At that moment, Gao Da thought he was flying.

He flew over the layers of green forest on the mountainside of Da Dong Mountain, the faint mist among the trees, over the crossbow bolts that shot up rapidly, higher and higher.

The higher he flew, the farther he could see. In that instant, Gao Da saw the mountain gate at the foot of the mountain, the bloodstains on the long stone path, the glint of knives in the forest, and the sword shadows like venomous snakes beside the path.

Then he fell, crashing down, breaking countless branches, and slamming into the damp ground of the forest with a thud, almost falling off the steep mountainside.

Gao Da groaned, using the zhenqi within his body to withstand the impact. He sprung up like a spring, gripping the long saber's hilt tightly with both hands, and took a step, preparing to charge once again towards that deathly stone path.

Then, a single movement made him feel as if every bone in his body had shattered at once. A muffled groan escaped his nostrils, the pain unbearable. At the same time, two streams of blood seeped from his nose.

Gao Da's legs went weak, and he subconsciously stabbed the long saber into the ground beside him to support his body. Unexpectedly, the blade tip touched the mud…and shattered into countless metal fragments in an instant with a crackling sound!

Amidst the clanging, Gao Da fell clumsily into the mud of the forest, surrounded by fragments of the saber, clutching the pitiful remains of the hilt in his hand, his eyes filled with shock and terror, looking utterly pathetic.

…

…

He had been sent flying by a person, with a single sword strike.

As a personal guard to Fan Xian, Gao Da possessed the strength of the eighth rank upper level. How impressive was it when he repelled an enemy with a single saber strike in the Northern Qi palace? Even among the palace Tiger Guards, he was a top-tier expert. Yet, unexpectedly, he had been swatted away like a mosquito by a single sword!

Gao Da looked at the distant sword light on the stone path with a complex expression, a wave of sadness washing over his heart.

This time, Fan Xian had taken them, seven Tiger Guards, far away to Danzhou, but unexpectedly, His Majesty had brought them to Da Dong Mountain, where they encountered the assassination attempt. As Tiger Guards, their primary duty was to protect His Majesty's safety. Although Gao Da was unaware that Master Fan had already quietly slipped down the cliff, he still led the other six Tiger Guards to join the large group of palace guards and began the most merciless slaughter on this steep stone path.

Hundreds of Tiger Guards guarding a mountain path, logically speaking, no expert in the world could break through and ascend the mountain.

However, in this world, there were always a few existences that did not follow logic, such as the Qing Kingdom Grandmaster Ye Liuyun, who had transformed into a flowing cloud earlier, and the one who now wielded a sword, slaying gods and demons on the stone path, heedless of defense, his sword intent tragically brilliant to the extreme.

Gao Da swallowed the sweet saliva in his mouth, forcibly calmed his breathing, and listened to the sounds on the stone path growing fainter, knowing that his brothers were likely already dead at the hands of that Grandmaster.

The most basic requirement for Tiger Guards was loyalty to His Majesty. Knowing that they were facing the pinnacle of power in the world, they resolutely stood on the stone path, in front of His Majesty, spilling their blood, ripping open their chests and abdomens, sacrificing their lives, and never retreating a single step!

Therefore, Gao Da's first reaction at this moment was that he should charge forward again, to block that terrifying figure's path, to become another wandering soul under his sword.

Even if he was already seriously injured, even if his saber had already shattered into small pieces!

However, Gao Da hesitated for a moment.

On the long, blood-stained stone path, countless Tiger Guards had tried to surround him with seven men, using the methods they usually employed against ninth-rank upper level experts to deal with that figure. However, all their efforts were in vain. That sword, which seemed to have come from the netherworld, carrying an indomitable momentum, simply waved lightly, radiating heavy killing intent, and cut off people's sabers, arms, and heads.

The reason Gao Da was still alive, still alive after being sent flying, was precisely because he had been influenced by Fan Xian too much during the past two years spent together. His fierce saber strikes unconsciously carried some of Fan Xian's petty, dark marks.

