I am the champion of palace intrigue, and even the proud prince bows his head in submission.

Chapter 586 Xie Yun's Storyline: The Handsome Monk

The next morning, as dawn broke.

Xie Yun got up early, put on a light, narrow-sleeved martial arts outfit, and wrapped the soft-bone whip around her waist.

The horses were already prepared, their greyish-blue coats puffing out white steam in the morning mist.

Qin Jiuwei looked at her with some concern, but ultimately did not stop her, only telling her to be careful on the road.

Xie Yanli's expression remained as solemn as ever. "Today is merely a visit to see the person; there's no need to rush into studying. You must return to your residence before sunset."

Sitting on his horse, Xie Yun heard Xie Yanli's serious instructions, but showed no fear on his face. He tilted his head and smiled at them.

"I know, I'll be back before sunset."

As she spoke, she flicked her riding crop, turned back, and waved to them, "I'm off!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he spurred his horse and rode away.

Qin Jiuwei watched Xie Yun's departing figure on horseback and sighed softly, "Yun'er's appearance is like ours, but I don't know who she inherited her personality from."

Xie Yun headed west, towards the outskirts of the city.

The weather was perfect today, with clouds and mist swirling around the mountains and fields. She rode her horse through the willow-lined embankment and across the paddy fields, the sound of her horse's hooves ringing out all the way.

Following the directions given by Xie Jingchun, she quickly found the location of Wusong Manor.

The villa was hidden deep in the pine forest. She dismounted and was about to knock on the door when it creaked open by itself.

Inside the door stood a tall, thin middle-aged man with sharp features and a few strands of white hair at his temples.

"Who are you?" he asked calmly.

Xie Yun clasped her hands in greeting and said, "Replying to Senior, I am Xie Yun, Xie Jingchun's younger sister."

Sure enough, the man's gaze paused slightly, and after a moment he turned around and said, "Come in."

Xie Yun's eyes lit up, and she immediately followed.

Sure enough, on the path of martial arts training, mentioning the elder brother's name is still more effective.

Yan Huisheng led her through the pine forest path to an open stone platform, surrounded by swaying tree shadows.

“I don’t take on disciples,” he said with his back to her, “but for the sake of your brother, I’ll let you lash out with the whip today. If it’s just a perfunctory gesture, then there’s no need for a second time.”

On the stone platform, a gentle mountain breeze rises, and the pines rustle in the wind.

Yan Huisheng pointed to a rockery with jagged black stones in front of him and said, "Use your whip, whatever you want."

Xie Yun flung the soft-bone whip away, and as he gathered his strength, his aura deepened.

With a "whoosh," the whip suddenly appeared, its body both soft and powerful, as agile as a snake, and in an instant, it had already wrapped around the sharpest point of the artificial hill.

Immediately afterwards, the force was withdrawn, and the sharp stone was snapped in two, rolling to the ground and scattering fragments everywhere.

A look of surprise flashed in Yan Huisheng's eyes.

Xie Yun put away his whip, stood still, and looked at him. "Please enlighten me, senior."

"Who taught you this whip technique?" His tone was no longer indifferent, but rather more serious.

Xie Yun shook her head, "No one taught me. I practiced on my own."

Yan Huisheng gave her a deep look, then suddenly smiled.

"If that's the case, and you're willing to become my disciple, then I will accept you."

Xie Yun was taken aback, then knelt down and bowed solemnly, "Thank you, Master!"

Yan Huisheng reached out to help her up, a rare hint of relief in her eyes.

"You have excellent bone structure and a natural talent for whip techniques. If you study diligently, you will be able to establish yourself in the martial arts world within three years."

He paused, then said, "However, the method I will teach you is extremely difficult and dangerous, not child's play like wielding weapons. Since you have become my disciple, you must be able to endure hardship and not give up halfway."

Xie Yun's expression was solemn, and his voice was as clear as a bell, "This disciple has remembered."

Suddenly, a bell rang out from the mountains. Xie Yun heard the sound, turned his head to look into the depths of the distant forest, a hint of doubt in his eyes.

"Master," she turned to Yan Huisheng, "where did that bell sound come from?"

Yan Huisheng wrapped the Broken Shadow Whip back around his waist and said calmly, "On the north side of Wusong Mountain, there is an old temple called Qixia Temple. In its early years, it was extremely popular. Although it is not as popular as it used to be, there are still monks who stay to cultivate themselves and ring the bell three times a day, morning and evening."

"Qixia Temple?" A hint of surprise flashed in Xie Yun's eyes. "I had never heard anyone mention it when I came here. It turns out there is a temple nearby."

She looked up at the horizon; the sunset was deepening, and dusk was just beginning.

She put away the whip, clasped her hands in a fist and bowed to Yan in return: "Master, I will take my leave for today and come again tomorrow."

Yan nodded in response, without saying anything more.

Xie Yun mounted his horse and rode back to the capital along the mountain path, the horse's hooves clattering on the bluestone.

When they reached a secluded mountain valley, she suddenly reined in her horse.

At the end of the mountain path, a gray-robed monk was surrounded by four or five burly men. One of them was shouting, "You bald guy, stop talking nonsense and hand over the money and incense, and we brothers won't make things difficult for you!"

The monk's face was obscured, but his voice was remarkably calm.

"This humble monk has no money; I am here only to beg for alms."

"Pah! Begging for alms? What's in your bundle then?"

One of them had already snatched the monk's baggage, roughly torn it open, and pulled out several scriptures and several packets of dry food.

Xie Yun's eyes turned cold, and she suddenly stepped out from the shadows, her long whip flashing like a snake as she lashed out, striking one of the men's wrists hard.

"stop!"

She shouted coldly, her voice landing on the group, "Robbery in broad daylight! Do you have no regard for the law?"

The robbers were taken aback by the sudden appearance of someone.

The leader turned around and saw that it was a young girl. He immediately grinned and said, "Oh, where did this little girl come from? Trying to meddle in other people's business?"

Xie Yun did not answer, but simply flicked the whip in his hand, making a crisp "crack" sound, his expression cold and stern.

The bandits looked up and sized up the newcomer. Seeing that she was just a thin woman, their eyes immediately showed disdain.

"So it's just a little girl?" The leading man spoke with a hint of disdain. "Young lady, your whip may be powerful, but you're too young and probably not strong enough. If you know what's good for you, then mind your own business."

The people around him also showed mocking expressions.

Xiao Zhaoyuan slightly raised his eyes. The girl in front of him had an otherworldly aura. Her cold demeanor revealed a bright and sharp edge, like the sunlight when the snow first melts. It was cold, but it could scorch people.

He lowered his eyes, and the hidden blade he had originally intended to use in secret was silently concealed.

The bandits approached Xie Yun step by step, laughing and swearing.

Xie Yun stared at them coldly, a mocking smile playing on her lips.

"If you don't eat the toast, you will be punished with a drink."

The robbers exchanged glances and then burst into vulgar laughter.

"Wow, this little girl is pretty fierce."

"I refuse to believe that I can be defeated by a little girl today!"

The burly man at the head of the group snorted coldly, cursed, and stepped forward. He swept his iron rod at Xie Yun, but Xie Yun did not dodge. Instead, he moved swiftly and unleashed a whip that flashed like lightning!

"Snapped!"

The whip whistled through the air and struck his wrist hard.

Before he could regain his balance, the second whip came and struck him hard in the back of his knee.

With a "bang," the big man fell to his knees!

In no time, all of them were knocked to the ground.