Chapter 111 - 112: Demon Sect Hierarch’s Intent to Kill

Dusk’s smoke rose, and the darkening sky stretched vast and boundless.

A bright moon hung in the air, its chilling radiance piercing, reflecting off the brows and hair of those it touched.

Outside Lijiang City.

By this moment, Huo Zhongyun, whose injuries had completely healed, stood beneath the city wall, gazing at the distant towering pagoda, and slowly said, “I truly did not expect the Heavenly Demon Order to appear in Chu Huai’s hands.”

By his side, Ghost-faced Buddha joined his hands and said solemnly, “This matter seems somewhat peculiar.”

“What do you mean by that?” Huo Zhongyun’s eyebrows slightly raised.

Ghost-faced Buddha’s expression was grave as he said, “The Heavenly Demon Order is a legacy item of our Demon Sect, apart from the treasure sunk beneath the Sealing Demon Well for a thousand years, this item is a token of faith for the Sect Hierarch, absolutely critical.”

“But after Sect Master Jiang disappeared, the Heavenly Demon Order likewise vanished without a trace. Over the years, our Human Sect has spent considerable effort and energy searching for this Heavenly Demon Order, always with no news. How could it suddenly appear in Chu Huai’s hands?”

Ghost-faced Buddha always felt something was amiss about this.

Huo Zhongyun slightly nodded, “What you said is right; however, the Sect Master ordered us to investigate this matter, and I feel we should rather believe it mistakenly than miss out on it.”

The importance of the Heavenly Demon Order to the Demon Sect went without saying.

A Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect without the Heavenly Demon Order invariably lacks some legitimacy, just as the current Human Emperor lacks the Great Yan Jade Seal.

Ghost-faced Buddha nodded; he too understood the importance of the Heavenly Demon Order, and this matter must be thoroughly investigated.

Whether what Chu Huai holds is indeed the Heavenly Demon Order is crucial, and even if it is fake, how he managed to replicate this Heavenly Demon Order, all are related to information about Jiang Shang.

Huo Zhongyun smiled and said, “First, let’s investigate the situation, then act accordingly. Surely this small Linhu Lake Villa doesn’t have a First Grade expert, does it?”

Chu Nanying, Chu Huai’s father and the Daoist Master of Jiangnan Dao, likely doesn’t even have a First Grade expert for personal protection, let alone Chu Huai. Both Ghost-faced Buddha and Huo Zhongyun are Second Grade peak cultivators, especially Ghost-faced Buddha, who ranks thirty-seventh on the Tiger List.

After talking, the two leapt toward the interior of Lijiang City.

…..

Linhu Lake Villa.

Outside the villa, the pink walls encircled, willows drooped all around, with six flower hanging gatehouses and covered verandas on all four sides.

Paths in the courtyard interconnected, extending in all directions, dotted with rugged rocks, and on the embracing structure hung the plaque “Restrain Desires and Impatience.”

The entire compound was rich and splendid, regally luxurious, the garden lush and exquisite, the back courtyard filled with verdant willows, alongside a slender stream flowing into a pool.

Above lay a path of white stone slabs, displaying elegance and luxury.

Deep within the villa’s bedroom.

A young man in lavish attire, pale-faced, licking his lips, a hint of keenness flashed in his eyes as he watched the woman darting and dodging before him.

“My dear, this place is all mine; where can you run to?”

“Young Master Chu, this lowly one is already married, and with a frail body, how could I possibly serve you…”

The woman’s body curled up, eyes filled with fright.

The man before her was none other than Chu Nanying’s son, Chu Huai, well-known in Lijiang City as a playboy.

Chu Nanying had a great relationship with his wife. Unfortunately, she passed away after giving birth to Chu Huai. Although Chu Nanying later took concubines, none could bear him another child. Hence, he doted extremely on his only son, Chu Huai, leading him to live an indulgent and luxuriant life, sunk in hedonism.

His profligacy and lustfulness were known to every household in Jiangnan Dao.

Chu Huai had a penchant for women and frequently abducted beautiful married women to amuse himself. Chu Nanying had cleaned up after him numerous times. Thus, there hadn’t been any significant troubles.

Until the incident at Feiying Fort blew up, causing a storm across the city. The uproar was too great, and Chu Nanying had no choice but to confine him to Linhu Lake Villa.

But Chu Huai didn’t mend his ways and continued to behave capriciously, sending his cronies to abduct married women.

Chu Huai chuckled, “What I like is precisely your kind of beauty, plump and graceful. If you yield to me, you will be happy, and I will be happier. If you don’t yield to me, I will be even happier, and you will inevitably suffer…”

The woman, upon hearing Chu Huai’s words, turned deathly pale, “My family… If my husband finds out…”

“So what if he finds out?”

