The Yin Wind Valley Master; A Conversation in the Cave Abode

"Give them back!"

Gui Xiang was so shocked that he lost his composure. Holding Kang Rongquan in one arm and picking up Kuai En in the other, he carefully stepped in front of Jiang Qing, handed the two of them over, and ran away.

Just then, Kang Rongquan, seemingly drawing strength from nowhere, weakly stammered, "Martial Uncle Jiang... it was this scoundrel who harmed Senior Brother Han, it was... it was..."

Contrary to Gui Xiang's assumption that the news was common knowledge, the Double Brightness Sword Immortal was hearing about it for the first time.

His phoenix eyes were filled with Sha Qi intent. At this moment, he no longer cared whether Kang Rongquan's words were true or false, nor did he care whether Gui Xiang, the son-in-law of the Yue Household and an official of the Immortal Dynasty, was respected or lowly. With a single sword strike, he was about to take the life of this scoundrel.

The sword flashed fiercely. Gui Xiang's status as the son-in-law of the Yue family still carried some weight in Tie Xishui's eyes. He gritted his teeth and used a second-grade top-quality life-saving talisman to block the blow for the stunned Gui Xiang, while he himself took a punch from Yuan Jin.

He was truly in dire straits! Jiang Qing and Yuan Jin's overbearing actions had indeed fulfilled his wish, confirming the Chongming Sect faction's guilt of killing officials and rebelling. However, the two men's abilities far exceeded his expectations.

Tie Xishui thought to himself, if the reinforcements he had prepared earlier did not arrive soon, he, a promising pillar of the state government and a key member of the Tie Household, might really die in front of this unknown Learning Forest Mountain.

Jiang Qing's first sword strike failed, so he launched another. Gui Xiang thought he was going to be killed on the spot, but unexpectedly, a black wind surged from behind and pulled him away. Only one of his feet was grazed by the sword light and completely obliterated. After a scream, he finally managed to save his life.

"Second Senior Brother!"

The two brothers had a tacit understanding; as soon as Jiang Qing said this, Yuan Jin understood.

Suddenly, he unleashed his Mixed Gold Staff again, striking Tie Xishui until he was completely dazed. Then, ignoring him, he turned and grabbed Kang Rongquan and Kuai En, before returning to the formation to retrieve the Six-Leaf Azure Lotus Great Banner from Ye Zhengwen.

From then on, the fighting among the Chongming Sect's forces intensified. Despite being outnumbered, they managed to hold their own against the Demon Correction Office's troops to a standstill.

At this moment, the black wind in front of Jiang Qing suddenly dissipated, and after the black wind passed, a white-haired old man with a sinister face and wearing a gray shirt emerged.

The old man was so thin he looked like a withered straw, as if a gentle breeze could carry him away. But Jiang Qing felt that his spiritual energy was very abundant and his aura was familiar, suggesting that he was of the same lineage as the two Evil Cultivators who held the banner and the bone.

Jiang Qing slightly raised his eyebrows, his expression showing no panic, but he thought to himself, "This must be a top-tier Foundation Establishment; I'm probably no match for him."

Even so, Jiang Qing was the first to strike with his sword, and this strike was aimed at Tie Xishui, who had not yet recovered.

The latter was somewhat bewildered, while the white-haired old man flew into a rage. A gust of black wind, seemingly a chain of black iron, swept away the sword light. As he did so, the old man shouted, "You brat, seeing your ancestor here, you still dare to make a move? Are you truly not afraid of dying and your soul being extinguished?"

Tie Xishui was jolted awake by the shockwave from the collision of the black wind and the sword light. He was unaware that the sword intent brought by Jiang Qing's Sword-Sharpening Stone was about to run out, and thought that the latter was still unstoppable. So he immediately abandoned the formation and turned back.

It wasn't until he fled back to his clan's territory at Tie Xishan that he regained some of his courage, and he coldly watched as the newly arrived Yin Wind Valley Gu Honglang, went to fight Jiang Qing, who was covered in wounds.

"You're the one who harmed my two disciples!!" Gu Honglang questioned again, his hands continuing their actions.

It should be noted that Yin Wind Valley, as a heretical sect, has never had a large population. Although Gu Honglang has committed many evil deeds, he cherishes his two personal disciples.

