Chapter 4 - The Virtue Association / 道德协会

A cool breeze caused the plum branches to tremble. Blossoms detached from their boughs, their petals drifting skyward on the wind. Some descended into the clear stream, floating downstream toward a tranquil lake. At the lake's center stood a water pavilion, constructed as an exquisitely beautiful gazebo. A winding red bridge connected this structure to the shore.

A man appeared, walking along the red bridge toward the pavilion. He sat down, calmly admiring the lake's scenery.

This person was a middle-aged man of great elegance. He wore lustrous silk clothes tailored with exquisite craftsmanship. His long beard was neatly trimmed. His eyes sparkled, and his nose was prominent and bridged, matching his thick, dark eyebrows. His red lips were firm and defined. His imposing stature exuded an air of strength. At his waist hung a jade tablet carved with the character "Han." This jade tablet alone was enough for martial artists all over the land to recognize him. He was no ordinary man, but a figure towering like a mountain—one as high as the heavens. This person could be no one else but Heaven-Equaling Peak, Han Zhaoming, who was likened to the leader of the martial world at this time.

For a figure of Han Zhaoming's stature to visit this pavilion alone was unusual. Yet, how could the actions of a martial world leader be without purpose? He had come alone for an appointment. The person he was meeting held a reputation as great as Han's own mountain-like alias. This person was The Blood Hawk, Diao Zhufan. Their reputations were bound together in the phrase: "One Supreme Mountain, Two Red Hawks Soaring the Sky. Sweeping eyes across the land, finding no equal." Thus, the actions of the two often affected each other in peculiar ways.

Currently, The Blood Hawk, Diao Zhufan, was rampaging, throwing the martial world into turmoil. By protecting the reputation of the Merry Meanderer, Jin Tianwang, Diao Zhufan had declared himself an enemy of the Virtue Association. This was a grave matter. Han Zhaoming could not remain idle. Therefore, he had arranged to meet Diao Zhufan at this water pavilion.

Heaven-Equaling Peak, Han Zhaoming, was born into a family of unparalleled prestige, renowned throughout the martial world. His father was a supreme expert at the Martial Deity level. With such a birthright, he deserved the opportunity to hold the position of Martial World Leader. Yet, as a hot-blooded youth, he possessed a brave and resilient heart. He did not rely on his family's name to boast or domineer. Instead, he traveled the martial world alone. Relying on his own skills, he single-handedly suppressed many bandit camps and mountain thieves. The martial world came to know Han Zhaoming's reputation and skill long before knowing he was the heir of a great man.

But of all the legends Han Zhaoming had created, none was greater than leading martial artists to storm the Mocking Heaven Sect. He personally killed The Stone Fiend, Shi Wusha, securing victory for the Virtue Association over the Mocking Heaven Sect. This was comparable to a victory of the righteous faction over the evil faction. Thus, fourteen years ago, Han Zhaoming was a shining star in the martial world with no equal.

While waiting, Han Zhaoming pondered various matters. Last winter, he had turned fifty. He was no longer in the prime of his hot-blooded youth. He needed a successor to inherit his position. He was determined not to choose from his own subordinates to avoid criticism. Instead, Han Zhaoming intended to select from young experts in the martial world with stellar reputations to succeed him as Chief of the Virtue Association. For many years, Han Zhaoming had planned for this and had supported a few young experts from the start.

Mute Sword, Yang Songwei, was the number one choice in Han Zhaoming's eyes. Yang Songwei was considered a genius. Aside from the internal energy technique inherited from a mysterious expert, all his sword and boxing techniques were self-invented. This young man's swordplay focused on precision. He possessed great patience, disliking to draw his sword easily. Moreover, his perseverance far exceeded that of ordinary people. The only drawback was his humble background. It was feared that martial artists from established families would not respect him and would look down on his lowly birth.

Thus, The Absolute Jade, Di Yuning, was another important candidate. The Di family was originally of the official class with immense wealth, and he was the prime disciple of The Six Decrees, Pei Chengyue. Skills inherited from a supreme expert at the Martial Deity level would certainly not be doubted. This young man was not only excellent in martial arts but also possessed a beautiful appearance. However, people with such privileged backgrounds often lacked patience and became reckless in difficult situations. It was also difficult for them to understand the mindset of ordinary martial artists, most of whom came from humble beginnings. Nevertheless, since martial artists were scattered into factions and fought constantly, being accepted by the great families seemed more important. In this light, Di Yuning was suitable in many aspects.

However, there were still many other young experts. If using the traditional method of selecting the one with the highest skills, one would have to include the Young Master of the North, Ke Daobing; The Reckless Blade, Li Sibei; the Drunken Scholar, Ou Xiatian; One Word Ends Life, Ouyang Laobai; or even the Destitute Wanderer, Kang Kang, and the Merry Meanderer, Jin Tianwang. It was hard to say who possessed the highest skills. But regarding these other experts, Han Zhaoming could not see how they would be suitable for the position of Chief of the Virtue Association.

For Han Zhaoming, the Ke family was merely a merchant clan lucky enough to grow rich from livestock. Their skills in hidden weapons and archery, though formidable, could not be called supreme arts. Therefore, Ke Daobing was not suitable.

As for Li Sibei, he might be the most skilled among his generation. But a shameless man lusting after sensual pleasures like Li Sibei, even with formidable skills, had no qualifications to be the Chief of the Virtue Association. Therefore, Li Sibei was not suitable.

Then what about Ou Xiatian ? Despite a respectable background and having passed the official exams, a wine demon like him could hardly be entrusted with the hopes of the martial world. Therefore, Ou Xiatian was not suitable.

When Ouyang Laobai's name arose, everyone knew there were no good people in the Ouyang clan. As a pirate clan, they were inherently devoid of virtue. Thus, Ouyang Laobai was not suitable and certainly could not be involved with the Virtue Association.

As for Kang Kang, he was too mysterious. No one truly knew him. Was he a disciple of the Beggar Sect or not? Therefore, Kang Kang was not suitable.

Finally, someone like Jin Tianwang, who had a kind heart, was merely an uncultured man of the hills lacking literacy. Therefore, Jin Tianwang was not suitable.

Han Zhaoming considered the successor to his position, yet it was as if he were creating conditions for finding a son-in-law. Just then, a gust of wind suddenly arose.

The gust caused the surroundings to tremble, and a large man appeared. He had a beard reaching his chest, eyes projecting immense power, a high nose bridge, straight thick eyebrows, and an elegant, upright posture. In his hand, he held a blade. On the scabbard was an image of a hawk spreading its wings, refusing to submit to anyone. This person could be no one else but The Blood Hawk, Diao Zhufan.

Han Zhaoming and Diao Zhufan, two living legends, met at the water pavilion.

"Brother Diao, long time no see. I trust you are well?" Han Zhaoming greeted, performing a respectful and elegant salutation. His eyes sparkled with the respect he held for the other.

"Brother Han, it has been many years. You seem to have aged considerably," Diao Zhufan greeted in return. But his words carried a teasing tone amidst the calm of his respectful gesture.

"How can I not age? Once a martial artist enters the martial world, one revolves around the chaos of martial affairs," Han Zhaoming replied in a low voice, narrowing his eyes slightly, reflecting the weariness of his path.

"One chooses their own path; why must one remain circled by chaos?" Diao Zhufan smiled faintly, looking up at the peaceful lake, implying he had chosen to escape the troubles of the martial world.

"In that case, shall we both perform a ceremony to retire from the martial world together?" Han Zhaoming asked with intent. Despite Diao Zhufan's words, he still saw fighting in the martial world as unavoidable.

"When I entered the martial world, I didn't beat a gong or shout to tell anyone. When leaving, why must I announce it?" Diao Zhufan gave a cryptic answer, as if his life was a private matter not for public consumption.

"Whether there is a ceremony or not is unimportant. But we are both old. We should wash our hands of the martial world," Han Zhaoming said firmly. He knew well that neither of them could deny the passage of time.

"Or is it that for many years, I haven't actually washed my hands of the martial world?" Diao Zhufan raised his eyebrows. His demeanor was full of challenge, intending to make Han Zhaoming realize his actions.

"But why did the fight at Wei City happen with you leading the killing?" Han Zhaoming asked, his voice turning murky with dissatisfaction.

"Jin Tianwang was framed by your daughter as a rapist-thief. What do you truly think is appropriate?" Diao Zhufan spoke of the incident casually, but with a hint of amusement.

"The affairs of young people, how can we be involved?" Diao Zhufan answered with a shrug, seemingly indifferent.

"Your daughter has gone too far," Han Zhaoming said sternly. His temper boiling, he spoke of Diao Zhufan's daughter.

"In that case, I will call Yuexin to tell the whole truth and perform a ceremony to apologize to Jin Tianwang. How about that?" Han Zhaoming said, pressuring himself. He intended to solve this in his own way.

"Can you really instruct and force a daughter like her?" Diao Zhufan replied with a smile that softened slightly, though his tone remained profound.

"Although my daughter is somewhat self-willed, I believe she cannot be stubborn against her father's words," Han Zhaoming sighed with anxiety, knowing he could not fully control her.

"Your daughter framed him as a rapist-thief. A mere apology won't end everything," Diao Zhufan said, widening his eyes to emphasize the irreversible facts.

"Actually, Brother Diao, what is your opinion?" Han Zhaoming asked, frowning. He wanted a clear answer.

