She burst in like a gust of wind, her jade face grim.

Upon seeing Li Muzhan speaking cordially with Wang Hanyang, she froze, her bright eyes fixed on Li Muzhan with confusion.

Li Muzhan rose from the embroidered stool, cupped his hands, and smiled, "Miss Liu has returned?" Liu Biyun knitted her delicate, curved willow brows and looked toward Wang Hanyang, "Senior Brother Wang, he—?" Wang Hanyang offered a wry smile, "Niu Zhiqiang came to kill me, and Li Guanhai saved my life." "Niu Zhiqiang?!" Liu Biyun's jade face darkened, and she bit her red lip, "He truly has a lot of nerve!" Wang Hanyang conceded, "I underestimated him before." "And him?" Liu Biyun glanced around.

The door and window were shattered, and a gentle evening breeze drifted in, carrying the faint scent of burning firewood.

Wang Hanyang replied, "He fled.

Li Guanhai refused to kill him." Liu Biyun turned to Li Muzhan, who chuckled, "I only concern myself with saving people.

As for killing, you people from the Dragon Mountain Sect are best at that!" Liu Biyun shot him a sidelong glance; those words were not pleasant to hear.

Wang Hanyang snorted, "I will butcher him with my own hands!" Liu Biyun countered, "Senior Brother Wang, can you even find him? He'll have hidden himself deep in the mountains and forests by now!" Li Muzhan smiled, "If it were me, I wouldn't hide in the deep mountains.

A minor concealment is in the wilderness, but it's better to hide in plain sight, in the bustling city." Liu Biyun pondered for a moment and nodded lightly.

Wang Hanyang grumbled, "He isn't that clever; he'll definitely be hiding in the mountains!...

Junior Sister, was it successful?" Liu Biyun's spirit instantly dimmed, and she shook her head, biting her lip. "What, the Purple Gown Palace refused to hand it over?!" Wang Hanyang was instantly furious, his eyes blazing.

Liu Biyun sighed, "The Purple Gown Palace didn't resist; it was just bad luck on our part." "What happened?" Wang Hanyang urged, "Tell me quickly!" Liu Biyun's delicate mouth opened slightly, then stopped.

She looked at Li Muzhan.

Li Muzhan smiled, "Forget it.

I'll just leave!" Wang Hanyang insisted, "Junior Sister, it didn't work out anyway, so let him hear it.

It's no big deal!" Liu Biyun glanced at Li Muzhan and nodded gently, "Palace Master Qin did indeed kill Wanzhongshan, and she took Wanzhongshan's belongings.

But she only kept the medicinal pills and burned everything else." "Burned them?!" Wang Hanyang's eyes widened.

Liu Biyun nodded lightly, sighing, "This is what I was worried about all along!...

She said there was nothing else in the bundle—just a few bank notes, two old pieces of clothing, and a few bottles of pills.

She kept the pills and the notes, and burned the two old garments." "Burned..." Wang Hanyang murmured to himself, then looked up sharply, "She might be lying.

Junior Sister, you should have held her and interrogated her properly." Li Muzhan rolled his eyes inwardly.

This Wang Hanyang was truly despicable; if not for being unable to afford offending the Dragon Mountain Sect, he would have slapped him dead! Liu Biyun shook her head, "If it were me, I would have done the same.

It's only human nature.

It would be strange if she kept the old clothes." "What are we to do now!" Wang Hanyang frowned.

Liu Biyun said, "Palace Master Qin was afraid of us, so she specially brought me down the mountain to see where Wanzhongshan was buried.

There truly was a place where she had set a fire; she wasn't lying." "Then how do we report this to the Sect?!" Wang Hanyang sighed.

Liu Biyun replied, "At this point, we can only tell the truth.

If it's gone, it's gone; we can't conjure it out of thin air." "Junior Sister, could Wanzhongshan have hidden the East item somewhere else?" Wang Hanyang's spirits lifted, and he quickly asked, "Maybe he told someone from the Purple Gown Palace before he died!" Liu Biyun smiled, and Wang Hanyang also sighed, feeling the absurdity of his own words.

