This was a very special day. Su Ying had already fought the Mobei Grandmaster to a draw, but who would have thought that on the same day, the Huashan young hero would also witness the heaven beyond heaven. That “person above people” had reached the ultimate realm of martial arts, breaking through mysterious barriers with unimaginable ability. That martial prowess shocked Su Ying. If Juan’er hadn’t arrived in time, no one knew how the victory or defeat would have ended.

Since beginning sword practice, he had never suffered even the slightest external injury. Now his forehead had split open with a wound over an inch long, and his lips were also swollen and damaged. This was the first time in his life being injured by someone, the first time having bandages wrapped – everything was a first…

For Qiong Fang, this was also a very rare day – the first time in her life being despised, being harshly lectured. Recalling Song Gongmai’s expression when speaking, Qiong Fang felt anger in her heart.

Returning to Purple Cloud Pavilion, everyone from Huashan settled down to rest. Su Ying and Qiong Fang warmed a pot of tea and sat facing each other in stunned silence.

What exactly was the black-clothed man’s background? Despite all the speculation, no one could say for certain. Currently, flag-bearing guards and constables were making a great show of searching everywhere for the suspect. Cabinet Minister He had also sent people to express concern, but everyone’s words were empty promises without substance. Even Song Gongmai couldn’t shoulder this heavy burden – who else dared rashly interfere? Hu Zhengtang remained bewildered and foolish. The Imperial Physicians, perhaps deliberately evading responsibility or perhaps lacking in ability, claimed they were helpless. The foolish child remained foolish, the frightened bird remained frightened. It seemed the Hu family, old and young, could only seek their own fortune.

A crushing defeat… The black-clothed man had awed the capital with his martial prowess and intimidated Central Plains veterans with his mysterious identity, forcing various martial world masters to remain silent as cicadas in winter. But the black-clothed man hadn’t anticipated one thing – his domineering behavior had angered Qiong Fang. This young lady might not be able to accomplish things alone, but once she encountered her beloved, things would be different.

In this sorrowful world, Qiong Fang had suffered some setbacks, but these setbacks weren’t strong enough to make her fearful or hesitant. On the contrary, the more the black-clothed man threatened the Hu family, the more it would make her grow stronger, like a small seed that, with her beloved’s care and support, could sprout and grow into the brilliant flowers and fruits of courage.

Qiong Fang possessed passion and confidence. No matter what divine being that black-clothed man was, she didn’t care. This wasn’t just for Hu Zhilian, but for herself. She wanted to tell those villains that the human world wasn’t hell, that living beings shouldn’t shed tears, that life should be a paradise of joy filled with passion and endless laughter. Saving the Hu family’s child was just the first thing she wanted to do. No matter how difficult things became, she would find them sweet as honey.

“Brother, let’s go outside for a walk.”

Qiong Fang looked up at her support and tightly embraced Su Ying. The lovers held hands and walked together into the frost and snow-filled courtyard.

The snow had stopped. By the sky’s light, they could see snow piled a foot deep outside, with tree branches silvery white. In the deep night with no one around, the two walked slowly, closely nestled together. Qiong Fang silently watched her beloved and suddenly said: “As long as you’re here, I dare do anything.”

Su Ying sighed softly. He gazed at the starry sky, letting snowflakes fall into his palm. Qiong Fang saw he was somewhat melancholy – could it be that Song Gongmai had intimidated him? Her large eyes rolled, and seeing the thick snow on the ground, she clapped her hands: “Alright! Let’s not worry about these troublesome matters first! Let’s build a snowman!” Without waiting for Su Ying to speak, she gathered thick white snow to pile in front of her, quickly building a snow fort.

Qiong Fang suddenly said: “Do you remember? When was the last time we built snowmen together?”

Su Ying didn’t reply, but his heart was full of shallow ripples.

In those years when heavy snow fell on Huashan, Su Ying, the young sect leader, couldn’t master his sword techniques. In his frustration with no other entertainment, he ran into the back mountains to escape and built snowman after snowman. Who would have thought that in the deep night, by pure coincidence, he would encounter another troubled, crying girl also moodily piling up snowmen there – it was this pretty young lady before him, disguised as a man.

These two were childhood sweethearts – one a genius swordsman, one the Jade Snow Pavilion Master, truly heaven-made golden boy and jade girl. Under the starry sky, the two smiled at each other, bringing poetic charm to Purple Cloud Pavilion’s back courtyard. Qiong Fang carried white snow over, laughing: “Your turn to build.”

Su Ying reached out to take it, remaining silent as he only gazed at Qiong Fang. He saw her smile with hands on her hips: “What’s wrong? Don’t know how to build anymore?” Su Ying laughed heartily, suddenly feeling childlike again. The two of them, one adding a pile here, the other bringing a handful there, built the snow fort higher and higher. Before long, they had built a snowman.

Su Ying picked up a dead branch and stuck it in the snowman’s head as a nose. His left arm around his beloved, his right hand pointing at the snowman jokingly: “Look at this snowman’s angry expression – so fierce! Don’t you think it looks like Zhe’er Dan?” Qiong Fang made an “oh” sound: “I think it looks foolishly dumb, quite like Song Tongming.” She took a pebble and stuffed it in the snowman’s mouth: “Eat garlic.”

The two looked at each other, remembering Young Master Song’s fierce appearance with wine in one hand and garlic in the other, and couldn’t help bursting into laughter.

With their great work complete, the two faced each other intimately, their hearts full of tender feelings. They leaned their heads close and gently kissed each other’s lips. Seeing Su Ying’s lips still swollen, Qiong Fang took a handkerchief, wrapped it around white snow, and applied it as a cold compress to reduce his swelling.

