Starting with a blind date with a female constable, you acquire the Nine Swords of Dugu.

Chapter 195 Wen Shuyi's Heart Flutters (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

The mighty river surges and churns with turbid waves.

A medium-sized covered boat was speeding down the river, its hull rising and falling with the waves, splashing water onto the deck and leaving large wet patches.

The cabin was packed full of Wen Shuyi's parents, two brothers, two sisters-in-law, and several teenagers. More than a dozen people huddled in the cramped cabin, all of them pale and terrified.

No one spoke; only the muffled thud of oars cutting through the water and the mournful howl of the river wind echoed outside the cabin.

Two people stood at the bow and two at the stern of the boat, making a total of three men and one woman, who were the other four of the Six Sons of Sushan.

The two at the front are the eldest, Zhuo Yi, and the second, Fang Jing. At the stern are the fifth, Peng Liyan, and the sixth, Weng Ye.

Suddenly, Weng straightened up, his gaze fixed on the end of the river, and his voice rose sharply: "Big brother, second sister!"

"Someone's chasing us!"

Zhuo Yi and Fang Jing turned around at the same time.

Zhuo Yi rushed to the stern of the boat, placed his hand on the gunwale, and looked back. His pupils suddenly contracted.

As dusk fell, twenty or thirty bamboo rafts rapidly approached from behind, each carrying a figure dressed in red. The rafts were arranged in a goose-like formation, cutting through the water with incredible speed, closing the distance by several feet in an instant.

Zhuo Yi's face darkened: "They are the red-robed divine guards of the temple."

Fang Jing frowned, her gaze passing over the layers of bamboo rafts and landing on the red-robed figure standing on the frontmost raft.

The man was tall and imposing, his crimson robe billowing in the river wind, a long sword hanging at his waist, and a cold, stern face.

Fang Jing pointed and said, "Big brother, that man is Su Zheji, the newly appointed commander of the Divine Guard."

Zhuo Yi's face darkened. "This is troublesome," she said. "I didn't expect Su Zheji to come in person. He's a grandmaster!"

Fang Jing said in a deep voice, "Moreover, the other guards can stand steadily on the bamboo raft and move swiftly on this river. Just that skill alone is probably that of each and every one of them."

As they spoke, Fang Jing and the others couldn't help but look towards the cabin.

Suppressed sobs came from the cabin. The Wen family members had tears glistening in their eyes, but dared not cry out loud.

Zhuo Yi took a deep breath and turned to Fang Jing: "Second Sister, go in and comfort the Wen family."

Fang Jing's heart tightened with anxiety: "Big brother—"

'

"Listen to me," Zhuo Yi interrupted her, saying, "My fifth and sixth brothers and I will hold them off with our lives. You take the Wen family and find a chance to escape. Every person who can leave is a chance. We've done everything we can. The rest is up to fate. It's just a pity that we've failed Miss Wen's request."

Weng grinned and said, "Brother, if it weren't for Miss Wen saving my life back then, I would have been rotting in a ditch long ago. Giving her back today is a fair deal."

Peng Liyan said to Fang Jing, "Second Sister, listen to Eldest Brother's arrangement. You go in first and try to take the Wen family with you. All six of us brothers and sisters owe our lives to Miss Wen. To die for her now would be a worthy death!"

Fang Jing gritted her teeth, said nothing more, and turned to walk into the cabin.

Only three people remained at the stern. Zhuo Yi thrust the bamboo pole into the water with a sudden burst of speed, but the bamboo rafts behind them moved even faster, and the figure of the man in red became clearer and clearer in the twilight.

In a short while, the first bamboo raft had already attached itself to the stern of the covered boat, and then more and more bamboo rafts followed, quickly forming an encirclement.

Su Zheji, dressed in a red robe, stood on the bamboo raft and said coldly, "Zhuo Yi, hand over the Wen family members and tell me where Wen Shuyi is hiding, and I'll spare your lives!"

Zhuo Yi tossed aside the bamboo pole, drew his sword, the tip angled towards his nail plate, and said in a deep voice, "Commander Su, the Temple has always acted justly. Miss Wen's case is full of doubts. Why not wait until the investigation is complete before drawing a conclusion?"

