Jinshui led Xu Qiao away to the top of the cliff. They saw a number of middle-aged women come to Lao Li's huts after Zhu Baique played her flute to signal them. Li Qian, Liuxin, and the two fake descendants kidnapped by Lin Jixuan and Yue Songdai earlier were then taken away.
Jinshui followed from a distance, witnessing that Haitang Jian Pai's women took their prisoners to a cave in the bowels of the mountain. The main disciples of Yuan Wancui guarded that cave tightly, Jinshui recognized some of whom were previously present at Bai Tu Shanzhuang. Breaking into that cave to retrieve the captives was clearly impossible, Jinshui knew he would have to wait until tomorrow's meeting.
"Jinshui Gege, are you sure they'll be fine?" Xu Qiao hesitated. "I remember when Lin Tongtian caught you and Huang Erge, you two were beaten up very badly. Compared to Lin Tongtian, Yuan Zhangmen hates Yumen descendants more, I'm afraid Liuxin Junzhu won't be left unharmed either."
"Liuxin Meimei didn't really trust you all this time, even though sometimes she made it difficult for you, unexpectedly you worry about her," Jinshui said.
"She suspects me too because she cares for you very much, loves you," Xu Qiao replied, "not because she doesn't like me."
"You don't have to worry," Jinshui forced a smile at her. "Yuan Wancui only hates me, she won't beat Li Qian because she knows Li Qian's father. She won't dare to hurt Liuxin Meimei because it would be the same as offending Xianjing Wang."
"And what should we do now?" asked Xu Qiao.
"Waiting," replied Jinshui. "Waiting for tomorrow, waiting until Yuan Wancui let Ji Jue's wife and daughter go."
"Jinshui," Huang Yu came to them and called. He was already there with Han Budian. They did secretly follow the ladies of Haitang Jian Pai and trying to find a chance to help.
"You come with me," Han Budian suddenly said. "My master should have arrived in Yiling District now, along with my Jianyin Bang brothers. We need to see them."
"What do I see Zhong Shaoyan for?" asked Jinshui. "Although your Jianyin Bang doesn't directly show enmity with our Yumen, I haven't forgotten that your grand master was the first to open up the opportunity for the entire martial world to destroy my father's hard work."
"My master came here to explain the problem, maybe he could even reconcile the Yumen side with those who are hostile to you," said Han Budian. "Tomorrow you will also have to face Yuan Wancui. If you two fight; if the enmity between Haitang Jian Pai and Yumen Jiao grew deeper, what about Xu Guniang? Have you thought about the effect it will have on her?"
"Jinshui, Zhong Bangzhu, and Han Shaobangzhu can protect Xu Guniang," Huang Yu stepped in, "you know Yuan Zhangmen is not averse to using lowly tactics. If Xu Guniang falls into her hands, then all our efforts will be in vain."
"I also can't trust the people of Jianyin Bang to take care of her," said Jinshui. "You also know that the Second Senior and Fifth Junior of Zhong Shaoyan both want Qiao-er's death. Who can say for sure Zhong Shaoyan will not defend them?"
"Hua Jinshui, I won't allow you to insult my master," Han Budiman had already drawn a sword, directly attacking Jinshui. The two of them clashed on the cliff before Xu Qiao could get in their way.
"Jinshui!" Huang Yu flicked the chess piece in his hand and deflected Jinshui and Han Budian's attacks. "Do you want those ladies of Haitang Jian Pai to come here?"
"Jinshui Gege," Xu Qiao was already in between the two. "Han Dage, I know you two are both concerned about my safety, but I don't want to see you two fights now."
Han Budian put his sword back, Jinshui also took a step back. Han Budian then preceded them stepping down the mountain. Not far away they saw Lin Jixuan standing under a tree, knocking Yue Songdai unconscious.
"It's okay," Lin Jixuan said to them, explained briefly, "he was agitated when he found out that Liuxin Meimei had been captured by Yuan Zhangmen. I will take him to safety, and tomorrow we will meet you at Yongshi Bei as planned."
They left those two and headed for a campsite by the river, not far from Yongshi Bei. Yongshi Bei was a stone monument engraved with the names of men who died in battles at the border, in a war with some foreign tribes who wanted to colonize that area several years ago. Jinshui and his friends didn't intend to know when the battle took place and what it was like.
Even though the writing on the monument had faded a little due to wind and rain, it was still intact and people still call it the monument of the warriors.
The campsite had just been built by the Jianyin Bang people, and a number of people still seemed to be busy carrying things and arranging them. Han Budian's arrival was welcomed by some of his friends, only they did not immediately recognize Jinshui as Yumen Mowang who appeared in Wuzhang some time ago because Jinshui's face and appearance as a poisoned beggar at that time had changed to a handsome young man.
