Above Bright Peak, the sunlight was suddenly obscured by dark clouds.
An ominous feeling of impending disaster swept over the crowd.
The Wudang disciples stared at the indistinct Taiji Array Diagram, a sudden premonition forming in their minds: a demon god was about to be born!
Boom!
A thunderclap echoed, and torrential rain poured down on Bright Peak.
The Taiji Array Diagram seemed to reach its limit and was forcibly torn apart by an unknown force. After a violent quake, it vanished abruptly.
In its place stood a colossal demon over thirty zhang tall, with wings on its back, three heads, and six arms!
"A demon! It's truly a demon!"
"A monster!!!"
"Supreme Laojun, True Martial Emperor, all gods, please appear and save us!"
Many Wudang disciples fainted on the spot from the shock.
Some wet themselves, while only a few retained their composure.
The Wudang Six Heroes stared at Huang Rong in horror. They had initially dismissed her claims as exaggeration, but now, faced with the towering demon, they realized that slaying gods and destroying immortals might indeed be within its capabilities!
"If it can even kill Buddhas, then Master... could it be?!"
Mo Shenggu was so shaken that he muttered incoherently.
Yang Xiao felt a chill run through him, his legs weakening. Beside him, Wei Yixiao let out a bitter laugh.
"Yang Left Envoy, it seems our Ming Sect's temple is too small to accommodate this divine figure, Mr. Chu."
When the Taiji Array Diagram shattered, Zhang Sanfeng had already lost. Yet, gazing at the god-like Chu Yang, a surge of heroism arose within him.
He sought to contend with the heavens themselves!
The storm lashed at Zhang Sanfeng like a whip, yet he stood unflinching amidst the rain, laughing heartily.
Once more, he assumed the Taiji stance. With one hand grasping the wind and the other the rain, he transformed them into the yin-yang fish of Taiji.
Chu Yang looked down at Zhang Sanfeng from above, a trace of admiration in his eyes.
As expected of Zhang Sanfeng—peerless in his brilliance, breaking through at such a critical moment to elevate his Taiji Fist Intent to a new level.
The towering demon likewise reached out, gathering the wind and rain into a spear, which it hurled.
The spear collided with the yin-yang fish, unleashing a terrifying shockwave that swept the surroundings. The storm and dark clouds dissipated in an instant.
Zhang Sanfeng was not spared; the shockwave sent him flying.
Thus concluded the duel in martial arts and philosophy, with Zhang Sanfeng defeated.
The demon dissolved.
Chu Yang descended slowly to the ground.
The crowd stared blankly at the scholar before them, their hearts filled with awe. Especially the Wudang disciples, who now looked at Chu Yang as if he were a deity.
After a long silence, Zhang Sanfeng prepared to leave Bright Peak with his disciples.
"To have engaged in this exchange with you today is this old Taoist's fortune. I never thought, at my age, I could still reach new heights."
Zhang Sanfeng chuckled, his eyes gleaming with vitality.
"I too have gained much insight," Chu Yang replied, smiling. He had firmly grasped the essence of Taiji's philosophy and would need time to comprehend it fully.
"May we meet again someday, Mr. Chu."
Zhang Sanfeng bowed and led Song Yuanqiao and the Wudang disciples down the mountain.
"This matter is settled; we should also take our leave," Chu Yang said, instructing Huang Rong and Li Mochou to prepare the carriage and bidding farewell to the Ming Sect members.
"I know our Ming Sect is unworthy of associating with a divine figure like Mr. Chu. We dare not hope for such an honor, but as the saying goes, a drop of water shall be repaid with a gushing spring. Mr. Chu, you have saved countless lives in our sect..."
Yang Xiao hesitated before continuing, "Should you have any instructions, the Ming Sect is willing to go through fire and water without hesitation. We only hope you will not disdain us."
Chu Yang considered for a moment and nodded, accepting the gesture.
Wei Yixiao and the others were overjoyed.
"After this, the Ming Sect's reputation will rise significantly. Many dubious individuals may seek to join. I hope you will maintain your integrity and not admit unworthy people who might tarnish your name by committing vile deeds!"
"Let the fate of He Taichong and the others serve as a constant warning."
Before leaving, Chu Yang left these words, sending chills through Yang Xiao and the others. His meaning was clear: the Ming Sect's survival depended entirely on his will.
After leaving Bright Peak, Chu Yang didn't rush back to the Southern Song. Instead, he traveled through the Ming Dynasty, eliminating the remaining culprits involved in the attack on the Ancient Tomb Sect.
Among them were many figures celebrated as heroes by righteous sects.
As the Ming Dynasty's martial world grew more peaceful, Zhang Sanfeng returned to Wudang Mountain.
A shocking piece of news quickly spread across the nation's teahouses and inns:
"Zhang Sanfeng himself admitted defeat to the mysterious 'Mr. Chu'!"
"Even the immortal Zhang Sanfeng lost?"
"What now? Is there anyone in the world who can challenge this demon?"
"Zhang Zhenren also said that Mr. Chu is a Taoist cultivator with ties to the Ancient Tomb Sect, not a member of the Demon Sect. His actions were directed solely at those who participated in the siege of the Ancient Tomb Sect."
"I see. That explains why the other three sects on Bright Peak were unharmed. Shaolin, Emei, and Wudang are all ascetic sects and didn't participate in the fight for the Nine Yin Manual."
"But... how did Master Miejue Shitai and Abbot Kongwen lose their arms?"
"Apparently, Mr. Chu had already spared them, but they made a move against him, provoking his wrath. Each lost an arm as a result."
"That's just asking for trouble! Still, I must say, Mr. Chu has quite a temper."
"Haha! If I had martial skills like his, my temper would be worse!"
"By the way, the killings have decreased lately. It's been a while since we've heard of another martial artist falling to Mr. Chu."
