Yang Guo: I'm invincible in the opening battle against Aunt Guo!

Zhao Zhijing did not respond immediately.

He picked up the cold tea on the table, took a sip, and his expression shifted.

The ancient tombs in the back mountain are indeed a thorn in the side of the Quanzhen School.

The feud between the founder Wang Chongyang and the founder of the Ancient Tomb Sect, Lin Chaoying, led to a delicate relationship between the two sects.

Although the Quanzhen Sect nominally governs the forbidden area behind the mountain, it has always been wary of the ancient tomb.

Especially the woman in white.

Several years ago, a disciple accidentally wandered into the back mountain and saw her practicing her skills from afar. He was immediately amazed by her beauty and became infatuated upon returning.

From then on, the legend of the "Fairy of the Ancient Tomb" began to circulate quietly among some disciples.

Zhao Zhijing had naturally heard of it.

He even...had considered it.

However, due to the traps in the ancient tomb and the woman's martial arts skills, he dared not make any rash moves.

Now the opportunity has presented itself...

"The back mountain is, after all, a forbidden area," Zhao Zhijing said slowly, his tone hesitant. "Master and my senior uncles have given strict orders that we must not enter without permission. If we force our way in, I'm afraid..."

"Senior brother!"

Zhen Zhibing said urgently:

"We're not forcing our way in; we're here to seek justice! That demoness injured my disciple first, so it's only right that we come to reason with her! As for the so-called forbidden area..."

He leaned closer and lowered his voice even further.

"Master and several senior uncles have been in seclusion for the past few days and won't be out for at least three to five days. As long as we keep this matter discreet and return quickly, who will know?"

Zhao Zhijing's eyes flickered.

Zhen Zhibing continued to fan the flames:

"Senior brother, have you considered that there might truly be treasures left behind by our patriarch in that ancient tomb? Lin Chaoying was able to rival Patriarch Wang Chongyang back then; the martial arts she created must have been extraordinary. If only..."

He didn't finish speaking, but the meaning was clear enough.

Zhao Zhijing's heart skipped a beat.

treasure.

martial arts.

And that legendary "fairy"...

In the candlelight, the hesitation on his face was gradually replaced by greed.

"What you said...makes sense."

Zhao Zhijing put down his teacup, his voice deepening.

"Our Quanzhen Sect has been established for a hundred years, and we have never suffered such humiliation. If this matter is left unresolved, how will we maintain our standing in the martial world in the future?"

He stood up and paced around the room a few steps.

"Alright! Tomorrow morning, each of us will take three elite disciples and go around through the path behind the mountain. Remember—"

He turned to look at Zhen Zhibing, his eyes filled with malice.

"My purpose in coming here is solely to seek justice and demand an explanation from that witch for injuring my disciple. If she knows what's good for her, she'll apologize. If she doesn't..."

Zhao Zhijing sneered.

"Then we have no choice but to 'act on behalf of Heaven' and cleanse these evil spirits on Zhongnan Mountain."

A look of delight flashed in Zhen Zhibing's eyes, and he quickly cupped his hands in greeting: "Senior Brother is wise!"

The two then discussed the details further.

Finally, Zhen Zhibing suddenly remembered something and whispered:

"Senior brother, I heard... besides that white-clad demoness, there seemed to be another woman in an apricot-yellow Taoist robe in that ancient tomb yesterday..."

Zhao Zhijing raised an eyebrow: "An apricot-yellow Taoist robe?"

"Yes. A woodcutter from the foot of the mountain said that he saw a figure in apricot yellow on the back mountain during the day. She was beautiful, but her eyes were cold and she didn't seem like a kind person."

Zhao Zhijing pondered for a moment, then waved his hand:

"It doesn't matter. Whoever she is, anyone who dares to protect that witch is an enemy of my Quanzhen Sect."

A fierce glint flashed in his eyes.

"Tomorrow, I will make them understand who truly calls the shots in Zhongnan Mountain!"

……

The sky is dimly bright.

Hong Lingbo spent the entire night at the "Yuelai Inn" at the foot of Zhongnan Mountain.

She sat on a stone bench in the courtyard, her gaze occasionally drifting toward the mountain path leading to the ancient tomb.

My master left last night and never returned.

Given Master's temperament, if he succeeds smoothly...

They will definitely return immediately, or send her to meet them.

If things go wrong and a conflict breaks out... there should be some kind of commotion.

But that night, the area around the ancient tomb on the mountain was unusually quiet.

Hong Lingbo unconsciously twisted the hem of her clothes, her mind a jumble of thoughts.

She did consider taking the opportunity to escape.

She had long since had enough of the days of following Li Mochou on her journey through the martial world, enduring her master's unpredictable temper and the constant beatings and punishments.

