Gu Qingyun smiled and asked, "What would you like, young lady?"
Ruan Ziya smiled and said, "Of course it's not Master Gu's life. I just want to ask Master Gu if he knows who has the ancient formula in his hands?"
Gu Qingyun asked, "Didn't Madam Mu pass the prescription on to you, young lady?"
Ruan Ziya shook her head and said, "Before my mother passed away, she secretly passed on the art of poison to me. Even my father didn't know about this. I was very young at the time. My mother said that she would pass on the ancient formula when I grew up. Unfortunately... when I was six years old, she suddenly passed away due to a difficult childbirth. Later, I searched all over Yingshan, but I could never find the formula."
Li Feiqing remembered something and said, "Senior Sister, those people from the Kongtong Sect who died from the 'Azure Phosphorus' poison, you didn't kill them?"
Ruan Ziya sneered and said, "It's only right that a few more of the stinking disciples of the Kongtong Sect die. I didn't kill those people, but since Fu Chong is convinced that I did, I'll go and kill a few more of them in the Kongtong Sect after I leave the valley."
Seeing the murderous intent in her eyes, Li Feiqing was secretly worried. She thought to herself: Once we leave the valley, my senior sister and I will become enemies again. If she kills people indiscriminately, how can I sit idly by?
Gu Qingyun pondered for a moment and said, "Miss, are you investigating the whereabouts of the ancient formula? Could this be related to the death of Young Master Mozhu?"
Ruan Ziya sighed softly, "As expected, nothing can be hidden from Master Gu. The person who possesses the poison formula is probably the real culprit who killed Mozhu."
Li Feiqing clenched her hands and said in a deep voice, "This person should also be the murderer who poisoned Master."
Ruan Ziya's eyes flashed, and she sneered, "This person has the poison formula in his possession and has been hiding for so long. He must be meticulous and skillful. I want to fight him and let him taste the bitterness of being poisoned to death!"
After thinking for a moment, she said to Gu and Li, "Master Gu, Junior Sister, come over tomorrow. Once I have recovered my strength, we will explore the way out of the valley together."
Life is unpredictable
Ruan Ziya watched Gu and Li leave, then turned around and saw Murong Wuhen leaning against the cave entrance with a gloomy face. She couldn't help but laugh and ask, "What's wrong?"
Murong Wuhen glanced at her, turned and went back into the cave. Ruan Ziya followed her in, then asked with a light laugh, "Who upset you? My junior sister?"
Murong Wuhen said calmly, "You already had a way to leave the valley? Why didn't you say so earlier? Were you afraid that if I found out, you would leave alone and abandon me in the valley?"
Ruan Ziya was taken aback, then chuckled and said, "Why would you think that?"
Seeing that Murong Wuhen's expression was not joking, she felt a surge of anger and resentment. After a moment of silence, she turned and walked to a corner of the cave, where she slowly sat down.
Murong Wuhen sulked for a while, not hearing Ruan Ziya speak. He turned his head and saw that her face was pale and her eyes were full of tears. His heart softened immediately, and he quickly went over to hug her and kissed her lips.
Ruan Ziya snorted coldly and elbowed him in the stomach. Murong Wuhen doubled over in pain, but he still had a forced smile on his face. He gasped, "You want to murder your husband?"
Ruan Ziya realized that she had hit him too hard and felt a little remorseful. When she saw Murong Wuhen reach out his arm again, she stopped struggling and let him hold her. Murong Wuhen leaned close to her ear and whispered, "It was my fault. I shouldn't have doubted you. I won't do it again."
Ruan Ziya sighed and said in a low voice, "In your heart, you're always afraid that I'll scheme against you."
Murong Wuhen chuckled and said, "Every time we fight, I'm defeated by you, so it's understandable that I'm afraid."
Ruan Ziya glared at him, and Murong Wuhen took the opportunity to lower his head and lightly peck her lips. Ruan Ziya punched his chest and muttered, "Shameless." Her anger subsided, and after a moment, she said softly, "The way out is inside this mountain. I didn't tell you the other day because..."
