The four of them sat around the firepit, propped up a small table, and began to eat.

There were no delicacies, no luxurious utensils, just simple vegetarian dishes, yet they had a unique flavor.

It was clear that Sister-in-law Du knew Master Kong's tastes and prepared the vegetarian dishes he loved.

Chen Tang rarely saw Master Kong so attentive to a meal.

"Junior brother, with a strong body like yours, eat more."

Sister-in-law Du occasionally added more dishes to Chen Tang's bowl, smiling as she spoke.

Chen Tang naturally accepted everything, eating heartily and leaving nothing behind.

After lunch, Master Kong returned to the main hall to meditate and worship Buddha, remaining indifferent to worldly matters.

Sister-in-law Du went to clean the dishes, while Ming Yuan pulled Chen Tang aside for a chat, asking, "I didn't ask last night, but it seems like you have something on your mind that's preventing you from entering the capital?"

"It's a long story."

Chen Tang did not hide anything and recounted his initial foray into Jianghu, his encounter with Wushan Village, the Ghost Mother, and later the descendants of Emperor Wu.

As Ming Yuan listened, his expression became increasingly peculiar.

When Chen Tang finished, Ming Yuan let out a breath and laughed, "So it's you."

"Ah?"

Chen Tang was slightly taken aback, asking, "Senior brother, you know me?"

"Your reputation precedes you."

Ming Yuan said, "You must be called Chen Tang, right?"

Not only was his reputation known, but in the palace, his sister frequently mentioned this name, and his ears were almost calloused from hearing it.

"Exactly!"

Chen Tang nodded, feeling a bit proud.

So, I'm that famous?

Ming Yuan continued, "You're known as the Young Hero Tiger Subduing, the Panda Blade Master..."

Chen Tang's eyes drooped immediately, waving his hand dismissively, "They're all hollow titles, not worth mentioning!"

Ming Yuan said, "I heard in the capital that during the Pingzhou rebellion, you made a significant contribution."

"I only played a small part in it."

Chen Tang said, "The real contributor was that old man One Step to the Clouds."

Upon hearing the words 'One Step to the Clouds', Ming Yuan's expression shifted slightly.

Sister-in-law Du also glanced this way.

Ming Yuan pondered, "Regarding the matter of the Ghost Mother, you need not worry. The Ghost Mother's crimes are heinous, and she deserved her fate. I believe the Court will give you justice."

"It's hard to say."

Chen Tang pursed his lips, "Behind this matter is the Profound Celestial Sect, and that young marshal of the Profound Celestial Sect is audacious enough to dare touch the Prince of Qian Country. The power of the Profound Celestial Sect might even surpass the imperial authority."

"The Court won't offend the Profound Celestial Sect for someone as insignificant as me."

Ming Yuan said, "That may not be the case. Justice has its own way of prevailing, and in people's hearts, the Profound Celestial Sect cannot simply turn black to white. If the Emperor allows the Profound Celestial Sect to act so recklessly, it would surely chill people's hearts."

"It's not just about this matter."

Chen Tang said, "I escaped with the granddaughter of Emperor Wu. The Profound Celestial Sect is sure to label me a remnant of the previous dynasty, and the Emperor won't tolerate that."

Ming Yuan thought for a moment, then said, "Emperor Wu is dead, and as long as his descendants behave themselves, there's no need to exterminate them."

"Haitang!"

At this moment, a voice came from the entrance; it was Lu Qing coming up the mountain.

"I heard you had a fight at Xinping Zen Temple yesterday, so impressive. Why didn't you call me for such excitement?"

Lu Qing came over, saw Ming Yuan and Sister-in-law Du not far away, and asked, "Who are they?"

"I just became a lay disciple of Master Kong, with the Buddhist name Ming Jing. This is Senior Brother Ming Yuan, and that is Sister-in-law Du."

Chen Tang introduced them, "This is my friend from Jianghu, Lu Qing."

