To avoid the notice of the Jin people and Youxu Cave, Wang Chongyang planned to detour to Dengzhou, then take a boat to Moluan in Longzhou, disguised as a Taoist priest. They traveled east for four days. Due to strong rumors of the Jin Emperor's personal southern campaign, the atmosphere along the way had become much more tense than half a month prior. A large number of former Song subjects, unable to return south, could only flee west with their families to avoid implication. Resting in the woods outside a star-gazing platform southwest of Guidé Prefecture, Wang Chongyang lit some incense powder. The faint floral scent drifted, feeling like a small comfort. "Where are you?" he asked softly, looking towards the starless, moonless sky. He worried she might be left behind, surrounded by Dark Swordsmen, or even caught between anti-Jin factions like Fang Liansheng. Yet, he also felt her presence, watching and waiting ahead. A pungent scent of rouge assailed his senses. Knowing it wasn't her, he couldn't resist following. The leaves seemed to stir unusually, but the fragrance moved too quickly; he had to catch up and see who it was.
"Di mei, stop running, wait for me!" After a moment's thought, Wang Chongyang recognized the voice of Meng Tiankai from the Yangwu Gang. Di mei... it must be Fang Di. No wonder the scent felt familiar. "I come when I want, I go when I want. I have absolute freedom; no one can control me!" Just from Fang Di's voice, he could imagine her fierce expression. Peeking through the intertwined branches, he saw Meng Tiankai grasp Fang Di's hand as she ran forward, coaxing her gently, "You're so smart, you must understand that Wei Geng is anxious about this mission, so his tone might have been a bit harsh." Fang Di recalled his demeanor, feeling so angry she could cry. "Who else am I doing this for, enduring hardship and facing danger to come here?"
Meng Tiankai held her tenderly in his arms, comforting her, "I know everything you do is for me! Ever since we heard the call to join the gang in Anqing Prefecture, you've been behind me, strategizing. Don't worry, once we achieve the earth-shattering changes that Brother Chong and Wei Geng speak of, I will not fail you!" A warmth surged in Wang Chongyang's chest. He suddenly wondered what these earth-shattering changes might be. He saw Fang Di gently push him away, a strange look on her face, and she smiled, "You're not obedient enough." Seeing her finally smile, Meng Tiankai was delighted. "Good! Good! I'll try harder to change." He leaned in to kiss her, but Fang Di pushed him away again. "Alas, let's just go back, lest your Wei Geng says I've ruined everything." With that, she circled around and ran back, Meng Tiankai hurrying after her.
While listening to their conversation, Wang Chongyang sensed further movement behind him. Feigning pursuit of the two, he suddenly turned and launched a surprise attack. The opponent's resistance was vague. Wang Chongyang recognized the moves and quickly stopped, stepping back three paces. The person immediately made a gesture to keep it quiet. After confirming Meng Tiankai and the other had gone far, Sun Bole whispered, "A messy bunch, acting presumptuously and rushing into things. What are you planning to do to stop it?" Seeing his gaze drift, he asked alertly, "Why are you here? Where is Chaoying?"
"She should be ahead," Wang Chongyang replied vaguely, then retorted, "Why is the Yangwu Gang causing trouble again? This is Jin territory; even a slight misstep could lead to..." He looked over nervously. Sun Bole nodded. "They intend to assassinate the envoy sent by the Jin Emperor to negotiate in Lin'an Prefecture." Wang Chongyang almost cried out, "In this state of unpreparedness for troops and provisions, undertaking such an act is no different from roasting the people in a furnace!" Sun Bole sneered, "This is a chain of ingenious plans devised by your two friends." Wang Chongyang immediately reprimanded, "Nonsense!" Sun Bole continued, "If it fails, it could cripple some of the Yangwu Gang's core members; if it succeeds, the Jin Emperor will surely be enraged, forcing the imperial court to prepare for war, crushing the hopes of the peace faction." Wang Chongyang worried it would backfire and was perplexed. "Why would they allow themselves to be used? Chong and Wu are not shallow thinkers."
"They are inciting and provoking everywhere, and are no longer tolerated by the government offices. Like a cornered dog, they can only resort to this to win popular support." Sun Bole went on, "Guan Zumei and the others asked me to feign anger and lead the group away from Xiangyang, and then secretly monitor. In fact, I was truly furious and left at the time." He sighed, then added, "I feel this plan is very dangerous, and I couldn't help but come as they requested, to prevent any major chaos." Wang Chongyang had to nod, contemplating a good strategy. When Sun Bole asked about her whereabouts, he answered truthfully, "We got separated midway. I plan to go to Dengzhou and take a boat to Moluan to look for her." Sun Bole got angry. "Idiot!" He turned and left. Wang Chongyang didn't blame him for his rude words, nor did he feel jealous of his concern for her. Instead, he felt he owed her.
