Chapter 23: The Thief's Legacy

  Liang Ze's eyes looked at Su Feng and said, "If you haven't learned the family's Analytic Heaven Technique, it would be a great pity. The Reverse Heaven Technique may not be inferior to the Analytic Heaven Technique, but perhaps you don't know that these two divine techniques have always been passed down in a single line. If the Su family also practiced the same technique from the master to ordinary disciples like the Murong family, then the Su family would be the number one family in the world."

  "Doesn't Master Hua have any disciples now?" asked Sui Feng.

  "I have disciples, but no direct successors yet. It seems that the mantle of Tianxu's legacy has not been passed down." said Liang Zei.

  His heart was still calm and quiet, he had already learned the Tian Xuan Jue, even if he learned the Hui Tian Jue again, what could he do? After going to Qiantang, Bi Han would be a member of the Murong family, how could Su Feng interfere with other people's family affairs no matter how powerful he was? Even if she didn't marry Murong Xuanfeng, it would be another Murong disciple or an alliance with another family. Maybe they wouldn't see each other again in the future.

  Was the woman who captured your heart when you were young just a passing stranger? If you meet again after many years, will you tell her about your feelings?

  Sighed with the wind, thought about it, and the future was really too far away. Those places that had never been visited, people who had never been seen, things that had never been experienced, everything accompanied by anxiety and worry.

  Li Du instructed, "Once we arrive in Qiantang, you must be extremely cautious. Not a word about the auspicious matter can be mentioned. This time, letting us go to Qiantang as guests is false, investigation and winning over are true. They want us to confront Li Linfu so that they can reap benefits while keeping their hands clean and avoid arousing suspicion from the imperial court. Therefore, we must be extremely cautious and not reveal any weaknesses."

  Liang Ze's voice would drop to an extremely low level whenever he reached a crucial point, and even the wind could only barely hear it. Therefore, they didn't have to worry about being overheard by those Murong family disciples. In Liang Ze's words, he had used some of his "pressing sound into a line" technique, so even if Murong Yu was standing right on the deck, he still wouldn't be able to hear it.

  Liáng stealthily said in a voice as soft as a silken thread, almost inaudible: "Your current skills are still shallow, it's not suitable for you to confront others head-on. I'll teach you a lightness skill called 'Fantasy Step'. Memorize it carefully, don't worry, this step is not taught by my master, but something I learned from an ancient secret book. Remember, do not spread it out, this step is too mysterious, if it's passed on, it will bring great disaster, remember, remember."

  What followed was a method of about a thousand words, according to Liang Stealer, this step method emphasizes intention rather than form, and there is not even one set routine, it's just that you don't need to remember those complicated moves. Although the method was fully explained in over a thousand words, the more Random Wind savored it, the more he felt its profundity was boundless. Only at the end of the entire method was a secret technique attached, which was the Crane Leap that Liang Stealer had used when he made his last jump while climbing the wall of Jinling City. It took about the time it takes to burn an incense stick for Random Wind to memorize this method.

  Liang Ze's eyes cleared up from a confused state, and he said: "You practice this step well, and you can go to the world. In my opinion, it is not inferior to the Qingyun Step passed down by my master, and in some places, it even surpasses it. At the beginning of learning, the requirement for internal strength is not high, which is very suitable for you."

  He opened his mouth slightly, and the value of this step was obvious without needing to be said by Liang Tou'er. He wanted to show him the unnamed sword technique that Changming Shu had given him, but thinking about how Changming Shu had told him not to reveal it lightly made him hesitate.

  Liáng Tuó'er glanced at him and smiled, "Alright, no need to thank me. Besides Master, you and Huā Qiánbèi are the two people I respect the most. The day I met you, I decided that I would help you find Huā Qiánbèi. Passing on this step technique to you is just a small effort."

  He nodded in agreement, also knowing the principle of not thanking for great kindness. He said: "Shouldn't we go into the cabin? Otherwise, Murong Xuanyu will suspect that we are plotting something."

