Xi Xiaofeng had already informed Jinshui that there was a possibility that Gu Chenhui, Wu Youwei's wife and the former jiaozhu furen of Yumen was in the hands of the leader of the Yongjun Hui, Hei Bao Jiangjun Huan Jiaozheng, and had been a special captive for thirteen years. In order to investigate the nature of this news and Gu Chenhui's current whereabouts, Jinshui knew he would have to go to Yongjun Hui's headquarters in Nanyang City.
However, Xu Qiao warned him that if Jinshui or his friends openly confronted Huan Jiaozheng it would cause discord and might deepen hostilities. Jinshui would have investigated carefully, only after confirming Gu Chenhui's whereabouts he could decide his next step.
Jinshui, Huang Yu, and Shen Xiru had just left the tomb of the beloved and returned to the inn when the sound of commotion rang out. Above the roof, there was the sound of people running and fighting, the sound of screams, and the clinking of weapons. Huang Yu didn't know which enemy was coming, he quickly jumped onto the roof and found Liao Xian and Qin Liangjie blocking a strange woman.
The woman was tall, her waist seemed wide unlike a woman's waist. Her face was clearly a woman's, and her makeup was also a woman's, but her hands were rough, her movements heavy and agile. On her two shoulders, each was a figure, one was obviously Shangguan Ruyin, and the other was Lin Xiaoyan, and both were unconscious.
The strange woman immediately dashed away when she saw the arrival of Jinshui and Huang Yu. She carried Shangguan Ruyin and Lin Xiaoyan away. Huang Yu quickly caught up, for a moment didn't care about anything and just didn't want Lin Xiaoyan to be harmed again. Liao Xian had to pull Qin Liangjie down because the Menggui descendant was still heavily injured. He chased the strange woman after.
Huang Yu chased the strange woman deep into the forest. He was the descendant of Chailang who mastered high-level energy given by his master and also had good chasing skills. However, the strange woman who had just kidnapped Shangguan Ruyin and Lin Xiaoyan got away from him so easily, even holding two hostages didn't slow her down.
In the martial arts world at this time, there weren't many people who possessed such strength and skills. Even though Huang Yu had extensive knowledge of figures from various circles, he found it difficult to determine who he was pursuing. The strange woman's features slightly resembled a man's, she was possibly in disguise and it was difficult to guess who she really was.
Huang Yu stopped his steps after losing track, trying to take a breath to calm his mind. Jinshui was injured just now after fighting with Xie Tianhu. Qin Liangjie and Liuxin's condition was also not good, while the other descendants were not around. He chased a kidnapper alone into a deep forest and lost track after a while. It will be dangerous if another enemy was waiting for him.
He decided to return to the inn, to report first to Jinshui, and wait for the arrival of others, before continuing to search for the strange woman.
"Yu," Jinshui's voice sounded before he turned around. A second later he saw his friend had floated down from the tree, alone. "Who kidnapped Lin Guniang and Qin Furen?"
"I don't know," replied Huang Yu.
"Where did she go?" asked Jinshui.
"That way," Huang Yu pointed.
Jinshui quickly jumped up into the trees, floated lightly up, and stood on a high branch, trying to find the strange woman who had taken Lin Xiaoyan and Shangguan Ruyin.
"Jinshui, you're in no condition," Huang Yu came after him to the high branches, reminding him about his injuries.
"It's fine," said Jinshui, "I wouldn't die."
They saw a shadowy figure flashed in the distance, then both took off in pursuit through the hilly forest. The person being chased had disappeared, but the two of them did not give up, chasing it to the ruins of a small village on the edge of a valley. It seemed like a village with no inhabitants.
Huang Yu saw smoke billowing from one of the houses which were still usable, he preceded there. They smelled some roasted meat coming from the fire source.
Jinshui strained his hearing and found human voices nearby. Indeed, where the smell of burning was coming from, there were voices of several men. He headed there and quickly followed by Huang Yu. The two of them looked carefully from behind the partially collapsed wall, trying to see first whether Lin Xiaoyan and Shangguan Ruyin had really been brought there.
From behind the wall, they saw four men tied together, all four dressed as young monks, their eyes fluttering open, apparently still under the effect of anesthetic drugs. One of them, the oldest, seemed to be trying to recognize a middle-aged man near them.
The middle-aged man also wore a monk's robe made of a rough material that looked dull and too wide for his short fat body. His face was smooth and white, and the hair on his head was shaved off, and his praying beads hanging from his neck. He was chopping firewood, the smile on the corner of his lips showed ferocity, and the murderous lust in his eyes was burning as he looked at his captives.
"I hate monks and priests the most," the middle-aged man spoke in a hoarse and cynical voice. His hands were busy splitting wood, his eyes were busy splitting people's hearts, making anyone sick. "Today, if I can't make these four brothers eat meat and drink wine, don't call me Fuchang Long."
The name Fuchang Long (Fuchang Dragon, a type of animal in classical mythology) known to Huang Yu as the sixth member of Liangshan Liu Mo, a middle-aged man who always dressed as a monk, but often caught monks and priests, tricked them into madness or death.
