On the waters of Taihu Lake in Suzhou, a small boat moved slowly forward, its hull cutting lightly through the water and leaving layers of ripples in its wake. The destination of this small boat was a small island in the middle of Taihu Lake called Manshan Island, and upon the island lay a mysterious place known as Mantu Manor.
At the bow of the boat stood a young man with an upright posture and a deep, resolute gaze. This youth was none other than Jilin, who had departed from Dali not long before. Clad in a cyan robe whose hem fluttered in the wind, he seemed to blend seamlessly with the surrounding lake water.
"Young Master, we are about to reach the boundaries of Mantu Manor ahead. This is private property, and outsiders are strictly forbidden to enter," the boatman warned.
Jilin nodded slightly to acknowledge the warning. He looked toward Mantu Manor, which was close at hand—an estate hidden amidst mountain forests, surrounded by lush trees and blooming flowers like a paradise isolated from the mortal world.
Jilin tossed a small amount of money to the boatman as payment, then channeled his internal energy and leaped upward, his figure as light as a flying bird. In the blink of an eye, he had landed steadily before the manor gates.
At that moment, the two guards at the gates of the manor saw that the newcomer was an unfamiliar young man, and they immediately drew their swords in confrontation, asking vigilantly, "Who goes there? Leave this instant, or do not blame us for being discourteous!"
Jilin smiled faintly, cupped his fists, and said, "I am Jilin, the current Leader of the Xiaoyao Sect, here specifically to pay a visit to Madam Wang. I must trouble the two of you to announce my arrival."
The two guards exchanged glances, a flash of surprise crossing their eyes. They had not expected this young man before them to be the leader of a sect. However, they had never heard of any major martial arts sect called the Xiaoyao Sect in the pugilistic world. Therefore, they did not let down their guard and still stood holding their swords.
"I care not what kind of leader you are; our Mantu Manor does not allow men to enter," said one of them.
Jilin smiled lightly, flicked a finger, and instantly sealed the two men's internal energy while disarming them of the weapons in their hands. He then instructed the two of them to go inside and report that the Leader of the Xiaoyao Sect had come, saying that Madam Wang would understand.
Hearing this, one of the guards turned and ran toward the manor, while the other continued to watch Jilin with a wary gaze.
Jilin stood quietly at the entrance waiting, looking forward with inner anticipation to this meeting with Madam Wang. After all, besides the Jade Cave of Martial Arts within Mantu Manor, his purpose this time was also to catch a glimpse of the foremost beauty in *Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils*, the fairy sister—Wang Yuyan.
Before long, the guard returned and respectfully said to Jilin, "My mistress invites you in. Please follow me."
Jilin followed the guard into the manor, walking along winding paths and passing through dense gardens until they finally arrived in front of an elegant courtyard. Several tables and chairs were set up in the courtyard, and various flowers were planted all around.
"You are the Leader of the Xiaoyao Sect? You are so young, you couldn't be a fake, could you? I recall that the Leader of the Xiaoyao Sect is Wuyazi," Madam Wang said coldly as she sat on a chair. She wore gorgeous garments, possessed fine features, and carried an elegant bearing that could not fail to captivate anyone who saw her.
Jilin stepped forward, cupped his fists, and bowed. "Jilin pays respects to Senior Sister. For intruding so abruptly this time, I hope Senior Sister will forgive me."
Following that, Jilin produced the seven-treasure ring that symbolized the Leader of the Xiaoyao Sect.
Madam Wang took the ring, examined it for a moment, then motioned for Jilin to take a seat before speaking. "I wonder what brings Leader Ji here today?"
Jilin took a deep breath and laid out his intentions and the current state of the Xiaoyao Sect to Madam Wang. As it turned out, his visit to Mantu Manor was twofold: first, to pay respects to his Senior Sister, and second, in the hope of entering the Jade Cave of Martial Arts to study and cultivate.
