Tang Sect's Secret Chamber.
Mu Xuewei was bound tightly with heavy chains. Ye Ya, clad in a black cloak, stood before her, his fingers lightly brushing her cheek. "Truly one of a kind. Such a perfect Poison Puppet—I've only read about them in the Medicine King Valley's archives."
Xuewei gritted her teeth. "How dare you touch me!"
"Why wouldn't I dare?" Ye Ya withdrew his hand, tilting his head with a cold smirk. "Ah, I haven’t introduced myself yet. I am Ye Ya."
"Ghost Doctor Night Crow," Xuewei murmured in realization.
"Indeed. Though your body is steeped in poison, I am, after all, called the Ghost Doctor. These toxins don’t frighten me." His voice was eerily calm.
"You’ve brought a member of Dark River into Tang Sect. That’s a dangerous move." A black-clad figure materialized soundlessly behind Ye Ya.
"You don’t understand the significance of her existence," Ye Ya replied softly. With a flick of his wrist, two Medicine Puppets emerged from the shadows, lunging at the intruder.
The black-clad man swiftly dodged backward before leaping forward, delivering a powerful kick that sent the two puppets flying. In an instant, he closed the distance, seizing Ye Ya’s shoulder. "Master Ye Ya, what is the meaning of this?"
"You just exchanged blows with my Medicine Puppets," Ye Ya said slowly.
"And?" The man frowned.
"Had those puppets been laced with deadly poison, that single kick would have cost you your life." Ye Ya shrugged off the man’s grip effortlessly before turning back to Xuewei. "There is only one Poison Flower. But expendable Medicine Puppets are plentiful. If I can transfer her toxins into them… do you know what you would gain?"
The black-clad man fell silent for a moment before answering, "An army?"
"An army that cannot die—yet brings death wherever it goes." Ye Ya laughed loudly. "The one you serve should come and see me now."
"Very well." The man retreated, vanishing in an instant.
Heaven Revelation City, Hall of Know-All.
Ji Ruofeng studied the Iron-Faced Official before him, his voice pensive. "There’s been no response to the letter sent to Tang Sect?"
The official shook his head. "None. Like a stone sinking into the sea."
Ji Ruofeng adjusted his ghostly mask. "And our people sent to Jincheng?"
"All contact has been lost," the official replied gravely. "Of all the cities in Beili where our disciples are stationed, only Jincheng has seen every last one disappear in recent days. We believe something major is about to happen there."
"If there’s trouble in Jincheng, it must lie within Tang Sect." Ji Ruofeng sighed softly. "Tang Sect’s affairs are matters of the martial world, which normally wouldn’t concern us. But my sworn brother, the Black Tortoise Envoy, is there. A man of such principle—why hasn’t he returned to Heaven Revelation City to report?"
"If Tang Sect changes, the martial world will change. And if the martial world changes, the world itself will follow. This is no small matter."
"It seems I must visit Jincheng." Ji Ruofeng rubbed his temple.
The official hesitated. "Will the Hall Master go personally?"
"Impossible. I’m far too lazy." Ji Ruofeng chuckled faintly. "I’ve asked someone more capable—and far more diligent—to go in my stead.""Who?" the Iron-Faced Official asked.
"My sister," Ji Ruofeng replied frankly.
A gust of sword wind swept by, and a woman in plain white robes appeared beside the Iron-Faced Official.
Though no longer young, the woman’s beauty was still peerless. Yet compared to ordinary women, there was an added air of heroic spirit between her brows.
"Sister Xinyue," Ji Ruofeng quickly rose from his seat and bowed in greeting.
Li Xinyue, Sword Heart with Moon—the inheritor of the Heart Sword in this generation of the Sword Heart Tomb, and the leader of the Four Guardians of Heavenly Revelation, the Azure Dragon.
"Lianyue can’t be reached?" Li Xinyue asked.
Ji Ruofeng spread his hands. "No contact at all. Even my Hall of Know-All has no way. I was about to go myself, but my martial skills are mediocre. If I went to the Tang Sect, I’m afraid—"
"Useless." Li Xinyue left those two words behind as she turned and walked away.
"Hahaha." Ji Ruofeng sighed helplessly to the Iron-Faced Official beside him. "That’s just how our sister is—sharp-tongued but soft-hearted, and peerlessly skilled. She’s truly a reliable ally."
The Iron-Faced Official snorted coldly. "So back when Ye Dingzhi stormed into Heavenly Revelation, you had your dear sister stand in front?"
"Rumors, all rumors! I summoned heavenly lightning and nearly blew myself to pieces," Ji Ruofeng shook his head.
In Jin City.
Mu Yumo sat in the Quiet Contemplation Teahouse, yet no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t calm her thoughts. She paced restlessly around the room, several times nearly rushing out. "No, I have to go see."
"Don’t be hasty," Su Changhe sighed deeply. "Why so impatient?"
Su Muyu reassured her, "Right now, rushing won’t help."
Just then, the Head of Mu House entered. He strode swiftly to the tea table, picked up the teapot, and tilted his head back to pour the water directly into his mouth. Finally, he exhaled deeply. "Ah~ refreshing!"
"Did you uncover any important news?" Su Muyu asked.
"Yes," the Head of Mu House set down the teapot. "There’s indeed an opportunity coming up that will allow us to enter the Tang Sect."
"What opportunity?" Mu Yumo pressed.
"Second Master Tang’s funeral will soon be held in the Tang Sect!" the Head of Mu House whispered.
Su Muyu froze. "Second Master Tang? He’s been dead for so long—only now is the funeral being held?"
The Head of Mu House nodded. "Second Master Tang’s body was preserved in an ice coffin all this time. Only recently has it been transported back to the Tang Sect, so the funeral is only happening now. However, the Tang Sect seems to be keeping it low-key, inviting only a few allied families. And we—we can use this chance to enter the Tang Sect."
Su Muyu and Su Changhe exchanged glances. Su Muyu smiled wryly. "This whole thing seems a bit suspicious."
The Head of Mu House mused, "But it’s the only opportunity we have right now."
"Don’t worry. The Dark River has never feared danger. If there’s a chance, we’ll take it," Su Changhe stroked his short beard.
"Since arriving in Jin City, we haven’t heard any news about Old Master Tang. Why is that?" Su Muyu suddenly asked.
"That’s another piece of news," the Head of Mu House lowered his voice even further. "Old Master Tang seems to be severely injured. He hasn’t made an appearance in a long time."
Su Changhe tapped the table lightly. "Tell me—did we come at the right time, or the wrong one? The Tang Sect is on the brink of a storm."
"What you’re thinking must be something good," Su Muyu said helplessly."Just as you say!" Su Changhe then turned to Mu Yumo. "Don't worry, that little sweetheart you're so concerned about is quite capable. He'll be fine."
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