Chapter 19: Gathering at Mount Shu

"Ta-da... ta-da... ta-da!"

Under the blazing sun, the sound of rapid hoofbeats suddenly rang out on the post road at the foot of Mount Shu. Before long, a dozen or so riders appeared like a whirlwind and then quickly disappeared.

On both sides of the post road were vast fields of farmland, and some farmers who were working hard under the scorching sun ignored the group of people who suddenly appeared.

Mount Shu is the most prestigious and righteous sect in the Nine Provinces. Martial arts practitioners and travelers flock here every day, and they are already tired of seeing it and find it nothing new.

Instead of wasting time visiting them, it would be better to finish the farm work quickly, go home and enjoy a few bowls of refreshing tea, rather than standing here under the scorching sun with beads of sweat rolling into the muddy fields.

However, a few older farmers were still a little puzzled, because there seemed to be many more martial arts practitioners going up Mount Shu these past few days than usual, and they didn't know what had happened.

The dozen or so riders had come all the way at breakneck speed, but the scorching sun overhead was too intense. Despite their exceptional internal strength, most of these men were drenched in sweat.

Before long, a small town finally came into view.

"We're at the foot of Mount Shu just ahead."

The leader, a burly man in tight-fitting clothes, looked around and immediately said to the group behind him, "Brothers, let's rest for a while, and then we'll go up Mount Shu later."

The crowd behind him seemed to regard the burly man in the tight-fitting clothes as their leader, and they all nodded in agreement.

However, the only girl in a tight-fitting outfit present looked distressed upon hearing this and protested loudly, "Brother, didn't you see that my face is all red from the sun? Let's go to the small town ahead and find an inn to rest properly. It's not too late to go up the mountain tomorrow morning."

The brother the pretty young girl was referring to—a burly man with thick eyebrows, large eyes, and a rugged appearance covered in a curly beard—shaked his head upon hearing this. "No! Master Qingyi personally invited our Zhennan Gang here; it must be for something important. We've already wasted too much time on the road; we can't delay any longer."

"No, I want to rest at the inn. I'm not like you bunch of stinky men. I've been traveling all day and I'm covered in sweat."

The girl persisted.

The burly man said in a deep voice, "I told you not to follow me, but you insisted. Now you've brought trouble upon yourself."

The girl glared at him, "Brother..."

"Sigh, I just can't do anything with you."

The burly man said helplessly, "How about this, let's find a place to rest in the town, and then head up Mount Shu together at dusk."

The girl pouted, "That's more like it, let's go."

After saying that, he flicked his whip, leaving everyone behind, and quickly rode away in a cloud of dust.

The burly man watched the girl's departing figure and smiled wryly, "Let's listen to that girl and go up the mountain this evening."

His subordinates followed behind him with smiles.

"I really can't do anything with this little girl."

"Hehe, since our leader dotes on this little girl Xianni the most, let her be."

Upon hearing this, the burly man smiled slightly, spurred his horse, and said, "That girl is running so fast she's almost out of sight. Let's hurry and catch up."

Before long, the group arrived in the town.

The big man saw from afar that his younger sister was standing in front of him talking to a young man in a Taoist robe, and he quickly spurred his horse forward.

Then, the younger sister, Zhou Xianni, came over with a smile and said, "Brother, this is Senior Brother Qingming from the Shu Mountain Sect. He's here to guide us up the mountain."

The young man in Taoist robes looked to be about twenty-three or twenty-four years old, with sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes. He was very handsome, which is why the little sister, whom Zhou Yangkun had tried to persuade for a long time but couldn't, was now beaming with joy and wanted to go up the mountain.

Zhou Yangkun quickly dismounted, clasped his hands in a fist salute to the other party, and said very politely, "Then I really have to trouble you, Brother Qingming."

Upon seeing him, Qingming, dressed in a Taoist robe, immediately smiled and returned the greeting, saying, "This must be Chief Zhou of the Zhennan Gang, renowned throughout the Eastern Continent. I have been sent by my master to escort you all to the villa on the mountain to cleanse yourselves of the dust of the journey."

Zhou Yangkun quickly replied, "Then I'll have to trouble you, Brother Qingming. My name is Zhou Yangkun, this is my younger sister Zhou Xianni, and these people behind her are all brothers from my gang."

Qingming returned their greetings one by one, behaving with propriety.

Zhou Yangkun sighed inwardly, thinking to himself, "No wonder they come from a prestigious sect; even a random young disciple is so extraordinary."

Not only was Qingming very well-mannered, but from his pair of bright eyes, one could deduce that he possessed superb internal strength. Considering that he was only twenty-four or twenty-five years old, several years younger than himself, and yet his martial arts were so formidable, Zhou Yangkun knew that he probably wouldn't dare to claim victory against him.

Along the way, everyone chatted happily. Besides the people around them admiring Qingming's vast knowledge, even their younger sister looked at the handsome young man with admiration.

