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Suddenly, Yun Ran thrust out her sword with lightning speed. Before it even reached him, Wen Huaifeng felt a slight stinging sensation on his face from the icy chill emanating from the blade. Seeing the sword's imposing force, he was about to change his move to defend when he suddenly heard Yun Ran let out a low groan. Her sword fell to the ground, and she collapsed forward, lying motionless on the ground.

Suspecting a trap, Wen Huaifeng picked up a few pebbles from the ground and flicked them to seal her acupoints. He then gently pushed aside the Broken Scale Sword that had fallen into her hand, picked it up, and then stepped forward to examine her closely.

When he touched Yun Ran's body, he felt it was icy cold to the touch. He quickly pulled her into his arms and saw that there was a faint dark aura on her forehead and her lips had turned a bit blue. He sighed and said, "Who told you to seek your own death? You can't blame anyone else." He took out a pill from his pocket and put it in Yun Ran's mouth, then carried her away quickly.

※※※※

The Chang Le Marquis's Residence.

The candlelight on the four walls cast a bright glow, making the cheeks of the beautiful woman reclining in the chair appear flushed. Ling Shang glanced at her face briefly, then lowered his gaze and said in a low voice, "This woman is deeply poisoned. Did you bring her back to detoxify her?"

Wen Huaifeng hesitated for a moment without answering, then looked up and asked, "How is Qi Mo now?"

Ling Shang said, "I have severed the tendons in his hands and feet and imprisoned him in the dungeon. Even if Qi Mo had extraordinary abilities in the past, he can only be manipulated by you from now on."

Wen Huaifeng nodded and said, "Yes, there is still Sima Liuyun who has not yet shown up, so we still need to be extra careful in the manor."

Ling Shang smiled and said, "Don't worry, my lord. I have already followed your instructions and ambushed and assassinated this person in Youzhou. Even if Sima Liuyun is not dead yet, by the time he arrives in the capital, my lord will have already taken control of the situation. Killing him will be a piece of cake then."

Wen Huaifeng was smug, a smile appearing on his lips. He took out a ring and gently rubbed the character "漠" (Mo) engraved on the inner wall with his fingertip. He then took Qin Luo's black gold ring from the table and put it into his pocket as well. He said slowly, "Not bad, we need to get down to business... Where is Qin Changling?"

Ling Shang said, "It's still in the secret room. The food that was delivered these past two days has been taken out untouched."

Wen Huaifeng snorted and said, "The old man is tough. Go to the dungeon and bring Qi Mo out. Take him to the door of the secret room and wait for me."

Ling Shang responded and left. Wen Huaifeng turned back to look at Yun Ran, who was still unconscious. His gaze softened slightly as he carried her into the inner room, placed her on the bed, and gazed at her silently for a moment before whispering, "Once my wish is fulfilled, I will cure you of the poison. Then you can stay by my side and live a peaceful life." With that, he bent down and gently kissed her cheek before turning and leaving.

A moment later, Yun Ran opened her eyes, rolled off the bed, quietly took the Broken Scale Sword from the table in the outer room, and slipped out of the room. During her fight with Wen Huaifeng, she sensed the poison rising upwards and knew she would be defeated in a prolonged battle. So she feigned unconsciousness due to the poison and followed Wen Huaifeng into the Marquis's residence. Later, she overheard Wen Huaifeng's conversation with Ling Shang and learned that Qi Mo was indeed alive. She felt incredibly fortunate and immediately focused her inner energy to break through the sealed acupoints. As soon as Wen Huaifeng left, she followed him out.

She had discovered the entrance to the secret chamber with Qi Mo that day, and now she knew the way well, killing or avoiding the night patrol guards along the way, and finally made her way to the outside of the secret chamber.

The stone steps leading to the underground were already visible. Yun Ran hid behind the bushes, and seeing that there was no one around, she was worried that Wen Huaifeng might be up to no good. Just as she was hesitating, she suddenly saw a figure flash by like a ghost in the night and fly into the secret passage. It was none other than the young marquis Qin Luo.

