Her movements were phantom-like, swift and unsettling; she sent five men flying in quick succession before reappearing in the center, smiling sweetly at the silver-bearded elder, "And you think you can keep us here?"

The silver-bearded elder glared at her, his face grim.

Yao Jiameng pursed her lips and chuckled, "You hate me so much, you want to kill me with your own hands, don't you?"

The silver-bearded elder gave a cold laugh, "Surname Yao, are you trying to provoke me into action?"

Yao Jiameng shook her head, "As the leader, what kind of bearing is it to hide in the rear?!"

"Dealing with you requires all of us at once; a one-on-one fight with you is suicide!" the silver-bearded elder stated gravely, "Everyone, advance together! Slay him!"

The assembled group roared in assent and slowly moved forward, shrinking the circle to deny any space for maneuvering, intending to crush Yao Jiameng and the other two with sheer numbers.

Li Muzhan sighed; he always seemed to run into situations like this, no matter what he did.

Yao Jiameng turned her head and smiled, "Young Master He, my apologies for the display."

Li Muzhan shook his head, "Sect Master Yao, shall I lend a hand?"

"If Young Master He is willing to step in, we would be honored!" Yao Jiameng replied cheerfully.

Li Muzhan nodded, "Sect Master Yao owes me a favor, which must be repaid in the future!"

"Naturally!" Yao Jiameng laughed, "Our Yu Feng Sect will never default on a debt. I request Young Master He's assistance!"

Li Muzhan slowly drew his long sword and gave it a slight shake. With a soft weng sound, the crowd felt their bodies violently tremble, their vital energies surging, nearly spiraling out of control.

Li Muzhan’s spirit was currently overwhelmingly potent, and having mastered the Yuan Jian Jue, his internal energy could be projected externally, directly dominating the surrounding qi.

He actually didn't need to move his sword. A single thought could have felled them.

"Excellent!" Yao Jiameng praised with a sharp intake of breath.

She too was shaken by the sound of Li Muzhan's sword; her own blood flow surged, nearly escaping her control. She managed to restrain it and looked admiringly at the others.

Li Muzhan shook his head and sighed, chuckling, "I haven't quite mastered it yet; there’s a risk of collateral damage."

Yao Jiameng followed his gaze and spotted Yang Ruoruo, whose face was pale as paper, her whole body trembling slightly as she struggled to remain standing.

The rest of the group had already collapsed. Some, unwilling to yield, stood swaying precariously, their faces ashen and their eyes glazed over, ready to fall at any moment.

Yao Jiameng took a step behind Yang Ruoruo and gently placed a hand on her back, channeling a stream of internal energy. Yang Ruoruo’s complexion regained its color, and she shot Li Muzhan a look of lingering terror, convinced he had done it on purpose.

"Young Master He, what manner of technique is this?" Yao Jiameng inquired.

Li Muzhan smiled, "A mere trifle, Sect Master Yao. They are yours to deal with. I must be taking my leave now!"

Yao Jiameng smiled, "Young Master He, please come inside the sect for a rest; there is no rush."

Li Muzhan smiled and shook his head, "I have been away too long; it is time to return."

"Seeing that your cultivation has advanced further, have you perhaps mastered the Yuan Jian Jue?" Yao Jiameng asked.

Li Muzhan paused in thought, then slowly nodded, "Indeed."

Yao Jiameng’s bright eyes lit up, "Is that true?!"

Her eyes narrowed slightly as she scrutinized Li Muzhan, astonishment blooming in her heart.

Li Muzhan laughed, "If I am not mistaken, I have mastered it. The Jian Gang is perfected, achieving its initial power. Sect Master Yao, I bid you farewell!"

Yao Jiameng quickly waved her hand, "Young Master He, there’s no need to rush. A few days won't matter. Please, rest at the sect first. I will deal with these men!"

Without waiting for Li Muzhan's reply, she floated gracefully, sweeping past each opponent in turn, sealing their pressure points... Li Muzhan felt a touch of helplessness, almost forcibly invited back by Yao Jiameng. She was charmingly beautiful, and he found himself unable to refuse a woman, so he followed her back.

The disciples of Yu Feng Sect led the captured disciples of Wu Miao Mountain away to be dealt with. As for their fate, Li Muzhan didn't care to investigate; there was no room for mercy in sectarian warfare—it transcended mere good and evil; it was a matter of life and death.

