Now that it had become clear that the Moon-Slaying Sect had no weak link from top to bottom—indeed, it had grown even larger and its disciples were even more accomplished than when Sect Leader Pei’s father had been in charge—
and that one of the sect’s two great pillars, Pei Ye, was truly a supreme martial artist of his generation, likely on the same level as the Great Monk and the Old Beggar—
even the current young female Sect Leader Pei was probably in no way inferior to her father in terms of martial power.
Not only that, but her footwork and techniques were even more exquisite. In her hands, they had practically reached the level of divine mastery.
When it came to the depth of her inner force, Sect Leader Pei might only rank somewhere in the middle among the elders of the Four Sects and Eight Schools.
For an ordinary person, it was already exceedingly difficult to bring out eighty percent of one’s strength in a fight. Sect Leader Pei, however, could unleash a full twelve-tenths of her power. Her approach to combat was also utterly unconventional and impossible to imitate.
Compared with a few years ago, her progress was nothing short of terrifying.
For a moment, many people even felt that the former Sect Leader Pei had been absurd. With such extraordinary talent, even if she was a daughter, he should have taught her the sect’s supreme arts and passed the position of successor on to her.
Compared with Sect Leader Pei’s elder brother—the former Young Sect Leader Pei, whose talent had been mediocre and whose temperament narrow-minded—this daughter of his was superior in every conceivable way.
For a time, quite a few sects even began to reflect on themselves. Had they, too, overlooked differences in talent because of gender and treated their female disciples unfairly?
After everyone returned home, female disciples with talent or a willingness to work hard found that their resources and treatment had improved somewhat compared with before.
But that was a story for later.
At present, with the Pei family clearly on the rise and gathering momentum, it was only natural that many people would try to cultivate a friendship with Sect Leader Pei, who had not appeared in the martial world for so long.
“Your move just now was exquisite, Sect Leader Pei. I’ve never seen anything like it before. Could it be something you created yourself?”
“That ‘egg—egg fried rice’ move was rather cheeky. You must have been mocking that demonic cult fiend, weren’t you? What is the move’s real name?”
“That fiend’s Earth-Boring Technique made his movements as elusive as a ghost, impossible to guard against. Yet Sect Leader Pei dispelled it with such ease. Truly impressive.”
“Now that Sect Leader Pei has come out of seclusion, surely you aren’t planning to shut yourself away again anytime soon? If you have the time, do come visit our XX Sect—”
This was what it meant to be surrounded by stars as the moon.
Even when the Pei family’s disciples came in, they could not find a place beside their Sect Leader.
Still, Pei Wen and Pei Wu had been inside just now, so they could be questioned about what had happened.
Compared with the battered and bedraggled disciples from the other sects, the disciples of the Moon-Slaying Sect looked to be in fairly good shape.
Moreover, after hearing from their disciples that when the entire mountain manor underwent a sudden transformation and countless people were afflicted by phantom poison, with the path ahead shifting unpredictably and no one able to make sense of the situation, it had been the Moon-Slaying Sect’s disciples who had performed best overall.
It was not that they were particularly skilled in formations. Rather, their swift reactions and sound judgment, along with their strict organization and discipline from top to bottom, gradually brought together the group that had previously been scattering about like headless flies.
It was precisely because of them that so many people were able to regain their composure and break through the formation more efficiently.
With such prosperity from top to bottom, how could the other sects not be envious?
The Jiang and Cao families were even more horrified. Originally, the three families had been evenly matched. Now, however, the Pei family had clearly grown stronger, while also showing an utterly unconcerned attitude toward the extermination of their family back then.
That was a dangerous signal. It meant that they might be cast aside by the Pei family at any moment.
It merely depended on when the Pei family felt prepared to bear the blow and losses that would come once the truth behind the massacre was brought to light. But then again, the principal culprits had long since died.
Even if her father and brother were dug up and flogged as corpses, it would have little real effect on her.
The two families looked grim. Sect Master Jiang smiled at the crowd and said, “Everyone, Sect Leader Pei has just fought three Demon Sect Protectors. She may be exhausted at the moment.”
“We have all had a tiring day. Why not return to your rooms and rest for now? We can ask further questions another day.”
No one present was so tactless. Besides, every sect had suffered losses to varying degrees. Even if they had not been hit as disastrously as the Wuji Sect and Emei Sect, many disciples outside had been injured after the poisonous mist induced hallucinations and made them attack one another.
