Because of the upcoming wedding, the gates of Jushen Manor were wide open, yet the guards stationed there were few in number and mostly clad in white robes, disciples of the Yue Xiang Sect.
The snow that had accumulated at the entrance had been swept aside, piled beneath the plum blossom trees, making the red blossoms appear even more vivid. Madame Red Thread and the Divine Camel from Beyond the Frontiers watched as Meng Qi, sword in hand, wearing a light-blue Daoist robe that fluttered slightly, approached the main entrance with a calm gait, both of them stunned.
This… this… wasn’t he supposed to sneak in secretly and look for Lady Huangfu?
How could he just walk through the main entrance right in front of the guards?
Could it be he intended to massacre everyone, letting blood-stained plum blossoms bloom throughout Jushen Manor? But the wedding procession was already near, just beyond the hill ahead, and at least one guardian would be among them!
Dressed in a water-blue robe, silk sash around his waist, and wearing hemp shoes, sword in left hand, his refined appearance and composed demeanor were the first impressions the Yue Xiang disciples had of the approaching Daoist.
“Who goes there?” one disciple shouted.
Meng Qi smiled gently: “This humble Daoist is a close friend of Master Huangfu, regardless of age. Hearing of Lady Huangfu’s wedding, I have come especially to witness the ceremony.”
He spoke so calmly, as if he hadn’t the slightest worry about leaving a trail of plum blossoms blooming in the snow along the way.
For some reason, upon seeing this elegant and graceful Daoist and sensing his calmness, the Yue Xiang disciple suddenly felt an inexplicable trust in him, as if he were as dependable as his own sword or his parents.
“Please proceed,” the disciple stepped aside, allowing Meng Qi to enter.
Madame Red Thread and the Divine Camel exchanged glances, one biting her red lips, the other with his mouth half-open. Was it really this easy to be let through with just a few words?
If it were truly this simple, why had they all spent so much time devising ways to sneak in?
Could it be some arcane Daoist technique?
They followed Meng Qi, feeling slightly uneasy and awkward. Forget their original purpose of stopping the marriage, even without considering the Yue Xiang disciples they had previously defeated, they couldn’t feel at ease like this “Master Qingyuan,” who strolled along so leisurely, as if last night he had merely plucked a few plum blossoms at random, without a care in the world.
After passing through the main gate, Meng Qi’s calm and composed demeanor convinced every guard along the way that his presence was perfectly natural, nothing suspicious at all. Consequently, no one questioned him, and he proceeded unhindered all the way to the main hall.
Because this was a wedding reception rather than the actual wedding ceremony, and after careful selection had excluded those relatives and friends who might stand up for Jushen Manor, the hall appeared sparse, with only a few dozen people present, creating an awkward atmosphere. Small groups whispered nervously among themselves, giving the impression of a great house on the verge of collapse, the end of a noble family’s glory.
Suddenly, someone stopped talking and turned toward the entrance, seeing two men and one woman entering leisurely. The leading figure was a young Daoist, refined in appearance and ethereal in demeanor, while the two behind him…
“Isn’t that Madame Red Thread and the Divine Camel from Beyond the Frontiers?” someone blurted out in alarm.
These two were well-known figures in the martial arts world, openly declaring their intent to disrupt the marriage and rescue Lady Huangfu. It had been assumed that the Yue Xiang Sect would do everything possible to prevent their appearance, yet here they were, walking in so boldly!
A series of astonished gazes turned toward Madame Red Thread and the Divine Camel, puzzled about what had happened.
Had they given in?
Or had they somehow breached the multiple layers of defense set up by the Yue Xiang Sect?
As someone was about to ask, they suddenly noticed something odd: Madame Red Thread and the Divine Camel were quietly following behind the young Daoist, not appearing to be the leaders but rather assistants or attendants!
“Who is this young Daoist?”
“Could he be from the Daode Monastery?”
“The Venerable Wuliang hasn’t arrived yet!”
Whispers of speculation arose amidst the uncertainty, and they watched in stunned silence as Meng Qi and his companions crossed the hall and headed straight to the back.
“Stop right there, visitors!” Several figures stood in the wide courtyard ahead, male and female, not particularly old, wearing Jushen Manor’s green uniforms and holding black-iron spears. Blocking Meng Qi’s path was a tall, imposing young man with a broad forehead and a straight nose.
Before Meng Qi could speak, Madame Red Thread urgently said: “We have come to see Lady Huangfu.”
“With the wedding about to begin, how can the bride be seen by just anyone?” The young man with the broad forehead coldly blocked their way.