Chu Huai sneered, “If he comes looking for you, then it’s even better; I’ll let him see with his own eyes, so what?”

As he spoke, Chu Huai, seemingly unable to contain his desire, advanced to grab the woman.

“No, don’t!”

Seeing this, the woman screamed and ran towards a distant place.

“Where are you running to?!”

Chu Huai laughed loudly and quickly chased after her.

Noises of stumbling rose within the room, mixed with unbridled laughter and pleas for mercy.

“I hadn’t expected Chu Huai to have such a predilection,” Huo Zhongyun remarked, standing on the roof ridge, a cold smirk playing at his lips.

Through the hazy window, they clearly saw what was happening inside the bedroom.

Ghost-faced Buddha said, “Chu Nanying can’t escape this blight.”

Chu Huai could be so brazen; the fault wasn’t on anyone else but Chu Nanying.

In Jiangnan Dao, Chu Nanying might still be able to shelter him once or twice, but had it been in Yujing City, the center of Great Yan’s administration, not only might Chu Nanying be unable to protect his son, but he himself might also be implicated.

“Hm!?”

Just then, as Chu Huai chased the woman, a token appeared on his waist in front of them both.

“The Heavenly Demon Order!?”

Seeing this, both were shocked.

As two experts of the Demon Sect, although they had never had the chance to approach Jiang Shang closely, they had seen him from a distance and naturally had seen the Heavenly Demon Order at his waist.

The token before them was identical in shape and size to the Heavenly Demon Order, even the style was nearly the same.

Those who had never seen the Heavenly Demon Order surely could not have replicated it to such an extent.

Even if Chu Huai’s token was a replica, it meant he had truly seen the Heavenly Demon Order before, and he might even know the current whereabouts of Jiang Shang.

Ghost-faced Buddha and Huo Zhongyun exchanged glances.

“Swoosh! Swoosh!”

Huo Zhongyun, impulsive by nature, burst with force qi in his hands. With a lift of his palm, he suddenly raised it high.

“Rustle! Rustle!”

The roof of the bedroom above suddenly lifted off and flipped backward, raising a cloud of dust.

“Who!? Who dares such audacity!?”

Chu Huai paused in his actions, his eyes wide with astonishment at the scene unfolding before him.

While he was engaged in that sordid affair, the roof had been flipped from above him?

In the next moment, Ghost-faced Buddha leaped up, a palm thrusting towards him.

Ghost-faced Buddha was a Second Grade summit expert and also on the Dragon and Tiger List, the closest to a First Grade expert. His speed was so fast that Chu Huai could not catch a clear glimpse.

“Stop!”

Just then, a thunderous shout came from the distance.

Immediately afterwards, a palm met Ghost-faced Buddha’s.

“Bang!”

“Crack! Crack!”

The sound of bones breaking in the arm was clear, the newcomer’s face paled, sweat dotted his forehead, and he steadily retreated backward.

The person was none other than one of the Third Grade experts Chu Nanying had tasked with protecting Chu Huai, White Palm Cui Yong.

Being a Third Grade expert made him a formidable figure in the martial world, but against Ghost-faced Buddha, a Second Grade summit expert, he was no match.

At the same time, two other Third Grade experts appeared, hurriedly taking positions in front of a shaken Chu Huai.

“Quick, kill them, quickly!”

Chu Huai’s feet scrambled backwards on the ground, his expression filled with sheer panic.

“Anyone who obstructs me dies!”

Huo Zhongyun twisted his wrist, and a long spear appeared in his hand, transforming into a streak of cold gleam as it shot out.

The spear was as swift as a dragon, its force unstoppable.

Huo Zhongyun!

The newcomer was Huo Zhongyun, an expert of the Demon Sect!

The two Third Grade experts exerted their full strength but were still forced to retreat repeatedly, deeply shocked; was this the strength of a Demon Sect guardian?

The Demon Sect, just one of the branches of the larger sectarian force, had guardians so formidable. Then how much more profound might the other experts of the sect be? No wonder they could stir a storm of blood and violence in the Great Yan martial world years ago.

Although they had been prepared, they were still forced into retreat by Huo Zhongyun’s relentless attacks.

From afar, atop a pavilion watchtower.

“Brother Xi, the Demon Sect experts have shown themselves, isn’t it time to wrap this up?” Chu Nanying asked anxiously.

After all, Chu Huai was now in the midst of the chaos, and it was unclear if he might be mistakenly killed by the qi force.

“Don’t worry, Li Fuzhou has not yet made his move,” said Xi Jikui in a deep voice.

He did not care about Chu Huai’s life or death. In his view, Chu Huai, a useless fool, better off dead than alive, might commit more disgraceful acts if he lived.

Xi Jikui was more concerned about whether other experts from the Demon Sect would appear today.