Su Zheji looked up at him, his face expressionless: "The evidence is overwhelming; Wen Shuyi killed Dean Qi. That's an undeniable fact. Besides, if she were innocent, why would she have gone on a killing spree at Qiongcang Academy?"

"That's because the people from Qiong Cang Academy simply refuse to listen to her explanation!" Peng Liyan's long sword was already drawn, its blade gleaming coldly. He said in a deep voice, "She has no way out. If she doesn't resist, she'll be killed on the spot!"

Su Zheji glanced at the group indifferently: "It seems you do indeed know Wen Shuyi's whereabouts. Enough with the nonsense, I'll give you one last chance. Confess honestly, and you'll still have a sliver of hope!"

Zhuo Yi stared at Su Zheji and said, "Commander Su, is the temple really going to be so arbitrary, not giving Miss Wen a chance to explain?"

"Hmph," Su Zheji sneered, "Those who do wrong should pay the price. This applies to everyone, including Wen Shuyi!"

Just then, a clear, cold voice came from the distant river, as if piercing through the wind and water: "So, you should pay the price for your mistakes."

The voice was cold and clear, yet it seemed more oppressive than the surging river. Everyone turned to look in the direction of the sound, their gazes fixed on the distant horizon.

On the shimmering water, a figure in white robes was walking across the water. He carried one person in each hand, yet his movements were effortless. His white robes fluttered in the river breeze, and his long hair flowed behind him. With each step he took, only a tiny ripple spread across the water where his toes touched the ground, as light as a feather.

"Wei Qi, the High Priest of the Heavenly Gate of the Divine Temple, colluded with the evil cultivator Yu Tong to plunder the people and harm the common folk in Qinghe County under the guise of the Dragon King Sacrifice. In just a few years, he has caused the deaths of thousands. There is ample evidence and witness testimony. What price does your Divine Temple intend to make him pay?"

Peng Liyan exclaimed in surprise, "Big brother, look! Those are third brother and fourth sister!"

Zhuo Yi and Weng Ye were both overjoyed.

"Who was that person? Was he the one who saved Third Brother and Fourth Sister?"

At this moment, Su Zheji's pupils contracted slightly, and he thought to himself in surprise, "What amazing lightness skill!"

The one who came riding on the waves was none other than Gu Guanqi.

He carried Meng Qi and Mei Lan, using his Wind God Leg technique to fly at lightning speed. In the blink of an eye, he had already approached the covered boat. With a twist of his body, he landed lightly on the side of the boat and placed the two people he was carrying steadily on the deck.

At this moment, Su Zheji on the bamboo raft stared intently at Gu Guanqi, his pupils slightly contracting. He was dressed in white, wielding a black sword, and was as handsome as an immortal.

Suddenly, his heart tightened, and the name Gu Guanqi flashed into his mind!

He immediately swallowed hard, cupped his hands, and said, "May I ask, is it Alliance Leader Gu Guanqi in person?"

Gu Guanqi stood at the bow of the ship, his expression aloof, looking down at Su Zheji, and said calmly, "It's me."

Su Zheji took a deep breath and quickly cupped his hands, saying, "I was unaware that Alliance Leader Gu was here. I apologize for any neglect."

.

Gu Guanqi remained silent.

Su Zheji quickly asked, "Alliance Leader Gu, do you have any guidance for me?"

Gu Guanqi calmly said, "You haven't answered my question yet."

"Wh-what?" Su Zheji exclaimed in surprise.

Gu Guanqi said, "Wei Qi colluded with evil cultivators, harming the common people, causing countless families to be torn apart and lives lost. How does the temple plan to punish him?"

"This—" Su Zheji hurriedly said, "Alliance Leader Gu, High Priest Wei is one of the most loyal believers of the Sun God. He is upright, righteous, and hates evil. He would never do such a thing. You must have been deceived by someone with ulterior motives!"

Gu Guanqi said, "I personally investigated the Dragon King Festival. Wei Qi has escaped."

Su Zheji's face stiffened, and he said, "Alliance Leader Gu, I am unaware of this matter. I can only report it to the Sect Leader after returning to the Temple and ask him to verify it. If it is true as you say, the Temple will certainly give the world an explanation."

"Alright," Gu Guanqi said, "then you can leave. I will personally verify Wen Shuyi's matter, and I will give the world an explanation once the verification results are out."