Madame Red Thread was instantly furious, pointing at the young man: “You! You! Good for you, Zhong Ning! Master Huangfu overlooked your humble origins and took you as a disciple, yet you have betrayed him, siding with the Yue Xiang Sect, watching over Lady Huangfu for outsiders!”
This man was indeed Zhong Ning, the seventh disciple of Master Huangfu Tao.
Zhong Ning showed slight irritation: “Madame Red Thread, this marriage benefits both parties. We are making this decision for the thousand-year legacy of Jushen Manor. Do you wish to see Jushen Manor destroyed under the hands of Master Xiyue?”
Enraged, Madame Red Thread was about to shout back when Meng Qi raised his hand gently, calming her down, and she reluctantly held her tongue.
Zhong Ning was just surprised that someone could actually stop Madame Red Thread’s fiery temper when Meng Qi spoke calmly: “Master Zhong, this humble Daoist is Qingyuan, a close friend of Master Huangfu regardless of age. He guided me in sword techniques, and now that Master Huangfu is missing and Lady Huangfu is suddenly getting married, I must see her and ask a few questions, or I will be unable to find peace.”
His words were calm but carried an undeniable authority, as if no one could stop him from entering.
“Master Qingyuan, how can you meet the bride before the wedding ceremony?” Zhong Ning stood his ground. Having already sided with the Yue Xiang Sect, he had to fulfill his duty.
Meng Qi slowly reached for his sword hilt, saying without anger: “In that case, this Daoist will have to teach Master Huangfu’s disciple a lesson.”
Zhong Ning’s anger surged, completely unaware of the subtlety in Meng Qi’s sword-drawing technique. His right hand reaching for the sword hilt seemed like a moment endlessly repeated, indistinguishable from each step he took, perfectly uniform, highlighting his extraordinary control over his body, qi, and sword techniques.
“Get out!” Zhong Ning roared, swinging his spear like a whip, containing five layers of transformation, almost exuding a thunderous, powerful aura.
A flash of swordlight appeared, and in his eyes, a silver-white line solidified, nearly impossible to track. He felt the opponent’s blade sliding along the spear shaft toward him.
In that moment, his emotions surged, as if seeing his master before him, because in countless previous sparring sessions, he had repeatedly faced such lightning-fast attacks!
He raised his spear to block, intending to deflect the swordlight, but suddenly felt the opponent’s blade strangely empty.
Swish, swish, swish! Seven silver-white lightning bolts flashed in his eyes, connected without a gap.
The other disciples felt the same, as if the refined Daoist had slashed seven times in the space of a breath.
Clang! Meng Qi sheathed his sword and walked directly toward Zhong Ning.
Zhong Ning’s forehead broke into a cold sweat. In front of him, strands of black hair floated down, one, two… seven, precisely.
Sweating profusely, his legs trembling, he wanted to stop Meng Qi, but his hand holding the iron spear simply could not extend forward, as if trapped in a nightmare, watching helplessly as the elegant and leisurely Daoist passed him by.
He saw the wedding guests following out, and the astonishment on their faces.
Meng Qi, accompanied by Madame Red Thread and the Divine Camel, crossed the courtyard and reached the door.
Inside the room, Huangfu Fei was radiant and graceful, wearing a red robe, phoenix headdress, and a veil of embroidered silk, sitting quietly by the bed, tears welling in her eyes.
Madame Huangfu was dignified and beautiful, her mature charm evident. She did not appear old, like a ripe fruit, but her black hair was streaked with silver threads, clearly showing the toll of recent hardships.
Looking at her daughter, she wept: “Your mother has no choice, but I cannot watch helplessly as your father’s efforts are wasted, and our home destroyed?”
Huangfu Fei’s voice was faint, as if rising from the depths of the underworld: “Mother, there’s no need to say more. I understand.”
In this world, there is only power and strength, no justice or righteousness?
To preserve Jushen Manor, one must rely on oneself, sacrificing oneself!
Mother and daughter gazed at each other in silence, tears flowing endlessly.
At that moment, a cool breeze blew in, causing them to shiver and turn their heads in shock, seeing a Daoist with an excellent appearance enter sword in hand, exuding no trace of killing intent, moving freely and easily, directly saying: “This humble Daoist believes that when one sees injustice on the road, one must draw the sword!”
It was as if he had pierced Huangfu Fei’s soul, answering her unspoken question, his words stirring a storm within her heart.
Before mother and daughter could speak, Meng Qi slightly bowed: “This humble Daoist is Qingyuan, who once received guidance from Master Huangfu. I have come today to assist. Just say the word, Lady Huangfu, and the Yue Xiang Sect will never take you!”
