A cool breeze caused the plum branches to tremble. Blossoms detached from their boughs, their petals drifting skyward on the wind. Some descended into the clear stream, floating downstream toward a tranquil lake. At the lake's center stood a water pavilion, constructed as an exquisitely beautiful gazebo. A winding red bridge connected this structure to the shore.

  A man appeared, walking along the red bridge toward the pavilion. He sat down, calmly admiring the lake's scenery.

  This person was a middle-aged man of great elegance. He wore lustrous silk clothes tailored with exquisite craftsmanship. His long beard was neatly trimmed. His eyes sparkled, and his nose was prominent and bridged, matching his thick, dark eyebrows. His red lips were firm and defined. His imposing stature exuded an air of strength. At his waist hung a jade tablet carved with the character “Han.” This jade tablet alone was enough for martial artists all over the land to recognize him. He was no ordinary man, but a figure towering like a mountain—one as high as the heavens. This person could be no one else but Heaven-Equaling Peak, Han Zhaoming, who was likened to the leader of the martial world at this time.

  For a figure of Han Zhaoming's stature to visit this pavilion alone was unusual. Yet, how could the actions of a martial world leader be without purpose? He had come alone for an appointment. The person he was meeting held a reputation as great as Han's own mountain-like alias. This person was The Blood Hawk, Diao Zhufan. Their reputations were bound together in the phrase: “One Supreme Mountain, Two Red Hawks Soaring the Sky. Sweeping eyes across the land, finding no equal.” Thus, the actions of the two often affected each other in peculiar ways.

  Currently, The Blood Hawk, Diao Zhufan, was rampaging, throwing the martial world into turmoil. By protecting the reputation of the Merry Meanderer, Jin Tianwang, Diao Zhufan had declared himself an enemy of the Virtue Association. This was a grave matter. Han Zhaoming could not remain idle. Therefore, he had arranged to meet Diao Zhufan at this water pavilion.

  Heaven-Equaling Peak, Han Zhaoming, was born into a family of unparalleled prestige, renowned throughout the martial world. His father was a supreme expert at the Martial Deity level. With such a birthright, he deserved the opportunity to hold the position of Martial World Leader. Yet, as a hot-blooded youth, he possessed a brave and resilient heart. He did not rely on his family's name to boast or domineer. Instead, he traveled the martial world alone. Relying on his own skills, he single-handedly suppressed many bandit camps and mountain thieves. The martial world came to know Han Zhaoming's reputation and skill long before knowing he was the heir of a great man.

  But of all the legends Han Zhaoming had created, none was greater than leading martial artists to storm the Mocking Heaven Sect. He personally killed The Stone Fiend, Shi Wusha, securing victory for the Virtue Association over the Mocking Heaven Sect. This was comparable to a victory of the righteous faction over the evil faction. Thus, fourteen years ago, Han Zhaoming was a shining star in the martial world with no equal.

  While waiting, Han Zhaoming pondered various matters. Last winter, he had turned fifty. He was no longer in the prime of his hot-blooded youth. He needed a successor to inherit his position. He was determined not to choose from his own subordinates to avoid criticism. Instead, Han Zhaoming intended to select from young experts in the martial world with stellar reputations to succeed him as Chief of the Virtue Association. For many years, Han Zhaoming had planned for this and had supported a few young experts from the start.

  Mute Sword, Yang Songwei, was the number one choice in Han Zhaoming's eyes. Yang Songwei was considered a genius. Aside from the internal energy technique inherited from a mysterious expert, all his sword and boxing techniques were self-invented. This young man's swordplay focused on precision. He possessed great patience, disliking to draw his sword easily. Moreover, his perseverance far exceeded that of ordinary people. The only drawback was his humble background. It was feared that martial artists from established families would not respect him and would look down on his lowly birth.

  Thus, The Absolute Jade, Di Yuning, was another important candidate. The Di family was originally of the official class with immense wealth, and he was the prime disciple of The Six Decrees, Pei Chengyue. Skills inherited from a supreme expert at the Martial Deity level would certainly not be doubted. This young man was not only excellent in martial arts but also possessed a beautiful appearance. However, people with such privileged backgrounds often lacked patience and became reckless in difficult situations. It was also difficult for them to understand the mindset of ordinary martial artists, most of whom came from humble beginnings. Nevertheless, since martial artists were scattered into factions and fought constantly, being accepted by the great families seemed more important. In this light, Di Yuning was suitable in many aspects.

