This was a magnificent hall. The tables and chairs were all exquisitely carved, inlaid with gold and jade, and adorned with rare and precious antiques. A crystal palace lantern with eight treasures hung high in the center, illuminating the hall as bright as day. All around was eerily quiet; not a sound could be heard, nor a figure could be seen. In the center of the hall, on the right side, sat a dignified middle-aged man in a wide robe and warm belt. He appeared to be no more than forty years old, and his face was taut and somewhat intimidating.
On the ground in front of him lay a child of seven or eight years old, his face bluish-purple, his limbs twitching, as if he were seriously ill or had suffered a severe injury.
Beside the child knelt a young woman in her early twenties, her face pale and streaked with tears, repeatedly kowtowing and wailing:
"Master, please spare this child's life. I was wrong. I have no face to live in this world. Please have mercy and save this innocent life. I am willing to give my own life to atone for it."
The middle-aged man's expression kept changing, making it difficult to discern his thoughts. Finally, he said sternly, "I can't do it."
The young woman's face was ashen, and blood welled in her eyes. She stroked the child and said with a heartbreaking voice, "Child, this is your fate. You will soon be free from suffering. Child, your mother will always be with you, forever and ever..."
The child was breathing heavily, his two dazed eyes staring at the young woman. His face flushed red as he struggled to utter a single sentence:
"Mother! Will my child...die?" The young woman gently patted her child and said, "My dear, you are my heart and soul. You...you won't die. I said I'll stay with you forever!" After saying that, she looked up and said, "Master, please, spare him. The fault lies with me. He is innocent!"
The middle-aged man was silent for a moment, then said with a grim face, "I said I can't do it. I didn't hurt him, so I can't say I'm sparing him, but... I can't save him."
The child's breathing became more rapid, his face turned black, his eyes rolled back, and his small body curled up in a heap, twitching frequently. It seemed that he was not far from death.
The young woman, her face ashen, stared blankly at her child, murmuring, "My child, I cannot save you, I have no power to relieve your pain, but I can make you stop suffering. My child, sleep peacefully! You... will soon be free from pain... and never again..."
After saying that, he suddenly looked up, glared at the middle-aged man with a venomous and hateful look, and then pointed a finger at the child's heart...
"You can't do this!" With a furious shout, the middle-aged man raised his hand, unleashing a gust of wind that sent the young woman tumbling to the ground. She scrambled to her feet, looking at the man with pleading eyes, and said, "Master, you're willing to save him? I was wrong, please kill me..."
The middle-aged man shifted his body slightly, frowned, pursed his lips and thought for a moment, but finally shook his head and said, "I can't save him!"
The young woman's cheeks paled, and she reached out to pick up the toddler, bursting into hysterical laughter. After a long while, she finally stopped laughing, pointed at the middle-aged man, and said, "Situ Ye, you have no humanity, you are cruel. Remember, one day I will plunge a sword into your chest." With that, she rushed out of the hall and leaped away from the house.
The middle-aged man looked extremely pained. He stood up, raised his hand, and opened his mouth as if to shout, but no sound came out. He just stared blankly at the dark and empty courtyard outside the hall.
Eighteen years later, the child grew up and mastered martial arts. He loved to wear black clothes and never changed them. His eyes were as cold as ice in the dead of winter, and he never smiled. Gradually, his name spread throughout the martial arts world: "Changhensheng" Dong Zhuoying.
Thus, a love story filled with grudges and affections among the people of Chestnut began.
Tongcheng, a city with a rich literary tradition, is located north of Anqing, facing Tongling across Baimian Lake.
That morning, there was no wind, and icicles hung from the eaves. Although the snow had just cleared after a long period of snowfall, it was still chilly. The official road in Tongcheng was wide, but there was no one on the road at this time, except for early-rising sparrows, which flew back and forth on the treetops by the roadside.
Dong Zhuoying stayed overnight in Tongcheng, but he had no interest in visiting the cultural relics and historical sites there. Instead, he rode straight towards Tianzhu Mountain.
Mount Tianzhu, a pillar supporting the sky, with sheer cliffs and precipices, is home to none other than the infamous Black-Faced Master Zhang. Dong Zhuoying, dressed in black and nicknamed "Eternal Regret," has come to seek out Master Zhang with a purpose.