Li Muzhan coughed lightly, and both of their gazes turned to him.

Li Muzhan asked, "What are you two looking for? Wanzhongshan?" "Young Master Li doesn't need to know," Liu Biyun huffed.

Li Muzhan rubbed the bridge of his nose and smiled, "I know Wanzhongshan died at the hands of the Purple Gown Palace.

That Purple Gown Palace is quite something; he managed to escape when that group from Clear Moon Valley surrounded him...

I also heard Wanzhongshan was a disciple of your Dragon Mountain Sect." "He is an apostate!" Wang Hanyang stated. "Senior Brother Wang!" Liu Biyun frowned.

Wang Hanyang slapped his own cheek lightly, glaring at Li Muzhan, "Nonsense!" Li Muzhan snorted, "That makes sense.

It seems true.

No wonder Wanzhongshan, a mere petty bandit, could live so freely for so long.

It turns out it was because of the Dragon Mountain Sect; everyone was afraid to cause him trouble!" "You, Li, stop spouting nonsense!" Wang Hanyang glared at him angrily.

Li Muzhan pressed on, "Did you perhaps even secretly help him?" "You—!" Wang Hanyang slammed the bed frame and was about to curse loudly.

Liu Biyun waved a hand and said softly, "Senior Brother Wang!" Wang Hanyang forcefully suppressed his anger, snorted heavily, and turned away from Li Muzhan.

Liu Biyun looked quietly at Li Muzhan, "Young Master Li has truly misunderstood.

To be frank, Wanzhongshan was indeed originally a disciple of our Dragon Mountain Sect.

Later, he violated a sect rule, had his martial arts crippled, and was expelled from the sect!...

After being expelled, his actions became extreme.

The sect punished him once, so they stopped paying attention to him; it certainly wasn't deliberate protection." Li Muzhan raised an eyebrow and smiled, "Crippled his martial arts?" Liu Biyun nodded slightly, "Expulsion from the sect requires the crippling of martial arts." Li Muzhan shook his head and laughed, "If his martial arts were crippled, how could he continue to cause evil and roam so freely for so long?" "That is precisely why we are here," Liu Biyun replied.

Wang Hanyang snorted, "You, Li, if you dare speak of these matters, we will kill you no matter where you flee!" Li Muzhan smiled, "Could it be that he had some fortuitous encounter and obtained some profound mental technique, thus recovering his martial arts?" He glanced at their expressions and then widened his eyes in mock astonishment, "No way?!...

Heaven is blind, has this wicked thief truly had a chance encounter?" Wang Hanyang snorted, "Good people don't live long, but evil plagues live for a thousand years—haven't you heard that saying?...

Wanzhongshan just has good luck; otherwise, he would have died a hundred times over!" Li Muzhan frowned, "So you're saying his cultivation technique is remarkable?" "Of course.

He shattered his Dantian and became a cripple back then; even retraining our Dragon Mountain Sect's cultivation methods wouldn't work!" Wang Hanyang nodded, "He wrote to us saying he wished to atone for his sins by offering the mental technique he obtained to the Sect." "He wants to re-enter the Dragon Mountain Sect?" Li Muzhan frowned, "Seeking refuge under the Dragon Mountain Sect—that would indeed allow him to live freely!" "There's no such good fortune!" Wang Hanyang snorted. "Our Dragon Mountain Sect is a prestigious Orthodox sect; how could we accept someone with such a notorious reputation!...

The mistake he made was too great.

When he was expelled, not only were his martial arts crippled, but we also placed the Meridian Locking Art on him." "Meridian Locking Art?" Li Muzhan looked puzzled.

Wang Hanyang's expression shifted slightly, and he huffed, "This is a punishment the Sect inflicts on disciples who commit grave errors.

Their meridians contract once a month, causing unbearable pain—worse than death.