Thus, they temporarily set aside any thoughts of currying favor.
However, the Jiang residence had just been infiltrated by the Demon Sect, and no one knew what they might have tampered with. Most people did not feel safe remaining there.
So the various sects rose to take their leave, departing at once.
In less than an hour, the righteous alliance that had gathered in such force at the Jiang residence scattered like ants.
The entire Jiang household suddenly seemed desolate and empty.
The Jiang family had planned for this day for a long time, intending to use the assembly to seize control of the conversation and reclaim their prestige and influence. Yet before half the day had passed, their plans had already come to nothing.
Not only had they failed to gain anything and instead suffered losses, they had once again lost face and drawn the martial world’s doubts regarding their competence.
Worse still, Pei Liang had deliberately revealed the whereabouts of the Demon Sect’s Three Divine Weapons, offering just enough implication to stir suspicion.
By now, many in the martial world were likely beginning to harbor doubts. They simply lacked proof, and Han Weiliu—the true aggrieved party—was absent.
At this point, all the Jiang and Cao families could do was pray that Han Weiliu had already died in some forgotten corner.
Once everyone had left, Sect Master Jiang and Sect Leader Cao began to press the issue.
Sect Master Jiang gave Pei Liang a long look, then sneered. “I underestimated your courage, niece.”
“Tell me. What exactly do you want?”
Sect Leader Cao added anxiously, “Three years ago, it was one thing for the Jiang family to overstep and offend you. I was implicated and suffered an undeserved calamity, yet I did not hold it against you.”
“But what about this time? Neither the Cao family nor the Jiang family has offended you this time, have we?”
Pei Liang smiled. “You two uncles are overstating matters. I merely spoke the truth.”
“Is borrowing money from the Han family, or borrowing treasured items from their collection to admire, really something so shameful that it cannot be mentioned? You two uncles are behaving very strangely. When Young Master Han asked me to return that sword, he showed no such reaction. Why, then, are you both so nervous?”
“You—” Sect Master Jiang had even begun to consider keeping her here for good.
But the martial skill she had displayed earlier was already formidable. Even in a direct confrontation, they might not have the upper hand. All they could do was watch helplessly as she played dumb.
Jiang Xun spoke instead. “Junior Sister Liang, the matter of the Burning Heaven Sect planting informants in every sect was uncovered by you personally, and you were the one who warned the major sects.”
“The Burning Heaven Sect was once immensely powerful. I am sure you understand that better than anyone. And even setting aside the Burning Heaven Sect, look at the Demon Sect nearby.”
“They, too, were once arrogant beyond measure and looked down upon all others. But what became of them in the end?”
“I know Junior Sister Liang has ambitions as lofty as a swan’s, but look at the Demon Cult today. Even when they have committed no crimes, all it takes is a little arrangement by someone with ulterior motives for the entire martial world to become convinced that every evil deed was their doing.”
“When a sect grows powerful enough to make everyone wary of it, and it has vulnerabilities that can be used against it, then reason and established rules can no longer be judged by ordinary standards.”
“Wouldn’t you agree, Junior Sister Liang?”
Jiang Xun was not wrong. Take the Sacred Flame Sect: once they had been assigned the universally accepted role of villain, any crime could be pinned on them without the slightest hesitation. Most of the time, no investigation was even necessary.
And countless people would take the opportunity to fish in troubled waters without restraint.
The Slashmoon Sect’s current influence had already made quite a few sects feel threatened. If it were revealed that the Han family massacre had been the work of those three families—
Then, no matter how carefully Pei Liang arranged matters to make herself appear innocent, she would never be able to completely sever herself from the crimes committed by the Pei father and son. Indeed, many people would not permit her to sever those ties at all.
What a rare, once-in-a-lifetime chance to suppress them.
If Jiang Xun could see this clearly, Pei Liang had naturally understood it long ago.
Still, Jiang Xun’s progress over the past few years made her look at him in a new light. It seemed this fellow had not spent all his time sneaking around in affairs.
So Pei Liang smiled at Jiang Xun. “Senior Brother, at such a young age, you already have such a shrewd grasp of the ways different sects conduct themselves, their positions, and their attitudes.”
“Looks like all those women you’ve slept with weren’t for nothing.”
Jiang Xun’s expression stiffened. Then he relaxed and smiled. “You flatter me, Junior Sister.”
Lowering his voice, he said flirtatiously, “Once I marry Junior Sister, I will naturally turn over a new leaf and devote myself to you alone.”
