Li Muzhan frowned. Had the Tianyuan Pavilion fallen to such a state that anyone dared to criticize it so openly?

This was the sign of a declining sect. When disciples of the Tianyuan Pavilion walked the martial world, if people no longer feared them, they would become brazen. The same action would meet greater resistance. This would lead to more trouble for the Tianyuan Pavilion disciples. No matter how powerful a sect, it could not be invincible everywhere; they would fall into a vicious cycle.

Li Muzhan shook his head and sighed, "Alas… The Tianyuan Pavilion truly is declining!"

His voice was loud enough that the four men nearby heard it and turned to look over.

They looked flustered. Though they claimed not to fear the Tianyuan Pavilion, its formidable reputation lingered; even in decline, they were not people to provoke.

Li Muzhan smiled and waved, "Four brothers, come over and sit with us!"

He was internally vexed, but reason restrained his anger. Losing his temper now would reveal his identity. Li Canghai could not be associated with the Tianyuan Pavilion, and since the Qinghe Sword Sect controlled Baishi City, a grand tavern like this would certainly have informants from the city.

The four glanced at each other and shook their heads, unwilling to speak with Li Muzhan.

Li Muzhan rose and walked over to their table, smiling broadly, "The Tianyuan Pavilion is nothing to fear. To be bullied into seclusion by the Divine Fist Sect—what a joke!"

The four exchanged a look, glancing at Li Muzhan. The large man from before pursed his lips, "Exactly!"

"Fifth Brother, shut your mouth!" the lean middle-aged man beside him quickly glared, sharp light flashing in his eyes.

Li Muzhan narrowed his eyes and chuckled, "What is there to hide? Can the Tianyuan Pavilion truly silence the entire world?"

The lean middle-aged man shook his head, "Young man, as the saying goes, calamity comes from the mouth. To preserve one's life in the martial world, the most crucial thing is to guard your tongue."

He spoke with sincere concern, offering sound advice. Li Muzhan smiled, "Thank you for the senior's counsel, but I feel the Tianyuan Pavilion is past its prime and nothing to be afraid of."

"A lean camel is still bigger than a horse. The Tianwai Pavilion should not be underestimated. Otherwise, why did the Divine Fist Sect retreat without a sound?" the lean middle-aged man shook his head dismissively.

The large man scoffed again, "They must have paid them off. Perhaps they handed over Bai Mingqiu to the Divine Fist Sect, hah—… hah—"

He laughed heartily. Li Muzhan's anger surged, but he forcefully suppressed it, instead revealing a smile and chuckling while patting the table, "I hear Bai Mingqiu is devastatingly beautiful, a rare sight in the world. Have any of you brothers seen her?"

The large man shook his head regretfully, "Admired her name for a long time, but alas, haven't had that luck!"

The lean middle-aged man smiled, "Rumors rarely lie. I haven't seen her, but a friend of mine did and praised her endlessly, becoming almost infatuated... He said Miss Bai’s beauty is peerless, her demeanor ethereal—truly unmatched under heaven!"

"Alas… Even if she is that beautiful, she'll still end up marrying someone from the Divine Fist Sect!" the large man said resentfully, "These disciples of great renowned sects really infuriate people!"

"Indeed," Li Muzhan sighed, "We struggle and fight for a mere shred of fame, but they—as soon as they step out—are known throughout the world!"

He soon fell into easy conversation with the four, finding their topics deeply resonant. They felt Li Muzhan understood them completely, developing an unexpected sense of camaraderie.

Li Muzhan casually clapped their shoulders, acting without making a sound.

Halfway through the drinks, Li Muzhan suddenly declared loudly, "None of these renowned sects are good! The Divine Fist Sect is no different from the Tianyuan Pavilion, and even more detestable is the Qinghe Sword Sect!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the other four snapped back to awareness.

Their expressions changed drastically, and they frantically shook their heads. Li Muzhan laughed loudly, "What are you afraid of? Does the Qinghe Sword Sect not tolerate a single criticism?!"

"Brother Li, stop immediately, this is unwise!" the thin middle-aged man hastily intervened.

