Li Muzhan brought Jikong and Jing'er back to Yuanxin Temple. Along the way, both Jikong and Jing'er were thrilled; leaving Yuanxin Temple for Miaolian Temple felt like traveling from the countryside to the city.

Li Muzhan pondered throughout the journey, considering how to establish himself at Miaolian Temple.

This situation was like having a pillow arrive just when he felt sleepy. Monk Chengjing’s timing was perfect. Li Muzhan had already been considering leaving Yuanxin Temple because the number of its devotees was limited.

To enhance his cultivation, he needed more belief power. Since the population of Donglai Town was finite, he needed to venture out. Monk Chengjing happened to come inviting him, so Li Muzhan simply went with the flow.

It wasn't difficult for him to leave; Monk Chengjing’s timely arrival was convenient. Had Li Muzhan not seen his complete devotion and unwavering faith, he would have ignored him.

Now that he had decided to go to Miaolian Temple, he had to prepare properly. As for Miaohua Temple, he didn't take them seriously. He could see that the people of Miaohua Temple prioritized cultivation over incense offerings; a decrease in followers wouldn't elicit a strong reaction from them.

Buddhist disciples do not harbor wrath, yet wrath is inherent in human nature and difficult to eradicate. Once the Nameless Karmic Fire ignites, it burns down the forest of merit. When a Buddhist disciple finally generates wrath, its power is even stronger.

Since the people of Miaohua Temple focus on self-cultivation, they would not easily be provoked into wrath.

He didn't fear the people of Miaohua Temple, but he did not wish to damage his reputation through conflict. If his reputation suffered, his belief power would diminish, rendering his gain of Miaolian Temple useless.

He returned to Yuanxin Temple with Jikong and Jing'er, gave a few instructions, and then went back to his own affairs; the major matters of the Yunxiao Sect could not be neglected.

He worked diligently for a while, then remembered something—he hadn't seen Hai Yulan yet.

In the evening, as the sun set and the sky was filled with colorful clouds, he flashed away to Hai Yulan’s small courtyard, finding it very quiet.

He cleared his throat lightly. The curtain parted, and Hai Yulan drifted out in a purple silk robe. Seeing him, she turned and darted back inside. If not for the slight sway of the curtain, one would have thought she had never appeared at all.

Li Muzhan chuckled, "Miss Hai, are you angry?"

"How would I dare!" Hai Yulan retorted, her voice muffled from inside the room.

Suddenly, Fu Feihong’s voice rang out from within, "Let the scoundrel in!"

"Master!" Hai Yulan huffed, "I don't want to see him!"

"I have questions for him!" Fu Feihong grunted.

Hai Yulan turned reluctantly, emerging with a cold expression. "Young Master Li, please come in!"

Li Muzhan smiled, "Yulan, what's wrong?"

"Nothing!" Hai Yulan turned away from him, her jade-like face cold, which was rather intimidating.

Her phoenix eyes and elegant brows were peerlessly beautiful, but when she put on a cold front, her features held a touch of phoenix majesty that deterred any presumption.

Li Muzhan paid her demeanor no mind, grinning as he reached out to place an arm around her waist. She subtly twisted away and shot him a cold glare before turning back toward the inner room.

Li Muzhan shook his head helplessly, knowing she was genuinely angry and couldn't be placated immediately. He decided to let the coldness settle first, then stepped inside, greeting, "Senior Fu!"

Fu Feihong was reclining in the inner room and grunted, "Aren't you coming in?"

Li Muzhan entered the inner room. Seeing her still lying on the couch, he said apologetically, "Senior Fu, I struck too hard, I am truly sorry."

Fu Feihong snorted, "You carried old grievances and new resentments and unleashed them all at once—how could you not strike hard? You should thank the heavens I wasn't killed by that palm strike!"

Li Muzhan forced a bitter smile, "Hearing you say that, Senior, I am truly ashamed."

"Enough, boy. Do you think I don't know your little scheme?" Fu Feihong shot him a look, waved a hand dismissively, and huffed, "Tell me about your heroic deeds."

Li Muzhan smiled, "What great deeds?"

He could tell that Fu Feihong wasn't dwelling on the injury inflicted; it seemed her heart was open, not narrow or unforgiving.

"The matter of you forcing the Sect Master's hand, of course!" Fu Feihong snorted. "You've made quite a name for yourself in our Sect, and Lan'er has gained renown along with you!"

Li Muzhan frowned, "Me forcing Sect Master Zhao's hand?"

He paused, then shook his head, "There was no such thing!"

He didn't think Sect Master Zhao would tell anyone, nor would others dare spread rumors. He found it strange how they knew.

Fu Feihong glanced at him sideways and huffed, "Boy, you dare to do it but not admit it!"

Li Muzhan shook his head, "Did Sect Master Zhao say anything?"

"The Sect Master told us everything. The whole sect knows—you showed up and forced her to agree to marry that bastard surnamed Yi!" Fu Feihong said coldly.