  However, there were still many other young experts. If using the traditional method of selecting the one with the highest skills, one would have to include the Young Master of the North, Ke Daobing; The Reckless Blade, Li Sibei; the Drunken Scholar, Ou Xiatian; One Word Ends Life, Ouyang Laobai; or even the Destitute Wanderer, Kang Kang, and the Merry Meanderer, Jin Tianwang. It was hard to say who possessed the highest skills. But regarding these other experts, Han Zhaoming could not see how they would be suitable for the position of Chief of the Virtue Association.

  For Han Zhaoming, the Ke family was merely a merchant clan lucky enough to grow rich from livestock. Their skills in hidden weapons and archery, though formidable, could not be called supreme arts. Therefore, Ke Daobing was not suitable.

  As for Li Sibei, he might be the most skilled among his generation. But a shameless man lusting after sensual pleasures like Li Sibei, even with formidable skills, had no qualifications to be the Chief of the Virtue Association. Therefore, Li Sibei was not suitable.

  Then what about Ou Xiatian ? Despite a respectable background and having passed the official exams, a wine demon like him could hardly be entrusted with the hopes of the martial world. Therefore, Ou Xiatian was not suitable.

  When Ouyang Laobai's name arose, everyone knew there were no good people in the Ouyang clan. As a pirate clan, they were inherently devoid of virtue. Thus, Ouyang Laobai was not suitable and certainly could not be involved with the Virtue Association.

  As for Kang Kang, he was too mysterious. No one truly knew him. Was he a disciple of the Beggar Sect or not? Therefore, Kang Kang was not suitable.

  Finally, someone like Jin Tianwang, who had a kind heart, was merely an uncultured man of the hills lacking literacy. Therefore, Jin Tianwang was not suitable.

  Han Zhaoming considered the successor to his position, yet it was as if he were creating conditions for finding a son-in-law. Just then, a gust of wind suddenly arose.

  The gust caused the surroundings to tremble, and a large man appeared. He had a beard reaching his chest, eyes projecting immense power, a high nose bridge, straight thick eyebrows, and an elegant, upright posture. In his hand, he held a blade. On the scabbard was an image of a hawk spreading its wings, refusing to submit to anyone. This person could be no one else but The Blood Hawk, Diao Zhufan.

  Han Zhaoming and Diao Zhufan, two living legends, met at the water pavilion.

  “Brother Diao, long time no see. I trust you are well?” Han Zhaoming greeted, performing a respectful and elegant salutation. His eyes sparkled with the respect he held for the other.

  “Brother Han, it has been many years. You seem to have aged considerably,” Diao Zhufan greeted in return. But his words carried a teasing tone amidst the calm of his respectful gesture.

  “How can I not age? Once a martial artist enters the martial world, one revolves around the chaos of martial affairs,” Han Zhaoming replied in a low voice, narrowing his eyes slightly, reflecting the weariness of his path.

  “One chooses their own path; why must one remain circled by chaos?” Diao Zhufan smiled faintly, looking up at the peaceful lake, implying he had chosen to escape the troubles of the martial world.

  “In that case, shall we both perform a ceremony to retire from the martial world together?” Han Zhaoming asked with intent. Despite Diao Zhufan's words, he still saw fighting in the martial world as unavoidable.

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  “When I entered the martial world, I didn't beat a gong or shout to tell anyone. When leaving, why must I announce it?” Diao Zhufan gave a cryptic answer, as if his life was a private matter not for public consumption.

  “Whether there is a ceremony or not is unimportant. But we are both old. We should wash our hands of the martial world,” Han Zhaoming said firmly. He knew well that neither of them could deny the passage of time.

  “Or is it that for many years, I haven't actually washed my hands of the martial world?” Diao Zhufan raised his eyebrows. His demeanor was full of challenge, intending to make Han Zhaoming realize his actions.

  “But why did the fight at Wei City happen with you leading the killing?” Han Zhaoming asked, his voice turning murky with dissatisfaction.

  “Jin Tianwang was framed by your daughter as a rapist-thief. What do you truly think is appropriate?” Diao Zhufan spoke of the incident casually, but with a hint of amusement.

  “The affairs of young people, how can we be involved?” Diao Zhufan answered with a shrug, seemingly indifferent.

  “Your daughter has gone too far,” Han Zhaoming said sternly. His temper boiling, he spoke of Diao Zhufan's daughter.

  “In that case, I will call Yuexin to tell the whole truth and perform a ceremony to apologize to Jin Tianwang. How about that?” Han Zhaoming said, pressuring himself. He intended to solve this in his own way.

