An unexpected encounter with the sleeping Little Dragon Girl leads to the annihilation of the Quanzh

Guo Jing remained silent.

He knew Huang Rong was right.

He always believed that the greatest heroes are those who serve their country and its people.

But after guarding Xiangyang for more than a decade, he earned the respect and love of the people.

Lin Ye, with just one earth-shattering victory, earned almost religious worship.

He began to doubt whether the "way" he had been adhering to was truly wrong.

With these mixed feelings, they finally arrived at the foot of Zhongnan Mountain.

This place was once a sacred site of Taoism, home to the Quanzhen School, the largest sect in the world.

The small town at the foot of the mountain was bustling with traffic and people, a truly lively place.

But now, this place is utterly silent.

Nine out of ten shops in town were empty. There wasn't a single pedestrian in sight on the streets.

Only the bleak autumn wind swirled up the fallen leaves on the ground, making a "rustling" sound.

The entire town was shrouded in an eerie and oppressive atmosphere.

It was as if this place was not some blessed land, but a ghost realm that everyone would avoid at all costs.

Guo Jing and Huang Rong exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of seriousness in each other's eyes.

They led their horses along the deserted streets.

Suddenly, a head peeked out from behind a half-open door.

It was an elderly man with gray hair. When he saw Guo Jing and the other man, he was first startled, and then rushed out as if he had seen a savior.

"Guests...guests! You must be from out of town?" the old man asked nervously.

Guo Jing nodded: "Old man, we're just passing through and wanted to go up the mountain to take a look. May I ask, where have all the people in this town gone?"

"Go up the mountain?" Upon hearing this, the old man turned pale with fright. "No! No! You can't go up that mountain!"

"Why can't we go?" Huang Rong asked.

"There are ghosts on that mountain!" the old man said in a low voice, his face filled with fear. "A few months ago, the Quanzhen Temple on the mountain offended some deity and was... leveled!"

"That night, we people living at the foot of the mountain heard ghostly wails and howls coming from the mountain, along with towering flames! The next day, some brave people went up the mountain to see what was happening, but they were all so frightened that they ran down in terror, and within a few days, they all went mad!"

"They say the mountain is covered in blood, with severed hands and feet everywhere! Those Taoist priests, who were like immortals, are all dead! They died horribly!"

"After that, no one dared to go up the mountain anymore. The people in town were also afraid of being haunted by ghosts, so one by one they all moved away. If it weren't for my leg problems, I would have run away long ago!"

The old man spoke while trembling.

Guo Jing and Huang Rong felt even more gloomy after hearing this.

They thanked the old man, left their horses at his house, and then walked up the mountain on foot.

The higher you go, the more eerie the atmosphere becomes.

The trees on both sides of the mountain road looked as if they had been plowed over by something, and the broken edges were as smooth as a mirror.

On the ground, large patches of blood, dried and blackened, could still be seen.

When they arrived at the place that should have been the mountain gate of the Quanzhen Sect.

Both of them stopped in their tracks.

They were completely stunned by the sight before them.

There is no mountain gate.

That magnificent archway, built of huge stones and inscribed with the three large characters "Quanzhen Sect," has disappeared.

In its place lies a ruin, razed to the ground.

And a huge, bottomless sword mark!

The sword mark stretched from their feet all the way to the distant mountaintop.

It was as if a colossal sword, reaching to the heavens, had cleaved down fiercely from the sky!

They split this half mountain in two!

On both sides of the sword mark, whether it was a boulder or a tree, everything was cut neatly and smoothly, so smooth that one could see their reflection in it.

"This..." Guo Jing stared at the sword mark, which seemed like an insurmountable chasm, and murmured to himself, "Is this... something that could be done by human power?"

He couldn't imagine what kind of power could cause such horrific destruction.

Huang Rong's face also turned unusually pale.

She walked quickly to the edge of the sword mark, reached out her hand, and gently stroked the smooth, mirror-like stone wall.

Cold and hard.

There was no trace of cheating.

It was pure, unparalleled power, striking down with a single blow!

"Brother Jing, look." Huang Rong pointed to some fine marks on the stone wall. "This isn't sword energy. If it were sword energy, it couldn't be so condensed. This is more like... a force we can't understand, which has sliced ​​through space itself."

Guo Jing walked over, looked at the marks, and fell silent.

He knew that Huang Rong was right.

This has already gone beyond the scope of martial arts.

With heavy hearts, the two continued their ascent up the mountain along the sword mark.

Along the way, they saw more and more terrifying sights.

The palace was cut in half.

The stone steps turned to dust.

Also, those blood mist marks that have dried but are still recognizable as human-shaped...

In a corner, Huang Rong even found a whisk that was only half intact.

She recognized it; it was the weapon of Qiu Chuji, one of the Seven Masters of Quanzhen.

