At the same time, Meng Qi noticed another person inside the carriage—a woman with a coiled white bun, leaning on a dragon-headed cane. Her features were gentle and kind, and she must have been a remarkable beauty in her youth. Even now, her eyes remained clear and bright, with few wrinkles, and from a distance, her gaze seemed to swallow one’s very sight.
“Senior Gourmet…” Meng Qi mused thoughtfully.
A gust of wind scattered the moment, and a light veil floated down, covering the window. Around, people sighed in disappointment, lamenting that they had not seen her true appearance.
Yet even the faint glimpse and the sensation they felt seemed to live up to her reputation, as if she were truly a celestial maiden from the Moon Palace!
The carriage passed the tavern, heading toward Dajue Temple, and disappeared at the end of the street. Dai Fei and Jiang Hengchuan exchanged glances and smiled: “Hearing of someone’s reputation is never as good as meeting them in person.”
With their vision and cultivation, how could a thin white veil truly block their sight?
“Pity we didn’t get to hear her unmatched zither skills,” Jiang Hengchuan said with a smile that mixed regret and anticipation.
Dai Fei shared the sentiment, patting the table: “Let’s just hope the Nan Gong family has enough influence.”
After a few casual words, the two quickly returned to the main topic. Dai Fei sipped tea and said, “Last night’s disturbance was significant. The Wolf King must have relocated and hidden himself. It seems we’ll need to ask Young Master Wang to calculate his whereabouts, or perhaps seek out Wang Buchi.”
Wang Buchi, nicknamed “Just in Time,” was originally a wandering cultivator. Later, he became enamored with the art of divination and joined the Wang family, receiving partial transmission of their techniques. His iron abacus was famous throughout Jiangdong. Because he always acted precisely on time—never late, never early—he was humorously called “Wang Buchi” (Wang the Just-in-Time). Over time, even he adopted the nickname himself, and only the Six Gates knew his original name. His other nickname, “Just in Time,” was an elaboration and extension of “Buchi”—never a moment too early, never a second too late.
Now serving as an external elder of the Wang Clan and guarding the estate, he was a true expert at the Outer Scenery level. However, due to only receiving partial teachings, his skill in divination was comparable to that of Wang Siyuan, who had merged with the Dao of Heaven and cultivated the “Suanjing.”
“This matter will require Dai Qingshou to intervene,” Meng Qi said. “Last time, Young Master Wang cast a divination, but I wasted it. I have no face to approach him again now.” Meng Qi had no desire to see that sickly young man again. If he were willing to help with divination, he could have done so at Han San’s private residence. Obviously, he believed the lurking Wolf King would help muddy the waters and divert attention.
If we truly resort to divination, I’m afraid I’ll be used as a blade again!
Dai Fei nodded: “I’ll handle this. You two just keep an eye on the northern street.”
“Agreed,” Meng Qi and Jiang Hengchuan had no reason to refuse.
Dai Fei raised his teacup and said self-deprecatingly, “Actually, it might not be very effective. We’ve already startled the snake, and the Wolf King will burrow even deeper into hiding. Moreover, the northern street is teeming with others too—Luo Jiao, the Mietian Sect, Sumen Dao, the Bureau of Cruelty, the Shengsi Wu Chang Sect, and other heretical factions, not to mention forces from the grasslands, the Western Regions, and the Eastern Sea. They all have spies lurking there. One small misstep could awaken a sleeping giant.”
Meng Qi’s face twitched slightly as he listened. Without realizing it, he had already incurred the wrath—either openly or covertly—of five of the Nine Evil Sects. How long had he even been wandering the martial world? Could it be that he was truly a nemesis of evil and a friend of justice?
There was no need to mention Luo Jiao—last time, he had outmaneuvered Gu Yaonu, who had yet to reclaim her honor. Two Heaven Fiends from the Mietian Sect were effectively killed by his alter ego, “Gentleman Sword.” Officer Su Ziyuan had exposed the secrets of the Shengsi Wu Chang Sect and could even suppress their Outer Scenery undead. Although Sumen Dao hadn’t yet suspected him, he bore at least thirty percent of the blame for the “death” of the Black Jade Cultivator, not to mention the matter of the Thunder God’s inheritance. Only the Bureau of Cruelty posed little threat, as they couldn’t trace him without the Tang family’s face mask technique.
Good thing I have so many disguises, Meng Qi thought with slight relief.
After leaving the teahouse, Dai Fei headed toward the estate, Jiang Hengchuan planned to walk the northern street, and Meng Qi parted ways with them, slowly returning to his rented courtyard.
