Chapter 55: The Four Elite Escort Masters of the Songjiang Escort Agency

The four brothers were rebuffed right from the start, leaving them momentarily speechless. Forced to exchange glances, they assumed their stances, raising their weapons from four different directions. When Meng Xiaoli caught sight of the weapons in their hands, she found them quite peculiar. Each brother held a pair of metal pincers in both hands, bearing a striking resemblance to the claws of a river crab, though much lighter and more streamlined. With a simple clench of the hand, the pincers moved as nimbly as human fingers. Meng Xiaoli raised the Golden Scale Blood Armor on her fingertips and smiled at the four men, saying, "Let us see today whether your crab pincers are more formidable, or my Golden Scale Blood Armor."

With that, the four men quickly stacked themselves into a tight formation. Ma Da, the leader, thrust his upper body forward into mid-air. Half of his right arm was missing, replaced entirely by a metallic skeletal structure. Ma Da shouted, "Talk of no nonsense! These are the Decapitation Pincers—Ghostly Rakshasa of the Demonic Hell, prepare to meet your doom!"

Meng Xiaoli was stunned for a split second, but in a flash, Ma Da's Decapitation Pincers were already lunging toward her. The pincers aimed straight for her neck with such incredible speed that Meng Xiaoli only managed to dodge them by a hair's breadth, scraping past the outer edge of the blades.

Just as Meng Xiaoli tilted her head to evade Ma Da's attack, Yi Er's Decapitation Pincers were already waiting for her evasive move. Striking first, Yi Er closed in to deliver a pincer attack aimed at Meng Xiaoli's head. Ducking low, Meng Xiaoli slipped behind the three men while simultaneously unleashing a claw strike toward Yi Er's side profile. Yi Er merely tilted his head slightly to let her large claw pass by, which was when Meng Xiaoli noticed that Yi Er had no right ear at all—the spot where his right ear should have been, wrapped tightly in a headscarf, was completely flat.

At that moment, Shu Si'er blocked Meng Xiaoli's blind spot from behind. Thrusting his pincers forward, Shu Si'er aimed directly at Meng Xiaoli's solar plexus. Meng Xiaoli pressed down with her palm, flipped over, and vaulted above the heads of the four men. The quartet immediately shifted their formation, encircling Meng Xiaoli as she descended. With a move akin to a "dragonfly skimming the water," Meng Xiaoli reversed her orientation, tapped her toes lightly against the oncoming Decapitation Pincers of the four brothers, and used the leverage to leap aside.

Seeing Meng Xiaoli evade their assault, Ma Da shouted, "Form array!" The four brothers separated to four distinct positions, simultaneously attacking Meng Xiaoli's upper, lower, left-center, and rear-right flanks.

Observing the four men, Meng Xiaoli noticed they had deliberately left a gap on the right flank—surrounding her without completely sealing off the escape route. It was undoubtedly a trap.

After a brief calculation, Meng Xiaoli chose the path less traveled. Feinting a body shift to the right, she actually dodged in the exact opposite direction toward the rear-left. By a mere margin of a single palm's width, she successfully avoided Shu Si'er, who had launched the initial attack from the rear-right position. Shu Si'er's pincer strike sliced through empty air, and before he could retract his momentum, Meng Xiaoli grabbed his wrist and used his own force against him. Vaulting sideways with a high kick, she narrowly avoided the upper and lower attacks from Ma Da and Yi Er, while simultaneously kicking away Zhan San'er's dual pincers.

Struck by Meng Xiaoli's kick, Zhan San'er's dual pincers careened out of control, slamming directly into Ma Da standing beside him. Everything happened too quickly for the four men to react. In an instant, the counterattacks of Shu Si'er and Zhan San were neutralized, and Ma Da was sent stumbling backward after being mistakenly struck by his third junior brother's pincers. Only Yi Er acted swiftly to launch a second wave of assault. Sweeping her leg in a wide arc, Meng Xiaoli first deflected Yi Er's offensive posture, then vaulted into the space behind Yi Er in an attempt to strike his blind spot.