No longer simply fighting fiercely, no longer refusing to retreat a single step, so even when facing that great figure, Gao Da was still no match, his meridians invaded by sword intent and about to crack, but he still survived.

Since he had survived, should he go and seek death?

No!

A strange light flashed in Gao Da's eyes. Master Fan had said countless times that the first thing to do was to save one's life in order to have a chance to recover. Da Dong Mountain was surrounded, and charging onto the stone path again to die would not help.

He covered his lips with his hand, letting the blood flow out between his fingers, not making a sound. He looked down at the forest. The rebel army's defensive circle below the forest was clearly looser due to the arrival of two great figures.

Gao Da gritted his teeth, his eyes full of determination. He decided to find a chance to break out of the encirclement.

From the moment he made this decision, he was no longer just a royal Tiger Guard. And he never imagined how much shock his choice would bring to the world two years later.

——————————————————————

Drip, drip, the blood drops slowly fell, a very small sound, but at this moment, it seemed so jarring, even making the people in the arena feel that the sound of the blood dripping could cleanse people's souls even more than the bell of the ancient temple behind them.

Because…the blood drops were dripping from the tip of a sword.

This sword slowly rose, crossed the last stone step, and appeared in the eyes of the crowd at the top of Da Dong Mountain.

The sword was very ordinary, showing no abnormalities. Even the hilt was simply bound with a layer of hemp rope, looking somewhat dilapidated.

However, it was this ordinary sword, the not-so-reflective surface of the sword, that shone with a trace of imposing manner and coldness that made everyone feel fear. Especially the blood on the sword slowly gathering towards the tip and then slowly dripping down, as if making those who saw the sword feel that the blood in their own hearts was also flowing out of their bodies along with this process.

So their faces turned pale.

Then they saw the hand holding the sword, and the person.

The person wearing a bamboo hat and linen clothes, not tall, but rather short.

Completely the opposite of Ye Liuyun's elegant and uncontaminated image, this great figure looked extremely wretched because of his short stature, tattered linen clothes, covered in cracks, dust, and blood, and carrying a blood-stained, dilapidated sword.

However, no one dared to laugh at this wretched feeling, because they knew that this great figure was ruthless and merciless when killing people. In terms of terror, he was even more terrifying than Ye Liuyun.

…

…

The eunuch Hong quietly looked at the wretched swordsman ascending the steps, smiled slightly, then slowly withdrew the overbearing aura he had released, and his entire body hunched down again, returning to the appearance of an elderly eunuch.

Emperor Qing looked coldly at the stone steps, at Ye Liuyun and the newcomer, took a light step forward, and said calmly: "It seems that Yun Rui has invested a lot of capital this time… but Uncle, are you going crazy with her? Family, country, betraying the country for the sake of the family is really beyond my expectations."

Since that terrifying great figure was standing with Ye Liuyun, it naturally meant that the most powerful old monsters in the world had jointly made a decision not to let the most powerful emperor since the founding of the Qing Kingdom continue to live.

Ye Liuyun smiled gently, without explanation or self-justification.

Since that terrifying great figure with a sword ascended the cliff, everyone had been quiet, afraid of disturbing that person. But the Qing Kingdom Emperor was not afraid at all, sneering at the linen shirt full of holes, and mocking:

"Si Gu Jian, why aren't you taking care of yourself in your thatched cottage, what are you doing on Da Dong Mountain? Looking at your disheveled appearance, you think you don't have to pay some price for killing all my Tiger Guards? An idiot is an idiot, my Da Qing Dynasty cured your idiocy, and you didn't think about repaying the favor, but you insist on ascending the mountain with a sword, wasting your true qi… it seems that your brain hasn't gotten any better after so many years."

Yes, a short person, a dilapidated sword, a wretched outfit, that was how he resolutely and fiercely killed his way up the endless stone steps, killing over a hundred Tiger Guards. In the entire world, only Si Gu Jian, who was reckless and wielded an indomitable sword intent, protecting Dongyi City and the small vassal states for twenty years with a single sword, could do that.