She suddenly blushed, glanced at Murong Wuhen, and said nothing more.
After a moment's thought, Murong Wuhen suddenly realized what was going on. He hugged her tightly and said, "Are you afraid that the two factions in the sect will continue to fight after we leave the valley? Do you want to spend a few quiet days with me here?"
Ruan Ziya lowered her eyelashes. Murong Wuhen saw a tear hanging on her eyelashes and felt a pang of regret and remorse. He kissed away the tear at the corner of her eye and said softly, "After we leave the valley, I will command the followers to stop fighting with you. Why do you need to worry?"
Ruan Ziya looked up and gazed into his eyes, then slowly asked, "If I asked you to give up your position as sect leader for me, would you be willing?"
Murong Wuhen hesitated for a moment, then, seeing a hint of disappointment in Ruan Ziya's eyes, he took out the Ink Bamboo Token from his pocket and handed it to her, saying with a smile, "Now that I have given you all my wealth, you are destined to be my woman for life."
That evening, the two thought about leaving the valley the next day, and their minds were filled with turmoil. Murong Wuhen sat cross-legged, his gaze deep, lost in thought.
Ruan Ziya used to fall asleep in his arms every night, but now, lying alone, she felt a chill and said to him, "Why aren't you asleep yet?"
Murong Wuhen responded, but did not move.
Ruan Ziya grew impatient and muttered under her breath, "I'm cold."
Murong Wuhen finally got up slowly, lingering as he lay down beside her. Ruan Ziya smiled contentedly and snuggled into his arms. But as soon as her body touched his, she cried out in surprise, shoving him away and blushing as she muttered, "You brat, how dare you..."
Murong Wuhen felt helpless, cleared his throat, and said, "I have no choice in the matter."
It turned out that after his intimate encounter with Ruan Ziya during the day, seeing her stunningly beautiful face now, he couldn't help but recall the graceful figure he had seen while healing and bathing her. He became increasingly aroused and unable to control himself. He hesitated to go to Ruan Ziya's side for fear that she would notice and accuse him of having ulterior motives.
Seeing his dejected and embarrassed appearance, yet still looking at her cautiously, Ruan Ziya couldn't help but cover her mouth and giggle.
Seeing that she wasn't angry, Murong Wuhen coughed again and tentatively said, "Actually, it's so cold outside, and you can't sleep, why don't you find something else to do?"
Ruan Ziya blushed and chuckled, sighing, "How could I have fallen in love with such a lecherous man like you?"
Murong Wuhen was overjoyed. He turned over and hugged her, laughing, "Alright, you dare to scold me? Let's see how I punish you later."
The next morning, Murong Wuhen opened his eyes and saw Ruan Ziya still fast asleep on his chest, her long black hair cascading down her back, covering their naked, intertwined bodies, adding to the intimacy. He moved his fingers slightly, touching Ruan Ziya's soft, smooth skin, and his heart fluttered. He recalled the scene of their passionate embrace the night before, and a heat suddenly rose in his lower abdomen.
Ruan Ziya vaguely sensed something was amiss, immediately snapping back to reality. Her face flushed, and she scolded playfully, "Why are you doing this again..."
Murong Wuhen was delighted to hear her soft and charming voice, which, though a complaint, revealed tender affection. He chuckled and said, "It's still early. Before they come over, shall we do it again?"
Ruan Ziya sat up abruptly, exclaiming, "I almost forgot! Junior Sister will be here soon, what if she sees us...? You'd better get up quickly!"
Murong Wuhen stared at her chest for a moment and hesitated. He thought that if Gu Qingyun accidentally saw her beautiful figure, it would be very bad. So he reluctantly got up and slowly put on his clothes.
The two, dressed neatly, sat in the stone cave and waited for a long time before Li Feiqing finally arrived, pulling Gu Qingyun along.
The four of them were still sleepy and somewhat drowsy, but Murong Wuhen and Li Feiqing, thinking that Ruan Ziya would recover her strength after this exercise, immediately perked up and began to guide her true energy. After about half an hour, Ruan Ziya felt the true energy flowing in her dantian without the usual obstruction or resistance. She opened her eyes and smiled, "Alright, the task is complete."
