Hearing they all hailed from Xuan State, it was clear there had been a misunderstanding; the hostility among the group subsided slightly.

Yet Shi Chun was having none of it; pointing at the bluish fir, bearded man, he exclaimed, "Hey, words can't be thrown around carelessly. We have never met; who among you can prove we're disciples of Youxia Mountain? Who can prove it?" He gestured around, the implication to step forward was clear.

If someone did step forward, those on the ground would be promptly taken as hostages as the next step of action was taken.

The group exchanged bewildered glances, uncertain of his intentions.

Since the other party denied being disciples from Youxia Mountain, the bluish fir, bearded man instantly became the focus of everyone's attention.

The man was rendered speechless; he had meant his words kindly, how did it end up as a reckless public rant? Particularly as Guan Wen watched him with a cold gaze, it thoroughly shook him, realizing he might have encountered unreliable folks.

"My friend, you're in the wrong here, you can't just blurt out nonsense; we were also present yesterday."

"Right, I was there too."

"All of us were there."

Luckily, the man's comrades from yesterday did not keep silent and promptly stood up to accuse him.

With a group of people backing him, the man steadied his spirit and managed a wry smile, "Let's not argue over which sect's disciples we are. The Royal Court has long determined, just show the nameplates on your wristbands for everyone to see, it will suffice."

Yes, showing the nameplates, everything would come to light.

However, Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang awkwardly hesitated, decidedly not engaging in that topic.

Seeing that no one who recognized the disciples from Youxia Mountain stepped forward, Wu Jinliang emphatically stamped on the person beneath his foot, exclaiming, "Keep issues separate, what's happening now has nothing to do with which sect's disciples we are. It's all about reason here, so ask them whether ambushing us was right or wrong."

Who the hell cares about right or wrong, what everyone is truly concerned about now is whether you two really are from Xuan State, are you disciples of Youxia Mountain?

The man trampled beneath shouted again, "There really was no ambush, we were just stationed here as a covert lookout, it was purely a coincidence."

Guan Wen's tone also turned somewhat inhospitable, "To seek reason, one must consider who they're reasoning with. So, is it that your identity cannot be seen, or is it that, perhaps, your sect is something disgraceful?"

These words rubbed the "two Youxia Mountain disciples" the wrong way. Exchanging glances, Wu Jinliang, as if goaded, furiously yanked up his right sleeve, revealing his wrist; it was bare, without even a whisper of a nameplate or wristband.

The crowd was momentarily dumbfounded, their gaze met with vacancy as their eyeballs nearly popped out.

Just as they suspected they'd been played, they saw Wu Jinliang's face expressing a misjudgment. Planting his broadsword into the ground, he swept back his left sleeve to reveal a wristband jangling a small dangling nameplate.

He had deliberately shown his right hand first, simply to let everyone notice that he wore no wristband on that arm, only to show a single wristband on his left.

Seeing Wu Jinliang making the first move, Shi Chun followed suit, sliding up his sleeve amid the opportunity provided by Guan Wen. Pinning the real nameplate with his hand, it revealed the one forged by Wu Jinliang. He also checked the yet not fully brightened sky, estimating there shouldn't be a significant issue with the color difference on the nameplate.

Having constructed such a scenario, the folks from Xuan State could no longer come close for a thorough inspection.

The daring of the two men, if they committed, they committed boldly.

Due to the distance and dim light, the group squinted hard to read off the oscillating nameplates.

"Xuan State Youxia Mountain number two… Gao Qiang."

"Xuan State Youxia Mountain number one… Wang Sheng."

Hearing this, Shi Chun and his companion did not intend to let them observe long and promptly lowered their sleeves, continuing to stay alert to their surroundings.

The bluish fir, bearded man felt as if vindicated, spreading his hands towards everyone as if to say, didn't I tell you, I was right, weren't I? They are disciples of Youxia Mountain from our Xuan State.

But the crowd remained puzzled; if that was the case, why conceal their identity?

Seeing their still drowsy, uncomprehending expressions, Wu Jinliang stomped the man underfoot again, this time more evidently reminding, "This matter has nothing to do with our sect, it only concerns us personally."

It was clear he was saying, if there's an issue, direct it at us.

If they still couldn't understand, they'd be fools. The crowd then had an epiphany, some finding it ironically funny—it turned out they had attacked their own people from Xuan State. In the competition among states, this issue could be big or small, concerned that it could later implicate their own sect, hence the prolonged concealment of their Youxia Mountain disciple identity.

After understanding, even Guan Wen felt an urge to roll his eyes.

As for those who witnessed the exaggerated prowess of Shi Chun and his companion yesterday, they certainly did not wish for the situation to escalate to a martial resolution. Should they confront or evade them then?

Thus, the bluish fir, bearded man immediately turned to Guan Wen, "Brother Guan, these two brothers from Youxia Mountain are highly skilled. Yesterday from Ying State, we encountered three men; despite our group of over a dozen, they got away. Once in the hands of these two brothers, they were slain within a few moves."

"Since it was meant for Guan Wen to hear, it was also intended for everyone else to hear, to calm everyone down. Don't think that having more people means no one will die, it depends on who you're up against. These two are experts."

