain Cliff. Since we have no quarrels, why not call a halt here and sit down for peaceful negotiations?” Her voice was both pleasant and she was not from Biluo Palace. What she said was logical and well-organized. The masked figures looked at each other and couldn’t help but quiet down.

“What lowly woman! Hiding in the shadows to bewitch people’s hearts!” The masked white-robed women began shouting angrily, but as the white mist dispersed, they could see that groups of three to five white-robed women were already surrounded by azure-robed people—the hidden forces of Biluo Palace. Though they hadn’t made a move, these young women were clearly no match for the many masters of Biluo Palace. After shouting a few times and seeing the situation was bad, they gradually fell silent.

Under the vast night sky, beneath the bright stars and moon, Zhong Chunji could be heard saying, “We still have several hundred Crimson Ghost Nine Heart Pills in hand, which can resolve everyone’s urgent crisis. After taking them, there will be no ill effects for two years. Regardless of whether you decide to be our enemies or friends, everyone will receive these pills with no additional conditions attached. Please remain calm—someone will bring the pills momentarily.” After she finished speaking, two young maidservants from Biluo Palace stepped forward gracefully, one holding a large pot of clear water and the other carrying over ten snow-white porcelain bowls. Both young ladies were quite young, and suddenly facing so many strange-looking people, their faces were full of nervousness.

“Please form a line to take the medicine,” Zhong Chunji continued. “Though the Sky-Crossing Rope is severed, Biluo Palace has its own way down the mountain, so everyone need not be nervous. However, I wonder if you have carefully considered that rather than being controlled by your master for life because of the Crimson Ghost Nine Heart Pills, wouldn’t it be better to use these two years to respectfully request your master to research and prepare an antidote, making the Crimson Ghost Nine Heart Pills able to increase martial power without containing deadly poison? Wouldn’t that be the best of both worlds?”

The masked figures crowded before the two maidservants, but not daring to openly rob since they didn’t know where the antidote was kept. Though the two maidservants were nervous, their skills were extraordinary. One bowl of clear water, one pill—even under the watchful eyes of all the masked figures, no one could tell where exactly the pills were hidden on the two women. They could only reluctantly behave themselves and wait in line. Many among them secretly thought: Biluo Palace deliberately doesn’t mention the way down the mountain. Besides bestowing the Crimson Ghost Nine Heart Pills as a favor, they also intend to threaten us—combining grace with intimidation. As long as we cooperate with them to deal with the Master, “requesting” the Master to prepare the antidote. But such calculations are cleverly made—how could the Master of the Romantic Shop be so easily dealt with? How could they “request” him to prepare non-toxic Crimson Ghost Nine Heart Pills? Though this is so, without an antidote, this old life can hardly be preserved. Even if preserved, we’d just be others’ chess pieces—living would be quite meaningless. Better to take a gamble…

“We have no interest in everyone’s true appearances. If you are willing to cooperate with us in ‘requesting’ your master to prepare an antidote to relieve everyone’s suffering, please come to the Blue Robes Pavilion afterward for detailed discussion. If you have no intention of cooperating, after we inform you of the way down the mountain, you may leave on your own. Biluo Palace doesn’t provoke martial world disputes and absolutely has no intention of making things difficult.” Zhong Chunji said, “As for the thirty-six sisters in white robes, please also remain for detailed discussion. That is all I have to say.” She never showed herself throughout this speech, and these words were naturally not something she could have thought up herself—if not taught by Tang Lici, then guided by Wanyu Yuedan.

“Heh heh heh, so tonight’s battle was calculated in advance by someone. Wanyu Yuedan doesn’t show himself, yet Biluo Palace still remains ‘transcendent from worldly affairs.’ Sending young Miss Zhong out to speak while the people of Biluo Palace don’t say a word or make a sound, they’ve won this battle and conveniently done great favors, recruiting many helpers.” The one laughing coldly was Chi Yun. He was ordered by Tang Lici to guard at the cliff edge, but Tang Lici hadn’t told him the full plan. “Damn white-haired fox! I bet with you that such favor-granting tricks must be that fox’s handiwork!”

