On the mountain, the group of martial artists entered a small tunnel. As soon as they exited the small, narrow tunnel, three dragon statues stood before them. Mu Dishi walked directly to the smallest dragon in the middle. He pushed the statue forward, and the little dragon slid from its current position onto the beautifully carved stone wall, settling perfectly into a carved lily pond. Once the statue was in position, Mu Dishi stepped forward, took out the jade hairpin, and inserted it into the small dragon's mouth. He then walked back and stood calmly beside Cao Wenyan.
The entire stone wall began to pull back, kicking up a swirl of dust in the small space. The many martial artists gasped, taken aback by the sight.
Mu Dishi looked directly at Wang Zedong. "Let go of them. I have opened the door for you," he stated flatly.
Wang Zedong, still holding the captives, demanded, "Where did Mu Jiao Long hide my son?"
Mu Dishi replied with casual indifference. "I don't know."
"If you don't tell me, I will kill them," Wang Zedong threatened, his voice tight.
Mu Dishi's expression remained utterly cold. "Whatever," he dismissed. He then began to move away from the group, walking back toward the small, narrow tunnel entrance.
Wang Zedong shouted angrily, "Mu Dishi, you come back here!"
Cao Wenyan intervened smoothly, trying to salvage the situation. "Chief Wang, if Mu gongzi knew, he would have said it a long time ago."
The martial artists rushed eagerly into the cave. As soon as the first ones stepped inside, a hundred needles flew out from the walls.
Miao Mingzhu shouted a warning, her voice sharp with alarm. "Beware of poisonous needles!"
Wang Zedong roared, his face dark with fury. "That Mu Dishi knew there would be poisonous needles! That's why he didn't want to go into the cave with us."
Cao Wenyan stepped forward to defend Mu Dishi. "Chief Wang, don't be biased. Along the way, Mu gongzi has told us not to enter the cave many times, but everyone standing here insisted on entering the Mu Treasure Cave. Those who want to enter should know the risks, but they are willing to take them. You can't blame Mu gongzi."
Wang Zedong pointed an accusatory finger at Cao Wenyan. "You have spoken for him more than once..." He turned his hostile gaze to Cao Fengge. "Did Mu Dishi tell you the secret to getting in?"
Cao Fengge smiled smoothly, disclaiming any special knowledge. "Chief Wang, Mu Dishi will not tell me where to go. We are as clueless as you."
Cao Fengge then picked up several stones and hurled them toward the front entrance, triggering the array of poisonous needles again. He studied the entrance carefully for a moment before his smile widened. He swiftly grabbed Gu Yingjie's neck. Looking directly at Zhu Mingyang, he commanded, "Guard Zhu, please step forward and turn those two dragons to face each other."
Gu Yingjie fought back against his captor. "Mingyang, don't do it! You'll die if the poisonous needle pricks your skin." He then turned his furious gaze on the Chief. "If you kill me, the Gu will never let your household go!"
Cao Fengge looked calmly around the group of martial artists and smiled. "Did anyone see me putting my hand on Gu gongzi's neck?" The martial artists remained silent, intimidated. Cao Fengge's smile widened. "You see... Gu gongzi, no one sees me putting my hand on you, so if I break your neck, no one sees me doing it."
Zhu Mingyang immediately hurried forward, accepting the danger, and a row of needles flew toward him. Gu Yingjie, seeing his partner's sacrifice, frantically pulled Cao Fengge's hand away from his neck. He sprinted forward with a burst of internal force, rapidly scooped up some rocks from the ground, and threw them to intercept the incoming needles.
Gu Yingjie flew to the dragon on the right, and Zhu Mingyang flew to the dragon on the left. The two used their internal force to simultaneously turn the two statues to face each other. Zhu Mingyang instantly rushed to Gu Yingjie's side, but no further needles shot out.
Cao Fengge smiled, appreciating the display. "A true soulmate doesn't need direction; they can read each other's mind like opening a book. Rare. Very rare," he mused. He put his hands behind his back and walked directly in front of Zhu Mingyang and Gu Yingjie. He stopped, looked at Gu Yingjie with an unnerving sincerity, and said, "If I get through all this, I will sincerely go to Gu's family and apologize in person." He then confidently began to walk into the cave.
