Wandering Swordsman |

Upon hearing this, the hall fell silent.

Immediately, the Emei nun in plain clothes sighed softly: "If Guiguzi were in charge of the Central Plains martial arts world, how could the evil cultivators from overseas be allowed to be so arrogant?"

"But the situation is critical now. In extraordinary times, extraordinary measures must be taken," Elder Zhang Jun of Mount Hua interjected. "Guiguzi is the foremost figure of our time. If he were to emerge from seclusion, he would surely be able to deter all evil forces!"

"I second that." Tang Lie nodded slowly. "If it weren't for Guigu's intervention to repel the Demonic Sect back then, the Central Plains martial arts world wouldn't be as prosperous as it is today. In such a critical moment, if we can ask Guigu to help again, we can definitely turn the tide."

Several elders nodded in agreement, and half of the people in the hall showed expectant expressions.

Situ Dengfeng suddenly looked up and glanced at the director of the Elite Academy with an unintentional look.

The curator sat upright to the side of the main seat, dressed in a simple blue robe, his face as calm as an ancient well. He noticed Situ Dengfeng's gaze, shook his head slightly, and tapped the table lightly with his fingertips, as if in silent response.

Situ Dengfeng took a deep breath, his chest heaving, and slowly stood up.

He didn't roar or slam his fist on the table, but the suppressed anger emanating from him was like a volcano about to erupt, making the hearts of all the elders in the hall tighten.

"Ask Guiguzi for help?" His voice was low, yet every word was like a hammer blow. "If we have to rely on him for everything, then what about all of us—"

He suddenly raised his hand and pointed at the hall full of elders:

"Nine factions and one gang! Eight great families! Four great academies! Is their only purpose to kneel and kowtow when he appears, calling him a 'savior'?!"

His voice suddenly rose, booming like thunder:

"We founded the Martial Arts Alliance not to wait for Master Guiguzi to save us! We founded it to prove that the Central Plains martial arts world has its own backbone! It has its own courage! It has its own indomitable spirit!"

He slammed his palm down!

"boom--!"

The entire rosewood table cracked open with a snap, the teacups tipped over, and the tea flowed like blood.

"If we lack even the courage to face our enemies today, and only know how to pray for a savior to descend, then what right do we have to stand at the pinnacle of the martial arts world?! What face do we have to face the martyrs of the previous martial arts alliance who died at the hands of the demonic sect?!"

The room was deathly silent.

No one dared to speak out.

The elder of the Huangfu family lowered his head, his inner shirt soaked with cold sweat.

Hearing Situ Dengfeng's roar, his heart was filled with turmoil—Situ Dengfeng's words were like a branding iron, burning his conscience.

The curator remained calm, his fingertips lightly stroking the teacup, but a deep meaning flashed in his eyes.

He knew that Guiguzi wouldn't make a move yet.

Because—he is Guiguzi.

Moreover, he also knew that the martial arts world of the Central Plains had not yet reached a critical moment of life and death.

......

As the meeting concluded, representatives from the nine factions, eight great families, and four academies rose one after another in the hall. Their footsteps echoed in the empty hall, like the receding tide, gradually fading into the distance.

After the last person left, the heavy, carved wooden door was slowly closed by the guards with a soft "click," as if shutting out the hustle and bustle of the entire martial arts world.

The hall fell silent.

Moonlight streamed in through the high window, like a silver veil covering the ground, casting two slender figures—Situ Dengfeng and the curator stood side by side in front of the huge Central Plains landscape painting, their backs as serene as mountains.

Situ Dengfeng slowly turned around, a thin layer of frost between his brows, his voice low and calm like an ancient well: "Mr. Wang, what truly worries me is not that each sect has its own ulterior motives, but rather... that overseas evil cultivators have quietly extended their black hands towards them."

The curator stood with his hands behind his back, his eyes flashing slightly, but he didn't speak; instead, he continued to listen.

"Yesterday," Situ Dengfeng took out a sealed letter with wax seal from his sleeve and handed it over, "the Beggar Clan leader sent intelligence—the envoys of the Outer Evil Cultivators have secretly contacted the high-ranking officials of various forces. They are using the 'Secret Technique of Immortality' and 'Divine Weapons from Another Land' as bait, and they may promise to help him break through his martial arts bottleneck."

The curator took the sealed letter, his fingertips lightly touching the sealing wax. He didn't open it, but his expression was already solemn. He whispered, his voice like wind through a pine forest, "The overseas heretical practitioners are testing us. Once some people succumb to temptation and give in, it will be difficult to unite as one to resist foreign enemies."

......

The candlelight in the hall suddenly flickered, casting a play of light and shadow on the two faces, like the quiet unfolding of a game of fate.

Situ Dengfeng remained silent for a moment, then suddenly sneered: "I suspect there's a traitor within the Martial Alliance. Otherwise, how could the overseas heretical cultivators know the situation of each sect so accurately?"

The curator slowly walked to the window, gazing at the crescent moon on the horizon, his voice as cold as frost: "In the martial world, there is no true distinction between good and evil. Some are driven by power, some by profit, and some by the elusive title of the best in the world, willing to betray the code of the martial world."

The two exchanged a glance, both seeing a chill in each other's eyes.

After a long silence, the curator sighed softly, but his tone suddenly sharpened: "Right now, we can't act rashly. A hasty investigation would only alert them. Perhaps... we should take advantage of the situation."

"Does Mr. Wang have a plan?" Situ Dengfeng asked.

The curator's lips curled slightly, a profound meaning flashing in his eyes: "You and I both know that the truly clean swords are not in the hands of prestigious sects, but in the hands of young people who have not yet been tainted by the martial world."

Situ Dengfeng confirmed, "You mean... Shen Mo?"

"Exactly." The curator nodded.

Situ Dengfeng frowned slightly: "But he's still young. If we let him get caught up in this mess..."

"It's precisely because he's young that he's trustworthy," the curator interrupted. "If we send a seasoned and prudent senior to investigate the Nine Sects, the Eight Great Families, and the Four Great Academies, it would easily arouse suspicion. But Shen Mo's identity is perfect. We can send him to investigate, under the guise of 'training,' to find out who is betraying the Martial Alliance."

He paused, his voice low: "Besides... if he really is as you say, and one day he can inherit your mantle and become the leader of the martial arts world, then this round will be his test of skill."

Situ Dengfeng remained silent for a long time before finally nodding slowly: "Alright. Mr. Wang, we will do as you say."

He raised his hand and clapped three times, the crisp applause echoing in the empty hall.

A short while later, a black-clad bodyguard slipped in through the side door and knelt on one knee.

Situ Dengfeng said in a deep voice, "Summon Shen Mo to see me."

......

The night breeze swept through the corridor, causing the copper bells on the eaves to tinkle.

Shen Mo was sitting cross-legged in his room, regulating his breathing, his brow slightly furrowed. Suddenly, he heard a knock on the door.

"Young Master Shen, are you there?" It was the voice of the Alliance Leader's personal bodyguard.

Shen Mo opened his eyes, a glint of clarity flashing in them: "Come in."

The door opened, and the guard's expression turned solemn: "The Alliance Leader has important matters to discuss with you and requests that you proceed to the main hall immediately."

Shen Mo's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately stood up.

Situ Dengfeng? Looking for me?

The memory of detoxifying Situ Meng that night flashed through his mind. This matter concerned Situ Meng's innocence. Could it be that... the Alliance Leader knew about this?

His fingertips were slightly cool, and his heart was pounding like a drum, but he forced himself to remain calm and simply nodded: "Okay, I'll go right away."