“Master Uncle! Master Uncle! Father!”

In the capital’s great rear, a group of children looked frightened, all raising their heads and trembling as they spoke. Four of them held dice, waiting to start gambling, while three others had gathered nearby drinking stolen wine. In the center lay a little demon with bleary drunken eyes, having already vomited all over the floor. Looking closely at those facial features, who else could it be but his own youngest son, Lu Delian?

“Shameless!”

Lu Yingshang exploded with rage, immediately letting out a lion’s roar. The children were scared out of their wits and fled helter-skelter, leaving the youngest son behind. Lu Yingshang was furious and frustrated, having to raise his voice to call his eldest son: “Deli! Deli! Come quickly and look after your brother! Deli! Get over here!” After shouting and cursing for a long time, the eldest son still didn’t appear—he had probably gone out carousing too. Having no choice, Lu Yingshang could only pick up his youngest son and head straight to the bedroom.

Ziyun Manor had many rooms. These past few days, Huashan disciples had lodged here, but it wasn’t crowded. Lu Yingshang came to the west wing and pushed open the door. Inside was an oil lamp and a youth sitting properly at a desk, reading by candlelight—it was his second son, Deyi. Seeing his father arrive, he immediately stood up and bowed respectfully: “Greetings to Father.”

Lu Yingshang smiled with pleasure. Among his children, the eldest was wild, the youngest was spoiled, but this second son loved reading ancient books and had his father’s scholarly bearing. Just as he was about to praise him, he noticed his son’s left hand holding up his pants while his right hand covered his lower body. On the desk was placed an eternal masterpiece titled: “Jin Hailing’s Death from Debauchery, Volume 2.”

“Shameless!” Lu Yingshang’s vision went black with extreme anger. Unable to speak, he threw the youngest son onto the bed and hurriedly turned to leave. As for whether the three brothers would gang up to rob people, this father couldn’t care less.

“Propriety, righteousness, integrity, shame—the four pillars of the nation.” A quarter hour past midnight, Lu Yingshang seemed to be making his last testament. He stretched out both feet into a steaming wooden tub and sighed sadly: “When the four pillars are not manifest, the nation perishes!”

With a splash, water sprayed everywhere. Lu Yingshang stomped his feet forcefully, couldn’t help clenching his fists and wailing loudly: “Yanyan! Propriety, righteousness, integrity, shame! Do you know why Guanzi spoke these four famous words? Yanyan, Yanyan?” Not hearing an answer for a long time, Lu Yingshang couldn’t help roaring: “Yanyan!” Just as he was feeling sad and angry, he heard a clear, pleasant voice in front of him as a woman said: “Stop making noise first. I’m still busy with things.”

Lu Yingshang looked up and saw a woman beside the kang wearing undergarments with her back to him—it was his beloved wife ‘Xie Yanyan.’ She seemed very busy tonight, first organizing a large pile of clothing, then packing heavy books, placing everything piece by piece into a large wooden chest, appearing quite virtuous.

Lu Yingshang sighed: “Yanyan, I’m talking to you about the children’s affairs. Why aren’t you paying attention to me?” Xie Yanyan didn’t turn her head, continuing to pack things while saying: “Wait a moment. I’ll come when I’m done.”

Lu Yingshang’s wife came from Guangnan’s Yuanyang Sect. Just past forty, she was at the height of her evening beauty. Seeing her back to her husband, bending to retrieve objects, one could vaguely see a pair of snow-white beautiful legs under her skirt, long and alluring. Lu Yingshang watched and suddenly had an inspiration, lifting his stinking foot from the washbasin and moving it wetly toward his wife’s skirt.

“Shameless!” His wife gave a charming scolding, immediately grabbing a judge’s brush and viciously stabbing it into the Yongquan acupoint on his sole, causing Lu Yingshang to hold his foot and scream: “What are you doing? Making a fuss during the New Year—isn’t that inauspicious?”

“Still thinking about New Year?” Xie Yanyan turned around with a charming smile: “The Lantern Festival is already over. We should return to Kaifeng Prefecture.”

“Ah!” Lu Yingshang, who had been holding his foot and crying in pain, suddenly made no sound at all upon hearing this. He just stared blankly at the sky with his mouth agape, looking like life was short and bitter.

The New Year festivities were already over—tonight was already the sixteenth of the first month. In three days they would have to depart and return to Kaifeng Prefecture for work. Thinking of the mountain of official documents in the government office, Lu Yingshang couldn’t help sighing toward heaven: “So soon we have to leave? I haven’t even talked with Yufeng yet.”

Hearing her husband missing his junior brother, the wife couldn’t help covering her mouth and laughing: “You, oh you! You’ve spent decades with Fu Yuanying—isn’t that enough? Might as well leave you with him.”

Xie Yanyan lived up to her name with a naturally gentle and charming disposition, most considerate. Lu Yingshang could hear the jealousy in her words and suddenly became interested again, immediately pouncing forward to play and laugh: “Good! You even dare to be jealous of Yufeng! Let me tickle you to death.”

The two fell laughing onto the bed. Lu Yingshang employed the four-character formula of ‘Clear and Calm Heart Calculation,’ first carefully tickling his wife until her whole body went soft, then assuming a dignified expression and saying solemnly: “Yanyan, Guanzi said: ‘Propriety, righteousness, integrity, shame—the four pillars of the nation.’ As a mother, tell me why our children are causing ‘the four pillars to be unmanifest’? Are we missing something?”

Deli, Deyi, Delian—there was no one after that. Xie Yanyan was both embarrassed and anxious, spitting: “You still dare to say that? Is having children something only I do? How is this my fault?” Thinking of this, Lu Yingshang couldn’t help sighing: “Well said. This is indeed my mistake.” As he spoke, he secretly hid her judge’s brush, then pressed Xie Yanyan under him. Just as he was about to make great amends, his wife’s fragrant lips were already against his ear: “Did you lock the door?”

“Locked! Locked!” Lu Yingshang’s head bobbed like pearls: “All locked up!”

“The children,” Xie Yanyan said with a shy face, whispering gently in his ear: “Are they all asleep?”

“Asleep! Asleep! Sleeping unconscious!” Lu Yingshang snorted through his nose, waving his hands and feet wildly. Then he heard Xie Yanyan say softly: “Then what about that thing you promised last night? Have you taken care of it?”

Lu Yingshang was slightly stunned, not knowing what his wife was asking about. Just as he was about to inquire, he suddenly became alert and hurried to say: “Done! Done! All taken care of!” Xie Yanyan was overjoyed: “Really taken care of?” Lu Yingshang nodded vigorously: “Naturally! When have I ever dared to be careless about things you assign?”

Xie Yanyan exclaimed “Ah!” She couldn’t help but embrace her husband’s neck, tears of joy: “Ruolin, thank you.”

Lu Yingshang made a sound of surprise, not knowing what his wife wanted to thank him for. Anyway, excessive courtesy never hurt anyone, so he said: “Don’t thank me, don’t thank me. This is as it should be.” He lowered the silk curtains and was about to take off his pants and jump into bed when he heard his wife smile and praise: “Ruolin, I knew you love the children. Our Deli has been thinking about it so much—he just wants to practice ‘Sanda’ but the elders always suppress him. Now that you’ve agreed to borrow the ‘Sanda Sword Manual’ for him, he’ll be so happy when he hears.”

The moment ‘Sanda’ was mentioned, with a “dong” sound, Lu Yingshang actually fell and rolled off the bed without needing to be kicked. His wife was stunned for a long moment, then suddenly understood and wailed loudly: “Lu Yingshang, you’re deceiving people again!” The judge’s brush stabbed over again, each move vicious, frightening Lu Yingshang into rolling around frantically.

‘Wisdom Sword Pacifies Eight Directions, Benevolence Sword Shakes Sound and Yang, Courage Sword Cuts Tiangang’—this was Huashan Yuqing’s supreme ultimate learning: ‘Sanda Sword.’ This sword technique’s reputation was too great. For decades, countless disciples had been overly ambitious, hoping to master Sanda and become the next Ning Bufan. Seeing his eldest son Deli idle about every day, he was naturally the most conceited one. Poor Xie Yanyan, having heard too much of her son’s bragging, actually believed it and constantly wanted her husband to persuade the elders to let their son practice Sanda early, lest it delay his becoming ‘number one under heaven.’

What loving mother doesn’t hope her son will become a dragon? Xie Yanyan was especially like this. She traveled with her husband to Kaifeng year-round but left her three sons to be taught by the elders. Mother and sons were apart more than together, so whenever they met, she was always completely indulgent and spoiling beyond reason—even if the little beasts farted, she’d listen to it as heavenly music. But a father knows his children best—how could Lu Yingshang not know how much his son’s brain weighed? Usually he tried every means to evade and delay, but this time his wife had caught him red-handed.

Xie Yanyan was quite beautiful and had a gentle nature, but whoever hindered her son from becoming ‘number one under heaven’ had to be personally annihilated. Poor Lu Yingshang was wildly kicked and beaten by his wife, crying out in misery: “Yanyan, don’t always listen to Deli’s bragging. This Sanda isn’t ordinary martial arts. If one’s natural talent isn’t sufficient, one absolutely can’t learn it. If you try to force growth, you’ll ruin Deli’s entire life!”

“What? You think Deli is stupid?” Xie Yanyan cried loudly: “The child was born from me. If his aptitude is poor, you can’t escape responsibility either!” She forcefully threw the judge’s brush in her hand, and with a light “dong,” it hit the clothes chest in the room.

“Alright, alright!” Lu Yingshang trembled all over and said: “I promise you I’ll definitely let Deli practice Sanda, okay?” Xie Yanyan was overjoyed: “Really? When can he practice?” Lu Yingshang hesitated: “In thirty years.”

Xie Yanyan was shocked: “What? Why thirty years?” Lu Yingshang sighed: “This Sanda sword technique has the character ‘three’ in it, meaning one can only practice it after thirty years. Deli is only twenty now—he can learn when he’s fifty.”

“Nonsense again!” His wife was extremely angry and sad: “Tell me yourself! How old was Su Ying when she started practicing Sanda?”

Lu Yingshang sighed: “Sixteen.” His wife cried: “You finally told the truth! Su Ying could practice the secret manual at sixteen. Our Deli is so grown up now—why won’t you let him practice superior sword techniques? Could it be you look down on your own child?” Speaking of sad matters, she actually stood up, covered her face and sobbed, about to rush out the door.

Lu Yingshang was greatly alarmed. His wife was only wearing undergarments and was improperly dressed. If she rushed out and all the disciples on the mountain saw her, wouldn’t they drool and dance with excitement? He embraced his tender wife and said sadly: “Alright, alright, stop making trouble. Tomorrow I’ll go discuss with Yufeng. As long as he agrees, everything can be negotiated.”

Seeing her husband bring up Fu Yuanying, Xie Yanyan naturally became furious: “Passing the buck again! What if Fu Yuanying doesn’t agree?”

Lu Yingshang laughed bitterly and was about to make a few perfunctory remarks when he suddenly saw murderous intent in his beloved wife’s eyes. His heart turned cold and he said tremblingly: “If he dares say no, I’ll… I’ll…” Xie Yanyan said grimly: “You’ll what?” Lu Yingshang said sternly: “I’ll kill him!” Xie Yanyan sobbed and thanked him with tears: “Husband is so good. Then Deli can start practicing Sanda tomorrow, right?”

