Bao Xiang Mituo

"They didn't even bring any martial arts manuals with them."

After searching Song Zhong and Yin-Yang Monk Deng Yuan, Ouyang Lan's face was full of regret.

She knew her junior brother cared a lot about the martial arts of their opponents, so she immediately looked for any possible secret techniques from other sects.

"It's actually quite good already, Senior Sister. You don't need to worry too much. Once we reach the sect, there will be more than enough martial arts in Celestial Star Sect for us to learn," Lu Wu-bing said with a chuckle.

He had a guess as to why these two didn't have any secret manuals on them.

The reason was actually very simple.

They were both old, and had already reached the limit of what they could learn in their martial arts. It was difficult to make any further progress.

Even if they carried martial arts manuals with them, they probably wouldn't be able to research anything new.

Another reason was that these two were likely hired for a one-time job.

This could be seen from the large amount of gold notes and the treasure pills that enhanced cultivation they were carrying.

Someone must have paid a huge price to hire them.

Ouyang Lan counted the items and handed the gold notes and medicine bottles to Lu Wu-bing, smiling, "The Monk had two thousand taels of gold notes, and Song Zhong had one thousand. Each also had a bottle of Water Accumulation Pill. This is already a considerable sum.

Junior Brother, you take these. Dripping Water Force is slow to cultivate, so use medicine to assist. Cultivate the three meridians as soon as possible so you can meet the assessment requirements and learn the Celestial River Orthodox Method."

Lu Wu-bing nodded, "Okay, I'll take them then. Senior Sister, if you need anything, just ask. Wenxiu too."

One of them was the only daughter of the Celestial Star Sect's sect leader, and the other was even more remarkable; they wouldn't lack resources.

To be honest, although they ran the Hall of Returning Spring, they weren't short of money.

However, some cultivation resources couldn't be bought with money; they didn't have the channels.

Thinking about how strange it was for these two black-market experts to appear earlier.

The two exchanged a glance, understanding each other without further words.

They knew that the attackers were likely not after the Yuanling Swordplay Manual, but were probably targeting Princess Ji Wenxiu.

This was a really messy situation.

The person behind this could be any minister in the court, or perhaps one or several regional vassal kings. No one could be sure.

As people of the martial world, it was difficult to investigate such matters.

They could only play dumb.

Ji Wenxiu's expression turned slightly somber, clearly having thought of something as well. Her brows furrowed slightly, giving her a fragile feeling, like a drifting duckweed being battered by wind and rain.

Even Ouyang Lan felt a pang of pity seeing her.

It was truly tragic.

Sometimes, being a princess didn't necessarily mean a happy life.

"Don't worry, Junior Sister Wenxiu. Once we reach Celestial Star Peak, you'll be safe."

"I do trust Martial Uncle Ouyang and Martial Uncle Qin, but this world... what's the point of going back?"

Everyone is born with their own burdens.

Like Ouyang Lan, although she was carefree, one day she would also bear the honor and disgrace of Celestial Star Sect.

Like Lu Wu-bing, he couldn't ignore the life and death of the Lu Family.

And Ji Wenxiu?

Just like before, she couldn't resist the arranged marriage order, and now, she naturally couldn't resist the order to take her back.

It was foreseeable that no matter whether she safely reached Weijing or not, she would be met with a storm.

This was already decided.

It was just unknown if she could get through this trial.

"Meow..."

Mao Mao, covered in dust, emerged from the woods. There was a rare look of anxiety in its eyes. It bit Lu Wu-bing's trouser leg and dragged him towards the woods on the side.

"Is Mao Mao telling us to go through the forest on the left and not take the main road?"

Ouyang Lan, having spent a lot of time with the little cat, was gradually able to understand what it was trying to convey.

The little cat looked up at her, as if it understood, and nodded gently.

"It really is. Could it be..."

"It's obvious that these two people who intercepted us were not the entire pursuing force. There might be a large group of people following behind. Either they've set up an ambush, or they've already surrounded us."

Lu Wu-bing's eyes flickered.

"Let's go, follow Mao Mao."

As he spoke, the little cat had already darted into the woods.

The group quickly followed.

Ji Wenxiu's eyes lit up.

She had already found it unbelievable when this little cat had sneakily snatched the Jade Pendant from her arms earlier.

Now, the little creature was so intelligent, able to discern friend from foe, scout ahead, and avoid pursuers.

