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"This is just appearances."

Yi Huawei said calmly, tapping his fingers lightly on the rosewood tabletop, producing a rhythmic sound:
"The root of the problem lies in the collapse of order. The old rules have been shattered, and new rules have yet to be established. The strong treat the weak as prey, while the weak struggle to survive with no way out. The so-called heroes are nothing more than a group of 'strongmen' who have temporarily gained the upper hand through force, family background, or a bit of luck. They may be able to conquer a territory, but how do they govern it? How do they ensure the people live in peace? How do they ensure that civilization continues, rather than regresses?"

"What I seek is not simply to unify the world and sit on that chair that countless people covet. What I seek is a 'new order'."

"A new order?"

A strange light flashed in Shi Feixuan's bright eyes, and she unconsciously leaned forward slightly, showing great interest.

"good."

Yi Huawei nodded: "An order based on law rather than rule by man, on justice rather than power, that can maximize the protection of people's rights and allow everyone to have a ladder to climb up through their own efforts. The Heavenly Alliance is not just a gang in the martial arts world; it is an experiment, a prototype."

After a pause, looking into Shi Feixuan's eyes, which were full of inquiry and contemplation, Yi Huawei smiled slightly: "Of course, this path is long and difficult. It will inevitably offend countless vested interests and encounter unimaginable resistance. It may even... require breaking many things that you take for granted."

Shi Feixuan listened quietly. Yi Huawei's words were completely different from any other talk of vying for supremacy she was familiar with. Whether it was the benevolent rule of the Li clan, the separatist rule of the Song clan, or the grand ambitions of other warlords, their core remained within the framework of "rule by family." But the man before her seemed to have transcended that millennia-old framework, pointing towards a more profound and unfamiliar future.

She couldn't help but recall her master Fan Qinghui's instructions before she left: "Feixuan, that nameless gentleman is unfathomable. The origin of his martial arts is a mystery, and his actions seem casual, but they often secretly conform to the way of heaven, and his plans are far-reaching. When dealing with him, you must keep a righteous mind and observe carefully, and perhaps you can know his true heart and understand his will."

At this moment, she seemed to have touched the tip of the iceberg, but felt even more shrouded in mystery.

"The gentleman's ambition is grand and far-reaching, and Feixuan was also deeply moved when she heard about it."

Shi Feixuan spoke slowly, her tone now tinged with solemnity: "However, the process of destruction followed by construction is fraught with peril. A slight misstep could lead to even greater turmoil and suffering. How can you ensure that the 'new order' you establish is a benevolent order and not another form of oppressive rule? And how will you deal with the open and covert attacks from all sides during this process? For example... the Demonic Sect, which will certainly not stand idly by and watch you succeed, and the numerous separatist forces?"

This is no longer just curiosity, but also carries a hint of consideration and scrutiny. When Cihang Jingzhai chooses its master, it does not only look at strength, but also observes the character and understands the philosophy.

Yi Huawei remained calm: "Whether the order is good or not is not determined by me alone; it should be tested by the world and proven by time. But I can establish rules, and these rules will first and foremost bind myself and everyone in the Heavenly Dao Alliance. As for open and covert attacks..."

He chuckled softly, a laugh tinged with absolute confidence and a hint of disdain: "Why do you think I first needed to unify the Southern martial arts world and refine my skills to this level? Power is not for oppressing the weak, but for ensuring that your principles are heard by some and that others must listen. It's for sweeping away those demons and monsters who attempt to obstruct the progress of civilization through violence. Before true principles can be freely communicated, you need the strength to silence all evil and heretics."

"For example, Shi Zhixuan?"

Shi Feixuan suddenly interjected, her eyes sharpening as she intently observed every subtle change in Yi Huawei's face: "You seriously injured him, sir, could it be because he obstructed your 'reason'?"

Upon hearing this, the air in the private room seemed to freeze for a moment.

Outside the window, the sounds of the stream, the wind, and the faint sounds of the city remain the same, but in this small space, an invisible tension permeates the air.

Yi Huawei's gaze sharpened slightly as he looked at Shi Feixuan. He had indeed fought Shi Zhixuan, but no third party was present during that battle. He was certain that Shi Zhixuan, being so arrogant and seriously injured, would never publicize such a defeat.

How did Shi Feixuan find out? Was it through Cihang Jingzhai's all-pervasive intelligence network? Or did she deduce it through some special intuition or reasoning?

Yi Huawei showed no surprise on his face, but simply asked in return, "Why do you say that, Fei Xuan?"