Lu Yingshang mumbled: “Of course! Tomorrow I’ll go borrow the sword manual from Ying and definitely let Deli read it to his heart’s content.”

“Really?” Xie Yanyan’s wise eyes filled with tears as she choked: “What about Deyi and Delian? Can they learn too?” Lu Yingshang sighed: “Of course they can. The whole family practicing martial arts together will progress faster.”

With a “whoosh,” Xie Yanyan turned from anger to joy and gave her husband a kiss on the face, smiling charmingly: “This is my good husband. It wasn’t in vain that I bore three precious babies for you back then.” Lu Yingshang thought: “Curse Lu for being blind and marrying this crazy woman.” But he praised aloud: “Lu has a virtuous wife and filial children! If life’s happiness is like this, Heaven treats me well!” He went to untie his wife’s skirt ties, and indeed, the lady was in a good mood now and let him succeed.

Nine out of ten things in the world don’t go as desired. Earlier Lu Yingshang had been in high spirits like a young man in his twenties, but who knew his wife would cry and make trouble, so by dinnertime the dishes had inevitably grown cold. He embraced his wife’s slender waist and whispered in her ear: “Yanyan, you talk about Sanda all day long—do you actually know how the ‘Sanda Sword’ came to Huashan?”

Xie Yanyan made a face and said playfully: “Patriarch Bodhidharma gave it to you.” Seeing his wife’s charming and delighted appearance, Lu Yingshang sighed inwardly: “Yanyan, people are shameless mostly because they’re ignorant. You’re usually so virtuous and beautiful—how could you not even know the origins of the ‘Sanda Sword’?” Xie Yanyan huffed: “I’m not a Huashan disciple. Why should I know?”

Lu Yingshang sighed: “Fine, if you don’t know, you don’t know—that’s nothing. But you’ve been married into Huashan for so many years. You should at least know what kind of sect we are, right?” Xie Yanyan said resentfully: “What kind of sect? Everyone in your Huashan carries swords—isn’t it just a sword sect?” Lu Yingshang shook his head solemnly: “Extremely wrong! Our Huashan Yuqing originally didn’t practice swordsmanship at all but was one of the three Daoist sects—the ‘Alchemy Cauldron Sect.'”

“Alchemy Cauldron Sect?” Xie Yanyan said blankly: “Are you medicine sellers?”

“Correct!” Lu Yingshang slapped his thigh in praise: “Look how smart you are! You guessed right! Our Huashan used to do nothing but love refining immortal pills!” Xie Yanyan was a fool who became happy upon hearing her husband’s praise: “I knew it! Don’t you worship the Supreme Lord in your temple? Of course you love alchemy. Then how did you change to practicing sword techniques?”

Lu Yingshang’s greatest hobby in life was playing teacher. Having finally aroused his wife’s curiosity, he hurried to say: “This is a long story. Come, quickly brew some tea and let’s start with the life story of ‘Tianyin Daoist.'”

“I don’t want to listen.” Xie Yanyan wasn’t a fool and immediately saw through the conspiracy, smiling charmingly: “You always tell lies—not a word can be trusted.” She hooked her husband’s neck and they both rolled onto the bed. As for the story Lu Yingshang wanted to tell, it could only be told to the blanket.

Lu Yingshang had recently been entrusted by the elders to compile Huashan’s history. He knew that though their sect was famous worldwide for swordsmanship, originally it wasn’t a sword sect at all but belonged to one of the three Daoist sects—the ‘Alchemy Cauldron Sect.’ Disciples honored ‘Master Xiyi’ as their patriarch, discussing cultivation and refining spiritual pills just like Daoists everywhere, equally dreaming of ‘transforming into immortals.’

According to Northern Patriarch Ge Hong’s records, there were three shortcuts to becoming immortal: the so-called ‘Heavenly Pill,’ ‘Earthly Pill,’ and ‘Human Pill.’ Legend had it that ‘Heavenly Pills’ were naturally formed from heaven and earth’s spiritual energy, encountered perhaps once in a hundred lifetimes, incredibly mysterious—upon consumption, one immediately became immortal. But these pills could be encountered but not sought. Though ancient books spoke of them with certainty, for thousands of years no one had reportedly seen them, much less eaten them.

While Heavenly Pills were ethereal and elusive, ‘Earthly Pills’ were real. According to the book ‘Baopu Zi,’ these Earthly Pills were spiritual pills refined by Daoists themselves. They believed Heavenly Pills could be transformed from Earthly Pills—by collecting sun essence and moon brilliance and brewing according to ancient Qin and Han recipes, one could extract a true spiritual pill from the alchemy cauldron. Consuming this would allow one to shed mortal flesh and ascend to immortality.

Though the ‘Earthly Pill’ theory was deeply rooted and had many followers, some still didn’t believe. They thought that to achieve immortal fruition, one couldn’t rely solely on swallowing pills and medicines but had to start with physical training. This school of thought was the origin of ‘Human Pills.’ These ‘Human Pills’ were also called ‘Internal Pills’—actually the internal energy that Daoists cultivated through meditation. They believed that only by breathing vital energy and cultivating true essence could one obtain Heavenly Pills—this was the only path to ascending to immortality.

Whether ‘Human Pills’ or ‘Earthly Pills,’ they actually weren’t Daoist immortal arts but martial learning and supernatural powers. Just to determine who was the orthodox immortal tradition, Daoists worldwide denounced each other as heretics and split into two factions: one was the ‘Hidden Immortal Sect’ that specialized in cultivating Human Pills, the other was Huashan’s ‘Alchemy Cauldron Sect’ that specialized in refining ‘Earthly Pills.’ These two sects competed with each other, evenly matched. After hundreds of years, no one had seen the Queen Mother of the West, but there were quite a few martial arts manuals. Take the Hidden Immortal Sect for example—there was the Shenxiao Sect’s ‘True Method of Five Thunders of Tianxin,’ the Northern Sect’s ‘Nine Character True Formula’ and ‘Ageless Art,’ and among them, the most immortal-like in power and most difficult to master was the ‘Pure Yang Skill’ that passed through fourteen generations into Wudang’s hands.

‘Pure Yang Skill’ was called the supreme internal alchemy under heaven, the highest secret treasure of the ‘Hidden Immortal Sect.’ But the scripture was too obscure—practitioners had to thoroughly understand heaven, earth, and the Daoist canon to receive its enlightenment, so very few mastered it. The ‘Alchemy Cauldron Sect’ was no less impressive. Though they found many secret recipes from ancient Qin and Han texts and refined ‘Huashan Golden Pills,’ ‘Dabie Fire Pills,’ ‘Qingcheng Black Pills,’ and others with various miraculous effects, the one most approaching ‘Earthly Pills’ in power was the ‘Yuan Pill’ that had been passed down for a thousand years through seventy-two generations into the Wei family of Jiangnan. Those who consumed it were said to comprehend the heavenly essence, called ‘Yuan Yuan Skill.’

Pure Yang Skill and Yuan Yuan Skill were called the two great immortal martial arts. But both were extremely difficult things. Especially those ‘Yuan Pills’—only three had existed in three thousand years, rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns. Therefore, whenever people from both sects had fortuitous encounters and someone mastered ‘Pure Yang’ or consumed a ‘Yuan Pill,’ they would always proudly celebrate and feast for about a hundred years.

Before Tianyin Daoist’s rise, it was the peak period of the ‘Hidden Immortal Sect.’ At that time, someone from the Northern Sect had mastered ‘Pure Yang Skill’ with impressive momentum that even Shaolin high monks found difficult to match. In contrast, the ‘Alchemy Cauldron Sect’ hadn’t refined a single spiritual pill in a hundred years, making them extremely embarrassed. Therefore, when Tianyin entered the martial world, his first stop was the ‘Huashan Yuqing Temple’ under the ‘Alchemy Cauldron Sect.’

Huashan was listed among the ‘Eight Alchemy Cauldron Sects’ and had already declined by then. Though the temple had one ‘Great Golden Pill,’ unfortunately it was stolen by an unworthy disciple, so everyone on the mountain lived in fear, worried that the ‘Hidden Immortal Sect’ would take advantage of their vulnerability to attack. Because of this, when Tianyin came up the mountain seeking lodging and said he wanted to teach and impart knowledge there, the elders were overjoyed, all thinking a master had come to help with alchemy. Who knew that upon careful inquiry, Tianyin honestly admitted he didn’t take pills or practice internal energy and knew nothing about ‘Human Pills’ or ‘Earthly Pills.’ When the elders asked what he could do, Tianyin took out a peach wood sword from his traveling bag and drew a large circle on the hall floor.

Where Tianyin came from and his origins were untraceable. However, Lu Yingshang had checked the sect’s records, which all said Tianyin took an extremely long time to draw the circle, and what he produced was ‘seemingly round but actually square’ and ‘incomprehensible.’ The elders were bewildered and thought a wandering charlatan who drew talismans and caught ghosts had come, so they gave him a hoe and carrying pole to help fetch water and grow vegetables on the back mountain. Tianyin didn’t complain either—he silently accepted the hoe and built a thatched hut on the back mountain, living a hermit’s life.

True gold fears no fire. Within a year, the ‘Hidden Immortal Sect’ launched a major attack. The elders searched their alchemy cauldrons but found them empty, naturally getting beaten black and blue. Then Tianyin came down carrying a hoe, and from then on, people understood something—it turned out that besides the two great sects of ‘Hidden Immortal’ and ‘Alchemy Cauldron,’ there was a third new path of martial learning.

‘The world’s five great sects: heart, body, energy, technique, momentum.’ Before Tianyin’s rise, the martial world had only external schools and ‘immortal families.’ These people were called ‘immortal’ because they could fly and leap with enormous strength. Often a delicate young girl, after practicing and taking pills, could beat strong men until they begged for mercy, like immortals descending to earth. Therefore, when Tianyin Daoist came out carrying a hoe and claimed to be a ‘Sanda person,’ all the immortal families laughed their bellies off, thinking a madman had arrived.

Before Tianyin, martial arts masters necessarily had traceable appearances. Not to mention external school experts with robust physiques—just looking at these immortal masters, they either had glowing foreheads and radiant eyes or had cloud energy around their feet and fragrant breath. But when Tianyin appeared, his gaze was scattered, his lower body unstable, his eye bags swollen, and his tongue covered with foul coating. This person not only hadn’t practiced martial arts but probably had kidney deficiency, edema, and strange diseases, yet dared challenge immortal masters—this wasn’t just overestimating himself but practically suicide!

Seeing a madman arrive, the immortal families couldn’t help laughing until they were breathless. But after the two sides fought, the immortal families couldn’t laugh anymore, because Tianyin kept beating and beating until he beat them all black and blue and they all fled down Huashan Mountain, thinking they had encountered evil spirits.

Tianyin’s first cry immediately shocked the world. This wasn’t because his martial arts were high, but because his martial arts were too low. His body techniques were like ordinary people’s—he couldn’t run or jump—but somehow his hoe could always hit people, and despite the immortal families’ swift body techniques, they couldn’t dodge. When news spread, it attracted the ‘Hidden Immortal Sect’s’ northern faction’s top master, Weiling Zi, to investigate.

Weiling Zi wasn’t ordinary—he was the sixth-generation inheritor of ‘Pure Yang Skill.’ His internal energy was so strong it shook ancient and modern times, earning him the title ‘Living Immortal.’ He could hold his breath for an entire hour and could injure people with flying flowers and retrieve objects through the air. No one under heaven could match him. Tianyin knew he had encountered a true master and became serious, drawing his peach wood sword for the first time in his life and using ‘Sanda Sword’ to meet the challenge.

