Sect Master Zhao wore a flower-like smile, her heart as ruthless and her schemes as deep as any common person could fathom. Having Hai Yulan and the others in the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden Sect served as a check against her own power. Once Hai Yulan was gone, she would have no means to restrain herself. Although Fu Feihong was the Sect Master's wife, a married daughter was like spilled water—not necessarily useful anymore.

He pondered for a moment, then shook his head. This matter couldn't be rushed. As long as Fu Feihong yielded, the biggest obstacle would be gone.

Hai Yulan asked, "Are you going to follow Master all the way?"

Li Muzhan shook his head, "I'll just follow after we leave the sect."

He dreaded trouble the most and couldn't bear the numerous tedious rituals of a wedding. He’d rather spend that time practicing martial arts or even just closing his eyes to rest.

Hai Yulan pursed her lips and smiled, "It won't take too long. To rush back on the road... the Sect Master has sent only top experts this time; they will travel quickly with their lightness skill."

Li Muzhan smiled, "I hope so."

Great sects like this placed the utmost importance on ceremony. The tediousness of the wedding was beyond ordinary imagination; the whole ordeal would leave one exhausted, even powerful martial artists couldn't escape. The thought alone made him shudder, refusing to risk it again.

As they spoke, Li Muzhan finished washing up. With a dull thud—like a thunderclap from the distant sky—followed by eight more resounding bangs.

"What is that..." Li Muzhan looked up at the sky; it was the ceremonial fireworks exploding overhead.

Hai Yulan looked up and immediately broke into a joyful smile, "It seems Sect Master Yi has arrived!"

Li Muzhan laughed, "You'll have to start calling him Grandmaster!"

Hai Yulan smiled coyly, "And you'll have to start calling her Madam... Master holds a grudge, you know. She’s never forgotten that palm strike; you’d best be careful!"

Li Muzhan feigned helplessness, "No way? I thought Senior Fu was broad-minded!"

Hai Yulan shook her head with a smile, "What you say to me is useless. You should say it to Master!"

Li Muzhan sighed, "You didn't put in a good word for me?"

Hai Yulan smiled sweetly, "It would be useless if I did. The more I plead, the angrier Master gets. You'd better rely on yourself and be careful!"

Li Muzhan chuckled, "I helped her with such a huge favor, surely that cancels it out?"

Hai Yulan replied, "Master's long-standing principle is that merit is merit, and faults are faults; they don't cancel each other out. Good deeds are rewarded, and faults are punished!"

Li Muzhan gave a wry smile, "Alright, stop scaring me. Aren't you going to watch the excitement?"

"Sect Master Yi has arrived, but it will be quite some time before he can enter. He has to pass nine trials. Don't your Cloud Sky Sect disciples have to pass tests when taking in new ones? We'll learn from you too!" Hai Yulan said brightly.

Li Muzhan sighed and shook his head, "I truly pity the Sect Master!"

"He can only come in after passing the nine trials. And there are still three more checkpoints outside Master's courtyard. In short, old scores must be settled; Sect Master Yi won't have an easy time!" Hai Yulan stated.

Li Muzhan sighed, "It’s not easy for the Sect Master to marry this bride; he’s going to lose a layer of skin!"

Amidst the bustle and commotion, by dusk, Yi Xingzhi had truly married Fu Feihong and was able to escort her away from the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden Sect.

Fu Feihong sat in the grand palanquin, draped entirely in brilliant red silk. Yi Xingzhi rode a spotless, magnificently spirited white horse beside the sedan chair. Yi Xingzhi wore a red robe and a hat adorned with flowers, radiating pure joy.

Li Muzhan, dressed in black, walked behind the sedan chair like an inconspicuous servant. Beside him was Hai Yulan, wearing a festive red silk shirt.

They walked and talked, not with their mouths, but by exchanging thoughts through their minds. Having received the Boundless Brightness Heart Sutra, she could communicate without speaking.

"Look at how smug Master is acting!" she hummed, the sound resonating in Li Muzhan's mind.

Li Muzhan sent his reply into her mind, "After years of yearning, his wish is finally fulfilled. How could he not be pleased?"

"I don't think Master looks particularly happy," Hai Yulan countered.

Li Muzhan was momentarily startled and turned to look at her. Hai Yulan tilted her head up and subtly gestured toward the palanquin.

Li Muzhan frowned in thought, then shook his head. Although he was a Great Grandmaster, he wasn't omniscient. He truly couldn't know what Fu Feihong was thinking.

He focused his mind and probed toward the palanquin, sensing joy—not the unhappiness Hai Yulan perceived. He breathed a sigh of relief; it seemed she was just putting on an act, perhaps worried about losing face in front of her disciples.

That was good. What he feared most was the shadow of Sect Master Zhao resurfacing—some order Zhao had given that put Fu Feihong in a difficult position, causing her distress.

Since she showed no signs of inner turmoil, it meant Sect Master Zhao hadn't made any further moves, which was the best outcome to avoid future complications. With this marriage complete, the relationship between the Cloud Sky Sect and the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden Sect would immediately shift, transforming them from enemies into allies who would support each other.

"Yulan, did Sect Master Zhao say where you all are headed?" Li Muzhan's voice resonated in Hai Yulan's mind as he gazed at her intently.

