Wang Chongyang, after successfully maneuvering his small boat around the treacherous bends, finally let out a long sigh of relief. Having set off at dusk, the water level had risen shortly after their departure, and the glaring setting sun had only added to the difficulty and peril of the journey. The rapids tossed the little boat about, plunging it into dark tunnels only to fling it out into bright, sunlit curves. The dog at the bow, unable to bear it any longer, began to vomit. Wang Chongyang, watching Lin Zhaoying in his arms, had to tear his gaze away to monitor the path ahead, ready to react at any moment. After navigating the rapids around a dangerous bend, the boat flowed into an underground cavern and rejoined the river, gradually calming. "Doggy, are you alright?" Wang Chongyang finally had a chance to ask, inwardly blaming himself once again for his misjudgment and the suffering they had endured. Doggy waved her hand to signal she was fine, then spoke after a moment, "Just now, I thought I saw her blink. Now she's cold and sleeping again." Despite her sore throat from vomiting, she excitedly added, "If we circulate qi and blood through her one more time, she'll definitely wake up."
Under the dark night sky of Yun Gai Mountain, Lin Zhaoying, clad in her dark robes, looked unnaturally pale, her face and hands ashen. Wang Chongyang stroked her cheek, his heart feeling as if it were being sliced by a knife. I am not worthy of you. My reckless thoughts, time and again, have caused you to be hurt and suffer, losing your loved ones. Wang Chongyang looked up at the sky, fearing his tears would stain her flawless face, and even more, fearing she might sense his emotions and affect her condition. He longed for her to wake up immediately, yet was lost on how to face her. Should he keep his distance to protect her from harm? But how could he bear to? The small boat drifted all night. At dawn, as sunlight broke through the clouds and shone from behind them onto the path ahead, the mountain peaks that had appeared like specters transformed into lush, blooming branches. The higher peak on the right resembled a magpie poised to take flight. Wang Chongyang wondered if that spot was "Vermilion Bird Adorning the Flowers."
Hiding the small boat deep within the reeds, Wang Chongyang found a cave near the riverbank and returned to fetch them. Doggy suggested sinking the boat to prevent their tracks from being discovered. Wang Chongyang, unsure of the situation, felt they should retain an escape tool and shook his head in refusal. Doggy helped Lin Zhaoying circulate qi and blood within the cave. To avoid suspicion, Wang Chongyang went outside, using his free time to catch fish and pick vegetables to prepare a meal. Somehow, he found himself returning to the deep reeds again. Should he follow Doggy's advice and destroy the boat? Or should he keep it? Wang Shixiong! Why have you become so hesitant? Alas, you are no longer the person she knew. How could you not make her happy for a lifetime? Wang Chongyang returned with the food, and seeing Doggy waiting at the cave entrance, his uneasy heart quickened his pace as he slowed down.
Doggy said, "My young lady has regained some consciousness. She is weak and can only express herself with gestures. She needs to rest." Wang Chongyang understood her meaning. He handed over the provisions, signaled Doggy to cook and care for her, and then turned to leave.
Why aren't you speaking? Are you also blaming me, resenting me? The chill was suppressed, and the dizziness subsided. Every joint felt as if it had been unblocked, but I still felt empty, unwilling to move, too lazy to stir, with nothing worth stirring for. After being given some fish soup by Doggy, I felt much more energetic. I instructed her to help me sit up and meditate. After an unknown period, I gradually felt a desire to move. Opening my eyes, I saw the same scene as before I closed them. A mistake made with one hand... Are you still avoiding me because of it? Or are you, like before, guarding me from the outside? Supporting myself with my right palm, I slowly walked to the cave entrance to look.
Faint Buddhist chants reached my ears, accompanied by the blowing of horns and the clashing of metal and wood. Lin Zhaoying felt as if her soul and entrails had been ripped away.
Hearing the chanting, Doggy knew something was wrong. She turned back to see Lin Zhaoying, cold and still, stepping out of the cave and looking around.
Wang Chongyang, rushing back upon hearing the noise, was startled to see her approaching. Torn between joy and shame, he hesitated. By then, she had already passed him and was heading towards the main peak in the northeast direction.
