Deceiving

The two walked and stopped, finally arriving near Fuzhou City. Even around the turn of the millennium in Wang Jingyuan's world, there were plenty of bandits and highwaymen who robbed travelers; in this mid-Ming Dynasty era, it was even more so.

Wang Jingyuan had killed his way through this journey, leaving a trail of blood. At first, Yue Lingshan had tried to stop him, but eventually, she became numb to it. She even actively helped Wang Jingyuan search the bodies. At least the corpses she searched were treated with a bit more dignity.

Killing with the Mount Hua Sword Technique guaranteed a small increase in proficiency. Coupled with the fact that Wang Jingyuan sparred with Yue Lingshan whenever he had free time along the way, his mastery of the Mount Hua Sword Technique had far surpassed Yue Lingshan's.

Unfortunately, his internal energy cultivation speed remained as slow as ever, leaving him only evenly matched with Yue Lingshan when they dueled. After all, he was only learning the basic sword techniques of Mount Hua, not the unconventional, underpowered-defeats-the-stronger techniques of the Sword Sect. However, in Yue Lingshan's eyes, his progress was already astonishingly fast.

Upon reaching the outskirts of Fuzhou City, Yue Lingshan was eager to enter and scout the Fuwei Escort Agency. However, Wang Jingyuan stopped her, "Wait, let's make some preparations."

Yue Lingshan paused, "What do we need to prepare?"

"I just saw a musical troupe over there. I'll be right back." With that, Wang Jingyuan spurred his horse and rode away.

"A musical troupe? Don't they only play for weddings and funerals?" Yue Lingshan wondered, murmuring to herself, but she didn't stop him. She knew her junior disciple brother wouldn't listen to her anyway.

Soon, Wang Jingyuan and Yue Lingshan rode into the city, flanked by the musical troupe, creating a grand procession. As soon as they entered Fuzhou City, Wang Jingyuan gave a signal: "Let's begin!"

The old man at the front of the procession let out a booming cry:

Hiii--!

On Mount Hua's peak, clouds churn and waves crash, A single green sword shakes the mountains and rivers. The Yue family's Sect Leader stands firm, Purple Cloud true energy surges through the sky--!

Next, the erhuangban in the troupe began to play:

In his left hand, he holds the righteousness of the Jianghu, In his right, he carries the banner of justice. Who in the Three Mountains and Five Peaks doesn't know him? The name Gentleman Sword travels ten thousand li--!

At this point, the liushui ban also joined in with force:

A tiger grows in the forest, strong and young, Pride in his eyes, heroism in his bones. Today, he opens his mountain to accept a spirited sparrow, Adding a cold star to the disciples of Mount Hua--!

As the erhu played:

Do not say the Jianghu is fraught with storms and dangers, Righteousness will naturally protect all. Three kowtows in the Hall of Righteousness, And the road ahead will never be uneven--!

Finally, everyone in the musical troupe began to sing at the top of their lungs:

Ya--!

Mount Hua's ultimate skills have a successor, Just watch as--

The sparrow hops on the branch before the Fuwei Escort Agency, Young Master Lin will ascend to the clouds from now on--!

Wang Jingyuan, on his horse, listened and swayed his head, "Junior Disciple Sister, isn't this a coincidence? To find a musical troupe near Fuzhou City that can sing the Huayin Old Tune. This makes us seem authentic."

Wang Jingyuan turned to the crowd around him and shouted, "Sing louder! Your young master will reward you generously afterward."

Immediately, the already powerful Huayin Old Tune grew even louder, startling the people of Fuzhou City, who stopped in their tracks along the roadside to watch.

Unlike the leisurely Wang Jingyuan, Yue Lingshan kept her head down the entire way, her hands gripping the reins tightly, her toes clenched. She refused to acknowledge Wang Jingyuan. Unlike him, she had dignity.

However, Wang Jingyuan had no intention of stopping while he was ahead. He made a full circuit of Fuzhou City before heading towards the location of the Fuwei Escort Agency.

Firstly, it was to let the entire city know about their arrival. Secondly, it was to give the people at the Fuwei Escort Agency time to report this matter to Lin Zhennan.

As expected, by the time the procession reached the gates of the Fuwei Escort Agency, Lin Zhennan was already waiting at the entrance with his wife and children. After all, even if Wang Jingyuan's group was a bit eccentric, they were still flying the banner of the great master of Mount Hua in the West.

They could not be treated lightly.

The musical troupe stopped in front of the Fuwei Escort Agency. Wang Jingyuan dismounted, ready to retrieve some silver notes. But Lin Zhennan, with a smile, blocked him. Then, escorts brought out trays filled with copper coins to distribute to the troupe, and invited them to the backyard for a cup of tea and a brief rest.

Wang Jingyuan nodded slightly. Lin Zhennan was truly adept at handling people, but unfortunately, his martial arts were a bit lacking.