"This—" Su Zheji looked troubled: "Alliance Leader Gu, Wen Shuyi held a grudge and killed Dean Qi because she was refused when she asked him for the Divine Fire Talisman. The evidence is conclusive—"

Gu Guanqi said, "The evidence for Wei Qi's matter is also conclusive."

Su Zheji quickly said, "This is different—"

Gu Guanqi interrupted directly, "So you mean your temple's words are more effective than mine?"

"I wouldn't dare," Su Zheji's heart tightened, and he quickly raised his hand, cupping it to Gu Guanqi, saying, "Alliance Leader Gu, I understand your meaning, and I will leave immediately. However, I cannot make the decision on this matter; I can only return to the temple and truthfully report to the Sect Leader. As for how the Sect Leader decides, that is not up to me."

Gu Guanqi turned around and waved his hand.

Su Zheji watched Gu Guanqi's retreating figure, sighed softly, and immediately ordered, "Withdraw!"

The guards immediately turned and began to retreat. A young guard, looking puzzled, leaned close to Su Zheji and whispered, "Commander, Gu Guanqi just said one thing, and we're just going to let it go like this?"

Su Zheji glanced at the guard with annoyance and said, "What, do you want Gu Guanqi to show you his skills and draw a line for you?"

The young guard said, "That's how it should be. He just said one sentence, and we slunk away. If word got out, we guards would lose face big time!"

Su Zheji rolled his eyes and said, "Is your face more important or Gu Guanqi's face? He made a move but failed to kill us, so he lost face. Do you understand?"

Besides, do you think Gu Guanqi has a good temper? Believe me or not, if I had just said one more word, Gu Guanqi would have chopped me up!

The young guard asked, puzzled, "With your martial arts skills—"

"My martial arts? What martial arts do I have?" Su Zheji cursed, "My martial arts are nothing but a fart in front of him. Alright, if you want to die, go back and find Gu Guanqi. Of course, you'll have to wait until we're far away before you go!"

Young Guard: "————"

At this moment, on the covered boat.

Zhuo Yi and the others watched the red-clad guards disappear into the distance, and they all breathed a long sigh of relief.

At this moment, Meng Qi hurriedly said, "Eldest brother, second sister, fifth brother, sixth brother, let me introduce you. This is the renowned martial arts alliance leader of Qing, Yun, and Hong prefectures, the Sword Immortal of the Mortal World, Gu Guanqi, Alliance Leader Gu!"

Zhuo Yi and the others quickly stepped forward and bowed, saying in unison, "Greetings, Alliance Leader Gu."

Zhuo Yi said, "Thank you so much, Alliance Leader Gu, for saving my siblings and me. We will never forget your great kindness. In the future, if you ever need our help, we will go through fire and water without hesitation!"

Gu Guanqi smiled slightly and said, "I wouldn't really care about favors from other people, but I'll accept the favor from you six from Sushan. In this world, it's rare to find people as loyal as you!"

As soon as Gu Guanqi spoke, Zhuo Yi and the others blushed and were very excited.

Although many people praise their loyalty on ordinary days, and they're tired of hearing it, things are different now. Now, the people praising them are the most important figures in the entire martial arts world.

"To gain the approval of Alliance Leader Gu, our lives have not been in vain!" Zhuo Yi quickly said.

Gu Guanqi smiled slightly and said, "Let's continue sailing!"

Zhuo Yi looked troubled.

Gu Guanqi understood immediately and said, "Don't worry, I'm not Miss Wen's enemy, I'm her friend. I came to Qizhou specifically to see her, and I just happened to run into this matter. Besides, in the current state of Qizhou's martial arts world, I'm afraid no one but me can help her."

Meng Qi leaned close to Zhuo Yi and whispered, "Brother, Alliance Leader Gu already knows where Miss Wen is hiding."

Zhuo Yi's face darkened as she looked at Meng Qi.

Meng Qi said helplessly, "Brother, it's not that I deliberately exposed myself. It's just that Alliance Leader Gu's methods are too advanced. I simply couldn't defend against them. If it were you, you wouldn't be able to defend against them either."

Gu Guanqi chuckled and said, "Master Zhuo, don't blame Master Meng. I know a little bit of bewitching magic; Master Meng really couldn't defend against it." With that, Gu Guanqi looked towards the Wen family in the cabin and said, "I'll go greet Miss Wen's family first!"

