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The Princess of Yue Ming County smiled brightly and said, "How about it, Master Lin? I told you not to go to the Sun Moon Gang with me, but you didn't listen. Now you've left a delicate beauty like me all alone and heartbroken." Lin Ning felt even more troubled by the Princess's words and decided to return to the cabin, ignoring her. Lying in the cabin, he tried hard to control his thoughts about Hu Xueyan, reciting the Hua Shan Sword Technique that his mother had taught him silently in his mind. Gradually, drowsiness overtook him, and he drifted off to sleep amidst the sound of the ocean waves.
Lin Ning did not know how long he had slept when he was suddenly awakened by a loud shout of "Five Leaders Six Six Six" from a game of rock-paper-scissors, along with a strong aroma of food wafting into the cabin. He stepped out to find the Princess of Yue Ming County drinking with three attendants, playing games while surrounded by a table full of food and drink, their faces flushed from drinking. The Princess called Lin Ning over to join them, but he replied, "Thank you for your kindness, Princess, but I drank too much last night and my head still hurts terribly. I can't drink anymore." The Princess smiled slightly and did not press him.
The wooden boat sailed for two days and nights before finally docking near Shinzhou (present-day Shangrao, Jiangxi). Two boatmen returned to Yunshan Island. Shinzhou was only five hundred miles from Nanchang, reachable by horseback in a day's time. Lin Ning and the Princess of Yue Ming County, along with three others, bought five swift horses at a market and headed west towards Nanchang.
By evening, they finally arrived in Nanchang. Lin Ning asked a passerby for directions to the Sun Moon Gang, who informed them that it was located in the southern part of Nanchang. They rode south and soon saw a vast field filled with flowers that were a blend of blue and purple indigo. The flowers exuded both the calmness of blue and the mysterious nobility of purple; their vibrant colors were particularly striking under the setting sun. From afar, Lin Ning could smell their strong fragrance, which was similar to the scent used by the Princess of Yue Ming County and Yang Yan. He instructed everyone to cover their mouths and noses with handkerchiefs before taking out a small vial of pills from his pocket to distribute one to each person. These pills were made from cooked and dried kudzu flowers and could neutralize the toxins in the fragrant powder. Lin Ning silently praised Hu Xueyan's foresight; indeed, the antidote had come in handy.
As they approached the flower field, they saw a woman in her thirties bending over to trim flower branches among the blooms. Lin Ning noticed that she was dressed in simple farming clothes and looked quite ordinary. He asked her, "Excuse me, could you tell us how far it is to the Sun Moon Gang?" The woman straightened up and looked at them; upon seeing the Princess's beauty, her expression turned astonished. After hesitating for a moment, she asked, "What do you want with the Sun Moon Gang?" The Princess replied, "I am the Princess of Yue Ming County from the Great Jin Dynasty. My father is Amin Beile of the Great Jin Dynasty. I have come on royal business to meet with Yang Yan." The woman nodded and pointed toward the flower field saying, "If you go south through this flower field, you will reach the Sun Moon Gang. However, you cannot ride your horses through here; otherwise, you'll trample my flowers." Lin Ning asked her what these beautiful flowers were called. She replied, "These are called Drunken Peach Blossoms; aren't they lovely?" Lin Ning responded, "Yes, they are not only beautiful but also fragrant; just smelling them makes me feel sleepy." The woman smiled slightly at his words.
The five of them led their horses away from the flowers when suddenly all five horses collapsed one after another. Lin Ning slapped his forehead in realization: "Oh no! I forgot to give them the antidote!" He hurriedly took out more antidote from his pocket and administered it to each horse. After a while, they recovered. Once they secured their horses under a large tree, they returned to the flower field only to find that the woman had vanished without a trace. They successfully crossed through the flower sea and passed through a grove before finally arriving at the Sun Moon Gang.
