Qing Mountain truly deserved its reputation among martial artists; the landscape was beautiful, featuring clear waters, strange rocks, and breathtaking scenery. The journey up the mountain was magnificent, from the tall, graceful pine trees to the uniquely shaped rocks, and the green grass and wildflowers lining the path, all showcasing mountain wilderness charm.
People recognized Meng Yu and kept greeting him, making it difficult for him to break free. Out of courtesy, he couldn’t say much. As the beautiful woman’s figure faded from view, he cupped his hands toward the remaining crowd: “Meng is accompanying a friend and rushing up the mountain, so I’ll take my leave first. Please forgive any rudeness.” The word “forgiveness” had barely escaped his lips when he vanished, leaving behind another legendary tale of the heroic Meng Sect Master among the martial artists.
“Is Xiao Zi at the mountaintop? Where? I can’t see her.”
I pulled Feng Qingyin while shielding my eyes, searching for a purple figure. Unfortunately, those wearing purple either had the wrong color or looked bad in it—clearly not our charming little Zi.
This mountain peak is beautiful, with lovely scenery and fresh air. A large open space in front was set up with platforms for the upcoming martial arts competition. Scattered tents bore names like “Wudang” and “Emei,” apparently sect names. Heh, worried disciples might get lost? What if a Shaolin disciple accidentally walked into an Emei tent and saw a girl changing?
“Huh? Didn’t he say he’d come up first?” Feng Qingyin looked around, puzzled. That day on the boat leaving Sichuan, the boatman had rigged an explosion. When the water slowed and electricity cut, he detonated the boat! He instinctively pulled Wuchen and Shiran away but was still hit by the shockwave and fell into the water. Meanwhile, Jing Baibai pulled Han Leer to safety but was badly injured.
He’d never forget the moment of the explosion when the usually timid Yi Qing hugged Ling’er, shielding her from the blast’s force!
After dragging Wuchen and Shiran ashore and frantically searching with Jing Baibai, they found the gravely wounded and unconscious Ouyang Zichen in a sea of blood!
At the moment of the explosion, Ouyang Zichen managed to push the two away with a palm wind but was severely injured by the blast. He had not yet recovered, and his entire true qi had dissipated. Wuchen mentioned it would take a year and a half for him to recuperate.
He couldn’t tell Ling’er about Yi Qing, fearing it would drive her mad. Instead, he said they hadn’t located her but also hadn’t found a body, implying she might have been rescued. Although he spoke truthfully, given Yi Qing’s fragile nature and lack of martial arts skills, her chances of survival were slim.
Wang Zai seemed to notice us too, suddenly transitioning from his previous dejection to screaming at us. His howling stirred guilt within me, even though I had done nothing wrong.
Sighing, I felt compelled to help the little fox. Waving my hand, I declared, “I’m not leaving. I’m keeping this little fox.” Then, as Jing Hao Bai and Meng Yu’s expressions shifted from dark to joyful, I pulled Xiao Zi and Xiao Yin to squeeze into the crowd to watch the competition rules.
“Oh! Hey, don’t back off! You stepped on me! Hey, what are you bumping into? Ah – who’s the bastard touching me?!”
“Mom, I’m suddenly feeling like I’m back in modern society, damn it, it’s just like rush hour on a public bus!
The person who took the opportunity to touch me was thrown out by Xiao Yin, and I wanted to escape this suffocating place. Then I noticed –
On the arena side, a row of rosewood grand chairs laid out solemnly, directly below Wang Zai, clearly meant for guardians. This position should be reserved for sect masters, gang leaders, and other big shots. I was delighted – these kids prepared a seat for me. No one dared to sit down before I did. How polite, it’s making me embarrassed.
So, under everyone’s surprised gaze, I climbed onto the stage with two handsome men, using the most primitive wall-climbing method. I sat down with a smile, patting the left side: “Xiao Zi, sit!” Then the right side: “Xiao Yin, sit too!”
Seeing everyone’s jaws drop, I waved at them: “Don’t be polite, everyone sit!” Then someone started crying – turns out his jaw had actually dislocated.
“Miss, that… your position…” A young man climbed up beside me, around twenty years old, with a blushing face.
“You sit too, sit! If you want to sit, sit beautifully -” I ended up singing.
“Young lady, this is not a seat for you.”
“Please leave quickly. Don’t make yourself a laughingstock,” the blue-robed elder urged, realizing the young man was struggling.
“WHY?” I asked, noticing their puzzled expressions. “Please give me a reason, uncle.”
“This is the position for sect masters. Is this reason satisfactory to the miss?” A middle-aged Taoist priest in a gray robe appeared.
“I’m also a sect master,” I replied.
“Oh?” The blue-robed elder seemed intrigued, likely never having encountered such a young sect master before.
“I’m the master of the Herb Picking Sect – Hua Xiao Xin, at your service!” I said, cupping my hands to the audience. However, it felt more like a New Year greeting than a formal introduction.
Laughter erupted, and with my strong resilience to embarrassment, I interpreted it as cheers. I sat down like a queen, elegantly waving and smiling at everyone.
“I suddenly felt we should have gone to buy some dinner to eat while watching,” I murmured, rubbing my stomach as I observed the couple on stage making intimate gestures.
I’m not exaggerating, but the way they touched each other, with soft moans and sighs, if the background were a bed, it would definitely be rated R.
Feng Qingyin finally came to her senses: “I’ll go buy food.” With that, she disappeared. Finally finding a chance to stretch, Feng Qingyin let out a big yawn!
Soon, everyone below the stage collapsed again. They saw two women and one man sitting next to the masters of the ten major sects, slurping noodles! In front of a new talent competition, with martial arts legends beside them, they were eating noodles without any sense of propriety!
However, many people touched their stomachs and slowly retreated from the crowd to dig out dry rations from their bags.
Just as I finished eating and put down my bowl, I heard a sound of blowing, plucking, and singing, like a funeral procession. I admit I’m describing it this way out of jealousy because the spectacle was too grand. The piercing sound of the xiao, the lingering flute, the clear zither, the soft pipa – seductive and enchanting, as if a stunning beauty were lying beside you, gently caressing your ear.
At the front were six female musicians, followed by four burly men in white-trimmed tank tops, revealing muscular bodies and red bandanas, resembling folk band drummers, but now carrying an elaborate soft chair. While the chair itself wasn’t luxurious, the sparkling pearl curtain and flowing silk canopy were eye-catching. Behind them stood two pale-faced young men—one with a flute and the other with a fan—smiling in a way that suggested they were not trustworthy. This group quickly settled on stage, and the music continued.
“The Heart-Stealing Demoness! It’s the Heart-Stealing Demoness!” The crowd below grew terrified, showing signs of unrest.
“Huh? Is this the Heart-Stealing Demoness who’s supposedly on par with me?” I mused; though few know of my Caicao Sect, I like to think my reputation rivals hers. This is the transferability of fame!
“On par?” Everyone’s expressions shifted, and they collectively took a step back. Even the Kongtong sect master subtly moved away.
You can’t say it like that, little girl. Men are fickle creatures; who knows when they might… even the best grass can change ownership if the transaction is right, can’t it?