Gu Guanqi then went into the cabin.

From then on, the journey was smooth and unobstructed.

The covered boat drifted on the river for a day and a night.

The next morning, as dawn broke, a thin mist hung over the river.

The covered boat docked at a secluded, wild shore.

The group disembarked and, led by Zhuo Yi and others, traversed mountains and valleys to reach a secluded valley.

Upon arriving at the valley, Gu Guanqi immediately sensed traces of a mysterious formation.

The faint array of energy, though not intense, was extremely subtle, like an invisible net spread among the rocks and vegetation, concealing most of the valley's atmosphere. Even flying overhead wouldn't necessarily reveal this hidden paradise unless one visited it in person.

However, Zhuo Yi and his group were clearly very familiar with the place. After leading Gu Guanqi and the Wen family through several twists and turns, they finally entered the valley.

The valley is small, surrounded by mountains, completely isolating it from the outside world's noise and clamor. The valley is lush with trees, and a clear, shallow stream meanders down from the mountain ravine, its water shimmering like scattered gold in the sunlight.

After passing through a pine forest, a small courtyard with blue tiles and wooden walls comes into view at the end of the field of vision.

As soon as the group stepped out of the pine forest, they saw a figure appear at the courtyard gate.

It was Wen Shuyi.

She remained as quiet as ever, but her face was almost transparently pale, her lips were bloodless, and even her steps were more unsteady than usual.

Upon seeing Wen Shuyi, Wen's mother could no longer hold back her tears. She rushed forward and embraced Wen Shuyi tightly, her voice trembling and choked with sobs: "Shuyi—you've suffered so much—"

'

Wen Shuyi said softly, "I'm sorry, Mother, I've dragged you into this!"

66

Mother Wen released Wen Shuyi, then grabbed her hand, tears streaming down her face: "You child, talking nonsense! We're family, there's no such thing as being implicated. I just feel sorry for you. Look at the state you've become!"

Wen Shuyi shook her head slightly and said, "I'm fine, Mother. How are you? Are you hurt?"

Mrs. Wen quickly said, "We're all alright. We really need to thank your friends properly. Otherwise, they would have been arrested for risking their lives to help us!"

Wen Shuyi nodded slightly, then stepped forward, clasped her hands in front of her, and bowed deeply to the six men of Sushan, saying, "Shuyi thanks you all."

Fang Jing quickly stepped forward, took her arm, and helped her up, her tone urgent and earnest: "Miss Wen, what are you saying! We six siblings have been saved by you many times; your affairs are naturally our affairs too!"

Zhuo Yi chimed in, "Second Sister is right. Miss Wen, if it weren't for you, all six of us siblings would be gone long ago. Let's not talk about these things anymore. Besides, we weren't really of much help. If it weren't for Hero Gu's arrival, we wouldn't have been able to bring your family here. If you want to thank someone, thank Alliance Leader Gu!"

66

Wen Shuyi turned to Gu Guanqi, raised her eyes slightly, and smiled, saying, "I originally wanted to help Alliance Leader Gu, but before I could even offer any assistance, I've already incurred a huge favor from Alliance Leader Gu!"

"6

Gu Guanqi calmly said, "Given Miss Wen's character, even if we were just strangers, I wouldn't stand idly by. Besides, we are friends, so it's impossible for me to sit idly by."

66

Wen Shuyi stared intently at Gu Guanqi, a peculiar look in her eyes.

She knew very well that she and Gu Guanqi had only met once, but based on that one meeting, Gu Guanqi was willing to choose to believe her without hesitation.

Looking at Gu Guanqi's calm face, she was deeply moved and bowed, saying, "Thank you, Alliance Leader Gu—"

"Miss Wen, please don't be so polite," Gu Guanqi said, taking Wen Shuyi's arm and checking her pulse. "I see your injuries haven't fully healed yet. My medical skills are decent; how about I treat your wounds first?"

Wen Shuyi slightly raised her head, her gaze meeting Gu Guanqi's. Looking into Gu Guanqi's calm, watery eyes, she nodded gently, "Alright, thank you, Alliance Leader Gu!" Then, she looked at Zhuo Yi and the others, saying, "Everyone, please come in!"

The group filed into the courtyard.