These two had fought their way through hundreds of disciples with Spirit Root, like raising poisonous insects, and were not even sixty years old yet. They had a bright future ahead of them. If it weren't for the fact that Tie Liuyun's recruitment was quite valuable and the position of head of the Demon Correction Office Division was a lucrative post, he might not have been willing to send his two disciples to serve on the front lines.

Unexpectedly, his two disciples died the moment they entered the battle. Gu Honglang's years of hard work were destroyed in an instant. How could he not be angry, how could he not be furious, how could he not be indignant?!

He manipulated two streams of black wind into a single mass, their force so strong that they caused Jiang Qing's wounds to reopen, almost making the hairs on his body feel as if they were being blown off.

At this moment, Jiang Qing would not explain to Gu Honglang that the two Yin Wind Valley Foundation Establishment from Yinfeng Valley had died at the hands of Yuan Jin. The Sword-Sharpening Stone in his bosom shone even brighter, provoking a fierce look to appear on Gu Honglang's face.

"When I was my age, Uncle Black Shoes wouldn't have been afraid of this kind of filthy stuff."

Instead of retreating, Jiang Qing advanced, his Crimson Heart Scorching Sun Sword shining brightly, dispelling the evil wind in front of him. Gu Honglang laughed instead of getting angry, first raising a White Bone Banner in his hand, and then three skeletons split open at his feet, all of them at the late stage of cultivation, as thick Like a Mountain, fierce and unstoppable.

The three skeletons were mostly snow-white, like jade, with only the joints and vital areas showing traces of black ink, resembling specks of obsidian, making them very conspicuous.

They were seen wielding swords and shields, double halberds, and spears—all mid-grade Spirit Artifact —and were not to be underestimated. They charged towards Jiang Qing at breakneck speed.

Gu Honglang did not stop after finishing all that. He took out the mourning stick again with his empty hand, which was filled with Sha Qi and malevolent aura.

Since he achieved Foundation Establishment, Gu Honglang has made a plan every year to use this staff to kill a thousand immortals and mortals. He has Foundation Establishment for over a hundred years now, and has rarely stopped during that time.

This shows just how much he had nurtured this Second-Tier Supreme-Grade Spirit Artifact, and just how many wronged souls had been entangled in it.

Gu Honglang formed another profound Dao seal in his hand, and the mourning staff gleamed with a dark, menacing light, rising with the evil wind. Jiang Qing, who was fighting against three skeletons, sheathed his sword to block it.

"Zheng!" The previously invincible Crimson Heart Scorching Sun Sword was Lower Vehicle ineffective by this attack. The spiritual light on the sword dissipated, causing Jiang Qing's Qi and Blood to surge and his steps to falter.

Taking advantage of the moment, the skeleton with double halberds came forward, its two short halberds gleaming brightly, heading straight for several of Jiang Qing's vital points.

Don't underestimate these skeletons just because they're lifeless objects; the halberd technique used is far beyond what ordinary Foundation Establishment can achieve. If Jiang Qing hadn't reacted in time, the consequences wouldn't have been as minor as having his hair pulled off.

Gu Honglang laughed wildly, feeling quite pleased with himself for his successful attack. After all, what was the point of fighting against someone of the same level? Bullying the weak and fearing the strong was the only right thing to do.

After retracting the mourning staff, he saw Jiang Qing being attacked by three skeletons and falling into a disadvantageous position. His joy increased even more. Because of his high cultivation and strong skills, he gained more favor from Tie Liuyun and learned more about the plans from the latter.

He knew that the turtles in the shallow pond of the prefectural court were fighting endlessly, and the conflict between the locals and the immigrants was almost irreconcilable; he also knew how much of the Chongming Sect was in front of Tie Liuyun, Yue Household's family.

If he could keep Jiang Qing, this rising star, here today, and help Tie Xishui keep all the Chongming Sect troops here as well.

That would not only avenge the two disciples but also secure a future for Yin Wind Valley. It would be only natural for them to seek a False Core in the fortuitous opportunity.

"You brat, prepare to die!!" Gu Honglang's eyesight was far superior to Tie Xishui's. He could see that Jiang Qing was at his limit, so his actions became even more ruthless.