Yun Ran, recalling what Ling Shang had just said about Qi Mo's severed tendons in his hands and feet, could no longer bear it. She floated out and followed Qin Luo into the secret passage.

Qin Luo was unaware of anyone behind her. She crept stealthily through the darkness for a moment, then saw light ahead. The previously tightly closed door to the secret chamber was now open, and the majestic voice of the Marquis of Chang Le came from within: "Lord Wen tricked my unfilial son into committing a rebellious act, all for the sake of these treasures of mine. How can you still be so insatiable, questioning me about this fabricated treasure?"

Qin Luo hid behind a stone pillar in the shadows outside the door, peeking out and vaguely seeing her father sitting motionless, his back to the door and facing his most beloved jade statue. Wen Huaifeng stood quietly not far behind him, his hands behind his back, with a blood-soaked man lying on the ground beside him—it was Qi Mo, the traitor captured during the day.

Wen Huaifeng laughed and said, "The old Marquis has always been cautious. He can guard against outsiders, but he didn't expect that his own son would turn against you after I used a little trick to sow discord."

Qin Luo's heart skipped a beat. Marquis Chang Le did not turn around, but said coldly, "Are you talking about that maid in Lanxiang Pavilion?"

Wen Huaifeng smiled slightly. He devised a plan, intending to frame a prostitute whom Qin Luo had taken a liking to, and take the opportunity to instigate Qin Luo to cooperate with him. As for Qin Luo's unexpected attraction to Yun Ran, which led to Tian'er becoming a scapegoat, that was something he could not have foreseen.

Marquis Chang Le said in a hoarse voice, "This rebellious son doesn't know his own limitations and has done such a foolish thing as seeking help from a tiger. Cooperating with you, Lord Wen, I'm afraid in the end he won't even have a bone left."

Wen Huaifeng chuckled and said, "Your Excellency need not worry about him. After all, you have more than one son to rely on."

Marquis Chang Le snorted. Wen Huaifeng continued leisurely, "I know that you, Marquis, resent the First Madam for plotting against Lady Yu Luo. Therefore, I am not referring to the eldest son, but to your second son, Qin Mo, who was lost for eighteen years and caused Lady Yu Luo to die of grief because of this."

Marquis Chang Le slowly rose from his seat and turned to look at Wen Huaifeng.

Wen Huaifeng took out two black gold rings, smiled, and held them out in his palm before Marquis Chang Le, saying, "Your Excellency may wish to examine them yourself."

Marquis Chang Le glanced down and immediately recognized the rings as the tokens of his love with Yu Luo. Each of them held one, and after Yu Luo gave birth to two sons, he had their names engraved on the inside of the rings, which the children wore close to their necks. One of the two black gold rings had been kept by Qin Luo, and the other…

His face was gloomy as he stared at Wen Huaifeng without saying a word.

Wen Huaifeng laughed and said, "It pleases the Marquis. I did my best to find the Second Young Master so that he would never have any regrets in his life."

A hint of emotion finally flickered across the usually calm face of Marquis Chang Le, and he asked in a hoarse voice, "Where is he?"

Wen Huaifeng glanced down at the ground and said with a faint smile, "It's just that the Second Young Master is unfortunately afflicted with a serious illness. If Your Excellency is willing to cooperate, I will have people do their best to treat him so that Your Excellency can enjoy the happiness of family life."

Following his gaze, Marquis Chang Le looked at Qi Mo, who was lying on the ground with his eyes closed, and was shocked: the young man's appearance was remarkably similar...

He turned and glanced at the jade sculpture of a beautiful woman, his eyes slightly moist. His doubts vanished, and he said in a deep voice, "What do you want?"