Jiang Xun had said those words to no small number of women, but at this moment, there was at least a measure of sincerity in them.
After all, in his eyes, Pei Liang truly was different from other women. She had hurt him deeply, yet she moved with effortless ease in their relationship, repeatedly keeping him in the palm of her hand.
And given her current martial prowess, Jiang Xun had enough self-awareness to know where he stood.
Yet Pei Liang replied, “Please don’t. This is about the only thing you’re useful for, so don’t waste your talent.”
As she spoke, she handed Jiang Xun a list and smiled at him. “This is a list of candidates I selected for Senior Brother.”
Pei Liang gave Jiang Xun a suggestive smile. “The women on this list should get along well with you, Senior Brother.”
Even Jiang Xun, hardened by countless trials, was left dumbfounded.
He lowered his head and looked at the slip of paper in his hand. It listed several women from martial sects, along with their names, ages, physical features, family backgrounds, status, and even their general personalities and interests.
Clearly, this was not an impulsive idea. She had investigated them well in advance.
The women on the list came from first-, second-, and third-rate sects alike. Their status might not have been especially illustrious, but each held a position that was unquestionably important.
Pei Liang patted Jiang Xun’s cheek and smiled. “I understand what Senior Brother means. Now that you are quick-witted enough to grasp things at once, I can rest easy.”
“It saves me the exhausting effort of trying to explain things to those two uncles, like playing music to a cow.”
“If you want me to stop speaking carelessly in the future, then Senior Brother will have to show some sincerity as well.”
He had never heard of “showing sincerity” meaning sending one’s own fiancé out to sell himself.
Even though Jiang Xun knew that Pei Liang would not mind in the slightest if he had affairs with other women, he never would have imagined that she could actually make such shameless use of his talent for seducing people.
If even someone as unconcerned with moral propriety as Jiang Xun found this outrageous, then the members of both the Jiang and Cao families were utterly dumbfounded.
Sect Master Jiang even felt that the younger generation’s reckless audacity had already sent their elders—the previous generation—crashing onto the beach.
Pei Liang instructed Jiang Xun, “Senior Brother, don’t forget that with your charm, winning over these women should be as easy as turning your hand. But should anything unexpected happen, you may ask me for assistance at any time. I will provide whatever support I can, whether money, manpower, or resources.”
With that, Pei Liang gave him an expression full of confidence and expectation, then left the Jiang estate in high spirits.
Jiang Xun, however, felt his vision go dark. Seducing women of his own free will was his hobby, as well as a way for him to satisfy his vanity and desire for conquest.
But being forced to sell himself was another matter entirely.
Especially since most of the women on the list were older. Judging from their descriptions, they were largely middle-aged women suffering from loneliness. In an instant, Jiang Xun’s mind came up with several approaches that would surely allow him to take them down with ease.
But the moment he finished thinking about it, he realized something was wrong.
Why had he agreed to this?
When he looked up, he saw all the men of the Jiang family, along with Sect Leader Cao and his son, gazing at him with eager anticipation.
Sect Leader Cao said, “Nephew, you’ll have to endure this hardship.”
Sect Master Jiang even closed his eyes briefly. “Xun’er, feel free to draw whatever silver you need from the accounts. And while you’re away, don’t make things difficult for yourself.”
Jiang Xun’s uncles were even more gleeful at his misfortune. They had always harbored resentment toward him.
Now that Jiang Xun had been sold off—and would be away from home for a long time—they were delighted.
They chimed in one after another.
“Yes, when you’re away, write home often to let us know you’re safe.”
“I’ll have someone pack your luggage. You should leave tomorrow. This concerns the safety of the Jiang family, so for now we can only submit to their demands. We mustn’t be careless.”
“There’s no need to wait until tomorrow. He can leave tonight.”
And so, before Jiang Xun even had the chance to eat dinner, he was standing outside the estate gates with a bundle on his back.
His solitary figure looked utterly desolate in the cold wind, and his heart was colder still.
But Jiang Xun was not the one whose heart had sunk the lowest at that moment.
The Wangqiu Sect, which had just received word that its plan to form an alliance throughout the martial world had fallen apart, was also plunged into despair.
The Wangqiu Sect’s leader slammed his hand down in fury. The armrest of the stone chair beneath his hand shattered into powder. Everyone present fell silent, and the air became deathly still.
