Lu Enshu and Pei Ji emerged from the dilapidated pavilion, only to find the three of them present. They immediately stopped speaking and glared menacingly. An Rongxun retreated three steps quietly, and Lu Enshu launched his attack without delay. It was the "Six Vertical and Horizontal Strikes" from his "Nine Revolutions Pure Yang Slash," a pouncing assault. This move could attack enemies vertically while also serving as a sneak attack horizontally. Wan Xilan remained still, while Wang Chongyang swung his sword to help, but was intercepted by Pei Ji's "Hundred Iridescent Swordplay." Pei Ji’s sword was slightly shorter and narrower, its style emphasizing chopping and slashing, leaning towards sabers. It was Lu Enshu's renowned technique from his youth. Wang Chongyang, mistaking them for people from Shangtu, did not wish to create further conflict. He used the "Four-Point Swordplay's" "One Point of No Greed," aiming only to neutralize the opponent's sword techniques. Wan Xilan joined the fray. With a spin, the outer ring of her "Guardian Deficit Ring Saber" suddenly flew out, striking Pei Ji. Pei Ji dodged by twisting his body, and she attacked with a flat push of her inner circular saber. As Pei Ji’s sword parried, she flicked her wrist, and the chain attached to the outer ring saber pulled it back, creating a pincer attack. Wang Chongyang was thus able to disengage and assist An Rongxun, who had been forced to a distant spot by Lu Enshu.
The "Dominating Calm Divine Art" of the Jing Tian Sect was originally overbearing, an offensive external martial art that eschewed defense. It was a pity that An Rongxun's cautious and hesitant nature prevented him from unleashing its full, overwhelming power. Among the "Four-Point Swordplay" techniques, only "One Point of No Fear" had more offensive moves, fully displaying a gentleman's courage. Wang Chongyang's sword strokes surged like waves, and Lu Enshu responded with his "Nine Revolutions Pure Yang Slash's" "Seven Continuous, Eight Disjointed" moves, agile and elusive. The two fought like raging seas and vicious sharks, locked in a fierce struggle.
An Rongxun leaped to a high vantage point to observe, waiting for an opportunity. Suddenly, three individuals attacked from behind with weapons that were neither spears nor halberds. Recognizing his opponents, he yelled, "Bastards of the Baye Gang!" Outnumbered, he could only fight and retreat. Lu Enshu let out a contemptuous chuckle and was about to change his stance to counter Wang Chongyang when Wan Xilan's outer ring saber flashed near him. He quickly twisted his body and spun to evade. Wan Xilan then threw out her middle ring saber, using the inner circular saber as a pivot to make both the outer and middle rings revolve. Lu Enshu flipped backward multiple times, then leaped to a higher position and fled. Wang Chongyang turned to see that Pei Ji had vanished and said, "Let's go help Sect Leader An." A sudden sense of unease struck him, and he froze.
The Baye Gang's weapons were too long, making it difficult for An Rongxun to close in. Moreover, the three attackers coordinated tightly, advancing and retreating, forcing him to roll and dodge, searching for an opening to counterattack. Glancing at Lu Enshu running from a distance, a surge of regret washed over him. If he hadn't been misled by their persuasion to come to this accursed place seeking a "well-known"破书 (a potentially powerful but perhaps elusive book), he would be enjoying himself in his wife's chamber right now. Lu Enshu unleashed his "Three Talents Hanging Slash." An Rongxun guessed that his relentless pursuit was a clear attempt to silence him. Could it be related to that Wu surname witch's business? Perhaps she had secretly come here to find the book, and Lu Enshu was punishing him to prevent him from reporting it? Hmph! Who was afraid of whom? The pent-up frustration of years was finally ready to be unleashed. His resolve surged, and he channeled his strength into his arms, parrying Lu Enshu's three converging attacks. However, he couldn't evade the Baye Gang's assault, receiving a cut on his shoulder and rolling away on the ground. As Lu Enshu's palm strike approached, An Rongxun opened his mouth to beg for mercy. At that moment, a man dressed in dark blue clothes leaped out, his saber blocking the Baye Gang's formation, allowing An Rongxun to spin his leg and strike back at Lu Enshu. As Lu Enshu retreated, he felt a gust of wind behind his head and flipped sideways to the left, escaping. It turned out to be Wan Xilan's ring saber. Pei Ji reappeared, striking down at her from the air with rapid successive chops; Wan Xilan interrupted her attack, her hands moving in tandem, dancing the ring saber to defend. Pei Ji withdrew his hand, leaping in front of Lu Enshu to protect him, but was harshly slapped on the back of the head by Lu Enshu, who said, "Too late, be gone." He glanced at Wang Chongyang, who was rushing over. The Baye Gang also realized they couldn't win and quickly scattered.