Upon entering Guidé Prefecture city, without any inquiry, news of the Song delegation staying at Yulin Garden spread throughout the streets. Wang Chongyang frowned slightly. Sun Bole beside him said, "To be so blatant, it's clearly a trap." Just like her, he had guessed his thoughts, which surprised Wang Chongyang. "Why rush into a moth-to-flame situation?" Sun Bole replied, "They only think of what's good in their own minds, and are too lazy to consider the harm it brings to others."
The Yulin Garden, rumored to be prepared as an imperial temporary palace for the Jin's southern invasion, was not overtly opulent but featured winding paths through strange rocks and intertwined ancient trees. The envoy's visit was not merely for rest; they were also responsible for assessing whether the location suited the emperor's intentions. Passing through the Crane Pond and Deer Park, at the end of the red corridor was the main building—Lan Cui Tower. The forces hidden in Jin territory managed to secure positions as three young servants carrying pots and basins. Meng Tiankai, who grew up in the north and lacked the mannerisms of southern people, along with Lu Zuojian and Tan Yuhao, took on these roles. Lu Zuojian's wrists were stiff and trembled slightly, causing the utensils to clatter when he carried the tray. He was reprimanded by the steward and driven away. Meng Tiankai, forcing himself to put aside his suspicions, hardened his resolve: "I swear to kill all the Jin dogs!"
After passing the body search at the steps, they entered the main hall of the tower. Meng Tiankai scanned with his eyes, confirmed the target was in position, and gave a secret signal to Tan Yuhao. As they handed a tray with a dark green lacquer to a maidservant and bowed to retreat, they took out flint powder secretly hidden in their belts and tossed it towards the candelabras on the east and west sides. Instantly, flames erupted, and smoke filled the air. Both were skilled in martial arts and had practiced "empty-handed blade snatching" before their action. Meng Tiankai lunged towards the Jin envoy, his movements and strikes particularly strange. The guards aimed their blades and spears at him, but they always missed. Just as he was about to seize the Jin envoy's throat, a row of long swords blocked him like a barrier, making further progress impossible.
After killing two guards and snatching their sabers, Tan Yuhao wielded the blades in alternating flourishes. Seeing his path blocked, he angrily hurled a candelabra and then scattered more flint powder, creating fireballs to clear his way. Fu Sishuang, who commanded this troop of Dark Swordsmen, drew a long rope and quickly coiled the burning candelabra before counterattacking Tan Yuhao with a whip to the face. Tan Yuhao took the blow head-on, using it to grab the end of the rope and pull hard, then swung his saber horizontally.
Meng Tiankai hesitated, and as he turned to follow, his shoulder was grabbed, and someone whispered in his ear, "Your Di mei is looking for you everywhere." Why are you looking for me everywhere? His heart suddenly churned, and in his confusion, he was pulled towards the main entrance. At this moment, he heard Tan Yuhao roar, and Meng Tiankai awoke. He opened his eyes to see Tan Yuhao riddled with holes from the Dark Swordsmen's attack, slowly collapsing into a pool of blood. He also recognized the masked man grabbing him as Sun Bole. He struggled to break free but could not. Wang Chongyang, also masked, sighed that it was too late. He unleashed a semblance of the Youxu Swordplay mixed with a little of the Jintong Swordplay, catching the Dark Swordsmen off guard and allowing him to quickly cover and help them escape.
As soon as they were out of the building, Sun Bole released his hand, and Meng Tiankai immediately struck his neck with the back of his palm. Sun Bole retaliated with his "Marvelous Hand," ducking and swiftly striking the acupoints—the Jin, Jingmen, and Huan Tiao—on his left flank. However, the target shifted the moment his fingers touched them. At this moment, another group of guards rushed from outside the garden, flanking them from front and rear with those who emerged from the building. Wang Chongyang noticed that Meng Tiankai's martial arts were only above average; whenever he escaped danger, it was due to those familiar, strange moves. During the scuffle, seeing him approaching, he couldn't help but ask, "Did the Hai Zhou beggars teach you this wondrous skill?" Meng Tiankai, caught off guard by the question, nodded unconsciously. The Dark Swordsmen and guards closed in. Wang Chongyang switched to his "Four-Point Swordplay," renowned for breaking through encirclement, specifically "One Point of Fearlessness." Fu Sishuang swung her long rope to intercept. After a dozen exchanges, Sun Bole joined them, whispering, "That brat slipped away. Follow him; I'll deal with this woman." With that, he used his "Seemingly Not There Hand" to capture the long rope. Sun Bole's attacks were elusive, but under Fu Sishuang's control, the long rope moved like a flexible, insidious serpent, extending and retracting. In moments, Sun Bole retreated into the crowd to dodge. It turned out he feigned defeat to draw the long rope and create confusion, and indeed, after a few maneuvers, he successfully escaped.