Along the way, Zhou Yangkun inquired about which sects Shushan had invited this time, and Qingming told him what he knew.

"The Buddhist sect arrived the earliest and have been staying on the mountain for several days. In addition, the Holy Sword Sect, the Weapon Refining Sect, and Silver Flower Island arrived yesterday. The Dual Cultivation Pavilion arrived this morning. With Brother Zhou, all the sects invited by Master have arrived."

"Those who came were all from prestigious and renowned sects."

Zhou Yangkun said with emotion.

However, I felt a little uneasy.

Although the Zhennan Gang, to which Zhou Yangkun belongs, has developed quite well in Dongzhou in recent years and is now one of the top gangs in Dongzhou, it is incomparable to the famous sects that Qingming mentioned.

Zhou Yangkun racked his brains but couldn't figure out why a powerful figure like Master Qingyi of Mount Shu would send him an invitation.

"Oh, before this, the people from Penglai Palace had already settled in the villa on the mountain. You are all in for a treat. Sword Maiden has rarely set foot in the martial world lately, and it is extremely difficult for ordinary people to see her."

Finally, Qingming added.

Zhou Yangkun's face flashed with surprise, his eyes widening. "The renowned Penglai Sword Maiden has actually come?"

The group of burly men behind him all showed expressions of excitement and longing.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Xianni, who was walking at the front, flashed a hint of jealousy on her pretty face: "I've heard that the Penglai Sword Maiden is the most beautiful woman on the continent. Senior Brother Qingming, is that true?"

"The Sword Maiden of Penglai..."

Qingming walked ahead with his hands behind his back, seemingly sighing, "I dare not make a definitive judgment on whether she is the most beautiful woman on the mainland. You will know when you see her in person."

Seeing his expression, Zhou Xianni said unwillingly, "Then, Senior Brother Qingming, did you also fall in love with that Sword Maiden after you saw her?"

"Xianni, how can you talk like that?"

Although Zhou Yangkun was a careless man and had little experience with romantic relationships, he still felt that his sister's words were inappropriate and quickly gave Qingming an apologetic look.

Qingming, both amused and exasperated, said, "Miss Zhou is joking. Although the Sword Maiden is beautiful, she is already taken. You can't say such things carelessly."

His thoughts, however, were on the peerless beauty beside the Sword Maiden, whose looks were no less stunning than hers, and he couldn't help but sigh inwardly. Zhou Xianni then said, "Oh."

She let out a sigh of relief and stayed even closer to Qingming the rest of the way.

Zhou Yangkun obviously couldn't do anything about his little sister, whom he had doted on since childhood, so he had no choice but to let her be.

Mount Shu is not steep. The group walked from the foot of the mountain and arrived at a large courtyard specially opened by the Shu Mountain Sect for guests to rest in less than half an hour.

"This is where you all rest. You've all traveled a long way and must be tired. Please rest well. Tomorrow, someone will come to take Brother Zhou to the main hall for a meeting. I still have matters to attend to, so I won't disturb your rest any longer."

Qingming led them to a secluded courtyard and summoned two young Taoist disciples to arrange their lodgings and provide them with the necessary items. His thoughtfulness was so considerate that everyone felt flattered.

Zhou Yangkun quickly clasped his hands in greeting and said, "Brother Qingming, please go ahead."

"Also, if you guys feel bored, the scenery here is quite nice, you can go around and take a look. In addition, people from various sects also live in this area, so it's a good opportunity to make more friends."

Qingming said with a smile.

"Thank you for your guidance, Brother Qingming."

"Thank you, Senior Brother Qingming."

"I won't disturb you any longer, I'll take my leave now."

After saying that, Qingming left.

The two Taoist attendants led everyone to their respective guest rooms and made arrangements before leaving.

Zhou Yangkun changed into clean clothes and walked out of the courtyard alone.

He knew that his Zhennan Gang was just an ordinary gang in the eyes of these prestigious sects, so he was unwilling to make a fuss about getting to know them.

A secluded path suddenly appeared before him, and Zhou Yangkun's heart stirred, so he stepped forward.

The afterglow of the setting sun dappled the surroundings, and soon a sea of ​​flowers came into view.

At the same time, the world before Zhou Yangkun's eyes was instantly filled with that slender figure standing in the sea of ​​flowers, and nothing else existed.

The woman appeared to be about eighteen or nineteen years old, dressed in a light yellow palace gown embroidered with elegant white orchids, perfectly matching her serene and refined temperament.

Her long, flowing hair wasn't styled in a bun; it just cascaded casually over her shoulders, giving her a languid air.

Her long, flowing palace dress perfectly showcased her curves before Zhou Yangkun's eyes. This stunningly beautiful woman appeared amidst the sea of ​​flowers, brightening the entire surrounding world.

In her slender, white hands, she held a watering can and was carefully watering several budding flowers in front of her, seemingly unaware of Zhou Yangkun staring at her in a daze from afar.