Li Muzhan’s brow twitched. He glanced at the stone-faced Hai Yulan and pondered, "Did the Sect Master say that personally?"

Fu Feihong laughed coldly, "The Sect Master said it herself, claiming that due to your status, she couldn't refuse, so she had to trouble me!"

Li Muzhan shook his head and sighed, "This Sect Master Zhao, she truly is..."

He considered this move cunning. He sighed, "Those words cannot be taken as truth. How could I possibly force her?"

Fu Feihong snorted, "Enough, boy, stop with the sweet talk. The Sect Master said you are a Grandmaster; once you opened your mouth, she had no choice but to agree!"

Li Muzhan rubbed his nose and looked at Hai Yulan, who turned away, refusing to look at him.

Li Muzhan sighed, "It seems Sect Master Zhao misunderstood. No wonder she agreed so readily. Senior Fu disagrees?"

Fu Feihong glared at him and huffed, "Just how did you force the Sect Master?"

Li Muzhan said, "I am truly wronged. I had no such intention. It was truly Sect Master Zhao who misunderstood. I came because of the assassination attempt on the Sect Master.

"She won't die, will she?" Fu Feihong asked casually.

Li Muzhan shook his head, "She sustained serious injuries, but her life isn't in danger. However, this incident is thoroughly disgusting, and I was ordered to investigate. While I was here checking things out, I casually brought up the matter of the Sect Master and Senior Fu, feeling it couldn't be delayed any longer. If something were to happen to the Sect Master this time, wouldn't that be an eternal regret?... Sect Master Zhao agreed readily; I never expected her to think I was coercing her. What a huge misunderstanding!"

"What kind of person is the Sect Master that she would misunderstand you?!" Fu Feihong squinted sideways and scoffed, "Boy, I think you deliberately forced the Sect Master into submission. You have quite some nerve!"

Li Muzhan rubbed the bridge of his nose, shaking his head helplessly, "Sect Master Zhao is truly clever to the point of self-deception. The Jiutian Xuannv Sect is Senior Fu’s lineage; how would I dare to be disrespectful? If Senior can forgive me, the Sect Master surely won't either, right?!"

Fu Feihong looked at him sideways and sneered, "Your words are one thing, boy, but your actions are another. I don't believe you!"

Li Muzhan sighed helplessly, "Truly, a good person cannot be done good for... Forget it, let it be a misunderstanding. It's a happy accident; it seems fate has brought Senior and the Sect Master together."

At this, Fu Feihong's face immediately flushed red, and she turned away, huffing, "What nonsense are you talking of!"

Hai Yulan saw her master blush and knew that her master, still possessing a young woman's sensibilities, was embarrassed to say more. She turned her cold face slightly and said, "This proposal of marriage, was it your own idea, or was it entrusted to you by Sect Master Yi?"

Li Muzhan smiled, "How could the Sect Master entrust such a matter to me? It was my own decision."

Hai Yulan’s expression instantly grew colder, "Sect Master Yi doesn't want to marry Master?"

Li Muzhan smiled and shook his head, "The Sect Master has always feared Senior Fu would refuse, so she dared not take this step. Otherwise, wouldn't they have been entangled for so many years?"

Fu Feihong huffed, "Nasty boy, watch your words!"

Li Muzhan chuckled, "Senior Fu, don't you know the Sect Master's mind? Don't let the Sect Master’s sagacity fool you; when it comes to matters of the heart, she is timid and cautious, fearing that one wrong move could truly make her lose Senior Fu forever. The deeper the affection, the greater the fear of loss. We watching were getting anxious, so we had to give them a push. Otherwise, you two would still be like this in your old age!"

"You're still making excuses!" Fu Feihong huffed irritably.

Li Muzhan smiled, "Senior Fu doesn't thank me? After I used all my effort and means to get Sect Master Zhao to agree?"

"You finally told the truth?" Hai Yulan huffed.

Li Muzhan smiled, "The story just now was for others to hear. To Yulan, I naturally don't need to lie!"

"You really forced the Sect Master?" Hai Yulan’s expression softened slightly, and Fu Feihong looked at him intently.

Li Muzhan said, "Your Sect Master Zhao is a formidable figure. Without using some tactics, how could I possibly make her submit?"

"What were the tactics exactly?" Hai Yulan asked.

Li Muzhan then recounted the entire course of events in detail. The two women listened with rapt attention, as if they were transported to the great hall, listening to the verbal sparring between Li Muzhan and the Sect Master, feeling the clash of hidden weapons.

Although they were merely speaking, every sentence was filled with profound meaning and sharp wit, striking directly at the crevices of the heart. In the end, strength was what mattered, and Li Muzhan had won this round.

"Good maneuvering!" Fu Feihong clapped her hands in praise, shaking her head, "If your Sect Master had such skills, she would have long ago..."

Li Muzhan smiled, "My methods are actually quite crude; the Sect Master disdains to use them."