Qiong Fang smiled: “Brother, are you afraid?” Su Ying smiled slightly: “Afraid of what? Afraid of you?”

Qiong Fang heard him playing dumb and immediately became unwilling. She removed her net scarf and shook it vigorously, her beautiful hair flowing as she said: “Brother, back when I changed into men’s clothing, I made a vow in my heart – if I ever suffered injustice, I would definitely strike back.” She gazed at Su Ying and said lightly: “You should know this.”

Su Ying embraced her slender waist and said gently: “Thinking of your father again?”

Qiong Fang remained silent, only digging black earth from the snow and mud to draw eyebrows and make a mouth for the snowman. In moments, the snowman had thick, downward-curved eyebrows and smiled cheerfully like a Maitreya Buddha. Su Ying said quietly: “Sister Fang, grandfather is old. No matter how many miraculous elixirs exist, they can’t make him young again. Now many things depend on you. You must learn to yield. Understand?”

Before he finished speaking, Qiong Fang loudly said: “I don’t want to!” Seeing Su Ying’s face tremble, she quickly lay against his back, her hair scattered on her beloved’s body, saying quietly: “I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to be fierce with you. It’s just that I feel… we can’t let these villains continue being arrogant. Don’t you think so…”

Su Ying lowered his head and smiled but didn’t respond. He picked up pine cones from the ground to play with. After a long while, he finally spoke: “Sister Fang, there’s something I’ve never told you.” Su Ying usually smiled confidently, rarely showing a troubled expression. Qiong Fang suddenly saw this hesitant appearance and naturally felt alarmed. Wanting to change the subject, she tickled his armpit teasingly: “Hiding things from me? Are you involved with some other girl and lying to deceive me?”

Su Ying caught her hand and sighed slightly: “Sister Fang, I miss master very much.”

Qiong Fang’s heart jumped, and she quickly sat up properly, not daring to fool around anymore. Su Ying took over as sect leader at sixteen and had been self-taught in martial arts since then. Though Ning Bufan was his master, their time together as master and disciple was only a few winters and summers – quite brief. Qiong Fang had been with him for many years and naturally knew these details. She made an “mm” sound, embraced Su Ying’s arm, and gently kissed his face: “Master Ning was the world’s number one master with 800 consecutive victories. If he were still here, you wouldn’t have to work so hard.”

Su Ying’s face showed yearning as he sighed: “Isn’t that so? Master defeated everyone under heaven without a single loss in his life… What kind of heroic spirit was that…” He tossed the pine cone, staring blankly: “Back then when he dueled the Sword God, they questioned each other about the true essence of swordsmanship. That Sword God said ‘The divine sword is like me, I am the Sword God’ – so domineering it shocked the entire hall of guests. But our master honestly and plainly replied with eight characters…”

Qiong Fang interrupted. She took the pine cone, peeled several pine nuts for Su Ying, and fed them to his mouth, smiling: “You’ve said this several times already. He said ‘I am the sword, the sword is me.’ It scared the Sword God’s face blue…”

Su Ying said quietly: “The Sword God’s face was already blue – it wasn’t from being scared by anyone.” Qiong Fang knew her beloved was thinking of worthies and smiling: “Don’t mention these past events. You’re still so young – someday you’ll also be number one under heaven.”

Su Ying smiled bitterly. He raised his eyes to gaze at the night sky, his expression becoming serious. He said quietly: “Sister Fang, as a swordsman, everyone has their own sword. Master had one, the Sword God had one too. Everyone must understand what their sword is and why they practice swordsmanship. This is a swordsman’s first barrier and also the final barrier.” He touched his long sword mournfully: “If you can’t cross this barrier, forget about being number one under heaven – you probably can’t even continue practicing the sword.”

Qiong Fang saw his melancholy expression and felt worried: “Did Master Ning tell you the answer?”

Su Ying shook his head: “Everyone’s sword is different. Even the closest master and disciple can’t substitute for each other. This answer can only be found by oneself.” He picked up another pine cone and gently tossed it, sighing: “I’ve been practicing sword for twelve years now, thinking day and night – what is my sword? Why do I practice swordsmanship? Several times I thought I’d found the answer, but every time in the dead of night when I felt lonely, I knew I was wrong. Because I still can’t answer that question…”

Qiong Fang gently asked: “What question?”

The Huashan Sect Leader held his long sword in both hands, embracing it as he questioned himself: “Su Ying, why do you practice the sword? Do you really enjoy practicing swordsmanship? Certainly winning feels good, but the path of practice is so difficult to endure, not to mention when you lose. With such hard suffering, what are you seeking? After you die, what do you hope to leave behind?”

Qiong Fang knew her beloved’s sword mastery was extremely high – if he could cross this barrier, he would surely enter the supreme realm. She immediately said gently: “Don’t force it. Many things, if you think slowly, will eventually come together.”

Su Ying seemed oblivious. Gripping his sword hilt, he stared blankly: “Sometimes when tired and wanting to give up, I suddenly look back and realize with shock that I already have no way out… I don’t know when the sword became my everything, forcing me to practice it, forcing me to worship it…” As he spoke, tears filled his eyes. His large, spirited eyes instantly dimmed, becoming dark and lifeless. He turned to Qiong Fang and said quietly: “I’ve always had a feeling that master chose the wrong successor.”

Qiong Fang exclaimed in alarm: “Don’t think wildly! Hero Ning was the world’s number one master – his judgment couldn’t be wrong.”

Su Ying didn’t argue, only stared blankly. After a long while, he suddenly said: “Sister Fang, have you ever seen my master?”