Or perhaps she had already noticed, but in her eyes, the flowers in front of her needed her attention more than him, an unrelated person.

Zhou Yangkun's heart pounded like a drum.

He found it hard to believe that there was such a beautiful woman in the world; the heavens and earth seemed to lose their color for her.

The stunningly beautiful woman, after watering the flowers in front of her, gracefully walked her long, slender legs, encased in her palace-style dress, into the inner courtyard, and soon disappeared from Zhou Yangkun's sight.

A sense of loss arose deep within Zhou Yangkun's heart.

He gazed in the direction where the beauty had disappeared, feeling extremely lost, and lingered there for a long time, unwilling to leave.

"Sir, have you come to the wrong place?"

Just as Zhou Yangkun was in a daze, a hoarse voice came from behind him.

Zhou Yangkun immediately turned around.

The newcomer was of very ordinary appearance, wearing a blue robe, somewhat short and thin, with a short gray goatee and his hair was neatly combed.

His eyes were bright and piercing, clearly indicating that he possessed profound internal strength. He held a paper fan in his hand, waving it as he sized up Zhou Yangkun.

"My name is Zhou Yangkun. May I ask how you should address me, sir?"

Zhou Yangkun asked the visitor very politely.

He couldn't quite gauge the man's age. At first glance, the man seemed to be around fifty, but upon closer inspection, he appeared to be in his forties. So he addressed him as "sir."

The newcomer gave a long "Oh".

He exclaimed, "So it's the leader of the Southern Gang of Dongzhou Town."

"Exactly."

"My surname is Zhu, and my given name is He."

Upon hearing the name, Zhou Yangkun immediately clasped his hands in greeting and said, "It's actually Mr. Zhu He, the master of Silver Flower Island. I've long admired your name..."

The master of Silver Flower Island has been famous for a long time. It is said that he loved literature and disliked martial arts since childhood. At the age of ten, he abandoned literature and pursued painting, and entered White Deer Academy with his painting skills.

He later incorporated painting into martial arts, creating something that no one before him could do.

Although Zhu He himself was of average appearance, he was famous for his dashing and romantic nature in his youth. Later, for some unknown reason, he suddenly became celibate and lived in seclusion on his Silver Flower Island, rarely appearing on the mainland.

This trip marked the first time Zhou Yangkun had met this renowned figure from the mainland.

Normally, Zhu He wouldn't even bother with a nobody like Zhou Yangkun.

But today he was in an exceptionally good mood, and everything seemed pleasing to the eye. In addition, Zhou Yangkun was humble, and for the first time ever, he stopped to ramble on for a few minutes.

"Brother Zhou, you're too kind. Speaking of which, I've met your father a few times. I heard that after your father passed away, you took over the gang from him, and in just five or six years, you've expanded the Zhennan Gang several times over. What's even more remarkable is that, unlike the other major gangs in Dongzhou who often bully the weak and young, your Zhennan Gang fights against the strong and helps the weak, and its reputation is widespread."

Praised by this renowned senior master, Zhou Yangkun quickly replied modestly, "I am merely following my late father's instructions and do not deserve Mr. Zhu's praise."

Finally, he voiced his doubts, saying, "Yes, Mr. Zhu, may I ask which sect's residence this is?"

"I can see that, Brother Zhou, you have no idea who lives here."

Zhu He said with a smile, "I'll tell you then. This is the temporary residence of the people from Penglai Palace. The Penglai Sword Maiden, who is famous throughout the continent, is currently inside."

After a pause, Zhu He added, "Also, a word of advice to Brother Zhou: remember not to linger around here. Because of the Sword Maiden's personality, she doesn't like being disturbed by outsiders. If she is seen by the people of Penglai Palace, it might cause some misunderstandings."

Penglai Palace! A thought flashed through Zhou Yangkun's mind.

That stunningly beautiful woman in palace attire was actually from Penglai Palace. Could she be the Penglai Sword Maiden? Zhou Yangkun was a little unsure. After all, the Sword Maiden was only in her early thirties, and her beauty was renowned as unparalleled in the world. He really couldn't think of anyone else in Penglai Palace besides the Sword Maiden who possessed such temperament and beauty.

But I've heard that the Sword Maiden has a cold and aloof demeanor, while the palace-dressed beauty I just saw, upon closer inspection, actually has a gentle and pleasant temperament.

Deep down, Zhou Yangkun couldn't help but feel anxious and uncertain.

With a sigh, Zhou Yangkun clasped his hands and said, "Thank you for the reminder, Mr. Zhu. I will take my leave now."

Zhu He nodded and walked away, beaming with pride.

Zhou Yangkun then realized that he had come from another side path inside, and felt a pang of envy.

Only a renowned figure from the mainland like Zhu He could establish a connection with Penglai Palace; perhaps they were even old acquaintances.