Li Feiqing and Murong Wuhen were overjoyed. Ruan Ziya said, "Mozhu once left Snow Valley through the passage inside the mountain in this cave. There must be another way out. Let's go and explore it without delay."
※※※※
At the same moment, in the main hall of the Xueye Beiyuan branch of the Xuanyi Sect, a member hurriedly entered and presented Qu Yan with a secret letter.
After reading it, Qu Yan smiled and said to Elder Zhai, who was sitting to the side, "Elders Yun and He have invited us to Wuling Mountain for peace talks. What is Elder Zhai's opinion?"
Elder Zhai frowned and said in a deep voice, "Now that our lord is missing, we should ask Hall Master Qu to make a decision."
Qu Yan said, "I heard that Murong Wuhen has also been missing for many days. Now the sect is in disarray. Why not take this opportunity to discuss with Elders Yun and He? If we can avoid internal strife and join forces to fight the enemy, that would be wonderful."
Elder Zhai nodded and said, "That's right. However, Murong Wuhen is cunning and treacherous. We should be wary that his disappearance this time may be a trap. We need to deploy manpower and make full preparations during the peace talks."
Qu Yan smiled and said, "That's only right."
After discussing and making arrangements, the two led their followers to Wuling Mountain to keep their appointment.
Upon arriving at the foot of the mountain, they found Elders Yun and He, along with members of various factions from the Azure, Ochre, Red, and Brown Halls, already waiting at the foot of the mountain.
Qu Yan saw that Yun and He seemed to have deep worries between their brows. He exchanged a glance with Elder Zhai and thought to himself: Could it really be such a coincidence that Murong Wuhen and Ruan Ziya disappeared at the same time?
Elder Yun spoke first: "Hall Master Qu, Elder Zhai, there's no need for formalities between us. Let's get straight to the point. Young Master Murong and Saintess Ruan have been missing for nearly half a month, and the righteous sects have formed an alliance to relentlessly pursue our sect. If this continues, the situation is dire. Elder He and I have discussed it, and the only solution now is for both sides to cease fighting, unite, and confront the righteous sects together."
Qu Yan smiled slightly and said, "Elder Yun is right. Elder Zhai and I also think so. However, if we are to merge into one, someone still needs to take over the position of sect leader. I wonder if either of you has someone in mind?"
Yun and He looked at each other, knowing that the two factions had been fighting each other for a long time and were hostile to each other. Neither of them nor Elder Zhai could win the hearts of the followers of the two factions if they were to take the position of acting leader. They both felt helpless: they were afraid that Qu Yan would take advantage of the situation.
Just as Elder Yun was about to speak, he suddenly heard the sound of horses' hooves and a cloud of dust rising in the distance. His expression changed, and he looked at Qu Yan.
Qu Yan raised an eyebrow and said, "These upright people are quite quick to get the news."
In the blink of an eye, the righteous people had arrived at the foot of the mountain. They saw that experts from major sects such as Feihua Manor, Beiyuan Temple, and Yingshan had all gathered there. Each of them had a solemn expression and were lined up in batches, forming an encirclement around the Xuanyi Sect members.
Panlong Gang leader Xu Shenyan shouted, "Demon cultists, surrender now!"
Qu Yan laughed and said, "You nobody is not worthy to speak to me. Call your alliance leader out."
A voice from the crowd opposite said with a smile, "This must be Master Qu Yan of the Nine Venerable Hall. I have long admired your name."
The crowd parted, and a man stepped out with a smile and his hand on his sword. It was Yi Feng, the leader of the Shadow Mountain Sect.
Qu Yan smiled and said, "Sect Leader Yi, in just half a month since you took office as the Alliance Leader, you have already destroyed several of my sect's branches. Now you have led your people here again. It seems that you are determined to eradicate my sect from the root?"
Yi Feng said calmly, "Evil and heretical sects should be killed by everyone. The Demonic Sect's fate is sealed. Hall Master Qu should accept his fate."