Chu Nanying said gravely, “My men are clearly no match for those two from the Demon Sect. If we don’t press them now, how will the others show themselves?”

Xi Jikui slightly nodded, finding Chu Nanying’s point reasonable. He then looked towards the five Golden Dragons arrest officers including Hong Yuanwu behind him.

Hong Yuanwu’s eyes hardened, understanding the cue, and he quickly charged towards Huo Zhongyun and Ghost-faced Buddha.

Huo Zhongyun’s spear was swift and fierce like thunder, overpowering the two Third Grade experts effortlessly.

Spear under Heaven!

The spear tip swirled, turning into countless chilling currents surging forward, stabbing out with the speed of lightning and directly piercing through the throat of the man in front.”

“Gurgle~!”

The Third Grade expert’s eyes widened in disbelief, then his life faded.

“Thump!”

As Huo Zhongyun pulled back his spear, blood spurted across the ground, and the body likewise fell.

Seeing this, Chu Huai’s eyes widened.

He was very aware of the strength of the experts Chu Nanying had sent to protect him. The spear-wielding mighty man had impaled one completely; this spear-welder must be an even more formidable expert, which terrified him to his core.

“You… don’t kill me, my father is Chu Nanying, the Daoist Master of Jiangnan,” he pleaded.

“Even if I were your father, you would still die today.”

Huo Zhongyun sneered coldly and strode forward.

Just then, a sense of foreboding arose in his heart, the hairs on his arms standing on end as he quickly raised his spear to block.

“Hiss! Hiss!”

The multiple blade lights met his spear, and Huo Zhongyun felt numbness in his arm, almost losing grip of his spear.

An expert is here!

Huo Zhongyun’s heart startled, and he hurriedly looked over and exclaimed, “Xuanyi Guards!?”

The Ghost-faced Buddha also furrowed his eyebrows and thought to himself, this is bad.

Ahead, five Gold Constables of the Xuanyi Guard clearly came prepared, suggesting they had fallen into an ambush.

Although not all the Gold Constables of the Xuanyi Guard were at the Second Grade Peak, their strength was mostly in the upper tiers of the Second Grade. Together with the five of them, Huo Zhongyun and the Ghost-faced Buddha might not be able to handle them.

Moreover, there were definitely Silver Constables and Bronze Constables nearby, whose arrow rains were extremely troublesome.

“Let’s go first!”

The Ghost-faced Buddha immediately shouted.

“Where do you think you’re going!?”

Hong Yuanwu sneered coldly, and swung his sword down at them.

The sword light was as fast as a gust of wind, its force enormous and heavy.

The other four Gold Constables also leaped forward, blocking the paths of Huo Zhongyun and the Ghost-faced Buddha.

As the saying goes, even a strong tiger can’t fight off a pack of wolves. Although Huo Zhongyun and the Ghost-faced Buddha held a slight advantage in cultivation, they were now severely pressured facing the five Gold Constables.

Within moments, Huo Zhongyun was injured by the sword Qi, his sleeve soaked with blood.

“Old ghost, you go first, I’ll cover our retreat!”

Huo Zhongyun once again blocked the fierce attacks and shouted, “We must inform the Sect Master of this news.”

The Ghost-faced Buddha hadn’t responded yet when he was immediately pushed back by Hong Yuanwu and two other Gold Constables.

“Today, none of you will escape.” A cruel smile appeared on Hong Yuanwu’s lips, his murderous intent intensified.

Killing experts of the Demon Sect would shake the martial world and they could also receive rewards from the Chief Governor; they couldn’t possibly let this opportunity slip by.

As time dragged on, Huo Zhongyun and the Ghost-faced Buddha were like a small boat in a storm, teetering on the edge of collapse.

“Shh!”

At that moment, the moonlight tipped over.

A cold and fierce sword Qi surged forth, as if it would swallow the entire courtyard.

“Bang!” “Bang!” “Bang!” “Bang!”

The exploding sword Qi swept through, forcing all five Gold Constables back, their faces showing unmistakable horror.

Who is it?

To actually force back five Gold Constables with one strike.

As the fierce wind gradually ceased, a man holding a huge sword slowly advanced, each step seemingly landing on everyone’s hearts, thumping loudly.

The giant sword still had white vapor swirling around it.

The man’s face showed no expression.

“Gu Renwo!?”

Hong Yuanwu exclaimed.

Gu Renwo of the Demon Sect, the second most formidable expert next to Li Fuzhou.

In his hand was a giant sword that had killed countless renowned experts.

“You guys go! I’ll cover our retreat!”

Gu Renwo’s voice was deep and resonant, then he looked towards the distance, “Xi Jikui, do you really only have these lowly tricks?”

Xi Jikui!?

Hearing this name, both Huo Zhongyun and the Ghost-faced Buddha’s expressions slightly changed; so the person who ambushed them was Xi Jikui.