Master Zhang's face was as black as a pot, and so was his heart; he was consistent inside and out. Within a hundred li of Tianzhu Mountain, if Master Zhang stomped his foot, even the foundations would shake. A three-year-old child would be guaranteed not to cry upon hearing his name. If the government sent messengers to Tianzhu Mountain to collect taxes, they most often never returned.
Master Zhang is indeed fierce, but when he leads his men, he has a different approach. Tianzhu Mountain is full of skilled fighters, each one a renowned outlaw.
Dong Zhuoying, young and fearless, dared to come to Tianzhu Mountain to provoke the tiger. Just as he was passing through the end of the jungle, he suddenly noticed three burly men standing at the fork in the road ahead. He stopped to assess the situation before disappearing into the woods.
It turned out that these three were Zhang Ba's three swordsmen.
Hou Fei, the great swordsman, had a face as white as a sheet of paper and slanted eyebrows. He could go for a long time without saying a word, but when he killed someone, he was clean and efficient, never dragging his feet.
Lu Ping, one of the two swordsmen, was short in stature and liked to wear a plaid shirt. He had a pointed mouth, sharp cheeks, a hawk-like nose, and hawk-like eyes. He was clean-shaven, and the goose-feather saber in his hand never disappointed.
Rao Dan, one of the Three Musketeers, was a Tibetan from the Jinsha River in Xikang. He was tall and thin, with his hair in a bun. He looked like a Taoist priest but not quite. His palms were dry and black. If you were caught by him, you would be bedridden for three months.
The three musketeers stood in the roadside, waiting for a woman.
Soon, from another roadside path, a graceful woman appeared, walking slowly and elegantly. At first glance, she wasn't beautiful; she had a large face and a broad forehead. But upon closer inspection, her bright eyes sparkled, exuding a gentle charm without being wicked, giving one a sense of refined beauty, like drinking fine wine—the kind of woman whose beauty only grew with age.
She smiled and walked ten steps in front of the three musketeers. She extended her slender, bamboo-like hand and gently flicked it. A golden phoenix floated up into the sky above the three musketeers. Then, it circled around and flew back. Everyone knew that she was Yu Shan; this was Yu Shan's usual ritual before she killed someone: "The phoenix spreads its wings, and even gods and ghosts grieve."
None of the three musketeers spoke, but their eyes were fixed on the golden phoenix circling in the sky.
Yu Shan spoke first: "Where are the eight men, Black-faced Zhang?"
"Eighth Master isn't coming." Lu Ping, one of the Three Musketeers, had a cold, lightning-like glint in his eyes as he always spoke on behalf of the group.
Why isn't Zhang Ba here?
"Eighth Master has something to attend to."
"Does Zhang Ba think he can escape?"
"Eighth Master doesn't need to hide."
"If you're not trying to hide, you should come here in person."
"It would be the same if my three brothers came."
A string of silvery laughter, like a spring breeze sweeping across the land, began to melt the icicles under the eaves. The three musketeers' hearts, however, remained tightly bound together; they dared not melt.
Jin Fenghuang Yu Shan smiled and glanced at the three of them, saying, "Can the three of you represent us?"
"I came here on orders, representing everything."
"Including life and death?"
"Of course it includes."
Yu Shan smiled even more beautifully and said, "Do you all know why I've come?"
"Know."
"Don't you want to consider this one last time?"
"no need."
A crow cawed in the sky, and a black crow streaked across the heavens. Yu Shanyu waved her hand lightly again, and a golden phoenix soared into the sky. With a flash of yellow light, the crow plummeted from the sky. The golden phoenix pierced the crow's throat.
Rao Dan, one of the Three Musketeers, had a gloomy face filled with hatred. He spoke coldly, "It's nothing. People aren't crows. And crows haven't offended anyone."
Yu Shan's smile vanished, her fair face turned cold, and a murderous glint flashed in her bright eyes as she snapped, "You, surnamed Rao, aren't you convinced?"
"I am speaking for the crows."
"Hey Rao, come out here, I'll teach you what it's like to be a crow."
Suddenly, several more figures approached from the other end of the stone path. A group of eight burly men, all wearing purple shorts and purple headscarves, led the way. The leader was a large man with thick eyebrows, large eyes, and a full beard; though he was robust and strong, his sharp features left a particularly deep impression.
Upon seeing these people, Yu Shan's fair face immediately tightened, and she let out a snort. The newcomers were none other than the "Eight Heroes in Purple Robes" beside the dark-faced Master Zhang.
