His Void Eye peered down, taking a careful survey. No one was watching nearby, yet he felt a prickle of unease about whether Jin Qiaoqiao might have encountered danger.

Though his intuition offered no bad omen, suggesting she was fine, he couldn't rest until he saw for himself. He resolved to head to White Cloud City.

Drifting out of the cave, the dazzling sunlight immediately struck his eyes. He narrowed them slightly; having been long steeped in darkness, the sudden intense light was jarring.

Clinging to the moss-covered cliff face with both hands, he began ascending, moving like a gecko. This Wall-Crawling Skill was fundamental; any martial artist should know it, their palms and soles acting like suction cups.

The rock face was exceptionally slick, demanding a significant drain on his inner energy. He weaved upwards, truly resembling a gecko, his blue robes blending seamlessly with the stone.

He scaled the sheer wall as if walking on level ground. Whenever an outcrop blocked his path, he skillfully bypassed it, looking ever more like a lizard in motion. In moments, he reached the summit.

The gale howled fiercely. Li Muzhan leaped up, landing atop the precipice. His azure robes snapped sharply in the wind. He drew a deep breath, intending to unleash a mighty cry toward the heavens, but ultimately held back.

He drifted down the cliff face toward White Cloud City. In a pine forest just outside the city walls, he swiftly wiped away the disguise material from his face, reverting to his true features.

He sauntered boldly into White Cloud City. The moment he entered, he sensed an oppressive atmosphere. Despite the bustling traffic and streams of people, many wearing expressions of casual ease, the faint but pervasive air of tension could not be concealed.

For the common folk, the major events of the recent past were little more than fodder for idle talk over tea; they felt no sharp, personal sting. Lin Ping, as the Junior Master of the South Altar of the Three Smiles Hall, hadn't usually caused trouble, but people inherently harbor hostility toward those above them, eager to see them suffer.

The morning sun bathed White Cloud City. Li Muzhan strolled lazily down the main thoroughfare, his blue robes flowing, presenting an open and upright figure. His waist was bare; his long sword had already been interred.

His skin was fair, his demeanor calm—less like a martial figure and more like a traveling scholar. The profound subtlety of the Void Qi Guiding Art had altered his aura, rendering him increasingly serene and peaceful, devoid of the sharpness usually associated with martial practitioners.

He slowly arrived before the Star Lake Courtyard, observing it for a moment. With his Void Eye, he looked down and saw the three women practicing in the yard, clad in tight uniforms, their sword flashes swift and sharp.

Li Muzhan smiled, stepped forward, and lifted the bronze door knocker, rapping twice. Soon, Xu Xiaorou emerged. As soon as she heard the footsteps, Li Muzhan called out, "Senior Sister Xu, it's me."

"Eh? Little Junior Brother?" Xu Xiaorou cried out. The door slammed open with a bang, and a flash of green appeared, revealing Xu Xiaorou’s face alight with delighted surprise.

A gentle breeze swept by, pressing her fitted green uniform against the curves of her figure.

Li Muzhan laughed, "Senior Sister Xu, I'm here."

Xu Xiaorou grabbed him and yanked him inside, slamming the door shut with a thud. She scrutinized him from head to toe, then chided playfully, "You scoundrel! How dare you show your face back here!"

…………………………

Li Muzhan chuckled, "What's wrong, Senior Sister Xu?" Xu Xiaorou glanced left and right, pulling him further inside. They passed through the front courtyard into the rear garden, where Zhang Qiaoyi and He Ruoshui were seated in a small pavilion, drinking tea. Seeing him, they quickly put down their cups and rose.

"Greetings to both Senior Sisters," Li Muzhan said, bowing from a distance with a smile. "How have you been lately?"

He Ruoshui smiled faintly, but Zhang Qiaoyi snorted irritably, "How could we be well? Did you do all that terrible business?!" Li Muzhan feigned ignorance with a smile, "What business?"

Xu Xiaorou cut in, "The Lin fellow got himself killed. Was that your doing?"

Li Muzhan smiled. "Senior Sisters, let's talk inside. Be careful of eavesdroppers!" Xu Xiaorou turned and glanced around, nodding, then pulled Li Muzhan into the pavilion. The four took their seats, and He Ruoshui poured him a cup of tea.

Li Muzhan thanked her, smiling. "The Lin fellow is dead? Did the Altar Master Lin not go completely mad?"

"...Hmph, he nearly tore White Cloud City apart!" Xu Xiaorou pouted, then laughed. "But you can't really blame him; his son was murdered. It’d be strange if he didn't go crazy!" Li Muzhan asked, "Did he suspect any of you Senior Sisters?" "We haven't left the city; why would he suspect us?" Xu Xiaorou scoffed.

Zhang Qiaoyi explained, "He might harbor some suspicion, but it just so happened that day we were out visiting the Night Market, having tea at a teahouse. Plenty of people saw us."

He Ruoshui added, "Even so, he's still doubtful. A few days ago, someone was lurking and spying around here... Ruoer took care of two of them, and they only just retreated."