But the Sha Qi on his mourning staff intensified, almost solidifying. Gu Honglang first separated a portion of it and merged it into the evil wind, then formed a Dao seal. The black light on the mourning staff shone even brighter, carrying endless sorrow and whipping the evil wind as it fiercely struck Jiang Qing.

Although the three skeletons in front of Jiang Qing were lifeless, their skill in using weapons and techniques was even more sophisticated than that of Ye Zhen, who had previously fled. It was already difficult to fight against three opponents at once, not to mention the presence of Gu Honglang, a Foundation Establishment Peak cultivator, who was also harassing them from the outside.

Without even turning around, even though he was still a hundred feet away from the mourning staff, Jiang Qing knew how powerful this attack would be, and he could no longer hide his weakness. Thinking of this, three crimson lights appeared on his Crimson Heart Scorching Sun Sword, and he spat out an Essence Blood through his clothes onto the Sword-Sharpening Stone in his arms.

After that one strike, his white face became even whiter and his crimson sword even crimsoner, the two complementing each other beautifully.

This was a Swordsmanship that Jiang Qing had acquired after surpassing his predecessors and cultivating the "Three Yang Sword Instruction" to perfection. It was called the Three Yang Spirit Annihilation Sword.

He had mastered the Swordsmanship of the Chongming Sect, which had been passed down for generations, at a young age. He also had the "Ten Discourses on Qingfuzi's Sword Classic" for reference, the teachings of the famous master Daoist Black Shoes, and the constant companionship of the Sword-Sharpening Stone.

Now, the "Three Yang Sword Instruction," a high-grade Vast-Tier Superior-Grade Swordsmanship, is beyond reason in Jiang Qing's hands. In a few years, when Jiang Qing has some free time, he will carefully organize his sword experience and the Chongming Sect will have another technique to pass on.

The three skeletons tested Jiang Qing's sword, and the three Spirit Artifact shattered instantly. Sect Leader Kang Da would surely be heartbroken to see this. Then, one by one, the skeletons broke apart, and obsidian beads flowed Gu Honglang's White Bone Banner, causing the joy on the latter's face to fade and his heart to pound.

These three skeletons were merely summoned by the White Bone Banner using its spiritual energy. As long as the obsidian at the joints is not damaged too much, these three skeletons will be restored to their original state in just two or three years.

As for those Spirit Artifacts, although they were worth the pain, they were not particularly important to a True Cultivator of Gu Honglang's level.

Once the situation calms down, we can sneak out in the dark, put in some effort, and bring two Foundation Establishment sects to play around with. That should be enough.

The reason his expression changed was because Jiang Qing's Swordsmanship was sharp and unconventional.

Sword-wielding cultivators from the surrounding states are as numerous as carp crossing a river, but very few can grasp their essence. Even the Book and Sword Gate Foundation Establishment among its generations who can compare to Jiang Qing.

"Is this the 'Three Yang Sword Instruction'? That doesn't seem right. Even when Zhang Yuandao was alive, I never heard of him being able to practice this Swordsmanship to such a degree."

Gu Honglang had met that exceptionally talented young man from the capital region in his early years. At that time, he was just a minor Qi Refining Law Artifact who treasured high-grade magic Qi Refinement. Zhang Yuandao had already made a name for himself in the campaign to pacify the barbarians, and Gu Honglang admired him greatly.

After nearly two hundred years of arduous cultivation, he finally became the head of a sect and a top-level True Cultivator. The hardships he endured during that time are beyond the comprehension of outsiders.

Therefore, even if Zhang Yuandao were to be resurrected, he was confident that his skills were no less than those of the founder of the Chongming Sect, and he would not allow this junior Jiang Qing, to be arrogant in front of him.

He saw that Jiang Qing's sword was shimmering with light, its crimson blade capable of shattering wind and breaking through Sha Qi, yet it only managed to leave a white mark on the mourning staff. Gu Honglang's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and with just a light touch of his finger, the mourning staff gained three more points of power.

This Evil Artifact, which had devoured millions of lives, was indeed extraordinary. The Crimson Heart Scorching Sun Sword, which was displaying its ferocious power in the arena, could not suppress it at all. Instead, it was broken by the overwhelming force and made a crisp "crack" sound.

