“Daoist priest.”

“Hmm?”

“I've read it a hundred times, yet I still don't understand its meaning.”

“Really?”

“Really! I was afraid of miscounting, so I read it over a hundred times!”

“I see.”

“Why do I still not understand its meaning?”

“It’s my mistake.” The Daoist thought for a moment before recalling, “I forgot to tell you that in ancient sayings, numbers like ‘hundred’ and ‘thousand’ are generally used metaphorically.”

“Metaphorically!”

“It doesn’t mean its literal meaning; one hundred doesn’t actually mean one hundred, and one thousand doesn’t mean one thousand either.”

“Then what does it mean?”

“It refers to a large quantity.”

“A large quantity!”

“Reading a hundred times means you should read it many times, not literally a hundred times.” The Daoist patiently explained, “Sometimes it could be a hundred times, sometimes more than a hundred, or even ten thousand times.”

“...!”

“However, you don't need to worry. First, this matter is like cultivation; it cannot be rushed. If you want to finish in a day, no matter how many times you read, it may not work. It should follow the natural flow.” As the Daoist spoke, he reached out to pat the little girl’s head, feeling warm in his heart.

“Secondly, poetry doesn’t always have to have a clear meaning. Sometimes, just understanding the artistic conception within is enough.”

“I don’t understand.”

“You’ll slowly understand it naturally.”

“Okay…”

At that moment, a few people from the

jianghu

appeared ahead.

They were all dressed in coarse linen clothes, wandering along the mountain path, looking left and right. Occasionally, one of them would dash up to a nearby height and stretch their neck to peek into the dense grass.

They appeared to be searching the mountain, hoping for luck.

“There are people ahead.” The heroine lowered her voice to remind Song You.

“This group of people looks somewhat familiar.”

“I ran into them yesterday afternoon.”

“I see.”

The heroine wanted to remind him not to show any signs of weakness, to be more composed; perhaps they could muddle through. But when she glanced at the Daoist, she found him as calm as ever, his steps and breathing unchanged. There was no need for her to remind him.

She still wanted to discuss a strategy for how to handle any potential conflict that might arise, to find the simplest, quickest, and cleanest way to resolve it. However, after sizing up these people, she figured that even if they weren’t small fry in the

jianghu

, they didn’t seem like top-notch experts either.

With the backing of the Grand Commander’s estate and the Daoist’s calm demeanor, she felt there was no need for her to worry. So she just walked alongside him, looking ahead.

When Song You and his group saw these few

jianghu

heroes, they noticed them as well.

At first, they didn’t think much of it, just feeling that this group seemed somewhat familiar. But they quickly realized something was off when they spotted the long wooden box wrapped in oilcloth that Song You was carrying on his back—

jianghu

people coming to this mountain were wary of such long, wrapped packages.

Someone immediately nudged a companion next to him, gathering the group together. They stopped and exchanged glances, then turned their attention to the approaching group.

There was a young Daoist leaning on a staff and a masked woman wielding a long knife. There was also a small, cute girl, blowing a whistle and looking at them with pure eyes, as well as a short horse that was hardly bigger than a donkey.

The group continued to close the distance between them.

The

jianghu

heroes stood their ground, almost rotating their heads in unison as the others approached. Some were scrutinizing the group, while others kept their eyes fixed on the package behind the Daoist, their roles clearly defined.

Heroine Wu could keenly sense that although none of these people had their hands on their weapon hilts yet, they were all tensed and ready to spring into action.

“Hey, you…”

No one was willing to risk their lives blindly, so an older

jianghu

hero stepped forward, his face beaming with a smile as he clasped his hands together and asked, “You just went up the mountain yesterday, and now you’re coming back down?”

“Yes,” the Daoist replied, returning the greeting, “but I didn’t find the divine doctor.”

“Since we’ve met twice, this must be fate. I haven’t introduced myself or asked for your names yet—my fault,” the

jianghu

hero said, bowing to them again. “I’m Zhu Kui, and these are my four sworn brothers. In the

jianghu

, they refer to us as the Five Heroes of Angzhou.”

After he spoke, two of the men behind him also introduced themselves.

The other two seemed colder in demeanor or perhaps were aware of the situation; they didn’t wish to engage and just watched Song You and his group in silence.

“I’m Song You, not a

jianghu

hero, but a Daoist. I cultivate at Yin-Yang Mountain in Lingquan County, Yizhou. I’ve brought this child on a journey here, having heard that there’s a divine doctor in Changjing, and came specifically to seek him out to broaden my horizons.”

“Ah, so you’re Mr. Song. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“A pleasure indeed.”

“And this person behind you is…”

Zhu Kui looked at the woman with the knife behind Song You.

He had sensed yesterday that she was probably not someone to be trifled with.

“This is Heroine Wu, without a sect or affiliation.”

“A heroine doesn’t seem like someone without a sect or affiliation.”

“If she doesn’t want to say, then don’t ask.”

“Alright, alright, no questions.” Zhu Kui waved his hands repeatedly, appearing easy to talk to. But then, narrowing his eyes, he looked at the package on the Daoist's back. “However, what is that object you’re carrying? I didn’t see any of you with such an item when you went up the mountain yesterday.”

“It’s something entrusted to me by a friend.”

“Oh, so it’s something a friend entrusted to you,” Zhu Kui grinned, revealing his yellowed teeth. “Since it’s something a friend entrusted, and it’s wrapped so tightly, it would be unreasonable for us to investigate. But you must know we’re searching for a treasure on this mountain, something more precious than life itself. I wonder if you could open it up for us to take a look?”

As soon as he finished, he added quickly, “I’m not trying to make things difficult for you. After we’ve seen it, we’ll pretend we didn’t see it and leave at once if it’s not what we’re looking for, no matter what it is and regardless of its value!”

