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A withered figure, like a piece of rotten wood, slowly stood up from under a tree.

He was so close to them, yet even with Young Master Ye An's profound inner strength, he hadn't noticed him nearby, only a few feet away. The young master's eyes suddenly darkened as he stared at the figure, saying nothing.

"I have been cultivating here alone for over a decade, and yet I have been enlightened by a young girl. I am truly ashamed." The figure slowly walked out, black mud, moss, and withered leaves rustling off his body. He looked up at Jun Ye'an and said, "Son of an old friend, when I first met you, you were just an infant. Time flies."

It was only then that Chu Xia could see clearly that this was an extremely thin old man. His hair and beard were all white, and his clothes were tattered, hanging on his body like sacks. Moss even grew between his fingernails. He had been meditating here for who knows how long, perhaps so long that he had lost track of time. It was clearly a human figure, yet it seemed not to be—like a tree, a blade of grass, or a grain of mud, blending into this world, leaving no trace.

Jun Ye'an bowed respectfully and said, "Master Tu Feng."

The old man slightly raised his hand and said in an extremely calm manner, "If I am not mistaken, Young Master Jun must be assessing my martial arts skills at this moment."

The young master's expression remained unchanged; he simply said, "I wouldn't dare."

“I originally possessed some martial arts skills, but after more than ten years of seclusion, I have forgotten them all,” Master Tufeng smiled. “The reason you did not notice my breathing technique is because I practice a breathing method that originated in India and spread to China. It allows me to breathe in harmony with heaven and earth and to share the spirit with all things. I am all things, and all things are me.”

The young master remained silent for a moment, concealing the gleam in his eyes, but his tone was much more relaxed: "Master is too modest."

Seeing that the old man was so thin that his ribs were showing, Chu Xia hesitated for a moment and glanced at the young master, then whispered, "You're not going to fight him, are you? He's... so thin, he's no match for you."

Seeing the worried look on her face, the young master couldn't help but smile slightly.

"The young lady has a very kind heart." Master Tufeng smiled, paused, and then turned to the young master, "I wonder what troubles you, young master, that you wish to have me enlighten you?"

The young master suppressed his smile and bowed deeply, saying, "Twenty years ago, my late father was on good terms with Master Huifeng and Master Tufeng, and they had a very close relationship. Later, Master Huifeng was killed by Tiangang, and before my father passed away, he ordered me to destroy Tiangang. Fortunately, a few months ago, I did not disappoint my father's last wish and annihilated the Tiangang armor. However, there are still some unclear situations, and I would appreciate your guidance, Master."

Master Tufeng's withered face, as dry as old tree bark, finally showed a slight change in expression: "You've destroyed the armor?"

The young master nodded and said, "Yes. But the Grand Chief of the Heavenly Gang said something before he died."

Master Tu Feng remained silent for a long time before saying, "What?"

"He asked me if I knew the cause of my father's death," the young master replied, word by word. "Later I heard that my father's heart ailment was contracted after Master Huifeng passed away. Twenty years ago, he came here to have a long talk with you, Master—I wonder what my father and you discussed during that long talk?"

Master Tufeng lowered his eyes, his long, snow-white eyebrows reaching his shoulders, and sighed, "This happened more than twenty years ago. I have been in seclusion for many years and have even forgotten the names of the people involved."

The wind howled strangely as it passed by.

Chu Xia suddenly said with some displeasure, "Master, this is not your fault. A monk does not lie. If you don't want to talk about it, then don't talk about it. Why use the excuse of not remembering to shirk your responsibility?"

The old monk was taken aback by what he heard. He silently turned around and returned to the tree where he had been sitting cross-legged.

“If Master finds this inappropriate, Ye An will not force you. However, the evil spirits of Tian Gang may not have been completely eradicated, and there have been frequent reports of murders in the martial world recently. Ye An can investigate at his own pace.” Jun Ye An sighed softly, “Please forgive me for disturbing Master’s meditation.”

He was about to turn around and leave with Chu Xia when he heard the old monk behind him say, "Wait, is this all you have to ask?"

The young master's eyes were deep and dark, as black as a pool of black jade. He said, "There is another question. I wonder if the master knows the answer?"

"I might as well say that."

What exactly is "Ballad of Mountains and Rivers"?

Master Tufeng sighed softly. Leaves fluttered in the forest. He hung his hands at his sides, closed his eyes, and said, "The matter you want to ask is not that I am unwilling to speak of it... but that it is impossible to speak of. It involves a grave mistake from years ago, and the reputations of several old friends are also implicated—although I have seen through the illusions of the world, they may not be." Although his words were plain, those who heard them could sense that Master Tufeng was referring to a momentous event in the martial world.

A hint of disappointment flashed across the young master's eyes, but he said no more, saying, "In that case, Ye An would not dare to make things difficult for the master."