Beside the whisk was a dark red, human-shaped mark.

It was as if Qiu Chuji, before his death, was forcefully slammed into the ground by a tremendous force, turning into a... human skin painting.

Seeing this scene, even the audacious Huang Rong couldn't help but feel a churning in her stomach.

Too cruel.

This is no longer murder, this is... erasure!

When they finally arrived at the place that was originally the main hall of the Quanzhen Sect, Chongyang Palace.

This place has now become a huge, circular, deep pit.

It was as if they had been hit by a meteorite falling from the sky.

Guo Jing stood at the edge of the deep pit, looking at this hellish scene, speechless for a long time.

His body was trembling slightly.

It's not because I'm afraid.

Rather, it was because of a deep-seated, heartfelt...tremor at this absolute power.

He finally understood why Diaoyu City had ended up the way it did.

He finally understood why Meng Gong had invited such a person back.

Because this kind of power is simply impossible to resist!

"Rong'er..." Guo Jing's voice was hoarse and dry, "Should we... really go find him?"

After witnessing all of this firsthand.

For the first time, Guo Jing felt a sense of retreat.

He had no idea that he was about to face a god or demon who was capricious and treated human life as worthless.

Is it right or wrong?

Does he still have the right to question him using his own set of "benevolence and morality"?

Looking at her husband's confused and pained eyes, Huang Rong felt a pang of pain in her heart.

She stepped forward and took Guo Jing's cold hand.

"Brother Jing, we've already come all this way."

There has to be a result.

Her voice was not loud, but it was unusually firm.

"We must go see him."

"It's not about questioning him, nor is it about judging him."

"It is to see clearly how we, and the world, should proceed in the future."

Guo Jing looked at Huang Rong, at her eyes that were always full of wisdom and courage.

The confusion in his heart gradually faded away.

Yes.

The road must be walked on.

He nodded slowly.

"Okay, let's go."

While Guo Jing and Huang Rong were preoccupied with searching for him.

Lin Ye, however, was leisurely strolling through a bustling town in Jiangnan with Xiaolongnu.

That day, after "discussing" cooking with Meng Gong.

Lin Ye then realized that theoretical knowledge alone was not enough.

Practice is the sole criterion for testing truth.

To put this into practice, you need all sorts of fresh ingredients and seasonings.

Although the valley is quiet, its resources are limited.

So he took Little Dragon Girl and left that temporary little nest, ready to enter the world and experience the mortal world... the bustling marketplace.

He had promised Long'er that he would show her all the wonders of the world.

I also want her to taste all the delicious food in the world.

As the two walked on the cobblestone street, they immediately became the focus of everyone's attention.

Lin Ye was still dressed in black, so handsome that he seemed otherworldly.

Little Dragon Girl changed into a light pink silk dress, which made her less aloof and more charming, but her otherworldly aura could not be concealed.

The two walked side by side, one aloof and the other innocent, like a divine couple who had stepped out of a painting.

On the street, whether it was a peddler carrying a load or a rich young lady riding in a sedan chair, they all subconsciously stopped and opened their mouths wide when they saw them.

"My God... my God! Who... whose young master and young lady are they? They're so handsome!"

"What young master and young lady? I think they're gods descended from heaven!"

"I've lived for over fifty years and I've never seen anyone so good-looking!"

Discussions rose and fell.

This was the first time Xiaolongnu had been stared at so many people with such direct gazes, and she seemed a little uncomfortable. Instinctively, she gripped Lin Ye's arm tightly and whispered, "Brother Lin, they...they're all looking at us."

"Ignore them," Lin Ye said calmly, already used to such stares.

His gaze swept back and forth across the shops on both sides of the street.

"Hmm... there's a duck on the sign of that shop. It looks good; it must sell roast duck."

"This shop has a sign that says 'The Legacy of Li Bai,' so the wine should be pretty good. You can buy some to use as cooking wine."

"And that other shop, with lots of colorful bottles and jars displayed at the entrance, it must sell spices."

Lin Ye's mind had already begun to automatically plan the purchasing route.

He's lost interest in fighting and killing now.

He focused all his energy on improving his cooking skills.

The two entered a restaurant that looked the most impressive.

The shop assistants stared wide-eyed at them. He was stunned for a moment before he reacted and quickly greeted them with a beaming smile.

"Two...two esteemed guests, please come in! Please come in! What would you like to eat? Our shop has just received a new batch of crabs, and they're at their fattest!"

"No need, just bring one of everything delicious in your shop," Lin Ye said succinctly.

"Huh? All...all?" The waiter was stunned.

"Um."

"Alright...alright! Please, both of you, have a private room upstairs!"

Although the waiter found it strange, he could tell from Lin Ye's demeanor that he was no ordinary person. He didn't dare to be negligent and quickly led the two to a window seat on the second floor.

