The next afternoon, as the ship approached Yuezhou, Wang Xiaofeng suddenly said, “Sect Leader Nie, I am deeply grateful for your arduous escort. Tomorrow we will part ways when we reach Wuchang. How about I go to Yuezhou City later to buy some good wine, and we can have a good drink together?”

Nie Yun smiled and said, “Since Brother Wang has such an interest, I am naturally happy to accompany you. Yuezhou wine is famous throughout the world. Back then, Li Bai, who was known as the Immortal of Wine, also wrote the famous line, ‘The wine of Baling is boundless, enough to intoxicate the autumn of Dongting Lake.’ Today, we can certainly enjoy it to our heart’s content.”

The two exchanged a smile, each harboring their own calculations.

After the ship entered the harbor and anchored, Wang Xiaofeng headed into the city, and Nie Yun instructed the servants to prepare a meal.

Wang Xiaofeng returned after a long time, carrying two large wine bottles with three big characters written on red paper on them: “Drunk for a Thousand Autumns”.

He boarded the boat and said to Nie Yun with a smile, “This is a famous wine from Yuezhou. Everyone who has tasted it raves about it. Today, let’s drink to our hearts’ content and not leave until we’re drunk!”

Nie Yun smiled slightly and gestured for them to proceed.

The two entered the cabin, where Ling and Shui had been waiting for a long time.

In the small cabin, four people sat around a table, a perfect number of people—neither too spacious nor too crowded.

Wang Xiaofeng reached out and lifted the cap of the wine bottle, and the rich and lingering aroma instantly wafted out.

Nie Yun twitched his nose, his eyes lit up instantly, and he laughed loudly, “Indeed, this is fine wine!”

Wang Xiaofeng smiled and took two wine bowls, filling them for the two men. He raised one bowl to Nie Yun and said, “Sect Leader Nie, thank you for taking care of me along the way. I’ll drink this first as a sign of respect.” With that, he tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp.

Nie Yun laughed and said, “I am extremely happy to meet a hero like Brother Wang. Come on, bottoms up!” He then drank the wine in his bowl in one gulp.

After finishing his drink, he said to Shui Sheng, “Miss Shui, would you like me to pour you a cup too?”

Shui Sheng wasn’t good at drinking, but thinking of Nie Yun’s life-saving grace to her father and his help all along, she smiled and said, “Actually, I should be the one thanking Sect Leader Nie the most. Today, I also want to toast you.”

A beautiful woman shouldn’t be drinking from a bowl.

Wang Xiaofeng took a wine glass, filled it, and placed it in front of Shui Sheng on the table.

Ling Shuanghua looked at the light green wine with great curiosity.

Wang Xiaofeng said to Ling Shuanghua, “Miss Ling, since you rarely pass through this place, and since you can’t go to Yueyang Tower, why not try the Zui Qianqiu wine there? That way, your trip won’t be in vain.”

Ling Shuanghua was quite intrigued by what she heard. She looked up at Nie Yun with a questioning look in her eyes.

Nie Yun nodded and said, “This wine has a pleasant aroma and no spiciness. It is indeed a rare and fine wine. If you want to drink it, please have a glass.”

Ling Shuanghua smiled and nodded, “Since Sister Shui has drunk it, I’ll try some too.”

Nie Yun smiled indulgently, his gentle expression making both women’s hearts flutter. Ling Shuanghua was alright, but Shui Sheng quickly turned her head away, only turning back after a while, still not daring to look at Nie Yun again.

Nie Yun poured Ling Shuanghua a cup and then smiled, “In this vast sea of ​​people, it is truly a rare fate that we were able to meet and get to know each other. Come, let’s drink this cup together.”

Wang Xiaofeng said, “Well said, let’s do it!”

The two women smiled slightly and raised their glasses together.

They first licked it and found that, just as Nie Yun had said, it was not spicy at all, but rather had a refreshing fragrance.

After drinking a cup, both of them had rosy cheeks, looking delicate and charming, revealing their captivating allure.

The four chatted and laughed as they talked.

During the meal, Nie Yun kept making witty remarks, readily spouting various jokes and anecdotes, making the atmosphere increasingly joyful.

The bottle of wine was quickly finished. Then Wang Xiaofeng took another bottle, filled it for himself and Shui Sheng, and said to her, “Cousin, I have been regretting what happened that day. Today, I will use this glass of wine to apologize to you.”

Shui Sheng was taken aback by what she heard. She clearly did not expect that Wang Xiaofeng would actually lower himself to apologize to her in front of outsiders.