Unlike him, even though Zhou Yangkun himself was already somewhat famous in Dongzhou, here, no one was someone he could reach.

On the way back, a woman dressed in a white dress, her face veiled in white gauze, as beautiful as a fairy under the moon, walked gracefully towards Penglai Palace, accompanied by two pretty maids.

The two pretty maids glanced at him briefly before looking away.

The veiled woman in the white dress, however, kept her eyes fixed straight ahead, not even glancing at him once, leaving him only with a beautiful and alluring silhouette.

Although I haven't seen her face, the woman in the white dress must be a beautiful woman.

The woman in the white dress reminded Zhou Yangkun of the graceful figure of the palace beauty as she departed. He sighed inwardly, "She's finally gone."

…………

This is the back garden of the villa that Shushan arranged for Penglai Palace to live in. In the pavilion in the back garden, Qin Yuning sat in front of a stone table, her beautiful eyes slightly narrowed, carefully examining the Dragon Blood Pill placed on the table.

"Flower Girl, look."

The flower maid who had just sat down next to her looked on in surprise: "Such a strong smell of blood, is this the Dragon Blood Pill?"

Qin Yuning nodded and said, "That's right. This is the Dragon Blood Pill that Wan'er can take and which can greatly increase the user's internal strength within a few months. A small pill is worth hundreds of taels of gold. If it weren't for that old lecher Situ Dezong's lust for Wan'er's beauty, I'm afraid I wouldn't have been able to get this from him with money alone. Its effects are more than ten times stronger than the Qi Refining Pill made by a True Person."

Hua Niang's expression was solemn: "This doesn't seem to be an ordinary elixir. For some reason, it gives me a faint but fierce aura that makes me feel uneasy."

Qin Yuning remained silent for a long while, then said, "I have the same feeling. What exactly is this Dragon Blood Pill made of?"

"Dragon Blood Pill... Dragon Blood Pill..."

The Flower Maiden murmured, "Could it really be as its name suggests, made from dragon blood?"

Qin Yuning frowned slightly: "Since ancient times, there has been no shortage of alchemists in the Nine Provinces who used the blood of those giant lizards from the Western Continent for alchemy. However, it has been proven that the flesh and blood of those rare flying dragons from the Western Continent have no special effects. As for our Eastern dragons, they have only been a legend since ancient times, and no one has ever seen one with their own eyes."

"The study of elixirs is not our forte. It would be better for you to give this elixir to the True Man."

Qin Yuning nodded and said, "That's exactly what I was planning. This Dragon Blood Pill is no ordinary item, so it would be more appropriate to hand it over to you personally."

The two chatted idly in the pavilion for a while when Hua Niang suddenly asked a question.

"Yes, Madam, what have you decided on that matter?"

Qin Yuning lightly crossed her beautiful legs beneath her skirt, her slender fingers toying with a pill the size of a longan, and answered nonchalantly.

"He's been living a carefree and comfortable life for too long. He needs to be taught a lesson he'll never forget. It's one thing to cheat on his mother, but he even plans to keep Xian'er as a mistress and have her have his child. He's really got a clever plan."

Hearing this, Hua Niang smiled and said, "I told you long ago that there are very few men in the world who can withstand the test. Besides, Lu Zhongming is eager for you to have a child for him, but you are unwilling, so naturally he will set his sights on other women. You really can't blame him for this."

"oh?"

Qin Yuning looked at her in surprise, "Judging from what Hua Niang said, you actually think that the behavior of the man surnamed Lu is understandable? I thought Hua Niang shared my opinion, but I didn't expect that Hua Niang would have a different view."

Hua Niang smiled and said, "Madam, you have only been with two men so far, while I have been with countless men. In terms of understanding men, even Meiniang cannot compare to me. That's why I advised you before that there was no need to conduct a pointless test, because given the current situation, Lu Zhongming will definitely not pass the test."

Qin Yuning listened with interest, finally closing the jade box, and said, "Does that mean that Lady Hua believes that the Lu family's behavior can be forgiven?"

Hua Niang chuckled, "Madam, you and Lu Zhongming have shared a bed for two whole years. Even if you are still as beautiful as ever, he will inevitably get tired of the same woman in bed for so long. I understand men's psychology too well. Men are always looking for more than they have; it's their nature and a common flaw that's hard to change. Your refusal to let him conceive is just providing him with an opportunity to cheat. Even if you agreed to have his child, he would probably still sneak out and have affairs behind your back."

Seeing Qin Yuning's red lips curl into a cold smile, Hua Niang smiled again and said, "Madam, there's no need to be angry about this. In fact, this is something that all men and women inevitably experience after the initial passion of love. Not only men, but women also suffer from this trouble. Hua Niang dares to ask Madam a question in return: After two years of being with Lu Zhongming, have you ever felt bored at times, or even had the thought of changing your bed partner?"

