Mu Feiyu gave a wry smile and said, "Indeed, I used the Flying Shadow Lotus Plucking move to cut off the gold ribbon that bound her hair. Hua Wushuang left with a hint of anger, but she began to look at me differently from then on. I was overjoyed, thinking that my marriage proposal was on the horizon. However, she was also a proud and arrogant person. She insisted on setting a difficult problem for me and asked Master Hua to tell me that as long as I retrieved the Moon-Surging Golden Lotus for her, she would agree to marry me."
Li Feiqing asked, "The Golden Lotus Emerges in the Moonlight?"
Gu Qingyun said softly from the side, "The Beauty Flower, which is said to bloom only once every thirteen years, only blooms under the moon. It is most appropriate to give it to a beauty to prove one's feelings."
Mu Feiyu said, "That year, it was the time when the Moon-Blooming Golden Lotus was in bloom. The Flower Manor owner secretly told me the location of the Beauty Flower. It was just a formality. Once I got the flower, I would wait to prepare for the wedding."
Li Feiqing glanced at Gu Qingyun and asked, "Then why...did Master fail to obtain the Moon-Surging Golden Lotus?"
Mu Feiyu shook his head and said, "Although it took a lot of trouble, I finally obtained the Moon-Surging Golden Lotus. However, I eventually changed my mind and gave it to another woman."
Li Feiqing exclaimed "Ah!" as if she had just realized something, and said, "That woman, is she... Master's wife?"
Mu Feiyu smiled gently and said slowly, "That's right, she is the one who guards the Moon-Surging Golden Lotus. I fought her with wit and courage for three days and three nights. Although I barely won by half a move, I was also ambushed by her with poison and almost lost my life. But she later cured me of the poison and even allowed me to take the Moon-Surging Golden Lotus away, but..."
I don't want to leave anymore.
Mu Feiyu sighed and said, "I gave her the Moon-Surging Golden Lotus and immediately took her back to Shadow Mountain to prepare for our wedding. On the wedding day, Hua Wushuang suddenly appeared and, without warning, severely injured several guests who came to witness the ceremony. I had no choice but to step forward to stop her, but I accidentally injured her, which enraged her, and she left without a trace. As a result, Flying Flower Manor became enemies with my Shadow Mountain faction. Master Gu, I have wronged your mother greatly, and I thought I could never make amends in this life, but I never expected that you and Qing'er would be able to achieve such a happy marriage..."
Li Feiqing blushed and stammered, "Master, actually, Master Gu and I..."
Mu Feiyu suddenly coughed violently and spat out another mouthful of blood. Gu Qingyun quickly used her fingers to seal several acupoints on his chest and then extended her palm to transfer some true energy to his back. Mu Feiyu's breathing gradually calmed down.
Li Feiqing's face turned pale, and she said softly, "Master, you're tired. Rest for a while."
Mu Feiyu waved his hand and said, "Qing'er, you have been pampered by me since you were a child and you are completely unaware of the wickedness of people's hearts. You are the disciple I worry about the most. Master Gu is gentle and steady in his actions. He is a good match for you. Now that he is taking care of you, your master can leave in peace."
Li Feiqing's eyes reddened, and she forced a smile, saying, "Qing'er doesn't need anyone to take care of her. Qing'er only wants to stay by Master's side and take care of you forever."
Mu Feiyu shook his head and laughed, "What a silly child." He took her hand and placed it in Gu Qingyun's hand, closed his eyes slightly, and said, "Alright, you can go now. I'm a little tired and want to sleep for a while."
Gu Qingyun led Li Feiqing to the door, then suddenly turned around and said softly, "Sect Leader Mu, my mother has long since regarded the events of that year as nothing, and laughed them off. You don't need to feel guilty anymore."
After the two left Qingxin Garden, Li Feiqing remained silent. Gu Qingyun held her hand and felt it was icy cold to the touch, so he tightened his grip on her hand slightly.
Li Feiqing said softly, "Master Gu, is my master's illness serious?"
Gu Qingyun gave a soft "hmm".
Li Feiqing stopped and looked at him earnestly, saying, "I believe you. You said Master will be alright, so he definitely will be alright." She repeated to herself, "He definitely will be alright." With that, she withdrew her hand, turned around, and walked away quickly.
That night, Li Feiqing tossed and turned, unable to sleep. She worried about her master's illness, and hoped Hua Liran would arrive soon; she couldn't calm down. Finally, around midnight, she began to drift off, when she heard a soft noise outside the window. Startled, she sat up and whispered, "Who's there?"
After a while, without receiving a response, Li Feiqing picked up the Juying Sword placed beside the bed, dressed, and just as she reached the door, she heard a clear, cold female voice outside ask softly, "Junior Sister, are you asleep?"