Fuchang Long was a fake monk, his face looked very disgusting, and his hoarse voice also had a tone that was very unpleasant to hear. He added the wood he had just chopped into the fireplace, then turned over the roast deer that was already there.
"This deer is still young, the meat is soft and tender, they will definitely like it," he spoke. "Moreover, this meat has been marinated overnight with a secret spice from me, no one will be able to resist it."
"Coupled with this shaoxing wine, it will definitely undermine the faith of these little masters."
Another man continued Fuchang Long's words as he held a wine jar in his hand high, then drank its contents. This man's appearance was very displeasant. He had a pair of small eyes, dented nose, a wide mouth, a tall thin body, a big head, and dark skin. Huang Yu guessed this person was Wang Wei, the third member, his outstanding appearance earned him the nickname Niu Mian Lao Mo (buffalo-faced old demon).
"Liangshan Liu Mo," Jinshui whispered. "Are they the ones who kidnapped Lin Guniang and Qin Furen?"
Huang Yu motioned not to make a sound. Liangshan Liu Mo was not a group of ordinary criminals, but its six members were all very highly skilled, their respective abilities will be no less than that of a Yumen guardian.
Jinshui knew that this group of criminals had a penchant for pranking people, ten years ago he had witnessed their cruelty firsthand. It was just that in recent years Liangshan Liu Mo's name had rarely been mentioned in the martial world. Many thought they no longer exist, but now two of its members appeared here and still carry out their old passion.
Another man arrived in the next second. He was the fifth member, Hou Yi Zui Ri (hou yi chasing the sun) Li Baixun. He was another middle-aged man but still looked gallant and muscular. He carried a bow and arrow like Houyi in the legend of the sun archer during the Xia Dynasty.
Wang Wei threw the jar of wine in his hand as he saw his friend. Li Baixun took down a huge sack from his back, and let out two young girls no more than fourteen years old from it, both were still conscious, yet their mute acupuncture points were knocked and they were tied, unable them to speak or run. Their faces were clear showing fear.
"Why did you take two more girls?" Wang Wei asked flatly. "Don't tell me you take them from Official Xia's place because I just there stole a silver knife given by Huan Jiaozheng from Yongjun Hui."
Wang Wei was a thief and also liked to rob at times. However, he didn't usually steal or robs ordinary money or jewelry but objects that he saw someone carrying and attracts attention. Once he laid his eyes on an object, he would definitely steal it, flaunt it for a few days, then throw it away after he found something else to steal.
Li Baixun liked to kidnap young girls and his friends knew his character. Among the six members of Liangshan Liu Mo, Li Baixun was known as the worst pervert. He was famous for never having a certain type. Any girl from a reputable family or a slave could be his victim. Once he captured a girl, she would be bullied to half death and before being returned to her family, alive but insane.
"They are just two village girls," said Li Baixun. He laughed disgustingly, even drooling. "I will put some makeup on them, and then play with them."
"Laosi just brought two girls for you, they are getting dressed in there." Wang Wei said to him, "You also know Laosi can turn any ugly girl into a beautiful princess. Those two girls in there, I guarantee you will like them for at least seven days and seven nights."
Li Baixun wiped his mouth. "I admit Laosi dressed girls better than me, but I don't believe him," he said with a grin, "you remember last time he dressed two grown men into two young girls, really made me vomit for three days and three nights. To this day, every time I remember it, my appetite immediately disappears."
"You don't need to worry about those two," Fuchang Long said, "they are real women. One is an adult and married, but still smooth, while another is a lovely little doll. If you don't mind, I'd like to borrow one for these masters."
He pointed at the four monks, uttering very unpleasant words. Jinshui had already clenched his fists, had almost forgotten himself, and charged straight at the three members of the band of thugs.
"Laowu, they are inside, I have dressed them up a bit to suit your taste."
Another man had already come out of the house, standing at the door and calling for Li Baixun. That man was the one Huang Yu had chased earlier, however, had completely changed the appearance of a woman, now he dressed as a man. The face remained the same, the voice did not change, apparently, he was a man disguised as a woman. Or vice versa.
Huang Yu of course knew that among Liangshan Liu Mo there was one member who had the title Ci Xiong Yi Shen (male and female in one body), named Zu Ye Niang. Zu Ye was the name when he dressed as a man like now, while when dressed as a woman the name was Zu Niang. His body was average. He was not a sissy, but a freak who can play both male and female roles perfectly. No one had ever known if he was actually a man or a woman, although he appeared more often as a man. The art of disguise and make-up was always perfect.
"Laosi, you lost the bet with me but there's no need to be so polite," Li Baixun said modestly. It seems he is quite reluctant with this fourth brother. "One girl is enough, two are too many. After all, I still have these two sweet ladies," he pulled the two girls he brought and showed them to Zu Ye.
