Chapter 161 Mount Hua in Trouble

"Who is spouting nonsense, Ping Yizhi or the Yellow River Ancestor? I'm going to kill them!" Ren Yingying said angrily.

Shi Potian laughed and said, "Miss Yingying, you've got it wrong. No one's talking nonsense. Feifei and I guessed it. How could Doctor Ping, a renowned physician known for killing, come to treat me for no reason? The Yellow River Ancestor is no relative of me, so why would he steal the Eight Life-Extending Pills to save me? Feifei said that the old woman from Yuanzhou Prefecture is the Holy Maiden, so I guessed that you sent them to help me."

"Aside from the old woman who gave me the jade pendant, I don't know any other important figures in the Sun Moon Cult."

Ren Yingying blushed even more, lowered her head, and after a long while said, "You're not stupid after all."

Shi Potian said, "I'm not stupid. By the way, what does the Holy Maiden do? Why does she sound like the fairy maiden of the Starry Sky Immortal King? Why do Ping Yizhi and the others listen to you?"

Ren Yingying feigned anger and said, "How dare you compare me to that old hag! If I weren't weaker than you, I would have killed you."

When Shi Potian heard her threaten to kill people at the drop of a hat, he thought to himself that Miss Yingying was indeed not someone to be trifled with.

Seeing him frown and remain silent, Ren Yingying said, "Is the great hero angry? Who told you to compare me to an ugly monster? Am I that ugly?"

Shi Potian said, "If Yingying is ugly, then there are no pretty girls left."

Ren Yingying glanced at him and sighed softly, "The title of Holy Maiden was bestowed upon me by Dongfang Bubai. It just sounds nice. My father, Ren Woxing, was the leader of the Sun Moon Sect back then. Later, Dongfang Bubai took over and gave me this title in order to win people's hearts."

Shi Potian said, "Oh, so your father was the former leader of the sect. No wonder everyone is afraid of you."

Ren Yingying smiled slightly: "When Dongfang Bubai took over, I was only six or seven years old. He made me the Holy Maiden, firstly to cover up his true intentions, and secondly to show the followers—his preferential treatment of the former leader's daughter shows that he is a kind and righteous person, not a usurper."

Shi Potian seemed to understand but not quite, and said, "You mean Dongfang Bubai's kindness to you is fake?"

Ren Yingying said calmly, "My father disappeared mysteriously. Dongfang Bubai was the vice leader at the time, which is why he was able to take office. Many of my father's confidants suspected that Dongfang Bubai was behind it. His kindness to me was just for show."

Shi Potian said, "So that's how it is."

Ren Yingying continued, "As for why Ping Yizhi, Huanghe Laozu, and the others listen to me, it's not because I, the Holy Maiden, have any extraordinary power. Rather, it's because Dongfang Bubai uses the Three Corpse Brain God Pill to control his followers, and I often help them obtain the antidote, for which they are grateful to me."

Shi Potian was taken aback: "The Three Corpse Brain God Pill? What's that?"

Ren Yingying said, "That is a poison used by the leader of the Sun Moon Sect to control his followers. The medicine contains three kinds of corpse worms. After taking it, one is no different from an ordinary person, but if the antidote is not taken in time at noon on the Dragon Boat Festival every year, the corpse worms will emerge from their dormancy and invade the brain marrow."

Once it enters the mind, the person's actions become like those of a demon or ghost, beyond the comprehension of common sense. Losing all reason, they will even devour their parents and spouse. No poison in this world surpasses this.

Shi Potian frowned: "What a vicious poison."

Ren Yingying said, "Dongfang Bubai forced his followers to take this medicine and distributed the antidote every Dragon Boat Festival. If those heroes of the martial arts world and those unorthodox heroes did not obey him, he would withhold the antidote and make them wish they were dead."

I often asked Dongfang Bubai for the antidote on their behalf, and I also frequently spoke up for them within the sect. Over time, they grew grateful to me and became willing to obey my commands.