Seeing that he neither admitted nor denied it, Shi Feixuan became even more certain. Her slender fingers gently traced the rim of the warm teacup, her voice lowered even further:

"Although Fei Xuan's martial arts skills are far inferior to those of the Master and the Evil King, she has cultivated the Cihang Sword Manual to the level of 'telepathic connection,' making her particularly sensitive to the flow of energy. I remember the second time I saw the Master, I vaguely sensed that although his aura was as deep as the sea and perfectly harmonious, there seemed to be a very faint and obscure aura of a different kind lingering in the deepest part. That aura was unpredictable, seemingly real yet illusory, with life and death flowing unpredictably, extremely mysterious, definitely not of the righteous path, and completely different from the Heavenly Demon aura of the Yin Gui Sect."

She raised her eyelids, her gaze as clear as a mirror, reflecting Yi Huawei's calm and unwavering face: "Throughout the world, the only true energy possessing such strange characteristics, and capable of preventing you from completely dissipating its residual aura, is the 'Undying Seal Technique.' Fei Xuan cannot think of any other. And Shi Zhixuan, who has roamed the world, has never been known to suffer serious injuries in a direct confrontation with anyone, except for his defeat at the hands of Master Bi many years ago. Therefore, Fei Xuan boldly speculates that you must have fought with Shi Zhixuan, and... won."

This analysis is clear, insightful, and demonstrates the wisdom and knowledge of the successors of Cihang Jingzhai.

Yi Huawei listened quietly, his fingers unconsciously stroking the smooth rim of the cup. After Shi Feixuan finished speaking, he suddenly smiled, a smile tinged with admiration: "Feixuan is indeed intelligent and perceptive. Indeed, I did meet Shi Zhixuan once, and I did stretch my muscles a little."

Even though Shi Feixuan already had a suspicion, receiving confirmation from a person still made her breath catch in her throat. The person before her had actually accomplished what even the four great Buddhist monks combined had failed to do—severely injuring that nightmarish evil king in a direct confrontation!

Suppressing the shock in her heart, Shi Feixuan pressed for an answer: "Where is he now? How are his injuries?"

This is of vital importance to Cihang Jingzhai and to the overall situation of the world.

"gone."

Yi Huawei said calmly, "His Illusionary Demonic Movement Technique is indeed remarkable. If he's determined to leave, I might not be able to stop him. As for his injuries..."

He pondered for a moment, then smiled and said, "The Undying Seal Technique is indeed profound, capable of transforming and dissolving external forces to a great extent. Although my finger strike broke his cycle of life and death and imprinted itself on his dantian, I believe that with his abilities, he should be able to recover most of his strength in a few months. However, after this setback, he should be able to lie low for a while and reflect on his life."

One finger! It shattered the Undying Seal Technique and severely injured Shi Zhixuan's Qi Sea!

Shi Feixuan listened, her heart trembling. Although she hadn't witnessed the battle firsthand, she could fully imagine how thrilling and exciting it must have been. Who was Shi Zhixuan? He was a formidable enemy that even her master, Fan Qinghui, found deeply troublesome, requiring the combined efforts of various Buddhist sects to deal with. How could he have suffered such a heavy loss at the hands of this man before her?
Shi Feixuan's gaze towards Yi Huawei grew increasingly complex and unfathomable. The man before her possessed unfathomable martial arts skills, lofty and far-reaching ambitions, and ruthless and decisive methods, yet he didn't seem to blindly advocate violence. On the contrary, he seemed to have profound and unique insights into governing the world and establishing order. What kind of person was he? Was he a savior restoring order, or… someone far more terrifying and deeply hidden…?

"Sir, your martial arts skills are profound; Feixuan is in awe."

Shi Feixuan composed herself and bowed respectfully: "This move is tantamount to removing a huge hidden danger from the world. After Shi Zhixuan's defeat, the various sects of the Demonic Sect will surely be shaken, and his plot to unify the Demonic Path and overthrow the world will likely be thwarted. This is a blessing for all living beings."

Yi Huawei shook his head, saying meaningfully, "Feixuan, don't be too happy yet. Shi Zhixuan is a man of extraordinary talent and wisdom. His wisdom and martial arts skills cannot be judged by a single battle. A setback may actually stimulate him to break through his own bottleneck and make up for the mental flaw caused by Bi Xiuxin. At that time, a more complete and powerful Evil King may truly appear in the world."

