The Fierce Battle

"Stop! Running around everywhere is pointless. The Tea-Tasting Manor is so big, hiding someone is easy enough. Besides, we're not familiar with the terrain. Searching aimlessly like headless flies is the least efficient way and will only lead to nothing."

So what should we do?

Si Shuiyun looked panicked and lost, like a student who had been told that school was starting tomorrow and hadn't even started her summer homework—a far cry from her usual self.

Si Ming calmly said, "Let's find the Lu Lineage first. The young patriarch of the Si Clan was kidnapped and disappeared on their territory, so they should take responsibility."

"Yes, many hands make light work. On the Lu Lineage's territory, it's more efficient to ask the Lu Lineage for help."

Si Shuiyun should have thought of this immediately, such a simple matter. However, the disappearance of the young lady was a huge blow to her. She felt that she had failed in her responsibility to protect her, and she was in a state of panic, her mind a complete mess, unable to think calmly at all.

Si Ming, "I happen to know a member of the Lu Lineage; I'll ask her for help first."

"I've already notified the Lineage head and sent clansmen to search the area, but there's still no news," the girl surnamed Lu said apologetically. "Right now, there's a tea ceremony competition going on, and many guests have come, a mixed bag, so we can't conduct a large-scale search."

Si Ming knew perfectly well that the reason was that Si Jingyu had only been missing for a short time, less than an hour. That was not even enough time for a child to run off and play with their friends. The Lu Lineage would not interrupt their long-prepared tea ceremony competition for such a small matter unless Si Ming could provide concrete evidence to prove that Si Jingyu had indeed encountered an accident.

"Since they dared to abduct the young patriarch of the Si Clan on the Lu Lineage's territory, they must have something to rely on, or at least they're hiding very well. It won't be easy to find them. We need to find another way; we can't just wait here for news."

"It's all my fault. I should have stayed close to Miss. Even if they let Miss go alone, I could have followed behind and only let her in when we arrived at our destination." Si Shuiyun was filled with self-reproach; she was completely helpless now.

The girl surnamed Lu suggested, "I have an idea. Do you have anything with Si Jingyu on you? Preferably something you just used recently and still have its scent."

Si Shuiyun quickly replied, "Yes, I have some on me!"

Then she pulled a piece of red cloth from her chest. Si Ming glanced at it sideways, and he wasn't sure if it was just his imagination, but he felt that the thing looked a bit like a bellyband.

The girl surnamed Lu also showed an Anomalies expression, but she knew that this was not the time to care about such things. So she lowered her head and sniffed the red cloth hard to remember the scent. Then, under Si Shuiyun's instruction, she went to the place where Si Jingyu and the others had left and carefully sniffed the air, as if trying to identify something. Unfortunately, she shook her head in the end.

"I'm sorry, I originally intended to use the 'Heaven-Howling Art' to find any trace of Si Jingyu's scent, but there were just too many guests today, and the air was a mess, making it impossible to find Si Jingyu's scent."

The aroma of tea is also one of the criteria for judging the quality of a cup of tea. Therefore, Tea School masters who are capable will practice this skill to make their sense of smell more sensitive.

Si Ming suddenly asked, "If I cultivate the 'Heaven-Howling Art' to its highest level, will I be able to find Si Jingyu's scent?"

"Theoretically, it should be feasible, but unfortunately, the elder in the entire Tea-Tasting Manor who is most proficient in the 'Heaven-Howling Art' has only reached the minor level, which is far from the highest level."

The "Heaven-Howling Art" cannot be used for combat; it only enhances the sense of smell. It is a widely circulated auxiliary martial art, so people often stop wasting time on it after getting the hang of it. As for cultivating it to the highest level, unless there is a specific need, only people who are extremely bored would be willing to do so.

Si Ming, "No need to trouble others. I would like to borrow your manor's 'Heaven-Howling Art' to read and apply it immediately."

Chapter 300 Fierce Battle

The Tea-Tasting Manor was built against the mountain and by the water, originally intended to use mountain spring and river water to brew tea. However, in this world where martial arts Internal Cultivation, one must learn martial arts to make a living. This applies to all schools of thought, regardless of which one. Only by using force can one protect their foundation. Those who do not understand this principle are swept away by the tide of history and become like waves that are easily dispersed.

The Tea-Tasting Manor was no exception. So they built a martial arts training ground in a valley behind the mountain for their disciples to practice. The place was surrounded by high peaks, the peaks reaching the clouds, with no footholds. Only the valley floor was passable. As far as the eye could see, there were jagged rocks and ancient pines, some as big as small mountains, others weighing no less than ten thousand jin.

Scattered among the pines and rocks are countless stone figures, some as short as a person, others nearly five zhang tall. Each figure is meticulously carved, and apart from their enormous size, their expressions of joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness, every frown and smile, are no different from those of ordinary people, lifelike. Some sit, some stand, some squat, some run, some frown in deep thought, some laugh heartily, some play the zither and sing, some hold a brush and play the zither, truly a thousand postures, each with its own style, seemingly endless at a glance.

If you carefully observe the posture of each stone statue and connect them according to certain patterns, you can even discover several hidden martial arts techniques.

However, at this moment, the two people in the stone forest had no intention of appreciating its wonders.