Xi Jikui’s body flashed and he instantly appeared at the front of the courtyard, “Li Fuzhou didn’t come, truly disappointing. However, your head is also an acceptable trophy.”

As he spoke, the Dragon and Phoenix Double Rings in his hand stretched out, under the moonlight, casting mesmerizing glows.

“If you want my head, you’ll have to see if you’re skilled enough.”

Gu Renwo, expressionless, slashed with his giant sword.

“Whoosh!”

Under the night sky, the giant sword descended abruptly, the sword Qi overflowing while the air on either side parted like the tide.

Xi Jikui swayed his Dragon and Phoenix Double Rings, turning them into moonlight.

“Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!”

The Qi Force vibrated, the violent aftermath surging to the sides.

The next moment, both men come close together, clashing with distinct flashes from the sword light and the Double Rings.

Fast!

Too fast!

One was at the peak of the Earth Flower realm, and the other at the Heavenly Flower realm, the speed of their moves was so fast that no one could clearly see their techniques.

Amidst the flashing sword lights, it seemed as if dragons and phoenixes were singing in harmony.

“Such terrifying power!”

Chu Nanying, watching from a distance, was greatly shocked by this scene.

Was this the power of a First Grade Expert in Jianghu?

It was indeed terrifying. Even though Great Yan had established the Zhenyi Sect, and the Human Emperor had formed the Xuanyi Guard, there seemed to be good reasons for these actions.

If someone truly unified Jianghu, it was not impossible for them to overthrow the entire Great Yan Dynasty.

Court and Jianghu, inseparable.

“Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!”

Meanwhile, several breaking strength flying arrows shot from the sky, forcing Huo Zhongyun and Ghost-faced Buddha to desperately defend themselves.

These breaking strength flying crossbows were extremely powerful, and with Silver and Bronze Constables shooting them, if it were their heyday, they would not fear, but now with five Gold Constables watching them fiercely, how could they not be anxious?

After a round of arrow rain, Hong Yuanwu and others charged again toward Huo Zhongyun and Ghost-faced Buddha.

The scene was chaotic.

Then, the ground began to tremble.

“Not good, more people are coming this way.” The Ghost-faced Buddha’s heart sank.

Huo Zhongyun’s face also turned extremely ugly.

“Today, none of you will escape.”

Xi Jikui’s hands, wielding the Dragon and Phoenix Double Rings, moved eerily fast and his steps were ingenious. With his advantage in realm, even Gu Renwo was forced to keep retreating.

“Break!”

Suddenly, a sound of dragon’s roar exploded, and the double rings in Xi Jikui’s hands seemingly transformed into a golden dragon, furiously lunging at Gu Renwo.

“Boom!”

Gu Renwo infused his inner strength into his great sword, holding it horizontally in front of his chest, and immediately a violent force struck him.

“Wow!”

He spat out a mouthful of blood, his step showing some instability.

“Kill!”

Hong Yuanwu’s eyes beamed with murderous intent, and he slashed horizontally with his sword.

Huo Zhongyun, too weak to defend, could only watch helplessly as the sword light approached.

The next moment, Ghost-faced Buddha stepped in front of him, repelling Hong Yuanwu.

“Pshhh!”

Before they could catch their breath, another blade light came slashing through, and Ghost-faced Buddha’s head flew off, rolling on the ground several times.

Seeing the blood spurting from the neck, and then the headless body ‘thump’ falling to the ground,

“Old ghost!”

Huo Zhongyun, seeing this, immediately felt a surge of anger and drove his long spear ferociously towards the people in front of him.

“But it’s just the last flicker of an oil lamp, a fleeting resurgence.”

Hong Yuanwu snorted with disdain.

A trace of chill appeared in the eyes of the others.

The five Gold Constables launched a combined attack, and after Huo Zhongyun barely blocked two moves, he was stabbed directly in the heart by a sword, after which he unwillingly collapsed.

In an instant, two guardians of the Demon Sect perished.

Gu Renwo, catching this from the corner of his eye, saw a crimson flash across his vision.

“They are dead. Now it’s your turn to go.”

Xi Jikui laughed, his hands wielding the Dragon and Phoenix Double Rings, which shook like two auroras descending from the sky.

Sword Turning Mountains and Rivers!

Gu Renwo, knowing he was not a match for Xi Jikui, raised his long sword, and his sword qi rolled up waves like the river.

Bang!

Bang!

The auroras stabbed towards the river-like sword qi, and then transformed into a luminous attack.

“Shick!”

The blade’s light, too fast to track, pierced through the enormous arm held by Gu Renwo.

Xi Jikui’s expression changed, and he repeatedly stepped back.

“Stomp!”

After retreating about three steps, he violently shook his right foot, dispersing the remaining force through the ground, finally stopping his retreat.

