Volume 4: Shu Zhong. Orthodox and Heretic Volume Chapter 5: The War Begins, Winds and Clouds Gather Tightly

  "You little girl, why must you argue so strongly! However, the Qingcheng Sect also doesn't want to be enemies with your Five Poisons Sect. In the next few days, there will be a big event on Mount Emei, it's best for you to avoid it. You are in Shu, and from time to time, you will encounter people from my sect, which is not good for you!" Hei Yanjun was hot-tempered but also straightforward and didn't play dirty tricks.

  After hearing about the White Bamboo Leaf on Mount Diancang last month, seeing that she was young and ignorant, with decent martial arts skills, he still didn't have much ill will towards her. Now, after being robbed by White Bamboo Leaf and Xiao Qing, he came to his senses and still didn't want to harm her, so he spoke up to advise her to leave Shu or hide for the time being.

  Although He Zhuo had once loudly scolded Bai Zhuye on top of Diancang Mountain, Bai Zhuye knew that this old man was straightforward and kind-hearted, a true hero. Seeing him speak like this now, he naturally wanted to let himself and Xiao Qing off the hook. Feeling grateful in his heart, he thought to bow down and then immediately leave, when suddenly a cold voice rang out: "Wait!"

  Everyone was stunned, and it was the middle-aged man in the plain white shirt who spoke up. He still didn't get up or even turn his head, and his voice wasn't particularly loud, but it was low and suppressed, yet carried a sense of authority!

  He Zhan was also puzzled, he knew that with Bai Zhuye's age, it was impossible for him to have any grudges with the middle-aged man in white clothes, so he turned his head and looked at the middle-aged man in white clothes, waiting for him to continue speaking.

  "What does the young lady call Bai Du Nan?" The man in the plain long shirt still replied calmly, without a hint of expression on his face.

  This ordinary question, everyone was at a loss, who knew that after Bai Zhu Ye and Xiao Qing heard it, their faces had already changed greatly!

  At this moment of surprise, Wu Gou and Wan Dao's faces also changed greatly, their eyes no longer calm!

  Bai Zhu Ye lowered his head, seemingly in thought, but only for an instant, before raising it again, pursing his lips and resolutely saying: "The name you asked is indeed that of my late father!" Upon hearing the words "late father", Wu Gou and Wan Dao's faces showed a hint of pain, and they exchanged a sorrowful glance.

  The middle-aged man in the white long shirt saw He Zhuo and Liu Hei Meng still didn't understand, nor did he explain. Suddenly, he cleared his throat and said: "Ten Elders of the Demon Sect, proud of the demon fire, number one in poison, called Nan Zan!"

  His voice was still not loud, but when He Zhuo and Liu Hei heard it, their faces suddenly changed. They really didn't understand why he wanted to chant the name of Du Xiang, the most feared of the Ten Great Elders of the Demon Sect, also known as the "Number One Poison in the World"!

  In the Demon Sect, people have always passed down this saying: "The Holy Sect's Ten Elders, proud of heavenly fire, number one in poison, known as Nan Zhao!" But the Orthodox Sect intentionally distorted it to become "Demon Sect's Ten Elders, proud of demonic fire, number one in poison, known as Nan Zhao!"

  A middle-aged man in a long white shirt paused, then continued to say to He Zhuo and Liu Hei Meng one word at a time: "This White Poison South is hiding in the Tian Nan Wu Du Jiao, but it's actually the Poison Qiao Elder of the Ten Great Elders of the Demon Sect!"

  He Zhuang was shocked, turned his head to look at Bai Zhu Ye, and saw that Bai Zhu Ye did not deny it. In a pair of strong eyes, there was no fear, only admiration and reverence for his father, Du Xiang Zhang Lao.

  She was young and had not yet learned her father's poisonous skills, and her swordsmanship was barely three-tenths of his. This time she traveled thousands of miles to Shu, specifically for this purpose. She thought that her father had always been hiding in the south, assuming no one knew, but didn't expect that this middle-aged man in a white robe already knew the inside story.

  Her heart was in a mess, but on the surface she didn't look afraid at all. When He Zhuo looked at Xiao Qing, Xiao Qing also had an arrogant face. A woman from Miaojiang, indeed can't be judged by ordinary people's standards?

  He was originally a woodcutter in the mountains of ten thousand, his family had been cutting firewood for generations, and he often got injured. He would pick some herbs to cure himself. After more than a hundred years, several generations of self-medication had summarized many methods of poisoning and detoxification, and he became an expert in medicine and poison. He was apprenticed to the old man of five poisons and inherited the mantle of the Five Poisons Sect. Later, he accidentally received extraordinary martial arts from a predecessor in the rivers and lakes, and dominated Miaojiang.