Recovering his wits, Shu Si'er raised his iron pincers and rushed over in a panic to defend his comrade. However, Meng Xiaoli merely stepped backward. Shu Si'er's attack missed entirely, whereupon Meng Xiaoli raised both palms and struck him squarely in the solar plexus. Shu Si'er's head snapped backward like a dead weight, slamming directly into the back of the head of Yi Er, who was attempting to break away from the formation. The two men collided head-on, sending them both into a daze of dizziness. It was only by sheer luck and minor injuries that they managed to save their lives.

Meng Xiaoli's consecutive execution of the "two birds with one stone" maneuver was executed with exquisite precision. By pinning down the primary attacker to batter the secondary branches, her technique not only mirrored the teachings of senior martial artist Dugu, but also captured the very essence of Dugu's martial arts—which was to adapt spontaneously to actual circumstances during combat. Furthermore, after several rounds of exchange, Meng Xiaoli had completely unraveled the weaknesses of the four escort guards. Although their iron pincers possessed fierce momentum and razor-sharp, ferocious gripping power, as long as one avoided their direct锋芒 (sharp edge) and counterattacked their flanks, defeating them was remarkably effortless.

By infiltrating through successive gaps, Meng Xiaoli rapidly transformed a dead end into a path of survival. Although the spectators below the stage still harbored reservations about her, they could not help but burst into simultaneous cries of, "Brilliant! Simply brilliant!"

Zhan San leaped from the ground, swooping down toward Meng Xiaoli with a scissoring motion. Meng Xiaoli rolled to the side, deliberately drawing in Ma Da, who was attacking from behind. The iron pincers closing in from both front and rear were ferocious; once caught within their blades, one would end up like a tree crown awaiting the shears—losing both head and limbs.

Instead of meeting the attack head-on, Meng Xiaoli suddenly withdrew and stepped aside. Zhan San's attack missed completely, nearly inflicting accidental harm upon Ma Da standing right behind her. Recovering swiftly, Zhan San reined in his momentum just in time, flipping over the lower-positioned Ma Da. He intended to resume his attack on Meng Xiaoli, but before he could even complete the flip and throw a strike, Meng Xiaoli delivered a swift side kick. Striking Zhan San's right cheek, the blow sent a large molar flying out of his mouth amidst a spray of blood, and the sheer force of the impact flipped his entire body over, crashing him to the ground.

Seeing this, Ma Da lunged forward in a flying leap, his dual pincers scissoring through the air. Meng Xiaoli ducked and stepped aside, leaving Ma Da's abdomen completely unprotected and exposed directly before her. Had Meng Xiaoli unleashed her dual claws, Ma Da would undoubtedly have been killed instantly. Instead, she converted her claws into twin fists and blasted Ma Da flying backward out of the arena.

The four senior and junior brother disciples of the Songjiang Escort Agency had barely exchanged a few blows before sustaining minor injuries. It was evident that their martial arts were vastly inferior to Meng Xiaoli's. Enduring their pains, Ma Da and the other three brothers climbed back to their feet, cupped their fists toward Meng Xiaoli, and bowed. "It appears there is no need for the four of us to continue sparring with Sect Leader Meng," Ma Da said. "The outcome has been decided, and we gracefully admit defeat."

Shu Si'er also stepped forward, offering a formal bow as he said, "We are deeply grateful to Sect Leader Meng for showing mercy just now; otherwise, the lives of us brothers would have been forfeit." With those words, the four men offered one final, respectful bow to Meng Xiaoli before turning and leaping down from the stage.

By this time, having engaged in numerous consecutive bouts of combat, Meng Xiaoli was thoroughly perspiring and showing signs of fatigue. Moreover, as dusk was falling and she had not eaten all day, she decided to suspend the martial arts tournament until the following morning.

Retiring from the stage amidst her exhaustion, Meng Xiaoli led her disciples into the city to the renowned tavern known as the "Great Drunken Immortal" to drink and unwind.