"Since Jin Tianwang is infatuated with your daughter, why don't we encourage the two to marry?" Diao Zhufan smiled. Although teasing, he tried to deflect the tension.

Han Zhaoming sighed with dissatisfaction. Resentful, he said firmly, "Do you truly only know how to speak like this? How is Jin Tianwang worthy of my daughter?"

"Why is he not worthy? What do you want? Jewelry and silver?" Diao Zhufan replied coldly and challengingly, provoking Han Zhaoming's anger.

"How could my granddaughter be wed to such a hillbilly?" A resonant voice came from the winding red bridge, accompanied by another middle-aged man walking toward the pavilion.

This middle-aged man was actually over eighty years old, yet appeared to be fifty or sixty. With a majestic demeanor, he wore excellent marten fur clothes. He had an oval face, eyes sparkling with life, and thick straight eyebrows. His skin remained taut. He walked with hands clasped behind his back, his steps light as if flying.

"Father..." Han Zhaoming exclaimed, surprised to see his father there.

Han Zhaoming's father was none other than Han Xiaozhi, alias The Sage of the Eight Corners, one of the Three Martial Deities.

Seeing Han Xiaozhi, Diao Zhufan showed no respect. He laughed, "So it is Senior Han. I mistakenly thought the old man had left this world."

"Ha ha, little kid, dog mouth, really cannot speak good words," Han Xiaozhi said. He suddenly flicked his sleeve, unleashing a surge of internal energy toward Diao Zhufan.

The intense energy rushed at Diao Zhufan, but he paid it no heed, striking out a palm to clash directly.

"Bang." The sound of their internal energies colliding rang out.

Diao Zhufan pivoted his wrist and struck back, sending intense internal energy rushing toward Han Xiaozhi.

Han Xiaozhi was renowned for having the strongest internal energy in the martial world, yet Diao Zhufan dared to break it. Considering this a challenge, Han Xiaozhi flicked his left sleeve to neutralize the force, while rolling his right sleeve to strike again.

A smile seemed to play on Diao Zhufan's lips. He flicked his hand to draw his blade. A dark red ray rushed toward the sleeve's energy, slicing right through it. Han Xiaozhi had to reveal the Qilin arm guard hidden in his sleeve to block the blade ray, causing it to bounce off. He shouted in anger, "Little kid, today let's fight to the death."

Diao Zhufan said no more. He merely spun his blade in a circle, shifting into a ready stance.

Han Zhaoming intervened to stop them. "What is with you two? Upon meeting, you grab weapons to kill each other."

The older Han Xiaozhi got, the hotter his temper. He swept his palm out. Before it could strike, Han Zhaoming grabbed his father's wrist, saying displeasingly, "Father."

"Let go. If I don't teach this kid to know good and bad, how will he understand what is high and what is low?" Han Xiaozhi shouted.

"I have traveled constantly. What is high and what is low, how could I not know? This place has the Senior; I fear it might not be very high," Diao Zhufan teased.

Han Zhaoming continued to hold Han Xiaozhi back. Without looking back, he said, "Brother Diao, please leave first."

Diao Zhufan laughed disdainfully before leaping from the pavilion. With superb lightness skill, in just a breath, he reached the forest edge. Feeling someone stalking him, he stopped. "Since you followed, why not appear?"

Two young men walked out. The leader carried a sword in his right hand. His face was clean-cut, nose high, eyes deep, and eyebrows thick. He pursed his lips into a straight line. His stature was tall, almost equal to Diao Zhufan. Following behind was another young man. One glance gave the impression that his very skin radiated light. He had a shapely oval face, with eyebrows and eyes harmonizing like a wise sage. His nose was bridged perfectly, and his lips were red as if painted. He was handsome as a celestial being.

Diao Zhufan recognized them as Mute Sword, Yang Songwei, and The Absolute Jade, Di Yuning. Both stood before him and clasped their hands in salutation.

"This lowly one is named Di Yuning."

"I am Yang Songwei."

Diao Zhufan liked Yang Songwei's strong manner, for Di Yuning reminded him of a woman. "Heroes are born in their prime. Young experts like you, what words do you have for this old hawk?"

"We traveled here hoping to inquire about the Merry Meanderer, Jin Tianwang," Di Yuning spoke, as Yang Songwei remained silent.

"You want to find Jin Tianwang."

"Correct. This lowly one is searching for Jin Tianwang."

"You also want to frame Tianwang as a rapist-thief?"

"No. But the Virtue Association discovered that Jin Tianwang is associating with a group of mysterious people. Their origin is unknown, but they possess skilled martial arts. They move mysteriously. We are suspicious and wish to speak with Master Jin."

Diao Zhufan understood immediately. The group must be the Nine Cats. How were they villains? Angered, he said, "What makes them mysterious? Stalking people like this—aren't you villains as well?"

"The mysterious group comes and goes without a trace. The Virtue Association tried to inquire about them, but they used fierce skills against us."

"What is this Virtue Association? Do you think yourselves government officials, entitled to inquire about everyone's background?"

Yang Songwei knew Diao Zhufan was threatening them. Though he admired the senior, he refused to show weakness. He puffed out his chest and stepped forward.

"Heh heh, little kid, you are too bold," Diao Zhufan said, drawing his red-shining blade.

Yang Songwei drew his sword and thrust it out even before the blade circle appeared.

Diao Zhufan was a supreme expert. With a flick of his blade in a half-circle, he countered the thrust. Facing the hawk's intense internal energy, the young swordsman had to retreat.

Di Yuning could not wait. He flicked the flexible sword hidden at his belt, thrusting at Diao Zhufan to subdue him. But they underestimated him.

Diao Zhufan rotated his wrist, creating a concise arc of blade-light that cut through the air toward the flexible sword. However, upon contact, the flexible power of Di Yuning's sword absorbed the force. Diao Zhufan realized this young man with a feminine face had skills deeper and more subtle than Yang Songwei. No longer holding back, he accelerated his internal energy, slashing from all directions to prevent being encircled.

Yang Songwei was in disarray, blocking the numerous blade circles with his sword.

Di Yuning used footwork to change patterns but was forced to retreat continuously.

Diao Zhufan chose to defeat Yang Songwei first, believing his path was inferior to pure power. Once Di Yuning retreated, Diao Zhufan leaped toward Yang Songwei. But unexpectedly, Yang Songwei's sword shot out like a rainbow across the sky. Even Diao Zhufan was alarmed, leaning back but still losing a clump of hair.

Yang Songwei seized the chance to counterattack, changing from thrust to slash. But Diao Zhufan's slash was deeper and stronger, forcing him to retreat.

Di Yuning used the opening to execute a move named "Falling Willow Leaves," his flexible sword creating numerous shadows.

Diao Zhufan handled them cautiously. Seeing the bizarre move, he turned the blade in his right hand and struck out with his left palm. The sound of tearing air rushed toward Di Yuning.

Di Yuning thought Diao Zhufan was only skilled in blade play and didn't expect such a palm strike. He threw himself aside, crashing onto the ground to dodge.

Yang Songwei rolled his sword to thrust but stopped mid-move and sheathed his weapon.

Diao Zhufan was surprised.

"I, Yang Songwei, do not intend to use shameful methods to win."

"This kid knows who you are. I, the Old Hawk, how could I fear your coordinated attack?"

"Brother Yang, if we cannot capture Senior Diao, how will we have further clues?"

Yang Songwei said nothing more and walked away.

Di Yuning, a former high official's descendant, estimated himself correctly. Even together they couldn't win; alone, he had no confidence. He hurriedly apologized. "Apologies that Di Yuning offended the Senior today. I hope the Senior holds no grudge." He ran after Yang Songwei.

Diao Zhufan watched Yang Songwei with pleasure at his pride. Comparing him to Jin Tianwang, he felt they were very different; Yang Songwei was full of pride, while Jin Tianwang lacked it. Thinking of Di Yuning, he laughed. "This kid really knows how to speak shamelessly. Old Pei must be truly senile to choose a disciple who is neither man nor woman." Murmuring this, he headed northwest.

The martial world is a singular realm that forever draws in young dreamers and ambitious souls, trapping them in endless cycles of rivalry. In the Jianghu, fame, glory, and wealth go hand in hand. It was so years ago, remained unchanged decades ago, and was the same centuries past. Slaughter, resentment, and vengeance never fade from this world. These cycles repeat endlessly; everything must be seized by force. This is an immutable law of the martial world.

If one desires renown, the most favored method is naturally to conquer a figure already established in the martial world. Thus, challenges arise daily, without a single day's respite. At this moment, before the bridge crossing the canal of the Zhang family village, stood a wooden board fashioned into a sign. Upon it, a message was scrawled in bright red:

"Challenge issued to The Absolute Jade, Di Yuning; Mute Sword, Yang Songwei; Young Master of the North, Ke Daobing; The Destitute Wanderer, Kang Kang; and Merry Meanderer, Jin Tianwang, at the empty fort at the West Gate of Liang City. But if any among you is a puppy, do not bother attending. From Sword Slave."

Liang City was once a vital frontier stronghold for many dynasties. Yet now that the empire is unified and vast, this border town has withered into a desolate ruin. Inhabitants are few, for the land here is arid and far from major rivers. Though a grand canal was once dug, it runs dry through many seasons.