After turning several corners, he suddenly changed direction and headed straight for Hero Hall.
Since he suspected “Worldly Marvel Elder” Ren Pingsheng, he needed to confront him directly, test him, and not let suspicion fester and lead to grave consequences.
Today, the guards at Hero Hall had rotated, and the one guarding the fifth floor was no longer “Lightning Sword” Xiao Zhenhai, but “Cold Wind of Jiangzuo” Gong Shaoze.
He hadn’t stood out much in his youth, but his foundation was exceptionally solid. After turning thirty, while others hit cultivation bottlenecks, he continued advancing steadily. At thirty-nine, he was only a step away from attuning to Heaven.
Gong Shaoze had a face like a blackened pot, a thick beard, a towering frame, and long limbs. He carried an eighteen-foot spear and stood like a mountain. Seeing Meng Qi, he recognized him and stepped aside.
Under normal circumstances, Meng Qi would have loved to spar with such a master, but now his mind was heavy with thoughts, and he had no heart for combat. He simply passed through and ascended to the fifth floor.
The view opened to a vast sky and a mighty river flowing endlessly. Meng Qi’s vision expanded, and his heart felt relieved.
Dressed in plain clothes, “Worldly Marvel Elder” Ren Pingsheng sat by the window, gazing at the river and sipping wine. His back exuded a sense of sorrow and solitude.
His purple clay teapot sat before him, still emitting a faint fragrance.
Meng Qi approached and sat across from Ren Pingsheng, speaking calmly: “Master Ren, are you troubled by something sorrowful?”
Ren Pingsheng’s white beard trembled slightly as he sighed: “A few friends died violently. I can’t help but feel grief. I blame myself for failing to assist them in time and resent the enemy for leaving no trace.”
“Who dares offend Master Ren?” Meng Qi’s heart stirred.
Ren Pingsheng shook his head, picked up the purple clay teapot, and took a sip directly from it: “The martial world is perilous. I’ve wandered this path for so long—how could I lack enemies? Aren’t you, Young Master Su, also a victim of a false accusation, nearly losing your life to Zhenjing Baili?”
“A wanderer in the martial world often has no choice but to follow fate’s course,” Meng Qi said with a deliberate bitter smile.
He had directly mentioned the false accusation?
Ren Pingsheng suppressed his sorrow and chuckled: “But Young Master Su is also exceptionally strong, which allowed you to turn misfortune into fortune.”
“Master Ren flatters me. I merely relied on the sharpness of my blade,” Meng Qi humbly replied, waiting for Ren Pingsheng to continue praising him.
Ren Pingsheng waved his hand and said, “Even with a sharp blade, if your strength is insufficient, how much power can you truly exert? How many people can escape unscathed from a Heaven-Union expert with only six or seven apertures opened? That day, the heavens and earth trembled, nearly reaching the imposing might of an Outer Scenery expert. Your strength was undeniable, Young Master Su.”
“Thank you for your kind words, Master Ren. But you speak as if you witnessed it yourself,” Meng Qi probed cautiously.
Ren Pingsheng smiled: “That night, I was drinking with Wang Buchi at Hero Hall, gazing from above. How could I not sense the storm brewing in the city? Unfortunately, I arrived a step too late to intervene.”
Was he truly uninvolved, or had he deliberately arranged a witness? Meng Qi did not dispel his suspicions and continued chatting casually with Ren Pingsheng.
As they conversed, Ren Pingsheng recounted his experiences roaming the martial world—filled with countless perils, yet he always emerged unscathed. Meng Qi also casually mentioned his time in the Vast Sea, where An Guoxie was the first truly formidable opponent he had encountered. The others either fought while severely injured or were not significantly stronger than him.
“Hanhai?” Ren Pingsheng asked with interest. “I wonder if Lady Jiu’s charm remains unchanged?”
“Master Ren knows Lady Qu Jiuniang?” Meng Qi inhaled slightly.
Ren Pingsheng chuckled: “Lady Jiu was a Jiangdong woman who first gained fame here. But those who knew her back then have either died or scattered, and their stories no longer circulate…”
His voice trailed off with a touch of nostalgia.
“I see,” Meng Qi nodded indifferently.
After more conversation, Meng Qi noticed the evening approaching and rose to take his leave. This visit to Hero Hall had somewhat eased his suspicions of Ren Pingsheng.
At the entrance to the fifth floor, “Cold Wind of Jiangzuo” Gong Shaoze suddenly spoke: “Young Master Su, the Master has been grieving all day. Fortunately, you distracted him.”
