Li Yidao waved his left sleeve gently, and Li Wanxue, understanding, stepped forward to support him. Moving from the narrow mountain path, through the spiral corridor, to the yew tables and chairs in the garden, it felt like walking on clouds, her soul not yet returned. Only when she heard her grandmother cough again did Li Wanxue truly snap back to reality. "I'll go brew some tea immediately, to moisten your throat," she said. Li Yidao pulled her down to sit. "For your sake, I've gone to great lengths." Li Wanxue quickly rose and knelt, her mind racing to consider where she had fallen short. "Please don't mention it!" she exclaimed. "Your disciple's handling of matters was not meticulous enough." Li Yidao gestured for her to sit back down. "The internal affairs of the Luán Alliance are handled with relative stability," he continued. "It is regrettable that Qingping is deceased; there is no one reliable externally."
Li Wanxue immediately understood: not only was his claim to succession unlikely, but he was also at a disadvantage in the power struggles among his royal brothers and needed external support. She surmised that her grandmother intended to use the purported conspiracy with Yue Fei as a pretext to negotiate greater benefits with him. Li Yidao spoke, "He needs strength to contend with his clan brothers, so that his adopted son, who is slated to become crown prince, can rely on him with peace of mind. Therefore, his eagerness for the Luán Alliance's talent and swordsmen to participate in the Jin state's military affairs is beyond measure. He has even proactively undertaken the costs for training and bases. As for the old agreement to 'assist in the restoration of Southern Tang after the subjugation of the Song,' he has sworn to abide by it. The Jin state's military incursions, which have led to my accepting the conspiracy with Yue Fei, were all carried out according to his wishes, so that he could account for himself to the Jin court."
"My Jun'er has been ordered to mingle among the young talents to extract intelligence, recently focusing on Chi Qianyue and Chen Tiyu. I only hope she is not swayed by Chi Qianyue at this moment."
"That young braggart is merely sensationalizing and misleading the younger generation, attempting to seize power through shortcuts. I shall let him exhaust all his tricks, to see his true capabilities, and also to bring out those with ulterior motives." Li Yidao gently patted Li Wanxue's hand and continued, "Even if I were to truly disregard past grievances, would Zhao Gou really allow Yue Fei to act so recklessly? I have always taught you: without common interests, it is ultimately difficult to become partners."
"No matter who it is, they must be treated the same—I remember and I understand." Li Wanxue looked up and offered her a faint smile. Her hand was still being held as she heard her grandmother say, "Your hands are so cold; you must take good care of them for clarity of mind." Li Wanxue's heart fluttered slightly. "Your disciple understands."
Following the solidification of the alliance with the Jin state, the envoys from Yue Fei's faction, filled with arrogance, hesitation, and stubbornness, began to circulate alongside stories of Emperor Zhao's capriciousness, suspicion, and greed. Within a month, Chi Qianyue transformed from a proponent of "political reform" into someone short-sighted, selfish, and ungrateful. Li Wanxue painstakingly gathered her thoughts and arranged the freshly picked yellow chrysanthemums into a celadon vase. Catching a glimpse of a corner of the table in the hall, she recalled Chi Qianyue's confident posture there just that day, as if "strategizing for victory." She couldn't help but sigh, thinking, "Foolish boy, why do you insist on believing that you and my Jun'er were forced apart?"
A young man, about twenty years old, burly, with a slightly square face, round eyes, and a high nose, approached her and bowed. He was Zhan Cunmao, a designated disciple of the Zhan family. "Greetings and good health to Aunt Xue," he said. "He indeed followed Jun to the summit of Pillow Moon Peak."
Pillow Moon Peak is located in the southeast corner of "Xuanwu Deep." At its summit lies a pool of water named Duan Chihong. Legend has it that it was formed from a red thread dropped by the Moon Elder, and boating here can foster destined encounters and solidify affections. Beside Duan Chihong is a giant rock resembling an open palm. Whenever the moon sinks to the west, from a distance, it appears as if the moon is seeking refuge in the palm to sleep. At this moment, the full moon loitered in the sky, not daring to approach to slumber, as if embarrassed by the maiden sitting between the index and middle fingers of the rock's palm. That maiden's bright eyes flickered, and all things seemed to crane their necks, hoping for a glance. Alas, the only fortunate one was him—she gazed across the pond, at the young man in the dark green robe emerging from the west of the yew forest—his tall physique, full cheeks, and jawline, always giving a somewhat plump impression. The maiden, unable to contain herself, moved to meet him, her figure graceful and agile as she leaped, arriving before him in an instant. She clasped his warm, thick hands, looking up at his cheeks, pushed higher by his smile, her heart filled with joy. His mouth, pulled wider and more curved by her sweet smile, could not speak.