The West Gate, constructed as a stone fortress, has weathered many years and is now in extreme disrepair. Yet, at this very moment, a figure stands there.

This person is hairless, browless, and beardless. His skin, from face to toe, is dark as soil, rendering his features indistinguishable. He is shirtless, revealing a frame that is thin yet packed with dense muscle. He stands arms crossed, eyes closed, as if awaiting something. Beside him, a sword is driven firmly into the ground. Its blade gleams black, its hilt sitting slightly lower than the hand of this earthen man.

At the end of the stretching road, a caravan of horses appeared. Among them rode a figure clad in eye-catching emerald green robes. All eleven horses approached at a slow, deliberate pace.

A woman's voice rang out from atop the gatehouse. "Who has arrived?"

"It is that wealthy man."

"Is it him? That fool surnamed Ke who prefers throwing money over weapons. I am currently establishing a sect and require vast funds; I hope he does not disappoint."

"Whatever the Mistress desires, she shall naturally obtain."

"How many have come?"

"Eleven people, eleven horses."

"Spare one; let him carry our tale to the world."

"Understood, Mistress."

"Wait until they are closer. I shall kill one or two first, then you act."

"Understood, Mistress." Sword Slave spoke these words, yet his body remained motionless; only his mouth moved.

Ke Daobing had spotted Sword Slave waiting before the fortress from the start, yet he intentionally slowed the caravan, leaving the man to stand in the sun. Others in the party naturally saw him too; his black skin was starkly visible near noon. These riders were all friends of Ke Daobing—more than half were renowned in the martial world, others were new acquaintances, but all enjoyed Ke Daobing's generous wealth.

"That clay lump of a man has been waiting for the Young Master from the start; he may have laid a trap." A bearded man with fierce eyes, riding alongside Ke Daobing, voiced a warning. This was The Cold Halberd of Three Moons, Wang Bei, famous in the north. Rumor had it his heavy halberd was so sharp it could slice through stone as easily as a banana trunk.

The caravan fell silent as they neared the fortress. Just as the lead rider prepared to stop and speak, a flurry of glittering lights tore through the air. Panic erupted. Ke Daobing rotated his wrist, throwing weapons to intercept the lights. However, the lights seemed to possess eyes; they spun in a full circle before looping back. Ke Daobing realized they were handle-less flying knives with curved blades. He flicked his wrist to throw again but missed. The knives embedded themselves in the horses' throats and bodies. The beasts shrieked, rearing up before collapsing dead. Ke Daobing rolled safely from his mount. Scanning the area, he found four of his companions dead by those flying knives.

Furious, Ke Daobing turned back to Sword Slave, shouting, "Bastard, you shall die as well!"

Sword Slave seemed bored of waiting. His right hand moved for his sword hilt, but suddenly a woman's voice whispered in his ear, "I will play with the one surnamed Ke first. You kill the servants."

Sword Slave immediately yanked the sword from the earth and leaped out. Ke Daobing hastily threw hidden weapons at three vital points on Sword Slave: the glabella, the heart, and the navel.

Sword Slave showed no reaction, merely somersaulting over Ke Daobing's head. The three weapons—a valuable pure silver six-inch nail, a gold-cast Iron Chakra of perfect weight and sharpness, and a sharpened Jade Bullet—all struck Sword Slave's soil-colored body. Yet, he showed not the slightest distress. The Iron Chakra embedded itself in his chest, but no blood seeped from the wound. Ke Daobing was astonished, but his surprise was cut short as more glittering lights rushed at him. Sword Slave charged the mounted martial artists, his sword stabbing with decisive cruelty.

Judging the trajectory, Ke Daobing pinpointed the hidden attacker. He used agile footwork to dodge the knives and wall-climbing skills to soar up the fort, intending to kill the ambusher above. The knives had been curving out of a side window; he decided to smash directly through the front window instead.

A laugh of amusement rang out, and a shadow darted from the room. Ke Daobing pursued. Three more flying knives rushed at him. He spun his arms, sending hidden weapons to knock the knives aside. Without slowing, he pressed the chase.

Finally, Ke Daobing spotted the back of a woman running ahead. He hooked his arm low and flicked a weapon at her back, but she abruptly jumped from the second floor. The fast nail missed. Ke Daobing continued the chase. Reaching the wall's ridge, he looked down to see only Sword Slave fighting The Cold Halberd of Three Moons, Wang Bei; the rest of the caravan was dead.

The halberd in Wang Bei's hand trembled. Sword Slave's swordplay was profound and bizarre—slashing, hooking, pointing, and pressing with invisible speed. Wang Bei's weapon was heavy and slow. After a few moves, though he protected his vitals, he was already riddled with wounds.

Ke Daobing leaped from the wall, throwing a Jade Bullet at the back of Sword Slave's neck. Sword Slave did not look back. His sword thrust forward, piercing Wang Bei's throat. Wang Bei fell, dropping his halberd. Meanwhile, the Jade Bullet struck Sword Slave's neck, eliciting a grinding sound. Sword Slave pulled the bullet out; no blood followed. His earthen skin feared no weapon.

Ke Daobing lost sight of the woman, but the moment his feet touched the ground, Sword Slave rushed him.

Sword Slave moved with speed, his body impervious, his moves mad and ruthless. In a blink, his sword stabbed toward Ke Daobing.

Ke Daobing sprang back, throwing a six-inch silver nail between Sword Slave's brows. The force knocked Sword Slave onto his back.

Sword Slave was down for only a moment before forcing himself upright. The silver nail remained in his forehead, making his terrifying appearance truly ghastly. It was stuck but had not pierced the skin layer. He stabbed again.

Ke Daobing yanked a silver belt from his waist—a long silver chain. He whipped it against the sword. Metal clashed against metal. The chain's tip bounced off but miraculously looped back toward Sword Slave's eyes..

Instinctively, Sword Slave dodged, fearing for his eyes.

Feeling hope, Ke Daobing manipulated the chain to strike the other eye. Sword Slave blocked with his sword and swept out a black arc. Ke Daobing dodged with bizarre footwork. Sword Slave followed up, stabbing and slashing madly. Ke Daobing spun the chain in defensive circles, but the chain moved with strange fluidity, undulating like a living serpent. Its tip rose and struck Sword Slave's right eye. Blood seeped from the corner of the eye; the chain had cut the eyelid but missed the eyeball.

Seeing his own blood, Sword Slave's madness intensified. He threw his black sword at Ke Daobing.

Caught off guard, Ke Daobing stiffened and barely swayed left. Sword Slave slammed into him, pinning him down. Knees holding down Ke Daobing's arms, Sword Slave roared, ready to gouge out Ke Daobing's eyes with his fingers. Ke Daobing closed his eyes in terror. Suddenly, a great gust of wind arose. Sword Slave was lifted into the air and blown away.

The wind was actually a man, who had grabbed Sword Slave by the neck and thrown him before the eyes could be destroyed.

Ke Daobing opened his eyes to see a familiar smile on a young man's face. "Brother Ke, I trust you are unharmed."

"Master Jin..." Ke Daobing exclaimed weakly. Jin Tianwang had saved him; otherwise, he would have lost his eyes and likely his life.

Jin Tianwang examined Sword Slave, stating, "This person used a strange poison to destroy his pain sensation. This soil-colored skin resembles the corpse-refining technique of the Defying Heaven Sect of the past."

Sword Slave stood up, glaring maliciously at Jin Tianwang. "Oh! You are Zhao Xianzhi. Why have you become like this?"

"There is no 'Zhao Xianzhi' anymore. Only Sword Slave, my loyal servant." A young girl appeared as she spoke.

Jin Tianwang recognized her as Zhou Songyi, the heir of the Defying Heaven Sect from Mystic Valley. "It was you who used poison to reduce Young Master Zhao to this."

"He consented to be my slave; he was not forced."

"You are too cruel!" Jin Tianwang shouted. Sword Slave leaped madly at Jin Tianwang, who rushed forward and slammed a fist squarely into his head. The black body flew backward and fell. Alarmingly, he rose rapidly, though unstably, taking two steps before collapsing unconscious.

"Though he feels no pain, the dizziness remains," Jin Tianwang told Zhou Songyi.

Zhou Songyi had not expected Jin Tianwang to handle Sword Slave so easily. Who was he? Suppressing her anger, she said, "Jin Tianwang, the entire martial world is hunting you. If you wish to survive, join my sect. I will make you Deputy Sect Leader."

"Are you establishing the New Defying Heaven Sect? If so, we have nothing to discuss."

Hearing 'Defying Heaven Sect,' Ke Daobing looked at the girl in shock. "You want to be an enemy to the whole world?"

Ignoring the girl, Jin Tianwang changed the subject. "Miss Zhou, detoxify Young Master Zhao. No one deserves this pitiful existence. And you should return to Mystic Valley."

"You chase me back? Why don't you return yourself?"

"In the past, Silver Serpent Kou Lingsi lost to Blood Hawk Diao Zhufan and promised that Defying Heaven Sect survivors would remain in Mystic Valley forever," Ke Daobing interjected.

"That is old Kou's oath; why must I adhere to it?" Zhou Songyi retorted willfully.

Jin Tianwang reflected on her words, 'return to Mystic Valley yourself,' and smiled depressingly. "Miss Zhou, abandon such schemes. Believe me, return to Mystic Valley."

"What is Mystic Valley like? How would you understand?" she snapped.