The Buddhist chants were indeed coming from the main peak. Wang Chongyang gazed at the area, which seemed to be holding a ceremony. Soon, wisps of smoke rose, indicating a cremation. He quickly shifted his gaze to Lin Zhaoying, who was before him. He saw her silhouette sway a few times before she knelt, clasped her hands, and then knelt down as well, praying silently, "Grandmother, if you must blame or punish, let it fall upon Shixiong. This disaster was caused by my incompetence and has nothing to do with her. I beg you to let her return to normal. I..." He couldn't think of how to continue his prayer, but then he heard her murmur, "...Grandmother... Grandmother... Where do I... go..." Her voice was soft but struck Wang Chongyang's mind heavily. Wang Chongyang stood up, intending to embrace her and apologize, hoping for her forgiveness to continue their unfinished promise.
At this moment, Doggy shouted, "Get out! Hiding your head and tail, utterly disgraceful." A man emerged from the bushes. His head was small, but his eyes were exceptionally large and protruding. Coupled with his slender neck and body, he resembled a snake with its upper half raised.
Lin Zhaoying stood up and leaned against Wang Chongyang, saying softly, "Feng Qiu, the Cave Master of Chang Xian Cave." Feng Qiu said, "As Xun Ruiyuan predicted, you have indeed hidden here. You traitorous wretch, who has forgotten her roots, surrender obediently and come with me to be judged." Lin Zhaoying said, "With your plagiarized whip techniques, do you think you can escape our combined efforts with the sword? Foolish snake, others are already busy dividing the spoils with Cao Kaixiu. You are foolishly sacrificing yourself here. Get lost! You should know the consequences of annoying me." Feng Qiu sized up Wang Chongyang and, facing them, retreated into the bushes. Wang Chongyang then realized she had acted this way to avoid Feng Qiu's observation. Hearing that he had gone far, he said, "When I was scouting earlier, there was a small path on the other side where the boat was moored that leads west. Doggy, quickly go back to the cave and pack. I'll accompany your young lady first." Lin Zhaoying said, "I'm fine." With that, she moved to Doggy's side, and they returned to the cave together.
Passing by the small boat moored in the deep reeds, Doggy looked at Lin Zhaoying. Lin Zhaoying said, "I don't care what they think." Wang Chongyang sighed inwardly with shame and, gathering his spirits, focused on bringing up the rear. Entering the underground passage, Lin Zhaoying gradually recognized the path and led the way. The passage sloped further downward, the ceiling lowering, and more stone pillars formed a maze-like network of paths and junctions. The air became increasingly turbid and hot. Wang Chongyang paid close attention throughout the journey, genuinely concerned about whether Lin Zhaoying could endure it. He decided to go ahead to investigate and find a place for her to rest. Suddenly, he heard dense rustling sounds from behind and coughed three times as a signal. Doggy heard the coded message, unexpectedly grabbed Lin Zhaoying's wrist, and sprinted forward. Earlier, while packing in the cave, Wang Chongyang had secretly instructed Doggy that if they encountered an ambush along the way, she was to use this as a signal to quickly lead Lin Zhaoying away from danger. Seeing Doggy easily pull her away, it was evident that she had not yet recovered. He looked back and saw a young man leading a dozen or so men charging towards them.
The young man arrogantly said, "You dare intrude upon the territory of my Xuan Yang Cave. You've truly come to hell without knocking." Wang Chongyang deduced that this must be Xun Ruiyuan, Lu Enshu's nephew. Xun Ruiyuan knew his capabilities and immediately unleashed his life's ultimate move, "Nine Yang Pure Yang Slash," specifically the "Four Directions Flowing Flames." Wang Chongyang also felt no time should be wasted and countered with his powerful move, "Cloud Ascending Hand," specifically "Summoning Wind and Dispelling Rain." Wang Chongyang noticed his agility but impure internal energy, which caused the flames to be dispersed and extinguished by the wind and rain. Breaking through the opponent's defense, Wang Chongyang transformed his claw into a pointed finger and sealed four acupoints on his chest: Ying Tang, Qi Hu, Shan Zhong, and You Men. Xun Ruiyuan hastily retreated. His followers were surprised that he was defeated so easily, and the older ones among them wore expressions of disdain. They all wielded nunchucks. The chains connecting the two ends of the nunchucks were slightly longer, making them suitable for locking opponents' weapons, and the ends tapered into cones, capable of piercing and cutting. Judging their momentum, Wang Chongyang dared not underestimate them. He drew his long sword and used the "Utterly Fearless" stance to counter. After a few exchanges, Wang Chongyang observed that they focused on swinging their nunchucks with their arms to create circular attacks, or they used the nunchucks like dual swords, stabbing forward sequentially. He then switched to "Utterly Undaunted," combined with another set of seven scattered sword moves he had created in the tomb, like parting clouds to reveal the moon and wind sweeping through the grass, directly attacking their weaknesses. Injuring seven or eight people in their palms and arms, Wang Chongyang estimated that the opponents were about to discard their armor and retreat when a leather rope suddenly coiled around Wang Chongyang's right wrist like a long snake. Seeing that Wang Chongyang was being restrained by Feng Qiu, Xun Ruiyuan immediately whistled and ordered his men to surround him. Wang Chongyang bent down and inverted himself, using his left palm as a pivot to spin. Feng Qiu was pulled down and then hurled towards Xun Ruiyuan and the others as if he were a meteor hammer. With the restraint broken, Wang Chongyang performed a "carp leap" to flip back up, his sword pointed directly at Xun Ruiyuan. Lu Enshu, who had been hiding in the shadows, lunged out and struck towards his right temple with "Three Talents Hanging Slash."
