Chapter 009: A Sudden Assault on the Hidden Tiger

"Oh, Mr. Fang said that if he could practice martial arts in the stronghold, he might stay; if not, he would have to find another way outside the mountain. From what my big brother told me, the old chief isn’t willing to take Mr. Fang as his disciple, so there’s no way he can train here. Young chief, if you don’t want to marry Mr. Fang, then let me leave with him. I owe him my life, and I intend to pay it back," Er Niu said.

"Don’t mention this to Mr. Fang yet. I want to discuss it with the old chief first. But know that I am a person of my word; any promise I make, I will keep," Ye Hongxiu paused for a moment, then instructed Er Niu and hurried back to the main hall.

She relayed everything to Ye Qingyun, including Fang Xian’s earlier suggestions, and finally said, "Father, since I’ve made a promise, I must keep my word. I ask for your consent to marry Brother Fang."

"Mr. Fang is not only skilled in medicine but is also a good man, though he doesn’t practice martial arts. Truth be told, I have a good impression of him. But what about Shuhua? Hasn’t he always treated you well?" Ye Qingyun said slowly.

"Father, I’ve always regarded Second Brother as my own sibling, never once considering marriage to him. Now that I’ve met Brother Fang, and since it was my promise, I should marry him. Besides, I don’t dislike Brother Fang. He’s wise and resourceful—just the kind of talent our stronghold needs. Please, Father, give your consent," Ye Hongxiu replied straightforwardly.

"If you don’t feel wronged, then of course I agree. Besides, Mr. Fang is still young; maybe he’ll find a way to practice martial arts yet," Ye Qingyun, who had always doted on his daughter, readily nodded in agreement.

"Father, if we can obtain the ‘Green Hills at Sunset’ scroll from Tiger Lair Stronghold for Brother Fang, that would be ideal. If not, why not let him try our 'Myriad Stars Diagram'? Who knows, he might be able to decipher it," Ye Hongxiu said with relief, her thoughts now turning to Fang Xian.

"The 'Myriad Stars Diagram' is said to be the most powerful martial art on the continent, but in its hundreds of years, only two people have ever succeeded. It’s simply too difficult to master; otherwise, despite its fame, no one has actually succeeded in learning it," Ye Qingyun shook his head.

That very night, Ye Qingyun slipped into Tiger Lair Stronghold to investigate. He found that Zhao Baiming was still recuperating from serious injuries, and that Chou Qianqiu from the Five Venoms Sect was not present—an opportunity had arisen.

The next morning, Ye Qingyun assembled five hundred soldiers from Azure Cloud Stronghold, hiding them at a distance from Tiger Lair Stronghold. He then led Zhou Boxiong, Zhou Tianming, Ye Hongxiu, and other elite fighters to a high, windward slope behind the enemy stronghold. There, they lit dry grass and scattered medicinal powder prepared by Fang Xian into the flames.

The mountain breeze carried the smoke into Tiger Lair Stronghold. Soon, many inside, upon inhaling the medicated smoke, went limp and collapsed. Suddenly, the alarm bell sounded urgently.

"Chief! Something’s wrong—many brothers seem to have been poisoned!" Some people rushed to yell outside Zhao Baiming’s room.

"What? How many? How did this happen?" Zhao Baiming had no choice but to interrupt his treatment and open the door to demand answers.

Boom!

At that moment, Ye Qingyun and his warriors charged in. Having taken Fang Xian’s antidote, they were immune to the drugged smoke and launched their attack.

"Zhao Baiming, let’s see where you run today!" Ye Qingyun aimed straight for Zhao Baiming, determined to finish his opponent once and for all.

Boom!

But Zhao Baiming had no desire to fight—he smashed through a wall and fled. Ye Qingyun darted after him, unleashing a powerful punch that struck Zhao Baiming hard, causing him to spit blood, but the man only ran faster.

"Kill!"

Ye Qingyun gave chase, while Zhou Boxiong led a group of second-tier warriors to slaughter the stronghold’s experts. Tiger Lair Stronghold originally had two first-class fighters, but the poison had weakened them, reducing their skills to that of second-tier warriors. Zhou Boxiong quickly killed one, while Ye Hongxiu and Zhou Tianming joined forces to take down the other.

"Attack!"

At that moment, the soldiers of Azure Cloud Stronghold surged up the mountain. Any who resisted were slain; those who surrendered were taken prisoner—no unnecessary bloodshed.

Soon after, Ye Qingyun returned shaking his head, signaling that Zhao Baiming had escaped. "Though he got away, I’ve injured him severely again. His skills will decline to the first-tier level—he’s no longer a threat."

The group then executed the remaining stronghold chiefs and leaders, sparing the ordinary soldiers. They began loading up Tiger Lair Stronghold’s grain, weapons, medicine, and other supplies.

"Father, I found over a hundred fine horses in the rear valley—we’ve struck it rich!" Ye Hongxiu soon came running back, excitement in her voice.