“What happened? How could the Sacred Flame Cult break free of our control? Situ Zhuo has only been sitting in the position of cult leader for a little over a month. How dare he—”
The Wangqiu Sect’s leader was so enraged and shocked that he could barely speak.
It was true that using the Sacred Flame Cult to draw the attention of the various martial sects and provoke a conflict, allowing both sides to suffer losses, had been part of their plan.
Now that the alliance talks were over and the Four Sects and Eight Schools had become a scattered mess, the outcome did indeed serve their interests.
But it absolutely should not have happened like this.
Although the various sects could no longer gather together, their overall strength had not been reduced. If necessary, they still possessed the ability to unite against a common enemy.
The Wangqiu Sect’s ambitions did not end there.
Moreover, the Sacred Flame Cult had now struck first and eliminated the threat of being besieged in the short term. This would give it even more time to rebuild and grow stronger.
The Wangqiu Sect’s goal was to weaken the major sects and reclaim the pinnacle for itself—not to make a wedding dress for the Holy Flame Cult.
The Wangqiu Sect’s leader said bitterly, “Why are you silent? Didn’t you say everything was under control?”
A man seated to the lower right forced himself to answer. “Sect Leader, something is wrong with this matter.”
“Situ Zhuo was originally the illegitimate son of the former Holy Flame Cult Leader and a mistress he kept outside the sect. Back when the Holy Flame Cult withdrew from the Central Plains, they did not take the pregnant mistress with them. They merely left behind two cult members, who concealed their identities and cared for the child from then on.”
“At the time, the old Cult Leader already had a favored heir in mind and had no intention of grooming this son. He only allowed him to live out of consideration for their blood relation.”
“Who could have imagined that the designated heir would die of illness half a year ago, passing away before the old Cult Leader, who was already at death’s door? Situ Zhuo thus fell into unexpected good fortune. As the old Cult Leader’s only remaining son, he inherited the position of Cult Leader.”
“But Situ Zhuo had lacked proper guidance since childhood. The two cult members were no more than ordinary men. Even if he had practiced martial arts from a young age, who could have taught him the demonic cult’s supreme inner art?”
“According to the demonic cult’s rules of succession, before his death, the old Cult Leader would pass his remaining cultivation to the new Cult Leader. If an ordinary, useless fool suddenly gained several decades’ worth of internal power, how could he possibly master it in such a short time?”
“Thus, we predicted that Situ Zhuo would already struggle merely to win support within the Holy Flame Cult and suppress its various factions, much less possess the strength to challenge the righteous sects.”
“But we never expected that, in only a few short months, he would subdue the Four Great Protectors—among them even that arrogant old man. Still less did we expect him to turn the tables, openly appear at the alliance conference to provoke them, escape unscathed, and utterly destroy any possibility of an alliance.”
The martial world had now returned to a state in which both sides were wary of one another, yet neither would make the first move lightly. Such a stalemate often lasted for decades.
The Wangqiu Sect Leader intended to see the Heaven-Burning Sect return to the summit in his own generation. How could he tolerate this?
That subordinate continued, “That is why I say there is something wrong with Situ Zhuo.”
“Before the designated heir died, our Wangqiu Sect had not paid much attention to that bastard son. We only sent a discreet elder to cultivate a friendship with his mother. Yet all the information we received said that Situ Zhuo was mediocre in talent—a useless wastrel who idled his days away.”
If that had not been the case, the Wangqiu Sect would never have spared him a glance. It was obvious he had seemed to be a chess piece of no use at all.
Yet that same fool was now displaying such strategy, such cunning, and such extraordinary martial prowess.
All of the Wangqiu Sect’s previous preparations had gone to waste. If the righteous and demonic factions did not come to blows, how were they supposed to profit from the chaos?
The Wangqiu Sect Leader was deeply shaken as well. “You suspect—”
The man nodded. “Our agent is dead. We have no way of knowing Situ Zhuo’s true identity.”
“But it is said that when Situ Zhuo returned to the Holy Flame Cult, he brought his birth mother and the two demonic cult members who had cared for him since childhood along with him.”
“Otherwise, he could not possibly have gained the old Cult Leader’s trust. Moreover, if their inner arts had not been compatible, the old Cult Leader’s transferred power would most likely have caused him to suffer a fatal deviation. The Holy Flame Cult would not be so careless as to make a mistake in a matter of such importance.”
The people below fell silent, unable to say another word.
After all, if impersonating the heir of the Demon Cult were truly so easy, the cult would hardly be the Central Plains martial world’s greatest threat.
