As the sun was setting in the west, three fast horses galloped along the official road and arrived outside Baisu Town.
Yejingtang took the lead on his horse. A long spear wrapped in black cloth was hung on the side of the horse, and the bird squatted on the saddle in front of him. Pei Xiangjun and Luo Ning, wearing veiled hats, followed behind.
Baisu Town was located to the east of Jianyang City, more than eighty li away. The town was quite large, and Xianyue Tower, a major sect in Wuzhou, was based here.
The names of martial arts sects were diverse, but there was still some thought put into naming them.
Most sects whose names ended with words like "Tower," "Workshop," or "Pavilion" were located within city walls, and their main business was running stores in the city.
The Honghua Tower was in the dock business. Strictly speaking, it should be called the "Honghua Gang," but that name sounded a bit like that of a minor martial arts group. When the major boat gangs formed an alliance in the past, they named it the Honghua Tower. "Honghua" represented the tassels of the spear, and "Tower" symbolized merchants.
In essence, Xianyue Tower was also a group of merchants in the martial arts world. However, its organizational structure was much more centralized than that of the Honghua Tower. All the members of the entire sect were in the Wuxi area. Their main business was dealing in medicinal herbs and furs. They had a large number of disciples, with more than three hundred in the town alone. It was reasonable to say that the entire Baisu Town was the territory of Xianyue Tower.
After the Prince of Wu caused trouble, the area inside and outside Jianyang City was in chaos. Baisu Town was quite far away, and the situation in the town was still relatively normal. However, there weren't many traveling merchants and martial artists on the streets.
After entering the town, Yejingtang first found a small inn in the town. After confirming that it wasn't a property of Xianyue Tower, he entered and rented a room. Then the three of them began to get dressed up.
In the inn facing the street, the bird stood on the roof keeping watch and paying attention to the surrounding movements.
In the not-so-spacious room, Luo Ning took off her veiled hat and, rather redundantly, got into the bed, lowered the bed curtain, and hid from Yejingtang to change her clothes.
Yejingtang was more straightforward. He stood beside the table and took off his black outer robe, revealing the shiny silver soft armor close to his body.
Seeing that Luo Ning had already hidden in the bed, Pei Xiangjun naturally felt too embarrassed to undress in front of Yejingtang. She also got into the bed curtain, untied her black martial arts outfit, revealing her plump and white figure. She furrowed her brows and said:
"It's not certain yet whether Xianyue Tower is a confidant of the Prince of Wu. At such a crucial moment, you're going there under the guise of the Pingtian Sect. What if Huang Yulong is afraid of being liquidated by the court and tries to atone for his crimes by capturing you directly? How are we going to fight our way out of the town?"
Luo Ning stood on the bed, untied her cyan skirt, revealing a bellyband with a pattern like a full moon in an empty mountain. Her beautiful peach-blossom eyes showed a hint of pride:
"Do you think the Pingtian Sect is like your Honghua Tower, with only a few hundred scattered members and only Yejingtang to uphold its reputation? Leaving aside the sect leader of the Pingtian Sect, any one of the four protectors can crush Huang Yulong to death. Even if you gave him ten times the courage, he wouldn't dare to touch anyone from the Pingtian Sect."
Pei Xiangjun knew this was the truth, but it didn't sound pleasant. She said unhappily:
"What does the power of the Pingtian Sect have to do with you? You're Jingtang's wife. Moreover, when our Honghua Tower dominated in the past, we had seven grandmasters and one boxing champion, and we were also the wealthiest in the world. Weren't we much more glorious than your Pingtian Sect, which was struggling in the southern border?"
Luo Ning said indifferently: "A true hero doesn't mention his past glory. What's the use of saying such sour words?"
Pei Xiangjun wasn't someone to be pushed around either. Seeing that the vixen was being difficult again, she raised her hand and slapped Luo Ning on the buttocks.
