Anyone with half a brain knew to whom Young Master Nan was addressing those words. Wu Handong immediately changed his expression and, with a cupped fist and a smile, said to Bian Jixiong, "Sect Leader Bian, I won't stand on ceremony with you. Let's tend to our own affairs, and we can gather again once we return to Sheng Province. I take my leave!"

This statement made Bian Jixiong's heart sink. Jieyun Mountain and Wukang Mountain hardly ever interacted, and given the disparity in their statuses, there wasn't much to talk about in terms of gathering. Only those who were in the know, like themselves, could understand the true meaning behind these sugar-coated words—he intended to settle accounts with Wukang Mountain later on.

In regard to this, he truly didn't know what to make of Young Master Nan. He appreciated the good intentions behind stepping forward, but good intentions had led to bad consequences.

There wouldn't have been much of an issue originally, and the matter might have passed after letting off some steam. Now, with Young Master Nan's involvement and the loss of face that had been caused, it had turned into a matter that couldn't easily be forgotten.

As the Chief Elder of Jieyun Mountain, his influence on the mountain was self-evident. His settling accounts might well mean that Jieyun Mountain intended to do the same.

Could Wukang Mountain withstand Jieyun Mountain's retribution? Wukang Mountain had its own backing, sure, but could any force vie for the status of being Sheng Province's top sect if it were inferior in backing?

Not only Bian Jixiong felt the weight of this, but Yin Huixin, Elder Ke, Bian Weiyin, and others also felt a sudden heaviness in their hearts.

This was also the reason Bian Weiyin had repeatedly worried about offending Jieyun Mountain before—it wasn't that she was timid, but that reality was cruel.

Those like Shi Chun, who had nothing to lose, couldn't understand this kind of pressure. Those with families and dependents couldn't possibly adopt that same fearless style of conduct.

At this moment, Bian Jixiong still had to be polite, cupping his fist as a gesture of farewell, "Elder Wu, please take your time. I will visit another day to apologize."

Wu Handong also politely cupped his fist toward Young Master Nan, and then led his people away.

Bai Shuchuan, who had lost several teeth and had a swollen face, turned his head to look back, his eyes brimming with resentment.

Bian Jixiong then took the initiative to make conversation with Young Master Nan, aiming to form a connection. Young Master Nan responded with a cheerful attitude, but Bian Jixiong could feel the man's lack of interest in him, showing no regard for Wukang Mountain at all. Instead, he seemed to have more in common with a couple of fellows who had been released from prison.

Seeing as he couldn't curry favor, Bian Jixiong knew he had to deal with his own immediate concerns. First, he needed to understand what had transpired so as to manage the present situation. With Young Master Nan present, certain matters weren't suitable for discussion, so he had no choice but to take his leave as well.

"Brother Chun, come visit me when you have the time. You're always welcome." Before parting, Young Master Nan handed Shi Chun a name card with his contact information on it.

The two parties then took their leave from each other.

The attendees of the meeting had long disbursed, and the vicinity was now deserted, with Bian Jixiong's two carriages still in the vicinity.

Before boarding the carriage, Bian Weiyin and Shi Chun were called to the sect elder's carriage, while Wu Jinliang and Xiang Laner rode with the other disciples in another one.

Once the carriage started moving, Bian Jixiong inside the carriage asked, "That Young Master Nan from earlier, who is he?"

Bian Weiyin replied, "I don't know. He introduced himself as Namo Yu. I just met him when we left."

Bian Jixiong then turned to look at Shi Chun.

Shi Chun responded, "I truly don't know him. I've never seen him before and have no idea of his esteemed background."

Bian Jixiong looked at his daughter and said, "Tell me, what was the conflict about just now?"

It was a long story. Bian Weiyin didn't conceal what she could share, apart from hiding the mysterious encounter in the Moon Sea, she was mostly truthful.

Upon learning that the issue arose because Bai Shuchuan lusted after their beauty and started a conflict when his advances were rebuffed, Yin Huixin coldly snorted in disapproval.

