In the brief exchange of blows, Yu Canghai had already realized that Wang Bofen’s skill was quite formidable, far surpassing his own.

So he chuckled, sheathed his sword, and bowed, saying, “So you are the eldest son of the invincible Golden Saber Master Wang. You have truly surpassed your master!”

As he spoke, he secretly calculated in his mind: “The broadsword is heavy and difficult to change moves with. This person has profound internal strength, so I cannot fight him head-on. I can only use the Pine Breeze Sword Technique to entangle him and wait for him to reveal an opening before killing him with one sword.”

Wang Bofen brandished his broadsword and said viciously, “Enough with the nonsense! You killed my sister and brother-in-law’s family, and today you’ll pay for it with your blood!”

Yu Canghai made up his mind, but his face was filled with grief and indignation as he said, “Brother Wang, you may not know this, but my master Changqingzi was defeated by Lin Yuantu in a martial arts contest and died in despair. Before he died, he instructed me to avenge him, but I felt that it was better to resolve a feud than to let it fester, so I never went to Fuwei Escort Agency to seek revenge, and I even took good care of their escort business in Sichuan. Unexpectedly, the other day, Lin Pingzhi, the eldest son of the Lin family, actually killed my beloved son. I went to their door to demand an explanation, but unexpectedly, Chief Escort Lin, out of love for his son, denied everything. I was enraged and that’s why I used such force. However, Madam Lin’s death was definitely not my doing. She was so heartbroken after seeing Chief Escort Lin’s death that she chose to die for him.”

He spoke as he walked forward, slowly approaching Wang Bofen.

Upon hearing this, Wang Bofen was immediately startled and asked, “Is this true?”

Yu Canghai nodded and said, “This is absolutely true. My son, Yu Renyan, has already been buried. His grave is in the Yu family cemetery on the back mountain of Qingcheng. It’s pitiful that after fighting for half my life, I’ve ended up losing my son in my old age!”

His face showed a desolate and sorrowful expression, but his eyes gleamed with a sharp light, and his hand slowly reached for the hilt of the sword.

Wang Bofen seemed to be hearing this for the first time, and his expression softened somewhat. He stroked his beard, as if considering how to handle the situation.

“I have always admired Master Wang. If there were no other reason, and if it weren’t for such a deep-seated hatred, how could I dare to be an enemy of Fuwei Escort Agency, let alone harm the Lin family?”

Yu Canghai slowly walked to within five steps of Wang Bofen, his hand already gripping the hilt of the sword.

“Sigh…” Wang Bofen sighed, and gradually lowered the knife in his hand.

Yu Canghai’s eyes lit up; this was the moment he had been waiting for.

In an instant, with a clang, Yu Canghai’s sword was drawn and thrust straight at Wang Bofen’s chest.

Wang Bofen, who had just looked bewildered, suddenly smirked, moved swiftly backward, and sneered, “I was prepared for you all along. You really are a despicable and treacherous villain!”

Seeing that his scheme had been exposed, Yu Canghai knew there was no way to turn things around, so he remained silent and his sword flashed even more fiercely.

He was able to make such a great name for himself in the martial arts world, so he was certainly not someone to be trifled with.

The long sword was both fast and powerful, its light relentlessly pursuing Wang Bofen.

“The Pine Breeze Sword Technique is nothing more than this!”

Wang Bofen shouted and launched six consecutive attacks in an instant, deflecting Yu Canghai’s offensive one by one. Then he took a half step forward to the left, suddenly pulled his foot back, and leaped backward.

By feinting to the east while attacking in the west, they escaped the circle enveloped by Yu Canghai’s sword light.

Yu Canghai was struck by the sword several times in succession, and his entire arm felt numb. For a moment, he couldn’t lift his hand to chase after the attacker.

“You shorty, take a few of my blows too!” Wang Bofen swiftly unleashed three consecutive slashes at Yu Canghai.

Yu Canghai fought back with all his might, managing to return two sword strikes amidst the chaos, his defenses impenetrable.

Wang Bofen swung his sword again to strike Yu Canghai directly in the face. Yu Canghai took half a step back, leaned back to avoid the sword, and thrust his longsword forward. Just as he was about to strike, a clang rang out, his tiger’s mouth trembled, and then a flash of silver light appeared before his eyes.

In his haste, he didn’t have time to think things through. He casually wielded his longsword, creating a screen of light in front of him. The clanging and clashing of swords filled the air, with the sounds of blades clashing coming in rapid succession. In just a short moment, they had already collided more than ten times.

Yu Canghai guarded the gate tightly, but he was increasingly surprised.