The entrance was not a place for conversation. After mutual introductions, Lin Zhennan invited Wang Jingyuan and Yue Lingshan inside.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Lin Zhennan feigned ignorance and said, "Miss Yue and Young Hero Wang, your visit here is..."

Wang Jingyuan spoke directly, "The Buddhist hall in the old house on Xiangyang Alley."

Since they already knew the crucial information, it would be foolish not to proceed directly. Apart from players seeking an immersive experience, everyone else treated story events like a fast-forward button. Who had time for all the pleasantries?

As expected, upon hearing Wang Jingyuan's words, Lin Zhennan's pupils dilated. Fortunately, having managed the escort agency for many years, he had long cultivated the habit of hiding his emotions.

He simply stood up, cupped his hands towards Wang and Yue, and then requested they talk in the back hall.

Once in the back hall, there wasn't a single outsider, not even any of his own people, leaving only Lin Zhennan, Wang Jingyuan, and Yue Lingshan.

After confirming no one was around, Lin Zhennan finally asked, "Young Hero Wang, what did you mean by what you said earlier?"

Wang Jingyuan got straight to the point, "I've come with such fanfare to show that Mount Hua intends to take your son as a disciple. I don't believe Uncle Lin hasn't heard. But you're pretending ignorance now, likely fearing Mount Hua covets your family's Bixie Swordplay, correct?"

"Mount Hua is a righteous sect, I would never..."

"Alas, time is of the essence, no need for pleasantries. Uncle Lin, you don't need to feign ignorance. We both know the Bixie Swordplay manual is hidden in the Buddhist shrine of your old residence on Xiangyang Lane. More specifically, beneath the tile pointed to by the finger of the great Buddha in the shrine."

"How did you know?!"

Wang Jingyuan looked puzzled, "Didn't Duke Yuantu tell his descendants? He brought the Bixie Swordplay manual to Mount Hua back then. The contents of the Bixie Swordplay manual are clear to every Sect Leader of Mount Hua. Uncle Lin, come closer."

Lin Zhennan leaned in somewhat doubtfully, and Wang Jingyuan whispered something in his ear. Immediately, Lin Zhennan's expression became one of shock and uncertainty, making Yue Lingshan feel as if a cat was scratching at her heart, intensely curious about what Wang Jingyuan had told him.

Wang Jingyuan didn't know which version of The Smiling, Proud Wanderer this instance was using, but he could guarantee that Lin Yuantu was dead, and thus there was no one to contradict him. Therefore, no one could expose his words; it was all about the information gap.

Lin Zhennan hesitated for a moment and said, "I will investigate this matter myself later. Then, Young Hero Wang, what is the purpose of your visit?"

"To save everyone in your Fuwei Escort Agency."

Lin Zhennan had seen plenty of such alarmist tactics and didn't easily believe them, but he still asked, "What danger do we face?"

"Qingcheng Sect, Songshan Sect."

Lin Zhennan immediately retorted, "Those are righteous sects."

"Duke Yuantu once dueled with Changqingzi, the Sect Leader of Qingcheng Sect. He defeated Changqingzi with the seventy-two forms of Bixie Swordplay. Although they agreed not to reveal the outcome publicly, the matter still circulated in the Jianghu. Changqingzi harbored resentment and eventually died of melancholy.

The current Sect Leader of Qingcheng Sect, Yu Canghai, is not broad-minded. Naturally, he is intent on avenging his Master. More importantly, he has spied on the Fuwei Escort Agency multiple times and discovered that Duke Yuantu's descendants have mediocre martial arts skills, leading him to desire the Bixie Swordplay that so easily defeated Changqingzi."

"This... and the Songshan Sect?"

"Oh, they're simply malicious and also want to acquire the Bixie Swordplay."

Lin Zhennan pondered for a moment, still somewhat unconvinced, "Does Young Hero have any proof?"

Wang Jingyuan stepped back a few paces, drew his sword, and began to practice. After just a few moves, Lin Zhennan was greatly alarmed; he was far too familiar with this swordplay.

When Wang Jingyuan finished his set of sword forms, he received a notification: "[Bixie Swordplay (Fake) Proficiency +1]."

If Old Yue could discover that the entire Qingcheng Sect was secretly practicing Bixie Swordplay, how could he himself not? At Wang Jingyuan's request, she had taught him the Bixie Swordplay she had learned in secret.

Wang Jingyuan sheathed his sword and stood, "The entire Qingcheng Sect is secretly practicing this swordplay, which is enough to show their intentions. But they discovered that this swordplay is difficult to use effectively, so they suspect the accompanying mental cultivation technique is the key.

We received word that the Qingcheng Sect members have already prepared to head this way. You will soon find traces of them in Fuzhou City.

According to the Qingcheng Sect's methods, they will likely look for any excuse to cause trouble and create friction with your Fuwei Escort Agency. With new grievances, Yu Canghai will have a reason to act.

So, we've come ahead of them to save you."