Ning Bufan’s last public appearance was at the Sword Retirement Assembly. Qiong Fang was only in her twenties this year and was just a small child then, naturally having no opportunity to attend. She shook her head: “I was not fortunate enough to meet him. Otherwise, if this venerable master could have given me some guidance, it would have been infinitely beneficial… Alas, I hate only that I was too young to stand shoulder to shoulder with heroes…”

She rambled on for a long while, but heard Su Ying chuckle softly and interrupt: “Then you’re mistaken. If you really wanted to become a swordsman, you shouldn’t have known master.”

Qiong Fang didn’t understand his meaning and stood with her cherry lips slightly parted, unable to respond.

Su Ying smiled faintly and put down his long sword: “To live in the same era as Ning Bufan – that’s a great misfortune.”

Qiong Fang was somewhat surprised, murmuring: “You… what do you mean by this…”

Su Ying sighed: “For example, my Uncle Fu’s swordsmanship is high – he’s truly a first-class master. Unfortunately, he was born in the wrong era. Just think – before my master, even the Sword God was just mediocre, let alone my Uncle Fu? Uncle spent his whole life painstakingly practicing swordsmanship to extremely profound levels, but with Ning Bufan in the world, who still cared about a Fu Yuanying? In the end, he could only fade into obscurity, coming to Beijing to work for your grandfather… Every time I see him, I feel very sad…”

Yuqing Temple produced many heroes. Zhao Laowu and the Huashan Twin Freaks belonged to the previous generation of disciples. The younger generation had eighteen martial brothers. Though the sect had many members, Ning Bufan’s martial arts were unparalleled under heaven, and the other disciples couldn’t compare. Following Huashan’s ancestral rules, after completing their training, the brothers could only leave the main sect. Fu Yuanying was one of them. Only after the previous sect leader retired and the great elders were summoned back to the mountain did Fu Yuanying return with his family from thousands of miles away, assisting Su Ying for several years. Though Qiong Fang was familiar with these matters, she had never imagined that the gentle and refined Uncle Fu harbored such heartache.

Su Ying sighed and slowly stood up, walking into the courtyard. His left hand held the sword, his right gripped the hilt. With a ringing sound, the blade left its sheath, facing the infinite stars. He gazed at his long sword resolutely: “Sister Fang, everyone has their own sword, and I’m the same. If I can’t find my own path, I’ll be nothing – not even a shadow.”

Snowflakes covered the ground, starlight filled the sky, accompanying Huashan’s tenth-generation sect leader. He raised both hands high, the sword hilt against his forehead, holding the sword like holding incense. Qiong Fang cried out softly, her heart pounding involuntarily. She understood her beloved was about to use that sword technique – the supreme ultimate move called the pinnacle of martial arts.

Three-Reach Sword’s second form: “Benevolent Sword’s Resonating Song.” Known as the previous dynasty’s greatest martial art, the martial barrier that no one had surpassed to this day.

Under his beloved’s gaze, the genius swordsman executed his ultimate technique. The blade spun like a disk, the sticky energy in his palm crucial to success or failure. His qi couldn’t be excessive, his strength couldn’t be weak – he had to comprehend the character “benevolence” to achieve perfect harmony.

The blade spun incredibly fast yet made no sound of cutting through air. The cold wind of the twelfth month blew, snowflakes gradually fell, gently landing on the benevolent sword’s light disk.

With a sharp whooshing sound breaking the air, the courtyard produced a surprised gasp. Thud! The flying long sword pierced dead wood, startling the squirrels resting in the tree hollow. This sword strike was too forceful – the sword hilt still trembled continuously.

This wasn’t a move that conquered through kingly virtue, so it also wasn’t the world’s greatest defensive move…

The tenth-generation sect leader collapsed in shock, staring blankly at the starry sky.

This wasn’t the Benevolent Sword, so he had completely and utterly lost to the black-clothed man – a crushing defeat.

Qiong Fang had never seen her beloved so dejected. Feeling pity, she said quietly: “Let’s go back to our room.” Hearing the gentle call and with Qiong Fang’s support and comfort, Su Ying was forced to stand. His steps were slow, his left hand resting on his beloved’s shoulder. Qiong Fang kissed him and let Su Ying lean against her embrace.

Su Ying smiled bitterly. After just a few steps, his throat was already slightly gasping.

That sound wasn’t like sighing or sobbing, but rather like… like…

Ugh! A mouthful of fresh blood sprayed directly out – that was the sound of vomiting blood!

Amid Qiong Fang’s screams, Su Ying’s knees could no longer support his body’s weight. With a thud, he had already collapsed to his knees.

The tightly wound string had finally snapped. Eleven years of arduous destiny, endlessly protecting the undefeated reputation of “Number One Under Heaven” – that burden heavier than his age had finally crushed the youth’s shoulders…

From age sixteen, he had shouldered Huashan’s gates. Losing his master, the youth alone led his fellow disciples through chaotic times, waiting in wave after wave of storms for the day he could break free from his cocoon. Now he had finally been defeated.

Fresh blood flowed from his throat, speechless murmuring. The lantern’s dim light cast Su Ying’s body on the ground as a silent black shadow.

The shadow wasn’t a true genius, nor “Number One Under Heaven.” After the first defeat came the second, the third… Once the long winning streak was broken, would he lose continuously from now on, collapsing like a landslide in defeat…

Face touching dust, the black shadow merged with its owner, becoming an unmoving, humble stone. Qiong Fang watched her beloved collapsed and unable to rise, covering her face with both hands and bursting into tears.