Shi Potian suddenly realized: "Miss Yingying, you are a kind and good girl."

Ren Yingying said, "You didn't think that way just now, did you? Hearing me always talking about fighting and killing, I don't know what you were thinking of me. Did you think I was a ruthless female demon?"

Shi Potian felt embarrassed and thought to himself, "Miss Yingying really is a bit like Dingdingdangdang, always ready to kill someone."

Shi Potian looked around and said, "Is this your home? My maternal grandfather's family is also in Luoyang. I've come to Luoyang to visit him."

Ren Yingying said, "I grew tired of flattery and sycophancy and became accustomed to power struggles at the Blackwood Cliff, the headquarters of the Divine Sect. Therefore, I brought Green Bamboo Elder to live in seclusion in this Green Bamboo Lane. I don't like to manage the affairs of the sect. I only like to play the zither and flute and live a quiet life."

Regardless of whether it was true or not, Dongfang Bubai always treated me very well on the surface and never forced me to do anything I didn't want to do. So I lived in Green Bamboo Lane for several years, and never asked about anything in the martial arts world.

If it weren't for the matter of Protector Qu, I wouldn't have appeared in Yuanzhou Prefecture, let alone run into you.

At this point, she glanced at Shi Potian discreetly, "And you, how long do you plan to stay in Luoyang?"

Shi Potian said, "I plan to go to Zhongnan Mountain with Feifei tomorrow to see if we can find the Nine Yin Manual."

Ren Yingying teased, "I never thought that the mighty Invincible Southerner would also set his sights on the Nine Yin Manual and go tomb raiding?"

Shi Potian shook his head and said, "It's not that I want it, but a friend of mine needs the Nine Yin Manual to cure his qi deviation, so I'm going to try my luck."

Ren Yingying sighed, "Then you'll be disappointed. I've already explored that tomb. The tomb entrance is sealed by a massive, enormous stone, weighing at least tens of thousands of pounds. I brought people from the Vermilion Bird Hall and tried to blast it with gunpowder, but it didn't budge. Countless people from the martial world have gone there, but all have returned empty-handed. I advise you not to go."

Shi Potian said, "It's good to go and take a look; perhaps there are other entrances."

Ren Yingying said, "Unless we find the original owner of this tomb, who knows if there is still an entrance? I guess even if there is, it will be extremely difficult to find, and even if you do find it, ordinary people can't get in. Otherwise, so many tomb raiders wouldn't have returned empty-handed."

Shi Potian laughed and said, "Perhaps I really have stumbled upon the owner of the tomb from back then."

Ren Yingying couldn't help but laugh. Young Master Lin was so young and yet possessed unparalleled martial arts skills. Perhaps he was truly blessed with good fortune and found the entrance as soon as he arrived.

Shi Potian added, "By the way, speaking of tomb raiding, I also ran into Senior Xiang Wentian in Zhenjiang. He was being chased by Bao Dachu, Qin Weibang and their gang, and I helped him out. After we parted, he said he was also going to Zhongnan Mountain to raid tombs."

Ren Yingying's expression turned serious: "Uncle Xiang? How is he?"

Shi Potian said, "He was injured, but it's nothing serious. He said he was going to Zhongnan Mountain to rob tombs, looking for some treasure. Didn't you run into him?"

Ren Yingying shook her head: "I didn't meet him. Uncle Xiang has been hunted by Dongfang Bubai for many years, always on the run. The fact that he was willing to tell you his whereabouts shows that he trusts you." She paused, then said softly, "Thank you for saving him."

Shi Potian said, "No need to thank me. I would have saved anyone else too."

The two remained silent for a moment. Moonlight streamed through the window paper, illuminating Ren Yingying's face. Her eyelashes trembled slightly, as if she were lost in thought.

Shi Potian suddenly said, "Miss Yingying, would you like to come with us to Zhongnan Mountain? It'll be more lively with more people."

Ren Yingying glanced at him, then lowered her head and whispered, "Is Feifei going too?"

