In the beginning, he was ranked alongside An Shigeng as a spoiled brat.

Once she was on that pirate ship, if she weren't Zhang's lawfully wedded wife, she would have returned to Peach Blossom Island long ago.

Even though Manager Feng has Zhang family blood, she has no official status.

In feudal times, the status of the principal wife was equivalent to that of the head of the household.

Meanwhile, news of Zhang Xiaoshan's journey downstream along the Long River also spread throughout Jiangnan.

It is worth noting that after the Zhang family established themselves in Wu Tang, the construction of an imperial building once again demonstrated the Zhang family's strength to everyone.

The Zhao family of the Song Dynasty, in particular, felt extremely uncomfortable every time they saw intelligence from the Zhang family.

It should be noted that the resources originally invested by the Zhang family should have been in their Great Song Empire, but now they have become luxurious venues in the Wu Tang Empire.

Moreover, the Zhang family's annual offerings of soap, snow salt, spices, etc., were enough for the royal family and those high-ranking officials to consume for a year, but now they have to spend money comparable to gold to buy them.

Moreover, it costs at least hundreds of thousands of dollars every year.

Even Emperor Qinzong was helpless in the face of such additional losses.

Ultimately, Emperor Huizong made the wrong bet.

Otherwise, even if the Zhang family didn't come back, they wouldn't have gone to such extremes.

Now the Zhang family has normal business dealings with the Song Dynasty, and the idea of ​​paying tribute for protection has disappeared, because there is simply no need for it.

The Zhang family used to keep a low profile, after all, they were the lowest social class, consisting of scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants.

But now that the Zhang family is showing their strength, they naturally don't need to pay you any attention!

Chapter 399 Reunion with Tu Xuehua on Blackwood Cliff

Blackwood Cliff!

After Tu Xuehua arrived at Blackwood Cliff, the influence of the Sun Moon Cult continued to expand.

With a Grandmaster, a peerless expert, and two top-tier experts, the Sun Moon Cult's power was formidable, easily comparable to the Xuanming Cult at its peak.

After all, the strongest member of the Xuanming Sect right now is only the Underworld Emperor, who was defeated by Tu Xuehua's combined Seven Spin and Wind and Thunder Palm.

Therefore, in just one year, the power of the Sun Moon Cult has at least doubled, making it difficult for the righteous path to breathe.

Currently, the Sun Moon Cult is filled with ten elders, four hall masters, and left and right guardians of light, among many other experts.

Among the four hall masters, in addition to the previous Condor Hero Shangguan Yun, the newly added Mobei Divine Sword Leng Yifei, the Xiangxi Master Tie Di, and the underworld tycoon Heisha Palm Qin Tianxiong are:

All three were previously little-known, or rather, extremely skilled masters who rarely appeared in public.

In this era of chaos and disorder, unparalleled masters and grandmasters emerged one after another, and three great legends also appeared.

There are many people like them, except that they have all secretly joined other forces.

Previously, they didn't emerge into the world either because their strength hadn't broken through to become top-tier experts, or because they were limited to ruling a single region.

The righteous path flourished, suppressing many heretical and evil practices.

However, in the battle at the Gates of Hell, the righteous path suffered heavy losses, and demons ran rampant.

Even Ren Yingying, as the Holy Maiden, fled to the Miao region and dared not cause trouble within the sect.

After all, the return of the powerful Dongfang Bubai was already overwhelming for them, and then they added Tu Xuehua, who was equivalent to the former 'Dongfang Bubai'.

The Wind and Thunder Palm and the Seven-Spinning Slash are both renowned martial arts techniques in the martial arts world.

In addition, after Tu Xuehua cultivated the Lesser Formless Skill, she also mastered many of the unique skills of the Sun Moon Divine Sect.

Over the past year, his martial arts skills have also improved by leaps and bounds.

···

The small garden behind Blackwood Cliff is a forbidden area of ​​the Sun Moon Cult.

Within the entire Demonic Sect, only Tu Xuehua, as a trusted confidante, was allowed free entry and exit.