Rao Dan laughed loudly, looking up at the sky, and said, "Miss Yu, would you like to be a crow?"
"Bullshit! I'll never be a crow!"
Lu Ping smiled faintly and said, "Third brother, I'm afraid it won't be our turn to make a move today!"
"Not necessarily!" A sharp shout rang out, and suddenly a slender young girl, no more than fifteen years old, flew down from the top of a banyan tree by the roadside. She had an oval face, willow-leaf eyebrows, and held a golden phoenix sword in her hand. She was none other than Xiao Bin, Yu Shan's personal maid.
Lu Ping exclaimed "Ah!" and curled his lip, saying, "Who do we have here? Turns out it's just a brat."
Xiao Bin leaped to the ground and swiftly stood behind Yu Shan. Jin Fenghuang Yu Shan coldly said, "Lu Ping, don't be too happy yet. Now that I'm here, I have ways to deal with you bunch of scoundrels."
Lu Ping flew into a rage and shouted, "You slut, who are you calling a dog?"
"Everyone knows in their hearts who is a scoundrel and who is not."
Hou Fei, who had been silent for a while, suddenly reached out and drew his sword with a "clang." Yu Shan's face was tense, and she frowned, saying:
"Hou Fei, do you want to go first and grab the first spot?"
Hou Fei shouted hoarsely, "Let's just do it! I don't like those fussy, poor mushrooms."
Yu Shan turned around and instructed, "Xiao Bin, go and give it a try."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Bin leaped forward, pointing gleefully at Hou Fei, saying, "You use a sword, and so do I. Neither of us will be at a disadvantage." Hou Fei suddenly burst into wild laughter, saying, "Fine, I'll deal with you first." With that laugh, his sword flashed, its light spreading out in an area the size of a round table, enveloping Xiao Bin's entire body. Although small in stature, Xiao Bin's martial arts skills, truly inherited from Jin Fenghuang, were exceptionally refined and composed. She remained calm and fearless, facing a man a head taller than her, already having made her plans. If she won, she could dampen the arrogance of the ruthless Zhang Baye; if she lost, she had powerful backers and didn't need to worry.
The little girl's mind raced, and she darted behind Hou Fei, calling out, "Hey, I'm here, miss..."
Hou Fei, ranked first among the three swordsmen, was no ordinary man; his already pale face turned even more ashen. A cold glint flashed again; with this move, he swung his sword, the sword energy rising like a bolt of lightning. Xiao Bin's feet darted forward, her slender waist seemingly rising into the air, as light as a bird. Hou Fei's sword merely passed beneath her feet. Unexpectedly, Xiao Bin, anticipating an opening in her opponent's defense, seized the opportunity and unleashed a swift strike, the sword energy piercing the air. In the blink of an eye, blood spurted from Hou Fei's abdomen like a red flower, and with a "thud," he collapsed backward to the ground.
Suddenly, all movement stopped, as if even breathing had stopped.
Those in the field looked at each other, almost unable to believe it was real. Tiny specks of blood, as vibrant as red plum blossoms, dotted the snow. A sudden gust of wind brought a misty snowscape, and the air felt even colder.
The "Eight Heroes of Purple Robes" had quietly approached the sidelines. Their faces remained cold and expressionless. However, their eyes revealed a chilling glint as they stared intently at Xiao Bin.
At this moment, the one with an expression was Jin Fenghuang Yu Shan, whose flower-like smile bloomed on her beautiful face.
Enraged, Lu Ping roared in anguish, "You wretched women, blood for blood! Neither of you two sluts will escape!"
Yu Shan laughed so hard her body trembled, and said with a coquettish smile, "Lu Ping, we don't want to leave, but do you think you can leave?"
Four of the "Eight Heroes of Purple Robes" strode forward. Rao Dan, his eyes bloodshot, leaped out and blocked their way, saying:
"Please wait a moment, all four of you!" Yu Shan smiled charmingly again and said, "Oh! The special skill of the Jinsha River is about to be sold."
Rao Dan was furious, veins bulging on his forehead. He pointed at Yu Shan and gritted his teeth, shouting, "I'll kill you all one by one, starting with the old ones, then the young ones!"
"Just because of you?"
"Absolutely right."
How old are you this year?
"I'm forty-one this year. What, you want to propose?"
"Your grandma thinks you're only fourteen, you're just childish, ignorant, arrogant and rude."
