The Nangong brothers' resolve set the tone for the future of their descendants; this encirclement of the Demonic Cult was a trial for these younger generations, a threshold to cross. Pass it, and they would transform like dragons; fail...

The group tacitly avoided discussing the possibility of failure, focusing instead on Nangong Zixin's situation. The eldest daughter of the Nangong family would certainly not remain quietly at home or at the Shu Shan Sect. A suitable plan was needed to manage her.

Ye Wen pondered for a moment, finally suggesting a cunning tactic: "Seal her cultivation, keep her under constant watch, and only restore her powers after we've put out to sea!"

Nangong Wentian considered it and found nothing wrong with the idea; after all, he too was reluctant for his daughter to engage in such dangerous affairs. Nangong Zixin was different from Nangong Feng; Nangong Feng was destined to inherit the headship of the Nangong lineage, a position requiring him to weather many storms before being fit to assume it.

Nangong Zixin needed none of that; merely living happily was enough for her. The only thing worrying Nangong Wentian was that his daughter seemed to have taken a liking to a senior disciple from the same sect, and that Xu Ping was highly likely to join the expedition with the righteous faction's heroes...

"That Xu Ping from your esteemed sect..." Xu Ping's name had become quite famous over the past two years; he was a rising talent. It was natural that the Shu Shan Sect would utilize such a capable figure. Nangong Wentian's question was almost rhetorical, as he already held the answer in his heart.

"Xu Ping will be going too!" Ye Wen's reply was entirely within Nangong Wentian's expectations. However, Ye Wen immediately added, "Xu Ping's martial arts are respectable; ordinary people shouldn't be able to harm him!" He silently added another thought: "As long as Xu Ping isn't targeted and ambushed by one of the Demonic Cult's top masters, he should be fine!"

Ye Wen judged this possibility to be low. Fights in the martial world customarily pitted expert against expert; bullying lesser foes often drew ridicule. While he wasn't certain if an organization aiming for dominion over the world, like the Demonic Cult, shared this custom, as long as their own experts kept a close watch, it should prevent the enemy's elites from comfortably ambushing their disciples.

Furthermore, Ye Wen’s sword energy was extremely swift; given a brief moment to react, he could save his disciple. Xu Ping’s skills weren't poor either; holding off an opponent for two or three seconds should pose no issue... hopefully...

After chatting with the Nangong brothers for a while longer, Nangong Huang and Nangong Zixin escorted their father away, exchanging further private instructions. Niu Wen, meanwhile, meticulously contemplated the campaign planned for the following spring.

"Will it succeed?"

The Nangong brothers were already renowned figures in the martial world, having navigated its currents far longer than Ye Wen. They saw the intricacies between the major righteous factions more clearly, which was precisely why they worried for their son and daughter.

Compared to these two, the head of the Ximen family seemed unconcerned, preoccupied with flirting with Yan Ni in the North City. Ye Wen couldn't tell if he was simply thick-skinned or truly confident.

Raising his teacup to take a sip, he realized it was empty. The tea had been drunk completely during their discussion without him even noticing. Perhaps it was because Huayi was usually at his side, ensuring the cup was refilled before it ever ran dry, that he had become so oblivious.

"Huayi! Huayi? Where did you run off to?"

Holding the cup and looking around, he called out twice but saw no one. Just as he was about to start searching, Huayi floated in, carrying a water pitcher. "My lord called for this servant?" Glancing at the empty teacup in Ye Wen's hand, she immediately understood and began refilling it, smiling: "My lord, didn't I just place a pot of tea right here?"

Ye Wen turned his head and finally noticed the full teapot sitting right beside him. He had grown so accustomed to Huayi's constant attendance that he hadn't even registered the pot, waiting instead for her to pour for him. "Corrupt! Utterly corrupt! I never thought this pauper from eight generations of poor farmers would experience such decadence!"

Awkwardly rubbing his nose, Ye Wen pretended not to have noticed and instead asked, "Where did you go?"

Huayi raised the pitcher in her hand. "This servant went to boil water, my lord!"

