Starting from Tianlong, Wudu Tianxia

Hong Zhaoren had both news of Murong Bo and a token bearing the character "Yan".

It's highly likely that the Mad Wind Sect secretly allied with the Murong family.

But he had no desire to be a lackey of the Murong family, so he feigned doubt and said:

"Master Hong, please don't spread rumors. Senior Murong Bo is a respected elder in the martial arts world. There is no reason for him to fake his death and deceive the world. If you use his name to swindle people in private, you may be in trouble with the Murong family."

After listening, Hong Zhaoren said, "This matter is complicated and involves a great deal of issues. It is impossible to explain and clarify it in just a few words. It is understandable that you do not believe me, young man."

Suddenly, he looked east: "Who wouldn't want status in the martial arts world, gold and silver, fame, and peerless secret manuals?"

Then, looking at Gao Yuan, he said in a gentle voice, "Whatever you desire, you can help me achieve it. If you can get rid of the entanglement with Penglai this time, you can go to the Miaocaozhai Herbal Medicine Shop in Dengfeng. Someone will introduce you to me and explain things to you."

After speaking, Hong Zhaoren pointed to the corpses scattered on the ground and added, "There are many in the martial arts world who know how skilled I am with my fists and feet, but those who know how fast my sword is..."

He paused slightly: "Apart from Mr. Murong and you, young brother, the rest of us are like them. This time, we exposed our martial arts and implicated Mr. Murong. Our sincerity is evident!"

It's a real shame that the leader of the Hongmen doesn't go into business but instead mingles in the underworld; he's a master at deceiving people!

As for the claim that he admires him, it's nothing more than a three-pronged calculation.

First, he misunderstood his own martial arts level and didn't want to fight to the death; second, he took the opportunity to back down and keep him around to continue entangled with Penglai.

The third point is... naturally, to act according to circumstances and help Old Man Murong win over heroes of the martial arts world.

Gao Yuan feigned agreement: "The Hongmen leader's words pointed out a way out, and they enlightened me!"

He deliberately softened his tone.

"But the pursuers from Penglai have not yet withdrawn. The most important thing right now is to get away. As for Dengfeng Miaocaozhai, I will go to pay my respects to Senior Murong as agreed after I get away."

To be honest, Gao Yuan didn't want to fight Hong Zhaoren. If it was just a contest of internal strength, the two were evenly matched, and Gao Yuan wasn't afraid of him.

Relying on the extraordinary properties of the Northern Darkness True Qi, he might be able to gain the upper hand.

However, the Tianshan Plum Blossom Technique is missing five methods, including three palm techniques and two grappling techniques, which include the secrets of sword grappling techniques.

Hong Zhaoren happens to be a swordsman, and if he were to fight him, he estimated that he wouldn't even be able to touch the hem of his clothes.

For now, I'll just try to trick him into helping me lure Old Daoist away.

As for whether or not to go to Dengfeng!

Just you wait, I have no intention of getting involved in old man Murong's pipe dream.

The Hongmen leader laughed again: "It's good that you understand, young brother. I will send a letter to Dulingzi at dawn, guiding him to Jingzhou."

Gao Yuan seemed to be persuaded: "Alright, a man of his word is a man of his word. Don't try to fool your little brother, Master Hong."

"Brother, loyalty is my guiding principle; I would never betray you!"

Gao Yuan glanced at the corpses of the Tianyi Gang disciples lying on the ground, a slight smirk playing on his lips:

"The leader of the Hongmen... is truly righteous!"

"Haha, that's only right. Farewell!"

Without any hesitation, Hong Zhaoren put his feet down and, with a flick of his sleeves, ascended to the roof.

"Brother, go back and prepare to send a message by carrier pigeon. Come to Tianyi at dawn to clean up the mess. We'll meet again in Dengzhou, where we'll drink and discuss martial arts..."

With a flash, he used his light-footed skill to disappear into the night.

After Hong Zhaoren left.

A moment later, Gao Yuan heard the distant sound of gongs being struck and urgent calls to put out a fire.

The Tianyi Gang's headquarters were located far from the main street and in a remote area, so the people who came were either spies from the local government or gang members scattered throughout the city.

As Sumeru and Gao Yuan stepped through the gate, their index fingers suddenly exerted force.

The stone dust on the screen wall fell in a soft rustling sound, and upon closer inspection...

A dent suddenly appeared on the screen wall, with several lines of text carved on each side. When read together, it reads: "First, kill the Nine Wings; then, destroy the Heavenly Righteousness; sweep away the Lingjiu in the courtyard; welcome and slay Penglai."