Upon hearing this, Shi Feixuan's pretty face grew even more solemn. What Yi Huawei said wasn't impossible. For a master of Shi Zhixuan's caliber, physical injuries might not be the hardest to heal; the key was the vulnerability in his mind. If he could truly use this battle to reflect on himself and make up for his shortcomings…

Thinking of this, she couldn't help but feel a chill.

Just then, there was a gentle knock on the door of the private room, interrupting their conversation. Waiters filed in carrying exquisite dishes, cleverly breaking the somewhat heavy atmosphere in the room.

The Sichuan dishes were indeed refreshing and elegant: a green vegetable dish with a clear broth and tender yellow hearts; a chicken tofu dish with a snow-white color and a delicate, cloud-like texture; a snowflake chicken soup dish that was fluffy and tender; several seasonal fresh vegetables; and a plate of exquisitely crafted pastries.

The dishes were all served, and the waiter respectfully withdrew.

"The food will lose its flavor if it gets cold, sir, please have some first."

Shi Feixuan temporarily suppressed the chaotic thoughts in her mind, picked up the silver chopsticks, and gestured elegantly.

Yi Huawei readily agreed and began to taste the dishes. The food was light and delicious, cooked to perfection, and truly complemented the ambiance of the Huanhua Creek outside the window.

Shi Feixuan ate very little, taking only a small bite of each dish before putting down her chopsticks, but her gaze kept drifting towards Yi Huawei, as if she were pondering something.

Finally, she spoke again, her voice as gentle as a babbling brook: "Does the master know why Feixuan is telling him these things?"

Yi Huawei put down his chopsticks, looked up at her, and said, "I'd like to hear the details."

Shi Feixuan sighed softly: "Because Feixuan believes that you, sir, may be the best person to end this chaotic world."

She spoke with utmost seriousness, her eyes fixed directly on Yi Huawei, her clear, watery gaze devoid of any hint of jest. Yi Huawei raised an eyebrow slightly: "What does Fei Xuan mean by this? Does Cihang Jingzhai have high hopes for someone of unknown origin like me?"

Shi Feixuan gently shook her head, carefully choosing her words: "The world's affairs are ever-changing... Does the master know why he chose to support the Li clan?"

"Appreciate further details."

"Because Master believes that the Li clan has the best chance of unifying the world and ending this chaotic era."

Shi Feixuan said calmly, "Cihang Jingzhai seeks neither power nor profit, but only peace and tranquility for the people."

Yi Huawei smiled slightly: "If that's the case, why is Fei Xuan telling me all this now?"

Shi Feixuan gazed at him and slowly said, "Master's choice has its reasons. But during my time traveling the world, I have personally witnessed the people living in peace and prosperity under the rule of the Heavenly Dao Alliance. The southern prefectures and counties are even more prosperous than before the war. This is something I never expected."

She paused, her voice becoming even softer: "Moreover, sir, your martial arts are unparalleled. You were able to integrate the martial arts world and its forces in the south within a few months. Such methods are unheard of to me."

Upon hearing this, Yi Huawei suddenly chuckled: "So Fei Xuan invited me to dinner today to test my ambitions?"

Shi Feixuan did not deny it, and frankly said, "That is indeed the intention. Feixuan would like to know, what are your ambitions, sir? Is it to settle in the south, or to conquer the world?"

After she finished speaking, the private room fell silent. The moonlight, like water, made Shi Feixuan's face appear even more beautiful and ethereal.

Yi Huawei toyed with the celadon teacup in his hand and slowly said, "The world, after a long period of division, tends to unite; after a long period of unity, tends to divide. This chaotic world should indeed come to an end."

He raised his eyes and met Shi Feixuan's gaze: "But my ambition is not to become king or emperor."

A look of surprise flashed in Shi Feixuan's eyes: "Then why, sir?"

Why was the Heavenly Dao Alliance founded?

Yi Huawei continued, smiling slightly, "It's because I can't stand the law of the jungle in this world, and I can't stand seeing people displaced. What I want is a fair world."

"A fair world?" Shi Feixuan repeated softly, her eyes thoughtful.

"good,"

Yi Huawei nodded: "A world where people are judged solely on their talent and virtue, regardless of their background; a world where everyone is equal before the law; a world where people can live and work in peace and contentment, without worrying about war or famine."

His tone was calm, yet it possessed a compelling power. Shi Feixuan was stunned, and after a long while, she said softly, "I admire your lofty aspirations, sir. But in such a world, is it truly possible to achieve them?"

Yi Huawei smiled slightly: "It's all about human effort. How will you know it's impossible if you don't try?"