But it was also true that Situ Zhuo was suspicious in every way.
With no conclusion in sight, the master of the Wangqiu Sect could only seek another solution, no matter how furious and unwilling he was.
He asked, “Has Yunsha returned?”
“She has!”
As the words left his mouth, the doors of the main hall swung open, and a graceful woman walked in. She was none other than Xia Yunsha, who, according to rumor, had been expelled from the sect three years ago and then vanished without a trace.
Three years had passed, and the young girl had fully blossomed. Compared with before, Xia Yunsha’s beauty had become even more striking.
Yet her spirited, impulsive nature remained unchanged, as though neither time nor adversity could alter who she was.
Xia Yunsha’s life over the past three years had been miserable. With the Pei family at the forefront, the various sects of the martial world had placed tremendous pressure on the Wangqiu Sect. Under such circumstances, the Wangqiu Sect had naturally not dared conceal Xia Yunsha within its mountain gates.
They had no choice but to send experts to escort her away and hide her in some frigid, remote region.
Those places were either harsh in climate or surrounded by barren mountains and treacherous waters. How could they compare with the dazzling, prosperous world of the Central Plains?
And to avoid drawing attention, she had been forced to suppress her true nature and forbidden from doing anything conspicuous.
For three years, she had lived a life of suffocating misery.
Now that her sect master had summoned her back, Xia Yunsha felt utterly relieved to be in the Central Plains again, even though she still could not reveal her whereabouts.
Seeing this, the master of the Wangqiu Sect nodded in satisfaction. “Yunsha, I have a task for you this time.”
Xia Yunsha pouted. “Master, what came of the last time you had me follow Han Weiliu?”
“This time, please don’t make me deal with someone who has so many schemes up their sleeve. I refuse to work with another person like Miss Pei.”
At the mention of that name, the master of the Wangqiu Sect ground his teeth in resentment. The provocation by the Demon Cult had caused losses to more or less every other sect, yet the Moon-Slaying Sect had emerged almost entirely unscathed.
They had even displayed a level of power beyond what they had shown before.
How could the Wangqiu Sect fail to notice the expansion of the Moon-Slaying Sect’s industries and influence in recent years? That girl surnamed Pei might be hiding inside Moon-Slaying Manor and refusing to show herself, but she was by no means lacking in ability.
The speed at which she had built up the sect’s wealth and power was enough to make even the Wangqiu Sect—after decades spent lying low in preparation for a return to the summit—feel nothing but bitter envy.
The master of the Wangqiu Sect forced a stiff smile, then said gently to Xia Yunsha, “How could I? With your current identity, you can only skulk from place to place after returning to the Central Plains.”
“But there is one place where you will be able to move about freely from now on.”
Xia Yunsha’s eyes lit up. “Where?”
“The Sacred Flame Cult!”
“You already bear suspicion and are unwelcome among the righteous sects. The Sacred Flame Cult will certainly open its doors to you. Once you get inside, you are to do exactly as follows…”
The master of the Wangqiu Sect gave her detailed instructions for quite some time.
Although Xia Yunsha was impulsive, loud-mouthed, and prone to ruining things, she had always been blessed with remarkably good luck. No matter what happened, even if circumstances took several unexpected turns, things ultimately tended to work out in her favor. Her greatest setback had been being falsely accused by that girl surnamed Pei, which had forced her to hide and flee for three years.
Even so, the master of the Wangqiu Sect still trusted the good fortune Xia Yunsha carried with her. After all, she was—
Meanwhile, having failed to get anywhere with this approach, the Wangqiu Sect chose another path.
While the Holy Flame Sect was being targeted as the faction they intended to force someone into, its leader, Situ Zhuo, and several of its guardians had already returned to Holy Flame Mountain.
Holy Flame Mountain was a steep, solitary peak, shaped like a giant battle-ax—top-heavy and narrow at the base. From a distance, it looked as though the entire summit might come crashing down at any moment. It was imposing and awe-inspiring, yet terrifying enough to make one’s heart tremble.
At that moment, Situ Zhuo and the others descended from the sky and landed before the suspension bridge—the only thing connecting the mountain to the outside world. One person seemed to be missing.
No one spoke. They waited for a while, until the earth beneath their feet suddenly began to shift.
A person abruptly burst out of the ground. The soil around him moved like quicksand, and a layer of internal energy covered his body. Wherever this energy touched the dirt, it caused the soil to crumble, after which he manipulated it at will. Combined with a special movement technique, it allowed him to travel freely underground, as easily as swimming through water.