Shi Potian said, "Go ahead. Feifei is very smart; with her there, she might be able to come up with a solution."

Ren Yingying was silent for a moment, then shook her head: "No. I have other things to do. You guys go ahead."

Shi Potian was somewhat disappointed, but he didn't press the matter. He stood up and said, "It's too late, I'm going back to sleep. We have to travel tomorrow."

Ren Yingying also stood up, opened her mouth as if she wanted to say something, but hesitated and stopped.

Shi Potian walked to the window, about to jump out, when Ren Yingying suddenly said, "Young Master Lin, wait a moment."

Shi Potian turned around: "What's wrong?"

Ren Yingying hesitated for a moment, then said, "I heard that you have Uncle Qu Yang's sheet music?"

Shi Potian said, "Yes. But I didn't bring it with me; I left it at my maternal grandfather's house."

A hint of regret flashed in Ren Yingying's eyes.

Shi Potian said softly, "But I've already learned it. Do you want me to play it for you now?"

Ren Yingying's eyes lit up, then dimmed again. She glanced outside guiltily and whispered, "It's late. It might be inconvenient for you to play the zither here... and disturb other people's sleep."

Shi Potian asked in bewilderment, "Didn't your piano playing disturb other people just now?"

Ren Yingying thought for a moment and said, "Come find me during the day when you return from Zhongnan Mountain. You can play for me then, okay?"

Shi Potian laughed and said, "Alright. It's a deal."

Ren Yingying smiled gently and said softly, "It's a deal."

Shi Potian jumped out of the window and glanced back at her. In the moonlight, Ren Yingying stood by the window, dressed in white as snow, her eyes filled with affection, as if she wanted to say something but hesitated.

"Miss Yingying, I'll be going now," Shi Potian said.

"Mmm," Ren Yingying responded softly.

Shi Potian leaped into the night and disappeared into the depths of the bamboo forest in the blink of an eye.

Ren Yingying stood by the window, gazing in the direction he had left, motionless for a long time. The night wind rustled through the bamboo grove, like whispers between lovers.

After a long while, she gently closed the window.

The zither is still on the table.

She reached out and plucked the string, and the sound hummed, the lingering notes echoing for a long time.

Shi Potian returned to the Golden Saber Sect without a sound, climbed through the window into his room, and fell asleep immediately. No one knew he had gone out that night.

The next morning, sunlight streamed in through the window. Shi Potian stretched, feeling refreshed and invigorated. The effects of the Leopard Embryo Tendon-Changing Pill had been completely refined, and his indestructible body had been solidified.

Qu Feiyan was already waiting in the courtyard. Seeing him come out, she smiled and said, "Little brother, you look so radiant today. Did you have a wonderful dream last night?"

Shi Potian laughed and said, "No, no, it's just that my martial arts have improved slightly."

After the two had breakfast and packed their bags, just as they were about to set off, a doorman rushed in to report: "Young Master Lin, there are three people outside requesting an audience. They say they are old friends of yours."

Shi Potian was taken aback. He walked to the door and saw that it was the Three Heroes of Jibei. The three had changed into clean clothes, and although they were still somewhat travel-worn, they were no longer the beggars they had been yesterday. Zhao Lie took the lead, clasped his hands, and said respectfully, "Young Master Lin, I apologize for disturbing you so early in the morning. We have important matters to discuss with you and dare not delay you."

Shi Potian said, "It's alright, it's alright, please come in and talk."

The three entered the living room and took their seats as host and guest.

Zhao Lie didn't mince words, saying solemnly, "Young Master Escort, we thought long and hard last night and felt we had to tell you this. Zuo Lengchan of the Songshan Sect has already sent men to Huashan to annihilate the Huashan Sect!"

Shi Potian was shocked: "What? Destroy the Huashan Sect?"