She hesitated for a moment, then said, “Cousin, there’s no need to blame yourself. What happened that day wasn’t entirely your fault. Besides, Father has already passed away, and I don’t want to bring this up again.”

Wang Xiaofeng shook his head and said, “Cousin, I know you still hold a grudge against me. Since Uncle passed away, I have been blaming myself day and night, suffering immense torment. I only blame myself for being rash and impulsive, causing Uncle’s death and making you heartbroken. But do you know, seeing you treat me with such coldness every day, I would rather it be me who dies. If you refuse to forgive me, I can only go to the underworld to apologize to Uncle.”

Ling Shuanghua also chimed in, “Sister Shui, you’ve been angry for so long. Although your cousin acted impulsively that day, it was because someone made lewd remarks about you first. Just forgive him.”

Nie Yun also said, “Miss Shui, the deceased is gone, and one cannot live in pain forever. With Hero Shui gone, Brother Wang is your only family. You can’t always be so indifferent; life must be lived better.”

Seeing Wang Xiaofeng’s pained expression, Shui Sheng recalled the sweet and warm moments they had shared in the past, and her heart softened. She raised her wine glass and said, “Cousin, I was the one who got stuck in a rut these past few days. I shouldn’t have treated you like that. Don’t be sad.”

When Wang Xiaofeng saw her raise her wine glass, he was overjoyed and quickly said, “Cousin, as long as you are willing to forgive me, I am willing to suffer any injustice.” With that, he clinked his wine bowl against Shui Sheng’s glass and then drank it all in one gulp.

Seeing his happy expression, Shui Sheng felt that she had perhaps gone a bit too far lately.

She drank the wine while thinking about it, but didn’t notice that the taste seemed a little different from before.

Wang Xiaofeng’s eyes darted around, and he spoke to Nie Yun and Ling Shuanghua.

“Thanks to you both, I was able to get my cousin’s forgiveness today. Here, let me toast you both again.” He poured a cup for each of them.

Nie Yun laughed and said, “Brother Wang’s sincerity will naturally be rewarded in due time. I am merely going with the flow.” With that, he drank the wine in his bowl in one gulp.

Ling Shuanghua politely declined, saying, “Young Master Wang, I can’t drink anymore.”

Wang Xiaofeng said, “Miss Ling, this is to express my sincere gratitude. This is just one cup. Besides, Brother Nie is right here, so what are you worried about?”

Nie Yun took her cup from the side and said to Wang Xiaofeng, “Brother Wang, I’ll drink it for her.” After saying that, he also drank Ling Shuanghua’s wine.

Wang Xiaofeng clapped his hands and laughed, “You really are chivalrous!” Nie Yun smiled slightly and was about to speak when suddenly his body swayed.

He touched his head, puzzled, and asked, “Why is this alcohol so strong?”

Ling Shuanghua quickly took his arm and asked, “Brother Yun, are you alright?”

Nie Yun muttered something and rested his head on the table.

Seeing this, Shui Sheng laughed and said, “He must be feeling the effects of the alcohol. I’ll go and get someone to help Brother Nie back to his room to rest.”

As he was about to get up, he suddenly stumbled and felt dizzy.

“Sister Shui, what’s wrong?” Ling Shuanghua saw Shui Sheng’s condition and quickly went to help her.

At this moment, Wang Xiaofeng stood up and said, “Miss Ling, you stay here and watch over things. I’ll go and call someone.” With that, he walked towards the door.

Ling Shuanghua had no doubts. She got up and went to Shui Sheng. Shui Sheng felt weak all over, but her mind was very clear.

Although she wasn’t particularly experienced in the ways of the world, she still felt that something was amiss.

She pulled Ling Shuanghua along and asked with difficulty, “Shuanghua, how much alcohol does Brother Nie usually drink?”

Ling Shuanghua said, “Yes, he rarely drinks, but once he casually mentioned to me that he has profound internal strength and that he won’t get drunk no matter how much he drinks!” She paused for a moment as she said this.

Upon hearing this, Shui Sheng felt a sudden sense of foreboding. She murmured, “Impossible, no way, no way…”

Just then, the door creaked open, and a person slowly walked in, laughing, “Cousin, what can’t you do?” The two women looked up and saw that it was Wang Xiaofeng, who had returned.

At this moment, a strange smile appeared on his lips, and he looked at the two women with the eyes of a butcher looking at lambs to the slaughter.

