Liang Zhonghuan was another man Sun Bole had placed beside Ge Suizhang, whom he had instructed to feign "discontent with Pan Fozen" and collude with Chong Yuwu to extract information from the other side. Beneath the apricot branches in February, he reported secretly to Sun Bole, saying, "News from Jiangnan: She, who has been tracking people from the Jing Tian Sect all the way from Sanqing Mountain, is expected to be heading towards Tongguan Gorge."
Sun Liang led his men, disguised as merchants, upstream along the Qiantang River towards Hui'an Port. During the four stops to replenish supplies along the way, Sun Bole deliberately avoided them. He had learned his lesson from the incident two years prior and knew how to observe and guard against danger. The enemy's actions further confirmed his belief that she was there, but he also worried that he might be there too... How could he, the fisherman, profit from this?
The boat never stopped again. After rowing for a day and a night, as they neared Zijin Beach, Liang Zhonghuan reported, "We've learned the destination is Yuchun Reef." Sun Bole sighed, "No wonder she was so determined to go there." Fishermen initially named Yuchun Reef after the small island's resemblance to a pile of duckweed; later, someone, perhaps because the island had three peaks, called it "Sansheng Stone," which became widely used by sailors. Sun Bole asked, "Has she arrived here?" Liang Zhonghuan replied, "She's still in Longyuan Village, so we've hastened our voyage, and we should arrive at least two days before her." Sun Bole inquired, "Do you know the local situation?" Liang Zhonghuan bowed apologetically, "Your subordinate is incompetent, but I only know that there seems to be a dwelling on the middle peak." Sun Bole smiled slightly, "I appreciate your efforts in dealing with various parties for so long. I will not mistreat you." He thought to himself that his estimates were not far off, and a little maneuvering would suffice.
Sun Bole ordered Liang Zhonghuan to dock at Yuchun Reef only after nightfall to avoid detection; he secretly instructed his close guard, Cong Yan, that after the boat docked, his mission would be to stealthily swim ashore alone and hide to observe.
The boat docked as arranged under the cover of darkness. Indeed, a dark figure shot out from the stern, skimming low over the water, and quickly crawled onto the rocky beach. He quietly surveyed his surroundings, then slithered into the woods like a snake. Sun Bole recognized their formidable Qinggong and, following closely, could only catch a glimpse of his retreating figure. As Sun Bole pursued, he thought, "It's fortunate I ambushed and waited. Otherwise, it would be difficult to keep track. He also seems to know where that person is... let them fight each other first, and then I'll reap the benefits. Anyway, since she's not here, things should proceed as planned... Hmph, this demon has snuck onto my ship twice, he should at least pay some 'fare'!"
Unable to question Nan about the details of Ying's "resurrection" without embarrassment or fear, Mao Ya, despite knowing that this Sun was as cunning as a fox, decided to take his chances. Relying on intuition and experience, he crossed valleys and navigated through forests to find "that middle peak," determined to kill the pig-like Wang as quickly as possible, to avenge the suffering Ying had endured for seven years, and to prevent the harm she would suffer in the future.
Crossing a shallow stream, he recalled squatting by the river, the four-year-old her saying, "Brother, even Grandma is fierce, only you are kind to me, I like you so much." Thus, he resolved to be good to her his entire life.
Stepping over the grassy slope, he remembered their secret meeting in the flower meadow, the twelve-year-old her saying, "Brother, this is to congratulate you on becoming Jin Guo's chosen guard. You're amazing." Thus, he was determined to succeed to put her at ease.
Leaping onto the rocky ridge, he recalled the blood-stained black clothes of the sixteen-year-old her, saying, "The mission is complete." How clearly he remembered her fear and distress at that moment! They were working hard for their future peaceful life together. Why didn't you wait? Why did you change?
The small house in the middle peak before him was the ideal scene of their future life, but it was a hateful shame that it was not he who achieved it! Enraged, he approached the door... Ah, it was Ying's scent... Glancing at the black-clothed woman lying prone inside, he wondered if she had been abandoned by that pig-like Song and acted rashly in a fit of temper... As Mao Ya pushed the door open, he heard the sound of hidden weapons breaking through the air from behind his head. He turned his head, seeing that the flying蝗石 was not aimed at him, but was a reminder to pay attention to the candlestick that activated the mechanism. He looked back again and identified the corpse on the ground was not her, while hearing a creaking sound; knowing he was too late, he suddenly turned and lunged at the person behind him, pushing him out of the house with all his might.
Intending to trick the demon into letting his guard down before capturing him, Sun Bole, facing the sudden attack, hastily channeled his energy to resist, driving the opponent back into the house, while he himself rolled ten feet away. You demon, how dare you... Sun Bole straightened up and looked again, realizing the other party was acting out of gratitude. The second mechanism in the house was triggered, causing an explosion. Seeing flames about to engulf the small house, two people rushed out from inside.
Mao Ya used the corpse to shield himself as he escaped the fire. He was still covered in smoke, collapsing on the ground, when a stream of foul-smelling water sprayed him. You bastard, you dare to bully me... He only heard him grip his pants and exclaim, "I can't find any water!" Hmph, for you to be resourceful in a pinch... At this moment, the thunder and fire array outside the house was activated. Mao Ya suppressed his anger, frowning as he surveyed his surroundings. Sun Bole followed his gaze and said, "Leaping down along that waterfall is indeed the only way out." The fire was spreading rapidly, and he was even more unwilling to stay with this demon, so he ran towards it.