Even Jing Teng had never traveled such a long distance beneath the earth before, however, and he was clearly struggling now.
By the time he emerged, his face was already somewhat pale. Against his cold and aloof features, that pallor made him appear even more unapproachable.
Jing Teng climbed completely out of the ground. He was not, in fact, completely naked: his robe and veil had been stripped away, but he was still wearing his trousers.
His skin was slightly pale, but his physique was sturdy. Usually, his quiet and indifferent presence made him easy to overlook, yet at that moment he was unexpectedly easy on the eyes.
Seeing him, the female guardian Meng Liuli remarked, “He still had one pair of trousers left. Why did you refuse to come out the entire way?”
The Elder Protector said, exasperated, “You’re a man. How can you be so shy? You’d rather endure all that hardship instead.”
Jing Teng was silent for a moment before replying, “It was cooler underground.”
The Third Protector: “…”
Situ Zhuo suddenly spoke up. “Why did that woman strip your clothes?”
Jing Teng: “…This subordinate does not know.”
Meng Liuli said, “What else could it be? That Sect Leader Pei must have coveted Guardian Jing’s good looks and tried to molest him.”
“Impossible!” Situ Zhuo declared without the slightest hesitation.
The other four stared at him in astonishment, none of them understanding how he could be so certain.
The Elder Protector, however, said, “It is not entirely impossible. From what I observed, that woman’s temperament and martial arts are both far from ordinary.”
“She is the unmarried fiancée of that Jiang family lecher. But did you notice? Even after all of Jiang Xun’s affairs were exposed, and despite the fact that he has been involved with countless women—including quite a few elderly ones—”
“By rights, with the abilities and status of that girl from the Moon-Slaying Sect, breaking off such an absurd engagement should be effortless. Yet she was completely unmoved. And did you see her reaction when Jiang Xun was being interrogated by all those women? She looked utterly unconcerned, even taking obvious pleasure in the spectacle.”
“A woman like that cannot be assumed to be bound by worldly conventions. This old man believes she and her fiancé may well be birds of a feather; she has simply hidden it more deeply.”
As he spoke, he patted Jing Teng on the shoulder. “If you ever cross paths with her again, keep your distance. Her martial arts are formidable. If you happen to be alone, she might truly force herself on you.”
Jing Teng’s entire body went rigid. Earlier, when that long saber had manipulated him underground and stripped away his clothes, he had already felt a deep sense of humiliation at being controlled and forcibly undressed.
This had nothing to do with whether he would show himself or not. The few Guardians and the Cult Leader might have assumed that he was too ashamed to appear bare-chested, but that was not the case.
He simply had yet to recover from his humiliation, and so he was staying underground by himself.
After hearing the Fire Elder’s analysis, Jing Teng was even more shocked.
Meng Liuli, meanwhile, was only too happy to watch the spectacle unfold. She nodded as well. “Indeed. We can’t let that woman take advantage of him.”
“Though that woman comes from the righteous path, she is crafty and calculating. A man as pure and guileless as Guardian Jing could never be her match.”
She even went so far as to urge him repeatedly, “There are plenty of wicked women in this world. Guardian Jing, you must take good care to protect yourself when you’re out there.”
Jing Teng looked at her coldly. “…Like you, for example.”
Meng Liuli replied, “Don’t put it that way. After what I saw today, I’ve realized that those people of the righteous path actually have the nerve to call us demonic men and women.”
“I used to think that men and women in our Cult were simply more uninhibited and true to themselves. Who would have thought that, after seeing them today, we couldn’t possibly compare?”
That was true enough. Recalling the scenes they had witnessed that day, the four of them found themselves under the strange illusion that their Sacred Flame Cult was not so outrageous after all.
The four were still sighing over this revelation when the Cult Leader once again spoke at the most inappropriate moment.
“She isn’t attracted to his looks.”
The Guardians all froze, then turned to stare at their Cult Leader.
The man continued, “She covets me.”
There was even a hint of smugness in his voice as he added, “She wants me so badly that she would rather wait in vain for several years. As for why she hasn’t broken off her engagement with Jiang Xun, she has other plans. You’re all reading too much into it.”
At first, the four of them did not dare to interpret what he meant.
But once the meaning sank in, they all shuddered, their spines turning cold as they stared at their Cult Leader.