"Uh," one member pointed at the sword hanging on Jinshui's back.
"It's fine," Han Budian said to him, "they are here to meet our chief."
Zhong Shaoyan was in front of the tent that was prepared for him, as soon as he saw the arrival of Han Budian, Jinshui, Huang Yu, and Xu Qiao, his attention immediately focused on Jinshui. Jinshui had visited Jianyin Bang's headquarters in Wuzhang some time ago, and at that time Zhong Shaoyan did not remember Hua Jinshui's name.
Later Zhong Shaoyan did discover that Hua Jinshui was the primary descendant of Yumen, the son of the late leader of Yumen. But by that time Jinshui and Xu Qiao had left the headquarters of Jianyin Bang and Zhong Shaoyan didn't really know their whereabouts.
"Hua Jinshui," Zhong Shaoyan said his name curiously. "The martial world often mentions your name lately, you really have made quite a mess."
"Shifu," Han Budian immediately stood beside his master. "I've explained everything to you through my letter, this Hua Jinshui does intend to revive Yumen with his friends, but liushishu and I have been with them for a while, I trust them."
"You wrote me a very long letter, I have no time to read them," said Zhong Shaoyan. "Where is your liushishu?"
"He is around here somewhere, but he cannot meet you yet," replied Han Budian. He didn't mention why Yue Songdai couldn't and won't meet the fourth senior.
"Zhong Bangzhu, zaixia Huang Yu, the second son of Huang Weiqun, Huang Zongbiaotou of Hailang Biaoju," Huang Yu introduced himself to Zhong Shaoyan. "We met three years ago in Huofeng Lou, you might remember me. At that time Xu Furen suspected zaixia of being one of Yumen's descendants. She was right. I really am the descendant of Chailang Shifu."
"Two of Yumen descendants," said Zhong Shaoyan. "Where are the others now?"
"Shifu, you can meet them all tomorrow," Han Budian said. "Today I brought Hua Jinshui and Huang Xiongdi here, along with Xu Guniang, in order to ask Master to arbitrate at tomorrow's meeting, to prevent unnecessary bloodshed."
"I'm the leader of Jianyin Bang, and cannot interfere in the enmity between Hua Jinshui and Yuan Zhangmen," said Zhong Shaoyan.
"Master, I know that when taishifu (grandmaster) had a fight with the late Yumen leader thirteen years ago, there was actually no enmity between them," said Han Budian, "I also know that Yumen during Wu Youwei's reign, had the task of protecting the martial world from the cult led by Liu Songqiao."
Zhong Shaoyan took a deep breath and nodded once, showing regret for what his master Liangtian Jian Shen Zhang Zheliang had once said. "This stupid me still remembers, and didn't want Liu Songqiao to come back here, but many other sects seem to have forgotten."
"Zhong Bangzhu, perhaps you can tell us more," Huang Yu said, "Chailang Shifu knew many figures and sects in the martial world, but he didn't tell me of this Liu Songqiao and his sect. If indeed the previous Yumen had such an important task, then it will be our task."
Zhong Shaoyan had yet to give an answer when suddenly there was a strong gust of wind. The shocked screams of several members of the Jianyin Bang were heard along with the sound of weapons clanking down and bodies collapsing to the ground.
Jinshui pushed Xu Qiao toward Han Budian, the sword in his hand was drawn and he quickly ran toward the origin of the sound. A number of invisible secret weapons spread out toward him, and he knocked them all down with his xuanlong sword.
There were already two men present at that place, one tall and the other skinny, both wearing dark clothes and wide hats, and they were killing any Jianyin Bang members around them. Jinshui recognized them as Xie Tianhu and Xun Tianyi.
Jinshui immediately channeled his inner energy to confront them, using all his strength. He had lost once to those two because he didn't expect them to have such great martial abilities, then was defeated and injured once again because he had to face Xie Tianhu and Bao Xinfei, then also Yuan Wancui at the same time.
Huang Yu assisted him this time, attacked the skinny man Xun Tianyi using his chess pieces, and let Xie Tianhu fight Jinshui alone. The skinny man returned Huang Yu's attack, still having time to spread his own secret weapons to the members of the Jianyin Bang who were about to stand in his way.
Huang Yu's chess pieces spread out, decisively dropping Xun Tianyi's invisible secret weapon attack. The secret weapon used by the second and fifth disciples of Zhang Zheliang was apparent to be like a fine silk thread, not easily visible but very deadly, and can cause wounds that do not bleed but slice very deeply. It was a heinous secret weapon.
"Xu Guniang, we better leave now," Han Budian pulled Xu Qiao about to leave the place. "Jinshui knows taking care of himself, you staying here won't benefit him."