Qin Yuning listened attentively for a long while before nodding slightly: "As Hua Niang said, it is true that one will feel a certain degree of boredom when facing the same man for a long time. However, considering that Lu Zhongming has been very diligent by my side for the past two years, and that he is quite good in all aspects, I have stayed with him until now."

After a pause, Qin Yuning continued, "But Lu's behavior this time was really too much, so I don't intend to forgive him easily. I will make him understand that even without him, I, the Sword Maiden of Penglai, will still have plenty of men pursuing me."

"Understood, Madam."

Hua Niang smiled slightly, "Lu Zhongming would never have dreamed that, just when he was enjoying his carefree life, a rival for his affections would suddenly appear. Well, that's fine too. Having a rival who can rival him in every way will put a lot of pressure on this guy. As for what happens in the future, that depends on his fate."

Qin Yuning raised her red lips slightly and chuckled, "You already know?"

Hua Niang nodded with a smile.

"Just now, Zhu He from Silver Flower Island came to see Madam, and I could still see the burning love he had for her in his eyes. Although Silver Flower Island behind Zhu He is far inferior to Penglai Palace, and his martial arts skills are also more than half a level below Madam's, Zhu He fell in love with her at first sight when she first met him on her travels to the mainland at the age of sixteen. Since then, he has cultivated his character and stopped lingering among women, and his love has remained unchanged to this day. From this point of view alone, he is far superior to Lu Zhongming."

Qin Yuning nodded slightly and said, "That's right, it's precisely because of this that I've always looked at Zhu He differently."

When I first met him on the mainland, I was sixteen, and he was seventeen years older than me; even his daughter wasn't much younger than me. Zhu He was a womanizer and amorous; his first wife had died in childbirth, and without anyone to restrain her, he became even more unruly. Therefore, when he pursued me so earnestly and swore a solemn vow to change his ways, I didn't believe him at all.

She paused, her beautiful eyes sparkling with a smile. "Seventeen years have passed now, and I never imagined he would actually keep the vow he made back then. Two years ago, I was torn between Lu Zhongming and him, and now it seems I made the wrong choice again."

"Time is the best test of a person, and such men are indeed rare."

Hua Niang agreed, then said with a hint of regret, "It's a pity that Zhu He is much older than you, and he is rather short and thin, and his appearance is completely unworthy of you, Madam. If he were ten years younger, and even if he weren't too tall, at least he wouldn't look too different standing next to you, Madam, that would be even better."

Qin Yuning nonchalantly replied, "I'm long past the age of being a lovesick teenager. When I look at men, I no longer look at their appearance, but rather focus on their inner qualities."

"Now that you say that, Madam, I can finally rest assured."

Hua Niang smiled and asked, "Madam and Lu Zhongming have been together for two years, but they are still not married. I suppose Zhu He must have taken this opportunity to express his love to you. I wonder if you accepted him?"

A blush crept across Qin Yuning's beautiful face, and she smiled without saying a word.

Hua Niang immediately understood. She knew that when they were alone in the back hall, Zhu He and the beautiful swordswoman must have made some slightly intimate gestures, and a smile had flashed across his face.

Zhu He was indeed a famous romantic figure on the mainland in his early years, and he really knew how to seize opportunities.

The two chatted in the pavilion for a while, when a maid came over and said...

"Madam, the Dual Cultivation Mystic Maiden of the Dual Cultivation Pavilion requests an audience with you."

Qin Yuning stared at the maid in astonishment, "A dual cultivation Xuan Nu?"

"Exactly."

Qin Yuning frowned and asked, "Where is she?"

"Waiting in the front hall."

The maid answered.

Qin Yuning nodded: "I understand, you can go now."

"Yes, madam."

After the maid left, Hua Niang said, "The Dual Cultivation Pavilion and my Penglai Palace have always been estranged. It is truly strange that the Dual Cultivation Mystic Maiden would take the initiative to request an audience."

"That's really strange. Given that woman's personality, how could she allow her daughter to have contact with my Penglai Palace?"

Qin Yuning seemed to remember something and added, "I heard that the Dual Cultivation Mystic Maiden recently got engaged to someone, but then quickly called off the engagement. Humph, that woman still does things the same way as before, entirely based on her own likes and dislikes."

Hua Niang covered her mouth and chuckled softly, without replying.

In fact, there is no deep-seated hatred between Penglai Palace and Shuangxiu Pavilion. The reason why the two sides do not communicate with each other stems from a love triangle in the past.

Back then, when Sword Maiden was traveling on the mainland, she met her ex-husband Lin Tianhao, and the two fell in love.

At that time, the Dual Cultivation Lady, who was about the same age as the Sword Maiden and was just beginning to experience love, also fell in love with Lin Tianhao, just like the Sword Maiden.

Two equally outstanding women fell in love with the same man; Hua Niang could imagine how fierce the jealousy between them must have been.

Later, Lin Tianhao probably chose Jian Ji in the end, and the Dual Cultivation Lady could only leave the stage in sorrow and marry the husband that her elders had arranged for her.

