The Golden Basin Hand-Washing Ceremony Underway

Halfway there, Yi Lin woke up. Seeing she was on Hao Shuai's back, she said, "Brother Hao, I'm fine now. Let me down so I can walk myself!"

"No, you just woke up. I'll keep carrying you," Hao Shuai refused, gesturing for her to stay put on his back.

Seeing she couldn't change Hao Shuai's mind, Yi Lin blushed and let him continue carrying her.

Noticing Yi Lin's shyness, Hao Shuai directly asked why she was captured by Tian Boguang.

Yi Lin recounted how she was captured by Tian Boguang. Seeing that Yi Lin was willing to talk now, Hao Shuai chatted with her about all sorts of things, from here to there. Yi Lin, having grown up at Mount Heng with prayers and ancient Buddhist scriptures, was still a young girl at heart. She was quickly captivated by Hao Shuai's stories and forgot her current predicament.

By the time Yi Lin came to her senses, they were already at the city gates. Hao Shuai had intended to carry her into the city, but this time Yi Lin firmly refused, so he had to let her down.

However, Hao Shuai still held her hand as they walked into the city. At first, Yi Lin was hesitant, but Hao Shuai said he was afraid she'd get lost and wanted to lead her to her Master.

Yi Lin could only go along with Hao Shuai.

The two walked hand-in-hand through Hengyang City. Yi Lin was, after all, a girl of fifteen or sixteen, and what girl doesn't like shopping?

So, along the way, Hao Shuai stopped with Yi Lin at all sorts of stalls. Anything Yi Lin glanced at, he bought for her. Yi Lin initially refused everything, but in the end, Hao Shuai insisted she accept.

Hao Shuai was fully embodying the "Deng" and "Xian" aspects of Pan Lu Deng Xiao Xian! While Yi Lin wasn't a materialistic person, it's highly probable that no woman, not even a nun, could resist a handsome guy unconditionally accompanying her shopping and buying her anything she wanted.

Thus, even though Yi Lin verbally refused, the joy in her eyes betrayed her.

Hao Shuai and Yi Lin browsed for a long time but couldn't find anyone from the Mount Heng School. So Hao Shuai suggested, "Yi Lin, let's find an inn to rest for the night. Tomorrow, we'll go directly to the Liu Mansion for the Golden Basin Hand-Washing Ceremony, and you can see your Master then."

"I'll listen to Brother Hao!" Yi Lin didn't have strong opinions of her own and could only follow Hao Shuai's suggestion.

Seeing Yi Lin agree, Hao Shuai took her to an inn, ordered a table of vegetarian dishes, and two superior rooms.

After dinner, Hao Shuai escorted Yi Lin back to her room. At the door, Hao Shuai suddenly hugged Yi Lin and said, "Yi Lin, I think I'm starting to like you. What should I do?"

"Ah? You?" Yi Lin was both angry and anxious, tears welling up in her eyes, but she couldn't bring herself to say anything harsh.

"So cute!" Hao Shuai held her tightly, and for a moment, neither of them spoke.

After a long while, Yi Lin finally reacted, pushed Hao Shuai away, and hurried back to her room.

The next morning, Hao Shuai knew Yi Lin hadn't slept well. He bought some breakfast as an apology. "I was too forward last night. I shouldn't have hugged you without your permission. I truly like you and couldn't help myself. This breakfast is my apology."

Yi Lin's face turned slightly red at Hao Shuai's words, but seeing his sincere expression, she didn't dwell on last night's incident. "It's good that you know you were wrong! I've already repented to Buddha on your behalf. Be more careful in the future!"

This girl is truly too cute and innocent. Hao Shuai found himself liking her more and more.

After breakfast, Hao Shuai took Yi Lin towards the Liu Mansion.

At this moment, the Liu Mansion was brightly decorated with lanterns and colorful banners, appearing extremely lively.

Because Liu Zhengfeng was holding his Golden Basin Hand-Washing Ceremony, he had invited many chivalrous figures from the martial arts world to witness it, and countless people from all walks of life were flocking towards the Liu Mansion.

Liu Zhengfeng, from the Mount Heng School of the Southern Yue, was passionate about music and skilled in playing the flute. Even at a young age, he had a certain influence in the martial arts world.

Therefore, many people in the martial arts world respected him.

Hao Shuai let Yi Lin go in first to find her Master, and he followed the crowd into the Liu Mansion after waiting for about the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea.

Upon arriving in the main courtyard of the Liu Mansion, Hao Shuai found a corner to stand in, waiting to watch the show.

At this moment, dozens of martial artists were already gathered in the courtyard, but the most attention was drawn to the figures sitting on either side of the main hall.

They were the sect leaders and disciples of the various sects of the Five Great Sword Sects.

