Besides the six grappling in the center, six others stood observing, watching Li Zongheng and Song Wenbin with cold eyes. The man leading them was tall, with a round, fair, and plump face, standing out in the crowd like a crane among chickens, his eyes currently glinting with cold light.
Li Muzhan frowned; he had never seen this disciple before. Although Li Muzhan had entered the Inner Sect and been immediately promoted to a direct disciple, he was still unfamiliar with most Inner Sect members.
Upon entering, he went straight into seclusion for cultivation, which resulted in a mishap—he caused a great disturbance in the Boundless Hall, inviting serious trouble. He had been recuperating under Wen Yinyue's care.
After recovering, he was punished by having to sweep the steps, which meant he had no contact with the other Inner Sect disciples. Furthermore, being ordered to sweep steps was the most humiliating task.
He was entirely focused on practicing the Ruthless Sleeve, uninterested in mingling. Those who might have approached him knew of his prowess and dared not draw near.
Consequently, on Mount Canghai, he had few friends and remained a stranger to the Inner Sect disciples. Li Zongheng and Song Wenbin stood back-to-back.
One had fists like vinegar jars, the other like iron hammers; every blow they landed made their opponents wince with pain. Their eyes were wide open as they fought desperately, neither dodging nor evading, focused solely on beating down one opponent, taking blows themselves while delivering them.
The result was both pairs ended up bruised and battered, neither side gaining an advantage. The tall, stout youth watched coldly from the side without moving, but the five behind him were restless.
One youth muttered quietly, "Brother Zhao, let's all go at once!" Another chimed in, "Brother Zhao, I'll fetch the sticks!" The tall youth turned and glared at the speaker, "Nonsense! ...
When fellow disciples fight, weapons are forbidden, and so are lethal moves or martial arts—haven't you learned that?!" The speaker, about eighteen or nineteen, had peculiar features: a pointed mouth, monkey cheeks, a sallow complexion, downward-slanting eyebrows, beady eyes, and a pair of bushy side-whiskers, giving him an indescribably sleazy and repulsive look. His bean-like eyes shot out a cold gleam as he stroked his side-whiskers and chuckled, "There are no others around.
We kill them, toss them in the river, and who would know?" "Shut up!" The tall youth frowned, his face darkening. He said coldly, "They aren't mortal enemies; how can we resort to such cruel measures so easily?!
... Besides, the Sect Rules are merciless; if we kill them, we won't survive either!" "...Yes, I spoke rashly.
Brother Zhao remains calm and far-sighted!" The beady-eyed youth lowered his head, but a cold glint flickered in his eyes. Li Muzhan stood above, the gentle breeze carrying the faint sounds of their conversation to him.
He heard every word clearly and looked at the youth with a frown. His Divine Eyes were like lightning, piercing through the void to strike into the young man's eyes.
The beady-eyed youth felt it and immediately turned his head, spotting Li Muzhan on the distant steps. He cried out in shock, "Why is he here?
This is bad!" The tall youth turned to look, saw Li Muzhan, narrowed his eyes, and sneered, "Good timing!" The remaining four turned, saw Li Muzhan, and their expressions shifted. Li Muzhan descended slowly, one step at a time, his wide monastic robes billowing gracefully.
Most disciples of the Canghai Sword Sect wore fitted training gear—men in dark blue, women in black. Only Abbess Zhuzhao and Mistress Zhumei wore robes like his.
Zhanran’s name had long stirred the Canghai Sword Sect. A reputation precedes a man; despite the gag order, word inevitably slipped out unintentionally.
Once a hint escaped, it was passed around and reinforced, only emphasizing the fact that Zhanran's martial arts were unmatched in the world, truly making him the sect's foremost master. Most had never witnessed Li Muzhan display his might, but hearing others say it, they felt a degree of belief mixed with curiosity.
Now, seeing him in person, even from such a distance, the others still felt a wave of power wash over them, like a mountain bearing down, making their knees weak. Li Muzhan walked step by step.
Li Zongheng and Song Wenbin were still fiercely engaged, looking like children fighting, having abandoned technique for pure brute force punching. He strolled leisurely, step by step, and finally reached the group.
The tall youth stepped forward, clasped his hands, and smiled politely, "Junior Brother Zhanran, long time no see. How have you been lately?" Li Muzhan nodded, returned the salute with palms pressed together, and said flatly, "Senior Brothers, Junior Brother Li, what offense has Junior Brother Song committed to warrant being ganged up on by you all?" His tone was indifferent, his words direct, carrying an undercurrent of gunpowder.
The tall youth chuckled, "Nothing much, just teaching a couple of newcomers a lesson so they know the rules and don't get too presumptuous." Li Muzhan laughed, stroking the beard on his chin, "Rules? ...