"You insufferable fatty! How dare you have wicked thoughts about my Jun!" A handsome man dressed entirely in white silk sprang from the forest, shouting curses, and struck out with his left fist towards the fatty's head. The fatty tossed his left sleeve to snare the incoming fist, while his hidden right claw rapidly extended to seize the true target—the maiden beside him.
The fatty's right sleeve swirled with astonishing speed, but it was not as fast as the man in the dark cyan clothing who emerged from the yellow flower lawn to the east. With a swift kick, he deflected the deadly move, shielding the maiden. "Chi Qianyue, stop your reckless behavior," he declared. Chi Qianyue laughed heartily. "Chen Tiyu, while you and I fight like鹬蚌, Lin Xingsheng, that odious fatty, will benefit." Before he could finish speaking, he pointed accusingly at seven acupoints on Chen Tiyu: Cuánzhú, Renzhōng, Rényíng, Zhōngfǔ, Yèxià, Tiānshū, and Qìhǎi. Chen Tiyu saw through his weakness at the lower body, but if he crouched and crossed his legs at this moment, Li Wenjun behind him might bear the brunt of the attack. He could only lean slightly, taking several fingers head-on, and then kick the encroaching Chi Qianyue away. Li Wenjun quietly retreated, moving to Lin Xingsheng's side with concern.
Chen Tiyu endured the pain and rushed forward, his leg spinning and palm striking, aiming to defeat and capture Chi Qianyue in mid-air. Chi Qianyue twisted to defend himself, his hands alternating between fists, palms, claws, fingers, and grips in retaliation. After less than ten exchanges, Chi Qianyue deliberately exposed a weakness, allowing Chen Tiyu to land a "Phoenix Nods" kick towards his throat. Lin Xingsheng, observing from the side, could not bear to see his friend perish. He rolled his right sleeve to impede Chen Tiyu and threw his left sleeve to pull the three of them away from Chi Qianyue. Chi Qianyue twisted his waist, agilely turned, and struck at Lin Xingsheng's nape, targeting the cervical vertebra. Li Wenjun used her finger as a sword, employing "Water Clouds Pervasive," a move from the "Spring Tower Swordplay," in a swirling horizontal attack. Chi Qianyue's objective was to capture her. He retreated, then lunged again behind her, intending to knock her unconscious. Chen Tiyu, separated by Lin and Chi's interference, was helpless to rescue her. Suddenly, a long iron rod flashed out, and a fierce move, "Three Chants of the Demon Subduer Cudgel," struck Chi Qianyue's right forearm. The iron rod then followed, striking his forehead. Lin Xingsheng intervened again, pulling him away. Chi Qianyue exclaimed angrily, "Jun'er, you are unfeeling and abandon love; I will never give up!" With that, he fled into the forest and disappeared. Zhan Cunmao stood with his staff upright. "You three, follow me back to the manor."
In the central part of the main mountain range stood the "Ningdong Prefectural Yamen," the place of business for the Four Great Families. Within it, the "Weibaotang" on the western side was the special conference hall for the Li family. At this moment, Li Yidao sat at the north, with Li Yunxian attending by her side. Li Wanxue sat at the upper seat on the left. They watched Zhan Cunmao lead the three in. Li Yidao stated, "Chi Qianyue is too eager for quick success and profit. I never expected him to be such a scoundrel, harboring wicked intentions towards Jun. Lin Xingsheng, thank you for your righteous intervention. Mao, his complexion is poor; it seems he was injured by the fellow named Chi during the process. Take him out and tend to him properly." Lin Xingsheng understood; not being reprimanded was a good start to this protracted struggle. Helplessly, he cupped his hands in salutation and withdrew. Zhan Cunmao felt the same helplessness. Fortunately, Chen Tiyu still cared for Jun with great attention. He could only lower his head and withdraw with Lin Xingsheng from the hall. Li Yidao continued, "Tiyu, I am at ease knowing Jun is protected by you." Chen Tiyu, though unwilling to speak, finally did. "If Lin Xingsheng had not obstructed twice, I would have captured the fellow named Chi long ago." She finally reacted to her own words! Knowing it was unwise but unwilling to give up, even if all she received was your resentment, it was still better than nothing! Li Wanxue and Li Yunxian, witnessing his slightly furrowed brow, couldn't help but feel a pang in their hearts.
Li Yidao said, "Your breathing is uneven; I suspect you were also ambushed. Retreat and, according to the mental cultivation method I told you earlier, calm your mind and recuperate." Chen Tiyu understood the implication of her words and felt conflicted. Before leaving, he couldn't resist stealing repeated glances at Li Wenjun, who stood coldly, worrying she would be troubled.
"A handsome youth, full of affection; counting the days, beauty is near." Li Yidao's gaze finally fell upon Li Wenjun.