  Decades ago, he was favored by the Demon Sect's leader, Leng Xilou, and joined the sect. He became famous as one of the "Ten Elders of the Holy Sect", known as the "Pride of Heaven Fire" and the "First in Poison". His name, Zhongyuan Changlao, shook the world. However, eighteen years ago, when the entire Demon Sect withdrew from the Central Plains, he had a family and daughter in the south, so he hid his identity again and returned to the southern border.

  For over a decade, everything had been calm and peaceful. The White Bamboo Leaf thought that no one in the world knew this secret, but unexpectedly, this slender middle-aged man in a plain long shirt had already known it.

  Just then, the middle-aged man in the plain long shirt was also puzzled. He had personally said that at eighteen he would surpass Lin Ruoqi, the "Slanting Sun God Sword" of the Diancang Sect, and Gu Baiyun, the "White Cloud Swordsman". How could it be that the Diancang Sect and the Five Poisons Cult still coexisted for over a decade without interfering with each other?

  In his own Western Regions of Shaanxi and Gansu...

  At that time, the venomous old man had a deep hatred for the orthodox sects, with blood debts piling up, and countless disciples of various major sects died at his hands. The Qingcheng Sect alone had one of He Zhuo's younger brothers die from the "Hundred Days Red" poison. Eighteen years ago, during the great war, the Qingcheng Sect suffered even more elite casualties. Although it has been seventeen or eighteen years, He Zhuo still holds a grudge to this day. Now that he heard that Bai Zhuye actually admitted to being the venomous old man's beloved daughter, his face also changed greatly!

  And nearly a dozen Qingcheng disciples behind him had also heard that their sect and the Demon Sect had an irreconcilable and deep-seated hatred, so they all drew their swords and walked over together.

  The guests in the inn had only seen him a few times before, just chatting and talking. Now that they saw everyone drawing their swords, they all stood up and shouted, waiting for a fight to break out, but then scattered and hid. However, since the people of Shu were naturally fond of watching excitement, and this white-clothed young master was so handsome, yet turned out to be a woman, everyone still wanted to see her true face in the end. Therefore, they didn't immediately disperse, but instead surrounded the area to watch the commotion. As for Qingcheng and Cangyang, the two sects had always considered themselves to be prestigious and upright, thinking that there was nothing that couldn't be said to others, so they didn't bother to disperse the crowd either!

  "White Bamboo Leaf girl, is that poisonous old man really your father? Is White Poison South really the remaining evil of the Devil Cult's Poisonous Ancestor?" He Xian still had a hint of luck, he didn't want to make things difficult for her. Although he didn't know what was going on, but on Mount Diancang, Lin Ruoji and Gu Baiyun were both women who were intentionally let go. He knew that his Qingcheng Sect had been developing vigorously over the past decade or so, but perhaps it still wasn't as good as the foundation of Diancang for hundreds of years. So he asked again, in his heart, he really hoped that White Bamboo Leaf would say "No!"

  "My late father, Bai Duonan, was a renowned figure in the world of martial arts. After joining the Holy Sect, he became even more famous, earning the nickname 'Toxic Elder'! White Bamboo Leaf knew that she and Xiao Qing were already in grave danger, surrounded by disciples from the Kunlun and Qingcheng sects. Some customers who had been standing nearby had already left, leaving the two women isolated. However, she was resolute and refused to lie, for her father was her lifelong pride. To ask her to abandon him would be like asking her to give up her own life. Therefore, she stood tall, unwavering and unafraid."

  The Qingcheng disciples were in an uproar again after He Zhuo's explosion, and they angrily drew their swords. The sound of clashing steel echoed through the air as they waited for He Zhuo's order to charge forward and avenge their fallen brother. Meanwhile, Bai Zhuye and his servant stabbed into the cave, determined to cut down their enemies with a thousand knives and ten thousand cuts!

  The autumn sun shines brightly outside the wine building, but unexpectedly, in just a moment, the second floor is already filled with sword lights, and a great stormy battle is about to unfold!

  On the ninth day, he was in a daze, and his heart was really in a state of panic. He didn't know that once the fight started, the Five Poison Sect and the Diancang Sect were both in the south of the sky, one evil and one righteous, yet they coexisted peacefully, which was rare. How would his two senior brothers and sisters behave? "Is it true that He Da Xia is a great hero of the Qingcheng Sect, with a reputation that far exceeds his words?" In the midst of tension, Bai Zhuye slowly calmed down and smiled.