Jin Tianwang's eyes seemed to hold the answer, but he said nothing. With another depressed smile and a sigh, he stopped arguing. He grabbed a surviving horse, helped Ke Daobing onto it, and led them away, ignoring Zhou Songyi.

Ke Daobing looked sorrowful, absent-mindedly contemplating his recent defeat and near-death.

Sensing this, Jin Tianwang spoke, "Who has never known defeat? Though unwanted, it is not valueless. Knowing defeat makes you stronger."

"But you didn't lose to Sword Slave; I did."

"I have also lost. Do you not believe me?" Jin Tianwang smiled. Meeting his eyes, Ke Daobing felt strangely at ease and smiled back. "You are not dead; how can you be a loser forever?" Ke Daobing's smile widened; these words were divine rain soothing his heart.

"Let us part here. We both have tasks to complete. Farewell." Jin Tianwang released the horse, circled back, and tapped its flank to send it forward.

Ke Daobing did not look back at that sincere smile, thinking, "One day, I will return to defeat Sword Slave, and defeat Jin Tianwang."

Jin Tianwang waved goodbye until they were out of sight. He pondered the news from Six-Eared Cat, Lei Yei. The disappearance of Drunken Scholar, Ou Xiatian, had caused his benefactor to search, and now the Senior was gone too. Was this another joke played on him by Frostflower, Han Yuexin?

He remembered parting from Ou Xiatian at Ten Thousand Bamboo Inn without a goodbye. He still held onto their appointment to drink. Thus, Jin Tianwang refused to drink with others. If he could not drink with Ou Xiatian again, perhaps he would never drink again.

Only Jin Tianwang was foolish like this.

Only he valued a friend like Ou Xiatian this much.

Only with a smile, so there need be no tears.

The great river, carrying minerals valuable to agriculture, traveled in a long line for hundreds of li, creating a fertile city most suitable for cultivation in the central plains. It was a land coveted by warriors to serve as a vital granary for military forces. Thus, Chang'an City was a city inhabited by many, a renowned trading hub where people popularly brought goods from distant lands to turn a handsome profit.

At this moment, there was fog, though the weather was not very cold. Even though winter was approaching, many people still sat waiting to enter the city before the sky was bright, and among that crowd was Jin Tianwang.

Jin Tianwang wore light yellow clothes, both the outer robe and the fitted martial attire underneath, with only his shoes being black, reaching up to his mid-calf. After registering and paying the tax to enter the city, Jin Tianwang walked into the market, looking for a tavern named The Warlord's Tavern.

The Warlord's Tavern was famous in the past because a warlord surnamed Xiang had campaigned everywhere to unite the land for the Emperor. When the country entered a peaceful era, the warlord, who hailed from the southern lands, was stationed as the governor of this city. He preferred food with strong flavors, leaning towards spicy and hot. It happened that there was a chef who could cook southern food very well. General Xiang thus established this tavern for said chef to settle down in this city. Since then, this tavern had been passed down for three generations, remaining renowned for cooking spicy southern food.

Upon arriving, Jin Tianwang hurried to The Warlord's Tavern. However, he did not come because he liked spicy southern food, but rather to investigate clues about a certain matter. Two months ago, at this tavern, a woman had been beheaded.

This woman had been a chef in the tavern for some time. She possessed excellent ability in cooking spicy food. Since she began working at this tavern, the number of appreciative customers had grown. However, concerning her death, the tavern owner suppressed the story, merely organizing a quiet funeral for her.

Jin Tianwang seemed to know something of the story already. Using the excuse of being a distant relative of hers, he gained the opportunity to hear the account of the event from the owner and a few young staff members in the shop. All believed it was likely the act of a passing bandit, for the chef surnamed Qi had no enemies in the city. Although she had a somewhat fastidious nature, she was well-liked by the people. Chef Qi was likely near the age of thirty, living alone in a rented house behind the market. She was unmarried, likely due to her freckled face.

Jin Tianwang suddenly thought of a sweet and lovely woman. She was a renowned smiling courtesan in the eastern lands. The reputation of her beauty compelled many people to travel to this small city at the river mouth. Wealthy merchants were willing to pay vast sums of gold and silver just to glimpse her beauty for a mere moment, willing to bestow precious gifts just to listen to the sound of her zither and critique the sound of the flute with her. The Poet-Sage Kang Tingxia once praised this knowledgeable beauty, saying: "Traveling a thousand li is not worthless to meet a beautiful woman of great knowledge. Abandoning scriptures, forgetting texts to meet her, willing to bow in respect to her Three Smiles Brew."

That famous woman was named Qi Yiling, alias Three Smiles Brew, a name bestowed after The Poet-Sage Kang Tingxia praised her and toasted her with wine. From then on, the tale of her beauty spread by word of mouth until she became famous throughout the eastern lands.

One year ago, on a night when the moonlight shone as bright as midday, Jin Tianwang traveled to the small city at the river mouth to visit The House of Ten Thousand Stars, the most famous brothel.

While Qi Yiling was welcoming high-ranking guests by playing the zither, the lively melody evoked sorrow in people, as if encountering a separation from loved ones due to a distant journey. When Qi Yiling finished playing, not a few guests shed tears, reminiscing about the past. However, the sorrow did not last long; suddenly, the sound of wine cups being knocked in a lively rhythm drifted from the outer guest reception room.

The guest reception room outside was a place for the masses to seek entertainment together. The guests there were mostly destitute travelers, seeking only female companionship for conversation and drink.

Jin Tianwang, having little money, merely ordered a pot of wine and a small plate of fried peanuts, finding joy in the outer room. After listening to the song played by Qi Yiling, the guests there all wore sorrowful faces. A strange silence fell over the room. Jin Tianwang, who always wore a smile, naturally could not endure it. He thus picked up the chopsticks in his hand to knock on his tea cup, creating a lively rhythm. Moreover, he sang a song familiar to the people, the lyrics of which spoke of farmers inviting each other to go to war, to build the nation, earn a reputation, fight for victory, and bring back rank and wealth, before rushing back to find the beautiful wives waiting.

Other guests familiar with the song sang along loudly, creating great merriment for the visitors. Jin Tianwang both sang and acted out gestures, his right hand tapping the rhythm, his left hand holding the wine cup, walking around while casting glances at all the beauties in the brothel, as if they were beautiful wives waiting for young husbands to return from the battlefield. When the song ended, many guests laughed until they shed tears, rushing to toast Jin Tianwang. The song that Jin Tianwang sang not only drew the guests inside to come out and join the fun, but even Qi Yiling came out to watch the spectacle.

That was the first time Jin Tianwang met Qi Yiling.

That night, great merchants did not mind drinking wine with carriage drivers. Various guests vied to sing the fun songs they liked. Only the sound of laughter resounded through The House of Ten Thousand Stars, creating a strangely warm and lively atmosphere. Qi Yiling did not come down to join the fun like the other beauties but watched from the upper balcony. She stared, constantly observing Jin Tianwang moving from one corner to another. She observed that the strangest thing about this stranger was that Jin Tianwang was drunk, drunker than everyone. As dawn approached, many guests gradually left. Others remained, sleeping drunkenly at the tables. But by now, Jin Tianwang had not left, still drinking in a stupor alone.

Therefore, Qi Yiling approached to converse with Jin Tianwang. "Young Master Jin, having drunk so much wine, is it still not enough?"

"The wine paid for is not yet finished; how can I leave?" Jin Tianwang poured and drank from the pot on his table. Although he had drunk a lot last night, it had been the wine of others who had happily come to toast him.

"Last night, was Young Master happy?"

"Last night I cultivated many friends, creating great happiness for me."

"After this night passes, these friends of yours likely will not remember the events of last night."

"This is the charm of wine friends. If one drinks enough, even sworn enemies can embrace and converse. Just like last night—was the beautiful lady happy?" Jin Tianwang told the story while gesturing to match his words.

"I watched you all smiling and laughing. A night like that counts as quite a special night." Qi Yiling spoke these words, and recalling the image of people laughing, she could not help but smile.

"A night like that is indeed a special night. I drank wine, drank until I was drunker than anyone."

"But it is still you who can continue drinking, seeming not drunk in the slightest."

"Do you suspect I am drunk? If I am drunk, it is because I am intoxicated by your beauty." Jin Tianwang spoke these words while leaning closer, staring into her face.

"You are likely truly drunk to say I am a beautiful woman." Qi Yiling spoke while turning her face away.

"If the lady is not a beautiful woman, then which woman is fit for the word 'beauty'?"

"True beauty, what is it like? For example, we women worry about our beauty day and night, maintaining and enhancing it—powdering faces, painting lips, trimming eyebrows. In truth, will anyone ever know what our true faces are like?"

"External beauty is like a mirror reflecting what is within. You all make up your faces and paint your lips to look beautiful; naturally, there is beauty both inside and out."

"You speak words too contrary to your heart. For example, you—your face seems to wear a smile all the time. In truth, within your heart, has there been a smile even once? You like fake friends; is it because you are also a fake person?"

". . ." No answer came from Jin Tianwang, save for a smile given to her. Then he lifted the wine pot, drank until the last drop drained from it, and walked out of The House of Ten Thousand Stars.

