In Hengyang City, at an inn.
Ren Yingying and Xiang Wentian were staying there temporarily.
Xiang Wentian said, "I have confirmed it. That Nameless Swordsman is currently inside Liu Zhengfeng's residence."
"However, Zuo Lengchan has already led men here as well..."
"Next, that swordsman will likely face a fierce battle..."
Leaning against the window and watching the street below, Ren Yingying's expression was calm, revealing neither joy nor anger.
"Let's talk after he survives Zuo Lengchan."
"If he cannot even get past Zuo Lengchan, there is no great use in inviting him to join us."
Xiang Wentian nodded, said no more, and left the inn for the area near Liu Manor to keep watch on the situation.
Elsewhere in Hengyang City.
A disciple of the Sun Moon Holy Cult hurried over.
"Elder Tong, this subordinate has found the whereabouts of the black-clad swordsman. He is inside Liu Manor."
Tong Baixiong nodded, then instructed, "Continue watching. There is no need to interfere."
This was according to Dongfang Bubai's instructions.
If the black-clad swordsman had the ability to survive Zuo Lengchan,
they would extend an olive branch and recruit him into the Sun Moon Holy Cult.
If he did not have that ability,
then sorry, the Sun Moon Holy Cult had no need for crippled.
Qu Yang arrived alone at Liu Manor.
"Brother Qu, why have you come at a time like this?" Liu Zhengfeng welcomed Qu Yang into the manor as he asked.
"What, do you despise me as a Demonic Cult Cultist and want to draw a clear line between us?" Qu Yang joked.
Liu Zhengfeng's expression turned serious. "Brother Qu, we have known each other for years. I have long regarded you as my dearest friend and family. How could I despise your background..."
As he spoke, a trace of desolation appeared on his face. "It is only that Zuo Lengchan is leading men here to attack. I cannot guarantee whether I will survive."
"It is too dangerous for you to come now."
"I do not want to drag you down and lose our lives together."
"Brother Qu, before Zuo Lengchan's men arrive, hurry and leave."
"If I am fortunate enough to survive, I will seek you out again, and we can play the qin and flute together..."
"Enough!"
The more Qu Yang listened, the uglier his expression became. In the end, he directly cut Liu Zhengfeng off.
He stared at Liu Zhengfeng, his gaze blazing and his voice solemn. "Liu Zhengfeng, do you truly think I, Qu, am the sort of man who fears death and abandons his friends?"
"To tell you the truth, when I came today, I never intended to leave alive."
"If I can perform a piece in harmony with you, what does death matter!"
Qu Yang's words rang like a bell, and Liu Zhengfeng was deeply moved.
In this martial world, how many people would willingly accompany him to death?
He looked up at Qu Yang, tears in his eyes. "Brother Qu..."
Qu Yang returned Liu Zhengfeng's gaze with equal passion.
For a moment, the two were overflowing with affection.
But just then, a cough sounded from nearby.
Liu Zhengfeng snapped back to his senses and turned around, only to see his senior brother Mo Da standing beneath the corridor, watching them.
Mo Da looked at Qu Yang and praised, "Your loyalty reaches the clouds. Mo admires you."
"If we survive this battle, I will join you both and play a piece together."
As Mo Da spoke, he reached back and patted the erhu strapped to his back.
Mo Da did not feel much aversion toward Qu Yang, this so-called Demonic Cult Cultist.
Instead, after this incident, he had developed some admiration for Qu Yang.
To willingly accompany a friend to the Yellow Springs—such a heroic act was rare even among the righteous path, let alone the demonic cult.
The martial world today had long been thoroughly upside down.
Righteousness was no longer righteous, and evil was no longer evil.
Qu Yang laughed heartily. "Then I shall await Mister Mo Da's joining us."
Mo Da nodded, then looked at Liu Zhengfeng. "Someone is looking for you at the back gate."
Liu Zhengfeng nodded and headed for the back gate.
At that moment, five or six people stood at the back gate of Liu Manor, escorting a large cart.
The leader wore a plain long robe, his face covered in wrinkles like ravines.
Liu Zhengfeng looked them over and found that he did not recognize any of them.
"May I ask who you are?"