Madam Wang listened quietly to Jilin's words, a trace of sorrow welling up in her eyes. She nodded slightly and asked softly, "Wuyazi... has he truly passed away?"
Jilin nodded, his expression grave as he replied, "Yes, Senior Sister. Not long after Master passed the position of Leader to me, he passed away from this world."
Hearing this news, Madam Wang's eyes instantly grew moist. Although Madam Wang did not hold much affection for Wuyazi, he was, after all, her biological father. Because of this, her heart was filled with grief. However, she did not allow herself to remain immersed in sadness for long and quickly regained her composure.
After a moment of silence, Madam Wang raised her head and looked at Jilin. "Since you are the current Leader of the Xiaoyao Sect, you are no outsider. You may stay here in my manor as you please, and you may enter the Jade Cave of Martial Arts to read at any time."
Jilin was overjoyed upon hearing this. Afterward, he followed a servant to the guest quarters.
In the afternoon, the warm sunlight spilled over the gardens of Mantu Manor. After tidying up his room, Jilin strolled about the courtyard, preparing to properly appreciate the beautiful scenery of Mantu Manor.
Just as he was intoxicated by the charming scenery, a crisp and pleasant sound of a zither suddenly floated into his ears. Following the sound, Jilin saw a woman gracefully playing a guqin inside a pavilion.
Jilin felt as though a clear spring was flowing through his heart, sweeping away the fatigue from his body and leaving his entire being refreshed. He closed his eyes and enjoyed the wonderful melody.
After a moment, Jilin slowly opened his eyes and looked in the direction from which the sound came. In an elegant pavilion sat a woman dressed in white surpassing snow, ethereal and refined, plucking the strings.
The woman raised her head and happened to meet Jilin's gaze. The corners of her lips lifted slightly into a sweet smile, and she gently ceased playing.
A stir went through Jilin's heart, and he could not help but walk toward the pavilion.
"You must be Jilin, the Leader of the Xiaoyao Sect that my mother mentioned." The woman's voice was as pleasing as celestial music.
Jilin nodded. "It is indeed I. You must be Miss Wang Yuyan."
"Mm, I didn't expect Elder Brother Ji to look so young! I thought you would be an old grandfather." Wang Yuyan pursed her lips in a smile, her bright eyes flickering with a hint of curiosity.
Looking at the woman's countenance before him, Jilin could not help exclaiming inwardly: "She truly lives up to her name as the foremost beauty of *Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils*. Especially since she shares a face passed down across three generations."
Wang Yuyan's pretty face blushed slightly as she softly said, "My zither playing is still quite clumsy; I have made Elder Brother Ji laugh at me."
After all, this was the first man she had ever seen other than her cousin Murong Fu, and this man was so handsome he looked as though he had stepped out of a painting. Wang Yuyan appeared somewhat shy.
"Miss Wang, your zither playing is truly transcendent and intoxicating." Jilin praised her sincerely.
Hearing Jilin's compliment, a blush appeared on Wang Yuyan's face. She lowered her head and softly said, "Thank you for the praise, Elder Brother Ji. If you like listening, I can play another tune for you."
Jilin smiled slightly, nodded, and then sat quietly to the side, listening as Wang Yuyan once again struck up a melodious tune.
In this tranquil atmosphere, Jilin and Wang Yuyan were completely immersed in the ocean of music.
The song ended, yet the lingering echoes seemed to weave around the beams, refusing to fade. In high spirits and feeling wonderfully cheerful, Jilin extended an invitation to Wang Yuyan: "I wonder if I might trouble Miss Wang to show me around the Jade Cave of Martial Arts?"
For reasons unknown, Wang Yuyan's gaze kept falling involuntarily upon this man she was meeting for the first time, and a strong sense of curiosity inexplicably surged within her heart.