Jin Tianwang visited The House of Ten Thousand Stars for many consecutive days until he was acquainted with many patrons. In a city so small and remote, no one had ever heard the name of Merry Meanderer Jin Tianwang. Everyone knew him only as Jin Tianwang, a good-humored young man who could sing merrily, found every night in front of The House of Ten Thousand Stars.

Before long, guests often called for Jin Tianwang incessantly. The beauties in The House of Ten Thousand Stars also liked him quite a bit. Often he received invitations from those courtesans, but he always refused, citing his love for Three Smiles Brew Qi Yiling.

However, Qi Yiling never spoke or conversed with Jin Tianwang in the slightest. She was the only woman who seemed to dislike Jin Tianwang; moreover, she rather detested him. Jin Tianwang's attempts to woo Qi Yiling became a source of amusement for everyone in the know, and they often used it to tease him. Not only did he not take offense when teased, but he even embellished the story to make it even more humorous.

Over these past many days, quite a few guests at The House of Ten Thousand Stars did not seek the company of women but came to drink and discuss funny stories with Jin Tianwang instead. Sometimes Jin Tianwang was invited to listen to Qi Yiling play the zither in the special reception room, causing Qi Yiling considerable annoyance, though it was great fun for the other guests.

The funny saga between Jin Tianwang and Qi Yiling played out every night. Before long, the tale of the two became a source of amusement for the whole city, spreading from one person to another, becoming more colorful each day. Until early one evening, Qi Yiling summoned Jin Tianwang to meet her inside her dressing room. Qi Yiling sat in the inner section, while Jin Tianwang sat at the table outside, with an orange curtain dividing them.

It was still Qi Yiling who spoke first, "Young Master Jin, for many days, people have laughed at and mocked me. It is probably a matter that satisfies you greatly, I suppose."

"They are the same as me; they all like you greatly." Jin Tianwang moved his chair closer to the orange curtain, intending for his voice to penetrate more clearly.

"I think these stories are not only not fun, but not amusing in the slightest. What you are doing every day is hurting me severely."

". . ." Jin Tianwang offered no words in response, merely sitting and smiling in his chair.

Qi Yiling suddenly threw open the curtain and walked out. "I hate that smile of yours the most."

Jin Tianwang was stunned to see Qi Yiling at this moment. Her face, unadorned by white powder, was freckled and covered in dark spots. Even her lips were of a dark hue, unpleasant to look at.

"Whatever plan Young Master thought to lay in the past, I do not want to know. I only hope for you to leave." Qi Yiling spoke these words while walking up to face Jin Tianwang.

"You knew from the start." Since Jin Tianwang saw the face void of powder and rouge, he no longer spoke with a playful smile.

"Correct. Moreover, I have always believed in my heart that you held malicious intent towards me." Qi Yiling grabbed another chair and sat down beside Jin Tianwang, looking him directly in the eyes.

"You are right. I accepted a promise from someone to kill you." Jin Tianwang answered, his gaze locking with Qi Yiling's.

"That person is probably a woman, because I have harmed hundreds and thousands of families." She said this because she believed there were many men who abandoned their families because they were infatuated with her, causing problems. This thought had circulated and hurt Qi Yiling's mind all along, but she could not abandon the profession that fed her.

"No. You did not harm her family. She wanted to kill you only due to the reputation of your beauty." Jin Tianwang avoided her eyes because he suddenly thought of another woman.

"In that case, why did you not hurry to act from the start?" Qi Yiling spoke, furrowing her brows.

"Because I once believed that I could destroy the reputation of your beauty without killing you."

"So it is like this."

"But now I understand that I was wrong. Besides killing you, I have no way to destroy the reputation of your beauty."

"When I have an appearance like this, you still say that I am beautiful." Qi Yiling spoke these words, raising her right hand under her chin to reveal her freckled face.

"If comparing the beauty of the skin, you could not compare to her from the first meeting. But I just understood today that you have only used inner beauty all along. No matter how beautiful her outer appearance is, she naturally cannot compare to you, for now I know that only you possess flawless beauty." Jin Tianwang spoke as if he were a great scholar, or perhaps he was trying to imitate The Poet-Sage Kang Tingxia?

"You... You make me think of someone." She finished these words and rose from the chair, making no attempt to be close to Jin Tianwang anymore.

"You think of your lover."

"I am a courtesan; how can I have a lover?" She lowered her head, a posture showing shame before Jin Tianwang.

"Cruel murderers can still have lovers; why can you not?"

"I do not have a lover. I only love him one-sidedly."

"One-sided love, in truth, is sometimes perhaps even more beautiful than fulfilled love."

"How can that be?" Qi Yiling spoke those words while shaking her head in denial.

"Because if you only love one-sidedly, your days pass by creating an ideal love. Love that does not exist in the real world is naturally much more beautiful than love in reality."

At this point, I fear Jin Tianwang and the great poet Kang Tingxia probably did not differ much.

"You are extremely similar to that person." Qi Yiling compared Jin Tianwang to a man, not knowing if it was Kang Tingxia or not.

". . ." No words came from Jin Tianwang, but his eyes betrayed confusion and contemplation.

In the morning, a beautiful woman suddenly went to meet a man at a tavern in the market. They sat down to eat for a moment before an argument broke out. The man used a dagger to stab through the beautiful woman's body, killing her. Then he fled the city in haste.

People crowded around to watch. Someone recognized that this beautiful woman was Three Smiles Brew Qi Yiling, lying submerged in a pool of blood under the table, her eyes still wide open. The scene became even more chaotic when people from The House of Ten Thousand Stars heard the news and confirmed it was indeed Three Smiles Brew Qi Yiling.

A number of people immediately went out to search for the perpetrator. Some said it was the pleasure-seeking man who had just appeared in this river mouth city who killed Qi Yiling. However, some who witnessed the event said it was him, while others said it wasn't, because they believed that the good-humored hedonist held deep love for Qi Yiling. It was more likely that he was the one chasing the murderer into the forest behind the market.

Finally, officials from the authorities came to collect Qi Yiling's corpse, and no one saw that good-humored pleasure-seeker again.

However, Qi Yiling had already died once in front of many people in the market at that small river mouth city. Why did she come to die again at Chang'an City? Or was it merely a coincidence that the two women shared the same name and surname?

Jin Tianwang did not think so, because at that small river mouth city, he was the one who had plunged the dagger into Qi Yiling's body until she was submerged in a pool of blood. He had then run to the forest in the back to change clothes, returning in the guise of a corpse collector along with another close friend who played the role of a city official, managing to clean up the scene and take the soulless body of Three Smiles Brew Qi Yiling away.

Half an hour later, the beautiful woman named Qi Yiling of that small river mouth city was no more. One month later, a woman named Qi Yiling appeared to apply as a chef at this very Warlord's Tavern.

Jin Tianwang drank his tea at The Warlord's Tavern absent-mindedly, his thoughts drifting until another man walked in and joined his table without waiting for an invitation.

A sudden, delighted smile lit up Jin Tianwang's face; this man could be no one else but The Drunken Scholar, Ou Xiatian. This was a man who had been an important friend in his life, rumored to have mysteriously vanished. Yet, a certain feeling told Jin Tianwang that today, this friend had changed. Even though Ou Xiatian sat beside him drinking wine in silence just as before, and although truth be told, the two should have had many words to exchange, neither spoke. Everything proceeded in this manner until an hour later, when two other outstanding men entered the tavern. These two remarkable figures were The Absolute Jade, Di Yuning, and Mute Sword, Yang Songwei.

Although Jin Tianwang had never met these two young men, he could guess they were The Absolute Jade and Mute Sword, two young experts currently renowned in the martial world. Jin Tianwang paid particular attention to Di Yuning, knowing him to be the fellow disciple of The Frostflower Maiden, Han Yuexin. The young man's beautiful appearance forced Jin Tianwang to compare him with A-Luo, the young friend who had sailed to the southern lands with him. A-Luo was also a handsome man; yet when compared to Di Yuning, Jin Tianwang still felt that A-Luo appeared much stronger and more elegant than this handsome youth.

Di Yuning did not know Jin Tianwang's inner thoughts, though he had noticed the man staring at him from the start. He introduced himself, "This lowly one, Di Yuning, and Mute Sword, Yang Songwei, pay respects to Brother Jin."

Jin Tianwang hurriedly raised his hands to return the respect, but Ou Xiatian continued drinking his wine, sparing no thought or attention for the two young experts. The two young experts then sat at the table with Jin Tianwang without waiting for an invitation.

"Brother Jin, for what reason have you rushed to travel to this Chang'an City?"

"Whatever reason, it is entirely unrelated to little children like you," Ou Xiatian, who had been silent all along, spoke on Jin Tianwang's behalf.

"We received orders from Chief Han to invite Brother Jin to visit our Virtue Association once," Di Yuning said, still pretending not to mind or pay attention to Ou Xiatian in any way.

"You two little children intend to come arrest Jin Tianwang? Do you not know that I, The Drunken Scholar Ou Xiatian, am the beloved friend of Merry Meanderer Jin Tianwang? Any matter related to Jin Tianwang naturally cannot be without Ou Xiatian."

Jin Tianwang could only smile at the two young men, his eyes darting back and forth as if to suppress Ou Xiatian's impulsive temper, while saying, "Brother Ou seems to be drunk already; please do not hold it against him."

"This matter is unrelated to Brother Ou, I ask that Brother..." Di Yuning had not yet finished his sentence when Ou Xiatian suddenly shouted out.