"fart!"
After a loud shout, Rao Dan raised his hand, and his two ghostly claw-like palms suddenly doubled in size, whistling through the air with a bone-chilling cold.
The two palms struck Yu Shan's front and back alternately, one after the other. The force of the blow was like a whirlwind, and in an instant, sand and stones flew everywhere, a truly astonishing sight.
With a sweet laugh, Jin Fenghuang suddenly leaped into the air, somersaulting. Her yellow robes fluttered, like a phoenix dancing in the wind. In that instant, Jin Fenghuang Yu Shan had surpassed the raging palm strike, shifting her position from above to below, gaining the upper hand. This was followed by another sharp shout, a piercing cry, and a loud "bang."
Rao Dan realized he was trapped in his opponent's strategy, unable to change his moves or even dodge. He gritted his teeth, hardening his resolve, not wanting to dodge at all, his blood boiling, killing intent surging. But Yu Shan's Five-Finger Mystic Skill struck first, like a red-hot iron rod, piercing straight down. As a result, bright red blood stained the white snow once more.
A large hole appeared in the center of Rao Dan's skull, which was curled up in a heap and twitching frequently.
Two of the three swordsmen fell dead one after another. Lu Ping's face had completely changed. Whether from overwhelming grief or extreme anger, he cried out in a voice that sounded like a sob, "Yu Shan, you...you're so cruel!"
Yu Shan glanced indifferently at the corpse lying on the ground and said lazily, "Lu Ping, do you really think that's what your auntie is like?"
"You wretched woman, you're not only ruthless, you're also vicious."
"My aunt doesn't admit it."
"You can't deny it, you've already killed two of my brothers."
"I only admit to killing one person; I didn't kill the other one."
"Nonsense, you'll never be able to pay back Master Zhang's debt."
"Really? It's a pity that Black-faced Zhang Ba isn't here right now."
"No need!" Lu Ping's cold face was covered with a layer of frost, his eyes were bloodshot, and he said through gritted teeth, "I will still skin you alive and pull out your tendons."
With a wave of his hand, the "Eight Heroes in Purple Robes" immediately took up their respective positions, guarding the eight directions around them.
Yu Shan remained unmoved and said, "Sure, I'm waiting for you!"
Just as tensions were rising again, a figure came rushing from the edge of the woods thirty feet away. The newcomer was a short, old man with white hair and beard, wearing a black robe and carrying a large, strangely shaped gourd.
Lu Ping and the "Eight Heroes of Purple Robes" saw the man rushing towards them from afar, and their spirits lifted, a sudden light appearing in each of their eyes.
The man arrived in an instant, covering the thirty-zhang distance in just a few leaps. In the blink of an eye, he was already in front of Yu Shan. With such skill, he was clearly much stronger than this group of people.
As soon as Lu Ping saw the old man arrive, he was about to speak. Unexpectedly, the old man suddenly waved his hand, stopping Lu Ping from speaking, and turned to Yu Shan, saying, "Miss Yu, there seems to be some misunderstanding about this matter!"
Lu Ping pointed at the two people on the ground and hurriedly said, "Steward Mu, Hou Fei and Rao Dan are already lying on the ground. You still say it's a misunderstanding..." Steward Mu snorted and waved his hand to stop him from continuing. He then said, "Miss Yu, Eighth Master said that we should settle our matter on the night of the full moon next month. How about that?"
Jin Fenghuang and Yu Shan replied lazily, their meaning implied: "Alright! The moon is full and everyone is here, it's a deal."
Steward Mu glanced at everyone, then waved his hand. Lu Ping and the "Eight Heroes of Purple Robes" quickly left, carrying the bodies of Hou Fei and Rao Dan. Steward Mu clasped his hands in a fist salute to Yu Shan and then also departed.
After Jin Fenghuang and Yu Shan left, she turned around and smiled, pointing to the jungle not far away, and said with a charming smile, "Hey! Friends, you can come out now!"
Suddenly, a figure leaped out of the jungle. Yu Shan looked up and saw a young man she didn't recognize standing before her. He had a handsome face, refined features, and a long sword at his waist, but he was dressed in black. She was taken aback and asked, "You are..." The young man looked embarrassed and said solemnly, "My name is Dong Zhuoying. I came from Huangshan and happened to meet you, young lady..."
Yu Shan gave Dong Zhuoying a deep look and smiled, "You've come all this way, are you also looking for Blackface Zhang Ba?"
