A Thousand Years of Elegance Discussed in Laughter (Complete) - 7

Volume Ten: The Reappearance of Shura, Chapter Eleven:

The Pillars of the Nation. Xiao Xuan casually replied, "Of course, we should have them come to Shaolin to report the news, so that... Ah, if the Tanguts make a move, they will surely leave no one alive, lest the news leak out and attract the heroes of the Central Plains to gather in the Northwest, affecting their grand plan of conquering cities and territories."
Xiao Ming, Xiao Kong, and Xiao Jing all nodded in agreement.
"Alas, it's a pity that we've been arguing about this endlessly, when it turns out the real instigator was clear from the beginning." Xiao Xuan closed his eyes, then opened them again after a long while, shaking his head.
"If we hadn't asked Peng Yu and Liu Zhongtian, who would have thought of this?" Xiao Chen said solemnly.
"Abbot, do you think we should immediately inform our fellow martial artists in various places and ask them to prepare to resist the Shura Cult?" Xiao Kong asked in a deep voice.
“It’s too late. Huo Jizhou and his men have rushed all the way from the northwest border to Shaolin. The news has already spread.” Xiaoming said with a holy light on his face, but not without worry. “At this moment, everyone in the martial arts world must be in danger. If we don’t quell this panic as soon as possible, we will inevitably repeat the mistakes of twenty years ago.”
Xiaojing said frankly, “In my opinion, we must immediately convene a martial arts conference and invite heroes from the Central Plains to discuss countermeasures.”
Xiaoming, Xiaochen, and Xiaoxuan all nodded in agreement.
Xiaokong said in a deep voice, “Alliance Leader Dugu has been retired from the martial arts world for many years and no longer cares about its affairs; Beggar Clan Leader Xiong Xiaotian is still young and his influence is far less than his father’s; and Leader Long of the Tianji Sect has court affairs to attend to and should not be distracted. The location of the conference still needs to be considered.”
“Time is of the essence and there is no time to think about it. Let’s hold this martial arts conference at our temple.” Xiaoming said with a compassionate and benevolent expression.
"Shaolin Temple is ultimately a sacred Buddhist sanctuary. The sudden influx of thousands of heroes might... might be a desecration of the divine," Xiaoxuan hesitated.
"With such a formidable enemy before us, how can we concern ourselves with such matters?" Xiaoming declared resolutely. "Since our temple is hailed as the pillar of the martial world, it is our duty to act without hesitation!"
"Abbot Brother is right," the four monks agreed without further objection.
"Huihai, come in," Xiaoming announced loudly.
Huihai, the leader of the Eighteen Arhats, strode in and inquired, "What are your orders, Abbot?"
Xiaoming clasped his hands together, his eyes becoming unfathomable, radiating holy light. He solemnly declared, "Immediately send word to the Beggars' Sect, the Heavenly Extreme Sect, the Tang Clan of Sichuan, the Four Great Families, the Five Great Sword Sects, the Green Forest Alliance of the Thirteen Provinces, and all fellow martial artists. The Shaolin Temple will hold a martial arts conference on the eighth day of next month. Instruct them to arrive promptly and not to be absent."
"We respectfully obey the Abbot's decree," Huihai replied respectfully.
"Junior Brother Xiaochen, I trouble you to personally go to Zhurong Peak and persuade Alliance Leader Dugu to come out of seclusion." Xiaoming turned to Xiaochen and said with extreme solemnity. Dugu Yu was the opponent that Ghost Netherworld God Lord feared most, and also the spiritual pillar of the entire Central Plains martial arts world. If he could lead the heroes, what would the Asura Sect have to fear!
※ ※ ※ ※ ※
"Whoosh—" Wei Sihan struck out with his sword, and Liu Kang, Lin Feifan's eldest disciple, fell to the ground.
In the three matches, Wei Sihan won every single one, defeating his opponent with absolute advantage in every match, and winning first place without any controversy.
The whole audience applauded thunderously, and all the Hengshan Sect disciples rushed to the high platform like a tide, vying to celebrate with this outstanding member of their sect.
"The Hengshan Sect has a worthy successor, congratulations to Alliance Leader Dugu." Yu Ling, Yu Kong, Tu Hailiang and other members of the four sects walked to Dugu Yu's side and bowed in greeting.
"The Yangtze River's back waves push the front waves, each generation stronger than the last—this is exactly what we hope to see," Dugu Yu said with a smile, stroking his beard.
While everyone was exchanging pleasantries, Ren Xiaoyao quietly left the venue.
At the foot of Zhurong Peak, purple mist swirled, and a winding, narrow path led directly to the ethereal summit.
Ren Xiaoyao moved swiftly, rushing towards the peak.
These past few days, he had been pondering how to counter Wei Sihan's Meteor Thirteen Forms, causing a delay in his practice of the Lingxiao Sword Technique. As the saying goes, "Learning is like rowing against the current; if you don't advance, you fall behind." If he didn't immediately integrate the mental techniques and incantations he had just learned from Dugu Yu into his swordplay, he would surely become rusty over time.
After the Holy Blessing Ceremony, a banquet was inevitable tonight. Wei Sihan was of Khitan blood, naturally possessing an astonishing capacity for alcohol, and given their close friendship, who knew when he would sober up after such a drinking session? With two hours left before sunset, he hurried back to the Green Bamboo House to practice his swordsmanship; anything was better than nothing.
Standing beneath the "A Thousand Miles in a Day" inscription beside the cliff, Ren Xiaoyao proudly raised his head, standing tall against the wind.
The Ice Soul Frost Sword's edge suddenly shone brightly, bursting forth with light and shadow that poured forth.
A chilling, bone-deep, and awe-inspiring aura instantly permeated the peak, combined with the unpredictable and elusive Lingxiao Sword Technique, its movements swirling and shifting unpredictably, a graceful and ever-changing display of exquisite moves that would make even the foremost of the "Four Wonders" of Mount Heng, "Zhurong's Smoke and Clouds," pale in comparison.
If the "Poet Sage" Du Fu were still alive, in this situation and at this moment, he would surely have composed the lines: "A dashing and chivalrous thief roams freely, his sword dance moves all directions; spectators are as numerous as mountains, their faces downcast, heaven and earth seem to bow low for a long time; swift as Yi shooting down nine suns, graceful as emperors riding dragons; coming like thunderbolts gathering their fury, ending like the clear light of rivers and seas." What
is utterly perplexing is that, after Dugu Yu's guidance, the first thirteen moves showed a tremendous improvement in their fluidity. However, whenever he used the fourteenth move, "Drawing the sword to cut the water, the water flows on," he felt the same as when he first practiced it—despite having abundant internal energy, he still involuntarily experienced a strange feeling of being powerless.
Remembering Dugu Yu's words, "One must thoroughly integrate one's truest and purest feelings for every woman into one's sword techniques to truly reach the highest realm of wielding the sword with love and controlling it with emotion," he couldn't help but think to himself: On that day at Sunset Cloud Peak, I gleaned from Fengyi and Fengzi the phrases "Spring's heart should not compete with the flowers in bloom" and "I will not regret growing thinner despite my looser clothes." Later, when I fell into the deadly trap at Yonghe Manor, I casually used "It is difficult to meet, and it is difficult to part" to save Furong's life. Could it be that "Drawing a sword to cut water only makes it flow more" didn't come from Xiuxiu...? No, that's impossible, it's too absurd. There must be another way.
Thinking of this, he immediately calmed down and carefully recalled every detail of the inscription on the stone wall, but no matter how hard he racked his brains, he still couldn't figure it out.
"Big brother, why did you come to the summit?" Lin Yuxiu's alluring voice drifted from afar.

Volume 11 Unable to Defend Against Her Resentment, Chapter 1: Deep Affection Like the Sea

Ren Xiaoyao turned around in surprise, only to see the charming Lin Yuxiu skipping and hopping towards the mountaintop.
"Big brother, what are you thinking about standing by the cliff?" Lin Yuxiu's beautiful eyes sparkled as she looked at him, asking softly.
Ren Xiaoyao couldn't help but reply, "I'm thinking about you." "You're just teasing me!" Lin Yuxiu's fair cheeks flushed slightly, and she playfully said, "Are you thinking about how to study the Lingxiao Sword Technique? I saw you practicing your swordplay clearly just now." Ren Xiaoyao's face turned slightly red, and he said awkwardly, "Did you need something, Xiuxiu?"
Lin Yuxiu rolled her eyes at him, as if saying, "I can only come to you if I need something," but said, "I came to the Green Bamboo House to get something for my grandfather, it has nothing to do with you."
Ren Xiaoyao smiled without saying a word.
Lin Yuxiu sat down close to him without any hesitation, and said softly, "Big brother, have you mastered the fourteenth move?"
Ren Xiaoyao enjoyed her intimate touch, and his heart fluttered. Lin Yuxiu was indeed a stunningly beautiful girl who could captivate the soul. Her beauty was in no way inferior to the Nangong sisters or Shui Furong, and she exuded a completely different kind of innocence. She was not as lively and light-hearted as Nangong Fengzi, delicate and exquisite, almost unaware of "sorrow"; nor was she as graceful and virtuous as Nangong Fengyi, with a noble and elegant temperament in her bones; and she was not as passionate and unrestrained as Shui Furong, with her graceful and charming appearance, who was prone to jealousy from time to time.
Lin Yuxiu exuded a youthful beauty, a charming smile yet also a touch of melancholy, a languid allure, like a young girl yearning for affection and protection. On the surface, she seemed naive and clever, but beneath lay a sly wit, like a clear spring flowing through a secluded mountain valley, growing more captivating with each glance.
Ren Xiaoyao, though he had a thousand words to say, couldn't find the right words to express the wondrous feeling in his heart at that moment; a warmth and romance more intense than ever before instantly filled his soul.
Lin Yuxiu chuckled softly, saying, "Why aren't you answering me? Are you still thinking about what Grandpa said the other day?"
Ren Xiaoyao's love for her only deepened with each look, and he gently replied, "Yes, I've been practicing for quite a while, but I still haven't broken through the bottleneck of the fourteenth move."
Lin Yuxiu's affectionate gaze fell on Ren Xiaoyao's face, and she softly asked, "Would you... would you like Xiuxiu to help you?" A surge of heat rushed to Ren Xiaoyao 's
head, his heart almost melting, leaving him speechless. The essence of the Lingxiao Sword Technique lay in the word "romantic," something Lin Yuxiu knew perfectly well. If he still didn't understand her love for him, what use would the "romantic thief" have in the world of romance?
A slight blush appeared on Lin Yuxiu's pretty face, and she said awkwardly, "Big brother, you won't dislike me, will you?"
Ren Xiaoyao suppressed the urge to pull her into his arms and said softly, "This is a matter for a lifetime. Have you thought it through?"
Lin Yuxiu's expression froze slightly, then even her ears turned red. She lowered her head and weakly tried to smooth things over, saying, "Big brother, what are you thinking? I didn't hear what Grandpa said that day." "
This is like a guilty conscience pleading guilty."
Ren Xiaoyao could no longer restrain himself and reached out to stroke her face.
Lin Yuxiu's eyes sparkled, and she murmured, "Big brother, no..." but her body pressed forward against him. Ren Xiaoyao caressed her delicate face, his fingertips lightly brushing her round, crystal-clear earlobe, and leaned in, his voice deep with affection, "Xiuxiu, are you willing to follow big brother for the rest of your life?"
Lin Yuxiu couldn't resist and revealed her girlish shyness, lowering her head to avoid his burning gaze, and said with a slight reproach, "Who...who wants to follow you? I just...oh well, never mind. " Ren
Xiaoyao gently lifted her chin. Lin Yuxiu seemed to know what was about to happen, closing her beautiful eyes shyly, her long eyelashes trembling slightly, her shapely breasts heaving rapidly.
Ren Xiaoyao kissed her tender, rosy lips, the delicate fragrance of her virgin body wafting into his nostrils.
Lin Yuxiu's starry eyes were half-open, making her even more alluring. She shyly opened her cherry-like lips, returning the kiss with a hesitant yet passionate kiss.
As the sun set, the bamboo house gradually disappeared into the afterglow of the sunset. The sky, the cliffs, the precipice—everything seemed to vanish completely, only the crisp mountain wind still echoing in their ears. Nothing else existed in the world, only two burning hearts nestled together.
※ ※ ※ ※ Inside the main hall of the Hengshan
Sect, dozens of tables were set up for a banquet to celebrate the successful completion of the congratulatory ceremony.
The five major sword sects, bound by shared destiny and interdependent, were overjoyed that the Hengshan Sect now had worthy successors. Although Liu Kang and his group were somewhat disappointed by their defeat in the competition, the overall cheerful atmosphere had completely dispelled the gloom in the hearts of the few who remained.
The main table had twelve seats, arranged from right to left as follows: Dugu Yu, Lin Feifan, Dugu Hong, Lin Yuxiu, Ren Xiaoyao, Wei Sihan, Yu Ling, Yu Kong, Feng Jianxiong, Tu Hailiang, Zhang Zhijun, and Luo Xianhong (Deputy Head of the Huangshan Sect).
When Ren Xiaoyao arrived late, arm in arm with the petite and charming Lin Yuxiu, the entire hall was stunned.
Outsiders like Yu Ling and Yu Kong exclaimed, "A perfect match, a match made in heaven!" The Lin Feifan couple marveled that Ren Xiaoyao had finally won their daughter's heart; Lu Yan, Wang Chao, and the like were ashen-faced, their minds blank.
"With the stride of a dragon and the gait of a tiger, your bearing is magnificent. It turns out that besides 'Stars Everywhere' Junior Nephew Wei, your esteemed sect has such a young hero." Yu Kong's eyes shone brightly as he looked Ren Xiaoyao up and down, praising him highly.
Ren Xiaoyao chuckled, not because of the praise, but because of Wei Sihan's nickname, "Stars Everywhere."
"Big brother, come quickly." "Lin Yuxiu, like a submissive little wife, pulled out a chair and said solicitously.
Ren Xiaoyao bowed and said a few humble words like "I dare not accept such praise," and sat down next to Lin Yuxiu as instructed. The two were "sticky" together like glue, completely oblivious to the envious, jealous, and resentful glances around them.
With Lin Feifan's announcement of "Let the feast begin," wine, meat, and dishes were served in a stream.
The members of the four factions who were not involved and the disciples of the Hengshan Sect who already had wives clinked glasses and chatted happily.
Of course, there were also quite a few who felt heartbroken and tasteless.

Volume 11: Unable to Defend Against Resentment, Almost Expelled, Chapter 2: A Scene at the Feast

As evening approached, Dugu Yu returned first. Upon returning to Zhurong Peak, everyone rose to take their leave.
Lin Feifan and his wife insisted on seeing them off, and soon only two tables remained in the main hall.
One table was occupied by Wei Sihan, Ren Xiaoyao, Lin Yuxiu, and others, who were drinking celebratory wine. Those disciples who were close to Wei Sihan gathered around to join in the merriment, laughing and chatting happily. At the other table, Lu Yan, Wang Chao, and a dozen others were drowning their sorrows in wine, drinking heavily, but mostly bitter wine.
Ren Xiaoyao and Wei Sihan downed bowl after bowl, quickly becoming tipsy. Lin Yuxiu spent most of her time laughing and talking with her fellow disciples; though she only took a few sips, her pretty face was already slightly flushed, making her quite alluring.
"Brother Wei, you've really...you've really got it! Your swordsmanship...your swordsmanship is getting better every day..." Ren Xiaoyao patted Wei Sihan's shoulder, speaking indistinctly.
"Oh...oh, I...I still have to thank Brother Ren for his...guidance." "Wei Sihan said gratefully.
"I wish you... I wish you a bright future, that you will achieve great things and become a legend." Ren Xiaoyao's words began to ramble and become incoherent.
"That... that's all for the future... for the future. But... but for now..." Wei Sihan put down her large bowl and pretended to be serious.
"Now... what are you talking about? You... you tell me." Ren Xiaoyao encouraged her with great interest.
"Of course... of course it's your marriage to Xiuxiu... Xiuxiu's marriage." Wei Sihan laughed loudly.
"Don't rush, this matter... needs to be considered carefully." Ren Xiaoyao said, pulling Lin Yuxiu into his arms, gently kissing the corner of her eye, and said softly, "Xiuxiu, you agree, right?"
"Big brother, stop talking, I'm so embarrassed." Lin Yuxiu, ultimately shy, blushed immediately upon seeing Ren Xiaoyao discussing their affair in public. She tugged at his sleeve and whispered something in his ear.
Normally, Ren Xiaoyao would readily grant his lover's request, but he was too drunk and his mind was clouded. Instead of stopping himself, he laughed loudly, "Xiuxiu, come here, let your big brother kiss you." He then leaned down to kiss her.
"No...no!" Lin Yuxiu nestled obediently in his arms, weakly refusing.
"Kiss! Kiss!" Wei Sihan led the cheers, and everyone echoed.
"Big brother...mmm!" Lin Yuxiu's pretty face was flushed, her misty eyes revealing a coy reluctance.
"Bang!" A loud crash shook the hall.
Ren Xiaoyao and Lin Yuxiu were startled and looked over to see food and wine scattered all over the floor, broken cups and plates flying everywhere. Clearly, Lu Yan and the others had overturned the table in anger because they couldn't stand their overly intimate behavior.
"Ren Xiaoyao, you've gone too far!" Wang Chao suddenly shouted, pointing his finger.
"What, you don't like it? If you don't like it, get out!" Ren Xiaoyao was furious at being interrupted, and without thinking, he stood up abruptly and shouted.
"Brother Ren, don't... don't lower yourself to their level." Wei Sihan swayed and tried to pull him back, but suddenly her vision blurred, and she collapsed drunkenly onto the table.
"I knew you weren't a good person." Lu Yan sneered, "Colluding with the Khitan dogs to steal the sword manual is one thing, but... and you even set your sights on Xiuxiu! I... I'm going to teach you a lesson, you bastard!" With that, he picked up a chair and swung it straight at Ren Xiaoyao.
The attack was sudden, and everyone else was completely drunk, so no one thought to stop him.
Lin Yuxiu was terrified and naturally couldn't muster any strength.
In fact, with Ren Xiaoyao's martial arts skills, he could have easily counterattacked, or at least dodged it, but when he heard the words "Khitan dogs," he immediately thought of waking Wei Sihan and didn't notice the wooden chair hurtling towards him.
"Thud—" The wooden chair slammed solidly into Ren Xiaoyao's back. The powerful impact made him gasp for breath. Fortunately, the four arts of qin, chess, calligraphy, and painting had instilled in him a solid foundation since childhood, and his meridians quickly generated protective internal energy, preventing internal organ damage.
Ren Xiaoyao was in a semi-conscious state when he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his back. Thinking he had been ambushed, he raised his hand and used the "Pushing the Window to Gaze at the Moon" technique, striking Lu Yan squarely in the chest.
Even an ordinary person's strength is much greater than usual when drunk, let alone Ren Xiaoyao.
Lu Yan let out a scream of pain, his body falling backward like a kite with a broken string, leaping five or six zhang (approximately 10-15 meters) straight across the ground, crashing into the solid wooden beam of the doorway, and then collapsing to the ground, unconscious.
"Senior Brother!" Wang Chao, Deng Qiang, Li Zhe, and their close friends exclaimed and ran forward.
Lu Yan's mouth, chest, and shoulders were covered in blood, and it was impossible to tell exactly where he was injured. He was barely breathing and it seemed he wouldn't last much longer.
"Ren Xiaoyao, prepare to die!" Wang Chao, enraged, drew his longsword and charged at Ren Xiaoyao.
Deng Qiang, Li Zhe, and seven or eight others, their eyes bloodshot with rage, followed without warning.
The rest dared not intervene and retreated.
Lin Yuxiu burst into tears, sobbing, "Senior Brother Wang, Senior Brother Deng, just talk to him, please don't fight!" Little did she know that these people were so eager to fight Ren Xiaoyao because he had stolen her heart. Lu Yan's serious injuries were merely the trigger for Wang Chao, Deng Qiang, and the others' anger.
Faced with over a dozen gleaming longswords, Ren Xiaoyao jolted awake, seemingly regaining some of his senses. He vaguely sensed that his opponents weren't Jue Sha or any other treacherous villains, yet they had inexplicably attacked him (he was too drunk to recall the relationship between Wang Chao, Deng Qiang, and Lu Yan), which was utterly baffling.
What to do? Kill them? No, he couldn't. What if they were good people? He would regret it later.
Persuade them to stop? No, he was too confused to talk.
As he pondered, their attack suddenly began.
Ren Xiaoyao had no time to think. He simply used his ultimate technique from the Xiaoyao Wuji Palm—disarming opponents with bare hands—to snatch their swords.
Wang Chao and the others were all skilled in martial arts, but when he attacked to disarm them, they had no chance to dodge. They felt a numbness in their wrists, and their weapons vanished instantly.
As Ren Xiaoyao swiftly brought down the last longsword, an uncontrollable surge of alcohol welled up in his mind…