Wen Huaifeng smiled and said, "Why does Your Excellency ask such a question when you already know the answer? When the Wu clan was destroyed, the Left Chancellor Qin Anbang persuaded the officials to surrender and was rewarded by the late emperor with a title of Marquis. Everyone said that he betrayed the Wu clan, but little did they know that Qin Anbang was willing to bear the infamy of treason just to protect the secret treasure left by the Wu royal family. He planned to hand over the treasure as compensation when the Wu crown prince made a comeback. Isn't this Qin Anbang Your Excellency's ancestor? For many years, Your Excellency has lived a secluded life, kept a low profile, and focused on accumulating wealth and guarding this secret. Now it is time for you to lay down your burden, hand over the treasure, and enjoy your old age in peace."

As he spoke, he took out a brocade box from his bosom, opened it, revealing the Imperial Seal of the State, and said with a smile, "Your Excellency previously refused to reveal the location of the treasure even at the cost of your life. Now that I have presented you with the token, Your Excellency has no reason to refuse me, right?"

Marquis Chang Le stared at the jade seal for a long while, then nodded and said calmly, "Lord Wen, although this is the true Imperial Seal, you are not a true descendant of the Wu clan. Please forgive me for being unable to comply." He turned back and slowly walked to the jade statue, gazing at the exquisitely carved eyes of the beauty for a moment, his gaze gentle and tender, and sighed softly, "Yu Luo, now that Mo'er has finally reunited with us, are you... happy?"

Wen Huaifeng sneered, about to speak, when suddenly Marquis Changle reached out and lifted the bottom of the jade plate held by the jade sculpture. The jade sculpture seemed to come alive, and a small black arrow shot out from its mouth, heading straight for Marquis Changle's chest. At this moment, Qin Changling was only inches away from the jade sculpture.

Wen Huaifeng's expression changed, realizing that Marquis Chang Le had triggered a mechanism and intended to commit suicide, but it was too late to stop him.

Just then, a streak of black light flew from the side and collided with the small black arrow, knocking it aside. Then, a person behind them cried out in alarm, "Father!"

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In an instant, a figure rushed in from outside the door, thrusting a sword at Wen Huaifeng with lightning speed—it was Yun Ran. At the same time, Qi Mo, who had been unconscious, suddenly sprang up from the ground and slapped Wen Huaifeng in the abdomen.

While Wen Huaifeng was momentarily distracted, he was attacked by two powerful masters, and he was initially unable to defend himself. However, Yun Ran and Qi Mo suddenly saw each other appear and attack, and their excitement was no less than Wen Huaifeng's. Their movements slowed down simultaneously. Wen Huaifeng's eyes flashed slightly, and he took the opportunity to gather his energy and slide several feet to the side, avoiding the attack from both of them. A purple light flashed in his hand, and the Purple Thorn Soft Sword was already at the neck of Marquis Chang Le. He sneered, "Sect Leader Qi's trickery is superb. I, Wen, have actually been fooled by you."

Qi Mo smiled upon hearing this. Despite being covered in blood, he couldn't hide his heroic spirit and radiant demeanor. He reached out and pulled Yun Ran along, saying leisurely, "If you want to trick Lord Wen, you have to spend a lot of money. How can you succeed without doing so?"

Yun Ran looked down and saw that there were still scars on the tendons of his wrist, and the blood around them was half-dried, but he was very agile in his movements. He didn't look like a cripple at all. She couldn't help but feel both heartache and surprise.

She had been hiding in the shadows, and when she saw the small black arrow shot out, she knew it was a fleeting opportunity. Without hesitation, she leaped out. Passing by Qin Luo's side, just as she heard him cry out in alarm, she quickly sealed the acupoints on his waist. Without pausing, her sword flashed like a startled swan as she launched a full-force attack on Wen Huaifeng. Seeing Qi Mo unharmed, she felt a sense of relief, but then felt the poison she had previously managed to suppress flare up again, causing her head to swell slightly. She quickly took a deep breath and secretly channeled her energy to suppress it.