No one dared to be disrespectful to Si Gu Jian, only the Qing Kingdom Emperor dared to speak to him in this tone. However, these sarcastic words, falling into the ears of those who were attentive, heard a hint of bravado.

No one dared not to answer Emperor Qing's question, but Si Gu Jian… was too lazy to even look at Emperor Qing, just staring blankly at the eunuch Hong beside the emperor. Gradually, the Grandmaster's eyes became hot, as if he wanted to penetrate the shadows under the bamboo hat and melt the eunuch Hong's aged face.

The short Si Gu Jian opened his mouth, but his voice was unlike his body, as bright as a large bell, able to split pine trees, but trembling with excitement.

"It was you just now, what an overbearing true qi…" Si Gu Jian looked at the eunuch Hong痴痴, "I know Fan Xian is also following this path, so you are his teacher… In that case, the one who released that势 in the Kyoto Imperial Palace more than ten years ago was you. The rumors in the world are indeed true."

The dignified Qing Kingdom Emperor was ignored by this Grandmaster, Emperor Qing was not angry, but his eyes gradually turned cold, looking at Si Gu Jian and said: "You have assassinated me three times, but you didn't even see my face before retreating miserably… Is there some unexpected joy this time?"

Si Gu Jian seemed to have just heard Emperor Qing's words, his eyes slightly turned, looking at Emperor Qing's face, and after a long silence, he suddenly shook his head: "You look much worse than your son, what's so good about looking at you?"

The Emperor smiled and said, "This is naturally referring to Anzhi, have you seen him?"

Si Gu Jian tilted his head and said, "I have a female grand-disciple named Lü Si Si… Clearly her senior sister was killed by Fan Xian, but after seeing Fan Xian from afar in Hangzhou, this little girl forgot her resentment and became a lovesick, holding that Ban Xian Zhai Book Talk and reading it every day… In that case, that pretty boy Fan Xian must be good-looking."

The sea breeze gently blew, traveling through the mountain peaks. Emperor Qing laughed loudly and said: "You Dongyi City lineage are indeed a bit痴气."

Si Gu Jian thought for a moment, then said seriously: "I am an idiot, my little disciple is even more idiotic, my grand-disciple is a lovesick, that's very normal."

Then the Grandmaster who looked a bit silly suddenly looked at the Qing Kingdom Emperor and said: "I am not as good as you in governing the country and fighting wars… There are not many people in the world who are stronger than you. So I must respect you, I was impolite to you just now, please don't mind."

"You are too polite, Sir." The Emperor seemed to be a bit intoxicated, bowing slightly.

Then the Emperor and Si Gu Jian both laughed loudly, even the increasingly strong sea breeze could not cover up the spread of this laughter. Si Gu Jian's laughter naturally carried extremely pure true qi, naturally unimpeded by the wind, while the Emperor's laughter was the unrestrainedness he had cultivated for a long time as the supreme ruler of the world.

The laughter stopped abruptly, there was an awkward silence in the arena, it seemed that both sides did not know how to continue performing this absurd drama.

Killing and being killed was the main issue, not a long drama that required exchanging pleasantries, talking about history, and telling stories.

So why did Emperor Qing and Si Gu Jian perform this clumsy scene before?

Emperor Qing slowly placed his hands behind his back, sighed, no longer looking at the two Grandmasters at the stone steps, and said calmly: "This situation was originally arranged by me according to Yun Rui's intention, following her trend, intending to keep the Sir here forever… Unexpectedly, Yun Rui's plan was so crazy, that she disregarded the safety of the country and bound Dongyi City and Northern Qi to her chariot."

He turned his head, without the slightest fear, quietly looking at the shaded part under Si Gu Jian's bamboo hat, and said: "Grandmasters have not appeared in the world for a long time, their appearance must shake the world. Today, you two are here, naturally you are determined to succeed. Although I am not afraid of death, I do not wish to die. So I have to delay… I really don't know, why are you also willing to accompany me to delay for so long?"