Shui Sheng’s heart sank, but she still clung to a sliver of hope and asked, “Cousin, where are the people you called?” Wang Xiaofeng raised his hand and gently twirled it, slowly saying as he looked them over, “We don’t need anyone tonight. Just the two of you and I are enough. As for them, well…”

A chill ran through Shui Sheng, and she asked in a trembling voice, “What…what did you do to them?”

Ling Shuanghua was startled by his words. Wang Xiaofeng looked at her with a greedy glint in his eyes. “The most beautiful woman in Jingzhou? Heh, I’d like to taste what she’s like!”

Even if Ling Shuanghua was naive, she could tell that Wang Xiaofeng had ill intentions. She tried to run away, but Wang Xiaofeng tapped her shoulder twice with lightning speed, and then she stopped moving.

Wang Xiaofeng withdrew his hand and looked at Shui Sheng, who had an incredulous expression on her face.

“Cousin, why…why did you do this?” Shui Sheng’s voice was filled with pain and anger. She simply couldn’t believe that her cousin could do such a despicable thing.

“Why? Hehe… Good question.”

Wang Xiaofeng slowly sat down, his expression gradually turning crazed. “I want to ask you why! We grew up together as childhood sweethearts and were already engaged. Why are you arguing with me all day for an outsider, a man at that?”

“I…” Shui Sheng felt wronged, but she still tried to speak in a calm tone, “Brother Nie is thinking of us wholeheartedly, and what he said makes sense, so I naturally agree with him.”

“Ah…is that so?”

Wang Xiaofeng laughed as if he’d heard a joke, “Every time you see someone surnamed Nie, your face lights up like you’ve found a gold ingot, and you blush all the time. Do you think I’m blind? Don’t tell me it’s because he’s right!”

Seeing Wang Xiaofeng’s frantic state, Shui Sheng quickly said, “Cousin, it’s not like that, let me explain! I actually…” “I won’t listen!”

Wang Xiaofeng shouted, interrupting Shui Sheng, “What’s there to explain? Isn’t it just because he has a good-looking face, his martial arts are better than mine, and he’s a sect leader?”

“Cousin, no, Brother Nie is just a good friend to me.”

Shui Sheng thought Wang Xiaofeng was blinded by jealousy, which was why he took such a risk, so she desperately tried to explain, “Besides, Father also said before he died…”

“Don’t mention that old senile fool to me!” Wang Xiaofeng jumped up like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, his face contorted with rage. “He actually let that bastard Nie Yun take care of you! What does that mean? He clearly knows we’re engaged, yet he entrusted you to another man. He obviously looks down on me and wants to find you a new partner, right? And what’s with all this talk of ‘The Four Wonders of the South’ and ‘Cold Moon Sword’? I think he’s just a sycophantic scoundrel!” “Wang Xiaofeng, you’re talking nonsense!” Shui Sheng trembled with rage upon hearing him insult her father. “Father not only meticulously taught you all his martial arts but also introduced you to heroes from all corners of the land, and now you dare to say such things? Are you even human?!”

“Hehe… I don’t know if I’m human or not, but you two will soon be immortals!” Wang Xiaofeng licked his lips. “Isn’t Nie Yun very arrogant? He actually threw me to the ground in front of so many people. Now I’ll show him how his woman becomes a slut under me!” “No! Cousin, how can you do this?” Shui Sheng couldn’t believe her ears. Wang Xiaofeng, who always talked about chivalry, was actually going to do such a despicable thing. “Miss Ling is innocent, you can’t hurt her! Wake up, cousin, don’t make another mistake. Have you forgotten that we are the ‘Double Heroes of the Bell and Sword’? You will be despised by the world for doing this!” As she spoke, she secretly circulated her inner energy, trying to suppress the effects of the drug. Unexpectedly, as soon as she circulated her inner energy, she felt a sharp pain in her meridians. Shui Sheng felt her inner energy dissipate instantly, and she couldn’t help but let out a scream.

Wang Xiaofeng shook his head and chuckled, “Cousin, don’t bother. The wine not only contains sleeping pills but also a ‘power-dissolving powder.’ If you try to circulate your qi after being poisoned, at best your meridians will be damaged, turning you into a cripple; at worst, you’ll die on the spot. And what do you mean by being ridiculed by the world? Hehe, don’t worry, no one will know about tonight’s events!”