Volume Eleven, Chapter Three: Fiery Temptation, Chapter Eleven: Unable to Defend Himself, Resentment , and Near Expulsion. He

didn't know how much time had passed before Ren Xiaoyao slowly awoke, finding himself on a soft, warm bed.
Still groggy, he knew he wasn't in his usual room, but remained completely bewildered as to where he was.
A girl in purple, carrying a porcelain tray, approached the bedside; she vaguely recognized Lin Yuxiu.
“Big brother, you're awake! Quick, rinse your mouth,” Lin Yuxiu said with a melodious, bell-like laugh, reaching out her slender hand to pick up a bowl of golden tea from the tray, speaking in a sweet voice.
Ren Xiaoyao, still feeling the effects of the hangover, picked up the tea without thinking and drank it. It was smooth and sweet with a hint of bitterness, clearly made with the finest Changbai ginseng, and he gulped it down.
"Xiuxiu, thank you so much. My head would have been throbbing for ages without this tea," Ren Xiaoyao said with a broad smile.
Lin Yuxiu blushed slightly, lowered her head, and remained silent, her beautiful eyes still clear and bright, making her even more charming.
"By the way, where is this?" Ren Xiaoyao quietly looked around and asked softly.
"Of course, this is Xiuxiu's boudoir," Lin Yuxiu replied with a sweet, unguarded smile, truly beautiful as jade, her face more delicate than a flower.
"I... how did I end up sleeping here?" Ren Xiaoyao asked, bewildered.
"Hmph, you still have the nerve to ask," Lin Yuxiu said with a slight reproach, "Last night you and Senior Brother Lu and the others fought so fiercely, making a complete mess of the hall. And then... then you even got drunk halfway through. If Father and Mother hadn't arrived in time, I might never have seen my big brother again." As Lin Yuxiu spoke, her beautiful eyes glistened with tears, and she nestled into Ren Xiaoyao's arms, her fragrance wafting through the air.
Ren Xiaoyao's mind was in turmoil. He wiped away her tears with his sleeve, saying apologetically, "Xiuxiu, it's all my fault. I've made you worry."
Lin Yuxiu turned her delicate body away, her beautiful face showing a hint of resentment. She frowned slightly and sighed again, saying, "My parents went to great lengths to pull Senior Brother Lu and the others away so I could take you back to your room. I was worried about your safety alone, so... so..."
Ren Xiaoyao was taken aback. "Isn't there only one bed in the room?" Yesterday on the summit of Zhurong Peak, he had only kissed Shui Furong and hadn't done anything inappropriate. Could it be that the little girl had actually offered herself to him and served him in bed?
Lin Yuxiu wrinkled her delicate nose, stretched lazily, and gave him a disgruntled look. "I've been sitting next to you all night. I'm a little sleepy now." Ren Xiaoyao felt ashamed. "I misunderstood!" The words had barely left his mouth when he realized his mistake, but he couldn't bring himself to say them. Lin Yuxiu blushed and glared at him reproachfully, then lowered her head and muttered, "Big brother, you're so bad!" Ren Xiaoyao was so captivated by her scolding that he felt as if he were floating on clouds. Suddenly, he grasped her slender hand and whispered, "Xiuxiu!"
Their eyes met, and everything was understood without words.
Lin Yuxiu gently pulled her delicate hands from his grasp, stretched out her alluring body, and nestled into his arms. Her arms wrapped around his neck like snakes, and she breathed softly in his ear, "You were so drunk last night, I was so worried!"
Ren Xiaoyao's blood rushed to his head, and he blurted out, "Xiuxiu, big brother promises you, I'll never drink so much again."
Shi Qingxuan giggled, "Hehe! When Mother and Father argue, they always say you can't trust men's words."
Ren Xiaoyao chuckled, amused that even Lin Feifan, a hero of his time, could be scolded by his beloved wife in her boudoir. He asked, "Then do you believe big brother's words?"
Lin Yuxiu smiled lightly, shaking her head vigorously, and said coquettishly: “You’re more cunning than your father no matter how you look at it. Do you think Xiuxiu can believe you?”
Ren Xiaoyao feigned surprise and shrugged casually. “If that’s the case, then just ignore what I said outside Bizhu’s house yesterday.”
Lin Yuxiu’s beautiful eyes immediately welled up with tears, and she cried out, “I won’t listen! I won’t listen! Big brother said he would take care of Xiuxiu for the rest of his life.”
Watching the crystal-clear tears slide down her delicate face in a row, Ren Xiaoyao couldn’t help but feel a mix of emotions. He was fearless, but he was afraid of girls crying. Lin Yuxiu was the one who loved to cry the most, but for some reason, this little quirk of hers didn’t seem to affect their relationship at all. On the contrary, it firmly held his romantic heart captivated.
"Xiuxiu, your big brother is just joking with you, don't take it seriously." Ren Xiaoyao wiped her eyes with his sleeve and said softly.
"Hmm, I know you wouldn't lie to me." Lin Yuxiu smiled through her tears and said sweetly.
"What exactly did I do after I got drunk last night?" Ren Xiaoyao tapped his head and asked awkwardly. Actually, with his self-control and alcohol tolerance, he shouldn't have gotten so drunk. It was only because he made a three-life vow with Lin Yuxiu that he was in a good mood, and Wei Sihan kept dragging him to drink with her, which made things get out of control.
Lin Yuxiu said softly, "Didn't someone just say that you, Senior Brother Lu, and Senior Brother Wang had a fight in the main hall, leaving tables and chairs askew and cups and plates scattered everywhere?"
Ren Xiaoyao asked blankly, "Really? I have no grudge against them... Who started it?"
Lin Yuxiu said rather angrily, "Of course it was Senior Brother Lu. With his temper, he was bound to cause trouble sooner or later."
Ren Xiaoyao asked in surprise, "Lu Yan? What did I do to offend him?"
A blush rose on both of Lin Yuxiu's cheeks, making her even more beautiful and incomparable. Her delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly, and she said with a hint of reproach, "It's all because of you. You insisted on dragging Xiuxiu along to... to... Oh well, anyway, Senior Brother Lu was so angry that he started it."
Ren Xiaoyao noticed the intense and affectionate gaze and suddenly sealed her moist red lips with his. After a long while, he released her and asked, "Am I like that?"
Lin Yuxiu buried her head in Ren Xiaoyao's arms and nodded shyly.
"And then?" Ren Xiaoyao, eager to know what had happened, pressed for an answer.
Lin Yuxiu, panting softly, patiently recounted the entire story in detail, finally saying, "Big brother, if you're willing, you can... you can do that to Xiuxiu every day. "
Ren Xiaoyao, currently holding a soft, fragrant body in his arms, felt his heart flutter upon hearing this, feeling an intense, burning temptation from the body within him. He turned and pressed Lin Yuxiu down onto the headboard, lowering his head to kiss her delicate face.
"Big brother..." Lin Yuxiu's eyes were alluring, her pretty face flushed, and her breathing became rapid involuntarily.

Volume Eleven, Chapter Four: Sword and Footprints Reach the Ground

. Unexpectedly, Ren Xiaoyao didn't actually strike the ground with his sword; he simply covered Lin Yuxiu with a quilt, lightly kissed her forehead like a dragonfly skimming the water, and then dashed out the window like a wisp of smoke.
"You worked hard last night, get some sleep." Ren Xiaoyao's magnetic, masculine voice drifted into her ears, making Lin Yuxiu almost cry with anxiety, yet she was utterly helpless.
Why didn't Ren Xiaoyao stay in Lin Yuxiu's boudoir and enjoy her tenderness, instead of running away alone?
It turned out that after listening to Lin Yuxiu's account, Ren Xiaoyao immediately realized that although Lu Yan had started the fight last night, he himself had also acted inappropriately at the banquet. The responsibility should be shared equally. According to the Hengshan Sect's rules, Lin Feifan would severely punish all the disciples involved in the fight, but he would only reprimand him at most. After all, even disregarding his status as a "romantic thief" in the martial arts world, he couldn't very well target his future "son-in-law."
With the main hall severely damaged, someone had to bear the main responsibility. Undoubtedly, Lu Yan was "doomed" this time, at the very least sent to Zigai Peak for solitary confinement. After half a year, he was simply expelled from the sect. Although Lu Yan had always harbored resentment towards Ren Xiaoyao, it was ultimately due to romantic entanglements. In fact, Lu Yan's personality and character had merits; while he couldn't be called a pillar of the sect, he was still a qualified disciple of the Hengshan Sect.
Thinking of the severe punishment he would soon face under the sect rules, Ren Xiaoyao couldn't bear it, which was why he rushed to Lin Feifan to explain, hoping for leniency, since he was also involved in this mess!
When he arrived, the main hall of the Hengshan Sect was in complete chaos.
The disciples were huddled together, crowding the entrance, discussing the fight that had taken place there the previous night.
Lin Feifan, Dugu Hong, Zhou Kai, and Li Liangbin were not present; it was unknown whether they were in the back hall discussing how to punish Lu Yan, Wang Chao, and the others.
"Brother Ren, last night… last night it was all my fault. I kept dragging you drinking, and this happened." Wei Sihan approached with a embarrassed expression, bowing and apologizing. Ren Xiaoyao had played a crucial role in his meteoric rise from obscurity to become one of the most outstanding young members of the Hengshan Sect, so although Wei Sihan was a few years older,
he still addressed him as elder brother. Ren Xiaoyao noticed the lingering effects of alcohol in Wei Sihan's eyes, realizing that even after seven or eight hours, Sihan hadn't fully recovered. It seemed his alcohol tolerance was ultimately inferior to his own, no wonder he had fallen asleep first. He smiled faintly and said, "Drunkenness leads to promiscuity; it's been the same since ancient times. Drinking more or less doesn't make a difference."
Wei Sihan was deeply moved by Ren Xiaoyao's words. Ren Xiaoyao clearly didn't want to involve him in the fight, which was why he had glossed over it; otherwise, how could he, who had been present, have escaped responsibility?
Ren Xiaoyao pulled him to the inner side of the main hall and asked in a low voice, "Why haven't Sect Leader Lin and Madam Lin arrived yet?"
Wei Sihan replied in a deep voice, "The matter is too serious. Master and Senior Uncle Sect Leader dared not make a decision on their own. They went to Zhurong Peak to inquire about Grand Master's opinion." Ren
Xiaoyao's heart skipped a beat, thinking to himself: If it were just an ordinary punishment, why would he need Dugu Yu's consent? It seems Lu Yan is in grave danger.
Not long after, Wang Chao and Li Zhe helped Lu Yan appear outside the gate, both glaring at Ren Xiaoyao with gritted teeth. Lu Yan, in particular, was already severely injured and pale, his eyes filled with resentment, making him look like a terrifying demon from hell.
Wei Sihan maintained his refined demeanor and politely greeted him. Although Wang Chao and Li Zhe knew he was close to Ren Xiaoyao, they couldn't ignore him since they were from the same sect, so they mechanically nodded. Lu Yan, however, pulled a long face and sneered, "Oh, so it's Junior Brother Wei, who won first place in the Blessing Ceremony! Why aren't you, this rising star of the sect, resting in your bedroom? You've come to join the fun." Everyone frowned upon hearing this
. Lu Yan was far too reckless; the punishment for violating the sect rules hadn't even been decided yet, and he had already provoked Wei Sihan for no reason.
Even Wei Sihan, known for her magnanimity, couldn't help but feel secretly angry at Lu Yan's sarcastic remarks. She calmly said, "Senior Brother Lu, despite being unwell, still came in person. How could I, being healthy, not come?"
Lu Yan, having suffered a setback in love and then being severely injured by Ren Xiaoyao in a fit of rage, was already seething with anger. Like a mad dog, he attacked anyone he could, shouting, "Fine, you Khitan barbarian, how dare you curse me with misfortune and illness..."
"Slap!" Before he could finish speaking, a slap suddenly landed, making him see stars.
"Damn it, which bastard... Master!" Lu Yan cursed, then suddenly realized that his mentor, Li Liangbin, was standing beside him. He quickly stopped, but his words had been too harsh. He managed to stop, but his face turned bright red.
"Look, Senior Brother Lu's pretty face has turned into a Guan Yu-like figure." "Some mischievous disciple shouted this, making everyone burst into laughter.
Li Liangbin glared at him angrily, scaring Lu Yan into silence. Supported by Wang Chao and Li Zhe, Lu Yan awkwardly retreated to the side.
"Junior Nephew Wei, Young Hero Ren," Li Liangbin stepped forward, cupping his hands and saying, "My disciple was quite rude just now, please forgive him."
Wei Sihan was about to speak when Lin Feifan and Dugu Hong walked in from outside.
The hall fell silent instantly, and all the disciples stood at attention, waiting for the sect leader to speak.
"Those who participated in the fighting last night, step forward," Lin Feifan said bluntly and solemnly.
The twelve people obediently walked to the center of the hall and knelt down one by one, including Wei Sihan.
Ren Xiaoyao hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward as well.
"Young Hero Ren is not a member of our Hengshan Sect and is not bound by the sect rules and regulations." "Dugu Hong looked at him in surprise and said softly.
Ren Xiaoyao smiled slightly and said solemnly, "Since I am a guest of Hengshan, I should abide by the rules of your sect. Please treat me equally, Sect Leader Lin and Madam Lin."
Lin Feifan and his wife knew that he always kept his word, so they did not object.
"Sihan, you also participated in the fight?" Lin Feifan walked up to Wei Sihan and asked in a deep voice.
"Although I didn't participate, I am deeply involved in the whole affair," Wei Sihan said calmly.
"Brother Wei, didn't I say..." Ren Xiaoyao asked in surprise.
"Sihan will never shirk responsibility," Wei Sihan said firmly and solemnly. "I can only appreciate Brother Ren's good intentions."
Lin Feifan and Dugu Hong exchanged bewildered glances.

Volume 11: Unable to Defend Against His Resentment, Chapter 5: Determining the Charges .