Inside the main hall, Yao Jiameng laughed softly, "Young Master He, if you hadn't helped today, I would have been in serious trouble. I didn't expect them to be so treacherous!"

Li Muzhan smiled, "Sect Master Yao flatters me. Even without my presence, they couldn't have held you captive."

"That's not certain!" Yao Jiameng shook her head, "They were fully prepared and surely had a method to counter me. It's easy to dodge an open attack, but hard to guard against hidden darts!"

Li Muzhan smiled and shook his head, unwilling to argue further.

Yao Jiameng smiled radiantly, "Actually, our sect does have some history with the Jian Sect."

"Oh—?" Li Muzhan raised an eyebrow with a smile, knowing that a secret was about to be revealed.

Only he and Yao Jiameng remained in the main hall; Yang Ruoruo had been sent back to recover from her injuries.

Yao Jiameng paused, then sighed deeply, "The truth is, my Master and Sect Master Hu had a relationship."

"What kind of relationship?" Li Muzhan asked curiously.

He knew very little about Hu Chu, only that Hu Chu was righteous-minded and worked tirelessly for the rise of the Jian Sect; he knew nothing of his private life.

"They were lovers," Yao Jiameng stated.

Li Muzhan was surprised. Yao Jiameng asked, "Don't you think it unlikely?"

Li Muzhan pondered, "Their ages don't seem to match, do they?"

Yao Jiameng sighed and shook her head, "Master has methods to maintain her youth; that is the marvel of our Yu Feng Sect's cultivation arts. Sect Master Hu isn't that old either, but unfortunately, he suffered a severe shock, which makes him look aged."

Li Muzhan frowned, "How could they have..."

The Wan Sheng Sect and the Yu Feng Sect were not exactly amicable. One mountain couldn't house two tigers; Wan Sheng Sect was powerful, but Yu Feng Sect was no weakling. How could the two sects maintain any friendship?

Disciples of the two sects were enemies on sight, and if they couldn't kill each other, they would certainly try to trip them up and use schemes, wishing nothing more than to crush the other side—how could love bloom?

Yao Jiameng shook her head with a sigh, "Alas... the matter of affection is just so strange. They didn't know each other's identities when they first met. Once they found out, they were forced to separate."

Li Muzhan frowned, "Did your Master betray Senior Brother Hu?"

Yao Jiameng shook her head, "Master was left with no choice; otherwise, both of them would have been hunted down by both factions and faced certain death."

Li Muzhan understood immediately upon hearing this: Hu Chu must have been the resolute one, unwilling to yield his love, while Yao Jiameng’s Master had backed down.

Li Muzhan frowned, remaining silent. Yao Jiameng continued, "Master was actually doing what was best for Sect Master Hu. If she hadn't, they would have perished long ago. She preferred to be resented by Sect Master Hu just to keep him safe."

Li Muzhan shook his head, "What a pity..."

"Indeed!" Yao Jiameng nodded and sighed, "Fate plays cruel tricks; what can be done? Life is not only about love; there are many other important things."

Li Muzhan asked, "That was your Master's thinking, then?"

Yao Jiameng laughed, "That is my thinking too, is it not? ... If the leader of a sect only thinks of herself, she is utterly unfit for the role!"

Li Muzhan slowly nodded; this perspective was understandable, a line of reasoning common to most men. Love wasn't the only necessity in life; how many men lived their entire lives without ever finding true love!

"Did they ever meet again after that?" Li Muzhan asked.

Yao Jiameng nodded, "Since they are both sect leaders, how could they not have met?"

Li Muzhan asked, "What were the circumstances like?"

"Sect Master Hu seemed not to recognize Master anymore," Yao Jiameng replied.

Li Muzhan nodded and sighed, "Senior Brother Hu must have had his heart utterly broken!... That’s why he could pour all his emotion into the sword and reach this level."

"Master was also heartbroken," Yao Jiameng sighed.

Li Muzhan smiled faintly and shook his head.

Yao Jiameng continued, "Over the years, Master has always wished to see Sect Master Hu, but unfortunately, Sect Master Hu has sealed himself off in the Wan Sheng Sect, refusing to venture out..."

Li Muzhan asked, "Sect Master Yao wishes for me to relay a message?"

"Yes," Yao Jiameng nodded, "May lovers ultimately be united; I ask for Young Master He's assistance."