After all, in the eyes of many, it's normal for Dongfang Bubai, who cultivated the Sunflower Manual to become a Grandmaster, to have some peculiar hobbies.

Therefore, women often sent their brocade and rouge to the back mountain. In addition, Dongfang Bubai always appeared in a long red robe and with heavy smoky makeup, making it difficult to distinguish between male and female.

But Dongfang Bubai's strength is beyond doubt.

However, there are no luxurious palaces on the back mountain, only an exquisite and elegant villa.

The winding corridors, the pavilions filled with birdsong and fragrant flowers, and the courtyard full of spools of yarn—one might mistake it for a textile workshop.

"You came!"

Inside the villa, Dongfang Bai looked at the familiar figure, revealing a hint of surprise and excitement.

She didn't doubt Zhang Xiaoshan's appearance because of the flying fish dragon wings that Zhang Xiaoshan had put away, which were a treasure unique to the Zhang family.

Even the simplest glider can travel thousands of miles a day.

"how have you been?"

Zhang Xiaoshan pulled the beauty into his arms. His senses were keen; no movement in the entire courtyard's flowerbeds could escape his notice.

Moreover, this is a forbidden area of ​​the Sun Moon Cult. Not to mention the traps and mechanisms, apart from the only passage, the surrounding area is all cliffs and precipices. Unless you are a master of unparalleled lightness skills like Zhang Xiaoshan or Dongfang Bubai, you can only enter this place.

"In the martial world, I am the only one who reigns supreme!"

However, the higher you stand, the more isolated and lonely you feel.

Dongfang Bai leaned greedily against that warm embrace; she had already accomplished most of her ambition to dominate the martial world.

But it was alright before; she was just a person, with only her ambition to dominate the martial arts world in her heart.

And now? The loneliness of being at the top has gradually made her want to retire.

Even heroes can't resist the charms of a beautiful woman;

Similarly, a woman's most fatal weakness is sometimes her emotions.

"If you feel tired, then come back."

Upon hearing those words, even Dongfang Bai couldn't help but tremble.

However, she quickly suppressed that thought.

She wasn't a pretentious person, and she disliked being delicate and affected. Perhaps staying by Zhang Xiaoshan's side could alleviate her loneliness, but she wasn't a woman content with being ordinary.

"Ok!"

Even Zhang Xiaoshan didn't hear the answer clearly, but at this moment Dongfang Bai had already clung to him!

The next morning, Zhang Xiaoshan had just gotten up when he saw Tu Xuehua arrive.

At this moment, Tu Xuehua was also looking at Zhang Xiaoshan in astonishment, not expecting him to appear here. However, she quickly composed herself.

She didn't feel much resentment towards Zhang Xiaoshan for imprisoning Gu Jianhun; in fact, she was filled with gratitude.

After all, it was Zhang Xiaoshan who saved Gu Jianhun, and Zhang Xiaoshan had many reasons for imprisoning Gu Jianhun:

First, Gu Jianhun's martial arts have been 'crippled', and he would die if he went out.

Secondly, Zhang Xiaoshan did not mistreat Gu Jianhun; in fact, the secret room contained many Buddhist scriptures. He was simply making Gu Jianhun reflect on his actions.

Moreover, thinking of what Gu Jianhun had asked her to pay attention to last time, Tu Xuehua showed a rare hint of shyness.

grandson?

Besides urging her to get married, Gu Jianhun also warned her to be careful not to get on Zhang Xiaoshan's pirate ship.

Thirdly, he was trying to control her. After all, she was just an outsider, and Zhang Xiaoshan still couldn't completely trust her.

With the Ancient Sword Soul present in Ghost Street, Tu Xuehua dared not make any rash moves.

"Xuehua greets Young Master Zhang!"

"Miss Tu, you've worked hard!"

Zhang Xiaoshan looked Tu Xuehua up and down and noticed that she now possessed a touch of cold beauty and charm.

Could joining a demonic cult increase one's attributes?

"But has Miss Tu been practicing demonic arts for the past year?"

"Young Master knows? Could it be that Xuehua has encountered some problem in her cultivation?"

