A Familiar Foe Returns

Two weeks later, the masters and their disciples arrived back in Cloud City. As they rode into the bustling city, they immediately noticed a stark difference: many strange faces, weary and displaced, thronged the streets. Zhao Renshu, his brow furrowed with concern, parked the carriage in front of the sector base, a familiar haven now filled with unfamiliar sadness.

"Seniors, may I know your name?" the door disciple asked politely, his eyes wide with a mix of respect and curiosity, not recognizing them.

"Are you new here?" Zhao Renshu countered, a hint of surprise in his tone.

"Yes, I arrived two and a half years ago," the door disciple confirmed, a faint blush rising to his cheeks.

"Why are there more people than usual?" Zhao Renshu inquired, looking at the crowds, a deeper understanding dawning on him.

The disciple explained, his voice filled with a hint of helplessness, "These people are currently homeless and have no money to return to their hometown. Their homes have been burnt down, their families have been killed, and Cloud City is the closest city for refuge."

"Cloud City is not a refugee camp," Zhao Renshu stated, a frown deepening on his face, his usual pragmatism clashing with the grim reality.

"It can't be helped, Senior," the disciple replied, a sigh escaping him.

Guo Baiyu, his face etched with sympathy, got out of the carriage. "Although it's not a refugee camp," he murmured, his voice gentle, "at least it can help temporarily."

The disciple added, "Many merchants have also donated things. Brother Tam is going to Peach Blossom Valley, so Shan could call First Master back, as he needs help."

Zhao Renshu was unhappy, a possessive streak emerging. "Why just call him?" he grumbled, gesturing towards Guo Baiyu.

"I don't know," the disciple shrugged, genuinely perplexed. "That's what I heard."

Just then, Tam Liang and Tam Kun walked from the training ground, their faces grim, and hurried to the front door.

"Maybe First Master can figure out a way," Tam Liang said, stopping abruptly, his mind fixed on the problem, causing Tam Kun to walk right into his back with a surprised grunt.

"Why did you stop suddenly, you donkey?!" Tam Kun grumbled, rubbing his nose.

Tam Liang, ignoring his cousin, rushed to the front door, followed by a still-grumbling Tam Kun. The two disciples stopped in front of Guo Baiyu, Zhao Renshu, and Ping'an, their expressions shifting to profound respect. They bowed deeply. "Masters," they chorused. They then turned to Ping'an, their voices soft with reverence. "Shimu."

The door disciple was speechless, his eyes wide as saucers. "I thought these seniors were just visitors!" he stammered, utterly flustered.

Tam Liang, a faint smile playing on his lips, instructed him gently, "Greet the two masters and Shimu properly."

Zhao Renshu smiled at the young teen, a rare, soft warmth in his eyes. "Save it, kid, I don't like others bowing in front of me," he said, waving a dismissive hand.

Guo Baiyu turned to Tam Liang and Tam Kun, his voice serious, eager for details. "Tell me in detail what has happened."

Tam Liang explained, his voice grave, "Two days after Third Master and Teacher Lee left, these people began to appear. They told us that a group of thieves broke into their village, tied them to a tree, kidnapped them, and held them hostage. Some villagers escaped at night, but they don't remember anything specific. Shan assigned Senior Brother an assignment up north to investigate. Second Senior Brother took a group of juniors to the place where the villagers claimed to be held captive, but it's strange that no such place exists on any map."

"Second senior brother only found an open wooden area," Tam Kun added, shaking his head in confusion.

"Give some money to those who have relatives nearby and send them away," Guo Baiyu instructed, his mind already formulating a practical solution.

"You haven't asked me if I'll let you use my money?!" Zhao Renshu grumbled, a possessive edge to his voice, his arms crossing over his chest. "Do you know how many disciples we have to support?" Guo Baiyu, ignoring him, simply walked away with Tam Liang and Tam Kun, already discussing details. Zhao Renshu shouted behind him, "Baiyu! Did you hear what I said?! Damn it!"

Ping'an lightly patted his back, a gentle, amused smile on her face. "Renshu, your cave is full," she teased softly, referring to his vast personal stash of wealth.

"Even if it's full, I earned every single coin of it!" Zhao Renshu grumbled, shaking his head in mock indignation. "If I don't hurry up, Baiyu will use up my savings!"

"Nonsense," Ping'an smiled, shaking her head. "Baiyu won't do that. Remember, he's a businessman; he understands money."

"I don't believe in businessmen," Zhao Renshu countered, a playful cynicism in his eyes. "They like gambling."

The Zhao Renshu and Ping'an, their banter a comforting return to normalcy, followed Guo Baiyu and the two disciples into the sector base.

The next day, under a clear, bright sky, the three masters—Guo Baiyu, Zhao Renshu and Fang Yaoting—along with their six experienced disciples and five inexperienced ones (including Lee Nianzu, Yu Lei, Tian Xiang, Zheng Tingfeng, and Zheng Yaozu), stood staring intently at the wooded area the villagers had described.