This contest was of crucial importance. As the founder of ‘Sanda Sword,’ if Tianyin were defeated by Weiling Zi, Chinese martial arts would enter a dead end, unable to have new developments for a thousand years. Conversely, if he could severely defeat his opponent, the martial world would be greatly enlightened and reach a new realm beyond the immortal families.

“Ah, Ruolin, you stink,” his wife panted delicately, interrupting Lu Yingshang’s thoughts. She pulled open the blanket and sighed: “You didn’t wash your feet just now, did you?”

“I did!” Lu Yingshang’s mind was full of his sect’s history, inevitably making him absent-minded as he muttered: “Didn’t you see me wash them just now?”

“How strange. Then why does the blanket still stink so much?” Xie Yanyan’s breath was like orchids but couldn’t block the foot odor. She hurried to say: “If you don’t believe me, smell for yourself.” Lu Yingshang buried himself in the blanket and sniffed carefully, then suddenly shouted at his own stinking feet: “Tianyin Daoist won!”

“Tianyin Daoist?” Xie Yanyan was completely bewildered: “What did he win?”

Lu Yingshang became energetic, knowing that after earth-shattering news, his wife was finally attracted to the story. He quickly poked his head out from the blanket to explain: “He beat Weiling Zi!” Xie Yanyan said in amazement: “Who is Weiling Zi? Is he the children’s new friend?” Lu Yingshang hurried to say: “No, Weiling Zi was a great master from five hundred years ago who was badly defeated by Tianyin Daoist.” Xie Yanyan said confusedly: “What does this have to do with your stinking feet?” Lu Yingshang said urgently: “The connection is huge! Do you know why Tianyin could defeat Weiling Zi?”

Xie Yanyan muttered: “Did his feet stink too?” Lu Yingshang’s face reddened and he hurried to say: “Stop fooling around. Think carefully—Tianyin Daoist was an ordinary mortal whose sword wasn’t fast and had no internal energy. But Weiling Zi could go up to heaven and down to earth, capable of anything. How could such body techniques lose to an ordinary person? He must have found it very strange himself, right?”

“You’re the strange one.” Xie Yanyan stared with wise eyes, looking blank: “Why keep talking about this? What does this have to do with me?”

Huashan people all had some foolishness. As a ninth-generation disciple, Lu Yingshang also had some talent and hurried to say: “Don’t keep interrupting. Come, let me tell you—I’ve read Northern Sect records that all say during the martial contest Weiling Zi was ‘at a loss and seemed thoughtful,’ meaning he was dumbfounded while fighting. Afterward, when people asked why he lost to Tianyin, Weiling Zi himself couldn’t say. After seven days and nights of hard thinking, he finally found the reason for his defeat. Yanyan, do you know what it was?”

“So stinky.” Xie Yanyan covered her nose: “Go get some perfumed water to sprinkle on the blanket. It’s really too smelly.”

“Okay, okay.” Lu Yingshang reluctantly got up, stretching his right hand to reach for perfumed water: “Let me tell you—later Weiling Zi thought for a very long time and finally realized that he lost to Tianyin not because his martial arts were inferior but because… Aya!”

Lu Yingshang held his stinking foot as his wife picked up the judge’s brush again, crying in pain: “What are you stabbing my foot for?” Xie Yanyan scolded: “What exactly are you rambling about? Usually when asked to manage the children’s affairs, you make all sorts of excuses. But mention your Huashan’s boring affairs from eight hundred years ago and you become obsessed like you’ve been bewitched. Have you been enchanted?”

“Right!” Lu Yingshang gave a thumbs up in praise: “Calling you stupid! You’re not stupid at all! It is enchantment!” He crawled beside his wife to explain carefully: “Let me tell you—Weiling Zi thought for seven days and nights and finally found the reason he lost to Tianyin, because Tianyin Daoist practiced—”

‘Slap!’ Lu Yingshang received a big slap. Xie Yanyan glared fiercely at her husband, then turned toward the wall and went to sleep on her own. Lu Yingshang was startled, only then realizing he had caused trouble. Worried he’d have to sleep on the floor, he quickly embraced his wife and coaxed: “Yanyan, don’t be angry, don’t be angry. It’s all enchantment, all enchantment, all caused by enchantment.” His mouth coaxed while his hands patted, but his heart fell into deep thought again.

It really was enchantment. When Weiling Zi was defeated that year, he could never find the reason. In terms of techniques, he was stronger than Tianyin; in terms of internal energy, he was thousands of times superior to Tianyin. But why couldn’t he win? Getting to the root of it, everything was enchantment.

Besides the Hidden Immortal and Alchemy Cauldron sects, Daoism actually had a third sect that had long declined—the ‘Talisman and Register Sect’ that drew talismans and caught ghosts. This sect specialized in using sorcery to harm people and was the great enemy of immortal families. After repeated deliberation, Weiling Zi told his reasoning to fellow practitioners. When news spread, the world was in uproar—who would have thought the dignified ‘Alchemy Cauldron Sect’ had actually colluded with evil Daoists? So many experts came up the mountain in succession, all questioning why Tianyin secretly learned sorcery. Tianyin laughed until breathless, thinking he had encountered madmen, and threw them all down the mountain one by one.

Tianyin’s martial arts were very strong—so strong that no one could last three moves under his hand. However, though he seemed to keep winning, he was actually losing continuously. The faster he won, the more his martial arts resembled evil sorcery, and he could never clear his name. Thereafter, the world beat drums against him, questioning why Huashan tolerated harboring an evil person. The elders understood Tianyin had become the martial world’s public enemy and could only ask him to leave the mountain. But Tianyin refused to go—who could do anything about him? For decades afterward, he hid on the back mountain until his death, never leaving a single step. But Tianyin never displayed his martial arts again because no one dared fight him. Not only that, he never spoke another word because no one was willing to talk with him.

As the public enemy in everyone’s eyes, only Tianyin knew that taste. He had defeated the entire world yet could only imprison himself in a small thatched hut, unable to find even one person to talk to. Before his death, all his hopes were dashed. Knowing that Sanda would soon be lost, he could only summon a pile of broken paper and, while ill, drew a hundred diagrams, then wailed loudly until he died of exhaustion. These hundred puzzle-like talismans became Huashan’s unsolvable mystery for later generations: the ‘Sanda Sword Manual.’

Tianyin seemed to have never lost, but actually never won either. His swordsmanship surpassed his era and was unprecedented, so he could never find enemies or make friends his entire life. Until he peacefully passed away, he had no successor. A hundred years after his death, people found the sword manual he left behind, but it was too late—Tianyin was dead, and no one in the world could decode Sanda anymore. From then on, these talismans became a poisonous curse, cursing Huashan’s descendants to burn the midnight oil and forget food and sleep. Over hundreds of years, countless disciples went insane from qi deviation.

Thinking of this, Lu Yingshang couldn’t help sighing. What Sanda sword, Sanda people, wise ones, benevolent ones, brave ones—they were all fools. Back then ‘Gu Mengxiang’ was called a once-in-a-century genius, yet was forced into becoming a waste by the ‘Benevolence Sword.’ And look at ‘Ning Wangcai’ with his once-in-a-millennium aptitude—how happy he was as a child, but when he reached the final stage of the ‘Courage Sword,’ didn’t he also tear the sword manual to shreds and wail in agony?

How foolish indeed. Lu Yingshang held his wife and felt relieved. Life was only a hundred years—the most important thing was continuing the family line and having many children and grandchildren. If one could die penniless in a brothel, that would truly be not living in vain. Thinking this, Lu Yingshang took off his pants and pulled at his wife’s skirt. Just as he was about to serve his parents filially, be loyal to the country, and set an example for the people, he suddenly heard faint breathing sounds outside the door, as if someone was peeping. Lu Yingshang was furious and couldn’t help roaring: “Deyi! Peeping at your parents again! Are you really so shameless?”

While scolding, there was no sound of children fleeing outside the door, but an aged cough came instead. Lu Yingshang became even angrier and simply got up to curse: “Master Uncle, Master Elder, you two add up to eight hundred years old—how can your behavior still be so boring! Are you really the Twin Freaks of Huashan?”

“Ruolin, sorry to disturb you.” An aged voice came from outside, identifying himself: “I am Xu Nanxing.” Lu Yingshang exclaimed, only then realizing it was the steward of Ziyun Manor. He quickly put on his pants and said anxiously: “So late and there’s still business? Is the National Uncle looking for me?”

“It’s not the National Uncle looking for you.” Xu Nanxing coughed and said: “The Chief Constable of North Zhili requests your presence.”

It was just past the third watch, yet the Chief Constable had business to discuss. Lu Yingshang was even more puzzled and exchanged glances with his wife before saying: “The Chief Constable is looking for me? Is there some great matter?” Coughing came from outside as Xu Nanxing said: “I’m not clear on the details either. Anyway, the messenger is waiting in the flower hall, saying there’s urgent business requiring an elder from Yuqing Temple. You’d better go out and see.”

Lu Yingshang had been tired all evening and finally had a chance to be tender with his wife—naturally he didn’t want to go out. He hurried to say: “Manager Xu, go find Fifth Master Uncle Zhao instead. I’m not managing temple affairs anymore.” A sigh came from outside as Xu Nanxing said: “He’s asleep and can’t be awakened no matter how much we shout.”

In Yuqing Temple’s seniority ranking, Old Fifth Zhao ranked first. Unfortunately, he was elderly and once asleep, even thunder couldn’t wake him. Lu Yingshang knew this was true and could only frown: “Then go find Yufeng, or go find Ying—either works. Those two are the decision-makers.”

“They’ve gone out!” Hateful pounding sounds came from outside: “Ruolin! Are you coming out or not? Stop dragging your feet!”

Xu Nanxing wasn’t an ordinary steward but a scholar with official credentials. Having managed Ziyun Manor’s affairs for decades, when he scolded people he was naturally quite fierce. Lu Yingshang looked back at the bed and saw his wife with one hand pillowing her head, looking at him, with snow-white legs faintly visible under the blanket—she was waiting for the wanderer to return.

Wolves in front, tigers behind—his wife was charming yet threatening, Xu Nanxing smiled while hiding daggers. Neither was a good person. Poor Lu Yingshang, exhausted from running around, could only embrace his wife’s fragrant shoulders and say gently: “Don’t sleep yet. Let me go deal with him first, then I’ll come back to attend to you.”

They say ‘words reveal the heart’—once this was said, his wife exclaimed in surprise, her angry eyes rolled, and she sat up determinedly. Lu Yingshang realized things were bad and immediately slipped away, urgently opening the door to escape.

Two quarters past midnight, Lu Yingshang looked displeased, only hanging his head and walking quickly. Xu Nanxing, seeing his frowning face, couldn’t help wondering: “Oh my, quarreled with your wife again?”

Lu Yingshang lowered his head, breathing warm air, but his mouth held a bitter smile. Xu Nanxing scolded: “Look at you—you clearly married a good wife who bore you three precious sons, yet you still complain? This is called not knowing happiness when in it.” Lu Yingshang glanced at him sideways, first spitting on the ground: “Mind your own damn business. By the way, did you find Qiong Fang?”