Only the caster can release it!" Li Muzhan shook his head, "Your Dragon Mountain Sect is strange; being so ruthless to your own disciples!" Wang Hanyang looked at him disdainfully, "Hmph, our Dragon Mountain Sect is ruthless to outsiders, and strict with disciples; that is why we are the Dragon Mountain Sect today!" Li Muzhan shook his head indifferently, "Then you agreed?" "No!" Wang Hanyang snorted, "He has to endure twenty years of the Meridian Locking suffering! This Meridian Locking Art is a strange technique; no matter how strong his martial arts become, it's useless!" Li Muzhan suddenly understood, "Oh, I see.

When you heard Wanzhongshan was dead, you wanted to pick up a bargain!" Wang Hanyang glared at him irritably, "What nonsense are you spouting! We felt that since he was dead, he was dead, but that mental technique is profound, and it would be a waste if it were lost!" Li Muzhan chuckled, "What mental technique? Tell me about it." "Dragon Subduing Art," Wang Hanyang replied. "It doesn't matter if I tell you now; it's gone anyway." Liu Biyun sighed and nodded.

Li Muzhan said, "Dragon Subduing Art...

quite an arrogant name!" "After cultivating it, it grants one immense strength," Wang Hanyang explained. "It also enhances physique.

Wanzhongshan boasted about it endlessly.

What a pity, what a pity!" Li Muzhan breathed a sigh of relief.

It seemed they also didn't know the Dragon Subduing Art, so he wouldn't need to hold back when using it.

He smiled, "Your wishful thinking didn't work out, so you just let the Purple Gown Palace go like that?" "What else could we do?!" Liu Biyun asked. "We can't blame them either!...

You have a grudge against the Purple Gown Palace, don't you?" A cold glint flashed in Li Muzhan's eyes before receding, and he smiled faintly, "No grudge." Wang Hanyang pouted, "Who are you trying to fool!...

You'll be disappointed.

We came here to find an item.

That Dragon Subduing Art was written by Wanzhongshan on his old clothes using a unique solution.

Others wouldn't recognize it, so if it's burned, it's burned.

Our Dragon Mountain Sect has thirty-six ultimate skills; mastering one is enough to dominate the world; we don't need this Dragon Subduing Art!" Li Muzhan asked, "The Purple Gown Palace killed Wanzhongshan, and you remain indifferent?" Liu Biyun stated calmly, "Young Master Li, Wanzhongshan is no longer a disciple of the Dragon Mountain Sect.

Who killed him is none of our concern.

Furthermore, he was utterly wicked; his death is deserved! The Purple Gown Palace did a great deed; we should be thanking them instead!" Li Muzhan shook his head, "Others don't see it that way! If you act like this, won't your authority suffer?" Liu Biyun retorted, "Our Dragon Mountain Sect is a prestigious Orthodox sect; we value reason above all!" Li Muzhan laughed slightly and shook his head, "If your Dragon Mountain Sect values reason, then everyone in the world values reason!...

Very well, it seems the Purple Gown Palace is too insignificant for you to bother with." Liu Biyun frowned, "Young Master Li, you have a deep misunderstanding of our Dragon Mountain Sect.

How about this: Young Master Li comes back to the Sect with us and sees our Dragon Mountain Sect for yourself!" Li Muzhan laughed, "I think I'll pass; I don't dare aspire so high!" Liu Biyun suddenly asked, "Is Young Master Li a disciple of the Linhai Pavilion?" Li Muzhan paused, then shook his head with a smile, "I am not a disciple of the Linhai Pavilion....

Why would you two think I was from the Linhai Pavilion?" "At your age and with your martial prowess, you must come from a famous background," Liu Biyun explained.

Li Muzhan shook his head and smiled, "My late master was a recluse, utterly unknown." "Really?" Wang Hanyang asked in disbelief.

Li Muzhan smiled, "I've heard much about the Linhai Pavilion, but alas, I lack that good fortune." "Hmph, what's so great about the Linhai Pavilion!" Wang Hanyang pouted dismissively.

Li Muzhan remarked, "The Linhai Pavilion is comparable to your Dragon Mountain Sect, renowned for having the peerless sword techniques in the world.

Too bad I haven't witnessed the swordplay of the Linhai Pavilion." "They only specialize in swordplay; their mental arts are insufficient; they will never achieve true greatness," Wang Hanyang snorted.