Afterwards, the Sword Maiden returned to Penglai Palace with her husband and rarely set foot on the mainland again, and the two women never met again.

But this grudge had already been formed, leading to an extremely cold relationship between the two major powers.

This secret is known only to a few people, such as Hua Niang and Mei Niang, and the world still does not know why the Sword Maiden and the Dual Cultivation Lady are like fire and water.

Now, Sword Maiden has long since kicked away the man she once loved, and Dual Cultivation Lady's husband also passed away from illness several years ago. Flower Maiden can't help but sigh at the unpredictability of life.

However, when Hua Niang saw that Jian Ji still unconsciously revealed her hostile attitude from back then when talking about Dual Cultivation Lady, she felt very puzzled.

This reaction only comes from someone who still sees Lady Shuangxiu as a rival in love. Hua Niang was somewhat unsure whether Jian Ji still harbored feelings for Lin Tianhao. Thinking of Lin Tianhao, Hua Niang's doubts deepened.

He was clearly a man with mediocre martial arts skills, whose verbal skills were inversely proportional to his physical abilities. Just as the Sword Maiden angrily rebuked him when she divorced him, he was a useless coward. But for some reason, Hua Niang always felt that something was wrong, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it.

He shook his head, dismissing the thought from his mind, and asked, "Madam, do you still wish to see her?"

Qin Yuning's lips curled into a smile. "See you? Why wouldn't I see you!"

Upon arriving at the front hall, Qin Yuning immediately spotted the dual-cultivation nun sitting quietly there, her face veiled and dressed in a pure white long dress.

Upon her arrival, the Dual Cultivation Mystic Maiden gently removed her veil and gave Qin Yuning a slight bow, "Huanxin... greets Madam."

The moment the Dual Cultivation Mystic Maiden removed her veil, Qin Yuning's beautiful eyes lit up. Even though she and that woman had never gotten along, she had to admit that the woman's daughter was truly stunningly beautiful, comparable to Sima Jin'er and Wenren Wan. She couldn't help but admire her. At the same time, the way the Dual Cultivation Mystic Maiden addressed her also surprised Qin Yuning.

Generally speaking, people on the mainland, whether they know her or not, simply call her Sword Maiden.

Only those in the Penglai Palace addressed her as "Madam".

The dual-cultivation nun addressed her as "Madam," which carried a hint of intimacy.

Qin Yuning gracefully took her seat, ordered a maid to serve her fragrant tea, and then asked politely, "May I ask what brings you here today, Mystic Maiden?"

The goddess of dual cultivation said calmly, "Madam, you can just call me Huanxin. I have no important business to attend to today. I just thought that Madam's name is widely known, but I have never been able to see your face, which I find very regrettable. I hope you will understand if I come here."

Qin Yuning was genuinely puzzled this time.

Because of her preconceived notions, Qin Yuning believed that the arrival of the Dual Cultivation Mystic Maiden today could not be anything good.

But at this moment, he realized that he was completely wrong. The dual cultivation nun made no attempt to hide her affection for him, and her gaze towards him was filled with amazement and admiration.

Qin Yuning could even tell that she seemed a little nervous in front of her. Although she tried to hide it well, she couldn't fool Qin Yuning's eyes.

Just as Qin Yuning was feeling puzzled and confused, Wenren Wan, dressed in a long palace dress, arrived late.

She first greeted Qin Yuning, then greeted the Dual Cultivation Mystic Maiden with a smile.

"Huanxin, I didn't expect you to come."

"Sister Wan'er."

The two women then held hands affectionately.

Qin Yuning looked at them in surprise, "Wan'er, do you two know each other?"

Wenren Wan covered her mouth and chuckled softly. She came to Qin Yuning's side, leaned close to her ear, and whispered a few words.

Upon seeing this, the Sword Maiden initially showed a look of surprise on her face. After glancing at her a few times, her originally peaceful gaze softened when she looked at her again, and her beautiful eyebrows and eyes also showed a smile.

"Huanxin, come over here."

Sensing the Sword Maiden's affectionate tone, the Dual Cultivation Mystic Maiden's fair face suddenly flushed for some reason, but she still followed the Sword Maiden's instructions and came to her side, sitting on either side of her with Wenren Wan.

Qin Yuning's beautiful eyes overflowed with laughter as she gazed at this gentle and beautiful woman, finding herself growing more and more fond of her the more she looked at her.

She caught up with the dual cultivation nun and asked her many questions, which she answered one by one, blushing with embarrassment.

When Qin Yuning heard that her longtime rival had actually changed her stubborn nature and agreed to let her daughter be with her son, she could no longer hide the smile in her eyes.

"Madam, when did Xuanlang arrive at Mount Shu?"

At this moment, the Dual Cultivation Mystic Maiden finally spoke up and asked a question.