Qi Mo noticed her hand trembling slightly and a hint of worry in her eyes. He said loudly, "Wen Huaifeng, you are doomed to fail today. Hand over the antidote and I will spare your life."

Wen Huaifeng's mind raced, and he frowned, saying, "Is it Ling Shang? Did he join forces with you to set a trap against me?" Seeing Qi Mo coldly glancing at him, he realized, "That's it. Ling Shang, as the chief steward of the Marquis's mansion, has secretly cultivated a group of assassins. It must be related to your Absolute Killing Sect."

A cold smile appeared on his lips, and he said, "However, if Sect Leader Qi does not want to watch your father die on the spot, please step aside and let's talk outside." He thought to himself that although Qi Mo had the help of Yun Ran, Ling Shang and others, he had already deployed layers of elite Dragon Guards inside and outside the Marquis's mansion. If he could escape from the secret room, the outcome would still be uncertain.

Qi Mo smiled slightly and said, "I have never met Marquis Chang Le before. It is rather ridiculous that Lord Wen would threaten the Marquis with his life."

Wen Huaifeng raised an eyebrow and said, "Is that so?" Xiang Chang Le Hou sneered, "Old Marquis, since your son disregards your life, I have no choice but to offend you."

Marquis Chang Le lowered his eyes and said calmly, "I feel ashamed before her and her son, and have long harbored the intention to atone with my death. Lord Wen need not take it to heart..." As he spoke, he forcefully rammed into the sword's edge. Wen Huaifeng pulled back his hand to dodge, but the sharp Zijing Soft Sword still managed to cut a bloody gash across Qin Changling's neck.

Qi Mo's expression changed slightly, and he suddenly laughed, "Even if Lord Wen leaves this place, it will be of no use. With the combined strength of my Absolute Killing Sect, the Sima family, and the Twilight Shadow Pavilion, plus the secret guards in the mansion led by Ling Shang, I wonder if the Dragon Guard Army that you have deployed can withstand it?" As he spoke, he pulled Yun Ran a few steps to the side, making way for the path to the door.

Wen Huaifeng was secretly alarmed, but given the current situation, he could only take it one step at a time. He smiled and said, "Sect Leader Qi, there is no need to worry. I had no intention of harming your father, and I would never want Ran'er to die from the poison. If I can escape unscathed, the two of them will also be safe and sound."

He faced Qi and Yun, laughing and talking while remaining fully alert to their movements, slowly retreating step by step into the secret passage. Suddenly, he felt a numbness in his calf and couldn't stand up. He swayed and fell to the ground, followed by a sharp pain in his chest, as if he had been stabbed by a sharp weapon.

In the dim light filtering through the secret chamber, Qin Luo's pale face was filled with a sinister look. He chuckled in a hoarse voice, "Lord Wen, are you regretting underestimating me back then?" As he spoke, he exerted force and plunged the dagger deeper into Wen Huaifeng's chest.

A sinister glint flashed in Wen Huaifeng's eyes, but he quickly regained his composure, nodded slightly, and struck Qin Luo's head with his palm, sending him flying several feet away.

Qi Mo and Yun Ran leaped out and saw Wen Huaifeng lying on the ground with Qin Luo's gold-inlaid dagger embedded in his chest, his eyes closed. Although Yun Ran hated Wen Huaifeng intensely, seeing him on the verge of death, she couldn't help but feel a pang of sorrow. Qi Mo's expression changed drastically. He strode forward, placed his palm against Wen Huaifeng's chest, and slowly channeled his inner energy into him. Wen Huaifeng, his life sustained by Qi Mo's inner energy, slowly opened his eyes. Qi Mo urgently asked, "Where's the antidote? Where did you hide it?"

Wen Huaifeng's gaze lingered on Yun Ran's face for a moment, then he opened his mouth. Qi Mo leaned close to his lips, but heard him sigh softly and then fall silent.

