Jianghu Hero Ranking, Mirror

Ying Hu had reliable intelligence on Shànchǎn City and said, "Gao Mingqing is obsessed with Taoist cultivation and gambling. These days, all the government orders in Shànchǎn City go through Liu Qian'e."

"To uncover the truth, we must find Liu Tianyang at Dian Cang Mountain."

Hearing this, Bai Bingxue thought to herself, Gao Mingqing is so absurd. If I want to investigate the Marquis's Manor and take revenge, I must get to the bottom of Liu Qian'e's affairs as soon as possible.

King Ziqi rose and paced around the hall with his hands behind his back, lost in thought.

Su Jiangcheng interrupted with a question. "Is the Liu Tianyang Lord Ying mentioned the seventh-ranked person on the Jianghu Hero Ranking, the Earth Ranking?"

"Exactly!" Ying Hu replied in a deep voice.

"What Hero Ranking?" General Abu asked.

"The Jianghu Hero Ranking is a ranking of the great masters and experts of the martial world. It is one of the Yuedan Review lists, maintained by the Xu Family of Runan in Gongjiao Country for a thousand years," Su Jiangcheng replied.

Before General Abu could respond, King Ziqi asked with interest, "Oh? This is the first I have heard of it. Fifth Hero Su, tell me about it."

After cupping his hands in salute, Su Jiangcheng said, "The Jianghu Hero Ranking is divided into the Heaven Ranking and the Earth Ranking. The Heaven Ranking consists of grandmasters of martial arts, while the Earth Ranking consists of masters of martial arts. Each must command a force of his own."

"First on the Heaven Ranking: Dragon Five Suanni of the Hidden Dragon Gate, Master Zhenbao. Appraisal: Heavenly Virtue!"

"Master Zhenbao of Mount Wutai in Gongjiao Country?" King Ziqi asked.

"You know Master Zhenbao?" Su Jiangcheng asked.

"I have admired him for a long time. There are few virtuous monks in the world! Continue with the second," King Ziqi replied.

"Second on the Heaven Ranking: Su Xue, sect master of the Su Xian Sect. Appraisal: Heavenly Martial!"

"I never imagined Big Brother Su had achieved such a high standing in the martial world. Elder Sister truly did not misjudge him," Abu praised.

Bai Bingxue felt displeased at the side. King Ziqi glanced at her and said, "Fifth Hero Su, tell us about everyone else on the ranking as well!"

Su Jiangcheng cupped his hands and continued:

"Third on the Heaven Ranking: Zhang Bing, Alliance Leader of the Under Heaven Alliance. Appraisal: Heavenly Enlightenment!"

"First on the Earth Ranking: Fang Jia, Cult Leader of the Ming Cult. Appraisal: Heavenly Balance!"

"Second on the Earth Ranking: Dragon Two Yazi of the Hidden Dragon Gate. His true name is unknown. Appraisal: Heavenly Law!"

"Third on the Earth Ranking: Dharma King Sang'en, Imperial Tutor of Xia. Appraisal: Heavenly Grace!"

"Fourth on the Earth Ranking: Lin Lingsu, Sect Leader of the Divine Firmament Sect. Appraisal: Heavenly Longevity!"

"Fifth on the Earth Ranking: He Daoxiu, Sect Leader of Lao Mountain Supreme Purity Palace. Appraisal: Heavenly Wealth!"

"Sixth on the Earth Ranking: Jun Wanfu, head of Linzi Duke Manor. Appraisal: Heavenly Authority!"

"Seventh on the Earth Ranking: Liu Tianyang, Sect Leader of the Dian Cang Sect. Appraisal: Heavenly Sun!"

After Su Jiangcheng finished, Ying Hu praised him. "The Hero Ranking truly is a ranking of real heroes."

King Ziqi was inwardly stirred. A sharp gleam flashed through his eyes as he pointed at Liu Changhu and said, "Ying Hu, take him to Dian Cang Mountain tomorrow and find Liu Tianyang. Get to the bottom of this."

"Also, you must bring back Bai Bing's golden statue. If you encounter any difficulties, deal with them as you see fit!"

"This subject obeys!" Ying Hu replied, clasping his fists.

Thinking of her mother's portrait having fallen into the hands of thieves, Bai Bingxue spoke when she heard they were going to the Dian Cang Sect to demand it back. "Grandfather, I heard there are many spiritual herbs on Dian Cang Mountain. I want to go with Lord Ying Hu."

King Ziqi looked at her and asked, "Ying Hu, can you guarantee Bingxue's safety?"

Ying Hu pondered briefly before saying solemnly, "This subject will protect the Princess's safety even if it costs me my life."

Seeing this, Su Jiangcheng thought, My master's daughter cannot come to harm at the Dian Cang Sect. He hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, my junior brother and I will accompany Lord Ying Hu to the Dian Cang Sect and protect the Princess along the way."

King Ziqi praised them and agreed.

Seeing this, Hong Yun and Hong Lian exchanged a glance, then went up to him. Each grabbed one of King Ziqi's sleeves and said, "Grandfather, we want to go with Master and Cousin too, all right?"