He smiled slightly and said, "The reinforcements that your sect arranged in advance have all been annihilated by our righteous faction. Hall Master Qu, you should no longer expect anything from them."
Qu Yan's expression hardened. Seeing that Elders Yun and He also had drastic changes in their expressions, he knew that they must have been prepared in advance and had arranged reinforcements. However, they were all annihilated by Yi Feng with lightning speed.
In this way, although the Xuan Yi Sect was no less numerous than the righteous sects, it was divided into two factions that fought their own battles. The righteous sects, on the other hand, were uniformly appointed by Yi Feng and acted with restraint. The contrast between the two sides clearly showed the superiority of the Xuan Yi Sect.
Qu Yan's palms were slightly sweaty as he thought to himself, "Could it be that the Xuan Yi Sect, founded by Young Master Mo Zhu, is going to be destroyed in this Wu Ling Mountain today?"
Suddenly, a follower let out a soft "Eh!" and a huge rock on the mountainside slowly moved away. Then, in a flash, several people jumped out from behind the rock.
Zhang Datou exclaimed in surprise, "Isn't that the Master of the Manor and Miss Li?"
Within the Xuan Yi Sect, people cried out, "Master!" "Sect Leader!"
Emerging from behind the boulder were Gu Qingyun, Li Feiqing, Ruan Ziya, and Murong Wuhen. Having finally emerged from the mountain's interior, they were surprised to see the two sides facing off outside.
Elders Yun, He, and Zhai came forward to greet him. When Ruan Ziya saw Yi Feng, he was slightly taken aback. Elder Zhai had already whispered the situation to him and said, "Please give us your instructions on how to deal with the enemy, Master."
Ruan Ziya glanced at Murong Wuhen and said with a smile, "Let's follow Young Master Murong's orders."
Qu Yan watched coldly from the side. He saw that her gaze towards Murong Wuhen was full of tenderness. Although she was wearing a human skin mask, her ears were already slightly red. He also saw faint hickeys on her fair neck. Qu Yan couldn't help but feel jealous and hateful.
Author's Note: Why can't I ever catch the last bus at midnight? ~~o(>_<)o ~~
Battle with Kageyama
Murong Wuhen was taken aback upon hearing this. Ruan Ziya took out the Ink Bamboo Token and handed it to him, saying loudly, "From now on, everyone shall obey the orders of Sect Leader Murong. Anyone who disobeys will be considered an enemy of Ruan Ziya!"
The followers of Xue and Cang Halls usually revered Ruan Ziya as a deity, and upon hearing her words, they readily accepted the order.
Qu Yan sneered slightly, but then thought that with the major sects watching closely and the situation pressing, if internal strife broke out in the sect again, it would be tantamount to courting destruction. So he said, "Now that all the elites of our sect are gathered here, if the sect leader is willing, let's fight with these famous sects and let them experience the methods of my Xuanyi Sect."
Murong Wuhen nodded and smiled, "Master Gu, do you mean we're going to fight to the death as soon as we leave Snow Valley?"
He reached out and took Ruan Ziya's hand, smiled at her, and then said to Gu Qingyun, "However, you have just recovered from your serious injuries. If I were to compete with you now, I would inevitably give others something to say. How about we set a three-month timeframe, and then we can settle our differences?"
Everyone was taken aback when they heard that he had challenged Gu Qingyun to a duel. A look of worry flashed across Ruan Ziya's eyes, but then she suddenly remembered something and immediately felt relieved.
Gu Qingyun smiled slightly and was about to reply when Yi Feng stepped forward and said first, "I regret that I had a brief exchange of a few moves with you on Shadow Mountain that day. How about I learn from your skills three months from now?"
Murong Wuhen felt Ruan Ziya's fingers tremble slightly, and then smiled and said, "I heard that Sect Leader Yi has become the leader of the martial arts alliance and has become our sect's number one enemy? Very well... In three months, I will definitely lead my followers to visit Sect Leader Yi at Shadow Mountain."
Yi Feng smiled and nodded, his gaze lingering on Ruan Ziya's face for a moment before he turned and arranged for the people from various factions to leave in batches.