Si Gu Jian was silent for a long time, his wrist naturally drooping, looking a bit uneasy, and said with a strange laugh: "Why am I so interested in this Eunuch? Because among these four monsters in the world, three of us can be considered friends in spirit, only this Eunuch likes to hide in the palace… Because I understand Ye Liuyun, I know his temperament, if possible, he will act alone, and will not wait for us foreigners to interfere in Qing Kingdom's internal affairs."

Si Gu Jian calmed down, and said respectfully to the eunuch Hong: "Even if Eunuch is here, Ye Liuyun will still act."

He said one last sentence, as an explanation for Emperor Qing's question: "If Ye Liuyun does not act, there must be his reason, so I can only… see why he has not acted immediately."

Ye Liuyun smiled gently, turned to Si Gu Jian and said: "痴jian, haven't you felt it yet?"

Si Gu Jian was short, so the bamboo hat on his head looked especially large, completely covering his face in shadow. But even with the heavy shadows, the crowd at the top of the mountain seemed to see a trace of a wry smile on the Grandmaster's lips and a bit of a strange expression on his face.

The crowd was shocked, wondering what kind of discovery would make Si Gu Jian, who had always been obsessed with swords and killed people like grass, quiet for so long.

Si Gu Jian turned around and bowed directly to the door of the ancient temple behind the crowd, and after a long silence, he said: "I really can't understand, why are you joining in these mundane affairs of the world?"

The officials and priests who were seen by Si Gu Jian's gaze were terrified, and quickly avoided it, afraid of being touched by his gaze. In this way, following Si Gu Jian's gaze, people separated a path, revealing the black wooden door of the ancient small temple at the very end.

And Wu Zhu, who was wearing black clothes and seemed to have merged with the temple, stood outside the door.

Si Gu Jian's gaze, like two swords, pierced through the air and landed on Wu Zhu's clean face and the black cloth that seemed to never be stained with dust.

However, Wu Zhu was unmoved, without any reaction.

Si Gu Jian sighed.

…

…

At this time, Emperor Qing laughed again, but this time the laughter was more natural: "If you can come, why can't Lao Wu come?"

The Emperor restrained his laughter, looking coldly at Si Gu Jian.

Ye Liuyun shook his head with a wry smile, and said to Si Gu Jian: "When the mountain was surrounded, Fan Xian was on the mountain… so he naturally came."

Si Gu Jian was stunned. Where would this Grandmaster care about the specific process of surrounding the mountain? But after being stunned for a long time, he suddenly burst into swearing, completely disregarding the aura and dignity of a Grandmaster. He actually swore for a full few breaths of time, cursing out all the dirty words he could think of!

"Damn it… Yun Zhilan and Yan Xiaoyi, you two idiots! What are you doing surrounding that pretty boy on the mountain?" Si Gu Jian panted and scolded: "Are you trying to kill me?"

He suddenly had a stern expression, looking coldly at the Qing Kingdom Emperor, and mocked: "Bringing Fan Xian up the mountain, and finding such a good helper… No wonder you are not afraid at all… It seems that I was wrong earlier, I am not as good as you in governing the country and commanding the army, but in exploiting my children and relatives, I am even more inferior to you."

Emperor Qing smiled slightly, without saying a word.

Obviously, both Si Gu Jian and Ye Liuyun felt a strong shock and vigilance towards Wu Zhu, who suddenly appeared at the Qing Temple on the peak of Da Dong Mountain.

Although they were Grandmasters, past history and the wonderful occurrences in this world had already proven many things. Otherwise, Si Gu Jian would not have shamelessly sent Wang Shisanlang to Fan Xian's side, throwing out his closed-door disciple, who had the most similar stubbornness but was exceptionally gentle.

Wasn't it because of this blind man?

Si Gu Jian suddenly looked at Wu Zhu quietly and said: "Don't get involved in this matter, go down the mountain. This emperor is not a good bird… We old guys will give you a guarantee that Fan Xian will definitely have a glorious life, even if he doesn't stay in Nan Qing, he can go to my Dongyi, I will let him be the city lord."

The crowd was still quiet, but their eyes began to show shock and fear. They did not know who the black-clothed man standing at the temple door was, but he was able to stop two Grandmasters at the moment before the assassination, and was able to make Si Gu Jian, that always ruthless Si Gu Jian, make such a big promise.