Xu Nanxing rolled his eyes: “Yufeng went out looking but there’s still no news.” Lu Yingshang was about to spit mockingly when hearing this, his heart couldn’t help but tighten: “What’s going on? The Young Mistress is missing again? Did you inform the National Uncle?” Xu Nanxing shook his head: “Better to have one less trouble than one more. The Young Mistress isn’t a child—she can take care of herself.”

Hearing this, Lu Yingshang nodded. Qiong Fang was already grown up—what did being away from home for a few days matter? If they sent news to the National Uncle, it would only cause chaos.

Thinking of the many major events that had occurred in the manor tonight, Lu Yingshang was somewhat worried and asked quietly: “I heard Yufeng say the National Uncle used family discipline on the Young Mistress tonight?”

Xu Nanxing sighed: “Wasn’t it so? Spare the rod, spoil the child—the National Uncle has always believed in this from youth to old age.” Lu Yingshang sighed: “Jade must be carved to become a vessel. No wonder Yu Ying still hates him to this day.”

Xu Nanxing’s face changed and he quickly grabbed his sleeve, saying quietly: “Speak more softly. If the National Uncle heard these words, watch out for your official hat.” Lu Yingshang had followed the National Uncle for many years—how could he not understand the old man’s temperament? Knowing he had misspoken, he shook his head and dared not say more.

In the middle of the third watch, the National Uncle’s mansion was quiet. The two walked toward the front hall, turning past the flower garden when they suddenly saw a place with gates tightly locked but a large incense burner placed in front—it was the Qiong mansion’s family temple. Lu Yingshang looked and suddenly said: “Manager Xu, Young Master Yi’s death anniversary is approaching, isn’t it?” Xu Nanxing glared at him fiercely: “Why bring up that matter for no reason?” Lu Yingshang sighed: “Nothing, I just happened to pass this place and suddenly remembered him.”

Young Master Yi was Qiong Fang’s birth father, “Master Daofu” Qiong Yi. He was Qiong Wuchuan’s eldest son and the true master of “Ziyun Manor.” Back then, Lu Yingshang’s entry into officialdom was personally arranged by him.

Recalling the past, the two actually fell silent together for a long time. It was Xu Nanxing who spoke first: “Ruolin, you had the best relationship with Young Master Yi. Tell me—if he were still alive, would he marry his daughter to Ying?” Lu Yingshang shook his head: “No.” Xu Nanxing’s heart tightened: “Why?”

Lu Yingshang said: “If Young Master Yi were still alive, would he let his daughter dress as a man?”

Hearing this, Xu Nanxing fell silent. Indeed, if their young master were alive, many people’s lives would be different—not just Qiong Fang, Qiong Yu Ying, Qiong Wuchuan, but everyone up and down Huashan Mountain would have their fates changed.

The two walked silently. Lu Yingshang suddenly said: “By the way, how is Yu Ying lately?” Xu Nanxing said resentfully: “If you want to know how she is, won’t you go to the palace and ask yourself? She won’t eat you.” Lu Yingshang smiled bitterly: “Stop trying to harm me. Every time she sees me, she grabs me to ask about Bufan’s whereabouts. You know there was once when His Majesty happened to arrive and scared me so much that—” ‘Slap!’ Lu Yingshang’s old buttocks got a hard smack as Xu Nanxing scolded: “There you go again. Keep your voice down.”

“Damn.” Lu Yingshang kept his mouth shut but used the secret transmission technique to curse back. Xu Nanxing didn’t know martial arts and couldn’t do anything about him, only spitting on the ground to call it even.

The two glared at each other all the way without speaking. Finally reaching the main residence, there was already an official messenger waiting in the hall. This person was about sixty years old, quite elderly, with a bent waist and hunched back—clearly a bitter old man. Seeing Lu Yingshang arrive, he quickly stood and cupped his hands: “Disturbing, disturbing. Our Chief Constable of North Zhili requests your presence. Sorry to interrupt Master Lu’s peaceful sleep—very inconsiderate.”

The weather was severely cold, the wind like knife cuts. Lu Yingshang only wanted to quickly return to his room and embrace his wife—where would he be willing to go out? He said: “Alright, what exactly does your Chief Constable want? Can you explain first?” The old messenger shook his head: “Sorry about that. Our Chief Constable Hong instructed that we must invite several heroes from Huashan. He wants to explain the case details to you all in person.”

“Case details?” Lu Yingshang was slightly startled: “Could it be that our Huashan disciples have caused trouble?” Just as he was worrying that his eldest son Deli had caused trouble outside, the messenger only shook his head: “I’m not clear on this matter either. In any case, our Chief Constable ordered that several heroes must personally make the trip. Please depart quickly.”

Lu Yingshang was full of alarm and suspicion. Despite asking several times, the messenger kept his mouth tightly shut and nothing could be learned. He had to say: “Alright, I’ll accompany you on this trip.” Just as he was about to leave, the messenger said: “Wait, Master Lu. Please bring your sword with you.” Lu Yingshang was even more alarmed: “You want me to bring a sword?” The messenger nodded: “Yes. If you have a sword in your room, please bring one for self-defense.”

Hearing this, even Master Xu was startled and uncertain. He hurriedly rummaged through boxes and chests to find a weapon, whispering: “This is Young Master Yi’s sword from back then. It cuts iron like mud—take it with you.” Lu Yingshang thanked him and accepted it, then put on his coat and departed with the messenger.

If an ordinary person were summoned by the constable in the middle of the night, they might be scared out of their wits. But Lu Yingshang wasn’t ordinary—he was the National Uncle’s confidant, the Commissioner of the Clear Administration Bureau in Kaifeng Prefecture. Having seen great storms and waves, as long as his son hadn’t killed anyone or committed arson, whatever matter arose, he could handle it.

Tonight was truly eventful. He had been busy with wedding invitations all evening and still couldn’t rest. Walking on the road, Lu Yingshang saw layers of snow clouds floating from the far north, carrying hail—perhaps when he woke tomorrow morning, even the river water would be frozen.

The weather was truly cold. Though Lu Yingshang had internal energy protecting his body, his fingers became inevitably stiff when stimulated by the north wind. He lowered his head, breathing warm air, and said: “Elder Brother Messenger, you work so hard. In such bitter cold weather, you still have to brave wind and snow—truly serving country and people.”

The messenger shook his head: “You’re too kind. In chaotic times, just earning a living—what serving country and people?” Hearing this, Lu Yingshang couldn’t help sighing toward heaven: “Well said! Doesn’t life ultimately come down to just ‘earning a living’?”

Time passed swiftly, and the martial world’s disciples aged from their prime. Back then, Lu Yingshang was eight chi and two cun tall with extremely handsome appearance. Together with Fu Yuanying, Gu Mengxiang, and Ning Bufan, he was called one of the “Four Young Masters of Huashan.” Now Ning Bufan had retired, Gu Mengxiang had disappeared without a trace. Of the four young masters, only he and Fu Yuanying remained—past fifty, each married with children, supporting families and earning livings, becoming mediocre common folk.

Back then, Lu Yingshang was also progressive, practicing martial arts day and night, only wanting to achieve “number one under heaven.” Who knew that after a few years he became a habitual whoremonger and gambler. He smiled bitterly and glanced at the messenger. This person had a nine-ring saber at his waist and protruding finger joints, showing considerable martial skill. But strangely, his back was extremely hunched as if bearing a thousand-catty burden. Seeing the messenger’s pitiful appearance, Lu Yingshang felt compassion and hurried to say: “Elder Brother Messenger, how old are you? Why are you still working so hard?”

The messenger sighed: “After the New Year, this humble person will be fifty-five.” Lu Yingshang exclaimed in surprise. Looking at the messenger’s aged and decrepit appearance like an eighty or ninety-year-old sage, he hadn’t expected them to be the same age. He looked carefully at the messenger’s face and couldn’t help being stunned again—though this person was bent and hunched with white hair, his features were actually quite distinguished, naturally suited for officialdom.

Lu Yingshang had lived in the capital in his early years and knew many people. The more he looked, the more familiar this person seemed. He hurried to say: “Esteemed Messenger, may I ask your honored surname and name?” The messenger turned his face away and said quietly: “My humble surname is Gong.”

The moment “Gong” was mentioned, Lu Yingshang immediately exclaimed “Ah!” The foremost person surnamed Gong in today’s court was undoubtedly Gong Zhi, the ‘Seal-Holding Official’ of the Zhengtong Army. This man had early origins in Changzhou and was also from the official world. Thinking about it, eight or nine times out of ten, this messenger must be Gong Zhi’s relative, arranged to work as a messenger in the capital. Knowing the Zhengtong Army were court favorites, he quickly cupped his hands in respect: “My apologies, my apologies. So elder brother’s surname is ‘Gong.’ May I ask how you’re related to Staff Officer Gong of the Zhengtong Army?”

“Brother Ruolin flatters me.” The messenger sighed: “This humble person merely shares the same surname as Master Secretary Gong—how dare I claim high connections?”

The two characters “Ruolin” made Lu Yingshang even more surprised—he hadn’t expected the other party to know his courtesy name. He repeatedly examined the other’s features, thinking of all the people surnamed Gong he knew in his lifetime. Suddenly he exclaimed and hurried to say: “Wait! Elder brother, did you once serve in the palace?” The messenger didn’t want to answer, only turning his face away—now he didn’t even want to show his face.

Lu Yingshang wouldn’t let him off, turning to face the messenger and examining him carefully. Then suddenly he clapped his hands in great joy: “I remember now! Your honor is the ‘Fourth-Rank Imperial Guard Commander with Sword,’ ‘Commander of the Golden Guard Front Guard,’ Master Gong Zhengyi! Right?”

Hearing this long string of official titles, the messenger hung his head very low, as if full of bitterness with no words to respond. Lu Yingshang was elated—this Gong Zhengyi had impressive reputation. During the Jingtai era, he had commanded the imperial city alongside ‘Li Yangying’ and ‘Qin Zhonghai,’ together called the four fierce generals of the Imperial Guard. How was he ordinary? Delighted to encounter an old acquaintance, he asked: “Commander Gong, weren’t you the Golden Guard Commander before? When did you change to working as a messenger?”

Just as he was about to inquire about the inside story, he suddenly saw Gong Zhengyi wipe his face as two lines of old tears rolled back and forth, on the verge of weeping. Lu Yingshang was startled and quickly put away his casual talk, saying quietly: “Master Gong, I heard that when you served in the palace, by some misfortune you were falsely accused by Consort Li of being the capital’s number one man, and later His Majesty transferred you to guard the city gates. Is this true?” Gong Zhengyi’s heart ached, and he waved his hand weakly. Lu Yingshang became even more curious and pressed: “Commander Gong, I heard that when you were guarding the city gates, you chased Consort Li everywhere, then were demoted twenty-eight ranks—unprecedented before or since. Is this rumor true?”

“Surnamed Lu! Are you done or not!” Gong Zhengyi was furious, immediately gripping his nine-ring saber and raging: “We’re all people earning a living—what’s your intention in mocking me like this?” Lu Yingshang hurriedly waved his hands: “No intention, no intention. Master Commander, don’t be angry. We’re just chatting casually.”

Hearing the word “Commander” repeatedly, Gong Zhengyi became even sadder. He heavily returned the nine-ring saber to its sheath and was about to shed old tears when suddenly “rumbling” sounds arose as a cloud of dust swept from behind. Someone raised their voice and roared: “Make way! Make way!”