"Boil water for what?"

Huayi let out a delicate laugh. "Seeing as my lord has been busy all day, this servant was preparing some hot water for your bath!"

The accommodations provided by the Zen Sect for all factions were indeed fully equipped. Each room featured a private bathing area, and every courtyard had a dedicated space for heating water, supplied abundantly with fresh water—truly convenient.

While the Nangong brothers had been speaking with Ye Wen, Huayi had indeed gone to fetch water, although Guo Jing was actually the one boiling it; Huayi was merely overseeing.

"A bath?"

Ye Wen considered it. He had been running around half the night before, collapsed into sleep upon returning without tidying up, and had been busy with courtesies since early morning. A hot bath now sounded excellent, so he nodded: "Mmm, excellent idea!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Huayi rolled up both her sleeves.

"What are you doing?"

"This servant will help my lord undress!" Huayi blinked, her face innocent.

Ye Wen waved his hand. "No need, I'll manage myself!" Having Huayi help him undress was usually a delightful prospect, but he couldn't indulge in that luxury right now. If his junior sister saw, she would surely chase him down, spewing sword energy everywhere.

"In the future, I'll have Huayi scrub my back while bathing alongside my junior sister! What more could life offer?"

Soaking in the tub, Ye Wen relaxed his body while his thoughts wandered.

Meanwhile, in a small town not far from Ten Thousand Buddhas Mountain where the Zen Sect was located, several low-ranking members of the Azure Dragon Society were gathered in a privately booked inn, chatting amongst themselves. "Everything I'm telling you, I saw with my own eyes! Don't spread this around, or my life will be forfeit."

"Heh! Maybe you were half-asleep, kid? Impossible! Second Young Master? And looking like that... I say, perhaps you have some unusual hobbies?"

"Pah! I'm a proper man, I only like young women!" Even though the Second Young Master looked like a girl, that's not my taste." ... But that night, I genuinely thought I saw some young lady who had wandered into the wrong room!" Recalling the sight from that night, he suddenly became dazed; the image was unforgettable.

"Heh! Heh heh! Snap out of it! Look at you, and you claim you're not into it! If what you say is true, the Second Young Master must have sneaked out for some illicit rendezvous? And judging by his appearance, he was probably the one underneath!"

The first man pondered again. "Heh heh, let me tell you this..." The Second Young Master was limping when he returned. This morning, I thought I was still dreaming, but I specifically went to that spot to check again. Guess what I saw?"

"What?"

"A few drops of fresh blood on the ground!"

"Aiyo, you're becoming more outrageous!"

As the men talked, they chuckled lewdly, their minds perhaps dwelling on suggestive images. They failed to notice a shadow standing in the darkness, face cold as frost. The more they talked, the angrier the shadow became. When their laughter tapered off into strained sounds, the figure stepped out. Before the servants could react, a palm struck the top of each of their heads.

This person was Dongfang Sheng. He stared blankly at the gossiping servants whom he had just struck down with a single palm. Ignoring the blood staining his hand, he spat: "A few ignorant servants... daring to gossip!"

Before he could finish speaking, Dongfang Yi happened to pass by. Seeing the scene, he was immediately startled. "Sheng'er, what are you doing?"

Startled by his father's questioning, Dongfang Sheng turned. Dongfang Yi felt a sudden jolt upon seeing his son's cold gaze and instinctively shrank back, his voice weakening slightly: "What exactly are you doing?"

"Just teaching a lesson to a few servants who don't know their place!" He then turned to his personal maid, who was trembling violently nearby and dared not move, and commanded: "Help me back to my room..." The sudden exertion of his internal energy had reopened the wound on his calf, causing excruciating pain that made walking difficult.

The maid had been so terrified by Dongfang Sheng's actions that she froze upon hearing his command, trembling relentlessly. Only when Dongfang Sheng snarled again, "Can't you hear your young master speaking?" did she snap back to reality. She quickly went to Dongfang Sheng's side and began supporting him slowly toward his room. As she drew close, the maid caught a faint scent of a woman’s fragrance and was mildly surprised. As his personal attendant, she knew her young master hadn't been intimate with any lady today, and this scent wasn't from her own perfumes.

