As soon as they entered the house, Jiang Lanzhi couldn't help but ask, "What is it, being so secretive?"

Li Muzhan beckoned, and Jiang Lanzhi shot him a look before leaning close. Their breaths mingled, a faint fragrance swirling near his nose.

Li Muzhan leaned in close to her jade-like ear and murmured, "Don't tell Junior Sister Wang about this."

"Hm—?" Jiang Lanzhi turned to look at him, quickly stepping back a pace, two patches of red rising on her cheeks. She forced a look of casualness and asked, "What is it, exactly?"

Li Muzhan lowered his voice, "This Miss Zuo, something isn't right."

"Not right?" Jiang Lanzhi looked puzzled, tilting her head. "Do you mean she lied?"

Li Muzhan nodded. "If I'm not mistaken, this is a ruse to injure oneself for the sake of injuring the enemy... And those people probably aren't from Heavenly King Stockade, and she's not some solitary, helpless woman either."

"They're working together?" Jiang Lanzhi's bright eyes widened.

Li Muzhan quickly raised a finger to his lips, hushing her.

Jiang Lanzhi immediately lowered her voice, urgently saying, "We can't stop now, she doesn't look like a bad person!"

Li Muzhan smiled faintly and shook his head.

Jiang Lanzhi quickly whispered, "How did you see that?"

Li Muzhan shook his head and smiled. "That's all I'm saying. Whether you believe it or not is up to you... Remember, don't tell Junior Sister Wang."

"Why not tell Junior Sister Wang?" Jiang Lanzhi asked, confused.

Li Muzhan laughed. "Junior Sister Wang is too guileless. Once she knows, she'll certainly let something slip, and that Miss Zuo will notice... Alas, she looks pitiful, but she's a formidable character. If she sold you out, you and Junior Sister Wang would probably still help her count the money!"

"Nonsense, we aren't that foolish!" Jiang Lanzhi gave him a look.

Li Muzhan chuckled. "Then can you see through it?... What if she does something detrimental to your sect? Wouldn't you become a sinner without even realizing it?"

Jiang Lanzhi snorted. "She's just a weak woman, why would she be detrimental to us?... You must be making things up!"

"Your Sacred Snow Peak is quite popular in the vicinity, aren't you?" Li Muzhan asked with a smile.

Jiang Lanzhi puffed out her chest slightly and nodded proudly. "Naturally!"

Li Muzhan asked, "Do you have enemies?"

Jiang Lanzhi shook her head.

Li Muzhan then asked, "The horse-robbing bandits plaguing the grasslands, you must have dealt with them quite severely, right?"

Jiang Lanzhi broke into a smile. "There are no bandits around Sacred Snow Peak. Even those who become outlaws behave themselves and dare not do evil!"

"Isn't that the point?" Li Muzhan smiled. "To block someone's source of income is an unforgivable feud!... You've offended these people and incurred widespread anger; how can they be reconciled?"

"Them?... Just a bunch of weaklings, easily crushed!" Jiang Lanzhi said dismissively.

"Even a rabbit will bite when cornered!" Li Muzhan shook his head and waved his hand. "...Alright, whether you believe it or not, go tell Sect Leader Li, let her decide... And don't let Miss Zuo see any hint of this!"

"...Alright then!" Jiang Lanzhi hesitated for a moment, slowly nodding, and withdrew from the room.

The moment she stepped out, Wang Tingyan hurried over, playfully complaining, "Senior Sister Jiang, what did he say to you? So secretive!"

Jiang Lanzhi pursed her lips and smiled. "He was saying bad things about you!"

"Good! I guessed right, Senior Brother Li is not a good person!" Wang Tingyan gave the departing Li Muzhan a fierce look, pouting charmingly.

Li Muzhan stroked the small mustache on his lip and let out a soft laugh.

Jiang Lanzhi left the small courtyard and headed straight west, exiting the hermitage area, following the lake north, crossing the training ground, and stopping before the central edifice.