Jiang Qing groaned, his internal energy churning, and blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. It wasn't because his flying sword was injured, but because the backlash from his forceful use of the Sword-Sharpening Stone was finally unbearable and erupted.

The joy on the Tie Xishui intensified, almost to the point of being overwhelming. The sense of defeat that had arisen in their hearts due to the abduction of Kang Rongquan and Kuai En by the Chongming Sect vanished completely.

After all, having Kang Rongquan in one's hands is not the same as having Jiang Qing in one's hands.

Not to mention, if Jiang Qing were to lose, how many of the Chongming Sect's troops would survive Gu Honglang's onslaught? At that time Fei Nanying, Zhu Tong, and the other people from the capital would certainly have very interesting expressions.

Thinking of this, the lowly cultivators who were fighting earlier became even less valuable in the eyes of the Tie Household brothers. Tie Xishui even regained his courage and led the charge.

Even though he was no match for Jiang Qing Yuan Jin, he could still unleash his power against Qi Refining Qi Refinement. Holding a large seal, he crushed a group of cultivators, his flesh splattering and blood raining down, making him an unstoppable force.

At the same time, Jiang Qing's vision began to blur. He could hear the fighting sounds from both sides behind him growing louder, and he could also see the black light gathering on Gu Honglang's mourning staff as he attacked.

So he pinched his fingers into a sword shape, pressed several major acupoints, and put a pill in his mouth to nourish his meridians. His thoughts were simple: even if he was no match for Gu Honglang for a while longer and wait for the situation to change.

"Uncle-Master in Black Shoes, when will you arrive?"

---- Jade Toad cave abode

The Gu Su cave abode was quiet and still. The Daoist Black Shoes closed his eyes. On the low black lacquered table in front of him were two bowls of tea, one clear and the other rich.

The two bowls of tea were being drunk by the Daoist Black Shoes. He was shorter than Yuan Jin, old, and plain-looking, except for his exceptionally bright eyes.

Although he was in a different place, he remained calm and composed. Even though the Daoist Black Shoes had not spoken for a long time, he showed no impatience whatsoever.

He finished both cups of fragrant spiritual tea without making a sound.

But the Daoist Black Shoes seemed to have sensed it. He opened his eyes, which seemed to contain a trace of sword intent, and said in a very respectful tone, "So the master I met back then was actually Senior Yue. I am deeply grateful for his teachings and will never forget them."

Yue Lin ignored him, fiddling with the two-colored teacup on the low table, and spoke to him in a low voice, "Your temperament and skill are far inferior to your swordsmanship. No wonder Lord Yin Shan often said that you would suffer some hardship in this area in the future."

"Lord Shan is actually acquainted with you, senior?!" The Daoist Black Shoes was surprised, clearly as Yue Lin's words were beyond his expectations.

Yue Lin rolled his eyes at the Daoist Black Shoes and scoffed, "What's so surprising about this? If it weren't for my occasional financial assistance, do you think that poor man could have come up with so much wealth to help the Cloud Horn Prefecture?!"

Even if this statement wasn't entirely untrue, it was certainly exaggerated. The Daoist Black Shoes didn't believe it completely and simply bowed his head in thanks.

Yue Lin shook his head and said softly, "I knew I couldn't hide it from you. I'm different from that fool. He cultivates talent without discrimination, following his own heart. I'm different. I ask him to report the best among them to me, and then find an opportunity, create a coincidence, to bestow favors upon him."

A strange light appeared in the eyes of the Daoist Black Shoes, but Yue Lin laughed again, "It's just a trick that the Aristocratic Clan families outside have used to death. It's only in our remote Shannan Circuit that even someone as talented as you is too shallow to find it interesting."

Lord Yin Shan's judgment was indeed excellent. He said that your swordsmanship talent was the highest he had ever seen in his life, so I tried to modify a Desolate Tier sword manual for you to use. In just three days, you became extremely proficient, which made me very excited and almost unable to resist taking you as my disciple."

Seeing the Daoist Black Shoes's brows furrowed, Yue Lin felt a surge of curiosity, but he didn't ask. Instead, he continued, "But Lord Yin Shan once told me that you came from a humble background, were betrayed by your master, and ostracized by your senior brother. Only in that boy He did you find warmth and affection."