She then recalled the whispers she had overheard in the dark, and with a flash of suspicion, she secretly glanced at Dongfang Sheng's face, thinking: Could Young Master really have that kind of...

But as soon as she looked up, she met Dongfang Sheng's cold stare. Their gazes locked, and Dongfang Sheng asked, "What are you thinking about?"

This question nearly brought the maid to tears. She immediately lowered her head, said nothing, and continued supporting Dongfang Sheng toward the room. As they walked, she trembled so violently that it was hard to tell who was supporting whom.

Dongfang Yi watched from behind as his second son disappeared into his room, foregoing even the question of his injury. He then glanced at the corpses on the ground, and a chill ran through him: "Was forcing Sheng'er to practice the Phoenix Nirvana Coil truly a mistake?"

He couldn't find the answer to this question now. But these few servants, who had died for speaking carelessly, needed careful handling. If outsiders learned his son had arbitrarily killed servants, the reputation of the Dongfang family would plummet. How could they then aspire to lead the martial arts world? They'd be lucky not to be branded as members of an evil sect.

"Bury these people properly. If they have families, send them silver and make sure they are well appeased!"

The few Azure Dragon Society disciples behind him bowed in assent, but the thought that their comrades died merely for a few misplaced words made them increasingly terrified of their increasingly erratic Second Young Master.

Back in his room, Dongfang Sheng sat on the edge of his bed, looking at the maid standing before him. He saw her shaking uncontrollably, her head bowed low, as if afraid to be seen.

Dongfang Sheng watched her for a moment, then suddenly spoke, "You fear me?"

The maid frantically shook her head, trembling as she managed to say, "No... it's not... this servant does not... dare!"

This maid was Dongfang Sheng's personal attendant, slightly older than him. She had been with him since she was very young, serving him constantly, making her one of the closest people to him. Had he not practiced this particular technique, he might have already taken her as a concubine. Yet now, she was terrified of him to this extent.

"If you don't fear me, why are you shaking so much?"

At these words, the maid suddenly dropped to her knees. "Young Master, please don't kill me... This servant didn't mean to lie." As she spoke, she began to cry. Dongfang Sheng's changes over the years, coupled with the scene just moments ago, had shattered her composure, and she could barely speak coherently.

Dongfang Sheng looked at this servant who was once closest to him, now acting this way. He saw the look in her eyes—terror, fear, surprise, and even a hint of disgust. The words spoken by those servants had clearly planted doubt in the mind of his closest attendant. In that moment, feeling that the world was vast yet offered him no place to belong, sorrow overwhelmed her, and tears filled her eyes. He roared, "You say I will kill you? Then I shall kill you!"

The words were out before the maid could react, but then she felt a shock to her head, a spout of blood erupted from her mouth, and she knew nothing more.

Dongfang Sheng, whose face had been ashen white, was now splattered with blood. His palm remained outstretched from the blow. He stared blankly at the maid bleeding from all seven orifices, her face frozen in terror even in death. After a moment, Dongfang Sheng roared, "What right do you have to despise me, you lowly slave!"

With that, he kicked out, sending the maid's corpse flying. It smashed through the window and landed in the courtyard below. The Azure Dragon Society disciples who were cleaning up the other bodies were struck by the sudden projectile, tumbling into a clumsy heap. When they managed to stand up, they saw Dongfang Sheng, covered head to toe in blood, standing before the shattered window, shouting, "Dispose of this slut's body as well!"

Then he turned away from the window and, to their astonishment, immediately went to his couch to rest, completely ignoring the blood staining his clothes. Seeing this, the disciples exchanged glances and involuntarily shivered before bowing their heads to resume their work. "We saw nothing. We say nothing of today's events!"

Ye Wen had floated into a sleepy haze while soaking in the warm water. He vaguely heard a splashing sound, opened his eyes, and saw Huayi pouring hot water from a wooden bucket into the large tub.

