Chapter 28: Rivalry Between Consort Plum and Consort Yang

　　Just as Ouyang Feihong, Zhou Boyong, and Master Shikong were about to step into the cave, a deep, hollow sound suddenly echoed from within. A gust of cold air swept past them, carrying with it an eerie sense of foreboding.　　“Ah, Amitabha[ It is a Sanskrit name meaning “Infinite Light” or “Boundless Radiance”. It refers to Amitābha Buddha, a central figure in Pure Land Buddhism. He is believed to reside in the Western Pure Land and is venerated as a Buddha of infinite compassion and wisdom.　　]!” Master Shikong intoned, his expression solemn. “Whatever lurks inside is unknown to us. Caution, my friends—prudence is the wiser course.”　　Zhou Boyong chuckled, dismissing the unease with a wave of his hand. “Nothing more than the wind, I’d wager,” he said. “Besides, with your martial prowess honed to such mastery, you have long reached the point where neither prowling beasts nor the clash of steel could shake you. Even if that cave harboured pythons or panthers, what cause would there be for fear?”　　Their skills were formidable, and with courage to match, the three strode boldly into the cave. Zhou Boyong reached into his robe and produced a firestarter. Striking it deftly, he set a bundle of dry twigs alight, casting flickering shadows upon the stone walls. As the dim glow spread, it revealed little of note—just a simple, unremarkable cavern. Yet at its farthest end, a solitary stone casket lay waiting. Stepping forward, Zhou Boyong lifted the lid. Inside, nestled in the hollow, was a tightly rolled parchment of sheepskin. He frowned slightly, lifting it with care.　　“It’s too dark to make sense of this here”, he said. “Let’s take it outside—best to examine it in proper light.”　　Once outside, Zhou Boyong unrolled the sheepskin and scanned its content. As his eyes roved over the ancient script, his breath caught in his throat. “This… this is the Japanese Sword Manual of the Dragon-Bearded Rogue!” he exclaimed.　　He paused, his mind racing. “Three years ago, two young men gifted my son a sheepskin painting titled The Eight Mountain Passes of Taihang, said to have come from the Mogao Caves in Dunhuang. The signature at the bottom read ‘Zhang Zhongjian’—I thought little of it at the time. But now… now I see it clearly. The Dragon-Bearded Rogue’s true name was Zhang Zhongjian!　　“If that painting and this manual are connected, then we have stumbled upon no ordinary relic. The Dragon-Bearded Rogue once stood unrivalled in the martial world, and now, by sheer happenstance, we find ourselves