Upon entering the hall, Gu Guanqi began to carefully take Wen Shuyi's pulse. After a while, he slowly said, "Miss Wen, there is a poisonous internal energy in your body that is constantly eroding your dantian."

Mother Wen hurriedly asked, "Master Gu, can you cure him?"

Gu Guanqi nodded slightly and said, "Don't worry, Auntie, I can cure it."

Wen's mother breathed a long sigh of relief.

Gu Guanqi took out a porcelain bottle, poured out a pill, and said, "Miss Wen, please take this pill first. I will then draw out the poisonous true energy for you, and then I will repair your meridians. You should recover soon."

"Thank you, Alliance Leader Gu."

Wen Shuyi did not refuse and swallowed the pill.

Then, Gu Guanqi grabbed Wen Shuyi's hands and began to transfer his true energy from palm to palm. Instantly, the true energy surged and turbulent throughout the hall.

After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Gu Guanqi slowly withdrew his hand, then pointed to the ground, and a stream of black blood shot out from his fingertip and landed on the ground.

Immediately afterwards, Gu Guanqi stood up again and pointed a finger at Wen Shuyi from a distance.

As the internal energy of the One-Finger Divine Skill continuously flowed into Wen Shuyi's meridians, Wen Shuyi was shocked to find that her damaged meridians were rapidly repairing themselves, and her internal injuries were gradually improving.

About fifteen minutes later.

Gu Guanqi slowly finished his practice.

Wen Shuyi opened her eyes, her eyes filled with surprise. She had thought that even if Gu Guanqi was a skilled doctor who could heal her injuries, it would still take some time for her to recover. But she never expected that he would heal her injuries so quickly.

"Thank you very much, Alliance Leader Gu," Wen Shuyi quickly expressed her gratitude. Then, realizing that such a profound method would surely have greatly depleted Gu Guanqi's resources, she felt a pang of guilt and said, "Alliance Leader Gu, you've worked so hard. Are you alright?"

Gu Guanqi waved his hand and said, "It's no trouble at all."

Wen Shuyi looked at Gu Guanqi and thought to herself, "Perhaps that's just his nonchalant personality. My injuries were so severe, and he healed them so quickly. How could it be nothing serious?"

Looking at Wen Shuyi's eyes, Gu Guanqi felt that Wen Shuyi might have misunderstood something.

If an ordinary person were to use the One-Finger Divine Skill in this way, the energy expenditure would be enormous, and they might not be able to fight again for several years. However, what he had in abundance was internal energy; he himself didn't even know how much internal energy he possessed.

He wouldn't feel much even if ten more people came to save him, let alone one.

However, he didn't offer much explanation, instead asking, "Miss Wen, tell me, what exactly happened at Qiongcang Academy?"

Zhuo Yi and the others also looked over curiously. Fang Jing said, "Yes, Miss Wen, what exactly happened? Our meeting two days ago was too rushed, and you didn't explain clearly what happened."

Wen Shuyi poured tea for the group and said slowly, "I have been living in Qiongcang Academy for some time now. Every day, besides reading, I study talisman techniques. Fortunately, there are also several talisman masters in Qiongcang Academy."

Four days ago, Dean Qi's daughter, Qi Yangyang, borrowed my personal weapon, the Flowing Cloud Sword. The next day, someone came to call me, saying that Dean Qi wanted to see me. I didn't suspect anything and went to Dean Qi's study.

As soon as I reached the door, I heard Dean Qi shout, "Wen Shuyi, how could you do this?" I immediately realized something was wrong, but many people outside had already rushed in after hearing the commotion. Dean Qi was dead, and the murder weapon was my Flowing Cloud Sword.

Gu Guanqi frowned slightly; this was too much of a frame-up.

Wen Shuyi continued, "I know that someone must have framed me, and Qi Yangyang can prove my innocence. After all, she borrowed my Liuyun Sword and has never returned it."

I immediately asked Qi Yangyang to testify for me, but she said she had never borrowed my sword. I realized that Qi Yangyang was definitely involved in framing me, so I decided to capture her.

The others from Qiongcang Academy naturally wouldn't let me capture Qi Yangyang, so they all attacked me. Given their martial arts skills, they couldn't stop me, so I didn't try to kill them at first.

