Chapter 34: Yao Guang Manor

In a prison on Taiqing Island, several unconscious disciples of the Taiqing Immortal Sect lay scattered. Ma Shan, Tang Xiaoyi, and eleven disciples from the Dark Sect had escaped their cage and stood at the prison entrance, watching the icy rain as if waiting for someone.

"Ma Shan, although Chen Ran took advantage of Zhao Yuanjiao's absence to help us escape, we're still on their turf. We should leave before things get worse," Tang Xiaoyi urged, worry etched on his face.

"Humph! If it weren't for your betrayal, we wouldn't have suffered here for months!" Ma Shan shot back, his eyes blazing.

"I explained, it was Chen Hai who betrayed you! I didn't say a word! It has nothing to do with me!" Tang Xiaoyi quickly distanced himself from blame.

"Chen Hai is dead, with no proof. You can say whatever you like!" Ma Shan replied skeptically.

"I really didn't sell everyone out. You have to believe me! Plus, we can leave Taiqing Island right now—why wait?" Tang Xiaoyi pressed.

"Nanfeng has made us suffer for months, and Chen Hai died because of him. I won't rest until I take his life for revenge!" Ma Shan clenched his fists in anger.

"Right! We can't let our suffering go unpunished," the Dark Sect disciples echoed with fierce expressions.

"But we're in Taiqing Island. We're still in danger!" Tang Xiaoyi insisted, trying to reason.

"It's secluded by the sea. Chen Ran will lure Nanfeng here soon; once we kill him, we can leave," Ma Shan confidently declared.

"But can Chen Ran really lure Nanfeng? He's cunning. I have a bad feeling," Tang Xiaoyi replied, anxious.

"Chen Ran is careful and a great actor. He'll definitely bring Nanfeng here," Ma Shan asserted.

"Nanfeng is unusual," Tang Xiaoyi warned, frowning.

"Unusual? Can he even defeat Chen Ran? If I hadn't told Chen Ran to lure Nanfeng, he'd have taken him down already. Do you believe that?" Ma Shan stated confidently.

Just then, a distant cry of agony pierced through the icy rain.

"Help! Someone, help me!" 

The call cut through the storm and reached their ears.

"Is that Chen Ran? He's in trouble! Forget him; let's escape!" Tang Xiaoyi's face turned pale.

"Escape? If Chen Ran is calling for help, it means his captors can't fully restrain him! We have nothing to fear. Let's check it out!" Ma Shan insisted.

Following the cries, they climbed a small hill and soon spotted two figures fighting below.

No, it was no longer a fight; it was a one-sided beating.

Xiao Nanfeng struck with incredible speed, while Chen Ran was beaten to a pulp, letting out a piercing scream.

"What? How can Nanfeng overpower Chen Ran? That's impossible!" Ma Shan exclaimed in disbelief.

"Did I not tell you? Nanfeng is extraordinary. In just a few months, he can defeat someone at the peak of the acquired realm! We should go!" Tang Xiaoyi urged frantically.

Down below, sensing he was about to deliver a fatal kick to Chen Ran, Xiao Nanfeng suddenly looked up and spotted eleven figures on the hill, including the familiar Ma Shan and Tang Xiaoyi.

"More accomplices? Ma Shan and Tang Xiaoyi are here?" Xiao Nanfeng's expression changed as he turned to flee.

"Stop! Don't let him escape!" Ma Shan shouted in alarm.

Ten of them charged down like tigers after Xiao Nanfeng.

Tang Xiaoyi watched them go, his expression shifting between resolve and fear. "I won't be part of this madness again!" he declared before running toward the sea.

"Taiqing Immortal Sect disciples! Dark Sect infiltrators are killing people! Come out and fight!" Xiao Nanfeng yelled as he ran.

However, the remote location, combined with the sound of crashing waves and icy rain, muffled his cries.

"Catch him!" 

The group drew closer through the storm.

Realizing he wouldn't escape along the same path, Xiao Nanfeng dashed into the woods, using the trees to hinder his pursuers.

The ten were close behind, and Xiao Nanfeng could hear their footsteps. He stopped shouting, afraid of revealing his location. After running for a while, he found himself surrounded by a hazy mist.

"Why do I feel like I'm running in circles? Is this some kind of formation?" Xiao Nanfeng thought, frowning.

Ma Shan and the others, seeing the mist, hesitated, but hearing Xiao Nanfeng's footsteps urged them on.

The icy rain soaked Xiao Nanfeng, leaving him cold. After wandering for an hour without escaping the fog, he noticed a manor appearing through the mist, accompanied by a haunting melody.

