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Capítulo 92

Lian Junchu's breath hitched. He lowered his eyes, turned his face, and very lightly touched the back of her cold hand. Yue Ruzheng endured the pain and brushed her hand across his cheek, her eyes filled with tears, yet also with an extremely joyful smile.

Lian Junchu knelt before her, silently lowering his gaze. Yue Ruzheng had no energy to speak, but her right hand remained on his heart, where she could feel his warmth.

In the middle of the night, Yue Ruzheng had fallen into a deep sleep when the sound of horses' hooves came from outside. Lian Junchu cautiously stood up and quietly left before she woke up.

The campfire was about to go out. Bi Fang and his companions had just dismounted and were talking quietly with Ying Long when they saw Lian Junchu. Bi Fang hurriedly stepped forward and said, "Young Master, we have found the whereabouts of the people from Bliss Valley."

"Where?" Lian Junchu took a few steps away, gesturing for him to lower his voice.

Bi Fang glanced at the carriage and lowered his voice: "It's near Chaohu Lake."

"Young Master," Yinglong stepped forward and said, "they haven't left this place for a long time. Could it be that Yu Hezhi is here as well?"

Lian Junchu hesitated for a moment, then said to Bi Fang, "Take me to where Mo Li is."

Everyone was taken aback. Ying Long frowned and said, "Young Master, why are you going at this time? You seem to be injured as well..."

"Just a minor injury," Lian Junchu said casually, turning back to look at the carriage. "Yinglong, you few stay here and watch over Yue Ruzheng. If…" He paused, then continued, "if she asks, just say I went to find someone to treat her injuries."

The night wind was chilly. Lian Jun first mounted his horse, but unable to hold the reins, Ying Long had to hook them onto the iron braces on his arms for him. The horses galloped lightly, and two dark figures disappeared into the deep night in the blink of an eye.

Yinglong and the others watched them leave before returning to the carriage to keep watch. However, they failed to notice that in the dark woods, a figure flickered and rapidly pursued the direction Lian Junchu had gone.

Chapter Sixty-Two: The Jade Ring Drifts with the Waves, Its Coldness Undiminished

A north wind swept across the vast expanse of Chaohu Lake, causing the water to surge and ripple, creating a chilling, shimmering scene. The white reeds blended into a hazy blur in the night, resembling a blanket of snow.

On the rugged path, two fine horses approached side by side. Lian Junchu sat on his horse, relying entirely on the strength of his back and legs to maintain his balance, thus unable to move too fast. Bi Fang also intentionally slowed down, waiting for him to proceed together.

"Young Master, when we were investigating just now, we saw that Mo Li seemed to be unwell and was using his internal energy to heal himself," Bi Fang said calmly, looking ahead.

Lian Junchu frowned, seemingly lost in thought, and said, "That day outside the ancient city of Luzhou, he only exchanged a few blows with me before retreating. He must have been lacking in internal energy, which is why he gave up the opportunity."

"His skill seems to have improved significantly in the past two years," Bi Fang thought for a moment. "Perhaps he practiced too hastily, causing a qi deviation that disrupted his mental circulation?"

Lian Junchu was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Bifang, wasn't the Youth-Preserving Pearl originally from the Divine Firmament Palace of Mount Luofu?"

Bi Fang was taken aback: "Yes, I've heard the Second Miss mention it before."

"Can one bead alone increase one's internal strength so quickly?" Lian Junchu frowned, gazing at the vast night ahead, her tone filled with doubt.

Bi Fang was unaware of the details. The two were now close to the depths of Chaohu Lake. Bi Fang whispered, "Young Master, their encampment is not far ahead."

"Let's dismount here," Lian Junchu said, pulling the reins back with his arms. Bi Fang also reached out to help him control the reins, and the two quietly dismounted, leaving the horses in the roadside woods, and headed towards the reeds deep in Chaohu Lake.

White fluff drifted in the air, and the reeds along the lake shore were taller than a person. After walking for a while, Lian Junchu and Bi Fang slowed down on the north side of the lake.

The lake stretched to the horizon, merging with the dark blue sky and reflecting a few scattered stars, rippling gently. In the distance, a solitary islet stood in the lake, covered with reeds, where figures occasionally flickered.

Bi Fang lay prone among the reeds on the bank and whispered, "Young master, they are resting on that islet."

Lian Junchu looked at the small island, then glanced around, and said, "Bifang, you stay here. You don't need to go over there."

"You're going alone?" Bi Fang was startled. "Mo Li has quite a few subordinates with him..."