Fast horses were coming from behind and could injure pedestrians at any moment. Lu Yingshang was startled and quickly stepped aside to let them pass.

Lu Yingshang had excellent eyesight. Though it was only an instant, he saw the rider wore a golden token at his waist and was fully armed—it was Jinyiwei cavalry galloping past. His heart was startled and he hurried to say: “In the middle of the night, why are Jinyiwei people still busy?”

Gong Zhengyi sighed: “Not just Jinyiwei is busy—the entire capital hasn’t slept yet.” Lu Yingshang’s heart tightened and he hurried to gaze into the distance. Only then did he notice that at the end of the road, large groups of messengers were passing by. Their attire varied—some were constables from the Banner Guard, others were clerks from the Censorate and Court of Judicial Review. He exclaimed: “These are people from the Three Judicial Offices. Commander Gong, what exactly has happened? Can you tell me now?”

Gong Zhengyi sighed: “This humble person cannot bear the title ‘Commander.’ In any case, Master Lu, if you want to know the details, please come with this lowly official.”

Though Gong Zhengyi was no longer as brave as in his prime, his behavior still contained official dignity. Lu Yingshang repeatedly acknowledged and followed along.

The capital’s security was divided at Yongding Gate—inside the city was under Banner Guard jurisdiction, while outside was coordinated by North Zhili’s ‘Criminal Investigation Commission,’ which managed security for the entire province with one Chief Constable and several constables under it. This Gong Zhengyi was one of those messengers. As for the ‘Three Judicial Offices’ seen earlier, they referred to the Ministry of Justice, Censorate, and Court of Judicial Review. Seeing tonight’s court elites fully deployed, even ‘Jinyiwei’ personnel mobilized, they were probably pursuing some major criminal.

The two walked one after the other, slowly arriving at Dongzhi Gate Street. Gong Zhengyi stopped and pointed to an official building ahead, bowing: “Master Lu, please enter.” Lu Yingshang looked up and saw the building was splendid and magnificent, not the shabby broken offices of the Investigation Commission. He couldn’t help being shocked: “Ministry of War! We’re not going to the Investigation Commission? How did we get here?”

Just as he was about to inquire about the inside story, he suddenly heard a stern roar from the distance: “Gong Zhengyi!” Lu Yingshang quickly turned around and saw a young man standing at the street corner, wearing constable clothing, about twenty years old—roughly the same age as his eldest son Deli. He heard him roar: “Old Gong! Just asking you to invite someone over—why so slow? Come here!”

In the angry roar, Gong Zhengyi was frightened into trembling all over and hurried to say: “Master Lu, I still have business to attend to. Please go in yourself.” He walked to the street side and bowed to the young constable. That constable was truly fierce—clearly just a young fellow, yet he cursed at the old man. Who knew what heavenly law Old Gong had violated this time—hopefully he wouldn’t be demoted again.

If a messenger were demoted one more rank, he’d have to sweep streets. After sweeping streets, he could still carry night soil. Lu Yingshang stood stunned, feeling the impermanence of life, when suddenly footsteps sounded behind him: “Ruolin, you were invited too?” This voice sounded familiar. Lu Yingshang quickly turned to look and saw four men approaching. The front one was a messenger, while the three behind carried staffs and wore Ziyun Manor instructor clothing—the ‘Three Staff Heroes of Kongtong’ had arrived.

These Three Staff Heroes were Kongtong elders—one surnamed Li, one Liu, one Wang. Because their staff techniques were divine and miraculous, they usually called themselves ‘Li the Bachelor,’ ‘Liu the Scoundrel,’ and ‘Wang the Divine Staff,’ each with different specialties according to their preferences.

Seeing companions arrive, Lu Yingshang couldn’t help breathing a sigh of relief: “You’re here too? Were you also invited by the North Zhili office?” The Three Staff Heroes were puzzled: “What North Zhili? Messengers from the Court of Judicial Review invited us over.” Lu Yingshang was surprised: “Court of Judicial Review?” Li the Bachelor said: “Yes, we three brothers were drinking and sitting by the fire when two Court of Judicial Review messengers came, saying the court had urgent business requiring consultation with Kongtong elders, and forcibly invited us over.”

Lu Yingshang was even more puzzled, not knowing what great matter the court had that required gathering elders from both Huashan and Kongtong sects in the middle of the night. Could some criminal case have occurred? Just as he was suspicious, he suddenly remembered his son Deli, who had recently reached puberty and had been unsuccessfully pursuing the young Kongtong heroine Huang Qiaoyun. In an instant, Lu Yingshang felt cold all over and couldn’t help crying out “Ah!” in alarm.

The Three Staff Heroes were surprised: “What’s wrong? Is there some matter?” Lu Yingshang’s head ached terribly as he said coldly: “Nothing, nothing. I’m just a bit dizzy.” Failing to teach one’s son was the father’s fault. His eldest son Lu Deli was hot-blooded, always blushing and looking around, setting bad examples for his younger brothers. Thinking of Huang Qiaoyun’s lively and cheerful nature with considerable beauty, yet not knowing to guard against men—if his son impulsively violated her, what could be done?

These Three Staff Heroes were Kongtong elders who usually loved Huang Qiaoyun most. If they discovered their niece had been brutally violated, it would definitely be a scene of “chaos of staffs beating the heartless lover.” Then the heartless lover might be fine, but they couldn’t guarantee not beating the heartless lover’s father to death. Lu Yingshang felt cold all over, his head aching unbearably. Just as he was breathing rapidly, a palm suddenly landed on his back with warm words: “Ruolin, you came too?”

The newcomer’s footsteps were so light as to be soundless. Lu Yingshang was greatly startled and quickly turned around. Behind him was a person with otherworldly bearing and immortal demeanor—a Daoist had arrived. Lu Yingshang focused his gaze and immediately exclaimed, bowing deeply to the ground: “Not knowing that Master Yuanyi, Headmaster of Wudang Mountain, had graced us with his presence, this humble one failed to welcome you from afar. My sin is great indeed.”

The newcomer wore thin Daoist robes with hands tucked in sleeves—it was indeed the current Wudang Headmaster Yuanyi Daoist personally arriving. Seeing Lu Yingshang’s extremely respectful etiquette, he immediately laughed heartily: “Ruolin, you’re being too formal! What headmaster and sect leader? We’ve had decades of friendship—why so distant?” He took Lu Yingshang’s hand and smiled: “Let’s go inside to talk. It’s cold out here.”

As they spoke, several more Daoists approached from behind—all Wudang disciples, each carrying night-traveling sabers and pressure point hooks, fully armed in tight clothing. Lu Yingshang’s heart tightened as he hurried to look at Yuanyi’s waist and indeed saw a three-chi blue blade—one of the famous ‘Three Swords of Wudang’: the “Taiyi Dust Whisk Sword.”

Yuanyi’s skill was pure and refined. Over ten years ago, he was already one of the top masters in Zhenwu Temple. After Headmaster Yuanqing passed away, he had begun practicing the sect’s supreme divine skill ‘Taihe Skill,’ becoming one of the leaders of the world’s orthodox path. But seeing someone of such high status bringing swords out tonight, there must be great matters afoot.

Lu Yingshang became even more worried and quickly grabbed Yuanyi, whispering in his ear: “Daoist Master, what exactly has happened? Have you heard anything?” Yuanyi laughed: “You’re an official and you’re asking me? Shouldn’t you be managing affairs in this government office?”

There were countless government offices in the world—Lu Yingshang wasn’t the emperor, so how could he know everything? He smiled bitterly several times, his head aching to death, as Yuanyi pulled him into the government office.

Arriving at the Ministry of War’s front hall, Lu Yingshang couldn’t help being shocked again. The government office was packed with people—monks, Daoists, swordsmen, and heroes. Emei’s Headmaster Yan Song had arrived, Dian Cang’s Headmaster Hai Chuanzi had arrived, Hubei’s Ruan family’s Ruan Yuanzhen had arrived. All around, voices clamored as if it were a martial arts gathering.

It was midnight—should have been prime time for dreaming of Duke Zhou. Yet the masters were stuck here enduring the cold wind. Looking around at those making the best of bad situations—some gambling with dice, some playing cards, others drinking from gourds—everything was available. But looking at everyone’s resentful expressions and continuous yawning, they had all apparently been forcibly dug out of warm beds. Who knew whether it was that ‘Chief Constable Hong’ or which government office that had summoned them? In any case, if the court didn’t provide an explanation soon, with emotions running high, they might overturn the public hall.

Everyone was extremely bored, each passing time in their own way. The messengers were busy non-stop, carrying large teapots back and forth to serve tea to the guests. Though they appeared respectful, they still received many cold stares. Yuanyi called over a messenger and said: “This messenger brother, what exactly has happened here? Could you tell us first?” The messenger smiled apologetically: “Daoist Master, don’t be anxious. Not everyone has arrived yet. Once everyone is here, our Chief Constable Hong will personally report to you in the hall.”

“Waiting for people to arrive?” The Three Staff Heroes exchanged glances in surprise: “Who else are you waiting for?” The messenger hurried to say: “Chief Constable Hong instructed us to be sure to invite Masters Lingyin, Lingxuan, and Lingru from Shaolin Temple. Please be patient, heroes.” He took hot tea for Lu Yingshang and others, serving them one by one.

Shaolin Temple was the Mount Tai and Big Dipper of the martial world, with disciples spread across the five lakes and four seas and extremely formidable strength. Though Yuanyi was Wudang’s headmaster, his influence couldn’t compare to theirs. After the messenger walked away, he pulled Lu Yingshang over and whispered: “Who is this Chief Constable Hong?”

Lu Yingshang pondered: “This person seems to be called ‘Hong Mingchong.’ He used to work in Changzhou—I’m not very familiar with him.”

Lu Yingshang knew many faces in the court, from National Uncles and chief ministers above to clerks and petty officials below—most were acquainted with him. If even he didn’t recognize this ‘Chief Constable Hong,’ this person must be someone obscure and unknown.

Yuanyi said: “Well, since we’re here, let’s make ourselves comfortable and sit down to rest.” He picked up his teacup and found a place to sit in the hall, while the other Wudang disciples came behind him and stood according to seniority.

People came and went in the Ministry of War offices. The messengers moved about with grave expressions as if something major had happened, but when questioned, each claimed ignorance. Lu Yingshang became increasingly alarmed, fearing his son had committed serious crimes—not only violating the young heroine Huang but having other major cases as well. Due to the father-son bond, he became restless and walked around the office looking for acquaintances to inquire.

Lu Yingshang was Commissioner of the Clear Administration Bureau in Kaifeng Prefecture. Due to his duties, he had visited the Ministry of War several times and recognized many clerks inside. Avoiding the martial world figures, he was about to head toward the inner hall when he suddenly saw a geographical map hanging high on the eastern wall. It was enormous, eight chi long and wide. His heart tightened and he quickly stopped to look carefully—the map extended from Tongguan in the west to the Grand Canal in the east. It was clearly a ‘Capital Defense Map.’

This being the Ministry of War offices, having a ‘Capital Defense Map’ hanging on the wall wasn’t strange. But somehow that geographical map was covered with tiny red dots scattered from Tongguan eastward, becoming denser the closer to Hebei, until reaching the southwest of the capital where they formed a large red stain like festering blood, shocking to behold.

Lu Yingshang was completely bewildered. He walked a few steps closer to the map to examine that blood-red mark and saw two small characters written beside it: “Bazhou.”