"Is anyone there? Great!" Xiao Nanfeng rushed toward it.

Regardless of who was inside, if they were Taiqing Immortal Sect disciples, he would be safe.

As he approached the manor, he leaped over the wall without knocking.

"There! He jumped in!" Ma Shan shouted, catching up.

But as they read the plaque on the manor, they all froze, fear gripping them. "Yao Guang Manor? Damn, how did we end up here?" Ma Shan's face paled.

Inside Yao Guang Manor, Xiao Nanfeng found himself enveloped in mist.

"Is anyone here? Help!" he called out, but no one replied. The vast manor was empty.

"An empty house? Then why is there such a sorrowful melody? Is it haunted? Impossible!" Xiao Nanfeng refused to believe it, following the sound.

After searching, he finally located the source of the music in an inner courtyard.

"Is anyone there? I'm Nanfeng from Taiqing Immortal Sect!" he shouted again.

Yet, the haunting music continued without a response.

Taking a deep breath, Xiao Nanfeng pushed open the inner courtyard door.

On the other side, it was as if he had entered another world.

Inside was a steaming hot spring surrounded by vibrant flowers, creating a beautiful and fragrant atmosphere.

As he stepped inside, the warmth enveloped him. Finally, he spotted someone.

Under the eaves of the courtyard sat a woman, lost in her music, playing the Erhu. Her playing resonated with a haunting sadness.

She seemed unaware of Xiao Nanfeng's arrival, completely immersed in her performance. With fair skin, delicate features, and a graceful neck, even with her eyes closed, she exuded an unapproachable nobility in her blue palace robe, surrounded by blooming flowers, like a queen adored by all. Even having seen many beauties in films before, Xiao Nanfeng was taken aback.

"Excuse me, esteemed one. I'm Nanfeng, a new disciple of the Taiqing Immortal Sect. I apologize for intruding. There are Dark Sect infiltrators causing chaos outside. Could you help?" he bowed respectfully.

Yet, the blue-clad woman remained unfazed, continuing to play the Erhu, seemingly oblivious to his presence.

"Can you hear me?" Xiao Nanfeng raised his voice.

No response. She didn't even flinch, remaining lost in her music as he approached.

Xiao Nanfeng stared at her in confusion, then ventured, "If you can't hear, how can you play the Erhu?"

Still, she showed no sign of hearing him. At that moment, Xiao Nanfeng concluded his suspicion.

"Ah! I thought I'd found a great ally, but she's deaf. Impressive, though—she can still play the Erhu despite her disability. No wonder it sounds so off," he sighed, unaware that the woman's face twitched slightly at his words, though she continued playing.

"Esteemed one! Wait! I'm too close now, and if she can't sense me, her cultivation must not be high. She's likely just a junior sister," Xiao Nanfeng murmured to himself.

His voice was low, yet the woman seemed to perceive something. While she showed no outward reaction, a vein appeared on her fair hand as she gripped the Erhu bow tightly.

"Sorry for barging in and interrupting your peace. Don't worry, I'll lead those intruders away, so they won't disrupt your tranquility," Xiao Nanfeng sighed lightly.

Since she couldn't help him, he wouldn't count on her.

Before leaving, he noticed a teapot on a small stove and felt a tug at his heart.

"After running through the rain and cold, I'd like to borrow some tea to warm myself," he said brightly.

Once again, the woman remained silent. Xiao Nanfeng approached the stove, poured himself a cup, and drank deeply.

As he was about to set down the cup, he noticed a bright red lip print on its rim.

A lip print?

Glancing at the woman's vibrant lips, his face turned slightly red. "This must be the cup you used."

"Whatever, I'm not picky. I'll clean it for you," he thought, rinsing it out with rainwater.

Unbeknownst to him, the woman's forehead revealed a slight vein as she was on the verge of exploding with anger.

"This junior sister, I'll lead the Dark Sect away now. Take care!" 

Turning, Xiao Nanfeng stepped out, closing the door behind him.

At that instant, the blue-clad woman suddenly opened her eyes, flames seeming to erupt from her gaze. A tremendous pressure of killing intent surged forth.

Crack! 

The teacup Xiao Nanfeng had used shattered instantly, countless cracks appearing before it burst apart.

In the entire courtyard, the flowers trembled suddenly under the gaze of the woman in blue, closing their petals into buds as if they couldn't withstand the chill emanating from her piercing eyes, trembling in fear. It was evident that she was on the verge of exploding with rage at Xiao Nanfeng.