However, I didn't expect that there was a master hidden among those people. He suddenly attacked me, and I was struck by a palm. It was the same palm strike that Alliance Leader Gu just used to heal me. That palm strike damaged my internal organs.

Left with no other choice, I went on a killing spree to force my way out. After that, I was hunted down and fled all the way. On the way, I met Brother Zhuo and his six siblings, and I asked them to bring my family to me.

This place was where my master once secluded himself for cultivation. It's extremely hidden and protected by a magical formation. And coincidentally, Brother Zhuo and his group stayed here for a while and know its location.

After listening, Gu Guanqi nodded slightly and said, "Now that you mention it, it sounds like Qi Dongjing is trying to frame you."

Zhuo Yi said in a deep voice, "Dean Qi and Miss Wen shouldn't have such a deep grudge, right? Would he risk his life to frame Miss Wen?"

"Is it possible that she faked her death?" Gu Guanqi said. "Otherwise, it's hard to explain Qi Yangyang. If Qi Dongjing really died, and Qi Yangyang knew that Miss Wen was framed, she should have stood up to prove Miss Wen's innocence immediately and then found out the real culprit."

Wen Shuyi said, "These past few days, I still can't figure out why. Dean Qi didn't fake his death. I examined him closely, and Dean Qi is really dead."

"It's hard to say," Gu Guanqi said. "There are many strange martial arts in this world. For example, I have several ways to fake my death, so that no one can find any flaws in them."

Zhuo Yi said, "That doesn't make sense either. Dean Qi is Miss Wen's mentor. Although they aren't master and disciple, their relationship is closer than that of master and disciple. Miss Wen is also the pride of Qiong Cang Academy. He has no reason to frame her. Besides, he hasn't recovered yet. Could it be that he's planning to change his identity in the future?"

Wen Shuyi shook her head slightly and said, "I don't know either. However, if I want to clear my name, I can only go to Qiongcang Academy to find Qi Yangyang."

Gu Guanqi said, "I'll go with you!"

Wen Shuyi quickly said, "Alliance Leader Gu, you have already helped me a lot. There is no need for you to get involved in this mess. If you come with me to Qiong Cang Academy and things get out of hand, you will really offend the Temple."

"It's alright," Gu Guanqi said. "So what if you offend them? I'm afraid you'll get bullied if you go alone. If they find out anything, the temple might try to cover it up for their own reputation. With me here, they won't have the ability to do so!"

"this----"

Wen Shuyi was very hesitant. She felt that she owed Gu Guanqi too many favors, and there was no reason for her to drag Gu Guanqi to offend the temple now.

Just then, Wen's mother suddenly spoke up: "Shuyi, I don't understand your world, but I think what Master Gu said is right. Now, the temple has publicly declared that you killed Dean Qi, and they are even willing to bear the infamy to arrest us."

"Things have escalated to this point, and the Temple and its followers are in a very awkward position. Even if you find evidence to prove your innocence, the Temple is willing to distort the truth for the sake of its reputation. How can you possibly fight them alone? Master Gu is a peerless martial artist with a high reputation. With him by your side, the Temple won't dare to distort the truth. You should ask Master Gu for help!"

Gu Guanqi nodded slightly and said, "Miss Wen, I came to Qizhou specifically to find you. If something happens to you, then my trip will have been in vain."

Wen Shuyi nodded and said, "Then thank you very much, Alliance Leader Gu."

"Let's not delay, let's set off now!"

Wen Shuyi nodded and said, "Okay." Then she looked at her mother and said, "Mother, you wait for me to come back here."

""

Wen's mother nodded, but still couldn't help saying with concern, "You—you and Master Gu, please be careful!"

Wen Shuyi nodded slightly, then looked at Zhuo Yi and the others, and said, "Brother Zhuo, I'm entrusting my parents and brothers to your care!"

Zhuo Yi cupped his hands and said, "Miss Wen, rest assured, we will do our best to protect them. However, our martial arts skills are too weak to help you with anything else."

Wen Shuyi quickly said, "Don't say that, you've already helped me a lot." With that, she cupped her hands in a respectful gesture and said, "Farewell!"

Immediately afterwards, Wen Shuyi and Gu Guanqi went out together.

The two walked side by side out of the valley. As they walked, Gu Guanqi suddenly spoke up, saying, "Miss Wen, were you hiding something from me just now?"