Dong Zhuoying nodded and said, "I'm looking for him because I want to inquire about someone."
"Who is that person? Is it inconvenient for you to say?"
"No! What I want to inquire about is Master Zhuxin."
"Ah! It's him!" Yu Shan raised her eyebrows.
"Does Miss Yu know his whereabouts?" Dong Zhuoying stepped forward anxiously.
"have no idea."
"That girl... this man is elusive and unpredictable. What do you want with him?"
"I have a blood feud with him and I swear I will never let him get away with it."
Yu Shan stared at him intently for a long time before asking, "Have you found any clues yet?"
"not yet."
"Zhang Ba's hideout might be a clue."
"That's why I've come here."
"I heard that Zhang Ba and he have some connection, although it's been many years..."
"How did Miss Yu know?"
"Fool, I don't know who else knows."
Dong Zhuoying perked up and said urgently, "Let's go find him."
Yu Shan stretched out her jade arm and laughed, "Zhang Ba is not someone to be trifled with. To get rid of the weeds, we must first remove the roots. We need to take some action first and not act rashly."
Dong Zhuoying understood the meaning behind her words and said, "Just like before."
"Of course, this is just a minor incident."
"Miss Yu, you have a very clever method."
"This can be considered a lesson for them."
"lesson?"
"Yes, teach them a lesson so they don't do too many bad things."
Dong Zhuoying was thrilled and looked at Yu Shan's beautiful face, saying, "I am extremely grateful and will repay you in the future."
"No need! I appreciate it." Yu Shan smiled, turned her slender waist slightly, pointed her delicate finger north, and continued, "Dong Zhuoying, come, I'll take you somewhere to meet someone."
Night, stretching endlessly, finally enveloped the mountains and fields.
A solitary brick house stood amidst overgrown weeds, resembling neither a farmhouse nor a hunter's dwelling. If it were a farmhouse, the surrounding area would be crisscrossed with paths; if it were a hunter's dwelling, the area around the house was flat and open, devoid of any hills or mounds. Yu Shan, accompanied by Dong Zhuoying, approached from afar, her attitude one of utmost respect.
The dim light shone through the window, suggesting that someone must be inside. However, the front door was tightly shut, cobwebs hung from the door frame, and moss grew thickly on the steps.
Yu Shan tiptoed to the door. An aged voice came from inside the house: "Who's outside?"
Dong Zhuoying shook his head, his mind filled with many questions, but he couldn't bring himself to voice them for the time being.
Yu Shan replied, "This junior is Yu Shan."
The person inside the door angrily asked, "Why did you arrive early?"
Yu Shan said, "This junior has brought a friend who would like to meet you, senior."
"who?"
"He is a young swordsman."
"Hmm! What's the boy's name?"
"His surname is Dong, with the top part being Zhuo and the bottom part being Ying."
"Dong Zhuoying? There aren't many people with the surname Dong, and even fewer who can achieve great things."
"Senior, this young hero Dong is a dragon among men, quite different from others."
"Oh! Is that so? Girl, what is your relationship with him?"
The question made Yu Shan blush. At twenty-one, she was at her most sensitive. She hesitated for a moment before cleverly answering the question: "He is my friend and also a guest of my senior."
"Good, that's a good answer. Bring him in!"
Yu Shan whispered to Xiao Bin to stand guard at the door, while she led the way, going around to the back door of the house and pushing it open to enter.
The room was elegantly furnished, with bookshelves lining the walls and the floor spotless. Dong Zhuoying followed closely behind, feeling even more puzzled. Yu Shan entered the central room and, facing a wooden door on the right, said, "Senior, he and I have already entered!"
"Please come inside." The old man in the room coughed lightly, and then the sound of a chair being dragged could be heard.
Yu Shan gently pushed open the door and saw a wooden couch in the room. Seated on the couch sat a tall, elderly man with a long, black beard, his legs covered with a plain felt blanket. A pair of iron canes leaned against the wall beside the couch. A handsome young boy, about twelve or thirteen years old, attended him. White candles cast a faint glow. The tall, elderly man was imposing and dignified, his body imposing, but sadly, he was emaciated, clearly suffering from a serious illness, his condition terminal.
Yu Shan approached the bedside and said softly, "Senior, are you feeling any better?"
