Jin Si Grand Canyon, with its narrow, perilous, and stunning mountain paths, featured peaks, waterfalls, rock springs, and forest pools blended harmoniously. However, each person was preoccupied with their own thoughts, oblivious to the canyon's spectacular scenery.
Meng Han-guang observed Wang Chong-yang's quiet return from outside the previous night. Judging by his demeanor, he must have met with the demoness in secret. Meng Han-guang cautioned himself that he must apprehend them during their next meeting, reason with Wang Chong-yang to make him understand propriety, and force the demoness to retreat.
Wang Chong-yang surveyed the location, thinking, "We've passed Bai Long Lake; camping at the foot of Xiang Lu Peak tonight should be fine."
Everyone agreed with Wang Chong-yang. After dusk, they settled down to eat at the base of the mountain. Coincidentally, a messenger from the south arrived. Guan Zu-mei went to meet him, with Meng Han-guang following. Wang Chong-yang excused himself, claiming to be practicing, then secretly detoured through the forest to the top of Shui Lian Waterfall.
He again lit incense and recited the incantation thrice. After a moment, a cone-shaped shadow appeared among the rocks. As Wang Chong-yang leaped to meet it, a figure darted out from the side like a cold arrow. Recognizing the "Lightning Star Dissipation" killing move of the Dark Sword Master from the stance—his right palm slightly hooked, left palm hidden—Wang Chong-yang immediately countered with the boxing techniques from the "Golden Boy Swordplay." Another figure flashed out from the left, joining the obstruction.
Alas, neither could intercept him. As the cone-shaped shadow was about to be struck, it remained motionless. Though he considered it might be a trap, Wang Chong-yang couldn't help but shout, "Dodge!" It was too late. The shadow was struck and fell several feet away.
The attacking figure, whether from exerting their full strength or due to the ease of their success, became momentarily sluggish. The assisting figure firmly apprehended them, shouting, "Let go!"
The assistant retorted, "Chong Yu-wu, you treacherous villain, colluding with the Jin dogs to silence witnesses, and you're still so brazen! Today, I shall punish you publicly."
Chong Yu-wu cursed inwardly, "Sun Bo-le! You misfortune-bringing star. How have I fallen into your hands time and again! Fortunately, this demoness is dead, pleasing the Southerners. I will say, 'I act on behalf of Heaven to slay the Jin demoness.'"
Wang Chong-yang rushed forward to help her up and examine her injuries. His touch felt wrong, so he removed the mask… it was a man? Chong Yu-wu's expression also changed drastically. Sun Bo-le said, "This is Gong Liang, a righteous warrior who participated in the Haizhou uprising and a survivor of the Yu Shi Valley massacre. You and the Jin dogs must eliminate him swiftly as he's a thorn in your side." While Sun was speaking, Chong Yu-wu, unable to break free, angrily retorted, "Slander! I received a secret report that this demoness was causing trouble and came to eliminate her."
Wang Chong-yang tended to Gong Liang, stopping the worsening of his injuries. Hearing Chong Yu-wu speak, he couldn't help but point out, "Your move was a killing strike from the Dark Sword Master. How do you explain that?" Sun Bo-le declared, "Let's just kill this traitor." On Guan Zu-mei's side, some people also incited and agreed. Chong Yu-wu suddenly laughed madly, "Go ahead and attack! The brothers of the Yang Wu Gang will surely avenge me!" Wang Chong-yang intervened, "Detain him and await a thorough interrogation before everyone. Saving him is the priority now." Sun Bo-le, intending to strike first, unfortunately received a glance from Guan Zu-mei, signaling him to stop. He could only sigh, lamenting the lost opportunity, and reluctantly withdrew.
His timely intervention had lessened the worsening of the injuries, and coupled with the excellent medicine from Sun Bo-le's faction, Wang Chong-yang surmised that Gong Liang's life was saved, but long-term recuperation and recovery were uncertain. Wang Chong-yang, knowing Sun Bo-le's possession of excellent medicine and having deduced his plan, realized that Chong Yu-wu, in his attempt to deliver a fatal blow, had exerted all his strength. Even with Wang Chong-yang and Sun Bo-le attacking together, it would have been difficult to counter his momentum. For Gong Liang, who lacked any internal energy foundation, to survive such a palm strike without immediate death was truly a miracle. Entering the stone cave arranged for Gong Liang's treatment, he found two small patches of bruised blood on the ground near where Gong Liang lay. Gong Liang, who had just woken up, heard the sound and weakly turned his neck. Seeing Wang Chong-yang, he mustered his strength and said, "I am deeply grateful for your life-saving kindness, Wang Da Xia. Alas, Gong Liang's lowly life has been repeatedly saved by noble individuals. I must work like an ox or horse for several lifetimes to repay this debt." Overcome with emotion, he agitated his chest wound, almost gasping for breath.