Li Feiqing was stunned. She opened the door and saw Mu Linlang standing calmly in the moonlight, dressed in a sandalwood dress.
Dark clouds over the back mountain
Li Feiqing asked in surprise, "Senior Sister, did you need something from me?"
Mu Linlang nodded and said, "Come with me." Then she turned and walked away without looking back.
Li Feiqing followed along and saw that Mu Linlang was taking a small path leading to the back of Ying Mountain. She wondered: What is Senior Sister taking me to the back mountain in the middle of the night?
Mu Linlang led Li Feiqing straight to a tombstone on the back mountain before stopping.
Li Feiqing recognized the tombstone as the one her master had erected for his wife. Every year during Qingming and Mid-Autumn Festival, her master would spend a long time at her grave, keeping his deceased wife company. Although Li Feiqing had never met her master's wife, she already considered her family. She walked to the grave and silently prayed: "Master's wife, I hope that your spirit in heaven will protect my master and keep him safe."
Mu Linlang remained silent for a while before suddenly speaking, "Father's condition is not very good; you should be prepared."
Li Feiqing turned around and said urgently, "Master's illness will get better. Tomorrow, when Young Master Hua arrives..."
Mu Linlang interrupted her, saying, "Father's heart meridian was severely damaged before. This time, the old injury has relapsed, and he has also caught a cold. I'm afraid even a god reincarnated couldn't save him."
Li Feiqing stared blankly at her, seemingly not understanding what she was saying. Mu Linlang then said calmly, "Father has already made the decision and betrothed me to Senior Brother."
Li Feiqing's body trembled slightly, her face burning, her mind blank, and she vaguely heard her own voice ring out: "Ah...Is that so? Then congratulations, Senior Sister."
Mu Linlang gazed at her silently, without saying a word.
A night breeze blew by, and Li Feiqing shivered, becoming more alert. She whispered, "Senior Sister, I'm a little tired. If there's nothing else..."
Mu Linlang suddenly spoke coldly again: "Senior Brother doesn't like me."
Li Feiqing felt a pang of sadness and whispered, "Senior Sister, Senior Brother..."
Mu Linlang ignored her and slowly walked to a mound of earth near the tombstone. She said with a somber tone, "When you were seven years old, you were brought back to Yingshan. Your father and senior brother doted on you and indulged you in everything. Didn't you ever wonder why they treated you so well?"
Li Feiqing was stunned. She had been used to her master and senior brother's affection for her since she was a child, and took it for granted. Now, when Mu Linlang brought it up, she recalled the past and found that there were indeed many strange things.
Master was quite strict with all the disciples of Shadow Mountain, treating even his own daughter, Mu Linlang, the same way, but he almost never said a harsh word to her. Her eldest brother always doted on her and couldn't bear to see her suffer the slightest grievance. She always thought that her eldest brother liked her especially, which was why he treated her differently. Could there be another reason behind this?
Mu Linlang stared at the mound of earth, a sarcastic smile on her lips, and said, "Beneath this mound of earth lies our second senior sister, who is also my biological sister, Mu Qingqing."
Li Feiqing asked in surprise, "Second Senior Sister?"
She had heard her third senior brother mention that their master had a daughter who died young, namely her second senior sister. However, Shen Luo remained silent about the cause of her death and repeatedly warned her never to bring it up again. Li Feiqing thought he was afraid of upsetting their master, so she obediently stopped asking. Over time, she had long forgotten about the matter. She never expected that Mu Linlang would bring it up today.
Li Feiqing looked at the mound of earth and hesitated, "Second Senior Sister is buried here? But why..."
Mu Linlang said softly, "She broke a great taboo. Father doesn't want to think about her anymore, and he doesn't even allow anyone to mention her name. So even though my sister is dead, she doesn't even have a proper grave."
Li Feiqing asked, "What did Second Senior Sister do wrong to make Master so angry with her?"
Mu Linlang glanced at her and said, "She had an affair with a demon from the Demonic Sect. That demon came to Shadow Mountain and fought with Father. He almost broke Father's heart meridian with one palm." Seeing that Li Feiqing's face was getting paler and paler, she said, "Junior Sister, now you understand why Father was so angry when the Demonic Sect Leader Murong Wuhen came up the mountain that day, right?"
Before Li Feiqing could answer, she slowly continued, "That year I had just turned ten. My sister committed suicide on the very day that sorcerer came up the mountain. My father was seriously injured and suffered a great shock from this, and he fell seriously ill. He was depressed all day long. After that, he went down the mountain to travel for several months. When he came back up the mountain, he brought you back with him."