  Liang Ze was taken aback, then burst out laughing and said: "I didn't expect that you'd also have a cautious side. It seems that these past few days of traveling weren't in vain, you've gained some experience on the road. Hmm, good, let's go inside first, there are some things that need to be said, even if they're just superficial." As he spoke, he patted Feng Liu's head and entered the Water Dragon Pavilion with him.

  The two entered the cabin, but did not see Mu Rongxuan's figure, and Bi He was also not there. After asking, they learned that he had gone to the quiet room to practice his skills and would only come out in the evening. The two turned to ask where Bi He was and went to find her together.

  It was called a cabin, but it was divided into separate rooms like an inn. These rooms were arranged without any rules, and Fenghe and Liangzi had to work hard to find Bihuan's room.

  When the two entered, Bi Han was sitting stupidly on the edge of the bed, as if hiding a lot of thoughts in her heart.

  Seeing her again, he didn't feel much awkwardness with the wind, but pretended that nothing had happened and said: "Bi Hu, according to Mu Rong Xuan Feng's words, from now on you will be a member of the Mu Rong family, and no one will come after your life again."

  Bi Han hummed in response, but didn't answer.

  As the wind blew, the scene on the deck today reappeared in his mind, and Yiren's words seemed to still be by his ear. He suppressed the turmoil in his heart and said softly: "I was also a disciple of a noble family, I understand the hardships of being a disciple. But no matter what, it's still better than wandering around, at least you don't have to live in fear every day."

  Bihong smiled and said: "Alright, let's not talk about this anymore. What are your plans next?"

  Liang Ze replied, "As previously planned, we are heading north. Su Feng has a family feud to settle and no one to take care of him, so he plans to visit Master Huajiu Gong to learn his Reversal Skill. As for me, I have some personal matters to attend to in the Qi-Lu border region."

  Previously, when Mu Rongxuan mentioned that Suifeng was the young master of the Yangzhou Su family, Bihe had been quite surprised. And upon hearing the name Hua Jiugong, she became even more curious, as she had often heard about him when she was still a maiden in the manor. She couldn't help but ask: "Elder Hua must be very formidable, will he really pass on his kung fu to Young Master Su?"

  Liang Ze said in a serious tone: "Speaking of Hua Qianbei, he is indeed a legendary figure in the martial arts world. In his youth, he was also homeless and wandered around until he met his master, Ku Mu Zhenren, at the age of 15. At that time, Ku Mu Zhenren was already one of the top masters in the world, but for some reason, he directly passed on the mantle of Hui Tian Gong to him. Twenty years later, a ghostly figure appeared in the Western Regions, claiming to be the Old Demon of the Western Regions, seeking revenge for the Tang Dynasty's conquest of the Turks. He came to the Central Plains and killed many martial arts masters. Ku Mu Zhenren personally took to the battlefield but was still no match, suffering serious injuries and returning home, where he soon passed away."

  "What's next?" Feng and Bi He both had their appetites whetted and asked in pursuit.

  Later, the Western Demon became more and more arrogant, initially targeting famous masters in Jianghu. Later, he even declared that he would kill his way into the Ming Palace and slaughter all the royal descendants. When the news arrived, the Western Demon had already reached the outskirts of Chang'an City, and the tens of thousands of guards in the imperial city were unable to stop him. It wasn't until later that a person appeared, who was young and handsome, with a gentle and elegant demeanor, and managed to hold him off single-handedly until Huā Qiān arrived to provide reinforcements. Can you guess who this person is?

  As the wind secretly calculated, Hua Jiugong was probably already over 60 years old. When the Western Demon invaded Central Plains, he was about 40 years old, which means it has been more than ten years since then. More than ten years ago, a young man of weak crown age is now roughly the same age as Hua Jiugong back then. With this calculation, a figure that had been lingering in Su Feng's mind for a long time but gradually became blurred emerged again.

  "Could it be my father?" Suddenly a low voice emerged from the wind.

