Chapter Forty-Two: The Liu Family Fortress

He went downstairs.

At last, the inn’s front hall was back to normal this morning, with quite a few guests enjoying their breakfast. Ye Sansi had little appetite, and quietly said to Taiyi, “Taiyi, the inn’s food doesn’t look very appetizing. Why don’t we stroll through the streets and try some snacks? What do you think?”

“Of course, but Sansi, aren’t you the one who always finds every meal delicious? Why are you suddenly picky about the inn’s food? Street snacks might not fill you up,” Taiyi replied.

Ye Sansi smiled, scratched his head, and admitted, “I don’t know why, but I just don’t feel hungry.”

With that, the two left the inn and headed toward the marketplace. From afar, a faint voice called out, “Sanshi, Taiyi, where are you?” “Young Master Ye, Young Master Li, where are you?”

Sansi stopped abruptly, excitement lighting his face. “It’s Lingshuang and Nian’er!”

“What?” The call was so faint that Taiyi didn’t notice it. “Sansi, where? I don’t see Lingshuang and the others. Are you just missing them so much that you’re imagining things?”

“No, it’s their voices from afar. Lingshuang is looking for us, I’m sure. Come, follow me.”

Sansi led Taiyi toward the sound, quickening his pace. As they drew closer, Taiyi finally heard the voices. They turned a corner and saw the backs of two young women, dressed in beautiful new clothes, their figures slender and graceful, walking ahead and calling out for Sansi and Taiyi.

“Lingshuang!” Ye Sansi shouted.

The girl heard him, whirled around, and caught sight of Sansi. Her eyes were first dazed, then bright with joy, and a hint of tears shimmered in them. She rushed over, threw her arms around Sansi, and hugged him so tightly that Sansi staggered back several steps. Lingshuang clung to him, pounding his back, her voice trembling with emotion and tears. “You wild thing! You really are infuriating, leaving without a word. You had us so worried!”

Ye Sansi gently patted Lingshuang’s shoulder. “Lingshuang, you’ve gotten lighter. Haven’t you been eating well?”

Lingshuang pushed Sansi away and turned her back, twisting playfully. “Lighter? As if you’re always hugging me. Hmph.”

Nian’er approached and bowed politely. “Young Master Ye, Young Master Li, I’m so glad you’re safe. Lingshuang and I were truly worried. She hasn’t slept well for days.”

Lingshuang grabbed Nian’er, turned back, and made a face at Sansi. “Don’t listen to Nian’er’s nonsense. I wasn’t worried about you two at all, humph. You went off to do big things without telling me, left us behind. I’m angry!”

Nian’er covered her mouth and laughed. “Young Master Ye, Young Master Li, as soon as Lingshuang heard you’d arrived, she arranged a meal. You haven’t eaten yet, have you? Why don’t we eat and talk?”

Entering the Liu Family Fortress, their eyes were drawn to the martial training grounds, vast and impressive. On the field, a group of youths practiced swordsmanship, their discipline and bearing awe-inspiring.

The four bypassed the training ground and entered the inner courtyard, arriving at the dining hall. Inside, a large table could seat over a dozen, but today only Ye Sansi, Li Taiyi, Liu Lingshuang, and Lin Nian’er were present.

They took their seats, and dish after delicious dish was served, many of which Ye Sansi had never seen before, each exquisitely prepared. He picked up a piece, tasted it, chewing and nodding with praise.

Liu Lingshuang watched Sansi eat with such delight that her eyes curved like crescent moons. Yet, Sansi only tasted a bit of each dish. Just as Lingshuang was about to serve him more rice, Sansi quickly stopped her. “Lingshuang, I won’t eat rice. After tasting these dishes, I’m already full.”

“Full? Who are you fooling? You’re full from just these? Is it that the food here doesn’t suit your taste? I’ll have someone prepare a meal from Qingyang for you right away. You’ve come to the Liu Family Fortress, you must eat your fill.”

Ye Sansi waved his hand. “It’s not that. The food is truly delicious, but somehow, I haven’t felt hungry since this morning. Just a bit fills me up. Maybe it’s because of that heavenly tribulation?”

Lingshuang asked, “Heavenly tribulation? What tribulation?”

Taiyi explained to Lingshuang what had happened after they parted ways, recounting the events he and Ye Sansi had experienced.

After hearing it all, Liu Lingshuang edged closer to Sansi and asked softly, “Yi Nü? Is she pretty? Prettier than me?”

Taiyi laughed. “Lingshuang, where are your priorities? The main thing is that Sansi faced the heavenly tribulation and fused with Nüwa’s spiritual power.”

Liu Lingshuang laughed. “Haha, I know. Sansi is truly formidable now—holding out against an armored siege for so long, defeating thirty ironclads alone, resisting the heavenly tribulation. He’s not the wild boy he once was.”

They chatted and laughed. Taiyi asked, “Lingshuang, how did you know we’d come to Lingzhou City?”

“I couldn’t sleep this morning and was walking in the courtyard. I heard a dragon’s roar, looked up, and recognized it as Tian Nu. So I asked Nian’er to come out and search with me. Honestly, now that you’re in Lingzhou City, why stay at an inn and not come to Liu Family Fortress?”

Taiyi asked, “By the way, Lingshuang, I wanted to ask—what’s going on in Lingzhou City? It’s so strange.”

Liu Lingshuang waved her hand. “It’s not just Lingzhou City. All of Lingzhou is like this. That’s why the Lingjian River crossing is closed.”

“What’s happened?”

