Jingle...

In front of a courtyard gate in a remote corner, wind chimes tinkled with the breeze. As a man dressed in gray exited the courtyard, he quickly put on a straw hat, and instead of leaving through the gate, he directly climbed over the side wall and hurriedly merged into the nearby streets and alleys.

A few shadowy figures around quickly activated in coordinated response.

Some even flipped into the yard to investigate quietly, searching room by room.

A faint scent of blood in the main house caught the investigators' attention, and they quickly found another space beneath, pushing aside a large cabinet to reveal a secret passage entrance. As soon as the entrance was opened, the bloody scent became overpowering.

With guards left outside, two people descended to inspect.

At a depth of about ten fathoms underground, the sight was horrifying—a pool of blood in the center, surrounded by piles of corpses of young men and women, all drained of blood that flowed into the pool.

Even those with much experience felt nauseous under the glow of the Sandal Gold Flame Energy...

In the Divine Mountain North District Central, Huang Ye sat meditation-like, with breath alternating between long and short, appearing heavy and solemn, seemingly calm but in fact restless. The setting sun outside the window seemed to fall so slowly.

He wanted to escape, but the Phoenix Clan's chief had ordered the mountain sealed; no one was allowed to leave without permission.

Didn't Situ Gu threaten earlier? He said that if his disciple wasn't released by tomorrow, people would be taken up one by one, so Feng Xi wanted to see if Situ Gu could still root out traitors here after tomorrow.

With the great formation closed, not even ghosts could enter nor gods leave.

This meant Huang Ye now couldn't escape even if he wanted to, and the higher-ups had no instant solution to save him; he could only wait and see. What worried him most was whether Jiang You'er would give him away... the agony of waiting for judgment was indescribably unbearable...

In Dazhi City, Shi Chun, who entered Chao Yue Hall again, had washed off all the red hue.

Since entering alone, there was no need to be so conspicuous.

He couldn't come along with Situ Gu either since if they came together, even dressed as a ghost, the Red-clothed Woman might suspect that the one next to Situ Gu was him. Once scrutinized, it would be hard to deceive her.

The library was gradually emptying of scholars. As Shi Chun passed the counter, he noticed Dongliang Ying sitting there, but the Red-clothed Woman was nowhere in sight, surprising him slightly.

He headed up to the Book Collection Pavilion, where he saw Dong Liangyu meditating behind the desk, cross-legged and with closed eyes—a change from his usual style.

The complexion was visibly different too; the once pallid, sickly face now appeared dewy and spirited, far from one born with a frail constitution.

Without disturbing him, Shi Chun wandered around the pavilion, ostensibly looking for books but actually searching for a person. Finally, near a window, he spotted someone using a high pillow for rest, legs crossed and reading a book. Identifying Li Hongjiu confirmed, he smiled slightly and visibly relaxed.

Then, he casually picked a book and went downstairs. Just as he reached the bottom of the stairs, stepping on the floor, he turned back puzzled, only then realizing the library's frequent coughing sound had gone silent.

With a question on his mind, he settled at a table after paying at the counter. Dong Liangze immediately came over to refill his tea.

Soon, Situ Gu, who had separated from Shi Chun, arrived on schedule as planned.

Upon entering, he scanned the hall, immediately fixing his gaze on Shi Chun.

Shi Chun used a book to shield his face and signaled him with a straight-ahead gesture.

Situ Gu thus strode forward, directly passing through the hall into a courtyard that, despite being old-fashioned, retained a certain elegance.

His presence and demeanor were unusual, attracting the attention of siblings Dongliang Ying and Dong Liangze upon entering the library.

Seeing him head to the backyard, Dongliang Ying stood up, peering into the inner residence, while Dong Liangze quickly ran over to intercept him, politely reminding, "Sir, the library's inner residence is not open to the public, please return."

In the kitchen doorway, Dong Liangyi, who was busy, also stood up to look over at the commotion.

Situ Gu examined Dong Liangze briefly and calmly stated, "I am Situ Gu of the Refining Heaven Sect, here at someone's request to recruit disciples. Who is Dong Liangyi?"

"Situ..." Dong Liangze was dumbfounded, barely containing the urge to call him out by name, filled with disbelief.

Clatter—a bowl Dong Liangyi just filled with crushed seasoning fell from her hand, breaking into pieces, equally shocked and incredulous.

"You... are you Elder Situ of the Refining Heaven Sect?" Dong Liangze mustered the courage to confirm.

Situ Gu: "Is there any point in impersonating?"

"No, no, no..." Dong Liangze repeatedly shook his head, suddenly realizing and quickly turning his head to call out, "Sister, get Dad, Elder Situ of the Refining Heaven Sect is here."

Dong Liangyi ignored the shattered pieces on the ground, hurriedly running towards the inner residence.

Dong Liangze then nodded and led the prestigious guest to the front pavilion.

Before the tea could be served, Dong Wenshu rushed over in a flustered respect and politeness that was overwhelming.

Of course, he didn't lose his head and discreetly instructed his son to call Sword Saint Fu Que from the Book Collection Pavilion to confirm the situation.

Situ Gu, bored by flattery, had heard far too much of it, so much that everywhere he went, there was an avalanche of irrelevant preliminary chatter. Therefore, he directly interrupted, "Master, who is Dong Liangyi?"

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