Wen Shuyi nodded slightly and said, "I was just about to tell you that if it really was Dean Qi and Qi Yangyang who deliberately framed me, I probably would know the reason."

The reason I didn't mention it earlier is because this matter concerns Dean Qi's lifelong reputation. I was originally an ordinary farm girl. I was able to get to where I am today because Dean Qi appreciated me and brought me into Qiongcang Academy, which allowed me to study mechanical engineering. Later, I was fortunate enough to become a disciple of my master.

Therefore, he has shown me great kindness, and I am unwilling to say anything that would damage his reputation before things are completely settled.

Gu Guanqi nodded slightly and said, "I understand."

Wen Shuyi said, "In the past ten years, students from Qiongcang Academy have been mysteriously disappearing. Moreover, those who have disappeared are all students with great talent in cultivation."

I had investigated before, but it always came to nothing. Until this trip back to Qiongcang Academy, I found some clues, but these clues all point to Dean Qi. He is suspected of practicing evil arts, and those missing disciples may all be vessels he's training.

Gu Guanqi asked, "What kind of evil technique?"

Wen Shuyi said, "I hadn't even found out yet when Dean Qi was murdered."

Gu Guanqi said, "So, Qi Dongjing has a motive to frame you, or perhaps he has already discovered that you are investigating him, so he created this frame-up incident to prevent you from investigating further."

Or rather, even if you do find irrefutable evidence, no one will believe what you say; they'll just think you're smearing Qi Dongjing.

"Hmm." Wen Shuyi nodded and said, "But it's just speculation right now, and it's still uncertain whether Dean Qi really practices evil arts. Also, we haven't figured out who the person who stole my item is."

That person was definitely not from Qiongcang Academy, because I know all the experts there, and none of them possessed such high cultivation. Or perhaps, if Dean Qi is innocent, then the person who secretly stole my item is the mastermind.

Gu Guanqi nodded and said, "It's alright, let's go find Qi Yangyang first."

Wen Shuyi said, "I'm still very worried that Qi Yangyang might be silenced."

"It's alright," Gu Guanqi said. "If we lose this breakthrough, I can still help you prove your innocence. Sometimes, evidence doesn't necessarily have to be found; you can even get it through fighting."

Wen Shuyi tilted her head slightly, looked at Gu Guanqi, and said, "Alliance Leader Gu, didn't we agree that I would help you, to make you interested and aid your cultivation?"

"Hmm?" Gu Guanqi was slightly taken aback and asked, "What do you mean?"

Wen Shuyi said softly, "If this continues, I'm afraid you won't be moved yet, but I'll be the one who becomes hopelessly infatuated with you."

Gu Guanqi chuckled and said, "Does Miss Wen always speak so bluntly?"

Wen Shuyi said calmly, "In the current situation, Alliance Leader Gu chose to believe me without hesitation, saved my family, healed my injuries, and is now taking me to clear my name. I feel so safe. Besides, you are so beautiful. Unless I cultivate the Path of Ruthlessness, it would be hard for me not to be moved."

Qiongcang Academy was draped in white mourning.

Qi Dongjing's mourning hall was set up in a grand hall. White banners hung down, incense and candles burned brightly, and bluish-gray smoke rose gently between the beams and pillars.

An ever-burning lamp was placed in front of the coffin, its flames flickering slightly in the breeze, casting a dim yellow glow on the white silk covering the hall.

At this moment, many people came to pay their respects, all of them prominent figures in Qizhou. They either chatted in small groups or stood alone before the coffin, bowing and offering incense, their expressions solemn and dignified. A heavy and oppressive atmosphere permeated the entire hall.

Lady Qi Dongjing, leading several younger relatives, knelt before the spirit tablet, her face as pale as paper, her eyes red and swollen. Several younger members of the Qi family lay prostrate on the ground, their arms trembling, their suppressed sobs audible intermittently in the incense-filled hall.

Qi Yangyang, a woman from Qi Dongjing, knelt in the crowd. Her plain white mourning clothes made her look even thinner. She lowered her head, her gaze fixed on the blue brick ground in front of her, lost in thought, as if she had shut herself off from everything around her.

No one paid attention to her behavior, because Qi Yangyang had been completely lost and disoriented for the past few days. Everyone assumed that she was simply overwhelmed with grief over her father's passing, which was why she appeared so listless.

