Chapter Six: The Storm at Zhejiang Pavilion
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Zhong Li Jian, leader of the Ghost Wolf Sect, stepped away from the formation and approached Liang Keyong, asking, "Who exactly is this malevolent Fo Longye? Which school or sect does he belong to, and who is his master?" Liang Keyong pursed his lips and, watching Longye and Meng Xiaoli spar, explained patiently, "Longye only recently appeared in the martial world. It seems every time he shows up, it's connected to Meng Xiaoli. Their precise grievances remain unclear. Judging by their lightness skills, they appear to have trained under the same master, both employing the lightness techniques of the Xuanmo Sect. However, Meng Xiaoli’s moves are bizarre and peculiar, bearing no resemblance to Xuanmo methods. Longye’s sword techniques, meanwhile, somewhat resemble those of the Xuanmo Sect but are not identical. The Xuanmo Sect vanished many years ago and left no successors."
"Xuanmo Sect?" Zhong Li Jian had heard the name before and continued, "I’ve heard it was once flourishing but gradually declined and has been extinct for over twenty years now. A minor sect, hardly worth mentioning." Liang Keyong nodded in agreement. "Back then, the Xuanmo Sect was famous for its unique lightness techniques—fleeting and unpredictable like wind and rain. But many small sects like this suddenly emerge in the martial world only to fade quickly; they rise and fall swiftly, hardly worth noting."
Longye and Meng Xiaoli exchanged dozens of moves without a clear victor. Longye, disinterested in prolonging the fight, was caught by Meng Xiaoli’s claw, which scratched his neck, and then was kicked away by a flying double kick. Longye fell to the ground but used the “Wind” technique, swirling like a leaf, barely falling and slowly spinning upright. When he looked back at Meng Xiaoli, however, Meng smiled wickedly and licked the fresh blood from his armor, clearly satisfied. He then withdrew his moves and swiftly left the mountain.
Everyone looked at Longye, who had sheathed his sword and was ignoring everyone, slipping away quietly. Liang Keyong, seeing Longye’s technique upon landing, said hurriedly to Zhong Li Jian, "This is indeed the classic Xuanmo Sect lightness technique. I was fortunate to witness it a few times in my youth. Even if Longye is not a direct descendant, he must be connected to the Xuanmo Sect."
Liang Keyong, as if uncovering a secret, turned and scanned the area for a white-robed scholar but found no trace. Zhong Li Jian looked puzzled and asked, "Who are you searching for, Leader Liang?"
Liang Keyong replied with disappointment, "Li Yurun, the foremost disciple of the Zhejiang Wind and Cloud Pavilion." He sighed and added, "It seems only the Wind and Cloud Pavilion knows the full story behind this feud."
Meanwhile, Meng Xiaoli led his Red-Robed Sect disciples away, and the Crown Mane Gang regained calm. The disciples of the Yuan Bao Sect began to clear the battlefield, strewn with corpses both atop and below the mountain. Apart from the deep brown-clad cultists of their own sect, countless red-robed figures were mixed among them.
Yuan Bao, supported by disciples, returned to the hall with the other leaders, lamenting, "Most of my Crown Mane Gang disciples have been killed or injured. This grudge must be avenged." After speaking, he sat cross-legged with Chen Feng’ao, who was carefree, and began treating their internal injuries to restore their vitality.
Zhong Li Jian approached Yuan Bao and Chen Feng’ao, producing a small medicine bottle from his bosom. He poured out two golden pills and said, "These are the Yuan Yang Pills, crafted by Zhuge Gaoshan, leader of the Divine Wood Sect, to restore vital energy. You two should take them first and then activate your internal power; the effect will be doubled." After taking the pills, Yuan Bao and Chen Feng’ao followed his instructions and felt a significant improvement.
Seeing both grievously wounded, Liang Keyong sighed and asked Zhong Li Jian, “Brother Zhong, were there any losses among your Ghost Wolf Sect disciples this time?”