"I'm not going to fight him to the death," Lian Junchu said calmly. "Besides, even if I go alone, he might not be able to tell whether I've brought anyone to ambush me." With that, she stood up before Bi Fang could respond.

The islet in the lake was still more than ten feet from the shore when Lian Junchu raised his right arm, and a short sword sprang from the iron cone, gleaming with a ghostly white light under the moonlight. He spun his right arm rapidly, and the blade sliced through the reeds behind him, scattering the reeds in an instant. He then kicked out, sending the reed stalks flying and landing on the water.

By this time, he had already leaped up from the shore, using the momentum to glide several meters away. His body sank slightly, and his toes stepped onto the floating reeds. With each rise and fall, he glided several more meters away.

As Lian Jun stepped onto the small island, all around was silent and shrouded in darkness. Even the figures he had vaguely glimpsed from the shore were nowhere to be seen. He subtly moved his shoulder, sheathed the short sword on his right arm, and strode straight toward the center of the land.

The islet was overgrown with weeds, and occasionally, water birds that roosted there at night would be startled and fly away in a flurry. The mud was slippery underfoot, and Lian Junchu, whose knees were already injured, had to slow her pace. The land was not wide, and after walking for a short while, she had reached the central area, but the surroundings remained deathly quiet; not a sound could be heard, and not a single person could be seen.

Only the waters of Chaohu Lake continuously lap against the shore, creating undulating waves and a rushing sound.

Lian Junchu took a few steps forward, then suddenly stopped.

"Valley Master Mo Li, please come out. I am not here to ambush you, so why are you hiding?" He did not turn his head, his eyes still fixed on the front.

The surrounding area was originally overgrown with weeds and trees. After a moment, there was a soft rustling sound, and someone slowly walked out from behind the weeds and stopped three feet behind Lian Junchu.

"It's a dark and windy night, and since Young Master Lian has come looking for me here, I have no choice but to take precautions!" Mo Li said with a faint smile.

Lian Junchu turned around, slightly raising her face to look at him, her gaze deep: "I'm very curious, is Bliss Valley ready to compete with Seven Star Island?"

Mo Li lowered his brows, his tone slightly raised: "Young Master Lian, are you referring to the incident outside the ancient city of Luzhou that day when I attacked you?"

Lian Junchu sneered, "More than that? Along the way, first three of my subordinates disappeared without a trace, only to be later discovered they were captured after a conflict with your men. Then, outside the ancient city of Luzhou, you tried to trap me with poisonous insects. Mo Li, I didn't bother with you then because I had important matters to attend to! But you went even further. What grudge does Yue Ruzheng hold against you that warrants such a severe attack?"

"Yue Ruzheng?" Mo Li sneered as he sized him up, his gaze lingering on the strangely shaped iron object. "Young Master Lian, Yue Ruzheng was secretly following my subordinate. What's wrong with me teaching her a lesson? Besides, didn't you already rescue her from my clutches? Are you going to come here specifically to question me about this?"

Lian Junchu stared at him and slowly said, "After I took her away that day, didn't you chase after her again and severely injure her?"

Mo Li, with his hands behind his back, took a step forward: "I won't injure her without a reason..." He paused, then smiled smugly, "Young Master Lian, although I, Mo Li, am not exactly a gentleman, I always have a reason for what I do, and I won't kill indiscriminately."

"Then I'd like to hear your explanation." Lian Junchu stared directly at the seemingly frail person in front of her, whose eyes flickered uncertainly.

Mo Li flicked his sleeve, raised an eyebrow, and said, "You keep saying I've repeatedly pursued the people from Seven Star Island, but even you, Young Master, my Bliss Valley is not a place to be slaughtered at will. Upon entering Huangshan territory, my men were ambushed, suffering several deaths and injuries. Shouldn't you explain that to me?"

Lian Junchu was slightly taken aback, then said coldly, "Are you implying that I sent someone to launch a sneak attack first? Do you have any evidence to support your claim?"

Mo Li snorted and turned slightly to the side. He heard a sinister laugh coming from the bushes behind him: "Young Master Lian, I saw it with my own eyes. How could it be false?" As he spoke, a lean man stepped out and stood behind Mo Li.

"Su Mucheng, if what you say is true, that it was my Seven Star Island people who attacked first, why didn't you say this to my face in Luzhou Ancient City?" Lian Junchu glanced at him, her expression indifferent, and said, "Could it be that you intentionally framed me, afraid to confront my subordinates? Only now that I've come looking for you, have you come up with this excuse."

Su Mucheng cupped his hands in a salute to Mo Li: "Valley Master, you see, just as I told you, Lian Junchu not only won't admit it, but she's also trying to turn the tables on us!"