Zhang Biao nodded and said, "Absolutely true. We've been in the Songshan Sect for many years, so we know a bit about Zuo Lengchan's plans. After the Golden Basin Washing Hands Ceremony in Hengyang City, Liu Zhengfeng fled, and the Hengshan Sect suffered a major blow. Zuo Lengchan's next target is the Huashan Sect. Judging by the timeline, he should have recently sent members of the Thirteen Protectors with a large number of experts to Huashan. If things go quickly, they may have already arrived at Huashan."

Sima Yong said, "Young Master, we believe that Fuwei Escort Agency has a close relationship with the Huashan Sect. Sect Leader Yue Buqun once sent someone all the way to Fuzhou to deliver a message, and he also showed favoritism towards your escort agency in front of all the heroes in Hengyang City."

"The Huashan Sect is in trouble, and the young镖头 (Young Escort) will definitely have to come to their rescue. We originally intended to inform them yesterday after we parted, but we hesitated. The three of us brothers thought about it all night, and finally decided to come and tell them this morning, urging the young镖头 to make plans as soon as possible."

Qu Feiyan thought to herself that the three of them had made this decision as a pledge of allegiance, and wondered if there were any other requests.

Shi Potian's expression changed slightly. He didn't have a good impression of Yue Buqun, but Yue Lingshan and Linghu Chong were his friends. After the Golden Basin Washing Hands Ceremony, Yue Lingshan even invited him to visit Mount Hua. If the Mount Hua Sect were destroyed, how could they possibly escape unscathed?

"Thank you for informing me, all three of you." Shi Potian stood up and said to Qu Feiyan, "Feifei, we'll skip Zhongnan Mountain for now and head to Huashan."

Qu Feiyan asked, "Little brother, are you going to save the Huashan Sect?"

Shi Potian said, "Yue Lingshan and Brother Linghu are my friends. I can't watch something happen to them."

Qu Feiyan nodded: "Okay, I'll go with you."

Zhao Lie then said, "Young Master Escort, there is one more thing."

Shi Potian said, "Please speak."

Zhao Lie, Zhang Biao, and Sima Yong exchanged a glance, then suddenly knelt down in unison, clasped their hands, and said, "Young Master Escort, we three brothers have nowhere to go. The Songshan Sect will not tolerate us, and we have no face to stand in the martial world. We wish to join the Fuwei Escort Agency and become lowly escorts, serving you, Young Master Escort. We humbly beg you to take us in!"

Shi Potian was taken aback and quickly helped them up, saying, "Please get up quickly."

Zhao Lie refused to rise, and said solemnly, "Young Master Escort's martial arts are unparalleled, and his benevolence is unmatched. Although we are of humble skill, we have traveled far and wide for many years and understand the ways of the martial world. The Fuwei Escort Agency needs manpower to rebuild its reputation. We three brothers are willing to serve you faithfully, without any disloyalty!"

Zhang Biao also said, "Young Master Escort, you saved our lives."

If you don't want us, we really don't know where to go. Apart from the young镖头 (chief镖师, a high-ranking镖师), no one in the world dares to risk offending the Songshan Sect to take us in.

Shi Potian looked at Qu Feiyan. Qu Feiyan pouted and whispered, "Little brother, their martial arts are not weak, and the escort agency does need manpower. However, we need to carefully consider whether the three of them are sincere in their sudden arrival and whether they will betray us."

Thinking to themselves, "So that's what the pledge of loyalty was for. The three of them are quite clever."

Shi Potian thought for a moment and said, "You may stand up and speak."

The three of them then got up.

Shi Potian said, "If you want to join the Fuwei Escort Agency, my father agrees. But right now, I need to go to Mount Hua to rescue someone. You should go find my father first..."

Just then, Mr. and Mrs. Lin Zhennan arrived after hearing the news. When they heard the three men say that the Huashan Sect was in trouble and that they wanted to join the Fuwei Escort Agency, Mr. and Mrs. Lin Zhennan looked at each other in bewilderment.

The three men were once renowned throughout the region, and their martial arts skills were in no way inferior to the Thirteen Protectors of Songshan. Are they really willing to come to Fuwei Escort Agency as a lowly head镖师 (bodyguard/escort)?