No one would disbelieve the words of a Grandmaster.

So people were even more curious, who exactly was the black-clothed man who was closely related to Master Fan?

…

…

The Emperor's brows furrowed slightly, because he found that Wu Zhu was lowering his head, seemingly thinking about something.

After Wu Zhu thought for a while, he slowly said: "Sorry, Fan Xian asked me to protect the Emperor's life."

Like Ye Liuyun, Si Gu Jian also opened his mouth wide, falling into a kind of shock that was even greater than seeing Wu Zhu. After a long silence, he shook his head and said: "I haven't seen you for thirty years, I didn't expect you to become so talkative… If I didn't know it was you, I would have thought you were being impersonated."

Wu Zhu shook his head, too lazy to answer this boring question.

Si Gu Jian straightened the bamboo hat on his head and said: "Wu Zhu, we had some feelings back then… Unless I have no choice, I don't want to attack you… You have to know, in the two years since Niulan Mountain, I have tolerated Fan Xian for a long time."

The crowd was shocked again, wondering what those feelings were back then?

Wu Zhu was slightly startled, and after thinking for a long time, he said softly: "Your snot was falling on the ground at that time… It was unbearably dirty."

Si Gu Jian laughed loudly: "I am still just as dirty now, I am still the same idiot who was still sniffling when I was a teenager, how about it? Do you want to keep me company?"

The corners of Wu Zhu's lips gradually rose, as if he wanted to smile, but he ultimately did not smile, just shook his head.

…

…

After a long silence, Si Gu Jian shook his head and put his sword back into its sheath. Ye Liuyun was startled and said: "What are you doing?"

Si Gu Jian pointed to the eunuch Hong, pointed to Wu Zhu, and then looked at Ye Liuyun, saying angrily: "Two against two, only an idiot would attack."

Ye Liuyun said with a wry face: "But you… aren't you an idiot?"

"I am an idiot." Si Gu Jian said seriously: "But I am not a madman."

The crowd in the arena, including Qing Kingdom officials, priests, and a few eunuchs, were actually seeing these legendary figures for the first time, seeing the Grandmasters who were like heavenly gods in people's hearts. After the initial awe and fear, after seeing these few scenes of dialogue again, countless absurd feelings arose in their hearts. Were these old men, who were bickering and arguing like children, the Grandmasters who had secretly influenced the great trends of the world for twenty years?

The Emperor watched this scene, waiting for the curtain to fall on the grand drama, his heart was peaceful.

If Si Gu Jian and Ye Liuyun really retreated, this grand drama would become a farce. And Si Gu Jian was not really an idiot, he certainly knew how terrifying the consequences would be if he really let Emperor Qing live and return to Kyoto.

Si Gu Jian shouted at the top of his lungs: "Anyway, it's two against two, I'm not doing it. If that thief doesn't come out again, I'll go down the mountain immediately."

Hearing these words, the Emperor's pupils shrank slightly, and his face turned cold.

There were flowing clouds floating on the mountainside, there was a heavenly sword piercing through the stone path, and there were fallen leaves arriving with the wind.

As the wind passed and the light scattered, in a moment, the third person wearing a bamboo hat floated onto the top of the mountain like a fallen leaf, very naturally.

Ku He had finally arrived.

…

…

(Yesterday I was really drowsy and miserable, I slept for twelve hours in total, and finally made up for it. Now my body and mental state have recovered a lot, thank you for your understanding and concern. The annual meeting was still very interesting, I saw a lot of legendary ids, but the itinerary was too tight, and the air conditioning in the hotel was too low, I was wasted that day, on the surface I was still very excited, but in fact I had a fever... The brother who lived with me said he would treat me to dinner as compensation. ps: Shanghai... is really Shanghai, yesterday I went to the supermarket to buy Tylenol, and the aunt actually wanted me to register my phone number... because the Olympics are coming, and there are stimulant ingredients in Tylenol, she was very serious. I also seriously want to ask everyone for some monthly tickets...)