Fu Yuanying carried Su Ying back and had him lie in bed to recover. Though Qiong Fang had also been busy all night, she still forced herself to stay alert. Holding cotton, she sat by the bed and said tenderly: “Ying, come apply medicine first.” The room door was closed, the night deep and quiet with no one else to disturb – only at this time could pain be stopped and injuries healed. But Su Ying said not a word. Hearing the call, he only faced the screen wall without turning around.

Qiong Fang called several more times, but each call went unanswered. She bit her lower lip tightly, staring blankly at Su Ying’s back. She didn’t know what to do – she had never seen her beloved like this. He was originally composed and magnanimous, confident and optimistic, but now he had become so dejected and pained that he wouldn’t even speak to her…

Qiong Fang put down the cotton, her eyes suddenly moist. This moment reminded her of grandfather.

When father was critically ill, grandfather had sat just like this. He faced away from her, motionless, like a sitting corpse. With sad past events repeating, Qiong Fang was like her helpless self from twenty years ago, only able to shed silent tears.

Huashan disciples surrounded the sickbed. Seeing Qiong Fang’s tearful face, Suanpan Guai loudly shouted: “Disciple grandson! Miss Qiong is talking to you – what’s this dead appearance? Facing the wall in reflection?” He raised his foot to kick the bed, but everyone quickly pulled him away.

Feicheng Guai didn’t know what strange illness he had contracted and quickly advised: “Sect Leader disciple grandson, don’t worry! Look at that Zhe’er Dan beaten gray-faced, what Song Tongming, Zong Zesi Ba – all useless with one strike. Only you alone held the final pass. Hey! Who’s the real winner of Champion Star Battles Five Passes will be clear to everyone in the future.” Suanpan Guai laughed heartily and shouted: “Number One Under Heaven! Just these four words!”

Suanpan Guai usually spoke without restraint, but this time he wasn’t talking nonsense. The black-clothed man was invincible with extraordinarily heavy strikes. Whether Zhe’er Dan, Song Tongming, or Yu Chuanzi, Zong Zesi Ba – masters from both Han and Mongol nations either suffered dislocations or palm strikes, all ending in heavy injuries and crushing defeats. Only Su Ying held the final gate, repelled the black-clothed man, and protected Hu Zhilian’s beloved son Zhengtang. Such achievements should certainly be greatly proclaimed.

“Everyone out!” Hearing these words, all the disciples were stunned. Looking back, they saw Fu Yuanying with a somber gaze, pointing toward the door and saying quietly: “You go out first. Let the sect leader be alone for a while.” Chen Defu, always capable, immediately came forward to speak quietly with the two grand-uncles, leading the two elders away.

The disciples left one by one. Fu Yuanying saw Qiong Fang still remaining in the room. He sighed: “Miss, you must also go out.” Qiong Fang said frantically: “Why… why?” Fu Yuanying’s eyes reddened slightly as he said quietly: “Because he is a swordsman.”

“Swordsman?” Qiong Fang’s tears flowed as she suddenly sobbed: “I don’t care about any sword!” The young lady’s figure threw herself onto the bed, tightly embracing her inner support, crying sadly: “Ying! Look at me and talk to me! You can’t fall down! You can’t!”

On the day father died, Qiong Fang had offered up her daughter’s skirts. She replaced father as Purple Master, from then on shouldering grandfather’s expectations for father, letting the old man live with full hope. Now for her most beloved, she could not only throw away rouge and powder – even her most precious life she could abandon…

Ying, tell me you can definitely stand up…

On the first day of the twelfth month at Purple Cloud Pavilion, dim sky light shone through the window lattice. In the distance came waves of firecracker sounds – dawn was breaking, New Year was near. This night had finally ended.

Qiong Fang lay in her fragrant chamber, staring blankly without words.

In this one night, the beloved she knew had disappeared. That composed and confident young swordsman had been knocked to the ground, never to rise again. Qiong Fang hadn’t cried for a long time – since taking over Purple Cloud Pavilion, she had hardly shed a single tear. But tonight she had truly cried her heart out.

How strange – was this still Beijing? Her beloved was the dignified Huashan Sect Leader, the final general of Champion Star Battles Five Passes. That Hu Zhilian was a scholar famous throughout the world, a champion in the imperial examinations, a renowned vice minister in the Ministry of Rites. How had they fallen to such helpless circumstances?

Qiong Fang’s anger continued rising – both hateful and sad, detesting this moment, detesting that helplessness, detesting that pain, detesting that powerless sorrow…

“Strike back!”

Boom! The table was overturned with the force of autumn wind sweeping fallen leaves. All the teacups on the table crashed to the ground with clanging sounds of shattering everywhere. Still not satisfied, she indulged her willful tantrum, kicking through the wardrobe and violently throwing out all the scholarly caps and robes inside. In an instant, she found a large wooden chest.

The current dynasty’s greatest noble family treasured countless divine artifacts and precious objects. This wooden chest contained her father’s posthumous belongings and also housed the Qiong family’s treasure of the manor.

Her beautiful phoenix eyes flashed with light as Qiong Fang crouched down and picked up a divine object from the treasure chest.

“However we lost, that’s how we’ll get it back!” Miss Qiong’s apricot cheeks were fire-red as she gazed at the intimidating bird gun.

This double-barreled firearm from the Western Regions with breech-loading was the world’s only repeating gun, also a gift she received on her sixteenth birthday. If Song Gongmai saw this firearm, the old man would surely jump up in shock, because the gun handle was inlaid with two gilt characters that most terrified him: “Jiang Chong.”

This bird gun was precisely the personal sidearm of the previous dynasty’s Grand Tutor, and also the only trace he left in the human world.

Her delicate hands opened the gun handle and loaded double fire bullets. She raised the firearm, gritting her teeth, the sight aimed at the window outside. Blood debts must be paid in blood, tooth for tooth, eye for eye – this was her creed.