“Just a casual chat,” Meng Qi smiled in reply.
Suddenly, a flash of lightning illuminated his mind, piercing the darkness. That day, the one who overheard his conversation with Qingyu wasn’t just Ren Pingsheng—it was also “Lightning Sword” Xiao Zhenhai!
The cause of death for the three men at the coffin shop: a sword wound through the center of the forehead!
Had he been acting under Ren Pingsheng’s orders, or had he betrayed him?
“Brother Gong, may I ask where Brother Xiao Zhenhai resides? I wish to challenge him to a sword match,” Meng Qi asked casually.
Gong Shaoze looked puzzled: “A sword match?”
Who was it that prevented Xiao Zhenhai from even drawing his sword?
Meng Qi chuckled: “I’ve mastered a fast blade technique and wish to test it against Brother Xiao’s speed.”
As soon as the words left his mouth, he drew Tianzhi Shang directly.
The blade moved like lightning. Before Gong Shaoze could fully react, it had already flashed before his face.
“What a fast blade,” Gong Shaoze murmured as his spear barely shifted. Meng Qi had already sheathed his blade, prompting him to add, “Brother Zhenhai resides in the courtyard to the left of Hero Hall.”
“Thank you, Brother Gong,” Meng Qi sheathed his blade and headed straight for that courtyard, appearing eager to test his skills.
Xiao Zhenhai lived alone, renting a courtyard with several Hero Hall guards. After explaining his intentions, one of the guards allowed him inside and led him to Xiao Zhenhai.
The side courtyard’s door was slightly ajar. Meng Qi pushed it open directly. Xiao Zhenhai stood at the entrance, seemingly preparing to practice swordplay. Seeing Meng Qi, he was startled, his expression changing slightly: “Young Master Su?”
Definitely something wrong… Meng Qi remained calm: “I’ve mastered a fast blade technique and wish for Brother Xiao’s guidance.”
“A fast blade?” Xiao Zhenhai seemed to relax slightly. “Very well!”
With that, he drew his sword. It moved so fast that only after the sound reached their ears did the blade arrive at Meng Qi’s chest.
A flash of blade light seemed to freeze in the eyes of onlookers, yet the sound of metal clashing already echoed in their ears.
“Truly fast…” both praised the blade and the sword.
“Exciting!” Meng Qi blocked the strike, turned, and left, as if his excitement had been satisfied.
Xiao Zhenhai possessed a strong mind, leaving little room for Tian Tian Ji Di Da Fa to exploit. With so many people nearby, forcibly capturing him might alert others. It would be better to wait for another opportunity or simply observe secretly to find clues.
On his way back to his rented courtyard, Meng Qi encountered Dai Fei again, who had just returned from the estate.
“Master Dai, how did the divination turn out?” Meng Qi asked with concern.
Dai Fei smiled bitterly: “No result. It seems he has left the city and departed from Maoling.”
“Is that so…” Meng Qi felt a hint of doubt. Would the Wolf King Tie Sheng really leave so easily?
Dai Fei nodded firmly and changed the subject: “The legitimate daughter of the Ruan family declined the Nan Gong family’s invitation and is staying at Dajue Temple. It seems we won’t get to hear the celestial zither music after all.”
“What a pity,” Meng Qi echoed.
As he neared his courtyard, Meng Qi suddenly changed his route, skillfully evading pursuit, slightly altering his appearance, and changing his attire. He wandered the city for a while before slipping into an abandoned courtyard, sitting beneath a corridor and leaning against a pillar.
An hour later, a neighboring courtyard echoed with a zither’s sound—melancholic and lingering, impossible to forget.
Such music belongs only in heaven; it is rarely heard in the mortal world.
This was one of the background melodies Ruan Yushu played when Meng Qi desired it during their joint mission in the Sword Emperor and Demon Queen’s cycle. Over the past three months, they had agreed on a secret signal: if this piece was played, it meant everything was safe, proceeding as planned.
The nearby courtyard was a secret residence prepared by the Ruan family in Maoling, complete with hidden passages and defensive mechanisms. Ruan Yushu had told Meng Qi that if she were followed by an Outer Scenery elder, she would reside openly at Dajue Temple or elsewhere while secretly staying here.
The zither’s sound, longed for by many, slowly spread into Meng Qi’s ears, gradually becoming distant and serene, calming his heart.
Listening to the zither, Meng Qi quietly gazed at the cold night sky, temporarily forgetting the undercurrents of danger in Maoling.
The moon shone brightly tonight.
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