They had already clearly learned the details of last night's events from Lin Yuxiu and the other disciples. Wei Sihan clearly had nothing to do with this matter, so why did he insist on taking the blame?
Little did they know that Wei Sihan and Ren Xiaoyao shared the same thoughts. Neither of them wanted Lu Yan to be expelled from the sect because of this, nor did they want to escalate the matter. As for the reasons, Ren Xiaoyao mainly considered that his behavior at the banquet was too outrageous, and that if word got out, it would inevitably damage Lin Yuxiu's reputation; while Wei Sihan was concerned about the reputation of the Hengshan Sect. As the head of the five major sword sects, if a disciple were immediately expelled from the mountain after the consecration ceremony, those who knew might just say a few words about "poor teaching and lax discipline," but those who didn't would think that the consecration ceremony was rigged and that there was something shameful going on. Of course, sympathy and pity for Lu Yan were also a shared reason why the two of them took responsibility.
Wei Sihan revealed an honest and earnest expression, and said loudly, "This disciple was too happy last night and couldn't help but drink a few more cups. Brother Ren and Senior Brother Lu must have seen this disciple drinking so heartily that they couldn't restrain themselves and also got drunk. Otherwise, with Brother Ren's renowned magnanimity and Senior Brother Lu's understanding of the teachings and instructions from our Grand Master and Sect Leader over the years, there's no way this small fight would have happened." "
A small fight, you make it sound so easy," Liu Dongming, sitting to the side, sneered. This man was a disciple of Dugu Yu, a mature and rigid man who strictly adhered to the sect rules, and was known as "Iron-Faced Liu" in the Hengshan Sect.
"Senior Brother Liu, you're too kind," Jiao Weihua said with a laugh. "Young Hero Ren and Nephew Lu are only in their early twenties, so it's inevitable that they're young and impetuous. It's normal for them to have some friction. Didn't we also spar every few days when we first entered the Hengshan Sect?" He was closest to Li Liangbin and naturally defended Lu Yan.
"Whether it was a fight over jealousy or a friendly spar last night, everyone knows the truth," Liu Dongming retorted expressionlessly. "
Junior Brother Liu, you can't just say whatever you want," Li Liangbin interjected. "What jealousy? A fight? Did you see it with your own eyes?" The Hengshan Sect's most prominent disciples were Lin Feifan, Dugu Hong, Zhou Kai, and Li Liangbin. Those present last night were either Lin Feifan and his wife's students or Li Liangbin's own disciples; Liu Dongming had no connection whatsoever.
Liu Dongming was taken aback. Indeed, he had only heard rumors from others and didn't really know the details.
Ren Xiaoyao thought to himself: Li Liangbin is indeed cunning. He knows that Lin Feifan and his wife would never reveal this in public out of consideration for their daughter's reputation, and their disciples would naturally help cover it up. How he explains it to the entire sect is entirely up to him.
Liu Dongming hesitated for a long time, then said solemnly, "Senior Brother Li, in front of the ancestral statue, can you guarantee you're not lying?"
Li Liangbin looked troubled and froze on the spot. If he nodded, it would be a grave crime of betraying his master and ancestors. If he were exposed, how could he bear the consequences?
Jiao Weihua said with difficulty, "No matter what the nature of the matter is, it was all done while drunk..."
Liu Dongming snorted coldly, "Drunkenness is one of the five major precepts of our sect. Senior Brother Jiao should know this better than I do."
He paused and emphasized, "Those who harbor the culprit will be punished as accomplices. You all should think carefully before you speak."
Jiao Weihua was speechless.
Lin Feifan coughed twice, breaking the awkward atmosphere, "What is, is. No one is allowed to make excuses for them." Originally, he also had the idea of leniency, but he didn't dare to make decisions on his own, so he went up the mountain to ask Dugu Yu (Ren Xiaoyao thought Lin Feifan went to Zhurong Peak to discuss the matter of expelling Lu Yan from the sect, but that was not the case). Dugu Yu didn't say much, only telling him to go back and listen to the opinions of the disciples from each branch.
Unexpectedly, Lin Feifan was immediately interrupted by Li Liangbin and Jiao Weihua before he could even finish a few sentences. Liu Dongming even invoked the patriarch's name, leaving them speechless. If Lin Feifan continued to downplay the issue, he wouldn't be able to explain himself to everyone.
Dugu Hong said solemnly, "Whether Lu Yan and Wang Chao caused trouble while drunk or engaged in a brawl is still debatable. I ask all the senior and junior brothers to express their opinions and reach a decision." She replaced "jealousy" with "caused trouble while drunk," and everyone understood her meaning.
Even the old-fashioned Liu Dongming knew that this concerned Lin Yuxiu's reputation and couldn't be brought up again. He could only say in a deep voice, "Only the parties involved know the specifics. It's best to let them speak for themselves."
Alas, it's all my fault for being young and impetuous, insisting on toasting Brother Lu, and accidentally knocking the plate to the ground. "Ren Xiaoyao, quick-witted, spoke first: "As you all know, smashing plates and bowls at a banquet is a major taboo. Plus, Brother Lu and the others had a few too many drinks, so they started fighting without thinking."
"Nephew Lu, is that so?" Liu Dongming asked, his face ashen.
Lu Yan was about to nod, but then remembered he couldn't lie in front of the ancestral master's statue, so he remained silent.
Ren Xiaoyao feigned seriousness and said: "I was the one who started the trouble and caused the injury, that's true, but everyone was involved in overturning the table and starting the fight, you won't deny that, will you?" "His words were extremely clever, shifting most of the blame onto himself while allowing Lu Yan and the others to boldly admit their mistakes. Everyone who didn't want to escalate the situation secretly applauded.
Liu Dongming knew Ren Xiaoyao was playing word games, but he was helpless. As a wandering swordsman, he was not bound by any rules or etiquette; even if he lied wildly, no one could do anything about it. Moreover, his words were ambiguous, a mix of truth and falsehood, leaving no room for rebuttal.
Wang Chao, Li Zhe, and the others nodded as if grasping at a straw, but Lu Yan remained unmoved, glaring fiercely at Ren Xiaoyao.
Seeing this, Li Liangbin was so angry that he pounded his chest and stamped his feet. His precious disciple was so ungrateful; Ren Xiaoyao had clearly given him a way out, but he ignored it.
Jiao Weihua turned to Liu Dongming solemnly and said, "Junior Brother Liu is most familiar with the sect rules and regulations. In your opinion, how should your nephews be punished?" "He's been through this before, so he naturally knows that Lu Yan can't accept his rival's 'rescue' right away. He can only try to buy some time, hoping that Lu Yan will think things through.
" "According to what Wang Chao and Li Zhe just said, it was indeed a case of causing trouble while drunk." Liu Dongming said, glancing at Ren Xiaoyao, seemingly blaming him for making excuses for others. "As for how to deal with it, Chapter 3, Article 19 clearly states: 'Causing trouble while drunk depends on the nature and scale. Unintentional is considered minor, intentional is considered serious. Five or fewer people are considered minor, more than five people are considered serious. Minor offenses result in being made to clean the main hall as a servant for half a month, while serious offenses result in being punished by being sent to Zigai Peak to reflect on one's mistakes for a hundred days.'"

Volume 11, Chapter 6, Chapter 6,

Li Liangbin frowned and asked, "My bunch of good-for-nothing disciples seem to be somewhere in between. I wonder if they should be made to clean the main hall as a servant for half a month, or punished by being sent to Zigai Peak to reflect on their mistakes for a hundred days?" "His thoughts were the same as Jiao Weihua's, and he deliberately repeated Liu Dongming's words.
Liu Dongming, honest and unsuspecting, said seriously, "Our sect punishes disciples who violate the rules in nine levels, from light to heavy. As for causing trouble while drunk, the former belongs to the sixth level, and the latter to the fourth level, so... wait, how come you two senior brothers don't know these basic rules?"
Li Liangbin was frantically signaling Lu Yan to admit his mistake, and was quite embarrassed when he asked, saying shyly, "Oh, as time goes by, it's inevitable that we've become a little rusty. Junior Brother Liu, please don't take offense." Jiao Weihua smoothed things over, saying, "The senior brothers and junior brothers have taught us well, and the disciples have also been self-disciplined and law-abiding. Over the years, the sect rules and regulations have rarely been used, so it's inevitable that we've become a little rusty." Liu Dongming said solemnly, “
As one of the Three Swords of Hengshan, Senior Brother Li’s every move is related to the reputation and status of our sect in the martial arts world. His words and deeds are a model for the conduct of many disciples. However…”
He went on and on, and even Lin Feifan and his wife couldn’t help but laugh.
Dugu Hong chuckled and said, "Junior Brother Liu, we can discuss Senior Brother Li's matter later. Please continue to describe the details of punishing Wang Chao and Li Zhe."
Liu Dongming nodded and continued, "Based on the circumstances of these junior disciples, they should be punished with the fifth level of punishment, which means getting up at dawn every day to chop wood and carry water until dusk, for a month."
Seeing that Li Liangbin hadn't convinced Lu Yan, Jiao Weihua interjected, "I remember there seems to be a section on leniency in the sect rules. Could Junior Brother Liu please explain it?"
Liu Dongming briefly explained, "There are five prerequisites for leniency. One of them must be met before the sect leader and elders can decide whether to grant leniency. First, they are young, not yet of age; second, they were lured and mistakenly violated the rules; third..." After he finished explaining the five points, Wang Chao, Li Zhe, and the others were still sighing, clearly not meeting any of the conditions for leniency.
"Then, what about Junior Nephew Wei's situation?" Jiao Weihua asked again.
“He didn’t participate in the drunken disturbance, and to say he knew about it but didn’t report it is far-fetched. In my opinion…” Liu Dongming looked thoughtful, then said decisively, “Not only should he not be punished, but he should be commended.”
The whole room erupted in uproar.
Liu Dongming, seemingly anticipating the crowd's reaction, explained with a smile, "After last night's brawl, everyone avoided it like the plague. Only Nephew Wei was able to stand up without hesitation and voluntarily accept punishment. Isn't this spirit of facing mistakes and taking responsibility commendable?"
"Our founder established the sect with benevolence and righteousness, emphasizing strict self-discipline and leniency towards others. Therefore, the purpose of establishing the seven chapters and forty-three rules and regulations is not to punish disciples, but to use appropriate means to encourage unity and solidarity within the sect." Liu Dongming strode forward to Wei Sihan's side and praised, "Nephew Wei's every action is for the greater good; truly, he is beyond the reach of ordinary people."
Dugu Hong smiled and said, "In the end, last night's events are all related to Sihan. In my opinion, we should simply compromise and neither reward nor punish her." As Wei Sihan's mentor, her words carried considerable weight, and no one objected.
The hall fell silent again, all eyes focused on Lu Yan.
Li Liangbin said anxiously, "Yan'er, stop pretending and just admit it honestly."
Lu Yan shook his head resolutely and shouted, "Master, let the sect leader punish me. I, Lu Yan, dare to do what I did and will never accept this brat's..."
"Slap!" Li Liangbin slapped him again, making Lu Yan dizzy. It was one thing that Ren Xiaoyao's good intentions were taken for granted, but if things were to come to light, none of Wang Chao and Li Zhe could escape responsibility.
"Master!" Lu Yan covered his left cheek and cried bitterly, "I, Lu Yan, will take responsibility for my own actions and will never implicate you." As the saying goes, those involved are often blinded by their own interests. He didn't know Li Liangbin's true intentions. He only thought that his master was afraid that things would escalate and he would lose face, so this time he was being forced to admit to causing trouble while drunk.
"I...I..." Li Liangbin cursed Lu Yan inwardly for not knowing what was good for him. He waved his sleeve and said, "I don't care about this anymore. Let the sect leader decide how to punish him."
Seeing him like this, Jiao Weihua didn't say anything more and awkwardly returned to his seat.
Lin Feifan said in a deep voice, "Lu Yan, since you deny causing trouble while drunk, you should at least give an explanation of what offense you committed."
Lu Yan prostrated himself and replied, "This disciple admits that last night at the banquet, because of... no, because of jealousy, I deliberately provoked Ren Xiaoyao, and things got out of control." He deeply loved Lin Yuxiu and couldn't bear to tarnish her reputation, so he swallowed the words "jealousy" that were on the tip of his tongue.
Liu Dongming asked sternly, "Young Master Ren has no grudge against you, why..."
Lu Yan blurted out, "I couldn't stand his young fame and arrogance, so I took action."
Lin Feifan pondered, "Junior Brother Liu, how should we deal with Junior Nephew Lu's offense?" At this point, there was no other choice but to sacrifice Lu Yan.
Liu Dongming answered truthfully, "Putting aside everything else, intentionally damaging the sacred ground of the main hall is one of the four grave crimes. He must be expelled from the sect as a warning to others!"
Wang Chao said anxiously, "Uncle Liu, how could my senior brother do it on purpose?"
"Don't say anymore, I admit it." Lu Yan glanced at him gratefully and said in a hoarse voice. Now he had no face to stay in the Hengshan Sect any longer, so
he simply left to end it all. "Sect Leader, expelling a disciple is no small matter. Should we inform the Grand Master?" Jiao Weihua was still making a final effort.
"Yes, Grand Master has always loved Senior Brother Lu..." Wang Chao and Li Zhe said in unison.
"No need. Yan'er has brought this upon himself and deserves it. Why trouble our venerable master?" Li Liangbin guessed Lu Yan's intentions and granted his request.
"Master, your disciple is unworthy and will not be able to serve you from now on." Lu Yan walked up to Li Liangbin, kowtowed three times with tears in his eyes, stood up unsteadily, and was about to leave.
“Senior brother, your injury… your injury hasn’t healed yet,” Wang Chao choked out.
“Alas, how can internal injuries compare to heartbreak?” Lu Yan sighed, looking up at the sky, and suddenly turned around.
“Wait!” Ren Xiaoyao’s eyes flashed with lightning speed as he spoke.

Volume 11: Unable to Defend Against His Resentment, Chapter 7: Disaster Averted

“What do you intend to do!” Lu Yan glared angrily.
“Brother Lu, please answer three questions for me before you leave,” Ren Xiaoyao said with a smile.
The others were puzzled by his intentions and looked at each other in astonishment.
“Hmph, I’ve been humiliated enough.” Lu Yan coughed repeatedly as he spoke, his body swaying as if he were about to collapse. Wang Chao and Li Zhe quickly supported him.
“If you still care about Xiuxiu, then don’t avoid her.” Ren Xiaoyao leaned forward, close to Lu Yan’s ear, and whispered.
Lu Yan’s body trembled slightly, but he met Ren Xiaoyao’s lightning-fast gaze without hesitation and slowly nodded.
“At the banquet last night, were things initially peaceful between us?” Ren Xiaoyao asked with a smile.
“That’s right, we each have our own table, neither of us has any business with the other,” Lu Yan said coldly.
“Later, I was careless and said a few wrong things, which is why you got so angry, right?” Ren Xiaoyao shrugged casually. Lu
Yan’s expression became uncertain, his eyes occasionally flashing with resentment. After a long while, he suddenly looked like a defeated rooster and said dejectedly, “Yes, if it weren’t for…”
“Brother Lu, there’s no need to explain,” Ren Xiaoyao waved his hand. “Think carefully, before you picked up the chair and hit me, hadn’t I already made a move?”
Lu Yan answered without hesitation, “Yes, if it weren’t for you…” He wanted to say “that you flirted with Xiuxiu first,” but thankfully he stopped himself in time.
“I think everyone knows the whole story,” Ren Xiaoyao said smugly. “I was the one who started the trouble, I was the one who struck first, and I was the one who hurt someone. As the victim, Brother Lu doesn’t seem to deserve such severe punishment.”
“Ren Xiaoyao, you…” Lu Yan realized he had fallen for a trap. Ren Xiaoyao's question, to Lin Feifan, meant physically pulling Lin Yuxiu, but to others it sounded like instigating trouble and provoking the situation, cleverly shifting the blame back onto himself.
"So that's how it is. It seems we've misunderstood Junior Nephew Wei. The decision to expel him from the sect is immediately rescinded," Lin Feifan said, playing along.
"Yan'er, why don't you thank the Sect Leader for his mercy?" Li Liangbin pressed Lu Yan to the ground without further ado.
"Master, your disciple has…" Lu Yan hurriedly explained, but Li Liangbin quickly gave a signal, and Wang Chao, Li Zhe, and the others knelt down, calling out "Sect Leader is wise," silencing Lu Yan's weak voice.
"Junior Brother Liu, regarding Yan'er's punishment, let's also proceed with the fifth level of punishment," Lin Feifan stroked his beard.
"Please inquire, Sect Leader, Junior Nephew Lu is injured. Could we wait until he recovers before carrying out the punishment?" Liu Dongming, though rigid, wasn't heartless.
“Alright, we’ll do it your way.” Lin Feifan nodded readily.
Just as Li Liangbin and Jiao Weihua pulled Lu Yan to the corner, Dugu Hong asked loudly, “Does anyone else have anything to say?”
With a potential disaster averted, no one dared to pursue the matter of Ren Xiaoyao, such a spoilsport.
“Since that’s the case, let’s disperse then,” Lin Feifan gestured.
Everyone left. Li Liangbin, pulling a sullen-faced Lu Yan and all his disciples, walked to Ren Xiaoyao, bowing in thanks. Ren Xiaoyao
remained composed, offering another round of humility. Lu Yan, being somewhat sensible, didn’t insist on taking full responsibility, but getting him to say “thank you” to Ren Xiaoyao was harder than climbing to heaven. Fortunately, Ren Xiaoyao didn’t mind, simply smiling it off.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Ren Xiaoyao pushed open the door. Lin Yuxiu was still fast asleep. She had worked tirelessly during the Blessing Ceremony and had been busy all night; if she didn’t rest properly, she would surely be exhausted.
Ren Xiaoyao, not wanting to disturb her, quietly slipped out.
"Big brother, come in," Lin Yuxiu's soft, sweet voice rang out from behind the door.
Ren Xiaoyao paused slightly, then re-entered. Lin Yuxiu sat wrapped in the quilt, smiling at him playfully. "Xiuxiu knew you were coming," she said playfully, "I pretended to be asleep to see if you'd behave. But you only glanced at me and turned away! So annoying!"
The last sentence was ambiguous, whether she was annoyed that he hadn't glanced at her enough, or that he was too obedient.
Ren Xiaoyao knelt beside Lin Yuxiu's fragrant couch. Seeing her beautiful, languid beauty as she slept, a surge of tenderness welled up within him. Being with her always brought a gentle, sweet feeling, making him forget all his troubles.
Lin Yuxiu sat up, wrapped in the covers, and stretched lazily. She asked softly, "Where did you go just now?"
Ren Xiaoyao replied gently, "Your father summoned all the disciples to the main hall to discuss the matter of last night's fight. Big brother also had a responsibility, so naturally I had to be there."
Lin Yuxiu playfully complained, "Since it was all the disciples, why did you leave me out?"
Ren Xiaoyao shrugged nonchalantly, "I was just worried you hadn't rested well, so I wanted you to sleep a little longer."
Lin Yuxiu sat up straight, her alluring curves proudly revealed to Ren Xiaoyao as the thin quilt slipped down. She said in a slightly innocent tone, "Big brother, I'm so happy that you keep thinking of me." Her soft, coquettish words had the playful charm of a young couple teasing each other.
Ren Xiaoyao was captivated, inhaling the rich, youthful scent emanating from her alluring body. He asked gently, "How were you? Did you rest well?"
Lin Yuxiu's beautiful eyes sparkled, and she replied in a sweet, childlike voice, "Yes, Xiuxiu is much better now."
Lin Yuxiu asked, "How did Father deal with Senior Brother Lu and the others?"
Ren Xiaoyao smiled happily, "Why don't you guess? Our Xiuxiu is very clever."
Upon hearing the words "our," Lin Yuxiu's tender gaze lingered on him, and she said sweetly, "Senior Brother Lu is Uncle Li's most beloved disciple, and Uncle Jiao will surely speak up for him. I think Father will show mercy and punish him leniently."
“However…” Lin Yuxiu paused, then continued, “‘Iron-Faced Liu’ is a strict enforcer of the law. If he were present, Senior Brother Lu probably wouldn’t have fared well.”
Ren Xiaoyao said leisurely, “Xiuxiu is indeed incredibly clever, guessing right away.”
Lin Yuxiu was secretly delighted by his praise, her beautiful eyes fixed on him as she said, “What happened next, Xiuxiu can’t guess. Big brother, please tell me directly.”
Ren Xiaoyao, as if receiving a royal decree, briefly told Lin Yuxiu the result, and finally said, “That’s it. Is there anything else you want to ask?”
Lin Yuxiu smiled sweetly, then closed her beautiful eyes and said softly, “Nothing else! You can go out now. I’ll get dressed and we’ll go pay our respects to my parents together.”