The old man opened his slightly closed eyes, a cold glint flashing within them, and glanced at Dong Zhuoying, seemingly unintentionally, before replying, "It's alright."
Dong Zhuoying cupped his hands in a respectful gesture and said, "Junior Dong Zhuoying greets senior."
"Your surname is Dong?" The old man looked at you carefully again and said, "Child, come here!"
Dong Zhuoying went over as instructed. The old man extended a thin, bony hand and began to stroke Dong Zhuoying's upper body, moving very slowly from front to back. After a long pause, the old man let out a soft "tsk," then closed his eyes and began stroking again. Yu Shan watched nervously, her pretty eyes darting back and forth.
The young page reached into his robes and took out a jade bottle, pouring out a white pill. Holding it in his palm, he said, "Grandmaster, it's time for your medicine." The old man in black slowly put the pill into his mouth. A heavy silence fell over the room; no one spoke.
The old man removed his hand from Dong Zhuoying's upper body, stroked his long beard, and said with great pleasure, "Good, good! Child, you must take good care of yourself. I have judged countless people in my life, and you are the one with the most refined features. The future of protecting the righteous and subduing demons will fall on your shoulders."
Jin Fenghuang Yu Shan was overjoyed and hurriedly said, "Thank you for your invaluable advice, senior."
"Don't thank me, you should thank him."
"Is there anything else the senior colleague would like to say?"
"Young lady, I have something to tell you now."
"It's me?" Yu Shan stared at the other person with her big, beautiful black eyes, not blinking for a moment.
The old man in black sighed and said, "What is your purpose in bringing him here? Do you think I don't know? You want me to pass on some of my most secret skills to him, don't you?"
Yu Shan called out shyly, "Senior..."
"You don't need to explain, I will grant your wish."
"That's great..."
"However, I have one condition."
"What are the conditions?"
"This matter started with you, and it will end with you. Therefore, my condition is that you become my disciple."
Yu Shan couldn't understand why the old man in black wanted her as his apprentice.
The old man in black closed his eyes and said sadly, "Young girl, do you know my name? Besides 'The Sage of Medicine of the Vast Ocean,' I also have another little-known title. Do you know it?"
Yu Shan said, "I know, the senior's other name is 'Xuanming Guest'."
The old man in black let out a piercing laugh, tears streaming down his face, and said, "I am Bu Daming. I never imagined that I would take on a female disciple before I die. Fate is cruel, what more can I say!"
"The senior's skills were unparalleled, his mastery of lightness skills and medical expertise were unprecedented and unmatched..."
"I miss others, and I miss myself. I still have half a month to live, but those two weeks will keep me very busy."
"Senior, can't you cure your own illness?"
"The illness I suffer from is incurable by anyone in this world, unless..."
Dong Zhuoying blurted out, "Unless what?"
Bu Daming's expression turned solemn, and he nodded sadly, saying, "Child, you are kind-hearted and have extraordinary talent. I was just trying to say it for fun, and there's no other way."
The young page suddenly interjected, "Yes, I know there is."
Bu Daming waved his hand to stop him from continuing, saying, "Silly child, life is but a prerogative of death, and misfortune is but a blessing in disguise. I came into this world without any attachments, and I will leave without any attachments. You don't need to say any more."
Tears welled up in the young pageboy's eyes and gushed out like a mountain spring, showing that he had been holding back for a long time.
Bu Daming paused for a moment, then continued, "There's nothing to be sad about. Rare medicinal herbs are hard to come by, and I, an old man, had to collect ten of them and fuse them into one furnace—how easy is that? Fortunately, there are successors. I already feel deeply grateful for the many blessings Heaven has bestowed upon me."
Dong Zhuoying's somber and sorrowful expression suddenly turned resolute as he said, "Whatever Senior has instructed me to do, I will do my utmost, regardless of the difficulties."
A glint of light flashed in Bu Daming's eyes, and he said again, "Good boy, I believe your words, and I believe even more in your ambition."
Just as their conversation reached this point, they suddenly heard the light footsteps of a highly skilled martial arts master outside the door.
Dong Zhuoying acted decisively, quickly giving a wink and flicking his finger to extinguish the candle flame.
After about half a day, a knock came at the door, and a clear, cold voice said, "Is this the place?"
The knocking was scattered, and the person who answered replied in a nonchalant tone, "It can't be wrong."
Yu Shan's expression tightened, and she grabbed Dong Zhuoying's hand and shook it up and down. Dong Zhuoying knew that this gesture meant that the person outside the door was an acquaintance.