Soon, one exquisite dish after another was served up like a flowing stream.

Squirrel-shaped mandarin fish, Dongpo pork, Longjing shrimp, West Lake vinegar fish...

It was piled high, covering a whole table.

Little Dragon Girl's eyes lit up as she looked at the table full of delicious dishes she had never seen or smelled before.

"Brother Lin, can...can we finish all this?"

"If you can't finish it, just try it." Lin Ye picked up his chopsticks, took a piece of crystal-clear Dongpo pork, and put it into Xiaolongnu's bowl. "Try this. The book says that it is made by simmering the best pork belly with Shaoxing wine over low heat for three hours."

Little Dragon Girl carefully took a bite.

The rich yet not greasy, melt-in-your-mouth texture made her squint her eyes in happiness.

"tasty!"

Lin Ye smiled.

He felt that the most beautiful music in the world was the sound of Xiaolongnu saying "It's delicious".

Just as the two of them were enjoying the food together, one feeding the other and the other tasting it, creating a warm atmosphere.

The conversation at the next table caught their attention.

At that table sat seven or eight men, weapons hanging from their waists, exuding an air of江湖 (jianghu, the world of martial arts and chivalry).

They were talking loudly, so loudly that half the restaurant could hear them.

"Have you heard? The Immortal Marshal is going on another northern expedition!" A burly man with a thick beard said loudly after taking a sip of wine.

"Of course I've heard! It's said that the Marshal has already declared that within three months, they will strike at the heart of the enemy and wipe out the Mongols' stronghold!"

"Really? What are we waiting for? Let's join the army right now! Fighting alongside a divine marshal is an immense honor!"

"That's right! I've wanted to go for ages! Let me tell you, my second uncle's neighbor's third cousin is in General Meng Gong's army. He saw it with his own eyes! The Marshal really can fly! And, he can kill someone with just a glare!"

"You're just bragging! It's not that incredible!"

"You don't believe me? Let me tell you, it's all true! Right now, heroes from all over the world are flocking to Diaoyu City! They all want to serve under the Marshal and make a name for themselves!"

Lin Ye listened to their conversation without expression.

In his heart, he just felt that these people were really noisy.

What Northern Expedition? What do you mean by "staring to death"?

When did I say those things?

All he wants now is to have a quiet meal with Long'er and then go to the market to buy some groceries. Why is that so difficult?

Xiaolongnu listened to their conversation with curiosity.

She nudged Lin Ye and whispered, "Brother Lin, are they talking about you?"

"No," Lin Ye said without changing his expression, "it's someone else, also named Lin Ye."

"Oh." Little Dragon Girl nodded, seemingly understanding but not quite.

Just then.

Among the group of江湖人 (jianghu people) at that table, a man whose face was flushed from drinking stood up, swaying unsteadily, and went to the outhouse.

As he passed by a young maid who was serving dishes, he slipped and bumped into her.

The dish in the maid's hand was suddenly spilled all over him.

"Ouch!" the man cried out.

"I'm so sorry, sir! I didn't mean to!" The maidservant turned pale with fright and quickly apologized.

"Not on purpose?" The man, emboldened by alcohol, glared and grabbed the maid's wrist. "You dirtied my new clothes, and you think you can just say sorry and call it a day?"

"I...I'll make it up to you..." The little maid was almost crying.

"Pay? Can you afford to pay?" The man chuckled, his eyes darting up and down the young maid with ill intent. "I think you're quite pretty. How about you have a few drinks with me tonight, and we'll call it even."

"You...you let me go!" The little maid struggled desperately in fear.

The others in the restaurant who witnessed this scene were all angry but dared not speak out.

Those江湖 (jianghu) figures looked like troublemakers. Nobody wanted to get into trouble over a maid.

When Xiaolongnu saw this, her brows furrowed slightly.

She remembered the stories Meng Gong had told her in the ancient tomb.

Those helpless girls who were bullied by bad people.

She turned her head and looked at Lin Ye.

Lin Ye sighed.

He knew that this meal was going to be unpleasant again.

He wasn't even bothered to stand up.

He merely raised his eyelids and glanced indifferently at the drunkard who was acting arrogantly.

Just that one glance.

The drunkard's body suddenly stiffened.

The lewd smile on his face froze instantly.

Immediately afterwards, his pupils dilated sharply, and his face showed an expression of extreme horror as if he had seen something.

"ah--!!!"

A piercing scream, inhuman in its own right, burst from his throat!

"Ghost! There's a ghost! Don't come any closer! Don't come any closer!"

He acted like a madman, releasing the maid and wildly grabbing at the air with both hands, as if trying to drive away something unseen.

Then, he scrambled and crawled towards the stairwell.