“Swoosh, swoosh!”

Gu Renwo, however, transformed into a blurred shadow, darting away into the distance in an instant.

“Escape Technique!?”

Xi Jikui narrowed his eyes, somewhat surprised. He hadn’t expected Gu Renwo, a swordsman, to possess such a lost martial art.

“Sir Xi!”

Hong Yuanwu and others hurriedly approached, “Should we pursue Gu Renwo…”

“Forget it, we can’t catch him now, but Gu Renwo’s right arm is broken, his strength is hardly twenty or thirty percent of what it was; he will hardly amount to anything in the future.”

Xi Jikui waved his hand, his eyes flashing coldly, “It’s a pity that Li Fuzhou didn’t come. If he had been here today, I would have made sure he too perished here.”

After assimilating the nature’s spiritual energy, his cultivation had reached the peak of the Heavenly Flower Realm. Together with five Gold Constables, a group of Silver Constables, and two Second Grade military experts close to Chu Nanying, as well as a group of local soldiers, even an unhealed Li Fuzhou would probably be slain if he came here today.

This was the best opportunity to kill Li Fuzhou; once his injuries fully healed, it would become difficult.

Thinking this, Xi Jikui couldn’t help but sigh.

“Pah! This is a Demon Sect expert!?”

Just then, a voice of mockery and scorn came.

All one could see was Chu Huai stepping on the head of the Ghost-faced Buddha, his eyes filled with a trace of pride and arrogance.

“People from the Demon Sect dare to trouble this young master? Don’t they weigh their own strength?”

Hong Yuanwu frowned slightly but ultimately said nothing.

Chu Nanying approached, laughing, “Brother Xi, today we’ve killed two great experts of the Demon Sect, and severely injured Gu Renwo, effectively severing one of Li Fuzhou’s arms, a truly joyous and congratulatory event indeed.”

Xi Jikui shook his head, “Li Fuzhou isn’t dead, there’s nothing to celebrate.”

His arrangements were specifically for killing Li Fuzhou.

Unfortunately, Gan Yue and Zhang Shuang perished on Three Temple Mountain; otherwise, with them here today, even Gu Renwo’s escape technique wouldn’t have saved him.

Chu Nanying took a deep breath, “Brother Xi, don’t joke about it. With two of the four Guardians dead, along with Gu Renwo’s crippling, the Demon Sect hasn’t suffered such losses in many years.”

The last severe damage to the Demon Sect masters happened ten years ago.

The news of today’s battle when spread will definitely shake the entire Great Yan Martial World.

Xi Jikui was silent for a long while, then said, “It’s almost dawn. Hong Yuanwu, ride a fast horse now and send these two men’s heads and this huge sword to Yujing City for me.”

“Yes.”

Hong Yuanwu bowed and complied.

…….

Jishi Hall.

The morning sun shone down, and it was slowly becoming winter, the chill gradually rising.

An Jing sat in front of the medicine cabinet, examining the list of newly delivered herbs.

Besides buying some herbs from medicinal farmers and hunters, these were still far from enough to meet Jishi Hall’s consumption, so he had to buy herbs from the pharmacy gardens around Yu State City as well.

The best plantation near Yu State City was called Green Garden, which was one of Cao Gang’s businesses.

Initially, Wang He had forced An Jing to raise the price of the herbs by thirty percent. Following his mysterious death, the new Pavilion Master had returned the prices to their original levels.

At this moment, the list in An Jing’s hand was from the new batch of herbs delivered by Cao Gang.

“We still need some Earth Flower, mention it to them next time.”

An Jing carefully scanned the list, then took out a stamp from beside and sealed it.

After sealing the stamp, he couldn’t help but notice a palm-sized, black square stamp beside it. Picking it up, he carefully toyed with it, unable to resist saying, “This must be an antique.”

This black square stamp was very ancient-looking, engraved with patterns An Jing couldn’t recognize, resembling both flora and fauna and mountains and sun.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

The carving was exquisitely done, and the imprint of the red ink was bright as blood, very clear, yet it bore no words.

This was part of Zhao Qingmei’s dowry, which she said was used by her grandfather.

“From a prestigious family, it must have been a private seal of some high official. A hundred years later, as an antique, it may indeed be worth some money.”

An Jing toyed with it for a while, then threw it to the side.

“Son-in-law, son-in-law.”

Just then, Tan Yun hurried in from outside.

“What happened?”

Seeing this, An Jing couldn’t help but ask.

“I’ve heard some news.”

Tan Yun quickly walked in, “It’s related to Ren Yi Pavilion in the west of the city and Hundred Herbs Hall in the south.”

“What about them?”

An Jing raised an eyebrow.

Could it be they were planning to make trouble again?

Lately, because Jishi Hall’s medicinal price was fair and had a heart for healing, it had unknowingly become the most famous medical hall in Yu State City.