Slap~
A sound full of elasticity rang out, and the bed curtain was lifted. Yejingtang appeared in front of the two women and tried to mediate:
"Why are you starting to fight..."
There was silence inside the bed curtain.
Yejingtang looked at the beautiful scene inside the bed curtain. Even though he was mentally prepared, he was still stunned for a moment.
Although it was dusk, the light in the room wasn't dim. The two women were standing between the bed curtains because they were changing clothes.
Ninger had taken off all her clothes and was only wearing a light cyan thin bellyband. A white half-arc could be seen at the edge, and her straight and slender legs were right in front of him. Her originally cold and beautiful face showed a bit of anger due to the pain. At this moment, she covered her buttocks with one hand, turned her head to glare at Sanniang, and then looked at him when she found the curtain lifted.
Sanniang stood in front of him. Her breasts were only wrapped in a black cloth strap. Below her snow-white and delicate waist, she was wearing close-fitting black thin pants, which outlined the plump curves of her buttocks perfectly...
Sanniang raised her hand, looking like she wanted to slap again. When she saw him appear, she was shocked and quickly hugged her chest.
Both of them were standing on the bed. When Yejingtang lifted the bed curtain, his gaze naturally fell on the area below their chests. Looking up, there were her breasts, and looking down, there was her slender waist. His eyes didn't know which part to look at first, so his gaze started to shift from side to side.
（←_→）
Luo Ning saw Yejingtang's overwhelmed gaze and her eyebrows furrowed in anger:
"You little thief!"
Yejingtang was awakened by the coquettish scolding and smiled. He rubbed Ninger's breast and said:
"It doesn't hurt, it doesn't hurt..."
"You!" Luo Ning was immediately ashamed and indignant and quickly dodged.
Pei Xiangjun also blushed when she saw this scene. Before she could scold Jingtang for his improper behavior, she found that the vixen beside her wasn't playing fair. She directly used her as a shield and pushed her from behind, making her stagger.
"Eh?!"
Pei Xiangjun was caught off guard and was pushed towards Yejingtang, immediately giving him a standard breast bump.
With Yejingtang's reaction, he could have easily dodged this attack, but if he did, Sanniang would have fallen to the floor. So he raised his hand and took the impact with his face. Then he held Sanniang's waist with one hand to help her stand steady.
Pei Xiangjun was very angry. After standing still, she turned around and said angrily and shyly:
"I think you need to be taught a lesson..."
Luo Ning's face turned slightly cold, and her imposing manner was astonishing. She raised her hand as if she was going to pull Sanniang's chest wrap:
"Come on!"
"You!"
Pei Xiangjun immediately backed down and hugged her chest, taking a step back.
Yejingtang found it a bit funny. Seeing that Sanniang was very embarrassed, he lowered the bed curtain:
"All right, hurry up and change your clothes. We still have important matters to attend to."
"Jingtang, you should take care of her..."
"Hmph～!"
Yejingtang secretly shook his head. While chatting and laughing, he changed into a dark blue Taoist robe.
The Pingtian Sect was founded by Taoist priests from the imperial astronomical observatory of the previous dynasty. Although it wasn't recognized by the orthodox Taoism and didn't practice immortality itself, it just used the guise of Taoism to develop its power. However, when the followers of the sect went out, they mostly dressed like unorthodox Taoist priests.
After the three of them were dressed up, Yejingtang, carrying his weapons, led the way towards the east side of the town...
...
——
On the east side of Baisu Town, there was an old alley. The alley was less than half a zhang wide and extremely deep. On both sides were blue brick high walls, forming a landscape of a "strip of sky." Occasionally, when the moon rose, it just filled the strip of sky at the end of the alley, so it was named "Xianyue" (Holding the Moon).
Xianyue Alley was half a li long from beginning to end. On the left and right were large mansions. The three major families in Baisu Town were all located here, and they were also the three major halls of Xianyue Tower. The Huang family at the end of the alley was the main hall of Xianyue Tower, and Huang Yulong was both the head of the family and the leader of the sect.