The man helped An Rongxun up. An Rongxun introduced him to Wang and Wan, saying, "This is Ai Fangqin from the Eastern Branch of the Ou Chi (Lotus Pond) on Dongting Lake." He then turned to him and said, "Brother Ai, thank you for your help." Ai Fangqin replied, "We are fellow brothers from Xiangxiang; no need for thanks. Let's get your wounds treated quickly." Wan Xilan detected a strange odor emanating from Ai Fangqin and instinctively covered her nose and mouth. Ai Fangqin gave an embarrassed smile and said, "I am from a fishing family, and I haven't had time to wash up after traveling for days. I hope Sect Leader Wan does not mind."
Although Wang Chongyang had treated An Rongxun's wounds, the pain increased as they walked for a long time. Suddenly, he heard the sound of rushing water ahead, and his pain was completely forgotten. He rushed forward more than ten steps, stretched his neck to gaze: through the misty water behind the waterfall, he faintly saw a tall tower and pavilions. He exclaimed excitedly, "A dwelling in the water!" Ai Fangqin said, "It's highly possible that many groups of people are gathered there. The front looks like there's a cave. Why not go in and rest for a while, and build up our strength for battle?" An Rongxun was indeed a bit tired and reluctantly entered the cave with Ai Fangqin. Wan Xilan found the cave to be gloomy and dark and was unwilling to enter, but seeing that Wang Chongyang was also following, she had no choice but to do so.
After winding through two turns inside the cave, Wan Xilan noticed a familiar foul smell, similar to the one emanating from Ai Fangqin, and grew suspicious. She hurried forward to stop them from proceeding further and questioned Ai Fangqin. However, this nauseating, eye-stinging stench rapidly surged from all directions. She managed to open her eyes and saw over a hundred shimmering blue and interspersed green and silver flashes rapidly approaching her. Just as she was about to turn her ring saber and retreat, her arms, legs, and buttocks were all pricked with pain, and she couldn't help but cry out.
As soon as he entered the cave, An Rongxun realized that Ai Fangqin was moving as if fleeing for his life. Suspicious, he tried to grab him to question him. During their struggle, he was instead pulled deeper into the cave by Ai Fangqin.
Wang Chongyang had developed night vision while in the tomb. Seeing An Rongxun and Ai Fangqin disappear into the cave wall amidst their struggle, he was about to step forward to intervene when Wan Xilan's sharp cry came from behind. He quickly turned to look and vaguely saw countless weasel-like creatures scurrying over her. He hurriedly picked up dry branches from the cave to light them. As expected, the weasels feared fire and light, immediately scattering, baring their teeth and bristling their fur as they watched from the side. Wan Xilan then ran towards the cave entrance. Before she could take two steps, her feet stumbled, and she fell to the ground. As the firelight began to fade, several weasels pounced forward to bite her again. Wang Chongyang threw burning branches at them, igniting a few in the middle and causing them to squeal. Only then did the others retreat, allowing Wan Xilan to get up and flee desperately out of the cave. Wang Chongyang lit several more branches, waving them as he also quickened his pace to leave.
Emerging from the stone cave, Wang Chongyang spun around and peered into the distance, listening intently, but could still not detect any trace. Angrily, he shouted, "You come out! Come out quickly!" He called out more than ten times, his tone gradually softening. Finally, he sensed something and turned around abruptly. Standing ten paces away, dressed in black and with a black silk scarf covering her face, was her. Wang Chongyang’s face also turned stern. "It was you causing trouble." Lin Chaoying said, "I wouldn't want those stinking rats." Wang Chongyang retorted, "It was you who shot a needle at Sect Leader Wan's knee, causing her to fall again." Lin Chaoying replied, "Aren't all people here deceitful, harming each other? It's clear that the one surnamed Ai has suffered from the stinking rats before and found you as scapegoats and living shields, yet he called you brothers." She glared at him and turned to leave. Wang Chongyang guessed the reason for her anger and sighed, saying with a touch of concern, "Don't think too much, okay? We just happened to be traveling the same path, and looking out for each other is only natural." Lin Chaoying did not respond and continued forward. Wang Chongyang maintained his distance, three paces behind her, and retraced his steps.