Chapter 52: The Roadblock

The sky had grown dark, and after some thought, Mu Qingnan stepped once more into the Jade Spring Pavilion.

Upon learning his identity, the madam quickly ushered him inside a room.

Mu Qingnan instructed her to summon Dong Yun, then poured himself some tea from the table and began to drink.

Before long, a beautiful woman entered.

Mu Qingnan looked at Dong Yun, scratched his head, and smiled, “Miss Dong Yun, that Ge Peng suddenly fled. Once I find my elder brother, I’ll go teach him a lesson.”

“Master Mu, there’s no need to be so polite. I am deeply grateful that you stood up for me,” Dong Yun said shyly from the side.

Glancing at the time, Mu Qingnan stood up. “It’s quite late; I’ll head back for now. I’ll come see you again tomorrow.”

With Dong Yun accompanying him to the door, he left the Jade Spring Pavilion.

Back at the inn, he found Yu Qi sitting on the bed, cultivating, so he chose not to disturb him.

However, Yu Qi had noticed him the moment he entered. Opening his eyes, he asked, “Qingnan, where have you been? Why are you so late?”

“Big brother, I was bored, so naturally, I went to listen to a little song,” Mu Qingnan chuckled. He approached Yu Qi with a mysterious expression and said, “Guess what I gained?”

Yu Qi looked at him and asked, “What?”

“I’ve entered the ‘Perception of Subtleties’ realm.”

“Perception of Subtleties?” Yu Qi’s expression faltered briefly before he burst into laughter.

Mu Qingnan’s advancement into this stage was a testament to his talent, and Yu Qi felt genuinely happy for him.

“By the way, big brother, tomorrow I’ll take you to meet someone. It was she who helped me enter Perception of Subtleties,” Mu Qingnan recalled Dong Yun and smiled. With Yu Qi’s help, he wouldn’t have to worry about Ge Peng escaping once they found him.

“Who is she?” Yu Qi’s curiosity was piqued.

Mu Qingnan maintained his air of mystery. “You’ll find out tomorrow.”

Night passed.

After a light breakfast the next morning, Mu Qingnan led Yu Qi outside.

Yu Qi was curious about the person Mu Qingnan mentioned; someone capable of helping another break through to Perception of Subtleties must be extraordinary.

Soon, Mu Qingnan brought Yu Qi to the entrance of the Jade Spring Pavilion.

Frowning, Yu Qi asked, “Qingnan, why have you brought me here?”

Though he had never interacted with women before, Yu Qi harbored a strong aversion to those who sold their virtue.

“Big brother, don’t worry. She performs her art without selling herself. Besides, she was the one who helped me enter Perception of Subtleties. I promised her a favor I can’t fulfill without you,” Mu Qingnan pleaded earnestly. Despite Yu Qi’s reluctance, Mu Qingnan pulled him inside.

As they entered, a woman approached and bowed. “Master Mu, Miss Dong Yun is waiting. Please follow me.”

She led them to an elegant chamber on the second floor. “Miss Dong Yun is inside. I will take my leave now.”

Mu Qingnan pushed open the door and stepped inside, with Yu Qi trailing behind, his curiosity growing as he took in the surroundings.

His gaze was soon drawn to a woman seated in the center of the room, dressed in a white gown.

Her skin was as pale as snow, her features exquisite, and her long black hair cascading over her shoulders. Yu Qi admitted that none of the women he had ever known could compare to her beauty.

“Master Mu, you’re here,” Dong Yun’s voice was as melodious as a zither, utterly captivating.

“Miss Dong Yun, let me introduce you to my elder brother, Yu Qi. He’s much stronger than I am. With him here, your revenge will be assured,” Mu Qingnan said, pulling Yu Qi to a seat nearby.

Dong Yun then turned her gaze to Yu Qi. Though less handsome than Mu Qingnan, he was refined in appearance, yet his eyes were icy cold as they met hers.

Yu Qi was taken aback by Mu Qingnan’s words and asked with some doubt, “Revenge?”

Only then did Mu Qingnan recount the events of the previous day.

After hearing the story, Yu Qi’s anger flared. “He deserves to die!”

The Vulture Sect had long coveted Mu Qingnan’s fortune and sought to eliminate them. Now, learning of Ge Peng's misdeeds, Yu Qi’s hatred for the sect intensified.

Rising, he strode toward the door. “Qingnan, let’s go find Ge Peng.”

Seeing Yu Qi’s cold demeanor, Mu Qingnan awkwardly smiled at Dong Yun. “Miss Dong Yun, don’t mind him. He always acts so cold toward outsiders.”

With that, he hastened out, and Dong Yun rose as well.

She approached Yu Qi and earnestly requested, “Young Master Yu, if you defeat Ge Peng, would you entrust his life to me?”

Yu Qi paused, meeting the fierce anger gleaming in her eyes.

Such hatred for the murder of a loved one resonated with him. He nodded. “I will.”

Stepping out of the Jade Spring Pavilion, Mu Qingnan asked, “Miss Dong Yun, do you know where Ge Peng is?”

“He wouldn’t have returned to the Vulture Sect last night. Today, he should be heading back. We’ll lie in wait along the road outside the city. We’re sure to encounter him there.” Her words carried a chilling resolve, fueled by the prospect of avenging her grievance.

Following her lead, they left Anli County and ambushed themselves along the only road leading back to the Vulture Sect.

As time passed, the sun blazed ever brighter. Mu Qingnan, hiding in the bushes, grew restless. “That damn Ge Peng! Why is he taking so long? Miss Dong Yun, do you think he might have taken another route?”

Dong Yun shook her head. “There is only one road to the Vulture Sect. If he comes out, he will pass here.”

In truth, her patience was wearing thin as well. The heat and the swarming insects in the forest made the wait unbearable. Were it not for her thirst for revenge, she might have given up long ago.

Just as Mu Qingnan was about to speak, Yu Qi made a silencing gesture. “Someone’s coming. It should be Ge Peng. Qingnan, stay here and protect Dong Yun.”

With that, Yu Qi leapt to the center of the road, drawing out his Frostbite Blade, his eyes coldly fixed ahead.

Ge Peng strode along the path, asking Chen Ping, “Are you sure they came this way?”

Chen Ping patted his chest. “Young master, rest assured. My men overheard Dong Yun’s conversation with them at the Jade Spring Pavilion’s entrance. This is definitely the road back to the Vulture Sect.”

A sinister smile crossed Ge Peng’s face. “Dong Yun, Dong Yun… I dared not touch you at the Jade Spring Pavilion, but now that you’ve come out yourself, after I kill Mu Qingnan, you’ll be mine.”

Thoughts of Dong Yun’s beautiful face set a fire burning low in his belly. He and his men quickened their pace.

But soon, they halted, for before them stood a cold, sword-wielding man.