Hai Yulan offered a slight smile, her voice sounding in Li Muzhan's mind, "Sect Master said we should follow Master for a while first, and return later, so Master won't feel lonely and abandoned after newly marrying into the Cloud Sky Sect."

Li Muzhan laughed, "Sect Master Zhao is truly considerate in every detail. Excellent. If you can stay, it will be convenient for us to meet, and Senior Fu won't have to guard against me like I'm a thief anymore!"

"Master will be very busy and won't pay much attention to me," Hai Yulan pursed her lips, smiled, and turned her head away, her face flushing slightly. Li Muzhan responded with a gentle smile.

The newlyweds would naturally be wrapped up in their honeymoon bliss, too preoccupied for anything else. Hai Yulan's assessment was correct; at this moment, Fu Feihong's world revolved only around the Sect Master.

The two exchanged occasional whispers, which outsiders couldn't decipher, merely noticing their frequent eye contact and assuming it was subtle flirtation.

Unconsciously, twilight began to spread. Yi Xingzhi, seated on his horse, beckoned. A middle-aged man approached and leaned in close.

Yi Xingzhi said gently, "Find a place and rest early."

"Yes, Sect Master," the middle-aged man replied respectfully, bowing slightly. He turned, waved, and began giving orders.

Hai Yulan tilted her head to observe the man. He was stout, with a square face, sharp eyebrows, and bright eyes. Despite being middle-aged, he was still a handsome man, dignified and imbued with heroic spirit—on the surface, his bearing surpassed Li Muzhan’s by far.

"Who is he?" she asked Li Muzhan mentally.

Li Muzhan smiled, "Uncle-Master Zhuo Yifei."

"His cultivation seems quite high; why haven't I heard his name?" Hai Yulan inquired.

The Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden Sect and the Cloud Sky Sect were at odds. Logically, the former should possess extensive intelligence on the latter, as knowing oneself and the enemy ensures victory in a hundred battles.

The Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden Sect's intelligence files included not only the names of Cloud Sky Sect disciples but also lifelike portraits, making it seem as if one were meeting the person in reality.

However, the Cloud Sky Sect remained largely mysterious, almost completely isolated from the world, only encountered when disciples ventured out. Otherwise, meeting a Cloud Sky Sect member was rare.

Although the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden Sect tried to record every Cloud Sky Sect disciple, the list was sparse, making a complete collection impossible.

Li Muzhan chuckled, "This Uncle-Master Zhuo usually keeps a low profile. In fact, he is a profoundly cultivated Grand Master, but outsiders don't know it."

"No wonder," Hai Yulan nodded slightly, glancing briefly at Zhuo Yifei in the distance before quickly looking away. She could feel his gaze upon her.

Li Muzhan continued with a smile, "There are many disciples in our sect you don't recognize. I will introduce them to you one by one later. This Uncle-Master Zhuo is actually one of the Sect Master's personal bodyguards."

"A personal bodyguard, no wonder," Hai Yulan nodded softly. The sect's intelligence had failed to uncover any of Yi Xingzhi's personal guards.

Li Muzhan added, "Don't bother asking. No outsider, not even our own sect members, knows the depth of Uncle-Master Zhuo's cultivation. He almost never displays his martial arts."

"Truly hiding his strength," Hai Yulan pouted, her voice reaching Li Muzhan’s mind. Li Muzhan smiled faintly, "It's to guard against sects like yours. If even his personal guards were known, what secrets would the Sect Master have left?"

"That makes sense. But judging by his cultivation, he shouldn't be inferior to me, right?" Hai Yulan challenged.

Li Muzhan smiled, "He surpasses you by two measures... This is a technique for concealing one's cultivation. You were fooled by him."

"What a powerful technique!" Hai Yulan huffed. "Though it lacks a certain forthrightness. What is there to hide? Is he planning to sneak attack someone?"

Li Muzhan shook his head, smiling in her mind, "He is a protector. Naturally, he must appear weaker. Only when he strikes can he act with full advantage."

"In short, it’s not very honorable!" Hai Yulan scoffed.

While the two were speaking softly, the sky had completely darkened. Zhuo Yifei had already directed the group to stop before a grove of trees halfway up the mountain, then dispatched men who quickly started several bonfires.

Li Muzhan frowned, observing the surroundings. This group numbered about a hundred people, mostly disciples from the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden Sect, with about twenty from the Cloud Sky Sect.

Sensing movement in the woods, Li Muzhan frowned and approached Yi Xingzhi, "Sect Master."

"Wuji, what is it? Do you sense something amiss?" Yi Xingzhi inquired.

Although not a Great Grandmaster, his senses were extremely acute. He, too, felt a faint sense of scrutiny, though he felt uncomfortable and couldn't pinpoint the source of the gaze.

Li Muzhan nodded, "There are assassins in the woods, targeting the Sect Master. If they strike, it will inevitably lead to disciples being harmed, which is quite inauspicious."

Yi Xingzhi slowly responded, "It is inauspicious. Is there a solution?"

Li Muzhan stated, "The preemptive strike is best. I will go talk to them first!"

"You alone? Have Zhuo Yifei accompany you!" Yi Xingzhi shook his head.

Li Muzhan smiled, "Sect Master, rest assured. It's more convenient for me alone. I'll be back quickly!"

"Be careful!" Yi Xingzhi warned him. "Your life comes first. Don't capsize the boat in a shallow ditch!"

Li Muzhan nodded and drifted toward the woods.