A few days later, a disciple reported that Wu Dang disciple Yin Liting had been found at the foot of the mountain.
“Sixth Uncle, quickly take us to see him.” They all arrived there together.
“Uncle Yin Liu, how are you?” Zhang Wuji quickly inquired.
“We were attacked by a group of monks and were incapacitated by the Ten Fragrance Softening Powder. Your four martial uncles were all captured. If I hadn’t held my breath, I would have been captured too. But then I met two monks. They were powerful and broke all my joints,” Yin Liting said.
“Let’s go down the mountain to find medicine and a doctor first.” Zhang Wuji had someone carry Yin Liting and began to descend the mountain.
However, they searched the entire city and found that all the doctors and herbs had been taken to a place called Green Willow Manor.
Xiao Zhao immediately said, “I always feel like that person did this intentionally to lure us to Green Willow Manor. We mustn’t fall into their trap.”
“Since they deliberately did this and even told us the address, we cannot refuse their kind offer. Let’s go and have a look,” Zhou Yan said.
“But this is a trap!” Xiao Zhao said.
“Don’t worry, with me here, nothing will happen. They have what we need, so we have to go,” Zhou Yan said.
“Little Martial Uncle is right, we do have to go,” Zhang Wuji quickly had someone inquire about the location of Green Willow Manor and then led everyone towards it.
“Greetings, sirs. Our master has been waiting for a long time,” the people at the entrance said to Zhou Yan and his companions.
“This person is truly clever. They knew we would come,” Xiao Zhao couldn’t fathom the person’s intentions.
They walked in and saw several people standing in a pavilion, one of whom was playing the zither.
Zhang Wuji stepped forward and asked, “Honest people don’t do hidden deeds. May I know your name?”
“I am Zhao Min. I am an insignificant person in the martial world, not worth mentioning. If you are afraid, then please leave,” Zhao Min said while playing the zither.
Upon seeing the other party, Xiao Zhao said, “Isn’t this the person from the inn? I didn’t expect her to be the one who planned all this. I wonder what her intentions are.”
Zhou Yan stepped forward and said, “You said last time you wanted to invite me, and this is how you did it. It’s quite unique.”
“If it weren’t for this, it would have been difficult to invite you. I underestimated you all; to have shone so brightly on Guangming Peak,” Zhao Min looked at them and said, “I just didn’t expect one of you to be the youngest disciple of the True Master Zhang of Wudang, and the other to be the leader of the Ming Cult, who is now the number one under heaven. You both are heroic youths, and I naturally admire you greatly.”
Zhang Wuji asked, “You booked all the herbs in the city and even captured the doctors. What is your intention?”
“I heard that Sixer Yin was injured by Shaolin. To prevent those incompetent doctors from delaying his recovery, I had all those third-rate doctors apprehended.”
“I have already prepared the best healing elixir under heaven, ‘Black Jade Powder,’ hoping to cure Sixer Yin’s injuries.” Zhao Min had someone deliver the item to the two of them.
“Your news is indeed very well-informed. How did you find out about my martial uncle’s injury so quickly?” Zhang Wuji felt that this matter was not unrelated to her.
“Just a few minor tactics. After all, in this world, money can buy any news,” Zhao Min replied.
Wei Yixiao quickly said, “Are you trying to sow discord by saying we have your people in the Ming Cult?”
“Think whatever you want,” Zhao Min said indifferently.
Zhang Wuji asked, “We are strangers, why are you giving us ‘Black Jade Powder’?”
“To honor the wise and recruit heroes from all over the world. Both of you are extraordinary individuals, and our court naturally wishes to befriend you,” Zhao Min stated her purpose.
“So you are from the court,” Zhang Wuji finally understood her identity.
“My father is Prince Ruyang. Shaolin treated Sixer Yin this way, and we will definitely help you Wudang eliminate Shaolin,” Zhao Min said righteously, as if the matter had nothing to do with her.
“I think this matter was most likely orchestrated by them. They are quite good at using the situation to their advantage. If they want to eliminate Shaolin, they should just say so,” Xiao Zhao, being clever and astute, saw through the problem immediately.
“Don’t rush. Let’s see what she wants to do first,” Zhou Yan said.
“The sword behind her should be the Heaven Sword. How did it get into her hands?” Xiao Zhao looked at the wall behind Zhao Min.
“We appreciate your kindness, but we will avenge my martial uncle ourselves. We won’t trouble you,” Zhang Wuji said and prepared to leave.
“Why the hurry? Are you sure the box contains genuine Black Jade Powder? I have prepared wine and food. After I change, we can have a good talk,” Zhao Min said and then led her people away.
“Cult Master, be careful, it might be a trap. Let’s leave quickly,” Wei Yixiao said. Seeing that the Heaven Sword was still there, he couldn’t help but step forward and pull it out, remembering how he was injured in the backside.
Who knew the sword was fake? As soon as it was pulled out, a scent of incapacitating mist appeared, and everyone inhaled it.