He suddenly changed the subject: "But Feixuan is discussing these things with me today, probably not just to explore the general situation of the world, is she?"

Shi Feixuan's expression shifted slightly. After a moment of silence, she finally admitted, "Sir, you are wise. Feixuan does indeed have other important matters to inquire about."

She took a soft breath and lowered her voice slightly: "Sir, do you know about the Yang Gong Treasure Trove?"

Yi Huawei raised an eyebrow slightly: "I've heard a little about it. Rumor has it that it's Yang Su's enormous wealth and arsenal of weapons and armor; whoever possesses it can rule the world. However..."

He chuckled lightly: "In my view, those who win the hearts of the people win the world, not those who rely on some treasure trove."

Shi Feixuan, however, said with a solemn expression: "Sir, you may not know this, but the Yang Gong Treasure Vault does not only contain wealth and weapons. It is said that it also contains a sacred artifact of the Demonic Sect—the Evil Emperor's Relic."

Upon hearing the words "Evil Emperor's Relic," Yi Huawei's eyes flickered slightly: "Oh? Is that the relic that supposedly contains the power of several generations of Evil Emperors?"

"Exactly."

Shi Feixuan nodded and said, "If this item falls into the hands of the Demonic Sect, the consequences will be unimaginable. In particular, if Shi Zhixuan gets his hands on it, he may use it to make up for the flaws in the Undying Seal Technique, and then no one in the world will be able to control it."

Yi Huawei pondered, "Is Fei Xuan worried that Shi Zhixuan is after Yang Gong's treasure vault?"

"Not just Shizhixuan,"

Shi Feixuan said in a heavy tone: "Empress Zhu Yuyan, Demon General Zhao Deyan, and even Turkic Grand Preceptor Yun Shuai are all eyeing the Evil Emperor's Relic. According to the information Feixuan has received, the Demonic Sect has been very active recently, which is very likely related to clues about Yang Gong's Treasure Vault."

Yi Huawei suddenly laughed: "So Fei Xuan is worried that I will also get involved in the Yang Gong Treasure Vault?"

Shi Feixuan frankly admitted, "I do have this concern. Although you have great ambitions, the temptation of the Evil Emperor's Relic is too great, so I have to ask for clarification."

Yi Huawei shook his head and chuckled: "Fei Xuan is overthinking it. I have no interest in that relic. The essence of martial arts lies in one's own cultivation; relying on external objects is ultimately a lower level."

He spoke calmly, yet there was an air of arrogance about him.

Shi Feixuan stared at him for a moment, then suddenly smiled and said, "Feixuan is overthinking it. With your level of understanding, you certainly wouldn't stoop to such things."

This smile was like the first melting of ice and snow, and the blooming of spring flowers. Even Yi Huawei, who was used to seeing beautiful women, couldn't help but be slightly taken aback.

Shi Feixuan seemed to realize her lapse in composure, quickly suppressing her smile and reverting to her usual aloof demeanor, but her eyes softened considerably: "In that case, Feixuan is relieved. However..."

She hesitated for a moment: "If you know any clues about the Yang Gong Treasure Vault, please inform Fei Xuan. The Evil Emperor's Relic must not fall into the hands of the Demonic Sect."

Yi Huawei smiled slightly: "That's natural."

The two chatted for a while longer, with Shi Feixuan mostly introducing the local customs and culture of Sichuan and Chongqing. Yi Huawei would occasionally ask a question or two, and his conversation revealed his deep understanding of Sichuan and Chongqing, which made Shi Feixuan look surprised from time to time.

After several rounds of drinks and dishes, Shi Feixuan suddenly asked, "Sir, do you know of a remarkable person in Chengdu named Shi Qingxuan?"

A subtle look flashed in Yi Huawei's eyes: "Could it be that extraordinary woman whose flute skills are unparalleled in the world?"

"Exactly."

Shi Feixuan nodded: "Master Qingxuan is not only unparalleled in her flute playing, but also deeply versed in martial arts. She lives in seclusion in a secluded cottage near Chengdu and rarely receives guests. In three days, Master Qingxuan will hold a flute playing event by the Huanhua Stream. If you are interested, I can introduce you."

Yi Huawei smiled slightly: "I have long heard that Master Shi's flute skills are unparalleled in the world. It would be an honor to hear you play."

Shi Feixuan smiled faintly: "Then Feixuan will make the arrangements. Qingxuan is a person of noble character and dislikes vulgar guests, but if it is someone like you, sir, I believe she would be willing to meet you." (End of this chapter)