Return to Pingding Prefecture

The morning glow spread, tinting the horizon with streaks of orange.

A black-canopied boat emerged from the mist, its ripples disturbing the water's surface.

From the reeds along the bank, two water birds, startled, took flight, circling and crying high in the air, reluctant to leave.

A young man sat cross-legged at the bow of the boat. With each breath he took, the surrounding mist seemed to move in a rhythmic pattern.

The first volume of the Flying Cloud Divine Skill is an internal cultivation method, divided into twelve levels. When practiced to a profound depth, the sound of breathing resembles 'crashing waves against the shore,' and the circulation of energy feels like 'clouds and mist churning.'

He was only at the first level. These past days, he had cultivated day and night, consolidating his realm at the early stage of Dan Energy.

The old man in the straw cloak had poled boats on the river for forty years. He had encountered many people from the martial world and was not surprised.

Seeing the young man open his eyes, he said softly, "Guest, we are approaching the borders of Pingding Prefecture."

"Thank you for your hard work this night, old man."

"Many thanks for the generous gift, young master."

The old man in the straw cloak took the silver ingot, weighing it in his hand. It was over an ounce, and his face lit up with joy. This was the amount of ship fare he usually saved over two months, after expenses and dealing with local ruffians.

If he could have a few more trips like this, perhaps he could send his grandson to a private tutor.

From the Liujin River dock in Pingyang City, sailing downstream, the boat had traveled seventy li in one night. Traveling back upstream would take twice as long and require double the effort.

"Finally, I'm back!"

Zhang Yu let out a sigh of relief. Returning to this place, notorious in the martial world, left him with mixed feelings. He wasn't sure if he felt relieved to no longer be hunted by the Five Great Sword Sects or weighed down by the thought of the dangerous environment he was about to face.

He walked along the official road for seven or eight li, and a wine banner appeared by the roadside.

It was only three or four li to Pingding City, so he wasn't in a hurry to enter. With the Cloud Water Hall destroyed, he had nowhere to go for the time being. He had no idea what the sect's plans were regarding this matter, nor how the surviving disciples of Cloud Water Hall would be accommodated.

Among the patrons at the wine stall, there were indeed members dressed in the robes of the Sun Moon Divine Cult.

The main headquarters of the Sun Moon Divine Cult was located at Blackwood Cliff, forty li north of Pingding City.

However, the families of prominent figures within the cult, such as Hall Masters and Incense Masters, often settled their families in the vicinity of Pingding City.

"Two bowls of good wine, and some peanuts and broad beans."

"One moment, honored guest."

Zhang Yu set down his pack. Not long after he sat down, he heard the sound of horses approaching from the direction of Pingding City.

The group was clad entirely in purple brocade robes, with long sabers at their waists. They were escorting over a dozen prison carts, filled with women and children, heading northwest.

Several women inside the prison carts cried out loudly, protesting their innocence.

"We are innocent! Our family has served the cult for three generations, and over twenty of our men have died in battle. Our husbands' bodies haven't even returned, and now we're branded as rebels?"

"Brothers and sisters in the cult, please plead our case to the Cult Master!"

"The chaos caused by these petty criminals... the fate of the Wu family today is your tomorrow..."

The rider at the head of the group was a burly man with a broad back and a narrow waist. Two long scars ran down his cheeks, giving him a formidable aura. He carried a large bow on his back, with quivers on either side.

Skilled archers were more common in government service than in the martial world.

The bow-carrying man reined in his horse, bringing the entire procession to a halt.

He let out a cold laugh. "Smash her mouth!"

At his command, the purple-robed figure opened a prison cart and dragged out two middle-aged women, dressed in fine clothing, who had been crying out their innocence.

They were spirited and turned to curse even more fiercely.

"Dog thieves! Scoundrels!"

"Yang Lianting, may you die a terrible death!"

"You lackeys will face retribution!"

The pommel of a saber struck their faces, silencing them instantly. They spat out a mouthful of blood mixed with shattered teeth.

Zhang Yu had come to the wine stall specifically to gather information. He quietly put on the Green Jade Thumb Ring.

He then overheard someone whispering, "Those in purple are trusted aides of Steward Yang. There are three hundred of them, selected from various halls. They are skilled in martial arts and fiercely loyal, known as the Purple Cloud Guards. They are usually stationed next to Chengde Hall and obey no one but the Cult Master and Steward Yang. I've heard that even Left Emissary Xiang and Right Emissary Qu have suffered indignities at their hands."