"We’ll take them all," Ye Qingyun rejoiced. Horses were rare in these times; Azure Cloud Stronghold had just over a hundred. With these new horses, they could form a cavalry of two or three hundred.

"Father, did you find the 'Green Hills at Sunset' scroll?" Ye Hongxiu asked hopefully.

"No, I found some lesser martial arts, but not the scroll or any high-level manuals. Zhao Baiming must have taken it with him," Ye Qingyun replied regretfully.

"Let’s give Brother Fang the 'Myriad Stars Diagram' then and see what he can make of it. Father, I’d like to announce the marriage as soon as we return and set the wedding for a month from now," Ye Hongxiu decided.

Fang Xian was reading in his room when he suddenly heard cheers from the mountain below—surely a sign of victory at Tiger Lair Stronghold.

"Mr. Fang, congratulations! Such happy news!" Before long, Old Master Liu burst in, brimming with excitement.

"Master Liu, what’s the happy occasion?" Fang Xian asked, puzzled.

"The old chief and his men returned triumphant from Tiger Lair Stronghold. And the young chief, at the foot of the mountain, announced before everyone that she’s marrying you—the wedding is set for a month from now. Congratulations, Mr. Fang! I’ll be expecting a cup of your wedding wine," Old Master Liu chuckled, happier than if he were marrying himself.

"She announced it publicly?" Fang Xian stood up in surprise. He’d always admired Ye Hongxiu, but hadn’t expected her to keep her promise and offer marriage.

"Absolutely. Hundreds heard it. The cheering you heard was all because of this—more thrilling than the victory itself," Old Master Liu said. Fang Xian believed him, especially as notifications poured in, awarding him a great number of celebrity points in a short time.

He was at a loss—while Ye Hongxiu was indeed beautiful and about to become a first-class fighter, he hadn’t expected things to happen so abruptly.

"Brother Fang, what are you doing?" A moment later, Ye Hongxiu, dressed in crimson, strode in as Fang Xian sat dumbfounded in his room.

"Ah, Miss Hongxiu. I was… reading," Fang Xian quickly stood up.

"Have you heard about our engagement?" Ye Hongxiu smiled, noticing his avoidance.

"Miss Hongxiu, may I ask your age?" Fang Xian asked. Seeing her confusion at the formal phrasing, he quickly switched to plain speech.

"I’m seventeen by the traditional count," Ye Hongxiu replied.

"So, you’re not even seventeen yet. Isn’t it a bit early for marriage?" Fang Xian thought to himself, In my world, you’d still be a minor.

"Not at all. Most women here marry at fifteen or sixteen—some have children by seventeen. I just never thought of marrying early, so no one forced me. Now, marriage is actually late for me. Why? Brother Fang, is it that you don’t want to marry me? Are you dissatisfied?" Ye Hongxiu sensed his hesitation and asked directly.

"No, no, not at all. Although life here is rustic, I’ve noticed the people of Azure Cloud Stronghold are honest and heroic. You, Miss Hongxiu, are both valiant and kind, beautiful and dignified—such a match is rare indeed. I only worry that I’m unworthy of you," Fang Xian replied earnestly.

"You’re a learned man and a skilled healer—in fact, you’re my ideal husband. Besides, you saved my father’s life. Only by marrying you and bearing your children can I repay you. I hope you won’t refuse me, Brother Fang, or else I’ll be the laughingstock, having made a public promise I can’t keep," Ye Hongxiu insisted.

"Then I gratefully accept your kindness. By the way, did you find any martial arts manuals in Tiger Lair Stronghold?" Fang Xian asked, nodding.

"No. Zhao Baiming escaped with injuries, taking the 'Green Hills at Sunset' scroll with him. But our stronghold has another illustrated scroll—the 'Myriad Stars Diagram,' said to be the most powerful technique on the continent for a thousand years. It’s just that—" Ye Hongxiu hesitated.

"Just what? With such a treasure, do many here practice it? I’d understand if the old chief wanted to keep it secret," Fang Xian said.

"That’s not it. The 'Myriad Stars Diagram' is renowned, and dozens of copies exist across the land, but only two people in a thousand years have ever succeeded, and both disappeared soon after. My father didn’t think of it at first because it’s so difficult to master. But with nothing else, I’d like you to try it. Would you be willing?" Ye Hongxiu asked.

"Of course. As long as it’s a martial art, there’s a chance. Who knows—I may be the third," Fang Xian replied, eager for the chance.

"This is the 'Myriad Stars Diagram.' It requires deep contemplation. Whether you can unlock its secrets depends on fate," said Ye Hongxiu, handing him the scroll.

Fang Xian unrolled it. The painting seemed ordinary: the sun and moon on either side, surrounded by a myriad of stars like a summer night sky, though the simultaneous presence of sun and moon felt odd.

He examined it from every angle but found nothing special. Hanging it on the wall, he tilted his head this way and that—still, the painting revealed no secrets.