The moment the members of the Red Robe Sect stepped into the establishment, they drew the scrutinizing gazes of every patron inside. The tavern proprietor hurried forward with a polite, nervous smile. Meng Xiaoli glanced back at the multitude of disciples trailing behind her and commanded, "Prepare the finest and largest private dining room for us." The smile on the proprietor's face instantly shifted from apprehension to deep distress as he stammered apologetically, "This... well, I am truly sorry, but that large private room is currently occupied. Might I suggest...?"

"Then simply ask them to vacate it. We shall pay for their food and wine," interjected the actor Li Yaoyao, urging the proprietor to clear the room without delay.

Fumbling and hesitating, the proprietor refused to budge, explaining, "I am afraid those guests are enjoying their wine quite heartily. To disturb them now... I fear it might provoke our esteemed patrons..."

Paying him no mind, Meng Xiaoli strode ahead and headed straight upstairs, with her disciples closely following behind. "If you fear provoking them," Meng Xiaoli remarked coldly, "are you not afraid of provoking me?"

Left with no choice, the proprietor and the tavern attendant hurried after her. "Sect Leader Meng, in your magnanimity," the proprietor pleaded, "how about we arrange another chamber of comparable size instead?"

When the group arrived before the doors of the premier large private room, Meng Xiaoli instructed the proprietor to expedite the removal of the occupants inside. Desperate and helpless, the proprietor nervously raised his hand and knocked politely upon the door.

From within, a man's voice called out, "Who is it?"

The trembling proprietor hastily replied, "Ah, it is I, the tavern keeper. I have a minor matter to discuss with our esteemed guests."

Growing impatient, Gu Youyou scoffed, "Why waste words? Just open the door and go in." With that, she reached out to push the door open. The moment her hand neared the frame, a sudden surge of suction pulled her forward. The door flew wide open, and Gu Youyou stumbled into the room.

To her astonishment, Meng Xiaoli saw only two men dressed in white garments seated beside a low table. Their faces were flushed with a faint rosy hue, lingering in a state of gentle intoxication as they leisurely gazed toward the entrance. To everyone's surprise, the occupants were none of other than the two young masters of the Wind and Cloud Pavilion.

Seeing this, the tavern keeper hastily bowed and apologized profusely, "Forgive this intrusion upon your drinking pleasures, I am truly sorry, it is just that..."

"You may withdraw," Meng Xiaoli interrupted midway through the proprietor's explanation. Stepping forward, she continued, "Since they are in the midst of their cups, we ought not to disturb them. Lead us to another private chamber instead. Charge the food and wine for this large room to the Red Robe Sect's account, and have the attendant bring in more wine."

Hearing this, the tavern keeper felt as though he had received a grand pardon. "My utmost gratitude to Sect Leader Meng for your understanding!" he blurted out eagerly. "I shall guide you there immediately." Turning to the tavern attendant, he barked, "Quickly, open Chamber Heaven-Number-Two! Bring in pastries, snacks, musical performances, and entertainment—let everything be served inside." With that, he turned and led the female disciples of the Red Robe Sect toward another room.

Meanwhile, Meng Xiaoli instructed Wu Yu, "Lead the others over there to drink first. I shall join you shortly after exchanging a few words."

"Understood, Sect Leader," Wu Yu replied knowingly, following the proprietor toward Chamber Heaven-Number-Two.

Inside the room, Li Yurang, the peerless young master, and Wu Yuqiu, the cold-faced scholar, had set down their wine cups the moment the group knocked and entered, watching the doorway until Meng Xiaoli dismissed all her followers. Only then did Meng Xiaoli step across the threshold, offer a respectful bow at the entrance, and ask with a light, inquiring smile, "Does the Hero Wu still remember me?"

Li Yurang unfurled his folding fan, squinting his intoxicated eyes as he turned to gaze curiously at Wu Yuqiu. Wu Yuqiu lowered his gaze in contemplation. Though he recognized the identity of the person standing before him, he remained entirely unaware of the purpose behind her visit. "I have some impression," Wu Yuqiu replied mildly. "However, since you have business with us, it would be best to step inside and speak."