Qi Mo was stunned for a moment, and Yun Ran whispered, "He's already dead."

A series of light footsteps were heard outside the secret passage. As the firelight flickered, two figures, one in white and one in green, rushed in first. They were Sima Liuyun and Huo Qingfeng.

Sima Liuyun lowered his eyes to look at Wen Huaifeng's corpse on the ground and asked in a deep voice, "Did you get the antidote?" Qi Mo shook his head dejectedly, still unwilling to give up. He reached out and rummaged through Wen Huaifeng's clothes for a while, but found nothing except the two black gold rings and the Imperial Seal of the State.

Huo Qingfeng bent down to check Qin Luo's breathing and saw that his face was bluish-purple, and blood was constantly gushing from his mouth, ears, and nose. He frowned slightly, took out a Black Clam Snow Lotus Pill, and fed it to Qin Luo. When he looked up, he saw Marquis Chang Le slowly walking out of the secret room with an uncertain expression. Their eyes met, and both of them paused slightly. Marquis Chang Le turned his gaze to Qin Luo lying in a pool of blood, his expression changed again, and he sighed, "A tragic fate."

At this moment, Shen Ye also arrived and reported to Qi Mo: "Sect Master, the Dragon Guards outside have been dealt with almost completely. Steward Ling asked me to ask whether we should replace them with people from our sect to guard the various places."

Qi Mo's face was gloomy as he said in a low voice, "Is there anything else you can't trust about him? We don't need to change the guards. Let's go outside and talk about it."

After the group exited the secret passage, the Juesha Sect, the Sima family, and the Muying Tower members gathered outside to wait. Qi Mo, clinging to a sliver of hope, ordered his men to search the area and instructed Shen Ye to carefully interrogate the captured Dragon Guards, hoping to find the antidote.

Sima Liuyun received a letter from Qi Mo seeking help. He led his men in stealth mode and rushed to the capital overnight. They fought a fierce battle with the Dragon Guard in the Marquis's mansion. Although they won a great victory, they failed to obtain the antidote as they wished, and he couldn't help but worry about Yunran.

In a fleeting glance, he saw Qi Mo supporting Yun Ran as she sat in a corner of the courtyard. Qi Mo gently stroked her hair, his face filled with pity, and they were whispering something. Yun Ran shook her head, took out some wound medicine, and pulled his wrist to bandage his wound. Marquis Chang Le and Huo Qingfeng watched from a short distance away. The two men were separated by a distance, appearing distant and cold, yet their aloof postures and the indifferent aura they exuded shared a certain similarity.

Sima Liuyun was deep in thought when he suddenly caught a glimpse of a figure flashing by in the distance. His heart skipped a beat, and without hesitation, he leaped towards the direction the figure had disappeared. After chasing for several feet, he heard a woman's voice laugh from the darkness, calling out, "Young Master Sima, please wait!" Immediately afterward, with a whoosh of wind, a hidden weapon shot out from the shadows.

Sima Liuyun recognized the voice as that of an elderly woman, and found it somewhat familiar. He paused, startled. Wearing black silk gloves, he was unfazed by poisoned darts and caught one in his hand. Looking down, he saw it was a dart with a thin note stuck to its head. Opening it, he saw several large, crooked characters written on it: Fujian Bat Valley.

Sima Liuyun was still staring blankly at the paper when Qi Mo arrived with Yun Ran and asked, "What's wrong?"

Sima Liuyun put away the note, growing increasingly suspicious. The figure he'd just seen was fleeting, but it vaguely resembled Wanwan. He now remembered that the person speaking was the old woman with the ghost bat spirit he'd met at the Anping Inn. He'd heard that the ghost bat couple often frequented the Fujian area, so how could they be with Wanwan? Launching the dart was clearly to prevent him from catching up with Wanwan, yet they left a note explaining their whereabouts. What were these two's intentions?