Li Muzhan smiled, "Your Dragon Mountain Sect's martial arts aren't necessarily superior to theirs?" "Our Sect's thirty-six ultimate skills, every single one, is not inferior to theirs!" Wang Hanyang countered. "They only practice swordsmanship, leaving them no other choice!" Li Muzhan observed, "Sometimes, specializing in one path surpasses being competent in many." Wang Hanyang huffed, "You, Li, do you think the Linhai Pavilion is better than us?" Li Muzhan nodded, "That is the reality.

What I say is useless, and what you say is useless....

Alright, since Miss Liu is here, I shall take my leave now that my task is done!" Wang Hanyang conceded, "You, Li, forget it.

Consider it a favor I owe you!" Li Muzhan waved his hand and chuckled, "It was just a small effort; I wasn't expecting repayment!...

Besides, with your level of martial arts, even if I couldn't do it, you would struggle immensely!" "You look down on people too much!" Wang Hanyang snorted heavily, "I am a disciple of the Dragon Mountain Sect; I am far superior to some unknown nobody like you!" "Heh heh...

A disciple of the Dragon Mountain Sect indeed!" A clear laugh echoed from outside the courtyard, followed by a young man stepping slowly into the yard.

He had a tall, slender figure draped in a sapphire blue long robe, a long sword hanging at his waist, exuding a noble and dashing air.

The window was already shattered, allowing a clear view outside.

This blue-robed youth bathed in the sunset glow, smiling as he observed Wang Hanyang and the others.

Li Muzhan's brow twitched slightly, revealing a smile.

This youth exuded an ineffable sharpness that rushed forward, like a sword piercing outward.

He knew instantly this man was a swordsman, a true swordsman. "Huang Zongqi!" Wang Hanyang's face turned ugly, and he coldly snorted, "Why are you here!?" "I heard you were injured, so I came to pay a visit," the handsome youth said with a carefree smile, chuckling, "How is it? Aren't you dead yet?" "Don't worry, how could I die before you do!" Wang Hanyang replied coldly. "What a pity!" The handsome youth shook his head and sighed, "Heaven is unwilling to collect such a plague as you!" Wang Hanyang sneered, "Huang Zongqi, are you trying to take advantage of someone's misfortune?" The handsome youth Huang Zongqi waved his hand and laughed, "Don't worry.

That's the kind of thing your Dragon Mountain Sect would do; we of the Linhai Pavilion would never!" "Then why are you here!" Wang Hanyang sneered coldly.

Huang Zongqi smiled, cupped his hands, "Miss Liu, we meet again!" Liu Biyun responded calmly, "Young Master Huang, a pleasure!" Huang Zongqi looked toward Li Muzhan, "This senior brother looks unfamiliar.

Is he perhaps a disciple of the Dragon Mountain Sect?" Li Muzhan smiled, cupped his hands, "Li Guanhai, just an unknown nobody, a man from the wilderness....

Brother Huang is from the Linhai Pavilion?" Huang Zongqi laughed, "Heh heh, the thirty-sixth generation disciple of the Linhai Pavilion.

Brother Li is not from the Dragon Mountain Sect then?" Li Muzhan shook his head.

Huang Zongqi continued, "That's good then....

Is Miss Liu looking for the Purple Gown Palace?" Liu Biyun's expression turned cold, "Thank you for your concern, Young Master Huang.

We are leaving now.

Does Young Master Huang have any advice?" "Leaving already?" Huang Zongqi chuckled, "What a pity, what a pity.

I was just passing by and didn't expect to run into you, only to have to rush off again!" Wang Hanyang sneered coldly, "You, Huang, a toad dreaming of eating swan meat—don't harbor any foolish notions!" "I say, Young Master Wang," Huang Zongqi laughed, "Are you not also a toad dreaming of eating swan meat!" "You..." Wang Hanyang's face instantly flushed red, and he quickly glanced at Liu Biyun.