At this moment, Qiong Fang only wanted to use any means necessary to brutally cut the black-clothed man into seventeen or eighteen pieces. What martial world rules or martial arts doctrines – she didn’t want to care about any of that. Shooting with guns, capturing with traps – no matter what method, she would catch the black-clothed man.

There was nothing she dared not do – once she made up her mind about something, she would definitely accomplish it. This was Young Pavilion Master Qiong Fang’s temperament.

She not only had the pampered nature of an only daughter but also the single-minded focus of being the sole heir. In this world, only three people could control her: one was grandfather, one was aunt, and one was her beloved. It wasn’t that she feared these people, but that she deeply loved them – she didn’t want her cherished ones to suffer even the slightest harm. For this reason, as long as it could help her beloved recover, she was willing to do anything.

Tucking the gun into her belt, just as she was about to close the treasure chest, her eyelids suddenly blinked and she saw another item pressed at the bottom of the chest.

“Jade ruyi.” This was an auspicious ornament for wealthy families’ enjoyment, made of jade or lacquer, usually held in the palm to show noble status. This jade ruyi was used by Qiong family ancestors.

Everyone has their own memories, and even someone as young as Qiong Fang was no exception. This jade ruyi was father’s posthumous belonging, also the treasure he never let go of when alive, because it was personally given to father by mother.

She had never seen her mother – when she came into this world, mother had already died. From then on, only a lady’s portrait accompanied her, along with father who held the ruyi in stunned silence.

Qiong Fang’s hands trembled as she held the jade ruyi in her embrace, tears falling like rain despite herself.

She shouldn’t be crying – father had been dead for over ten years. Sometimes in midnight dreams, she couldn’t even remember father’s appearance. But perhaps precisely because of this… she wanted to cry even more…

Knocking sounds came from the fragrant chamber’s door. Qiong Fang wiped away her tears, hid the ruyi under her pillow, then opened the door. Before her stood a person with refined features – it was “Master Yu Feng,” Fu Yuanying.

Qiong Fang’s heart was concerned about Su Ying. Seeing Fu Yuanying’s grave expression, she quickly asked: “Is Ying better?” Just as Fu Yuanying was about to speak, he suddenly saw Qiong Fang’s tear-stained face and the floor covered with broken porcelain and debris, tables and chairs overturned everywhere, as if a great battle had been fought.

He stood stunned for a moment, then said: “Miss, let’s go outside for a walk.” When no one else was around, Fu Yuanying always called her “Miss,” regardless of whether Qiong Fang was willing. Over time, Qiong Fang had grown accustomed to it.

The two left the room. Purple Cloud Pavilion was located in Beijing’s suburbs, covering vast grounds, but Fu Yuanying walked farther and farther, passing through gates and leaving the house, actually heading toward the outskirts. It was still early morning, the weather cold, with not half a pedestrian visible. Qiong Fang really couldn’t restrain herself and immediately rushed forward to block the path, saying sweetly: “Master Fu! What exactly is wrong with Ying?”

Fu Yuanying saw the young miss’s anxious face and responded with a gentle smile: “Don’t worry. The words we’re about to speak are extremely important and absolutely cannot be heard by outsiders. Let’s go to the wilderness.” Even though there wasn’t half a pedestrian on the street at this moment, Fu Yuanying was still so cautious. Qiong Fang’s heart slightly chilled, finally realizing this matter was extraordinary.

Walking all the way out, Fu Yuanying’s pace gradually quickened, actually employing lightness skills. Though this sword master wasn’t known for lightness skills, he was over fifty with refined internal power and especially stable endurance. Qiong Fang urgently pursued, running until her face was red and ears hot. Having not slept all night, she felt quite exhausted. With the sky also overcast, she could only grit her teeth and chase after him. For the first few li, she could still keep pace, but before long she had fallen behind.

After several li, the sound of flowing water reached them. Looking ahead, they saw a vast expanse of white frost and water mist with no sign of the master. Qiong Fang’s running had already left her panting delicately. She slowed her pace to recover and regulate her breathing, calling out softly: “Master Fu, where are you?”

After calling several times with no response, her heart felt puzzled. Just as she was about to turn back to look for him, suddenly she heard a swoosh as a black shadow flashed beside her. Wind howled as a long sword stabbed straight at her! Qiong Fang’s heart was greatly alarmed: “Who is this person? Why are they ambushing here?”

The overcast sky wrapped that person’s figure into a misty mass. Instantly sword light flashed as attacks came in succession. Qiong Fang hastily turned to dodge, then used her iron fan in the “war” technique to attack the enemy. That person’s change of moves was also extremely fast – the long sword yielded to avoid the fan surface but still stabbed straight forward without the slightest pause. The opponent’s skill was steady, shrewd, and experienced, far above her own. Qiong Fang didn’t panic but laughed: “Master, are you playing with me?”

Though she had exposed the opponent’s identity, that person showed no intention of easing up. No matter how bold Qiong Fang was, once she made up her mind, she immediately stood still and motionless, letting the enemy kill toward her. As the long sword approached her face and her life was in great danger, Qiong Fang put on the airs of a young miss, not dodging an inch. Suddenly that person shouted: “Quickly use the ‘wave’ technique!”

This set of “Iron Fan Skills” was the Qiong family’s hereditary martial art, divided into sixteen character techniques: point, poke, stab, wave, sweep, strike, pounce, lift, etc. Outsiders had no way of knowing – the newcomer must undoubtedly be Fu Yuanying. Qiong Fang had already anticipated this, laughing in her heart: “If you really killed me, I’d admit defeat.” Her left hand waved open the iron fan, sparks flying everywhere as the fan surface acted like a shield, exactly blocking the sword tip. Then with lotus steps approaching, her graceful figure made a turning movement as the fan handle’s point fell, already striking toward the enemy.

