It was said that the White Lotus had already been securely within Chen Jinfeng's grasp. Yet Situ Kong, empty-handed, struck with astonishing suddenness and snatched the White Lotus away, utterly humiliating the Western Sacred Matron, Chen Jinfeng. Before departing, he even deliberately instructed Huangfu Song to deal with Chen Jinfeng, while he himself vanished like a wisp of smoke from Lotus Peak.
By then night had already fallen. Wu Tong and his companions returned to the Eastern Peak—Morning Sun Peak—where Master Jiuyang cultivated, and stayed there for the night.
The next morning, the Two Eccentrics of Jianghu proposed visiting Maiden Peak to admire the immortal mountain scenery. Thus the group made their way there. Maiden Peak was the most precipitous of all the peaks, and also the most magnificent. Dense forests covered the slopes, and the surroundings were serene and secluded. At the summit stood the Maiden Shrine, said to have been built when Duke Mu of Qin once searched in vain for his daughter and, in despair, erected the shrine in her memory.
At the shrine, clouds and mist filled the mountains. Vast seas of cloud flowed silently between peaks and ravines, like white silk drifting in the wind, as if jade immortals danced lightly through the air; at times they surged like ocean waves, ceaseless and mighty.
At that moment, the Western Madman noticed a Daoist compound not far away and shouted,"Let's go have a look!"
The group approached the compound, where they overheard someone pleading:
"Immortal Lady above, this junior is Zhu Feng, Sect Master of Mount Hua. I was injured by a demonic woman yesterday and now suffer severe internal wounds. I beg the Immortal Lady to show mercy and grant me Royal Jelly, so that my injuries may be healed."
Before the Daoist hall stood three Daoist nuns. The one in the center appeared nearly sixty years old. Though a woman of the cloth and advanced in age, she had clearly mastered the art of preserving youth, radiating noble dignity. The two beside her resembled attendants, seemingly of distinguished lineage.
She spoke calmly,"So it is the Sect Master of Mount Hua. Forgive us for not welcoming you sooner."
Suddenly, a cold voice rang out:
"Sect Master Zhu's minor internal injuries could easily be resolved with Mount Hua's own refined pills. Why trouble yourself to seek Royal Jelly here?"
Alongside Sect Master Zhu Feng were not only his disciples, but also two Dragon-Tiger Elders of the True God Palace—Qin Wei and Wang Tao. Wang Tao's tiger eyes flashed as he demanded,
"Who speaks? Step forward and show yourself!"
Six figures drifted down gracefully. They were 'Thousand-Mile Lone Walker' Liu Guang, Jia Yong, the Left and Right Envoys of Heaven and Earth—Li Han and Ling Yun, as well as the Kylin Elder Lin Ping and the Black Tortoise Elder Shen Er.
Liu Guang chuckled softly."Royal Jelly is a treasure of the martial world. A single small bottle can increase ten years of cultivation. Sect Master Zhu, your intentions are far from pure."
Zhu Feng was deeply calculating, his mind unfathomable. Yet he remained calm, his expression unchanged.
"With the Immortal Lady present," Zhu Feng said sternly, "you must not spread slander or sow discord!"
He suddenly stepped forward, dropped to his knees before the Immortal Lady, and said,
"This junior, Zhu Feng of Mount Hua, was injured by a demonic woman yesterday. I sincerely beg the Immortal Lady's compassion and request Royal Jelly to heal my internal wounds."
This Immortal Lady was no ordinary Daoist. She was Princess Yuzhen, sister of Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang, known in the Daoist order as Wushang Zhenren, honored with the title Supreme Master of the Three Caverns of the Upper Clarity.
At the same time, Jia Yong strode forward and knelt as well.
"This junior, Jia Yong, was also injured by a demonic woman days ago. I beg the Immortal Lady to grant Royal Jelly to heal my internal wounds."
Suddenly, a figure shot forward like lightning and landed before Zhu Feng and Jia Yong, bursting into loud laughter.
"You two may leave now!"
Turning back to the Immortal Lady and the two Daoist nuns, he added,"Wushang Zhenren, ignore them. Let's go inside."
The Immortal Lady smiled faintly."Situ Kong, what wind has blown you here?"
Situ Kong replied,"These people fought over the White Lotus yesterday, and now they're here to seize your Royal Jelly. None of them come with good intentions!"
In the Tang dynasty, many princesses entered the Daoist path. Princess Yuzhen had cultivated on Mount Hua for many years. Through long observation, she learned the habits of wild bees, which gathered nectar from rare flowers unique to Mount Hua. Only after building hives beside the Daoist compound could such honey be harvested. Honey sealed and aged for over ten years was known as Royal Jelly.
Traditional medicine held honey in high regard. The Compendium of Materia Medica recorded that honey could "harmonize vital energies, moisten the organs, regulate the Triple Burner, and nourish the spleen and stomach."
The Immortal Lady said gently,"Very well. Harmony is precious. Feng'er and Xiu'er, bring out this year's early honey and offer it to our guests for recuperation."
The two Daoist nuns acknowledged and entered the hall, returning with two small porcelain bottles of honey.
Feng'er approached Jia Yong, while Xiu'er walked toward Sect Master Zhu Feng. Zhu Feng looked embarrassed but bowed respectfully, accepting the bottle from Feng'er with thanks.
Xiu'er handed her bottle to Jia Yong. In an instant, Jia Yong's eyes flashed. He seized Xiu'er's wrist, sealed her acupoints, and said coldly,
"Immortal Lady—if you wish her to live, quickly hand over the Royal Jelly!"
The sudden turn shocked everyone.
Wu Tong shouted angrily,"Jia Yong! What are you doing? Release her at once!"
Ling Xian'er was about to move, but Jia Yong barked,"None of you move!"
One hand pressed firmly against Xiu'er's crown. No one dared act.
Even Liu Guang had not anticipated this.
Liu Guang said coolly,"Jia Yong—truly ruthless. The Lord of the Nine Heavens judged you well."
Situ Kong shouted,"Boy, let the Daoist aunt go!"
Jia Yong sneered."I will—if the Immortal Lady brings three bottles of Royal Jelly in exchange!"
Zhu Feng cried out in fear,"Jia Yong, you know nothing of heaven or earth! Release her now! Otherwise, even if you consume three bottles of Royal Jelly, you will still die!"
Jia Yong laughed wildly."Zhu Feng, you lack the courage. I am not so easily frightened. Once I drink the Royal Jelly, every one of you will look at me differently!"
Suddenly—
"Hahahaha—!"
Thunderous laughter echoed through the mountain valley, shaking the peaks themselves. The echoes rolled endlessly as everyone stiffened in shock.
A great expert had arrived… from an unknown direction.