Fu Feihong pouted, "Stop flattering him. He doesn't have that kind of ruthlessness. He's always indecisive, always clinging to righteousness. In this world, where is there so much righteousness?"

Li Muzhan smiled without saying more. Fu Feihong's words hit the mark, striking the Sect Master’s vital point. However, this was also precisely where the Sect Master’s charm lay; otherwise, Fu Feihong wouldn't have kept loving him deeply and found it so hard to let go.

By this time, Hai Yulan was no longer cold-faced. She actually deeply approved of Li Muzhan's actions and even felt a degree of gratitude, knowing a large part of it was for her sake.

However, although she wasn't angry anymore, she couldn't bring herself to smile immediately. She huffed, "Do you really think those assassins have anything to do with us?"

Li Muzhan shook his head, "It's hard to say. Sect Master Zhao is inscrutable; she cannot be underestimated. Whether your sect has any involvement in this matter is too early to conclude."

Hai Yulan frowned, "If it is related to our sect, what will you do?"

Li Muzhan said, "If it is truly related to the Jiutian Xuannv Sect, then I will have no choice but to offend Sect Master Zhao!"

"You really intend to fight us?" Hai Yulan huffed.

Li Muzhan shook his head, "If Senior marries the Sect Master, we become one family. A fight won't break out, but we can't just let it pass like this, right?"

Hai Yulan retorted, "The Sect Master isn't easily bullied either. Even if you are a Grandmaster, you cannot act recklessly."

Li Muzhan smiled, "I know what I'm doing and have my limits. The reason I succeeded this time is that she went along with it; otherwise, there were plenty of ways to obstruct me."

"It's good that you understand," Hai Yulan huffed.

Fu Feihong declared, "Nasty boy, you struck me once, and then you helped me. Our debt is cleared!"

Li Muzhan quickly smiled, "Senior, that strike was done to help you, and now I’ve helped again. How can the debt be cleared? Senior owes me a great favor—just promise Yulan to me!"

Fu Feihong retorted irritably, "Don't push your luck!"

Hai Yulan’s face flushed, she shot him a look, and turned away, saying no more.

Fu Feihong grew tired after talking for a while and lay down to rest, leaving the two to converse privately. They left the inner room and returned to the small courtyard.

Night had already fallen, but the moon was obscured by dark clouds. Lanterns had been lit in the small courtyard, and the two sat down in the pavilion.

Li Muzhan smiled faintly, "Has it been turbulent within the Sect these past few days?"

Hai Yulan shook her head, "The Sect Master is busy preparing Master's dowry; she doesn't have the mind for other things."

Li Muzhan said, "That's good, that's good. Just as long as they don't provoke the Floating Cloud Palace!"

"Are you that afraid of the Floating Cloud Palace?" Hai Yulan looked at him sideways.

Li Muzhan managed a wry smile, "Right now, you are no match for the Floating Cloud Palace. Going there would be futile, only inviting humiliation, and I would be caught in the middle taking the heat."

Hai Yulan huffed, "How are you caught in the middle? Aren't you on our side?"

Li Muzhan said, "I owe Palace Mistress Leng a favor, so I cannot blindly assist you all. Besides, she is not one to go easy; if a real fight breaks out..."

"We are not people who let themselves be bullied," Hai Yulan retorted.

Li Muzhan shook his head, "Even your hidden cultivation seniors wouldn't be enough. The Floating Cloud Palace's power is far more formidable. Forget it; talking about this now is too premature... Sect Master Zhao won't play any more tricks, will she?"

"It seems this time she genuinely agreed to let Master marry," Hai Yulan said.

Li Muzhan said, "That's a relief. I kept worrying she might pull some trick to make our Yunxiao Sect lose face in front of the world. I really wouldn't know what to do then!"

Hai Yulan laughed, "Don't worry. The Sect Master knows what’s important. Even if she wanted to embarrass you, she wouldn't do it in public, lest you become enraged by shame!"

"That's true," Li Muzhan laughed, "Then I can rest easy. Now I still have to guard against assassins. I'm currently worried the assassins won't aim for the Sect Master but will come for Senior Fu instead."

"We must guard against that," Hai Yulan immediately grasped the key point and frowned, "Are these people very skilled?"

Li Muzhan recounted his previous experiences in detail—how the assassins tried to kill, and what methods they used. After listening, Hai Yulan’s elegant brows furrowed tightly.

She couldn't think of a countermeasure; her cultivation was simply insufficient.

Li Muzhan said, "It seems I will have to follow Senior Fu secretly."

"That is best," Hai Yulan nodded quickly, then added, "What about Sect Master Yi's side?"

"Let Senior Sister follow him," Li Muzhan replied. "If anything looks amiss, I will rush over immediately... I only fear that if both sides make a move simultaneously, I truly won't have the means to be in two places at once."

"If I were those people, I would indeed use such tactics," Hai Yulan admitted.

Li Muzhan sighed, "I need to think this matter over carefully."

PS: I will add more tomorrow, write more.