"Brother Liu, it is me. I have brought the silver." The wrinkled man replied.
This man was none other than Yue Buqun in disguise.
At that moment, Liu Zhengfeng also understood his identity.
After thinking briefly, he understood why Yue Buqun had disguised himself.
Although Yue Buqun was also preparing to clash with Zuo Lengchan, neither of them could guarantee victory in this battle.
Therefore, Yue Buqun did not wish to expose his identity either. He wanted to leave himself a way out.
Should things become impossible, he could retreat in time without implicating the Mount Hua Sect.
Liu Zhengfeng understood Yue Buqun's choice very well.
Thus, he did not say anything further.
"Come with me."
After entering the courtyard of Liu Manor, Yue Buqun had the silver unloaded.
Then he said to Liu Zhengfeng and the others, "On my way here, I heard that the Mount Song Sect's people are already marching toward Hengyang City.
"Apparently, Zuo Lengchan himself is leading them this time. The Mount Song Protectors have all mobilized, along with over a hundred elite disciples."
As soon as these words were spoken, grave expressions appeared on the faces of Liu Zhengfeng, Qu Yang, and Mo Da.
The force Mount Song had sent this time was far too overwhelming.
Zuo Lengchan was a genuine Grandmaster Realm expert.
The remaining ten Protectors were all Minor Grandmaster experts as well.
Looking at their side, even if Su Chen was also in the Grandmaster Realm and could contend with Zuo Lengchan,
Mo Da, Yue Buqun, Liu Zhengfeng, and Qu Yang together amounted to only four Minor Grandmasters.
Trying to stand against ten Minor Grandmasters would be far too difficult.
The disparity in strength between the two sides was too great. For a time, Liu Zhengfeng and the others were filled with gloom.
After a long silence, Mo Da suddenly spoke. "There is no point thinking about this now."
"The hatred between us and Zuo Lengchan has long reached the point where one side must die. Even if we are willing to stop, he will still kill us."
"Therefore, the only path left is to fight to the death."
"That is right. Sect Leader Mo is correct." Qu Yang agreed. "Even if we die, we must tear a chunk of flesh from Zuo Lengchan and let him know that he is not yet qualified to cover the martial world with one hand."
Yue Buqun also said, "If Mister Su is strong enough to kill Zuo Lengchan first, there is still hope of winning this battle."
At these words, the few of them turned simultaneously toward the guest rooms.
The person inside was their only hope.
At the same time, a troop of men entered Hengyang City with fierce momentum.
They were the Mount Song force led by Zuo Lengchan.
Yet among the Mount Song ranks was an unexpected figure.
He was an elderly man with a face as blank and pale as a board, his body thin and withered.
He was none other than Qinghai One-Eyed Owl's master, the unorthodox expert White Board Fiend.
As Zuo Lengchan marched forward, his gaze swept over White Board Fiend, and a cold smile rose on his lips.
"With White Board Fiend's assistance, even if that black-clad swordsman is in the Grandmaster Realm, he will not escape death."
That was right. After sending word to Qinghai One-Eyed Owl, Zuo Lengchan had also contacted White Board Fiend and invited him to assist.
White Board Fiend was likewise a true Grandmaster Realm expert.
Although Zuo Lengchan was domineering and arrogant, he was no fool.
He knew that having two Grandmaster Realm experts strike together was more reliable.
The Mount Song group advanced with great fanfare. The moment they entered Hengyang City, they drew the attention of many martial artists within the city.
Lao Denuo, who had previously slipped away from the Mount Hua group in secret, also sought out Zuo Lengchan at once.
Zuo Lengchan asked Lao Denuo about the black-clad swordsman, then dismissed him and ordered him to continue hiding within Mount Hua.
In Zuo Lengchan's eyes, it was not yet time for Lao Denuo to expose himself.
Keeping him undercover in the Mount Hua Sect would allow him to play a greater role in the future.
However, neither Zuo Lengchan nor Lao Denuo knew
that Su Chen had long sold Yue Buqun the information that Lao Denuo was a spy for five thousand taels of silver.
After dismissing Lao Denuo, Zuo Lengchan led his men straight toward Liu Manor.
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