Nian’er explained, “It’s a monster, extremely powerful. Anyone affected by its sorcery falls under its control, losing their mind. The worst part is that this spell spreads like a plague, turning entire villages into puppets. The journey into the city was perilous, but the elders of Liu Family Fortress found us and brought us back.”

Ye Sansi slapped the table. “What a hateful monster! Why not just destroy it? How can it be allowed to harm the people like this?”

Lingshuang sighed. “It’s not so easy to destroy. My five grandfathers search for it every day but haven’t seen a trace, and must always be on guard against infection.”

Taiyi frowned. “Even the five elders can’t resist this plague?”

“They can’t. My eldest grandfather tried contact—the plague invaded his body, and he lost control, consciousness gone. Luckily, we were prepared and forced the plague out in time. This epidemic is truly dangerous. My father ordered Lingzhou and the Lingjian River crossing sealed to prevent it spreading, but even after half a month, things haven’t improved.”

Taiyi turned to Sansi. “Sansi, you’re usually clever and resourceful. Do you have any ideas to help Lingzhou with this plague?”

Ye Sansi shook his head helplessly. “I don’t know either. You said Lingshuang’s five grandfathers are immortals—if even they can’t solve it, what can we do?”

Lingshuang agreed. “Exactly. Even the elders can’t trace the monster’s movements. What can ordinary people do? Just stay safe in Lingzhou City—this place is secure. Outside the city, Liu Family Fortress guards can recognize puppets and dispel the plague. Here, you’re safe.”

After a pause, Lingshuang continued, “The only worry is that the puppets might sneak into the city at night, spreading the plague. So when night falls, everyone stays in, so our guards can spot any puppets.”

They finished eating early, leaving much of the food untouched. After chatting for a while, they left the dining hall.

There was little they could do about the epidemic, so for now, they could only remain in Liu Family Fortress.

Taiyi suggested, “I saw a group of youths practicing martial arts. Who are they?”

“They’re the Liu Family soldiers. Actually, my father has always wanted to preserve our family’s martial arts. Though the Liu family has many descendants, most only learn lesser branches. I’m his only daughter, and he worries the orthodox martial arts might be lost. Now, with this epidemic, he’s recruited capable youths from across Lingzhou, teaching them the lesser arts to defend our home. He’ll choose the best to adopt as a son and pass on the orthodox style.”

Taiyi laughed. “Could we learn the Liu Family martial arts?”

“Of course! Then I’ll be your senior, and Nian’er as well. Haha, my father is something else—he wouldn’t let me train much before, and now I’m teaching others as the junior. Not very satisfying. What about you, Sansi?”

“Certainly, Senior Sister Lingshuang.”

“Haha, good!”

The four strolled past the training ground, where disciples continued their practice. Truly, it felt like a great sect. The Liu Family Fortress had always been full of experts; Liu Zhen cherished talent and had recruited many heroes from across the land. With so many Liu descendants raised in martial arts, the fortress held its place in the world.

Now, with new disciples, it was like adding wings to a tiger.

Suddenly, the disciples withdrew. Sansi wondered, “What’s happened? Is it over already? I haven’t watched long enough to learn any moves.”

“I don’t know either. It’s still early—why are they finished so soon?”

Ye Sansi and his companions entered the training ground, far larger than the hall in Qingyang City, able to accommodate hundreds training at once.

As they talked, a man suddenly leaped out and ambushed Sansi. Sansi easily dodged with his Fiery Pursuit and Feather Capture steps, while an elder blocked the others.

The man drew his sword and lunged at Sansi, who kept dodging. He opened his palm and Tian Nu appeared in his hand.

The two fought, moving to the center of the training ground.

Sansi countered with Thirteen Fiery Pursuit Swords—each strike fierce and swift—but the man’s skill and strength were superior.

The thirteen swords couldn’t break through, but Sansi realized the man didn’t bother to counter them, launching his own attack instead. Sansi had to dodge, and the thirteen swords were broken.

The man’s sword flashed repeatedly, mere shadows to normal eyes, but Sansi was different. Having mastered the Eight Treasures Art and absorbed Nüwa’s spiritual power, his reactions were sharper than ordinary people, allowing him to spot the flaws between sword moves.

Sansi defended for a moment, then seized his chance. When the man exposed a large opening, Sansi attacked swiftly.

Yet, despite Sansi’s great talent, he couldn’t match the seasoned swordsman. The man’s flaw was intentional, waiting for Sansi’s full-strength strike to counterattack.

Normally, such a move couldn’t be withdrawn; if the enemy dodged, the attacker would be vulnerable.

But Ye Sansi was no ordinary man—strong and agile, wielding Tian Nu. When his sword thrust missed, he easily recovered.

The man hadn’t expected this, confident in his victory, only to see Sansi parry and recover. He pressed harder, swinging his sword with force against Tian Nu.

A wave of energy surged; the man’s sword shattered, and both retreated several steps.

The man said, “Good fellow, you’re quite formidable! Though the Liu family sword technique is renowned, our best skill is in palm strikes. Why not try it? Use your sword to block.”

With that, he tossed his sword hilt aside and charged. Sansi saw he was using palm techniques; using a sword would be unfair, so he reversed Tian Nu behind his back, rotating his wrist and gathering power, preparing to meet palm with palm.

The man, seeing this, held back his strength to avoid injuring Sansi, using only ten percent of his power as he struck, and Sansi met it with his palm.

Unexpectedly, the man was sent back ten steps by Sansi’s palm. He looked at his hand, then clutched his chest, gasping, quickly pressing several acupoints and spitting out blood, laughing, “Not bad, not bad. I underestimated you. I didn’t expect you to know the Tang Sect’s techniques.”