Xu Qiao was about to follow him away, but from beside the camp, two other people appeared, a young man and the other a young woman. Han Budian recognized the young man as the fake Yumen Mowang. Huang Yu and Huang Lian's older brother, Huang Zhe. The woman with him was none other than Xun Tianyi's daughter, Xun Qianniu.
"My master came here to kill Zhong Shaoyan and take over Jianyin Bang," Huang Zhe immediately said. "Xu Guniang, you are the youngest daughter of the owner of Huofeng Lou, what a shame to have been harassed by a demon head."
Han Budian didn't wait until Huang Zhe finished his words, he had already charged toward the young man with his drawn weapon. Xu Qiao started a fight with Xun Qianniu.
Jinshui was still trying to block Xie Tianhu, the sword in his hand clashed with the opponent's saber and created visible sparks, revealing the strength of the two weapons and the energy used by their wielders. Xie Tianhu obviously hadn't used up all his strength, probably preparing to hit Zhong Shaoyan with a single fist. His coming here today wasn't for the sake of killing Jinshui.
Zhong Shaoyan recognized those who had just come from the yin shou yang zhang techniques used. This martial art was the creation of his master Zhang Zheliang, and he had seen only two or three parts of it. This technique was a little different in style and movement from all that the people of Jianyin Bang used, and until the end of his life, Zhang Zheliang had not been able to officially pass it on to anyone.
"Ershige, Wushidi," Zhong Shaoyan spoke slowly, "it was you who betrayed shifu."
Zhong Shaoyan had already drawn his bamboo sword and together with Jinshui fought Xie Tianhu. Xie Tianhu strengthened each attack, pushing Jinshui several times, almost slashing him, but he mostly aimed for Zhong Shaoyan's neck. Yin shou yang zhang was apparently a way of using both hands alternately very quickly, a series of moves that required hard practice. Xie Tianhu was really like a man with eight arms, and he made Jinshui start to have trouble.
It wasn't long before Xie Tianhu had the opportunity to catch Zhong Shaoyan's bamboo sword, his two fingers deflected that sword to receive the xuanlong sword attack. Zhong Shaoyan's sword was almost broken, unable to withstand the power of Jinshui's sword.
Xie Tianhu changed his movements quickly, he gripped the holder of his saber using one hand, while the other hand transferred energy to the body of the saber. He slashed the saber using all his strength, making a wave of energy, instantly hitting Zhong Shaoyan and Jinshui. Jinshui still had time to jump aside. But Zhong Shaoyan wasn't fast enough, and he was instantly thrown into a tent and smashed into pieces.
Xie Tianhu quickly changed his movements again, a secret weapon in his hand aimed at Zhong Shaoyan's face, ready to pierce his head. However, by that time Jinshui was already back on his feet, slashing the xuanlong sword into his stomach as he unleashed the secret weapon. Xie Tianhu was late to parry the slash with his saber, nor did he intend to let go of the opportunity to kill his already seriously injured junior, only tilting his body slightly. Xuanlong sword still had time to cut deep into his stomach, and blood immediately flowed.
At the same time, Huang Yu was getting pushed by Xun Tianyi. That skinny man had studied yin shou yang zhang as well, apparently, although he was not as skilled as his senior, his every movement changed rapidly, the right and left hands seemed to be connected to each other. Huang Yu didn't even have a chance to throw a chess piece. The energy given by Chailang can't be used perfectly because he had a hard time taking a breath and controlling himself.
Han Budian was still evenly matched against Huang Zhe, but Xun Qianniu managed to suppress Xu Qiao. The lunatic woman didn't even care about her own safety, her attacks were also irregular and the techniques she used were all very strange and vile.
Xie Tianhu didn't really care that his side still had a chance of winning if the fight continued, he himself was already injured and might fall. His self-esteem was extremely high and he didn't want to look weak in front of his opponent.
"Kill all Jianyin Bang members!" he gave orders to his three comrades, at the same time dodging Jinshui and like a trance, he continued to slash his saber at any of the Jianyin Bang members who were still there. Jianyin Bang members hadn't run away since the fight broke out, trying to find a chance to help their leader and young leader. They fell one by one soon.
Jinshui tried to prevent further killing, but Xun Tianyi suddenly left Huang Yu and blocked him, forcing him to face his barehanded attack swiftly, once even managed to slap him in the face, but as a result, Xun Tianyi's arm was struck by xuanlong's sword.
Xie Tianhu really wanted to kill all the Jianyin Bang members who were there, even hitting Han Budian's back with a long-range attack, causing him to vomit blood instantly. After that, he still had time to stand in the middle of the arena, stepped on Zhong Shaoyan's body, and prepared to crush his bones.