Upon hearing this, many people shuddered to themselves. Were these two really that powerful? Seeing the men under their feet gave them a clue.

On seeing the large swords in Wu Jinliang's hands, they indeed appeared exceptional—something ordinary people were not fit to wield.

Facing experts, everyone easily maintained their composure, and the impulsiveness of having strength in numbers vanished.

Always assessing the situation and adjusting their approach accordingly, Shi Chun and his companion were not content with calmness. Wu Jinliang swung his sword abruptly, pointing at a blue-cedar, stubble-bearded man, and said furiously, "I was wondering why we'd suddenly ended up in a fight. Damn it, it turns out that those three attacking us was your doing. Why did you hide it at the time?"

Shi Chun also spoke coldly, "You stole something, yet you have us clean up the mess, claiming it's all among Xuan State's own people. Isn't that a bit underhanded?"

His words left the group from yesterday quite embarrassed, some staring at their toes and others touching their noses.

At the time, they hadn't expected to run into each other again, thinking that keeping it quiet would be the end of it.

Those surrounding them could also discern the guilt-related undertones in the story.

Guan Wen understood as well and took charge, "Alright, since we're all people of Xuan State, let's not quibble too much. Let those under your feet go; we won't pursue this matter further. It was all a misunderstanding. Let's leave it at that."

Shi Chun looked around and said, "With so many of you glaring at us like tigers eyeing their prey, how can I believe what you say?"

Guan Wen raised an eyebrow slightly, "A public promise given by a disciple of Su Yuan Sect—do you think it unreliable, do you think I'd go back on my word?"

"Alright." Shi Chun agreed, releasing the person under his feet first, followed by Wu Jinliang.

The two men who got up felt as though they'd just escaped death and quickly returned to their own group.

After sizing up Shi Chun and his companion properly, Guan Wen spoke again, "Are you two also looking for Insect Extreme Crystal?"

Shi Chun, "We're not interested in that; we're looking for someone."

Guan Wen, "Who are you looking for?"

Shi Chun, "An enemy."

Guan Wen, "What sort of enemy?"

Shi Chun, "My junior brother and sister are gone."

Informing the other party why they could only see the two of them.

Wu Jinliang burst into a grieving cry, "My poor junior sister, my beautiful junior sister! Not only was she killed by a villain, but she was also defiled by him. This vengeance is insufferable!"

Upon hearing this, the crowd was slightly moved, and some were worried. Could it have been someone from their own side?

This was really something they couldn't deny, isolated from the rules, the dark side of human nature could easily explode, leading to any kind of actions.

Guan Wen also shared this concern and tried to ask, "Do you know who your enemy is?"

Shi Chun was just about to give a vague answer when Wu Jinliang cut in, "A disciple from Jieyun Mountain in Sheng Province named 'Bai Shuchuan'!"

His words were steeped in resentment. Since that guy dared to insult him, he dared to damage his reputation.

At that moment, Shi Chun was speechless, realizing his companion still held such a deep grudge against those who insulted his looks. But since it was said, what could Shi Chun do but silently agree by default?

Hearing that it wasn't someone from Xuan State, Guan Wen immediately felt relieved and spoke out loud, "The West Pole is vast; how long would it take you, running around chaotically like this, to find him? Join us, we have over seven thousand people, the probability of finding this Bai whatever is much higher with us, as long as you are willing to contribute to Xuan State's triumph, then your revenge becomes our revenge. I will spread word of that Bai whatever's wickedness to all our companions, and once spotted, everyone will execute him without mercy, we will hunt him to the end, never letting him go!"

He still greatly admired these two disciples from Youxia Mountain, not only were they strong, but surrounded by so many, they remained unflustered in the face of danger, and being from Xuan State, such talents were naturally more the better for their side to triumph.

Moreover, after having decided last night, he personally led a team to "West Pole Moon Sea," it was naturally better to have as many strong hands as possible.

Oh, isn't this a stroke of good fortune? Wu Jinliang's eyes lit up immediately on hearing the unclear name of the villain, he immediately emphasized, "The villain's name is Bai Shuchuan, with Bai from 'white', Shu from 'spell', and Chuan from 'stream or river', Bai Shuchuan, a disciple from Jieyun Mountain in Sheng Province."

Shi Chun was speechless again, truly afraid that Bai Shuchuan wouldn't die!

Guan Wen nodded calmly, "Bai Shuchuan, a disciple from Jieyun Mountain in Sheng Province, I've got it. This villain's evil actions insult all of us Xuan State monks, and we will all remember."

The people around nodded in agreement.

Wu Jinliang moved closer to Shi Chun, tugging at his sleeve, "Brother, their proposal makes sense. This place is vast, how long would it take just us two to find him? We've been searching so long and still haven't found him, we absolutely cannot let him escape back to Sheng Province, then we would have no evidence, and avenging would be difficult."

Shi Chun was actually somewhat surprised; these people were easier to deal with than he had imagined. He hadn't expected it to go so smoothly, saving him a lot of preparation, but on the surface, he still maintained a very serious expression. After pondering for a good while, he finally looked at Guan Wen solemnly and said, "Alright, we will join you!"

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