Ming Yuan felt a stir in his heart and tentatively asked, "Is she..."

Seeing Ming Yuan had guessed it, Chen Tang nodded.

The three exchanged brief greetings.

Ming Yuan then asked, "Junior brother, with your skills, do you not want to enter the Court and achieve great things in the future?"

"Not interested."

Chen Tang said, "The Court is too complicated. Once inside, you are bound hand and foot, too constrained. Moreover, I am of humble origins, with no background or support. Entering the Court, I might be devoured without a trace."

"Exactly."

Lu Qing swung her fists, saying, "The Court is rotten, with traitors running rampant. If chaos erupts, it might be better to raise the banner and become an Emperor yourself!"

Ming Yuan: "..."

These words sounded strange coming from a teenage girl.

Sister-in-law Du covered her mouth with a smile, looking at Ming Yuan.

Ming Yuan didn't take it seriously, just shook his head helplessly.

"Dragon slaying?"

Chen Tang murmured, looking into the distance, and said slowly, "Dragon Slaying Skill is meaningless; it's better to wield the Heaven-Defying Sword, invincible and free, roaming the Jianghu!"

Upon hearing this, Ming Yuan stopped trying to persuade him.

Chen Tang yearned for Jianghu, and it was not right to force him.

Feeling playful, Chen Tang suddenly said, "So-called supreme in the Martial World, hold the Dragon-slaying Saber, command the world, who dares not follow; without the Heaven-Defying Sword, who can be the rival!"

"What Dragon-slaying Saber, Heaven-Defying Sword?" Lu Qing asked curiously.

Ming Yuan found the phrase catchy and was also very curious.

"Hey, they're two divine weapons from Jianghu tales."

Chen Tang said, "Legend has it that in Jianghu, there are two divine weapons: the Dragon-slaying Saber and the Heaven-Defying Sword. The Dragon-slaying Saber contains a military book capable of commanding thousands of troops, mastering it makes one invincible; while the Heaven-Defying Sword contains unparalleled martial arts, mastering it renders one invincible in the world."

"Wield the Dragon-slaying Saber, learn strategies, you master the Dragon Slaying Skill, but once you take over and seize power, you risk becoming a tyrant, the new Evil Dragon."

"Then there must be someone with the Heaven-Defying Sword to slay that dragon! Even with a million troops and dominion over the world, they cannot withstand a strike from the Heaven-Defying Sword!"

Lu Qing was intrigued and asked, "Why haven't I heard this Jianghu story? Haitang, tell me about it."

"I also heard it from a storyteller."

Finding themselves with nothing to do, Chen Tang began recounting the story of "Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber" from the beginning.

He couldn't remember the detailed text inside, but he still recalled the overarching story and direction.

He was narrating up to when Zhang Wuji was hit by the Profound Nether Divine Palm, with cold poison invading his body, incurable until he was plotted against and escaped into a Snow Valley, when he suddenly stopped.

Unknowingly, the sky had darkened.

"That's enough, let's stop here."

Chen Tang waved his hand and was about to stop.

Ming Yuan and Sister-in-law Du were entranced, only now coming back to their senses.

"No way!"

Lu Qing hurriedly grabbed Chen Tang, saying, "You've reached the critical moment, you have to finish! What happened to Brother Wuji later? Did he die?"

As she heard about Zhang Wuji's parents being forced to death by the Six Great Sects, Lu Qing felt a sense of shared destiny.

"It's too late, you should head back."

Chen Tang said, "Let's continue tomorrow."

Although the Evil Emperor currently allowed Lu Qing to find him, returning late wouldn't be good; if he went mad again, it would be terrible.

Lu Qing had no choice but to say, "Then I'll come earlier tomorrow."

"Alright."

Chen Tang replied casually.

Seeing Lu Qing off, Chen Tang practiced the Lion's Roar Technique for a while before returning to the main hall to rest.

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