If anyone else had asked this, Qin Yuning would have teased them, but facing the dual-cultivation nun, she said softly, "Xuan'er should set off in the next two days. It will probably take six or seven days to get to Shu Mountain, so Huanxin will wait patiently for a while. Also, if Huanxin is willing, you can sit down here. With Wan'er here, you'll have someone to talk to."

The nun's face lit up with joy: "Is it alright, Madam?"

Wenren Wan, who was standing to the side, said with a smile, "Madam is always a woman of her word, so Huanxin, you can rest assured."

After the women chatted for a while, Qin Yuning turned to the Dual Cultivation Maiden and asked seriously, "I heard that the Dual Cultivation Pavilion was attacked by the Yin Yang Sect. How does your mother plan to handle this matter?"

"Thank you for your concern, Madam."

The Dual Cultivation Mystic Maiden said, "My mother was also very worried about this. The Yin-Yang Sect has recently grown in strength and has faintly surpassed our Dual Cultivation Pavilion. But a few days ago, my mother called me over and suddenly told me that a senior expert had come to the pavilion. If the Yin-Yang Sect dares to invade again, this expert will make sure that the Yin-Yang Sect can never return. He told me to come to Mount Shu to keep my appointment with peace of mind."

Upon hearing this, both Wenren Wan and Qin Yuning showed expressions of shock.

The latter said with a solemn expression, "To think that one person alone could be so confident as to annihilate the entire Yin Yang Sect, this person's martial arts have reached an astonishing level. Could it be that Master Bai Lu personally took action?"

Wenren Wan shook her head after hearing this and said, "It's not our dean. He went to travel to the Western Continent more than a month ago and won't be back for at least a year and a half. Huanxin, did your mother really manage to invite such a great master?"

The dual-cultivation nun nodded slightly and said, "My mother was able to agree to my annulment of the engagement thanks to that senior master. He personally spoke to my mother; otherwise, given my mother's personality, she would never have been able to cancel an engagement that had already been made public. I also asked my mother about the identity of this senior master, but she said it was a matter of great importance and she could not reveal it to me for the time being."

She paused for a moment, then continued, "I don't think my mother would lie to me, because when she mentioned that senior master, the look of admiration on her face was undisguised. Someone who could earn my mother's trust and respect must be an unparalleled master."

Qin Yuning frowned upon hearing this; anyone who could command that woman's admiration was no ordinary person.

After digesting this shocking news, Qin Yuning finally nodded and said, "With such a powerful expert assisting us, there shouldn't be any major problems. But if the Dual Cultivation Pavilion truly encounters an emergency and needs help, Huanxin must inform me so that Penglai Palace can do its part."

"Yes, Huanxin thanks you, Madam."

Qin Yuning looked at her with a smile, "If nothing unexpected happens, Huanxin will soon become one of the young mistresses of my Penglai Palace, so there's no need for thanks."

The nun blushed and lowered her head, but her beautiful eyes revealed joy.

When Zhu He returned to the villa, he was all smiles.

A young man in his early twenties was practicing martial arts in the back garden.

Upon seeing Zhu He arrive, the young man stopped what he was doing and sat down to rest in the pavilion.

"Second Uncle, have you met Sword Maiden?"

The young man, named Zhu Gaoshi, was Zhu He's only nephew.

As he was making tea for his uncle, he asked a question.

Zhu He sat down on the stone chair, leisurely stroking his beard and sipping tea. After a while, he said, "Of course I saw her. It's been two years since I last saw her, and the Sword Maiden is still stunningly beautiful."

Zhu He's mind was filled with images of the Sword Maiden's every smile and frown, and his heart was still pounding uncontrollably.

Zhu Gaoshi listened with great longing, and after a while, he said regretfully, "It's a pity that if I were to ask to see her, I would surely be refused. It would be a great regret in my life to be unable to admire the beauty of the world-renowned Sword Maiden face to face."

He sighed heavily, "It seems that I can only admire this stunning beauty from afar at tomorrow's meeting."

Since his elder brother and sister-in-law were killed by the Blood Skull many years ago, Zhu He has treated his young nephew, who was only a few years old at the time, as his own flesh and blood.

Hearing his mournful tone, Zhu He coughed lightly and said in a very smug and proud tone, "I am very proud of myself."

"If others wanted to see the Sword Maiden, it wouldn't be so easy. But I'm not just making things up. If you want to see the Sword Maiden, you don't even need to inform her. I'll take you there myself, and she will definitely see you in person."

Zhu Gaoshi suddenly looked up, his face full of disbelief, and said, "This... Second Uncle, are you telling the truth? Your nephew can really... go see the Sword Maiden?"

Zhu He immediately became displeased, "You brat, when has your second uncle ever lied to you?"

"I just... can't quite believe it. Sword Maiden is like a goddess descended to earth. If I could really see her, I'm afraid I would be disrespectful to such a beauty."