“Wang Bofen is very famous in the martial arts world of Hubei and Henan, but most people praise him for his forthright personality and wide circle of friends. I originally thought he relied on his father Wang Yuanba’s reputation, but I didn’t expect his swordsmanship to be so outstanding.”

Yu Canghai pondered deeply and labeled Wang Bofen as someone who kept a low profile.

Suddenly, Wang Bofen’s swordplay changed, becoming increasingly unpredictable, each strike aimed at Yu Canghai from an impossible angle.

Caught off guard, Yu Canghai was thrown into disarray by the attack and, in a moment of carelessness, had his right arm slashed by the knife, leaving a bloody gash.

Wang Bofen sneered, “You dare to be distracted while fighting me? You’re asking for it!”

Yu Canghai was both shocked and furious. He unleashed the “Heart-Shattering Palm” technique, combining the sword and palm forces to deliver a powerful attack.

Wang Bofen said, “If you can’t beat them with swords, you have to use the Heart-Shattering Palm? I’d like to see how powerful it is!” With that, he thrust out a palm, and the two palms collided with a bang. The burst of internal force stirred up countless sand and stones around them.

Just as Yu Canghai was about to unleash his palm power, he felt an extremely powerful internal force suddenly erupt from Wang Bofen’s palm.

He sensed something was wrong and tried to release his palm, but it was too late. He was sent flying by Wang Bofen’s powerful blow.

Yu Canghai coughed up a mouthful of blood while still in mid-air, and landed covered in dust, looking utterly disheveled.

He touched his chest, stared straight at Wang Bofen, and exclaimed in disbelief, “You… how could you be so strong? What kind of martial arts is this?”

Wang Bofen revealed a strange smile and said, “Why ask so many questions when you’re about to die?” As he spoke, he raised the large knife in his hand and slowly approached Yu Canghai.

Yu Canghai felt a chill in his heart and hurriedly cried out, “No…you can’t kill me!”

“You should have thought when you killed my sister and brother-in-law that what goes around comes around!” Wang Bofen grinned maliciously. “My knife is fast; it won’t hurt you!”

“No……”

Before Yu Canghai could finish speaking, everyone saw a flash of light from a blade, followed by a spray of blood shooting into the sky, and Yu Canghai’s head flying off.

His face still showed terror, as if he couldn’t believe he would die here even at the moment of his beheading.

After killing Yu Canghai, Wang Bofen turned around nonchalantly and looked at the dumbfounded Qingcheng Sect disciples.

The leader, a pale-faced man, still managed to draw his sword and point it at Wang Bofen, saying in a trembling voice, “You are so vicious!”

Wang Bofen shook his head and said, “My nephew killed your sect leader’s son. If your master wanted revenge, he could have just killed one of them, but instead he killed all one thousand people in the Fuwei Escort Agency, not even sparing the people from the provincial branch. How dare you say I’m ruthless?”

He glanced at everyone and suddenly asked, “I’ve heard that your Qingcheng Sect has ‘heroes and heroines, the Four Heroes of Qingcheng,’ which one are you?”

The man gripped the sword hilt tightly and shouted, “I am Yu Renhao, what are you going to do about it?” His voice was rough but trembling, clearly indicating that he was terrified.

“Are the other three all here?” Wang Bofen didn’t answer, but continued to ask.

Three more Qingcheng disciples stepped forward without speaking, only looking at Wang Bofen with fear and anger on their faces.

Wang Bofen nodded, raised the knife with his right hand, and lightly flicked the blade with his left hand, sighing, “Now that the four disciples are all here, I suppose we can completely wipe out your Qingcheng Sect today!”

Hearing this, everyone felt even more terrified. Yu Renhao gritted his teeth and shouted, “Let’s all go together and kill him to avenge our master!” With that, he charged forward first.

The other three members of the “Four Heroes of Qingcheng” also drew their weapons and called out to the crowd, “Let’s all attack together, we can definitely kill him!”

The disciples of the Qingcheng Sect also heard what Wang Bofen had just said, so they all rushed forward.

Wang Bofen nodded and said, “The momentum is not bad, but do you think it’s a pack of wolves fighting a tiger?”

He moved with lightning speed, rushing towards the crowd like an arrow.

In an instant, the scene was filled with the clash of swords, flying blood and flesh, and screams of agony.

Although Wang Bofen was tall, he was incredibly agile, weaving through the crowd like a butterfly flitting among flowers. Despite everyone using their unique skills, they couldn’t even touch a single hem of his clothes.

Wherever he went, someone would fall, either decapitated, cut in half at the waist, separated from his shoulders and ribs, or separated from his limbs. Even if his body was intact, he would be slashed by the back of his blade and fall to the ground, spitting blood. He was no match for anyone.