  “Can you really instruct and force a daughter like her?” Diao Zhufan replied with a smile that softened slightly, though his tone remained profound.

  “Although my daughter is somewhat self-willed, I believe she cannot be stubborn against her father's words,” Han Zhaoming sighed with anxiety, knowing he could not fully control her.

  “Your daughter framed him as a rapist-thief. A mere apology won't end everything,” Diao Zhufan said, widening his eyes to emphasize the irreversible facts.

  “Actually, Brother Diao, what is your opinion?” Han Zhaoming asked, frowning. He wanted a clear answer.

  “Since Jin Tianwang is infatuated with your daughter, why don't we encourage the two to marry?” Diao Zhufan smiled. Although teasing, he tried to deflect the tension.

  Han Zhaoming sighed with dissatisfaction. Resentful, he said firmly, “Do you truly only know how to speak like this? How is Jin Tianwang worthy of my daughter?”

  “Why is he not worthy? What do you want? Jewelry and silver?” Diao Zhufan replied coldly and challengingly, provoking Han Zhaoming's anger.

  “How could my granddaughter be wed to such a hillbilly?” A resonant voice came from the winding red bridge, accompanied by another middle-aged man walking toward the pavilion.

  This middle-aged man was actually over eighty years old, yet appeared to be fifty or sixty. With a majestic demeanor, he wore excellent marten fur clothes. He had an oval face, eyes sparkling with life, and thick straight eyebrows. His skin remained taut. He walked with hands clasped behind his back, his steps light as if flying.

  “Father...” Han Zhaoming exclaimed, surprised to see his father there.

  Han Zhaoming's father was none other than Han Xiaozhi, alias The Sage of the Eight Corners, one of the Three Martial Deities.

  Seeing Han Xiaozhi, Diao Zhufan showed no respect. He laughed, “So it is Senior Han. I mistakenly thought the old man had left this world.”

  “Ha ha, little kid, dog mouth, really cannot speak good words,” Han Xiaozhi said. He suddenly flicked his sleeve, unleashing a surge of internal energy toward Diao Zhufan.

  The intense energy rushed at Diao Zhufan, but he paid it no heed, striking out a palm to clash directly.

  “Bang.” The sound of their internal energies colliding rang out.

  Diao Zhufan pivoted his wrist and struck back, sending intense internal energy rushing toward Han Xiaozhi.

  Han Xiaozhi was renowned for having the strongest internal energy in the martial world, yet Diao Zhufan dared to break it. Considering this a challenge, Han Xiaozhi flicked his left sleeve to neutralize the force, while rolling his right sleeve to strike again.

  A smile seemed to play on Diao Zhufan's lips. He flicked his hand to draw his blade. A dark red ray rushed toward the sleeve's energy, slicing right through it. Han Xiaozhi had to reveal the Qilin arm guard hidden in his sleeve to block the blade ray, causing it to bounce off. He shouted in anger, “Little kid, today let's fight to the death.”

  Diao Zhufan said no more. He merely spun his blade in a circle, shifting into a ready stance.

  Han Zhaoming intervened to stop them. “What is with you two? Upon meeting, you grab weapons to kill each other.”

  The older Han Xiaozhi got, the hotter his temper. He swept his palm out. Before it could strike, Han Zhaoming grabbed his father's wrist, saying displeasingly, “Father.”

  “Let go. If I don't teach this kid to know good and bad, how will he understand what is high and what is low?” Han Xiaozhi shouted.

  “I have traveled constantly. What is high and what is low, how could I not know? This place has the Senior; I fear it might not be very high,” Diao Zhufan teased.

  Han Zhaoming continued to hold Han Xiaozhi back. Without looking back, he said, “Brother Diao, please leave first.”

  Diao Zhufan laughed disdainfully before leaping from the pavilion. With superb lightness skill, in just a breath, he reached the forest edge. Feeling someone stalking him, he stopped. “Since you followed, why not appear?”

  Two young men walked out. The leader carried a sword in his right hand. His face was clean-cut, nose high, eyes deep, and eyebrows thick. He pursed his lips into a straight line. His stature was tall, almost equal to Diao Zhufan. Following behind was another young man. One glance gave the impression that his very skin radiated light. He had a shapely oval face, with eyebrows and eyes harmonizing like a wise sage. His nose was bridged perfectly, and his lips were red as if painted. He was handsome as a celestial being.