Sun Bole leaped off the cliff, but was unexpectedly grabbed by the forearm by Mao Ya and pulled back, causing his chest to hit the rock, leaving him speechless from pain. Mao Ya said, "Do you think the other party will leave us alive? The valley below must be poisoned." Saying this, he took out something from his collar: a steel rope with two interwoven chains, each end attached to a steel claw and a small bell. This was meticulously designed by Li Jincuo, originally named "Xunlong Suo" (Incense Cage Rope), and later gradually called "Fenlong Suo" (Dragon Dividing Rope).
Mao Ya pressed the left button on the other end, shooting out the iron bell claw to grip a rock, then letting it descend from above Sun Bole's head. Sun Bole felt Mao Ya deliberately rubbing the urine stains from his clothes onto his hair and shoulders, making him feel sick to his stomach. At that moment, his waist was grabbed by another iron bell claw, and he heard Mao Ya say, "You can," and was pulled down, facing the stream that was about to be touched. Recalling Mao Ya's words about it being poisoned, he couldn't help but exclaim, "It's over!" regretting not attacking this demon first. Mao Ya, just as he was about to fall into the water, held the rope, released the button gripping the rock, and with a swing of his arm, threw Sun Bole, rope and all, onto the grass beside him, following suit.
Sun Bole fell heavily onto the grass, while Mao Ya landed nimbly with a spin. Sun Bole got up, cursing the demon in his heart for his ingratitude... Seeing him staring blankly at the starry sky for a moment, he turned and went to another stream.
Sun Bole realized he himself was covered in an unbearable smell of urine. Moreover, being wet was advantageous in a fire. Seeing him washing, he knew the water here was harmless; a mischievous impulse struck him, and he flipped in the air, throwing himself towards him. Mao Ya wiped the water droplets from his face, glared at him, then turned and sat down on a rock by the water on the opposite side.
Sun Bole, luxuriating in the water, thought that this demon was merely his weapon, not his target. Since that Wang was not present and the fire was spreading, it was better to return to the ship and make other plans. He wanted to go back the way he came but couldn't resist turning back. Across the stream, he shouted, "She won't come." Mao Ya paused for a moment, then lowered his head in silence. Sun Bole left nervously, thinking as he walked, "It's a sky full of smoke here. With her intelligence, how could she be so foolish? If it were me, I wouldn't either... She was blinded for Brother Shixiong... Heh, you must be mocking me for not being sincere enough. Why am I not sincere? In those four days we met and got to know each other, our souls were connected... If it weren't for you demons disrupting our plans, our child would have already turned one year old." He felt a moment of happiness, then suddenly heard a sound from behind him. He turned to see Mao Ya there.
Mao Ya had seen through the trick. He rushed back not only to settle accounts but also to worry about her safety. He saw Mao Ya's face filled with mockery... Heh, if I'm going back to your ship, can you treat me like that?
Sun Bole saw Mao Ya's cold smile and understood that he was powerless to stop his actions. Otherwise... Suddenly, his heart skipped a beat. Mao Ya said calmly, "It's your shallow schemes. Don't presume to have a spiritual connection with her." Sun Bole, both ashamed and angry, said, "You wouldn't understand our deep connection, our chance encounter." Mao Ya's suppressed jealousy found an outlet, and he said, "I've known her since I was four years old. We trained together and acted together. How much joy and how much hardship did we share? Do outsiders like you understand? We had common dreams. How can people like you, who have known her only for a short time, destroy them?" Sun Bole saw him lower his head sadly as he spoke, and he too felt a pang of sorrow. He turned and walked towards the woods.
Passing through the woods and returning to the rocky beach, the anchored ship was gone. Sun Bole and Mao Ya exchanged glances, both knowing who was responsible. Sun Bole surmised that Cong Yan's actions were too slow, allowing Liang Zhonghuan to meet with that scoundrel, and hoped that Rong Kuan had escaped... Seeing Mao Ya staring at him, he said annoyedly, "What are you looking at?" Mao Ya replied, "I'm looking at when you'll summon your backup ship." With a contemptuous smile, he added, "You are so cunning, how could you not have a backup plan?" Sun Bole also sneered, "Good. Hand over Chaoying's mask, and I'll save you again." Mao Ya's face turned ashen, and he said grimly, "If you want it, come and take it. I won't take your life, but I'll let you taste what it's like to wish you were dead." Sun Bole said indignantly, "Demon, you've gone too far!" Mao Ya sneered, "Bastard, you were the one who was ungrateful first." Sun Bole, considering himself no match for Mao Ya, quickly sought a better plan and blurted out, "We'll wait until we see Chaoying and see who the mask belongs to." Mao Ya replied, "Alright, your grandfather will be magnanimous. I saved your life before, and now I'll spare you again. If we meet again, I'll let you live one more time. Three lives for one boat crossing, you should understand the stakes." Sun Bole speculated that this demon couldn't possibly have a kind heart. He was in a hurry... What had he thought of? Could it be that the scoundrel Chong had... He looked up and saw Mao Ya give another cold smile, saying, "Bastard, have you figured it out? Look, how sincere can you all be towards her."