Li Yurang gently swished his black-gold folding fan, casting a casual glance at Wu Yuqiu before turning his attention back to Meng Xiaoli. As Meng Xiaoli stepped further into the room, Wu Yuqiu swept his sleeve and channeled his internal energy to quietly shut the door. Glancing back at the tightly closed portal, Meng Xiaoli realized this was simply a customary habit among the disciples of the Wind and Cloud Pavilion.

Meng Xiaoli bowed respectfully to Li Yurang and introduced herself, "Meng Xiaoli of the Red Robe Sect."

Li Yurang nodded in understanding and replied, "Li Yurang of the Wind and Cloud Pavilion. Please, take a seat." He extended a hand, gesturing for her to join them at the table.

Approaching the two men, Meng Xiaoli turned her gaze toward Wu Yuqiu and said, "Many years ago, a young girl inadvertently strayed beyond the frontier passes, and Hero Wu extended a helping hand on three separate occasions. Do you remember?"

Pouring himself a cup of wine, Li Yurang sat back to watch the unfolding spectacle. Wu Yuqiu looked back at Meng Xiaoli with a hazy, drunken gaze, a faint smile playing at the corners of his lips as he asked knowingly, "Could it be that Sect Leader Meng was that very girl from years past?"

Kneeling gracefully beside the low table, Meng Xiaoli proactively picked up a wine vessel and poured herself a cup of wine. Smiling, she replied, "Indeed it was. Though you call her a young girl, back then, I was actually of a comparable age to Hero Wu." Raising her cup toward him, she said, "Since fate has granted us this opportunity to meet once more today, I, Meng Xiaoli, must insist on offering Hero Wu a cup of wine to express my gratitude for saving my life back then."

Wu Yuqiu raised his own cup, clinked it against Meng Xiaoli's in a shared toast, and drank. With a soft smile, he remarked, "When I rescued you back then, you left without revealing your name. Little did I know that the person I saved was none other than the infamous Ghostly Rakshasa."

Meng Xiaoli responded, "Hero Wu was already renowned far and wide, whereas I was still a nobody at the time. It is hardly surprising that you did not remember me. Yet now that you know the person you saved is the Demonic Hell's Ghostly Rakshasa, do you feel any shred of regret?"

Shaking his head with a chuckle, Wu Yuqiu replied, "Sect Leader Meng possesses immense fortune. Destined by unseen forces, I was meant to intervene and save you. A life saved is a life saved—what is there to regret?"

Amidst their conversation, Wu Yuqiu sensed the flow of vital energy circulating through Meng Xiaoli's body. Her internal power had reached at least the mid-stage of the seventh realm, and she showed strong momentum pointing toward the late stage of the seventh realm. Curious, he asked, "When I encountered you all those years ago, your cultivation was likely only at the third realm. Now, your martial arts have advanced by leaps and bounds, nearly breaking through to the late-stage seventh realm. Did you happen upon a renowned master along the way, or did you achieve a sudden spiritual awakening and悟 (comprehend) some supreme technique on your own?"

Reluctant to speak at length about her master to outsiders, Meng Xiaoli lowered her gaze and replied evasively, "A stroke of heavenly fortune allowed me to master divine arts—merely a matter of good luck."

Just as the three of them were conversing, a sharp female voice suddenly pierced through the air from outside the door: "Wu Yuqiu, which room are you hiding in? Get out here this instant!"

Li Yurang and Meng Xiaoli exchanged bewildered glances, turning their eyes simultaneously toward Wu Yuqiu. A slight frown creaked across Wu Yuqiu's brow as he let out a helpless sigh and took another sip of his wine.

"Who could that be calling for you?" Meng Xiaoli asked cautiously. "An enemy?"

Sighing softly once more, Wu Yuqiu placed his index finger before his lips to signal silence. "Not an enemy," he murmured with a wry smile, "yet far more troublesome than one."