Shanghe Village

Mu Qing and Murong Yu had just reached the riverbank in Shanghe Village when they ran into Aunt Zhang, who had just returned from the fields.

Aunt Zhang was pleasantly surprised to see Mu Qing and said, "Young Master Mu Qing, come on, let's go to Auntie's house for a visit."

Mu Qing: "Okay."

Mu Qing asked about the sweet potatoes on the way and learned that they were found in Xiling Mountain. They were only found in that one place in the mountain and had already been dug up. As for whether there were any in other places, Aunt Zhang did not know.

Having obtained the information he wanted, Mu Qing did not linger. He bid farewell to Granny Zhang and took Murong Yu to Xiling Mountain.

Xiling Mountain

By the mountain spring, Shadow and Ghost were still locked in a standoff. Ghost roamed around Shadow, constantly firing poisoned darts to wear him down. Shadow stood still, parrying, but he was nearly exhausted. His movements slowed, and Ghost seized the opportunity to fire five poisoned darts at Shadow. Shadow dodged four, but the fifth struck his left leg, causing him to kneel, sword in hand. Shadow pulled out the poisoned dart and sealed the pressure points on his leg.

Seeing that Ying had been hit by a hidden weapon, Zhang Huaien became anxious and accidentally knocked over a nearby stone, making a sound.

"Who?" came the rough, hoarse voice of Gui Ming.

Ying knew that since Gui Ming had discovered someone behind him, Zhang Huaien's only hope of survival was to kill Gui Ming.

Thinking of this, he channeled his inner energy and attacked Gui Ming. Seeing this, Gui Ming laughed loudly, "It seems there really is someone, someone you care about. Today I'll send you both to the Yellow Springs, hahaha..."

"You dare to use your internal energy even after being hit by a poisoned dart? Looks like you don't want to live. I want to see who it is that would make someone as emotionless as you protect them with your life." With that, he flew towards where Zhang Huaien was hiding. Ying flew to block him, her own wounds multiplying.

Hu Er looked in the direction of the bluestone, then turned to Hu Dadao: "Big Brother..."

Although it wasn't explicitly stated, Hu Da understood that Hu Er wanted to save that person.

Hu Er: "Brother, if Gui Ming wins, we'll probably never be able to leave the Assassination Pavilion in our lifetime, and..." What he didn't say was that they didn't help Gui Ming kill Ying this time, and given Gui Ming's temperament, he was probably already holding a grudge.

In just a short while, the Shadow Poison took effect, black blood flowed from the corner of his mouth, and he was too weak to get up.

Seeing Ying's disheveled state, Gui Ming wasn't in a hurry to kill him. Instead, he mocked, "Tsk tsk tsk, Ying, do you know how pathetic you look right now?" As he spoke, he kicked Ying on the ground. Ying was kicked so hard that he coughed up another mouthful of blood.

Zhang Huaien couldn't help but call out to stop them, "Stop!"

Seeing that Ying's body was tense and he was struggling to get up, Gui Ming turned around and attacked Zhang Huaien. Ying wanted to stop him but was too weak to get up. Just as he was about to be caught, Hu Da took him aside first.

Gui Ming roared in fury, "Hu Da, what do you want to do?"

Hu Da didn't say anything, but simply raised the sword in his hand. Hu San walked to Hu Da's side.

Zhang Huaien rushed anxiously to Ying's side. Ying relaxed her tightly pursed lips when she saw him. Hu Er walked over and said, "Let's help him over there first." As he spoke, he and Zhang Huaien helped Ying to a tree away from the mountain spring.

Hu Da, Hu San, and Gui Ming were locked in a fierce battle. Gui Ming, no match for the combined attack of the other two, was quickly and severely injured, collapsing to the ground. Seeing no hope of escape, Gui Ming made a desperate move, pulling out a treasured poison bomb and throwing it. Although Hu Da and Hu San immediately held their breath and retreated several steps, they still inadvertently caught a little air and coughed up blood as they stopped. The two raised their hands to seal the acupoints on their chests, preventing the poison from entering their heart meridians.