His eyes gleamed with madness, his expression one of frenzied excitement, as if he’d taken a potent tonic. “After tonight, everyone on the ship except you will go see your senile old father. I’ll recruit a new batch of servants; they’ll only know I have a sickly cousin who can’t face anyone. When we reach Wuchang, I’ll be the dutiful disciple who escorted my master’s ashes and orphan back to our hometown. You’ll be too sick to see anyone, too mute to speak, and your maid will have to take care of you as you wish. But I, deeply in love, will not only not despise you, but will continue to fulfill our marriage vows and marry you. Everyone in the martial world will praise me for my loyalty and righteousness, regarding me as a great hero. Heh heh…” Shui Sheng felt as if she had fallen into an ice cave, chilled to the bone. Tears streamed down her face as she murmured, “Cousin, how could you become like this?”

Wang Xiaofeng ignored her and slowly moved to face Ling Shuanghua.

Although Ling Shuanghua was immobilized by acupressure and could neither move nor speak, her hearing was unaffected.

Wang Xiaofeng’s words filled her with both hatred and fear. She was not afraid of death, but she could not bear to be humiliated before she died.

She secretly resolved that she would bite her tongue and commit suicide at the first opportunity, and would never let Wang Xiaofeng defile her.

Looking at Ling Shuanghua, who seemed ready to devour him, Wang Xiaofeng leered, “The most beautiful woman in Jingzhou City? Hmph, I spit on you! You’re just a slut who’s had an affair with some random man! But it doesn’t matter, I don’t mind. Although killing you would be a bit of a waste, there’s nothing I can do, since you’re a second-hand item!”

Ling Shuanghua blushed with anger at his words, her eyes filled with boundless hatred.

Because of her emotional outburst, her chest heaved violently, and the constant throbbing of her breasts made Wang Xiaofeng’s heart itch.

“What a stunning beauty!”

Just as Wang Xiaofeng was about to reach out, his eyes suddenly lit up. “No way! I want that guy surnamed Nie to see with his own eyes how I’ll ruin his woman!”

He came to Nie Yun’s side and pushed him backward.

Nie Yun leaned back in his chair, his eyes closed, and fell into a deep sleep.

“High martial arts skills, mature and steady, sect leader… what good are they? They’re still being played with by me!”

Looking at Nie Yun’s handsome face, which he had always wanted to slash, Wang Xiaofeng’s eyes were full of smugness. “I’ll show you how arrogant you are!”

As he spoke, he reached out to slap Nie Yun, but Nie Yun suddenly opened his eyes, and his clear, cold gaze sent chills down one’s spine.

Wang Xiaofeng was taken aback and hurriedly tried to press his pressure points, but Nie Yun was much faster than him. He pushed his hand away with his left hand and slapped his lower abdomen with his right palm, which was accompanied by a strong wind.

Wang Xiaofeng felt as if he had been stabbed in the lower abdomen with a steel knife, and he spat out a mouthful of blood, his body flying backward uncontrollably.

Nie Yun lunged forward and struck him several times. With Wang Xiaofeng’s dantian destroyed, he was naturally powerless to resist and instantly found himself in the same state as Ling Shuanghua. Truly, retribution was swift and certain!

He stared at Nie Yun as if he were looking at a monster, his heart filled with shock. He never imagined that his carefully laid plans would turn out like this.

Nie Yun ignored her and quickly walked to Ling Shuanghua’s side, patting her several times to release her pressure points.

Ling Shuanghua regained her freedom, as if she had instantly gone from hell to heaven.

She hugged Nie Yun tightly and burst into tears.

However, Nie Yun still didn’t say anything. Instead, he pushed her away and went back to Shui Sheng, taking her hand.

Shui Sheng thought he was going to do something to her and was about to shout when she realized that Nie Yun was acting very strangely.

His face was deathly pale, beads of sweat the size of soybeans appeared on his forehead, and he was biting his lower lip tightly, as if he were enduring some intense torment.

Shui Sheng was startled and suddenly remembered what Wang Xiaofeng had said before: “If you circulate your qi after being poisoned, at best your meridians will be damaged and you will become a cripple, and at worst you will die on the spot.”

Upon realizing this, she immediately understood that Nie Yun was risking his life to save her.

“Brother Nie…please stop…” Feeling the powerful internal force emanating from her hand, Shui Sheng felt both grateful and ashamed. She stared at Nie Yun intently, tears welling up in her eyes.

Nie Yun shook his head, a resolute look on his face.

Internal energy surged into Shui Sheng’s body like a tidal wave.

Soon, Shui Sheng felt her meridians become much lighter, and her limbs gradually regained strength.

But when she saw Nie Yun’s increasingly worse complexion, she felt no joy at all; instead, she felt even more pain.

“Brother Nie… how could I be worthy of your doing this…” Even years later, Nie Yun’s pale face was still etched in the girl’s heart, never fading from her memory.