In no time, not a single Qingcheng Sect disciple was left standing; all fifty-six disciples had been slaughtered in less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

Xiang Wentian, standing to the side, watched Wang Bofen’s figure standing with a knife in hand, his expression unchanged, but his heart was filled with turbulent emotions.

“This man’s martial arts are so powerful that even if I go all out, I probably won’t gain any advantage! I’ve been searching for the whereabouts of the sect leader for the past few years, and I didn’t even know that such a person had appeared in the martial arts world. He is Wang Yuanba’s son, and he must be hostile to my Sun Moon Divine Sect like other righteous people. I must be more careful.”

He was secretly on guard, but then he saw Wang Bofen turn to him and smile slightly, saying, “Your scathing rebuke of Yu Canghai just now was truly exhilarating to hear!”

Hearing that there was no malice in his tone, Xiang Wentian felt a little relieved and nodded with a smile.

The skinny man who was the leader of the Sun Moon Sect next to him felt a chill and stepped forward, saying, “Master Wang, your martial arts are superb, and I admire you greatly. However, this Xiang Wentian is a traitor to our Sun Moon Sect. We are about to arrest him and bring him back to be executed. Please do not stop us.”

Wang Bofeng nodded and said, “No problem, you go ahead and kill him, I’ll just say a few words to him and then leave!”

He first rummaged through Yu Canghai’s body for a while, then took out two books, shook his head and laughed, “As expected of fantasy novels, carry the secret manual with you, kill people and loot treasures.”

He got up and went to Xiang Wentian’s side, looked him up and down, and nodded, saying, “Not bad, a real man! It’s a pity he died here!”

Just as Xiang Wentian was wondering what was going on, Wang Bofen suddenly reached out and touched him.

Xiang Wentian was shocked. He wanted to stop him, but it was too late. In an instant, Xiang Wentian struck several major acupoints on his body, rendering him unable to move.

Wang Bofen laughed heartily, then turned to the bewildered Sun Moon Cult members and shouted, “I’m taking this person with me. If you want to find him, go to the Prince’s Mansion in Luoyang!”

With that, he lifted Xiang Wentian up and leaped away into the distance.

“No!”

“Put down Xiang Wentian!”

The crowd shouted and threw darts and hidden weapons at Wang Bofen like a rain of arrows.

Without turning his head, Wang Bofen waved his hand behind him, and a gust of wind carrying sand flew towards the crowd, causing all kinds of hidden weapons to fall to the ground.

Everyone hurriedly gave chase, but Wang Bofen, though carrying a person in his hand, moved as fast as a galloping horse, disappearing into the woods by the roadside in a few leaps.

The group searched the woods for a long time, but still couldn’t find the two.

The skinny man was both shocked and furious as he listened to his subordinates’ reports.

One of the followers stepped forward and said, “Master, Wang Bofen has a large and powerful family in Luoyang. Why don’t we go and ask him for it?”

The skinny man pondered for a long time, then shook his head and said, “That Wang Bofen is highly skilled in martial arts. I’m afraid none of us are his match. We’ll need to ask Steward Yang to send some experts to launch a strong attack. You all keep a close watch on the Wang residence these next few days, and report to me immediately if there’s any disturbance.”

Everyone agreed and went to make their own arrangements.

********************

Green Bamboo Lane, Ren Yingying’s room.

Ren Yingying and the other girls looked at Xiang Wentian and couldn’t help but chuckle.

Qu Feiyan was the most exaggerated, slapping Nie Yun’s arm hard, her pretty face beaming with a smile, “Hahaha… Brother Nie, how did you manage to make Uncle Xiang look like this? It’s hilarious!”

At this moment, Xiang Wentian had lost his previous dashing appearance with his flowing white beard. His hair and beard had been shaved off completely, and his once decent face was now covered in bruises, making him look almost like a completely different person.

“Well, he’s been chased all the time, so of course he needs a change of scenery!” Nie Yun circled Xiang Wentian a few times, patted him on the shoulder, and said, “So? Will you still dare to kill innocent people indiscriminately in the future?”

Xiang Wentian shuddered, as if recalling some painful memory. He shook his head vigorously, repeatedly saying, “I wouldn’t dare. In the future, when I travel the world, I will never lay a hand on innocent people.”

“That’s more like it!”

Nie Yun wore an expression of “you’re teachable,” and said, “Old Xiang, actually, your Sun Moon Sect isn’t without good people, but most of them are mentally unstable. When you compete with the Five Mountains Sword Sect for supremacy in the martial world, you insist on harming innocent civilians, making your reputation utterly infamous. You deserve to be called a demonic sect!”

As he spoke, he glanced at Ren Yingying, who felt a sudden tightness in her chest and asked, “Why are you looking at me like that?”