"The entire martial world knows well that in the past, Jin Tianwang stormed into the Mystic Valley and brought the Shadow Bat to clear my name for me. In my life, I owe him a debt of gratitude to this extent; I am naturally willing to die for him at any time."

Jin Tianwang seemed to wear a worried and sad expression, "Brother Ou..."

Ou Xiatian rolled up his left sleeve, revealing a folding fan, and pointed it towards Di Yuning. Although Yang Songwei had not spoken a word, he had been ready to act for a long time.

Seeing the folding fan in Ou Xiatian's hand point out, he drew his sword and slashed.

Ou Xiatian feigned an attack on Di Yuning but in truth intended to attack Yang Songwei from the start. He suddenly turned the fan in his hand to block the incoming slash, while pointing his right hand towards Yang Songwei's chest. At such close quarters, Yang Songwei was clearly at a disadvantage. Nonetheless, Yang Songwei had the reputation of an expert. Facing both a block and an attack simultaneously, he did not panic into error, but suddenly struck out his left palm to clash with the fingertips aiming for his chest.

Ou Xiatian did not hold back in the slightest, channeling internal energy into both arms simultaneously. The folding fan struck the slashing sword, deflecting it, while the fingertips stabbing into Yang Songwei's palm sent the young swordsman's body bouncing away, almost falling backward to crash onto the floor.

But Yang Songwei did not lose face as a renowned young swordsman; he suddenly flicked his sword to prop up his body once and returned to clash with Ou Xiatian again, stabbing the sword out with extreme speed and force. However, before the sword entered striking range of Ou Xiatian, his body was struck, causing him to fall backward and roll away clumsily.

It was Jin Tianwang who had struck out a palm. Di Yuning could no longer stand by idly; he pointed a finger towards Jin Tianwang's throat, but before it could reach near the body, he also fell backward. Jin Tianwang swept his leg to kick the chair Di Yuning was sitting on, causing Di Yuning to lose his balance and fall. Then, Jin Tianwang used both hands to touch the dining table, flipping and spinning it strangely. The table floated up, spinning like a top in mid-air, perfectly blocking the sword attack of Yang Songwei who leaped in again.

When the table spun down to touch the floor once more, a folding fan suddenly appeared, striking Yang Songwei's chest and sending him flying far away.

Although Di Yuning had heard much of the reputation and skills of Jin Tianwang and Ou Xiatian, he had assumed both possessed skills inferior to himself and Yang Songwei. Upon actually encountering them, he found that whether it was Ou Xiatian or Jin Tianwang, both possessed martial arts far superior to what they had anticipated. He suddenly broke into a cold sweat. Thinking of the seamless coordination of the two, acting continuously without gaps as if they knew each other's minds perfectly, while he and Yang Songwei could not coordinate their actions systematically, Di Yuning decided he had to retreat.

However, Yang Songwei was not Di Yuning who knew how to weigh the situation and retreat when necessary. With the heart of a fighter, this young boy, even knowing well that his skills were not superior to his opponents, still believed in risking his life. His right hand still held the sword, and his two feet still stepped towards Jin Tianwang and Ou Xiatian who remained sitting in the same place.

"Little child, hurry and get lost. Just now we both held back for you once already. If you stubbornly continue to act, I fear there will be no next time," it was still Ou Xiatian speaking. How could Yang Songwei agree to listen to Ou Xiatian's words? He leaped in while stabbing his sword at Jin Tianwang.

Before the sword reached the body, Jin Tianwang punched out, striking Yang Songwei's body and sending it flying again. The body flew over the table; it was Jin Tianwang's fist power striking Yang Songwei's torso, sending him drifting away like a kite with a cut string.

Di Yuning, who was standing still watching the situation, hurriedly soared to catch Yang Songwei's body in mid-air, while touching his foot on a table to use as a foothold, carrying his friend's body and fleeing rapidly.

"It was you who feared that I would act to kill that little child," Ou Xiatian said with a displeased tone.

"The little child does not know high from low; I merely thought to teach him a lesson to remember," Jin Tianwang replied rapidly.

"Your fist intentionally sent the little child's body flying to the front of his friend clearly."

"Brother Ou is worrying about the matter too much."

"It is I who worry too much." Finishing his words, Ou Xiatian grabbed the wine to drink another large gulp.

"Brother Ou, today you are drinking too heavily."

"I, The Drunken Scholar, have never drunk too heavily. Every night and day involves drinking wine; there is no too much, no too little. Especially today meeting an old friend like you, why not drink even more?" Ou Xiatian tried to emphasize the words 'old friend'.

Hearing the words "old friend", Jin Tianwang felt pain in his heart. Friends—how can there be old friends? Does old friend mean formerly a friend, currently not a friend? But he remained silent without showing any expression.

"In truth, we should not be friends. You should not have helped me capture the Shadow Bat to the Virtue Association. You should have let me die at The Virtue Association."

Jin Tianwang remained silent, not arguing with his beloved friend.

"I should not be friends with you. I should not owe a debt of gratitude to you."

Jin Tianwang smiled bitterly, "I do not think you owe any debt of gratitude whatsoever."

"You are not a foolish person. You should know well who killed and beheaded Qi Yiling." "It was you."

"Correct. Only we knew that she came to hide in this Chang'an City, because it was I who disguised as an official to help search and move her body along with you. Moreover, it was I who told you where to stab her body to create only a trail of blood without harming internal organs. Besides you, I fear only I knew that Qi Yiling, the smiling courtesan at the East Pier City, and Qi Yiling, the cook in Chang'an City, were the same person."

"Even now, I do not understand why you wanted to kill her," Jin Tianwang sighed while speaking these words.

"You are not a foolish person. You should know who wanted to kill Qi Yiling," Ou Xiatian asked back concisely.

"You killed Qi Yiling for the sake of Yuexin," Jin Tianwang said as if he had no strength left.

"You can like Han Yuexin, can I not? In truth, it was I who met her before you." "I never knew before," Jin Tianwang spoke these words with a shaking feeling.

"Laughable. If I did not like her, would I have agreed to be confined at the Virtue Association? Or with my skills, would I not know how to escape on my own?" Ou Xiatian revealed his past inner feelings.

Jin Tianwang thought back to the past according to Ou Xiatian's words and saw it was true. With Ou Xiatian's skills, there was no need for anyone to help. It was his own satisfaction to stay at the Virtue Association like that. But after he helped Ou Xiatian that day, not only did he gain a beloved friend, but it also led him to become close with Han Yuexin.

"You, in truth, should be my enemy, not my beloved friend." Ou Xiatian drank the wine until the jar was empty before throwing the jar away while shouting with a furious voice, "We will not be friends anymore. Next time we meet again, the martial world will know whether it is you, Jin Tianwang, or I, Ou Xiatian, who is superior."

"There will never be such a day," Jin Tianwang said while walking out to a table where a jar of wine was set, then grabbed that wine jar to drink.

Jin Tianwang drank until the jar was empty, then put it down, smiled at Ou Xiatian once, and bowed his head in respect. Then he turned and stepped out of The Warlord's Tavern, famous for its spicy food.

Why is life like this? The Drunken Scholar Ou Xiatian should be the beloved friend of Jin Tianwang, but came to fall in love with The Frostflower Maiden Han Yuexin, the woman who was his lover.

Why was The Drunken Scholar Ou Xiatian the killer of Three Smiles Brew, Qi Yiling?

Why has The Drunken Scholar Ou Xiatian, who was a beloved friend, now become an enemy who swore to conquer him?

Jin Tianwang was not a foolish person. He naturally knew the answer very well. What was all this because of? It was all because of a single flower, a flower as cold as ice. It was all because The Frostflower Maiden Han Yuexin was a beautiful woman whom anyone seeing would fall in love with.

Jin Tianwang was extremely heartbroken, but his face remained without tears. However, a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth, a smile more bitter than tears.

Jin Tianwang knew only how to smile; he did not know how to shed tears.

The sky roared like a furious man. Rain clouds gathered until they became an immense mass shrouding the firmament. Jin Tianwang sat waiting for the rain in a pavilion amidst the forest. The wind gusted violently, sending flocks of birds scattering in panic. Jin Tianwang had come to this place to keep his appointment with the Nine Cats. Before the first drop fell, four black shadows leapt toward the pavilion.

These four shadows consisted of three men and one woman. All wore tight-fitting black outfits. The woman appeared to be around twenty-four or twenty-five years old; her face was indifferent. She was known as Five-Aspect Cat, Pang Mei, a young woman with excellent disguise abilities.

Among the three men was Six-Eared Cat Lei Yei, the person who served as the liaison, always delivering news to Jin Tianwang. There was also a thin man aged approximately thirty to forty known as The Whiskerless Cat, Zhai Ge, the first of the Nine Cats. He possessed not only strong boxing skills but was also skilled in medicine and poisons, with few equals in the realm.

The final member was a young man of only eighteen or nineteen years with a clean face and a nose slightly hooked at the tip, known as The Nine-Spirit Cat, Fu Li. He was the last of the Nine Cats. Jin Tianwang only knew that among the Nine Cats there was a young man whose face he had never seen before.

Lei Yei spoke first, "Young Master Jin, have you met The Drunken Scholar, Ou Xiatian?"

"We have met," Jin Tianwang replied curtly, knowing well that the ones who had arranged for Ou Xiatian to meet him at The Warlord's Tavern were the Nine Cats themselves.