Sima Liuyun pondered for a moment, then looked up at Qi and Yun: "I want to set off immediately for Fujian."

※※※※

Several days later, Sima Liuyun, weary from his journey, arrived alone outside Bat Valley. He had traveled tirelessly to central Fujian, but had been delayed for quite some time, and it took him a great deal of effort to finally find this hidden place, Bat Valley.

Standing at the mouth of the valley, I felt a little uneasy. If I couldn't find Wanwan here, where in this vast world would I be able to look for her?

Suddenly, a loud laugh came from inside the valley, and an old man came out from the valley entrance to greet him, cupping his hands and saying, "Young Master Sima has finally arrived. My wife has been waiting for your arrival these past few days, and her hair has turned a few strands white."

Sima Liuyun saw that the old man had a clear and vigorous face and an upright posture, but he did not recognize him. However, the old man's voice sounded familiar, and he suddenly realized, "Senior is..."

The old man nodded and smiled, "I am Shi Yifu. After the battle at Anping Inn, my wife and I have always been deeply impressed by your martial arts skills and character."

Sima Liuyun repeatedly declined, and was about to ask about Wanwan's matter when Shi Yifu smiled and said, "Not only my wife, but there is another person who may also be eager to see you, young master. Please follow me." With that, he led the way into the valley.

Sima Liuyun quickly followed, and the two arrived at a wooden house in the valley. Shi Yifu knocked on the door and said with a smile, "Old woman, Young Master Sima has arrived. Would your daughter be willing to come out and see him?"

Sima Liuyun pondered: I've heard that the couple's only daughter, Shi Yan, was a notorious female bandit, but she died at the hands of Tang Tu, a swordsman from Jiangnan, many years ago. How come she has a daughter now? And Senior Shi even asked her if she wanted to see me. Could it be...? Thinking of this, his heart couldn't help but race.

As the door opened, an old woman slowly stepped out, looked at Sima Liuyun and smiled, "Young Master Sima, you've come at an inopportune time. My goddaughter just went to the riverbank in the east of the valley and isn't here right now. Perhaps..."

Sima Liuyun exclaimed happily, "Thank you for your guidance, senior!" Before she could finish speaking, she had already shot off like an arrow, flying eastward.

Watching his departing figure, Shi Yifu smiled at his wife and said, "It seems that this time, they..."

Granny Shi was secretly pleased with herself and deliberately sighed, "Young Master Sima is quite an impatient person. He rushed over before I could finish speaking. What if he runs into me later... cough, what should we do?"

She tilted her head and thought for a moment, a sly smile appearing on her face. She muttered to herself, "But I'm afraid that only by meeting like this can that little devil be unable to avoid me."

Author's Note: I'll try to finish it tomorrow. Originally, the character's name was supposed to be Shi Kelang, but I kept bursting out laughing while writing it, so...

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Several days passed in the blink of an eye. More than half a month had passed since the decisive battle at the Marquis's mansion, but Qi Mo only wished that the days would pass more slowly.

That day, he ordered a thorough search of every place, but found not a trace of the antidote. His anxiety and frustration were beyond words. Yun Ran had expended a great deal of her inner energy; although it didn't immediately trigger the poison, it had already caused the poison to rise. Seeing that the dark aura around her forehead seemed to be worsening, Qi Mo was secretly worried. Helpless, he could only take her back to his suburban residence, staying by her side day and night, fearing that she might suddenly succumb to the poison and perish at any moment.

Seeing his anxiety, Yun Ran often comforted him with words of solace. She felt that she had now avenged her great enemy, made a close friend in Sima Liuyun, and was deeply loved by Qi Mo, a wonderful man; she had no regrets in this life. But when she slept in the quiet of the night, nestled in Qi Mo's warm embrace, listening to his steady heartbeat, how could she not secretly hope that they could stay together like this day and night forever?