Tang Lian flipped down to the ground floor as Tang Fulu quickly gave chase. Tang Lian swept his sleeve, scattering plum blossom needles across the ground before leaping forward.

“Catch him!” Tang Fulu shouted.

More than ten shadows emerged from the darkness and gave chase.

“It seems they’ve taken control of Tang Manor,” Tang Lian muttered while dodging flying projectiles and running toward the exit.

Tang Tianlu landed beside Tang Fulu: “If he escapes and word spreads, the Commanders will blame us. Our lives will be forfeit.”

“He won’t escape,” Tang Fulu sneered. “Brocade City is our web. No matter how skilled Tang Lian is, he’s just a child. He can’t possibly upend everything.”

In the courtyard of Quiet Thought Teahouse.

Su Changhe was drinking tea with Su Muyu when a dark shadow flashed past. Su Changhe caressed his teacup: “Such nimble movements for one so young.”

Several more shadows rushed by in pursuit.

“It seems the city’s security isn’t very good, being so lively at night?” Su Changhe smiled.

“I’ll go look,” Su Muyu shouldered his paper umbrella and leaped away.

The first shadow was naturally Tang Lian. Though he had been Tang Lianyue’s only disciple since childhood and his martial arts far surpassed his peers, dealing with so many pursuers was still challenging. After fleeing Brocade City and running for nearly an hour, he entered Yinlong Mountain. But over ten people were already waiting at the mountain gate. Tang Lian stopped: “So you deliberately herded me here.”

Several shadows landed behind him as a young man stepped forward: “Tang Lian, you have nowhere to run.”

“Tang Cheng, what are you plotting? Why did you harm my Master Lianyue?” Tang Lian demanded.

Su Muyu, hiding nearby, frowned: This is Tang Lianyue’s disciple. From what he’s saying, was Tang Lianyue harmed by Tang Manor members?

Tang Cheng sneered: “Your master is merely frozen. Though the Ice Moon Silkworm’s power is extraordinary, it won’t take his life. If you cooperate with us, we’ll save your master.”

Ice Moon Silkworm. Su Muyu was startled – he’d never heard of it before. He was amazed that a single item could subdue Tang Lianyue, one of the Four Guardians. He silently noted the name, thinking he should send word to Bai Hehuai asking about this “Ice Moon Silkworm.”

Tang Lian gripped his fingertip blade and shook his head: “If Master knew I joined forces with people like you to save him, he would surely be disappointed.”

“Wouldn’t letting him die disappoint him more?” Tang Cheng asked.

“Let him die?” Tang Lian frowned. “Master is frozen by the Ice Moon Silkworm. If you wanted to kill him, it would be easy. So why haven’t you done it yet?”

“You’re clever,” Tang Cheng smiled. “But clever people don’t live long.” He waved his hand, and over ten people behind Tang Lian drew short crossbows.

The Tang Manor Divine Crossbow: Nine-Shot Mechanism.

This was Tang Manor’s simplest yet most direct hidden weapon. Many members didn’t even consider it a hidden weapon since its use was too straightforward – there was nothing “hidden” about it. Even disciples with minimal talent could master it after brief training. Yet its power was considerable, surpassing even the Northern Li army’s Thousand-Mechanism Crossbow.

Over ten Nine-Shot Mechanisms aimed at Tang Lian.

Few could dodge simultaneous shots from so many Nine-Shot Mechanisms. Tang Lian knew his past self certainly couldn’t have managed it.

Su Muyu placed his hand on his paper umbrella.

“You have one last chance,” Tang Cheng toyed with a sleeve arrow.

Tang Lian’s hands disappeared into his sleeves as cold sweat drenched his back.

“You cannot possibly dodge their volley,” Tang Cheng said gravely.

“I know. That’s why I’ll strike first!” Tang Lian suddenly looked up and swept both sleeves: “Ten Thousand Flying Flowers!” Rouge darts, dragon whisker needles, blood butterfly flowers… countless hidden weapons flew from his sleeves. The Tang Manor members scattered, several hit by projectiles and falling. Tang Cheng swept his sleeve to block three dragon whisker needles, laughing: “Is this your Ten Thousand Flying Flowers?”

Tang Lian swayed slightly, his projectiles losing momentum. At his current level, he could only manage this incomplete version of Ten Thousand Flying Flowers, but it was his best chance! His eyes flashed as he darted forward.

Still too young. Su Muyu sighed softly.

“Kill him!” Tang Cheng roared. The Tang Manor disciples who had dodged the Ten Thousand Flying Flowers raised their Nine-Shot Mechanisms and fired at Tang Lian. The arrows whistled through the air as Tang Lian’s form shifted rapidly, dodging several before one grazed his shoulder. He stumbled and fell.

“Fire again!” Tang Cheng raised his right hand, then dropped it.

Another volley of arrows shot forth.

Tang Lian watched the arrows and finally closed his eyes.

But a paper umbrella appeared before him, its surface gently spinning to sweep away the arrows. Su Muyu looked down at Tang Lian: “You’re Tang Lianyue’s disciple?”

“Who are you?” Tang Lian asked.

“You have a future master aunt,” Su Muyu smiled faintly. “I’m her elder brother.”

Tang Lian started, remembering the breathtakingly beautiful woman standing beneath the moon.

“Run!” Su Muyu commanded.

Tang Lian recovered, bowed quickly to Su Muyu, then leaped away.

Su Muyu raised his paper umbrella and sprang onto a nearby tree branch, looking down at the Tang Manor group.

“You’re from Dark River – the Umbrella Ghost?” Tang Cheng realized.

Su Muyu held his umbrella overhead: “Is it going to rain?”

“Rain?” Tang Cheng was puzzled.

As he spoke, a drizzle began falling.

“There’s a rumor in the jianghu that the Umbrella Ghost likes killing on rainy days. That’s not quite right,” a masked man emerged from the shadows, his voice playful. “It’s because his sword essence is ‘Rain,’ so when he wants to draw his sword, it often brings rain.”

Tang Cheng clenched his fists.

“Would you like to see the Umbrella Ghost draw his sword?” the masked man asked languidly.

“If I remember correctly, Master Su is negotiating with the Commanders,” Tang Cheng looked up.

“Do you want to see the Umbrella Ghost draw his sword?” the masked man repeated with emphasis.

Tang Cheng took a deep breath and waved: “Let’s go.”