Wild cultivation begins with wielding the Taiyin talisman.

Shi Wenyan's smile remained unchanged: "We're family, just showing some concern. But the person behind you... he looks unfamiliar. Since when has our Shi family been able to bring in people of this status so casually?"

A few of his henchmen behind him let out a suppressed laugh.

"He is my friend," Shi Zhongyu said, frowning.

"A friend?" Shi Wenyan raised an eyebrow, stepped forward, and circled Ning Che. "Zhongyu, your taste is becoming more and more unique. There are so many talented young men in the mountain guard camp, how come you chose to make this... friend?"

The insult in those words was obvious even to a fool.

Ning Che remained calm, as if what the other person was saying had nothing to do with him.

He knew that he had probably been drawn into the internal struggles within the Shi family.

The other party's attack on him was merely a veiled insult.

He was too lazy to talk, but if the other party was willing to take action, he would be happy to oblige.

Shi Zhongyu's voice turned serious: "Shi Wenyan, don't go too far."

"Am I being unreasonable?" Shi Wenyan spread his hands, looking completely innocent. "I'm just curious about what makes someone so special that our Shi family's eldest daughter would look at them with such respect."

As he spoke, Shi Wenyan took a step forward, getting closer to Ning Che, and lowered his voice, saying in a volume only the two of them could hear, "Don't think that by currying favor with Shang Zhongyu you can climb up to our Shi family. Some people are born in heaven, while others are destined to be stuck in the mud their whole lives."

It seems I can't avoid speaking up.

Ning Che glanced at him.

"Are you done talking?"

Shi Wenyan was taken aback, not expecting the other party to react this way.

"you……"

"The Shi family is large and powerful, and it seems they have quite a few idle people on their side," Ning Che said calmly.

Shi Wenyan's face flushed red, and a fierce glint flashed in his eyes.

"Fine, what a sharp-tongued fellow." He chuckled through gritted teeth. "Since you're so capable, how about we have a contest?"

"Compare what?"

Ning Che looked directly at Shi Wenyan, his tone as flat as if he were asking about the weather, "Are we comparing who has the loudest voice, or who has the better family background?"

Upon hearing this, the laughter of Shi Wenyan's followers faltered.

Shi Zhongyu's lips curled up slightly, but he quickly suppressed it, cursing inwardly—this guy never loses a verbal battle.

Shi Wenyan's face darkened completely.

He always considered himself to be of noble birth and hated it most when others brought up his background. But Ning Che's casual remark made it seem as if he had nothing but family background.

"You're asking for it."

Shi Wenyan's body radiated with energy, and the aura of an eighth-rank martial artist pressed down on Ning Che.

The followers behind him also activated their inner energy, and the atmosphere in front of the Moon Gate instantly became tense.

Ning Che stood still, his clothes fluttering slightly, his expression unchanged.

He even wondered what the reaction of the third branch of the Shi family would be if Shi Wenyan were crippled here? Would Shi Bingzhu value him even more because of this?

Just as Shi Wenyan was about to make his move, a loud and clear voice came from not far away.

"shut up."

Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw Shi Cheng'an, the second steward, walking briskly towards them, followed by two guards with imposing auras.

Shi Cheng'an's face turned ashen as he stared intently at Shi Wenyan.

"Uncle Cheng'an." Shi Wenyan's arrogance subsided somewhat upon seeing the newcomer, but he still protested defiantly, "This brat was disrespectful to me..."

"Shut up."

Shi Cheng'an walked up to Ning Che, didn't even look at him, and slapped Shi Wenyan across the face.

Snapped.

The crisp sound echoed in the courtyard.

Everyone was stunned.

Shi Wenyan covered his face, his eyes filled with disbelief: "You...you hit me?"

"That's exactly who I'm going to hit." Shi Cheng'an's beard and hair stood on end. "Mr. Ning Che is a guest retainer personally approved by the family head, a man of great status. Who do you think you are, daring to shout like that here? If you offend such a distinguished guest, can you take responsibility, or can your father take responsibility?"

Guest advisor.

Shi Wenyan's mind went blank.

He only knew that Ning Che was an unknown soldier in the mountain guard camp. When did he become a guest of the Shi family? Did the head of the family personally approve it?

Shi Zhongyu also showed a surprised expression, looking at Ning Che with a hint of inquiry in his eyes.

Just how many things is this guy hiding?

Ning Che knew this in his heart.

Shi Cheng'an was doing this for himself, and also for Yu Congrong.

During his trip to Xishan, Yu Congrong, a high-ranking member of the mountain guard, personally supported him, and this news could not be kept from the Shi family, a local power.

The Shi family wasn't afraid of Ning Che, but of Yu Congrong behind him.

The Shi family would rather fawn over someone who could make Mu Qingming suffer than offend him.

"I..." Shi Wenyan was speechless, unable to utter a single word.

"Apologize." Shi Cheng'an's tone left no room for argument.

Shi Wenyan's face flushed red, and he squeezed out a few words through gritted teeth: "I...I'm sorry."

"Speak louder, I didn't hear you."

"I'm sorry." Shi Wenyan almost shouted it out, his head hanging even lower, veins bulging on his neck.

Ning Che then slowly clasped his hands in response.

"It's nothing."

The more nonchalant he appeared, the more embarrassed Shi Wenyan felt.

Shi Cheng'an snorted coldly, then turned to Ning Che with a smile plastered on his face: "Mr. Ning, I was ignorant, please forgive me. Why didn't you let me know beforehand that you were coming to my residence? I would have been happy to welcome you."

"I'm here to take care of some private business and don't want to draw too much attention," Ning Che said calmly.

He glanced at Shi Zhongyu beside him, "I originally wanted to ask Uncle Bingzhu for a favor."

Shi Cheng'an immediately chimed in: "Unfortunately, Third Master received an urgent military order yesterday to lead a team to clear out the water monsters along the Blackwater River. He probably won't be back for more than a month."

Ning Che frowned slightly.

Things are in trouble now that Shi Bingzhu is not here.

As a guest advisor, he was ultimately an outsider. Without the support of a respected insider, he could hardly make any progress in investigating a 30-year-old case within the Shi family.

"What business does Mr. Ning need?" Shi Cheng'an asked tentatively, his eyes darting around. "Please speak freely. I still have some influence in the Shi family."

Ning Che glanced at him.

If help comes knocking on your door, you might as well take advantage of it.

"I want to investigate an old story from thirty years ago, about a senior named Ishiya."

"Shigu?" Shi Cheng'an and Shi Zhongyu were both taken aback.

Shi Zhongyu had a vague memory of this name; it seemed to be a distant relative from Caixia Village who had died of illness many years ago.

Shi Cheng'an narrowed his eyes.

He was an old man, so he knew more about what happened back then.

After a moment's hesitation, Shi Cheng'an spoke: "Due to the passage of time, the files from back then are probably all sealed away in the old archives. What do you want to investigate?"

"The whole story of how Senior Shigu failed to break through to the seventh rank and his foundation was damaged," Ning Che said directly.

Shi Cheng'an's eyes flickered, but he didn't press Ning Che and Shi Gu about their relationship; he simply nodded.

"This matter is indeed strange. Come with me." Shi Cheng'an made a decision. "Zhongyu, you come too. You are Bingzhu's niece. With you here, others won't dare to say anything."