Unchanging Mountains lay southeast of Longzhou. The main peak was a perfect cone, maintaining its shape from any angle, hence its name. Nine surrounding peaks, though appearing disconnected, were linked by hidden passages. The main peak and its surrounding cluster contained over seventy caves, large and small, each controlled by one of twenty-eight cave lords. The main peak was originally occupied by the Tongxuan Cave. After the formation of the Mountain Alliance, it was requisitioned by the Youxu Cave for "convenient operations." All residents of Tongxuan Cave were relocated to the summit of Xingzhao Peak in the north and renamed Chenghua Cave. The Four Beasts formation was distinct: the west was "Vermilion Bird Dancing Amidst Flowers," the south "Azure Dragon Licking Its Tongue," the north "White Tiger Lying Sideways," and "Black Tortoise Dwelling Deep" was in the east.
Wang Chongyang, somewhat puzzled, asked, "Following the current path eastward, through the small stone forest at the southern end of 'Vermilion Bird Dancing Amidst Flowers,' and ascending along the shallow waters of 'Azure Dragon Licking Its Tongue,' leads to the imprisoned location in the 'Black Tortoise Dwelling Deep' valley. Why abandon the direct route and detour to 'White Tiger Lying Sideways,' climbing a vast cliff, traversing an exposed ridge for a considerable distance, and then crossing a river to reach it?" Lin Chaoying explained her reasoning, "They would also anticipate us taking this route and deploy heavy forces. 'Vermilion Bird Dancing Amidst Flowers' is prone to ambushes. 'Azure Dragon Licking Its Tongue' has swift currents, and the shallows are often shrouded in mist. Compared to going through 'White Tiger Lying Sideways,' although the path is longer, the weather in summer and autumn is usually clear and the mountain ridges are flat, making ambushes difficult. The key is that there are many entrances to the underground passages there. Once inside the passages, it becomes much harder for them to intercept us."
Thus, the two continued north for another two days before turning directly east. For consecutive days, the sky was clear with white clouds and blue expanse. However, as they neared "White Tiger Lying Sideways," the sky suddenly turned gray, and upon arrival, thick mist had enveloped the path ahead. Wang Chongyang remarked casually, "Mist without water." Lin Chaoying felt a pang of regret and guilt: eight years had indeed brought about changes in the environment! With her sword held proudly, she plunged into the haze. Wang Chongyang, knowing that further persuasion was futile, followed to support her.
The mist descended like curtains, growing denser as they ventured deeper. After penetrating three or four layers, her figure in front became blurred. Wang Chongyang's eyes caught the mist rippling and fluctuating. Suddenly, three sharp blades swung at him from the left, right, and rear.
"This is the Immortal-Locking Sword of Chenghua Cave, skilled at locking weapons!" Lin Chaoying called out. At this moment, a cold voice beside her said, "Heh, we have reinstated the name 'Tongxuan Cave.'" Lin Chaoying recognized the voice as that of the cave lord, Yuan Su.
Wang Chongyang could faintly see that their sword blades had three twists. If the edge or tip were locked in the middle, it would be difficult to advance or retreat. Tongxuan Cave's sword techniques resembled coiling snakes and swirling waves. Wang Chongyang used the "One Point of Greedlessness" from the "Four-Point Swordplay" to block their attack and then retreated, avoiding entanglement. Lin Chaoying employed a sword style created by Yu Nanxi Jiang. Although exquisite and unseen by the opponents, it lacked system, and soon Yuan Su found an opportunity. The Immortal-Locking Sword coiled around her long sword like a dragon ascending the water. As Lin Chaoying attempted to switch to "Phoenix Xiao Broken" from the "Lou Spring Swordplay" to break free, a brush-hook spear thrust in to aid her in breaking the lock. Yuan Su cursed, "Jiang Chudao, you have no business here!" Jiang Chudao softly uttered the word "tail" and focused on blocking Yuan Su's attack. Lin Chaoying understood his intent, withdrew to Wang Chongyang's side, assisted in breaking out, and then pulled him towards the northeast corner.
Wang Chongyang followed Lin Chaoying through the jumble of rocks into a cave entrance. Inside, they saw an elegant young man, about thirty years old, standing in the center of a wide, long tunnel. Jiang Chudao called out, "Quick! Let's go to Jiegui Peak and make further plans." With that, he turned and ran. Lin Chaoying, somewhat reluctantly, followed. After taking twelve or thirteen steps, a dark figure lunged at her, unleashing "Waving Sleeve Nowhere" from the Youxu Swordplay. The sword pierced her cheek like a swift arrow.