Therefore, you should have been a mean-spirited, ungrateful, and arrogant person. Previously, it was rumored that you and He Xiaozi fought to the death for Dao Contention lineage, resulting in He Xiaozi's death and the scattering of his disciples. People were shocked and said that you were a wolf in sheep's clothing reincarnated, and He Xiaozi was the modern-day Dongguo.

However, I feel differently. After hearing about this, I think you have the natural inclination to cultivate the Tao and are destined for greatness. But I dare not invest any more resources in you and have completely severed all ties with you.

I thought that no matter how many favors I gained from you, you wouldn't care. If you became someone important, my Yue Household probably wouldn't be able to benefit at all, and we might even end up like Chongming Sect in the future."

The Daoist Black Shoes's expression remained unchanged after hearing Yue Lin's words, only showing a hint of warmth when the latter mentioned Sect Leader He.

Yue Lin ignored his reaction and continued, "But later I couldn't understand it anymore. After you left Hemu Dao, you should have been cultivating in peace. Even if you still had some conscience, after asking for the Fei Household's Kang Dabao for Kang Dabao and raising his family's status, your conscience should have been at peace long ago."

But ever since Jiang Qing lost his arm, it seems you've been heartbroken, and you've been standing up for the Chongming Sect at every turn. If I hadn't come this time, you would have gone to fight against the Tie Household and Yue Household again, getting involved in the vortex between our two factions. All these actions make it seem like you truly consider Kang Dabao and the others as your own nephews and nieces. Black Shoes, I seem to understand you no longer."

Black Shoes remained silent for a long time after hearing this, and finally spoke up, saying, "I wonder what Black Shoes intends to do to keep Chongming Sect?"

Yue Lin smiled upon hearing this, but then he put away his teacup and said softly, "This time, Tie Liuyun acted with reason and evidence. Fei Nanying of the Fei Household is already on his way back to Ying Prefecture with Kang Dabao and his wife. No one else in his family will risk their lives to rescue him. Zhu Tong and the others are utterly incompetent; I regard them as mere pigs and dogs."

Seeing that the Daoist Black Shoes's brows were furrowing more and more, he put on a smile:

"It's just a Chongming Sect. They've had it too easy these past few years, relying on Fei Nanying and you to back them up. They've gained too many advantages and avoided too much hardship. They've forgotten how many Aristocratic Clan and sects that disregarded the rules and the law have been wiped out by the Earl over the years."

He also forgot that this Chongming Sect is nothing special. From beginning to end, the only two people here who truly caught the Lord's eye were you and Kang Dabao."

As Yue Lin finished speaking, he slammed his knuckles down heavily on the low table, making the Daoist Black Shoes's ears ache.

But the old man's smile deepened, "Kang Dabao has already gone to Ying Prefecture, and you certainly won't be able to leave today."

The Daoist Black Shoes's eyes gleamed with a sharp light, causing Yue Lin's smiling eyes to narrow slightly.

The old man was completely unafraid, and said softly, "I know you're a brilliant young man, able to fight against False Core cultivator at only the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage, but don't forget, I, Yue Lin, am not a piece of trash like Xue Wu."

The Daoist Black Shoes's mind raced with various thoughts, but after a few breaths, he made up his mind. The object in his arms was already glowing with spiritual light, but Yue Lin's next words extinguished his thoughts.

"I forgot to tell you, young man, that my Yue Household's plan has succeeded. If there are no unforeseen circumstances, the Hongyi Sect in Ding Prefecture should have been captured just now, and the news should have reached the Cloud Horn Prefecture Court and been presented to you, Lord."

These smug words caused the Daoist Black Shoes's pupils to shrink, and the glowing object quickly dimmed again. He said nothing more, only sighing inwardly, "I am indeed cruel and ungrateful! I am indeed cruel and ungrateful!!"

(By the way, did anyone else, like Lao Bai's home on the second day of the Lunar New Year?)

(Recommending a sincere work: a lighthearted comedy set in the prehistoric era, about a soul from the future who transmigrates to become a disciple of the Jie Sect, and the series of events that unfold as he tries to save himself. The writing style is light and fun, a sincere work from an experienced author, welcome to read and appreciate it.)