"His forehead was dark; if it weren't for the girl's profound inner strength and true qi, she would have already gone mad from practicing qi cultivation."

"Young lady, you're rushing into practicing the Lesser Formless Skill or some demonic art. These various techniques conflict with each other, and if this continues for a while, all sorts of problems will inevitably arise."

"Please help me, young master!"

Tu Xuehua was startled, but she did not doubt Zhang Xiaoshan's words.

After all, Zhang Xiaoshan was a grandmaster, and the Pure Yang Finger was incredibly profound. He could directly heal the injuries that had severed her father's and Yan Nantian's meridians. Her problem was discovered early, and it was just a minor injury.

"When Miss Tu comes over tonight, I will use the Pure Yang Finger Technique to neutralize the deficiencies in your body."

"Thank you, sir!"

Tu Xuehua breathed a sigh of relief, while Dongfang Bai, standing to the side, glanced at her with her beautiful eyes.

However, Tu Xuehua encountered a problem in her cultivation. She vaguely sensed it, but she did not have Zhang Xiaoshan's 'miracle doctor' skills.

While Dongfang Bai and Tu Xuehua were discussing matters concerning the Sun Moon Cult, Zhang Xiaoshan arrived outside the courtyard and pointed with his hand.

With a flick of his finger, a dark figure fell to the ground ten feet away.

·········Requesting flowers·· 0

Zhang Xiaoshan frowned as he watched the men in black following him into the back of Blackwood Cliff.

A master who can follow Tu Xuehua undetected is no ordinary person.

Zhang Xiaoshan led the man to the side and used the Soul Transfer Technique to ascertain the truth, causing him to frown.

It's the Dragon Guard Manor again!

Thinking of this, Zhang Xiaoshan casually tossed him in front of Dongfang Bai.

At this moment, both Dongfang Bai and Tu Xuehua frowned, not expecting that someone had actually managed to find their way here.

"This is···"

"The people from the Dragon Guard Manor are masters of the Yagyu Shinkage School from Japan!"

"The Yagyu Shinkage School? Isn't that the family of one of your little lovers? Why have they joined the Dragon Guard Manor?"

Even Dongfang Bai was puzzled upon hearing the identity of the man in black.

It should be noted that Liu Sheng Piaoxu was a warrior of the Zhang family, and her strength was beyond question. She could be said to be the strongest female relative by Zhang Xiaoshan's side.

In terms of internal strength, Master Mingchen is probably the strongest;

However, in terms of actual combat strength, Yagyu Hyōse is the strongest, and his swordsmanship has reached the level of a sword saint.

. ......... .......

"The Yagyu Shinkage faction is not just the Yagyu family, but also a complex group of factions in Japan."

The Yagyu Shinkage School's cooperation with the Zhang family was merely a business partnership, while its cooperation with the Dragon Guard Manor was driven by its ambition to dominate the martial arts world of Japan.

"This guy's sticking around Miss Tu's side; it seems Zhu Wushi still hasn't given up on the Tathagata Palm!"

Upon hearing Zhang Xiaoshan's explanation, Dongfang Bai's eyebrows furrowed.

Moreover, Tu Xuehua felt even more furious when she heard that the other party wanted the Tathagata Palm.

It is important to know that, based on her investigation of the battle at the Gate of Hell, all the signs indicated that Zhu Wushi was secretly instigating this great war between good and evil.

Unexpectedly, they still wouldn't give up in the end.

"What a Zhu Wushi!"

Sensing Dongfang Bai's murderous aura, Zhang Xiaoshan grasped her delicate hand, shook his head, and explained:

"Zhu Wushi is a member of the Ming imperial family. If we kill him, the Sun Moon Cult will inevitably be besieged and suppressed by the court."

Moreover, countless high-ranking members of the Sun Moon Cult are his spies; there's no need to kill him. Doing so would only alert him; it's better to drive him mad, thus ensuring his destruction!

"To drive him mad?"

"Zhu Wushi's ambition is nothing more than to usurp the throne. Since that's the case, why not grant his wish?"

You mean...?