Xu Xiaorou huffed, "They were so sneaky and annoying; if they weren't looking for trouble, who were they looking for!"

Li Muzhan applauded with a laugh, "Well done!" Xu Xiaorou immediately brightened. "Why the flattery? Senior Sister Zhang even scolded me for it!"

Li Muzhan smiled. "This retaliation proves your clear conscience and has cleared your names. Otherwise, they would still have people watching this place."

Xu Xiaorou beamed. "That's true; since I fought them off, things have definitely gotten quieter!" Zhang Qiaoyi shook her head, smiling. "Little Junior Brother has a point. However, we heard that the killer already jumped off the Void Illusion Cliff. Did you really jump from the Void Illusion Cliff?"

Li Muzhan offered a wry smile, picked up his teacup, and took a sip. He sighed. "It's a long story. This time, I truly cheated death; it was pure luck!"

"Tell us quickly!" Xu Xiaorou urged, wriggling her slender waist, unable to sit still. Her curiosity was immense, and she especially hated being kept in suspense, fidgeting restlessly.

Li Muzhan set down his cup. "I had intended to be more measured, but I didn't expect Junior Brother Lin to act so decisively and move ahead of schedule. I was forced to kill him. Unexpectedly, the Three Smiles Hall was formidable; they immediately sent signals and surrounded me. I had no choice but to flee, eventually reaching a precipice where jumping was my only option."

……………………………………

"Ah!" Xu Xiaorou cried out, "You really jumped off the cliff? The Void Illusion Cliff?" Li Muzhan nodded. "I couldn't win the fight, and I couldn't escape. Self-destruction was the only way, otherwise, if someone recognized me, things would have been disastrous!"

Zhang Qiaoyi slowly nodded. Had it been her, she would have preferred to die without a complete body than be captured and forced to reveal her true identity, thus implicating Star Lake Lodge.

Xu Xiaorou sighed. "That's true." He Ruoshui nodded gently, approving of the action.

Xu Xiaorou continued, "Those fellows from the Three Smiles Hall aren't novices; they are hard to deal with. You alone... it would have been certain death. You truly are a fool!"

Li Muzhan smiled. "Even with the Senior Sisters helping, escape would have been impossible." "But it would be better than facing it alone!" Xu Xiaorou retorted.

Li Muzhan laughed. "Do you want to know how I managed to escape?"

Xu Xiaorou instantly sobered. "Tell us, tell us!"

Li Muzhan smiled slyly. "Unexpectedly, as I was falling, I spotted a cave midway down the cliff face and managed to scramble inside. I recuperated there."

"A cave?" The three women murmured in surprise.

Li Muzhan chuckled. "It seems Heaven didn't want me yet; it was as if it specifically saved my life!" How could there be a cave? The women were puzzled. The mountains surrounding White Cloud City were exceptionally tall and steep; the Void Illusion Cliff was notoriously high, descending into a seemingly bottomless river.

They had been to the Void Illusion Cliff; just looking down made their limbs weak. To actually jump... it would require immense courage, and the impact would surely shatter the body.

Zhang Qiaoyi marveled, "Little Junior Brother, to remain so composed and find a cave after jumping from such a height—your spirit is extraordinary. I admire you!"

The other two nodded in agreement. Xu Xiaorou sighed, "From such a high cliff, I'd have been scared senseless before I even noticed a cave!"

He Ruoshui inclined her head slightly; she would have done the same.

Li Muzhan smiled, sighing inwardly. This Jin Qiaoqiao was truly exceptional, to find a cave and possess the fearlessness and calm required to leap into it. Such composure was beyond most men. For Jade Cold Palace to produce such talent meant it could not be underestimated. More crucially, when she jumped, it was a leap of shared fate, a sacrifice to save him—a debt of gratitude that would be hard to repay or acknowledge!

"Senior Sisters, I found a person in that cave," Li Muzhan stated.

"There was someone else?" Xu Xiaorou exclaimed in astonishment.

Li Muzhan nodded. "This person was already dead, yet his body remained incorruptible, as lifelike as if he were merely sleeping. It was truly miraculous!"

"Really?" Xu Xiaorou’s large eyes flickered with doubt.

……………………………………

Li Muzhan assured her, "Why would I dare lie to a Senior Sister!"

"There was truly such a person?" Xu Xiaorou turned, curiosity focused on Zhang Qiaoyi and He Ruoshui.

The two women also showed expressions of curiosity, staring at Li Muzhan.

Li Muzhan smiled. "In a little while, I will take you to see."

"Let's go now!" Xu Xiaorou was impatient.

Li Muzhan cautioned, "There might still be people from the Three Smiles Hall around there now; perhaps it’s not appropriate..."

"What's not appropriate? We go wherever we please! They can't control us!" Xu Xiaorou pouted, speaking bluntly.