Besides the Sect Rules, are there other rules? I'm unaware.
Perhaps you Senior Brothers could enlighten me!" "Junior Brother Zhanran jokes," the tall youth smiled. He wasn't overly concerned.
Fellow disciples couldn't use deadly force, and moreover, there was the Sect Leader's Yin-Yang Creation Art; even a severe injury wouldn't prove fatal. Confident due to this safety net, he felt no need to worry excessively about senior peers who were masters.
Although Li Muzhan's legendary high martial skill was likely not baseless rumor, he was currently being punished and surely wouldn't dare to fight again, so the youth felt no fear. Li Muzhan pointed toward the fighters, "Senior Brother Zhao, perhaps you should ask them to stop." Senior Brother Zhao shook his head, "No rush, no rush.
Let them fight until one is subdued first; a light punishment won't teach them to remember." Li Muzhan let out a soft laugh, shook his head, stomped his foot, and instantly vanished, reappearing between Li Zongheng and Song Wenbin. He flicked his right sleeve.
"Bang! Bang!
Bang! Bang!" Four figures flew backward, slamming heavily onto the stone steps below, then lay motionless, silent.
"You—?" Senior Brother Zhao started, pointing at him with wide eyes. The other five hurried over to help the four up, examining their injuries with solemn faces, looking as if facing a formidable enemy.
Li Zongheng and Song Wenbin leaned against each other, gasping heavily. Their blue robes were soaked, their hair disheveled, and their faces swollen; they looked utterly wretched.
After two deep breaths, Li Zongheng straightened up and boomed, "Zhanran, what are you doing here? You only cause trouble!
I was nearly done beating them down!" Li Muzhan smiled, "Are you Li Zongheng?" Li Zongheng snorted, "Nonsense! Have you gone into cultivation deviation again and can't recognize me?" Li Muzhan laughed heartily, shaking his head repeatedly, "Don't blame me!
Don't blame me! Senior Brother Song, look at him; can you excuse him now?" Song Wenbin grinned wryly, "Looking like that, he’s certainly changed." Li Zongheng glared at him, "You aren't much better yourself.
Our Boss doesn't even rank second!" Seeing Li Muzhan chatting and joking easily with the two, completely ignoring him, the tall youth’s face darkened as he stared fixedly. Soon, the sleazy youth ran over and whispered something in his ear.
The tall youth frowned deeply, glared angrily at him, and grunted, "Shut up! Always coming up with terrible ideas!" The sleazy youth shook his head, sighed, and then looked at Li Muzhan, murmuring, "Brother Zhao, if you don't kill the snake, it will strike back!" The tall youth waved him off impatiently, "Why do you always think of such venomous plots?!
... Fine for outsiders, but using them against our own people is inviting death!" "Brother Zhao..." The sleazy youth looked unconvinced.
"Enough!" The tall youth waved his hand and huffed, "...You are simply short-sighted! ...
Do you think with your meager skills you can pull off something completely unseen, something that can fool the Sect Leader?!" "How will we know if we don't try?" the sleazy youth countered. The tall youth waved dismissively, "No need to try!
... Your methods are all low-class, beneath notice, and have limited use!" Li Muzhan turned and looked over, watching the argument with a slight smile.
He laughed, "This Senior Brother is truly ruthless, possessing not a shred of fellow-feeling. I advise Senior Brother Zhao to keep your distance from him!" The tall youth’s face darkened, and he said coldly, "Junior Brother Zhanran need not concern himself!" The beady-eyed youth’s eyes flashed with cold light, and he sneered, "If Brother Zhao had followed my plan, these two would already be dead and buried, how could they be so arrogant now?!" Li Muzhan frowned at him, then suddenly asked, "How did you even enter our Canghai Sword Sect?" The sleazy youth sneered, giving Li Muzhan a look of disdain, "That's none of your business.
I won't tell you!" Li Muzhan shook his head, "I merely rendered those four unconscious; they’ll wake up soon. But you intended to use the opportunity to kill them and frame me...
Alas, such malice is truly vicious!" The sleazy youth’s expression shifted, then he smirked coldly, "It’s you who is vicious for even conceiving of such a possibility!" The others turned to look, glancing first at the sleazy youth, then at Li Muzhan. Li Muzhan smiled and pressed his palms together, "A man of the cloth does not lie.
Whether what I said is true or false, Senior Brother Zhao must surely know. Why not ask him?" Everyone turned to the tall youth.