"Well, not everyone was involved in the fight for the Nine Yin Manual. Only top-tier experts could meddle, not people like us."
"Breaking news! Breaking news!"
"Feng Qingyang, the reclusive elder of the Huashan Sect, emerged and fought Mr. Chu at a riverside!"
"Their battle leveled the mountains on both sides of the river!"
"After his defeat, Feng Qingyang left a poem and departed gracefully."
"As if a demon lord descended from heaven, truly a divine scourge upon the mortal world!"
The noisy inn fell silent before erupting into a frenzy of discussion.
Meanwhile, on Wudang Mountain, Zhang Sanfeng, who was lecturing his disciples, also heard the news.
He fell silent for a long time before chuckling.
"Demon lord?"
"Divine scourge?"
"Fitting titles, indeed."
Huang Rong quickly returned to the Northern Song territory, driving the carriage.
After the upheaval at the Ancient Tomb Sect, Li Mochou had matured significantly. Though she didn't know how to drive, she often stayed by Huang Rong's side to learn, attempting to master the skill.
Chu Yang faintly sensed that she feared being abandoned by him.
This was a mental demon, something Chu Yang couldn't resolve with just a few words—it could only be entrusted to time.
Xiao Longnu often nestled in Chu Yang's arms to sleep, as if that was the only way she could feel secure. Seeing this delicate, jade-carved little girl, Chu Yang couldn't bring himself to refuse.
In the month or so since they'd left, changes had also taken place in the martial world of the Northern Song. Qiao Feng had vanished, rarely mentioned anymore.
Kang Min, the wife of Ma Dayuan, the former deputy chief of the Beggars' Sect, had suddenly died of illness at home.
The "Zhenlong Chess Game," which had drawn the attention of heroes across the land, had just concluded, leaving Huang Rong, who loved excitement, deeply regretful.
"Keep going; even greater spectacles await you."
"Where to?!"
"Tianshan, Misty Peak, Lingjiu Palace."
Huang Rong turned her head to steal a glance at Li Mochou, as if reminded of something.
The Palace Mistress of Lingjiu Palace, the Tianshan Tonglao, had also once participated in the battle for the Nine Yin Manual. However, for certain reasons, she hadn't personally appeared.
Under her command, the 36 Cave Masters and 72 Island Lords served her loyally.
The Tianshan Tonglao's reason for vying for the Nine Yin Manual was simple: she sought to reference this manual, reputed as the epitome of martial arts, to resolve the flaws in her Heavenly Long-lasting Immortal Art.
The Tonglao had practiced this art since the age of six. At 36, she would revert to childhood, costing her 30 days. At 66, she would revert again, costing 60 days. At 96, the process would take 90 days.
The flaw was that each time she reverted, her martial arts would disappear entirely. She could recover the skills of a seven-year-old with a single day of practice, but thereafter, each day equaled only a year of regained power. Additionally, she required fresh blood at noon each day to practice.
During this period, encountering an enemy seeking revenge would essentially mean sitting and waiting to die, utterly defenseless.
Furthermore, due to sabotage by Li Qiushui, an accident during her practice left her body permanently stuck in the form of an eight- or nine-year-old. This had always been her heart's torment.
But for Chu Yang and Li Mochou, regardless of the Tonglao's motives or methods of involvement, the punishment she deserved would eventually find her.
Under a moonless, windy night…
At the foot of Tianshan, Lingjiu Palace dispatched numerous palace maids, fully prepared for defense.
The 36 Cave Masters and 72 Island Lords led their disciples, standing guard.
Such a formation would give any force under the heavens a headache.
The reason for their nervous vigilance? A single carriage had entered Lingjiu Palace's domain.
It was an ordinary carriage. Aside from the extraordinary quality of the horse pulling it, there were no other distinguishing features.
What frightened them was the man sitting on the carriage's shaft.
Recently, some called him the Demon Lord; others, the Tyrant.
But the title heard most often was "Mr. Chu."
Over the past few months, stretching across several nations, if one were to ask who dominated the limelight, it would undoubtedly be this "Mr. Chu."
A single man swept through six major sects.
He first defeated the True Master of Wudang, Zhang, then bested the swordsmanship pinnacle, Feng Qingyang.
Countless reputable sects had been scattered by him, and countless renowned heroes and figures had perished at his hands.
His astonishing feats seemed like something out of a fantastical tale, leaving people shuddering at the mere mention of him.
Wherever he went, rivers of blood followed.
Anyone remotely linked to the destruction of the Ancient Tomb Sect faced certain doom.
Unfortunately for Lingjiu Palace, they were one such unlucky party.
Not only had they failed to seize the Nine Yin Manual, but they had also provoked a deadly star.
"To die now or later—what's the difference? When will this torment end?"
"Afraid of what? There are so many of us, and he's just one man. If we all spit on him, he'd drown!"
"If numbers mattered, we wouldn't have been enslaved by the Tonglao for so many years…"
"Shut up! If the palace maids hear us, we're all dead! Have you forgotten the pain of the Life-Death Talisman?"
At this, the Cave Masters and Island Lords fell silent, terror-stricken.
The agony of the Life-Death Talisman was etched into their very souls.
Compared to that, dying at the hands of Mr. Chu might actually be a form of release.
As their thoughts spiraled, the sound of horse hooves echoed through the night, reverberating in their ears.
Under the moonlight, a seemingly ordinary carriage appeared faintly.
The carriage glided smoothly across the rugged mountain terrain, seemingly floating above the ground—something they failed to notice in the dim light.
Everyone held their breath and glanced back at the representatives of Lingjiu Palace, the personal maids of the Tianshan Tonglao.
The Four Swords of Plum, Orchid, Bamboo, and Chrysanthemum.