The Ghost Wolf Sect, based in Qili Mountain of Huai’an Prefecture, was led by Zhong Li Jian, who maintained close relations with Yuan Bao. Upon learning the Red-Robed Sect targeted the Crown Mane Gang, he brought disciples to assist. The Ghost Wolf Sect specialized in disguise arts; its members wore plain clothes indistinguishable from commoners and excelled at infiltration. Enemies were often killed before they even realized it, making the sect the most feared assassin organization in the martial world.
Zhong Li Jian answered, “Thank you, Leader Liang, but my disciples are battle-hardened; fortunately, none were lost.”
Liang Keyong sighed, “It is said the Demon Yan Ghost Concubine is ruthless. Now we have witnessed it firsthand. To her, no life matters except her own.”
While Yuan Bao and Chen Feng’ao nursed their wounds, other sects departed after the Crown Mane Gang ceased hostilities.
The Zhejiang Wind and Cloud Pavilion, renowned in the martial world for its knowledge of astronomy, geography, and worldly affairs—from the imperial court to common folk—held an unrivaled position. None dared offend it. Though it dealt in information trade, its halls were always bustling. Yet few had the fortune to meet its leader, Mr. Shui Shi.
Pavilion disciples wore simple white robes. Only twelve disciples were admitted to the inner door each generation, while outer disciples were countless across the land.
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The white-robed scholar who participated in the battle between the Red-Robed Sect and Crown Mane Gang was Li Yurun, the foremost inner disciple of the "Yu" generation of the Wind and Cloud Pavilion.
After the battle, Li Yurun returned from Qingzhou to Hangzhou Prefecture in Zhejiang and went straight to the Pavilion. The outer gate of the Pavilion was always open and unguarded at night, bustling with people—a stark contrast to other sects.
The inner gate was vast and secretive, accessible only to disciples, major affairs, or invited dignitaries.
Li Yurun passed through the outer gate courtyard, where all the people were information merchants. Although the Wind and Cloud Pavilion, the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and the Eastern Depot were all intelligence agencies, they differed: the Eastern Depot investigated court officials and meddled in civilians’ lives, holding arrest powers; the Embroidered Uniform Guard had judicial authority.
The Wind and Cloud Pavilion managed all matters, big or small—secret histories from the palace, officials’ intrigues, and commoners’ daily affairs. Even the Embroidered Uniform Guard and Eastern Depot secretly traded intelligence with the Pavilion.
Li Yurun passed several courtyards. White-robed inner disciples moved swiftly about. Without pausing, he headed straight for the Myriad Things Chamber.
At the door, the guarding disciple saluted and allowed him entry. Inside, Li Yurun saw his twelfth junior brother, Gao Yuhao, chatting with Qin Zhao over tea.
Qin Zhao was an outer disciple of the Pavilion, dressed in Flying Fish attire and carrying an embroidered spring knife. He served as a commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Both rose to greet Li Yurun. Gao Yuhao, the youngest inner disciple known as "Little Young Master," was lively and straightforward.
Upon seeing Li Yurun, Gao Yuhao bowed and said, “Senior Brother, you’ve returned just in time. Brother Qin came asking about the Demon Yan Ghost Concubine. I told him I wasn’t involved in that investigation and chatted with him for a while.” He then said to Qin Zhao, “Our master assigned this matter to Senior Brother. You should ask him.”
Outer disciples of Wind and Cloud Pavilion ranked by age rather than merit.
The three sat down. Qin Zhao poured tea for Li Yurun. Li Yurun glanced at Qin Zhao, sipped his tea, and joked, “Did you bring enough gold to buy news from the Pavilion?”
Qin Zhao smiled slyly. “The gold doesn’t come from me. Naturally, as much as is needed is provided. I’m not just benefiting from proximity; I want to climb higher, so I volunteered to share the task of investigating the Demon Yan Ghost Concubine.”
Li Yurun nodded, fanning himself gently. “Is the Embroidered Uniform Guard also interested in the Demon Yan Ghost Concubine?”
Qin Zhao sighed, “Not us, but His Majesty. Someone has submitted a memorial listing the crimes of the Red-Robed Sect’s Demon Yan Ghost Concubine. Because of the accusations, the Emperor wants an investigation. Commander Tang Que of the Embroidered Uniform Guard wants to beat the Eastern Depot to the punch—to gain merit, monitor Director Cui Xin Zhi of the Eastern Depot, and investigate this Demon Yan Ghost Concubine’s background.”