The eaves were carved intricately, delicate and exquisite; this three-story pavilion possessed the style of Central Plains architecture. Above the main hall hung a plaque inscribed with three large characters: "South Dipper Hall."

On either side of the hall entrance stood a young woman, both clad in emerald green silks, their figures graceful. One had a round face, the other an oval one; both possessed a tranquil aura, their eyes flickering with curiosity as to why Jiang Lanzhi had paused.

Jiang Lanzhi thought for a moment, gritted her teeth, and approached. "Junior Sister Feng, I wish to see the Sect Leader."

"Very well, I will check for you," the round-faced maiden said with a smile, turning and entering the hall. She quickly returned. "The Sect Leader bids Senior Sister to enter."

Jiang Lanzhi took a deep breath and stepped into the hall. As soon as she entered, her vision was flooded with light, several degrees brighter than outside.

Seated within the radiance was a beautiful woman, dignified and lovely, smiling warmly as she looked at her.

"Greetings, Sect Leader!" Jiang Lanzhi knelt on the thick, soft carpet.

A gentle voice sounded, "Rise, come and sit here."

Jiang Lanzhi stood up. Now that her eyes had adjusted to the light, Li Yunqing, clad in a flowing white robe that veiled her exquisite form, was seated cross-legged on a low couch, a scroll resting beside her, her demeanor languid.

The windows were large panes of stained glass, stretching from top to bottom, making the room feel almost like a crystal chamber, concentrating the light to make it brighter than the outside.

The air held the subtle scent of sandalwood, and Jiang Lanzhi's mind gradually settled as she sat upon a bright yellow embroidered stool.

Li Yunqing smiled slightly. "Lanzhi, tell me. Why such a sudden visit? What has happened?"

"Yes, Sect Leader..." Jiang Lanzhi recounted her descent down the mountain and then relayed Li Muzhan's words, expressing suspicion about Zuo Jingjing's intentions.

"Mmm..." Li Yunqing nodded softly, deep in thought.

After a moment, she looked up with a gentle smile. "Lanzhi, did you notice anything unusual?"

Jiang Lanzhi hesitated, then shook her head. "Disciple feels that Sister Zuo is not a bad person; it shouldn't be... Sect Leader, could Senior Brother Li be overly suspicious?"

"Or perhaps, is he doing this deliberately?" Li Yunqing tapped her palm lightly with the scroll, her smile holding a deeper meaning.

"...No way, right?" Jiang Lanzhi started, then quickly shook her head. "Although Senior Brother Li can be a bit careless, his heart is clear; he is not a bad person."

Li Yunqing reached out and tapped her head lightly with the scroll. "You little girl, you don't know the treacherousness of the human heart; you see everyone as a good person!"

Jiang Lanzhi ducked her head, stuck out her tongue, and smiled sheepishly.

"Very well, for now, just listen to Zhanran," Li Yunqing said with a smile.

"Sect Leader...?" Jiang Lanzhi looked somewhat bewildered.

Li Yunqing chuckled playfully. "Zhanran, that little fellow, is quite something! Zhanran, the monk of the twin swords, is a renowned talent in the Central Plains!"

Li Yunqing called out loudly, "Xiao Nan, go call Yujiao over!"

"Yes, Sect Leader!" A crisp young woman's voice came from outside the door, and the sound of footsteps gradually receded.

In a short while, a graceful woman drifted in, wearing a moon-white silk gown complemented by a face as white as jade. She seemed untouched by the dust of the mortal world.

With an oval face, curved brows, and a delicate nose, her features were soft and beautiful, bearing a slight resemblance to Li Yunqing. She was Li Yujiao, the most senior disciple of Sacred Snow Peak.

Jiang Lanzhi rose to pay her respects, her expression showing deep reverence.

Li Yujiao waved a hand, bowed to Li Yunqing, and asked, "Mother, what is it?"

Li Yunqing said, "Lanzhi rescued someone at the foot of the mountain; she is injured. Go take a look."