"You must be Senior Shi Muyan. It's truly beyond my expectations that you were able to plant people in the Tea-Tasting Manor, especially during such a busy and bustling time as the Tea Ceremony Competition."

No matter how careful Si Jingyu was, she never expected that the other party would dare to cause trouble on the Lu Lineage's territory. You should know that the Lu Lineage also has a Spirit Transformation Grandmaster in charge. Considering the friendship between the Lineage, as long as the elder senses the anomaly, he will definitely take action to save her, a junior.

Aristocratic Clan would kick each other when they were down, but they would also unite against a common enemy. After hundreds of years of living together, they had both enmity and friendship, and intermarriage was extremely common. Therefore, unless it required a huge price, they would not mind helping each other.

"There are too many things you can't predict. Today's situation was created with the help of the Lu Lineage, so no matter how much trouble you cause, the Lu Lineage will ignore it. If you're still hoping for reinforcements to save you, you can forget about it," Shi Muyan said, half-jokingly.

Si Jingyu was skeptical. Even disregarding their personal relationship, the Lu Lineage had no reason to choose to antagonize the Si Clan just to please Shi Muyan. No matter how capable Spirit Transformation expert was, they couldn't compare to a large Lineage that had lasted for hundreds of years.

If she were to die here today, the Lu Lineage would have to give the Si Clan an explanation. Even though they were also victims, they would still be held responsible. Just like if a student dies at school, whether it's suicide or an accident, the school must bear the responsibility. If the student is the child of the municipal party secretary, then the matter should be treated with even greater care.

If it is eventually discovered that the Lu Lineage has connections with the murderer, the Si Clan will definitely declare war on them, even if the successor to the position of clan leader is from the Si Huamu lineage. This is a matter of righteousness and the will of the people, and no one can go against it.

Anyone with a modicum of sense in the Lu Lineage leadership would never make such a mistake.

Shi Muyan noticed Si Jingyu's expression and sneered, "Believe it or not, it's up to you. I'm only saying these things to you because you have Tang An's blood flowing in your veins and your features vaguely resemble his. Otherwise, I would have killed you with One Sword strike."

Tang An was the male protagonist in the love triangle back then. He was Si Jingyu's great-great-grandfather, several generations removed, and had been dead for a long time. It was said that he was a man of both talent and good looks, a famous handsome man at the time. Because of his fame, his outings often caused crowds to flock to see him. Otherwise, it would have been difficult for two Spirit Transformation experts to compete for his affections.

"There are other hidden reasons for what happened back then, and my grandmother instructed me not to speak of them, but now that she has passed away, that agreement is null and void..."

"Even if there are hidden reasons, so what? So much time has passed since then, I don't remember many things clearly, but the only thing I remember is the hatred I have for your Si Clan! This hatred has kept me clinging to life with my broken body until now!"

Shi Muyan reached out and wiped her face, removing the outer layer of sallow skin and revealing snow-white and rosy skin. Her cheeks were flushed, like autumn peaches, her eyebrows were curved like a crescent moon, and her eyes were like a deep autumn pool, clear and bright, yet with a hint of coldness.

Although crow's feet have appeared at the corners of her eyes, it does not detract from her overall elegance; on the contrary, it adds to her charm, making it hard to believe that she is actually a centenarian. It is not difficult to imagine that she must have been a stunning beauty in her youth.

The only regrettable thing is that there is a cross-shaped scar on her left cheek, which detracts from her overall beauty.

"Years ago, Si Jingxi drugged me and then carved this scar on my face, causing Tang Lang to despise me. Although I resent Tang Lang for judging people by their appearance and being so shallow, I hate Si Jingxi even more for his unscrupulous methods. After more than ten years of friendship and sworn brotherhood, he betrayed me for a personal affair, disfiguring me, slaughtering my family, and trying to eliminate me completely. He was so vicious!"

Shi Muyan's eyes flashed with a burning obsession, shooting out an intimidating light. With a flick of her wrist, she gathered her qi, and a chilling Sword Qi burst forth, creating sieve-like holes in the surrounding stone statues.

"After I advanced to the Spirit Transformation, I could have easily healed this wound, but while skin wounds can heal, how can heart wounds be healed? I keep this scar to constantly remind myself that I must never forget this hatred! Even if there is a huge secret to be revealed today, you must die! Blame it on the fact that you share the same blood as her!"

Si Jingyu sighed, knowing that there was no point in saying anything now. Even if the other party's family members were brought back to life, it probably wouldn't quell their overwhelming hatred. If she wanted to persuade them, she first had to prove that she had the right to speak.

That's how it is between martial artists. Even if one says one plus one equals three, and you say one plus one equals two, if you can't withstand one punch from the other, one plus one equals three. Might makes right!

"Senior, that palm strike just now proves that your vital Primal Qi has begun to dissipate. It seems that your time is coming to an end. Your body is aging and can no longer retain your essence and spirit. With this dying body, you may not be able to achieve your goal today."

Shi Muyan knew in her heart that besides her impending death, the injuries she sustained in the battle with the Lu Lineage's Spirit Transformation had not yet healed. She was getting old after all, unlike a young man. In the past, such injuries would have healed in three to five days, but now they were showing signs of becoming chronic. Just like Si Jingxi's serious injuries from his battle with the Eight Asura Sin Lord, which had not been healed for more than ten years, no matter how many rare medicinal herbs he took.