After explaining their purpose at the gate of Sun Moon Gang to one of its disciples, he quickly reported it to Yang Yan without delay. Moments later, Yang Yan came out beaming to welcome the Princess of Yue Ming County. He respectfully bowed and said, "I apologize for not welcoming you properly upon your arrival; please forgive me." The Princess replied graciously, "No need for such formalities; there's no need for you to be polite." When Yang Yan saw Lin Ning standing beside her, he paused momentarily; he recognized Lin Ning as Lin Enzhe's son but did not understand why he was with the Princess. Lin Ning clasped his hands together and said, "It has been several days since we last met at the martial arts conference; how have you been?" Yang Yan snapped back to reality and replied, "Thanks to Amin Beile and your Highness's grace; I am doing well." Upon hearing Yang Yan mention Min's name, Lin Ning felt a surge of doubt—could it be that Yang Yan already knew Min?
Yang Yan invited both Yue Ming County’s princess and Lin Ning into the hall for discussion. Dozens of disciples stood on either side of the hall; as Lin Ning scanned around him again, he noticed that same woman among them. Some older disciples displayed expressions similar to hers upon seeing the Princess's beauty. The Princess paid no mind to their astonished looks; she thought it must be her stunning appearance that had captivated them all. The woman whispered something into Yang Yan's ear while he lowered his voice in response. Their conversation was so quiet that no one else could hear what they were saying clearly. With enhanced inner strength thanks to his mother's guidance—though not yet at its peak—Lin Ning overheard her say: "Brother Yang Yan, this little princess bears quite a resemblance to Master’s Wife Shen Chen!" Yang Yan replied dismissively: "There are many people in this world who look alike; there's no need for alarm."
Yang Yan turned towards the Princess and asked: "I wonder what business has brought Your Highness here at our humble gang?" The Princess replied: "My father often speaks highly of you Yang Yan—praising your bravery—and appreciates your contributions of gold and jewels to our Great Jin Dynasty. This time my father specifically sent me southward to express gratitude on behalf of our dynasty!" Hearing this shocked Lin Ning greatly; he never expected that such a renowned gang would align itself with Later Jin! Unable to contain himself any longer, he exclaimed: "I can't believe that this top martial arts gang has become nothing more than pawns for Jin Dynasty!" Furious at his words, the woman retorted: "Who do you think you are? How dare you disrespect my Sun Moon Gang? You will taste my blade first!"
She drew her sword and lunged at Lin Ning who nimbly dodged her attack. In response, he swiftly drew his Xuanning Sword and counterattacked like lightning; she found herself flustered under pressure as she struggled defensively against him. The Princess watched as Lin Ning wielded his sword with strength and grace—his movements fluid like clouds—his sword brows sharp yet coldly striking—she couldn't help but be mesmerized by him as he cornered that woman against a pillar with no escape route left.
Yang Yan shouted: "Zhao Qing! Step back! Let me handle this!" With his large blade drawn swiftly like lightning towards Lin Ning’s direction—Lin Ning turned around using Xuanning Sword defensively against it—the clash sent sparks flying everywhere! Yang Yan felt numbness shoot through his hands as he realized too late how powerful Lin Ning’s inner strength was; hurriedly sidestepping meant nothing as his blade slipped from his grip crashing into an adjacent pillar instead! Disarmed now—Yang Yan darted around pillars trying desperately not get caught by Lin Ning again.
At this moment another disciple seized an opportunity handing Yang Yan another steel blade—having learned from earlier mistakes—Yang Yan dared not engage Lin Ning directly again instead opting for low strikes targeting his legs searching for weaknesses—but none could be found! After several rounds exchanged between them—Lin Ning spotted an opening on Yang Yan’s upper body—a swift kick sent him crashing onto a table which buckled under immense weight collapsing downwards leaving Yang Yan sprawled helplessly on ground!
With an ashen face—Yang Yan rose up quickly—the remaining disciples witnessing their leader downed rushed forward encircling Lin Ning tightly—but then Yang Yan shouted: “Everyone stand down! Do not act against Master Lin!” They complied immediately stepping aside cautiously! With forced laughter masking tension—Yang Yan addressed him: “I apologize for earlier offenses; let us consider ourselves acquainted now!”