As the saying goes, professionals are jealous of one another. Seeing how successful Jishi Hall was, how could other medical halls not be envious?

Tan Yun slightly raised her eyebrows and said, “I heard that if you go to these two medical halls to buy medicine, they are now giving away vegetable oil or eggs. Many people heard about it and went early in the morning.”

“Son-in-law, do you think they are competing with us for business?”

Vegetable oil? Eggs?

Upon hearing this, An Jing couldn’t help but laugh. Wasn’t this just a promotion from his previous life?

Tan Yun blinked her big eyes and said, “Son-in-law, why aren’t you saying anything? Should we also…”

“Let them give it if they want to, it’s good for the common folks anyway.”

An Jing waved his hand, “Our medical hall is for treating patients, not for making profits.”

As long as they don’t cause any trouble, everything is negotiable.

Tan Yun, upon hearing this, suddenly nodded her head, then raised her thumb and said, “Brother-in-law, you’re absolutely right.”

The enlightenment of brother-in-law is really profound.

“It’s good to have some downtime during this period as well.”

An Jing stretched lazily.

This period had been incredibly busy, toiling day and night, and now, having the opportunity to rest was truly welcome.

“Husband, didn’t you promise to take me out for a stroll in the spring countryside?”

At this moment, Zhao Qingmei also walked out from the back hall, a slight smile gracing her lips.

Today, she was wearing a light pink dress that trailed along the floor, and a silver coral hairpin nestled in her hair made her complexion as fair as a lotus, with her phoenix eyes naturally charming and her beautiful eyes glinting like stars.

An Jing couldn’t help but brighten up, saying, “Sure, I think today…”

“Doctor An, Doctor An!”

Just then, an urgent voice came from outside the door.

A maid, around fourteen or fifteen, in the throes of youth, rushed in.

“My young miss is ill again, please come to see her now.”

Zhao Qingmei remembered clearly, the maid in front was Cao Ling’er’s personal attendant.

An Jing stood up and soothingly said, “Don’t worry, take it slowly, what exactly happened?”

The young maid glanced at An Jing and quickly said, “When my young miss woke up this morning, somehow, she felt weak all over, her limbs limp…”

Tan Yun, with a skeptical face, said, “Is this true or false? Isn’t your miss trained in martial arts? I’ve heard those martial experts are all very robust.”

Families like Jiangnan Dao’s four great families were all half martial arts families, whose clan members also practiced martial arts and were extremely skilled. Could such minor ailments even be considered sickness?

“It’s definitely true; how could I make up something about my young miss?”

Upon hearing this, the maid’s face flushed with red.

No matter what the maid said, Tan Yun remained unconvinced.

“Let’s do this, I’ll go and see for myself.”

An Jing contemplated aloud.

After all, treating and saving people is the most important.

“I’ve got nothing else to do, I might as well accompany brother-in-law there.”

Just then, Li Fuzhou’s lazy voice came from the rear hall.

“That sounds good.”

An Jing glanced at Li Fuzhou.

Suddenly, he remembered that time at the Cao Family, when they competed for the vermilion fruit and encountered a suspected expert from the Demon Sect, it seemed to have been old man Li.

Was this old man Li planning to fleece the Cao Family again?

But if there’s good fleece to be had, he would definitely get to it before him.

“Wife, wait for me to return.”

Then An Jing picked up the medical box and went off with Li Fuzhou and the young maid toward the Cao Family.

Seeing An Jing completely gone, Tan Yun turned to look at Zhao Qingmei, “Miss…”

The Sect Hierarch is good in all respects but possesses a heavy jealousy and killing intent.

If that Cao Ling’er was truly sick, it was okay to say, but if it was a ruse, that would be troublesome.

“Let’s talk about it when brother-in-law returns.”

Zhao Qingmei said lightly.

……

The Cao Family, backyard.

The maid hurried ahead, with An Jing and Li Fuzhou closely following behind.

Shortly after, they arrived at Cao Ling’er’s courtyard.

The maid said, “The young miss is inside, Doctor An, please go in.”

“Thank you.”

An Jing bowed his fists, then slowly walked inside.

“Hm?!”

Just as Li Fuzhou was about to follow, the maid stopped him.

The maid whispered, “Sir, it’s better if you wait outside.”

“That’s fine, could you brew me a pot of tea?”

Li Fuzhou said with a light smile.

“Sir, please wait a moment.”

With that, the maid hurried off toward the main hall.

Li Fuzhou found a stone chair nearby and sat down by himself.

An Jing approached the inside of the house, and immediately, a gentle fragrance assailed his nose.

“Doctor An, you’re here?”

A crisp voice sounded, and Cao Ling’er emerged at a leisurely pace.

Today, she seemed to have dressed up, wearing a cyan robe, her complexion radiant, her skin luminous as snow.