Shen Langhun wiped away the blood at the corner of his mouth that had been shaken out by the string sounds, saying flatly, “Hey, if it were all his plan, he’d definitely use the pills and escape route to threaten everyone into following his orders. To so easily let this opportunity pass, Wanyu Yuedan must have participated.” Chi Yun put away his Crossing Moon Ring. “One old fox plus one young fox—no wonder the Romantic Shop suffered complete defeat tonight. But looking at that ‘Master’s’ method of severing the Sky-Crossing Rope—ruthless, merciless, and cruel—he never intended for those who came up the mountain tonight to survive. Though we didn’t lose, we didn’t completely win either. These people are all his abandoned pawns.” Shen Langhun gazed toward the opposite mountain peak, slowly saying, “Though Biluo Palace has achieved great victory and will again make a name in the martial world after tonight, establishing good relationships and gaining the capital to claim kingship, the real victory or defeat is not here…” Chi Yun snorted, “A certain white-haired fox claims his martial arts are the world’s best—why should I worry about him?” Shen Langhun also snorted, “If you weren’t worried, you wouldn’t have so much nonsense to say.” Chi Yun suddenly poked his head in front of him. Shen Langhun said flatly, “What are you doing?” Chi Yun glared, “You’re talking more and more like me. I find you more and more agreeable.” Shen Langhun paused, “Your unbetrothed wife is still in the forest—not going to reminisce about old feelings?” Chi Yun turned to look at the forest and spat, “If I don’t kill Bai Suche tonight, my surname isn’t Chi!” He strode away.

In Wanyu Yuedan’s room.

Cheng Yunpao quietly listened to the many changes outside, then suddenly took a deep breath. “So the so-called path to kingship can also be like this…” Wanyu Yuedan still held the shattered teacup fragments between his fingers. The porcelain was sharp, cutting blood from his fingers, but he seemed to feel no pain. He sighed softly, “Doing one’s utmost is all one can do. The situation is not within my control. Who knows which day we’ll meet in battle, sacrificing those we’re unwilling to sacrifice.” Cheng Yunpao raised his cup and drained it. “But you still insist on claiming kingship.” Wanyu Yuedan said, “Yes… but there may not be only one type of kingly path in the world.” Cheng Yunpao set down his teacup and suddenly said, “Perhaps one day you can open an era rarely seen in the martial world for ten thousand years.” Wanyu Yuedan smiled gently, his eyes gradually becoming soft and clear, as if remembering something. “Maybe… but actually I… look forward more to someone who can take over my burden.” Cheng Yunpao stared at him, watching for a long while. “You’re really not suitable to be a king.” How can a kingly heart and thoughts of retirement coexist? What Wanyu Yuedan relied upon to claim kingship over the world was not ambition, but courage.

You’re really not suitable to be a king? Wanyu Yuedan didn’t answer, his eyes slightly closing as if recalling some past events that made him unable to respond.

Outside the door, the masked figures discussed in small groups in low voices. Suddenly one person said nothing and ran toward the Blue Robes Pavilion. After the two young ladies finished distributing medicine and softly explained how to descend Biluo Palace via the ice path, many people hesitated in place. Most retreated into the ice path, but still sixty to seventy people, after consideration, slowly walked into the Blue Robes Pavilion.

“Please rest here, Hero Cheng. I still have important matters, so I’ll take my leave now.” Wanyu Yuedan stood up, smiling at Cheng Yunpao. “Hero Xiao is next door—please help look after him.” Cheng Yunpao nodded. Wanyu Yuedan carefully arranged his clothes and walked toward the Blue Robes Pavilion with composure and elegance.

He didn’t have anyone guide him or accompany him. Even his manner of walking appeared quite calm, with a slight touch of lazy casualness.

Chi Yun strode into the forest, but saw that within the forest there were no human shadows—Bai Suche was nowhere to be seen, and even the four white-robed women who had entered the forest together earlier were all gone. He couldn’t help but be startled. This forest had only dozens of large trees—where could five living people hide? But indeed, the five women had simply vanished.

Outside the forest, Meihua Yishu and Kuanglan Wuxing still stood at the mountain cliff edge like two zombies. Shen Langhun picked up two stones and casually threw them out. With two thudding sounds, they hit pressure points on both men’s bodies. His experience was extensive, but he was greatly puzzled by the current situation—these were clearly two extremely strong fighters, yet why couldn’t they move? Was it because that pipa sound was cut off? But such an explanation didn’t make sense. If these two could only be commanded by musical sounds, and the “Master” of the Romantic Shop originally planned to use them as abandoned pawns, wouldn’t that mean bringing two useless people to Biluo Palace to die? If not, then what was the purpose of leaving these two at Biluo Palace? Just as his thoughts turned, Chi Yun had already emerged from the forest, his face full of confusion. Shen Langhun could tell at a glance that there had been changes in the forest too. He looked at Chi Yun flatly and pointed at Meihua Yishu and Kuanglan Wuxing, whose pressure points he had sealed. “What do you think?”