“Who submitted the memorial?” Li Yurun frowned.
Qin Zhao leaned in mysteriously and grinned, “If you want the news, have you prepared enough gold?”
Li Yurun snapped his black gold fan shut and scolded, “So you’ve been waiting here! Tell me, and I’ll estimate how much the news is worth.”
Qin Zhao chuckled, “Just joking. But I’ll say this: you can guess who it is. It’s one of the top ten sects, colluding with court officials, and longstanding enemies of the Red-Robed Sect.”
Li Yurun immediately understood and nodded, “In that case, I have new information to report to Master. Let’s go together.”
The three left the Myriad Things Chamber and headed to the Azure Cosmos Hall of Ji Shui Shi. After being reported to by the gate disciples, they bowed and said, “Master, it’s a rare honor to see you today, along with all the senior brothers.” They were then invited inside.
The hall was magnificent, like an imperial inner court, lined with countless books and scrolls—ancient texts and secret tomes unknown to the world.
The three stood at the hall’s entrance and looked up a stairway to an exquisite pavilion draped with white silk. After bowing, they called out, “Master!”
From behind the silk came a soft elder’s voice, mellow yet powerful, with extraordinary internal strength: “What is it?”
Li Yurun stepped forward first, “Master, I have come to report on the Demon Yan Ghost Concubine matter.”
“Hmm,” came the light reply.
Li Yurun glanced at Qin Zhao, who raised his hand in salute and said, “Master, I am here on official business from the Embroidered Uniform Guard, buying news about the Demon Yan Ghost Concubine.”
“Hmm,” was the calm reply again.
Then they looked to Little Young Master Gao Yuhao, who reported, “Master, I have come to report on recent conflicts and covert struggles between the Southern and Northern Beggars, and the movements of the Southern Beggar Gang.”
“The disputes between the Southern and Northern Beggars have been long and complicated,” Ji Shui Shi said calmly. “I will entrust this matter to you and your second senior brother, Wu Yuqiu—one to investigate the south, the other the north. You must communicate often. This is not urgent; you may attend to other matters first.” Gao Yuhao bowed and withdrew.
Ji Shui Shi then asked, “What information does the Embroidered Uniform Guard want about the Demon Yan Ghost Concubine?”
Qin Zhao answered, “A map of Isolation Island where the Red-Robed Sect is based, the background of the Demon Yan Ghost Concubine, and a word from the commander on her weaknesses.”
Ji Shui Shi chuckled, “Our Pavilion only sells news for gold, not advice or strategies. How to deal with Meng Xiaoli is his problem. Commander Tang Que thinks too much.” Qin Zhao bowed in embarrassment, "Yes, Master."
Suddenly, a sliding sound came from the book wall. Li Yurun and Qin Zhao looked toward the noise. Behind the towering book wall, a small drawer slid out—Ji Shui Shi’s intricately designed mechanism, controlled by his fingers from the pavilion above.
Ji Shui Shi said, “Inside the drawer is a map of Isolation Island from a spy. Take it to complete your mission. As for the Demon Yan Ghost Concubine’s origins, I will send someone to notify you when it is ready.”
Qin Zhao quickly took the scroll from the drawer, bowed, and said, “I take my leave.” He then saluted Li Yurun and exited the Azure Cosmos Hall.
After Qin Zhao left, Ji Shui Shi said to Li Yurun, “Sit down first. Have you made any progress investigating the Demon Yan Ghost Concubine?”
Li Yurun settled on a cushion at the low table and began, “Master, during the recent conflict between the Red-Robed and Crown Mane factions, I observed the fight. Though unaware of the origins, I can imitate some moves used by the Red-Robed disciples.”
“Oh?” Ji Shui Shi’s curiosity was piqued. The white silk parted slightly, revealing his profile as he reclined on a nearby couch. “Demonstrate a few moves.”
Li Yurun rose and mimicked several moves in the style of the Red-Robed Sect disciples.
After a moment’s thought, Ji Shui Shi laughed softly, “Old Dugu? Interesting.”
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