General Abu hurriedly scolded them after hearing this. "Hong'er, Lian'er, don't be willful. Lord Ying Hu has important business on this trip. Stand down at once!"

Hong Yun and Hong Lian lowered their heads unhappily and pouted.

King Ziqi affectionately stroked their hair and looked at Ying Hu. "Ying Hu, take them along to broaden their horizons. The Dian Cang Sect is an upright and prestigious sect, and the Gao Clan of Southern Expedition Country will surely not dare make things difficult for you."

"This subject obeys!" Ying Hu replied with a salute.

The two princesses also happily said, "Thank you, Grandfather!"

When Bai Bingxue returned, she asked Chen Xi to remain in Milu City and prepare to open a new medicine shop. Chen Xi refused and insisted on going to the Dian Cang Sect as well. He said he was very familiar with the area around the capital of Southern Expedition Country and could serve as their guide. Bai Bingxue reluctantly agreed.

Penglai Immortal Island, the garden of the White Jade Palace.

"These martial masters of the mortal world are all exceptional among men. What a pity that there is too little Spiritual Energy," Ancestor Lu sighed.

Happy Arhat said with a laugh, "Why say that, Emperor? Mortals live for only a hundred years. Instead of thinking about enjoying life, they bitterly cultivate. Truly, it is not worthwhile!"

Chen Renfeng, listening from the side, unexpectedly agreed with Happy Arhat.

"Arhat, that is mistaken. Mortals follow the Heavenly Dao within the six paths of reincarnation. That is their fate!" True Martial Great Emperor agreed.

Seeing this, White Deer Immortal said, "Emperor, Arhat, let us continue watching."

The next day, Ying Hu selected fifty capable guards and divided them into ten teams. Disguised as peddlers selling furs, they investigated the route ahead and behind, spacing themselves five li apart.

Ying Hu led Bai Bingxue, Hong Yun, Hong Lian, Su Jiangcheng, Su Dingfeng, Chen Xi, and Liu Changhu—eight people in one group traveling in the middle.

Su Jiangcheng also divided the one hundred disciples brought by the Su Xian Sect into teams of ten. Disguised as tea merchants from the north who had come to purchase tea leaves, they followed behind at intervals of three to four li.

The water and mountain routes from Milu City to Dian Cang Mountain stretched for more than eight hundred li. They traveled by boat and horse along the way, while Ying Hu carefully arranged everything to avoid attracting attention.

Bai Bingxue took a wooden medical mannequin from her luggage and gave it to Chen Xi. It depicted the human body's acupoints and meridians. She patiently explained them, and Chen Xi's talent was exceptionally high. He grasped everything immediately and progressed even faster than she had when she was learning.

Chen Xi became completely engrossed and began studying on his own along the way.

Bai Bingxue ate and slept together with Hong Yun and Hong Lian. Whenever they had free time, they practiced the White Fox Three-Seven Steps movement technique. Although she was not as skilled as her cousins, she was still much faster than before.

Bai Bingxue's Dian Cang Swordplay also received personal guidance from Ying Hu. When she sparred with Hong Yun, she firmly held the upper hand. She had only practiced for a little over a month, yet Ying Hu praised her high talent for martial arts.

Along the way, Su Jiangcheng and Su Dingfeng talked about the Central Plains martial world and its local customs, constantly drawing laughter from Hong Yun and Hong Lian. Bai Bingxue inwardly cursed, All of Su Xue's disciples are cut from the same cloth. They have silver tongues and only know how to coax girls into happiness.

On the seventh day, they entered Haidong Town in Southern Expedition Country. Across Erhai Lake, they could see the capital of Southern Expedition Country at the foot of Dian Cang Mountain.

Haidong Town was the largest ferry crossing for travelers heading south from the north to the capital of Southern Expedition Country. After boarding a boat here, they could reach the capital on the opposite shore in half a morning. Merchants traveling north and south all rested for the night at the inns and taverns in town.

Ying Hu issued an order for the guards who had arrived earlier to rest for the night. They would cross Erhai Lake the next day and await further instructions.

Su Jiangcheng also ordered the Su Xian Sect's disciples to cross the lake at dawn the next day.

The largest tavern in Haidong Town was the Canghai Tavern of the Dian Cang Sect.

In the prosperous market towns of Southern Expedition Country, any tavern bearing the name Canghai enjoyed the protection of the Dian Cang Sect. With that protection, neither government officials nor local ruffians would harass the tavern, allowing it to conduct business in peace. The price was that it had to hand over half its annual profits.

Liu Changhu invited everyone to stay at the Canghai Tavern.

Bai Bingxue walked to the entrance and looked up. It was a three-story building with an antique elegance. A signboard with gold lettering on a red background hung above the doorway, especially eye-catching. The waiter eagerly came forward to welcome them.

Liu Changhu took out his inner disciple token from the Dian Cang Sect.

Seeing it, the waiter respectfully asked, "May I ask which young master has arrived?"