Mu Yumo was startled at these words and immediately tried to leap away, but a thin blade was already pressed against her waist.

“Move again, and I’ll have no choice but to kill you,” Tang Lianyue said coolly.

Mu Yumo suddenly burst into giggles. “I heard that blade of yours, Xuanwu Envoy, has tasted the blood of a prince before. Why so hesitant about killing now?”

“I don’t enjoy killing, even if you are from Dark River,” Tang Lianyue replied.

“Oh? And here I thought you couldn’t bear to strike because of my beauty?” Mu Yumo suddenly spun around to face Tang Lianyue, flashing a bewitching smile.

Tang Lianyue’s focus wavered for a moment, the blade dancing between his fingers, but he didn’t strike.

“Fool.” Mu Yumo parted her lips slightly, breathing out a cloud of mist toward Tang Lianyue. He immediately held his breath, bringing his fingers together before him. With a low shout, he dispersed the mist, but in that instant, his body was covered in frost, with dozens of pure white ice spiders settling on his shoulders, legs, and hair.

“I’d heard the Mu family of Dark River was versed in strange and mysterious arts. Today’s encounter proves it true.” This time, Tang Lianyue dared not move carelessly. If these ice spiders were to explode like the wolf spiders from before, he wouldn’t be able to dodge.

Mu Yumo covered her mouth and laughed. “At the Nine Rivers Pipa Pavilion, Tang Lianyue of the Tang clan became famous for three hidden weapons. I’ve long admired the Xuanwu Envoy.”

“I shouldn’t have shown mercy earlier. Your charm technique delayed my blade by a moment,” Tang Lianyue frowned.

Mu Yumo started. “Charm technique? What charm technique?”

Tang Lianyue snorted coldly. “Since you know of my fame at the Nine Rivers Pipa Pavilion for three hidden weapons, do you know what those three weapons are?”

Mu Yumo shrugged. “There are rumors, saying you created all three yourself, but I’ve never heard the specifics.”

“No need to hear about them—you’re about to witness them firsthand.” Tang Lianyue lifted his sleeve slightly.

“Don’t move! Move again, and my spiders will freeze you solid. Add some wolf spiders to that, and there won’t be anything left of you!” Mu Yumo threatened.

“Let’s test that.” Tang Lianyue suddenly shook both sleeves, and all the feathers on his black feathered robe took flight, shaking off both the frost and the ice spiders.

Alarmed, Mu Yumo quickly retreated several steps, drawing her sword. She whistled, and nearly a thousand spiders began crawling out from various corners of the courtyard.

“This is the first of the three hidden weapons from back then—Thousand Birds’ Cry!” Tang Lianyue swept his hand toward Mu Yumo, and all the feathers flew at her, the whistling wind truly reminiscent of a thousand birds taking wing.

Mu Yumo frantically defended with her sword as her spiders madly rushed at the feathers. Explosions rang out, and the courtyard was filled with flashing lights. When Tang Lianyue’s windborne feathered robe finally settled, he watched the smoke gradually clear to reveal Mu Yumo, breathing heavily and supporting herself with her sword. Several spots on her body were bleeding, and the spiders that had surged forward from all directions now lingered three zhang away from Tang Lianyue, not daring to advance.

“What other tricks do you have?” Tang Lianyue picked up a dragon whisker needle, aiming it at Mu Yumo.

“Do you have the heart to kill me?” Mu Yumo raised her head, tears welling in her eyes.

“The same charm technique won’t work on me twice,” Tang Lianyue said gravely. “Tell me your destination, and I’ll spare your life.”

Mu Yumo sighed softly, sheathing her sword. “If you hadn’t come, I might have died.”

Tang Lianyue suddenly felt a chill down his spine and spun around, throwing the dragon whisker needle without hesitation. No one had ever managed to approach him so silently—not even the city lords of Snow Moon City, currently the premier city in the martial arts world. The only person it could be was—

The newcomer raised something in their hand, casually deflecting the dragon whisker needle, then leaped past Tang Lianyue to Mu Yumo’s side.

Tang Lianyue flipped his palm, gripping his blade, and lowered his stance, ready for battle. “Dark River’s Patriarch’s Assassin Team Leader, Kui.”

Su Muyu stood with his back to Tang Lianyue, gripping his umbrella handle, also ready to strike at any moment.

Mu Yumo looked at Su Muyu, puzzled. “Who knocked off your mask?”

“And who knocked off yours?” Su Muyu countered.

“Why, this lecher Tang Lianyue, of course!” Mu Yumo’s words seemed to tease but held a hidden warning about their opponent’s identity.

Neither of them dwelt on Mu Yumo’s seemingly playful yet warning words, for when they had passed each other, they had already sensed each other’s strength and guessed each other’s identity.

“How badly are you hurt?” Su Muyu looked at Mu Yumo’s bloodstains.

“Nearly dead,” Mu Yumo complained pitifully.

“Thousand Spider Formation!” Su Muyu suddenly returned the paper umbrella to his back and leaped forward, arms spread. As if anticipating this, Mu Yumo used her sword to push off the ground and jumped into Su Muyu’s arms. Su Muyu, carrying Mu Yumo, flew toward the courtyard exit.

Tang Lianyue frowned slightly, sweeping his left hand to launch three bone-piercing needles at Su Muyu’s back.

Su Muyu tilted slightly, using the paper umbrella on his back to block the three needles.

“We’ll save the other two hidden weapons for next time!” Mu Yumo shouted.

Tang Lianyue moved to pursue, but the spiders that had feared his presence suddenly rushed at him like mad…

In moments, Su Muyu had carried Mu Yumo half a li away. He looked down at her: “Is your injury serious? It’s been a long time since you’ve been hurt this badly.”

“It’s nothing major. Tang Lianyue held back, or I might be dead. The Four Guardians of Heaven’s Beginning—those are masters at the pinnacle of martial arts,” Mu Yumo replied.

Su Muyu nodded. “It’s fortunate we encountered him. The Xuanwu Envoy Tang Lianyue has always disliked killing.”

Mu Yumo suddenly smiled. “Nonsense. He held back because he fell in love with me at first sight.”

Su Muyu smiled faintly, his tone somewhat helpless. “You’re becoming more and more confident in yourself.”

“Really! He said earlier that I used a charm technique on him, which made him strike late!” Mu Yumo raised her eyebrows. “Rain Brother, do you think I know any charm techniques?”

“While many female disciples of the Mu family excel in charm techniques, I know you’ve never learned them,” Su Muyu replied.

Mu Yumo licked her lips and said mysteriously, “Attraction at first sight, attraction at first sight indeed.”