  Liáng Tuō ér's face was filled with astonishment as he stared at him, saying: "You actually guessed it. Indeed, it was your father, Suī Tiān Dà Xiá, who, at the tender age of weak crown, had already entered the Pre-Heavenly Realm. His internal strength was naturally not comparable to that of the Western Regions' Old Demon, but there wasn't a single sign of instability in his foundation. He shocked the entire Jianghu and was hailed as an absolute genius. That one battle lasted for three whole hours, with Suī Dà Xiá refusing to yield despite being injured, stubbornly holding him back. It wasn't until that evening that Huā Qiān Bèi finally arrived. Together with Suī Dà Xiá, they joined forces and ultimately defeated the Western Regions' Old Demon, severely injuring him before he retreated.

  It was during that battle that the talented people in Jianghu suddenly realized that the two techniques of "Analyzing Heaven" and "Returning to Heaven" practiced by Da Xia and Hua Qianbei, one opening and one closing, were complementary in their rigidity and softness. When combined, they had countless changes, and more incredibly, even when used separately, they were also the ultimate divine skills that were hard to find in the world. From then on, the two of them cherished each other like brothers.

  Liang Ze said up to here, a long and prolonged silence, sighed: "I didn't think that after more than ten years, the family would change suddenly. Not long ago, the old demon of the Western Regions re-emerged in the Jianghu, and made an appointment with Hua for a battle at the Jade Emperor Peak of Mount Tai one year later. After parting ways for over ten years, I wonder if the old demon's strength has made rapid progress? Without the help of Ze Da Xia, can Hua still win?"

  Sui Feng couldn't help but sigh inwardly, thinking to himself, "I'm afraid that even if I win, it will come at a considerable cost. No wonder Uncle Changming was so certain that as long as he could find Hua Shixiong, he would definitely be able to learn the Heavenly Return Technique. It turns out that it's not just because of his friendship with my father or my qualifications, but also because a great war is imminent and yet the mantle has not been passed on." Sui Feng also knew that his appearance at this moment was most timely, but he didn't feel good about it, always having a feeling of taking advantage of someone's misfortune.

  Bi Han also looked gloomy and said: "I hope Hua can win. But in that case, it will be much easier for Gongzi to learn the Return to Heaven Technique."

  Liang Ze nodded and said, "Elder Hua is also the current leader of the Wulin Alliance. Although he doesn't have any actual power, he still represents a kind of prestige in the Jianghu world. If you can become his disciple, it will be much more convenient for you to travel in the Jianghu world in the future. Moreover, although Elder Hua doesn't have any sects, this lineage still has some other disciples. Elder Hua's current eldest disciple, Yun Shui, is a heroic and chivalrous person who values justice. Although his martial arts skills are not as good as Elder Hua's, he has the air of a great hero. If you become his junior brother in the future, he will definitely take care of you, and there won't be those complicated rules like in big families, which is perfect."

  Just as he was about to speak, the door suddenly rang out. Outside the door, a voice said: "I am Murong Xuanyi, may I come in?"

  Liang stole forward and opened the door with a smile: "I didn't think Brother Xuanfeng was so diligent, practicing qigong every day."

  Murong Xuanfeng smiled and said, "Nothing much, just passing the time. I heard from my disciples that today's journey was smooth sailing, no unexpected events. We'll arrive in Qiantang by dawn tomorrow. The sky is getting dark, why don't we have dinner together?"

  Following the wind, three people followed Murong Xuanyi out of the room. After dinner, they each returned to their rooms to rest. It must be said that the Murong family is a large and prosperous household, and Following the Wind had never eaten such delicious food before, even more exquisite than what he used to eat at home in Yangzhou. Not only that, but the various teas, desserts, and refreshments were also of high quality, as was the resting room itself. For some reason, despite receiving such hospitality, Following the Wind still had no good feelings towards Murong Xuanyi. Perhaps people like Murong Xuanyi would never truly care about others.