  At this time, she could still smile out, it was indeed rare.

  He Zhuo suddenly didn't understand her meaning, and before he could respond, a disciple from the Qingcheng Sect in the back shouted loudly: "You demoness, listen up! Master He is a great hero of the realm, naturally his words carry weight!" After this disciple finished speaking, he looked self-satisfied, and the other disciples in the back also started making a ruckus.

  "He Da Xia has already said that he would let my sister go, and he will definitely keep his word!" White Bamboo Leaf's tone changed, and she smiled.

  The disciples of Zhong Qingcheng were stunned and immediately fell silent!

  After Bai Zhu Ye finished speaking, she saw He Zhuo Bo become even more hesitant and indecisive. She continued to say: "Moreover, when my father was at odds with all of you back then, I was just a young girl who had just learned to speak, let alone walk steadily. All of you are from prestigious families, and it is said that 'one person does something and one person takes responsibility.' Are the words 'heroes and good men' merely a slogan for all of you heroes and good men?" She emphasized the four words "heroes and good men" even more, making He Zhuo Bo even harder to make a decision.

  Xiao Qing continued, "In the past when our former Master was still alive, if you had any business, you would have discussed it with him. Now that he has passed away, why do you come to make things difficult for my young mistress? Are you trying to take advantage of your seniority?"

  He Jingyan was taken aback after hearing this, he indeed had intended to let the two of them go, but now that he heard she was actually the daughter of Mo Dao's poisonous Ancestor, he hesitated, and if he were to let her off, it would damage Qingcheng's reputation and his own prestige.

  However, he was seasoned in the ways of Jianghu and within a short moment, he thought that today's situation still had the people from the Cuiyun Sect, whether his personal prestige gained or lost was not important.

  "Alright, since I've spoken first today, I won't pursue the matter. But if I were to meet you two again in the future, I will show no mercy!" After saying this, he turned back and walked towards his seat at the table. The disciples of Qingcheng and Congtou Sects suddenly erupted into an uproar behind him. The Qingcheng disciples were bewildered, while the Congtou Sect disciples were loudly expressing their discontent, feeling that the powerful Qingcheng Sect was letting off the demonic cult remnants right before their eyes without seeking revenge, as if they had intentionally let them off.

  This time, even Lin Ming'er and Chu Jiu felt that He Zhuo's explosion was somewhat unreasonable. However, Wu Gou Long Lao and Wan Dao Furen were secretly shocked, not expecting He Zhuo's thoughts to be so meticulous. It seems that the Qingcheng Sect's reputation has been spreading far and wide for over a decade, and even He Zhuo is so formidable in recognizing the bigger picture. The sect leader is even more impressive, with a reputation rivaling those of the Seven Great Sects, not solely due to martial prowess!

  However, the couple began to worry again, Qingcheng Sect still had a thread of chivalry, but Cangyan Sect was...

  Bai Zhu Ye, Xiao Qing's heart was filled with joy, and he was about to get up and bid farewell. Suddenly, a loud shout was heard: "Wait!" The voice was as loud as a bell, and it was Liu Hei Meng, the "Western Regions' Black-Faced God, Copper Hammer Shows No Mercy" of the Kongtong Sect, known as the "Western Regions' First Hammer".

  Liu Hei Meng turned around, intending to listen to the instructions of the man in the white long shirt. The man in the white long shirt was slightly stunned at first, not expecting that Hei Meng would be so cunning and experienced, throwing this hot potato to the Kunlun Sect. However, seeing Liu Hei Meng looking at him for guidance now, he thought for a moment, realizing that this was also a great opportunity for the Kunlun Sect to gain fame. Therefore, he just nodded slightly without speaking, implying that he would let Liu Hei Meng take action on his own initiative.

  At the moment when He Zhuo sat down, he had already expected this kind of consequence. In this way, he himself did not take action, but also could not let the rumors spread in Jianghu that Qingcheng Sect let go of the remaining Mo Teachings after Du Mu. Moreover, he was happy to see how much progress the Kongtong Sect had made in their martial arts after more than a decade of hard training in the Western Regions. However, Bai Zhu Ye and Xiao Qing's faces changed greatly, and they did not expect that Kongtong Sect would also come to make things difficult for them.

  "The Qingcheng Sect may have spared you, but our Kunlun Sect cannot. However, your poisonous father, the elder, was also stained with the blood of my Kunlun Sect disciples back then. How can we let you off today?" Liu Hei Meng got the silent consent and walked step by step towards him, his copper hammers somehow already in hand again, every step causing the entire second floor to shake!