Chi Yun couldn’t find Bai Suche and his expression was poor. He coldly glanced at the two men. “Who knows? Maybe these two suddenly went deaf and can’t hear killing orders, or suddenly became possessed, or else the snow mountain is too high and standing at the cliff edge scared them weak in the knees.” Shen Langhun shook his head. This matter was too difficult to explain. Gazing toward the opposite mountain peak, “Can you still hear pipa sounds?” Chi Yun frowned, “Since the white-haired fox went up the mountain, I haven’t heard that damn pipa again.” Shen Langhun said flatly, “Though I can’t hear pipa sounds, I faintly hear flute sounds.” Chi Yun concentrated and listened carefully. However, the wind at the mountain top was loud, and with the two peaks separated by dozens of zhang and the summit over a hundred zhang above, he only heard the wind filling his ears but no flute sounds. “What flute sounds?” Shen Langhun slightly closed his eyes. “Wave after wave, like the whistling sound wind makes when blowing through flute pipes.” Chi Yun spat, “I didn’t hear anything. If you can hear it, that’s nonsense! It’s at least several hundred zhang away—do you have wind-favoring ears?”

“Whoo—” A faint whistling sound rang out. Before Chi Yun could finish his sentence, he suddenly turned around. From the corner of his eye, he saw something flash past in the sea of clouds, the whistling sound plummeting rapidly downward before instantly disappearing. “What was that?” Chi Yun asked in shock. Shen Langhun’s eyes suddenly opened wide. “A broken flute!” Chi Yun’s figure instantly rushed to the cliff edge. “What?” Shen Langhun said coldly, “Half a broken flute. Judging by the weight of its fall, it should be the copper flute he was holding.” Chi Yun looked up at the snow peak. “Could it be—” Shen Langhun said flatly, “Someone who can defeat me within one move—what kind of person do you think is playing pipa on that snow peak? Can your young master really win easily?” Chi Yun’s expression changed. “The madman randomly playing pipa on this mountain is—” Shen Langhun was expressionless. “The madman who carved marks on my face and threw my wife into the Yellow River!”

The sea of clouds was vast, starlight brilliant. The nearby snow mountain was bright as a jade dragon under the moon. But compared to the mountain, people as tiny as ants—how could they see through the boundless sea of clouds to know the changes at the mountain peak?

“I’m going down the mountain! Then climbing up from that side!” Chi Yun’s face was iron-blue as he heavily threw down the hem of his robe and turned to leave. Shen Langhun said flatly, “Are you an idiot? He lured that person to sever the Sky-Crossing Rope and went up the mountain alone precisely to prevent you from going over. Even if you follow these people down via the ice path, I guarantee you won’t find the way back!” Chi Yun shouted fiercely, “How do you know I can’t get back?” Shen Langhun closed his eyes. “Because last night I already walked through the ice path once. The ice path exit is not beneath Mao Ya Peak.” Chi Yun was stunned. Shen Langhun said flatly, “If he wants to go up alone, would he let you find a passage to follow? This scheme was originally to prevent me from rushing up to my death out of revenge. Though I am indeed eager for revenge, I’m more patient than he imagined.” Chi Yun’s expression was uncertain. “That means even if he dies tonight, he deserves it! Consider it suicide!” Shen Langhun remained expressionless. “Heh! You’re certain he’ll lose without doubt? I think not necessarily.” Chi Yun sneered coldly, “I just think this fox likes seeking death. If he gets himself killed in the future, don’t expect me to burn half a stick of incense or half a sheet of paper money for him!”

Speaking to this point, the snow peak suddenly transmitted faint rumbling sounds again. Something had shaken, and after a long while, several large stones could be seen rolling down the mountain slope, shaking loose ice and snow, with ice fragments flying. Those stones were each half the size of a house—if they hit a person, there would certainly be bloody pulp! The busy crowd on Azure Mountain Cliff suddenly saw this scene and were all stunned. The white-robed women cheered together that their master had killed the enemy, that their master was invincible under heaven. Immediately someone drew swords to attack, starting to fight with the people of Biluo Palace.