"Xie-shu!" Xu Qiao shouted. "The descendants of Yumen have all known of your crimes. It's useless for you to kill Jianyin Bang members, it's useless to kill me. Soon the whole world will know that you killed your own master, killed your good friend, and want to silence everyone to cover up your crime."
Xie Tianhu turned his head, looking at her hatefully. However, at that time the wound in his stomach was very painful, the blood was still slipping through his clothes but he was too prestige he didn't want to stop the bleeding in front of other people.
Jinshui saw Han Budian laying on the ground, unmoved. He moved to Xu Qiao's side and protected her. Huang Yu chased after his brother Huang Zhe and the lunatic Xun Qianniu for those two had run away and disappeared into the forest.
Xie Tianhu knew his junior Xun Tianyi had also sped away, he had no choice but to jump up into the trees, disappearing into the shadows.
Jinshui wiped the blood from the body of his sword, he knew that if he forced himself to chase them, there might be little chance to finish off one Xie Tianhu, but there were still Xun Tianyi, Huang Zhe, and Xun Qianniu. He and Huang Yu both won't be enough to defeat them all.
"Jinshui Gege, are you hurt?" Xu Qiao asked him with care.
"No," replied Jinshui, but he could not cover the blood that soaked his clothes. There were some scratches too on his arms and on his back, while the rest was Xie Tianhu's blood.
"Hua Jinshui!"
A number of people had arrived there, mostly women, wearing white and wooden clothes. They were Haitang Jian Pai people. At the forefront of course was their leader, Weian Shuang Jian Yuan Wancui, the one who had just shouted Jinshui's name.
The morning sun had already risen, realizing Jinshui and Huang Yu that they had not slept since last night and that the said fifteenth day had arrived. Jinshui saw that there was Bao Xinfei among Yuan Wancui's followers, and the one-armed lady's gaze immediately fell on Xu Qiao. Jinshui hid Xu Qiao behind his back, his sword outstretched, ready to protect as well as fight anyone who would take his life.
"Hua Jinshui, the descendants of Yumen said to gather at Yongshi Bei on the fifteenth of the eighth month," said Yuan Wancui, "I came here early in the morning to exclusively greet you, unexpectedly you came first and slaughtered everyone here."
Yuan Wancui and the others saw that the bodies of the Jianyin Bang people were still around, and saw the blood stains on Jinshui's swords and clothes, automatically accusing Jinshui as the culprit. Weian Shuang Jian's twin sword weapons had already been drawn, and some of her disciples were also ready to fight.
"I didn't kill them," Jinshui quickly replied. "I Hua Jinshui will forever not cover up my own deeds. If I'm the one massacring the Jianyin Bang people here, then I'll openly admit it. I didn't kill them, and I won't admit what other people did."
"You are a demon head, who will believe your words?" Yuan Wancui had already moved forward two steps, almost forgotten her position as the leader of a major sect, and engaged in a life-and-death fight with Jinshui.
However, there were still a number of members of other parties present with their followers. Jinshui didn't know most of them, but he knew Haitang Jian Pai never did accept male disciples, he could tell that these people were just coming along.
At that moment Han Budian also seemed to move. Two youths by Yuan Wancui's side approached him, one gave him some pills, and the other helped by channeling pure energy. Huang Yu recognized the youth who gave off pure energy as the second-in-command of the current leader of Yongjun Hui of Nanyang. The man called himself Heimo Laoying, and his name was Li Zuyang.
"Jinshui Gege didn't kill them." Xu Qiao stepped in front of Jinshui and spoke loudly. "Zhong Bangzhu and his people were killed by the same person who killed my parents, I witnessed it myself just now."
"You are Hua Jinshui's lover, surely you will defend him," Yuan Wancui replied harshly.
"My name is Xu Qiao, and I'm the fifth daughter of Xu Chenghai, Xu Louzhu of Huofeng Lou in Anhui Province," Xu Qiao introduced herself. "All of you who are here also know that my parents as well as my entire family were murdered three years ago, and I already know who the killer is."
She looked around, hoping that Xie Tianhu would still be around and hear her words, do something to silence her, expose his own identity, and be witnessed by so many people.
Bao Xinfei also took two steps forward to the side of her master, glancing at Xu Qiao with a strange look.
"Who is this young lady, why do you claim yourself to be Xu Chenghai's daughter?" she suddenly asked. "I am Xu Chenghai's second wife, having raised his only surviving daughter since his death three years ago. However, only a while ago I witnessed Xiao Qiao being kidnapped by the demon head Hua Jinshui, and I had failed to save her, forced to bury her with my own hands."