Liu Biyun seemed not to hear or see, saying calmly, "Young Master Huang, I won't trouble you to see us off." Huang Zongqi smiled, "Miss Liu, don't be so quick to drive me away.

I know the location of the Purple Gown Palace; perhaps I can lead the way for you?" "I dare not trouble you for the effort; I have already met Palace Master Qin," Liu Biyun replied.

Huang Zongqi responded with a disappointed "Oh" and nodded, "Is the Dragon Mountain Sect planning to move against the Purple Gown Palace?" Liu Biyun frowned faintly, "Young Master Huang has misunderstood; we will not be moving against the Purple Gown Palace." "Really?" Huang Zongqi looked surprised, smiling sweetly, "Has the Dragon Mountain Sect changed its ways? You're really going to let the Purple Gown Palace off the hook?" "You, Huang, what exactly are you here for!" Wang Hanyang snarled in anger.

Huang Zongqi laughed, "I received orders to come here and lend assistance to the Purple Gown Palace, to prevent you from succeeding!" "Hmph, your Linhai Pavilion judges a gentleman's heart with a villain's mind!" Wang Hanyang scoffed coldly.

Huang Zongqi said, "Young Master Wang, considering your injury, I won't argue with you!...

By the way, such a severe injury—who dealt the blow?" Wang Hanyang glanced at Li Muzhan and glared at Huang Zongqi, "Mind your own business!" "Oh—?" Huang Zongqi sized up Li Muzhan and laughed, "Could it be this Brother Li?" Li Muzhan smiled, turned, and said, "Miss Liu, I shall bid you farewell now." Liu Biyun pondered for a moment and said softly, "Young Master Li, as a woman, it is inconvenient for me.

Would you please help me look after Senior Brother Wang?" "Junior Sister!" Wang Hanyang called out immediately.

Li Muzhan considered it, then laughed, "Miss Liu is determined to drag me back to the Dragon Mountain Sect, isn't she!" Liu Biyun smiled apologetically, "Young Master Li, I have no choice.

There are no Senior Brothers or Sisters from the Sect nearby; I must trouble you!" Huang Zongqi stared intently at Li Muzhan, then looked at Liu Biyun, trying to discern the relationship between the two.

Wang Hanyang quickly chimed in, "Junior Sister, I'm fine now; I don't need looking after!" Liu Biyun frowned, "Senior Brother Wang! It's better if Young Master Li accompanies us.

If someone attempts harm on the road, I can divide my attention." Li Muzhan sighed, "Since that is the case, I agree!" Liu Biyun smiled radiantly and bowed formally, "Thank you, Young Master!" Huang Zongqi's face darkened, and he frowned, glaring at Li Muzhan.

Li Muzhan smiled faintly, "Brother Huang, do you have any advice for me?" "You..." Huang Zongqi took a deep breath and shook his head, "Miss Liu, would you like my assistance?" Liu Biyun stated coolly, "I dare not trouble Young Master Huang with such an errand; please go!" Huang Zongqi stared at her with a frown.

Wang Hanyang shouted loudly, "You, Huang, scram!" Huang Zongqi let out a cold laugh and said heavily, "Fine! Fine! I take my leave!" With that, he turned and walked away, striding out of the small courtyard, vanishing from sight in an instant.

Li Muzhan looked thoughtfully at Liu Biyun.

When Liu Biyun turned and met his gaze, she quickly said, "Young Master Li, please don't misunderstand!" Li Muzhan smiled, "What misunderstanding?" Liu Biyun waved her hand, "Forget it.

This Young Master Huang is a talent, but unfortunately, he is a disciple of the Linhai Pavilion!" "Junior Sister!" Wang Hanyang snorted displeasedly.

Liu Biyun sighed, "Senior Brother Wang, don't worry; I know where I stand." Wang Hanyang quickly added, "That Huang fellow looks like a good person, but he's actually a scoundrel.

Junior Sister, don't be fooled!" Liu Biyun nodded, "Senior Brother Wang, I understand." Li Muzhan sighed, "Miss Liu, are you truly taking me to the Dragon Mountain Sect?" "I still hope for Young Master's assistance," Liu Biyun replied.