The person outside said again, "How can there be no one here?"
"That's strange! The owner of this house stays at home all day and won't leave."
"Is she asleep?"
"Maybe."
Knock harder on the door.
"good."
Next came a rapid knocking, "thump, thump, thump," which shook the wooden door, causing dust to fall from it. Suddenly, the wooden door was kicked open. Two dark figures rushed in with incredible speed, disappearing in a flash.
Suddenly, the candles in the room were lit. The young pageboy moved quickly, lighting three candles in one go. The room was brightly lit, the flickering candlelight illuminating the space. The two dark figures were startled by this action and froze on the spot.
Everyone in the room had now recognized the newcomer as Lu Ping, the only surviving member of the Three Musketeers. It seemed fate had other plans. Behind Lu Ping was a short, middle-aged man dressed in a light blue-white shirt.
Yu Shan shouted angrily, "Lu Ping, it's you again! What are you doing here?"
Upon seeing that it was Jin Fenghuang, Lu Ping was stunned for a moment, then anxiously said, "Looking for someone."
Yu Shan said dismissively, "Who are you and me?"
Lu Ping said, "The owner of this house."
"What are you, me, and him doing?"
"I have something to do on the orders of Eighth Master."
"It's Zhang Ba's trick again. Be careful, or I'll skin him alive one day."
"Yu Shan, you don't need to brag now. Wait until a month later."
"Let me tell you, be polite to this old lady, or I'll cripple you right now!"
The man in blue coldly interjected, "Brother Lu, what's the point of arguing with a woman? Quickly explain your purpose to the old man; Eighth Master is waiting for a reply."
Lu Ping, looking displeased, bowed to Bu Daming and said, "Senior Bu, I would like to trouble you to come and stay at the gang for a while. I miss your esteemed presence."
Bu Daming laughed heartily, stroking his beard and shaking his head, saying, "Zhang Ba would think of me? That's like the sun rising in the west or a rooster laying a golden egg. Impossible."
Lu Ping respectfully said, "This junior is absolutely not lying. Eighth Master wrote a letter and asked the senior to take a look." As he spoke, he stepped forward and presented the letter with both hands. It was a white envelope with a red border, on which eight Liu-style characters were written neatly with a brush. Yu Shan, with her sharp eyes, had already seen that it read "Respectfully presented to Senior Bu for his personal opening."
Bu Daming took the letter but didn't open it. He casually put it aside and said indifferently, "I am old and frail and don't have many days left. Master Zhang sent people to me twice, and I have already made it clear that I will not go. Why bother?"
Lu Ping said, "Senior Bu, if I fail to persuade you this time, I will be severely punished when I return."
Yu Shan glanced at Dong Zhuoying and said to him with a smile, "This is the pitiful end for those who become lackeys."
The man in blue shouted, "Who are you cursing?" He swiftly extended his right hand, his five fingers like hooks, and reached out to grab Dong Zhuoying's face.
Having likely already heard of Jin Fenghuang and Yu Shan's prowess, he changed his target to Dong Zhuoying. Unexpectedly, Dong Zhuoying despised such petty people who bullied the weak and feared the strong, and immediately retaliated with a palm strike. Both attacks were incredibly swift. With a "bang," their palms collided. Dong Zhuoying remained unmoved, standing firmly in place. The man in blue, however, was forced back two steps before regaining his footing.
The man in blue's eyes flashed with a fierce light. After a slight pause, he took a long step, preparing to strike again.
Bu Daming coldly shouted, "Stop! If anyone dares to lay a hand on me again, I will kick them out of this room."
Lu Ping quickly reached out to stop him, saying, "Old He, bear with it."
The man in blue was knocked back two steps by the palm strike, and he was secretly surprised. He thought to himself: I didn't expect this young kid to be so skilled. He took my full-force attack in the blink of an eye, but he didn't seem to be struggling at all. His palm strike was incredibly fast and rare.
The young page shouted, "How dare you two be so rude?"
Lu Ping didn't want to cause any more trouble and just wanted to leave as soon as possible. He put on a smile and said, "Young man, this is not our fault. We are all guests. It is Miss Yu who deliberately caused trouble."
Upon hearing Lu Ping's words, Yu Shan frowned, clearly impatient. She stepped forward, pointed at Lu Ping and the man in blue, and demanded, "Are you coming out or not?!"