  "Hmph, fake benevolence and righteousness, falsely claiming to be a reputable family. Surrounding and attacking my two sisters like this, aren't you afraid of being ridiculed in the Jianghu? White Bamboo Leaf had been observing her surroundings, hoping someone would come to her aid, but during this hour, not a single person showed any unusual behavior, as if all the people around were just travelers from afar or local residents."

  Moreover, even if there are people in the jianghu, today's enemy is the two major sects of Kongtong and Qingcheng in the jianghu. Who dares to interfere? It seems that her sister was humiliated and captured today, but she still didn't fall behind in words, and sarcastically scolded Liu Hei Meng.

  At this time, everyone upstairs had already stood up, only the first nine, Lin Ming'er's table was a bit far away and didn't move. In fact, the first nine and Lin Ming'er were already extremely nervous, but since Wu Gou and Madame Wan didn't move, they also didn't stand up.

  Lin Meng'er saw that the signs of fighting in the air were getting heavier and heavier, and her heart was increasingly panicked. She looked at Chu Jiu, but Chu Jiu didn't say a word.

  On the other side, Bai Zhu Ye was scolded as a "witch" by Shen Que on Mount Diancang last month and got angry, now she has been suffering from the evil deeds of the Kunlun School, although she knows she is no match for them, how can she tolerate it!

  At the beginning of the ninth watch, when she looked up again, she was already holding a soft sword in her hand and jumping into the arena to fight with Liu Hei Meng. Although Liu Hei Meng was tall and large, his footwork was also agile, and his pair of large copper hammers were making a whooshing sound, creating a whirlwind within a radius of one zhang (about 3 meters). His internal energy was deep, but during the fight, the floor did not shake severely. It seemed that his lightness skill was also good. Earlier when he went up the stairs, the loud noise was intentional. Chong Er's sect had come to the west this time with the purpose of seeking fame and making a name for themselves in the Jianghu.

  Bai Zhu Ye was young and vigorous, not afraid at all. With a soft sword that fluttered unpredictably, his lightness skill and body method seemed to be even better than Liu Hei Meng's. Bai Zhu Ye's soft sword never left Liu Hei Meng's chest, but avoided colliding with his pair of copper hammers. As a result, after several moves, he did not fall into a clear disadvantage.

  A moment later, Liu Hei Meng made his move this time down the mountain, for the first time engaging in hand-to-hand combat with someone. Seeing that he couldn't take down the yellow-haired kid after a few moves, he felt frustrated! He blamed it on the narrow space between the tables, which made it hard to maneuver. After a brief moment of thought, he used his left fist to block White Bamboo Leaf's soft sword and his right fist to sweep horizontally towards the middle table that was already empty. All that could be heard was the sound of "clang" as the table shattered into several pieces and fell over!

  With just three moves, the three tea tables in the middle of the second floor were smashed to pieces by Liu Hei's mighty copper hammers. Some of the Kongtong Sect disciples had already secretly taken advantage of the opportunity to kick away the broken table and chair fragments, widening the space in the middle. Suddenly, the area expanded to about three square meters, and Liu Hei's dual hammer power increased exponentially. As he swung his hammers wildly, his internal energy surged, and Bai Zhu Ye's soft sword could no longer withstand it. The range of his fierce stabs was getting smaller and smaller!

  "With your skills, you're worthy of succeeding the Poisonous Beggar's legacy? Then, lie down!" Liu Hei Meng had already gained the upper hand after ten moves. Previously, he was cautious about Bai Zhu Ye using poison, but now that he saw Bai Zhu Ye was no match for him, it seemed that using poison would be even less effective, and he had some reservations, not daring to use poison? His courage greatly increased, his left hammer opened up the soft sword, one pull and one stick, while his right hammer swept across like thunder!

  "This 'Hammer Sweeps Thousands of Armies' is actually his Kunlun Sect's 'Fire Thunder Hammer Method' fourth form! Its power is boundless!"

  Bai Zhu Ye's inner strength was far inferior to Liu Hei Meng, how dare he harden the connection, he could only retreat another step. Liu Hei Meng took advantage of this and didn't think twice, advancing again with three hammers, Bai Zhu Ye could only retreat three more steps.

  Lin Meng'er's heart was racing with anxiety, if things continued like this, she feared that after a few more exchanges, Bai Zhu Ye would be forced to surrender! But she too had no way out, and so did Chu Jiu.