Volume 11: Unable to Defend Herself, Almost Expelled, Chapter 8: Rumors Spread

. A moment later, the door opened.
Lin Yuxiu changed into a milky-white light silk dress, and gracefully stepped forward. Her delicate and languid beauty, so fragile yet so easily swayed by the dress, perfectly showcased her youthful and graceful figure. Her beauty was truly breathtaking.
Ren Xiaoyao stared at her intently, a slight smile casually escaping from Lin Yuxiu's lips, then expanding into a radiant smile brighter than the starry sky, as he happily descended the steps.
"Big brother, let's go," Lin Yuxiu said sweetly, offering her slender hand.
Ren Xiaoyao regained his senses and pulled Lin Yuxiu towards the main hall.
Upon arriving outside the sect leader's residence, they bumped into Li Liangbin and Jiao Weihua. Lin Yuxiu sweetly greeted them, "Hello, Uncle-Master," and Ren Xiaoyao returned the greeting with a polite bow.
Strangely enough, the elders of the Hengshan Sect usually treated Lin Yuxiu like their own daughter, always showing her kindness and affection. However, Li Liangbin and Jiao Weihua merely nodded slightly and then ignored her, even letting out a deliberate "humph" as they passed Ren Xiaoyao.
Lin Yuxiu was completely bewildered, and even Ren Xiaoyao was utterly perplexed. Just half an hour ago, the two had been thanking him profusely, and now their attitudes had completely changed.
"Xiuxiu, you're here." Lin Feifan greeted his beloved daughter with a smile as she stood at the door.
"Father, Mother." Lin Yuxiu approached her parents and greeted them one by one, finally putting on a stern face and saying aggrievedly, "What did Xiuxiu do wrong? Why are Uncle Li and Uncle Jiao ignoring me?"
Lin Feifan sighed, "Alas, I wonder who stirred up trouble, saying that you... you and Young Hero Ren did that thing, and even instigated Lu Yan to fight at the banquet."
"Father, what thing did that thing refer to?" Lin Yuxiu asked sweetly, displaying the innocent nature of a daughter.
"You're still young, don't ask so many questions." Lin Feifan said, giving her a wink, and Dugu Hong immediately pulled the reluctant Lin Yuxiu outside.
"Sect Leader Lin, please explain in detail. I want to see who dares to spread rumors and slander," Ren Xiaoyao said angrily.
Lin Feifan said in a deep voice, "People say you deliberately framed Lu Yan, then pretended to be a good guy, building up a reputation in the Hengshan Sect..."
"Outrageous!" Ren Xiaoyao's face turned ashen as he rebuked.
"Young Master Ren, your character is evident to both me and Xiuxiu's mother, so naturally we don't believe these rumors," Lin Feifan said solemnly. "But Junior Brother Li is, after all, Lu Yan's mentor, so some misunderstandings are inevitable."
"The innocent are innocent, and the guilty are guilty. Ren Xiaoyao's character is already well-established in the martial world," Ren Xiaoyao said with concern. "I'm not worried about myself, but about Xiuxiu."
"Yes, once this gets out, the impact on Xiuxiu will be immeasurable," Lin Feifan said in a deep voice. "I have already issued a strict order forbidding any disciple from discussing this matter again. Hopefully, it's still in time.
" "It's never too late to mend the fence after the sheep are lost." "Ren Xiaoyao's eyes gleamed sharply as he said solemnly, "But the important thing isn't to shut them up, but to find the source of the rumors."
"Young Master Ren is right. I'll send people to investigate immediately," Lin Feifan said decisively.
"No, if Sect Leader Lin investigates openly, it will surely alert the culprits," Ren Xiaoyao shook his head.
Kou Zhong's eyes sharpened, and he said irrationally, "Are we just going to let them slander my daughter's innocence?"
"Besides me, there are no other outsiders on Mount Heng. The one spreading these rumors must be a disciple of your sect," Ren Xiaoyao calmly analyzed. "Does Sect Leader Lin think that sending just a few trusted confidants will be enough to thoroughly investigate and find the mastermind behind it all?"
"Of course not. Our sect has many disciples and numerous branches, so I'm afraid it will be difficult to find anything," Lin Feifan blurted out. "I only want to give the rumor-mongers a warning so they will restrain themselves, not necessarily to investigate thoroughly."
"Sect Leader Lin is kind and benevolent, and I admire him greatly," Ren Xiaoyao said solemnly. "But please calm down and think about it. If we really had to investigate, what would the disciples be most concerned about?"
"Naturally, it would be the cause of the whole incident," Lin Feifan, being a smart man, understood immediately. "No, that would involve Xiuxiu again."
Ren Xiaoyao said mysteriously, "So, while an investigation is necessary, it must not be done openly, and we must not let your sect members investigate, lest the news spread like wildfire and become uncontrollable."
Lin Feifan said resolutely, "At worst, Hong'er and I will have to work hard. After all, it's for our daughter."
Ren Xiaoyao chuckled, "Sect Leader Lin and Madam Lin, what kind of status do you have? " "How could I possibly lower myself to personally handle this?"
Lin Feifan immediately understood and smiled, "It's just a small matter, how could I trouble Young Hero Ren?"
Ren Xiaoyao remained silent for a while, then said solemnly, "Since Xiuxiu is involved, it's a matter of utmost importance in my eyes. I will do my utmost to find out the truth!"
Lin Feifan patted his shoulder and lowered his voice, "Is there anything I can help you with?"
Ren Xiaoyao smiled confidently, "Sect Leader Lin, just pretend nothing happened. I'll handle the rest myself."
※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Just outside the main hall, Ren Xiaoyao bumped into Wei Sihan. Judging from his anxious appearance, he must have heard the rumors and rushed to Lin Feifan to discuss countermeasures.
"Brother Wei, where are you going?" Ren Xiaoyao grabbed Wei Sihan and asked with a smile.
"How can you still laugh?" Wei Sihan pulled Ren Xiaoyao to the corner, about to speak, when he suddenly realized, "Wait, you must have known earlier than me, maybe you've even found out that heartless bastard."
"We haven't caught the person yet, but we've figured out the plan pretty well." Ren Xiaoyao knew he couldn't hide it from him, and said solemnly, "With your help, I'll definitely have the whole thing cleared up in three days at most."
"This matter must be kept strictly confidential, otherwise one wrong step will ruin everything." Wei Sihan lowered his voice and said, "By the way, we also need to have the sect leader pretend to know nothing, so as not to alert the enemy."
Seeing that Wei Sihan had thought exactly the same as him, Ren Xiaoyao was secretly surprised, and said in a deep voice, "Brother Wei, don't worry, I've already informed Sect Leader Lin, he will fully cooperate." A
glint flashed in Wei Sihan's eyes, and he whispered in his ear, "This isn't the place to talk, how about we go to the back mountain to discuss it in detail?"
"Alright, we'll do as Brother Wei says." Ren Xiaoyao nodded happily.

Volume Eleven: Unable to Defend Against His Resentment, Chapter Nine: First Experience with Human Affairs.

The night was deep, the bright moon hung in the sky, its silver light radiating, and the sky was studded with endless stars, making the scenery exceptionally beautiful. Ren Xiaoyao, hand in hand with Lin Yuxiu, nestled in the pavilion halfway up the mountain. The tranquil and peaceful valley seemed to belong only to the two of them!
Ren Xiaoyao and Wei Sihan had devised a plan to lure the snake out of its hole, intending to invite Lin Yuxiu out in public, but they didn't go to the pre-arranged Moon-Viewing Terrace.
Under Lin Feifan's strict prohibition, no one in the Hengshan Sect dared to talk about that rumor anymore. If the slanderers persisted in their slander, relentlessly attacking him and Lin Yuxiu, they would definitely seize this opportunity to try and fan the flames again.
As the saying goes, "judging a gentleman by one's own standards," the slanderers certainly believed that his invitation to Lin Yuxiu was not merely for moon-viewing and chatting, but must have some ulterior motive. The Moon-Viewing Terrace is only a dozen or so feet from the Green Bamboo House. If you were to mention "adultery," no one in the world would believe it. Therefore, the slanderers would surely follow them secretly to see where they went.
The Half-Mountain Pavilion is located beside a cliff between Nanyue Town and Zhurong Peak, accessible only by one path. If the slanderers were to appear, they would inevitably be caught red-handed by Wei Sihan, who was lying in ambush in the woods.
Ren Xiaoyao held Lin Yuxiu tightly, inhaling her alluring hair fragrance, his nose filled with her healthy scent, savoring the intoxicating feeling of holding her warm, soft body in his arms.
“Big brother.” Lin Yuxiu gracefully turned her delicate body, allowing Ren Xiaoyao to behold her stunningly beautiful face. She spoke leisurely, “Is a person’s destiny found among the stars in the sky? If so, which star is Xiuxiu’s destiny? And where is big brother’s destiny?” Ren Xiaoyao’s gaze shifted from her beautiful silhouette to the starry sky. The hazy, swaying moonlight appeared and disappeared, pouring down like flowing water. Sparse stars dotted the night sky, shimmering with a mesmerizing halo.
Whether his heart was immersed in the soft moonlight, or the soft moonlight filled his heart, an inexplicable impulse swirled within Ren Xiaoyao. He felt that Lin Yuxiu beside him was as mysterious and unfathomable as the night sky; possessing her was like possessing the boundless starry sky.
“Xiuxiu’s destiny is right before you,” Ren Xiaoyao said, his eyes shining with unwavering determination, his love as deep as the sea.
"What's so good about Xiuxiu?" Lin Yuxiu lowered her head and asked softly with her cherry lips.
Looking at the beautiful contours of her profile, her delicate, fair skin with a rosy glow, and her bright, unfathomable eyes, Ren Xiaoyao was filled with emotion and couldn't help but ask, "Xiuxiu, can you tell me what's wrong with you?"
Lin Yuxiu chuckled, stuck out her tongue at him, and made a cute face, saying with a hint of mischief, "Xiuxiu has been pampered since childhood and knows nothing about needlework."
Ren Xiaoyao couldn't help but laugh and said, "Why would a woman of the martial world learn those things?"
Lin Yuxiu continued, "But Xiuxiu's martial arts skills are too weak to be worthy of your reputation as a chivalrous hero in the martial world."
Ren Xiaoyao met her gaze and said sincerely, "To have Xiuxiu's favor is a great honor for you, brother." Lin Yuxiu was Dugu Yu's only granddaughter, and in terms of family background and status, she was even above the Nangong sisters. If he were to take her in, who knows how many people would gossip behind her back about him being a "romantic thief" currying favor with the Hengshan Sect.
Lin Yuxiu looked at him with delight, then said shyly, "Xiuxiu is prone to tantrums. My parents say she'll never get married."
Ren Xiaoyao felt a warm and intoxicating sensation, as if it were seeping into his soul. He chuckled, "What the elders say doesn't count. Big brother likes Xiuxiu, so of course he has to marry her. I'm afraid your parents won't be able to let her go."
Lin Yuxiu's beautiful eyes sparkled, her coquettish expression so alluring. She lowered her head and said... "Big brother...you...you don't worry, Father and Mother...Father and Mother already agreed."
Ren Xiaoyao almost lost control of himself, but knowing the time and place were inappropriate, he took a deep breath and said, "Sect Leader Lin and Madam Lin really don't object?"
Lin Yuxiu turned her delicate body away, making Ren Xiaoyao remove his hands from her fragrant shoulders, and smiled lightly, "When we went to the Sect Leader's residence today, Mother already told me."
Ren Xiaoyao thought to himself: Why hasn't Sihan sent a signal yet? Could it be that she hasn't come? He asked intentionally or unintentionally, "Then what does Senior Dugu think?"
Lin Yuxiu shrugged playfully and said, "Grandpa loves Xiuxiu the most, he won't object to Xiuxiu's decision." As she spoke, she tenderly buried her head in Ren Xiaoyao's arms.
Ren Xiaoyao was stunned and said, "Xiuxiu, I..." Halfway through his sentence, Lin Yuxiu suddenly hugged her lover tightly with all her might and offered him a kiss. Compared to her usual innocent and demure self-restraint, her passion at this moment was truly unexpected.
With his arms filled with the warmth and softness of her body, his mouth filled with sweet nectar, the touching caresses, the harmonious throbbing of blood and heartbeats, the world began to spin. Ren Xiaoyao's defenses completely collapsed. He had long forgotten about capturing the rumor-mongers and finding the mastermind.
Ren Xiaoyao's hands quietly slipped inside Lin Yuxiu's undergarments, caressing her delicate, smooth skin, as smooth as cream, fragrant and warm. Lin Yuxiu responded passionately to his kisses, her long-suppressed love revealed without reservation before me.
"Big brother..." Lin Yuxiu called softly, her bright eyes, filled with boundless affection, fixed on Ren Xiaoyao's gaze, appearing even more alluring and seductive.
Ren Xiaoyao bit Lin Yuxiu's small, crystal-clear earlobe, the ticklish sensation eliciting giggles from her. Her firm, elastic buttocks pressed against Ren Xiaoyao's lower abdomen, instantly igniting his already burgeoning passion.
Ren Xiaoyao's hands suddenly grasped Lin Yuxiu's tender, unripe breasts, his fingers tracing circles in them. Lin Yuxiu began to let out soft moans and gasps, seemingly trying to push him away, but the movement of her body only aroused his deepest desires.
Ren Xiaoyao undressed Lin Yuxiu, kissing her fair and delicate neck. Lin Yuxiu's skin gradually flushed crimson, her long, slender legs entwining around Ren Xiaoyao's body like vines.
Ren Xiaoyao cupped Lin Yuxiu's firm, full buttocks in his hands, lifting her delicate body. His large hands brazenly untied her milky-white silk dress, his proud and erect member carefully penetrating her virgin body.
"Ah!" The sudden pain of penetration caused Lin Yuxiu to let out a soft moan. Her fingers dug hard into Ren Xiaoyao's skin, but soon they began to relax, her rapid breathing and uncontrollable moans mingling together…
The starry sky and boundless moonlight silently witnessed this warm and romantic entanglement.

Volume Eleven: Unable to Defend Against Her Resentment, Chapter Ten: Fallen Petals.

Daylight had broken, and the two dressed and hurriedly left the Half-Mountain Pavilion.
Gazing at the scattered red stains on her light silk dress, Lin Yuxiu's pretty face flushed with a rosy blush, as radiant as the morning sun. The happiness and contentment in her beautiful eyes gave Ren Xiaoyao an unprecedented sense of pride.
Ren Xiaoyao then remembered his true purpose for coming to the Half-Mountain Pavilion last night, thinking to himself: I've been too foolish. I said I was plotting to capture a thief, but I couldn't control myself and ended up doing something with Lin Yuxiu, even staying up all night. I wonder if the rumor-monger has followed us, and if so, whether Sihan has already captured him.
"Big brother, where...where are we going now?" Lin Yuxiu asked softly, her beautiful eyes sparkling. As a young woman just beginning to mature, every gesture she made exuded a shy and alluring charm.
"Of course, we're going back to the main hall," Ren Xiaoyao said with a smile.
"But...but how can Xiuxiu be seen like this?" Lin Yuxiu murmured shyly, clutching her dress.
Ren Xiaoyao suddenly realized and said with a grin, "It's alright, I'll take you to your room first, and you can meet your parents after you change."
Lin Yunxiu gave a charmingly annoyed look and said softly with a double meaning, "Just Xiuxiu's parents?"
Ren Xiaoyao chuckled and said with great affection, "Hehe, of course they're also my future father-in-law and mother-in-law."
Lin Yunxiu gave a charmingly amused look, and said softly, "Xiuxiu is still a little worried. What if we meet someone on the way? It would be so embarrassing."
Ren Xiaoyao laughed heartily, "At worst, I'll take you through the back mountain and use my Flying Immortal Transformation technique to send you to your room. I guarantee Hengshan... " "Besides Senior Dugu and your father, no one else could have discovered us at the foot of the mountain."
Lin Yuxiu bit her lower lip, her expression innocent and coquettish, "Xiuxiu still hurts, I'm afraid we can't go very far."
Ren Xiaoyao held her soft hands tightly, saying gently, "You, just hold on tight to your big brother, don't worry about anything else."
The towering peaks, the rugged ridges, the deep and lush forests—both the terrain and environment of the back mountain were extremely advantageous for concealing their tracks. Ren Xiaoyao carried Lin Yuxiu on his back, using all his strength to float through the air, his feet barely touching the ground. The undulating rocks and the branches swaying in the wind all became tools for him to use for leverage.
Lin Yuxiu felt the surrounding scenery constantly receding, her whole body feeling light and airy, as if she were riding the clouds and ascending to immortality. Just as she was about to close her beautiful eyes to enjoy the moment, Ren Xiaoyao suddenly stopped.
"Big brother, how come..." Lin Yuxiu's words were cut short as she suddenly found herself back in her room. She exclaimed, "Really...really fast?"
"Indeed," Ren Xiaoyao said with a wry smile. "It's strange, there wasn't a single person in this residence this morning. I was originally planning to go through the roof, but then I just went straight in."
Lin Yuxiu looked out the window and frowned. "There's nothing major happening in the sect today, so why..."
Ren Xiaoyao smiled and said, "Don't guess wildly, hurry up and change your clothes." He figured that Wei Sihan must have captured that scoundrel who spread rumors about the cold, and Lin Feifan was holding a sect-wide meeting to deal with him, so all the disciples had gone there, leaving the residence almost empty.
Lin Yuxiu began to change her clothes in front of Ren Xiaoyao without any hesitation. Her red lips and white teeth contrasted beautifully with her white hair. She wore a narrow-sleeved light purple jacket and a plain green swallowtail skirt, truly captivating.
Ren Xiaoyao immediately reacted primally, just in time to be met with Lin Yuxiu's tender gaze.
"Big brother..." Recalling the passionate night they spent together, Lin Yuxiu's pretty face flushed slightly, then a fleeting look of longing appeared on her face. She lowered her head and softly said, "You...you still want more?"
Ren Xiaoyao knew she couldn't withstand a second round of passion, so he lightly kissed her cherry lips, saying softly, "Xiuxiu, what are you thinking? Would your big brother be the kind of person who wouldn't cherish your body? Let's hurry back to the main hall to pay our respects to your parents."
"Mmm," Lin Yuxiu giggled, revealing her lovely, white teeth, her eyes filled with a dreamy look.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※
As they walked, Ren Xiaoyao increasingly felt that something was amiss.
The Hengshan Sect had disciples taking turns cleaning and maintaining the various buildings every day, plus over thirty disciples working in the vegetable garden and kitchen. Aside from solemn ceremonies like the consecration ceremony, they were usually not required to attend ordinary gatherings. Could it be that the rumors were so serious that everyone had to be present to resolve them?
"Waaah...waaah..." A hundred paces from the main hall, bursts of weeping reached their ears. Ren Xiaoyao was even more astonished, guessing that Lin Feifan must be consumed by rage, ruthlessly punishing the rumor-monger without giving him a chance to repent.
"Big brother, what's going on?" Lin Yuxiu frowned, asking in surprise.
"In my opinion, perhaps..." Ren Xiaoyao hadn't finished speaking when Lu Yan's all-too-familiar voice suddenly rang out from inside the hall, "Everyone, look! That dog Ren Xiaoyao is here!"
A dark mass of people surged out of the gate like a tidal wave, instantly surrounding Ren Xiaoyao.
"Everyone, you..." Ren Xiaoyao stood frozen, looking around blankly, hoping to find the reason in the eyes of the crowd.
"Ren Xiaoyao, prepare to die!" Lu Yan roared, thrusting his sword forward.
He was still recovering from serious injuries, his steps unsteady. Ren Xiaoyao easily dodged him by slightly shifting his body.
"Whoosh!" Two men immediately attacked from the left and right; it was none other than Wang Chao and Li Zhe.
Ren Xiaoyao, unaware of the situation and fearing that a rash attack might harm innocent people, simply raised his palms and used the same trick, disarming them.
"You despicable, shameless, ungrateful scoundrel!" Lu Yan pointed at Ren Xiaoyao's nose and cursed.
"Lu Yan, what did I do to you?" Even with Ren Xiaoyao's magnanimity, being verbally abused by Lu Yan in front of hundreds of people still angered him.
"You...you killed my master!" Lu Yan cried out, tears welling in his eyes.
"What?" Ren Xiaoyao's body trembled violently, and he exclaimed in shock.

