Wang Yuyan

Yun Zhonghe and Ye Erniang in particular had brought ruin upon countless decent women and infants, leaving them with enemies in the martial world as numerous as hairs on an ox.

Thus, once word spread that Nalan Sheng had killed the Four Great Evils, he was bound to earn the goodwill and gratitude of many in the martial world.

And now that Nalan Sheng was the husband of a princess of Dali, the more illustrious his name became, the more illustrious the Dali Imperial Family would naturally become as well.

With Duan Zhengchun and the others deliberately spreading the word, Nalan Sheng's name had long since become known throughout the Dali Kingdom and was rapidly spreading to its neighboring countries.

As the leader of the Beggar Gang, Qiao Feng had exceptionally well-informed sources, so he had already heard of Nalan Sheng's reputation.

"The Four Great Evils committed countless atrocities. They were a malignant tumor on the martial world. Young Master Nalan, your eliminating them was truly a cause for celebration."

Upon learning that Nalan Sheng was not Murong Fu, but rather the hero who had eliminated the Four Great Evils, Qiao Feng could not help rising to his feet. "Allow me to toast Young Master Nalan on behalf of our fellow martial artists!"

With that, Qiao Feng drained his bowl of wine in one gulp, brimming with heroic spirit.

"You flatter me, Gang Leader Qiao. I merely happened upon the Four Great Evils and disposed of them along the way!"

Nalan Sheng waved a hand. "You, on the other hand, have spent all these years taking the initiative to lead the Beggar Gang against foreign invaders. You are the true example for us all. I should be the one toasting you."

As he spoke, Nalan Sheng poured himself a bowl of fine wine, then drained it in one gulp.

"Splendid, Young Master Nalan! Let me toast you again!"

"Gang Leader Qiao, I should be the one to toast you again..."

While Nalan Sheng and Qiao Feng were exchanging flattering praise, two men dressed as beggars came up to the second floor.

"Reporting to the gang leader: five intruders have entered the Great Righteousness Branch. Their martial skills are formidable."

The man in front cupped his hands and bowed to Qiao Feng. "Helmsman Jiang feared he might not be able to hold them off, so he sent us to ask you to return and take charge."

Qiao Feng frowned slightly. "Who are these intruders?"

"Three women and two men."

The man in front reported honestly, "The three women aren't much of a problem, but of the two men, one has a foul mouth and spouts nothing but filthy insults. The other loves fighting and is currently sparring with Helmsman Jiang and the others."

"All right, I understand."

Qiao Feng nodded slightly, then turned to Nalan Sheng. "Young Master Nalan, I have an urgent matter to attend to today. How about we drink our fill another day?"

"That sounds excellent."

Nalan Sheng smiled. "My two wives and I have finished eating as well. We were hoping to stroll around and help our meal settle. Would you mind if we came along to join in the excitement?"

"I couldn't ask for better company, Young Master Nalan. Please!"

Led by Qiao Feng, they left the city and headed south, eventually arriving at an apricot grove.

In a clearing in the middle of the Apricot Grove, two men in their thirties were locked in battle with two elderly men dressed as beggars.

Though the four were no weaklings, their strength was only about on par with Yun Zhonghe's.

In Nalan Sheng's eyes, their battle was nothing more than chickens pecking at one another.

He therefore gave them only a passing glance before withdrawing his gaze, his expression unchanged.

"Brother Sheng, look over there!"

As Zhong Ling looked around curiously, she suddenly seemed to discover something extraordinary. Her large, limpid eyes widened, and she tugged Nalan Sheng's arm, pointing at three graceful figures in a corner. "It's the woman in the portrait!"

Following Zhong Ling's finger, Nalan Sheng saw Wang Yuyan, clad in a white dress and bearing a striking resemblance to Li Qiushui.

Behind Wang Yuyan stood two beauties dressed as maidservants. Presumably, they were A Zhu and A Bi.

Mu Wanqing also noticed Wang Yuyan and could not help looking a little strange. "My darling Sheng, could that woman be the one depicted in the Northern Darkness Divine Skill portrait?"

After all, Mu Wanqing had studied Li Qiushui's portrait countless times while practicing the Northern Darkness Divine Skill. Suddenly seeing Wang Yuyan, who looked so much like Li Qiushui, felt rather peculiar.

If she had to describe it in a single sentence, it would be: I almost didn't recognize this woman with her clothes on.

"How could that be?"

Nalan Sheng shook his head. "The woman in the Northern Darkness Divine Skill portrait must be at least seventy or eighty by now. This girl looks only seventeen or eighteen. She should be that woman's granddaughter, through either her son or her daughter."

As though sensing their gazes, Wang Yuyan suddenly turned toward the three of them.

Under their scrutiny, an inexplicable chill ran through Wang Yuyan's heart. She felt as though they could see straight through her clothes.

"Aah!"

Before Wang Yuyan could figure out what was happening, a scream suddenly rang out, drawing everyone's attention.

The scrawny, ugly Feng Bo'e was vigorously shaking his right hand, with a brightly colored venomous scorpion clinging to its back.

Smack!

Unable to shake off the scorpion, Feng Bo'e pulled the scabbard from his waist and smashed it into pulp.

Feng Bo'e knew perfectly well that any venomous creature used by a Beggar Gang Elder would be far from ordinary. Not daring to continue the fight, he leaped back several yards, took out an Antidote Pill, and swallowed it.

Seeing this, the Long-Armed Elder who had been fighting Feng Bo'e made no move to pursue him. Instead, a mocking sneer appeared on his face.

Worried for Feng Bo'e's safety, Bao BuTong hurriedly forced back the Beggar Gang Elder he was fighting, then leaped to Feng Bo'e's side. His face was filled with concern. "Fourth Brother, are you all right?"

"I'm fi..."

Before Feng Bo'e could finish, his facial muscles abruptly twitched, and his body collapsed uncontrollably.

"Fourth Brother, what's wrong?"

"Ugh... ugh... ugh..."

Feng Bo'e instinctively tried to answer, but he could not utter a word. All he could make were horrible, hoarse sounds.

"You old bastard! You'll pay for my fourth brother's life!"

Seeing how potent the scorpion's venom was, Bao BuTong immediately realized that Feng Bo'e was probably doomed. With a furious roar, he lunged at the Long-Armed Elder.

"Bao BuTong, your opponent is me. If you want the antidote, you'll have to get past me first."

The Beggar Gang Elder who had been fighting Bao BuTong immediately raised his Steel Staff and engaged him in battle once more.

"Fourth Brother! Fourth Brother! Fourth Brother..."

Seeing Bao BuTong held back by the Beggar Gang Elder while Feng Bo'e lay motionless on the ground, looking as though he might die at any

moment, A Zhu and the others could not help tearing up, their sorrowful expressions enough to melt anyone's heart.

"Please don't grieve, ladies. I have a Detoxifying Sacred Pill here that can neutralize a hundred poisons. It should be able to cure his scorpion poisoning."

Just as A Zhu and the others believed Feng Bo'e could not escape death that day, Nalan Sheng suddenly approached them with the two women.