As it ran, it let out a pig-like scream.

"Help! There's a ghost!"

In the blink of an eye, they disappeared at the end of the stairs.

The entire restaurant fell into a deathly silence in an instant.

Everyone is stupid.

They looked at each other, bewildered, wondering what had just happened.

Why did that drunkard suddenly go crazy?

Their gazes, almost unconsciously, swept back and forth across the restaurant.

Finally, all the blame fell on the young man in black who had been sitting there motionless the whole time.

But no one saw what he did.

He just sat there quietly.

Lin Ye ignored the surprised and uncertain gazes around him.

He picked up his chopsticks, took another piece of translucent shrimp, and put it into Xiaolongnu's bowl.

"Eat."

"The food is getting cold."

The drunkard's sudden outburst and escape made the atmosphere on the second floor of the restaurant extremely eerie.

Everyone's gaze, intentionally or unintentionally, drifted toward Lin Ye's table.

Although no one saw what he did, their intuition told them that this matter was definitely related to that incredibly handsome young man in black.

The restaurant, which had been bustling just moments before, was now so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

The remaining martial arts practitioners at the table were also dumbfounded.

They watched their companion, who had been swaggering one second and turned into a madman the next, disappear into the stairwell, and were stunned for a long time.

"What...what just happened?"

"I don't know... How could Third Brother suddenly... go insane?"

"Is...is it...being possessed?"

The group looked at each other, their faces filled with surprise and... a hint of fear.

Their gazes involuntarily fell upon Lin Ye.

One of them, a middle-aged man in his forties who looked like the leader, stood up.

His name was Sun Debiao, and he was the leader of a small sect called "Fierce Tiger Hall" in the vicinity. This time, he was leading his brothers to Diaoyu City to seek refuge with "Immortal Marshal" and make a living.

Sun Debiao had been in the underworld for over twenty years and considered himself to have a good eye for things.

He could tell that Lin Ye and Xiaolongnu were extraordinary and definitely not ordinary people.

His brother's outburst just now was too suspicious.

Although he was terrified, he knew that his brother was in trouble in front of so many people. If he didn't step up, how could he face the underworld in the future?

Sometimes, "face" is more important than life itself.

Sun Debiao took a deep breath, straightened his clothes, picked up a wine glass, and walked over to Lin Ye's table.

His men also stood up and followed behind him to embolden him.

"Please, my friend."

Sun Debiao walked to the table, cupped his hands in a respectful gesture towards Lin Ye, and tried his best to make his tone sound polite and in accordance with the rules of the martial arts world.

Lin Ye ignored him.

He was busy removing the bones from the fish for Little Dragon Girl.

The focused look on his face suggested that there was nothing more important in the world.

Being ignored in public made Sun Debiao feel embarrassed.

He coughed and emphasized, "Friend! I am Sun Debiao of the Fierce Tiger Hall! My brother suddenly went mad just now, near your table. I'd like to ask you, friend, what underhanded methods did you use on my brother?"

His words were rather harsh.

"Underhanded methods" is an extremely insulting accusation in the underworld.

Lin Ye finally removed the last fishbone.

He placed the piece of white fish into Xiaolongnu's bowl, then raised his head and looked at Sun Debiao with the same look he had given a dead man.

"He offended my woman, and all I did was show him what he feared most."

Lin Ye's tone was very calm.

It's like saying, "I just stepped on an ant."

Sun Debiao's heart skipped a beat.

Let him see what he fears most.

What kind of tactic is this?

Sorcery?

He forced himself to remain calm and sneered, "Hmph! I don't care what kind of sorcery you used! You injured my brother, which means you don't respect my Fierce Tiger Hall!"

"According to the rules of the underworld, if you don't give me an explanation today, the entire Fierce Tiger Gang will never let this go!"

Sun Debiao emphasized the words "rules of the underworld" and "Tiger Hall" with particular force.

This is his last trump card.

He wanted to use his sect and its rules to intimidate the other party.

However, what he received in return was a disdainful chuckle.

"rule?"

Lin Ye smiled.

He looked at the guy in front of him, who was all bark and no bite, and found him somewhat ridiculous.

"The rule you're referring to, is it the rule that allows him to harass an innocent girl in public?"

"Or are you referring to the rule that you can make loud noises in the restaurant and disturb other diners?"

Lin Ye's voice wasn't loud, but every word was like a slap in the face, landing hard on Sun Debiao's cheek.

Sun Debiao's face turned red instantly.

"You...you're talking nonsense!" he retorted angrily. "We...we're chivalrous heroes of the martial world! We were just teaching that ignorant waiter a lesson! We..."

"Noisy."

Lin Ye was too lazy to listen to his nonsense anymore.

He felt that reasoning with these ants was a waste of time.

He waved gently.

It's like shooing away an annoying fly.