(Chapter 11: Unable to Defend Against His Injustice)

"Shut up, all of you come in." Lin Feifan's clear and resounding voice echoed far and wide.
"Ren Xiaoyao, you wait." Lu Yan, Wang Chao, and the others dared not disobey the sect leader's order and awkwardly uttered these words.
While the disciples entered, Wei Sihan quietly approached Ren Xiaoyao and whispered, "Last night we waited until Hai Shi (9-11 PM), but there wasn't a soul in sight. I was afraid of disturbing you and Xiuxiu... so I left first. Who knew... sigh, this would happen."
"Why did they assume it was me?" Ren Xiaoyao asked in astonishment.
"It's a long story. You should listen to the sect leader." Wei Sihan sighed softly.
Ren Xiaoyao was filled with regret. His cleverness had backfired. Not only had he failed to capture the rumor-monger, but he had also been outmaneuvered and framed. This was a huge setback.
"Sect leader, we beg you to do justice for our master." The twenty-seven disciples under Li Liangbin knelt down in unison, crying and pleading.
"Rest assured, I will thoroughly investigate the matter of Junior Brother Li's murder." Lin Feifan looked up at the sky, his eyes filled with indescribable grief, and said solemnly. Leaving aside Li Liangbin's position among the Three Swords of Hengshan, a pivotal figure in the sect, their decades-long camaraderie alone was enough to ensure the murderer would not escape justice.
"Deng Feng, Gao Qiang, you two were on night duty last night, weren't you?" Dugu Hong asked in a deep voice.
"Indeed." Deng Feng and Gao Qiang stepped forward and reported.
"Tell me the details." Lin Feifan's face was ashen as he gestured.
"Around 7 PM last night, Uncle Li returned to his bedroom alone. We wanted to greet him, but seeing his gloomy and displeased expression, we had to give up," Deng Feng recalled. "Around midnight, a candle suddenly lit up in Uncle Li's bedroom, followed by fragmented sounds, as if... as if he were arguing with someone."
"As if? Can't you be sure?" Lin Feifan asked seriously.
Deng Feng and Gao Qiang shook their heads simultaneously.
Lin Feifan knew their martial arts skills were weak and didn't hold out much hope, so he pressed on, "What happened next?"
"I was afraid something might have happened, so I rushed forward to inquire. Uncle Li gave a vague reply and then blew out the lamp,"
Gao Qiang said, frowning. "About the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, I suddenly saw a figure dart out of the back window."
"If that's the case, why didn't you go in to check immediately?" Lu Yan grabbed Gao Qiang's collar angrily and shouted, "Perhaps... perhaps if you had gone in earlier, Master could still have been saved.
" "It's not that I didn't want to go in, it's just... it's just..." Gao Qiang said, full of grievances, "Sigh, everyone knows Uncle Li's temper. He absolutely cannot tolerate being disturbed when he's resting, otherwise he'll give us a good scolding."
"Besides, I only caught a glimpse of it vaguely, I couldn't be sure at all. " "Gao Qiang said hoarsely.
"Yes, the figure flashed by and disappeared in an instant. We...we thought we were seeing things, so we didn't pay much attention." Deng Feng said awkwardly.
"You...you're derelict in your duty!" Wang Chao said angrily.
"Senior brother, you misunderstand." Gao Qiang said with a smile, "Junior Brother Deng and I were afraid something might go wrong, so we specially lit lanterns and searched around. We searched the entire area of more than ten zhang and confirmed that there were no villains hiding before we went back to rest." "
The murderer must have fled without a trace after committing the crime. Would he stay near the house and let you catch him?" Lin Feifan's tiger eyes flashed with a sharp light as he looked at the two of them and stamped his foot.
"Disciple knows his crime." Deng Feng and Gao Qiang were so frightened that they knelt down and kowtowed for mercy.
"Lu Yan, when did you find Junior Brother Li dead in the house?" "Dugu Hong forced herself to speak and asked.
"This morning, I went to pay my respects to Master... but no one answered the door even after I knocked halfway." Lu Yan cried, "I tried calling out a few times from outside, but Master didn't respond. Later, when I went in, I saw..." He broke down in tears.
"Where is Junior Brother Li's body?" Lin Feifan turned to Wang Chao and Li Zhe, choking back sobs.
"It's outside the hall." Wang Chao replied in a trembling voice.
"Bring it up!" "Lin Feifan suppressed his inner pain and said in a deep voice.
The once-renowned "Falling Goose Sword" Li Liangbin was now a cold corpse.
From his convulsing, stiff facial muscles, from his graying eyes, from his almost distorted mouth, everything exuded fear—a deep, indescribable fear. Most of the disciples present were affected and trembled involuntarily.
Lin Feifan and Dugu Hong looked at each other in horror. With Li Liangbin's experience in the martial world and his martial arts skills, he would never have such an expression unless he had encountered something extremely horrifying.
"Ren Xiaoyao, what have you done?" Li Zhe roared angrily.
"What does Senior Li's death have to do with me?" Ren Xiaoyao asked in astonishment.
"You are the one who killed Master!" Li Liangbin's disciples shouted in unison.
"My fellow disciples, you must have evidence to speak. You cannot accuse Young Hero Ren without reason," Lin Feifan said solemnly.
"Ren Xiaoyao is the only outsider in Hengshan. Who else could it be but him?" "Lu Yan blurted out.
"Yes, drag him out, extract his heart and blood, and torture him to death to avenge our master." Wang Chao and Li Zhe said in unison.
"Is this considered evidence?" Ren Xiaoyao sneered.
Liu Dongming said loudly, "Everyone knows Senior Brother Li's martial arts skills. To kill him without making a sound, even the Ghostly Netherworld God might not be able to do it."
"Is Uncle Liu making excuses for Ren Xiaoyao?" Lu Yan said indignantly.
"I'm just stating the facts, Nephew Lu, please listen to me first." Liu Dongming said in a deep voice, "According to Deng Feng and Gao Qiang, Senior Brother Li's death happened in an instant. I suspect that the other party may have used some kind of conspiracy..."
"That's right." Wang Chao suddenly realized, "Master's expression is very strange, there must be something strange inside."
"Even if there is something strange, it was Ren Xiaoyao's doing." "Lu Yan rebuked without distinguishing right from wrong.
"What a joke, I have no grudge against Senior Li, why would I kill him?" Ren Xiaoyao said disdainfully.
"Yesterday at the assembly, Uncle Li thanked Young Hero Ren repeatedly, didn't you all see that?" Wei Sihan immediately chimed in, "Do you all think Young Hero Ren had any reason to harm Uncle Li?"
"Hmph, less than two hours later, Master publicly glared at him, do you think you can hide this from us?" Lu Yan retorted, "As for what happened in between, anyone with a brain can guess."
The crowd discussed among themselves, most believing that some new conflict must have arisen between Ren Xiaoyao and Li Liangbin, and that Ren Xiaoyao killed him in a fit of anger.

Volume 11 Resentment and Injustice, Almost Expelled, Chapter 12 Who is the Murderer

? "Even if there was a motive for murder, it doesn't mean I am the murderer." "Ren Xiaoyao stared at Lu Yan and said in a deep voice.
"I asked the junior brother in charge of cleaning the guest rooms, and you didn't go back at all yesterday. What did you do all night?" Lu Yan said confidently.
"I..." Ren Xiaoyao was speechless. He couldn't very well say that he originally planned to capture the rumor-monger at Banshan Pavilion, but ended up losing control and having sex with Lin Yuxiu.
Seeing that Ren Xiaoyao was at a loss, Wei Sihan shook his head helplessly. He could have testified for Ren Xiaoyao, but seeing his expression, he obviously didn't want to involve his junior sister, so he had to swallow the words that were on the tip of his tongue.
Lu Yan pressed on, "Gao Qiang said that the murderer's movements were extremely fast. He only caught a glimpse of a shadow. Doesn't that match the fact that you have superb lightness skills and can come and go without a trace?"
"Brother Lu, how do you think I killed Senior Li?" Ren Xiaoyao's heart stirred, and he asked in return.
"Of course, it was a sneak attack using despicable means. Otherwise, with Master's martial arts, how could you have succeeded?" Lu Yan said resentfully.
"Well said. Senior Li has immersed himself in swordsmanship for thirty years and is truly a first-rate master of this era. No matter how ruthless or vicious my attacks are, I, Ren Xiaoyao, could kill him before he could even make a sound," Ren Xiaoyao sneered.
"Deng Feng, Gao Qiang, are you two really sure you didn't hear any other sounds?" Lin Feifan, eager to prove Ren Xiaoyao's innocence, demanded.
"Your disciple swears with his life that apart from those few indistinct conversations, there was absolutely no other sound," Deng Feng and Gao Qiang said in unison.
Lu Yan pressed on with Ren Xiaoyao, arguing, "Perhaps you could first use poison or sleeping potion to knock Master out, and then..."
Ren Xiaoyao interrupted him abruptly, "With Senior Li's status, how could he be defeated by such a petty trick? If it were you, Brother Lu, you might have a chance."
Lu Yan was furious at being mocked to his face and was about to retort when Lin Feifan coughed twice and spoke first, "Junior Brother Zhu, please carefully examine Junior Brother Li's body and give the disciples an explanation." The "Junior Brother Zhu" he mentioned was named Zhu Tao, who had worked as a coroner in the yamen for several years before joining the Hengshan Sect and was quite knowledgeable in this area.
Zhu Tao walked to the center of the main hall, slowly squatted down, and began examining the limbs, then the wounds on the chest and abdomen, and finally opened the eyelids for a detailed examination. He then solemnly reported, "Senior Brother Li was stabbed through the heart and died on the spot. From all angles of analysis, he was perfectly conscious before his death, and there were no signs of poisoning."
"Uncle-Master means the theories of poison and sleeping potion are invalid?" Li Han asked in surprise.
Zhu Tao slowly nodded and said, "Yes, Senior Brother Li was murdered in a completely normal state."
"This...how is this possible?" Zhou Kai said incredulously, "Even if Master was involved,...could there be more than one murderer?"
Zhu Tao's expression turned grave, and he slowly said, "It's difficult to judge from the corpse alone; we must be at the scene in person."
Lin Feifan decisively said: "Hong'er, Junior Brother Zhou, Junior Brother Jiao, Junior Brother Liu, Junior Brother Zhu, Young Hero Ren, Si Han, Lu Yan, Wang Chao, and Li Han, the ten of you come with me. The rest of you stay in the main hall; no one is allowed to leave."
"Sect Leader, I'll go too," Jiao Weihua pleaded, his eyes brimming with tears.
Lin Feifan patted his shoulder and said earnestly, "Weihua, among all the sect members, you and Junior Brother Li have the deepest friendship. It's not that I intentionally left you out, but... I'm just afraid that the sight of you will overwhelm you with grief."
Jiao Weihua's eyes were red, and he said sadly, "I want to personally find the murderer and avenge my senior brother. I beg the Sect Leader to grant my request." With that, he knelt down with a "thud."
"Junior Brother Jiao, a man's knees are worth gold. Why... why are you doing this?" Lin Feifan quickly stepped forward to help him up.
Jiao Weihua pushed him away, tears streaming uncontrollably down his face, and shook his head, saying, "If the Sect Leader doesn't agree, I will kneel here forever."
Lin Feifan was moved by his fervent patriotism and nodded, saying, "Wang Chao, Li Han, keep an eye on Uncle Jiao. Don't let him get too agitated." His words implied his agreement.
"Thank you for granting my request, Sect Leader," Jiao Weihua prostrated himself on the ground.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Tables, chairs, beds, candlesticks.
Li Liangbin's bedroom could only be described as normal.
If it weren't for the bloodstain in the corner, no one would believe that a murder had occurred here just hours ago.
To ensure fairness, Lin Feifan only brought Dugu Hong and Zhu Tao inside, while the rest waited outside.
Ren Xiaoyao wouldn't miss any opportunity to prove his innocence. He quietly went to the bedroom window, carefully searching for clues that could uncover the truth. When
one's lightness skill reaches a certain level, there's a saying, "walking on snow without leaving a trace," but this doesn't mean leaving absolutely no trace; it simply means leaving something so subtle that it's imperceptible to ordinary people. Meng Fei's lightness skill was unparalleled, naturally making him adept at tracking. He possessed extremely profound skills in finding footprints, and Ren Xiaoyao, having received his personal instruction, effortlessly found a distinctive shoe print beside the steps.
The Hengshan Sect had strict rules regarding attire. For male disciples, outer robes, shoes, and socks had to be uniform; mixing them was forbidden. This footprint greatly narrowed down the suspects. Ren Xiaoyao wasn't worried that this was a tool deliberately left by the murderer to mislead, because no one else besides him could see anything from it.
"Brother Ren, what are you looking for?" Wei Sihan strode over, then suddenly lowered his voice, "There were at least several dozen people gathered here this morning. Judging from the footprints will be very difficult.
" "Don't worry, Brother Wei, I rely on my lightness skill for a living. I can tell at a glance whether it's been several hours," Ren Xiaoyao deliberately drawled, smiling confidently.
"What, you suspect…" Wei Sihan exclaimed in surprise.
Ren Xiaoyao nodded slowly, saying softly, "This is something we both understand, let's not tell a third person."
Wei Sihan was slightly taken aback, then asked, "Not even the sect leader and master can be told?"
Ren Xiaoyao chuckled, "Heh, if it weren't for Brother Wei's cleverness, I would have kept it from you too."
Wei Sihan immediately understood, nodding, "Is there anything I can help with?" "
Ren Xiaoyao's eyes gleamed with wisdom. After whispering something to Wei Sihan by the wall, Wei Sihan nodded happily.
"We have a clue!" Zhu Tao's excited voice came from inside the room.

Volume 11: Unable to Defend Against His Resentment, Chapter 13: Death Message.

Everyone rushed in and saw Lin Feifan and Dugu Hong standing solemnly by the window, while Zhu Tao stood to the side, holding a broken iron sword in his hand, his face solemn.
"This...this is Master's sword. Where did Uncle Zhu find it?" Lu Yan asked in surprise.
"Under the bed." Zhu Tao said solemnly.
Liu Dongming's face was ashen. He said in a deep voice, "Brother Li's sword is made of deep-sea cold iron. Apart from Master's Giant Falcon and the Taishan Sect's Purple Lightning and Azure Frost, ordinary blades cannot cut through it."
Lu Yan gritted his teeth and pointed at Ren Xiaoyao, coldly snorting, "Uncle Li, don't forget that his Ice Soul Frost Sword can also cut hair in an instant and slice iron like mud." "That's right, this is the irrefutable evidence that he murdered his mentor! "
Wang Chao shouted, pointing his halberd.
Zhou Kai, Jiao Weihua, Zhu Tao, and Liu Dongming all cast questioning glances at Ren Xiaoyao.
"If you want to condemn someone, you can always find a pretext." Ren Xiaoyao's face turned cold as he laughed, looking up at the sky.
"A broken sword alone is not enough to prove that Young Hero Ren is the murderer." Lin Feifan said slowly.
"Do we need witnesses?" Lu Yan stamped his foot and said.
"All the clues point to Brother Ren. It seems that the other party is deliberately framing him." Wei Sihan muttered.
"Hmph, who is Ren Xiaoyao to you? Why are you protecting him at every turn?" No matter how bold Lu Yan was, he didn't dare to vent his anger on Lin Feifan, so he could only vent his anger on Wei Sihan. "
Sect Leader, Mentor, all my senior uncles and senior masters, I, Sihan, guarantee with my life that Young Hero Ren is definitely not the murderer of Uncle Li." "Wei Sihan's brows furrowed, and he said resolutely.
"Don't think I don't know, you and this kid are in cahoots." Lu Yan roared angrily, "Maybe...maybe you were involved in our master's murder too."
"Slander!" Wei Sihan roared like thunder, "I didn't leave the bedroom at all last night, Senior Brother Duan who shared the room can testify." Apart from Dugu Yu and Lin Feifan and his wife, Li Liangbin was the one who treated him the best in the Hengshan Sect. Lu Yan didn't distinguish right from wrong and insisted on dragging him into this, which was really infuriating.
"Alright, everyone, say less." Lin Feifan interrupted, "Junior Brother Zhu, didn't you have something to ask?"
Zhu Tao nodded slightly and asked in a deep voice, "Nephew Lu, besides you, who else entered this room this morning?"
Lu Yan replied, "Only my two junior brothers, Wang Chao and Li Han, carried Master's body out."
Zhu Tao asked solemnly, "Are you sure?"
Lu Yan's eyes flashed with reminiscence as he nodded, "I was afraid someone would tamper with the scene, so I specifically locked the windows from the inside. As for the key to the front door, I've kept it close to my body."
"So the situation we see now is almost identical to when the murder occurred." Zhu Tao turned his gaze to the pool of blood in the corner and asked solemnly, "Was Senior Brother Li lying here at the time?"
"Yes." Lu Yan burst into tears, choking back sobs.
"Crying? Will crying avenge Junior Brother Li?" Zhou Kai scolded.
"Uncle-Master, please calm down. Senior Brother Lu acted impulsively..." Wang Chao and Li Zhe hurriedly explained.
Zhu Tao thought to himself: Lu Yan is really confused. He can't even understand the hidden meaning in his own words. So he asked clearly, "Was Senior Brother Li's body lying flat or supine? Which direction was he facing? Were there any signs of it being moved or transported?"
Lu Yan hurriedly replied, "Master's upper body... his upper body was leaning against the corner of the wall, his legs were slightly apart, roughly..." He spoke unclearly for a long time, and everyone was still confused. Finally, he simply sat down and assumed the same posture as Li Liangbin at the time.
"Wang Chao, Li Zhe, Lu Yan's posture is correct, isn't it?" Zhu Tao said solemnly.
The two men didn't answer at first, but instead fiddled with the body for a while, moving its legs and arms, before finally saying, "Uncle-Master Zhu, that's how it is."
Zhu Tao stared for a moment, his eyes flashing with deep understanding, greatly diminishing the sorrow that had previously weighed on his eyes. He said decisively, "Within six hours of death, the muscles of a corpse gradually change from relaxed to stiff and even spasmodic. Judging from the position of Senior Brother Li's limbs and the location of the lividity found during the examination, the murderer didn't touch the body much."
Zhou Kai said without hesitation, "Deng Feng and Gao Qiang are right outside the door; how could the murderer dare to linger?"
"No, since the murderer dared to come, he must know their temperaments very well, knowing that without Senior Brother Li's permission, Deng Feng and Gao Qiang would never dare to enter," Zhu Tao analyzed. "But why did he only stuff the short sword into the bed, but not drag Junior Brother Li off the bed or clean up the bloodstains?"
“It’s simple. The murderer wanted us to discover Master’s murder as soon as possible, but deliberately concealed the fact that the sword was broken,” Liu Dongming blurted out.
“Uncle Liu’s idea is rather… rather naive,” Wei Sihan said calmly. “Since the murderer intended to hide the fact that his weapon was sharp, he could have simply taken the broken sword with him. Why bother hiding it?”
“That makes sense. He’s clearly trying to frame someone,” Zhou Kai said, suddenly realizing.
Zhu Tao continued, “When Senior Brother Li was killed, he was standing with his back against the corner of the wall, which rules out the possibility of a sneak attack.”
Jiao Weihua exclaimed in astonishment, “Without poison or sleeping potion, and with a frontal attack, killing him in one blow—who in the world has such ability?”
Ren Xiaoyao immediately guessed the mystery, but as a suspect, he couldn’t speak.
Lin Feifan, Dugu Hong, and the others all pondered deeply, their brows furrowed and their faces showing difficulty, clearly unable to reach any valuable conclusions.
Fortunately, Wei Sihan was also present.
“Actually, killing Uncle Li doesn’t require high-level martial arts.” Wei Sihan’s eyes gleamed, a bitter and desolate smile playing on her lips. She made a startling statement: “As long as we gain Uncle Li’s trust enough, so he doesn’t make any moves, he’ll trust the entire sect…”
“Wei Sihan, what do you mean?” Wang Chao roared. “Do you suspect one of us murdered our master?”
Wei Sihan sneered. “Hmph, you said it yourself.”
“Sihan’s idea isn’t without merit,” Dugu Hong said in a deep voice. “The corner of the wall is very close to the bed, and there are no tables or chairs around. It’s conceivable that Junior Brother Li was sitting on the bed before he was killed. Would he have been so casual with someone he didn’t know?”
“Our master is humble, and even with Ren Xiaoyao, he might not have been so particular. So he still can’t escape involvement,” Lu Yan argued.
“Look!” Zhou Kai suddenly exclaimed.
Everyone looked in the direction of the sound, and saw a hastily drawn symbol in blood on the bed sheet he had turned over. No, it wasn't a symbol, but a radical composed of a left-falling stroke and a vertical stroke.
"Ren! Ren! This is half of the character Ren!" Lu Yan could no longer contain his anger and shouted as he lunged at Ren Xiaoyao.