“The Cult Leader grew up in the Central Plains, so it isn’t surprising that he had dealings with Sect Leader Pei.”
“Damn it! How dare she harbor designs on our Cult Leader?” the old Guardian raged.
Only Meng Liuli, whose emotional intelligence was the highest among them, recognized the smugness in his words and felt utterly bewildered.
The Cult Leader did not seem to harbor any particular tenderness toward Sect Leader Pei. Whenever it was time to strike, he had never held back—in fact, he even seemed somewhat intent on making things difficult for her.
And yet, he was actually rather pleased by this?
How, exactly, did the Cult Leader view her?
The three male Guardians were still seething with righteous indignation. Meng Liuli, on the other hand, could only think that they were unbelievably foolish.
After crossing the Sacred Bridge, they returned to the Sacred Flame Cult.
The righteous alliance’s assault and invasion had caused considerable damage back then. However, with the mountain-sealing formation in place, the enemy had not managed to take away much of anything important.
As for the buildings and other inanimate structures, as long as their frameworks remained intact, repairing them was not difficult.
Thus, the Sacred Flame Cult had long since regained its former grandeur. Countless members of the Cult now stood in neat rows on either side of the stone steps, welcoming their Cult Leader back to the mountain.
With the former Cult Leader’s grand style, there should ordinarily have been some sort of chant at a time like this. But Situ Zhuo found those chants unbearably tacky, and since he could not think of anything suitable on the spot, he simply ordered everyone to keep silent.
Situ Zhuo climbed the steps without so much as a sideways glance. Once he returned to the sanctuary, he dismissed the Four Guardians with a wave of his hand.
The Cult Leader’s sleeping quarters were naturally furnished in the utmost luxury. A huge hot-spring pool occupied part of the main hall.
Now, by Situ Zhuo’s order, the entire sleeping hall was empty of all other people. He removed his veil and stripped off his clothes.
With his firm, powerful legs, he stepped into the pool.
Once Situ Zhuo removed his veil, his features were revealed. He was indeed strikingly elegant and dazzlingly handsome, with a beauty no man could rival.
But moments later, his face began to change. His features, even the very structure of his bones, slowly yet unmistakably shifted.
In the space of roughly two breaths, the transformation came to an end.
When one looked at Situ Zhuo’s face again, it had become an entirely different visage.
It was equally handsome and debonair, breathtakingly striking—yet it belonged to a completely different person from before.
If Pei Liang had been there, this face would not have been unfamiliar to her.
Strictly speaking, she had never properly seen what he looked like in person. In the prison, he had been disheveled and miserable; afterward, he had disguised himself as various servant girls to come and go with ease.
Even so, the image of him remained clear in her memory.
Situ Zhuo was none other than Han Weiliu, who had vanished three years ago.
At that moment, Han Weiliu was soaking with his eyes closed, enjoying the soothing warmth of the water, when he suddenly sensed someone watching him.
He gave a soft laugh, opened his eyes, and looked toward the enormous glazed mirror that covered the wall opposite the bath.
Mist hung thickly around the pool, leaving his reflection in the mirror somewhat blurred.
Yet what was chilling was that the man inside the mirror wore a completely different expression from the man outside it.
Han Weiliu in the mirror said expressionlessly, “I’d like to see how you plan to clean this up.”
Situ Zhuo outside the mirror merely smiled carelessly. “What? Haven’t I done well enough?”
Han Weiliu laughed. “I thought you had some brilliant scheme, but in the end, you merely copied her way of doing things. Though, if we’re being fair, it’s not bad.”
“But you seem to be enjoying the chance to lord it over her and flaunt your superiority in front of her.”
Situ Zhuo did not deny it. “Naturally. I said I would grind her beneath my feet and make her weep until she begged for death, unable to live.”
“This was only a small trial for the first step. By now, she must have carved me into her memory, living in constant unease and terror that I may come for her at any moment.”
Han Weiliu felt a headache coming on and could not be bothered to argue with him anymore.
This man’s inexplicable competitive streak toward Pei Liang, and his delusions of having the upper hand over her, amused Han Weiliu to no end.
Raising a brow, he said, “Then keep congratulating yourself. I’m going down the mountain.”
Judging by the time, Situ Zhuo’s period of control was nearly over. Control of the body would soon return to Han Weiliu.
Although Han Weiliu was desperate for revenge, he had no intention of becoming entangled with the demonic cult.