Just then, a high-ranking official announced from the entrance: "High Priest Qin Shuo of the Temple's Underground Gate has arrived!"

Everyone in the hall looked in the direction of the sound.

At the entrance of the main hall, sunlight was blocked by several figures. A group of divine guards dressed in crimson robes appeared, marching in unison. They stood in two rows before the entrance, hands at their sides, in solemn silence.

A figure slowly walked out from the center of the divine guard formation.

He was a middle-aged man dressed in a black and gold Taoist robe. He was tall and slender with a dignified face. He walked with a steady gait and had an imposing presence between his brows. He held a golden scepter in his hand, which shimmered in the sunlight.

It was Qin Shuo, the High Priest of the Temple's Earth Gate.

Madam Qi immediately led her family members forward to greet them, bowing respectfully: "Welcome, High Priest."

Qin Shuo nodded slightly, offered a helping hand, and said in a calm tone, "Madam Qi, please accept my condolences. Dean Qi is the pillar of our Qi Prefecture, and everyone in the temple is deeply saddened by this calamity."

As he spoke, his gaze swept over the group of Qi family members in mourning clothes behind Madam Qi, and he added, "I will first offer incense to Dean Qi."

Madam Qi quickly stepped aside, saying, "High Priest, please."

Qin Shuo stepped into the mourning hall.

He took three incense sticks from the altar, lit them on the ever-burning lamp, held the incense sticks with both hands to his eyebrows, and bowed deeply three times to the coffin, his movements solemn.

He then inserted the incense into the incense burner, took a half step back, turned to Madam Qi, and said, "Madam Qi, I have come today not only on behalf of the temple to pay my respects to Dean Qi, but also to bring instructions from the sect leader."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone in the hall, his tone growing heavier: "Dean Qi was a renowned scholar of Qizhou, a great Confucian scholar of the current dynasty, and also a disciple of our temple. Over the years, he devoted himself to the education of Qizhou, cultivating countless talents for the temple. Now that he has been murdered, the temple will spare no effort to avenge him!"

Upon hearing this, Madam Qi's eyes reddened again. She quickly bowed and stammered, her voice trembling, "Thank you, Temple! Thank you, Headmaster! Thank you, High Priest!"

Qin Shuo slightly raised his hand, gesturing for her to rise, his tone becoming even more stern: "Not only that, the entire martial arts world of Qizhou is also united in seeking revenge for Dean Qi. The Divine Temple has issued orders to all sects and factions, ensuring that Wen Shuyi, that ungrateful traitor, does not escape Qizhou!"

These words immediately stirred up emotions among the crowd in the mourning hall.

"That vile woman, Wen Shuyi, dared to lay a hand on Dean Qi! It's utterly outrageous!"

"Qiong Cang Academy treated her well, and Dean Qi was her mentor. Yet, for the sake of a talisman, she committed such an ungrateful act!"

"Now that the temple has spoken, we will do everything in our power to capture him and will not let that thief escape justice!"

"We'll dig three feet into the ground to find her!"

"In an instant, the atmosphere in the mourning hall was electric. The martial arts masters, sect leaders, and local heroes who came to pay their respects all responded, their voices rising higher and higher, their righteous indignation seemingly about to lift the roof off the hall."

Only Qi Yangyang remained lost in thought.

She knelt in the crowd, head bowed. The surrounding noise, indignation, and passion seemed to pass through an invisible barrier, becoming a blurred buzzing noise by the time it reached her ears.

Just then—

A clear, cold voice suddenly boomed from above Qiongcang Academy, carrying profound inner strength, rolling across the sky like thunder, silencing all the noise in the mourning hall: "Gu Guanqi, Wen Shuyi has come to offer condolences!"

The mourning hall was utterly silent.

Then someone angrily shouted, "You wicked woman! What a Wen Shuyi! How dare she come here?"

"Perfect timing! Let's go get her head now and offer it as a sacrifice to Dean Qi!"

"Gentlemen, let's go kill that bitch now!"

"Who is the other person? Gu Guanqi? The Sword Immortal?"

"High Priest, what do you say?"

'

'

The mourning hall was instantly filled with excitement.

Qi Yangyang, who had been lost in thought, suddenly raised her head, a hint of fear flashing in her eyes.

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