Zhu He looked at him and shook his head, sighing, "Alas, how can I put it? The Sword Maiden is indeed as beautiful as a fairy, but she is not a tiger. I want to see her but I am afraid of offending her. Your second uncle has taught you how to communicate and interact with women since you were a child. After all these years, you are still so dull and not good at speaking. You have not the slightest bit of your second uncle's demeanor back then."

Zhu Gaoshi said somewhat dejectedly, "Of course I understand, but when I think of the renowned Penglai Sword Maiden, the goddess of countless men, I..."

Zhu He shook his head, saying in a tone of disappointment, "No matter how beautiful Sword Maiden is, she is still a woman at heart. As long as she is a woman, she needs a man. She is no different in essence from the women your second uncle introduces to you."

Seeing that his nephew was still hesitant and timid, Zhu He, who knew him very well, understood that his nephew's personality was like that of his shy older brother, and he could not be forced.

So he changed his approach and said calmly, "Aren't you curious why your second uncle was able to take you to the Sword Maiden without even needing to inform him?"

Zhu Gaoshi then raised his head. He was just naturally dull-witted, not stupid. Upon considering that possibility, his eyes widened immediately, and he stammered, "Could it be...could it be that Second Uncle and Sword Maiden...?"

Zhu He's face showed an extremely proud expression as he said, "That's right. Just now, Jian Ji clearly accepted your second uncle's pursuit. In terms of status, Jian Ji and I are now in a romantic relationship."

He looked at his nephew, who was dumbfounded and incredulous, smiled slightly, and said, "If nothing unexpected happens, you'll have to call the Sword Maiden 'Second Mother' when you see her in the future."

Zhu Gaoshi opened his mouth, but couldn't speak for a long time. "This...this is...really?"

His face flushed red with excitement.

"Second Uncle, you really didn't lie to me. That noble Penglai Sword Maiden might become my stepmother in the future?"

"That's natural."

Zhu Gaoshi murmured, "This is unbelievable... What about Lu Zhongming?"

Zhu He took a sip of tea and said, "There's nothing unbelievable about it. As I said, although Sword Maiden is as beautiful as a fairy, she still needs a man to love her. As for Lu Zhongming, ha... that guy who's out of the running, let's not even mention him."

Seeing that his dull nephew seemed to be gradually accepting his words, Zhu He smiled slightly.

"As you know, your second uncle has been pursuing the Sword Maiden for many years, and only today has he finally achieved his wish. That's why, just now in the back hall of the Sword Maiden's villa, your second uncle tasted the rouge on the Sword Maiden's lips for the first time, and it tasted absolutely wonderful."

Zhu Gaoshi's eyes widened upon hearing this, and he stammered, "Second Uncle... kissed the Sword Maiden?"

Zhu He laughed loudly, then shook his head leisurely and said, "It wasn't just that she kissed the Sword Maiden's lips; your second uncle also took off her embroidered shoes, and held her exquisite jade feet in his hands, playing with them for a long time."

He looked up, exclaiming with utmost admiration, "Truly fragrant and soft, even the finest cream cannot compare. Even the white socks on her feet smell wonderful, making your second uncle linger, almost unwilling to let go. Sword Maiden truly deserves to be called a peerless beauty, simply the likes of which I have never seen before!"

Zhu Gaoshi's face turned bright red upon hearing this.

The thought that the Sword Maiden, who was regarded as a goddess by countless men on the mainland, was actually pursued and won over by his second uncle, and even kissed his second uncle was unbearable.

Even her precious jade feet were held and played with by his second uncle, and Zhu Gaoshi felt a sharp pain in his groin.

Seeing the envious look on his nephew's face, Zhu He finally said in a deep tone, "Shi'er, you're already twenty years old, the age to get married. All the women your second uncle introduced you to in the past were from prestigious families or were well-bred ladies, and their looks were carefully selected. But you're just too dull. As soon as you see someone beautiful, you shrink back, which is why none of these women are interested in you."

"Looking at me, your second uncle, in terms of background, my Silver Flower Island is far inferior to Penglai Palace. In terms of martial arts, I am at least half a level below Sword Maiden. Even in terms of figure and appearance, I am no match for her. Standing next to Sword Maiden, I am even half a head shorter than her. Not to mention her, even before me, there was that Martial Grandmaster Lu Zhongming. Your second uncle's conditions are not as good as his. But so what? Now, Sword Maiden, whose beauty is like that of a celestial being, has still been captivated by your second uncle."

"What your second uncle wants to tell you is this: don't underestimate yourself. You are Zhu He's nephew from Silver Flower Island, the future master of Silver Flower Island, understand?"

Zhu Gaoshi stared blankly at him, his flushed face finally showing excitement.

Zhu He then caught a glimpse of the bulge between his nephew's legs, and was finally greatly pleased.

Today, he gave his dull and taciturn nephew a strong dose of medicine, and it seems to have finally worked. He thought of his deceased elder brother and sister-in-law and breathed a sigh of relief.