Can……

Hong Lingbo shivered.

She knew her master's methods all too well.

If Li Mochou finds out she betrayed her, she won't even be able to die.

The poison from the Ice Soul Silver Needle will cause your entire body to fester and groan for seven days before you finally die.

The power of the Five Poisons Palm can make your internal organs burn like fire, yet you can't die.

If she escapes now, no matter where she goes, as long as Li Mochou is still alive, she will definitely find her and make her regret being born.

"We can't escape..."

Hong Lingbo muttered to herself, a struggle flashing in her eyes.

That leaves only one option—go up the mountain and take a look.

If Master really gets into trouble... perhaps, that unfathomable Young Master Yang could become a new reliance?

In their brief interactions over the past few days, she could sense that there was no disgust or fear in the boy's eyes when he looked at her.

On the contrary, he looks very comfortable.

Yang Guo is so handsome, if only something could happen between us...

Once the thought arose, it could no longer be suppressed.

Hong Lingbo took a deep breath and finally made up her mind.

She quickly packed her personal belongings and also packed a few changes of clothes and some small items that her master had left at the inn.

If her master is alright, these are proof of her "loyal waiting".

If her master really does meet with an accident... this is her "sincerity" in pledging allegiance to her new master.

At the beginning of Chen Shi (7-9 AM), Hong Lingbo left the inn and headed towards the ancient tomb along the mountain path he remembered from yesterday.

The mountain path was slippery, and the morning dew had not yet dried.

She walked carefully, listening intently to the sounds around her as she went.

The closer one gets to the territory of the Quanzhen Sect, the heavier the unease in one's heart becomes.

At the bend in the mountain road ahead, one could faintly hear human voices.

Hong Lingbo paused, then slipped behind a rock and peeked out.

Seven or eight gray-robed Taoist priests were gathered on a platform, seemingly discussing something.

The two men in the lead were a slightly overweight man with a gloomy face.

The other one had regular features, but his eyes were shifty.

A faint alarm bell rang in Hong Lingbo's mind.

She didn't recognize these people, but judging from their attire, they were undoubtedly disciples of the Quanzhen Sect.

Her master once said that the Taoist priests of the Quanzhen Sect were hypocritical and coveted the ancient tomb, and that she should try to avoid them when traveling through Zhongnan Mountain.

The fact that this group of people is gathered here now, could it be...?

Hong Lingbo dared not think too deeply, held her breath, and planned to quietly go around after they left.

But just then—

"Who's lurking around like that?!"

A sharp shout rang out!

Hong Lingbo was startled. She looked up and saw that the dignified Taoist priest had already leaped three zhang away, his hand on the hilt of his sword, his eyes sweeping like lightning toward where she was hiding!

It was discovered!

Hong Lingbo gritted her teeth, knowing that hiding any longer was pointless, and had no choice but to step out from behind the rocks and curtsy.

"I am merely passing through and have no intention of disturbing your peaceful cultivation. I will depart now."

He turned to leave as he spoke.

"stop!"

The slightly plump Taoist priest also walked over, squinting as he examined Hong Lingbo's apricot-yellow Taoist robe, then glanced at the sword at her waist, his suspicion deepening.

"Judging from the young lady's attire, she doesn't seem to be an ordinary pilgrim. This is the back of Zhongnan Mountain, a place rarely visited by people. What brings you here alone?"

Hong Lingbo's mind raced.

If she says she is a disciple of the Ancient Tomb Sect, she may face difficulties.

If you say you're just passing by, the other person might not believe you.

Just as he hesitated, the dignified-looking Taoist priest said coldly:

"Senior brother, why waste your breath on her? This woman is suspicious; she might be with the group that stormed the mountain gate yesterday! Let's capture her first!"

Before he finished speaking, he had already drawn his longsword with a clang!

Upon seeing this, the five or six disciples behind him also drew their swords!

A cold glint flashed, and a murderous aura swept over them!

Hong Lingbo's face turned pale.

Although she had inherited Li Mochou's martial arts skills and was considered a second-rate expert in the martial arts world, she had no chance of winning against the siege of so many Quanzhen Sect disciples.

In a flash, her mind raced.

A direct confrontation would be certain death.

Escape? The enemy has already subtly formed an encirclement; even with the fastest lightness skill, it would be difficult to break free.

Then there's only one option...

"Master, spare my life!"

Hong Lingbo suddenly knelt down with a "plop," her voice trembling with tears:

"I'm just... just here in the mountains looking for someone! I mean no harm!"

As she spoke, she secretly observed the other person's expression.

The slightly plump Taoist priest—it was Zhao Zhijing—frowned upon hearing this:

"Looking for someone? Who are you looking for?"