Lin Ning sheathed Xuanning Sword replying: “As long as you cease being Later Jin’s lapdog—we can discuss matters amicably.”
Seeing nightfall approaching—Yang Yan ordered preparations for a feast shortly after delicious dishes arrived including chicken duck fish laid out elegantly on table! Pouring wine personally into cups for both Princess Yue Ming County & Lin Ning—observant as ever noticed slight tremors in Yang Yan’s right hand while pouring indicating something amiss within drink itself!
Without revealing suspicion—Lin Ning drank it all down then used inner power forcing poison downwards through feet releasing toxins out via pressure points beneath soles! Moments later feigning drunkenness fell onto table pretending intoxicated completely unaware!
Yang Yan commanded aides assist him carrying off “Master” into guest quarters resting area whereupon lying quietly observing surrounding changes until midnight struck when door creaked open quietly allowing several disciples stealthily creeping towards bed whereupon one attempted covering head using burlap sack swiftly awakening him!
Lin Ning sprang up kicking disciple away effortlessly following suit dispatching others nearby swiftly before exiting room only confronted by two armed guards blocking path ahead whom he dispatched easily too amidst chaos alarming Princess Yue Ming County who cried out: “What’s happening?”
Furious now—Lin Ning declared: “Yang Yan poisoned my drink intending harm against me!”
Unbeknownst however was true intention behind plot—as Yang Yan sought capture instead hoping teach martial arts skills hence only administering sleeping powder rather than lethal poison awaiting opportunity bind him once asleep imprisoning within secret chamber under own control—but plans foiled by quick wit displayed here today!
Princess Yue Ming County horrified demanded angrily confronting Yang Yan: “What do you intend? Why harm Lin Ning?”
Yang Yan feigned innocence replying: “Your Highness please calm down—it’s all just misunderstanding—I meant no harm towards Master Lin!”
Drawing forth sword now—the Princess shouted fiercely: “You dare deny? Watch me slay you today!”
Yang Yan evaded deftly avoiding confrontation unwilling engage further knowing many disciples present would complicate matters greatly if escalated further yet also wary enough not offend Min fearing consequences should anything happen!
Realizing predicament faced together—Lin Ning suggested calmly: “Princess we should leave this place immediately—the prince awaits your return.”
His words held double meaning reminding her urgency depart while also warning Yang Yan against reckless actions lest Min intervene unexpectedly!
Being astute herself—the clever princess understood instantly what he implied pointing sword threateningly towards Yang Yan declaring firmly: “Clear path now or else if even one hair is harmed upon my head—I assure you my father will hold you accountable!”
Three days later riding hard—they reached Jinling Enzhe Gang whereupon both Lin Enzhe & Miao Shuyan shocked hearing news regarding Yang Yan’s treachery!
Lin Enzhe lamented: “In past Leader Yuan led Sun Moon Gang valiantly aiding those oppressed gaining great reputation across Zhongyuan—it pains me see such decline today!”
Miao Shuyan added urgently: “Brother we must inform all major sects warn them against Yang Yan!”
Agreeing wholeheartedly—Lin Enzhe dispatched three disciples spreading word throughout various factions while later that evening inviting Princess Yue Ming County remain overnight within Enzhe Gang’s hospitality!
Next morning bright & early—Lin Ning addressed her saying: “I shall return home today—you’ve spent ample time here best return back reporting father.”
She sighed softly replying: “Could you escort me Shanhaiguan before heading back?”
He explained gently: “Only four days journey from Jinling there safely—I cannot accompany further.”
With resignation she accepted finality stating farewell wishing well until next meeting!
After sending off Princess Yue Ming County bidding farewell also departing from both mentors—Lin Ning hastened onward towards Yunshan Island intent reaching destination quickly utilizing superior lightness skill arriving shore within mere moments leaping aboard vessel requesting boatman take him across waters toward homeward bound journey when suddenly distant cries echoed calling out desperately: “Master Lin save me…”
Turning swiftly around spotting disheveled princess rushing frantically towards him blood seeping through bandages wrapped around arm… (End of Chapter Seven)
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