"Did you ask for news of the Senior as well?"

"I fear Brother Ou knows nothing."

"The Senior has been missing for over half a year. We do not know if he is dead or alive, or perhaps the Senior might..." Six-Eared Cat Lei Yei left the sentence unfinished, the implication clear to all.

"Sixth Brother, do not speak such inauspicious words. The Master surely has a life spanning centuries," The Whiskerless Cat Zhai Ge scolded Six-Eared Cat Lei Yei.

"The Senior is full of wisdom and supreme in martial arts; who could possibly harm him?" Though Jin Tianwang spoke these words, his expression remained worried.

"We should go and demand answers from The Virtue Association (The Virtue Association) once and for all," Five-Aspect Cat Pang Mei said with a harsh voice, pulling out a leather bag.

Jin Tianwang recognized the leather bag immediately; it was an item he had crafted himself as a gift for the Senior, his benefactor. The sight of it shook him, and he stepped toward Five-Aspect Cat Pang Mei.

"I obtained this leather bag from a group of beggars. Upon inquiring, I learned it was scavenged from a tavern in Wei City where people from the Virtue Association had stayed," Five-Aspect Cat Pang Mei explained.

Hearing that the Virtue Association was implicated by such evidence, Jin Tianwang froze. It likely involved the Han family of The Frostflower Maiden, Han Yuexin, as always.

"Young Master Jin, if you do not wish to go to the Virtue Association, it does not matter. We Nine Cats will go investigate ourselves," Six-Eared Cat Lei Yei spoke up, understanding that going to demand answers—tantamount to picking a quarrel with the Virtue Association—was something Jin Tianwang should not do. He sighed as he finished speaking.

Jin Tianwang snapped out of his thoughts at the sound of Lei Yei's sigh and said, "No, I will travel with you."

"If Young Master Jin travels only to stop us from demanding answers from the Virtue Association, then do not follow us at all," Nine-Spirit Cat Fu Li, unfamiliar with Jin Tianwang and lacking restraint, spoke as a hot-blooded young man.

"Do not speak words that offend the Young Master," The Whiskerless Cat Zhai Ge turned a furious gaze to warn his youngest junior disciple.

"I can no longer endure this. It is all because this person is blinded by love. Even when the Master has been captured, he still hesitates. It is infuriating," Fu Li vented the frustration pent up in his chest.

Zhai Ge suddenly slapped Fu Li across the face. "Shut up. We cannot offend the Young Master."

"Eldest Brother, please go easy on Little Brother. I, too, have run out of patience with this person," Five-Aspect Cat Pang Mei spoke up, stepping in to hug and console her youngest junior disciple.

"Fifth Sister, you too..." Zhai Ge looked disappointed.

"The Master misjudged him, choosing such a person for us to serve. Now that the Master has disappeared, why must we obey this person's words any longer?" Pang Mei spoke with anger.

"We swore an oath; how can we go back on our words?" Zhai Ge shouted loudly.

"This person is foolish in love, knowing not good from bad. The Master is his benefactor; why does he still hesitate at a time like this?" The more Pang Mei spoke, the louder her voice became.

Lei Yei, silent until now, walked toward Pang Mei, motioning to silence her. Fu Li suddenly stepped toward Lei Yei, looking as if a fight were about to break out among them.

Watching this, Jin Tianwang suddenly realized that in the past, the Nine Cats were like his kin. Now, they had lost faith in him. He felt deep remorse.

"You need not quarrel anymore. I will go to the Virtue Association and demand they return our people, at all costs," Jin Tianwang said firmly.

"And if that wretch surnamed Han shows her face, will you bow to her again?" Pang Mei asked, her voice still thick with fury.

"Even if it is her, I will not yield again," Jin Tianwang replied concisely.

"You must keep your word," Pang Mei pressed Jin Tianwang for a firm confirmation.

"I have given my word; I will not break it," Jin Tianwang confirmed.

"Let it be so," Fu Li said, clearly distrusting him, and took Pang Mei by the hand to walk away.

"..." Jin Tianwang watched the two leave, his face devoid of any smile. Suddenly, thunder boomed overhead, and a torrential rain poured down madly.

The martial world had been peaceful for a long time. The story of Jin Tianwang leading the Nine Cats to the Virtue Association was embellished until it became a legendary tale—a story of amassing forces to stage a rebellion. Furthermore, given Jin Tianwang's prior assistance from the Peerless Poison Beggar, Sun Daming, these events were linked together.

This elevated Jin Tianwang to the status of a villainous supreme master plotting a great massacre to build his reputation and power.

The Virtue Association, quiet for so long, had become extremely lively. Martial artists flocked there, hoping to make a name for themselves. Moreover, there was a belief that Heaven-Equaling Peak, Han Zhaoming would pass the title of Chief of the Virtue Association to The Absolute Jade, Di Yuning, while also betrothing him to The Frostflower Maiden Han Yuexin. Thus, in this confrontation between the two sides, a clash was inevitable.

The Virtue Association had invited two of The Three Martial Deities: The Sage of the Eight Corners, Han Xiaozhi and The Six Decrees, Pei Chengyue, further attracting martial artists who wished to see these elusive supreme experts.

Jin Tianwang's procession arrived with the first snowstorm of the year. The snowfall came earlier than usual at the Qing Family Village, which was already blanketed in white. Jin Tianwang, dressed in light blue with animal skins draped over his shoulders, rode a horse, followed by the group of nine.

All nine followers wore shirts matching Jin Tianwang's color and animal skin cloaks. To an observer, the ten figures looked identical, their bearing formidable. Though this area was not yet the Virtue Association's territory, it was in the immediate vicinity. Many martial artists traveling to the gathering showed open hostility upon seeing Jin Tianwang's procession. Some mocked and sneered; others displayed rude behavior, such as spitting on the ground.

However, Jin Tianwang remained indifferent, simply guiding his horse slowly past them. His face showed no sign of pleasure or pain, not even a smile in his eyes. Many who had seen the Merry Meanderer Jin Tianwang before felt he had changed. Some sensed a murderous intent radiating from these ten figures. Snowflakes falling from the sky evaporated into steam the moment they touched their bodies, a clear testament to their powerful internal energy.

Young Master of the North, Ke Daobing, wearing a fresh green outfit of fine quilted fabric, stood up to bow in greeting to Jin Tianwang. However, this time Jin Tianwang feigned ignorance, ignoring Ke Daobing and riding past rapidly.

Six-Eared Cat Lei Yei believed that upon reaching Qing Family Village, members of the Virtue Association were likely already mixed in with the crowd. He took the opportunity to shout, "The Merry Meanderer, Jin Tianwang has arrived!" The shout was infused with internal energy, resonating loudly and intimidating the hostile martial artists with its arrogance.

Villagers and market-goers struck by the force of his voice felt dizzy; some lost their balance and fell, while many others trembled in fear.

A martial artist with a thick beard suddenly lunged, thrusting a spear at Six-Eared Cat Lei Yei.

Lei Yei, still on horseback, saw the attack coming. He snorted dismissively, dipping his shoulder to dodge the spear tip while sweeping out a fist without even looking. The force of the punch cut through the air, striking the bearded man squarely in the chest.

The bearded man was sent flying backward, crashing into and destroying a roadside dining table. Ke Daobing, standing nearby, hurried over to check on the injured man.

Lei Yei paid no heed to the man he had struck. He guided his horse to the front of the procession and shouted again, "Young Master Jin travels to the Virtue Association to exchange a few words with you. If you think we are easily bullied, I fear you will live to regret it."

Commotion erupted among the martial artists scattered throughout Qing Family Village. If a mere follower of Jin Tianwang possessed such skill, the rumors that Jin Tianwang was amassing forces to clash with the Virtue Association were likely true.

"Do not be so arrogant just because you can strike through the air. This is the territory of the Virtue Association; there is no place for you to flaunt your skills here." A loud voice came from behind as an elegant middle-aged man appeared.

The man walked with his hands clasped behind his back, facing the procession of ten horses. He left no footprints on the snowy ground. Such martial skill was something few in the realm could achieve, aside from The Sage of the Eight Corners Han Xiaozhi.

The appearance of The Sage of the Eight Corners Han Xiaozhi bolstered the morale of the martial artists. Lei Yei locked eyes with Han Xiaozhi, showing neither respect nor fear.

"Little child, if you can withstand a single palm from this senior, I will spare your life today," Han Xiaozhi, displeased by the younger generation's gaze, struck out a palm as he spoke.

A hazy gray palm shadow, resembling smoke, flew toward Lei Yei from a distance.

Dodging such a long-range palm strike would not have been difficult, but Lei Yei refused to show weakness, even against a martial arts legend. He gathered his internal energy and punched out to meet the smoky gray palm shadow.

The collision of their internal energies created a loud boom. Lei Yei was knocked off his saddle, flipping in mid-air before landing and stumbling back three or four steps to regain his footing. The black horse he had been riding seemed to suffer the blow in his stead.

The horse let out a mournful cry and collapsed. Han Xiaozhi's palm strike through the air was indeed terrifying.

Lei Yei, unable to withstand the palm, had been forced to abandon his mount to save himself, causing his steed to perish—a great humiliation.

Han Xiaozhi looked satisfied at having crushed the opponent's arrogance.

