Chapter 423: Chapter 152: The Battle Unfinished, Old Friends at Cloud Mountain

Peng Mi squinted and smiled, "It’s a small matter, one for Gong Lang, and one for Li Yuan. I’ll definitely bring them to you so you can take a good look."

"Amitabha..."

...

...

The story splits into two parts...

Li Yuan naturally wasn’t idly roaming around in a carriage. With a flick of his finger, he utilized the "Thousand-Mile in a Line connected to Wang Hiran, the Cyan Robe Tower Master" to arrive at the Cloud Mountain Path. As for the carriage, he dismantled and discarded it, and released the horse.

Another thread of Thousand-Mile in a Line was still on Yu Chaoyin in Shanbao County. He left this thread for "planting the seed."

Meanwhile, information from the Divine Wood Hall would still be quietly communicated by those from the Social World beyond the First Gate.

At this moment, he arrived near Wang Hiran.

The scene instantly shifted from late autumn to deep winter.

This is the Cloud Mountain Path.

A barren and desolate place, a place that wouldn’t be involved in disputes.

As soon as Li Yuan landed, he was greeted by a vast expanse of heavy snow. He couldn’t see anything but snow.

Within several miles, nothing could be sensed except for trees and rocks—the damn trees and rocks.

This felt like being instantly transported from a bustling metropolis to a remote, impoverished area...

Nevertheless... fortunately, among these trees and rocks, there was at least a small stone house with smoke wafting from it.

Obviously, Wang Hiran was inside.

The order Li Yuan had given Wang Hiran was to "stay beside Tang Nian."

So, if Wang Hiran was there, Tang Nian must also be there.

Thinking carefully, it had been over four years since he last saw this foster daughter. The parting words from back then seemed like they were spoken yesterday. He wondered if this girl had found someone she fancied.

Li Yuan took a step, arriving in front of the stone house. Before he even approached the door, a crowd suddenly appeared from all directions... puppets and white shadows barely visible in the snow, all pointing their weapons at him, the unauthorized intruder.

Li Yuan cast a glance.

Some puppets were exquisitely made, others more crude, as if crafted by different hands.

As for the white shadows, they were individuals, but their eyes were rather vacant, reminding him of the "Secret Soldiers" he had seen patrolling the city walls of the Blood Saber Sect’s Inner City.

The "Secret Soldiers" were previously bought from the Red Ant Commerce Association by the Blood Saber Sect, so it wasn’t surprising to see them here. After all, although the Fujia Commerce Association had split into two, there were obviously connections with the Bite Commerce Association on this side.

Thus, these white shadows were likely obtained through "Commerce Trade."

This way, the Bite Commerce Association wouldn’t know the clients of the Fujia Commerce Association, providing better protection for the underground force Tang Nian was building, buffering it from directly facing the giants of the Central Plains, creating a buffer layer at least.

"Who goes there?!"

A cautious and cold girl’s voice came from inside, but it wasn’t Tang Nian’s.

Li Yuan had no intention of testing how his foster daughter had grown over the years. After all, fighting here would waste his own resources—there was no sense in creating trouble for himself.

To avoid misunderstandings, he said straightforwardly, "I’m here to see Tang Nian, I’m an ally, not an enemy."

After he spoke, there was a moment of silence inside, and then a girl’s face peeped out through the window of the stone house. The window’s oiled paper seemed strange, as if it was transparent from the inside but opaque from the outside.

Soon after, sounds of disdainful laughter and rapid, mocking words came from inside.

"Ha, want to see my master?

Which family’s kid are you?

You’re not even fit to seek out my master!

I’ll have you know, even I had to queue for a long time to become Master Tang Nian’s disciple.

And my master only teaches females, not males, so you better..."

Before she finished, the sound of a wine cup falling and hurried footsteps came from inside, as if someone was startled and rushed over to pull the speaking girl away.

The girl again, very noisily and rapidly shouted, "Hey, hey, Master Wang, why are you pulling me?

Master Wang, what’s wrong with you?!

Huh? You’re nervous?

We are at the Tang Sect headquarters; what do you have to be afraid of?

On these grounds, we are the strongest! Hmph!"

Li Yuan, listening to the commotion inside, had already guessed what was happening.

As expected, Wang Hiran was here; he recognized his voice.

However, Wang Hiran knew his identity was a secret and must not be exposed to anyone, so he instinctively pulled the girl back.

And because of Tang Nian, the people she sent, or perhaps adding her own family background, the girl was used to having her way on this land, hence her way of speaking.

From one perspective, Li Yuan could also guess Tang Nian’s methods.

Establishing an underground force, also using "taking disciples" as a similar to marriage alliance tactic.

Although this carried potential risks, loyalty to her was the solution, and the girl evidently admired Tang Nian greatly.

Thus, for now, the risk was minimal.

His teaching had not been in vain.

At this moment, although Li Yuan was being aimed at by many crossbows and weapons, he merely found it amusing... and reassuring.

Soon, Wang Hiran’s voice came from inside: "The person here is not an enemy, nor someone seeking apprenticeship, much less a suitor; this is your master’s... friend."

Just as the words fell, the door of the small house opened.

A burly girl with a build like a bear and a tiger stood at the door, while behind her should be the girl who had been speaking.

This girl wore luxurious brocade, looked pretty, and her abilities were quite remarkable, having reached the Seventh Grade Early Stage.

As for the burly girl, she seemed to be at the Seventh Grade Late Stage, with good talent.