Starting with the divine power of the Great Vajra, he traversed the heavens.

Chapter 511 All the way north

Five days later, Hongxiu teased the two hidden swordsmen.

Shao Yang recovered completely, while the little beggar broke through his barrier.

The agreed-upon time to go to Fuyu Kingdom has arrived.

The three packed their belongings, drove the donkey cart, with Gun Gun and Pang Hu following on either side, and headed to Penglai Port, intending to take a boat out to sea.

The three beasts, having consumed the "Limitless Immortal Pill" and drunk dragon blood, became even more extraordinary.

The white donkey's body was snow-white without a single stray hair, and even its scales were faintly visible, radiating seven colors. Ren Shaoyang once joked, "If this idiot had a single horn on its head, it could probably fit into the shape of a unicorn!"

Because of its exceptionally fine and majestic appearance, the white donkey was surrounded by beautiful women in Fengxi Village, riding all the mares and earning the title of "Fengxi's Number One Donkey," leading a life of boundless joy.

Fat Tiger grew fatter and fatter, and became increasingly sneaky. Relying on this skill, he would sneak into the kitchen every day to steal meat. When the little beggar caught him and hung him up to beat him, he would howl pitifully, his fat jiggling, looking utterly pathetic, but the next day he would revert to his old ways.

Gun Gun is even more amazing. Now, when he stands up, he is almost as tall as Hong Xiu. With round ears, round eyes, and a hamster face, he is extremely beautiful and cute. He wears a straw hat every day, carries a yellow sage in his mouth, and carries a wrought iron fishing rod.

This creature looks cute, but it's actually the most cunning of the three beasts, acting as the strategist. It's the one who directs all the mischief and pranks, letting Fat Tiger or Donkey Brother do the work while it sits back and does nothing.

During their twelve years in Fengxi Village, the name of the Three Beasts spread far and wide, and everyone knew that the Three Fiends' pets were different from others.

Nie Feng even joked, "Of these three beasts, apart from Fat Tiger, the other two are probably no less powerful than me!"

The crowd burst into laughter, and the name of the Three Beasts became even more renowned.

"The cripple."

Hongxiu poked her head out of the car and called out.

"What's wrong?" Ren Shaoyang asked without turning his head as he ate hawthorn cake.

"Is it really a good thing for us to help the Holy King break the curse?"

Ren Shaoyang turned around and smiled, "Why do you ask that?"

Hongxiu said softly, "Three days ago, the Holy King killed an old instructor at 'Fang Tie Study'." Then she recounted the events of that day, bit by bit.

Ren Shaoyang asked, "What are you thinking?"

"I don't know," Hongxiu shook her head. "After the curse is broken, the Holy King will definitely invade the Central Plains, and may even change the dynasty."

"If he were to gain control of the country," Ren Shaoyang thought for a moment and said, "do you think it would be worse than it is now?"

Hongxiu said, "The Holy King is not a gentleman, but he is a qualified emperor, however..."

"Hmm, you're worried he'll treat the people like pigs and dogs?"

"I do have that concern."

Ren Shaoyang laughed and said, "What's there to worry about? This is simply a fact."

"What do you mean?"

"In this world, no matter who becomes emperor, they will view the people in only two ways: either as livestock that need to be carefully tended, or as pigs and sheep that can be slaughtered at will. In essence, there is no difference."

Hongxiu frowned and said, "But what about the Great Ancestor?"

Ren Shaoyang chuckled: "Old Zhu regarded the world as the Zhu family's private property, the people as crops in the fields, and the officials as tenants who looked after the crops. Has anything changed?"

Ding'an poked his head out from the roof of the carriage: "Didn't the Great Ancestor kill the dragon and then become the dragon himself?"

Ren Shaoyang sighed: "Who would betray their own class?"

Hongxiu said dejectedly, "This is really boring."

Ding An scratched his head: "Yeah, it's pretty boring."

“There’s nothing new under the sun,” Ren Shaoyang laughed. “But everything develops, though it’s rarely smooth sailing. But even the slightest progress is good.”

“For example, if a Holy King were to rule the world,” Hongxiu said, “wouldn’t that be better than the current situation?”

Ren Shaoyang said, "At least, I won't be as cowardly as I am now."

The three chatted idly along the way, and after walking for half a day, they arrived at Penglai Port.

But then they saw a large ship anchored on the riverbank.

At the bow of the boat stood a scholar in blue robes, wearing a Confucian cap and carrying a long sword, bowing respectfully to the three men.

After tidying his clothes and bowing, he said loudly, "Greetings, Sword God, One-Knife Immortal, and Sword Emperor!"

The three got out of the car and bowed in acknowledgment.

The scholar bowed again and said with a smile, "Zilu has come here on the orders of the Holy King to ferry the three seniors to Fuyu."

Ren Shaoyang smiled and looked at him: "The letter was written by you?"

Zilu remained calm and said, "It's me."

"You told me about the Holy King's actions at 'Fang Tie Study,' Musashi Mori's underhanded tactics, and the hiding place of the Hidden Sword School and others?"

Zilu smiled and said, "I simply did as the king requested."

Ren Shaoyang sighed, "What a sage king, he really is a remarkable person."

Zilu led everyone onto the ship: "The king is a man of great talent and ambition. He must be very happy to be praised like this by the Sword God."

Ren Shaoyang laughed and walked up the gangway. Suddenly, he glanced at the scholar again: "Are you Mu Yingxiong's disciple?" Zilu was dumbfounded and speechless.

Even the Holy King didn't know that he was Mu Yingxiong's disciple, so how could the Sword God know?

Ren Shaoyang smiled and strode onto the ship: "I once dueled with your master and am very familiar with his sword intent."

Zilu watched the three figures disappear into the distance and slowly exhaled, "Their reputation is well-deserved."

