Lin Chaoying and Gou'er left Xiangyang, heading west towards Junzhou, then south to Kuizhou and east along the Yangtze River. In the late autumn of the twenty-sixth year of Shaoxing, after reaching Changde Prefecture by the banks of Dongting Lake, they planned to head south to Hengzhou to continue searching for Wang Shixiong.
Over these three years, Gou'er's martial arts had advanced significantly. He had also developed formidable skills in eavesdropping and tracking, along with a knack for "acquiring items." To gather provisions for the winter, Gou'er shuttled through markets and residential areas, scouting for targets. Then, in a narrow alley on Hawk Falcon Street, a place specializing in rare birds and beasts, he considered the order of his operations for the night. Hearing the sound of hooves, he quickly poked his head out to look around, wondering which distinguished officials and nobles, come to procure rare treasures, might be suitable targets.
Suddenly, he saw a young man: his eyes were as clear and pure as the deities in ancient paintings, his nose resembled a Ding ware white-glazed vase with carved details, his teeth were like pearls, and his skin was as bright as a jade disc. Ah! Could there be anyone in the world more pleasing to the eye than rare ancient artifacts? Although his own attire was "acquired" from the home of an eighth-rank county magistrate, he couldn't help but feel ashamed of himself. He found himself involuntarily following the young man and his two companions into an inn. He longed to hide in the eaves to eavesdrop on their conversation or slip into the adjacent room to observe, but he restrained himself, understanding that now was not the time. Once he determined whether they were lodging or merely stopping for a meal, he would leave and return later that night to investigate.
"Which little maiden is lost? Let us brothers escort you back." Nine burly men quickly surrounded Gou'er, five on the outside and four inside, attempting to apprehend him. Gou'er realized they were not ordinary ruffians and, fearing that acting in the crowded street would expose him and affect future operations, he could only dodge and weave, seeking an opportunity to escape. Onlookers shouted curses, heckled, and even mocked the few large men for failing to catch a child. They were truly thorough; despite repeated evasions, he was blocked and nearly captured. Gou'er grew anxious and, just as he prepared to fight back, the young man intervened, breaking through the cordon to help. He knocked down three men with his fists and kicks. Gou'er, grateful, seized the chance to escape as soon as an opening appeared.
Gou'er fled towards River Fubo Mountain, faintly hearing a call: "Little maiden, stay! Stay!" He looked back. The young man, bathed in the sunset's glow as if gilded, was running towards him. Was he concerned about him? The young man said, "Don't be alarmed! I saw the little maiden running in panic, and I was very worried, so I followed to see if I could help." He offered a smile as warm and kind as the winter sun. Gou'er shyly replied, "Gou'er is merely a servant." He saw the young man tear off the hem of his jacket and wrap it around his neck, saying, "The sun is setting soon, and the mountain air will become very cold. Be careful not to catch a chill." Just as Gou'er longed to run and embrace him, he heard him say, "I am Chong Yuwu of the Western Huainan Road of the Wei Wu Alliance. If you need assistance, please don't hesitate to ask." You are a friend of Brother Shixiong! Gou'er was overjoyed and decided to take him back, believing he could truly help them.
"You are from the Western Huainan Road; what is your purpose in Jinghu?" Chong Yuwu turned and saw Lin Chaoying, who had put on a mask, and shouted, "It's the Dark Swordsman! Gou'er, escape quickly!" With that, he drew his sword and unleashed his sect's "White Mountain Sword Style." Unfortunately, the sword style was no match for the enemy. Within a few moves, Lin Chaoying's long sword grazed the back of his hand, causing him to drop his sword. Lin Chaoying said, "Speak." Gou'er saw the stubborn look on Chong Yuwu's face and feared angering her would lead to his death. He advised Chong Yuwu, "Don't worry, we have no ill intentions... Besides, it's not that difficult to find out about the Wei Wu Alliance's actions. Just tell us obediently." He had a sudden burst of wit.
Chong Yuwu hesitated for a moment and said, "I... I am here to inquire about the recent activities of the Jing Tian Sect, so that I can report to the higher-ups when attending the Taizhou conference... I heard there will be a person attending who has just returned from overseas. That's all I know." Lin Chaoying's heart stirred: "Taizhou... Sun Boqi, the head of the Liangxi East Road there, is his close friend... So he fled overseas. You truly managed it." Glancing at Gou'er's pleading face, she sighed and said, "Scram."
Gou'er watched his retreating figure disappear into the deepening twilight.