The giant stones rolled down and the sounds gradually ceased. Except for the white-robed women still fighting, everyone’s gaze stared blankly at the snow peak summit, involuntarily imagining what kind of monster was hidden on that snow mountain fighting with Tang Lici. Who had caused such earth-shaking falling stones? Why did the power of killing with one string no longer appear?

As if responding to everyone’s expectations, after the giant stones fell, the accumulated snow on Mao Ya Peak collapsed, and snow flakes filled the sky, covering the traces left by the falling stones. Everything seemed to leave no trace. Just as everyone hadn’t caught their breath and their gazes hadn’t withdrawn from Mao Ya Peak, someone suddenly cried “Ah!” and exclaimed, “Who is that?”

Chi Yun focused his gaze and saw two black shadows moving slowly on the mountainside of the opposite snow mountain. Judging by their movement method, these two people either had no martial arts or very low martial skills. Mao Ya Peak had just had an avalanche—though not very serious, the ice and snow underfoot was extremely unstable. For these two to still insist on climbing the mountain at this time was clearly not coincidental. Who were they? He couldn’t see the people’s appearance clearly. “Surnamed Shen, can you see clearly?” Shen Langhun’s hearing and sight were far superior to ordinary people. He concentrated and looked carefully, pondering for a long while. “They seem to be two women…”

“Women?” Chi Yun was surprised. “How could they be women?” How could women without martial arts appear on Mao Ya Peak, outside Biluo Palace? Shen Langhun frowned. “They’re most likely women from the Romantic Shop, but how could the Romantic Shop have women without martial arts…” Chi Yun pondered, “Could it be that ‘Miss Hong’ the white-haired fox mentioned from inside the Yu Family Sword Manor? But without martial arts, climbing such a snow mountain in the middle of the night is very dangerous. Could they be even more anxious than us? Convinced that their master will suffer losses?”

The situation at the mountain peak seemed very strange, probably far exceeding these people’s imagination. Shen Langhun’s gaze swept toward the Blue Robes Pavilion. Wanyu Yuedan was in the pavilion, gesturing with his hands, saying something unknown, not glancing toward the mountain peak even once.

Of course, he couldn’t see either.

Such a calm expression—had Tang Lici promised him something?

The moving figures on the opposite snow mountain climbed up extremely slowly. Though the specific situation couldn’t be seen clearly, they knew the circumstances were extremely dangerous. What kind of magic power did the person at the mountain peak possess to make so many young women risk their lives without hesitation?

Suddenly, the mountain top transmitted vibrations again. Broken stones rolled down, and a human figure flew down from the summit. Before everyone could be shocked, another figure followed, leaping down. From the peak hundreds of zhang high, under everyone’s watchful eyes, all could see clearly that the first person fell first, and the second person then jumped down on his own.

But the snow peak was high and distant, its cold piercing to the bone, its wind like knives. From a distance of several hundred zhang, falling from the mountain peak meant certain death. This second person leaping down through the air—his intentions were unknown, but such behavior was no different from seeking death. In an instant, it was unclear who this person was. Before thoughts could clarify, the two figures had successively fallen into the sea of clouds and disappeared.

“Master!” The white-robed women cried out in shock. Suddenly a figure flashed at the bottom of the cliff, and from where the black shadows were slowly moving on the opposite mountain cliff came a thunderous sound. Shen Langhun suddenly exclaimed, “Heaven-Responding Crossbow!” Following his shout, a silver arrow broke through the air, trailing a dark red rope. The power of this arrow could actually penetrate dozens of zhang of strong wind and dense clouds without being affected at all, reaching directly to the bottom of Azure Mountain Cliff! A white shadow flashed at the bottom of Azure Mountain Cliff as someone caught the rope and tied it to the rocks below the cliff. With a clear shout, several white shadows swept onto the rope, heading straight for the opposite mountain!

“Bai Suche!” Chi Yun roared angrily. She had actually hidden at the bottom of the cliff among the broken rocks, waiting for the opportunity. This Heaven-Responding Crossbow strike was clearly premeditated—an escape route left in advance! Shen Langhun moved like lightning, pressing him down. “Wait! What the Heaven-Responding Crossbow trails is the Hundred Poisons Rope. One touch causes poisoning with a hundred types of poison. Unless you have the antidote from the person who applied the poison, there’s no medicine in the world that can save you!” Chi Yun moved even faster. His Crossing Moon Ring flashed with silver light—the Hundred Poisons Rope was about to break!