The two fought speed with speed. That person continuously fed moves to test her, while Qiong Fang also used the complete fan technique to its fullest. Both sides exchanged dozens of moves. Just as they reached the final technique “Beautiful Phoenix Plays with Phoenix,” she suddenly felt the iron fan in her hand freeze – the fan ribs were caught by two fingers. She immediately composed her moth eyebrows and looked up. Indeed, before her stood a swordsman with vermillion lips and phoenix eyebrows, over fifty years old – it was the family retainer grandfather had hired with great expense, Fu Yuanying.

Su Ying’s contest with the black-clothed man had only resulted in some light injuries, unlike Song Tongming and others who suffered broken wrists and bones. But for some unknown reason, he had actually vomited blood and collapsed into unconsciousness, which made Fu Yuanying extremely worried and led him to bring her to the Yongding River. Qiong Fang retrieved her iron fan, placed her left hand on her waist, and looked back with beautiful eyes, smiling: “Master Fu, you nearly hurt me. Aren’t you afraid I’ll go home and tell grandfather?”

Seeing Miss Qiong with her left hand on her waist, starry eyes and comet-like gaze full of charm and coquettishness, though dressed as a man, she was more beautiful than ordinary women.

Fu Yuanying dared not look much at her beauty. He immediately returned his sword to its sheath and coughed: “Fu was impolite. Young Pavilion Master’s martial arts have greatly improved – your daily hard practice and diligent cultivation weren’t in vain. If the Imperial Father-in-law knew, he would surely celebrate that the Qiong family has a successor.”

Qiong Fang lightly waved her iron fan and smiled: “What a fine ‘coax’ technique.” Iron Fan Skills had point, pick, poke, stab, wave, sweep, sprinkle, spin – sixteen character techniques total, but no “coax” character. Speaking this way was naturally joking.

Winter was bitterly cold, and ice and snow drifted on the Yongding River, sinking and floating like glaciers. The two stood by the river. Seeing Fu Yuanying stroke his beard in silence with a somewhat mocking expression, Qiong Fang, concerned about Su Ying, said: “Master, what exactly happened to Ying? Can you tell me now?”

Fu Yuanying remained silent, only taking out a wooden box from his bosom and handing it to Qiong Fang. Qiong Fang looked closely and saw the wood lacquer was mottled and old, the shape simple and ancient, clearly showing its age. Her heart slightly chilled, already knowing the object stored in the box must have significant origins.

Fu Yuanying explained: “In those years, our mountain’s former sect leader, Senior Brother Bufan, sealed his sword in retirement and passed down two important items.” He reached over to open the wooden box, revealing the lining inside. The box contained a scripture book and a mud pill, both objects covered with silk and satin, showing extreme care. Fu Yuanying picked up the scripture book and said quietly: “The ancient manual of Huashan’s Three-Reach Sword – this is the first item.”

Looking at that ancient book, it was indeed the treasure of Yuqing Mountain – the original ancient manual of “Three-Reach Sword.” The world’s number one sword was right before her eyes. Qiong Fang covered her mouth in amazement and in curiosity wanted to reach out and flip through it. Fu Yuanying, always astute, immediately saw through her thoughts and smiled: “Miss is originally a person of our mountain. Even if you wanted to look through it, there’s nothing wrong with that.” Qiong Fang blinked and smiled sweetly but didn’t reach out. In those years when the two had no suspicions as children, the matchmaking credit belonged to none other than Fu Yuanying. He was like a matchmaker for the two. Fu Yuanying saw her withdraw her hand and smiled: “Miss, feel free to look through it – it’s no problem.”

Qiong Fang’s face flushed red as she shook her head shyly: “I’ll look after New Year.” After New Year, she would marry into the Su family. Then Su Ying wouldn’t just be the Huashan Sect Leader but would also become Purple Cloud Pavilion’s male master, while she would also count as a member of Huashan’s sect. Looking through it thoroughly then wouldn’t be too late.

Fu Yuanying neither agreed nor disagreed, putting the scripture book back. Qiong Fang saw there was still a dark mud pill in the box, extremely crude in appearance – it looked neither like an elixir nor like medicine, with nothing special about it. She was somewhat curious and puzzled, asking: “What is this?”

Fu Yuanying held the mud pill in his hand and smiled lightly: “This is Sect Leader Su’s inner support.”

Qiong Fang made an “ah” sound and asked back: “Support?” Fu Yuanying nodded slightly. He held up the mud pill: “In those years, before Senior Brother retired and left, he left behind a mud pill, saying that in the future if our mountain’s disciples encountered problems they couldn’t solve, they should crush this mud pill and would naturally find a solution.” Qiong Fang was quite amazed. Though she was familiar with everyone at Huashan, she didn’t know of this matter.

Fu Yuanying said: “These ten-plus years, as martial world sects have repeatedly clashed, every time he encountered problems with martial practice or fellow disciples’ disobedience, Ying would go alone to the wilderness, holding this mud pill in contemplation.” He held the mud pill in his palm and said quietly: “The first time Ying took out this mud pill, he was only seventeen. That year he couldn’t master the Wisdom Sword and could only avoid the sect members, privately going to the back mountain. I secretly followed him and saw him sit on the mountain peak holding this mud pill, crying for over an hour straight.”

Qiong Fang said in shock: “Crying? Ying can cry? I… I don’t believe it…”

Fu Yuanying smiled slightly: “He’s a strong-willed child. In front of others, he always appears composed and never shows half a trace of his troubles. But no matter how he hides it, he can’t fool me, his martial uncle.”