“Cult Master, let’s go quickly. There must be a trap here,” Wei Yixiao said.
“Alright, let’s go.”
Everyone left the place, but halfway, they all felt weak. Only the highly skilled Zhou Yan and Zhang Wuji were unaffected.
“Not good, that’s Ten Fragrance Softening Powder! I didn’t expect that devilish woman to be so wicked and set up such a scheme!” Xiao Zhao was very angry.
“Wuji, you stay here to take care of them. I’ll go get the antidote,” Zhou Yan said.
“Little Martial Uncle, you be careful,” Zhang Wuji said.
“Come back quickly,” Xiao Zhao said worriedly.
“Don’t worry, they can’t do anything to me,” Zhou Yan said.
Zhang Wuji knew Zhou Yan’s strength well and was relieved.
Wei Yixiao, however, said, “It’s truly fortunate that the Cult Master has such a loyal and righteous Little Martial Uncle.”
“Little Martial Uncle has taken care of me since I was young. If not for him, I don’t know what I would have become,” Zhang Wuji was always very grateful to Zhou Yan.
…
Zhou Yan returned to Green Willow Manor and said, “Zhao Min, hand over the antidote.”
“I didn’t ask you to touch that sword. You touched it yourselves, what does it have to do with me? Besides, I said last time I wanted to invite you for a visit. Why the hurry? I have a few gifts I wish to give you, I hope you like them,” Zhao Min said while playing the zither, as if everything was under her control.
“Gifts are fine. If you’re willing to give them to me, I don’t mind accepting,” Zhou Yan said.
“I didn’t expect Young Master Zhou to be such a romantic. Having one confidante by your side isn’t enough, you want me too. Actually, if you want me, it’s easy. Just make the entire martial world submit to the court, and I will naturally let Young Master Zhang do as he pleases,” Zhao Min giggled, seemingly unconcerned about being treated as a bargaining chip.
“If you won’t give it, then I’ll take it myself,” Zhou Yan said.
“Then I’d like to see if you have the strength to do so,” Zhao Min said, and her subordinates attacked Zhou Yan.
But how could these people’s strength compare to Zhou Yan’s? They were defeated in the first encounter.
Zhao Min also began to attack, using the zither strings as hidden weapons to attack Zhou Yan. How could such a tactic harm Zhou Yan? He easily broke them.
Zhao Min closed in and began to attack Zhou Yan. Her moves were tricky and used every method possible. She had various hidden weapons on her person, but Zhou Yan neutralized them all.
In the end, she was restrained by Zhou Yan’s hands, falling into his embrace. Seeing this, Zhao Min simply lay in Zhou Yan’s arms and looked at him with captivating eyes, saying, “Tell me, do you like that girl more, or me?”
Zhao Min believed that Zhou Yan, being a disciple of Zhang Sanfeng, would not be a lecherous person in terms of character or anything else, so she wasn’t afraid of what Zhou Yan might do to her.
Unfortunately, she had greatly underestimated Zhou Yan. She didn’t understand him at all.
Then, to Zhao Min’s disbelieving eyes, Zhou Yan directly kissed her.
Zhao Min’s eyes widened. She could never have imagined that Zhou Yan would do something so indecent. Her mind went completely blank.
She then struggled violently, looking at Zhou Yan angrily and exclaiming, “You are a disciple of True Master Zhang of Wudang, yet you are so despicable.”
“I never said I was a gentleman. You just assumed I was, what does that have to do with me?” Zhou Yan retorted.
“You…” Zhao Min broke free from Zhou Yan’s embrace and said, “All your people have been poisoned by my Ten Fragrance Softening Powder. If they don’t get the antidote within two hours, their cultivation may never recover, and even your senior martial brother will never recover.”
Zhou Yan looked at her and said, “You are truly vicious.”
Zhao Min laughed and said, “Haven’t you heard that the most poisonous hearts belong to women?”
Upon hearing this, Zhou Yan smiled and said, “I have heard of it. That’s why I like it.”
“I…” Zhao Min was speechless. She found herself completely outmatched.
“What do you want to do?” Zhao Min became a little scared as Zhou Yan walked towards her step by step. She was afraid Zhou Yan might do something to her and quickly said, “I can give you the antidote and the Black Jade Powder, but you have to promise me three things, otherwise, you can kill me, and I won’t give them to you.”
“Fine,” Zhou Yan replied.
“You agreed so easily. Didn’t you even ask what I want you to do?” Zhao Min asked.
“I agreed, but I didn’t say I would necessarily do it,” Zhou Yan said.
“You…” Zhao Min was furious. Faced with such a scoundrel, she was completely dominated.
“Guards, give him the things.”
Zhao Min had no choice but to give the items to the other party first. Her only miscalculation this time was that Zhang Wuji didn’t come, and she didn’t expect Zhou Yan to be such a shameless person, which completely overturned her plan. She needed to think carefully about how to deal with Zhou Yan.