Li Muzhan laughed, "I insist on speaking! What is so great about the Qinghe Sword Sect? Arrogant and tyrannical, using despicable means to eliminate dissenters—I truly despise them!"

Under the terrified gaze of the four, two youths in blue shirts appeared behind Li Muzhan, coldly stating, "Friend, you are drunk!"

Li Muzhan turned his head and sneered, "Are you disciples of the Qinghe Sword Sect?"

"Indeed!" The two youths nodded slowly, pride and arrogance evident in their bearing, staring intently at Li Muzhan, projecting an intimidating aura.

One youth had a round face and smiled amiably; the other had a square face, looking severe, his gaze sharp, looking down on everything.

Li Muzhan lazily shook his head, "With such low cultivation, you dare to venture out? Do you really believe the Qinghe Sword Sect is invincible and untouchable?"

"Friend, do we have some grievance?" the round-faced youth asked with a grin.

Li Muzhan nodded, "Yes, I have enmity with your Qinghe Sword Sect!"

"What offense have we given?" the round-faced youth asked patiently, smiling.

Li Muzhan shook his head, "Go ask Zheng Haishi—ask him what he has done!"

"Senior Brother Zheng?!" The round-faced youth immediately turned serious, "You have offended Senior Brother Zheng?!"

The square-faced youth snorted impatiently, "I say, Junior Brother Fang, why waste words? Just cripple his martial arts and throw him out!"

The round-faced youth shook his head and sighed, "This brother, you dared to come here after offending Senior Brother Zheng? You are truly audacious!"

Li Muzhan smiled, "Am I here to seek death?"

The round-faced youth hesitated for a moment, then nodded, "Senior Brother Zheng's cultivation is unfathomable, and there are many experts in the city. You have no chance."

"Junior Brother Fang!" the square-faced youth frowned, "Whose side are you on?!"

Junior Brother Fang sighed, "I just feel it’s a pity!"

"Save your kindness!" the square-faced youth said coldly, "Are you suggesting that out of pity for him, you wish to oppose Senior Brother Zheng?!"

"How could I!" the round-faced youth quickly denied.

"Then stop wasting time and cripple his martial arts, throw him out!" the square-faced youth commanded coldly.

The round-faced youth shook his head, "I can't do it!"

"Then I will!" the square-faced youth said with a cold laugh, "I'll be the villain; you just stay put!"

The round-faced youth scratched his head helplessly and looked at Li Muzhan, "Aren't you going to run?!"

Li Muzhan smiled, finding the round-faced youth interesting; he actually possessed a heart sympathetic to the weak, even daring to defy the Qinghe Sword Sect.

The square-faced youth sneered, "Run where?!"

He glanced at the other four, "Why aren't you leaving?!"

The four rose without hesitation and fled, not even sparing a look back at Li Muzhan. Offending the Qinghe Sword Sect in Baishi City was tantamount to courting death. No matter how friendly they were, they were just chance acquaintances; there was no bond of life and death between them.

Li Muzhan smiled watching them go. Having taken a palm strike from him, they would suffer some discomfort, but it wouldn't manifest immediately; the latent energy would lie dormant for at least ten days.

Watching the four flee in disarray, the square-faced youth glared coldly at Li Muzhan, "Now it's your turn. State your name!"

Li Muzhan smiled, "You state yours first!"

"Fine. My name doesn't matter; you're just a cripple anyway!" the square-faced youth said flatly. A cold glint flashed at his waist, and his sword stabbed toward Li Muzhan. His technique was swift, his moves vicious, displaying considerable skill. Li Muzhan flicked his finger—Ding…—and the long sword flew away.

Then, he extended a palm strike. The square-faced youth flew uncontrollably toward Li Muzhan. Li Muzhan gently slapped him—Bang!—and the square-faced youth slammed against a pillar two zhang away like a rubber ball.

He stuck to the pillar, suspended in mid-air, utterly unable to move, only his features twisted in a horrifying grimace, leaving the onlookers wide-eyed and dumbfounded.

All of this happened too quickly for them to react.