At this moment, she looked radiant, hardly resembling someone who had been ill.

Seeing this, An Jing slightly raised his eyebrows, “Miss Cao, what is this?”

“It’s truly not easy to have a chance to meet Doctor An.”

Cao Ling’er smiled and gestured invitingly, “Doctor An, please have a seat and drink some tea.”

“Miss Cao, I am here to see patients, not to drink tea.”

An Jing bowed to Cao Ling’er.

In this world, not all teas are drinkable.

Cao Ling’er chuckled, saying, “Doctor An, the people from the Mu Family have already arrived, and the engagement has taken place.”

The engagement, An Jing was naturally familiar with, being one step in the betrothal process.

An Jing thought for a moment and said, “So, this means, for Miss Cao and the Mu Family’s…”

“Mu Jie,” said Cao Ling’er.

It was him!

Upon hearing this, An Jing remembered clearly, he had been present when the attack on Tieyun Mountain occurred. However, at that time, in order not to cause too much trouble, An Jing had not taken action against him, although he had accidentally injured him.

Mu Jie was also quite famous as a young talent in Jiangnan Dao; An Jing had often heard people mention him in the teahouse.

His impression of the man was neither particularly good nor particularly bad.

“A young talent unsurpassed in natural ability, he and Miss Cao are truly a perfect match.”

“Is that so?”

Cao Ling’er smiled, “Now, can Doctor An please sit down and join me for a tea, just considering I have had many troubles lately and no one to talk to about them.”

An Jing could feel Cao Ling’er’s anguish.

Some matters must be buried deep within the heart, unspoken to anyone, even to one’s closest confidant.

An Jing sighed deeply and said, “Since Miss Cao has repeatedly invited me, I shall not refuse, but I cannot stay too long… ”

“Doctor An, I’ve been wanting to ask you a question for a long time.”

Cao Ling’er slightly fluttered her eyelashes and then poured a cup of tea.

“Please, Miss Cao,” An Jing accepted the tea and said.

After a long pause, Cao Ling’er parted her red lips slightly and asked, “I heard that you and Mrs. An have not been married for long?”

“That is true.”

Upon hearing Cao Ling’er ask this question, An Jing subconsciously let a slight smile curl up at the corner of his mouth.

“It seems that Doctor An is quite satisfied,” Cao Ling’er clearly saw the smile on An Jing’s face.

“With such a beautiful wife, what could I be unsatisfied with?”

“Indeed, Mrs. An is truly beautiful,” Cao Ling’er seemed a bit sorrowful as she said this.

This is the thought that occurs to anyone who sees Zhao Qingmei, whether man or woman, even a woman as beautiful as Cao Ling’er herself.

“About her…”

An Jing gently lifted his cup of tea, his smile deepening.

He couldn’t help but recall the first time he saw Zhao Qingmei’s portrait and the first time he saw her in the teahouse.

Back then, he was indeed astounded by her beauty and attracted by her gentle and intelligent nature.

But after spending so much time together…

He enjoyed sitting with Zhao Qingmei under the eaves, admiring the moon or gazing at the stars, liked taking leisurely walks along the Yu State River, and enjoyed watching her quietly reading at the table.

Leaving the house, he would often think about the home-cooked meals Zhao Qingmei prepared, remember her playful complaints, and also recall her beautiful eyelashes as she slept.

It seemed as though he had become accustomed to all this.

Only Zhao Qingmei, regardless of how late he returned, would always prepare a bowl of noodles and always helped peel the garlic for him, knowing even when he was drinking tea, just to quietly watch him.

Life passes slowly, and only then can it be happy.

“Doctor An, Doctor An.”

At that moment, Cao Ling’er interrupted An Jing’s reverie.

“Hmm.”

An Jing abruptly came back to his senses.

Cao Ling’er bit her lip and asked, “What kind of person do you think one must find to be happy?”

“What kind of person would one be happy with?”

An Jing pondered for a long while before slowly saying, “Someone who smiles when they see you and someone who smiles when they see you.”

“Someone who smiles when they see you and someone who smiles when you see them…”

Cao Ling’er murmured in a low voice, yet her heart was somewhat lost.

“Perhaps, that’s the reasoning,” she mused.

An Jing picked up the small medicine kit and said, “Miss Cao, it’s getting late and I have other matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave now.”

With that, he strode toward the door.

“What if, I say what if, I had appeared before Miss Zhao?”

Cao Ling’er stood up, and then, gathering her courage, she asked.

An Jing’s steps faltered slightly.

If Zhao Qingmei hadn’t appeared, what choice would he have made? Perhaps he would continue to keep Jishi Hall, waiting until Cao Ling’er appeared and become the Zhao Family’s son-in-law?

It seemed like another story altogether.