Volume Twelve: A Close Friend Helps Break Through the Fog Chapter One: Someone Else

"Swoosh!" A pebble shot through the window, small in size, but with an unusually loud sound.
Lu Yan couldn't dodge in time and it hit his shoulder, causing him to fall backward.
Strangely enough, in the instant before he hit the ground, the true energy contained in the pebble vanished without a trace, and he didn't even feel the slightest pain when his body hit the ground.
Lu Yan dusted off his sleeves, stood up, and was about to curse, but he felt his throat was dry and couldn't utter a sound. It turned out that his mute acupoint had been sealed at the same time the pebble hit him.
In the world today, the only one with such skill is naturally Dugu Yu.
"Father-in-law, what brings you here?" Lin Feifan turned around in surprise.
"How could I not come after such a major event?" As he spoke, Dugu Yu approached, accompanied by his granddaughter Lin Yuxiu.
"Xiuxiu, who told you to disturb your grandfather's meditation?" Dugu Hong's expression changed slightly as she gently scolded him.
"I also wanted to avenge Uncle Li, but you and Father insisted that I stay in the main hall." Lin Yuxiu wrinkled her cute little nose and frowned. "There was no other way, so I had to go to the Green Bamboo House to ask my grandfather for help." As she spoke, she gracefully tossed herself to Ren Xiaoyao's side and said tenderly, "Big brother, I've told my grandfather everything. He will help you."
Everyone thought she was just recounting the details of Li Liangbin's murder to Dugu Yu, but little did they know that Lin Yuxiu was referring to her intimate encounter with Ren Xiaoyao at the Half-Mountain Pavilion the previous night.
"Master, look, this is Senior Brother Li's weapon." Zhou Kai respectfully handed the broken sword to Dugu Yu, his expression solemn.
Dugu Yu examined it briefly, then suddenly let out a sigh, as if to relieve the heavy burden in his heart. He said sternly, "You all thought Liang Bin's precious sword was severed by Young Hero Ren's Ice Soul Frost Sword?" His hearing was exceptional; he had clearly heard everyone's previous conversation along the way.
"Indeed, in today's martial arts world..." Liu Dongming was about to explain when Dugu Yu suddenly interrupted, "How did I warn you before, to think things through carefully and not just look at appearances? Alas... more than ten years have passed, and you've all forgotten."
Everyone looked at each other, sensing that he meant there was some undiscovered mystery hidden in the broken sword.
Wang Chao was extremely anxious and pleaded, "This disciple is foolish and ignorant, please enlighten me, Your Excellency."
Dugu Yu leaned forward slightly, his tiger eyes shooting out a terrifying light, and handed the broken sword to Lin Feifan, slowly saying, "Carefully feel the broken edge, see if it is different from the sharp blade and tip."
Lin Feifan did as he was told, and immediately exclaimed, "The iron within an inch or so to the left of the broken edge is all softened, this...this...could it be..."
Jiao Weihua picked up the other half, and reached the same conclusion as Lin Feifan. His face immediately showed a look of horror and shock, and he suddenly realized, "Junior Brother Li's precious sword was not broken by a divine weapon, but was forcibly broken by internal energy."
"No way, there is such a powerful martial art in the world." Dugu Hong asked incredulously. In his memory, although internal energy masters such as Xiong Lei, Xiao Chen, and Yi Tianhan could also break weapons with their palm force, the targets were limited to ordinary iron. As for Li Liangbin's precious sword, even his father would probably be unable to do anything about it.
"This person uses finger strength rather than palm technique," Dugu Yu guessed what his daughter was thinking and gently coaxed her.
"Father-in-law, you're not referring to the Heavenly Gang Finger Acupoint Technique, the signature move of the Wind and Thunder Envoy, are you?" Lin Feifan pondered for a moment before tentatively asking.
"Besides the Heavenly Gang Finger Acupoint Technique, which is known as 'one finger that can sever heaven and earth,' can you think of any other finger technique?" Dugu Yu looked exhausted and smiled bitterly.
"As far as I know, besides the Wind and Thunder Envoy, there are only two people in the martial arts world who are proficient in the Heavenly Gang Finger Acupoint Technique: one is Fen Ri, one of the five assassins under Hentian, and the other is Li Hongtao, the deputy chief steward of the Western Xia First-Class Hall. Could it be that one of them has gone to Hengshan?" Lin Feifan frowned.
“Feifan, you only know one side of the story,” Dugu Yu said solemnly. “During the great battle at Wuyun Mountain, Fenglei Shi, Fenri, and Liang Bin fought several times and became quite familiar with each other. Li Hongtao had also met him once. Under normal circumstances, Liang Bin would not have met them in his bedroom. If he had launched a sneak attack, it would have alerted the disciples on night duty. Therefore, the murderer is someone else.”
“Grandpa, what you’re saying is contradictory,” Lin Yuxiu said sweetly.
Dugu Yu smiled but did not answer.
Wei Sihan suddenly asked, “Senior Brother Wang, does Uncle Li always carry his sword close to his body?”
“Yes, Master cherishes it…” Wang Chao replied, “You suspect that the murderer took the sword away before committing the crime, broke it, and then put it back in the room? This… this is impossible.”
“The murderer himself knows the Tiangang Finger Acupoint Technique and is still staying in the Hengshan Sect,” Ren Xiaoyao said, his words startling.
“Ugh… ugh…” Lu Yan was about to retort when he saw Ren Xiaoyao speak, but his speech acupoint had been sealed and he couldn’t undo it, so he could only groan and stare blankly.
Wei Sihan said blankly, “Didn’t the sect leader just say that there are only three people who are proficient in the Heavenly Gang Finger Acupoint Technique, and all of them have been ruled out by Grandmaster?”
Ren Xiaoyao said in a deep voice, “For Feng Lei Shi, Fen Ri, and Li Hongtao, perhaps one or two fingers are enough to break a precious sword. The others are slightly less skilled, but after a few more moves, they should be able to achieve the same effect.”
“Young Master Ren’s words are exactly what I was thinking.” Dugu Yu stroked his beard and smiled.
“It seems that the mark on the bed sheet is the only valuable clue at present.” Zhu Tao said decisively.
“Junior brother, could this half-written character ‘Ren’ also be a deliberate frame-up by the murderer?” Jiao Weihua asked, enunciating each word clearly.
“Yes, yes, it must be.” Lin Yuxiu said anxiously, her mind racing.
“Judging from the messiness of the handwriting and its position, it shouldn’t be.” Zhu Tao pondered.
"How do you know?" Dugu Hong pressed.
"First, Senior Brother Li's body hadn't been moved, and it just happened to touch the sheets; second, in his severely injured and extremely panicked state, he hastily made his finger strike, but didn't spread the blood elsewhere, clearly intending to leave the message here; third..." (

Volume 12, Chapter 2, Seven Days to Capture the Murderer)

"No need for any third or fourth," Dugu Yu waved his hand to interrupt, "I can tell you with absolute certainty that Liang Bin's murder has nothing to do with Young Hero Ren." Not to mention Lin Yuxiu's testimony, and not to mention that Ren Xiaoyao's character and integrity wouldn't allow him to commit such a heinous act, even if he were the murderer, he would never leave such obvious evidence.
Dugu Yu's words were like a royal decree within the Hengshan Sect, to be obeyed without question. Zhou Kai, Jiao Weihua, Liu Dongming, and the others, despite their numerous doubts, dared not raise any further objections.
"Sir, is the matter of Master's murder just going to be dropped?" Wang Chao and Li Zhe cried out.
"Of course not." Dugu Yu looked up at the roof beam and said in a deep voice, "Feifan, immediately order the entire sect to enter a state of martial law, and thoroughly investigate everyone who left the bedroom last night. All visitors must be politely refused, and no one is allowed to leave the mountain except to purchase food."
"Father-in-law, should the punishments for Lu Yan and Wang Chao's violation of the sect rules be suspended?" Lin Feifan asked.
"Hmm, let's carry them out after we find the murderer." Dugu Yu nodded.
"Hahaha, hahaha." Ren Xiaoyao suddenly burst into laughter.
"Big brother, have you found a clue?" Lin Yuxiu asked softly, seeing him staring intently at the hastily written words on the bedsheet.
"I've guessed about 80% of the murderer's true identity, but some details still need to be considered." Ren Xiaoyao's laughter, which had been so powerful it seemed to shatter the clouds, subsided, and he said calmly.
"Tell me, who is that person? I want to tear him to pieces!" Jiao Weihua asked impatiently through gritted teeth.
“I wouldn’t make a random accusation without absolute certainty,” Ren Xiaoyao said calmly.
“Hmph, that’s like saying nothing at all,” Jiao Weihua said dejectedly.
“Hey, Senior Jiao, no need to rush,” Ren Xiaoyao said confidently, his eyes shining. “Seven days. I will definitely give you all a satisfactory answer in seven days.”
“You dare to guarantee that?” Jiao Weihua took a step forward, pressing him for an answer.
“Heh heh, when has the promise of the ‘Romantic Thief’ ever been false?” Ren Xiaoyao said proudly.
Dugu Yu gave Ren Xiaoyao a wink, and seeing him nod in response, immediately ordered, “Wang Chao, Li Zhe, you two take Liang Bin’s body to the Green Bamboo House. I want to examine it carefully.”
“Yes,” the two nodded in agreement.
Dugu Yu turned to Lin Feifan and instructed, "You and Hong'er come up the mountain with me. Zhou Kai, Wei Hua, and Dong Ming will temporarily oversee the sect's affairs. Anyone who spreads rumors, stirs up trouble, or misleads the people will be severely punished!" He then turned to leave, but stopped at the door, his expression solemn. "Block all news. This matter must not be allowed to spread until the murderer is found."
※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Night fell…
"Boom!" Lightning flashed and thunder roared, and a torrential downpour seemed as if the heavens were weeping for the hero's passing.
In the third guest room on the right, Ren Xiaoyao stood alone in the dim light, seemingly lost in thought.
"Knock, knock, knock," a knock sounded on the door, accompanied by Wei Sihan's impatient urging: "Brother Ren, open the door quickly! I have important matters to discuss with you."
Ren Xiaoyao stood up, a smug smile playing on his lips. He had already anticipated Wei Sihan's arrival tonight.
“Brother Wei, you arrive at Hai Shi (9-11 PM), aren’t you afraid of disturbing my rest?” Ren Xiaoyao chuckled, looking at the travel-worn Wei Sihan.
“I couldn’t help it. My Grandmaster summoned me to Zhu Rong Peak twice for discussions, and Uncle Li’s mourning hall needs tidying up. I just managed to find some time,” Wei Sihan admitted.
Ren Xiaoyao invited him to sit down and asked softly, “What brings you here, Brother Wei?”
Wei Sihan’s eyes lit up, and he smiled, “Since you already guessed I would come, the reason is self-evident.”
“How many people do you think are suspicious?” Ren Xiaoyao’s smile faded, and he asked seriously.
“If nothing unexpected happens, the murderer is one of them.” Wei Sihan dipped his finger in tea and wrote two names on the table with swift strokes.
Ren Xiaoyao nodded slightly and said solemnly, “These two are indeed very suspicious, but all the signs indicate…” He also made a few strokes under the tea table.
“Him? Impossible.” Wei Sihan exclaimed in surprise.
“Often, things turn out unexpectedly.” Ren Xiaoyao’s tiger-like eyes flashed with a cold light, revealing unfathomable insight. His brows furrowed as he said, “I don’t want him involved either, otherwise Senior Li’s death would be far more than just a simple murder.”
“What do you plan to do?” Wei Sihan leaned forward and asked.
“I said I would give everyone an answer within seven days, so naturally I have to hurry and investigate carefully.” Ren Xiaoyao smiled confidently.
Wei Sihan gasped, saying with concern, "But... we can't find any valuable clues now, and the information we have is very vague. I'm afraid we won't make any progress in the short term."
"In that case, let's start with the basics," Ren Xiaoyao said leisurely. "Go and investigate the whereabouts of these three people on the night of the incident. I think there must be something suspicious."
"After leaving Uncle Li's bedroom, I started investigating secretly," Wei Sihan shrugged slightly and said with a wry smile, "Apart from the one you wrote that was unclear, the first two didn't return home all night."
"There should be a reason for not returning home all night, or perhaps they appeared in another place when the murder occurred, which would eliminate suspicion," Ren Xiaoyao analyzed, putting on an expert's air. "Try to investigate as deeply as possible, and tell me immediately as soon as you have any results, but... but don't alert them. Everything must be done in secret."
"Hmm, please also act as if you're investigating from multiple angles, so that the murderer's attention is focused on your actions," Wei Sihan said solemnly.
"Hahaha, don't worry, they'll never guess that I was the one who promised to find out the truth in seven days, but it was Brother Wei who actually did it." Ren Xiaoyao laughed heartily.
"Brother Ren, I'll take my leave now. You should rest early too." Wei Sihan said, standing up. Just as he walked towards the door, a dark shadow flashed by and disappeared at the end of the corridor...

Volume Twelve: Close Friend Helps Break Through the Fog Chapter Three: Murderous Intent in the Rainy Night

Thick clouds obscured the moon, and the wind howled like cranes.
The drizzling rain added a thin curtain to the already dark night, subtly highlighting the loneliness and desolation of the entire building.
This was the best time for night travelers to appear. Apart from the sound of raindrops hitting the ground and the howling of the wind, no other sounds could be heard. Even if one's lightness skill was slightly inferior, there was no need to worry about being discovered.
The torrential rain poured down, lightning raged overhead, and a ghostly black figure suddenly appeared beside the courtyard wall. Dressed in close-fitting night clothes, his face covered with a black cloth, he gripped a gleaming longsword tightly and rushed towards Wei Sihan's room.
It was an assassin!
Despite the downpour, the assassin, with his keen hearing, could faintly distinguish two distinct breathing sounds from inside the room—one light, one heavy.
The light breath was intermittent, with no clear distinction between inhalation and exhalation, revealing extremely profound internal strength; it was undoubtedly Wei Sihan, the champion of the Blessing Ceremony.
The heavy breath was irregular, sometimes rapid, sometimes slow, without any discernible pattern; it was undoubtedly Duan Qi, the most useless disciple of Dugu Hong's sect.
The black-clad assassin nodded in satisfaction, took out a sleeping incense from his robes, and quietly blew it into the room.
His concern wasn't about Duan Qi discovering the attack, but rather Wei Sihan's keen senses. If he accidentally woke him before striking, he might be the one to die.
A short while later, the breathing inside became muffled. With a muffled "humph," Duan Qi was first overcome by the sleeping incense, followed by Wei Sihan's abruptly ceasing breathing.
The man in black slowly stood up, then suddenly swept his right arm across, delivering a sharp, ringing palm strike.
Normally, Wei Sihan would have been alerted, but now he showed no reaction whatsoever, indicating he had completely lost the ability to resist.
The man in black nodded slightly, took out lock-picking tools, and effortlessly opened the door.
The room was pitch black, so dark you couldn't see your hand in front of your face. The man in black silently entered, seemingly blending into the darkness; even standing right in front of him, he would be indistinguishable.
His steps were extremely light and steady, yet having rushed through the heavy rain, his shoes were inevitably damp. After only a few steps, a sudden "creak" sounded, and he nearly slipped.
The man in black immediately regained his footing, standing rooted to the spot with trepidation.
Though the sound he made was barely audible, in this situation, it was more jarring than the clatter of rusty swords. The unconscious Wei Sihan seemed to sense something, and his body stirred.
The man in black's heart leaped into his throat, almost unable to breathe. If it weren't for the late hour, he would have been seen trembling, his face deathly pale.
However, Wei Sihan's movement quickly ceased. The man in black, relieved, was secretly annoyed. Gritting his teeth, he walked to the bedside and thrust his sword with all his might, aiming straight for Wei Sihan's vitals.
As venomous as a snake, as swift as lightning, accompanied by a suffocatingly powerful internal energy, the sword pierced straight through with a "whoosh."
Unfortunately, it didn't penetrate Wei Sihan's body, but merely an ordinary round stool.
Just then, at the critical moment, Wei Sihan, who had been unconscious, suddenly "woke up" and grabbed a round stool from beside the bed to shield his chest.
The man in black was terrified and immediately dropped his sword and retreated.
His reaction was incredibly fast, but it still couldn't match Wei Sihan's thunderous Meteor Thirteen Style.
With a "whoosh," the cold sword tip accelerated instantly, suddenly appearing before the man in black's throat. If he had stopped even half a step later, he would have been dead for sure.
"I knew you would come," Wei Sihan said calmly, lighting a tinderbox.
The man in black was unable to move, his eyes filled with fear, and he stammered, "You... how could you..."
"Hmph, Brother Ren deliberately entrusted the investigation to me to lure you into a trap and expose you murderers," Wei Sihan said coldly, his eyes focused.
"He... how much does he know about us?" The man in black was sweating profusely and trembled as he asked.
“Sigh, actually it’s not much. The only thing I’m sure of is that when we were talking inside, you were eavesdropping outside.” Wei Sihan smiled knowingly, as if she knew everything.
“Then… then why didn’t you make a move?” the man in black asked, bewildered.
“It’s simple. Catch the thief red-handed. Getting you caught in the act saves us a lot of explanations.” Wei Sihan laughed leisurely. “Am I right, senior brother?”
The man in black’s face darkened, and he said in a low voice, “Wei Sihan, we have no grudges against each other, so…”
Wei Sihan interrupted casually, “What a joke. Coming to assassinate someone in the middle of the night, and you call that no grudges?”
“I… I was forced into it, I had no choice.” the man in black pleaded.
"Confess who instructed you, and I can pretend nothing happened." Wei Sihan's eyes flashed with murderous intent as she said in a deep voice, "Otherwise, when you see the sect leader, it won't be as simple as just being expelled from the sect."
"If I confess honestly, the organization... the organization won't forgive me." The man in black trembled violently, his face drained of color, and he stammered.
"If you grit your teeth and stubbornly resist, even if the sect leader shows mercy, Uncle Li's disciples won't let you off the hook." Wei Sihan raised her voice, threatening him.
The man in black fell silent, shaking his head desperately.
"Rumor has it that before joining our sect, Senior Brother Wang was the young master of the Black Wind Stronghold in Xiangnan, possessing eighteen sets of torture techniques. I'm sure you'll see them tomorrow," Wei Sihan said with a faint smile, seemingly unconcerned. "I wonder how long you can endure this, Senior Brother."
"I...I..." the man in black stammered, "If I tell you, can you guarantee my safety?"
"With the Supreme Elder overseeing Zhurong Peak, I'm afraid even Ghost Netherworld Lord and Hentian will have to be wary. As for the others..." Wei Sihan sneered, "Hmph, which of them has the guts to dare to act so recklessly in Hengshan?
" "Alright, I'll talk. The murderer who killed Uncle Li..." Before the man in black could finish speaking, a hissing sound was heard, and a thin silver light seemed to flash through the window in the darkness before disappearing.
Suddenly, the man in black's body began to tremble violently, his wrist spasmed, and his eyes widened in horror as he stammered, "It's...it's...it's..."
Wei Sihan urged urgently, "Who is it? Speak quickly!"
A gurgling sound escaped the man in black's throat, and no sound could be uttered. The secret was swallowed back down with his last breath, perhaps to be lost forever.

