On a distant hillside, far from Fang Shuwen’s current position.

A young man carrying a sword gazed toward Fang Shuwen’s location, his eyes seeming to pierce through the darkness of the night.

His deep-set eyes were like endless pools of mist, making it impossible to discern their true color.

As the cold wind tugged at the corner of his robes, a figure appeared silently behind him.

"Greetings, Young Venerable."

The young man spoke slowly.

"The trouble stirred up in Flying Snow City was no small matter. Wu Lingxiao has dug his own grave and intends to withdraw from the Jianghu.

"The Seven-String Ancient Chapter is currently on that Fang Shuwen. Once we’ve obtained it, we will return to Undying Island immediately."

The person behind him hesitated slightly.

"But what about the Vermilion Bird Hall Master..."

"That is their business. It has nothing to do with me."

The young man said flatly.

"I came here for one thing only: the Seven-String Ancient Chapter."

"Understood."

The person acknowledged.

The young man waved his hand lightly.

"Leave. Don’t disturb me while I enjoy the show."

Not daring to linger, the person turned and vanished into the wind.

The young man was left standing there alone. A strange ripple disturbed the depths of his profound eyes.

’Please... don’t disappoint me.’

...

...

Meanwhile, the group of Jianghu people who had chased Fang Shuwen out of Flying Snow City were still searching for him.

However, once they left Flying Snow City, Fang Shuwen’s trail became difficult to follow.

Fortunately, their group was made up of all sorts of talents. Someone managed to discern Fang Shuwen’s direction from his tracks and led the rest in pursuit. But they never expected that before they could even get close, they would spot a group of furtive, red-clothed people.

Just as someone was about to step forward and drive the red-clothed people away, they were stopped by a companion.

Upon closer inspection, they discovered that the number of red-clothed people far exceeded their expectations.

They found some tall trees and leaped to the top, only then getting a clear view of the whole scene.

Instantly, everyone’s scalp tingled with fear.

Dressed in fiery red, the group spread out under the night sky like a menacing fire dragon baring its fangs and claws.

"Who... who are they?"

...

...

Ye Feihua was asking Fang Shuwen the very same question.

The moment the red-clothed people appeared, the first thought of the Jinghua Pavilion Master was to run.

But she did have some conscience, so she wanted to take Fang Shuwen with her.

But Fang Shuwen had gone to great lengths to lure this shady group out. How could he possibly turn and flee now?

"There are too many of them, and they’re all experts! If Flying Snow City sent out its full force, fending them off wouldn’t be hard... But you’re just one man! Even if you were made of iron, how many nails could you forge?"

Fang Shuwen ignored her and just chuckled lightly.

"I came here specifically for them. What would be the point of leaving now?"

"Then who in the world are they?"

"Good question."

Fang Shuwen tucked the Seven-String Ancient Chapter into his robes. Seeing the red-clothed people drawing ever closer, he stood up from the large rock.

"But that’s a question I’m trying to answer myself.

"Just stay hidden and don’t get discovered. When the time is right, come over on your own. Don’t make me come looking for you."

"...You’re completely insane!"

After saying this, Ye Feihua fell silent.

’Why the sudden cursing?’

The corners of Fang Shuwen’s mouth curled up slightly. He felt a sense of perfect tranquility.

A few months ago, he wouldn’t have even dared to imagine this.

It was true what they said: skill breeds confidence. That was no empty phrase.

When the first wave of red-clothed people was less than thirty feet away, Fang Shuwen moved.

With a tap of his foot, his body shot forward like an arrow released from its bowstring.

In an instant, he was in front of the nearest red-clothed man. Before his opponent could react, he had already smashed down with a [Vajra Tower Throwing].

BOOM!!!!

A muffled THUD sent ripples through the air.

The moment the afterimage of the palm strike faded, three figures had been planted into the ground. Only their heads remained above the surface, blood pouring from their seven orifices, already breathless.

Not pausing after his successful strike, Fang Shuwen spun and thrust a single palm outward.

It met with the Palm Technique of another red-clothed man.

But the moment it made contact with Fang Shuwen, the man’s arm shattered into pieces. Blood splattered everywhere, and broken limbs rained down upon the ground.

At the same time, Fang Shuwen tilted his head slightly to the side. With a SWOOSH, a palm grazed past his hair, striking nothing but air. Fang Shuwen seized the opportunity, swiveling back with an elbow. CRACK!

The tip of his elbow had already smashed into the man’s face.

The red-clothed men all wore masks, so the blood from the grievous wound didn’t splatter onto Fang Shuwen’s clothes. The man’s shattered head snapped back, and his body crashed to the ground.

Then, Fang Shuwen struck out with both palms at once, executing a [Twin Golden Lotus] to his left and right.

An immense Palm Power erupted. BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! The force tore through the bodies of the red-clothed men, leaving horrifying, handprint-shaped bloody holes in their chests and abdomens.

However, far too many red-clothed men had come this time.

Every one of his moves had been lethal, but it barely made a ripple in the massive crowd.

Seven or eight figures leaped into the air simultaneously. As they hung in mid-air, they began to gather their Palm Technique, the searing heat dispelling the night’s chill.

The seven or eight palm afterimages descended almost at once.

But in that instant, a Dharma Aspect rose up behind Fang Shuwen.

Wind God’s Fury!

With a single palm strike, the seven or eight palm afterimages were instantly forced back. The reversed flow of True Qi caused each of them to spit up blood. After they landed, they writhed on the ground in agony.