What annoyed Bian Jixiong was his daughter's disobedience—if not for that, how could this situation have arisen?

However, he didn't openly criticize this in front of everyone and instead asked Shi Chun what had happened.

Shi Chun was as forthcoming as he could be, not avoiding telling them about the reasons for disbanding in the West Pole, mentioning that his cultivation had been low back then and that he didn't trust Bai Shuchuan, fearing he would end up as a sacrificial pawn. Consequently, he left the group to seclude himself for cultivation.

After breaking through to High Martial, he wanted to make a contribution to Wukang Mountain and proceeded to snatch the Insect Extreme Crystals from others. Discovering that sheer numbers and strength weren't enough, he impersonated fighters from Xuan State to leverage their power, ultimately making off with tens of thousands of Insect Extreme Crystals.

He wouldn't mention the assassination of Yan Ji and Guan Wen; as far as anyone was concerned, they were killed by creatures in the Moon Sea.

His tale was somewhat vague.

Still, the general gist was enough to leave Bian Jixiong and others agape in astonishment. This worked?

"Don't you have name tags to verify identities? How can you impersonate others? Wouldn't the people from Xuan State check?" Elder Ke couldn't help but ask.

Others also cast doubtful glances at Shi Chun.

"Find a piece of iron, roughly forge it into the shape, and that's it. Hang the real one on this side, the fake on the other. If anyone looks, just do this, and that, and then this." Shi Chun rolled up his sleeves and repeatedly gestured on his wrist to explain.

Once Elder Ke understood, he exclaimed with astonishment and suspicion, "That can actually fool them? Wouldn't they check carefully?"

Shi Chun seemed somewhat embarrassed as he replied, "No one looked closely. At first, it was just a test to see if it could work. To my surprise, it really did pass, and then I was in too deep to stop. It got increasingly bigger, and many people in Xuan State are aware of it now. It's no lie."

This response left the three bigwigs wanting to roll their eyes, and Bian Jixiong shook his head in disbelief, "Ridiculous, those people from Xuan State are simply ridiculous."

They really didn't know what else to say about the people from Xuan State. With so many people involved, it was unthinkable for them to make such a glaring mistake. They were overconfident to the point of absurdity, no wonder they had such a defeat.

The questioning continued with more details.

Some matters might have been better left unasked, but upon deeper inquiry, the sect elders began to feel uneasy.

Tales of the Su Yuan Sect scheming against other Xuan State sect disciples in the Moon Sea, or of impersonating the fiancé of Mulan Qingqing, almost broke Bian Jixiong and the others into a cold sweat. They had not expected Wukang Mountain to hold so much leverage over the top sect of the Divine Continent.

The Su Yuan Sect's loss of a large batch of Insect Extreme Crystals would become the butt of the joke once it was exposed.

Even contemplating such a consequence made Bian Jixiong and the others terrified. They had already started worrying about their safety inside this carriage, concerned that the Su Yuan Sect might silence them.

Bian Jixiong even regretted coming here. He had been fine staying at Wukang Mountain. Everything was about to end; why did he have to join in the chaos?

He was completely numb. In light of this situation, the trouble at Jieyun Mountain seemed like nothing.

He was already considering whether he should return first.

Even Bian Weiyin was stunned, never expecting Shi Chun to pull off such a big move once he turned around.

All of it eventually turned into a fierce reprimand from Elder Ke, "Scourge!"

He had wanted to ask about the Cultivation Technique, after all, it had defeated a disciple of the Su Yuan Sect, and he had wanted to ask where the Wind Scale came from. Now, his mind was free from those thoughts, leaving only the harsh scolding that even the passersby on the road could hear.

The spit almost splattered onto Shi Chun's face.

Shi Chun lowered his gaze, bowed his head in admission of guilt, allowing the scolding while outwardly appearing obedient but inwardly contemptuous.

Had he not achieved this result, he really feared that these people might have killed him. But now, he was confident that the hesitant bunch at Wukang Mountain wouldn't dare act rashly. Enduring scolding wouldn't kill anyone...