Mu Linlang smiled and said, "When I first saw you, I was truly taken aback. My eldest brother was even more captivated, unable to look away from anyone else. Junior sister, your appearance is just like my sister's when she was little. Even your coquettishness and the way you laugh are almost identical to hers. Father gave you my mother's surname, Li, and named you Feiqing. Feiqing, Feiqing... Although Father forbids others from mentioning my sister's name, in his heart, has he ever forgotten my sister for a single moment?"
Li Feiqing's mind was in turmoil, and she said in a hoarse voice, "Senior Brother and Second Senior Sister..."
Mu Linlang lowered her eyes, her voice equally bitter: "Senior Brother and Sister were childhood sweethearts. Even though Sister died, he has always had her in his heart all these years. Although he has never mentioned it to anyone, I... know."
Li Feiqing stared at her blankly. Mu Linlang said, "That's right. I've liked Senior Brother since I was very young, but he and Sister were in love with each other. Later... Junior Sister, I know you like Senior Brother, but you're already engaged to Master Gu. I'm telling you this in the hope that you can finally let go of this matter and avoid getting hurt again."
Li Feiqing was stunned for a moment, then said sadly, "I understand... Senior Sister, Senior Brother... is suffering a lot. You... must treat him well in the future."
Before Mu Linlang could answer, she heard someone laugh from the shadows of the trees beside her and say, "What a foolish little girl, she fell for someone's trick so quickly."
Li Feiqing and Mu Linlang were both startled and shouted, "Who goes there!"
Li Feiqing drew her sword, and as soon as the shadow of the tree flickered, a man dressed in white leaped out from it, looking at her with a slight smile. It was none other than Murong Wuhen, the leader of the Demonic Sect.
Li Feiqing whispered, "Senior sister, go and call for help. I'll hold him off." She took a step forward, about to make a move towards Murong Wuhen.
But then Murong Wuhen smiled and muttered, "You ungrateful girl, I'm helping you, and you repay kindness with enmity?"
Li Feiqing only saw a white shadow flash before her eyes. Without thinking, she drew her Shadow Gathering Sword and thrust it towards his chest. Murong Wuhen sneered, dodged the Shadow Gathering Sword to the side, and moved with astonishing speed, passing by Li Feiqing. He grabbed Mu Linlang's wrist and dragged her away at high speed.
Li Feiqing hurriedly gathered her strength and gave chase. Seeing that Murong Wuhen was heading towards the valley behind the mountain, she felt a little relieved. It was a dead end ahead, so she wasn't worried that he would take her senior sister down the mountain.
After chasing for a while, they saw Murong Wuhen stop at the edge of a cliff ahead. Mu Linlang's arm hung limply, indicating that he had subdued her vital points and she could not move.
Li Feiqing shouted, "Murong Wuhen, let go of my senior sister!"
Murong Wuhen smiled slightly, placed his palm on Mu Linlang's back, and said leisurely, "Miss Qing, your senior sister is competing with you for your lover and causing you trouble. How about I push her down the mountain with one palm and get rid of this rival for you?"
Li Feiqing was shocked and cried out, "No, no! Murong Wuhen, what do you want?"
Murong Wuhen looked at her and smiled, "I heard you're engaged to Gu Qingyun? I underestimated you. But how can I save face if the person I, Murong Wuhen, have chosen ends up with another man? Miss Qing, don't you think so?"
Seeing Mu Linlang sway slightly, as if she might fall into the abyss at any moment, Li Feiqing gritted her teeth and said, "What do you want me to do?"
Murong Wuhen laughed and said, "It's very simple. Just come down the mountain with me obediently, and I'll release your precious senior sister. I guarantee she won't lose a single hair."
Without hesitation, Li Feiqing replied, "Okay, that's it."
Mu Linlang cried out, "Junior Sister, don't agree to him!" Murong Wuhen's face darkened. He waved his hand to seal her speech acupoint, then gently pushed her back. Mu Linlang lost her balance and fell towards the deep valley. Amidst Li Feiqing's scream, Murong Wuhen swiftly grabbed Mu Linlang's sash and pulled her back. Looking at Li Feiqing, he smiled and said, "I hate those who go against my will the most. This time, for Miss Qing's sake, I'll spare her life. But if there's a next time, who knows?"
Li Feiqing's face turned pale. She cried out, "I'm coming right now, please don't hurt her." She threw the Juying Sword on the ground and walked forward step by step.
Murong Wuhen smiled as he watched her approach, but suddenly his expression changed. A figure flew over with incredible speed, dragged Li Feiqing back, and protected her behind him.
Murong Wuhen raised his eyebrows and said with a smile, "Master Gu, we meet again."