“It is precisely the object you seek.” The Daoist raised his hand in greeting, sincerely informing them.

“...!”

It was just such a sincere remark, delivered in a tone as gentle as ever. But his words were so frank that the group of

jianghu

heroes instantly tensed up, staring at the Daoist who bowed, hands moving toward their blades.

Some had just started to reach out, while others had already gripped the knife handle, and some had pulled their blades out half a cun, but that was as far as it went.

Everyone froze in their positions. It was as if the scene had been paused. All five remained rooted in place.

Even the expressions on their faces were held as they were—some surprised, others enraged, and a few looking fierce, with their gazes darting in different directions, all frozen in time. Upon closer inspection, it was rather amusing.

Heroine Wu was startled at the sight. “Is that a Time Freezing Technique?”

“Indeed.”

“Impressive, Daoist master.”

Once again, her tone, light and casual, didn’t sound like praise or flattery; it was more like a catchphrase.

“

Toot toot toot

!”

The little girl blew her whistle and walked up to one of the men, gazing up at him curiously.

At that moment, another sound broke through the air.

“

Whoosh

!”

An arrow flew from a distance, slicing through the air. In the blink of an eye, it crossed ten zhang.

“

Whoosh

!”

The heroine drew her knife and swung it in an instant.

Suddenly, in a time frame where an ordinary person wouldn’t be able to react, the gleaming blade was already in front of Song You. With a sharp “

thwack

,” the arrow was accurately intercepted by the long knife.

“Thank you, heroine.” Song You smiled and bowed to her.

Heroine Wu, however, paid him no mind; with a flash of her knife, she chased after the direction from which the arrow had come.

Song You’s smile grew even more pronounced.

Though the

jianghu

heroes in this world didn’t possess the ability to defy gravity or split mountains with their blades, Daoists were not omnipotent either; most merely learned some Daoist techniques. To put it bluntly, 99% of the Daoists in this world wouldn’t necessarily win against

jianghu

heroes in a conflict.

The techniques of cultivators from the Daoist sects were indeed mysterious, leaving

jianghu

heroes defenseless, but they themselves struggled to withstand the swords and blades of those jianghu heroes.

Even if there were Daoists who could summon wind and rain with their prayers or call forth thunder with a wave of their hand or easily subdue vengeful spirits, as long as they lacked the skill to be impervious to blades and bullets and had no other means of self-preservation, they could still be killed by a single strike to the head or shot through the body by an arrow.

They might think that Daoists would attain enlightenment after getting killed by weapons, but how many Daoists truly achieve enlightenment after dying by swords and clubs?

Life was but a hundred years, and mastering Dao was difficult; few could excel in all aspects.

Therefore, while this heroine appeared relaxed on the surface, she remained vigilant. She was prepared for a sneak attack, fearing that this powerful Daoist might be shot dead by a hidden arrow.

Although Song You did not need to be saved, he should be grateful to her.

Moments later…

Accompanied by a series of pleading voices, Heroine Wu returned, dragging a burly man whose arms were thicker than his legs. She casually tossed the man at Song You's feet and replied, “You’re welcome.”

Song You looked at the man on the ground and smiled, asking, “Are you also one of the Five Heroes of Angzhou?”

“Yes… Yes…”

“Turns out there are six heroes instead of five heroes of Angzhou.” Song You nodded and remarked, “You all are quite clever.”

“Spare me, Daoist elder!”

“That arrow was aimed directly at my heart; how could I let you off the hook?”

“Spare me, Daoist elder! Ah, right! I aimed for your leg! I aimed for your leg! It's all because I'm not skilled with a bow!” The burly man repeatedly bowed his head, pleading, “Spare me, Daoist elder, spare me…”

“Clever indeed.”

“Everything I said is true! Spare me, Daoist elder!”

“I don’t enjoy killing; I’ll only ask you one question. Answer correctly, and I’ll let you go,” Song You stated, “Answer incorrectly, and it’ll be an eye for an eye. I’ll make you return to the earth and sky as dust.”

“Spare me, Daoist elder!”

“Just answer correctly.”

“…”

“Have you killed anyone?” Song You paused for a moment before adding, “Innocent people.”

The burly man was taken aback, and he quickly began to bow his head even more fervently, answering, “Daoist elder, please see clearly! I’ve mostly only done things like stealing or causing trouble for others; how could I have killed any innocent people…

“Though, there was one time when we encountered mountain bandits by the roadside who wouldn’t let us pass. We fought back and ended up killing a few, but if we hadn’t killed them, we would have died ourselves.”

“Are you lying?”

“I’m telling the truth! I’m not lying!”

“Raise your head.”

“…” The burly man nervously lifted his head to look at the Daoist.

As soon as their eyes met, he was startled. The Daoist’s gaze was as calm as water, yet as vast as the sea.

“Have you killed any innocent people?” the Daoist asked again, his tone unchanged.

In the burly man's heart, it seemed as if a sea had emerged. At first, the waters were calm, but soon waves began to rise. The smaller ones were ripples, while the larger ones were surges, countless layers crashing against each other, each one splashing water as they echoed the Daoist's question. This left him stunned, unable to tell a lie.

“I have…”

“How many?”

“Two… three…”

“

Boom…

”

A surge of flames erupted from within, engulfing him.

“

Ah…

!” A scream immediately echoed.

The little girl was very close to him and found it strange; there was clearly fire, yet it didn’t feel hot. She couldn’t help but cautiously reach out to touch it but found she couldn't touch it at all. When she looked again, the Daoist had pulled her close and covered her eyes.

Yet the fire was indeed real, burning the burly man as he rolled on the ground, crying out in pain.