Nie Yun curled his lip and said, “Those guys under you are no good either, they’re a perfect match for a ruthless saint like you!” After saying that, he turned his head away and stopped looking at her.

Ren Yingying was so angry that her eyebrows shot up. She stomped her foot and snapped, “Mind your own business!”

She appeared very angry, but inwardly she was thinking, “Could it be… could it be that he doesn’t like my men? Come to think of it, some of them are indeed ruthless thugs. Should I… ugh, what does it matter to him what my men are like? Why should I care about that?”

Xiang Wentian watched Ren Yingying’s constantly changing expressions, lost in thought.

He cupped his hands to Nie Yun and said, “Brother Nie, thank you for saving my life today. I am deeply grateful. However, you are a disciple of a prestigious sect, while I, Xiang, am a member of the Sun Moon Divine Sect. We have always been mortal enemies. Why did you ruthlessly attack the Qingcheng Sect, but come to save my life?”

Nie Yun laughed and said, “There’s no other way. I lost a bet with Miss Ren and I have to go rescue your former leader who is imprisoned in the dungeon of Plum Manor in West Lake.”

Xiang Wentian was greatly alarmed and quickly said, “I have been lying in wait at Blackwood Cliff for many years and finally managed to find out this information. How do you know about this as well?”

Nie Yun shook his head and said, “It cannot be said, it cannot be said. Come to Mount Hua to find me after the New Year.”

Seeing that Xiang Wentian was still hesitating, he turned to Ren Yingying and said, “Your Left Envoy Xiang is very cautious. It seems I have to give him a reason.”

Ren Yingying was completely confused and was about to ask when she saw Nie Yun say to Xiang Wentian, “I’ve taken a liking to Ren Yingying and I’m going to marry her. Ren Woxing is too domineering, but he is my father-in-law after all, so is it okay to use the reason of rescuing him?”

Upon hearing this, everyone was stunned.

Xiang Wentian glanced at Ren Yingying and then at Nie Yun. Thinking about Ren Yingying’s expression just now, he began to believe it to some extent.

Qu Feiyan pouted and came to Nie Yun’s side, punching him repeatedly with her small hands, but she didn’t say anything.

Lan Fenghuang’s eyes flickered, and a helpless, bitter smile appeared on her face. She shook her head and said, “I knew it would be like this. Sigh… what a sentimental little devil!”

Ren Yingying’s body jolted, and she shouted, “Nie Yun, what nonsense are you talking about?”

Although her voice was loud, her beautiful cheeks were as red as if they were painted with bright rouge, and her heart was pounding uncontrollably, as if it were about to burst out of her chest.

As the daughter of Ren Woxing, the former leader of the Sun Moon Cult, she already held an extremely prestigious position within the cult.

The current leader, Dongfang Bubai, also indulges her greatly, so everyone in the Sun Moon Sect, from top to bottom, has always been extremely respectful to her and has never dared to disobey her in the slightest.

This lofty status made her feel quite lonely, not to mention that no one would express their admiration for her.

As for righteous people, it would be considered good if they didn’t fight her to the death if they saw her.

However, it is human nature for a young girl to be in love. Just like Du Liniang in “The Peony Pavilion” who couldn’t help but be attracted to the beauty of the garden when she saw the flowers in full bloom, Ren Yingying must have thought about her life’s important matter.

Keep in mind that although she was only eighteen years old at the time, she would have been considered an older single woman in ancient times.

Nie Yun’s straightforward confession was a first for this young woman. Women usually have very complex feelings about their first time.

Nie Yun turned to look at Ren Yingying, whose face was flushed with embarrassment, smiled, and nodded, saying, “I’m not lying, it’s exactly what you heard. I—want—to—marry—you—as—my—wife, the kind where we sleep together and have children!”

“You…you…” Ren Yingying was so ashamed that tears were about to fall. She drew her short sword and put it to her neck, saying to Nie Yun, “If you talk nonsense again, I will kill myself immediately. I will never allow you to humiliate me like this!”

“No!”

“Holy Maiden!”

The group was taken aback, and Xiang Wentian was terrified. He rushed forward to try and snatch the short sword.

Ren Yingying took a step back, tears welling in her eyes, and shouted, “Don’t come any closer!”

Xiang Wentian paused, then said anxiously, “Young Miss, quickly put the sword down!”

Ren Yingying took a breath, looked at Nie Yun, and said sternly, “Nie Yun, I know you are highly skilled in martial arts, have outstanding musical talent, and are handsome and dashing. Otherwise, Fei Fei and Lan Fenghuang wouldn’t be so fond of you. But if you think…”

But before she could finish speaking, Nie Yun shook his head repeatedly, looking regretful, and said, “Wrong, terribly wrong, she really is a silly girl!”