The Dragon Roar Gate, located at South Songyan in Taizhou, was known as the "Immortal Pass." It stood over thirty zhang high, with rocky cliffs on both sides arching like a gate, resembling the mythical posture of a soaring dragon. Lin Chaoying had lost track of Chong Yuwu before reaching Tanzhou, so she decided to head directly to Taizhou. She observed Sun Boqi receiving a letter from Wang Shixiong. Shortly after, he led a group of people out. She followed them until they disappeared, concluding there must be a hidden cave here. Observing the flight path of migrating birds at sunset and the sound of the evening breeze blowing through the narrow path, Lin Chaoying leaped onto a flat rock shaped like a dragon's tail and indeed found a cave entrance behind it. As soon as she stepped inside, she smelled the scent of blood. In the darkness, Lin Chaoying focused her gaze and was stunned to see Sun Boqi and his retinue lying scattered about, as if they had all been killed. "Who could have killed seven people in such a short time?" Worried that Wang Shixiong might also have been ambushed, she frantically searched the surroundings. Hearing a faint breath, she followed the sound and found Sun Boqi slumped on a rock. As she pulled him up to examine him, a man covered in blood lunged at her like a madman. Lin Chaoying quickly kicked him away.
"Witch, don't think you can silence me!" Chong Yuwu shouted sternly and rushed forward to catch the man from behind. At the same time, a handsome young man with apricot eyes and thin lips gritted his teeth and exclaimed, "Avenger my second brother's life!" This was Sun Boqi's younger brother, Sun Bole. He swung his palm at Lin Chaoying. Lin Chaoying felt his movements were subtly entwined, so she stepped back, adopting the reverse Bagua formation, and spun her arms, executing a move called "Spinning in the Wind" from the Void Roaming Fist technique to break free. She then swung her sword, unleashing a series of fierce attacks amidst those who followed, carving out a path to escape.
She drifted through a deep, dark rocky passage hundreds of feet long, leaping over walls and bounding across ravines. Although she saw no bloodstains or wounds, she could not find peace without seeing him. Exhausted, Lin Chaoying slumped onto a rock by a pool, gazing up at the hazy moon and drifting clouds in a trance.
Gou'er, who had followed, saw her condition. Using leaves, she scooped up water for Lin Chaoying to quench her thirst, then removed her mask and tidied her disheveled hair.
Grief-stricken by the loss of his brother, Sun Bole's handsome face had become gaunt overnight. The events that unfolded earlier that day in the Jingyue Hall conference only fueled his rage, causing his temples to throb. Sun Bole lay hunched over in a lounge chair, his neck and the backs of his knees resting on the armrests as he pondered. Li Yuqiang, who had always been like a dog they raised, following behind them submissively, why did he dare to contend for the position of steward with him? The attendees: among the four assistants, He Feng two actually supported him, and the rest performed unexpectedly.
A gust of cold wind brushed past his face. He stood up and found the room empty. "Could it be my second brother coming to avenge me? How were you attacked? Alas, even Yan Ge is dead..." He turned and saw a black-clad figure wearing a mask standing before him. Sun Bole recognized the mask and felt a chill in his heart.
Lin Chaoying said coldly, "You seem so flustered; you must have done something wrong."
Sun Bole said angrily, "Witch, you've come to die!" Her voice actually invigorated him and gave him a sense of thrill.
Lin Chaoying asked, "Where is Wang Shixiong?"
Sun Bole replied, "Avenge my second brother's death, and then I'll talk." He hesitated whether to attack.
Lin Chaoying said, "You fool! If I wanted to know Wang Shixiong's whereabouts, I would have captured you and your ilk and tortured you. What use is killing them?"
Sun Bole recalled that they were struck with heavy blows or fierce moves that caused instant death, and his mind raced...
Lin Chaoying sneered, "You've thought of what you should have thought, haven't you? Then tell me Wang Shixiong's whereabouts, and consider it repayment of a favor."
In the garden, Sun Bole encountered Chong Yuwu and said, "I haven't slept well all night, so I came out for some fresh air. Brother Chong is also up early; is it perhaps because your accommodation is inadequate?" Chong Yuwu replied, "Third Brother Sun is too kind. It's just that I am accustomed to waking early and planned to go out with my escorts to admire the morning light." Sun Bole said, "Thank you, Brother Chong, for coming from afar to deliver the news. My brother was destined for misfortune." He gave a wry smile and continued, "I apologize for my rudeness yesterday!" Chong Yuwu said, "If you lose your position as steward, Third Brother Sun, what are your plans?" Sun Bole replied, "To unite this road, I won't fight for it. Perhaps I'll go to Nanyang to help resist the Jurchen dogs." Chong Yuwu asked, "Won't you seek revenge on Lin Chaoying?" Sun Bole replied, "My skills are inferior; what a pity!" Chong Yuwu said, "Now that she's been cast out by Magic Peaks, it's the perfect time to kick her while she's down!" Sun Bole appeared weary and said, "After the funeral and the decision of who will be steward, we'll discuss further." Chong Yuwu watched his retreating back, his head bowed, suspecting he was wiping away tears, and thought, "As Mr. Li said, he truly is a child spoiled by his two older brothers. No wonder he's so eager to try."