"Don't get agitated," Wang Chong-yang quickly comforted him. "I've heard of your character, and it is truly admirable. Have you been learning martial arts from Sun Bo-le for over half a year?" Gong Liang nodded and replied, "Sun Zhang Shi's martial arts are exquisite. I have only learned a fraction of them." Wang Chong-yang couldn't help but reprimand him, "Since that is the case, how dare you block Chong Yu-wu's palm strike? It was indeed foolish; you should have dodged."
The Holy Mother had also instructed him similarly, teaching him evasion footwork, but he thought, "If I take this palm strike, I can capture him on the spot, making the accusation even stronger."
Hearing Gong Liang's words, her heart ached subtly. She had used the good intentions of kind people to achieve her scheme, exploiting their gratitude… "I've sacrificed you like this."
Gong Liang quickly said, "You overstate it. Besides, while transporting supplies back to Haizhou, I passed through Huaiyin… and accidentally learned a breathing technique. When I was being hit, I silently circulated my qi, and my chest would warm up, alleviating the pain and reducing the severity of the injury…" Wang Chong-yang didn't quite believe what he heard and left self-consciously.
Guan Zu-mei knew it was impossible to conceal and felt there was no need to do so any longer. When Wang Chong-yang approached him, he confessed everything. "Then… Lady Lin informed me that there were Jin spies lurking nearby, so she became bait herself and arranged this 'luring the tiger into the net' stratagem…" Wang Chong-yang interrupted him furiously, "That was to find Gong Liang as a scapegoat, frame the one named Chong for murder, and kill him on the spot, thereby destabilizing the Yang Wu Gang and even destroying them!" Guan Zu-mei couldn't understand why he was so angry. "The one named Chong deserved his fate. With this root of trouble removed, and without further division and instigation, the Yang Wu Gang's followers will soon return to the right path. Then, your goal of 'recognizing the national crisis and cooperating together' can be achieved." She completely misinterpreted my intentions, attributing her own thoughts to me! He exclaimed loudly, "The point is 'mutual consultation of needs and resolution of grievances'!" Guan Zu-mei patiently persuaded him again, "Brother Shi Xiong, you have been in seclusion for eight years and have not grasped the current situation, nor have you witnessed the misguided thinking and perverse actions of that group…" Wang Chong-yang waved his hand to stop him, "Yes! I truly don't understand… I was wrong again…" he muttered and turned away, walking away quickly.
He crossed several waterfalls and caves, only stopping when he was utterly exhausted. But as soon as he calmed down, the feeling of being betrayed and deceived surged through him again. Wang Chong-yang gazed at the Hei Long Waterfall to the east. The rising sun pierced through from the top, and the flowing water resembled a golden, fiery dragon leaping and dancing on the black rocks, exuding a magnificent and awe-inspiring presence. He realized that his so-called "resurgence of the hidden dragon" was nothing but a farce. "Looking out beyond the rivers and mountains, I see only clouds and mist drifting by." Chanting, he wielded the boxing techniques from the "Golden Boy Swordplay," fearing he would never again have the chance to use them to defeat enemies. "Rushing about without discernment, what can be achieved? My temples are already showing signs of age, who says I'm still in my prime?" Who could understand the taste of superficial glitz? Twenty years of hard work yielded no achievements; instead, everything seemed to be done powerlessly. "A stalled horse chafes in its stall, a caged bird yearns for the distant sky." Yes! To be a wild crane in the clouds, free and at ease. "Life's value lies in its nature; the burdens of the body come from pursuing fame." Why seek empty fame? Should he venture out to find a new direction, or return to the tomb to continue his quiet cultivation? "Looking inward, I realize my current state; sighing, when will it ever cease?"
He broke a sweat and bathed in a nearby spring, feeling much calmer and more refreshed. He paced on the hillside, admiring the scenery and listening to the water as the sun climbed higher. Distant shouts and laughter mingled. Looking down, Wang Chong-yang saw a procession of twenty to thirty people, each carrying cloth banners and belongings, noisily moving north from the south. Upon closer inspection, most of them were youths around fifteen or sixteen years old, with a few young women mixed in.