In a refined guest room.

Guann Yingjie lay there quietly, still pale, his body clean and neat, his wounds properly treated, deeply asleep.

Elder Ji Qinghe paced back and forth with his hands behind his back, taking long strides by the bed, thinking about the happenings which Guann Yingjie had detailed.

The situation was serious, and Ji Qinghe's expression was grave. This was no longer a matter of competing for rankings in the Insect Extreme Crystal. Once the inside story was revealed, it would greatly impact the Su Yuan Sect.

Why had the Su Yuan Sect sent an elder to be stationed here? It was to deal with unexpected incidents, to have the ability to mobilize power and resources to resolve issues at critical moments.

Now that a real crisis had occurred, his responsibility was immense!

At the window stood a figure in green robes, tall and slender, with white and elegant fingers, silently watching the scene outside.

His attire, as white as snow, did not match the Su Yuan Sect's usual dress, yet he was able to listen in on the secrets here.

"The news must not be leaked!" Ji Qinghe muttered this sentence for who knows how many times.

Apparently tired of hearing it, the green-robed figure, with a gentle and refined tone, said, "Elder, rest assured. Arrangements have been made."

Ji Qinghe suddenly stopped, "What about Mulan Qingqing's innocence? The matter of her fiancé is too widely known, it can't be concealed."

The green-robed figure said, "It's nothing to worry about. Youxia Mountain will give a reasonable explanation. There really was an outer sect disciple named Wang Sheng who was engaged to Qingqing. She never met him; it was just that Shi Chun exploited a loophole. Later, they can annul the engagement over this affair."

Ji Qinghe nodded slightly and then asked, "What about Wukang Mountain?"

The green-robed figure said, "If the matter can't be cleanly resolved, none of the insiders should think of escaping!"

Ji Qinghe sighed deeply, "I hope it goes smoothly."

The fingers on the back of the green-robed man twitched, "Is the elder certain that the person who stepped in to save Qingqing midway wasn't from our sect?"

Ji Qinghe replied, "Definitely not. At least I don't know. We naturally have to confirm with the sect later. But I estimate the sect doesn't know either. Otherwise, they wouldn't have sent me to handle this without telling me about any internal supporters."

"If it wasn't the sect taking action and not me, then who could it be? It's puzzling," murmured the green-robed figure, the tone resonating with contemplation.

Just then, there was a sudden knock at the door.

Ji Qinghe responded, "Enter."

The door opened, and a female disciple came in, reporting, "Elder, Qingqing has woken up."

"I'll go see her," said Ji Qinghe, leaving the green-robed figure with a word before departing.

The green-robed figure remained indifferent. He saw a procession of carriages entering the courtyard from the window, the black-clad figures exuding a fierce and vigorous air. As they drew back the curtains of the carriages, members of various sects disembarked, each of them appearing careful and nervous.

It seemed they were being escorted by those in black.

Among them was Chu Jingtang from the Bilan Sect.

All eleven sect members who had boarded Shi Chun's proverbial ship had been brought over, none escaped, and there were even more, including their fellow sect members and elders who had met them, all brought along.

In another quiet guest room, Ji Qinghe quickly entered and saw Mulan Qingqing, still showing a look of heartache upon waking. He sighed, "Don't overthink it. There's nothing wrong. Just rest assured and heal, and the sect will handle the rest."

Mulan Qingqing coughed slightly, aware that everyone here probably already knew and became a bit agitated, "Elder, please investigate who this Wang Sheng really is."

Ji Qinghe sighed, was there really a need for investigation? He already knew.

Then, someone at the door announced, "Elder, all related sects suspected of colluding in the theft of the Insect Extreme Crystals from the Bilan Sect have been brought here."

"Got it," Ji Qinghe turned back to Mulan Qingqing, "You rest up for now, we can talk later."

As he turned to leave,

"The Bilan Sect?" Mulan Qingqing remembered the sycophant that always followed Wang Sheng and abruptly pushed herself up from the bed, "I'm coming too."

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