Zhang Qiaoyi pondered for a moment. She was intensely curious herself; an incorruptible body was something she had only heard of in legends. Though she knew her Junior Brother sometimes spoke carelessly, seeing was believing. To witness it firsthand would be best.

She smiled. "Little Junior Brother, Rou'er is right. Let's ignore the Three Smiles Hall; I doubt they would dare do anything. Let's go take a look."

Li Muzhan hesitated. "What if it arouses their suspicion..."

"What if they are suspicious!" Zhang Qiaoyi laughed and shook her head. "If we go over there, it merely shows our curiosity—perfectly normal behavior."

He Ruoshui added, "This would actually suggest we have nothing to do with the incident." She, too, was extremely curious to see the miracle of an incorruptible body and verify the legends.

Li Muzhan looked at the three women and nodded helplessly. "Very well!"

Xu Xiaorou cheered happily. "Then let's leave now!"

Li Muzhan replied, "Senior Sisters, I still need to eat!"

"So many demands!" Xu Xiaorou scoffed, giving him an eye roll.

He Ruoshui stood up. "I'll prepare the meal; it will be ready quickly."

"Thank you, Senior Sister He." Li Muzhan smiled broadly. Senior Sister He’s culinary skills were exquisite; her dishes were so good you could almost swallow your own tongue.

He Ruoshui smiled. "It's nothing." She departed gracefully. The other two women also rose, intending to change out of their tight uniforms. While these outfits were clean and practical, their perfectly contoured lines were perhaps too eye-catching.

The two women returned quickly, both having changed into simple, pristine white gowns.

After they were seated, Li Muzhan said, "Senior Sister Zhang, Senior Sister Xu, actually, I also found a martial arts manual in that cave."

"Oh?" The two women became instantly excited. Xu Xiaorou exclaimed, "Was it left behind by that person?"

Li Muzhan nodded. "Yes."

"What martial art?" Xu Xiaorou pressed.

Li Muzhan announced, "The Void Qi Guiding Art."

………………………………”……

Xu Xiaorou was about to ask more, but Zhang Qiaoyi raised a hand to stop her, smiling. "Forget it. This is Little Junior Brother's fortune; let's not pry so much."

Li Muzhan smiled. "This technique is truly profound. I have already mastered it and wish to present it to the Lodge Master."

Xu Xiaorou's eyes sparkled with excitement. "What's so profound about it? Tell me!"

Li Muzhan smiled and explained the principles of the Void Qi Guiding Art. The two women listened, their eyes gleaming with longing. Xu Xiaorou fidgeted restlessly, her heart tingling with impatience.

Li Muzhan offered, "If you Senior Sisters wish to learn, I will teach it to you."

"Yes, yes, yes!" Xu Xiaorou cried out happily.

Zhang Qiaoyi frowned slightly. "That isn't right. It is your unique opportunity; we shouldn't learn it so casually. We should wait for the Lodge Master's decision."

Xu Xiaorou sighed helplessly, shaking her head, and said no more about learning it.

Li Muzhan countered, "This technique was ownerless. I stumbled upon it by chance—it’s destiny. It should be considered the core manual of our Lodge. There is nothing wrong with you Senior Sisters wanting to learn it."

"Exactly, exactly," Xu Xiaorou quickly agreed.

Zhang Qiaoyi gave Xu Xiaorou a helpless look and shook her head. "Rou'er..."

Xu Xiaorou stuck out her tongue. "Alright, alright, I won't mention it again. If I don't learn it, I won't learn it!"

"Greedy girl!" Zhang Qiaoyi scolded with a laugh.

Li Muzhan stated, "Although the Void Qi Guiding Art is marvelous, achieving mastery is not simple. All three Senior Sisters can try."

Xu Xiaorou looked longing but remained silent, watching Zhang Qiaoyi.

Li Muzhan smiled. "Senior Sister Zhang, we are family. Why be so formal? Your politeness actually displeases me!"

Zhang Qiaoyi smiled resignedly. "Fine, then we will take a look."

Li Muzhan laughed and nodded. "That’s more like family. As for the technique..."

He softly recited the cultivation method of the Void Qi Guiding Art, word by word, each syllable clear as a pearl, entering the minds of the two women. However, Li Muzhan wasn't optimistic about whether the three women could truly master it; the three entry stages, each harder than the last, were not easily conquered.

The two women had excellent comprehension of martial arts concepts. As Li Muzhan spoke, they memorized each line, striving to digest the meaning as they recorded it.

Li Muzhan recited the entire text three times, and both women had it perfectly memorized. They then began asking him questions, and Li Muzhan answered every difficult point. Having practiced it himself, he understood the crucial nuances, and a few words from him proved more helpful than hours of their own strenuous contemplation.

In a short while, He Ruoshui returned, having finished the meal, and called the three of them over to eat. Li Muzhan also imparted the cultivation method to her.

After the meal, the three women became engrossed in studying the manual. Their desire to visit the cave lessened, which suited Li Muzhan perfectly. Not disturbing them, he found a room by himself and lay down to sleep.

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