Standing in front of the entrance, the martial artists saw three different passageways leading deeper inside the cave. They looked around anxiously, hesitating which path to choose.
Cao Wenyan studied the three passageways closely. He noticed that the left passageway was covered with marble floor mats of different colors. He saw that the white marble pads were connected to each other in a serpentine manner, unlike the other colors. He now understood why Mu Dishi had told him earlier to step only on the white marble: the white marble created a specific, tortuous safe path leading to the other end.
The middle passageway was filled with scattered rocks, and the right passageway was very flat and smooth. A lively discussion broke out among the martial artists.
"Which way shall we go?"
"I don't know."
"There are traps everywhere in the cave, don't let your eyes deceive you."
One martial artist declared, "I think this rocky trail is the correct way leading us to the treasure."
Another disagreed, "That smooth trail is just there to trick us."
Many martial artists, relying on common sense, gathered their disciples and walked towards the middle, rocky trail. Other martial artists who disagreed chose the smooth, right trail, while some wisely waited for Cao Fengge to lead the way.
Wang Biming watched the movement, then looked at Cao Wenyan and asked with a challenging smirk, "Which way will Cao gongzi choose?"
Cao Wenyan responded diplomatically, "Since I am younger, I'll let you pick first."
Wang Biming scoffed, interrupting him. "You go first. The old man will sacrifice to the young man," he declared, clearly unwilling to risk himself on an unknown path.
Cao Wenyan glanced at his father and their trusted disciples, taking a deep breath. He gave a sharp, crucial command, "Follow me every step."
Cao Wenyan then jumped down, landing precisely on the first white marble square in the left passageway. He quickly flew to the second white marble square, then the third, and so on, trusting Mu Dishi's hidden instruction.
Cao Fengge and the Beixing Sect disciples hurriedly followed in his exact footsteps. Realizing the significance of this move, the Yueguang Sect and other martial artists scrambled to follow closely behind the Beixing group.
Outside of the Mu Treasure Cave, Zhu Mingyang looked at Gu Yingjie and asked, "Yingjie, do you want to go in?"
Gu Yingjie firmly shook his head. "In that cave, there is nothing we want, and nothing belongs to us. We shouldn't enter. How about you meditate to recover your inner energy, and after three hours, we can make our way down the mountain?"
Zhu Mingyang nodded, focused on the task. "I will try to recover my strength as soon as possible. Once I have recovered about seventy percent of the inner energy, we can leave here."
Gu Yingjie smiled sweetly. "I'll stand guard."
Zhu Mingyang sat cross-legged on the ground and began to regain his internal strength.
Gu Yingjie soon saw Miao Mingzhu walking out of the cave entrance, accompanied by four Yueguang disciples. He immediately asked, "Why come out?"
Miao Mingzhu looked frustrated. "It's not like I want to come out," she muttered simply. She then left with the four disciples, heading away from the cave entrance.
When Ma Jingguo and Yan Zhanjin reached the foot of the mountain, they were confronted by an unexpected, chaotic scene. There were dead bodies and wounded people everywhere. They quickly realized the source of the chaos: the leaders of six sects were desperately helping the injured martial artists. They immediately dismounted their horse and rushed toward Fu Yuanjun.
Fu Yuanjun was startled to see Ma Jingguo. "Ma-xiong, what are you doing here?" he asked in surprise.
Ma Jingguo's focus was singular. "Chief Fu, where is Mu Dishi and Wang Biming?"
Fu Yuanjun shook his head. "I don't know. People here said they entered the cave."
Ma Jingguo scanned the area and spotted Cao Yanmei preparing to head up the trail. Without a word, he quickly followed right behind her.
Yan Zhanjin, anxious for his friends, asked, "What about Mingyang and Gu gongzi?"
Fu Yuanjun explained, "I heard that Wang Zedong used them to force Mu ge to take them into the cave."
Yan Zhanjin spun around. "Ma…" Ma Jingguo was already gone. He frantically looked around. "Where is Ma-xiong?"
Fu Yuanjun stammered, "He is here..."
Yan Zhanjin realized the truth. "He must have gone up with other people."
Fu Yuanjun grabbed Yan Zhanjin's arm. "Yan Yisheng, it's dangerous to go up. I suggest you stay where you are and help the injured martial artists. If you go, you will only become a burden to others. Believe me... staying here is the best choice for you and them."