He shifted uncomfortably, coughed lightly, and turned his head away, avoiding eye contact, stating sternly, "Junior Brother Zhanran, have you decided to make this an enduring feud?" Li Muzhan smiled, "Senior Brother Zhao overstates the case. This isn't starting a feud; it's upholding justice!
... Ten against two—is this the quality of our Canghai Sword Sect Inner Disciples?
I truly cannot abide it!" The fair complexion of the tall youth flushed slightly, and he huffed, "Does Junior Brother Zhanran wish to spar?" Li Muzhan laughed heartily, suddenly sweeping his sleeve. The six men before him abruptly lifted into the air, soaring high before crashing down heavily, striking the stone steps below like stones.
Upon landing, they immediately lost consciousness. Li Zongheng watched them fly away, then slowly turned his head and shouted loudly, "Zhanran, you interfered again!" Li Muzhan laughed, "Do you want to take revenge yourself?
... Practice for a few more years first!" Li Zongheng called out in defiance, "Nonsense!
... With our skills, give us a year, and we'll surely flatten them!" Song Wenbin tugged his sleeve and sighed, "Forget it.
The fight is over; what's the use of talking about it now!" Li Zongheng snorted, "These guys are pure bullies! ...
Despicable and shameless. Having such fellow disciples is a disgrace to the Sect!" Song Wenbin nodded in deep agreement.
Li Muzhan surveyed the ten men below, deep in thought. Seeing this, Li Zongheng wiped the smirk from his mouth and huffed, "Zhanran, are you plotting something wicked again?" Song Wenbin followed Li Muzhan's gaze and said, "Zhanran, this man is Fang Zizhou, notorious as a dog-headed strategist—insidious and cunning.
Getting entangled with him is trouble." Li Muzhan nodded, frowned in thought, and stepped forward, lightly tapping his toe. "Zhanran, what are you—?" Song Wenbin exclaimed in alarm.
"Making a fuss over nothing!" Li Zongheng glared at him impatiently and snorted, "Can't you see? Zhanran is hatching some mischief and intends to cripple this brat!" "Really...?" Song Wenbin looked at Li Muzhan, startled.
Li Muzhan nodded, "Yes. For someone like this, resolving grudges is impossible.
It’s better to strike first." Song Wenbin hastily interjected, "But the Sect Rules are strict. If the Sect Leader finds out about this, Zhanran, you will be in great danger.
It's not worth it!" Li Muzhan smiled, "It’s nothing. I'll do it so subtly that even ghosts and gods won't notice." Song Wenbin breathed a sigh of relief, "Others won't be able to tell, right?" Li Muzhan smiled and nodded, "Rest assured, nothing will happen." The next morning, Li Muzhan went to the Boundless Hall with his broom.
Abbess Zhuzhao was sitting on her meditation cushion, her pretty face set in a stern glare at him. Li Muzhan paused, then smiled, "Master, what is wrong?" Abbess Zhuzhao huffed, "You got into a fight again yesterday?" Li Muzhan raised an eyebrow and nodded, "Yes.
Yesterday, some fellows were bullying my friends, and I couldn't stand by, so I intervened." Abbess Zhuzhao said, "Those men were badly injured, and they have already complained to me!" Li Muzhan chuckled and shook his head. Abbess Zhuzhao shook her head, "Zhanran, a nation has laws, a family has rules, and a sect has its own regulations.
Injuring people like that is not good." Li Muzhan smiled, "Master, what is my punishment?" "Add another year," Abbess Zhuzhao said with a slight smile. Li Muzhan offered a wry smile and shook his head, "Master, it seems I have no hope of being allowed down the mountain soon." Abbess Zhuzhao giggled, "I know you were in the right, but the Sect Rules cannot be violated.
Just bear with the slight injustice!" Li Muzhan nodded and sighed, "Alright then... Master, how badly hurt were they, exactly?" Abbess Zhuzhao pursed her lips and smiled, "Arms broken...
That little Fang really struck hard, didn't he." Li Muzhan mused for a moment, "With someone like that in the sect, why do you keep him around, Master? Aren't you afraid he might turn on you one day?" Abbess Zhuzhao shook her head, "His character is indeed poor, but he has not violated the Sect Rules, so I cannot deal with him arbitrarily." Li Muzhan nodded slowly, turned, and took his leave.
He chuckled inwardly. Dogs truly cannot change their nature.
His heavy-handed action had been correct; Fang Zizhou would soon suffer a cultivation deviation, barring any major surprises. His intuition told him that Fang Zizhou was dangerous—though perhaps not strong in martial arts, his dark-hearted ruthlessness made him unpredictable.
Since he had made an enemy, he had to be eliminated. However, Li Muzhan didn't wish to kill him directly; he preferred to let him perish by his own actions.