Meng Tiankai mentally traced the path they had taken. As he passed the rockery in the Deer Park, his foot stumbled on something. Looking down, he saw Lu Zuojian lying nearby. Witnessing this, he guessed that Lu Zuojian had been stabbed multiple times, fled to this spot, and died there. It was clear the Jin dogs had long known of their plan and had laid a trap to eliminate them. He felt a pang of grief, tears welling up. She came to find me, she must have anticipated the Jin dogs' malice, but why did she have to search everywhere... He shook his head violently, stopping himself from further speculation. At this moment, he heard guards outside the rockery reporting the situation at the flower shed to the east of the garden. The flower shed to the east? Wei Geng and the others were waiting there for backup... Someone lurking had betrayed us!
Outside the garden, in the alley between two red walls, he saw her anxious and deeply searching expression. Meng Tiankai closed his eyes, sighed, and ran towards her with a face full of emotion, embracing her, tears streaming down. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you for coming to find me!" Fang Di gently pushed him away and smiled, "How is everyone?" Meng Tiankai blamed himself, "Zuojian and Yuhao both sacrificed their lives. Shall we go to the west now and live carefree days, okay?" Fang Di stroked his arm. "Go find them quickly, and then we can properly discuss future arrangements."
Inside the red walls, famous flowers like brocade carpets adorned the three well-arranged buildings of Nan Ke Bei Pin. Wang Chongyang vaguely saw that the interiors were meticulously decorated with vibrant colors. Suddenly, he heard the sound of shaking branches behind him. Turning around, he saw a flurry of petals and leaves in the air as Fu Sishuang attacked him with her sword. The sword's edge descended from the sky, but it was countered by the powerful and fierce moves of Wang Chongyang's "Jintong Swordplay." Gaining no advantage, Fu Sishuang quickly switched to a more Yin-like, insidious, and dangerous swordplay to attack again. Wang Chongyang felt this swordplay, compared to that of Youxu Cave, lacked elegance and was more malevolent. He suddenly thought of trying a new set of moves he had comprehended in the tomb to deal with her. Although this new set had only seven moves, it was like a strong wind sweeping through, purifying the universe and illuminating the heavens and earth. Fu Sishuang leaped out of the combat circle, and Wang Chongyang remained still, his hand on his sword.
"Is that Wang Shixiong?" Fu Sishuang felt this person's martial arts were extraordinary, worthy of concern. However, in terms of a lifelong reliance, he was far inferior to Mao Yajun's handsome and graceful demeanor, not worth Ying'er's effort. Wang Chongyang felt there was no harm in admitting it and nodded. "May I ask your name?"
"Fu Sishuang, I'm Ying'er's senior sister. She will arrive in Dengzhou soon." Fu Sishuang looked at his expression. "Are you planning to go to Buluan Mountain?" She paused, then sighed. "This is an internal matter of Youxu Cave; outsiders should not interfere. Moreover, it would harm your reputation as the 'First Person to Righteously Defend Chuzhou'." After sheathing her sword, Fu Sishuang said, "The Jin envoy's visit to Song will likely yield no good results. After this disturbance, the situation will be even worse. Why don't you return to Song territory, rally the heroes to defend the country, and help those who truly need your help?" Although he felt her tone was slightly different, her words struck a chord, stirring his thoughts. At this moment, Fu Sishuang suddenly vanished like black smoke.
Leaving Yulin Garden, Wang Chongyang did not encounter Sun Bole again, perhaps because he did not wish to. Slipping out of the city gates, he stepped onto the great road heading east towards his homeland. Wang Chongyang felt at a crossroads once more. Should he return, rally old friends like Guan Zumei, and plan for the Jin's southern invasion? It was also time to go to the front lines and see what help the people needed... Or perhaps he should return to Guidé Prefecture and discuss matters with Sun Bole. With his strategies and the power of the Wei Wu Alliance, they could surely achieve something! Catching the faint scent of wildflowers by the roadside, he remembered the promise he made to her. She was the one who needed his help the most. Since outsiders should not interfere, how many insiders were willing to help her? Not hurt her? Logically, he should go to Moluan to meet her first, understand the situation, and then it would be time to return south.