Wang Yuyan nodded slightly, a smile playing at the corners of her lips, and readily consented. "Since Young Master Ji has such refined tastes, this maiden is naturally happy to accompany you." With that, she turned lightly and led Jilin into that cave filled with an air of mystery.
The moment he stepped into the Jade Cave of Martial Arts, Jilin was deeply shocked by the books piled as high as mountains and dazzling to the eye. The sheer quantity and complete variety of books here simply surpassed imagination, leaving him dizzy and overwhelmed.
Though some superior martial arts only had empty shelves with names written on them, peerless manuals such as the Seventy-two Arts of the Shaolin Temple were all present.
Jilin walked anxiously to the bookshelves, reaching out to gently touch the yellowed pages. He greedily picked up book after book, eagerly flipping through them to devour the knowledge and wisdom within.
Wang Yuyan sat quietly on a nearby stone stool, her bright eyes gazing at the intently reading Jilin with a faint smile on her face.
Occasionally, when Jilin encountered confusion or incomprehension, she would softly explain and resolve his doubts, her gaze revealing a touch of tenderness and patience.
With Wang Yuyan serving as a walking martial arts treasury, Jilin's studies became much simpler.
Time slipped away quietly and unnoticed. Jilin was completely immersed in the sea of books, completely forgetting the changes in the world around him. Wang Yuyan silently accompanied him the whole time, sharing this rare moment of tranquility with him like a beautiful scroll.
During this period, Jilin not only learned many martial arts manuals, but also gained a deeper understanding of various affairs in the pugilistic world.
While studying, Jilin was also copying the books inside the Jade Cave of Martial Arts.
As time went on, Jilin's System Space would gradually become as rich and colorful as the Jade Cave of Martial Arts, perhaps even more magnificent.
On this day, as usual, Jilin was wholeheartedly copying martial arts classics inside the Jade Cave of Martial Arts. Suddenly, a crisp cry came from afar, interrupting his train of thought.
"Elder Brother Ji!"
Jilin frowned slightly, recognizing the voice as belonging to Wang Yuyan. Unable to continue copying, he immediately laid down his brush and paper and stood up to walk toward the mouth of the cave.
Upon reaching the cave entrance, he saw Wang Yuyan standing there with an anxious expression, accompanied by two clear-eyed women in plain clothes.
Just as Jilin was about to ask what had happened, Wang Yuyan spoke first. Looking panicked and full of worry, she said, "Elder Brother Ji, it's terrible! The pugilistic world is full of rumors saying that Deputy Leader Ma Dayuan of the Beggar Gang has been murdered. Everyone is saying... saying the murderer is my cousin!"
As she spoke, a trace of tears flashed in Wang Yuyan's eyes, her expression incomparably pained.
A stir went through Jilin's heart, and he thought to himself: "It seems the plot has already developed to this point. These two women before me must be Ahu and Abi?"
"I must say, the Duan family's genes are truly formidable. None of Duan Zhengchun's daughters I've met so far are anything less than beautiful."
Then Wang Yuyan continued with a crying voice, "I know my cousin wouldn't do such a thing, but my mother won't allow me to go find him. Elder Brother Ji, won't you help me?"
Looking at Wang Yuyan's heartbroken appearance, Jilin felt a trace of pity rise in his heart, but at the same time he pondered to himself.
"By now, I have basically collected all the martial arts manuals in the Jade Cave of Martial Arts; what remains are merely some unimportant miscellaneous books. Since things have reached this point, I can take this opportunity to go out for a stroll and see that righteous Hero Qiao."
Thinking of this, Jilin nodded and said to Wang Yuyan, "Alright, I'll go with you to persuade your mother."
Hearing this, joy immediately appeared on Wang Yuyan's face, and she hurriedly pulled Jilin along toward Mantu Manor.
Later, he sought out Madam Wang and moved her with both emotion and reason, finally winning her consent. Wang Yuyan was moved to tears of gratitude, and the four of them embarked on the road to the Beggar Gang together.