But suddenly, Jin Tianwang urged his horse forward and shouted, "If the Senior can withstand a single punch from me, I will willingly obey the Virtue Association's orders today." Without waiting for a reply, he leapt from his horse, hurtling towards Han Xiaozhi and delivering a punch.

Han Xiaozhi had not expected Jin Tianwang to act immediately upon speaking, just as he had done to Lei Yei moments ago.

The martial arts legend had not yet gathered his internal energy again and was forced to face the opponent's full-force punch. A look of panic crossed Han Xiaozhi's face.

But the supreme expert refused to show weakness, crossing his palms to block Jin Tianwang's straight punch instantly.

Jin Tianwang's punch contained no tricks; it was a direct, crushing assault. Han Xiaozhi, blocking hastily, was sent flying backward, out of control. Fortunately, a shadow rushed in to steady him before he could fall.

Han Xiaozhi could not hide his panic. But seeing that the person supporting him was Heaven-Equaling Peak Han Zhaoming, his son, he felt reassured. He turned his eyes to stare at Jin Tianwang with fury.

It was Han Zhaoming who remained calmer and more composed than his temperamental father. He raised his hands to greet the opponent. "Young Master Jin has traveled far; I, the host, was late to welcome you. Most discourteous of us."

Jin Tianwang seemed a different person from days past. His face remained unsmiling as he spoke. "I come to the Virtue Association to demand the return of our people. If not, blood will wash over the Virtue Association."

Han Zhaoming knitted his brows. He had met Jin Tianwang many times. The young man from the wild forest used to speak awkwardly, smile often, and behave humbly. Why did he now call for slaughter with a single sentence? Yet, his voice was firm.

"This matter must be judged by the martial world. Young Master Jin, follow me to discuss this within the Virtue Association."

Jin Tianwang dismounted and led his horse, following Han Zhaoming toward the Virtue Association. The Nine Cats also dismounted and followed suit. The murderous intent of the ten figures grew more intense with every moment.

Though great martial gatherings had been rare for a long time, the assembly of so many martial artists still held a certain mystique. At the front, a stage was set with three seats of honor: for Six Decrees Pei Chengyue and The Sage of the Eight Corners Han Xiaozhi as guests of highest honor, and the final seat for Heaven-Equaling Peak Han Zhaoming, the presiding officer.

The Absolute Jade, Di Yuning acted as the interrogator. When the handsome young man appeared, the gathering fell silent.

Di Yuning paid respects to the presiding officer and honored guests, greeted the martial artists, and then turned accusingly to Jin Tianwang.

"Master Jin, the martial world knows you are amassing forces to disrupt the peace. How does Master Jin explain this matter?"

"We are but ten people; is that considered amassing an army?" Jin Tianwang retorted.

"But they do not belong to any known righteous sect. Who can verify their background?" Di Yuning read from the document in his hand; every word had been prepared.

"These people are my close kin. Is that explanation sufficient?" Jin Tianwang spoke as if taking full responsibility, his resonant voice sounding as if scolding the beautiful-faced boy before him.

Di Yuning, inexperienced in the martial world, was clearly at a disadvantage but continued his questioning.

"At Wei City, Master Jin killed many martial artist brothers. What does Master Jin have to say to that?"

"Those people intended to kill me. Should I have stretched out my neck to the blade, unable to resist?" Jin Tianwang used sarcasm, as if trying to provoke a final rupture.

"Many witnesses saw Peerless Poison Beggar Sun Daming conspiring with you. How do you explain this?"

"That old man was trying to kill me at the time. Is there any need for explanation regarding such a relationship?" Jin Tianwang answered, then walked toward Di Yuning and shouted back furiously.

"You ask me so much; let me ask you in return. The Blood Hawk, Diao Zhufan and The Eight-Slayer Fist, Wang Yu whom you captured—I ask you: how are they?"

Di Yuning, panicked and without an answer, turned to stare at Han Zhaoming on the stage.

"How could the Virtue Association commit such an act? Young Master Jin, do not frame people." Han Zhaoming rose and stepped down from the stage, realizing Di Yuning could no longer handle the situation.

"The Virtue Association accused me of amassing forces, yet you captured my two benefactors. If not for this, why would I, Jin Tianwang, a man of the wild, bring my kin to demand their return?"

"Young Master Jin speaks without evidence. How can you say the Virtue Association captured your people? Leaving aside that Diao Zhufan is a supreme expert, The Eight-Slayer Fist Wang Yu retired from the martial world over twenty years ago," Han Zhaoming replied with his usual composure.

Six Decrees Pei Chengyue, displeased that his beloved disciple Di Yuning had been bested verbally, spoke up. "The child is fierce. Let this old man discipline you first, then we shall continue questioning."

Suddenly, a figure leapt toward Jin Tianwang before Pei Chengyue could leave the stage, clasping his hands and saying, "A trifle. Let me, Ou Xiatian, discipline this brat surnamed Jin myself on behalf of the martial world."

A commotion broke out when the crowd realized that The Drunken Scholar, Ou Xiatian, reputed to be Jin Tianwang's beloved friend, was volunteering to fight him.

Ou Xiatian had anticipated this. He spoke again with a resonant voice, "In the past, I was deceived by this scoundrel's words. After wasting time associating with him, I saw his wild nature and his plotting to establish The Defying Heaven Sect anew. I must sever ties. Today, I show myself to let my martial brothers know that I no longer walk the same path as this villain."

Upon hearing "Defying Heaven Sect," the martial artists wore looks of alarm. The clamor grew louder.

Jin Tianwang had not expected to meet The Drunken Scholar Ou Xiatian here. Remembering his friend's parting words, he understood his intent. Despite the pain of betrayal, he replied, "How could I be involved with the Defying Heaven Sect? You have no business here. Leave at once. Otherwise, today next year will be the anniversary of your death."

"This brat learned to read and write from me in the past. To think he can speak with such insolence now." Ou Xiatian brought up the past to shame Jin Tianwang.

Jin Tianwang had grown up in the wild, learning only martial arts and remaining illiterate. After meeting Ou Xiatian, he had learned some reading and writing. Ou Xiatian was now using this to mock his former friend.

"I warn you one last time. Leave at once." Jin Tianwang pointed a finger at Ou Xiatian's face.

"You illiterate fool, I have long wanted to know what arts you learned in the Mystic Valley."

The Mystic Valley was where the spared disciples of the Defying Heaven Sect had sworn to reside, never to re-enter the martial world. For over twenty years, aside from the Shadow Bat ravaging villages, nothing had been heard from them. Ou Xiatian's insinuation that Jin Tianwang learned his skills there and planned to revive the sect carried immense weight.

Seeing the crowd believed him, Ou Xiatian smiled. He pointed his folding fan, executing a bizarre move.

The fan concealed varied movements—a point, a slash, a stab, or a sweep. The fan shadow fluttered, seemingly slow but hiding deadly tricks. This move alone forced the crowd to re-evaluate the Drunken Scholar; he was surely one of the era's top ten experts.

Jin Tianwang did not admire these tricks. He spun halfway, using the back of his arm to sweep away Ou Xiatian's attack. He followed closely with a straight fist aimed at the chest. Ou Xiatian dodged back. Jin Tianwang used sheer force to suppress the bizarre moves. Ou Xiatian retreated two steps, but seeing the fist following him, he bent his body, swept his leg, and spun to strike with an elbow while sweeping his fan. Jin Tianwang ducked and delivered a silent, peculiar left fist. The blow sent Ou Xiatian floating into the air.

Ou Xiatian felt a sharp pain in his torso and knew he had lost. He snapped the fan open to block Jin Tianwang's vision, but it was too late. Jin Tianwang punched through the open fan, striking Ou Xiatian's chest. The sound of breaking bones echoed as Ou Xiatian flew away like a kite with a cut string.

Han Zhaoming could sit still no longer. He leapt toward Jin Tianwang, sensing two other shadows moving with him.

Heaven-Equaling Peak Han Zhaoming, The Sage of the Eight Corners Han Xiaozhi, and Six Decrees Pei Chengyue—three supreme experts joined forces to suppress Jin Tianwang. Such a feat alone would have made Jin Tianwang's name shake the martial world.

But the legend of Jin Tianwang did not end as the martial world expected.

Jin Tianwang leapt and kicked at Han Xiaozhi, swept his right arm at Han Zhaoming, and spun in mid-air with tornado-like force, scattering the three experts converging on him. Even their combined might could not suppress him. Such skill had not been seen since the Stone Fiend Shi Wusha died nearly twenty years ago.

As the three experts separated, Jin Tianwang smiled for the first time since arriving. With a single, resounding stomp, followed by what sounded like two consecutive explosions, he became like a comet, rushing toward Han Zhaoming.

Han Zhaoming could not see clearly. He knew only that Jin Tianwang was close. The crushing internal pressure made it impossible to draw breath. His skin felt as if it were on fire; his blood seemed to evaporate. He lost consciousness before he knew it. His life was in the opponent's hands.

Han Zhaoming collapsed. Jin Tianwang did not kill the legend; he merely lifted Han Zhaoming's unconscious body high with his right arm—a symbol that he had conquered the conqueror of Stone Fiend Shi Wusha.

"I have conquered Heaven-Equaling Peak Han Zhaoming. I have no further business here." With those words, he laid Han Zhaoming on the ground and vanished, leaving the gathered martial artists in a state of panic.