Over the past three years, however, the two had established certain rules. So long as neither crossed the other’s bottom line, they were not permitted to interfere in each other’s decisions.
Situ Zhuo frowned at his words. “The situation I’ve built within the demonic cult is flourishing, yet you insist on going it alone?”
Han Weiliu gave a scornful laugh. “Even if I used the demonic cult to slaughter all my enemies, it would not prove that they deserved to die. People might even pity them afterward.”
“Do not bring this up again. We made an agreement long ago. You may do as you please within the demonic cult, but on the condition that you uncover the mastermind behind the Pei, Jiang, and Cao families.”
“As for revenge, it must be I, Han Weiliu, who personally and openly puts my enemies to the sword.”
“Tch.” Situ Zhuo asked impatiently, “Then where are you going?”
“To the Mooncleaver Sect first,” Han Weiliu answered without hesitation.
Situ Zhuo sneered. “And you still claim you have no lingering feelings for that woman. When I agreed to become her male concubine, wasn’t someone so adamantly opposed that he would rather die? For three years, whenever this matter was mentioned, he would launch into a tirade.”
“And now? You’re the one in such a desperate hurry. Have you forgotten who it was that once told me, with such conviction, that whoever made a mess should clean it up themselves?”
“And what are you going to see her for? If anyone should go, it ought to be me.”
Han Weiliu looked at him as though he were an idiot. “Do you really think that the few months you’ve spent cultivating influence in the Demon Cult can compare with her three years of work?”
“We still have no clue who is behind all this, but I’m certain she already has some suspicions.”
“I’m going to see her, first, to clarify the ridiculous promise you made that day, and second, to see if I can strike a deal with her—perhaps persuade her to share her leads with me.”
“No!” Situ Zhuo said coldly. “I told you, I want that woman to submit to me. Don’t meddle in this.”
Han Weiliu ignored him completely. “That’s not up to you.”
With that, the man in the bathing pool suddenly rose to his feet. Water droplets that had yet to evaporate clung to his flawless body. His hair was still damp, one side swept back behind his head.
Yet his bearing had changed. The dangerous, seductive aura he had possessed moments ago was gone, replaced by an air of detached serenity.
He rose and crossed the fine Persian carpet back to the bedchamber, utterly unconcerned as the water gathered beneath his feet, leaving wet footprints in his wake.
By the time he returned indoors, however, his hair and body were almost completely dry.
Such a minor detail was enough to reveal the depth of Han Weiliu’s inner power.
He had vanished for only three years, and for the past six months had appeared before others under the identity of Situ Zhuo. Yet compared with three years ago, his strength was on an entirely different level.
No one knew what had happened during that time—why he had left the island ahead of schedule, what he had gone through afterward, or why he had become so powerful.
Everything about it was shrouded in mystery.
Han Weiliu opened the wardrobe, ignoring the flamboyant, dazzling, and boldly revealing clothes that belonged to Situ Zhuo. Instead, he took out a plain black outfit.
Once he had changed, his appearance shifted back into Situ Zhuo’s within the space of a few breaths. Only his air was entirely different.
Still, no one dared question him when he left the bedchamber. Most people did not even have the right to raise their heads and look directly upon their cult leader’s sacred countenance.
Han Weiliu did not bother greeting anyone in particular. He merely said to one man in passing, “I’m going down the mountain for a walk. Don’t ask questions.”
That man happened to be one of the two people the former cult leader had left behind to secretly look after Situ Zhuo.
Hearing this, he stole a glance at Han Weiliu. Even after all this time, he still found it astonishing whenever he saw him. Yet not the slightest hint of it showed on his face, and he hurriedly replied with utmost respect, “As you command!”
And so Han Weiliu left Sacred Flame Mountain alone. It was hardly the first time he had done so.
The Sacred Flame Cult had long since grown accustomed to their cult leader leaving from time to time, disappearing for several days, and then returning as mysteriously as he had gone. No one thought much of it.
By the time the several great protectors received the news and lamented that they had once again missed the chance to accompany their leader, Han Weiliu had already arrived in the small town at the foot of the mountain.
He changed his appearance several times along the way. Only after reaching the area around the Pei family’s estate did he return to his true appearance.
The surrounding territory was already under the Pei family’s control. Han Weiliu seemed to appear out of thin air, and those who recognized him were startled at once and immediately sent word up the mountain.
Thus, by the time Han Weiliu arrived before the gates of Moon-Slaying Manor, Pei Liang already knew he was there.