Gu Qingyun's expression was indifferent, revealing neither joy nor anger, but her tone was cold: "Young Master Murong, as the dignified leader of the sect, sneaking into Shadow Mountain in the dead of night to bully two young ladies seems to be a lack of integrity."
Murong Wuhen laughed and said, "Master Gu, you are mistaken. There are no truly upright people in my Xuanyi Sect, otherwise why would you righteous people call it a demonic sect?"
Gu Qingyun said calmly, "No, your sect's former leader, Young Master Mozhu, although eccentric and ruthless, was still open-minded. If it were him, he probably wouldn't bother to do such a thing."
Murong Wuhen's eyes darkened, and he sneered, "Is Master Gu reminding me of the grudge you inflicted on the death of our former leader? I have long heard of the God of War's name, and today I will come to experience it for myself!" With that, he raised his hand, and several beams of dark light shot out.
Gu Qingyun swept his palm, blocking the incoming hidden weapon. He pulled Li Feiqing back several feet to avoid the weapon, then reached out to pick up the Juying Sword and handed it to Li Feiqing. He whispered, "Be careful of his sneak attacks with hidden weapons. Also, don't be so foolish again."
Amidst Murong Wuhen's long laughter, his palm strike flew swiftly with his figure. Gu Qingyun met it with a palm strike, but just before their hands touched, she realized something was wrong, quickly retracting her arm and drawing her longsword. Murong Wuhen was about to close in when he suddenly felt the imposing sword aura before him. He hurriedly leaped back to Mu Linlang's side. Gu Qingyun's longsword followed closely, chasing after Murong Wuhen's figure. Murong Wuhen smiled lightly, and with a wave of his palm, he sent Mu Linlang forward to meet the sword's edge.
Gu Qingyun paused with his sword, then gently pushed Mu Linlang aside with his left hand. Mu Linlang immediately collapsed to the ground, and Li Feiqing rushed forward to help her up.
With a smile on his face, Murong Wuhen played with the black gold ring on his finger and said, "Master Gu is quick to react. Countless heroes in the martial world have lost their lives under my Ghostly Bee Ring." Under the moonlight, a protruding bee stinger on the small black gold ring was shining with a strange green light.
Gu Qingyun's gaze turned cold, and a murderous intent stirred within him. Just then, Li Feiqing's anxious voice rang out: "Master Gu, he injured my senior sister with a poisoned needle!"
The Tragedy of Bone-Eating
Murong Wuhen laughed and said, "If Master Gu won't fall for it, I'll just have to take it out on this Miss Mu and stick a needle into her body."
Gu Qingyun said slowly, "If Young Master Murong refuses to hand over the antidote, I guarantee that your sect will pay ten times the price in the future."
Murong Wuhen sighed, "Master Gu, there's no need for threats. This bee sting poison can take a person's life in no time. If you can't kill me within a few dozen moves, Miss Mu might..." He clicked his tongue and shook his head, his face full of regret.
Seeing Mu Linlang's ashen face and rapid breathing, Li Feiqing knew that Murong Wuhen's words were true. She was both shocked and angry, and cried out, "Murong Wuhen!"
Murong Wuhen kept his eyes on Gu Qingyun and said with a smile, "Miss Qing, I'll say it again: obediently come down the mountain with me, and your precious senior sister will be fine."
Li Feiqing got up and walked towards him without saying a word, but Gu Qingyun grabbed her arm.
Tears welled up in Li Feiqing's eyes as she whispered, "Master Gu, my master only has my senior sister as his daughter. I... I absolutely cannot let anything happen to her." As she spoke, she tried to pull her wrist away from his hand, but Gu Qingyun gripped it even tighter.
Suddenly, a soft laugh was heard, and a figure slowly approached, saying, "Master Gu, although the Ghost Bee Sting is poisonous, it is not necessarily only Young Master Murong who has the antidote."
Upon seeing the newcomer, Murong Wuhen's lips curled into a half-smile, and he said, "What a fine day it is today that Saintess Ruan has such refined tastes, coming to Shadow Mountain for a midnight stroll?"
Li Feiqing saw that the newcomer was dressed in a light purple robe, with long black hair simply tied up with a gold ring. Her beautiful eyes sparkled, and she smiled gently. Her appearance was still that of the little maid Lou Yan had impersonated in Zhan Family Fort. She glanced at Murong Wuhen indifferently, then turned her gaze to Gu Qingyun and greeted her with a smile, "Master Gu, we meet again."
Gu Qingyun's eyes flashed as she asked, "Are you the Purple-Clad Holy Maiden of the Demonic Sect, 'The Hundred-Transformation Serpent' Ruan Ziya?"
Ruan Ziya nodded and smiled, "My little skills are nothing compared to what Master Gu has learned."