  Diao Zhufan recognized them as Mute Sword, Yang Songwei, and The Absolute Jade, Di Yuning. Both stood before him and clasped their hands in salutation.

  “This lowly one is named Di Yuning.”

  “I am Yang Songwei.”

  Diao Zhufan liked Yang Songwei's strong manner, for Di Yuning reminded him of a woman. “Heroes are born in their prime. Young experts like you, what words do you have for this old hawk?”

  “We traveled here hoping to inquire about the Merry Meanderer, Jin Tianwang,” Di Yuning spoke, as Yang Songwei remained silent.

  “You want to find Jin Tianwang.”

  “Correct. This lowly one is searching for Jin Tianwang.”

  “You also want to frame Tianwang as a rapist-thief?”

  “No. But the Virtue Association discovered that Jin Tianwang is associating with a group of mysterious people. Their origin is unknown, but they possess skilled martial arts. They move mysteriously. We are suspicious and wish to speak with Master Jin.”

  Diao Zhufan understood immediately. The group must be the Nine Cats. How were they villains? Angered, he said, “What makes them mysterious? Stalking people like this—aren't you villains as well?”

  “The mysterious group comes and goes without a trace. The Virtue Association tried to inquire about them, but they used fierce skills against us.”

  “What is this Virtue Association? Do you think yourselves government officials, entitled to inquire about everyone's background?”

  Yang Songwei knew Diao Zhufan was threatening them. Though he admired the senior, he refused to show weakness. He puffed out his chest and stepped forward.

  “Heh heh, little kid, you are too bold,” Diao Zhufan said, drawing his red-shining blade.

  Yang Songwei drew his sword and thrust it out even before the blade circle appeared.

  Diao Zhufan was a supreme expert. With a flick of his blade in a half-circle, he countered the thrust. Facing the hawk's intense internal energy, the young swordsman had to retreat.

  Di Yuning could not wait. He flicked the flexible sword hidden at his belt, thrusting at Diao Zhufan to subdue him. But they underestimated him.

  Diao Zhufan rotated his wrist, creating a concise arc of blade-light that cut through the air toward the flexible sword. However, upon contact, the flexible power of Di Yuning's sword absorbed the force. Diao Zhufan realized this young man with a feminine face had skills deeper and more subtle than Yang Songwei. No longer holding back, he accelerated his internal energy, slashing from all directions to prevent being encircled.

  Yang Songwei was in disarray, blocking the numerous blade circles with his sword.

  Di Yuning used footwork to change patterns but was forced to retreat continuously.

  Diao Zhufan chose to defeat Yang Songwei first, believing his path was inferior to pure power. Once Di Yuning retreated, Diao Zhufan leaped toward Yang Songwei. But unexpectedly, Yang Songwei's sword shot out like a rainbow across the sky. Even Diao Zhufan was alarmed, leaning back but still losing a clump of hair.

  Yang Songwei seized the chance to counterattack, changing from thrust to slash. But Diao Zhufan's slash was deeper and stronger, forcing him to retreat.

  Di Yuning used the opening to execute a move named “Falling Willow Leaves,” his flexible sword creating numerous shadows.

  Diao Zhufan handled them cautiously. Seeing the bizarre move, he turned the blade in his right hand and struck out with his left palm. The sound of tearing air rushed toward Di Yuning.

  Di Yuning thought Diao Zhufan was only skilled in blade play and didn't expect such a palm strike. He threw himself aside, crashing onto the ground to dodge.

  Yang Songwei rolled his sword to thrust but stopped mid-move and sheathed his weapon.

  Diao Zhufan was surprised.

  “I, Yang Songwei, do not intend to use shameful methods to win.”

  “This kid knows who you are. I, the Old Hawk, how could I fear your coordinated attack?”

  “Brother Yang, if we cannot capture Senior Diao, how will we have further clues?”

  Yang Songwei said nothing more and walked away.

  Di Yuning, a former high official's descendant, estimated himself correctly. Even together they couldn't win; alone, he had no confidence. He hurriedly apologized. “Apologies that Di Yuning offended the Senior today. I hope the Senior holds no grudge.” He ran after Yang Songwei.

  Diao Zhufan watched Yang Songwei with pleasure at his pride. Comparing him to Jin Tianwang, he felt they were very different; Yang Songwei was full of pride, while Jin Tianwang lacked it. Thinking of Di Yuning, he laughed. “This kid really knows how to speak shamelessly. Old Pei must be truly senile to choose a disciple who is neither man nor woman.” Murmuring this, he headed northwest.