“Young friend…do you know that your father once…” The old monk coughed several times, then hesitated and stopped. After a long while, he said, “How about this, come again tomorrow. I have something to give you.”

The young master nodded and said, "Okay, thank you." He said no more, turned around and left with Chu Xia.

Chu Xia stood still, her eyes flashing. She turned her head to look at the young master, then at the old man on the ground: "Master, monks do not lie. You must keep your word."

Master Tu Feng smiled and looked at Chu Xia for a long time before replying, "Yes."

On their way down the mountain, the two circled back to the front. Neither spoke in the darkness, each seemingly lost in their own thoughts. But the young master held Chu Xia's hand tightly the entire way, never letting go.

After walking for an unknown amount of time, they came upon a large tree in the middle of the mountain path, a tree that would take several people to encircle. Chu Xia squinted and whispered, "Is that the cypress tree the innkeeper mentioned?"

The young master smiled and said, "Let's go take a look."

Upon closer inspection, it was indeed a cypress tree, with lush branches and leaves, from which hung deep red ribbons, and many copper locks.

Under the velvety blue night sky, stars scattered like handfuls. Chu Xia kept her head tilted back until the young master's gentle voice came from behind her: "Little girl, you weren't counting how many copper locks are hanging here, were you?"

Chu Xia looked away, a little embarrassed, and smiled, "How did you know?"

He touched her cheek, stretched out one hand in front of her, and said with a slight smile, "Let's give it a try."

A small silver lock lay quietly in his palm.

Chu Xia was taken aback, then slowly looked up into his eyes: "When did you prepare this?"

The young master did not answer, but focused intently on her expression.

"Do you believe in this?" She happily took it from his hand and gently rubbed it in her palm.

The silver lock still carried the warmth of his hand, and she quickly closed her fingers as if afraid that the warmth would dissipate.

"Young girls are more likely to believe things..." The young master couldn't help but smile more as he watched her childish actions.

"Don't you believe me?" Chu Xia looked at him somewhat discouraged.

"If you believe me, I'll believe you." The young master looked at her calmly, a complex expression flashing in his eyes.

Chu Xia quietly looked away and smiled, "Then shall we hang it up?"

He put his arm around her waist, and with a light leap, he sat down on a cypress branch.

In early summer, she chose a branch that was neither too thick nor too thin, and with a click, she gently fastened the silver lock. Then, she looked closely at the two names on the lock and couldn't help but smile.

The young master gently put his arm around her shoulder, pulling her closer to him. A night breeze blew, and her hair brushed against his neck, a soft, ticklish sensation.

“What Master Tufeng will tell you tomorrow night must be something very important,” Chu Xia suddenly said.

The young master smiled faintly: "Perhaps."

Chu Xia seemed to think for a moment, then asked somewhat blankly, "Could it be a good thing?"

The young master tightened his arms around her waist, closed his eyes, and rested his chin on her hair, but did not answer.

A cool breeze picked up, and being on a mountain, the early summer chill made her shiver slightly. The young master whispered in her ear, "Are you cold?"

She happened to turn around, and her cheek collided with his lips.

Both of them were taken aback.

Chu Xia hurriedly turned her head, while he smiled slightly, reached out and gently held her chin, slowly turning her face towards him.

The inexplicable panic gradually subsided... leaving only indescribable emotions and a hint of sweet fragrance in the air.

Forced by him, Chu Xia tilted her head slightly, watching as the young master's thin lips drew closer. His breath gradually approached, making her feel flustered, yet also attracting her like a moth drawn to a flame.

She closed her eyes, and just as she was about to touch it, a long, drawn-out bell suddenly rang out from the mountaintop.

Chu Xia hurriedly opened her eyes. Firelight had already lit up the mountaintop, and one could imagine the chaos and turmoil that had taken place there.

The young master also turned his face to the side, listened intently to the sound of the bell, and frowned, saying, "It seems that something has happened on the mountain."

Chu Xia felt a bad premonition rising in her heart. She looked at the young master, but he said decisively, "Let's go down the mountain first."

He carried Chuxia and leaped down from the cypress tree. They had barely walked half an incense stick's time when the fire dragon on the mountain had already gradually spread to the mountainside. Chuxia asked somewhat bewilderedly, "What is that?"

At this moment, the young master appeared extremely relaxed. He slowed his pace and smiled slightly, saying, "It seems there are uninvited guests. The Shaolin disciples have caught up with us."

Chu Xia felt even more uneasy: "An uninvited guest?"

The young master's eyes were bright and clear. He touched her hair, but his tone was unusually gentle: "Don't be afraid, I'm here."

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Another half-cup of tea's time passed, and someone came rushing over, shouting loudly, "Who dares to break into Shaolin at night?"