The dark red rope came in an instant, but the shock to Azure Mountain Cliff was indescribable. Many masked figures in the Blue Robes Pavilion were shaken throughout their bodies, their minds filled with countless thoughts. Seeing the Crossing Moon Ring’s silver light flashing, about to sever the lifeline, Wanyu Yuedan flicked his sleeve. With a crisp “ding” sound, something flew from his sleeve, arriving second but reaching first, colliding with the Crossing Moon Ring. The Crossing Moon Ring’s momentum deflected, sweeping past the Hundred Poisons Rope with a humming sound, spinning in a circle before returning to Chi Yun’s hand.

In a flash, rope-cutting and rope-saving—though Wanyu Yuedan had no martial arts, the hidden weapon from his sleeve had such power. Azure Mountain Cliff immediately fell silent. Only his gentle voice could be heard: “Since your master has arrangements and requests everyone to return, Biluo Palace won’t force the issue. The mountain wind is strong—everyone be careful.” At these words, everyone was amazed. Those who originally had one foot out of the Blue Robes Pavilion hesitated momentarily, then withdrew.

Wanyu Yuedan said nothing more, standing quietly in the pavilion as if he was very patiently waiting for everyone to leave.

“What a young fox skilled at winning people’s hearts!” Chi Yun retracted his Crossing Moon Ring, feeling indignant. “Hmph! I’m going down to the mountain bottom to see how those two are doing. Excuse me!” He stamped his foot, steeled his heart, and actually didn’t descend via Biluo Palace’s ice path. Instead, he leaped from the cliff edge, clinging to rocks and ice as he pursued downward.

Shen Langhun stood on the cliff, watching Chi Yun’s white robes disappear into the sea of clouds. Was the one who fell into the sea of clouds really his enemy who killed his wife and destroyed his face? Could deep hatred and enmity truly dissipate like clouds and smoke? Why hadn’t the accumulated anger and pain in his heart disappeared, but instead become like losing the method to heal wounds—relegated to an incurable disease of this lifetime…

“Master, Master…” Behind him, the white-robed women wailed in unison, their voices so mournful they stirred pity in people’s hearts. Hearing someone in Biluo Palace shout clearly “Miss!” followed by a “clang” sound—someone had tried to commit suicide with a horizontal sword but was rescued by Biluo Palace members. What was meant to be a battlefield splattered with blood three feet high had become a place of sorrowful and mournful cries.

“Palace Master.” Beside Wanyu Yuedan stood someone in azure robes with a sword, his bearing outstanding—this was Bi Lianyi, the first person under Biluo Palace. Wanyu Yuedan nodded and sighed softly. A blue shadow flashed around the entire scene, and in just moments, the white-robed women had all been struck at pressure points. Though these women retained their innocence and were young, and though they had pitiable and sad aspects, they were also the murderers in many cases of family extermination. Everyone felt conflicted but couldn’t easily let it go, not to mention that much information about the Romantic Shop still needed to be extracted from these women.

“The matter here is finished. Brother Bi, I leave this to you.” Wanyu Yuedan’s eyes slightly closed. “I need to go see the condition of the two who just fell from the mountain.” Bi Lianyi accepted the order. Zhong Chunji ran out from the Blue Robes Pavilion, her face pale. “I… I…” Her speech now was completely different from her confident eloquence earlier. Wanyu Yuedan said gently, “Miss Zhong, please lead the way.” Zhong Chunji looked at Wanyu Yuedan’s face, which carried a hint of youthfulness but was still gentle and composed. Suddenly she felt a wave of comfort, warmth, and sadness. “I…”

“Let’s go.” Wanyu Yuedan placed his hand on her shoulder. “Please lead the way.”

Shen Langhun raised his head, gazing at the opposite snow mountain. He could see five white-robed women meet with two figures—some continuing to climb toward the mountain peak, others hurriedly descending. From this, it appeared that the “Heaven-Responding Crossbow” setting up the Hundred Poisons Rope was not a pre-planned scheme by the Romantic Shop, but a hasty response. These women had also tracked their master here, but what exactly had happened at the mountain peak to cause such changes? Deep in his heart, he didn’t believe those two had just died like that. Without a foolproof plan, those two would never jump to their deaths from a cliff. Moreover, one had jumped down on his own. Though falling from a cliff several hundred zhang high meant certain death, for these two people, there must be some way to survive.