"Yes." Li Yujiao nodded. Without another word, she left the hall with Jiang Lanzhi.

As they crossed the training ground, the women practicing there nodded slightly, their expressions full of respect; they seemed even more popular than Li Yunqing.

Li Yujiao pretended not to notice, drifting gracefully across the training ground, heading south along the lake, and then casually inquired, "Junior Sister Jiang, what do you think of this Zhanran?"

Jiang Lanzhi quickly replied, "Senior Sister, Senior Brother Li's temper is a bit strange, but he is not a bad person."

Li Yujiao nodded in acknowledgment.

Jiang Lanzhi hesitated, glanced at her, and whispered, "Senior Sister, Senior Brother Li's cultivation is astonishing..."

Li Yujiao gave an "Mm" sound. "His cultivation is not shallow; I met him once at the foot of the mountain."

Jiang Lanzhi let out a breath of relief and immediately clamped her mouth shut. Her interaction with Li Muzhan earlier was intended to gauge his true ability for Senior Sister's reference.

But after half a day, she had developed a strong good feeling towards Li Muzhan, finding him a good person. When speaking to her Senior Sister, she only mentioned his high cultivation, unwilling to elaborate further.

The two soon arrived at the small courtyard east of Li Muzhan. Zuo Jingjing, dressed in a fiery red silk gown and appearing delicate, was pacing in the courtyard. Li Yujiao examined her injuries, asked about her ordeal, offered some words of comfort, and then left, returning to the South Dipper Hall.

Li Yunqing put down her book and asked lightly, "Yujiao, how is she?"

Li Yujiao sat on the couch, next to her, and shook her head. "It's superficial flesh wound; she'll be fine with a few days of rest."

"You know the whole story, then?" Li Yunqing inquired.

Li Yujiao picked up the book, read a few lines, and nodded. "Yes, she's an unfortunate soul. It's best to keep her; I see her aptitude is quite good."

Li Yunqing raised an eyebrow slightly. "Did you notice anything else?"

"Anything else?" Li Yujiao looked up.

Li Yunqing said, "Is this woman no trouble? Could she have ulterior motives...?"

Li Yujiao paused, put down the book, and pondered thoughtfully, her eyes shifting.

Li Yunqing shook her head. "Zhanran said this woman is problematic, possibly harboring ill intent... Didn't you notice?"

Li Yujiao thought for a moment and shook her head. "I couldn't tell."

"It seems you are not as sharp as Zhanran," Li Yunqing said with a playful smile.

Li Yujiao smiled, unconcerned.

Li Yunqing laughed. "Yujiao, don't think that just because your martial arts are strong, you can dismiss Zhanran. Be careful not to capsize in a shallow ditch!"

Li Yujiao said calmly, "Yes, Mother, rest assured, I will be careful!"

"You..." Li Yunqing shook her head and snorted. "This time, I think the Wang family is determined to reclaim the Nine Revolutions Marrow Cleansing Sutra. They even managed to invite someone from the Boundless Sea Sword Sect. The Boundless Sea Sword Sect is also strange; Wen Yinyue didn't come. Could it be that he can defeat Wen Yinyue?"

"He is no match for Wen Yinyue!" Li Yujiao shook her head lightly.

"Indeed, a genius like Wen Yinyue appears once in a century," Li Yunqing nodded and smiled. "Keep an eye on that woman secretly, just in case, and don't let anyone else know."

"...Understood." Li Yujiao nodded.

Although she didn't put much stock in it, caution was prudent. She was also secretly resentful—could Zhanran truly be stronger than her?

Her natural talent was exceptional; she appeared delicate and lovely, with a gentle disposition, yet deep down she was arrogant, holding Li Muzhan in no regard whatsoever. When Li Yunqing suggested she was inferior to Li Muzhan, while Li Yujiao seemed indifferent, she was secretly annoyed.

PS: Many thanks to all the patrons for your votes and rewards. V