The sails were raised, and the ship departed from the port.

As we drove far into the distance, the land became a dark silhouette, and the wind howled like an endless lament.

Ren Shaoyang stood at the bow of the boat, gazing at the setting sun, his expression calm.

Zilu stepped forward and said respectfully, "Sword God Ren, the journey to Fuyu is long, taking three days. The food and wine are ready. Please see if they suit your taste. If not, we can replace them at any time."

Ren Shaoyang smiled and followed him into the cabin.

Hongxiu and Ding'an were already happily eating chicken legs in their left hands and crab claws in their right. Seeing the man in white robes enter, he clamored to join them for drinks.

Ren Shaoyang sighed, covered his forehead, and then rolled up his sleeves to join in.

Zilu was a wonderful person; he waited patiently by his side, showing great kindness and consideration.

After a few rounds of drinks, fearing that the three might not be happy in their free time, he went to sit by the window, picked up his zither and played a tune. The lingering sound was truly melodious and pleasant, and he seemed quite carefree and solitary.

Shao Yang listened to the music while drinking, then clapped his hands and laughed, "Interesting, interesting! Are all the disciples of the Holy King so romantic?"

Zilu bowed and thanked him, but said, "Sword God Ren is too kind! Zilu's skills are not good enough, and he is not even a fraction as good as the King."

Ren Shaoyang shook his head and smiled, "You're being modest."

Zilu smiled slightly, paused, and finally couldn't help but ask, "Sword God Ren is renowned throughout the world for his 'Harmonious Heavenly Law,' and is unparalleled in the art of music. Could you perhaps offer some guidance on Zilu's zither playing?"

Ren Shaoyang smiled and said, "Your playing is accurate in pitch and strict in technique. Even without deliberate effort, it has a natural elegance. Hmm, it is excellent for playing court music."

Zilu was taken aback and said, "Just court music?"

"Zilu, have you ever heard the saying, 'The Way is seemingly heartless, yet it is full of affection'?"

Zilu frowned and asked, "What do you mean?"

“The instrument is without emotion, but the person has a heart.” Ren Shaoyang said casually, “Skill can approach the Way, but the Way must come from the heart. Your music is trapped in the rules and has lost its true nature. When you are truly troubled by emotions and bound by reason, and can break free from the cocoon, the music will naturally contain emotions and a world of its own.”

The man in white glanced at Zilu, "The same applies to the way of the sword."

Zilu was stunned for a moment, then coughed and chuckled dryly, "Thank you for your guidance, Sword God!"

Ren Shaoyang chuckled and said nothing more.

Just then, Hongxiu, having finished eating and drinking, patted her stomach and asked, "Zilu, do you know where Fuyu is?"

Zilu was taken aback again, and his words were tinged with a sigh. He flicked his sleeves, put away his zither, gathered his robes, and sat down in front of him, saying in a low voice, "Fuyu is a country in the northeasternmost region." Then he asked, "Do the three of you know that our master's ancestor was the Azure Dragon of the East?"

Hongxiu smiled and said, "I have heard of Canglong's reputation. He wore the Extinction Armor and wielded the Great Harmony Sword, and was invincible throughout the four seas and nine provinces. However, because he felt that he had killed too many people and was guilty of a heavy sin, he removed his armor and sheathed his sword, relinquished his power to others, and led his troops to live in seclusion in Fuyu, never to set foot in the Central Plains again."

Ding'an poured a bowl of wine, drank it all in one gulp, then poured a second bowl and handed it to Zilu, saying in a humorous tone, "Truly, truly a hero?"

Hongxiu nodded and clapped her hands, feigning indifference, and said, "That's right, a true hero!"

Zilu took the wine bowl, first thanked him, then downed it in one gulp. He put down the bowl and laughed, "My ancestor was skilled in both literature and martial arts, and was also proficient in formations and numerology. He was truly a peerless talent!"

"After the Azure Dragon Ancestor went into seclusion, he feared that his descendants would not follow the ancestral teachings and would want to return to the Central Plains. That's why he set up the Nine Star Hidden Dragon Cave to prevent his descendants from having any more ambitions for hegemony." Zilu sighed and continued, "Otherwise, any obsession with the number nine will surely lead to a violent death!"

Hongxiu's round eyes widened: "Is this how you harm future generations?"

"Yes."

Zilu sighed repeatedly, “How can the king accept such a fate? The dragon’s lair buries the ambition of heroes! How can he allow his wish to save the people and achieve universal harmony to be buried? Therefore, I wish to borrow the strength of the three predecessors to break this fate and accomplish a great cause!”

The scholar spoke with great passion.

Hongxiu and Ding'an reacted with surprise and excitement, showing great enthusiasm.

Only the man in the white robe remained calmly smiling, offering neither comment nor response.

Zilu, having witnessed the fickleness of human relationships, knew that the presence of the three villains meant they supported him.

Furthermore, the Holy King promised to give them all the treasures in the Hidden Dragon's Lair in exchange for a good relationship with the Three Fiends.

In this sense, it was all for the sake of having a big banner.

Therefore, Zilu, being perceptive and knowing that too much of a good thing can be bad, picked up his zither, stood up, smiled, and said, "I'm going to see the scenery." With that, he got up and went out.

Ren Shaoyang picked up his cup and smiled, "The Holy King has lofty ambitions, and our predictions were correct."

Hongxiu's fake smile faded, and she frowned, saying, "But can he defy his own destiny?"

"Difficult, difficult, difficult!"

Ren Shaoyang thought of the "Azure Dragon Emperor Sword's" disastrous third move and thought to himself, "If the Holy King can resist using this final move after consuming the 'Azure Dragon Relic,' his future will be limitless."

"But then again, who can resist not using it?"

(End of this chapter)