Seeing Ye Wen awake, she smiled. "My lord is awake?"

Ye Wen looked around sleepily. "What time is it now?"

"It's past noon, well into the dinner hour!"

Ye Wen was astonished. "I slept that long!" As he spoke, he noticed the water was still pleasantly warm. Looking at the wooden bucket in Huayi's hand, he realized she had been continuously replacing the water for him.

Thinking of this, he suddenly muttered, "Oh dear, doesn't that mean I was seen completely naked?"

Huayi noticed his expression change and guessed what he was thinking. Her own face flushed slightly, but she acted nonchalant, asking, "Is my lord finished bathing?"

Ye Wen immediately replied, "Finished! Any longer and I'd swell up!"

"Swell up?" Huayi tilted her head, not understanding that prolonged soaking caused edema. Seeing Ye Wen jump out of the wooden tub, she immediately handed him the towel for drying. "Shall this servant help dry my lord?"

Ye Wen considered it. Since he'd been seen anyway, this was hardly an issue. He grandly opened his arms and emitted a muffled "Mm!" through his nose, then felt Huayi's small hands gently glide over his body through the towel. Especially when she bent down, Ye Wen felt a certain part of him threatening to rise.

"Contain yourself!"

Secretly circulating the Innate Purple Qi, he forcibly suppressed the unruly heat and then enjoyed Huayi's ministrations with composed grace. After dressing, he glanced at Huayi, whose face was entirely red, and felt his own performance had been quite commendable. Smugly, he secretly teased, "Do it like this next time too!"

Feeling refreshed after his bath, Ye Wen emerged from his room and bumped into Liu Muyan walking in. Seeing his Master appear, Liu Muyan immediately bowed respectfully. "Master!"

"Hmm? Muyan, you're still here!" Ye Wen was slightly surprised to see his fourth disciple. He had assumed this apprentice had already returned to the capital with the Emperor.

Liu Muyan smiled. "Yes, Master, but I'll be returning to the capital in a few days!"

"So, you came to say goodbye today?"

As they spoke, Huayi emerged from the room, her face still slightly flushed. Liu Muyan paused upon seeing her but immediately acted as if he noticed nothing, replying: "Lord Wei wishes to invite Master to a banquet, primarily to discuss the Way of Calligraphy and Painting!"

"Oh!" Ye Wen had suspected the Emperor hadn't left since Liu Muyan was still here, but he hadn't expected the Emperor himself wanted an audience. He instructed Huayi beside him: "It seems I won't be back for dinner tonight. You two manage as you see fit! Also, start packing; it's time for us to depart!"

Huayi’s mind was still caught up in the shocking images from moments ago. She only managed a dazed assent: "Yes, my lord!" She was clearly distracted, a fact even Liu Muyan noticed. However, he interpreted it differently, thinking to himself: Master is truly extraordinary! He lowered his head even further, as if something fascinating lay on the floor at his feet.

This state persisted until they left the courtyard allocated to the Shu Shan Sect. It was only when Ye Wen said, "Is there something interesting on the ground? Or have you become so accustomed to the imperial court that you can no longer stand up straight?" that Liu Muyan recovered. He pretended not to hear his Master's teasing remark. Having studied under Ye Wen for so many years, he knew his Master held a strong disdain for officialdom and often mocked it. If an ordinary person said such things, he would dismiss it as the rantings of a down-on-his-luck individual, but he didn't view Ye Wen that way; he believed Ye Wen genuinely looked down upon it.

After walking through several gates, they finally arrived at the Zen courtyard where the Emperor resided. Being the Emperor, his lodging required a separate arrangement. Even judging by the courtyard's simple, unadorned decor, it exuded a reserved grandeur. Ye Wen couldn't help but offer a compliment: "Hmm, this courtyard is quite nice!"

Liu Muyan's forehead broke into a sweat, unsure how to respond to this comment. He could only grumble inwardly: The Imperial Guest Wing specially renovated by the Zen Sect is merely 'quite nice' in Master's eyes?