Volume Twelve: A Close Friend Helps Break Through the Fog, Chapter Four: The Order of Annihilation Issued.

"Who goes there!" Wei Sihan leaped out of the window, roaring to the sky, vaguely catching a glimpse of a figure disappearing into the vast night.
"Junior Brother Wei, what's wrong?" Fellow disciples from all directions were startled, rushing out of their houses and gathering around him in the rain.
"Alas, all our efforts have been in vain." Wei Sihan leaned against the doorframe, sighing deeply.
"This…who is this?" Chu Tiankuo, Lin Feifan's eldest disciple, pointed at the man in black's corpse and asked in astonishment.
"Of course, it's the murderer of Uncle Li." Wei Sihan sighed, "No, it should be said that he's one of the murderers."
Chu Tiankuo briefly inquired about the details, then said hatefully, "I want to see who dares to act so brazenly in the Hengshan Sect." With that, he ripped off his black mask.
"Mu Chenzhong!" Everyone exclaimed in unison, never expecting that the man in black would be Zhou Kai's most beloved disciple.
Soon after, elders like Lin Feifan and Dugu Hong arrived, making Wei Sihan's already small bedroom even more cramped.
The moment Zhou Kai caught a glimpse of the man in black, he froze, exclaiming incredulously, "No...impossible! Chenzhong has always been calm and honest; how could he commit such heinous acts as betraying his master and slaughtering his fellow disciples?" "
How do you explain the black-clad clothes, the black mask, and this sharp blade?" Lin Feifan asked coldly.
Zhou Kaixiong trembled violently, speechless for a long while before finally saying, "Even without a confession... By the way, who, who killed Chen Zhong?"
"I had already captured him and was about to interrogate the mastermind when a poisoned dart suddenly shot in from outside the door, and as a result..." Wei Sihan knelt down and whispered, "This disciple is foolish and failed to capture this person. I beg the sect leader to forgive me."
"Tonight, with the wind and rain, it's difficult to see even a few feet away. How can you be blamed?" Lin Feifan comforted him gently.
"Feifan, look." Dugu Hong took out a strangely shaped bronze token from Mu Chen Zhong's waist and said in a deep voice.
Lin Feifan stared intently at it, and his expression immediately changed drastically. He exclaimed, "The Heaven-Destroying Token!"
The dozen or so older members of the Hengshan Sect all looked at each other in horror.
The Heaven-Destroying Token was a token carried by members of the Absolute Killing Sect when they carried out their missions. Once they successfully killed their target, they would leave it next to the corpse to establish their authority. Twenty years ago, the Absolute Killers reached their peak. The Heaven-Destroying Token was no longer used to reveal their identity after obtaining it, but rather as a tool for coercion and intimidation. It was given to individuals or organizations in advance, forcing them to surrender unconditionally. If the recipient did not respond within three days of receiving the token, they would surely perish. Hence the saying, "With the Heaven-Destroying Token issued, one must either die or surrender."
In the Battle of Five Clouds Mountain, the Absolute Killers suffered heavy losses, and later, Tang Yunhe led his forces to wipe out twenty-four of their branches, nearly destroying them. For twenty years, the Heaven-Destroying Token had vanished from the martial world, never to be seen again. Unexpectedly, it was found today at Mu Chenzhong's corpse, indicating that another wave of turmoil was about to rise in the Central Plains martial arts world.
"This matter is of great importance. Should we inform the Supreme Elder?" Jiao Weihua asked in a deep voice. Zhou Kai was implicated in the assassination incident and could hardly protect himself. Li Liangbin had been murdered. As the elder with the highest martial arts skills and earliest entry into the Hengshan Three Swords, his suggestion carried considerable weight.
“It’s almost dawn, let’s wait until Father gets up before informing him,” Dugu Hong said solemnly. “We must all fulfill our duties and be conscientious in our work, and we must not let the disciples panic.”
“Hmm, I’ll immediately send more people to increase the night patrol,” Jiao Weihua nodded.
“Third Senior Brother, why don’t you stay and help me examine Chen Zhong’s body?” Zhu Tao patted Zhou Kai’s shoulder and whispered. Zhou Kai was not fit to move around freely at the moment, so staying here was the best option.
Lin Feifan frowned slightly and pondered, “Including Junior Brother Liu, perhaps he can also help a little.” After saying that, he winked at Liu Dongming, signaling him to keep a close eye on Zhou Kai. It wasn’t that Lin Feifan had any doubts about his junior brother of many years, but the matter involved a matter of life and death, and there was no room for negligence. Zhu Tao tore off a piece of his shirt to cover his hand, carefully pulled out the poisoned dart, examined it carefully for a moment, and then pondered, "This swallow-shaped dart called 'Soul-Destroying Dart' is a common hidden weapon used by the Absolute Assassins. It is coated with a deadly poison that kills on contact with blood. Even if it didn't hit his back, he probably wouldn't survive for long."
"It's obvious that Chen Zhong is just a pawn in the Absolute Assassins' game. The mastermind behind the scenes killed him to prevent him from revealing his identity." Liu Dongming calmly analyzed, "It just so happens that Si Han's residence is located in the central area, and we came here from all directions. No one noticed anything unusual along the way..."
Zhou Kai lost his temper and said excitedly, "You believe that the murderer is at the scene, and even suspect that person is me, right?" Suddenly discovering that his most beloved disciple was actually a lackey of the Absolute Assassins, anyone would inevitably be emotionally affected.
"No, Senior Brother, you've misunderstood." Liu Dongming took a deep breath and shook his head. "I was there when my sister-in-law was murdered. I would never believe you were involved with Juesha."
Zhou Kai's beloved wife, Xiao Yueying, was a renowned female knight-errant in the Jiangnan region. During the battle at Wuyun Mountain, she fought alongside her husband, but was ambushed by the Soul-Stealing Swordsman and died from her injuries. Therefore, she harbored an irreconcilable hatred for Juesha.
Hearing Liu Dongming mention his beloved wife, whom he longed for, Zhou Kai convulsed, tears streaming down his face. Twenty years, a full twenty years, his wife's sudden death remained an eternal pain in his heart. Countless sleepless nights, countless seasons, whenever he recalled her gentle and lovely face, Zhou Kai would weep with heart-wrenching grief. To avenge his wife, he never stopped his relentless training, and through sheer perseverance, he rose to the second rank among the Three Swords of Hengshan, becoming a significant figure in the martial arts world. Months ago, news of the resurgence of the Absolute Killers reached Hengshan. Zhou Kai resolved to find them by any means necessary, personally kill the Soul-Stealing Demon, and offer a sacrifice to his beloved wife in the afterlife. However, before his plan could be implemented, he discovered that Mu Chenzhong was actually a lackey of the Absolute Killers, even implicating him in the suspicion and distrust of his own sect members.
Liu Dongming gently comforted him, "Your sect leader surely understands your feelings, but for the sake of the greater good, he had no choice but to resort to this temporary measure."
"Don't worry, I know what to do," Zhou Kai said sadly, his eyes glistening with tears as he looked up at the night sky.

Volume Twelve: A Close Friend Helps Break Through the Fog, Chapter Five: Amidst the

Cold Wind and Rain, a single lamp flickered dimly. Dugu Yu sat alone in the Green Bamboo House, his mind filled with countless thoughts.
With his rich experience in the martial world, he vaguely sensed that there might be more to Li Liangbin's murder than met the eye, and it might even stir up a new wave of turmoil in the martial arts world.
If the perpetrator of the murder was just an ordinary person, the Hengshan Sect would naturally have no fear. However, without immense strength, who would dare to act recklessly under their noses? Therefore, the perpetrator's true identity is likely inextricably linked to powerful local organizations such as the Maitreya Sect, the Tangut Society, or the Ghost Sorrow Prefecture, or even the resurgent and rising Asura Sect. Regarding the former, the Hengshan Sect could handle it alone, but…
a soft footstep suddenly reached their ears. It was undoubtedly Ren Xiaoyao.
“Senior Dugu, you haven't rested yet?” Ren Xiaoyao asked in surprise, his sword room still lit.
“With such a major incident, how could I sleep peacefully?” Dugu Yu said with a wry smile. Ren Xiaoyao coming up to the peak alone in the middle of the night was almost certainly because he had discovered some new clue and was urgently reporting to him.
Ren Xiaoyao pushed open the door and sat down, panting heavily. Dugu Yu immediately sensed something was wrong. Even with his superb lightness skill, Ren Xiaoyao was showing signs of fatigue; one could imagine the urgency in his heart.
Dugu Yu asked with a solemn expression, "Have you found the key to the problem?"
Ren Xiaoyao returned to his usual carefree demeanor and sighed, "Juesha, Juesha did it, there's no mistake."
"Are you sure?" Dugu Yu's heart skipped a beat, and he asked in a deep voice.
Ren Xiaoyao nodded slightly and lowered his voice, saying, "Not only that, I also know the perpetrator and the method of the crime completely."
"You said you'd close the case in seven days, but you've found out the truth in less than a day. Isn't that a bit too fast?" Dugu Yu paused for a moment, then said in astonishment, "Young people should avoid being impatient and hasty in their actions. Making accusations without absolute certainty can have very serious consequences."
"I witnessed this myself, so I'm certain I'm not wrong." Ren Xiaoyao whispered something to Dugu Yu, who first looked incredulous, then nodded repeatedly, and finally smiled happily, "Good lad, you came up with such a brilliant plan; you almost fooled me too."
"Although I've identified the target, I have too little evidence. If I rashly make an accusation, the others might not be convinced," Ren Xiaoyao said, patting his forehead in distress.
"Don't even mention Feifan and the others, even I can't believe the murderer is him, and..." Dugu Yu's gaze suddenly sharpened like an arrow, and he nodded in agreement, saying in a deep voice, "This person is always meticulous in his actions, and it's unlikely we'll find anything in just seven days."
"That's why I rushed to the Green Bamboo House overnight to ask Senior Dugu for help," Ren Xiaoyao said mysteriously with a smile.
"How can I help you?" Dugu Yu's eyes gleamed, and he stroked his beard.
Ren Xiaoyao whispered something more in Dugu Yu's ear, causing Dugu Yu's expression to change slightly. He asked in a deep voice, "Death is a serious matter. Have you thought this through?"
Ren Xiaoyao solemnly replied, "As long as your sect can see this person's true colors and find the mastermind, I think Senior Li's spirit in heaven will rest in peace."
Dugu Yu pondered for a moment, then finally nodded, saying seriously, "I can let you take the things, but..."
"Don't worry, Senior, Xiaoyao wouldn't risk his reputation for such a joke." Ren Xiaoyao said with great enthusiasm, enunciating each word clearly, "You should sit atop Zhurong Peak and await good news."
The barely audible footsteps gradually faded into the distance. Dugu Yu's gaze shifted to the vast starry sky outside the window, and he said with deep emotion, "Brother, you look haggard. People say 'a son is not like his father,' but I think in Xiaoyao's case, it's more like 'a son surpasses his father.'"
※ ※ ※ ※ After leaving Shaolin Temple, Xiao
Chen traveled day and night without stopping, finally arriving at the foot of Mount Heng. He saw a majestic and beautiful mountain range stretching for dozens of miles, surrounded by towering peaks. Zhu Rong Peak rose abruptly from the ground, hundreds of feet high,
with sheer cliffs on either side, a truly spectacular sight.
Not long after, Xiao Chen was secretly surprised. Mount Heng was always bustling with tourists, but today, having come from Zhu Sheng Temple, he hadn't seen a single person, which was clearly unusual.
Passing through Chi Di Peak, two Hengshan disciples suddenly walked by. Xiao Chen offered a Buddhist greeting, clasped his hands together, and said, "May I ask if something significant has happened in your sect? Why are the seventy-two peaks so deserted?"
The two men were Wang Chao and Li Zhe. Upon seeing the elderly monk with silver hair and a commanding presence standing before them, they were both taken aback. Several days ago, the Hengshan Sect had issued a mountain closure order, which had been widely circulated throughout Nanyue Town. How could anyone dare to force their way in? Little did they know that Xiao Chen, eager to see Dugu Yu as soon as possible, had not only come without his disciples but had also remained oblivious to his surroundings along the way, so how could he know about the mountain's closure?
Seeing the two remain silent, Xiao Chen then said, "Please inform them that Xiao Chen of Shaolin requests an audience with Alliance Leader Dugu."
Wang Chao and Li Zhe exchanged glances and said simultaneously, "Holy Monk Xiao Chen is a contemporary martial arts master who has been diligently cultivating Buddhism in the Arhat Hall. Why would he come to our Hengshan?"
Xiao Chen solemnly replied, "A monk does not lie. Please inform him as soon as possible."
Wang Chao thought to himself: In the Central Plains martial arts world today, apart from Grandmaster, Master Xiao Chen, one of the "Thirteen Arhats," has the highest reputation. He would expect that if he were to travel, Shaolin disciples would surround him, unlike the old monk before him who was all alone. So he questioned, "You...you are really Xiao Chen, the head of the Shaolin Arhat Hall?"
Xiao Chen chuckled and slowly replied, "The real deal, I wouldn't dare to impersonate him."
Li Zhe, hearing that he spoke without the imposing manner of a master, became even more suspicious and pressed, "This is no joke, you'd better think it over."
Xiao Chen calmly replied, "What's so great about being the head of the Arhat Hall? What benefit would I gain from impersonating him?"
Normally, if he had said this much, Wang Chao and Li Zhe would have believed him. However, six days ago, Ren Xiaoyao had left without saying goodbye, and the body of their mentor, Li Liangbin, had also disappeared. Zhou Kai, Jiao Weihua, Liu Dongming, and others believed that even if Ren Xiaoyao had gone far, his body would be difficult to move and was likely still hidden somewhere in Hengshan. They strongly advocated for a thorough investigation. Lin Feifan, seeing that the matter was of utmost importance, immediately instructed his disciples to search in all directions and repeatedly emphasized that no one or no horse should be allowed to go up the mountain.
Wang Chao and Li Zhe were ordered to guard Huayan Terrace, the gateway to the seventy-two peaks of Hengshan. If the old monk were to slip inside while they were reporting, expelling him would be extremely difficult.