Hao Shuai's gaze swept across the hall. Seeing that Yi Lin was already with her Master, he shifted his attention to Old Yue. Seeing that Old Yue's mustache was still intact, it seemed he hadn't yet decided whether to castrate himself!

Seeing that most of the expected guests had arrived, Liu Zhengfeng, dressed in a dark brown silk robe and looking like a wealthy merchant, stood up from the main seat and cupped his hands in greeting. "All the seniors and fellow martial artists have traveled a long way, and Liu Zhengfeng is truly grateful."

"As everyone knows, I have received grace from the imperial court and become a minor official. As the saying goes, 'He who eats the king's salary must serve the king.' In the martial arts world, we value loyalty and righteousness, but in state affairs, we must abide by the law. If these two conflict in the future, it will put me in a difficult position. Therefore, from now on, Liu Zhengfeng will wash his hands in the golden basin and retire from the martial arts world. I will no longer concern myself with the grievances and enmities of the jianghu..."

Standing in the corner, Hao Shuai shook his head. Liu Zhengfeng was already in his forties, so why was he still so naive?

Where there are people, there are grievances, and where there are grievances, there is the martial arts world. People are the martial arts world. How can you withdraw?

At this moment, Liu Zhengfeng knelt before the memorial tablet and solemnly said, "Disciple Liu Zhengfeng is ashamed that he has not been able to bring glory to the Mount Heng School, despite being accepted as a disciple and taught martial arts by my esteemed Master. Fortunately, our sect has Senior Brother Mo to lead..."

Seeing Liu Zhengfeng take his oath before the memorial tablet, the sect leaders exchanged glances, showing expressions of regret.

"Today, Liu Zhengfeng washes his hands in the golden basin, but he will absolutely not use the martial arts taught by his Master to achieve promotion and higher official rank. If I violate this oath, may my sword be like this!"

With that, Liu Zhengfeng drew the long sword from before the memorial tablet and struck it down with his palm. With a crisp cracking sound, the sword broke in two.

Soon, under the gaze of everyone in the courtyard, a maid carried a golden basin filled with clear water and placed it on a wooden table by the entrance.

"Wait!"

A stern shout startled everyone present. Of course, Liu Zhengfeng's hand, which was reaching into the basin, also stopped.

Then, a man in red tight-fitting clothes, holding a colorful triangular flag, slowly walked in, accompanied by two followers also dressed in red.

"Senior Brother Liu, I am here on behalf of Alliance Leader Zuo to request that you temporarily postpone the Golden Basin Hand-Washing Ceremony!" Fei Bin of the Songshan School said expressionlessly.

"Alliance Leader Zuo's move is timely. We martial artists value loyalty and righteousness the most. We roam freely in the martial arts world, so why bother with officialdom? If Junior Brother Liu washes his hands in the golden basin, it would truly be a pity. I hope you will reconsider," Abbess Dingyi said, thinking that Zuo Lengchan also didn't want Liu Zhengfeng to retire from the martial arts world.

Poor Abbess Dingyi had no idea of the true nature of the situation. Liu Zhengfeng was merely the chicken Zuo Lengchan intended to kill to warn the monkeys.

Zuo Lengchan was preparing to kill the chicken to warn the monkeys, thereby achieving true dominance over the Five Great Sword Sects.

After a verbal sparring match between Liu Zhengfeng and Fei Bin, Liu Zhengfeng still insisted on performing the Golden Basin Hand-Washing Ceremony.

Fei Bin, however, stomped down with his foot, his powerful internal energy splitting the table holding the golden basin in two. He then surged forward, seizing the opportunity to strike Liu Zhengfeng with a palm, pushing him back.

Just as Liu Zhengfeng was about to retaliate, his wife and son were brought before him, held hostage by disciples of the Songshan School with sharp swords.

Hao Shuai observed this and sighed, "This is what they call the righteous path! To achieve their goals, they'll resort to any means necessary. They can even openly take family members hostage to threaten someone."

Afterward, Fei Bin revealed Liu Zhengfeng's association with Qu Yang and demanded that Liu Zhengfeng kill Qu Yang.

But what kind of relationship did Liu Zhengfeng and Qu Yang have? They were best friends for life! In the original story, their bond was so strong that they would sacrifice their entire families for each other. How could Liu Zhengfeng possibly agree to kill Qu Yang? The negotiations broke down again.

When Fei Bin killed Liu Zhengfeng's disciple, Mi Weiyi, Liu Zhengfeng, enraged, retaliated by taking Fei Bin hostage and seizing the command flag.

The situation immediately tensed, and a major battle was imminent.

However, Ding Mian then took Liu Zhengfeng's son hostage. This led to another war of words, while Abbess Dingyi, Old Yue, and others joined the effort to mediate.

But on the Songshan School's side, Ding Mian, unwilling to lose face for the Songshan School, refused to back down and directly hurled his long sword towards Madam Liu.