When Ning Bufan retired, all of Huashan was devastated, truly disappearing from notice for several years. After much time, they finally regained fame through Su Ying’s “Wisdom Sword.” While this certainly proved Ning Bufan’s keen eye for people and that he chose well, in other words, the burden on Su Ying’s shoulders was beyond what outsiders could imagine even partially. Qiong Fang sighed lightly and nodded, feeling great pity.

Fu Yuanying continued: “Time after time, whenever he failed or things didn’t go smoothly, he would always take out this mud pill again and again. I don’t know how many times he wanted to crush it. But no matter how good and useful this mud pill is, it can only be crushed once. If he encounters difficulties again in the future without the mud pill, he’ll have lost his final support…” He sighed and continued: “Year after year, this mud pill remained preserved intact. The child holding the mud pill also gradually grew up to become our mountain’s greatest master…” Qiong Fang listened silently to her beloved’s inner troubles, her heart full of tender feelings, saying mournfully: “Master Fu, what exactly happened to Ying?”

Fu Yuanying sighed: “He’s ill.”

Qiong Fang’s heart jumped as she hurriedly said: “Ill? Could it be… could it be that the black-clothed man used poison?”

Fu Yuanying shook his head and sighed: “That’s not it. He has heart illness – he’s lost his way.” Seeing Qiong Fang standing speechless, Fu Yuanying said quietly: “This defeat not only defeated him but also destroyed his sword way. If he can’t find himself again… I fear… I fear…” He sighed heavily and shook his head: “He’ll never be able to use a sword again.”

Qiong Fang held back tears and turned her head away, saying quietly: “Master Fu… tell me… how can we help him?”

Fu Yuanying sighed: “I must seek aid from the former sect leader.” Suddenly with a pop, his hand exerted force and the mud pill actually shattered. Qiong Fang covered her mouth in alarm: “You… you crushed it?” Fu Yuanying clenched his right fist, facing Qiong Fang resolutely: “For a full eleven years, Senior Brother Ning has been without a trace. Now is the time to find him and bring him back.” Qiong Fang made an “ah” sound: “He… didn’t he retire? Would he really be willing to come back?”

Fu Yuanying shook his head: “Whether he comes back or not, I have a way to force him back.” Qiong Fang murmured: “You mean Ying?” Fu Yuanying smiled slightly and shook his head: “No.” He pointed at Qiong Fang with a smile: “You are my trump card. As long as you’re willing to intercede, he must come back.”

Qiong Fang was full of curiosity, not knowing she possessed such magical power. Though she was intelligent and understanding, she knew nothing about Ning Bufan. Forget this master’s natural preferences – she hadn’t even seen his appearance or height. How could she find him? She was bewildered and confused, only blinking at Fu Yuanying. Fu Yuanying smiled: “I’m not joking with you. You have two identities – as soon as Sect Leader Ning sees you, he’ll definitely come back with you.” Qiong Fang smiled charmingly: “I’m very ugly and also very stupid.”

Fu Yuanying laughed heartily: “Miss, your beauty crowns all women, beautiful outside and wise within – truly a one-in-a-thousand beauty. If you speak of ugliness, wouldn’t that shame all the daughters under heaven?” Qiong Fang smiled: “Master Fu, with such eloquence, not entering court as an official is truly a pity.”

Fu Yuanying was rendered speechless by her teasing. After laughing for a while, he became serious: “First, you are our Huashan’s unbetrothed daughter-in-law, our Sect Leader Su’s only beloved in his heart. For this reason alone, as long as you come to his door, Senior Brother Ning cannot refuse to see you.” Qiong Fang’s face flushed with shyness, her heart full of sweetness, unable to help lowering her head and saying quietly: “What about the second reason?”

Fu Yuanying said: “The second reason couldn’t be simpler. Your surname is Qiong – for this character alone, he absolutely cannot refuse.”

Qiong Fang’s heart had originally been filled with shy sweetness, but hearing these words, she was also quite surprised, hurriedly saying: “Did he… did he owe my grandfather a favor?”

Fu Yuanying gazed at Qiong Fang’s beautiful face and shook his head: “Don’t ask too much. Some things aren’t convenient to say and can’t be said casually. In any case, as soon as Sect Leader Ning sees you, no matter where he’s hiding in the ends of the earth, he must pack up and come out with no room for refusal.”

Fu Yuanying opened his palm to the sky – in the mud pill was actually a slip of paper. He said resolutely: “Come, let’s find him together.”

Only now did Qiong Fang understand why Fu Yuanying had tested her martial arts earlier – he was simply seeing how her foundation was, whether she could endure the hardships of travel. But she had always been bold and adventurous, not caring about anything. Even if she couldn’t do half a bit of martial arts, she would never speak of retreat. In her joy, she immediately unfolded the slip of paper. Ning Bufan’s whereabouts must be in this note. No matter where he was hiding, as long as they had information, they could find him.

This slip of paper was so important that the two didn’t dare delay, reading it together by lowering their heads. But when the writing entered their eyes, it left both staring at each other. Qiong Fang said frantically: “These several black lines, crooked and curved – do they have some mystery?” Fu Yuanying laughed dryly twice but was also dumbfounded.

What was on the paper was neither writing nor pictures, just ten-some black lines drawn back and forth, winding and curving like spilled ink – truly strange and inexplicable. Qiong Fang was extremely amazed, and Fu Yuanying was also completely confused. Both were intelligent people – one with deep cultivation, one clever and understanding – but before this slip of paper, both were at a loss.