Sternly reprimanded by Lin Zhaoying, Doggy had no choice but to settle her in a cave and rush back to rendezvous with Wang Chongyang. Lin Zhaoying sat cross-legged, circulating her qi, intending to regulate her blood and qi as quickly as possible. Why haven't the two of them returned for so long? Will he encounter danger? Ever since he met me, he's been plagued by bad luck. Since childhood, I've grown accustomed to their whispers and gossip: we are a cursed clan, destined for solitude. I admit it, I shouldn't have implicated him, ending up like my father. The cold energy in my abdomen surged, clashing against my internal blood vessels. My chest felt tight and my head dizzy. A gush of hot,腥 blood involuntarily spurted from my throat, and I fainted.
Wang Chongyang retracted his arm and spun, his sword dancing. Lu Enshu retreated and then advanced, attacking Wang Chongyang, who had just landed, from the upper, middle, and lower routes. He thought, Let's have a solid rematch. Wang Chongyang used "Utterly Unworried" to deflect the force, disrupting the attack. Lu Enshu was determined to see this through and would not tolerate any ambiguity. He gathered his full strength and used "Four Directions Flowing Flames" to close in. The same move, but the momentum was vastly different, igniting Wang Chongyang's fighting spirit. He also sheathed his sword and channeled his energy, unleashing a powerful fist move from the "Golden Child Swordplay." The clash of strong forces shook the entire mountain path, and gravel rained down. Lu Enshu shifted his steps, creating illusions of four palms. Wang Chongyang circled with his left palm and pushed out with his right, hitting his true body. The two forces collided, shaking the mountain until rocks collapsed, separating them. Seeing the passage blocked, Wang Chongyang seized the opportunity to escape. Xun Ruiyuan ordered his men to pursue. Lu Enshu, standing beside him, reminded him, "That foolish snake has already run far. Why aren't you hurrying back to the main peak to see what Cao Kaixiu and his gang are up to?"
Wang Chongyang ran with all his might, a sense of urgency.
"Brother Shixiong."
Wang Chongyang found Doggy following the sound and, unable to contain his annoyance, questioned her, "Why weren't you protecting her?" Seeing her pursed lips and silence, he understood and said helplessly, "Quickly take me there." They found Lin Zhaoying lying on the ground, blood staining her cheeks and jaw. Wang Chongyang urged Doggy, "Quick, wake her up." Saying this, he consciously moved to wait outside the cave. After what seemed like a long half-hour, Doggy finally emerged to report that she had woken up.
Wang Chongyang entered and saw her sitting in meditation, her eyes closed, as cold as a statue. He crouched to look closely; there was not the slightest hint of a frown, but he could sense her inner sorrow. If granted forgiveness, I would dedicate my life to making amends. Wang Chongyang said softly, "Let's leave this place quickly and find somewhere else to recuperate properly."
Lin Zhaoying said coldly, "Why don't you return to the Tomb of the Living Dead? Do you look down on me? Heh, I am now an orphaned swan, but I won't allow anyone to despise me."
"How can you..." Even if you are angry or resentful, you cannot slander my true feelings. Wang Chongyang's mind raced, and he became speechless. Angrily, he stood up and turned to leave, yet he couldn't bear to.
"Although I am no longer the Dark Swordsman, my mission must still be completed. Next year, in March, in front of the Tomb of the Living Dead, we shall decide life and death again. Since we are enemies and not friends, it is of no use to meet further. You may leave."
Hearing these words, Wang Chongyang trembled with anger. He strode furiously towards the cave entrance, then suddenly stopped and said, "If you want me to accept the appointment for next spring, then let me escort you back to Cangzhou first." Without waiting for her reply, he turned and walked out.