Their first stop was Swallow Workshop of the Gusu Murong family. The scenery along the way was picturesque and breathtakingly beautiful. As the boat slowly neared the shore, they felt an atmosphere of peace and mystery.
After the boat docked and before anyone could rest for even a moment, a few cries of "Not so, not so" drifted over. This unique catchphrase immediately allowed Wang Yuyan to recognize the newcomer.
"It's Third Brother Bao," Ahu said excitedly.
"Elder Brother Ji, let's go ashore." Wang Yuyan took Jilin's hand, eager to see Bao Different.
Once they went ashore, Jilin finally got a proper look at this "top debater of the pugilistic world." He saw a man dressed in gray robes, tall in stature, with a solemn expression and a very plain, unpretentious appearance.
"Third Brother Bao, why are you here? Where is my cousin?"
"The Young Master asked me to return to Swallow Workshop to handle some matters first, and then go rendezvous with them at the Beggar Gang."
"That's wonderful! We're also heading to the Beggar Gang to find my cousin, so we can travel together," Wang Yuyan said excitedly.
At night, everyone sat around the dining table in the brightly lit room. While Wang Yuyan and the others discussed enthusiastically how to help Murong Fu, Bao Different, sitting to one side, had other ideas.
"Hehe, Young Master Ji, Miss Wang has us to take care of her, so as for you, please feel free to look after yourself. There's no need to trouble yourself over my young master's affairs!" Bao Different said with a look of disdain.
"Looking at your delicate and tender appearance, your martial arts can't be much to speak of either. You'd better not come dabble in muddy waters!" he continued tauntingly.
Hearing this, a wave of displeasure arose in Jilin's heart. He slightly raised his hand, flicked his finger, and an invisible burst of internal energy instantly struck Bao Different. Bao Different was sent flying immediately, crashing heavily to the ground in a sorry state.
Ever since coming to the world of *Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils*, no one had ever dared to speak to Jilin like that in front of him. This sudden turn of events stunned everyone present, especially Wang Yuyan and the others.
"Young Master Ji, please show mercy!" Wang Yuyan hurriedly stood up, pleading anxiously.
Ahu and Abi also chimed in with pleas: "Young Master Ji, please do not harm Third Brother Bao..."
"Rest assured, I won't take his life, but he must pay the price for his words and actions." Jilin looked coldly at Bao Different sprawled on the ground, a hint of chill flashing in his eyes.
"Bao Different, remember my words: watch your mouth. If there is a next time, I will make you unable to speak ever again," he warned.
For the sake of Wang Yuyan and the others, Jilin couldn't be bothered to nag further, and he turned and walked away.
The night was as dark as ink, and all sounds were still. Relying on his exceptional lightness kung fu, Jilin quietly bypassed the Murong family guards and arrived before the Hall of Returning Merit.
This Hall of Returning Merit had been built by Murong Fu on the model of the Jade Cave of Martial Arts at Mantu Manor.
He gently pushed open the window sash and leaped into the room. The interior was filled with the scent of ancient books. Although the martial arts manuals on the shelves were not as abundant as those in the Jade Cave of Martial Arts, many of them were identical.
Without turning aside, Jilin began searching for mechanisms within the room, and within moments he made a discovery.
Jilin gently tapped an empty bookshelf and felt that its back was hollow. He carefully felt around the perimeter of the shelf, and after twisting the position of a flower vase, a wooden box appeared before his eyes.
Opening it, he found two manuals: one was *Skill of Rotating Heaven and Earth*, and the other was *Merging Finger*. Both of these were heirloom martial arts of the Murong family. After storing them into his System Space, Jilin restored the room to its original state and quietly departed.
Returning to his quarters, Jilin took out the two manuals to examine them closely, discovering that both were superior martial arts.
In particular, that *Merging Finger* shared commonalities with his own One-Yang Finger.
With this thought, Jilin began to cultivate...