Yan Zhanjin sighed deeply, acknowledging the painful truth of his own limited martial ability. But his resolve was unshakable. He pulled free and ran up the mountain.
Fu Yuanjun shouted after him, "Yan Yisheng!"
Yan Zhanjin smiled and waved, his voice ringing with determination. "Please take care of Xiao Bai for me, and I will properly thank you when I come back."
When Yan Zhanjin got up onto the mountain trail, he immediately saw dead people everywhere. He walked slowly, trying to navigate the unseen dangers. Suddenly, he stepped on a rock that pressed down; everything around him sank, and his foot plunged into a puddle of mud. He felt his body slowly sinking.
Just as the mud threatened to swallow him, Ma Jingguo sent a vine shooting out to wrap tightly around Yan Zhanjin's waist. He flew over a nearby branch and hauled Yan Zhanjin forcefully out of the sinking mire. He held onto Yan Zhanjin's waist until he set him down safely on solid ground.
Ma Jingguo's face was dark. "What are you doing here?" he demanded.
Yan Zhanjin, catching his breath, answered firmly. "Mingyang and Gu gongzi are somewhere up there. I want to see if they are safe."
"You won't give up on him?" Ma Jingguo pressed.
Yan Zhanjin looked him in the eye. "Why would I give up when you didn't give up chasing Mu Dishi?"
Ma Jingguo turned away. "Our situation is different."
Yan Zhanjin simply pushed forward. "Let's go."
The two men walked for about half an hour until they came to a rope bridge where they saw many Beixing Sect disciples injured.
Yan Zhanjin instinctively grabbed Ma Jingguo's arm. "Wait, don't go any closer."
"What's the matter?" Ma Jingguo asked, sensing the urgency in the doctor's tone.
"I smell a strong poisonous gas," Yan Zhanjin said, his professional focus now acute. He pointed to the potted plants nearby. "These are a poisonous trees that can release poisonous pollens into the air." He raised his head and pointed again. "Look up. That's another poisonous tree, and it also releases poisonous pollen." He smiled bitterly. "The people who did this are smart." He walked over to the three trees and quickly picked two leaves. He handed Ma Jingguo one leaf. "Just put it in your mouth, don't chew."
A wounded martial artist reached out a pleading hand to Yan Zhanjin. He begged, "Help me, please!"
Yan Zhanjin shook his head, his face pained but resolute. "I'm sorry. I can't help you. The cure you seek is beyond my ability. " He quickly followed Ma Jingguo across the rope bridge and walked to the other side, prioritizing their mission over immediate triage.
After Ma Jingguo and Yan Zhanjin had safely crossed the bridge, they walked for about an hour until they came across Cao Yanmei and five remaining members of the Beixing Sect.
Ma Jingguo's voice was cold and demanding. "What are you waiting for?"
Cao Yanmei looked up, surprised. "Why are you here?"
Ma Jingguo replied dismissively, "Same as everyone."
Yan Zhanjin stepped in, trying a softer approach. "What or who are you waiting for?"
Cao Yanmei simply said, "My father and my brother."
Ma Jingguo leaned in, his tone edged with menace. "Your brother will leave you some clues to go inside the treasure cave, right?"
Cao Yanmei stood firm. "Why should I tell you?"
Ma Jingguo's already fragile temper snapped at Cao Yanmei's defiance. He reached out to grab her, but she instinctively slapped his hand away. The five disciples and Cao Yanmei immediately engaged Ma Jingguo in a chaotic fight.
Ma Jingguo, fueled by rage, quickly injured the first three men. He then punched Cao Yanmei, sending her sliding back until she stopped near Yan Zhanjin.
Yan Zhanjin shouted desperately, "Ma-xiong, stop it right now!"
Ma Jingguo turned his fury on the doctor. "You are not my Xiao Shushu!" he yelled. He looked at Yan Zhanjin with utter coldness. "Who the hell are you to give me orders?"
Ma Jingguo opened his fists and rushed, not toward the remaining Beixing disciples, but directly toward Yan Zhanjin. Just as he closed the distance, Miao Mingzhu appeared instantly, sticking a needle into the back of Ma Jingguo's head. Ma Jingguo's body instantly went rigid, and he fell heavily to the ground.