After finishing carving, Gao Yuan smirked coldly.

I used to think that "hiding for a while will bring peace," but now I finally understand that there is no logic to this world.

If there were truly any logic to the martial arts world...

Xu's younger sister would not have died tragically, Tan Qing would not have treated Li Pianbi and the others like pigs and dogs, and Penglai would not have manipulated the various families like chess pieces.

The Hongmen leader, who was all smiles and full of admiration for him, was only willing to speak with him as an equal because he saw him as someone who was not easy to bully and had value.

The vast sky holds no clear blue. It turns out that the rules of the martial world are forged through bloodshed. Only by killing ruthlessly can you ensure that no one dares to provoke you.

If you dare to back down, they will only go further, crushing and devouring you!

At this moment, the sound of footsteps gradually arose within ten zhang (approximately 33 meters).

With a leap, Gao Yuan stepped onto the rooftop, and on the rubble, instantly vanished into the darkness.

Before long, the fire at the Tianyi Gang's headquarters grew even larger, with countless flames climbing the beams and pillars and leaping up into every courtyard and house. The front yard, the central courtyard, and the ancestral hall were all engulfed in flames.

Back at "Jin Ke Lai", Gao Yuan didn't dare to enter through the main entrance. Instead, he found a corner, spotted a good spot, and stepped onto it.

"It is now the hour of Chou (1-3 AM), and there is still one hour before the city gates open."

Back at the inn, he fetched water from the sink, washed away the blood and grime, and dried himself off.

Under the candlelight, Gao Yuan remained silent.

"We can't let Changying stay. The innkeeper and waiters all know that she often comes to see me. Who knows if the remnants of the Tianyi Gang, in their rage, might tear apart a little girl like her because of me, especially since she's so stubborn."

After all, judging from their abduction of innocent women, they are hardly honorable people.

Having accepted the little girl's kindness in delivering the message, he could not leave her in danger.

Gao Yuan adjusted his breathing to calm his agitation. He held the jade tablet, waiting for the cool air to soothe his mind. He sat cross-legged and began to circulate the Northern Darkness Divine Art, starting with the first diagram and slowly progressing.

He closed his eyes slightly, recalling the moment when he killed Jiu Yi at the Ma residence and his mind was clear.

"A state of mind at peace!"

There are three conditions for breaking through the Northern Darkness Divine Art.

Firstly, by accumulating water to form a sea, one can continuously open up the 58 major acupoints of the Ren and Du meridians and the 118 extraordinary acupoints of the eight extraordinary meridians, thus increasing the number of "apertures" through which one can store Qi.

Secondly, by calming the body and guiding the Qi back to its origin, the strange true Qi absorbed into the body is suppressed, the impurities are removed and the essence is refined and fused into pure Northern Darkness True Qi, which transforms from turbulent waves into calm and profound, ready to be released at a moment's thought.

Thirdly, and most importantly...

To truly understand the profound meaning of Taoist freedom, which is the so-called breakthrough of the mind, one must realize that a single thought can make or break a boat, and truly achieve "riding the right course of heaven and earth and controlling the changes of the six qi".

Gao Yuan silently recited the general formula, then flipped his fingers, and the Northern Darkness True Qi rushed out from his body, passing through the acupoints and instantly reaching the Ju Liao acupoint.

Instantly, blood and qi surged, true qi trembled, and suddenly erupted at the Sibai acupoint, with unstoppable momentum, directly penetrating Chengqi.

"Click!"

Chengqi broke open, and the Ren meridian was unblocked.

Open your eyes.

Gao Yuan felt that his entire body's energy and spirit were under his complete control, and he felt an indescribable sense of comfort and enjoyment throughout his body.

Open the window.

"It's almost time for Yin hour (3-5 AM)."

After packing his things, Gao Yuan prepared to go to the stable to fetch his horse.

"Let's go to Changchun Ying first; I think her house is in Chengdong Alley."

"etc!"

The moment he stood up, his true energy surged out from his dantian, forming a natural circulation, and a faint ripple of energy appeared on the surface of his skin.

A faint yet real invisible vortex adhered to the skin.

"Protective Qi?"

"Interesting. Although it is still very weak and only in its embryonic form, it has at least taken shape and taken the first step. If anyone tries to ambush him from the shadows in the future, it won't be so easy."

The protective inner energy is not easy to cultivate, and now that it has come to fruition, I am even more delighted.

Gao Yuan suppressed his joy, led his horse out the door, and galloped towards Chang Ying's house, disappearing into the gradually awakening streets.

......