“Bazhou?” Lu Yingshang muttered to himself, feeling this name was familiar as if he’d heard it somewhere, but couldn’t remember for the moment. Just as he was puzzled, footsteps sounded behind him and someone shouted: “Ruolin! So you’re here!”

Lu Yingshang was an old hand in the martial world and would encounter familiar faces wherever he went. He turned to look—this time it was Dian Cang’s Headmaster Hai Chuanzi. He had brought two junior brothers—one was Yu Chuanzi, the other looked unfamiliar, seemingly called Hei Chuanzi. As Lu Yingshang was looking, Hai Chuanzi suddenly stepped forward and whispered in his ear: “Ruolin, have you heard about that matter?”

Lu Yingshang was terrified. Looking at the two characters ‘Bazhou’ on the map while his mind filled with images of his eldest son violating women, with all sorrows converging, his body couldn’t help trembling slightly as he said coldly: “Has my son been arrested for misconduct?”

“Your son?” Hai Chuanzi was puzzled: “What good deed has your son done now?” Lu Yingshang breathed a sigh of relief, knowing the matter probably had nothing to do with his son. He hurried to say: “Nothing, nothing. Brother Daoist, what great matter do you have? Please speak.” Hai Chuanzi was naturally cautious, looking left and right before lowering his voice: “Let me tell you—His Majesty will summon the eight princes tomorrow night. Did you know?”

Hearing “princes,” Lu Yingshang’s head couldn’t quite turn around and he said blankly: “Princes? What princes?”

Hai Chuanzi chuckled, and before he could scold, Yu Chuanzi and Hei Chuanzi were already laughing: “Your Huashan even took the ‘Prince of Sichuan’s heir’ as a disciple, yet your information is so poor? We’re talking about the eight princes of the ‘Crown Prince Selection Case’!”

The three words ‘Crown Prince Selection Case’ made Lu Yingshang’s eyes immediately widen in shock: “What? His Majesty is going to summon the eight princes? How so soon?”

Yu Chuanzi laughed: “Yes, Minister He said the same thing. Tonight we were drinking at his mansion when he accidentally let slip that His Majesty, tired of being pressed by the ministers, has agreed to summon the eight princes tomorrow night to examine their character and aptitude.” Hai Chuanzi couldn’t help adding: “Besides character and aptitude, there’s also learning and martial arts. I heard His Majesty loves watching people compete. If the old man gets excited, he might have the eight princes compete on the spot—that would be quite spectacular.”

Thinking of that ‘little persimmon,’ Lu Yingshang’s temples visibly twitched with pain until he couldn’t speak.

This year, due to the ‘Crown Prince Selection Case,’ undercurrents surged throughout the court. Everyone invited martial arts masters to help. Yuqing Temple, due to the National Uncle’s influence, had taken ‘Prince of Sichuan’s heir’ Zhu Zaizhi as a disciple. But this child had extremely poor aptitude and stubborn nature, impossible to teach. Now he hadn’t even learned a single sword move. If tomorrow Emperor Zhengtong got excited and wanted him to demonstrate some skills, what could be done?

Hai Chuanzi saw him trembling all over and whispered: “Ruolin, you’d better prepare quickly too. I heard this time ‘Prince Xu’ found Shaolin monks to assist, and ‘Prince Hui’ also has Emei Mountain’s White Eyebrow Elder Bai Yuntian supporting him. But who you should be most careful of is Prince Feng’s heir Zaihuai.” Hearing this, Lu Yingshang couldn’t help exclaiming: “Zaihuai? Is his martial arts very strong?”

Hai Chuanzi sighed: “I saw with my own eyes the day before yesterday—this child has already mastered the ‘Pine Crane Heart Scripture.’ Do you think he’s strong or not?”

“Right!” Lu Yingshang opened his mouth and said coldly: “How could I forget? Elder Daoist Yuanyi is Prince Feng’s confidant!”

Though Wudang was also a major martial arts household in the past, during the Jingtai era it was implicated for some reason and suffered ostracism from fellow practitioners for thirty years, nearly facing extinction. Finally, when dynasties changed, this ‘Prince Feng’s heir’ Zaihuai joined Wudang and became Yuanyi’s disciple. How could all of Wudang not fight desperately for their disciple? If this child truly had the mandate of heaven and one day ascended to the throne, remembering his teacher’s kindness, then Patriarch Zhang Sanfeng would receive the title ‘Manifestation True Person,’ and wouldn’t Daoist Master Yuanyi naturally become the highest alliance leader of the current world’s martial arts?

Thinking of Prince Hui’s great power and Prince Tang’s wealth—these two were already certain to win. Who knew that halfway through, a ‘Prince Feng’ would emerge, finding Wudang’s headmaster as an accomplice? Lu Yingshang knew his responsibility was heavy and his face had already turned pale. Hai Chuanzi knew his concerns and hurried to say: “Ruolin, don’t be afraid. The National Uncle has always treated me well—this time Dian Cang will definitely support you Huashan.” He took out a medicine packet, looked left and right, and said quietly: “This medicine is very effective. After eating it, even the intestines will be expelled. Find a way to sneak into Prince Feng’s mansion and cook Zaihuai a bowl of yuanxiao.”

While they were still discussing, they suddenly heard a cough beside them: “Brother Daoist Hai Chuan, Brother Ruolin, what are you chatting about? May this poor Daoist listen?” The two turned to look and couldn’t help being startled—a bull-nose Daoist was standing beside them. It was Yuanyi.

This Yuanyi had keen hearing. The moment his name was mentioned, he had already silently appeared like a ghost. Lu Yingshang still held the laxative in his hand, not knowing where to hide it, and could only smile bitterly. Hai Chuanzi reacted quickly and hurried to say: “Daoist Master, where did you go? I was looking for you everywhere! Come, come, let me tell you—His Majesty is summoning the eight royal heirs tomorrow night! Have you heard?”

“What?” Yuanyi was greatly shocked upon hearing this: “The eight royal heirs are going to have an audience? Why wasn’t this poor Daoist informed?” Once these words were spoken, those standing nearby all stopped talking and turned around. For a moment, everyone was whispering and inquiring about inside information, with three words constantly on everyone’s lips: ‘Crown Prince Selection Case.’

The martial world was like this—talk of chivalry and righteousness was all empty. The real business was still the grand theme of ‘loyalty to sovereign and service to country.’ Lu Yingshang smiled bitterly, thinking of ‘little persimmon’ Zaizhi’s stupidity and playfulness, while others’ Zaihuai was diligent and self-motivated, mastering divine skills at such a young age. If the two unfortunately came to blows, wouldn’t little persimmon be beaten flying into the sky and become a rotten persimmon? Then the prince would cry publicly, His Majesty would laugh heartily, Huashan would lose all face, and even the National Uncle’s great political plans might go down the drain. When that time came, Lu Yingshang, bearing supervisory responsibility, wouldn’t he have to hang himself?

Thinking of this, Lu Yingshang’s heart couldn’t help sinking. Yuanyi saw his concerns and hurried to say: “Ruolin, rest assured. Let them establish their crown prince while we walk our own martial path. You and I are like idle clouds and wild cranes—whoever becomes emperor is the same to us.” He gently stroked Lu Yingshang’s back, slowly sending a stream of pure internal energy to help dispel the cold.

Tonight’s weather was severely cold. Though charcoal fires had been lit inside the building, it was still icy all around. Lu Yingshang received the other’s internal energy and felt Yuanyi’s ‘Taihe Skill’ was truly pure and thick. With just a slight circulation, warmth penetrated directly to his five organs and six viscera—indescribably comfortable.

Martial artists in the world most emphasized conserving qi, yet Yuanyi did the opposite, not cherishing his own internal energy at all, only helping Lu Yingshang dispel cold and add warmth—truly extremely generous. Lu Yingshang was moved to tears and was enjoying this when suddenly someone said in alarm: “Daoist Master Yuanyi is so foolish! This Huashan sect is clearly his formidable enemy in the ‘Crown Prince Selection Case’—why is he still helping the enemy dispel cold?”

Hearing these words, Lu Yingshang couldn’t help exclaiming “Eh!” He glanced sideways and saw the speaker was surnamed ‘Chen,’ one of the ‘Three Heroes of Hankou,’ who usually kept close ties with the Wudang sect. It was truly suspicious—this person had barely finished speaking when someone immediately stepped up beside him and sighed: “This shows different bearings! Daoist Master Yuanyi treats friends with righteousness and enemies with magnanimity—even small matters reveal this.”

“Admirable! Admirable!” The Three Heroes of Hankou all appeared, cupping hands and shouting: “Such a heroic figure as Daoist Master Yuanyi—do we have a chance to befriend him?” The previous speaker said: “Amitabha! I heard Daoist Master Yuanyi is hosting a banquet at ‘Tianxi Restaurant’ tomorrow noon. Friends wanting to meet him can go there for a drink.”

“Definitely!” The Three Heroes of Hankou showed great spirit, shouting in unison: “Based on your words alone, we’ll definitely attend!” As soon as they finished speaking, all around became clamorous: “Good! I want to go drink too!” “Who can tell me how to get to Tianxi Restaurant?” “Tianxi Restaurant is across from Yihua Courtyard—don’t you know?”

Amid earnest inquiries, several Wudang disciples emerged from the crowd, distributing invitations everywhere. The signatory was naturally ‘Prince Feng.’ Lu Yingshang felt irritated and thought: “You bull-nose! I thought you were a good person! Isn’t this too underhanded?”

Why couldn’t this Yuanyi help people dispel cold and heal injuries at any other time, but chose to do it in public? Sure enough, guests all around received invitations, and their conversations all revolved around Prince Feng and his son—either praising how righteous the Prince was or commending how wise the heir was, as if this father and son had already gained universal support and were about to enter the Eastern Palace as rulers.

Among the current ninth-generation Huashan disciples, Fu Yuanying had the strongest martial arts while Lu Yingshang had the deepest schemes. Who would have thought he’d stumble on such a trivial matter? The more he thought about it, the more unpleasant it became. He wanted to leave, but Yuanyi still wouldn’t let up, continuing to advise: “Ruolin, your health is important. I see you have a cold and headache—recover from your illness early. Don’t be too polite.”

Lu Yingshang was secretly annoyed but smiled: “Daoist Master is too kind. This humble one isn’t ill, but your wealth-sickness is getting worse. Come, come, let this official treat you.” He silently circulated Huashan mental techniques and reflected the ‘Taihe Skill’s’ internal energy back.

Both were old hands in the martial world—how could they not know each other’s intentions? For Yuanyi, using the subtle and profound ‘Taihe Skill’ was meant to pressure Lu Yingshang into backing down and advising him not to interfere with the ‘Crown Prince Selection Case.’ But Lu Yingshang had the National Uncle supporting him and was a Huashan elder—how could he retreat without reason? He immediately circulated his divine skill, first to show he would never give up, and second to test the opponent’s depth of power so that when Su Ying encountered this person in the future, she wouldn’t be helpless.

Both men were Daoist practitioners of qi cultivation. This contest of internal breath produced hot air that made the room warm as spring. Guests all around saw them competing and stopped to watch, all wanting to know who was stronger to avoid choosing the wrong side in the future.