Behind her, Wang Chongyang swung his sword in a circle, executing a move from the "Golden Boy Swordplay" to stop it. Lin Chaoying also retaliated with "Pine Pavilion Awaits the Moon" from the Youxu Swordplay. These two seemingly conflicting sword styles, when wielded together, not only complemented each other but also naturally filled in their original flaws, expanding their attack range. Wang Chongyang rejoiced inwardly, while Lin Chaoying was even more pleasantly surprised.
The attacker, taken aback by the unexpectedly broad and powerful counterattack, was grazed on the shoulder by Lin Chaoying's sword. He hastily changed his stance to defend. Wang Chongyang sensed that this move was more profound than the usual sword styles of dark swordsmen, but the "Golden Boy Swordplay" was vigorous and fierce, preventing the opponent from gaining any advantage. With coordination, Lin Chaoying intended to deliver another sword strike to subdue him. At this moment, a rope with a leather-bound handle, studded with iron, flew through the air. Lin Chaoying ducked and spun to evade it. The attacker seized the opportunity to retreat rapidly and disappeared.
Wang Chongyang deflected two other ropes, while Lin Chaoying knocked down three ropes attacking from below. Men and women dressed in bean-green and dark cyan shirts and trousers appeared, either in matching colors or mixed, forming pairs of two. They held each other's rope handles and circled around, flipping back and forth. Gradually, they formed groups of four. The front and rear individuals either held their rope handles, swinging the ropes up and down, or crossed their arms in an X shape, whirling them. The two in the middle either held their own ropes to form loops or retracted their ropes to reveal short swords, leaping and twirling amidst the ropes to attack and strike. However, Wang Chongyang and Lin Chaoying wielded their swords in unison, their movements like charging chariots or reining warhorses. Their sword momentum was continuous, like a repeating crossbow firing arrows, possessing both the sharpness of a spear and the sturdiness of a shield, an offense and defense combined. With Wang Chongyang's full effort and Lin Chaoying's dedicated focus, they displayed their mastery. Despite the dizzying rope formation and the sudden assaults from the gaps, they could not gain the upper hand, instead appearing like spokes being guided by the hub.
This "Twenty-Eight Chen River Formation" was different from what he had seen in earlier years. The routines had likely been re-arranged by Jiang Chudao. However, after twenty moves, Lin Chaoying had grasped the general outline. Leaning back against Wang Chongyang, she whispered, "Twenty-eight constellations, west, north, east, south." Wang Chongyang naturally understood. He firmly held the central positions of "Polaris" and the "Four Assistants," allowing her to sweep her sword across the western "Mao," eastern "Fang," northern "Xu," and southern "Xing." The movement in the center of the rope formation was hindered, and the sides encountered fierce attacks. Wang Chongyang waited for Lin Chaoying to return to her position, and together they broke through the western group. A melodious flute sound was heard, and the group of men and women immediately retreated and dispersed. Lin Chaoying wanted to pursue and capture them, but Wang Chongyang advised caution against ambushes.
"Let's go to Jiegui Peak and make further plans," Lin Chaoying said, her spirits high as she saw his expectant look. "It's close to the mountain house, and the shallow waters and narrow river make it easy to cross. It's a good location for a night raid. Judging by Jiang Chudao's character, his words are likely a diversion. Even if they are hiding there, what is there to fear?" The joy still surging in her heart made it difficult to discern whether it was from defeating Jiang Chudao's meticulously arranged formation or from reliving the camaraderie and communication during the resistance against the enemy in Chuzhou that night.
Wang Chongyang seemed to sense her joy and smiled. Glancing at her as she looked back, he quickly furrowed his brow to conceal it.
Lin Chaoying asked, "Are you worried that joining forces with me will ruin your reputation? When you created this swordplay, wasn't it already intended for joint execution?"
"Just adapting to circumstances," Wang Chongyang diverted the topic, saying, "That rope formation is similar in routine to the long ropes wielded by Fu Sihuang in Yulin Garden..." Lin Chaoying continued, "They both originate from 'Dragon Dividing Rope.' Someone has already secretly allowed others to study the 'Private Succession Notes' of the Founding Ancestor." Wang Chongyang asked, "Who?"
Lin Chaoying replied, "My aunt, Li Zixian, who was that dark swordsman just now. Wasn't she also imprisoned? Has she defected to Jiang Chudao? Or were the three groups of people originally..."