Lu Ping angrily retorted, "Who are you to Elder Bu? What right do you have to tell us to leave?"
Yu Shan's almond-shaped eyes widened, and she first let out a chilling sneer, her laughter filled with contempt, and said, "As a disciple of Senior Bu, is that enough qualification?"
Lu Ping was taken aback upon hearing this. He looked at Bu Daming, and although he was angry, he dared not make a move. He asked, "Senior, is what she said true?"
Bu Daming nodded and said, "That's right. Please, you two!"
Lu Ping felt he was at a disadvantage in everything. He turned to Yu Shan and Dong Zhuoying and said angrily, "I won't argue with you today. See you next month!" As soon as he finished speaking, he and the man in blue walked outside together.
After Yu Shan and the others in blue robes had walked away, she suddenly burst into tears, knelt on the ground, and choked out, "Disciple Yu Shan greets Master."
Bu Daming looked at Yu Shan with affection and said, "Get up quickly, there's no need for such a grand ceremony. Ever since our first chance encounter, I've felt a connection and have wanted to take you as my disciple." He then laughed heartily, appearing extremely pleased.
Yu Shan's face flushed crimson, her ears turned red, and she stammered, "Master, I've heard..."
Dong Zhuoying, unaware of what difficulties Yu Shan was facing, stammered and couldn't bring himself to speak, staring anxiously at her with his handsome eyes wide open.
Bu Daming said kindly, "Speak your mind."
Yu Shan mustered her courage and asked, "I've heard that Black-faced Zhang Ba is actually the senior's nephew. Is that true?"
Bu Daming's expression suddenly darkened, his dry lips trembled uncontrollably, and after a long while, he finally caught his breath and said, "Who told you that?"
"Hearsay is not to be believed, which is why I dare to speak out only today."
"Yes, that's right."
Upon hearing this, Dong Zhuoying and Yu Shan exchanged a sorrowful glance, their hearts filled with intense emotion, knowing that there must be a deeply painful past behind this story. A moment of silence fell over the room.
After a long pause, Bu Daming forced a smile and asked the two men, "Do you want to hear this story?"
Yu Shan said, "Please consider this carefully, Master. I am not doing this to satisfy my curiosity."
"Is that to stand up for me?"
Yu Shan remained silent. Dong Zhuoying, however, was filled with righteous indignation and angrily declared, "Zhang Ba is utterly rebellious and has violated all moral principles; I will absolutely not forgive him..."
With tears welling in her eyes, Yu Shan gently continued, "Zhang Ba is black-faced and black-hearted. Such a shameless villain is superfluous to remain in the world. Master, perhaps it will make you feel better if you speak out about your suffering."
Bu Daming suddenly coughed violently, his chest heaving. The young page hurriedly took out a jade bottle from his robes and poured out a white pill. Yu Shan rushed over, took the pill, and put it into Bu Daming's mouth. Then, she gently massaged his back with her slender, jade-like hand. After about half a cup of tea's time, Bu Daming's complexion gradually returned to normal. He suddenly sighed and said, "Child, the past is like smoke, only causing distress. I have no face to bring it up again. Let what should be buried be buried!"
A surge of righteousness welled up within Dong Zhuoying, and he insisted, "Senior, I disagree with your statement; I have objections."
"Please speak."
"The principles of ethics and morality should not be neglected. Teachers are respected; the so-called teacher is also called master. Once a teacher, always a father."
"Please continue."
"Furthermore, in our martial arts world, there is a strong desire to win and a tendency to seize by trickery and force. No matter how varied the methods may be, they all adhere to the same principles: the distinction between master and disciple, and the strict adherence to hierarchy between different schools and sects. This has been the case since ancient times."
"Well said."
"When I was a student of Huangshan, I still remember the first thing my master told me when I left him to go down the mountain: 'Uphold the moral principles and maintain the great way.' Anyone who violates the great way will not have a good end."
"In your opinion, what should Zhang Ba do?"
"In my opinion, Zhang Ba with the black face has committed many unjust acts, and I am willing to act on behalf of Heaven to uphold justice."
Yu Shan was taken aback at first, then smiled and said, "No one can take this credit away from me. You can rest assured that I will take the credit on this day next month."
Bu Daming remained silent, slowly closing his eyes, tears streaming down his face, and muttering to himself, "What goes around comes around..."
"What goes around comes around..."