"I brought them here with some difficulty, didn't say you had to spend it overnight," Zu Ye said, "dressing them also had to spend quite a bit of time, I hope you don't spoil it."
Wang Wei didn't care about his friends anymore. In his hand, he held a silver blade, the hilt decorated with several precious stones, a special object. He fiddled with the knife, then threw it at the four monks, passed directly above their heads, and stabbed deep into the wall in front of Jinshui, almost causing Jinshui to make a sound.
Fuchang Long sliced some meat from the roasting deer, waving it in front of the captive monks one by one. His laughter sounded hoarse, very deafening in the ears. Monks didn't eat meat, they desperately tried to avoid the smell, but it looked like Fuchang Long would make them open their mouths wide, stuffed the meat up to their throats, and forced it down into their stomachs.
Jinshui saw a scene like this, his hands clenched tightly, he was already feeling the hilt of his sword and was ready to attack the demons. Huang Yu flicked a chess piece, asking him to wait a little longer.
In the next moment, the pervert Li Baixun dragged the two girls he had caught into the house. The two girls were still young, not knowing what would happen to them, they were really scared. Jinshui felt his blood boiling, Huang Yu also clenched his fists and had already exerted some strength there.
But Jinshui and Huang Yu had not done anything yet, a couple came in from another direction and entered the courtyard of the house. The couple was a young man and a young woman, holding hands like lovers.
The young man was another unfamiliar face, although Huang Yu was sure he was the handsome scholar who had asked Yuan Wancui to let Zhu Baique go to a meeting in Yiling District some time ago.
Meanwhile, the young woman who came with the scholar was none other than Huling's descendant and their own friend, Zhu Baique.
Fuchang Long turned from his four captive monks, and the meat in his hand was thrown onto the ground. The four monks quickly spat out their saliva, tried to get rid of the meat smell, then busied themselves in reciting prayers tremblingly. Wang Wei immediately stood up and froze in place, sharply staring at the two young man and woman who had just arrived.
Both Fuchang Long and Wang Wei were shocked, feared, and alerted. Zhu Ye quickly turned around and run inside the house, even slamming the door quite hard.
Jinshui and Huang Yu remained in their hiding place and waited for what would happen. Zhu Baique clearly saw Li Baixun bringing two young girls into the house and also witnessed how Fuchang Long bullied the four monks. She should have acted and beat up Liangshan Liu Mo's members. However, she just stood quietly in front of the house, her expression was unpredictable.
The handsome scholar beside her also just stood in silence, as if he was waiting for Wang Wei and the others to attack first, or waiting for someone else to arrive. Among them, no one spoke, the scholar then slowly turned his eyes to the crumbling wall where Jinshui and Huang Yu were, smiling faintly. Slowly, he let Zhu Baique's hand go.
"Why are you two still hiding here?"
This voice belonged to an old woman, hoarse and discordant. Jinshui and Huang Yu in their hiding place immediately turned their heads. An old lady was suddenly standing behind them, it seemed like she had been there for a while and they didn't notice her arrival. The old woman was carrying a cane to support her weight, her old face looked flat and fierce. It was even more difficult to determine her martial ability.
The cane in that old woman's hand suddenly touched Huang Yu's shoulder before he even got ready. There was a slight electric shock felt, but before Huang Yu countered that small strike, the old woman had already pulled back her cane. There was no visible intention of harm, so Jinshui also canceled drawing his sword.
"Are you the descendant of Chailang?" the old woman asked Huang Yu.
"Wanbei...." Huang Yu glanced at Jinshui, giving himself a chance to digest the meaning behind the question. "Wanbei is the descendant of Chailang," he answered truthfully. "Qianbei is...."
"They have known from the beginning that you are hiding here, "said the old woman. "It's too late to leave now. Come with me."
The old woman led the way into the courtyard, Jinshui and Huang Yu followed cautiously. Wang Wei and Fuchang Long had just been surprised by the arrival of the scholar and Zhu Baique, now three more people were coming.
The members of Liangshan Liu Mo didn't know Jinshui and Huang Yu, but they definitely knew the old woman. The two turned pale instantly, Wang Wei even took a step back.
Zhu Baique also seemed surprised, either because she knew the old woman or because she saw Jinshui and Huang Yu who had come with her. The scholar by her side seemed calm as if he already knew what was going to happen.
"Laoer," the old woman spoke to the scholar, her voice was low and brief, but audible clearly and made Wang Wei and Fuchang Long even paler.
It was as if the scholar had received an order. He slightly smiled at Zhu Baique before stepping into the house where Li Baixun and his victims were. He dragged the pervert out of the house, forcing him to leave his pleasures. The scholar's movements seemed normal, not showing the slightest bit of shrewdness, but he could easily drag Li Baixun, Liangshan Liu Mo's member whose abilities weren't light, threw him unceremoniously in front of the old woman.
"Who is this that dares to disturb your great master's pleasure?" came the sound of Li Baixun babbling. He was still busy pulling his pants, and even completely forgot to put up a fight. His whole life, only one person dared to pull him out of his habit.