In nearly fifty years, there had been two major political changes—first was the Wu Ying-Jingtai struggle, second was Emperor Zhengtong’s restoration. Both caused earth-shaking upheavals and widespread implication. Seeing the third round of competition beginning, guests all around spread the word, even bringing elderly and children. Everyone debated loudly—some praising how renowned ‘Prince Feng’ was, others saying how formidable ‘National Uncle Qiong’ was. Everyone expressed their views, and many argued until their faces were red, seeming ready to fight.

Everyone had been summoned by messengers in the middle of the night, originally cold, tired, and drowsy. But now the scene became quite lively. Seeing the two great sects of Huashan and Wudang each supporting their masters, Dian Cang sect became fence-sitters, led by Hai Chuanzi to observe which way the wind blew. Looking at the ‘Three Staff Heroes of Kongtong’ shouting excitedly and actually fighting with the ‘Three Heroes of Hankou’—regardless of which side won, Kongtong disciples would only be qualified to carry foot-washing water. What were they getting so worked up about?

Several hundred pairs of eyes in the hall watched Yuanyi and Lu Yingshang. Knowing the responsibility was heavy, neither dared be careless, each circulating their power fully. But the two sides’ cultivation depths were still different. Yuanyi’s ‘Taihe Skill’ was truly impressive—gentle but not fierce, mighty but not violent. For an entire tea period, his internal energy remained endless. Lu Yingshang didn’t dare challenge his edge, only turning to defense, enduring and adapting, hoping to muddle through.

Huashan martial learning’s ‘Clear and Calm Heart Calculation’ internal skill was called ‘practicing boxing in emptiness,’ specializing in seeking strength from powerlessness, action from inaction—in summary, one word: ‘muddle.’ One muddle could counter ten thousand moves, one muddle could reach heaven and earth’s end. No matter how the opponent provoked, holding up a ‘no battle’ sign high, never deploying until the opponent starved to death. Unfortunately, Wudang skills were also like gentle flowing water, best at prolonged battles. Once both sides competed with internal energy, it was like cotton hitting pillows—one soft, one muddled, with no victory in sight for a long time.

The two sides competed for a long time. Though Lu Yingshang mainly used muddling, he still worried about making mistakes. He thought: “This old thief Yuanyi’s martial arts are unfathomably deep. Tonight isn’t suitable for hard fighting. My junior brother Yufeng’s power exceeds mine a hundredfold—let him get revenge another day.” Thinking of the principle of quitting while ahead, Lu Yingshang put on a smiling face and prepared some diplomatic words, just about to smooth things over when suddenly a domineering internal force pressed down, forcing his whole body to shake violently as he retreated three steps.

All the guests were greatly shocked and turned to look urgently. Before them appeared a bright red official robe embroidered with fierce lions, but they couldn’t see the face.

Just as they were puzzled, a burly old man bent down and laughed: “Younger Brother Ruolin, Brother Daoist Yuanyi, seeing you two so intimate, this old man couldn’t help joining in. Don’t take offense, you two.”

An eighty-year-old man, two zhang tall like a Vajra guardian—Lu Yingshang’s heart suddenly understood. He realized it was ‘Old Divine Saber’ Song Gongmai who had arrived.

This Song Gongmai was worthy of being one of the ‘Four Great Families of Fuyuan’—old but still strong. This time, seeing the hunt, he became excited and shook Lu Yingshang back three steps. His power was undiminished from his prime. Looking at Yuanyi’s side, his body only swayed slightly, but his feet didn’t move a single step. He slightly bowed in salute: “Master Song, your vigor increases with age, your energy still surpassing the past. This truly shames us younger generations.”

Song Gongmai laughed heartily: “Brother Yuanyi, why be polite? Now that you have ‘Taihe Skill’ protecting you, this old man can no longer defeat you!” He waved toward his back: “Old Gao! Several old brothers are all here—you come join the fun too.”

Inseparable like Jiao and Meng—’Shandong Song Divine Saber’ arrived first, ‘Huaixi Gao Tianjiang’ followed immediately. Seeing a short figure approaching with sinister laughter, followed by several scoundrels, Yuanyi and others knew trouble was coming. They cupped their hands and turned to flee, but poor Lu Yingshang’s head was still aching and he couldn’t escape in time, getting caught red-handed.

“What are you doing? What are you doing?” Gao Tianwei cursed angrily: “Why does everyone flee in panic the moment they see me coming?”

Martial world people most emphasized seniority. Song Gongmai had lived and learned to old age—the higher his seniority, the greater his moral prestige. Gao Tianwei was exactly the opposite—the older he got, the worse his relationships became. He still brought several disciples along—Gao Tianye, Gao Tiancheng, and other martial world scum. Which guest wouldn’t avoid them like the plague? Lu Yingshang knew he had encountered demons and could only say coldly: “Senior, long time no see.”

“Long time no see?” Gao Tianwei immediately cursed upon hearing this opening: “Then why did you turn and run? Don’t tell me you look down on me?” Gao Tianye immediately chimed in: “Stinking brat! For no reason, why do you look down on people? Lu Yingshang, explain yourself clearly!” Before his words ended, Gao Tiancheng also started shouting: “Everyone come judge! The Huashan sect is bullying people with their influence!”

The three sang in harmony, and in the blink of an eye, a large group of busybodies surrounded them. Lu Yingshang was caught between laughter and tears: “Seniors are joking. This junior, seeing you distinguished ones arrive from afar, would be too busy welcoming you respectfully to turn and avoid you.” As he spoke, he suddenly showed joy on his face, waving toward the distant crowd and shouting: “Old Zhang! You came too! Wait for me! I’m coming over!”

The moment “Old Zhang” was mentioned, forty or fifty people all turned around—tall, short, fat, thin, truly strange and diverse beyond imagination. Lu Yingshang didn’t care who it was and was about to rush over randomly when Gao Tianwei grabbed his belt and sneered: “None of that! Stand properly for me.” He gave two sinister laughs then suddenly roared: “Speak! Where’s your little Yanyan? Why didn’t she come with you?”

Lu Yingshang’s wife was surnamed Xie with the pet name ‘Yanyan.’ When they held their wedding banquet years ago, they had also invited Gao Tianwei and received ten taels of silver as gift money. Now hearing him suddenly inquire about his wife, Lu Yingshang couldn’t help but feel his hair stand on end, saying tremblingly: “It’s already late, my wife… my wife has already washed and gone to bed. How could she come out and show her face at this time?”

“Gone to bed?” Gao Tianwei frowned: “What’s this? How is it that little Yanyan has been lying down every day since marrying you? Could it be you’ve been beating her?” Hearing that Xie Yanyan was supposedly dying, guests all around couldn’t help exclaiming and turning their heads with shocked gazes.

The most despised people in the martial world were those who beat wives and abused children. These people were mice when out, tigers at home—everyone in the martial world looked down on them. Lu Yingshang was tongue-tied, never expecting that with one careless moment in this contest, he’d become martial world scum. His anger surged as he said loudly: “Senior! Don’t speak recklessly! This junior usually cherishes and protects my wife greatly—I wouldn’t even dare speak loudly to her, when would I ever use fists and feet?”

Hearing his excited defense, Gao Tianwei believed him and stroked his beard: “This is also true. Others have the husband leading and wife following, but you have wife leading and husband following. With your martial arts, you indeed wouldn’t dare hit her.”

Hearing this, Gao Tiancheng and Gao Tianle immediately burst into laughter: “What a useless coward!”

The second most despised people in the martial world were henpecked husbands. These people were tigers when out, mice at home, often bullying fellow practitioners while relying on their wives’ family influence. Seeing guests whispering and discussing the different hardness and softness of rice, Lu Yingshang naturally looked mournful. The Three Staff Heroes showed compassionate faces, hiding in the distance and shaking their heads. But Gao Tianwei hadn’t had enough fun yet and curiously asked: “Brother Ruolin, it’s widely rumored in the martial world that little Yanyan’s martial arts far exceed yours. Don’t know if this is true or false—tell us about it.”

Seeing Gao Tianwei’s sinister intentions, if Lu Yingshang honestly admitted his martial arts were inferior to his wife’s, he’d cement his reputation as a kept man. But if he loudly refuted it, Gao Tianwei would definitely make a big issue of it, painting him as a violent brute who beat wives and abused children. Poor him, caught between a rock and a hard place, could only weigh the two options and choose the lighter one, sighing: “Reporting to Senior, my wife comes from a famous Guangdong family and her martial arts indeed exceed this junior’s by much.”

“Ha ha ha ha!” The Gao family disciples beat their chests and stamped the ground laughing: “Master Lu, remember to bring your wife when fighting!”

Everyone’s hearts tightened, but Lu Yingshang didn’t get angry. He only lowered his head and sighed: “Everyone speaks correctly. When this humble one was young and arranged martial contests with others, my wife was always worried and insisted on standing guard for me. Unfortunately, after bearing three children in succession, her true essence was greatly damaged. In recent years, to support her husband and teach children, she didn’t hesitate to set aside all her martial skills. Her martial arts actually became far inferior to this junior’s. Whenever I see her judge’s brushes, my heart can’t help but ache…” His eyes reddened with moisture as he couldn’t help saying: “Yanyan… what I owe you truly can’t be counted…”

Hearing his deep marital affection, the guests naturally respected him. Seeing Gao Tianye and Gao Tiancheng still mocking, they all glared angrily and said sternly: “Martial world scum! You people are exactly like this!” Gao Tianye and Gao Tiancheng were startled, never expecting to provoke public anger, and didn’t dare make a sound.

Lu Yingshang’s official career had been soaring in recent years, relying on his sharp tongue. Usually dealing with countless difficult official documents, how could he fear a small fry like Gao Tianwei? He secretly laughed: “Shorty Gao forgot that Lu comes from officialdom? If you want to find fault with me, practice for another ten years.”

Gao Tianwei had been waiting to exploit any opening, but unexpectedly this speech had no flaws, leaving him speechless. He could only sigh: “What a pity for little Yanyan—washing hands to make soup. Your Lu family gained a housewife, but the martial world lost a heroine.”

Lu Yingshang smiled slightly: “Senior’s words are incorrect. The martial world lost one heroine, but gained three young heroes. This isn’t a l—” The word “loss” had just emerged when he suddenly became alarmed, realizing he’d misspoken. As expected, Gao Tianwei was delighted: “Right! How could I forget? You and little Yanyan had three precious babies in succession. Are you planning to add another?”

“Senior jests!” Lu Yingshang broke out in cold sweat, smiling apologetically: “Our three little devils are so mischievous they’ve already exhausted us husband and wife. Where would we have energy to have a fourth?”

“Heh heh!” Gao Tianwei was pleased, immediately squinting his old eyes with laughter: “Things don’t go past three!” He didn’t forget to pat Lu Yingshang’s shoulder comfortingly: “No problem—continue owing what you owe.”

Guests nearby who didn’t understand came to inquire. The Gao family disciples, hearing the four words “propriety, righteousness, integrity, shame,” suddenly understood.

All around was quietly silent when suddenly someone burst out laughing with a “puff.” Instantly one told ten, ten told a hundred, and within moments the entire Ministry of War was roaring with laughter, the roof seeming ready to be overturned.

When Lu Yingshang was newly married, he had a son in one try. Greatly encouraged, he named his eldest son Deli and his second son Deyi, hoping that in the future the four Lu brothers could protect home and country and become famous worldwide. Who would have thought that after his wife hit the jackpot three times, she couldn’t give birth anymore? From then on, the nickname “things don’t go past three” stuck to Lu Yingshang’s head, and he couldn’t overturn it to this day.