In early summer, by the flickering light of the torches, they saw a group of Shaolin monks, each holding a brown staff. They moved like dragons and the wind, and in an instant, they surrounded the two of them.

The leading monk was extremely tall. When he stood in the middle of the path, he immediately exuded an imposing aura. His bulging muscles were quite intimidating, and one glance was enough to tell that he was a master of external martial arts.

The monk said in a deep voice, "You man, put down your weapon and come with me to see the abbot."

The young master stood with his hands behind his back, only smiling faintly: "Now that I'm taking a night trip to Mount Song, am I going to be sent to the Shaolin Temple's disciplinary hall?"

The monk sneered, "Shaoshi Mountain is under the jurisdiction of Shaolin. How dare you idle people come and go as you please!"

The young master turned around and saw Chu Xia's pale face. He sighed, "They want us to stay. What do you think we should do?"

Seeing the young master's smile in the firelight, Chu Xia suddenly felt relieved. She raised her chin slightly and deliberately said loudly, "These days, monks are almost like highway robbers. They scare people with long sticks and demand that people stay at any time."

Chu Xia was naturally articulate and spoke clearly, and the monk's face flushed red and then turned pale, so he could only let out a heavy snort.

A sudden gust of night wind blew, lifting the young master's robes. The dark blue hem of his robe fluttered in the wind, and he stood with his hands behind his back, smiling faintly as he said to Chu Xia, "If we descend the mountain now, it will be dawn when we reach the bottom."

The group of monks drew ever closer, the slightly damp air seeming to conceal sharp blades, making it hard to breathe. The young master said slowly, "You people can't stop me. It's best not to make a move."

Before the words were finished, another fiery dragon stretched out from another path. Someone rushed over and shouted, "Stop them! They killed Grandmaster Tu Feng!"

These words struck like a thunderbolt.

Chu Xia almost lost her balance, knowing that the two of them had fallen into a terrible trap. Her heart pounded, and when she looked down, she saw that the young master's right hand was already resting on the Yuyang sword. His previous leisurely expression had faded, his eyebrows were slanted upwards, and he was pursing his thin lips, saying nothing.

The group of monks exchanged bewildered glances, and their leader finally spoke up: "Tell me slowly, what happened to Grandmaster Tu Feng?"

The young monk who rushed over, panting, said, "They killed Master Tufeng and couldn't escape in time... Stop them!"

Chu Xia couldn't help but say, "Master Tu Feng is clearly fine—who said we killed Master Tu Feng?"

Upon hearing this, all the monks wore strange expressions, and the young monk's expression twisted for a moment, as if he had witnessed something extremely horrifying. He even stammered, "You...you're a woman! It's you! It's you!"

Before Chu Xia could speak, the leading monk unleashed a swift palm strike. The force of the palm struck towards Chu Xia from afar, but the young master took a small step forward and, without any apparent effort, deflected the attack. However, a few strands of hair escaped from the side of the palm, causing the cloth covering Chu Xia's head to fall, revealing her flowing black hair.

"Indeed, it's a woman." The warrior monk shouted, "Who exactly are you?"

"It's this fragrance!" The young monk couldn't help but burst into tears. "The place where my grand-uncle was killed also has this faint floral scent, it's the scent of you!"

Chu Xia lifted her sleeve, took a gentle sniff, and asked somewhat blankly, "What fragrance is this?"

The young master's heart skipped a beat. He knew that Chu Xia did indeed carry a faint fragrance like orchids, but she was unaware of it, so he hadn't mentioned it. He took another half step forward, blocking Chu Xia behind him, and said solemnly, "We did go to see Master Tu Feng before, but when we left, the master was safe and sound, and we agreed to meet again tomorrow. Master... has he really passed away?"

The young monk wiped away his tears and said, "My grandmaster was murdered! You two thieves, I saw with my own eyes that the murderer was a woman's back. You are the only woman on this mountain now, and you still dare to deny it!"

Before the words were finished, the monk's voice boomed like thunder: "Form the formation and take down these two first."

The young master gently supported Chu Xia's waist with one hand, his palm flowing softly, guiding her to a spot on the cliff beside the cypress path. With his other hand, he unsheathed the Yuyang Sword, revealing its snow-white blade. Before the martial monks could even form their battle formation, a flash of light appeared before their eyes, and the head of their staff had been sliced off in half. It should be known that the staff was made of ironwood, encased in copper sheets, making it as hard as metal or stone. Yet this young man moved with the speed of a phantom, effortlessly slicing through a long staff—a skill truly astonishing.

After his attack, the young master immediately retreated, gathered his energy in his dantian, and said in a deep voice, "Lord Cangzhou, I wish to see Master Kongfeng of Shaolin."

He repeated it three times, his voice carrying far and wide, reaching the ears of everyone on Mount Chushi.