"I'm...I'm looking for my master." Hong Lingbo's tears flowed uncontrollably. "My master went into the mountains to gather herbs last night and hasn't returned yet. I was so worried, that's why..."

"Gathering herbs?" Zhao Zhijing looked her up and down, clearly not believing her.

"The back of Zhongnan Mountain is treacherous; where can you find any precious medicinal herbs? Who is your master? Why did you insist on coming here to collect herbs?"

Hong Lingbo cursed this stubborn Taoist priest inwardly, but on the surface, she cried even more pitifully.

"My master... is a wandering physician. He heard that there is a 'Seven-Star Grass' deep in the Zhongnan Mountains that can cure difficult and complicated diseases, so he risked going into the mountains. If you don't believe me, you can look at the medicinal herbs in my bundle!"

As she spoke, she actually untied the bundle and opened it, revealing several ordinary ginseng and poria cocos inside.

She bought this at the town's traditional Chinese medicine shop yesterday, intending it to deal with emergencies, but it unexpectedly came in handy now.

Zhao Zhijing glanced at it, his expression softening slightly.

Zhen Zhibing, however, was still uneasy, and pointed his long sword at Hong Lingbo:

"You said you came to find your master, so what is your master's name? What does he look like? When did he enter the mountains?"

Hong Lingbo's mind raced, and he blurted out:

"My master's surname is Liu, and his given name is Sanzhen. He is tall and thin, with a goatee, and is about fifty years old. He entered the mountain yesterday around 3 PM..."

She made things up on the spot, but the details were surprisingly convincing.

Zhen Zhibing and Zhao Zhijing exchanged a glance, their suspicions lessening slightly.

If he is truly an apprentice of an ordinary herb gatherer, then there is nothing to worry about.

only……

Zhao Zhijing's gaze then fell on the long sword at Hong Lingbo's waist:

"Why do you, a herb gatherer's apprentice, carry a sword?"

Hong Lingbo was prepared and cried out:

"Master, you are wise! There are often wolves and jackals in these mountains, which is why my master made me carry a sword for self-defense... This sword is a cheap one I bought from the blacksmith's shop in town, you see—"

She drew her longsword, and sure enough, the blade was ordinary and had no sharpness.

Zhao Zhijing finally felt relieved and waved his hand:

"That's enough. Since you're looking for someone, leave quickly. Don't linger here."

"Yes, yes, yes! Thank you, Daoist Master!"

Hong Ling got up to leave.

But just as she turned around—

"etc."

Zhen Zhibing suddenly spoke.

Hong Lingbo's heart tightened, and she slowly turned around: "Does the Daoist Master have any further instructions?"

Zhen Zhibing stared at her, his eyes flickering:

"You said you entered the mountain yesterday at Shenshi (3-5 PM)... Did you see a woman in white, or a young man in green? Or... a beautiful woman in an apricot-yellow Taoist robe?"

Hong Lingbo was shocked!

The woman in white must be Little Dragon Girl.

The young man in blue robes must be Yang Guo.

The beautiful woman in the apricot-yellow Taoist robe... isn't that Master Li Mochou?!

Why would they want to find out about these people?

Several thoughts flashed through Hong Lingbo's mind in an instant.

She suppressed the turmoil in her heart, her face showing a blank expression:

"A woman in white? A young man in blue? I've never seen them before... As for the woman in the apricot-yellow Taoist robe..."

She paused deliberately, and only continued after seeing Zhen Zhibing's eyes narrow:

"Yesterday evening, I did see a figure in apricot-yellow robes heading into the deep mountains from the mountainside. The speed was extremely fast, and I didn't get a clear look at the face... Does the Taoist priest recognize this person?"

Zhao Zhijing pondered for a moment, then suddenly adopted a amiable expression:

"Young lady, to be honest, we are also looking for those people. They have some...grudges with our Quanzhen Sect. Since you are also going into the mountains to find your master, why don't you come with us? It would be good for both of us to look after each other."

Hong Lingbo sneered inwardly.

To provide support? They're probably just using her as a pawn to test the waters!

Her face showed gratitude:

"This...this is unacceptable! I am of humble status, how could I possibly accompany the Daoist Master?"

"It's alright," Zhao Zhijing said with a smile. "It's fate that we met. Besides, it's indeed dangerous for a young lady to be alone in the mountains. It's settled then."

As he spoke, he stepped forward, subtly blocking Hong Lingbo's retreat.

Zhen Zhibing and his other disciples also gathered around.

A chill began to creep into Hong Lingbo's heart.

She knew she had no choice but to accept.

"Then... thank you very much, Daoist Master."

She lowered her head, a resolute glint in her eyes.

Since we can't avoid it, then... let's play along!

……