Fu Yuanying paced back and forth repeatedly. This mud pill was so important, relating to all of Huashan’s fortunes. Even if Senior Brother were ten times more willful and eccentric, he couldn’t just scribble a few strokes to brush things off. But the paper had not a single word of explanation, not even a map or signal visible – how could he find the person? Fu Yuanying lowered his head in thought, knowing Senior Brother’s comprehension was supreme and he always acted unconventionally. There must be deep meaning in this – he just couldn’t figure it out.

Qiong Fang said blankly: “Besides this slip of paper, do you have absolutely no news of Hero Ning?”

Fu Yuanying pondered for a long time: “About eight or nine years ago, that year war broke out worldwide. Bandits occupied all of Gansu territory and pressed directly toward Shaanxi. The temple was in chaos, and for matters of relocating the mountain, I contacted several elders and once went to seek Senior Brother’s whereabouts… But we didn’t see our master, yet in Chang’an we encountered a fellow disciple.” Qiong Fang exclaimed: “A fellow disciple? Also a master?”

Fu Yuanying held up the paper to examine it closely and shook his head: “That fellow disciple of mine doesn’t know martial arts but is an extraordinary person. He once stayed at Huashan too but couldn’t endure the hardship, so he went down the mountain and ran away. Later he became a fortune-telling Daoist. Because he had always been close to the sect leader, after Senior Brother Ning retired, he lived together with him for several years. When we encountered him, we learned news from him.” Qiong Fang was greatly amazed. Huashan had many strange people – the Twin Freaks were already rare examples of disrespectful elders, but she didn’t know there was also a fortune-telling Daoist. She didn’t know how skilled this person was. She blinked and smiled: “What happened next? Did that fortune-teller divine a hexagram for you?”

Fu Yuanying shook his head: “According to this fellow disciple’s revelation, it seemed Senior Brother Ning didn’t want to stay in the north. In the fourth year after retirement, he went to the Yelang Kingdom.” Qiong Fang murmured: “Yelang Kingdom? You mean Qianzhong?”

Fu Yuanying nodded: “Precisely Qianzhong Prefecture. When we heard he went southwest, we sent people south three times, but Guizhou Province’s territory is so vast. Though we visited major cities like Zunyi and Zhenyuan three times, we never saw anyone and don’t know where he actually is…” As he spoke quietly, Qiong Fang was somewhat absent-minded. She suddenly raised her willow eyebrows: “Master Fu, please give me the slip of paper.”

Fu Yuanying had always known the Young Pavilion Master’s abilities. Hearing that she had different insights, his heart was greatly pleased as he hurriedly handed it over. Qiong Fang took the slip of paper and raised it overhead, examining it by skylight. She saw the ink was vigorous – one stroke straight, one horizontal, one hook – the more she looked, the more mysterious it seemed.

Fu Yuanying hurriedly said: “Young Pavilion Master, what do you see?”

Qiong Fang had a spiritual connection and immediately held the paper horizontally to look. Suddenly she made an “ah” sound and said quietly: “Come look – what do these several strokes resemble?” Fu Yuanying took the slip of paper and suddenly saw those several thick black ink lines like flowing water rushing along the way. At the paper’s middle section, they suddenly tilted downward, then hooked upward, afterward continuing to extend along the way. Looking at this pattern, it seemed like… seemed like…

Fu Yuanying couldn’t see the key point and was about to open his mouth to ask when he suddenly saw Qiong Fang turn her head and rush urgently toward the city. Fu Yuanying was startled and hurriedly caught up, asking: “What’s wrong? What’s so strange?”

Qiong Fang paid no attention, instead quickening her pace and running tightly toward the city.

The two rushed into the city. By now the sky was already bright, with countless people coming and going in the city. Qiong Fang pushed aside several pedestrians and hurried toward one particular place. Fu Yuanying quickly followed. When they reached the vicinity, it was a bookshop.

Qiong Fang rushed straight in. Only one young man was minding the shop. Just as he was about to greet her, Qiong Fang ran directly to the pile of books and frantically searched through them. The young man was startled and said frantically: “Young master! Whatever you want, just tell this humble person.” Fu Yuanying took out a small ingot from his bosom and stuffed it in the young man’s hand, signaling him not to interfere.

The young man was overjoyed and about to give thanks when suddenly there was a crash as everything on the shop’s long table was swept clean away, replaced by a geographical map. Fu Yuanying rushed forward urgently and saw Qiong Fang point along the map downward, her slender jade finger slowly moving along from Beijing all the way south, crossing the Yellow River, passing through the two lakes, slowly settling down.

Her fingertip settled and stopped precisely over Guizhou. Fu Yuanying couldn’t see the mystery and was still frowning in hard thought when Qiong Fang’s fingertip slowly moved to arrive at a mighty great water. She breathed delicately and called repeatedly: “Master Fu… come quickly… come quickly look here…”

White Water River! The great river extended continuously. Qiong Fang’s jade finger slowly moved down, finally reaching the vast river water’s end.

Great water rushed down, water mist filled the air thousands of feet high, reaching heaven and touching earth like tears of gods and Buddhas. Fu Yuanying finally understood. He quickly held the slip of paper horizontally to examine carefully and indeed saw those several ink traces like mountains and water rushing magnificently with ten thousand atmospheric changes, exactly like…

…

The world’s greatest waterfall!

Both hearts connected as they nodded together. Guizhou contained the world’s greatest waterfall – following this map would surely hide the whereabouts of the world’s greatest master!

There was nothing to fear anymore… As long as they found Ning Bufan, forget about any black-clothed men or white-clothed ghosts – from now on Huashan would kill in all directions. That supreme glory of defeating everyone under heaven without equal would finally return!