Xiang Wentian was the Left Emissary of Light, and Qu Yang was the Right Emissary of Light. Their positions were second only to the Cult Master.

Someone asked, "Who is that rider at the front? I've never seen him before?"

"He is Hu Fei, the Deputy Commander of the Purple Cloud Guards. Originally, he was just a minor Flag Master under the White Tiger Hall. He was promoted four ranks in a single year and is definitely Steward Yang's most trusted confidant. If you go to Blackwood Cliff, prepare a generous gift and try to befriend him. Under no circumstances should you offend him."

"Thank you, brother. I'm often away and don't know the inner workings of the cult. If I blunder around like a headless fly and offend someone important, I won't even know how I died."

"Your wine and food, honored guest." The waiter placed a wooden tray with a small porcelain bottle of wine and several small dishes on the table.

"Put it down."

After the waiter placed the food and drink, he didn't leave.

Seeing this, Zhang Yu took out a small string of copper coins and placed them on the wooden tray. Only then did the waiter leave.

This was a local custom in Pingding Prefecture; payment was required immediately after the dishes were served.

Zhang Yu took the opportunity to glance at the two speakers.

The one who had just thanked him was dressed as a Daoist priest. He had an eight-sided wolf-tooth mace placed on the ground beside him. His face was fierce, but he put on a meek and obedient expression, which was amusing.

But no one dared to laugh here.

"It's also a matter of good fortune for us brothers. Although I am an Incense Master of the Wind Thunder Hall, what am I considered here on Blackwood Cliff? Every day I live cautiously, fearing I'll take a wrong step or say the wrong thing and be caught. If I die, it's one thing, but I'd also implicate my family."

The tall, thin man speaking was a Vice Incense Master of the Wind Thunder Hall named Qi Zhaogu. Zhang Yu had seen him from afar a few times when he was on duty at Blackwood Cliff.

The Daoist priest asked, "I remember a few years ago, the Cult wasn't like this, was it?"

"It's all because of Yang..."

The two lowered their voices, but without listening, one could tell they were talking about Yang Lianting.

This originally insignificant figure in the Sun Moon Divine Cult, who had achieved nothing, somehow gained the favor of the Eastern Cult Master. He was suddenly promoted to a high position, entrusted with all the power of the Cult, and styled as the Grand Steward.

Yang Lianting had no achievements, no martial arts skill, and no seniority. After taking office, how could he win people's hearts?

Did he not know himself that although those Hall Masters and Incense Masters outwardly obeyed him, they all looked down on him in secret?

To curry favor and consolidate his power, he could only eliminate his rivals more frantically.

The Daoist priest watched fifteen or sixteen prisoner carts pass by in succession, many of whom were old, weak, women, and children.

"Who are they arresting?"

"Probably Wu Lianjiang's family."

The Daoist priest exclaimed, "Elder Wu? Isn't he the Hall Master of Cloud Water Hall? How could this happen? I knew him when Cult Master Ren Woxing was in charge."

"Brother, you must never mention these words in front of outsiders, especially those three words."

"Why?"

"Overnight, the Flying Cloud Divine Ape became a traitor who secretly colluded with the Five Great Sword Sects and deliberately led Cloud Water Hall to ruin, losing thousands of disciples. In the final analysis, wasn't it just because he was tainted by those three words and incurred the jealousy of Steward Yang?"

"Six of the twelve halls of the Divine Cult are practically defunct. Thousands of Cloud Water Hall disciples died in Damaoling, with no one to collect their bodies. Was it merely due to the schemes of villains?"

Jade Spirit Daoist sighed. He was merely a rogue cultivator within the Cult, living far away in Yunnan. He came to the Blackwood main altar once every three years for a meeting.

The last time he came, the Eastern Cult Master was still brilliant and strategic. The Cult members were united and commanded the twelve halls to attack everywhere, defeating the so-called Righteous Path sects and forcing Shaolin and Wudang to avoid the Cult's edge.

In just a few short years, everything seemed to have changed. What a strange turn of events!

He secretly thought, "After this routine meeting, I should return south as soon as possible to avoid trouble."

As Qingyu Daoist had this thought, he felt that this place was full of danger and wanted to go buy gifts as soon as possible to ensure his safety, so he took his leave.

Zhang Yu listened from the side for a long time, completely unaware that the two were there.

He secretly thought, "The situation within this Sun Moon Divine Cult is indeed quite complicated."

"Qi Zhaogu's words show dissatisfaction with Yang Lianting and sympathy for the plight of Cloud Water Hall. Perhaps I can use him to meet Tong Baixiong."