Xianyue Alley was equivalent to the back mountain of the sect, and it was difficult for outsiders to enter. Usually, there were few people around. However, in the past two days, since the Prince of Wu had caused trouble and the situation in Wuzhou was uncertain, disciples would occasionally run into the alley from the entrance to report the situation in various places of Wuzhou.
In the incense hall deep in the Huang family's mansion, there was a portrait of the founder of Xianyue Tower hanging, and several armchairs were placed in front of the hall.
Huang Yulong, who was over fifty years old, was dressed as an ordinary official. He sat in the main seat, holding a teacup in his hand and gently stirring the tea leaves floating on the water surface with the lid of the cup.
Sitting on the right side of the hall was Xiao Shichen, the second leader of Xianyue Tower. He frowned and said:
"The troops of the court have been arriving one after another. Official boats are frequently entering the territory at the Wuxi docks, and the main roads in and out have been blocked by the soldiers. This morning, the brother-in-law of my third brother was even checked by the arresters in Wanshui Town. I'm not sure if they were from the Six Doors or the Black Yamen..."
Huang Yulong's hand paused, and he frowned:
"At such a crucial moment, being targeted by the capital, the slightest mistake could lead to a catastrophic disaster... What was he being investigated for?"
Xiao Shichen naturally knew the seriousness of the matter and said calmly:
"The Prince of Wu's Mansion needed martial artists with good skills. I asked the people below to recruit martial artists from other places on their behalf. Some of them didn't return, and their families came to seek justice, causing a commotion... The people below didn't know the details and distanced themselves from Xianyue Tower. The case has been closed, and it won't affect Xianyue Tower..."
Huang Yulong put down the teacup, his face showing anger:
"Can't even handle such a small matter. What's the use of them?"
Xiao Shichen sighed: "It's meaningless to say these things now. The Prince of Wu has already fallen. Our Xianyue Tower has done a lot of things for the Prince of Wu. If the court really starts to investigate, among the hundreds of disciples in the tower, including you and me, I'm afraid half of us will be beheaded and half will be exiled. What should we do now?"
"The Prince of Wu has a solid foundation. Although he has no hope of rebelling and becoming the emperor, it's not difficult for him to escape from Wuzhou and establish himself in other places. Lord Bai is planning, and he should try to break through the encirclement in the next few days. Then we can leave together..."
Xiao Shichen looked at the town outside and sighed:
"Such a large family business, gone just like that. Sigh..."
"As long as the green mountains remain, there will always be firewood. The secret medicine being studied by the Prince of Wu is making rapid progress. If you and I can both become boxing champions, what's a mere town? Just like Fengguan City, reaching the peak of martial arts and being worshipped by millions of martial artists, that's the real glory..."
Xiao Shichen secretly sighed in his heart. While discussing countermeasures with Huang Yulong, he suddenly heard from outside:
"Who is it?!"
The two of them noticed that the sound came from outside the main hall of the mansion, and their hearts skipped a beat. Someone who could quietly pass through countless disciples and reach the central area of the mansion was definitely a top-notch master!
Huang Yulong didn't dare to be careless. He put down the teacup, took a saber from the desk, and quickly walked to the back of the main hall. He looked outside from the connecting door.
Outside the main hall was a large courtyard. At this time, the corridors around were filled with disciples of Xianyue Tower who had rushed over in a hurry.
The sun had already set, and the light in the courtyard was dim. Two sudden figures stood on the crosswalk in the center of the courtyard.
In the front was a woman in a cyan dress. She was tall and had a thin veil covering her face. Only a pair of soul-stirring peach-blossom eyes could be seen. Her temperament was detached from the world, as if she was a fairy descending from the moon palace.
Behind her was a man wearing a loose cyan robe. He was quite tall and had a well-proportioned figure, giving an impression of an otherworldly and elegant demeanor. He was wearing a bamboo hat and a face towel, and he was holding a short weapon wrapped in black cloth in his hand.
