Outside the Dragon Ascent Hall, within the Misty Palace. Clear, flowing water gently moved the bamboo water scoop. The scoop was exquisitely light; as the stream flowed over one end, the scoop would gently tip, rocking toward the other side. Once the water drained, it would swing back again, forming a beautiful scene in the rockery. A golden oriole softly landed on one end of the bamboo scoop; the mere weight of the small bird caused the scoop to rise. The oriole seemed to delight in manipulating the water scoop. One moment it hopped to one end, causing it to tilt up, the next it hopped to the other, making that side lift. This tiny bird animated the entire pond, bringing it to vibrant life. The oriole outside the Dragon Ascent Hall hopped about with such crispness, brimming with spirit and utter delight.

Meanwhile, the North Peak was engulfed in a storm. Everyone understood that the present of the North Peak lay in the hands of the Six Sword Immortals of the North Peak. But its future rested upon the shoulders of the Ten Great True Disciples. For major sects like Huashan, whose prestige was immense, even the assassination of an ordinary disciple was a serious affair. Now, with a True Disciple being murdered, it was a matter of the utmost gravity, demanding a thorough, uncompromising investigation. Especially after Elder Yuanyuan spoke those words: "The True Disciples are the future of the North Peak. Whoever dares destroy my North Peak's True Disciples—I care not how powerful the forces behind them, nor who the mastermind is—I will investigate them to the bitter end." The statement resonated with force, revealing Elder Yuanyuan's immense rage at that moment and his resolute determination to see the matter through. It was simple common sense: if they failed to investigate this assassination thoroughly, others would attempt similar murders later. After several attempts, how many True Disciples would the North Peak have left? Elder Yuanyuan’s declaration was meant as a message to everyone under heaven. Dare to touch my North Peak's True Disciples, and I, Yuanyuan, will fight to the death. Elder Yuanyuan had always fiercely protected those under his command.

Of course, those who assumed the investigation might implicate one of the Six Sword Immortals of the North Peak, thus stalling the inquiry, were profoundly mistaken. Elder Yuanyuan’s actual words were: "Sima Changbai, your duty was to manage the external defenses of the North Peak. You have performed too poorly in this regard. Your post is temporarily revoked, and the position is transferred to the Solitary Heart Sword, Dugu Ye." Each of the Six Sword Immortals of the North Peak held a specific portfolio. For instance, Ye Yangrong managed intelligence operations. Gentleman Sword Fang Ru was responsible for internal defense within the North Peak. Sima Changbai’s former post was managing external defense. Now, because Sima Changbai was under suspicion, his immediate removal demonstrated the depth of Elder Yuanyuan’s resolve to investigate everything. A massive storm immediately swept through the North Peak. The Three Great Swordsmen of Xizhou had their deep roots in distant Xizhou ripped out. Friends and associates with whom the Three Great Swordsmen had maintained ties were rounded up. Virtually everyone the Three Great Swordsmen had recently interacted with was now under scrutiny. The machinery of the North Peak was truly enraged this time, and Elder Yuanyuan was genuinely furious. A True Disciple of the North Peak could absolutely not be assassinated. Anyone who dared attempt it, success or failure, would pay with their life. This was the North Peak’s stance; this was Elder Yuanyuan’s attitude. —————— Changchun Residence remained utterly quiet amidst this tempest. Within the main chamber, Li Yuanbai was seated, while Lu Yuan stood attentive.

Li Yuanbai gently rubbed his hand. "The Three Great Swordsmen of Xizhou are finished." "Those who connected with them are also finished." "Taking advantage of this North Peak storm, the hidden sentries Sima Changbai had planted have all been swept away." "And because Sima Changbai is currently under suspicion, he dares not show his face." "He has suffered a massive loss this time," Li Yuanbai remarked. The North Peak storm was vast in scope, but Sima Changbai’s covert network bore the brunt of the damage. Sima Changbai, ambitious and keen, had secretly prepared a considerable force but dared not deploy them. As a result, Elder Yuanyuan utilized the storm to eliminate them, leaving Sima Changbai to swallow the bitter pill silently. "However, the most regrettable thing is that Sima Changbai's handling of the loose ends was exceptionally clean, executed ruthlessly. Therefore, there is currently no concrete evidence linking him directly to this affair, nor any proof he orchestrated it. Consequently, we cannot strip him of his authority just yet. Otherwise, even if he is a Ninth Generation Sword Immortal, proven involvement in internal strife—harming a fellow disciple, a violation of the sect's Third Fundamental Precept among the Five Great Precepts—would see him punished and confined to the Cliff of Contemplation, from which he would never return."

Lu Yuan listened silently, offering no comment.

Li Yuanbai then said, "By rights, shouldn't you be filled with rage now? The person who plotted against you, despite covering his tracks cleanly and suffering a loss of influence, remains physically unscathed."

Lu Yuan smiled, a genuinely relaxed expression crossing his face. "What good is anger now? I cannot touch Sima Changbai; I have known this for a long time. However, I am still young; I have ample opportunity. When the time is right, I will certainly devise a way to destroy Sima Changbai."

"I do not oppose you seeking to destroy Sima Changbai," Li Yuanbai responded. "But you must understand two things. First, Sima Changbai's strength is not inferior to mine; he is incredibly difficult to handle, which is the first point. Second, the Second Precept of our sect's Five Great Precepts forbids internal conflict and harming fellow disciples. Therefore, when you do fight Sima Changbai in the future, you must do it elegantly." Li Yuanbai had never truly believed his disciple could surpass Sima Changbai, fearing that once he himself was gone, his disciple would suffer for it. It was only later that he realized this disciple possessed remarkable aptitude.

The North Peak Grand Competition this time, and this assassination attempt—Sima Changbai's two plots against him had both ended in failure. If he could only sustain his damaged body for a few more years, allowing his disciple to grow stronger, then perhaps Sima Changbai could be defeated. Li Yuanbai felt a rush of complex emotions. "But you can rest somewhat easier now. The internal defense of the peak is in the hands of Junior Brother Fang, and the external defense is with Junior Sister Dugu. Now that Sima Changbai has lost all his official capacity, it is highly unlikely he can move against you."

Lu Yuan, at that moment, was coldly sneering within. Sima Changbai, you did well. The last North Peak Grand Competition, this assassination attempt. Very good. I have noted them all down.

Of course, Lu Yuan preferred to keep such matters deep in his heart rather than voicing them. This hatred, too, was buried within. His daily life would continue as usual, but when the time came to exact revenge, it would be designed to be perfect, flawless, ensuring that Sima Changbai and his entire lineage met with disaster, perhaps even complete extinction.

A reputable sect, by rights, should not harbor such thoughts, and the original Lu Yuan certainly had not. But having been schemed against by Sima Changbai this time, and given his own nature of immediate retaliation for injury received, since Sima Changbai had plotted to end his life, Lu Yuan would certainly show no mercy. If you step outside the rules of the righteous sects to play, then I will also step outside the rules of the righteous sects to play. A cold smirk flickered across his lips.

But the smirk was immediately erased, replaced by his usual air of languid ease. After all, that was a distant future. He only needed to remember this enmity. Living every day with hatred constantly on his tongue was tiring and unnatural. He should return to his normal self. Perhaps this way, he might even lull Sima Changbai’s vigilance. (So late with the update; unavoidable, as this chapter generated over two thousand words of discarded drafts after several revisions.)