Xiao

Chen, increasingly sensing something amiss, didn't bother to say anything more. With a flick of his monk's robe, he rushed out of the mountain gate and sped towards the peak.
His lightness skill was the "Crossing the River on a Reed," one of the seventy-two Shaolin arts. Legend has it that Bodhidharma, traveling from India to China, reached the Yangtze River but found no boat. He placed a reed on the river, stepped onto it, and floated across. While this story is exaggerated, the unparalleled skill and swiftness of "Crossing the River on a Reed" are undeniable. In the present world, only Meng Fei, who lives in seclusion overseas, is slightly better than him; even Ren Xiaoyao would have to admit defeat.
Seeing the old monk's swift movements, Wang Chao and Li Zhe were alarmed, knowing they couldn't catch him. They immediately sent out a signal fire to inform their fellow disciples guarding the main hall that someone was forcibly breaking through the mountain.
Xiao Chen, eager to see Dugu Yu, used all his lightness skill to move swiftly. In less than half an hour, he reached the Martyrs' Shrine. Beyond that, strange peaks lined the path, the road became treacherous, and the mountains grew increasingly steep.
Treading on jagged rocks and navigating cliffs, he climbed the winding path. Jin Jian Peak was covered with stone carvings, lush with trees, and had a magnificent view. Lion Rock, with its craggy rocks, resembled a sleeping lion, and was quite unique. The South Heavenly Gate stood imposingly, exuding the heroic spirit of "one man can hold the pass against ten thousand."
After walking for a while, seven Hengshan Sect disciples suddenly emerged from the opposite direction, each wielding a long sword, blocking the center of the path. Their faces were cold, and they remained silent.
Xiao Chen stepped forward and greeted them, saying loudly, "This old monk is Xiao Chen of Shaolin, coming up the mountain to pay respects to Alliance Leader Dugu."
Jiao Weihua's disciple, Li Bi, stepped forward from the crowd and sneered, "Master Xiao Chen is a high-ranking monk of this era. How could he be so arrogant as to force his way in like you? Quickly go down the mountain, lest we have to take action."
Xiao Chen, with his magnanimous heart, did not bother with him. He put his hands together and said solemnly, "This old monk is indeed Xiao Chen. Please inform him. We will know the truth once we see Sect Leader Lin or Li Liangbin."
The defense of Hengshan Sect was usually in charge of Li Liangbin. Xiao Chen did not know that he had passed away, so he blurted it out. Upon hearing this, Li Bi and the others were all furious, thinking to themselves: "Our master has only been dead for a few days, and you come up here to make sarcastic remarks. You really have a death wish."
Li Bi held his sword to his chest and shouted, "Old monk, you dare to come to Zhurong Peak alone to show off your strength. If we don't teach you a lesson today, people will think that our Hengshan Sect is full of incompetent people." Before the words were even finished, the longsword flashed out like lightning, aiming straight for Xiaochen's chest and abdomen.
Xiaochen smiled slightly, effortlessly dodging the attack, secretly wondering: He hadn't left Shaoshi Mountain for over a decade; how come all the rules of the martial world had changed?
"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!" The remaining six rushed forward simultaneously, instantly surrounding Xiaochen.
"What do you all want before you believe I am indeed Xiaochen?" Xiaochen, being a member of the Buddhist sect, remained calm and composed.
"Hmph, defeat us first." Li Bi drew his longsword, transforming it into a dazzling rainbow, and attacked once more.
The others shouted in unison, each launching their own attacks. The seven weapons intertwined, creating a storm of sword shadows like a raging river, crashing down upon them.
Xiao Chen knew that everyone's martial arts were only second or third-rate, yet their combined power was so formidable. She guessed that it must be some powerful sword formation created by Dugu Yu after he went into seclusion on Zhurong Peak, and couldn't help but smile.
Seeing the silver light radiating and the sword energy sweeping across the sky, Xiao Chen's robe suddenly billowed as he unleashed seven punches in an instant, striking seven different parts of the seven men's bodies: forehead, jaw, neck, shoulder, arm, chest, and back. The precision was astonishing, and the speed indescribable; it was the ultimate move of the Subduing Tiger Arhat Fist, "Seven Stars in a Row."
Li Bi and the other Hengshan disciples, realizing they couldn't dodge, could only withdraw their swords and retreat. Little did they know that Xiao Chen's fist power contained the supreme divine skill of the Yi Jin Jing, enduring and unyielding, far beyond their ability to handle . In a flash, everyone felt a numbness in their wrists, and their weapons involuntarily fell to the ground.
"This...this..." Li Bi had never seen such exquisite internal energy before and was immediately terrified and at a loss.
"Senior brother, let's go! The old monk knows demonic magic; we are no match for him." With a shout, the group of men fled in an instant.
Hearing his decades of arduous Buddhist martial arts training mistaken for demonic magic, Xiao Chen was both annoyed and amused. He straightened his clothes and continued along the stone steps.
He hadn't gone far when he faintly heard the breathing of a large group of people coming from behind a steep cliff in the distance. Though the sounds were extremely faint, they couldn't escape Xiao Chen's ears.
Turning a corner, the terrain opened up, and the clanging of weapons served as a signal. More than twenty people, each wielding a long sword, surrounded a large circular area.
A handsome young man stepped forward, cupping his hands and saying, "Wei Sihan, a disciple of the Hengshan Sect, greets Senior."
Xiao Chen, impressed by his humility, clasped his hands together in front of his chest, a string of sandalwood prayer beads hanging down, and said loudly, "May I ask if Sect Leader Lin and Madam Lin are in the main hall?" He didn't mention Dugu Yu again, lest anyone misunderstand.
Wei Sihan's eyes gleamed, and he solemnly said, "All the elders of our sect have been summoned by the Supreme Elder for a meeting, and they may not be back for some time." Today is Li Liangbin's seventh day memorial service, and according to custom, the Hengshan Sect will hold a ceremony to bid him farewell. To show respect, Dugu Yu specially invited all the senior disciples to the Green Bamboo House to jointly formulate the details. As for other important matters of the sect, Chu Tiankuo and Wei Sihan will temporarily handle them.
After Wang Chao and Li Zhe sent the signal, the news immediately reached the main hall. The two discussed it briefly and decided that Wei Sihan would lead the men to stop the invaders, while Chu Tiankuo would immediately rush to Zhurong Peak to report to the sect leader.
Xiao Chen suddenly realized why he hadn't seen a single Hengshan Sect member he recognized along the way; it turned out that all the older members were busy with important matters.
Wei Sihan bowed again and said respectfully, "Senior, what brings you here alone?" He deliberately emphasized the word "alone," intending to remind Xiaochen: Although your martial arts are high, we outnumber you and forcibly storm the mountain might not end well.
Xiaochen replied solemnly, "This old monk is Xiaochen of Shaolin. I have an extremely urgent matter to discuss with Alliance Leader Dugu." At the same time, he thought to himself: This person speaks eloquently and possesses a restrained brilliance. He must be one of the best among the younger generation of the Hengshan Sect. Why has no one in Shaolin Temple ever mentioned him? Could it be that Lin Feifan is deliberately keeping him hidden, waiting for him to master his martial arts before he leaves school?

Volume Twelve: A Close Friend Helps Break Through the Fog, Chapter Seven: A Deliberate Guidance

. When Wei Sihan heard that the old monk before him was Xiao Chen, the fourth-ranked of the eight great masters of the Central Plains Martial Arts Alliance, he dared not believe it. Upon closer inspection, he saw that the old monk had a ruddy and smooth complexion, long white eyebrows that reached past his ears, and a kind and benevolent smile. This was quite different from the solemn and unfathomable image of the head of the Arhat Hall in his mind. He felt even more puzzled and thought to himself: Although there are many disciples of the same generation, most of them are still young. Only Senior Brother Chu participated in the battle of Wuyun Mountain, but he was not there. How can he identify the other party's true identity? He then bowed slightly and said solemnly, "Under normal circumstances, we would be flattered and honored by your presence, senior. However, our sect is currently under martial law, and I dare not presume to lead you up the mountain. Could you please wait a moment while I immediately send someone to inform the sect leader?"
Xiao Chen pondered for a while and shook his head, saying, "Delay could lead to unforeseen circumstances, and we cannot afford to delay." He was experienced in worldly affairs, and upon hearing Wei Sihan's words, he immediately guessed that a major change must have occurred in the Hengshan Sect. Therefore, he was anxious to see Dugu Yu immediately and inform him of the tragedy caused by the Asura Sect in the northwest border region, so that they could discuss countermeasures together.
Wei Sihan remained undecided, so he respectfully said, "Senior, you are known as the 'Thirteen Divine Monks.' I wonder if you could demonstrate a few moves so we can broaden our horizons?"
Xiao Chen chuckled and said calmly, "Hehe, it seems you still have some doubts about my identity."
Wei Sihan's face flushed slightly, and he said awkwardly, "We juniors are ignorant and have made you laugh at us, senior."
Xiao Chen looked at Wei Sihan and said leisurely, "If you don't mind, young brother, then use the Thirteen Forms of Meteor Shower to begin." It was easier to impress the Hengshan Sect disciples with martial arts than to wait for them to announce their arrival. Besides, Wei Sihan's words were appropriate and his manners were polite, so he was willing to give him some pointers.
Wei Sihan said "Excuse me," then slightly shifted his body, holding his sword horizontally in front of his chest. Xiao Chen saw that even before he moved, he had already accumulated immense power, clearly having mastered the essence of the Thirteen Forms of Meteor. He praised, "Good heavens, your master must be either Lin Feifan or Dugu Hong. Zhou Kai and Li Liangbin couldn't have taught such a disciple."
Wei Sihan brandished his longsword, slashing horizontally at the waist. Xiao Chen felt a chilling energy rushing towards him. He immediately used the defensive technique from the Prajna Palm, stretching out his hands. His left palm was placed about a foot in front of the Jugu acupoint, and his right palm was pressed against the Qishe acupoint, palms facing outward. He unleashed a burst of palm power, weaving together to form a barrier, protecting his vital points on his chest completely
. Seeing no opening, Wei Sihan could only feint an attack, quickly moving sideways to Xiao Chen's side. His sword flew like a meteor, blooming like a hundred flowers, its cold light flashing, scattering everywhere. Although there were many onlookers, none could discern where he was attacking.
Xiao Chen remained motionless, head still, and thrust out a seemingly ordinary but incredibly precise and powerful strike with lightning speed. If Wei Sihan continued his thrust, his finger would strike Xiao Chen's chest first, and by the time the sword tip touched him, it would be too late.
Wei Sihan's move was swift and unexpected; a flash of cold light appeared as he aimed directly at Xiao Chen's armpit. Xiao Chen gasped, a hint of surprise on his face, and his body suddenly tilted forward, sliding forward. His palms swept down from left to right, unleashing a torrent of true energy that surged towards his opponent like a raging flood – the very "Buddha's Compassion" technique from the Great Vajra Palm.
Wei Sihan retreated half a step, his green robe billowing in the wind. Suddenly, two streaks of green light slashed horizontally and vertically, closing in on Xiao Chen's palm strikes. With an unstoppable momentum, he seemed intent on a direct confrontation.
Xiao Chen, being a senior, could not be allowed to gain an advantage in internal strength. He immediately leaned slightly to the side, dodging the sword's edge, and with his left hand forming a claw, he grabbed down towards Wei Sihan's head with extremely fierce and astonishing force.
"Shaolin Dragon Claw Hand!" the Hengshan disciples exclaimed in surprise.
Previously, Wei Sihan had been able to hold his own against Xiao Chen by relying on the powerful and swift Meteor Thirteen Styles, but suddenly encountering the equally fierce and ruthless Shaolin Dragon Claw Hand, he was immediately dazzled and shocked. Seeing that he would be captured if he hesitated even slightly, he quickly used the Returning Wind and Falling Goose Sword to barely parry the opponent's attack.
Xiao Chen's first grab missed, and the second grab followed, with even more powerful momentum. Wei Sihan knew he could not resist and had to retreat. Xiao Chen's third, fourth, and fifth grabs were launched in succession, with continuous crackling sounds of energy cutting through the air. It would not be an exaggeration to say that they were as fast as lightning and as powerful as a landslide.
Wei Sihan felt a pang of fear, and beads of sweat appeared on her forehead. She thought to herself, "If this continues, I'm sure to lose. Rather than wait to die, I might as well fight back." With that thought, the sword in her hand suddenly blazed with a blue light, instantly unleashing six streams of energy to intercept Xiao Chen from all directions. Four sword strikes blocked from the outside, while two attacked from the inside, engaging in a fierce counterattack against the renowned Shaolin Dragon Claw Hand.
From afar, the onlookers saw Xiao Chen as a crescent-shaped azure dragon, coiling and circling, pressing forward relentlessly, while Wei Sihan resembled a ferocious tiger, baring its fangs and claws, refusing to yield. Cheers erupted in applause.
Xiao Chen, intending to observe the full extent of Wei Sihan's swordsmanship, gradually slowed his attacks. As Xiao Chen pressed forward, he saw Wei Sihan focusing his mind on his dantian, wielding his sword like the wind. A blur of blue light danced before his eyes, like ten thousand shooting stars swirling and circling, truly possessing unpredictable power. Xiao Chen clicked his tongue in admiration, "Wonderful! Even Lin Feifan back then was no match for this." Before he finished speaking, Xiao Chen unleashed a flying kick, aiming straight for Wei Sihan's shoulders.
Wei Sihan, completely focused on dealing with the Dragon Claw Hand, had no time to defend himself. Left with no other choice, he withdrew his sword and retreated, temporarily forcing Xiao Chen to confront Wei Sihan's sharp edge.
Xiao Chen's attack missed, but he spun rapidly on his right leg, forcefully turning his body back. He then launched himself forward like an arrow, chasing after Wei Sihan. The two moved in a blur, one advancing and the other retreating, so quickly that those with poor eyesight could barely distinguish one from the other.
Wei Sihan, a master at seizing opportunities and turning defeat into victory, saw Xiao Chen following closely. A clever plan formed in his mind. With a sudden roar, he leaped several feet into the air, his sword gleaming brightly, transforming into countless illusory sword energies that swept across the area with overwhelming force, truly all-pervasive and ever-changing.
"Stars fill the sky, well done," Xiao Chen smiled slightly, his expression unchanged. He raised his hand and thrust out a palm strike. This seemingly ordinary move suddenly swayed slightly midway, instantly transforming one palm into two, two into four, and four into eight.
"The Great Compassionate Thousand-Leaf Hand!" Wei Sihan was shocked. He knew that if he was even a moment late, his opponent's eight palms would become sixteen, and then transform into thirty-two. No matter how skilled his swordsmanship was, he would not be able to break through them. So he gritted his teeth and focused all his strength into the tip of his sword, hoping to decide the outcome before the opponent's palms changed.

Volume Twelve: A Close Friend Helps Break Through the Fog Chapter Nine: On the Verge of Emergence

Dugu Yu's body trembled violently, and he was instantly caught in a vortex of turbulent thoughts.
Forty years ago, Zhao Kuangyin, the founder of the Tianji Sect and then the leader of the Central Plains Martial Arts Alliance, launched a coup at Chenqiao Post Station, established the Great Song Dynasty, and then destroyed Jingnan, pacified Later Shu, subjugated Southern Han, and conquered Southern Tang, making the Northern Song Dynasty a powerful empire that dominated the region. After Emperor Taizong Zhao Guangyi succeeded to the throne, he inherited his brother's will and successively subjugated Minnan, Wuyue, and Northern Han, completing the great achievement of unifying China.
However, while the Zhao brothers were busy expanding their territory and quelling the chaos of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, a momentous upheaval was secretly brewing in the Central Plains martial arts world. Zhao Kuangyin, a man of exceptional talent, was well aware of this, but was too preoccupied with state affairs to attend to it. So, taking advantage of a trip to Mount Heng in Nanyue to offer sacrifices to Heaven, he personally visited his old friend Dugu Yu (note: it was a visit, not an audience), inviting him to take charge of the Central Plains martial arts world. Initially, Dugu Yu declined, stating that he was naturally leisurely and unwilling to be burdened by worldly fame and fortune. It wasn't until Zhao Kuangyin prostrated himself (Dugu Yu was of seniority to Zhao Kuangyin and had saved his life several times, so Zhao Kuangyin, even after ascending the throne, still treated Dugu Yu with great respect) and said, "If Dugu Yu doesn't step forward, what will become of the common people?" that Dugu Yu finally agreed. When Zhao Guangyi led his army to conquer the Northern Han, he foresaw the turmoil in the Central Plains martial arts world and personally wrote a letter imploring Dugu Yu to lead the heroes. The letter contained the same words: "If Dugu Yu does not emerge, what will become of the
common people?" Now, Xiao Chen was inviting him with the same eight characters; how could Dugu Yu refuse? "Feifan, I will personally preside over today's ceremony." Dugu Yu's eyes shone brightly, his spine straight and shoulders broad, displaying the resolute spirit of a grandmaster. He declared loudly, "Please inform Abbot Xiao Chen that Dugu Yu has returned to the martial world and will soon lead the Hengshan Sect disciples to Shaolin."
"The Alliance Leader's righteousness is a blessing to the martial arts world and to our nation!" Even Xiao Chen, who had cultivated Buddhism for decades and had long since tempered his mind to remain unmoved by honor or disgrace, was moved to tears upon hearing this
. "Father-in-law..." Lin Feifan tried to stop him.
Dugu Yu waved his hand to interrupt, took down the giant sword hanging in the corner of the wall, and solemnly said, "As long as I live, the Asura Sect and the Absolute Killing Sect will never dream of taking over the Central Plains!"
※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Li Liangbin's mourning hall was set up in the main hall of the Hengshan Sect. Funeral couplets hung high on both sides; the left read, "His loyal soul will never fade, his passionate blood will transform into spring rain," and the right read, "His noble righteousness and lofty ambition will move even ghosts and gods to tears." A large character "奠" (meaning "offering sacrifice") hung in the center, creating a solemn and dignified atmosphere. On the offering table were a memorial tablet inscribed "The Seat of Li Liangbin, Protector Disciple of the Hengshan Sect," along with offerings of food and fruit. Incense and candles burned brightly on both sides, and numerous funeral banners were placed.
From Dugu Yu down, all the members of the Hengshan Sect, dressed in mourning clothes, stood with their heads bowed.
Before the ceremony even began, Jiao Weihua, Lu Yan, Wang Chao, Li Zhe, and others were already weeping uncontrollably.
Dugu Yu slowly walked to the eternal lamp and began to read the eulogy: "In the third month of the first year of the Zhidao era, on the eve of the passing and burial of my Hengshan Sect disciple Li Liangbin, Dugu Yu respectfully..."
"Wait!" A long howl rang out, and a graceful and handsome figure flew in.
"Young Hero Ren." Lin Feifan exclaimed in surprise upon seeing that the newcomer was Ren Xiaoyao, who had been missing for many days.
"Ren Xiaoyao, where is my master's body?" Lu Yan shouted and rushed forward, but was tightly held back by Wei Sihan beside him.
"Didn't you run away? What are you doing back?" Liu Dongming said coldly.
"I said I would find out the truth within seven days and give everyone a satisfactory answer." Ren Xiaoyao said proudly.
"Big brother, do you know who the murderer is?" Lin Yuxiu ran to her lover with a beaming smile, her face tender and affectionate. After being separated for several days, she had missed Ren Xiaoyao terribly, and the joy in her heart at this moment was unimaginable.
"What a joke! You're not even in Hengshan, how can you investigate?" Zhou Kai sneered.
"Ren Xiaoyao is spouting nonsense and disturbing the mourning hall! Throw him out!" Jiao Weihua shouted.
"Hahaha, could it be that Senior Jiao has something to hide, that's why he didn't let me finish speaking?" Ren Xiaoyao laughed calmly.
"You..." Jiao Weihua was furious and said angrily.
"Weihua, shut up." Dugu Yu had a thought and gestured.
Jiao Weihua dared not disobey, glared at Ren Xiaoyao, and retreated awkwardly.
"Young Master Ren, have you really found out about Junior Brother Li's murder?" Lin Feifan asked anxiously.
"I have fulfilled my mission." Ren Xiaoyao cupped his hands and said.
"Who is the mastermind?" Wang Chao and Li Zhe asked in unison.
"I'm afraid you won't believe me if I tell you now." Ren Xiaoyao took a deep breath and said calmly.
"What do you want?" Liu Dongming said impatiently.
"Please allow me to analyze this in detail," Ren Xiaoyao said confidently in a deep voice. "I think everyone saw the horrified expression on Senior Li's face before his death."
Liu Dongming said in astonishment, "Junior Brother was suddenly ambushed and killed; it's understandable that he was shocked."
Ren Xiaoyao smiled mysteriously, "Senior Li was a renowned master in the martial world. I think even if he encountered Hentian, he wouldn't be so horrified."
Everyone nodded.
Zhu Tao asked, "Then how do we explain Senior Brother Li's expression at that time?"
Ren Xiaoyao said leisurely, "It's simple. Senior Li simply couldn't believe that person would kill him."
Lu Yan suddenly realized, "You mean Master trusted the murderer completely and never thought..."
Ren Xiaoyao nodded slowly, "That's right. This also explains why the disciples of your sect on night duty didn't hear any noise that night. Because until Senior Li was killed, the murderer never showed any intention of making a move, and from the moment he drew his sword to Senior Li's death, it was only a split second." "Alas, I am too weak to call for help again."
Liu Dongming frowned and said, "In that case, wouldn't all those in our sect who were on good terms with Senior Brother Li be suspects?"
Ren Xiaoyao's eyes gleamed, and he slowly said, "Have you all forgotten that Senior Brother Li wasn't wearing formal attire when he died, but rather pajamas? Would he have been so casual if he wasn't facing someone extremely close to him?"
Zhu Tao suddenly realized and said, "That's right, Young Hero Ren is right. Considering both aspects, it's not difficult for us to narrow down our suspects to fewer than ten people. With a little more investigation, the murderer will surely be revealed."

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A Thousand Years of Elegance Discussed in Laughter (Complete) - 7

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