"Nothing special," Zhao Renshu observed, his gaze sweeping over the peaceful landscape. "It's a peaceful forest, almost too quiet."

"It's too quiet," Guo Baiyu murmured, his voice low, a sense of unease growing within him. "We should wait until night."

Yang Bao, standing beside his two masters, nodded in agreement. "I thought the same way when I first came to investigate, but it didn't matter if it was day or night; nothing appeared."

Guo Baiyu looked at the five youngest disciples, his gaze gentle and reassuring. "You five have the least experience," he reminded them softly. "Don't be afraid; your seniors are here to guide you."

Fang Yaoting added, "You five, pay close attention to everything."

The five disciples, their faces eager and a little nervous, nodded at their Masters, ready to learn.

Suddenly, Shan's cold voice, tinged with urgency, spoke from directly behind Zhao Renshu, startling him. "Renshu."

"What, Shan?" Zhao Renshu replied, turning swiftly.

"A woman broke into Peach Blossom Valley in the name of Qingyu," Shan reported, his voice devoid of emotion, but the words chilling.

"Qingyu!" Guo Baiyu and Zhao Renshu exclaimed at the same time, their faces paling, recognition dawning.

Guo Baiyu's voice was filled with worried urgency. "The reason we're drawn here is to divert our attention. Her original goal is Ping'an!"

"I am so going to kill her!" Zhao Renshu gritted his teeth, his anger erupting, his hands clenching into fists.

"Everyone, go back!" Guo Baiyu ordered, his voice sharp with command, the plan immediately clear.

As soon as the hunters turned to retreat, a figure materialized in front of them: Hu Qingge. Hu Qingge smiled, a sinister, triumphant expression spreading across her face, directly at Zhao Renshu. "Renshu... I finally found you," she purred, her voice dripping with malice.

Meanwhile, back in the relative safety of Peach Blossom Valley, Ping'an, Shan, and the three Tam disciples sat, diligently distributing money to the displaced people with relatives in nearby towns, helping them to rebuild their lives.

"Shimu," Tam Qiu said, her voice filled with surprise, "I didn't expect Second Master to be so rich!"

"It's not all his," Shan corrected, his voice flat.

"Really?" Tam Kun asked, genuinely surprised, his eyes wide.

"One-third is mine," Shan explained, his voice carrying an ancient weariness, "another third is Master Zhao's, then your masters', and finally other disciples' our sector's communal funds."

"Are you sad," Tam Kun asked, a hint of curiosity, perhaps even insensitivity, in his voice, "that you're a ghost and can't spend your money?"

"Cousin Brother!" Tam Qiu exclaimed, hitting his hand, a sharp rebuke for his thoughtless question.

Shan replied, his voice calm, unfazed. "No, not at all. When I was alive, I didn't like spending money for no reason."

Tam Liang looked at Shan, a thoughtful expression on his face. "I've always been curious; how can you appear in the daytime when other ghosts can't?"

"I cursed myself," Shan confessed, a distant, melancholic look in his eyes, revealing a deeply personal tragedy. "If I could go back in time, I would never have cursed myself."

Tam Liang's eyes widened, excitement building, eager to know the cause of Shan's death. "Tell us!" he urged, leaning forward.

"I was hired by Master Zhao when he was young to look after this place when he was out on hunting trips," Shan began, his voice taking on the cadence of a distant memory. "That year was in the middle of winter, and I fell ill. Master Zhao's return date was unknown. When my days were running out, I sneaked inside Master Zhao's bedroom and stole a soul talisman. I used the soul talisman and cast a spell, sealing my own soul within the mountain. That's why I cannot leave this place; I am bound to it."

"Do you want to leave this place?" Tam Liang asked, feeling a surge of pity for Shan, while also profoundly praising his unwavering loyalty to their Grand Master Zhao.

"I can't," Shan said, his voice tinged with deep regret, a quiet finality in his tone. "This spell cannot be removed."

Immediately afterwards, the sounds of fierce fighting, the clang of metal and shouts, came from outside the front door. Shan's form shimmered, and he disappeared, then reappeared moments later, his face grim.

"What's the matter?" Ping'an asked, her voice sharp with concern, rising to her feet.

"A woman is fighting with some disciples," Shan reported, his voice strained.

Ping'an, her face grim with dawning realization, went out with the three Tam disciples, ready for whatever awaited. It was Qingyu, fiercely fighting against ten disciples, her power evident in the chaos.

Ping'an turned to Shan, her voice sharp with command, making a crucial decision. "Shan, go now! Go to Baiyu and Renshu! Tell them Qingyu is here!"

Shan nodded, his ghostly form shimmering once more, and then he vanished, a desperate messenger.