“Propriety, righteousness, integrity, shame—the four pillars of the nation.” Seeing guests all laughing crookedly and discussing the principle of “four pillars not manifest,” Lu Yingshang was both embarrassed and angry, wishing he could find a hole to crawl into. He secretly fumed: “Shorty Gao, Lu has no past grievances or recent enmity with you—why must you embarrass me publicly?” His face remained expressionless as he only gripped Gao Tianwei’s hand: “Senior, hearing your kind intentions, this humble one truly doesn’t know how to express thanks.”

Gao Tianwei was overjoyed, thinking this person was a natural coward. Just as he was about to add some unpleasant words, his palm suddenly hurt severely—true energy had invaded his meridians, instantly disrupting his breathing. The opponent was actually attacking with all his life’s power.

Gao Tianwei was irritated: “Fine, Lu Yingshang! Just saying a few jokes to you and you’re getting serious?”

Gao Tianwei, being a martial arts master, naturally had extraordinary power. He immediately breathed deeply, a thick yellow qi flashing across his face as a neighboring internal energy counterattacked. Gao Tianye, Gao Tiancheng and others, seeing this, couldn’t help sneering secretly: “Lu Yingshang, you won’t take the path to heaven, but you barge into hell! You’ll suffer soon.”

Lu Yingshang had offended the star of misfortune tonight. All the guests, fearing the world wasn’t chaotic enough, gathered to watch and cheer loudly.

This internal energy seemed like an intangible substance but was actually the supernatural ability of meridian and blood circulation. It was divided into dynamic and static schools, practicing through four methods of sitting, lying, walking, and standing. Among them, Huaixi’s Gao Tianjiang specialized in dynamic practice—disciples trained their five bodies from outside to inside, swallowing and exhaling vital energy, also called hard qi skill. Though this method was clumsy and laborious, the internal energy practiced this way was far more solid than ordinary sects. Especially Gao Tianwei, nearly eighty years old and twenty-some years older than Lu Yingshang—though his qi and blood had declined, his internal energy was only doubly deeper. If Master Ruolin wanted to compete in internal energy with him, he would inevitably be asking for trouble.

Both sides extended palms and gripped hands—Huashan’s ninth-generation disciple versus Huaixi Gao Tianjiang’s senior. Each relied on their internal foundation to resist. Lu Yingshang circulated internal breath, and upon contact with the opponent’s power, felt Gao Tianwei’s internal vital energy was extremely abundant and even extremely fierce. In comparison, his own internal energy was like flying flowers and cotton fluff—empty and loose. Upon contact with the opponent’s power, it was like mud cows entering the sea, instantly counterattacked.

Seeing Lu Yingshang’s power was mediocre, Gao Tianwei secretly laughed: “This fellow is Ning Bufan’s senior brother with empty reputation but pitiful ability. If I can greatly humiliate him tonight, it would be a sensation in the martial world.”

They say “people respect the rich, dogs bite the broken.” Since Ning Bufan’s retirement, Huashan disciples had become like rats crossing the street. Whether Fu Yuanying, Su Ying, or Lu Yingshang, everyone shouted to beat them. Thinking of Ning Bufan’s lifetime reputation, Gao Tianwei’s heart heated up, wanting to greatly humiliate Lu Yingshang even more. He immediately gathered his dantian energy and released internal power, wanting to force this Huashan disciple to kneel and beg for mercy.

With a “crack,” something seemed to break. Gao Tianwei was overjoyed, knowing Lu Yingshang couldn’t support himself and his foot bones had probably shattered. Just as he was waiting for the opponent to cry and surrender, he heard observing guests loudly exclaim: “What powerful Iron Foot Skill!”

Hearing this, Gao Tianwei couldn’t help being slightly stunned. He turned his gaze and saw the green bricks under Lu Yingshang’s feet had become powder—the crisp sound just now had come from here. Gao Tianwei became suspicious. Lu Yingshang was using all his power, even exerting his milk-feeding strength—where would he have spare energy to step on floor tiles? Wanting to investigate the truth, he took a deep breath and fiercely pressed his internal vital energy over.

Another crisp “crack”—something else broke, and all around erupted in even louder cheers echoing through the great hall. Gao Tianwei blinked and quickly looked down at Lu Yingshang’s feet. This glance made him half-cold with shock—Lu Yingshang seemed to weigh a thousand catties, the floor under his feet had actually sunk more than half a chi, and the aftershocks had caused surrounding bricks and stones to crack.

Gao Tianwei was completely horrified: “Borrowing and redirecting force? This… isn’t this Wudang Mountain’s skill? When did he learn it too?”

Each sect under heaven had its strengths, but only the Wudang lineage was good at borrowing force and transmitting energy. This Lu Yingshang was clearly a Huashan disciple—how could he use Wudang’s exclusive skill? Full of alarm and suspicion, he quickly examined the opponent’s posture and only then noticed Lu Yingshang’s body leaning forward, his right palm diagonally interlocked with his own—wasn’t that exactly like an “arch bridge”?

“It’s over…” Gao Tianwei was half-frozen with shock, thinking: “This kid is cheating again…”

When martial arts masters competed in strength, the key to victory actually wasn’t whether the force was large or small, but whether the direction of force was correct. If the direction was right, a single piece of wood could support a great mansion; if wrong, even a thatched hut could break the main beam. The subtlety lay in the calculation of receiving and directing force. If calculated to the utmost precision, there would no longer be need for support under the pen stand—instead, it could use emptiness to support emptiness, becoming an “arch bridge.” This method of calculating enemy moves and center of gravity was listed in the first ten pages of the “Sanda Sword Manual,” called “Crossing Seven Bridges.”

Huashan masters had different temperaments. Fu Yuanying was refined and cultured, Su Ying was mature beyond her years—both belonged to the gentleman class and hadn’t thought that “Crossing Seven Bridges” could be used outside sword moves. But Lu Yingshang was a natural old fox who, having nothing to do in daily life, had long studied the various strange applications of “Sanda.” Sure enough, at this moment he applied the principle of “crossing bridges” to internal energy competition and immediately gained great advantage. No matter how much force Gao Tianwei exerted, it was all deflected cleanly.

Earlier when Yuanyi competed with Lu Yingshang in internal energy, first the other party stopped at the right moment without killing intent, and second, the opponent was a gentleman, so it wasn’t good to use tricks and cheat—they competed with real skill. But Gao Tianwei was a shameless villain—why be polite with him? For a moment, he used every evil and unorthodox method.

Gao Tianwei was both shocked and angry, knowing he’d been tricked. He frequently shook his body, hoping to shake off the opponent’s palm. But Lu Yingshang was extremely cunning—when Gao Tianwei went left, he went right; when Gao Tianwei went right, he went left. For a moment he clung desperately, his feet not forgetting to show off deliberately, actually stomping the ground until stone fragments flew—quite spectacular.

Using others’ “Iron Foot Skill” and “Thousand Catty Drop” without paying himself, the guests watching loudly cheered: “Huashan Yuqing! Number one under heaven! Huashan Yuqing! Number one under heaven!” With praise all around, Lu Yingshang became even more elated, not forgetting to put on the appearance of a “Living Immortal” with a mysteriously solemn face.

Gao Tianwei was both hateful and angry, thinking: “Stinking brat, you’re ruthless.” He knew his internal energy consumption was considerable—continuing would only be worse. He slowly withdrew his power and stopped his force, hoping the opponent would respect the elderly and let him off.

Lu Yingshang squinted and smiled, then suddenly his eyes blazed with anger. True qi surged forth as internal energy attacked like overturning mountains and seas. Gao Tianwei, struck by this internal force, almost knelt down. He cried out in misery and could only again gather his dantian and push out internal energy. But Lu Yingshang was extremely treacherous—seeing this old thief fighting desperately, he again assumed a turtle-shrinking posture, deflecting all his internal energy to the ground.

Gao Tianwei cried out miserably—for a moment he couldn’t attack or defend, only letting internal energy pour out, his heart inevitably filled with grief and resentment: “Lu Yingshang! Gao is over eighty years old with no grievance or enmity with you—why must you harm me like this?”

The two most exhausting things in the world were practicing internal energy and spending life savings—both were gradual streams. Gao Tianwei had saved frugally for sixty years, finally accumulating his coffin money, but Lu Yingshang forcibly poured it into a cesspit—how could the old man not be heartbroken?

Guests came and went all around, messengers were also busy inside and out. Everyone came to Gao Tianwei’s side, seeing his extremely painful state, and couldn’t help looking several times. Turning to look at Lu Yingshang’s side, he was completely at ease, smiling at everyone—his martial arts were unknown thousands of times stronger than Gao Tianwei’s. Kindhearted guests came forward to advise: “Ruolin, this old man is short and pitiful—how can you bear to bully him like this?”

Hearing this, Gao Tianwei was truly furious, anger rising from his heart: “You fucking bastard! Gao has been arrogant all his life—do you really think I’m made of paper? Today, even if I waste all my power, I’ll make you pay!” Instantly, regardless of everything, he pushed with both palms, releasing all his life’s accumulated internal energy at once, preferring to have his meridians rupture and become a cripple rather than let Lu Yingshang die on the spot.

Seeing Gao Tianwei become desperate with shame and actually not caring about his life, though Lu Yingshang’s “arch bridge” could deflect force, it couldn’t bear an entire Mount Tai. The Three Staff Heroes were greatly alarmed and each extended a palm to Lu Yingshang’s back, hoping to share some of the force. Gao Tiancheng and Gao Tianye raged: “What are you doing? Want to bully with numbers?” Also fearing their sect master would suffer, they quickly extended palms to assist Gao Tianwei.

Seven great masters in the field circulated qi and breathed—here Lu Yingshang had the Three Staff Heroes assisting, four people united; there Gao Tianwei had two junior brothers helping, three people forming a tiger. Seven people breathed deeply—some had robes swelling with energy, others had fierce killing intent flashing across their faces, each relying on lifelong power to duel. Hai Chuanzi was alarmed: “Master Song! Come quickly! Someone wants mutual destruction!”

Song Gongmai had been exchanging pleasantries with guests. How could he expect that Gao Tianwei and Lu Yingshang’s casual family talk would actually lead to mortal combat? He hurried over, wanting to use “Divine Saber Energy” to separate both sides. But both sides were contemporary elites—seven people simultaneously exerting power. Unless it was Wu Dingyuan’s True Dragon Body or Ning Bufan’s Supreme Sword, who could shock both sides’ masters in one move?

The moment of mutual destruction arrived. Just as the seven were about to be severely injured, a hand suddenly reached across, precisely separating both sides. With a light “hiss,” both sides’ true force seemed to hit a high wall. Then the boiling water-like internal energy rebounded. The Three Staff Heroes staggered back more than ten steps, while Gao Tianye and Gao Tiancheng groaned and fell to the ground. Only Lu Yingshang and Gao Tianwei remained barely standing in the entire field, but under this true force’s impact, their chests also had qi and blood churning, unable to calm down for a long time.

This internal energy was unprecedented—its power was like the sun rising in the east, illuminating the earth. Ordinary internal energy, upon contact with it, all melted away like spring snow. Even with Gao Tianwei’s deep power and Lu Yingshang’s clever breathing techniques, they were still difficult to resist. Lu Yingshang was both terrified and shocked: “What… what kind of skill is this?”

“Wudang…” Footsteps sounded as someone said quietly: “Pure Yang Skill.”