“Though my strength is slight, I dare to face any danger, even risking my life!” Madame Red Thread declared firmly.
The Divine Camel from Beyond the Frontiers solemnly bowed: “Lady and Miss Huangfu, though the Yue Xiang Sect is powerful, there are always those who do not fear death! This old camel may have a bent spine physically, but never in my heart!”
A gust of wind blew, automatically closing the door, separating the inside from the outside.
Huangfu Fei’s beautiful eyes once again misted over, blurred with emotion. Indeed, there were still chivalrous heroes in the martial world, still justice!
She took a deep breath: “I am deeply grateful for the three of you, but what can I do? Jushen Manor was my father’s life work, wanting to pass it down for a thousand years. How can I let it end with me?”
“Enduring humiliation and bearing burdens may prove futile,” Meng Qi’s words were sharp, piercing Huangfu Fei’s heart.
His expression remained calm as he asked: “May I ask Lady and Miss Huangfu, what is the legacy of Jushen Manor?”
“It is the ‘Shenxiao Spear Technique’ and the ‘Five Thunder True Formula,'” Huangfu Fei answered honestly, her spirit subdued.
“Then what does that have to do with Jushen Manor? Can they not be taken away?” Meng Qi’s voice grew increasingly stern. “The core of a great martial sect lies in the inheritance of its supreme techniques and the cultivation of talented individuals, not in land or estates. If you possess the power of an Outer Court expert, without this Jushen Manor, could you not build another?”
Huangfu Fei’s back slowly straightened, her eyes sparkling with an unusual light.
“We martial artists must understand one truth: apart from our martial techniques and supportive companions, everything else is fleeting. It can always be regained. A thousand acres of fertile land, ten thousand houses, halls of white jade, towers of gold, countless servants, and sumptuous feasts can be enjoyed but must not be indulged in or become attachments.”
“These things, even if lost today, can be reclaimed when one attains great martial prowess in the future. Such external possessions should neither be overly desired when obtained nor cause despair when lost. They can be gained or discarded at will!”
“Only by letting go of the current Jushen Manor can one remain true to oneself, free from coercion, and ensure the continuation of the martial legacy!”
“Master Huangfu came from humble beginnings, enduring great hardships to establish his legacy. Can you not retrace his steps?”
With each of Meng Qi’s questions, the eyes of Huangfu Fei and Madame Huangfu grew brighter.
“Unless you have already become too attached to wealth and comfort, too enamored with ease and pleasure?” Meng Qi’s voice rang out sharply.
Huangfu Fei inhaled deeply again, clearly moved, but having been born and raised here, letting go would still require an internal struggle.
Meng Qi’s tone softened: “Have you forgotten your senior apprentice brother, forgotten the vows made beneath the flowers and under the moon?”
Earlier, Madame Red Thread had told Meng Qi about how Huangfu Fei and He Canshang, the eldest apprentice of Jushen Manor, were deeply in love. After the Yue Xiang Sect requested the marriage alliance, He Canshang narrowly escaped death and was now missing.
Huangfu Fei’s face flushed red, her eyes brimming with tenderness, seemingly ready to make a decision.
Just then, noise erupted from outside—the wedding procession had arrived.
Huangfu Fei and Madame Huangfu’s faces paled, their anxiety growing.
Meng Qi patted his sword hilt and smiled: “Lady and Miss Huangfu, I understand this is a difficult decision, so I urge you to think carefully and avoid future regrets. As for those outside, I will go out and temporarily hold them off.”
“Rest assured, during this time, no one will be able to enter!”
His tone was relaxed, yet full of confidence, his aura soaring to the heavens.
As he drew his sword, pulled open the door, and stepped outside leisurely, his water-blue robe fluttering gracefully, Huangfu Fei was momentarily entranced. Already swayed, she turned her gaze toward Madame Huangfu.
…
Wen Hengshui, dressed in the groom’s attire, entered the hall with a grand entourage, including the formidable Qingxue Dragon King and Chi Mei Saber King, along with other experts, creating a mighty procession. The guests present wore expressions that were somewhat strange.
However, Wen Hengshui paid no heed. Without an Outer Court expert intervening, who could possibly stop them?
After entering the hall and proceeding into the courtyard, Wen Hengshui’s gaze sharpened as he spotted a refined young Daoist standing there, sword in hand, admiring the red plum blossoms and snow in the corner of the wall, exuding an air of effortless elegance.
Meng Qi flicked at the hem of his water-blue robe, turned his gaze toward Wen Hengshui, and smiled: “If you wish to take the bride, you must first get past this Daoist.”
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