“Life has no ‘what ifs.'”

An Jing said softly, and after finishing, he walked out of the house.

“Life has no ‘what ifs.'”

Watching An Jing’s departing figure, Cao Ling’er murmured to herself, then sat down dejectedly.

When An Jing stepped out, Li Fuzhou was serenely sitting on a stone chair, drinking tea, unfazed by the cold wind.

“Old man Li, it seems the Third Grade has reached perfection, and he is currently waiting for his injuries to heal.”

Somehow, looking at Li Fuzhou at the moment, An Jing felt a sense of natural integration he had felt before, though at that time he was unaware of Li Fuzhou’s true identity…

This feeling, if not observed carefully, would not be noticeable; but if one immerses oneself wholeheartedly, one can perceive its true essence.

“Son-in-law, have you come out?”

Li Fuzhou set down his teacup and smiled.

An Jing nodded, “Let’s go back, Miss Cao’s illness should recover by tomorrow.”

……

The cold wind stirred, raising thousands of ripples across the Yu State River.

In front of Jishi Hall.

Zhao Qingmei chuckled, “These are five days’ worth of medicine. If it’s not enough, come back for more.”

“Alright, then thank you, Madam An,” said an old man with a tottering gait, happily carrying a package wrapped in cowhide paper.

“Terrible news! Terrible news!”

Before Zhao Qingmei could react, she heard Tan Yun’s alarmed cry from behind.

“What’s all this fuss about?” Zhao Qingmei said calmly.

Despite Zhao Qingmei’s tranquil tone, Tan Yun felt a chill in her heart and quickly bowed her head, “Miss, this servant understands.”

She knew Zhao Qingmei disliked subordinates who overreacted.

Once, she had said that even if the sky were falling, she would hold it up herself.

Zhao Qingmei walked to the counter with her lotus steps, sat down, started to log books, and said, “Speak.”

“Elder Huo and the Ghost-faced Elder are dead, and Gu Renwo has been severely injured…” Tan Yun quickly relayed the news she had just received.

Even though Zhao Qingmei was stoic and unflappable, upon hearing this news, her brow furrowed, and her hand holding the pen paused.

The whole pharmacy seemed to fall silent, except for Tan Yun’s panting.

After a long while, Zhao Qingmei said, “Explain everything in detail.”

Tan Yun clenched her teeth and said, “Elder Huo and the Ghost-faced Elder went to Lijiang City to investigate the Heavenly Demon Order. Unexpectedly, they fell into an ambush set by Xi Jikui and Chu Nanying. The two were unable to withstand it, and Gu Renwo rushed over hoping to rescue them, but after Xi Jikui obtained the nature’s spiritual energy, his strength grew further. Combined with other high-level experts like the Xuanyi Guard, Elder Huo and the Ghost-faced Elder were killed, and Gu Renwo’s arm was severed…”

The Ghost-faced Buddha had joined the Demon Sect halfway, contributing significantly enough to be entrusted with important tasks. Huo Zhongyun, much like Tan Yun, was a top expert nurtured by the main hall of the Demon Sect, known for his passionate and righteous character, which made him hugely popular within the sect.

Both were Second Grade experts on the brink of reaching First Grade, and both were among the four main Guardians of the Human Sect of the Demon Sect. However, now they were dead.

This was undeniably a severe blow to the Human Sect of the Demon Sect, even potentially tarnishing the sect’s reputation.

In the world of Jianghu, what is most important? Of course, it’s the reputation.

The notoriety of the Demon Sect could deter many, partly due to their fearsome reputation.

“Xi Jikui?”

Zhao Qingmei’s expression remained blank as she said, “It seems he has indeed seen the Heavenly Demon Order.”

Tan Yun’s eyes showed a hint of sorrow, “He must have seen it, to create a convincing fake. Otherwise, the Ghost-faced Elder, who is usually so cautious, would not have been ambushed.”

“Miss, we must avenge this,” she said.

Zhao Qingmei nodded slightly, “Elder Li’s strength hasn’t fully recovered yet, and even when it does, he plans to break through a barrier. It’s not advisable to act now, dealing with Xi Jikui might be difficult.”

“Moreover, Xi Jikui is in Yu State City, and Yu State City seems to have another Grandmaster…”

Li Fuzhou was mostly recovered from his injuries. Fighting Xi Jikui wasn’t impossible, but there was no complete assurance of killing Xi Jikui. Besides, during the battle at Three Temple Mountain, Li Fuzhou had mentioned a Grandmaster who had appeared but had not yet shown himself.

Tan Yun bit her lip and asked, “What should we do then? Miss, should we summon more experts? What if Xi Jikui returns to the Capital?”

“So…”

Zhao Qingmei waved her hand, toying with the black seal in her hand, and said lightly.

“Xi Jikui, I’ll kill him myself.”