"Hasn't this little civet turned into a spirit?"

"Not quite, but it's more spirited than an ordinary cat."

Lu Wu-bing replied with a smile.

He actually didn't know why the kitten could understand human speech.

He thought that when they went to Weijing, he would have to ask his maternal grandmother carefully about the kitten's origins.

This time, after walking only three li, they had already passed through the mountain forest.

The view opened up, and not far away, the river flowed like a ribbon, with green grass stretching across the plains.

In the beautiful spring scenery, two armies were facing off.

On the left, there were about a thousand men, flying a red flag with the character "Wen."

The general leading them rode a tall horse, wore black armor, and held a great saber.

Behind him were about three hundred cavalry, all armored.

About half of the remaining infantry were drawing their bows and nocking arrows...

They exuded a fierce aura.

And on the right, separated by a bowshot's distance.

There was another contingent of soldiers.

Their numbers were slightly smaller, around seven to eight hundred men, flying a black flag with the character "Li."

The general leading them wore silver armor and wielded a twelve-foot-long red spear...

The cavalry behind him numbered about four to five hundred, radiating a formidable killing intent, as if they had just emerged from a fierce battle, their morale even more ferocious.

"It's Martial Uncle Li, he's brought the troops from the Yuanxi Guard Thousand Household Office,"

Ouyang Lan exclaimed softly.

Ji Wenxiu also showed a look of joy.

Even if she didn't want to face the chaotic situation in Weijing City, she wanted to avoid dying on the road and being used as a stepping stone even more.

"Wen Fangping, why are you leading troops into Yuanxi territory instead of staying at the Yinshan Guard? Do you intend to start a war and rebel?"

Li Feiying's stern voice carried from afar, filled with killing intent.

It seemed as if he would charge at any moment if words failed.

"General Li, why be so cautious? I, Wen, am merely pursuing a few Black List rebels and accidentally chased too far. I have no ill intentions coming here..."

Being in the same province, it was difficult for the soldiers of two guard posts to fight.

The standoff was just a standoff.

As long as there was a plausible excuse on the surface.

As the two commanders exchanged words.

The atmosphere eased.

On the other side, things were not so amicable.

Boom...

Along the river, a figure in moon-white robes stepped across the water, covering seven zhang with each stride. With a long cry, he suddenly drew his sword.

The sword light slashed straight out for three zhang, and the small boat exploded into two pieces, scattering splinters.

A figure leaped out from the cabin.

This person wore orange-yellow robes and was stout, resembling a Maitreya Buddha statue in a temple.

His head was bald, reflecting the sunlight. He had a smile on his face, and his hands formed mudras like blooming lotuses.

His appearance was solemn and dignified.

His fingers moved like pecking birds and darting snakes, appearing upright and open, yet subtly exuding a sinister and eerie aura.

"Bao Xiang Mituo, so he's here too."

Ouyang Lan exclaimed in surprise, then let out a sigh of relief, "That was close. Fortunately, Mother also rushed to meet us. Otherwise, if we were intercepted by that false monk, we would be in trouble."

"What is Bao Xiang Mituo's relationship with that Yin-Yang Monk?"

Lu Wu-bing vaguely felt that the titles of these two seemed somewhat similar.

"This person's name is Xiao Shan, and he is the senior brother of the Yin-Yang Monk Deng Yuan. He is a top-tier master of the third rank, ranked thirty-third on the Black List, and a smiling tiger.

Although he doesn't appear as ferocious, his actions are extremely wicked."

A hint of hesitation appeared on Ouyang Lan's face, and she continued, "In the past, before the two brothers' evil deeds became apparent, they opened a Little Ming King Temple outside Jinyuan City at the foot of the Hengduan Mountains."

Because Bao Xiang Mituo is eloquent and has many followers, his incense offerings are extremely prosperous. Can you guess where their incense offerings come from?

"Isn't it because he's effective at granting children?" Ji Wenxiu scoffed.

She looked at the great monk in the river, her eyes full of disdain. "I've heard of this shameful business even in Weijing...

Back then, in Jinyuan City, from the government officials to the common folk, many women were rumored to be unchaste, and countless of them committed suicide.

What this scoundrel did is far more disgusting than what his junior brother did."

Ji Wenxiu said this and suddenly jumped up, laughing. "Martial Uncle Qin's swordsmanship is indeed powerful. That damned monk is about to be defeated."