The two of them stood surrounded by dozens of disciples, motionless and calm. They looked at the entrance of the main hall without saying a word.
Xiao Shichen felt that the people who came had an extraordinary bearing and were definitely not to be trifled with. He said in a low voice:
"Who are you?"
Huang Yulong took a closer look and felt that the appearance and temperament of the leading woman seemed somewhat familiar. However, since he couldn't see her face clearly, he couldn't remember who she was for a moment. He walked into the main hall and bowed:
"I am Huang Yulong. May I ask who you are?"
The leading woman in the cyan dress flipped her wrist lightly and took out a piece of dark iron plaque with eight small characters engraved on it.
When Huang Yulong saw the words on the iron plaque, his pupils shrank suddenly. He quickly walked out of the door and waved his hand:
"All of you, retreat."
The disciples of Xianyue Tower around them quickly left the courtyard upon receiving the order.
Huang Yulong quickly walked down the steps and bowed:
"It turns out to be Madam Xue. It's an honor to have you here. I met Madam Xue in Tiannan before. I was blind just now and didn't recognize you. I hope Madam Xue will forgive me... Who is this?"
Luo Ning appeared in the identity of the sect leader's wife. With the support of the Pingtian Sect, she had a strong imposing manner. She directly entered the main hall on her own:
"He is a protector of our Pingtian Sect."
Luo Ning walked straight into the main hall and sat down, while Yejingtang stood beside her with his hands behind his back as a bodyguard.
Facing the wife of the leader of the Pingtian Sect, Huang Yulong really couldn't put on the airs of a sect leader. He sat on the chair opposite in the main hall, asked Xiao Shichen to serve tea, and inquired:
"Wuzhou hasn't been peaceful recently. What brings Madam Xue here at this time?"
Luo Ning said straightforwardly:
"Our Pingtian Sect is a former official of the previous dynasty. The Prince of Wu secretly planned to overthrow the Great Wei, so he is a like-minded person with our Pingtian Sect. Recently, the sect leader heard that the Prince of Wu had failed and was about to be eliminated by the court. He specially sent his followers here to see if we could give the Prince of Wu a hand."
When Huang Yulong heard this, he was surprised in his heart, but after thinking about it, it made sense.
The Pingtian Sect was a genuine remnant of the previous dynasty. The court had been trying to suppress it for many years but couldn't break through Nanxiao Mountain. They even wanted to offer amnesty, but the Pingtian Sect refused. It could be said to be an absolute villain, standing on the opposite side of the court.
Now that the Prince of Wu had failed in his rebellion and had nowhere to escape, it was reasonable for the Pingtian Sect to try to subdue the Prince of Wu upon learning the news, so as to obtain the Prince of Wu's property and the network resources in Wuzhou.
And the Fairy of the Moon Palace was the wife of the leader of the Pingtian Sect. When the sect leader of the Pingtian Sect rarely showed up, she could be said to be the person in charge of the Pingtian Sect, and he had met her before.
There was nothing wrong with the stance, motivation, and identity. Huang Yulong didn't even know where to start if he wanted to be on guard.
He couldn't very well suspect that the Pingtian Sect had been secretly amnestied. The leader of the Pingtian Sect was almost like an emperor in the martial arts world. Why would he accept amnesty and bear the infamy of betraying his ancestors and being unfaithful and unjust just for a meaningless title of a minor marquis?
Huang Yulong hesitated for a moment. Just to be on the safe side, he still asked:
"If your sect wants to help the Prince of Wu, you should go to the Prince of Wu. Why did you come to my place?"
"Our Pingtian Sect has eyes and ears all over the country, and there are many followers in Wuzhou. The whereabouts of the Prince of Wu are hard to trace. After making inquiries, it seems that Sect Leader Huang has been purchasing medicinal herbs for the Prince of Wu in recent years, so we came to ask.